GODLY AUDIENCES - ZOE MURPHY

[divus]

Comments

[divus]

Hm...if you think it's going that way? You could always convince them to come talk to me themselves to get a better idea. Then the ball's in their court.

[requiemed]

...That's true.

[A pause.]

Besides, I think both of them would like you, and vice versa. I mean, I know Ray has probably talked to you already, but...

[divus]

I have. He's a brat. [But not negatively? That's actually sort of a compliment.] He's been grilling all of us which I'm going to guess he told you anyway. But...I think so, too.

[requiemed]

He's definitely a brat.

[Wow!!]

But... A really well meaning one. I think he wants this all to end up the best it can.

[divus]

I do, too. I worry a little because he's still young, but he seems more mature than some of the others...

[requiemed]

I think... age doesn't matter so much sometimes. There are a lot of pretty young people here. Even some of the gods seem pretty young. Maybe it matters more what you've been through.

[And from what she knows of Ray's world...]

[divus]

A lot of you have been through a lot...but at the same time a lot of you haven't. That's what I worry about, too. I don't know how to make sure you guys are prepared for whatever happens next.

[requiemed]

[A small pause.]

What happens next?

[divus]

...that's technically up to you. We can't act on our own behalf. That's what you guys are for.

[requiemed]

Are you talking about us deciding who wins, or...?

[divus]

...who wins, and if more murders happen. That's all up to you guys as a group. That's why it's so important to talk to people and find out what they're thinking.

[requiemed]

[A pause, before:]

Do you think more people are going to die?

[divus]

...I don't know if you're going to like my answer, Zoe.

[requiemed]

...That’s pretty much an answer in itself, you know.

[divus]

I know. [Ugh.] I don't want it to be this way, but I think we have to be realistic that it might just happen.

[requiemed]

You don't think it'll be, like... A deterrent that we found the right person this time?

[divus]

You'd think so, but I don't know. There's still so many of you...people are bound to take chances anyway.

[requiemed]

...I guess. I just - wish there was something more we could do to stop them.

[divus]

Unless there was a way to lock you all in one room and figure out how to get rid of the curfew? I'm not sure...but that doesn't stop us from thinking of something to do.

[requiemed]

Do you have any suggestions about the 'something to do' part, then? Because I'm drawing a blank.

[divus]

Um...handcuff all of you to one other person for a week for accountability? I never said the something was a good idea.

[requiemed]

I mean, considering what people have done with free reign... It might just be a better option at some point.

[divus]

I don't know where to get that many pairs of handcuffs though. [Frown.] The only other thing would be giving them something to keep themselves busy with, like a curse or a task or something.

[requiemed]

Can't you, like, will them into existence? Is that not how the whole god thing works?

[...]

I guess that wouldn't be the worst use of a curse.

[divus]

Maybe during a week I'm hosting but before that? I'm not sure it'd work...plus I don't want to actually make people mad even if it'd help them.