[He looks up from where he has his nose buried in a mess of exposed circuitry, brows raised in surprise when he sees the mask rather than a face of one of the dozens of other people who had made the lab their second home over the weekend.
A beat, and he stands up straight, dusting himself off with a more formal air to his posture.]
Not at all. We've met before, if I'm right. It's nice to have a proper introduction.
[Piety extends a hand toward Guy in way of offered greeting.]
I just wanted to introduce myself, and see how you were doing. I don't hold any hard feelings toward anyone who chose any of the others over me--it doesn't change that I admire you as a person. So you could say...it's important to me to check in from time to time. I hope you don't mind.
[He can't bear to extend his own, but he does nod toward the god's outstretched hand, his smile growing a bit sheepish. Sorry, Piety. :(]
I can't say I mind, no. It's nice of you to be so polite about it. But...
I'm just a little confused as to what you'd find admirable.
[Not that he thinks ill of himself. He's not without his flaws, sure, but he's an ok guy. But he remembers Indulgence giving an interesting answer on this exact line of dialogue.
Besides, he doesn't really consider himself a religious sort. So what in the world was this sort of god even looking for?]
[Bringing their hand back and holding it against their chest, Piety seems to consider their words carefully before speaking.]
...you don't give up on others. It's the belief that others, friends or even strangers, can learn and grow from their mistakes, that made me want you for my team.
[Another pause, and then a laugh. Piety raises their hands.]
Not to say that I came to criticize your choice. And, admittedly, it could just be that you remind me of someone I once knew. I'm a bit sentimental.
[It's not the response he really expected, but in a way, he supposes it still makes sense. A god founded in the strength of belief, regardless of the subject.
He stays silent for a long moment, studying the god carefully.]
I want to unite all of us. Right now, there's a great divide among those of us who wish to obtain ultimate control in order to shape the world in a way that fits their own personal desires. The other half wish to prevent this from happening, but even most of them, while well-meaning, don't understand just what it means to be in such a position of power.
[The mask tilts back up toward Guy once again.]
I'm not unfamiliar to the burden of leadership, and I don't want a peace that will come at the price of a further division between us. I want to lead each of them to use their divinity in a way that gives them each the kinds of responsibility that they're best suited to, and that best suits the people of our world.
No, not at all. I've found, from personal experience, that the only way to truly understand the needs of the world is to walk among the people that inhabit it.
Do you think the gods you're competing with would be able to reach that kind of compromise out of defeat? A loss might be a loss, but not everyone will just sit and take it. I doubt even the divine are beyond that, or you wouldn't be holding this kind of match.
I'd imagine your people would bear the burden of those kinds of choices, too.
If I'm being honest, it's hard to say if there's any perfect solution.
[With a sigh, Piety walks toward one of the empty chairs and takes a heavy seat.]
But I believe in the possibilities. I can't help but believe. My goal isn't to take power away from anyone but to act as a mediator between those of us who clash. That's what I've always tried to do, but I hadn't been able to make my voice heard. That's how this competition began.
And one could say that all of the other gods are making the exact same argument. If no one thinks they're being heard, then everyone's just bound to yell twice as loud.
I can see why you would want a third party to... "help." [Even if it just meant a room full of screaming gods could grow quiet for a short time and play some games instead. Super.]
How long have you all been at each other's throats like this?
[It's easy for Piety to become drowned out with such a voice.]
Divisions were drawn very quickly, intentionally or unintentionally. If it wasn't the fault of ill-suited personalities, it was arguments over influence, some gods bowling over the work of others for various reasons. There's no...discipline or reason.
Unfortunately, discipline doesn't sound like it would work all that well with some of the names you have floating around here. [LIKE A CERTAIN SOMEONE WHOSE NAME STARTS WITH A GODDAMN I] That kind of conflict doesn't sound like a surprise at all.
...Speaking of names, though. Do you know much about the other gods? I'm sure it's easy enough to make assumptions off just your titles, but... well, everyone thinks of certain traits in different ways. You're not quite what I expected, for example.
