GODLY AUDIENCES - ZOE MURPHY

[divus]

Comments

[requiemed]

[She shifts slightly so she's leaning forward in her chair, thinking it over.]

That's a tough one. Music can be beautiful. The things people say can be beautiful. I don't know if I could pin down what makes them that way, though.

[divus]

And that, my dear, is why I've taken the name Beauty. [It's a gentle tone.] I believe there's beauty to be found in even the simplest things and that every day should be appreciated for what it is, even in the bad times. Finding something beautiful in the darkest hour makes things a little brighter, I'd say.

And also I've been cursed with these beautiful looks under this mask. It's a struggle, but I'll manage.

[requiemed]

[There’s a pause before she smiles, genuine and bright.]

...I think I get why you made me an offer.

[divus]

That and your appreciation for the musical arts, yes. [Very good, Zoe.] It is a shame you aren't aligned with me, however. We would have made a great match.

[requiemed]

Yeah, I think we would have.

[But, even so...]

You probably get why I chose Love instead, right?

[divus]

...your family, correct? [The gods know about 70% of what happens in a participant's life.]

[requiemed]

[She nods, her voice growing a little softer.]

If my brother lived in a world where love mattered a little bit more, maybe he'd still be here.

[divus]

I'm sorry for your loss. [Beauty doesn't know all of the conditions around it, but sympathy can be expressed.] I was an only child, but separation from a family member isn't very kind to anyone.

[...] Do you wish to bring him back?

[requiemed]

[After a long moment:]

I don't know.

[divus]

...it's alright not to know. Family is...both very wonderful and very complicated, I think.

[requiemed]

[Another moment passes, and she puts a special effort in to make this sound less worried than she feels.]

...What if that was my wish and he hated me for it later?

[divus]

Why on earth would he hate you for something like that?

cw suicide

[requiemed]

...I guess you don't know how he died.

[A small pause.]

He decided to do it, so what if he doesn't want to come back?

[divus]

...[Well that's more complicated.]

I suppose that would depend on why he did it. Do you think...knowing what you know now, perhaps things would be different with a second chance?

[requiemed]

I want to think... that he could have gotten better. He was making a friend for the first time.

[busts directly through the fourth wall to punch evan hansen in the face]

[divus]

Then I can't imagine he would be mad, especially knowing he had a sister that loved him so dearly as to want to reach him again.

[requiemed]

[She hesitates, but...]

Maybe. Things were kind of - rocky for us before he died, but it wasn't always that way.

[divus]

Do you know what it is that may have changed that? [The tone says she doesn't have to tell them, really, but there's a thought here.]

[requiemed]

[She shrugs.]

He was... a complicated person. He had a lot of problems he wasn't getting help for. I think he lashed out at the people who were closest because of that.

[divus]

[...there's a slow nod.]

As I've said, I never had siblings, but in my old life there were two boys I used to know. They used to rely only on each other, never letting anyone else into their world, but little by little they started to trust others. When the world changed for them, one lashed out at the other simply because he was there and their bond meant there were very few secrets between them.

...they've managed to grow up and continue to grow as people despite being complicated themselves. I think the people closest to us are the most likely to help, even if we don't always realize it immediately. Though I'm sure your brother would see that with time.

[requiemed]

I don't know if we were ever that close. I mean, close enough that we never relied on anyone else. But...

[She takes in a breath.]

I'd like to see what kind of person he could have been, if he hadn't... left.

[divus]

When the time is right? I think you'll know what decision to make. It doesn't have to be one that's made now, but your heart will guide you on its own. That I can assure you.

[requiemed]

[After a few moments:]

...Thanks. That really means a lot.

[divus]

[If she'll let them, they'll reach out to place a hand over hers across the table.]

It's easy to see that you care a lot. A person is only as strong as their heart is, and it's absolutely no surprise Lady Love fought to pick you. However, in the event I do win this game, I'd like to help grant whatever wish you ask for for the sake of happiness.

[requiemed]

[After a pause of surprise:]

...You’d really do that?