Chapter Text
No one knew how many gods there were but everyone knew there were many, some even god over the same thing. One thing was clear though, the gods lived on earth among the humans. That was clear as the random bursts of laughter still persisted to haunt unaware humans and the random spring of flowers appeared on a long forgotten plot of land.
The evidence is unclear if the gods can actually control their domains expertly or if the random 'gifts' were intentional but some were just plain creepy.
The random and almost instantaneous gathering of crows was bad but not nearly as bad as the time an old nursing home became a kindergarden or the time a volcano stopped erupting and decided to just chill with boiling lava at the edge of Hawaii or the time a war was almost raged on ducks or the time a singer became an overnight sensation with her voice sounding like a cat.
I know these gods exist, I am one myself but that is a story to discuss another day, for now let us observe some gods.
On the outside you would say Liverpool's not very interesting. It's mostly cold, a bit rough around the edges and a bit gloomy but inside Liverpool right now is the most interesting thing to happen since the dawn of time.
In the darkness, in the cold and in a place with peeling cream paint and hieroglyphics that contain crude and vulgure language.
In a gloomy, dark alley a caped figure with a bent posture struts. This is unusual as:
1) Caped figures don't usually strut
and
2) This caped figure is none other than a raven haired male God.
Noel fielding - God of witchcraft (And darkness)
"Jesus! No one told me it was going to be that cold! Is this your doing Gregory!?" Noel shudders and points an accusing finger at the person who just opened the door, a large man who if were to be met in this very same alley would be the most terrifying thing you've ever seen.
The man shakes his head and laughs, a small but present smile on his lips, "Noel, I've told you a million times. I can't control weather."
"Well then who am I going to blame?" The gothic cloaked Noel asks as he steps into the building and feels warmth.
The building is nice. It's warm and a little plain but smells like dust and age, two things Noel likes very much. It's nothing like the outside alley, as if the alley is only there to keep unwanted people away.
"Maybe yourself, you are very vague with your title." Greg comments as he pulls his head back inside the door after checking for people in the outside world. Noel nods and crosses his arms, hearing the soft cry of a raven as he huffs. (Noel doesn't know how he attracts them but he does and he's getting better at not summoning too many when he lets his emotions out.)
"What's vague about it? I am the God of witchcraft." Noel states and takes a seat, he knows this seat if for him since it has slightly darker colours and smells of nutmeg. Plus there's a pull inside his chest towards it, like an invisible hook inside his chest.
Greg shakes his head and sighs, heading into a separate room to do something. Noel assumes it has something to do with the slightly shorter but still generally tall man who just popped his head in and back out of this room and is now in the room Greg is now entering...Noel supposes but doesn't question that thought, he's found it's better if he doesn't question things too much, too many thoughts and too many questions, not any answers.
Greg is forever doing something. You'd think as the God of time he'd learn that there's no rush but alas only Noel seems to think so. Noel also thinks that Greg shouldn't have organised this whole thing, it's too risky to put so many powers near each other but again, alas only Noel thinks so.
(And no one listens to the raven-god.)
Letting his head fall slightly off the edge of his seat, that he isn't sitting in properly, Noel lets out a sigh as a mouse scurries across his field of vision. (Noel also doesn't know how the mice manage to always scurry across his field of vision or get into the houses he's in but he doesn't mind too much.)
Looking at the now empty floor Noel notices how the wood flooring is newly polished and how it doesn't seem to bend no matter how much weight you put on it, he thinks it's curious.
A man of Greg's...weight can't just walk on normal flooring Noel assumes. He has to be perfectly at home, no undesirable wood bending beneath him, it would be unfitting of a God to trifle themself with such normal things.
Deep inside Noel he feels the need to get up, move around and possible towards the direction of the door so he does.
Just as a giddy knocking sounds. Maybe it's a weird sense but Noel doesn't know, he doesn't care. This just happened once and that's what people would call a coincident, right?
Opening the door the crow boy is then facing a smiling woman with blond hair and sparkling eyes.
Noel confirms it's a woman, looking at her natural make-up and clothes, they're childish but suit her. Noel likes her.
"Hi. Come in and make yourself at home, Greg's gone to do something now but I can keep you company." Noel introduces as he moves aside for the woman to enter, she brings with her the smell of flowers and dirt and summer.
