[He nods easily, smiling at their response.] I couldn't agree more.
[He brightens up even more at the news of notebooks, honestly cheered at the thought of having another one of his touchstones available.] That would be great! It wouldn't bother you too much?
No, not at all. Actually, I think it's great that you carry a journal, and I'd be honored to keep yours safe from prying eyes.
[Piety laughs softly, cheered, and steeples their hands together in front of their masked lips.]
I'm sure you'll have it full of all manner of thoughts and insights before long at all! I know this situation is a little confusing and stressful, but I can bet you'll have the chance to fill its pages with meaningful new experiences. That's my hope, at least.
Oh, uh... th-thanks! [Piety had added themselves on to a list of people countable on one hand who thought his journalkeeping was "great". Nonetheless, Luke can't help but flush with a touch of happiness at the comments.]
I think it'll help me a little, if I keep it up here. And you're right—especially with everything that's happening, I think I'll definitely have plenty to write about.
[He just had to get past that first entry. Maybe writing that out would help, too.]
[But Piety's voice sounds particularly glad at Luke's reaction, flustered or otherwise.]
Just make sure that if anything troubles you, you do more than just write it down. I know you at least have Guy to talk to, but if you need anyone else to listen to you, I'm always here.
You know Guy? [It's a dumb question—of course they do. Piety is a god, one of the gods that had brought them here in the first place. He pulls a face, and waves his hand.] Sorry... that was stupid.
[For a moment, he seems as if he'll thank her, and move on. Instead, he rocks on his feet for a minute, seemingly nervous.]
Actually, I do have something. I can't... really ask Guy about it. But maybe you'd know.
[As he mentions his best friend, he looks over his shoulder guiltily, as if he might suddenly be walking by.]
[It was an ambiguous answer, one that didn't necessarily guarantee an alive return. Even he could read between those lines.
In a way, he didn't really have anything to lose. So what if he faced death here, in the competition? The physical pain of dying was one he was already used to. Maybe that familiarity could be useful.]
Piety, what can I do to really help you? I guess... I just want to know what my best role is, here.
[Getting the sense that they haven't exactly comforted him, Piety stays in place, delicate hands grasped against his arms as if their true expressions beneath the mask will reach him in other ways.]
All I want...is to convince everyone that I want a fair and safe competition, where all participants can decide honestly who is most responsible and ready for this responsibility.
[Piety shakes their head.]
I have a plan to allow all of the gods to work together on equal footing, but I don't have the voice to unite them...and I'm worried I don't even have the voice to unite enough of you to make this a reality. Will you help be my voice, Luke?
[Luke doesn't move to shake Piety off—on the contrary, it was strangely comforting, despite the despair. They meant well, and it was somehow nice to know someone like Piety did.
When they start to explain their plan, their goal, Luke lifts his chin, watching the mask. Slowly, he begins to nod along. If they were being honest, and not hiding their goals, then...]
I will. I think you have the right idea.
[Carefully, he puts a hand on top of theirs.]
But if I'm going to help, I think... I need little more information. Do you think you can tell me more about what we're fighting for? The... [What was it?] responsibility you mentioned?
[Piety's arms lose a bit of tension at Luke's words, and they let out a sigh.]
Yes, of course. I'll tell you everything that I can. Allow me to explain. As we are, our ranks have been plagued by conflict. Conflict of interest and conflict of vision. Powers bowl over powers as one god crosses over the influence of the other, and so our new world has been inconstant and barren.
[They lower their mask, as if ashamed to have any part of it.]
Each god you speak with, if you choose to hold council with them, will speak about the world that they want in regards to the ideals that represent their station. But what I want, the power of authority, is not for the control but for the platform, so I can delegate each of them in a way that they're able to thrive without causing anymore harm.
What I'm seeking is a balanced world, where each of us has an equal share, and my purpose would be as a mediator between them.
[He listens attentively, watching their body language and mask as best he can, hanging on the words, rolling them over in his head.
It made sense. And all they wanted was a more of a voice. Considering their current standings in the "game", that made sense. And without causing harm... it was the best he could have hoped for.]
I think I get it a little better, and I definitely still want to help. [He scratches a cheek, suddenly cognizant of a missing piece he's been mentally trying to place.] Where does Patience fit into all of the conflict?
Yes. But it's a new world, still growing and learning. I think in time, there will be more of us, formed out of the changing environment...but I hope, by then, we will have learned compromise.
