[pcs] ray of sunshine

[ritualization]

[maybe eventually I'll add images to these.]

Comments

[selfimmolates]

[...]

I'm fine.

[as if he was ever going to give any other answer,]

[ritualization]

[he expected as much, but he still had to ask.]

Good. I had my concerns, but... I suppose everything went as well as any of us could expect, considering.

[selfimmolates]

Considering we were doomed from the start? Yeah, this was pretty much the best outcome.

[ritualization]

[that gets a sigh, as he finishes up with the last dish and turns off the faucet.]

I can only hope it doesn't come to this again, but I have to admit-- seeing how quickly it went from one to four, I do not expect much improvement.

[selfimmolates]

Neither do I. It's only week two of six.

[ritualization]

It is likely to get worse, before it improves. If it improves.

[a pause as he dries his hands, before-]

I'm sorry I may not be able to help.

[selfimmolates]

You're already doing more than most.

[ritualization]

I'm sure some would say risking oneself harms more than helping.

-but I do appreciate that.

[selfimmolates]

[ray cannot talk as someone with zero self-preservation.]

Scared?

[ritualization]

[a brief hum, there.]

...no. I've always known I may die in the course of my duty; this is something I have been prepared for before ever coming here.

[selfimmolates]

And is this part of your duty?

[ritualization]

A different form of it, I think. I've always been meant for healing and protection.

[selfimmolates]

... Guess that explains why you're with Piety.

[ritualization]

Not that it was ever hard to guess, I think.

[he smiles slightly-- he's always been aware of that.]

We do have a few things in common, though it's been some time since I had worshippers of my own.

[selfimmolates]

You had worshippers?

[ritualization]

For some time, although not recently. I've never been the sort of god that these are.

[minor, at best.]

[selfimmolates]

To be fair, these guys are pretty weird for gods.

[ritualization]

They're not what I expected, but... they are trying. At least, the ones I've spoken with seem to be.

[selfimmolates]

Which ones have you spoken with?

[ritualization]

Mm, fewer than I would like, but I have been trying to get to know them a bit better before continuing...

[he hums, considering.]

Piety, of course. Fortune, Justice, Merriment, and to a lesser extent Cunning, though we didn't exactly meet to talk-- and then we've all met Patience as well.

[selfimmolates]

Huh. What'd you meet Cunning for, then?

[ritualization]

To fight, mainly.

[he sounds so casual about that.]

[selfimmolates]

[a beat.]

I guess that's not a surprise.

[ritualization]

I didn't expect it to be.

[you know, just sword things.]

Have you met with all of them yet, or have you been keeping a similar pace?

[selfimmolates]

He offered to teach me to fight before... though I don't think I'll take him up on that offer while he's in a bad mood.

[that sounds like a bad idea.]

I've met with all of them.