GODLY AUDIENCES - ZOE MURPHY

[divus]

Comments

[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.

[requiemed]

I'd rather be mad than dead.

[But she's aware that isn't the point, and that it's impractical besides. She sighs.]

The problem is... I can see how a curse could make someone too busy to hurt anyone else, but it could make things more dangerous in most cases, too.

[divus]

It would have to be a really specific curse, wouldn't it? Like being cursed to hug everybody for a week or something.

[requiemed]

...Oh.

[Hm.]

Was that you?

[divus]

I wish I could take credit for that, but nah. That was...half-me. [Whatever that means.]

[requiemed]

So, one of your followers...?

[divus]

You know I can't confirm that. [But there's a hint of laughter in her voice, so.]

[requiemed]

[It's impossible to not look at least slightly amused by that.]

I hope you got to see the look on his face.

[divus]

Maybe once or twice. [This is still funny, excuse her.] That's the kind of use of my power I don't always mind.

[requiemed]

It's not so bad when it doesn't put anyone in danger.

[divus]

Exactly. That's why I trust you guys to figure out the best ways to use them. There's a reason I picked the people I did. [...] Itachi-san notwithstanding.

[requiemed]

...Can I ask why you picked him now that he's gone, or is that still off limits?

[divus]

Mm...it's still sort of off limits. I'm sorry. But maybe it doesn't matter that much anyway. I wanted to believe what he had said, but I still think he just went about it the wrong way.

[requiemed]

Went about it the wrong way is probably the biggest understatement of the year.

[divus]

He more or less said he couldn't align himself with me because of how he felt and what he was going to do, so at least he acknowledged that part...