I know a decent amount about them. I know some more personally than others, and the ones I'm less close to I've made my own opinions on. I can tell you as much as you'd like to know, but ultimately, only you can truly decide how you feel about them.
[And then, Piety can't help but laugh slightly.]
I can imagine what you'd have thought. Truly, I've known the type--religious zealots, willing to sacrifice morality and sense in the name of a higher power.
I don't think there's anything wrong with religion, especially if it helps people cope with their daily lives or gives them a sense of purpose. It's when you start deciding absolutes that it becomes nothing but madness.
I can't say I care for it.
[When religion lets tons of people die and the world crumble and deems it perfectly okay because that's just how things are supposed to happen, then SOMETHING IS WRONG.
But.
:)]
Anyway. Let's start with the one I'm with right now. They're a real character, right?
Indulgence isn't a bad person. Younger than you'd think, under that mask and those robes. The life he lived, as I understand it, didn't leave him with the means to properly learn the sort of humility befit for the ruler of his station. He's selfish, I can't deny it, and while his goals and methods aren't necessarily intended to cause harm, they're often decided with impulsive frivolity that lacks foresight. I believe that he'd improve his character under the right circumstances and maybe around the right influences...but it's hard for me to say if that's true.
You could say that again. He doesn't strike me as malicious or anything. But boy, does he really remind me of someone I know.
I guess that's why I can't think too horribly of him. We're not exactly seeing eye to eye on some things... but I guess you could say I've been through this exact thing before and seen good change come, given some time.
[He just hopes Indulgence wouldn't have to learn his lesson via murdering about 50,000 people on accident.
ANYWAY.]
What about Love? They're the popular choice this week, if I remember right.
[There's a hint of bemusement to Piety's voice, but it fades back to its normal soft cadence as they move on to Love.]
Love truly has good intentions in this game. She's kind-hearted, and embodies a feeling that's almost universally affiliated with goodness. I'm not surprised that she amassed so many followers by name alone.
[There's a "however" coming.]
She is ruled by her compassion above all else, which is admirable, but it can mean that her sense of trust or logic can take a backseat, leaving to judgments that may come across as a touch naive.
Do you think she would be entirely unfit? If her heart's in a good place, then you could argue she could learn by experience just as much as Indulgence.
Not entirely, no. In fact, I think she'd be one of the better rulers out of us all. My biggest fear is how well some of the others would accept her in the position. As you said, it's unlikely everyone will simply accept the contest's winner just because we all agreed to, and that's an inevitability that will have to be dealt with when the time comes.
[Piety shakes their head.]
But that unrest will vary depending on who takes the seat. I know for a fact that certain gods among our ranks will be particularly outraged at having to submit formerly to Love. It will be difficult for her to overcome that obstacle--but that's not something that's any fault of her own.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
WEEK 1
Pardon the intrusion. I thought I might find you here--do you mind if I take a moment of your time?
no subject
A beat, and he stands up straight, dusting himself off with a more formal air to his posture.]
Not at all. We've met before, if I'm right. It's nice to have a proper introduction.
[He gives a little bow from where he stands.]
Guy Cecil. It's a pleasure.
What's on your mind?
no subject
[Piety extends a hand toward Guy in way of offered greeting.]
I just wanted to introduce myself, and see how you were doing. I don't hold any hard feelings toward anyone who chose any of the others over me--it doesn't change that I admire you as a person. So you could say...it's important to me to check in from time to time. I hope you don't mind.
no subject
I can't say I mind, no. It's nice of you to be so polite about it. But...
I'm just a little confused as to what you'd find admirable.
[Not that he thinks ill of himself. He's not without his flaws, sure, but he's an ok guy. But he remembers Indulgence giving an interesting answer on this exact line of dialogue.
Besides, he doesn't really consider himself a religious sort. So what in the world was this sort of god even looking for?]
no subject
...you don't give up on others. It's the belief that others, friends or even strangers, can learn and grow from their mistakes, that made me want you for my team.
[Another pause, and then a laugh. Piety raises their hands.]
