Aaron

[poison_isley]

This little life was actually kind of nice. Restorative. She had her estate and its sprawling gardens. She had anything she wanted- because she took it. And from time o time there were the strangest industrial accidents. That put a smile on her face.

Every other day Ivy went to Klaus's little church. He was losing interest, she could tell, but the church fed the needy and Ivy had opinions about nutrition. The least she could do was coax the church garden to grow.

She didn't think anyone was here as she worked. Dressed in a pair of denim overalls and a plaid flannel shirt, she looked every bit the part of a farmer. She was encouraging the tomatoes to ripen when she heard a noise and whipped her head around, a dozen thick vines springing from her hair to protect her.

What she had to be nervous about in London of all places was was a mystery, but a girl didn't just let her guard down.

When she saw it was Aaron, the vines slowly, slowly retreated.

"Oh. Hey."

Comments

[poison_isley]

"Good is completely subjective," she said with absolute certainty

[quitollis]

"In the larger scheme of things perhaps, yes," Aaron could agree. "But 'Do no harm' is less subjective. To a neighbour or a friend."

[poison_isley]

"But, see, I'm of the 'eye for an eye philosophy. There are people who absolutely deserve what they get."

Herself very much included.

"Maybe I'm justifying, but given what I've done...which I'm absolutely right to try to save the planet...I won't cry when I get what I 'deserve'," she said, curling her fingers in air quotes.

[quitollis]

In conversation with what some media outlets described as a zealous eco-terrorist, Aaron very much preferred to keep it small. Besides, he'd done plenty of things that followed 'an eye for an eye' in the name of the Church. So, who was he to cast a stone?

"A place at the table during our volunteers' Christmas lunch? If you'd like to join, you'd be welcome. You certainly deserve it; you're a valued - I hesitate to use the term - member of this little society."

[poison_isley]

Ivy had been set to take another sip when the cup froze. She looked at him in disbelief which slowly morphed to genuine confusion.

"...Really?"

[quitollis]

"Well, you come here dutifully... So, an unofficial non-religeous member, perhaps," Aaron clarified, thinking she was confused about calling her a member.

[poison_isley]

"But you want me to be here. With your...normal people," she said. For being so salty it was clear just how touched she was to be included.

[quitollis]

Ah. Now her surprise made more sense. And it was a little sad, to be honest. "With the other members, yes," Aaron said, very clearly not calling them normal so as not to exclude her from normality. "Of course."

[poison_isley]

"I...uh, thanks," she said, trying to play it cool, though she smiled against her cup.

"I'd be happy to come. I'll bring something. Dessert."

[quitollis]

Small kindness wasn't hard, in Aaron's opinion, and this was the simplest of examples. "That would be lovely. You don't have to bring anything; it's supposed to be a gift, but I won't stop you if you want to. Especially not dessert."

[poison_isley]

"I make this amazing vegan cheesecake," she beamed. "I'll be there with bells on."

[quitollis]

"Good," Aaron nodded and smiled kindly. He meant it. In the greater scheme of things he might not rank much higher than the eco-terrorist, so both if them could use small kindness. "I cant wait to try it."

[poison_isley]

"Why'd you become a preacher?" Ivy asked curiously. Mostly because he was kind of giving her hot priest fantasy vibes.

[quitollis]

"Vocation," Aaron admitted. "I heard the call and I followed. All the way to Italy. I studied for priest first, and planned to become Cardinal later in life. Life took me down a different path, but I've always wanted to appeal to the good in man. This allows me to do so."

[poison_isley]

"Well, you're pretty fucking good at it. Made me feel all glowy and warm," she said dryly, barely restraining her smile.

[quitollis]

Aaron smiled at her. "Then I should stop before it spreads," he teased a little.

[poison_isley]

"Hey. I have a reputation to protect," she said, quite seriously, then burst out a braying laugh. It was real and completely broke her facade of being a tough as nails bitch. Deep down, acceptance was...nice.

[quitollis]

She was very pretty when she laughed. Aaron wasn't going to mention that, though. "Your secret is safe here."

[poison_isley]

Ivy calmed a little and bit her lip as she thought a moment.

"You really believe you were, like, divinely picked for this?" she asked. "Why? Like, how do you believe it?"

[quitollis]

"For this? No," Aaron answered, foregoing the explanation of an angel literally summoning him to go to Italy. "No, this is what I made for myself. What I believe I must do for myself." Also foregoing mentioning he was kicked out of his former Church.

[poison_isley]

"Wild. Well, good for you. Follow your dreams," she smiled.

[quitollis]

Not so much dreams as redemption, but he appreciated the sentiment. "I hope you do too."

[poison_isley]

"A good Christian man probably shouldn't support my work," she noted.

[quitollis]

"What work?" Aaron asked. "Surely you're not speakimg of the garden? "

[poison_isley]

Ivy bit her lip and gave him a quizzical look.

"You don't read the news?" Ivy asked skeptically. It wasn't as if she was subtle.