realityshifted | Requiem æternam dona eis

[There is a large funeral pyre on the Plane. It is large enough to hold over a hundred bodies. The pyre is edged in a thick wall of stone to contain the fire. There are a handful of devices embeded into the stonework to contain the fire and the heat. There is also a transmat in the pyre.]

[In a moment, all the bodies from the onsen still there are transmatted onto the pyre. They're under the canvas, so no one has to see the gruesome sight.]

I should say something then, shouldn't I? [Benny is awkwardly quiet for a moment, not really sure how to proceed. If only they were enemies, they could send them off in some grand Martian manner. Oh well. She looks to Brax, and then back to the pyre again, clearing her throat and starting again] Right, well we're gathered here today-- [she stops short, making a face] Oh, that's weddings, isn't it? Bullocks. [she fidgets, looking to Brax again, before taking another deep breath and trying again] I can't say I knew anyone I saw in that room. A few looked familiar, but in the face of it all, I really can't say I could distinguish one from the other. I don't know what kind of people they were, but regardless, they deserved better than that display. [another pause, and she turns to Brax] Oh, I'm rubbish at this. Can't you say anything?

[Braxiatel, in funeral greys, shakes his head. His voice is quiet.] Not unless you want the funeral rites for a fallen Martian warrior. Or, Heavens forfend, one of my own kind. [He places a hand of support on Benny's shoulder.] This isn't for grieving friends and family, Benny. This is for them and for you.

For me? [she pauses at that, and almost protests, but stops short] Right, well maybe just a moment of silence then. I know if it were me, I'd want to tell myself to shut up about now, too. [she looks to the pyre, and then back to Brax] Do we light it now?

[Braxiatel hands Benny a lit torch.] Just put it to the pyre. The stone is programmed to guide the flame.

[Benny stares at the torch before taking it. She approaches the pyre, hesitating once more as she stares it, before finally putting it to the pyre and watching it all burst into flames. She doesn't back away right away, but finally she backs away, returning the torch to Brax]

[Braxiatel accepts the torch, then blows it out. Silent, he reaches out to hold Benny's hand and watch the pyre burn.]

[and Benny in turn takes Brax's hand, her eyes never leaving the pyre]

{ooc; after this post.}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, he didn't try that on me at all. Yes, he said I wanted it to grow, but we didn't speak in many... specific terms. A bit of cat and mouse, really. It was rather fun. I don't get to talk to people like that very often. And the medium is the message. What would either of you say to being the God of infinite universes?

[surprised] What, he didn't say that to either of you? [hopefully] You think...he might've been having me on when he said that? [though if he were, he was awfully insistent about it]

[stares at him like he must be mad] I'd say you were taking the mick out of me! I mean, for one, he'd never been in that black hole himself, so how does he know what actually happens? And even if it's true, I don't care who you pick, when is that ever a good idea?

Perhaps he picked whatever he thought could best get someone worked up and willing to do what he's asking. I can't really say.

[and to Brax] And I would bloody well say no. What would you say?

Oh, I don't think he was lying. But his sort isn't completely honest.

No, obviously. I'm not stupid. Infinite cosmic powers? There's always a catch. In this case, I know what it is, and it's not a very attractive one, I must say.

[to Benny] Well, if that's the case, he made the wrong pitch to me! [though it did pretty well derail anything else Oliver might have asked him, so perhaps it accomplished some purpose]

[makes a face at Brax's words and mumbles, annoyed] I don't care if they come back. That's no reason to go around killing people! [because, of course, that's totally what Brax was referring to]

[oh Oliver, you're sweet. She smiles at him] That's good news then, whatever he is he still doesn't know us completely.

[to Brax] And that's what he was offering you, godhood or whatever you want to call it?

Of course not. But he was suggested it would be in my best interests to find a candidate I like for the job.

[Which clearly means Shay doesn't get Brax at all, as Braxiatel would never sacrifice someone to to losing their freedom and sense of self simply so he, Brax, could have power and security...]

Apparently, he shot the last candidate.

[to Benny] Yeah, obviously he doesn't!

[raises an eyebrow at that last comment from Brax] Wait, he's tried to get somebody to do this before? Don't people who die just come back on the Plane?

[Oliver asked the relevant question here, so she's just waiting for Brax's response]

Oh, no, that's not what he was implying. The last candidate was someone else's pick. From what I understand, he killed them because he didn't want a God at all. It seems like he didn't know that the... program, I suppose, could be sent to someone else.

So now he wants his own God instead of that other parties', whoever they may be. Or so I understand it.

And he wants one of us to be that God for him? [sighs] This just gets better and better.

[to Oliver] Never underestimate the ability for things to get better by the minute.

But really, is there a reason gods always insist on being in the machines?

They like the puns, probably. I wonder whom the other parties involved may be.

[frowns] If that Shay bloke killed the person the others chose, and now he's off choosing his own person in our group, I wouldn't be surprised if they show up soon enough to do something about it.

Well that's just worrying. There really is nothing worse than a god with a sense of humour.

[considers Oliver's words] You might have a point. I wonder if this is even the first time this has happened. From what I gathered, most people have been here for only a few years at the most.

An experiment suggests repeat trials. Or, if anyone has any common sense, multiple simultaneous test groups, given how long this experiment seems to be lasting.

[stares at them both. he doesn't like those implications at all]

So...if that's the case, what do we do about it?

Requiem æternam dona eis

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