Chapter Text
He had died from words, all of the sudden, Nathan's throat was completely dry. He looked at this new ghost with shock, intrigue, and most important out of all, curiosity. The ghost's expression twisted into confusion too, as the other didn't speak and rather analyzed him visually, in response, he cleared his throat, which successfully snapped Nathan out of his mind.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I'm sorry" Nathan chuckled lightly. "I just wasn't really expecting to find anyone here- I mean, I thought I had explored all, or at least, most of the territory in this place but- GEEZ! you're definitely new, are there more new ghosts with you? Is not usual to find friendly ones in the forest that are not completely... you know, cuckoo of the head... oh and- oh hey... you surely do look sightly familiar don't you?..."
-"Thou surely speak a lot..." The 17th-century-looking man mumbled, looking at him up and down with an inquisitive gaze.
Nathan couldn't contain a snort, he smiled "Well... I guess I kinda do, you know, speak... a lot... but hey- I'm Nathan, the co-owner of the Undervale hotel, really close here" He said with a hint of proudness in his words. "What's your name?"
The man thought for a second, as if thinking his words-and processing Nathan's too- "Thou shall call me Reverent, I was a priest from... uh..." His eyes suddenly wandered, as a small hint of panic rushed through him, Nathan recognized that in his gaze, and tried to get his attention again.
-"Hey- hey... It's alright... when we die it's common that we don't remember most stuff... specially how we die..." Nathan took a breath, a hint of remorse on his eyes
"Or... or other details, you know? the longer you don't talk about them, the faster they leave, and you my friend, look like you haven't had contact with people in a loooong long time" He said after rapidly putting up a smile, ""patting"" his back.
The priest smiled faintly, his mind now focused on the other ghost's words, he nodded.
The rain had ceased and the sky was clear, sun shining on and through them, that also lightened the mood. Both of their expressions were softer as they shared a few moment's of silence, that were interrupted only by a leaf falling in front of them, which woke them up from their thoughts.
-"Oh! right..." Nathan said with a sigh "I gotta go back, things are probably going crazy without me at the hotel, I'll make sure to come visit you, just so you have more... human interactions" his eyes scanning the awkwardness in the other's mannerisms, it was a tad sweet, cute, even. He looked so out of place, all pale with that weird clothing, intimidating but... lost as well.
The Reverent tensed, his eyes widened and pupils contracted as he tried to stop Nathan from leaving, somehow, he felt like he needed to, his hand extended to try to grab his wrist even if they were both ghosts.
-"Hold... pray, do not leave me here alone..." his gaze was yearning, Nathan's breath hitched with confusion and pity, he sighed.
-"I... could take you with me to the hotel..." Nathan was just going to, but as he examined the priest's face and features, he suddenly realized "but- could you again... tell me how you died? If you can remember..." He felt sightly afraid of the answer he could receive, as if he knew what was coming.
-"Damn right I remember... I was killed!" his gaze darkened, something told Nathan that this man could forget everything about his past, but his death kept haunting him. "My own son... possessed, it hurt my soul... yet I had to stop him, I bound him and the demon together- tried to kill their madness from ourn world- he jumped on me! making both of us fall from this cliff..." He opened his priest robe, revealing a big hole in the middle of his body. Nathan cursed himself when he thought he looked like a human donut, but as he realized, he froze.
-"So... killed..."
"by a possessed child..."
His eyes widened, as he chuckled awkwardly and rapidly gave a step back, talking faster than usual he rested his forehead on the palm of his hand "oh dear God..." he muttered, then spoke again.
"I really have to go"
-"Is it really necessary...?"
-"Yes... it is"
The priest took a deep breath, he frowned with troubled expression, until Nathan spoke again.
"But I promise I will come back..."
Their gazes meet again, both sigh as Nathan steps close again, "taking" his hands and patting them, the priest seemed to relax, but as soon as he realized their position he immediately retracted, almost offended, but he hid it, clearing his throat.
-"Promise...?"
Nathan, who too late had realized that taking the hands of this probably conservative priest was maybe not the best idea, swallowed and nodded, a small smile across his lips.
-"Yes... promise..."
They both nodded and Nathan left, he walked until he was sure the Reverent couldn't see him anymore and then ran back to the hotel, it was lunch time already, so they were in the kitchen, good for him, he barged in and yelled.
"Guys! I found Abaddon's father!"