compnetwork

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[More information? One new arrival, at least, has all the information she needs. The influx of energy from this one is massive, completely unsubtle, almost as if purposefully designed to attract the attention of anyone with any sense whatsoever of the divine. It doesn’t fade away nor does it seem to be easily localized. This surely wasn’t ‘Magatama Energy’…

Whatever ambiguity this might present is cleared up almost immediately. Despite that no one may be in the vicinity, the voice of a young girl sounds clearly throughout the city of Hinoto-Ri to nearly every inhabitant, as intelligibly as if the speaker were standing right next to those she addressed. …Perhaps too intelligibly. The first sound they hear is an vehement, despairing cry.]

NO!

This can’t be…! The forests… The oceans… The deserts and mountains, the tundra and the plains! W-Where are they?! Who did this?! What did you do to them?!

[For a few moments, the speaker seems too overwhelmed with ire to speak. The sound of her breathing eventually slows...]

Humans. Look at this world. Look at it!

I knew this would happen. In every world across every dimension, it doesn’t matter! You -- you’re all the same! See for yourself! This is what will happen if you tear through all of nature without respect for anything but your own wealth and gain! Are you happy?! My children… 100 million species. One hundred million. There's almost nothing left...

I am Viridi, Goddess of Nature, ruler of the Earth and all living things! And I will not allow this land to be desecrated any further.

They say there are monsters ravaging what remains. If you stand against them, then... heed the command of a goddess and CRUSH them!

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To humans, their ideals may as well be their God. They fight and die for them, they dictate their lives around them, and let it command their every decision. Perhaps he is not a God of the traditional sense, but he is still an influential entity. I am merely being polite.

[Suddenly, Anant's mood shifts from neutral to jubilant]

I am enjoying this conversation! It is not often I get to debate with one that is not a human. Humanity's thoughts function on different planes than a Goddess's, although I am finding your passion somewhat human-like. It is bizarre. You are angry and upset, defiant and confrontational... how did you manage to possess such range in emotion? I wish to know, because they escape me.

I want to know.

Edited 2012-11-06 21:27 (UTC)

At least that makes one of us.

I'm not human-like; the humans are god-like. They're the one species closest to the gods, the one that had enough intelligence to understand and appreciate the gifts of divinity. Not that that means they deserve any special treatment. It's just natural that they take after us.

Arguably, you could say that their understanding of divinity has shaped our personalities as well. Don't think I started out this bitter. It was intended to be a mutual give and take situation. Humans would reach their full potential under our guidance; the path they were meant to walk was bright. In return, they were expected to honor us, each other, and all of creation.

Then they decided they had better plans that involved mass carnage.

They only pray nowadays when the forces of darkness besiege them. Like we're some sort of emergency services speed-dial.

[There was a thoughtful pause]

Humans are God-like? Is that so?

[Another pause. You could practically hear Anant's brain buffering]

I believe I am beginning to understand your emotions on this matter. It is very enlightening! I had no idea that other Gods could possess such vibrancy and passionate depths. They are normally empty. Empty.

But. I see. You had expectations for the humans, and they violated it in your eyes. They are rebellious and wilful, and destroyed what gifts you gave them, only calling and crying for your attention when their actions bring about their own destruction!

[Anant's mood was positively brimming with fanatic excitement now]

When left to their own devices, they create a destructive end of their making! When left to the instructions of Gods, they create a destructive end of their making! Their paths all lead to the same place!

So...

[Anant calms abruptly]

In that case, what would you do when the humans have destroyed themselves?

[She doesn't have the least idea where this conversation is headed, but at least he seems to be appreciating her viewpoint. Viridi's rage is quelled for the moment.]

Exactly.

I think humans are hopeless. We've done everything we can for them; it's time for them to face the music. You reap what you sow. If we really need a species to worship us - and I'm perfectly happy with the other 99 million species -- we can start over and learn from our mistakes.

I'm... outvoted by majority opinion, at the moment.

