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...
I'm afraid that I can't. All I can suggest is that you trust your instincts. Even if someone may be lying, it could just be to protect themselves or the gods they believe in. As long as the ones you confide in are kind of heart and good of intention, you'll be on the right track.
[Piety takes a slow, steadying breath.]
I hate to admit that while alliances will be forming between all of you and all of you and all of us, god will inevitably approach god to broker deals and alliances of our own. Many of us stand together, but circumstances are still uncertain and may change.
Not exactly. The rules that we set in place restricts us from having any active participation in the outcome of this competition. We do have the final say on certain things, but nothing progresses without the decisions that all of you make. Although it seems that we're in a power of superiority, the truth is that everything that happens is completely in your hands.
Yes...I'm sorry, but I'm afraid now that you're here, sitting out isn't an option. To do so would only hurt us all.
[Still, Piety tries to sound as encouraging as possible.]
But I believe that if we hold strong, we can get through this with as little harm as possible. We just need to appeal to everyone's better natures. There's goodness...kindness in every heart.
[Was every god like Piety? Unlikely. since every god was an embodiment, everyone probably had their own methods... or whatever.
Could this even be called a method? So far, there hadn't been any catches. Just unerring... kindness. And the belief of kindness in others.
It was at least a cause he could rally to, and definitely a standard he could bear. Crossing his arms, Luke gives a resolute nod—if Piety could appeal to him, then he could appeal to others on Piety's behalf.]
I want to think so, too. Let's work from there, and figure something out.
[Easy to say, harder to execute. But wasn't everything?]
If I want to--If I need to talk to you again, can I just... [the idea is obvious, but a little silly to say out loud.] ...pray? [it wasn't something he'd done more than once or twice.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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[Piety takes a slow, steadying breath.]
I hate to admit that while alliances will be forming between all of you and all of you and all of us, god will inevitably approach god to broker deals and alliances of our own. Many of us stand together, but circumstances are still uncertain and may change.
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What happens then? I guess the gods make the final call on things, right? So right now, we really don't know what'll happen even a week from now.
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[Something to think about. They held the strings, to some degree, huh...?]
But even so, we all have to play, right?
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[Still, Piety tries to sound as encouraging as possible.]
But I believe that if we hold strong, we can get through this with as little harm as possible. We just need to appeal to everyone's better natures. There's goodness...kindness in every heart.
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Could this even be called a method? So far, there hadn't been any catches. Just unerring... kindness. And the belief of kindness in others.
It was at least a cause he could rally to, and definitely a standard he could bear. Crossing his arms, Luke gives a resolute nod—if Piety could appeal to him, then he could appeal to others on Piety's behalf.]
I want to think so, too. Let's work from there, and figure something out.
[Easy to say, harder to execute. But wasn't everything?]
If I want to--If I need to talk to you again, can I just... [the idea is obvious, but a little silly to say out loud.] ...pray? [it wasn't something he'd done more than once or twice.]
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[Piety puts their hands over their heart.]
It doesn't matter how you do it...just call for me from the heart, and I'll be there.
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Got it. Then I guess I'll... see you tonight? [Gotta pass him the diary, after all!] If that's okay.
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[And Piety sounds plenty excited at the prospect of seeing Luke again. :) ]
I hope in the meantime, you're able to make plenty of new friends.
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[He turns to leave—remembers himself, turns back, and gives a small bow. Important stuff done, he supplements it with a little wave.]
Take care of yourself!