First ☂ Voice

[thirdreturned]

Hm.

[Sorrow's voice is slow and stern, easily authoritative without any pretense or false airs.]

It would seem that Hope has gathered the energy necessary to bring me back. I'm told that our new guests have had a say in it- if that is the case, then you have my thanks.

[There's a thoughtful pause before he continues.]

As a token of my gratitude, I have created an garden of food to lessen your burden on Hope. Both parties will benefit from its creation, and so I trust that it will be tended with respect.

It will grow as the week goes on and I return to my former strength. Do let me know if anything disagrees with your systems and I'll remove it.

Comments

[verinumeri]

Perhaps if some of your lot induced less dangerous events, we'd die less. It's rather inconvenient for us as well. In my world, it was believed at various times that offering items such as a good harvest, currency, or sacrificing fat animals, would at least honor gods. Obviously it would be silly to take a fruit from your garden and leave it in Mr. Hope's temple, and he provides most the other food, but is there anything to that? Or is it strictly down to feeding emotion and reducing the burden?

To that end, I know you weren't here for it, but I understand Mr. Fear opened the Door. What had Mr. Hope been doing before we arrived to gather power, to bring the rest back?

Well, evolution. Diversity tends to help a species survive.

[thirdreturned]

Fear and Rage have put you in harm's way, and so they must have believed that their power gain was worth Hope's power loss from reviving you. That kind of trade could be acceptable depending on the circumstances, but it would be even better if you felt what was intended and then survived anyway. I don't suppose you have any control over that though.

The only thing you can grant to us that holds any meaning is power. Aside from that, you are functionally useless to us. Others may disagree. We each have thoughts and feelings separate from our allies, and so I suppose friendship, gifts, and action may be more beneficial to other gods. My only priority is supporting the them, which I will do by gaining strength from you. Therefore, you please me most when you are sorrowful.

That sounds like a question for Hope, not myself.