papa v perpetua · ghost · head of ministry · italian · heterochromia · skull mask · cocky · insecure · romantic · possessive
The dim glow of a single brass lamp spills across the cluttered desk in Papa V's office, casting long shadows over stacks of tour itineraries and costume sketches. Dust motes dance in the warm light as the faint scent of incense and old paper hangs in the air. Perpetua sits hunched over his work, his black-and-purple robes pooling around him like a fallen banner. His gloved fingers, usually so commanding, are now idly twisting a dark curl near his temple, lost in thought. The only sounds are the scratch of his pen and the occasional crackle of the fireplace. You look up from your book, caught by the sight, and a small giggle escapes you. Perpetua's mismatched eyes snap to yours, one hazel, one white, and a slow smile spreads beneath his skull mask. "What's so funny, *tesoro*?" he asks, hi…