GODLY AUDIENCES: LUKE FON FABRE

[divus]

Comments

[dupelicate]

Uh.

[what was with this setup???]

Yeah. [he guesses????] Sure.

[He hadn't known what to expect with Beauty, but this... somehow, this wasn't it. Closing the distance between them, he slips into the chair across from Beauty, but makes no move to partake in any of the refreshments.

At a loss for what to do, he suddenly remembers himself, stands up, bows politely—and sits back down.]

[divus]

[Someone please save Luke. Either way, once he's seated the god shifts just enough to get a better look at him, placing the rose in a convenient vase to the side. There's a moment's pause as they assess him.]

Too formal? [It sounds like a surprised question, like they can't quite fathom that but still curious.] I can provide something else if you'd like.

[dupelicate]

No, it's fine. [no it's not!!!! but they're a god, so whatever??????] Everything is great!

[he squirms in the seat for a minute, before grasping for the conversation that had brought him here in the first place.]

Senri said you wanted to talk to me? [beat;] Or... anyone? Not just me, I mean.

[divus]

[It's probably unnerving to have a god stare at you, but that's fine.]

That's correct. I asked him for his assistance in reaching out to those of you who may not think to speak to gods other than your own. Have you spoken to many others?

[dupelicate]

[It's just a mask it's just a mask]

Here and there, I guess...

[Patience. Piety. That was here and there. Right?

...What use was it to try and lie to a god, though??]

Why?

[divus]

Curiosity. I find it interesting to see how the participants branch out. It actually benefits you to speak to the others, so if I'm one of the first I consider that an honor.

[It sounds arrogant, but it's a very pleased, gentle tone.] I also like checking in and making sure the temple is to your liking and that you're as comfortable as possible for your stay here.

[dupelicate]

[branch out, huh...?]

You're a god, right? Can't you just... know who we talk to?

[he looks around the parlor, his discomfort starting to wane in degrees, and nods.]

Thank you. I'm fine, though—no complaints.

[divus]

Well, no. [They sound thoughtful in that regard.] We can know who you've spoken to among the participants, sure, but not amongst ourselves. It's part of our rules. And even with that I find it rather rude to make assumptions.

But I'm relieved to hear that. It lifts the heaviness of my heart to know that you'll be alright with these accommodations. [...they're also serious about this too.]

[dupelicate]

Oh. [huh. It made sense, he guessed.]

I mean, I do kind of have a question.

Why do the East and West Wings keep changing? Is that you, or someone else?

[divus]

Oh, no, that's us! [They perk up then.] Depending on which of us is hosting that week, we're in charge of designing those wings. So you'll see new places and learn more about us each week. Clever, no?

[dupelicate]

[Hmmm]

So each week the wings are built to look like... the place the gods were from, before they were gods? [Piety had mentioned leaving friends behind, after all.] Or just... whatever makes them happy?

And does that mean that last week was Patience's area, and this week is Merriment and Justice's?

[divus]

Either or. Each wing is designed as a god sees fit whether that's memories or their ideal locations. It's our way of hosting you and allowing you to get to know us and try to win numbers to our side.

But you're correct. And whomever is hosting next week will have their own areas, too.

[dupelicate]

They're all... pretty different. I guess I would've thought you'd all be from the same place.

[he still isn't eating or drinking anything—just sitting here quizzing Beauty instead.]

[divus]

[It's unfortunate that Beauty likes talking...]

Oh, no. Actually we didn't know each other before the ascension. We've only recently started to get to know one another and work as a pantheon.

[dupelicate]

None of you knew each other?

...No wonder you're having a hard time getting along. It can be pretty rough to start with.

[LOCAL SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DISPENSES WISDOM TO A GOD LIKE HE KNOWS SHIT]

So, where are you from, then?

[divus]

So I've heard. None of us are entirely sure how we came to be as a pantheon, but we are. Some of us are friendlier with each other than others though.

[THANKS LUKE. APPRECIATE IT.]

As for myself, I'm originally from France.

[dupelicate]

France?

[searching memory...]

That's a country! [WELL DONE] It's in the same place as Japan, right? [DOUBLE MEMORY!]

[divus]

That's right, Earth. [No, Luke's adorable...] I lived in Japan as well. I suppose you've spoken to others here who have, too?

[dupelicate]

Earth? [He hasn't heard that one, before. But considering its usage, it's probably...] Is that the planet's name?

Yeah, I met a couple people. Seems nice. [probably.]

[divus]

Yes. No one's told you about it? [And better question.] Fabre-kun, where exactly are you from?

[dupelicate]

Not really. Just their country's names.

Me? I'm from Auldrant—that's the planet. And Kimlasca-Lanvaldear, if you're asking for the country.

[divus]

I've never heard of either of those. [Luke's an alien...] What was the country like? Were you happy there?

[dupelicate]

Uh.

[Yikes.

Still...]

Yeah. Yeah, I was. It's a nice place.

[divus]

I'm interested in learning about the worlds of the participants to help shape the creation of the new world, you see. If I take the best parts of the world, perhaps it will be more accommodating for those who will inhabit it.

[dupelicate]

That sounds nice in theory... but, don't you think that people like their worlds because of the good and the bad?

[out of nowhere, apparently, luke has Opinions on this.]

You can't really be happy if you've never known what it's like to be sad sometimes.