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Who: Kirei Kotomine (

poolhall_killer).
What: A totally not shady priest offers a listening ear for non-shady purposes.
When: Some time after this.
Where: Empress's Palace.
Warning(s): Spoilers for Guilty Gear?

[ Kirei did not think that he would hear such a confession on the network provided to them. He would have thought that everyone would keep their secrets to themselves -- letting them die on the dead planet that they left. But he supposes that there would be one or two that would want to be absolved from their past mistakes rather than bury them all. As he is a priest, it would be a crime if he did not listen to those sins.

It didn't matter how long that the ex-assassin took, because in the end, he was prepared to wait.

He tips his head back to look up toward the entryway to the courtyard, listening to the sparring going on within yet not watching it. There are things that he can ask in person that he cannot ask with so many possibly watching and listening. Indeed, it is his hope to always be just below the radar of others. He would like to always be "unseen" by people, but he knows his personality does not grant for it; so he opts to be seen and not seen at the same time. It's the best solution.

A smile briefly ghosts his lips as he sees someone approaching. Yes, the man that made the post in the first place. The mark upon his hair, what does it mean? I would think that it could be -- Yet, he allows his thoughts to end as he starts toward him. Even though Kirei did not give his appearance, it would be easy enough to know he is the one waiting. If his priest clothes were not a giveaway, it would be the cross that still hangs on his neck. ]

To meet you in person is a pleasure. Allow me to take a moment to re-introduce myself. I am Kirei Kotomine. And I fear I did not have the mind to ask your name. [ For good reason, Kirei wanted to see what expression that the man made as he named himself. ]

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[Working up the courage to meet with someone willing to listen more thoroughly is rare, though Venom has revealed bits and pieces to new allies. Never the full story. No one ever really wants to listen to the assassin's side, after all.

After asking around, he finds his meeting spot, noting the man in black with the cross around his neck. It vaguely reminds him of Illyria's high king and how he used to hunt Venom down from time to time.

Once he's within speaking distance, he holds out his hand for a shake.]

The pleasure is mine, Kirei. My name is Venom.

[The veil of white hair covers the former assassin's face, though behind the strands, his expression is calm and amiable.]

Venom, is it?

[ He catches sight of the expression before nodding. Here he would think any name given to him by those people would be met with some hesitation, or guilt. ]

Shall we? [ A small gesture for them to start walking. With those present either getting ready to join the courtyard to spar, spectating, or actually enjoying what little they can see of the Empress's Palace, it would seem their visit will be mostly ignored. So Kirei promised Venom and so he attempts to keep said promise. ]

Let's see. There were a couple of questions that I thought to ask. First, you said the Crusades... what did you mean by that? [ A beat. ] I think it would be best to start from the beginning and move from there. There is only so much that a person can say in a post. The weight of an entire lifetime is only shed a little with so many words, is that not so?

[Venom's professionalism remains as he walks with the priest, hands behind his back as if he's speaking with a client. Old habits, etc.

The atmosphere surrounding them puts him at ease as he begins to speak.
There is a lot to cover:]

The Crusades were a period of time when my world was at war with the Gears. It began with a great cataclysm and ended with the sealing of a powerful command Gear 100 years later. All I know is that I was born during the final years of the war.

I spent part of my childhood in an orphanage that was sponsored by the Assassin's Guild. They used them as a way to care for lost children, and to find potential members. They eventually recruited me, but unfortunately, I don't know the exact details as to why.

[It's clear he's not used to speaking so openly about this, but he tries to keep a strong face for his acquaintance.]

A powerful command Gear? [ Usually when he's repeating back a statement as a question, it is just so that he can make it rhetorical before answering it in a long-winded manner. ] I'm afraid I don't understand what that means. It's a meaning that is beyond my world's knowledge, at least.

[ Still, he understands the worth in assassins attempting to find potentials through orphans. ] Those that were not able to make the cut. Do you know what happened to them, Venom?

[ A slight pause. ] Come now. You've already aired out most of your past on the network. A simple chat between a priest and a sinner that wishes to reform should be nothing.

[At first, Venom's puzzled by the response, but then he remembers that not every world was subjected to Gears and their power.]

Gears are beings that were infused with magic technology. The commander controls all of them, but they were defeated and apparently sealed away. But I digress...

