Church Bells

He rolled his eyes.

"Somehow, I'm not surprised." He said dryly. "I still see no reason to trust you, however."

"How about I help you with your little demon problem?" he suggested. "A straight-up favor."

He thought for a minute. A night's rest would be nice...He could relax...

"...Perhaps." He said after a small deliberation.

He chuckled.

"You're quite the overworked boy, huh?"

He looked to the side, adjusting his glasses.

"That's none of your business." He informed him coldly.

"Oh come on--I'm a priest!" he insisted. "I listen to confessions all the time, you can talk to me."

He glared at him for a moment, but then realized he would force him to get rid of the demon, and then he would never, ever talk to him again. So, complaining to him would be fine.

"Well, I am a bit overworked...It's a lot of work, being a priest for a church..." He hadn't intended to talk for that long, but once you get him started, you can't stop Mars. So they sat there for, like, four hours while he complained about a shitton of things. He ended his long rant with, "Which is why I think kids should be more cautious when playing with those weird Asian 'bubbles' that come in drinks."

He nodded.

"I agree completely. You know, you and me--I think we have a connection." He grinned broadly and extended his hand. "I'm Giles Priestly by the way--don't think i ever caught your name."

Feeling much better than better, he actually shook his hand.

"Cyprus Gray." He told him. "...though the kids tend to call me 'Mars'."

"Mars," he said, trying out the name. "Mars. Marsy. Mars Bar--I like it." He scooted his chair closer.

"So, you in the market for a partner?"

He stared at him for a moment, then laughed.

"No." He deadpanned.

"Why not?" he asked, toying with his empty wine glass.

"I don't need a 'partner'." He said simply. "I'm perfectly fine on my own."

"You married?" he asked playfully.

"No." He answered before he realized it would have been better not to. "Not that that matters, anyway! I'm only twenty three!"

He waggled his eyebrows.

"That makes me twenty-two."

He frowned.

"Somehow I doubt you're younger than I am."

"What makes you say that?" he asked, leaning uncomfortably close.

Predictably, Mars leaned away.

"You seem old." He said bluntly.

"It's because I'm wise beyond my years--I can't help it," he said with a shrug. "I've seen so much..."

He frowned, not believing him.

"Anyway, it would be nice if you got rid of that demon for me."

He nodded, standing up.

"As you wish--I'll be back in a few minutes. Or, you can watch if you want."

"No, thank you." He said cheerily. "I'm going to eat my lunch in peace. For once."

He licked his lips.

"I'll imagine it."

He just stared, mostly just disturbed. Maybe telling this guy his name had been a bad idea after all.