Not to say that I came to criticize your choice. And, admittedly, it could just be that you remind me of someone I once knew. I'm a bit sentimental.
no subject
I could understand the feeling.
[It's not the response he really expected, but in a way, he supposes it still makes sense. A god founded in the strength of belief, regardless of the subject.
He stays silent for a long moment, studying the god carefully.]
Do you mind if I ask you a question?
no subject
no subject
no subject
I want to unite all of us. Right now, there's a great divide among those of us who wish to obtain ultimate control in order to shape the world in a way that fits their own personal desires. The other half wish to prevent this from happening, but even most of them, while well-meaning, don't understand just what it means to be in such a position of power.
[The mask tilts back up toward Guy once again.]
I'm not unfamiliar to the burden of leadership, and I don't want a peace that will come at the price of a further division between us. I want to lead each of them to use their divinity in a way that gives them each the kinds of responsibility that they're best suited to, and that best suits the people of our world.
no subject
no subject
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I'd imagine your people would bear the burden of those kinds of choices, too.
no subject
[With a sigh, Piety walks toward one of the empty chairs and takes a heavy seat.]
But I believe in the possibilities. I can't help but believe. My goal isn't to take power away from anyone but to act as a mediator between those of us who clash. That's what I've always tried to do, but I hadn't been able to make my voice heard. That's how this competition began.
no subject
I can see why you would want a third party to... "help." [Even if it just meant a room full of screaming gods could grow quiet for a short time and play some games instead. Super.]
How long have you all been at each other's throats like this?
no subject
[It's easy for Piety to become drowned out with such a voice.]
Divisions were drawn very quickly, intentionally or unintentionally. If it wasn't the fault of ill-suited personalities, it was arguments over influence, some gods bowling over the work of others for various reasons. There's no...discipline or reason.
no subject
...Speaking of names, though. Do you know much about the other gods? I'm sure it's easy enough to make assumptions off just your titles, but... well, everyone thinks of certain traits in different ways. You're not quite what I expected, for example.
no subject
[And then, Piety can't help but laugh slightly.]
I can imagine what you'd have thought. Truly, I've known the type--religious zealots, willing to sacrifice morality and sense in the name of a higher power.
no subject
I can't say I care for it.
[When religion lets tons of people die and the world crumble and deems it perfectly okay because that's just how things are supposed to happen, then SOMETHING IS WRONG.
But.
:)]
Anyway. Let's start with the one I'm with right now. They're a real character, right?
no subject
[But, yes. Anyway. Anyway...]
Indulgence isn't a bad person. Younger than you'd think, under that mask and those robes. The life he lived, as I understand it, didn't leave him with the means to properly learn the sort of humility befit for the ruler of his station. He's selfish, I can't deny it, and while his goals and methods aren't necessarily intended to cause harm, they're often decided with impulsive frivolity that lacks foresight. I believe that he'd improve his character under the right circumstances and maybe around the right influences...but it's hard for me to say if that's true.
[Still.]
Out of us all, he's certainly the most animated.
no subject
I guess that's why I can't think too horribly of him. We're not exactly seeing eye to eye on some things... but I guess you could say I've been through this exact thing before and seen good change come, given some time.
[He just hopes Indulgence wouldn't have to learn his lesson via murdering about 50,000 people on accident.
ANYWAY.]
What about Love? They're the popular choice this week, if I remember right.
no subject
Love truly has good intentions in this game. She's kind-hearted, and embodies a feeling that's almost universally affiliated with goodness. I'm not surprised that she amassed so many followers by name alone.
[There's a "however" coming.]
She is ruled by her compassion above all else, which is admirable, but it can mean that her sense of trust or logic can take a backseat, leaving to judgments that may come across as a touch naive.
no subject
no subject
[Piety shakes their head.]
But that unrest will vary depending on who takes the seat. I know for a fact that certain gods among our ranks will be particularly outraged at having to submit formerly to Love. It will be difficult for her to overcome that obstacle--but that's not something that's any fault of her own.