inconvincible | Who Are You?

"They usually do, yeah." Lucas remarks off-handedly while soaking in the sights the cozy little cafe presents. He can see the appeal already and whichever table they pass that has food gets a second look, too. Definitely no regrets so far...

Klement's also as dressed down as the Medium has ever seen him. It's almost shocking, except for the fact that the man is more presentable than Lucas is in his usual t-shirt-jeans-converse combination. He leans back against his chair when seated, absently still looking around.

"Oh, yeah, honestly as long as it's not crummy convenience store fare, I think I'm going to like it." His standards as far as food goes is not a high bar. "So, is this a place you come to do business or just because you like it?"

That statement causes a bit of relief and a touch of concern for Lucas' food habits, but Klement smiles all the same. "Once for business," he says, glancing to look through his own menu. "The other times really were for me."

Who are you really, though?

Despite all of the niceties, the untethered question comes to the forefront of his thoughts. While he genuinely does want Lucas to enjoy the lunch, he does mean to answer the question to the best of his abilities.

"Whenever you are ready, we can place the order and...well. Chat for a while."

Just don't ask him what he eats when elbow deep in a case, Klement. Spoiler alert: M&Ms.

Lucas draws his gaze back to Klement and his own question comes to mind. In context a chat is exactly why he's here, but he has to wonder what he might be getting into. Nothing for it.

"Well I've got two ears for a reason," While he might be a chatterbox he's also a very good listener. "Let's get this order going and settle in. You do owe me an explanation, right?"

Lucas, no. Not that Klement knows that currently, but if he ever does...

Speaking of which, Kovach is ready, willing to listen to what he has to say. As for the meal itself, he beckons to the closest server so they can place their orders in a timely manner.

The Antiquary is a fair man. Deals fair. Plays fair. And it wouldn't be fair to withhold background information after a fair amount of time has passed. "You are correct," he replies to the Medium after a time, leaning his wrists against the edge of the table and clasping his hands in front of his body. "And as I have said, I may have some trouble trying to find a good place to begin. So...shall I just cut to the chase?"

After placing his order Lucas sits back in his chair, regarding the other man carefully. There’s always been something off about Klement. Not in a bad way, just the air of otherness that was intriguing. Was he reading too much into it or was there more to see, just beneath the surface?

Either way he’s about to find out.

“You know, my Mom always said I’m a good listener,” He sweeps his hand out towards Klement. “So let’s just jump straight into this.”

From what he can tell so far, Lucas is very accommodating; there's truth to the Medium's self-proclamation, and he has the job experience to prove it.

Hazel eyes study him for a moment before Klement leans back in his chair, one hand resting over the other. "Very well, then.

"...I remember you saying something about being familiar with the supernatural. With ghosts," he begins. "Talking to them, listening to them – just as we are doing now." His gaze drops for less than a second's worth of time, lifting again as he continues. "I see ghosts. Even from my earliest memories, I have always seen them, and it was only later in life I was tasked with guiding them to where they were supposed to go once they left the mortal plane.

"This is the part that may sound a little crazy, however. Will you believe me if I said my experiences are because of my divine heritage?"

At first it's an almost normal thing to say. I see ghosts. Lucas sees them, too. Every day, ever since he could recall, but there the similarities end. He sits up, interest definitely peaked.

"...Guiding them? Wait, what?" That curiosity lands first, but it's swiftly follows by another. It's a lot to process all at once, give him a second here Klement!

"Woah, woah, woah. Back up, what do you mean by divine heritage?"

He did kind of jump into it. Perhaps a little too quickly, considering how Lucas was trying to catch up. "Ah, my apologies. I shall explain."

The Antiquary lifts a hand as he clears his throat, letting that motion go into simple gestures to aid his words. "What I mean by divine parentage is precisely that: one of my parents hails from a godly pantheon." The other hand then joins in. "The god in this instance is my father. My mother is human. So by definition I am technically a Demigod."

A small smile punctuates the silence that follows, letting all of what he says sink in.

Okay, Lucas has to admit he's never considered himself to be a religious person in any context despite his line of work. Maybe there's a force out there for the greater good, but real, actual Gods is another thing. Paired with guiding the dead, he has to wonder...

"So are we talking Charon or Osiris or someone like that?" Klement wouldn't pull his leg this hard, so the only logical conclusion, as wild as the whole idea happens to be, is he's telling the truth. "A demigod...I'm gonna need a refresher on that one."

