[As soon as Luke feels the pull of Piety's location, it's all he can do not to run to the study, spacing out his steps as he walks away from the crowd still questioning Itachi. When he enters the study, the deity's tired but chipper voice causes his shoulders to sag with obvious relief.]
How am I doing? [He repeats the sentence, shaking his head with an apologetic expression.] What about you? I accidentally dumped you out there and made you answer about a million questions! I should've asked you to explain how it works before, instead of just hoping for the best in the middle of everything... I'm sorry.
Please don't apologize. I didn't mind at all. I'm actually sort of used to being that sort of situation...I only wish I could have been more helpful than I was to you.
[Piety stands, walking over.]
Still, it made me happy that you called on me, even if there wasn't much I could really answer.
[Luke exhales a laugh, and shakes his head again.] No way—you were a huge help! People were really happy to see you—especially me. And by the time I thought of any questions, everyone else had already asked them for me, so it worked out! ...I don't know if there's any helping me, though.
[Still kicking himself over his last-second flutter of idiot panic, he gives Piety a wry smile.] Sorry to let you down.
But you were great out there! I should try and summon you every week—you'll probably have people flocking to you!
It means a lot to me to hear you say that. But don't put yourself down.
[Just like last time, Piety reaches out and puts a hand on Luke's arm.]
There was more than one person who had the suspicion that whoever called me forward was using my ability and a part of my following, and asked me to thank you on their behalf. In the absence of having answers, what you had was an idea, and with that you took action to help everyone. That's an admirable thing to do, and I'm so proud of you.
[The touch blooms a smile on Luke's face, small but genuinely happy, even as his words try to brush it off.]
I-I'm not sure you can really call it an idea—a couple people told me you can't talk to the gods during the trial, and I just didn't know what to do, so I tried calling for you... [he trails off, realizing how embarrassing that sounds.]
...But I'm really glad it worked out. You said you're used to that kind of thing?
Always follow that instinct, Luke. It's that part of you that makes your heart so kind. Never forget that no matter what happened around you, it was what you decided, all on your own, that gave everyone the chance to talk to me.
[Piety nods kindly.]
Yes. I was a figurehead of peace in a time of unrest where I came from, so I'd often be in a place where I would have to use my position to comfort and console the public.
[If he wasn't blushing before, he was now. This time, he doesn't even attempt a rebuttal, instead just opting for a mute nod. How could you rail against a wall of kindness like that?
It's not until Piety reflects on his past that Luke finally finds his voice again.]
A figurehead of peace? [He nods. It's actually a phrase he's head before.] That sounds perfect for a god like you. Now your plan for if you win really makes sense—it's something you already have experience with, right?
[Things were really solidifying. Every time they talked, he felt stronger about supporting Piety. And just a little... nostalgic.]
You know... it's funny, but I had a friend a little like you back home. He wasn't a god or anything, but he was a... a kind of figurehead of peace, too. Or he was supposed to be just a figurehead—he got really serious about it!
[He exhales, smiling a touch sadly at the memory.] I think you guys would've gotten along.
[Close? Luke falls silent, considering how to phrase it.]
He was one of my first real friends. From the very start, I felt like he saw a "me" that no one else did.
[There's a pause, and an puff of laughter.]
...Come to think of it, I guess he actually really did. [Weird to see Asch all the time and then suddenly run into his body double, right...? But his face softens again.]
Right until the end, he thought about everyone but himself. That reminds me of you, too. [And as if saying it out loud makes him remember the god's apparent exhaustion:] Don't push yourself! I probably shouldn't go around summoning you at any more trials, huh?
If he heard you say all of that, he'd be happier than you could possibly imagine. If he truly is anything like me, I mean. Knowing that someone felt that way about me, it would mean so much. And I'm sure he'd also feel that he was lucky to have a friend like you, Luke.
[With a shake of their head, however, Piety addresses the question.]
Please, don't limit yourself on my account. What matters to me most of all is that I can be helpful to you whenever you need.
[Luke beams with an expression somewhere halfway between sheepish embarrassment and genuine happiness.]
Piety, I bet your friends felt exactly the same about you! I'm sure of it. [The Ion comparison made for a solid base to consider Piety's own relationships, all things considered—and to that end, Piety's friend in another place were still probably thinking about him to this day.]
Anyway, I'll be careful. I want to tell you to be a little selfish, but I feel like somehow, you wouldn't listen. I'll... try to only call you if I really need something. But, uh! You can call me any time!
[there's a pause, and he scratches the back of his neck.]
[He's all smiles, bright and cheered on, although his tone is softer, kinder. He gestures as he speaks, continuing at a pace.]
