video / action

[maskedsmile]

[video]

I'm sorry if this breaks the rules... But after that anonymous post, I'm really worried... Not that I posted. That's anonymous.

Do people not like gods here? Where I'm from, the kami need faith to live... It's how we-- er, they-- get to become more than spirits. If people don't believe in them, wethey can't even move. Sometimes they'll even disappear all together... 

I think it's sad if people don't like the gods, so um... If you're a god, uh... I can try to be your follower... There's a shrine in Genessia, actually. You should come visit. Maybe I can light incense for you and offer a prayer, if that helps. I don't want anyone to disappear.

[action : genessia shrine]

[Yoshiya is at the shrine with his three Pokemon, going through his usual duties as the shrine keeper. Between cleaning the shrine and helping citizens offer prayers, he manages to stay pretty busy. But he's relying a lot on his Politoed for help: With winter coming, Yoshiya's corpse body is facing its yearly struggle. He can't regulate his body temperature without any faith, so his body is getting weak and useless.

When approached, he accidentally drops his broom.] AU- um...! Sorry, uh! [And then can't easily bend down to get it back.]

One sec, sorry! Are you here to offer a prayer?

Comments

[Video]

[kalmaleader]

I'm sure most of us don't have a problem with gods in general. I certainly don't. The problem with the "gods" that have shown up in this world is their behavior, simply going around and demanding respect just for being gods, claiming this world as their own, and threatening to destroy any who oppose them. That kind of behavior certainly doesn't earn respect or faith, but rather does the opposite.

The gods in my own world are not without their own issues, but we respect them, because they were instrumental in the development of our world, not to mention the birth of dragonkind.

[maskedsmile]

Mmmnnngh. I don't understand how they could be so arrogant... But maybe they just need to be taught..? I guess gods are a bit different everywhere.

I'm still worried. I don't want for anyone to disappear just because they're childish...

Video

[youfool]

Haha, depends on what they mean by it. If they actively demand worship, I'd gladly smash any I found to pieces.

Most just misuse a word and indulge in a bit of puffery, though. Those are tolerable enough.

[maskedsmile]

Ah... awoo... Please... Don't smash them, th-that's scary...

[Never gonna ask for Ted's help, nope.]

[youfool]

[But he knows the one true God, Yoshi! He could put you on the way to saving your sooooul]

Goodness, what else is one to do with idols?

[maskedsmile]

I'm not sure, exactly, but smashing them... That's going way too far, don't you think? That'll hurt them..!

[youfool]

Not at all! Idols don't have feelings especially not the ones who sing, so it's entirely painless and extremely virtuous.

Oh, and I caught that slip. What mania got into you to suppose yourself godlike, eh?

[maskedsmile]

No no nooo, not me! Except, well, I mean. I guess it's a bit true about the pain, but still! Please don't smash people into pieces just because you don't agree with them for existing!

[youfool]

Ah, but idols don't have any thoughts to agree with. It's really no trouble for either of us.

So you need...

[*laughs*]

Faith, is that it? Well, never fear. Unless I'm hallucinating, I'd say with certainty you exist.

[alwaysimpaled]

Where I'm from, the only 'gods' are demons that want to throw their weight around. And from what I've seen your gods tend to be the exception to the rule, as most people seem to have gods that just want t rule over people. And if that's really the case... I say they should disappear and let people live their lives.

[maskedsmile]

Ah, I mean... That doesn't sound very ideal, no, I agree.

Where I'm from, um... Werrrghh I mean, They hold things together. Humans still have a lot to learn before they can keep the world standing. Like um... The God of Fire maintained fire until humans learned to make it for themselves...

[alwaysimpaled]

Yeah, you're absolutely one of the lucky ones then. I've literally not encountered anyone else in this place with anything good to say about the gods. I wouldn't take that as an insult toward yours, as much as people just venting about the shitty ones in their worlds.

[maskedsmile]

... That's really sad.

I don't meet very many nice humans, but I don't hate everyone here.

... Is what a kami might say, but I'm not that.

[alwaysimpaled]

[Just have an arched eyebrow.]

It's a natural reaction really. The way power dynamics play out, those without power tend to resent those with power, even if those with power did nothing to deserve it. Then again, it's very easy for those with power to see those without power as beneath them or expendable. Doesn't always happen, but it's something that can very easily happen.

[maskedsmile]

Hmm... I think that's... I mean, maybe it's different for some kami... But where I'm from, humans are very powerful too. The spirits and Kami are invisible forces who need humans to support them...

I wish everyone could understand they work together.

[alwaysimpaled]

That'd be nice, but unfortunately that isn't how the world works.

voice;

[iridescentillusion]

[When the audio comes through the device, the voice sounds doubled and distorted.]

If they were to disappear forever, then it would be of no loss to any of the realms.

Those that believe they are higher than others shall one day succumb to only one fate, and that is death.

[maskedsmile]

Eh... I'm sure that isn't true...?

I'm sure someone would miss them. And they do have a purpose, you know..? Everyone dies, but that doesn't mean it's not sad..?

[iridescentillusion]

Pray, tell me what it is the "purpose" they serve?

When the gods of my home realm were slain, the world did not suffer for it. It was the opposite, in fact. Mortal races were able to live as they pleased, free from the tyranny those "overseers" forced upon them.

I have yet to be in the presence of a self-proclaimed "god" that does not believe they have the right to control and oppress weaker races as they please.

