GODLY AUDIENCES - ZOE MURPHY

[divus]

Comments

[requiemed]

[She shakes her head.]

I think that's probably the most normal reaction anyone could have.

[divus]

I suppose. Things spiraled out of hand really quickly, didn't they? A majority of you handled it very well though and that alone says a lot. Bravo.

[requiemed]

[She pauses for a second, thinking.]

I'm not certain I would say a majority.

[divus]

No? You all stayed on task relatively quickly after the outbursts from those two girls, didn't you? [Estelle and Luna.] It's a high-pressure situation and the fact that you solved things is well enough.

[requiemed]

I mean, it's not hard to solve things when Justice told us that there wasn't anyone guilty still alive. There wasn't anything to solve.

[divus]

Do you not believe yourself to be capable without outside influence?

[requiemed]

That's not it. It's just... hard to take pride in something like that when the hardest answers were given to us. You know?

[divus]

...let me ask you this. Do you think someone who has had everything handed to them and still makes decisions on their own to move forward doesn't deserve credit for their own thoughts?

[requiemed]

[She pauses, trying to decide how to phrase this.]

Sure, they can get credit if they come up with something good. But if the best they can come up with is voting for someone innocent to get killed, is that worth any credit?

[divus]

...yes, when it's a part of a bigger plan. I'm afraid that's all I can say.

[requiemed]

I don't think any of this screams plan to me. It's just a mess.

[divus]

No, no. There's a plan in place--I just hadn't realized it. But I do feel everything will make more sense to you on Monday.

[requiemed]

[After a moment:]

...I'll trust you for now, then.

[divus]

Thank you. I wish I had something more comforting to say than this, but you have my word otherwise.

[requiemed]

No, it's okay. I'm sorry if I was... kind of negative.

[divus]

Today has been a very stressful day. I understand. [So they're not upset, at least.] ...it's hard to remain cheerful after something like this, isn't it?

[requiemed]

Yeah.

[...]

It'd be nice if we could do something to cheer you guys up, too. I know some of you hate this as much as we do.

[divus]

The visits do enough to help with that, Zoe. [No honorifics, Beauty remembers that part.] Believe it or not some of us like those just as much as the offerings themselves.

[requiemed]

[She nods.]

Right... I remember that you guys get lonely when nobody visits.

[divus]

Bored, lonely, restless...different words that all mean the same sentiment. It's a shame that we can't see you all the time.

[requiemed]

That's something I've been wondering, actually... Why can't you go visit people like we can visit you?

[divus]

Well, we can in theory. But it's mostly a timing issue and ensuring that you're alone, or that you even want to see us.

[requiemed]

Well, if you're ever lonely and I'm not with anyone, you can always head my way.

[divus]

That's very kind of you. [They sound grateful, too.] But you've been keeping busy, haven't you?

[requiemed]

...I've been trying to, yeah.