divus | GODLY AUDIENCES

It's because of my name, isn't it? [Ruin's arms cross over their chest. It's practically possible to hear the pout in their voice.] I haven't actually been mean to anyone at all.

In fact, I've been on my best behavior. ♡

Yeah, it might be. People can jump to conclusions about that stuff.

[She's not sure whether she trusts that, but it goes unsaid.]

What does your best behavior mean in this case?

They do that so often! Barely any of you have visited me. But a lot of you have talked about me.

[Ruin's voice sounds sweet enough, which is maybe a little strange, given what she's saying.]

Can't you tell? None of my followers have killed anyone. I haven't even encouraged anyone to kill anyone, and I haven't cursed a single person, even though so many of you are badmouthing me without meeting me. I've been better behaved than some of you all, even.

...Your followers having killed someone wouldn't make you a bad person, unless you told them to.

[She sighs, frowning slightly.]

But it would be really cool if you could keep doing all those things.

Tell that to everyone who already thinks I'm the worst god here!

[Now Ruin sounds like she's pouting.]

If Ambition had picked me as one of the suspects, I bet most of you would have voted for me within the first five minutes of the trial.

If you want... I could try to convince more of them to actually talk to you.

[She tilts her head, though.]

...Does Ambition always pick the suspects, or is it whichever god lost a follower?

Really? You'd do that for me?

[Aww! Ruin is touched. Maybe. It's not easy to tell behind the mask.]

It's whichever god lost a follower. ♡

It seems like it's only fair for people to draw their own conclusions.

[And she files away that second piece of information, even if she doesn't comment on it.]

You'd think that would be the first thing people would do, in a place like this.

[Although people sure did draw a lot of conclusion on the basis of the names alone.]

I think a lot of people are probably... pretty overwhelmed by everything. Maybe that's why not too many of us have come to meet you.

I'm pretty sure it's because they've already gone and made up their minds. Phooey!

[Ruin... stomps their foot.]

But, you aren't so bad, Zoe. ♡

...Thanks. That's nice of you to say.

[A beat, and then:]

Since you don't get many visitors, is there anything you want to do while you do have one?

I want to hear more about you.

[the gods know all about them, of course, but... it's more interesting to hear it from their own mouths.]

Why did you pick the god you did? ♡

[She pauses for a moment, surprised by the question coming from Ruin of all people.

The answer, when it comes, is honest.]

Because of my brother.

Really...?

[There's a definite perplexed tone to Ruin's voice.]

Not for yourself?

[There's another pause.]

It depends what you mean by 'for myself'.

Most of you picked gods based on what their names mean to you. Or because you wanted something you thought a god with that name could give you.

[Ruin shrugs.]

You're playing for your own personal reasons, so I thought you'd choose for personal reasons too.

I did pick her because of what that name means to me. But... It means more to me now because of him.

[A beat.]

I just think that maybe, in a world ruled by someone who values love more than anything else, he would have made it.

[Ruin starts to say something, but stops before the words come out. ...godly magic? Or just second-guessing? Hmm.

A moment or two passes before the god speaks again.]

You know any of us will have the power to bring him back if you win, right? If that's what you want.

I know.

[But from the tense way that comes out, and how she immediately moves on, it’s not something she wants to dwell on.]

What were you about to say?

I can't say.

[Ruin shrugs delicately.]

There are things all of us can't say.

...Can you give me a hint about what it was?

...it's about your god, and the kind of world she really wants to make.

[Ruin shrugs again.]

I'm not able to say more than that. So sorry! ♡

[Now it’s her who looks like she’s about to say something that she holds back. Instead:]

What about you? What kind of world would you make?

I'm going to make the kind of world where anyone can live their lives if they're willing to work for it. Aside from that, the specifics don't really matter to me that much. What I want is to be the one in charge of the gods.

[she giggles]

Why do you think the others hate the idea of me winning so badly? My type of world wouldn't be bad for anyone, but they hate the idea of having to answer to me. So they use my name to make people think the kind of world I want will be a nightmare. Which isn't true at all!

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