[video] un: theballadeer

[lyingstars]

[There is a hatless Scaramouche laying back against the floor. He seems to be contemplating something, hand outstretched above him and idly playing with an odd looking purple and gold chess piece - a Gnosis for those that are familiar with them. There are no introductions here, just a question.]

I'm curious... Tell me about your gods. Who they are, what they do. Whatever.

[A pause.]

Just what is a god to you?

Comments

[dreamvour]

I was already dying. [she shrugs, like it's unimportant]

So I have nothing to lose. But I believe humanity is capable of helping itself rather than depending on the gods. So I think it's worth the chance.

[lyingstars]

That sounds unfortunate.

I suppose it would at least be interesting to watch if they could manage it.

[dreamvour]

Humanity is fun to watch. They've managed other things before - the power to really fix it lies with them anyway.

What are the gods like where you're from?

[lyingstars]

They can be, I won't deny that.

The gods of my world... I suppose they're much the same. You have the various gods, then you have the Seven presiding over their respective nations. They're the ones you'd hear about most in my world.

[He stares at the chess piece in his hand for a moment before continuing.]

There's also Celestia - I can't say I've been so there's not much I could tell you about that place, aside from the gods being connected to it.

[dreamvour]

Mmm, they do sound a little bit the same. Gods aren't very unique when you think about it, are they. [she sounds amused, albeit deadpan] The Seven, hm? Are they considered lucky?

[a curious look at the chess piece, before her attention is back to him] Connected to it . . . like a heaven? Or a place similar?

[lyingstars]

They don't seem to be terribly unique, no. But lucky? Not that I'm aware of... Should they be?

In a sense I suppose - it's an island floating the sky. The home of the divine, or whatever it is scholars wish to call it.

[dreamvour]

The gods I work for are known as the 7 Lucky Gods. Most of them are gods of some kind of fortune.

Huh. Were you here when we visited this world's heaven? That's what the one is like where I'm from - at least in my part of the world.

[lyingstars]

The Seven in my word are Archons, one for each element. They each rule over one of the nations in some capacity, and have some ideal that's tied to them - like Eternity for the Electro Archon.

I'm afraid not, I only just arrived at the beginning of the month. But you were able to visit the heaven here. Does that happen often?

[dreamvour]

Oh, I think I know some of the people from your world. Though I didn't know about the ideals. That's interesting. Gods where I'm from don't technically rule over nations, either - there's far too many.

[she shakes her head] I believe it was the first time. Until then, I had been trying to get there myself, but the usual methods I would use aren't available here.

[lyingstars]

There does seem to be quite a few from Teyvat here - I hadn't been expecting to run into people with visions when I arrived. We only have the seven nations, so I imagine that makes it much easier.

The usual methods? You're normally able to visit heaven?

[dreamvour]

It sounds like a lovely place, from what I've heard. The similarities to where I'm from are interesting, too. I imagine having so few nations does make it easier - it sounds much better than the mess that my world can be.

Mmm, normally, because that's where my bosses are. There's places that act like a doorway there, if you're allowed entry. I can sometimes get there through my realm too, but - not here.

[lyingstars]

It has its beauties, I won’t deny that. And I’m certain there must be some merit to your world having as many as it does.

[The mention of her bosses residing in heaven has him curious.]

Your bosses are in heaven? You work for gods?

[dreamvour]

I'm sure there is. It used to be simpler, years and years ago.

[she nods, humming]

The ones I mentioned - the 7 Lucky Gods. I protect humans from the supernatural and vice versa. Sort of like a guard and an exorcist rolled into one.

[lyingstars]

That's quite the job. How did you manage to find yourself working for the gods of all people?

[dreamvour]

It's all right. But I was asked to join because I'm neutral; I'm not bound to any gods or other creatures, nor am I "good" or "evil". [she makes the quotes with her fingers] And I once had a close relationship to humanity.

[lyingstars]

The way people bind things to the concepts of good or evil is ridiculous. As though anything in life is so simple.

But is it uncommon for people to be unbound to one specific god, in some way or another? Or at least those capable of doing the kind of work you do.

[dreamvour]

Unfortunately, that's how most of the world sees it. At least, when it comes to things that aren't human.

[it's annoying, and she doesn't bother to hide that she's annoyed by it]

It's more common than you would think. [she tilts her head] It's like that in other places, where there's only one "god". But many of the beings that do what I do used to be human; if they're bound to a god, it's because they worshipped them in their previous life.

[lyingstars]

In most worlds as well. You would think somewhere they'd be smart enough to figure it out.

[He'd find it annoying as well if he could actually get himself to care about the opinions of others more. As is, it's more of just another foolish thing people did that he could watch from a distance.]

Are they not worried the ones who were human won't show favouritism?

[dreamvour]

Mmm. But it's simpler to separate it into black and white, rather than trying to explain shades of gray.

[there's more to it but getting into it would mean being even more annoyed]

Sometimes. But for the most part, as long as they fulfill their duty, they don't care as much as they pretend to. [her tone turns dry] Then again, a lot of the gods I know used to be human, too. So it explains a little.

[lyingstars]

It's simpler until it causes issues.

So humans tend to ascend more than others? I suppose considering how many of them tend to exist, it would make sense. They have a lot more chances at it. Sounds like a terrible way to create a weighted bias however.

[dreamvour]

Mm, humans used to ascend more - not just in my territory, but all over the world. It hasn't happened in a long time, though. [her lips twitch] It is.

[lyingstars]

They've stopped ascending? Did something happen, or was it finally decided that there were one too many humans?

[dreamvour]

Humans stopped believing it happened. [her expression becomes something - pained, almost. In that way one gets when they're deeply annoyed by something] That's how it works where I'm from; humans believe in god or gods and so, they exist. The gods themselves gave humanity that power, because they were afraid they were too powerful.

After that, gods stopped being born, and humans stop ascending - because humans had reached a point where they didn't need us to survive.

[lyingstars]

Ah, so they've moved past gods. Seems inevitable unless control over them is maintained, but with so many gods doing things for the benefit of humanity that's not terribly surprising.

A shame for the gods though.

[dreamvour]

Mmm. Religion still exists, of course - and in parts of the world, it's like it hasn't changed at all.

It's a shame, but - it's what they wanted. Supposedly. [a shrug]