divus | GODLY AUDIENCES: LUKE FON FABRE

Ha, we'll take 'em!

But, well... even if he doesn't, I'll stay by him as long as I possibly can. The only way to Ion'll be through me!

[in this case, quite literally]

Ugh, that's the cheesiest thing I've heard all day.

[

it's pretty heroic-sounding, though.]

Hah hah, I guess I can get a little cheesy sometimes... but I mean it.

[his voice softens considerably, both in volume and emotion.]

I... just don't want anything else to happen to him. I want to protect him, really protect him.

Even if it means being his only follower?

[She... sounds a little confused.]

If he doesn't win, you don't get your wish, you know?

Yeah. I know.

[...]

...What does it mean to get a wish, if the price is something you value more than anything else?

Is it worth it?

You're the only one who can decide if it's worth it.

[it's his price to pay and his choice to make]

What do you want? Like, more than anything else?

[he closes his eyes, letting his breath slip out slowly. thoughtfully.]

...To...

...To keep my promises.

[it was the simplest way to put it.]

Will you be able to keep your promises if Piety doesn't win?

[...]

I don't know. [and that's the truth.]

I don't know where I stand right now. If I'm dead, or alive. If I convinced Lorelei, or not.

[he exhales, trying to breath out some of his own tension at admitting to it out loud again.]

But I know where I am, here and now—and I'm not going to give up on Ion.

...

Yeah, I have no idea what that means.

[Like yeah there's basically a divine infodump about all of the participants, but lol, implying Ambition was paying attention...]

But I get it. You're really loyal to him. [...] He might be one of the luckiest gods here.

[he exhales out his nose, a sharp laugh of air.]

Maybe. Or unluckiest, since I can't say anything to bring in new followers...

...Still, I guess I'm not that mad about it. I don't think Ion is, either. After all... he probably sees all of you as his dear friends.

He's so nice, it's actually a little annoying sometimes.

[She crosses her arms.]

...but, just between you and me? And I mean it, I'll get mad if I find out you told anyone else this.

He isn't so bad. I won't like it if I don't win, of course, but if he won... I'd probably act mad for a couple of days, but then I'd get over it.

I promise! Cross my heart.

[if anything, he looks properly proud at the secret—proud of Ion.]

Good to know... but I guess there's no fear of that happening right now. [Ambition, you're still in the lead.]

...And you're definitely not the first person with the "he's so nice it's annoying" opinion—that's pretty much how I felt the first time I met him, too!

I mean, you're right about that. Everyone adores me once they get to know me.

[no]

But, like. Just in case. [...] Wait, seriously? You thought that too?

[he just chuckles—although it's not clear at what part the laugh is directed towards.]

Yeah. But, well... I was a pretty different person, back then!

But Ion was... the same as always.

That guy never changes, does he?

Nope. He's the one guy that stays the same.

And... I owe him a lot for that.

You're so sappy when it comes to him.

[it's hard to tell if she finds it cute or disgusting]

You think so? I guess, maybe a little...

[It's hard to tell if he's blushing, or if it's just color left over in his cheeks from before—but there's something in his expression that says he knows he's a little over the top.]

...I think I'm just happy to see him, again. So... I want to make the most of our time together, you know? [our extremely limited time together, he doesn't say.]

...

No.

[You can practically picture her eyes going wide behind her mask.]

Do you have a crush on him?

[i'M SO SORRY THAT'S THE ONLY CONTEXT SHE'S EVER REALLY HEARD "MAKE THE MOST OF OUR TIME TOGETHER" IN BEFORE]

Huh?!

[The statement blindsides him so hard, he actually reels on the spot.]

N-No! Wh-What? No way! It's not--we're good--we're friends! He--we--

[He stumbles over his tongue, and tries again.]

I just--this is only 6 weeks, right? Right!?

Yeah, it's six weeks. So what? You've known each other longer than that, haven't you?

[TAPS HER FOOT. answer her, luke!]

No! I mean, yes! I mean--I mean we only have six--I mean, two weeks left with each other!

[He practically shouts it, his voice a weird combination of desperation, embarrassment, and despair.

There's a pause, and he runs a hand through his hair, ruffling it in frustration.]

Then I'm never going to see him again! You know that, right?!

Says who?

[She crosses her arms.]

We can send you home. We don't have to if you don't want to go, you know. This world needs people to live in it.

[There's no response. Instead, he looks at the ground, cheeks still flushed hot, frustration writ large.]

I... I can't. I can't.

I want to, but I can't.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

I can't believe I made my comment to Ion before I saw this, I can't believe how this worked

I'M CRYING WITH LAUGHTER

no subject

no subject

no subject