Various Scattered Sparks

Yes, Arlin?

How... how did the universe start?

~Arlin fidgets, holding his hands. Clara smiles at him~

Well... It started a long, long time ago. There was nothing, not even time.

Not even time?

No. Then, at one point, everything formed and expanded. Matter, energy, and essence.

All at once? That seems...

Drastic, right? But it's true. Then, things happened. Molecules formed, stars, planets. Then life.

Life?

Yes, life. It started small, then became multicellular. This is when essence started to separate.

Separate?

Oh yes, it wasn't always divided. At the beginning, it was all one kind. But as life developed, and things could be perceived, essence started to change. Things could be known or not known. Things could change or stay the exact same. Organisms could get hurt and heal. Things could die and be birthed.

~Arlin's eyes get wide~

Does that mean when life was complex enough to perceive things, we were made?

~Clara shakes their head~

No, that happened later. Eventually, animals came to land. I'm sure you know what happened after.

Amphibians, then reptiles, then mammals?

Yes. Then, humans. They were smart. They could think and believe.

Believe?

Yes, believe. Their gods were the first of their kind. Essence taking form as ideas and influence.

Then what about us?

We are both recent and old. Essence doesn't follow time like matter and energy. Things in the future can change the past. If only you believe.

Wow...

I know, it's rather cool, don't you think?

Then, who believes in us? We're so influential, aren't we?

~Clara smiles. It's a sad, sad smile~

An author, an artist, a singer. They love us. That's why we're here.

Just one person? But... isn't it lonely?

Yes, Star?

~She smiles at them, then gives them a peck on the cheek~

Would you like to explain our dynamic?

~Clara snorts~

Of course I would. Star, you're my polar opposite, but that only means if something isn't me, it's you.

Clara, you are the antithesis to what I am, but I could never hate you, because we share more in common than we do with anyone else.

We are both overlap and separate, but we don't need to explain it.

-📖

~Arlin stands, unable to see you but noticing you nonetheless~

...it's when even your soul is overwhelmed by the power, but it leaves your body behind. It takes the place of your soul. You lose yourself.

_Arlin idly fidgets with the leaves next to him~

It's not physically painful, just mentally. It hurts in a way no one is expected to be prepared for.

~Marianna rubs against his leg~

[But we persevere anyway]

-📖

That-

How did you get this information?

~The words are deadpan. Despite that, they are filled with anger~

You can't simply 'become' a god. You have to be either overcome with essence, or born of tiny pieces of both a concept and humanity.

~Skye glances at Clara~

You're just giving the information away?

~Clara scrutinizes you~

This one is of little consequence. Plus, it's an opportunity to expand our influence and knowledge.

Yes, Star?

Have you fully assimilated with your essence recently?

No. Should I?

~She nods. They sigh and disappear. Everything to be known. Books. The electrons moving in devices. Nerves. A teenager. A teenager? Clara reappears, concerned.~

Star why is there a teenager with the essence of knowledge instead of a soul.

Huh, so it's not just me. I need to find the others.

Textures. A lie is like silk against my skin. A truth is a rock I pick up. Revelations are skittery, they feel afraid.

[Sound. Clara sounds hard. Definitive. Star is soft, uncertain. Skye is harsh, but with good intentions. Arlin is long, but final.]

...that's mostly symbolic. Will anyone even get that?

[...fine. An example. Arlin sounds like the last notes in a violin song.]

Rather specific, but ok. Smells for me. My natural sense of smell isn't very good. But I can smell each of them from a mile away with great accuracy.

Shocking.

Oh, did someone say something? All I heard is books, you nerd.

I will zap you.

[Cease, each of you]

Fine.

Getting near something or someone with our influence gives me a taste. Like, Star, my normal sense of taste isn't very good. Clara is kinda like paper. Marianna tastes like blood. Star tastes like too sweet cake. My influence is bitter, like mushrooms. Arlin tastes sour, like milk gone bad but less... bad?

You don't need to explain it.

But I don't want you to feel bad!

It's ok. I can see essence. Usually it's in souls, but when condensed with their actions, it also shows up. Not very useful for most situations. Not that it really matters anyways.

Oh, don't say that!

Mari-! C'mon, it's just a brush!

~Marianna howls back, fur on end, Star begins to approach~

It's ok, I'm not going to hurt you.

AAAAWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

There's no need to yell.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ARK AHWOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Come on, let's just peacefully resolve this.

ARK ARK AWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ARK AWWOOOOOOOO

~Star gets close enough to tackle Marianna. As they stop rolling, she frantically brushes through Marianna's fur. All the while, fae howls like it's being attacked~

It's not that bad, see?

go to sleep...

~Arlin's breathing slows. He calms down enough to close his eyes~

g'night...

Yes, Skye?

Why, uh. Why are you the god of stories?

~Clara smiles~

Well, why are you the god of fire?

Because fire is a symbol of destruction, but also a tool for healing.

And that is why I am the god of stories.

~Skye's brows furrow. They think on the statement for a few minutes~

Because they give knowledge?

Yes. A story gives one knowledge, even if you don't remember why. I'm not the god of memory, after all.

But how? I don't think I've learned anything from a story.

Really?

~Skye nods~

What allows the "good" to always win in fairy tales?

Well, usually cleverness, but also love.

So cleverness and love can overcome many challenges?

Yeah, I guess.

Did you know that before reading the fairy tales?

~Skye shakes their head, then goes red~

You set me up!

I did.

Why?

To teach you something.

Clara, what have I said about spying!

Technically, it's scrying, and I've done nothing wrong.

[Both of you, quiet.]

~They fall silent. Star quietly watches the screen with them~

Sooooo what's this about? Because I don't think any show that you three watch is pleasant.

Oh, it's a story about a lord and a prince who are both knights fighting in a war.

Let me guess, one of them makes a sacrifice that shakes the entire fandom and then the other cries and goes on a rage massacre? And also it's super gay.

~Marianna nods, not looking away from the screen~

Yep.

Arlin.

...yes, Clara?

Do you remember that poem we read together.

About dreams?

Yes. Do you remember what it said about sorrow?

...that it is not in their place to interfere.

Close. That to tell Them how to live would prevent it from living.

But does that mean we can't interfere?

No, it means we can't force someone into choosing the "right" choice. To choose for them would make it not theirs anymore. It wouldn't be their life.

I don't want them to suffer needlessly.

~A sympathetic smile~

I know, but sometimes that's needed. To heal may mean to pluck a thorn. It comes with the risk of pain. But they can't let that stop them.

You- what

~They're looking you up and down before squinting at you~

You don't look like a follower of mine. But that can change. Money is a devotee only perk.

~They smile and hold out their hand~

Ah, shit. That never gets any better.

~Marianna glances at them~

[What never gets any better?]

A follower dying.

~They grunt~

Grab Star, and maybe Arlin if you can?

~Fae nods faer head~