GODLY AUDIENCES - ZOE MURPHY

[divus]

Comments

[requiemed]

[As she stretches one of her legs:]

That’s really what you want to go for? So boring.

[divus]

Boring, sure, but it's a one-up on you who doesn't even know my name.

[...] Fine, whatever. What about...the dumbest secret you ever kept?

[requiemed]

It's not my fault you haven't told me. You can change that at any point.

[She rolls her shoulders, thinking.]

When I was a kid, I tried to adopt a kitten and thought my parents wouldn't find out.

[divus]

And go easy? No way. Feel free to guess though.

[He considers that before there's a snort of laughter.] Let me guess. They found out within an hour?

[requiemed]

Do I at least get a hint in return for my wonderful company?

[Hm.]

They found it so fast. It didn't help that I kind of... grabbed it from outside because I thought it was cute, so it wasn't exactly tame.

[divus]

You brought home a feral kitten. Hopefully they let you get an actual cat later. I've heard people like pets.

[There's a hum though before he nods.] My name's a duplicate in this competition.

[requiemed]

Tragically, they did not.

[Anyways.]

Am I allowed to go one by one, or do I get a limited number of guesses here?

[divus]

Then your parents are completely unfair.

[A joke.] These things come in threes. [He holds up three fingers, wiggling them a bit.] Three guesses, and if you don't get it you'll never know.

[requiemed]

Before I start, can we narrow it down by people who are still alive or people who've gotten killed?

[divus]

Now you're thinking smart. Let's say people who are still alive.

[requiemed]

I was always thinking smart, but thanks.

[Hm.]

Alex?

[divus]

I'd beg to differ, but you're the only person who's come this far. And no. Low-hanging fruit, try again.

[requiemed]

Excuse me? Why would you beg to differ?

[She doesn't sound offended, at least. She does pause for a few moments, though.]

Please don't tell me it's Connor.

[divus]

You don't really want an answer to that, do you?

[He seems a little stunned by the answer though.] ...no, but that was my brother's name so I guess you're kinda close.

[requiemed]

Of course I want an answer to why you just called me stupid.

[There's a beat, as she blinks.]

I didn't realize you had a brother. [...] Is it Luke?

[divus]

I did not call you stupid. Don't be overdramatic.

[He folds his arms over his chest though.] I had a couple. Half-brothers on my dad's side. What makes you say that?

[requiemed]

It was heavily implied that you have thought that about at least some things I've done.

[Maybe.]

Right, the whole... god thing. [She shrugs, though.] I just picked names that seemed the most normal to me, since you mentioned you're from New York. But you didn't say no, you know.

[divus]

I've had that thought about a lot of you at least once. You're not that special in that regard.

And anyway, didn't see a reason to say no. [So yes, hi.]

[requiemed]

Wow. Thanks. I'm flattered.

[But she's apparently not too serious about that, because in the next moment she's offering a smile and holding out a hand.]

Well, then... Nice to meet you, Luke.

[divus]

[He's looking at her hand for a brief second before he takes it and shakes.]

Nice to meet you, too. And now that we've got that out of the way, we can probably get started.

[requiemed]

[She nods, taking a step back as she fishes a scrunchie out of her pocket.]

Cool. What are we doing first? You mentioned drills.

[divus]

I did. You ever see Fight Club?

[Hm.]

[requiemed]

That’s an incredibly intimidating start, but yes.

[divus]

No, trust me. I used to run these kind of drills with Annabeth when she was a kid, real easy stuff.

[He backs off just a bit to give them space.] Not to go all Tyler Durden on you, but I want you to hit me as hard as you can. I want to test the power of your punches.

[requiemed]

I very much doubt you’re my weird alter ego, so we’re good there. And... Whenever you’re ready, I guess?