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[ Nero strikes Steve as the kind of person who wears most of his emotions on his sleeve. It means that Steve knows where he stands with him, which he appreciates, but he can also see now that this is something Nero isn't that interested in talking about at length. He could back off, but he also figures that Nero will tell him what he's comfortable with sharing and leave it at that, which is fine.
As Nero explains, it becomes clear why he'd rather not talk about any of this. Steve's water remains untouched on the table in front of him as he devotes all of his attention to hearing him out. As the implication of Nero's words become clear, Steve's expression darkens. Raised in a cult, Nero would have only known what they told him — their doctrine, their beliefs.
But clearly at some point he broke away from the cult and became a "devil hunter," rather than just one of these holy knights. ]
So then, what changed? You got away from this cult at some point, and from then on you were hunting these monsters on your own, right? Or at least, not as part of this Order.
[ He pauses then and shakes his head, one hand lifting to wave Nero off. ]
Not that you have to tell me any of this. I just thought it might be worthwhile to hear what experience you had with cults, after dealing with Josselyn's.
As Nero explains, it becomes clear why he'd rather not talk about any of this. Steve's water remains untouched on the table in front of him as he devotes all of his attention to hearing him out. As the implication of Nero's words become clear, Steve's expression darkens. Raised in a cult, Nero would have only known what they told him — their doctrine, their beliefs.
But clearly at some point he broke away from the cult and became a "devil hunter," rather than just one of these holy knights. ]
So then, what changed? You got away from this cult at some point, and from then on you were hunting these monsters on your own, right? Or at least, not as part of this Order.
[ He pauses then and shakes his head, one hand lifting to wave Nero off. ]
Not that you have to tell me any of this. I just thought it might be worthwhile to hear what experience you had with cults, after dealing with Josselyn's.
[Guess that's a reasonable thing to think. That he unbrainwashed himself and escaped. The Order isn't like that -- entirely -- but it sort of is, too. At least with the way Sanctus led it. Not that Nero had ever believed much of it, even when he was a kid.
Once you watch demons slaughter your parents -- adoptive or not -- you kind of catch on to how bad the church is at protecting you. And if any god protects those that love them, then Kyrie's parents would've been the last to die. No one was ever more devout.
It's true he doesn't want to talk about it. Even with Nico, he doesn't. But something about Steve's questions tips him to the idea he's not really trying to interrogate him, but. Maybe it's just curiousity. Maybe Nero's just that cool. He doesn't get from Steve that any of this is an act.]
Well, I killed the vicar, and the whole thing sort of crumbled after that. [He shrugs, looking sharply away, like that's all there is to it. A little murder and it solved itself.
Not that Sanctus was human at that point, anyway.] Once they found out he was trying to turn into a demon and take over the fuckin' world... kind of shakes even the staunchest believer. Anyway, after that, there weren't many people with the pedigree to kill demons, and they just love breakin' into the human world.
Once you watch demons slaughter your parents -- adoptive or not -- you kind of catch on to how bad the church is at protecting you. And if any god protects those that love them, then Kyrie's parents would've been the last to die. No one was ever more devout.
It's true he doesn't want to talk about it. Even with Nico, he doesn't. But something about Steve's questions tips him to the idea he's not really trying to interrogate him, but. Maybe it's just curiousity. Maybe Nero's just that cool. He doesn't get from Steve that any of this is an act.]
Well, I killed the vicar, and the whole thing sort of crumbled after that. [He shrugs, looking sharply away, like that's all there is to it. A little murder and it solved itself.
Not that Sanctus was human at that point, anyway.] Once they found out he was trying to turn into a demon and take over the fuckin' world... kind of shakes even the staunchest believer. Anyway, after that, there weren't many people with the pedigree to kill demons, and they just love breakin' into the human world.
I assume you've been to see the rifts? I need an escort.
I wouldn't have been able to do that. Expediting bureaucracy is not where my influences lies.
[He does not!]
Well, until very recently I had someone much more personable to do all of that for me.
Well, until very recently I had someone much more personable to do all of that for me.
[ Ah. Right. Steve probably should have known better not to tread near to anything to do with Jayce, but it's too late to take that back. That, and it should be addressed. ]
Guess you did, yeah.
And I haven't gotten the chance to tell you until now, but I'm sorry, Viktor. I know there's always the chance that someone's going to be here one day and gone the next, but that doesn't make it any easier when it happens.
[ They were engaged. That makes it feel even more cruel, like the universe has turned against them. ]
Guess you did, yeah.
And I haven't gotten the chance to tell you until now, but I'm sorry, Viktor. I know there's always the chance that someone's going to be here one day and gone the next, but that doesn't make it any easier when it happens.
[ They were engaged. That makes it feel even more cruel, like the universe has turned against them. ]
[in fact, it does not need to be addressed! possibly it's easy to imagine Viktor waving his hand dismissively.]
He was foolish to think we were somehow excepted from this. It will continue to happen unless we uncover the secrets of the ritual and wield it for ourselves.
He was foolish to think we were somehow excepted from this. It will continue to happen unless we uncover the secrets of the ritual and wield it for ourselves.
[ Especially over written message like this, Viktor's response almost comes across as callous, but Steve can only assume that he doesn't want to stare down the barrel of expressing any other sort of emotion about it. ]
Yeah, it will keep happening. It has been.
[ Nat's disappearance is a fresh wound for him, but he's not going to make this about him, even if it had been one hell of a gut punch, just like with Tony. ]
You said you need an escort?
Yeah, it will keep happening. It has been.
[ Nat's disappearance is a fresh wound for him, but he's not going to make this about him, even if it had been one hell of a gut punch, just like with Tony. ]
You said you need an escort?
[He knows it sounds callous--he doesn't care. It's better than digging into it, and besides, it isn't untrue. Jayce was foolish. He wanted impossible things. Viktor's mistake was believing he could have them.
Easier, as always, to talk business.]
I do. I'm researching the current inter-dimensional phenomena for the Academy. I'd like to go see them for myself.
Easier, as always, to talk business.]
I do. I'm researching the current inter-dimensional phenomena for the Academy. I'd like to go see them for myself.
[ Nero admits to the murder not with a casual tone, exactly, but as if it explains everything. And, well, it kind of does, given that the person leading this so-called holy order had turned out to be a demon himself. A megalomaniacal one.
Steve wishes he could be surprised.
He raises his eyebrows and shakes his head to himself, finally leaning forward to take a drink of water as if it might wash the bad taste from his mouth. ]
So it was rotten all the way up. And those who truly believed in the order were devoting themselves to a leader who was the exact thing they were trying to stop.
[ Yeah, it makes sense it would have all fallen apart after that, and yet there were still demons to be cut down. Steve nods, understanding a bit better now. ]
So as far as you're concerned, these 'old gods' here are no different from the demons and devils you fight back home, right?
Steve wishes he could be surprised.
He raises his eyebrows and shakes his head to himself, finally leaning forward to take a drink of water as if it might wash the bad taste from his mouth. ]
So it was rotten all the way up. And those who truly believed in the order were devoting themselves to a leader who was the exact thing they were trying to stop.
[ Yeah, it makes sense it would have all fallen apart after that, and yet there were still demons to be cut down. Steve nods, understanding a bit better now. ]
So as far as you're concerned, these 'old gods' here are no different from the demons and devils you fight back home, right?
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