Taking her seat Noel notices she has an elegance not many have, the sort of elegance you get if you dance with the wind and lie with the flowers.
"My name's Noel, God of witchcraft," He states and feels like he's going to have to say that a lot more soon, "I also am a god in the kitchen."
"Really?" The woman asks as Noel sits down and faces her, her eyes wide and Noel feels suddenly awkward.
"Not really..." He admits sheepishly, hearing the woman laugh.
"Nice to know Noel dear. I'm Mel, God of the earth."
Mel Gedroiche - God of the Earth
Mel smiles at Noel, unsure yet what to think of him. If she met him in an alley she would be creeped out and assume he's a druggie or creep but his smile is so sweet and reminds her of lilies and fern.
Noel also smells like electricity and the feathers of a crow. Mel decides she likes him.
"So why are we actually here?" Mel asks, not wanting to seem like an idiot but not understanding why she had to come.
"Greg wants us to feel like we aren't alone and can communicate if needed. You know...encase we get hunted down and need to hide together." Noel teases and smiles wider, reminding Mel of a sly crocodile. His words are light and bouncy but they contain the very real threat of humanity in them.
Mel likes to compare her companions to animals, it makes them seem nicer and makes it easier for Mel to get along with them, she gets along with animals better than humans.
"I suppose that's nice, we'll have each other then." Mel muses and scans the room, scowling as she looks at the oak flooring and causing a chilling wind to blow through the room.
Noel shivers but smiles wider as Mel's eyes widen and she goes to apologies before he cuts her off by laughing, "That's so cool! Can you do it again?"
His tone isn't demanding or questioning, his eyes mostly asking if she's okay with doing it again with no question of if she can do it again, knowing she's fully capable.
"Really?" Mel raises a brow before returning his smile as a warm breeze blows and she hears a soft 'cool' from her dark companion.
Mel decides she really likes this crow-boy now, in his face she can see the forest and all the knowledge of a river. Anyone who has the same level of knowledge as a river is utterly exceptional in her books.
Noel nods and moves to stand by the door before opening it and Mel sees a slightly grizzled looking man with his fist in the air, almost like he was about to knock.
"Hi! I'm Noel and that is Mel, come on in." Noel introduces and ushers the man in before sitting down again. Mel feels like Noel is in his element hurriedly pushing people around and into their seats, making her smile.
"How did you know he was here?" Mel whispers to Noel as she keeps an eye on the rough looking male who is huffing and inspecting the room, he looks like he's constantly scowling and has the general feel of being the first person to punch anyone if given the chance.
"I don't know, I just had this feeling....like when you came to the door." Noel whispers back before shattering is heard and Greg runs out of the other room with a slightly shorter male at his heels that Mel doesn't recognize.
"I just heard a smash, what happened? Who's this and-Oh..." Greg shouts and points at Mel before stopping when he sees the shaggy male who's guiltily looking at him.
Mel thinks it reminds her of a Red Setter puppy after destroying their bed or eating their owner's prize cake.
Mel them notices the glass snowglobe behind the male which is on the floor and is at least five meters away from the man so he couldn't have made it fall.
"Get out." Greg simply says as he points at the door, his smile betraying him by not falling. This leads both Mel and Noel to be confused by this and the dark male laughs.
"I think that's my cue, Hello, my name's Rhod and I'm the God of discomfort." The dark male states as he laughs, taking a bow and smiling like a bond villain. He's found smiling is the best way to settle and unsettle a room.
Rhod Gilbert - God of discomfort (Bad luck and rage)
Rhod couldn't decide if he liked these other people yet, one smelt too sweetly of honey and the other of lavender, they both stung his nose and he wasn't ready to look past that yet but Greg had invited him here for a reason and he could never turn down Greg.
"Oh...also bad luck." Rhod decides to reveal and watches as Greg shakes his head and the snowglobe is fixed, "Greg's my oldest friend and he comes in handy when things like this happen."
The goth man nods in understanding and Rhod assumes he has had similar disaster experiences while the woman smirks, as if she knows something he does not.
Rhod wonders why she's looking at him like this but dismisses that thought in a second, it doesn't matter right now.