[He nods again, marveling quietly at the idea of a world, growing, and more gods forming from those changes. It was like Patience had said—the gods were the embodiment of feelings, their names reflecting each one.
...Speaking of which...]
I actually have a... well... it's a question, but... [He pauses, rocking back on his heels, expression twisting into something closer to hopelessness than despair.]
[Piety pauses, and then begins to laugh, but it's a gentle and heartfelt, lacking in mean spirit.]
I'm surprised...you didn't know, but you still ended up picking me. It feels like divine intervention, somehow.
[Whatever that means. Anyway, Piety composes themself.]
It can mean a few different things depending on who you ask. For many, the word is affiliated heavily with religion: unshakable faith in your beliefs. But, for me, it's just about the quality of believing in anything at all.
[...Piety's voice grows soft, reminiscent.]
I believe in people, and it's a belief that's kept me strong through some very difficult times. Before I came here, I believed in my friends most of all.
It was more like a... feeling. [That Piety was the way to go? He can't explain it. But when they reached out, in that sudden necessity, he'd certainly felt as though they matched best.]
But, maybe I was feeling your belief. Because that's my belief, too. In people. In my friends.
[It sounded a little embarrassing, saying it out loud to someone else—but Piety had just done the same, and any embarrassment was easily overridden by the relief of the shared values.]
[There was something about the whole gesture that made Luke's heart flutter, a blush rising in his cheeks. Cautious, he should try and be cautious—but didn't they deserve trust until proven otherwise? Just like any other person? He'd chosen them, after all. And somehow, they were so...
alike? No, it was probably too self-centered to compare yourself to a god, wasn't it?]
I... Me too. [Something catches in his throat as he tries to swallow, his voice constricting.] I'd give anything to see them all again. I'm so lucky to have a chance to see Guy again, but the others...
[He trails off, his head dropping—then jerks back up, eyes full of determination.]
Okay. I don't know how much help I can be, but I'll do whatever I can.
Yes, I think that would be a good idea--but be careful. I can't give you any details about who else is your ally, but you know, at least, that you have a friend here you can trust. Admittedly, I'm sure most of the individuals here won't put a target onto you simply with the knowledge of your alignment, but...I don't want to risk losing you.
[Piety's arms go around themelf, squeezing the sleeves of their robes.]
As we are, it may be easier said than done to find who you're looking for.
[It was just a numbers game—that's what everyone kept saying—so that's why Piety was talking like he was so irreplaceable.
But still...
...there was something about their genuine delivery that really made him believe that the god would mourn his loss beyond the falling followers number.
Maybe that was what piety really meant.]
I'll try and keep my cover as much as I can. I guess you can't really tell me a good place to start...
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[He brightens up even more at the news of notebooks, honestly cheered at the thought of having another one of his touchstones available.] That would be great! It wouldn't bother you too much?
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[Piety laughs softly, cheered, and steeples their hands together in front of their masked lips.]
I'm sure you'll have it full of all manner of thoughts and insights before long at all! I know this situation is a little confusing and stressful, but I can bet you'll have the chance to fill its pages with meaningful new experiences. That's my hope, at least.
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I think it'll help me a little, if I keep it up here. And you're right—especially with everything that's happening, I think I'll definitely have plenty to write about.
[He just had to get past that first entry. Maybe writing that out would help, too.]
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[But Piety's voice sounds particularly glad at Luke's reaction, flustered or otherwise.]
Just make sure that if anything troubles you, you do more than just write it down. I know you at least have Guy to talk to, but if you need anyone else to listen to you, I'm always here.
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[For a moment, he seems as if he'll thank her, and move on. Instead, he rocks on his feet for a minute, seemingly nervous.]
Actually, I do have something. I can't... really ask Guy about it. But maybe you'd know.
[As he mentions his best friend, he looks over his shoulder guiltily, as if he might suddenly be walking by.]
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[It's hard to imagine their expression, but Piety's voice becomes sympathetic.]
What is it?
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[There's a considerable pause as he musters himself.]
Am I dead?
[When it finally comes out, it's quiet, almost a whisper, a plea for an answer.
When the game ended, where did he go back to?]
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[Piety's shoulders sag, and they step forward to put their hands gently on Luke's arms. The sympathy in their voice is undeniable, now.]
That must have been so hard for you to have been holding in.
[They sigh, shaking their head.]
No matter what the truth is, I'll make sure you'll be able to make it home to all of your friends.