Hrrm~~

I disagree with the 'humans are hopeless' sentiment. The greatest quality of humanity is potential, after all. They have the potential for utter destruction, or complete miracles. Admittedly they mostly destroy things though. A violent, excitable species...

However. Choices belong to Gods too! Although I am happily happily in servitude towards my destructive children, that is not the same for others!

[Anant's strange emotions flip to simple, pure, happiness]

I liked this conversation. It was interesting and fascinating. If you manage to kill all the humans, I wish you luck with your renewed world - if you return there, of course.

Why, thank you.

[See, she can be graceful when her viewpoint is considered.]

It will be a much more beautiful world. Lush forests, clear oceans, soaring mountains and plains... And not a single squalid little ape trying desperately to extort the resources of the land for his own gain.

[A contented sigh.]

I can't even remember who thought humans were a good idea in the first place.

Humans tend to crop up on their own.

[there is a very brief pause]

But. Hrm. Forests, clear oceans...? I have never seen such things. Are they really beautiful?

[Anant is all about beauty, okay.]

Yes! Brimming with life...! Humans haven't even found half of one percent of everything that's out there! Each and every one of my children has its place in the ecosystem - and it all comes together to create a perfect, balanced world, with more variety than you can possibly imagine! It's like a cornucopia of diversity!

...

I can stop appending 'until humans came along' to the end of my sentences by now, right? I think you get the picture.

Yes. I get the very clear picture.

[Anant just sounds amused though]

It certainly sounds like a very colourful world. I would love to see one like it one day. Mine is just dust and trash and lava and dirty water and skeletons and - ah, it is clear how it is.

...

Well, that's depressing. No wonder you don't care about anything else if there's nothing left.

It is an empty world. It is why I devote myself to the humans, because even when the world is dead, they still survive. They don't thrive, and they struggle, but I admire the willpower they have to continue on in such a world.

[Anant's mood suddenly becomes gloomy]

I wanted to help them very much. To alleviate their suffering in such a world. But even my attempts are in vain. It makes me imitate sadness.

I suggest you give it up and find something else to focus your efforts on before you start imitating major depressive disorder.

Are there any flowers left? Find a flower. Preferably a pretty one. A day of watching a flower grow is infinitely preferable to watching a human mucking about.

Flowers no longer exist.

[Or rather, they didn't exist in the wastelands. Just scraggly grass, cactuses, and other resilient weeds that could survive in the harsh lands. They probably thrived in the colonies]

But it is fine. Perseverance is an admirable quality, and I wish to emulate it. Even if it is something doomed to failure, my devotion towards humans shall not wane. Thank you for your suggestion, however. Perhaps I will try to find flowers within this city to watch.

Good luck with that. Frankly, I don't know what they've done to be worthy of any devotion, but I've come to accept that some people just can't get over how special humans are. It's like they sparkle or produce rainbows as waste products or something.

Ahahah! That would be amusing! Certainly the world would be a more colourful place!

[Anant was genuinely laughing, great guffaws of amusement]

Ah...funny. In any case. This was a brilliant talk. I would like to converse with you again someday, Goddess.

Sure. You can schedule an appointment with my intern whenever you'd like.

!! Official! An intern... very well.

You have made me feel something resembling happiness today. After such a bad day, this is very pleasant. Thank you.

[And then, oh, look, you get a text a moment later]

":)"

I sent you a representation of my happiness. Humans call it 'an emote'.

...
...
...

Uh. Gee. ...Thanks. I'll... be sure to hold on to that.

[...This 'deity' was strangely endearing, if completely bizarre.]

Yes! Happiness is to be shared and cherished, yes?

In any case. I shall not waste your time further. Enjoy your human smiting.

[Anant's mood is up by x10000!!]

[From her position back in her sanctuary, Viridi examines the two bits of text on her phone with a suspicious squint.]

Huh.

Text-messaging. Never thought I'd ever see it in person.

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