That much is correct: Klement isn't really the type to joke to that extent.

"Closer to the latter of the two. I suppose the great Osiris is like a distant relative, in a manner of speaking." His hands draw together again, one resting over the other to adjust a black ring he's wearing. "More like Anubis, in this case."

Yes, that Anubis.

He quirks a brow, almost sputtering, "Anubis...huh."

There's so many questions rattling around in his brain that Lucas doesn't know where to start. Maybe not in the most likely of places but the first whole question that springs to mind is what he's going with for now, "Does it help with the line of work your in? Antiquities, or whatever?"

"In a way it does. Antiques are linked to history, culture, and religion: realms of which I have been familiarized with over the years. But if it falls within Anubis' interests, there is a guarantee he has had his hand in assisting those who share these interests and curry favor with him. He holds loyalty in high regard, after all; woe to those who fall out of favor, so on and so forth..."

Although he tries to make light of it, Klement is pretty serious. He then sighs. "To be fair, the Pesedjet pantheon operates in that manner. As old as they are, their ideas are just as old-fashioned and unchanging at times. In comparison, my father is flexible depending on how situations play out. He knows human nature. He is willing to support whoever he allies himself with until things change, and in trying to do so with humans...well, you know how it goes. The smallest setback can have disproportionate effects on a working relationship."

Despite the attempt at a light tone Lucas just gives Klement a Look (tm). He can read between the lines, even if he's not exactly sure the reasons behind it all.

"We can be fickle creatures," He says with a slow nod while mulling over this new information in his mind. "So I guess the big question is...you collect these things for your father or is it all some kind of test?"

Was this one now? Eh...Lucas passes that thought over. Klement's been truthful in all their dealings so far, he feels even if the man wasn't exactly as straight-forward as most. Obviously there were reasons for that.

There are always ways to sidestep and meander around what really matters. The reasons tied in with them tend to complicate; the more that's explained, the faster truths along with biased information unravel. Once that's out there, it's hard to get things back on track after everyone begins pointing fingers at each other.

Klement does notice the look, his closed-mouth smile a lessening in its previously practiced intensity now that Lucas is observing him closely. "My father sets me on tasks," he says, which basically is a wordy 'yes' to the former. "Some artifacts are too dangerous if left in the wrong hands, whether they be human, demigod, or even the gods themselves. Usually I make sure these items are properly stored away or sent to the right address. If something goes missing, I am one of the first he notifies. This also includes locating them if they somehow end up in strange places where they should not be.

"Tests I have done in the past, mostly to learn and apply my knowledge in a world I was still new to." As a waiter drops by with their drinks, a bread basket and some butter, he nods, letting his gaze shift back to the Medium. "But there will always come a time for another one, and I will either have to do it or help someone else go through the whole process."

"Hmmm..." Drumming his fingers briefly, Lucas mentally chews on all of that for a few moments before the waiter shows up. Sitting back affords him a brief time longer to puzzle over Klement's words and demeanor.

"So when you collect these things, where do you take them? Don't tell me there's a giant warehouse somewhere with all sorts of kooky stuff?" If so, please take him because that sounds amazing.

"You teach other demigods how to do what you do, you mean? Or am I missing the point?" And what kind of tests? Lucas bites the question back, for now, feeling like he's throwing a bunch in Klement's direction at once.

There's a pause as Klement tips his head slightly to one side. A thoughtful expression crosses his features a few moments after that.

"Hmm. You are not wrong in making the assumption. And not everything is 'kooky'..."

Which probably means there is a warehouse. Or something.

He seems to follow the jumps between questions rather well, however, helping himself to a roll. "No, you have the right idea," he laughs softly. "Each of us have our own way of doing things. Some are more independent than others, but others appreciate the company. I am mostly there to observe and offer advice whenever someone gets a little, eh, stuck. But if worse comes to worse, I – or anyone else in set in this position – come to their aid. It is like a last resort option, more or less."

Sometimes it's what Klement doesn't say that is telling Lucas the most. His brows loft just a bit higher, allowing his imagination to run wild for the moment. What would a spooky warehouse look like? Would the filing system be just as insane as IOPSA's?

Probably.

Lucas continues ignoring his lunch in favor of listening and mulling over more questions. There's so many still that he can't nail one down to ask, not yet, not while Klement tosses out another bit of information.

"That sounds kinda lonely," He blurts out without thinking. "I mean, uh. Do you run into other demigods often?" Nice recovery...

