[Sister was right about the nature of Paul’s appetite and the kind of food that the Preacher survived off of in self-imposed exile. He enjoys taking advantage of abundance after so long without it.
He looks over the mozzarella admiringly, then takes a bite out of one of his own slices. That done, he makes a pleased sound as he chews and swallows. Clearly Paul Atreides likes mozzarella.]
[ If Paul wasn't vegan or lactose intolerant and disliked mozzarella, Sister Imperator would have been more shocked by this than anything else he'd have told her to date. And that included being the Emperor of the known universe and having his eyes burned out. ]
You're a trustworthy companion.
[ Her tone was light and in jest, but she meant it.
She bit into her slice with relish. ]
You'll find the history of pizza interesting. It was brought here by Italian immigrants, and then it took on characteristics of its own as an American dish. I'm sure certain dishes and cuisines lasted into the future and made their way to space too.
[There are many surprising things about Paul, but his fondness for mozzarella likely isn’t one of them. Especially going by the way he’s eating another piece. Paul was once Emperor of the known universe, once a blind wandering preacher, and now has a developing taste for Earth food.]
You’ve earned my loyalty. It’s not something I give easily.
[Paul looks a little surprised by the hot sauce he added and looks for a drink.]
We didn’t have pizza, exactly, but we did have access to the ingredients that made it up. There were bread dishes as well. Pity I can’t reintroduce it.
Mind if I get a drink? Is there anything you would like to have in particular?
[ She heard the ring of truth in his words and nodded graciously. Sister Imperator didn't go out to make allies with political might in mind - she didn't believe in such things when she was touched by the Devil himself. But a friend, regardless of station - that was nothing short of a miracle, and she appreciated having one in Paul. ]
Not at all. I'll have whatever you offer.
[ Rule #3 of the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth: When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there. She'd accept whatever hospitality he offered, of course. ]
[Paul was someone who'd dealt with people who wanted to use him in the past, and it left him with a distaste for flattery and manipulation. So friends who don't want to do those things with him are what he's looking for now. Paul had relatively few people who he called friends, especially when friendship changed into fanaticism.]
Lemonade it'll be, then. It's been chilled to keep it fresh.
[Paul gets up and returns with two glasses of chilled lemonade, one for himself and one for Sister.]
[Paul picks an anchovy off the pizza and delicately pops it into his mouth before swallowing. He sighs in satisfaction.]
Ah, thank you. I do love seafood. It reminds me of home.
[The rest of the anchovies are plucked off, one at a time, before the rest of the slice joins them in Paul's belly. That done, he's biting into the second.]
Species of fish native to my birth planet. They were one of our biggest imports to other worlds.
[Paul thinks as he continues eating his pizza. It’s very tasty, he thinks, even without the anchovies. Earth food isn’t as good as Caladan food, but it also isn’t at all bad.]
We were famous for our seafood, our wines, and our rice cakes.
[ There was no food like home food - Sister Imperator thought that even if she moved to another country, least of all another planet, she'd miss the wines and the oranges and the fast food of California. ]
What else was Caladan famous for, other than its imports, its rainforests, and its oceans?
Oh, and being the once-home of the Messiah before Arrakis, of course.
Bigger fish, heftier too. We farmed them - much of our stocks were lost to sabotage before my father received orders to move our family. They’re good eating, though pregnant females can make you dangerously sick.
[Judging from Paul’s expression, he had personal experience with this. The memory is enough for him to set down a half-eaten pizza slice.]
We were famous sailors. I preferred flying myself, though my teachers always thought I had a touch of a reckless streak.
Our rich plant life included some valuable and culturally significant medicines.
I ate one without knowing the effects and fell into a brief but very serious illness. A combination of quick medical treatment and emptying my stomach saved my life. These days...my body can counteract poisoning.
[Paul generally trusts restaurant food, healthy or not, not to poison him - and he has ways to metabolize and handle toxins.]
That's one of the lessons I learned, I suppose. Mostly. Chani would tell you tales.
[A hint that Paul behind the wheel might be more than expected, though he's sure Sister can handle him.]
