pope | sage

                                                       scorpio no kardia (from saint seiya)                                                          oc friendly (yesssss come to me!)                                                                 multiship & multifandom                                                                      mun +18 // PT & EN

“Peço desculpas por isso.” no rosto da ariana havia uma expressão de profunda serenidade. Pinceladas de melancolia, entretanto, completavam seu humor. A etiqueta com que sempre se dirigiu ao Grande Mestre permanecia exatamente a mesma. “O senhor queria me ver?”

   “Não há maneira simples de abordar esta questão, acredito. Mas não posso deixar de partilhar o que vi com você, e esclarecer essa incógnita que as estrelas me apresentaram.” Silêncio. O assunto era sério, sim, porém ele não queria intimidar Ariel. Suas palavras eram simples, e não havia cobrança em cada sílaba.

The boy then drooped at Sage’s statement at having to get used to his comrades. Manigoldo did plan on staying; he didn’t have anything else to go for in life and he wanted to understand what Sage saw in life. Being the universe, becoming like the stars…he didn’t understand and he refused to leave when there was nothing for him out there.

A part of him did feel reluctant to understand he’d have others in Sanctuary. It was hard for him to trust, to remain calm, to think these other kids and people would be entirely benevolent. Back in the village, it was always about who could last the longest. In the most roughest of ways. And often Manigoldo would feel he’d be under others, even the other street urchins. He didn’t want that. Why can’t it just be him and Sage. Or else he’d feel inclined that he’d have to prove himself and not fall into despair. To show everyone his life did matter, that he wasn’t going to tolerate being pushed around. That’s how it always went when he fought with the other children whom picked on him. Manigoldo didn’t want to risk it.

The child hadn’t noticed how sweaty his palms were as his mind rushed with these concerns and emotions.  “Sure. I’ll get used to it.” Manigoldo glanced over to the door way, remembering there were others outside of these chambers, “I’m not going anywhere.”

   “You saw me as bad before, I see.” His tone had a faint air of humor to it, the whole mattress had moved when Manigoldo flopped back, just like a dolphin. Sage asked him to stay quiet, but he seemed so content it was difficult to scold him once more. The master leaned forward, straightening a pillow under his pupil’s hairy head and covering the tiny body with a blanket. He would not tolerate any more mess at that time.

   “Now, child -- Rest. Tomorrow you have much to do. I will not hear any drowsy complaints coming from you in the morning.” Those words were serious, and Sage meant every single one of them. He was Manigoldo’s solace, but also his teacher. And as a teacher, Sage was quite strict. The little boy would learn that sooner or later, and he had the strength to persist.

   That was a topic for the next morning, however.

   Sage laid down for the second time that day, his silver hair arranged atop his well covered chest. Both hands interlaced over his lap, green eyes softly closed, he could hear and feel the life burning beside him. Its millions of dormant stars and explosions waiting to be awakened some time.

   The time had come.

Now he was at greater ease. Heavy thoughts remained, but for now he was taking the moment to reminisce. He wanted to tap in and try to remember how it felt to be safe and warm against another’s comfortable body. Memories were slippery and yet the feeling he enjoyed. His questions and want for conquest had to wait. 

Soon his frail body will grow stronger without adrenaline’s motivation. He’ll start learning as a pupil and Sanctuary will be his new home….

His mind had almost slipped into slumber… And then he heard Sage’s voice. The child stiffened with saucer sized eyes. He was pressed against Sage’s back as his mind raced to find explanations. His lips twitched and cheeks reddened, feeling abashed that he didn’t time this right! Manigoldo could’ve sworn this old man was fast asleep!

Manigoldo shifted, pulling away slowly from the elder’s back to lessen the embarrassment he was drowned in. The little boy’s features twisted accordingly in his defense, glaring at Sage’s back and ready in case the elder would turn. He didn’t want to look like some baby!

   And his voice... Too loud at night.

   “Hush, boy.” Finally a movement came from the Pope, his voice soft still. Calmly he sat down, silver locks of hair invisible in the dark room. His eyes couldn’t see a thing, but his memory and Cosmo had the chamber mapped. Not only the place, but its visitor too.