Oh dear. Save for the mild smirk, Klement doesn't bat an eye to the look on the Medium's face.

Maybe one day he will ask if it's possible to do a special guest visit to at least one of them. He knows it's risky, but Lucas is on a similar page with the strange and supernatural. When one understands as much, there's a lot less to worry about. But somewhere between then and the minutes following the waiter's timely arrival and departure with their meals, Klement takes the time to at least eat a small portion of his food.

That sounds kinda lonely.

The next morsel stops short along the line from the plate to his lips, hovering for a moment as the Antiquary's eyelids flicker. He then sort of laughs, breathy yet mirthless despite the smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. "On occasion," comes a simple reply. "Sometimes on accident. Other times due to having business that somehow relates on several different levels."

If Lucas knew that was even a distant possibility he would be extremely hyped right now. As it is he's already having a hard time focusing on eating, even after Klement lapses into thoughtful silence while eating his own food. Lucas just sort of picks at his plate while mulling over another batch of questions.

Of course, that train of thought halts when he sees Klement falter momentarily. Sometimes it would be handy if his brain to mouth filter worked faster.

"Yeah? Do they have similar jobs or does that depend on who their...uh." How on Earth does he phrase this? "Deity...God? Parent? I mean, is it like they say in the myths? Or is that only a Greco-Roman thing?"

Slips of the tongue are normal. The context in which it is spoken and the way the recipient chooses to interpret what is said creates its own set of complications. Due to the nuances, Klement doesn't take offense to what is mostly true.

There's a nod of understanding. "I suppose it depends on who your parent or legal Deity is. Much like the Greco-Roman pantheon, most gods and goddesses do whatever they feel is best for the situation, usually beginning with base-level tasks that may be related to their field of interest. From there, if one does not become overwhelmed, they can entrust them with the so-called heavier lifting. That is where things get a little more, ah, nuanced? Since not every god will operate in the same manner as everyone else."

With a short space for eating, he continues after another beat. "Demigods can follow in their parent's footsteps if they so choose. For instance, I step into the Psychopomp role whenever my father cannot. Otherwise we all work normal jobs to keep us afloat."

Which kind of lets him wonder for a second. Is your job full-time, Lucas?"

"Huh," Lucas sits back a moment, absorbing all of this information in like a sponge. It only begets more questions, but on the whole it makes perfect sense. Everyone has their own agenda, gods and goddesses were definitely not above that. It gave him something to chew on besides his lunch, which Lucas finally gets around to eating.

So Klement's question catches him with a full mouth.

Nodding his head with enthusiasm he quickly swallows down his bite of food. "Oh, yeah. For sure. If you mean dealing with anything supernatural? Like, I clock out of the office but sometimes work just follows me home. Or anywhere, really. Especially the ghosts. But, it's not so bad, really. Trying to bridge a gap between worlds, so to speak, it's a pretty big job."

He constantly hopes he lives up to the role.

He does this because he feels like he's been doing most of the talking. He did know Lucas had questions, but there are times when he also should take a break to learn more about the person who has yet to ask even more of whatever comes to the top of his head.

The Antiquary is patient, nodding as the Medium shares a bit about his own occupation. There's an understanding in place, especially when it comes to taking work with you or having ghosts follow you home. "It is indeed," he agrees. "How long have you been at it? Not everyone can comprehend the scope of that weight. Not many can handle it, either."

If Lucas is able to speak about it like he's talking about an office job, then Klement assumes he has quite an aptitude for it.

Believe it or not, Lucas can listen as well as he is able to blather on and he’s doubly glad to listen in this case. Sometimes that’s all someone needs is a friendly ear and someone patient enough to lend it.

“Oh, gosh, uh. Almost two years now, I’m still pretty green, actually!” Lucas remarks with a bright smile.

“But I guess it helps that I sort of grew up in the office. Well, I visited a lot. My Mom really wanted me to go into anything else for my own sake, but I couldn’t stay away. It’s hard to when just about every day I run into a spirit or something odd going on.” So he does come across like an old hat at it all, but really he’s still new enough not to have been worn down by excessive paperwork and the trappings of how IOPSA expects their casework to unfold.

“That and the Academy trains you up pretty well.” He chuckles, shaking his head slightly. “You should have seen how I botched my first case without any training wheels on, honestly. Like, I really couldn’t have messed it up more aside from running the ghosts into the resident demon...Whew. But! We did go back and get things sorted, it just took about a year.

