GODLY AUDIENCES: RAY

[divus]

Comments

[divus]

[There's another laugh even if it's not that funny.] No, no. It's up to all of us, but getting everyone together's sort of a problem in and of itself. We're not the most...organized? It's our first day with you, too.

[selfimmolates]

Your lack of organization is a little worrying. Just saying.

[divus]

Tell that to the rest of them. I'm used to having a schedule to follow. [Look. Did you expect them to know what the hell's going on? That was your first mistake.]

[selfimmolates]

[yeah there's some regret right now]

You can grant any wish we want but you can't get your act together?

[divus]

[There's a heavy sigh.] We're working on it, okay? It's a little harder when some of us have different ideas how this whole thing should be done.

[selfimmolates]

And what are those different ideas, or is that another "not now" question?

[divus]

Ray. [...mmm.] How do you think some of us are planning on whittling down the numbers?

[selfimmolates]

... Well, there's one very easy way to "whittle down numbers".

[it starts with "d" and ends in "eath".]

[divus]

Exactly. Some of us are more into that idea than others. [Spoilers: Love is Not Down for Death and their tone says that loud and clear.]

[selfimmolates]

Don't suppose I could know which gods are down for that?

[divus]

You're smart, Ray. I'm sure you can figure it out just by observing them. [That is to say, they have suspicions but it's hard to say.]

[selfimmolates]

Right... Well, let's just make this clear: that means some people are probably going to go down that route, which puts me at risk.

[a beat.]

I'll kill to survive, if that's what it takes. I have no intention of being a sitting duck for others to eliminate. Knowing that, you sure you still want me as a "follower"?

[divus]

[Well...]

It'd be a little hypocritical of me if I said no.

[selfimmolates]

Then we shouldn't have any issues for now. With that said, how do you want to settle things?

[divus]

Try your best. Talk to people. Make as many connections as you can and sway their options. Words are a really powerful thing, Ray. You can't forget that influence is a dangerous tool if used the wrong way.

Learn who the others are aligned with and try to find others who have or would align with me. That's your best option. [It also means building a support team so that maybe less people will die and be killed. ]

[selfimmolates]

[war flashbacks to all of jan's previous mgs]

You really should've brought Emma with me, then. She's the one who's good at that kind of thing.

[also she's, like, 80% of ray's moral conscience.]

[divus]

[Sorry Jan, should've picked a different god!! ]

You don't think you can grow to be good at it? [They don't even ask who Emma is because they're well aware. ]

[selfimmolates]

It's not my role.

[he's her shadow—the one who will dirty his hands when the other kids can't bring themselves to.]

[divus]

That doesn't answer my question and you know it.

[selfimmolates]

I don't have the right kind of thinking to be good at connecting with others. I doubt I ever really will, to be honest—and I don't know if I even want to.

[what is this emo doing in the love faction.]

[divus]

[...ah.]

...I used to think that way, too. [They're really wondering if they should be sharing this, but if it'll help it's worth a try.] People never listened to me and I didn't have a lot of friends. But someone came along and gave me a chance to change myself. I took it and I changed myself.

...it still wasn't what I wanted, but someone else came along. Someone really important. It's because of him that I had the chance to really help other people and create bonds. I couldn't have done it without him. Sometimes all it takes is one person, even if you don't always see them.

Maybe you don't think you're going to be good at this and maybe you don't know if you want to, but...please think about it. Okay?

[selfimmolates]

[in a way, love's words hit close to home. ray wasn't entirely accurate before—because he did change. open up his world a little more.

but still, he tells himself, his family is different. the people here are nothing to him, and he's nothing to them. who knows? maybe it's for the best that it stays that way.]

... Fine. I'll think about it. [...] That's why you're the God of Love, huh?

[divus]

[It's a little more personal than they know they should be sharing, but the tone is still light and sweet when they answer.]

Something like that. [Love is important to them. Maybe someday they'll get to explain everything.] Take all the time you need. I'll be right here if you need my help deciding what to do.

[While Love knows what they'd like their followers to do, Love also believes in letting them pick their own paths. They'll be as supportive as they can.]

[selfimmolates]

Time usually hasn't been on my side.

... Thanks, though.

[divus]

Of course. [To both of those, because they're aware enough. They also make zero moves to rise from the floor or anything.]

Do you have any more questions for me today?