GODLY AUDIENCES - JUDE MATHIS

[divus]

Comments

WEEK 1, THURSDAY

[divus]

[When Jude enters the parlor, he'll find that there's a couple of things going on here. A.) there's a lanky-ass masked figure seated in a chair, head propped up with their hand and right leg crossed over their left at the knee positioned to face the door. B.) There's a place setting for one with what looks like soup and a sandwich? And C.) the rose Jude offered is in its own vase on the table.]

Mathis-kun, welcome. [It's said with an air of grace and also a tinge of excitement as their free hand gestures to the chair across from them.] Please sit. If this isn't to your tastes, I can make other arrangements.

Re: WEEK 1, THURSDAY

[sedulitas]

[ well, he had absolutely no idea what to expect but this isn't too bad. probably? The food looks (smells too) good and he was kind of peckish. ]

Thank you... [ walking over towards the table and taking his seat. ] And this is plenty for me.

[ looking at the differences between the two of them. ]

Were you not going to have anything yourself?

[ Do gods eat? ]

[divus]

[There's a laugh behind the mask. The food's pretty top-notch stuff and yet there's just enough for Jude to eat his fill.]

It's rather rude not to have something prepared for a guest. That, and...[A gesture to the mask, and a subtle tug. It can't be removed, it seems.] In the presence of you and others in the temple, these masks conceal us for now.

[So no, gods eat, they're just stuck whenever they're speaking to followers.]

[sedulitas]

I see, well I'll try not to be distracting when I eat. Senri said you wanted to see me?

[ Because it's also rude to eat in front of someone without them also having to eat!! Either way, it's rude to turn it down so he'll take a bite of the sandwich. ]

WEEK 1

[divus]

[When Jude enters the costume hall, he'll find Sincerity sitting down in the center of a ring of mannequins. About half of them are dressed in princely outfits, and the other half in princessy ones.

When he hears him come in, he waves him over.]

Jude-kun, over here!

Re: WEEK 1

[sedulitas]

Oh, okay.

[ despite everything that he was praying about, he takes a moment to see what Sincerity is up to. ]

Are you in the middle of something?

[divus]

I was dreaming up outfits for us all to wear when we win this competition!

[...Sincerity is confident, at least.]

So, level with me. What kind of outfits do you like?

WEEK 2

[divus]

[Jude will find Sincerity in the costume hall. This time, the god is perusing a selection of wigs... but he immediately looks away from them when Jude enters the room.]

Jude-kun... you're worried too, huh?

[sedulitas]

[ "Too" huh? Guess that means there were others. Unsurprisingly. ]

Of course I'm worried.

About you, about Piety....

[divus]

Piety... the kid's got a plan of some kind.

[Sincerity wishes he could have half as much faith in that plan as Piety does.]

I'll be okay. There's still plenty of time to rally people to our side. What I'm worried about is how all of you are feeling.

WEEK 3, SUNDAY

[divus]

If it isn't just the man I wanted to see?

[He's right there, waiting, as Jude leaves the altar room, practically boxing him right back in.]

Gotta say, didn't expect to hear from you so soon. Hope this means good news?

[sedulitas]

[ oh boy will jude be his new best friend ]

No, I'm sorry... Not good news.

[ he'll rub the back of his neck. ]

I can't recruit anyone for you. Rather, I'm not sure that I can feel comfortable doing so.

[divus]

Come again?

[Indulgence's hands fall down onto his hips.]

This mask must be doing something to my hearing because I'm pretty sure you couldn't have just told me that you're not even going to try to convince anyone to join my team. That's just crazy.

WEEK 4

[divus]

Good morning.

[When Jude enters the private study, he'll discover Piety placing the offered crane on the bookshelf, where other paper cranes have been placed as decoration, as well.]

I'm happy to hear from you.

[sedulitas]

Good morning.

[ he'll smile when he notices his crane among the others. ]

I see that you liked the crane. Um, how have you been?

[divus]

I've been well, thank you.

[He has one follower, but, you know!]

I've always considered birds to be such beautiful creatures--how freeing it must be to fly. Would you like to have a seat with me?

WEEK 4, MONDAY

[divus]

[Love is in the dance studio and they're seated on the floor for some reason, patiently waiting and perking up upon seeing Jude. There's also a plate with crumbs on it, so someone seems to have liked the lemon cupcake.]

Lemon wasn't a flavor I was expecting, but I really appreciate it. [The grin is evident in the tone.] Good morning, Jude-san.

[sedulitas]

Good morning.

[ the empty plate plus the comment brings a smile to his face as he wanders over to take a seat on the floor too...with generous spacing between them. ]

What flavor were you expecting? Maybe I can try to bring it to you next time.

[ or whenever they host. same difference. ]

[divus]

[That should have maybe been Mathis-san but also, it's Jude, so it's fine? It's fine. Love doesn't mind the spacing and they lean forward just a bit. Their legs are tucked beneath them and from up close it's easy to see they're sort of small in stature. Non-intimidating.]

Oh no, I mean it in a good way! Most people bring me flowers or really sweet stuff like cookies. The change of pace is nice. ...I can't complain though. I think it's really nice that you guys do offerings at all.

WEEK 4

[divus]

[Wouldn't it be funny if Jude accidentally picked the same kind of flower that Rachel used to accidentally poison Julius? It sure would. But it would also be mean, so let's say it's not that type of flower.

Anyway, Ambition appears in the altar room and scoops the flower up out of the bowl.]

...you wanted to talk?

[sedulitas]

[ PLEASE?? jude's a better boy than that... ]

I wanted to apologize to you.

[ very sincerely. ]

I saved someone you didn't want that just ended up dying anyway, we couldn't find the person who killed Fortune, and I...won't be defecting to Cunning.

[ he'll bow before ambition. ]

So, I'm sorry.

[divus]

. . .

[she stares at him for a few long moments]

You're apologizing, but something about the way you said that makes me kind of mad.

WEEK 4

[divus]

[Sincerity, meanwhile, awaits Jude in the costume hall. The god isn't in the process of dressing up, this time.

They're already dressed up in a long curly wig and a dress. Also, the mask is gone. Nice.]

Jude-kun! ...you've stuck with me this whole time. I appreciate that, you know.

[sedulitas]

[ woah. he did not expect to see them maskless. cue the immediate flustering though. ]

W, well...yeah. I told you I'd support you.

[ he'll smile a little. ]

A world where people can be who they want to be without being afraid of it... [ still bashful and rubbing his neck ] I'd like a world like that. It feels like it kind of comes across with what some of the others want too.

[divus]

I think it's compatible with most of the others' visions for the world. What they have a problem with is giving up the reigns, so to speak.

[Sincerity shrugs.]

Personally, I think I'd do a great job being in charge. You must agree - that's why you're still here, right, Jude-kun?