GODLY AUDIENCES - ZOE MURPHY

[divus]

Comments

WEEK 3, SUNDAY

[divus]

[Love's in the studio today, and she seems to already know what's going on because she strides forward the moment Zoe enters the room and takes her hands.]

Okay, like, before you say anything? This isn't your fault.

[requiemed]

[She came in looking at the ground, but as soon as Love takes her hands, she looks her way.]

...It’s at least a little bit my fault, you know.

[divus]

Maybe a little. [But still.] It was a stupid rule made by a stupid girl that shouldn't have even mattered. It's not like you've never talked to any of us before besides me...

[requiemed]

Maybe.

[But, more importantly:]

I'm going to come back to you as soon as I can, okay?

[divus]

I know you will. I never had any doubts about you. [She's still holding Zoe's hands.] I'll be okay until the next week, but you need to protect yourself. Make sure you can come back to me.

[requiemed]

[A beat, and then:]

Is there something that makes you say that...?

[divus]

It's been multiple weeks of multiple bodies. I don't want one of those to be yours because you're caught off-guard now.

[requiemed]

Yeah, well - I'm not really planning on it.

[divus]

I don't think anybody plans on dying, Zoe, but I get your point. [...] This is gonna sound a little morbid, but it's totally not. But I want to show you something just in case. Okay?

[requiemed]

...Just in case I kick the bucket. Right.

[She sounds like she's trying not to dwell on that, at least, and:]

What is it?

1/2

[divus]

I was trying to avoid saying it like that. But...yeah.

Hold on a sec? [And Love's hands go up, suddenly moving to lower the hood of her cloak...]

[divus]

[The hood's lowered and two twintails appear, auburn in color and falling over her shoulders. She's dressed in a blue blouse that can be seen from the collar of her cloak, and as perfectly manicured hands come up, she lifts the mask off of her face and looks at Zoe, brown eyes studying her curiously.]

...just in case we don't get to meet face to face after this, but I doubt that'll be a problem. [Hi.]

[requiemed]

[After a few moments of shock:]

Oh my god, you are so pretty.

[divus]

[Zoe...but it's fine because Love just laughs.]

Thank you! That's really sweet. [Like wtf.] I've been wanting to meet you guys without the mask for a long time, but I think this was the soonest I could do it.

[requiemed]

Yeah? What changed...? Does that mean I get to know your name, too? Like, your real one.

[divus]

I think it's just that we've talked enough that our rules are a little looser. We can't say everything right away, but after time? It's easier.

[But she smiles.] I'm Rise. It's nice to meet you.

[requiemed]

Okay. Then I will... choose not to take this as a sign that I'm in any more danger than normal.

[More importantly... She holds out a hand.]

It's nice to meet you, too.

[divus]

[She extends both hands to take Zoe's between them, shaking her hand.]

A little danger's normal around here, but it's also good to know we've come this far together.

[requiemed]

[She nods.]

So both of us better make it until the end, okay?

[divus]

You bet. Even if you're not with me this week, I'm going to do what I can to make sure you're safe. I promise.

[requiemed]

Right. Just... don't do anything dangerous, okay?

[divus]

Sieg-kun, Nonon-san and Yu-kun are all still with me. It's pretty hard to get into trouble if I have those three to watch.

[requiemed]

Still... You know what I mean.

[she worries!!]

[divus]

I do...and it's sweet of you to worry, but we'll be okay. AS long as I have some of you, I'm safe. And we'll be together again soon.

[requiemed]

Yeah. For now... I'll try to put the power I'm going to have to good use.