GODLY AUDIENCES - ZOE MURPHY

[divus]

Comments

[requiemed]

So it was like Ancient Egypt... How, exactly?

[divus]

The weather and the architecture... and the technology.

[Fortune's voice sounds a little nostalgic.]

It was beautiful there. I think... when it's my turn to host, I'll show all of you.

[requiemed]

[She nods to the description, but it makes her curious.]

Do you have the turns planned out in advance, or do you just volunteer when it comes up?

[divus]

We're all going to go at least once. Those of us with fewer followers... we get to go first.

[Fortune chuckles.]

I'm sure you can guess why.

[requiemed]

So... Piety's going to be next up, then?

[divus]

It's... possible. But Piety is very kind. Protecting his followers the way he did... It wouldn't surprise me if some of you were to join him tomorrow.

[requiemed]

You think it'll be you or Beauty, instead?

[divus]

I think... It's a little too soon to say.

[One of Fortune's hands is clenched into a fist.]

[requiemed]

—Oh, shit. I didn't mean to upset you, I'm sorry.

[divus]

It's... not your fault.

[requiemed]

Still... Let's talk about something else, okay?

[divus]

Okay...

[let's say they've walked to the playground by now. fortune's headed for one of the swings]

Did you have places like this, where you grew up?

[requiemed]

Playgrounds and parks, you mean? Yeah, we did. There’s a few around where I live.

[divus]

What was your favorite thing to do in them?

[requiemed]

[She thinks about it for a long moment.]

It wasn't quite a park, but... There was this orchard my family used to go to a few times a month. My brother and I would run around looking for four leaf clovers, or race these toy airplanes that we used to have.

[divus]

That sounds like it would have been a lot of fun...

[requiemed]

[A nod and a smile, fond and more than a little sad.]

Yeah. It was really nice, back then.

[divus]

Spending time with your family is one of the best things in the world.

[requiemed]

Yeah.

[But, for whatever reason, she changes the subject abruptly.]

Can you tell me what your family was like?

[divus]

My family... well, they found me when I was a baby. But they always treated me like I was one of them... they were very kind.

[Her voice sounds a little wistful.]

I had a younger brother. We were close for a while, but... some things happened. I haven't seen any of them in a very long time.

[requiemed]

...I'm sorry to hear that. That must be really hard.

[A pause.]

You were separated even before you became a god?

[divus]

[Fortune nods.]

...I don't think I'm allowed to say more than that yet. But... yes.

[requiemed]

That's okay. But... I'm really sorry to hear that. Can you make them part of the new world you create?

[divus]

I might be able to, but...

[Well.]

I'd have to ask them first. I don't want to take them their home without their permission.

[requiemed]

Wait... They're still alive somewhere?