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[thirtybits]

"This is Judah's voicemail, no need to leave your number, I'll reply as soon as I can."



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[thirtybits]

[Judas is more attentive and bright with every word. It's just the same as what his clothes or name do to him, amplified for its continued use.] What do you mean?

[depicted]

[Hebrew lessons at Cambridge did not cover the kind of things Dorian is trying to say now. He works out each sentence in his head before trying to say it.] Sound is sound. Ugly or beautiful. Any language is harsh. Any language is pleasant. You work to make it one or the other. Like with— [No, he definitely doesn't have this one. He is pretty sure it wasn't a word in ancient times and he has no idea what it would be called now, and he doesn't know the general term for an 'instrument.' So he mimes the playing of a piano.] Your skill decides if your song is ugly or beautiful.

[thirtybits]

[It takes a moment to see what Dorian's going for, but when Judas realises, he nods. 'Piano' comes to him in English or Japanese, the same word either way, but he realises he has no Hebrew for it. Not alltogether surprising, but odd to think.] I see. Well, then your skill makes it pleasant to me.

[depicted]

[Dorian's smile expresses his disbelief.] Very little skill. It is merciful of you to take that attitude to it.

[It doesn't matter if he is good or bad at it. What matters is Judas's expression.]

[thirtybits]

Not at all, you're good at it! It's been ages since I've heard or used it myself, so it's not as if I'm any better. [He could not have anticipated how happy this would make him. And certainly doesn't realise his own expression.]

[depicted]

Nonsense. It is your mother's tongue. [It's good that a lot of his Hebrew was learned from the Bible because that gives a pretty big vocabulary, really.] Don't tell me you only use Japanese in modern times.

[thirtybits]

We live there, what else would we use? Sometimes they speak Latin, but, well...not with me so much.

[depicted]

I spoke English with Englishmen when I was in France. And when I was in Singapore, for that matter.

[The joys of being a former Imperial power: a feeling of linguistic entitlement.]

[thirtybits]

Yes, but most of the Apostles don't speak Hebrew. I'm an outsider in all ways, remember?

[depicted]

I remember. [He grips Judas's as if to bring him in.] But Yeshua knows it.

And I always assumed that Satan would taunt you in your own tongue.

[Accidentally forgetting that Satan is also an actual Hebrew word.]

[thirtybits]

Yes, but I'm never alone with him, it would be rude to speak something Buddha or who ever else is around doesn't understand.

[He immediately assumes satan in the sense of 'opposition'. So, Rome, right?] And as for them, that was still ages ago. But no, they mostly used Latin.

[depicted]

[Okay, he can take that point.

But what? Lucifer uses Latin? Or Judas is using plural. That is plural, right? Yes. It must be. His Hebrew is not that off. So all of the demons?] Latin? All of them?

[thirtybits]

Well, yes, mostly. Some had to know Hebrew or whatever else was used where they were assigned. We couldn't have communicated at all otherwise, right?

[depicted]

[the joys of miscommunication]

So people who don't speak Latin or Hebrew just end up very confused during their torment? I suppose it's all right in Judecca, but I'm told the higher circles are full of Italians.

[thirtybits]

Judecca? [Judas looks very confused for a long moment. And then what's going on hits him.] Oh. No, I was talking about the soldiers. You meant Lucifer? THAT is a case more like this place, I think. I didn't have trouble communicating with anyone in Hell. [He uses the English for Hell, not knowing any word in Hebrew.] Heaven's the same.

[He switches back to English to explain.] 'Satan' means things like 'opposition' in Hebrew. And Hell doesn't exist in Judaism, so...

[depicted]

Oh, right. [It is easier in English, but it's still a little difficult to switch back to that language. Switching languages always requires a certain dexterity that can slip away.] I'd forgotten. Fine model of a damned soul I am.

[thirtybits]

[He waves a hand.] It's fine, it's why I always just say Lucifer. It's my fault, the word always confuses me.

[depicted]

[He nudges Judas with a foot.] You can blame yourself for a lot, but not my linguistic accuracy. 'Lucifer' it is.

[thirtybits]

What? It is accurate!

A-anyway, I really got off-topic. I wanted to say and ask more about the book. If you don't mind that.

[depicted]

Of course. You have more than endured my interrogations. [Dorian gestures with a welcoming sweep of the arm.] Ask what you like.

[thirtybits]

Well, nearly all of it is what happened in reality, right? ...As much as a few things you did are awful enough to make me want to chastise you for them, it's so far in the past I'll leave that alone. I imagine you know well enough already.

[depicted]

[Dorian's smile only half-curves his lips.] A hundred years and a book insistent on the point have done a pretty good job waking me up to my sins. But yes, it's more or less true. I had Oscar lie about my family to a degree, I didn't want to ruin my little sister's prospects, and of course Oscar was merely prescient about my suicide. But the rest is more or less true. He took very little license with the events.

[thirtybits]

That's what I thought... You have a sister? I don't think you've mentioned her before. That much is good of you.

...You were going to be a philanthropist. A lot suddenly made sense after that.

[depicted]

I didn't do much good by my sister, but at least I remembered my brotherly duties enough for that.

[Okay no more talking about Dora. He hates talking about Dora. Let's complain about Lady Agatha instead!] I was going to play Romantic piano duets in Whitechapel at the behest of Harry's tedious aunt. That isn't quite philanthropy, whatever we called it in my day.

[thirtybits]

...That's what they called it? Alright, nevermind. [He shakes his head.] It's probably much better that you didn't. [Judas for one would be very angry if some rich asshole came to play piano for him and called it helping.]

Moving on then, before you said I would probably hate Henry. If he were ever to show up here, you should probably make sure I don't know about it. I won't be held responsible for my actions.