But you can't do this on your own

Atlas wakes to a sound he is quite unused to hearing, however soft it was- the chiming of some sort of bell? His eyes cracked open, and he saw an unfamiliar room, he was not at home- he sat up fast enough that he felt lightheaded. The lighting told him that it was earlier in the day than it had been when he last remembered- had a whole night passed? What had happened? He remembers visiting with Teddy, dropping the cookies off, then going outside, ready to tell Gael he was done, but as soon as that warm air had enveloped him, it all went black. He slowly scooted out of bed, standing and taking inventory. He was in comfortable clothes, for sleeping, and had a few scrapes on his hips, knees and elbows. He fell down, then?

He walked out of the room carefully, following the sound of someone moving in another room. Hanging in the doorway with his hair down and curling around his face, his blue eyes looked pale in the light. He looked up at the man in the kitchen- not Teddy, but he caught a glimpse of him before. Her roommate, perhaps, or something of the like? He was human, he could tell, he didn’t give off any feeling like Teddy did. He was clad in white, and so pale that Atlas, who had always been around people who were tanner and darker haired, felt just a bit dingy in comparison, especially when he was still so scattered from being asleep.

“Hello?” He greeted him, quiet as he always was. “What, ah… did something happen?”

He knows the younger man is awake before he speaks. But waits all the same, until spoken to. At which point he turns around lightly, pale pink lips curling upwards slightly into a serene smile.

“Ah, you’re awake. You fell asleep I’m afraid, I had Teddy bring you to bed.” his breath shivers with laughter, faint, he does not make any true noise, it is more of a warm exhale. “We’ve spoken online. I am Church. Teddy is my personal attendant. I’m sure they’ll be around eventually.” 

He turns back to the stovetop a moment before the kettle begins crying with steam, removing it lightly and using it to fill a nearby pair of teacups, simple, white, with golden lacelike decor about the rim. 

“Have a seat, please. Help yourself to anything on the table.” he opens the cupboard then, tilting his head inquisitively as he looks over jars and boxes. “May I steep you tea? And if so, what do you like?” 

Really?

Well, that’s good I guess. Means you’re out of Daddy’s range of influence.

Maybe I could make a little jaunt over your way sometime. Never been to the sea. Sounds nice, sounds relaxing.

I try to be positive, but man, it can be hard sometimes. It’s nice having people around that have a least a little easier time of it than I do.

i’d be glad to host you if ever you’re interested. let me know if ever you find yourself interested, i’ll give you the location of the nearby town and escort you here myself.

livestock? oh! do you like in a rural area?

i live in a city, so I’ll likely end up working with a zoo or wildlife rehabilitation center of some sort.

oh! yes, in that case, i can sing. its just not very good, hehe.

out in the forest, near the sea, yes.

     Church has known about his guest since the moment the boy entered the town. Teddy does not have guests without Church knowing about it. In fact, it’s difficult for anyone to enter the village without Church knowing about it, he has eyes everywhere.

He does not however, mind, by all means Church loves company, hence his eager willingness to allow Teddy to bring his sleepy, passed out friend to the guest bedroom. And the next morning, he’d made sure to rise early and make himself presentable for company, not that he normally isn’t! But still.

The vestments he often wears seem a little too much right now, and so he is dressed, lightly, pristine, for the warmth of summer. White shorts that end a little high above the knee for a man of the cloth, but not so far as to not be tasteful. The top is also white, sheer outer fabric with a nonsheer tanktop underlay, the sleeves are loose, puffy, tight around the wrists so as not to get in the way. The outfit’s only real splashes of colour are the here and there accessories, the small golden cross around his neck, suspended on a thin chain. The rosary hanging from his hip, gold encrusted pearl and polished rosewood. 

He tucks a lock of hair behind his ear with slender fingers, each nail has been delicately painted a gentle shade of baby blue to match the shade of his eyes. It must have been done recently, there isn’t a single chip. 

Right now, he’s preparing tea, the gold hued kettle is not yet screaming but does bubble gently, on the nearby dining table, a plate of various pastries and fruit has already been set out. He gets a lot of baked goods as gifts, it would be a shame not to share them.

whatever name they like to be called is their name, i think. it doesn’t matter if they were born with it or not.

ah, yeah. im in it so i can get a job working with animals! it’s kinda easy to me, but anything’s easy if you have a passion.

music is so pretty! i wish i could sing…

ah, yeah. i dont particularly enjoy the heat, but the sunrise is often too pretty to miss. in the winter, seeing the sunrise reflect off the ice is nice as well.

a good way to think of it.

i see, i like animals plenty myself, though i don’t do much close work with them, i leave that to others. we have our fair share of livestock and other companions however.

:o

isnt the sea breeze nice~?

if you DO happen to get attacked by a bear, they do have kickable diaphragms

that solution may only work for me though~

it is! and it helps keep the summer bearable, at least insofar as heat goes, i’m afraid i still burn near instantly unfortunately.

ah, i just try to be kind to everyone… thank you though. i always do!

thats good! having a name you don’t like isn’t very fun.

yes! college. i’m in bioengineering!

night always has its own charms… in the summer i like staying awake to watch the dawn.

no, it isn’t, is it? i encourage people to go by whatever name they feel most comfortable in.

bioengineering, how complex. math was never my best subject, when i was in college, my majors were theology and history. a strange combination to be sure, admittedly, i didn’t have much of an idea what i was going for.

Why thank you for all the compliments.

However, you’ll find my subtlety and finesse come across far better in person than through words on a screen. Charm I have no need for, except what is strictly necessary for my current position.

You want to play, hmm? I suppose I could. I have plenty of experience at that.

of course.

Yeah, the only time anyone ever sees Pride as being pleasant to talk to is when he wants something from them. Just… be careful. Daddy and the siblings have a lot of connections in high places. You may not be as safe as you think, especially if you live in Amestris.

A guy with a positive outlook. Man I wish I had more of those around here.

amestris? i’ve never heard of it.

more like, the woods, somewhere near the sea. just a little village, nothing interesting, it’s not even on most maps.

im glad for that, at least. i do hate making people upset. i do try my best to live up to it, as well as any person could.

church is a unique name! i like it.

my day has been alright, i was studying until now, i’m going to have to sleep soon. how was yours?

you seem very sweet. so long as you don’t overwhelm yourself, do your best.

thank you! i’m very fond of it myself.

i can only assume college classes.  how nostalgic! may i ask your major? or majors?

big coastal city for me~ thats basically how the Kitchen was though just more busy maybe

these modern conveniences being mauled in the comfort of your own home? bah! the only real mauling is between you, a bear, and your last can of sardines

i live in a little coastal village. a cute coincidence.  i did grow up landlocked however.

Then consider my request one born out of concern? If for no other reason than that I like talking to you and I prefer to protect my friends and liked acquaintances where I can.

I’d tell you more, but I’m not sure you’ll believe me, and I don’t make a habit of lying without damn good reason.

But as for friends: Now you’re sounding greedy. Hopefully you see that as the compliment it is coming from me?

i may have changed my mind in any case, i find you much more pleasant to talk to. your sibling has no idea how to play nice it seems.

i’m touched over your concern however, though it likely isn’t entirely needed, i’m not entirely defenseless, and besides, i live in the middle of nowhere, which is good for avoiding stalkers...