GODLY AUDIENCES: RAY

[divus]

Comments

[divus]

[Play smart, Ray.]

I have a feeling. Let me see...asking me about my stance on the whole murder thing and what I want the world to be when I win?

[selfimmolates]

You are good.

[divus]

I've been at this for a while. [The quill's set down and the puzzles put to the side, Cunning giving Ray his attention now.] Which do you want to know first?

[selfimmolates]

Let's start with your stance on murder.

[divus]

[Man. Cunning laughs under their breath, slow and a little incredulous.]

I'm not against it. [May as well be upfront about it.] I believe in getting ahead by any means possible, but you've gotta be smart about it. Take out the competition before it takes you out first. Align yourself with strong allies and infiltrate from there.

Let me guess. You've talked to some of the others already who want peace and harmony.

[selfimmolates]

That's pretty much what I'd expect from a God of Cunning.

[he'd have been pretty surprised if cunning was a pacifist. honestly, cunning thinks a lot like how he does, from the looks of it.]

Yup.

[divus]

[Good spotting, Ray.]

So what's your stance on it?

[selfimmolates]

To be honest? Not that different from yours.

[divus]

Really. [Well that's something.] ...have you ever killed anyone?

[selfimmolates]

Haven't had a reason to yet.

[but not for a lack of willingness, and more because, pragmatically, it wouldn't have been the best way to handle certain... problems.]

[divus]

Well, kid, you might have one coming up if the next couple of weeks get bad. [It's not even a threat, it's just matter of fact.] Desperate times and desperate measures. Even the nicest people can crack under pressure.

But you're kind of a survivalist, aren't you.

[selfimmolates]

I'll keep that in mind.

[also sorry if blackfire is cunning's follower, whoops.]

... Kind of have to be, when there's a lot out to kill you.

[divus]

There's a reason kill or be killed's a popular phrase, man. [It's aggravating, truthfully, because it's way too true.]

...you're from that world with the harvest thing going on, right? That's you? [Cunning didn't pay that close attention to people who didn't choose them.]

[selfimmolates]

Unless there are multiple people here who were raised to be food—yup, that's me.

[divus]

[There's an annoyed sound that follows.] Shit luck. [Even so, the words are a little...sympathetic, to say the least.] No wonder you agreed to come here.

[selfimmolates]

Like you said: desperate times, desperate measures.

[divus]

Think you have what it takes to win? [...this kid is very interesting and reminds Cunning of someone. It's apparent given the fact that their full attention's on Ray now and the questions are more based in personal interest.]

[selfimmolates]

Should I be concerned about answering that to someone who's technically a rival?

[divus]

[:)]

You tell me. People always think they have everything figured out but there's always a loophole to everything.

[selfimmolates]

I don't think my victory is set in stone—that'd just be suicidal overconfidence. Plus, there's still a lot to this competition I don't know about yet.

[:) right back you.]

But I've worked with less.

[divus]

...[A very slow nod.] I like your style. If you ever decide to forget about love, I think we could work something out.

[selfimmolates]

I'll admit it was a tough choice.

... Then, the second part: what do you want the world to be when you win?

[divus]

Fair. [An immediate answer, spit out and acidic and maybe a little biting. Hm. Found the hot-button issue.] When I win, I want the world to be fair and for a new world order where people aren't forgotten or left behind or ignored.

You'd be amazed how resistant some people are to that.

[selfimmolates]

[...]

Not a bad wish.

[at least on a general level, he could certainly get behind the idea.]

Well, people will support a corrupt system as long as they aren't ones suffering from it, right?

[divus]

Either that or people will cling to tradition and refuse to let a new agenda take over. [They lean back in their seat, folding their arms over their chest.] Let me guess. Same story where you're from?