[He doesn't expect the next question, so he tries his best to word his answer in the proper manner.]

I know, but it's different when one is divulging information about his past. I believe the ones that weren't recruited were just cared for, but I don't know the specifics.

And as for me, I almost didn't make the cut after I was brought in. I was sentenced to death due to being a liability... because I didn't like to kill.

[ His eyebrows come together as he decides that it doesn't matter. Humans will find reason to war, because violence is in their very nature. All this allows him to know is that magic is commonplace in Venom's world so he need not worry about omitting his knowledge of magic. ]

I suppose that it is. Yet, in asking, it allows you to free yourself a little from the various chains that are holding you down. [ So he says. ] That is a rather optimistic view that you have for them. [ And surprisingly, he does not smell a lie beneath the words. ]

And you were spared. Why do you think that you were spared?

[This is where Venom holds his head up high, as if he's remembering a very bright moment in his life. The day he walked into the young assassin's life.]

I was spared because the leader, Lord Zato himself, said he saw great potential within me. He appointed me as his right hand, and in return, I pushed myself to become stronger.

Without him, I would not be alive.

He saw potential in you to become a killer, then? [ Kirei gives a small nod to himself. ] Potential that you were then able to make a reality.

[ His tone is surprisingly neutral, despite his words sounding like they could be a lecture. ] I find that to be something of a contradiction. If you had let yourself be killed, you would not be feeling the regret and guilt that you do now. Yet... you wanted to live even if it meant killing others. Or is there something that is not yet said?

Mostly the last part, really. They discovered a unique ability within me: I was able to kill with anything I could get my hands on. I was clearly destined to be a great assassin... only I despised the thought of taking lives.

[He pauses, thinking of his actions before he was brought here.]

I devoted myself to the man who saved me, and I poured every inch of my being into his wishes. All because he spared my life. But sometimes I do wonder if I would have been better off being executed.

[ Kirei pauses and turns his head to look out toward the courtyard. It is to keep himself from laughing. He finds the parallels interesting -- he is someone who wanted to experience happiness as normal humans could but couldn't; Venom is one who wanted to live with others yet his very being seems perfect to kill everything. Indeed, the Heavens do not make any mistakes yet created men that could not live with themselves.

Well, he has accepted himself as being a monster yet Venom has not. Indeed, the man has decided to change the path ahead of him into something else -- to stop being a killer. Commendable. ]

I am envious. [ A beat. ] Of you deciding to cast away everything that is built within your very body and destiny. You were born to be a killer, so it would seem. You have the wish of your lord inside of you and now you will kill it. What has made you into what you are ... it may, perhaps, fade.

[ His head tilts. ] But you are fighting against your very nature, what you are, even if you hate it. I wonder if you can truly put it aside or not, but I will help you in every way I can. [ Not for any other reason than seeing how ruined Venom will be when he fails. ]

[Venom is listening to the priest, but he's also quietly mulling over the meeting he had with 2cave. How he seemed to be needling Venom into returning to the Guild after his apparent "death". Before his world came to an end, he was given a choice to return to the Guild or to protect the town that was hiding him.

Even with his loyalty to Lord Zato, he was ready to choose. He was going to protect the town.]

I've been spared more than once for a reason, and I want to see where this path takes me. Maybe I am destined to be a killer, but I want to find that out for myself.

[ Yes. He nods to himself. This person isn't Kiritsugu. For a second, a brief second, he thought he saw yet another person like him but it was but a mirage. All for the best, really. ]

You want to know if your life was worth sparing. I cannot answer the worth of anyone but I can say that your life has meaning. [ That is an important distinction to Kirei. ] Then, shall I forgive your sins officially? I may not know them all, but if you want to start again... I shall offer you forgiveness from my God and in those eyes, you shall be given a clean slate.

[ He pauses to turn so he can stand in front of Venom. His hands behind his back as he looks the ex-assaasin over. ]

Your penance shall be how you live from here on out, Venom. That seems a reasonable weight to me, do you agree?

[Organized religion never meant much to Venom. But to hear Kirei absolve him with a few words is... odd. Can it be that simple? A priest has that sort of power over sin and forgiveness? He doesn't address it as he doesn't feel like starting a debate.]

I appreciate your generosity. I'll be sure to remain on a more lawful path from here on out.

