GOD MINGLING CATCHALL

[divus]

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Week 0 - Merriment & Justice

[divus]

[While all of the chaos in the temple was happening and Catherine was playing host, Jack decided to skip the welcome committee and wander his way through the temple. He didn't have any offerings to attend to, nor did he need to really check in on his patrons, and that left him with a lot of time on his hands.

Usually when Jack has time on his hands, he checks in with the younger gods. Ion, bless him, was entertaining audiences with some of his patrons, but Q was just as highly ranked on Jack's list. It's why he slips his way into the computer lab later, venturing over to a specific computer to key in a combo and allow himself into Q's chambers.

On the other hand, at least he knocks and leans against the doorway, arms folded over his chest and bare feet planted on the ground.]

Hey kiddo. You in?

[divus]

Oh, Jack! Hi! Of course!

[In his own room, especially with how awkwardly his mask fits over his already abysmal face situation, it's much easier to do without. He stands staring at the wall facing the lab, where so many competitors had been thrilled to tinker and explore.

Such creativity, it's almost frightening that Q's own room is...nothing but blank, white walls. A cube of absent thought.]

Have you seen all of them? There are so, so many--do you think they're friendly? Do you think they'll like us? I don't want...I hope I don't scare them.

[divus]

[Jack's lifting his hand up to also remove his mask, tucking it into the pocket of his hoodie. They're alone; he has no reason to wear the stupid thing anymore and at least with Q he knows he'll be seen. Give him a moment to turn and see what, exactly, he's looking at.

Man, this room is depressing. He's going to have to see if they can fix that later.]

I don't know if you'll be able to. If anyone scares them off, it's gonna be Regina or Alice. [There's an easy-going grin, easily teasing the two girls who aren't even close enough to throttle him.] Plenty of them seem friendly though. They've been getting the hang of things and helping each other out. But all forty of them are here. I counted myself this morning.

[divus]

You really think so?

[Alice and Regina are both so pretty, even if they're kind of scary. Q knows that he, well, it's hard to look at him, and not in the same way that Jack's struggling with.]

I want to make a good impression. Some of them are already getting called for council, I hope we do too.

[He finally swings his circle-eyed gaze away from the wall and bounds over, hands grasped at the sides of his helmet.]

I don't know if I've ever been some place with so many people all at once! I'm really excited to host...are you?

[divus]

[Q is a kid so Jack's not going to go into the details of why, exactly, he thinks those two are heathens of their own design. They're easy to look at, sure, but Jack still thinks they aren't the type who'll win people over easily. Q, on the other hand, has better interests in mind.]

You're gonna make an awesome impression. [Q bounds over and Jack realizes he's really tall so he crouches down just a bit to be more at Q's eyelevel. Helmet-level. Whatever.] And don't worry about not being called yet. Give them time to get used to this place.

[But. Ah. Mm. That question! That question? He's not so sure he feels like confiding some of his own insecurities, but on the other hand...Q might be one of the best people to understand.] I haven't decided yet. I've never been in a place where so many people can see me.

WEEK 0 - AMBITION, CUNNING, DISORDER

[divus]

[Meanwhile...

Chloé never was any good at respecting anybody's personal space, so she just barges right into Luke's room. She registers that Regina is already there (good, she doesn't have to go track her down too) and launches right into it.]

Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous! Those idiots are getting offerings already. What are our followers doing?

[divus]

[Oh, the protegee is here, time to take a few modest steps back from where she may or may not have been about to slam Luke against the wall to relieve herself of some stress. Hm.

Regina crosses her arms.]

Idiots is right. Apparently one of my followers is already talking about defecting and the twerp hasn't even bothered to say hello. How's that for gratitude?

[divus]

[Chloe, Chloe, Chloe. Look, Luke's not even sure if he should be worried about the distraction or annoyed because it's not like he's really in a position or mindset to say no? But whatever, he gets the concern and he does absolutely nothing to move away from where Regina left him. He does run a hand through his hair and sighs a little, making a face.]

And I'm pretty sure one of mine is too busy playing with a cat to notice where he is. You'd think they'd wanna pay attention to what's going on around here instead of goofing off.

[divus]

Ugh, if he actually does that you should curse him.

[This is it, this is how this trip loses all of their followers. Which is fair. Their followers deserve better.

Doesn't stop her from being bitter, though.]

I think there's something about cats that makes people stupider. You should have seen this total moron from back home.

