Re: [Church: Burden & Damian]
Sexuality and sexual conquests were irrelevant, immaterial, and unimportant. If one adhered to the stricter notions of most religions, it was inapposite to the locale also. Damian did not. But, he did not dwell on such matters either. Or, he had not. He was continuing to resist such—the thoughts odd and intrusive—, while failing to recall if this had been such an issue before. Yes, he had learned about the scientific facts of reproduction and sexual organs. He had learned manipulation through sex and sexuality. But, these things were apart from him. Tools. The details, the inclusion of emotion, the succumbing to utmost self-indulgence in sybaritic splendor. These were things he did not, or ought not, know. Nor should he have any interest in them. He would admit to neither having nor not having such. In fact, Damian would insist upon his utter disregard of the topic in its entirety. Men, women, everyone else—Damian would profess no interest in and no preference for anyone. Because it was irrelevant, immaterial, and unimportant.
So, let Burden just like folks. Damian would ignore them, as he always had. And together, they would make the question between them into nothing. Or so Damian assumed. He had come here, and this was a breach. He ought not care. Again, as mentioned, he knew this. But, he had, and it was simple to turn it into an exercise in discouraging an intensity of interest in anyone or anything. Perhaps beginning the venture by staring at the boy Burden and his pale hair and eyes and pink lips was not especially auspicious. Nor was sidling up behind him to speak lowly into his ear. But, Damian was unaware of his own immediate failures. He said his greeting to the boy and the boy turned toward him. He was prettier, Damian decided while not wishing to think anything at all, than he had appeared from afar. If one was inclined to such observations. For the record, he was not.
Instead he eyed the unabashed smile—the one he was thinking no thoughts about—with a sort of wariness. This boy, thin as he was, was indeed taller than he, Damian, was, but Damian made up for it by simply lifting his chin higher, haughtier. "Why did you have this feeling?" Damian's queries had the same air of demand about them as they did upon the forums, but it was simply how he had been taught to request information. The strange smile upon Burden's face seemed to entrench itself and Damian felt the urge to look away. He did not. He tutted. "Yes," he replied airily, as if he did not care on whit, "thank you." He tore his gaze from Burden to peer at the people pushing by. "They do not have food?" It was a stupid, stupid question. Obviously these people were itinerant. It pained the man to have asked it as soon as he had, but he would not show weakness by saying as much. Instead, he blinked.