[ Sister Imperator was not immune to illness. She was, however, generally impervious from death. Lucifer apparently saw to it that she could drive off of cliffs but somehow come out alive, even if almost every bone in her body was broken. ]
I look forward to hearing her stories, as well as yours.
[ Yes, she knew that Chani had passed on. But time and life and death had always been malleable for her. ]
I realize I ask a lot about your life, but you know little about mine. Or about my marriage.
It’s not an experience I’d recommend to anybody, no.
[For all his trappings, Paul was not immune to death and was never under that particular illusion. Someone who dealt with multiple assassination attempts as a teenager knows better. But it was also true that, to a degree, Paul died when it was his time.]
I miss her very much. But her memories are alive with me and with our children.
[Paul hopes they’ll be together again somehow. His memory of her is strong.]
I didn’t want to bring up uncomfortable memories or be insensitive. You can tell me whatever you feel comfortable with.
[ Such had always been one of the Satanists' tenets - consent and reciprocity. And Sister Imperator found that she was in a place to return the vulnerability that Paul had shown her.
She took a sip of her lemonade. ]
It was an arranged marriage, so to speak - except neither of us had known it prior to meeting one another. We met at a ritual, and it happened as it was preordained by Satan. He realized his sacred bloodline and was baptized in blood, and he and I were married and ascended as Papa Emeritus Zero and Prime Mover.
I follow a similar rule. People who are kind to me have that kindness returned. For all our faults, my mother and I ensured the safety of our birth world.
[Caladan was precious to Paul and his family, so he did his best to ensure that its waters remained untainted by blood. He wished to honor his father as well. It’s one of the few things he can say he did that he’s proud of.
He takes a sip of his own drink.]
I saw Chani in dreams long before I met her in real life and we fell in love. I recognized her on sight because of those visions. So perhaps that was preordained in a fashion as well, though I am unsure how much of the prophecies around me were false, how many true, and how many true despite being created as false.
Dreaming of someone you'd never met before and falling in love with them - I'd say that's destiny, if I were a romantic, or simply claircognizance, if I were to be spiritual. Either way, it was not chance.
That's the question, isn't it?
[ She had room for one more slice of pizza, so she picked one up and nibbled at the edge thoughtfully. She hadn't - and never would - mention the words "fell in love at first sight" to describe what had happened that night between her and Nihil. But it was the truth. ]
I hadn't known about him whatsoever. When we locked eyes, it was then that it all came to me.
Thing is, aside from Chani I'm not a particularly romantic person. I'm quite cynical. But my love for her survived both of our deaths and lives on here. I think the Sisters appreciate it. Who knows? We may find a way to be together again, even if it's not the same us as before.
I don't know what to hope for.
[The specter of ghola use hovered over Paul, and he wouldn't be surprised if someone recreated him in the future for their own purposes, good or bad. Not a good idea - Paul had responded badly to efforts to control him - but that never stopped people before. Instead he digs into his pizza. With Sister finished, the rest is his.]
I knew who she was when I met her. It was the death of our first child that enraged me into accepting who I was destined to become.
The Sisters of Sin appreciate a good fuck, but many of them also enjoy a good romance. Life for us is about living it to the fullest and there's something about the bodice ripper or Jane Austen sort of fairy tale romance that can make anyone see the springtime of the world.
[ However, Sister Imperator was rolling her eyes at this. She was too pragmatic to agree, but it was not without its own version of truth for her. ]
It's certainly not impossible to reunite with her.
My condolences. [ If something had happened to Copia - Sister Imperator would truly descend into villainy, losing whatever humanity was left of her. ]
I certainly do appreciate a good fuck. Haven't had one in nine years, you know. But my loyalty to Chani is stronger than that. I've enjoyed their company in other ways, though. Telling them stories, playing games. I've learned the rules to some fascinating board games. Perhaps I might even start a book club.
[After everything Paul should know better than to hope, and yet...]
I believe the same thing. Somehow, somewhere, we could meet again.
His name was Leto, after my father. He was murdered by the men of the Emperor I usurped. A price was paid in blood, from the deserving and undeserving alike. [A moment of seriousness, and then Paul takes a delicate bite out of a pizza slice.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-23 05:44 pm (UTC)He looks over the mozzarella admiringly, then takes a bite out of one of his own slices. That done, he makes a pleased sound as he chews and swallows. Clearly Paul Atreides likes mozzarella.]