[divus]

[Alright, losers, it's time for an emergency meeting. Regina is very clearly in a foul mood as she rushes into Luke's room (either with Chloe in tow or simply expecting her to be there), ripping off her mask. Her tone of voice has that sharp, teeth-clacking sort of hatred behind the too-cheerful cadence that often accompanies her wrath.]

How do you feel about staging a coup?

[divus]

Is this about that ridiculous poet?

[She doesn't look impressed.]

I don't get what that idiot is so excited about anyway. His stupid poem doesn't even rhyme.

[divus]

[Hi girls. Luke's literally sitting in a chair and playing a video game? It's probably like CoD or Halo.]

I am always up for something like that, but what ridiculous poet are we talking about? [There's a sly grin to Regina.] Trouble in paradise?

[divus]

Don't you even start with me.

[She throws her mask onto his bed before sliding over to him and gripping her sharp nails into his shoulders.]

Chuuya Nakahara. It was bad enough he announced his defection before so much as giving a simple hello, but then he openly mocks me?

[Regina stands up straighter, glancing back at Chloe.]

But it isn't just him. Sincerity deserves a little taste of humiliation. I think it would be healthy for him.

[Of course, she just straight up follows that up with:]

I want that entire team destroyed.

WEEK 2

[divus]

[This is probably a strange visit, but Ion, entering the armory, kneels down beside the door to Luke's room and knocks, hoping the gentle rapping will reach him.]

Luke? If it isn't too much trouble, may I possibly borrow you up here for a moment?

[divus]

[He was happy just hanging out in his room, and normally he'd tell people to go away but he recognizes that voice and it's only a few minutes before there's a louder rapping on the door to signify he's coming up. Climbing the stairs, Luke lifts the trap door open and hauls himself up, letting the door shut easily.]

Ion. [Hello small, useful braincell.] What is it?

[divus]

[Smiling that typically sweet smile of his, Ion raises himself back on his feet, thankful, not for the first time, that Godhood has improved his constitution enough not to need aid with such simple actions. Brushing off his knees, Ion reminds himself not to lose heart, no matter how this conversation goes.]

Sorry to drop in on you so suddenly, but I had a question to ask and I hoped...well, I suppose I'm counting on you to give me an honest answer. [...] Would you say that I'm weak?

[divus]

[UH. For a moment Luke looks baffled by the question and it's clear on his face now that there isn't a mask blocking his expression. He furrows his eyebrows before raising one, immediately trying to decipher why Ion's asking.]

...like...in what sort of sense? [Ion you usually need to sit down frequently, what sort of answer are you thinking here...]

WEEK 3, POST-TRIAL

[divus]

[Basically as soon as the trial is over, and they're all gathered back there, Ambition appears in Disorder's room and tosses her mask aside.

Her eyes are completely dry.]

Well? How about that? They really fell for it, don't you think?

[divus]

[Meanwhile, this asshole's busy lounging on Disorder's bed, head propped up by a couple of fluffy pillows and basically putting away the trial. Basically. Like whatever they watch them on, I'm going to pretend for Cunning it's a tablet.

There's a very pleased smirk though.]

Gotta say, I'm impressed. You're really learning fast. [He is. So proud.]

[divus]

[Having come in last, Disorder leans in the doorway, one hand on her hip as the other pulls up her mask.]

Chloe, I love you. That was so brilliant.

[divus]

I didn't know what I was going to do when that idiot realized what she did and admitted she was one of mine. I mean, hello? They were going to think I made her do it, and it was totally going to alienate one of my followers.

Good thing Luke decided to call for me. I guess going to play games with them Thursday night wasn't as useless as I thought it would be.

WEEK 5

[divus]

[It's after the trial, and guess who's crying? Probably the last person who should be crying. Chloé is curled up in her room with her knees drawn up to her chest, hugging a yellow-and-black teddy bear with diamonds for eyes because of course she is.

She mumbles to herself:]

...this isn't what I meant to happen...

[divus]

...may I come in?

[Ion doesn't want to intrude, especially if she's crying...but especially because she's crying, he feels he should be there for her. He opens her door just slightly, standing in the doorway.]

I understand if you want to be alone, but...I wanted to check on you.

[divus]

[Chloé isn't even remotely ready to have this conversation. But she'll probably never be ready to have this conversation, and she knows it, so although she winces at the sound of Ion's voice, she calls out to him.]

You can come in. It's unlocked.

[divus]

[Quietly, Ion comes in and makes his way over, sitting at her feet--to give her enough space, but let her know that he's there.]

What happened isn't your fault.