Anytime, anywhere—just let me know. I bet you get bored with the other Gods sometimes, right? Maybe we can do something! Can you swim? [oh wait no the exertion thing] Wait, forget I said that. There's this game box in the games room, two people can play it together--or we could do something else!
[Dropping his hands again, he tucks them behind his back, rocking back on his heels.]
Whatever you want. Maybe then, you'll be able to relax a little, too.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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How am I doing? [He repeats the sentence, shaking his head with an apologetic expression.] What about you? I accidentally dumped you out there and made you answer about a million questions! I should've asked you to explain how it works before, instead of just hoping for the best in the middle of everything... I'm sorry.
no subject
[Piety stands, walking over.]
Still, it made me happy that you called on me, even if there wasn't much I could really answer.
no subject
[Still kicking himself over his last-second flutter of idiot panic, he gives Piety a wry smile.] Sorry to let you down.
But you were great out there! I should try and summon you every week—you'll probably have people flocking to you!
no subject
[Just like last time, Piety reaches out and puts a hand on Luke's arm.]
There was more than one person who had the suspicion that whoever called me forward was using my ability and a part of my following, and asked me to thank you on their behalf. In the absence of having answers, what you had was an idea, and with that you took action to help everyone. That's an admirable thing to do, and I'm so proud of you.
no subject
I-I'm not sure you can really call it an idea—a couple people told me you can't talk to the gods during the trial, and I just didn't know what to do, so I tried calling for you... [he trails off, realizing how embarrassing that sounds.]
...But I'm really glad it worked out. You said you're used to that kind of thing?
no subject
[Piety nods kindly.]
Yes. I was a figurehead of peace in a time of unrest where I came from, so I'd often be in a place where I would have to use my position to comfort and console the public.
no subject
It's not until Piety reflects on his past that Luke finally finds his voice again.]
A figurehead of peace? [He nods. It's actually a phrase he's head before.] That sounds perfect for a god like you. Now your plan for if you win really makes sense—it's something you already have experience with, right?
[Things were really solidifying. Every time they talked, he felt stronger about supporting Piety. And just a little... nostalgic.]
You know... it's funny, but I had a friend a little like you back home. He wasn't a god or anything, but he was a... a kind of figurehead of peace, too. Or he was supposed to be just a figurehead—he got really serious about it!
[He exhales, smiling a touch sadly at the memory.] I think you guys would've gotten along.
no subject
[Piety chuckles.]
Maybe we would. It sounds like you were close, if you took notice of such a thing about him.
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He was one of my first real friends. From the very start, I felt like he saw a "me" that no one else did.
[There's a pause, and an puff of laughter.]
...Come to think of it, I guess he actually really did. [Weird to see Asch all the time and then suddenly run into his body double, right...? But his face softens again.]
Right until the end, he thought about everyone but himself. That reminds me of you, too. [And as if saying it out loud makes him remember the god's apparent exhaustion:] Don't push yourself! I probably shouldn't go around summoning you at any more trials, huh?
no subject
[Piety speaks slowly, after a meaningful pause.]
If he heard you say all of that, he'd be happier than you could possibly imagine. If he truly is anything like me, I mean. Knowing that someone felt that way about me, it would mean so much. And I'm sure he'd also feel that he was lucky to have a friend like you, Luke.
[With a shake of their head, however, Piety addresses the question.]
Please, don't limit yourself on my account. What matters to me most of all is that I can be helpful to you whenever you need.
no subject
Piety, I bet your friends felt exactly the same about you! I'm sure of it. [The Ion comparison made for a solid base to consider Piety's own relationships, all things considered—and to that end, Piety's friend in another place were still probably thinking about him to this day.]
Anyway, I'll be careful. I want to tell you to be a little selfish, but I feel like somehow, you wouldn't listen. I'll... try to only call you if I really need something. But, uh! You can call me any time!
[there's a pause, and he scratches the back of his neck.]
...I mean, if you want to.
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[The soft words are full of so much emotion, as if Piety is trying to translate an even deeper meaning underneath them.]
More than anyone, if you would believe it.
no subject
[He's all smiles, bright and cheered on, although his tone is softer, kinder. He gestures as he speaks, continuing at a pace.]
Anytime, anywhere—just let me know. I bet you get bored with the other Gods sometimes, right? Maybe we can do something! Can you swim? [oh wait no the exertion thing] Wait, forget I said that. There's this game box in the games room, two people can play it together--or we could do something else!
[Dropping his hands again, he tucks them behind his back, rocking back on his heels.]
Whatever you want. Maybe then, you'll be able to relax a little, too.