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[It was an ambiguous answer, one that didn't necessarily guarantee an alive return. Even he could read between those lines.
In a way, he didn't really have anything to lose. So what if he faced death here, in the competition? The physical pain of dying was one he was already used to. Maybe that familiarity could be useful.]
Piety, what can I do to really help you? I guess... I just want to know what my best role is, here.
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All I want...is to convince everyone that I want a fair and safe competition, where all participants can decide honestly who is most responsible and ready for this responsibility.
[Piety shakes their head.]
I have a plan to allow all of the gods to work together on equal footing, but I don't have the voice to unite them...and I'm worried I don't even have the voice to unite enough of you to make this a reality. Will you help be my voice, Luke?
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When they start to explain their plan, their goal, Luke lifts his chin, watching the mask. Slowly, he begins to nod along. If they were being honest, and not hiding their goals, then...]
I will. I think you have the right idea.
[Carefully, he puts a hand on top of theirs.]
But if I'm going to help, I think... I need little more information. Do you think you can tell me more about what we're fighting for? The... [What was it?] responsibility you mentioned?
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Yes, of course. I'll tell you everything that I can. Allow me to explain. As we are, our ranks have been plagued by conflict. Conflict of interest and conflict of vision. Powers bowl over powers as one god crosses over the influence of the other, and so our new world has been inconstant and barren.
[They lower their mask, as if ashamed to have any part of it.]
Each god you speak with, if you choose to hold council with them, will speak about the world that they want in regards to the ideals that represent their station. But what I want, the power of authority, is not for the control but for the platform, so I can delegate each of them in a way that they're able to thrive without causing anymore harm.
What I'm seeking is a balanced world, where each of us has an equal share, and my purpose would be as a mediator between them.
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It made sense. And all they wanted was a more of a voice. Considering their current standings in the "game", that made sense. And without causing harm... it was the best he could have hoped for.]
I think I get it a little better, and I definitely still want to help. [He scratches a cheek, suddenly cognizant of a missing piece he's been mentally trying to place.] Where does Patience fit into all of the conflict?
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Patience...
[They pause.]
I don't know too much about her. Frankly, amidst the arguing and the fighting, she was always just sort of watching, keeping to herself.
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So it's just the twelve of you? You, the other deities in the contest, and Patience?
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...Speaking of which...]
I actually have a... well... it's a question, but... [He pauses, rocking back on his heels, expression twisting into something closer to hopelessness than despair.]
...What does "Piety" mean?
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I'm surprised...you didn't know, but you still ended up picking me. It feels like divine intervention, somehow.
[Whatever that means. Anyway, Piety composes themself.]
It can mean a few different things depending on who you ask. For many, the word is affiliated heavily with religion: unshakable faith in your beliefs. But, for me, it's just about the quality of believing in anything at all.
[...Piety's voice grows soft, reminiscent.]
I believe in people, and it's a belief that's kept me strong through some very difficult times. Before I came here, I believed in my friends most of all.
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But, maybe I was feeling your belief. Because that's my belief, too. In people. In my friends.
[It sounded a little embarrassing, saying it out loud to someone else—but Piety had just done the same, and any embarrassment was easily overridden by the relief of the shared values.]
Are your friends outside of the temple?
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[Piety puts a hand over their heart, a picture of sweet serenity.]
I had to leave them back home. I miss them more than anything.
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alike? No, it was probably too self-centered to compare yourself to a god, wasn't it?]
I... Me too. [Something catches in his throat as he tries to swallow, his voice constricting.] I'd give anything to see them all again. I'm so lucky to have a chance to see Guy again, but the others...
[He trails off, his head dropping—then jerks back up, eyes full of determination.]
Okay. I don't know how much help I can be, but I'll do whatever I can.
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[And as long as he wins, he'll make sure that Luke gets to see his friends again. He deserves at least that much, for all he's suffered.]
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[Belief in their power... in mediation, in friendship, in no bloodshed. Would it be enough?
For now, they'd have to make do.]
Should I try and find your other followers, too?
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[Piety's arms go around themelf, squeezing the sleeves of their robes.]
As we are, it may be easier said than done to find who you're looking for.
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[It was just a numbers game—that's what everyone kept saying—so that's why Piety was talking like he was so irreplaceable.
But still...
...there was something about their genuine delivery that really made him believe that the god would mourn his loss beyond the falling followers number.
Maybe that was what piety really meant.]
I'll try and keep my cover as much as I can. I guess you can't really tell me a good place to start...
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