Mmph. It’s very good.
We made a deal and I keep to my side of bargain.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-23 06:20 pm (UTC)You're a trustworthy companion.
[ Her tone was light and in jest, but she meant it.
She bit into her slice with relish. ]
You'll find the history of pizza interesting. It was brought here by Italian immigrants, and then it took on characteristics of its own as an American dish. I'm sure certain dishes and cuisines lasted into the future and made their way to space too.
Was pizza one of them?
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-23 11:59 pm (UTC)You’ve earned my loyalty. It’s not something I give easily.
[Paul looks a little surprised by the hot sauce he added and looks for a drink.]
We didn’t have pizza, exactly, but we did have access to the ingredients that made it up. There were bread dishes as well. Pity I can’t reintroduce it.
Mind if I get a drink? Is there anything you would like to have in particular?
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-24 04:03 pm (UTC)Not at all. I'll have whatever you offer.
[ Rule #3 of the Eleven Satanic Rules of the Earth: When in another’s lair, show him respect or else do not go there. She'd accept whatever hospitality he offered, of course. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-24 11:52 pm (UTC)Lemonade it'll be, then. It's been chilled to keep it fresh.
[Paul gets up and returns with two glasses of chilled lemonade, one for himself and one for Sister.]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-26 04:44 am (UTC)I do enjoy a good lemonade.
[ It was orange juice adjacent, and citrus seemed to really tickle her palate while she was pregnant.
Just then, the doorbell rang. ]
Ah, that'll be the pizza.
[ She stood to open the door, receiving the pizza and paying for it. Once again, it smelled fantastic. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-26 04:49 am (UTC)[Paul is still delighted by easy access to water, and more elaborate forms like sodas and lemonades.]
Yes, the pizza. I can smell it from here. It smells delicious.
[Enough for Paul to abandon the pepperoni slice he has his eye on. He licks his lips with a hungry expression.]
I can't wait.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-26 05:01 am (UTC)Here, since this was your request - go ahead and have the first slice.
[ In the meantime, she took a sip of her lemonade, enjoying the tartness and the sugar added into it. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-26 05:12 am (UTC)Ah, thank you. I do love seafood. It reminds me of home.
[The rest of the anchovies are plucked off, one at a time, before the rest of the slice joins them in Paul's belly. That done, he's biting into the second.]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-26 05:17 am (UTC)She watched with amusement as Paul singled out the anchovies first. ]
You could get those by the can, you know.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-27 09:23 am (UTC)He thinks he can finish at least one pizza, and at least eat all the anchovies.]
There's an idea. It'll be a little like home. The moonfish of Caladan were delicious.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-27 03:07 pm (UTC)But nevertheless, she took another slice of pepperoni. ]
Moonfish?
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-27 03:14 pm (UTC)[Paul thinks as he continues eating his pizza. It’s very tasty, he thinks, even without the anchovies. Earth food isn’t as good as Caladan food, but it also isn’t at all bad.]
We were famous for our seafood, our wines, and our rice cakes.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-27 03:53 pm (UTC)[ There was no food like home food - Sister Imperator thought that even if she moved to another country, least of all another planet, she'd miss the wines and the oranges and the fast food of California. ]
What else was Caladan famous for, other than its imports, its rainforests, and its oceans?
Oh, and being the once-home of the Messiah before Arrakis, of course.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-27 04:03 pm (UTC)[Judging from Paul’s expression, he had personal experience with this. The memory is enough for him to set down a half-eaten pizza slice.]
We were famous sailors. I preferred flying myself, though my teachers always thought I had a touch of a reckless streak.
Our rich plant life included some valuable and culturally significant medicines.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-27 05:24 pm (UTC)[ His reaction to the recollection of it was enough of a tell. ]
Do you? You've been very careful thus far while here - except when it comes to food.
[ Paul was happy to eat everything, healthy or unhealthy, it seemed. ]
What a colorful childhood you weave.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-27 10:56 pm (UTC)[Paul generally trusts restaurant food, healthy or not, not to poison him - and he has ways to metabolize and handle toxins.]
