GODLY AUDIENCES: RAY

[divus]

Comments

[divus]

[What a wordy bitch.]

I prefer to solve my problems as peaceably as possible. That was my job back home, before I ascended to Godhood. I acted as a mediator for the people, so as long as it's a viable solution, I don't condone violence.

[Piety sighs, the sigh of a heavy heart.]

But I know that unshakable peace is an unreasonable ideal. Of course I long for a world without struggle, but peace cannot exist without conflict. I refuse to encourage or endorse murder from any of my followers...but understand that often times life has to be given to achieve what's right. As long as a victory can be obtained without undue cruelty, I'll have to be content.

[selfimmolates]

So, you're a realist—would you say?

[divus]

I suppose so.

[With a melancholy chuckle, Piety makes an admission.]

When I was younger...that wasn't so long ago, really, I may have been more of an idealist. But being out in the world and seeing how dark its corners are, its easy to find yourself reassessing your standards.

[selfimmolates]

Can't say I can empathize.

[because he's always been a cynical bastard.]

Which room is yours?

[divus]

[Does Ray like, need Jesus.]

The Private Study.

[selfimmolates]

[psssh, why would you think that]

I thought so.

[not a whole lot of options left at this point.]

Thanks for that.

[divus]

Of course.

[Piety inclines their head.]

That kind of environment has always helped me clear my head when I feel overwhelmed, so I hope it's of use to you when you feel as if you need to take a moment to gather your thoughts.

[selfimmolates]

[he nods.]

I'll probably be hanging around there often.

[...]

Can I ask for your opinion on your fellow gods?

[divus]

Certainly.

[There's a lot of them, so Piety takes a moment to gather their thoughts before responding. Let's just start with a few and go from there.]

I'm closest with Justice and Merriment. They're both very kind, and generally selfless individuals. I get the impression Merriment cares less about winning and more about preventing someone who may wish harm on others winning. As for Justice...[well, there's a clear measure of careful sympathy in their voice] I believe that Justice is far too young for a responsibility this large, though it's clear that he wants very dearly to be someone dependable.

[Poor little Justice.]

[selfimmolates]

Yeah, I got that impression from Justice. Good kid, but I don't think he's ready to rule a world. [...] That fits with what I've heard about Merriment too.

[divus]

[Piety nods, glad that nobody's giving out wrongful images of some real quality pals.]

After them, I have a relatively good relationship with Beauty, Love, and Sincerity. They're all rather colorful characters, friendly and a touch eccentric...maybe a bit too...

[They let out a soft hum, trying to come up with the right word.]

Careless might be a little bit of an unkind word to use, and I certainly don't mean it as an insult. They're very bright personalities, but what they want...as far as their image of a world goes, can often touch on frivolous. I think maybe they just lack perspective on certain hardships--Beauty and Sincerity perhaps most of all.

[selfimmolates]

Agreed. I haven't spoken to Beauty yet, but Sincerity's ideal world did seem... kind of simplistic.

[and love is too SOFT, as he thinks, like. all the time.]

I have a sibling like that back home. I'm always having to correct her plans for her.

[divus]

[At the comparison, Piety can't help but give a soft laugh.]

I bet that's frustrating...but I bet it's nice, too, having someone like that in your life. Would you say it makes you endeared to those kind of qualities in people, even if you don't mirror the belief?

[selfimmolates]

[he's quiet for a bit.]

... I think the world needs people like them. [a beat.] Though I think it also needs people to balance them out before they go and get themselves killed through sheer idiocy.

[divus]

Yes, I agree. People like them work better in partnerships with a more rational individual.

[People they perhaps had at home but don't have here with them now.]

And then there's Indulgence...ah...who I'd say is the most flamboyant of them all. Not an outright malicious person, but certainly both selfish and myopic. He claims often that he's been in a position of rulership in his previous life, but I can't put my faith in him that he truly knows just how to handle such responsibility. At least, not in a way that isn't short-sighted and somewhat self-serving. Doesn't really have any particular attachments to anyone as far as I know of, but then, I don't often have any luck when I try to talk to him.

[selfimmolates]

[indulgence is the one giant blank in his god knowledge, so this is handy. you're the best, piety.]

Sounds appropriate for a god of Indulgence.

[divus]

He does fit the part, I can't argue that.

[So indulgent even the other gods don't have much to say, go figure.]

Oh, she's a bit more on the severe side than I am, but I would say I've never had a particular issue with Fortune. Overall, she's an agreeable sort...if maybe a touch on the vindictive side.

[But nobody's perfect tbh.]

[selfimmolates]

[suddenly uno fear.]

I'll keep that in mind.

[divus]

So...I suppose that leaves Cunning, Disorder, Ambition, and Ruin.

[The nega squad. Piety already sounds weary.]

[selfimmolates]

Those guys seem pretty unpopular.

[divus]

I hate to talk poorly of any of them. Truly, they all do have their redeeming qualities, though they're often overshadowed by behaviors that I believe in some of their cases have manifested as learned defense mechanisms.

[They actually kind of feel a bit bad about how much flack they get, even though he understands it.]

I've never personally had conflict with Cunning, though I've always gotten the impression that his view of me may hold a measure of pity for my perceived weaknesses.

[selfimmolates]

[that would not surprise him, because he can see himself thinking that (not about piety specifically, but...).

he just nods.]

[divus]

Ambition, I've always found, is a particularly lonely and misunderstood young girl who acts out in order to impress the wrong kinds of people. I feel very sorry for her.

[Piety's gaze lowers, thoughtful.]

But despite any of my efforts to get to know her and gain her trust, she treats ferocity with adoration, and hasn't shown any signs of self-reflection that I've seen. I believe she may feel that if she is not held in high regard or even feared, she somehow lacks worth or importance.

[selfimmolates]

[is ambition secretly catra or something]

Sounds like a pain to deal with, to be frank. Definitely wouldn't make for a good ruler.

[divus]

I have to agree with you. I'd like to see her have the time and influences to grow into herself and I'm sure, in time, she'd have a better idea of how to properly utilize a position of authority, but for now, her involvement only worries me.