   A hand searched for the young one, the heavy palm finding the top of Manigoldo’s head. His hair was a mess as usual, pointy and growing toward any direction it desired, like a wild plant. Sage didn’t pat his head that time, his gaze staring at the distant roof. Silently deciding the best thing to do next.

   “Because there is where you will sleep for the next days - or years, if you so desire to stay.” A pause before continuing. “You have to get used to your new bed, and companions. They are down there too, no.”

   But they were all so distant. All absorbed in their own anxieties and worries, their training and wounds. Especially at night, when the silence was thick and inescapable. He had been there too, he could remember one moment or other, and he understood his pupil’s actions. Mani was a child looking for comfort in an unknown place, and Sage was... his comfort, apparently.

   He couldn’t spoil Manigoldo too much.

The child had been staring at the ceiling for what felt like hours. Manigoldo should’ve gone asleep by now, but his little mind didn’t seem to wish to rest despite his little body’s exhaustion. His first night in Sanctuary wasn’t as pleasing as he hoped it’d be…and he knew why.

He wanted to see Sage. That’s why Manigoldo couldn’t sleep when he should A long time Manigoldo was alone with only but the souls of the dead villagers that kept him company. He hadn’t met anyone as…serene and powerful as Sage. The child couldn’t get enough; he wanted more of his company.

This room felt so lonely. This cabin given to him felt lonely. Manigoldo didn’t enjoy how lonely it felt and he was too eager to wait for Sage to visit the next day. His cheeks puffed greedily, the covers that covered half of his face were yanked off too the side as he slipped out of his room.

Bare-footed and tiredly ecstatic, the child made his way for the Pope’s Chambers. Luckily, the few Saints who were around to guard the temple recognized Manigoldo as the one child who Sage took in. Albeit, Manigoldo was trying to avoid contact with them and the Saints could tell… With the Pisces Saint’s help ( to bypass the poison roses ), Manigoldo was eventually able to reach Sage’s chambers.

Unannounced he was; he didn’t care. All he wanted was the elder’s company. He was famished for attention from one so affectionate! But… He was asleep… Manigoldo’s glowing, violet eyes fixated on the sleeping Pope. He seemed like a cat almost. What was he going to do?

…but then he remembered how tired he was. Manigoldo thought of how it felt sleeping along his mother’s side. Well, the memories were scarce, but he slept alone for many nights. It’d be nice to have at least one night where he wasn’t alone with souls. Besides, Manigoldo would be sure to try and get up before the old man did. He didn’t want to embarrass himself.

The boy climbed up the bed, he had trouble at first due to his lack of body strength. His legs flailed as he clawed a the sheets, but soon he got on. He smiled triumphantly and then let out a soundless yawn as he crawled to Sage. 

   And he still did, at that day. However, a new tiny galaxy was in preparation to take his place, continuing that infinite dance of war and death. It wasn’t without purpose.

   The elder went to bed earlier that night, an unusual event. He needed a profound rest to start the next day, when his pupil would be properly introduced to his new tasks and training. Manigoldo was a harsh child, with a strange humor for even some adults. He was small and bony, but walked as if the place was his to take. He didn’t care about many matters, that was the truth, and who could blame him. Sage needed a clear mind to deal with such boy.

   Lying in his warm bed, he was half asleep and half awake; body relaxed but mind still wandering in thoughts about the near future. Thoughts about the other Saints, gold and silver and bronze, the ones with no rank. Plans against the new Specters, and when the stars would finally detect the goddess Athena. For him, two or ten years was nothing, and the waiting was a way to prepare for his final encounter with--

   Impossible to not feel movement on the sheets. As unlikely as it could be, it seemed like a stray cat had found a way to his chambers, its fragile body leaning against his back softly. No words or demands, this cat was a sneaky one, indeed. Eyes still closed and head still leaning on the pillow, Sage left an inquisitive sigh escape him, an “oh?” so low it could be only heard by the one on his side.