[maskedsmile]

That's because they're supposed to protect things until humans are ready to control them, I think... Mmgh...

I don't think all of them are like that, though... There are nice ones. I've met them.

video;

[stairsbro]

Wow. People out here really commenting this post like "fuck gods" after you kindly offered up some free worship to save some from some weird rule in their god contract that causes them to poof out like they're fairies that need clapping. Bruh, we got such dicks here sometimes let me tell you.

That being said, ...being an actual god myself I guess, I should probably use wisdom or something to advise against offering to be a follower of anyone here like that unless the explicitly express familiarity with your world and seem desperate as shit to get some followers because they fear death. People are gonna read this and probably think "man that's gullible as fuck" and might claim to be a god while they're just some fucking loser that watches the microwave while cooking their TV dinner. And then even if they are actually a god, they're probably still just gonna tell you to do it for their own ego. Like Zeus didn't need praying to. That horny son of a bitch needed permanent banishment from the surface and a god ole' fashioned neutering. Just pick who to go praying to according to who you feel might help you enrich the world or your own life, okay?

[maskedsmile]

Mmmm... I shouldn't've said anything. I'm going to die without followers and I'll die if I say anything too... This place is so scary...

But it won't be taking advantage of me. I'm offering... And did Zeus really not? That sounds a bit different from my home... He disappeared because praying to him became less popular. I'm not saying he wasn't a creepy person, but... Even he needed followers to sustain his ego.

[stairsbro]

Why are you offering if you need it yourself? Like, can you just believe in yourself hard enough? Wouldn't gods worshiping gods be cheating? What exactly keeps you from dying here? Your definition of "follower" that keeps you from croaking is what? How much of a commitment is this? Do you require a sacrifice?

He might have been hiding that from ya'll. He's definitely a dick. I am an expert.

[maskedsmile]

... Eh?! No, uh-- Oops, noo! Did I say me? I didn't mean me, I'm definitely not someone that anyone here needs to destroy! Uh..!

Nn-nn. Most Kami couldn't do that, but uh, if they were once human then they could, maybe, kinda... Not that I would know!

[video]

[cursed_analysis]

[Oh goodness this is a great opportunity.]

What function do Gods serve, on a practical level? Everyone does like to speak a great deal about how important they are to things. I'm not going to confirm nor deny they have a place, but I can speak from experience they contribute nothing for me.

[maskedsmile]

We hold things together, until humans know how to do it for themselves... Like um. The old agriculture Goddess really did control crop growth. When humans learned the science behind it, she went away...

So they contribute until you know what exactly they're contributing... It's sad. When they die, no one appreciates how hard they worked.

[Action]

[sword_dancer_e]

Ja.

[Enno has come up after seeing the video and not realizing who he has been seeing, and still doesn't immediately notice when he comes to the shrine to indeed offer a prayer. Predictably he is quite alone, but that's fine too since prayer was intimate when not in a service back home.]

...Are you-- [Squint.] Ja. Shi?

[maskedsmile]

[At first, Yoshiya is determined to just play it cool. He hasn't seen Enno in so long and has really missed him, but he can't be found out! Becoming "Shi" again would be a bad thing for everyone. So "Yoshiya" is determined to play his part--

Then Enno figures him out. It's like he's a bad liar or something?? And "Yoshiya" drops the broom in a panic.]

WHOOOOOOooo is Shi? I don't know anyone named that, no!

[sword_dancer_e]

[There's a very long, very pregnant pause. While Enno had doubts and was going on a whim; that bad acting is very familiar.

Deciding he has his reasons, Enno nods finally after a solid minute and holds up a hand.]

My mistake, Lar. You reminded me of a friend I had not seen.

[Still, it's good seeing him well at least, and he turns to look at the shrine.]

Is there a special ritual to do here?

[maskedsmile]

[And he relaxes!]

A-Ah, I see. W-Well, I'm sure your friend is um... appreciating...tive... [pretend shi didn't try to word. He's not actually as relaxed as he's trying to seem.]

Oh, and yes. You can get as specific as you want! There are charms you can hang, or you can come in to pray directly.

[Video]

[nohr_or_hoshido]

I don't have anything against gods in general, I just know that my families have divine dragon blood.

[maskedsmile]

... Au? D-Dragon... blood... That doesn't sound sanitary.

[he thinks she drank it.]

video;

[charmingdeception]

Where I'm from Gods don't necessarily exist. The closest things we had were like Kings of the demons and angels. They were only the closest thing to gods because they have a super huge amount of power. As for if they were liked or not. I don't know.

But mister, it's super nice of you to be so thoughtful about other gods.

[She figured to use this form as a way to get information and to not make it obvious she is making judgements of her own if he is worth keeping around or not. But she did that with everyone, really.]

[maskedsmile]

N-No, I'm not being particularly thoughtful... That's a bit sad. Who do you turn to back home when you need hope?

[charmingdeception]

We turn to ourselves. I guess people turn to thier Kings, which sounds like an obvious answer, but for those who don't like them. That's the answer.

The Kings can be pretty awful, so I tend to make my own hope and help others with thiers.

video;

[demonofbadluck]

Not so much as don't like, but more...I'm going to surpass them someday.

[Not the same thing in his mind.]

So I guess I have some respect for them. Maybe.

[maskedsmile]

That sounds so nice! I bet you'll be a great and powerful person, right? You can keep them company!

[demonofbadluck]

I am positive I will be when it's all over. But I doubt I will keep people company.