[ He breathes out a half-laugh as he reaches to take Venom's hands. His eyes close -- it's not necessarily perfect but it'll do. Indeed, it's more the words and the actions than if it is a true blessing. ]

May God give you pardon and peace. [ Yes, indeed, he'll forgive the sins because he'll be curious of how far Venom will fall if he is to break this clean slate gifted. The forgiveness from him is honest, even if the intention behind it is not. ] As gifted to me, whoever's sins I forgive, they are forgiven.

[ He opens his eyes and lets go of the man's hands. ] If you say your life will be a lawful one from now on, I shall do what I can to help you along. You need only ask for my help and I shall join you. I say again, the penance for your previous life is to change your future. That is the only way that we truly recognize and free ourselves from our sins.

[Venom lets the priest take his hands, albeit reluctantly as he isn't sure this will even work. But then it's done. Just like that, all his sins have been forgiven by this man of God.

His skepticism remains intact, but he accepts his clean slate and penance as he lets go of Kirei's hands.]

So it begins. I am no longer Venom the assassin. I am a normal human being, now.

I do appreciate your help in the matter, sir.

You're welcome. It is my duty to help those that are in search of absolution and salvation.

[ He gives a small nod, yet doesn't seem willing to take the thanks. ]

Will you continue to go by Venom, then? Or are you going to seek out a new name for yourself?

[It's a question he's never really considered. His name was unknown before the Guild, so he has nothing to go back to. A new name would be interesting, but in the end, he shakes his head.]

I believe I will keep Venom. I can't see myself going by anything else, honestly.

I understand.

[ He doesn't laugh at the decision to keep the name. Kirei's own name is ironic as it is meaning to be "beautiful" and "pure" -- the wish that his father had for his own personality and soul. Why shouldn't someone who actually has what he lacks not be named "Venom?" ]

With that out of the way, could I ask a question? [ A beat. ] You have an eyeball painted on your hair. Is that a symbol of your Guild?

[It's a question he's received a few times since his arrival, and it's been asked in his own world, as well. Is it really that unusual?]

The eye is more of a personal symbol. For one, my vision is sharper compared to the average human. Accuracy is, rather was, a must in my former profession. People don't think I can see behind my bangs, but I can see very clearly.

And two, it represents a type of third eye. I stress the importance of empathy, and I tend to read people frequently.

You are not wrong. An assassin that misses even 30% of their attacks is worth nothing. [ But it is noted that Venom can see quite well beneath the bangs. Here he has also been thinking that he could not see too well, but the man has been moving well out of his way and not surprised by any of Kirei's actions even if he gave little tell on what he would be doing in his words alone. ]

Then... what have you come to understand about me, Venom? I am always curious to know how I am read to others.

Hmmmm...

[He looks at Kirei for a few moments as he chooses his words.]

This isn't the first time you've dealt with killers, but that might be because you have experience on your side. You're very comfortable in my presence, even after knowing what I've done.

[ Just that, then? Good. ]

You are right. This is not the first time that I've dealt with killers... assassins. The department within the church are not all related to reflection and prayer. [ He says with in a half-laugh. ] There are more than a few that handle the hunting and execution of threats. I would not say these threats are to the church itself. They are threats to the body of the people. The soul of the people.

[ Do all of those that are Executors feel the same? No. But that is the point of these departments. ] Indeed, the meaning behind what we were doing was for the sake of the soul of humanity. I fought in such situations, but I do that no longer. So, I feel there is something kindred between us in that we were both attempting to adhere to the wishes of others before us.

However, unlike you, I was able to transfer out once I realized I was gaining nothing. It did not upset the person that I was attempting to please, because I found another calling that still worked within his expectations of me.

I feel that is something that did shape me as a person. I rarely ever thought of my own well being. I was always one to put others' desires before my own.

[And Kirei is the second holy man that Venom's shared traits with. The High King and Venom were on opposite ends of the law, but they shared similar views on order and justice.]

If there was a way I could have transferred elsewhere, I would have taken it years ago. But I wasn't sure if I could bring myself to leave my Lord's side so early.

[Even now he feels kind of bad for being away from Lord Zato's pod for so long.]