That's one of the lessons I learned, I suppose. Mostly. Chani would tell you tales.
[A hint that Paul behind the wheel might be more than expected, though he's sure Sister can handle him.]
I'll have to give you more stories.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-28 05:59 pm (UTC)[ Sister Imperator was not immune to illness. She was, however, generally impervious from death. Lucifer apparently saw to it that she could drive off of cliffs but somehow come out alive, even if almost every bone in her body was broken. ]
I look forward to hearing her stories, as well as yours.
[ Yes, she knew that Chani had passed on. But time and life and death had always been malleable for her. ]
I realize I ask a lot about your life, but you know little about mine. Or about my marriage.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-29 12:21 am (UTC)[For all his trappings, Paul was not immune to death and was never under that particular illusion. Someone who dealt with multiple assassination attempts as a teenager knows better. But it was also true that, to a degree, Paul died when it was his time.]
I miss her very much. But her memories are alive with me and with our children.
[Paul hopes they’ll be together again somehow. His memory of her is strong.]
I didn’t want to bring up uncomfortable memories or be insensitive. You can tell me whatever you feel comfortable with.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-31 12:18 pm (UTC)[ Such had always been one of the Satanists' tenets - consent and reciprocity. And Sister Imperator found that she was in a place to return the vulnerability that Paul had shown her.
She took a sip of her lemonade. ]
It was an arranged marriage, so to speak - except neither of us had known it prior to meeting one another. We met at a ritual, and it happened as it was preordained by Satan. He realized his sacred bloodline and was baptized in blood, and he and I were married and ascended as Papa Emeritus Zero and Prime Mover.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-31 03:26 pm (UTC)[Caladan was precious to Paul and his family, so he did his best to ensure that its waters remained untainted by blood. He wished to honor his father as well. It’s one of the few things he can say he did that he’s proud of.
He takes a sip of his own drink.]
I saw Chani in dreams long before I met her in real life and we fell in love. I recognized her on sight because of those visions. So perhaps that was preordained in a fashion as well, though I am unsure how much of the prophecies around me were false, how many true, and how many true despite being created as false.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-31 04:12 pm (UTC)Dreaming of someone you'd never met before and falling in love with them - I'd say that's destiny, if I were a romantic, or simply claircognizance, if I were to be spiritual. Either way, it was not chance.
That's the question, isn't it?
[ She had room for one more slice of pizza, so she picked one up and nibbled at the edge thoughtfully. She hadn't - and never would - mention the words "fell in love at first sight" to describe what had happened that night between her and Nihil. But it was the truth. ]
I hadn't known about him whatsoever. When we locked eyes, it was then that it all came to me.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-03-31 09:07 pm (UTC)Thing is, aside from Chani I'm not a particularly romantic person. I'm quite cynical. But my love for her survived both of our deaths and lives on here. I think the Sisters appreciate it. Who knows? We may find a way to be together again, even if it's not the same us as before.
I don't know what to hope for.
[The specter of ghola use hovered over Paul, and he wouldn't be surprised if someone recreated him in the future for their own purposes, good or bad. Not a good idea - Paul had responded badly to efforts to control him - but that never stopped people before. Instead he digs into his pizza. With Sister finished, the rest is his.]
I knew who she was when I met her. It was the death of our first child that enraged me into accepting who I was destined to become.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-04-01 03:19 pm (UTC)[ However, Sister Imperator was rolling her eyes at this. She was too pragmatic to agree, but it was not without its own version of truth for her. ]
It's certainly not impossible to reunite with her.
My condolences. [ If something had happened to Copia - Sister Imperator would truly descend into villainy, losing whatever humanity was left of her. ]
(no subject)
Date: 2024-04-01 10:30 pm (UTC)[After everything Paul should know better than to hope, and yet...]
I believe the same thing. Somehow, somewhere, we could meet again.
His name was Leto, after my father. He was murdered by the men of the Emperor I usurped. A price was paid in blood, from the deserving and undeserving alike. [A moment of seriousness, and then Paul takes a delicate bite out of a pizza slice.]
(no subject)
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