The best part is...the families, honestly. It’s hard talking to them, especially if it’s a missing persons case or something like that, but giving them some closure is. Important. Really important, I think. So it’s a job worth doing, you know?”

Two years may seem short, but it becomes the foundation in building a longer path of experience.

Klement finds Lucas' choice interesting – the Medium's history runs far deeper than he originally assumes, which makes sense when his mother was originally involved in the work long before then.

"Not every first mission goes smoothly," he commiserates. Messing up can make or break a person's career. He's lived through it. He's seen others go through similar experiences and has seen the effects thereafter. "It is good you were eventually able to resolve the problem. Demons, indeed..."

Demons are a whole 'nother ballgame. It's better he doesn't think too much about it.

Thankfully Lucas continues, crossing into familiar territory. A different perspective. It's here the Antiquary's expression shifts, albeit slightly – the smile still holds, but tinged with sadness. "...Yes. I believe I understand.

"Not everyone can do the job you are providing, Lucas, and those who are able to have such closure are fortunate to have had you speak with them."

Two years feels incredibly short, even now with the chance to look back. He appreciates those experiences, but there was so much that couldn't be fit into a classroom. Half of learning is doing. Right?

"Sounds like you're speaking from experience?" Not even a demigod is immune to being a greenhorn, huh?" It makes sense in an odd sort of way. The first thing that springs to mind about any sort of god or goddess is some supreme all-knowing being. Everyone has to start somewhere.

"Well, I'd like to think if people had the means they could, but I won the lotto on these abilities, I guess." Lucas tries to temper that praise a little out of sheer habit, a reflex born out of the need to fit in. "Might as well do something useful with them. But, I guess we're kind of in the same business sometimes, so if you ever need a helping hand...?"

Count Lucas in.

Klement inclines his head. "Yes. It was a very confusing time," he admits with a chuckle. "My father dropped the information on me like it was normal. I did not have time to fully process what he had said until weeks after I had done several trial runs."

He still remembers it well: the floundering between the mundane and the phenomenal; the slightest bit of instruction on the abilities he gained, brief and brisk and nearly non-existent until he's had a chance to fail at it; handling difficult tasks he had very little time to prepare for.

"I was still under some form of supervision at least, but dear lord," he adds with a light gesture, dismissing the thoughts just as quickly as they first appeared.

But he studies the Medium, noticing the way he takes compliments. At a glance, Lucas is a man who's just getting by – easy to amuse and amaze perhaps, but doesn't try to take credit or let him ego become inflated. To fully understand how Lucas operates, he'll need to see how he actually does out in the field.

And such an opportunity crosses his path when he willingly offers his help.

"Joining forces, you mean?" The smile comes through again, its meaning unknown at first. Then, it softens. "...I see what you mean. I do not see why not."

"Man, I feel you." Lucas remembers well feeling like he was drowning at first. The avalanche of work was more than the Academy could truly prepare him for, but after awhile you sink...or swim. Right now he's doing more swimming than sinking, even if he still manages to go under.

He nervously picks at his food some more, hoping that the offer isn't overstepping anything. Is it taboo to team up with a demigod? Who cares, as long as Klement is cool with it.

"Yeah!" He replies too quickly, perking up in his seat. "...Wait, really?"

Honestly, he expected to be gently rebuffed, but this is way better! "I mean, I'm definitely curious what kinds of things you have to deal with and if I can help out, why not?"

The reaction earns Lucas something akin to a chortle.

"Yes, really," Klement replies. "Some of it you may find familiar, given your background. Others will give you a chance to, how you say, stretch your legs. Perhaps see something new."

And maybe a field trip to a warehouse. Who knows.

"To be honest, the more I think about it, the more I am looking forward to it."

Lucas peeks up in his seat even more, leaning forward with an eager smile. "I'm always up for seeing something new."

What could it be? His mind is instantly filled with images of mystical locations while knowing full well that is probably furthest from the truth. Hollywood does the same thing glorifying his job in ways that Lucas wishes was actually true.

"Good, me too. Just let me know when and I am so there," Doesn't matter how he has to change the schedule, he's not missing this chance! "And if you want to drop in and see how we do things, you're always welcome at my office. Okay?"

Good ol' Hollywood expectations. Disappointment is a natural occurrence, but there can be a form of glamour in what is considered mundane in their line of work.

Klement nods. "A fair trade," he says. It only feels right to offer his hand to seal the deal. "I rather like this arrangement very much."

Who Are You?

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