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[fifthreturned]

Hey there. Thanks for telling Hope to bring me back - hopefully you all can get some use out of these vehicles I made. I think they're pretty neat.

How are you all liking the place? I forgot how messed up the city got before I died. It looks like Hope fixed some of it up, at least. I'm too low on power to do any real improvements, but this temporary facelift should last for a little longer. Enjoy the vacation while you can, uh - 'humans', right? That's what most of you are called?

Enjoy the vacation, humans, and the vehicles. I'm Tranquility, I made this city, and it's sure nice to be back.

Comments

private

[zen_en_vert]

What does tranquility entail for you?

private

[fifthreturned]

It's more about what it entails for you. So long as you feel calm and tranquil, I'll receive power.

private

[zen_en_vert]

Where's your temple going to be?

private

[fifthreturned]

It's not too far from Sorrow's, near the lot with the vehicles.

private

[zen_en_vert]

Do you manifest there?

private

[fifthreturned]

I could. Why?

private

[zen_en_vert]

I'd like to speak with you.

private

[fifthreturned]

And you can't do it here?

private

[zen_en_vert]

Please.

private

[fifthreturned]

All right. Stop on by and we can talk.

[zen_en_vert]

[He pockets the device, and gets to his feet, already on his way. He's serious about this- and he'll lose nerve soon if he doesn't move.]

[fifthreturned]

[As requested, Tranquility is at his temple, in 'person' - or resembling one, at least. He is clearly in no rush, perfectly content to wait until Bruce shows up.]

[zen_en_vert]

[Bruce arrives promptly, hesitates in the doorway, and then comes in- his first trip to one of the temples since Silent Hill rolled in.

He hesitates when he sees the stranger- it's been all text so far after all.]

[fifthreturned]

[He raises a hand in a casual gesture of hello.]

Hey. You must be the one who wanted to talk to me.

[zen_en_vert]

Yes.

[He greets him, coming closer.]

I don't know if you know who we are here- but I'm Doctor Banner.

[fifthreturned]

I can't say I've learned everyone's names. There are quite a few of you, and you all look pretty similar.

[He smiles, friendly.]

Nice to meet you. I'm Tranquility.

[zen_en_vert]

I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more about how things used to be here. Faiths- these temples.

[He says, and hesitates, but offers by way of explanation-]

I've been in Hadriel since Hope first started this group up, and I've fought with or avoided every resurrection I could. [But he's here with him, out on a limb, and starting to look deeply self-conscious about it.]

[fifthreturned]

Depends on what you ask. I'd like to help if I can, but I don't know anything, and some stuff I'd rather not talk about.

[Tranquility doesn't appear to be judging Bruce in any way.]

Anything specific you want to know?

[zen_en_vert]

How did faith work? If I wanted this to be- say, my church. What would that have looked like in the old world?

[fifthreturned]

We chose to call ourselves gods to all of you because that seemed the closest equivalent, all things considered, but we're not actually gods in that sense. I mean, there was never really a religion around us, you know?

[He shrugs.]

This wasn't really a church, just a place where they could find me if necessary. A place to come if they wanted a closer connection.

[zen_en_vert]

But there's some component of you that responds to our offerings, our feelings, our- I don't know, beliefs?

[fifthreturned]

Your feelings give us power. We usually request the offerings in exchange for something that you want - they aren't freely given. We may be considered gods in some ways, but I don't think we're your gods.

[zen_en_vert]

I should maybe explain what's going on with me. Unless you've got any kind of, I don't know, file, or omniscience, or even just prescience. If this isn't the kind of thing that's in your job description, you don't have to. I really don't want to impose, and I know I'm asking a lot of your time.

[fifthreturned]

I could ask the others, or I could pry into your head, but it's probably easier if you just tell me. I'll help you if I can, as long as it's not going to take too much power.

[zen_en_vert]

I have a problem where if I let slip of my tranquility- where if I become angry, I become dangerous, consumed with rage. I grow in size, I turn green, I lose control and smash everything, injure bystanders, or even friends-

It's been a long decade, and I've learned to keep a good hold on myself, but I think about steadiness, and peace, and- well, tranquility, a lot.