That is indeed how I lived my life, as well. Everything I did was for the Holy Church. If it were to ask me to throw myself into Hell's fire, I would do so without hesitation. But there is no life in such servitude to someone else's expectations and happiness.

[ He turns his head to give a small sigh. ] Because while they know you are loyal and willing to sacrifice yourself for them, they know nothing else about who you are as a person. Did one person within your Guild truly understand you? Did they know some of your inner concerns and your working mind?

If they did, I would say that you were luckier than I was... regardless if you committed acts that you hated.

I want to believe there were a few people. The Guild's founder especially, though I felt my Lord understood me as well. I had a feeling both wanted a better life for me and one of my former associates, but they never interfered.

Not even during our last time together.

[That thought really saddens him as he looks away from the priest.]

You want to believe in them, is that so? Well, I will say that I am envious. [ Whether he means it or not is another thing entirely. If he was envious for every person that had someone else that understood them, he would be envious all the time. But he supposed in his own way that he hoped on the other side of things that the assassin that lived up to the expectations of others would feel as he did. Yet he realizes now that was a foolish idea to have.

Venom is someone that does not live up to his namesake much like how Kirei doesn't live up to his own. Someone who has a kind soul calls to other people; in some way, they are drawn and willing to understand. However, the priest knows himself -- he is a hollow man that no one sees anything in. ]

Did you want to talk about your last time with them?

[This priest is an odd one, but perhaps that's just how they are. Kirei is the first priest he's ever spoken to for more than a few seconds, and he's a little hesitant to open up about the night of his final mission.

May as well try...]

My Lord had recently forged an agreement with the Third King that allowed the assassins to enlist as soldiers. It was our first real step towards the light. Our founder, Lord Slayer, insisted on a few festivities before putting the rest of our plan into action. He even offered a bottle of Bordeaux that had been aged for fifty years.

In his own special way, he invited me to participate, but I declined. I said that unless our mission produced results, all of it would be for naught. They didn't stop me, and I went about my way.

Looking back on it, I feel I should have spent some more time with them in order to create some better memories. But I wasn't planning on coming back alive, either.

What was the rest of your plan?

[ He'll come back to poking and twisting at the comment about how Venom was unable to spend more time with the rest of the Guild. ]

Some task that the Third King asked of you to do before he would allow the assassins to be as soldiers, I am assuming? [ The Guild itself sounded rather soft on the inside. Not necessarily a bad thing. Not necessarily saying they are weak killers. He knows not their skills -- or what were their skills, but they sound like those that would drown in sentimentality after a kill. ]

Not quite. I knew our sins wouldn't be forgiven so easily, even if we proved we could be soldiers. There was an antagonist, one who humiliated us greatly when we tried to relay some information to the appropriate parties. If we could eliminate him, we'd get our revenge along with removing a large obstacle for the kingdom.

And that still wouldn't have been enough. Someone had to take the fall. I figured that as the leader it was my responsibility, and that if I could become a wall between the light and darkness, I would gladly sacrifice myself. My life was fueling my unhappiness, so it made perfect sense to me.

[As much as he was ready to give up his life back then, he couldn't bear to think about Robo Ky and what he did to make their mission succeed.]

[ Oh. This man is sounding very similar to someone that he hates. He noticed it -- of course, he would notice it -- but picked apart everything in his head. Mercilessly, coldly. Yet in hearing those words, he couldn't ignore it. ]

You would sacrifice everything for a chance for peace. You would allow yourself to become the villain if it meant for world peace, then? [ Kirei already knew the answer to these questions, but he knows he is not speaking to Kiritsugu. Just a person who believes in the same child-like hope, and has an idealistic dream that steps on the very nature of people. ]

But you also wanted your life to hopefully end in what you did. [ He breathes in and out. Not fully Kiritsugu's mentality, then. That man never came off as someone who wanted to die. ] Do you still feel like your life is one that will fuel your unhappiness? Or are you going to seek out your own selfish happiness?

Had it come down to that, I would have accepted it.

[He did hide out for quite a while after his rescue because he feared his survival would jeopardize the Guild's new future.]

I briefly thought of that before being brought here. I'm not sure if I deserve any kind of happiness, or if I'm even capable of it. But being here has lifted a few weights off my chest. Like I was given a truly clean slate.

Is it selfish of me for pursuing a chance at a new life...?

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And now come the spoilers :o

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