"Oh, this is Mel by the way. I invited her in while you were away, I hope that's okay Greg?" Crow-man explains, introducing the blonde to Greg. Generally Rhod thinks learning names is useless but maybe he should have payed attention when the goth introduced himself and flower-girl.
"Interesting..." Rhod mutters to himself, thinking as he takes his seat in the large circle
He's cold and uncomfortable but that's his usual state anyway. The God thing really effects him, it makes his brain and body work in weird ways. While someone who ruled over the domain of Earth would have a light, breezy and free mind similar to their domain Rhod has a mind as muddled and unconventional as his domain. He once got so bad he started talking backwards. Rhod felt really annoyed about it after, reading backwards is bad enough but speaking backwards is where he draws the line.
"You okay? You look really spaced out..." Crow man states as Rhod notices a hand waving in front of him. He also noticed how Greg and Alex are gone and how the two remaining people who are not him have much better posture than him.
"Yeah, just God problems." Rhod states before the rain patters down above them. Rhod sighs and again takes his head into his hands, comforting himself.
It quiets the whispers, the shouts sometimes. There's no in-between, no soft voices for comfort or for kindness, only whispers of discomfort and shouts of rage, screams of emotion. Like paint on a wall, they flake but are always reapplied because that is what life dictates must happen, a constant that must be maintained for the birds to sing and the frogs to jump. To have comfort there must always be discomfort.
A knock suddenly sounds through the silence and as Mel jumps to reach it the door opens on its own.
"Hello all!" Came a nasally but bright voice that you can't help but think is mocking you naturally while teasing you as well. A weird mix but Rhod didn't entirely hate it.
James Acaster - God of passion
James was out of the rain and that's what he wanted, he didn't mind the stares as he entered because of that. The rain is a natural part of life and yet it continues to annoy him despite that fact.
People he can deal with, at least people's emotions, it's just everything outside of people that he gets annoyed with.
"What are you all looking at?" He tries to go for threatening but assumes it came out as more joking. He's use to it. The world not being the way he supposes.
He supposes the chair that his legs flow to, pulled like reeds in a river, must be his. It does smell of velvet and sweat after all.
The other people must not be people at all, James thinks, they must be as he is. A God. (Hold for the capital G.)
They certainly look strange enough to be Gods.
One looks like the embodiment of the occult, all the teenage black, the lonely nights with a cold wind, fake potions read from writing they barely understand, accidents and euphoria waiting to happen. James catches a flash of people laughing in a dark room, alone but connected to something larger than themselves, as he glances at the man.
The woman, on the other hand, looks like summer days, her hair reminiscent of an aunt everyone has although not related through blood, tied back but messy, not tight and golden. Earth in her eyes as she brings a warm chill, all contradiction and no answer. Her smile is that of familiarity. James catches a flash of his childhood, before he learnt what it was to know, eyes viewing the world in a range of golden hues, the smell of flowers and grass, and the brush of forest. He would almost believe it was a lost memory from his past if he was ever a child.
The last man reminds James of a thunderstorm on a date, dark and brooding like being told your perception of time is wrong, missing the last step on the stairs, tilting too far back in your chair, a loud shout when you're alone in a building. He remind James of all James does not represent and want to be. It is strange to consider that a God could have wants.
James sees a flash of a door slam in a dim room, echoing through the night as there is tension trying to wring his neck. That is not what he wants.
"I am James Acaster, God of Passion." He finally states, nodding to each nd watching them with a million eyes. He fails to see them, what they project, but sees what their hearts project.
"Passion?" Noel raises a brow to ask, voice that of a student learning the secrets of the world. Every question asked is not what you hear but is answered still.
"All passion, rage, lust, excitement, determination, thrill. The passion of perfection and destruction. I come for both the lone racoon in a snowstorm and for a head chef in a restaurant, though am different for each." James explains, drawing up contrasting images that interweave to create his name.
"I am Noel, that is Mel and that is Rhod." Noel points out, turning James' gaze to each, though the God of Passions eyes refusing to meet the God of Discomfort. That is a feature of his. The discomfort of eye contact that you fight.
"Do we know why we are here?" James asks.
"I was informed it was to gather us, show us we are not alone and share our domains." Noel states again, the cycle continuing as a father falls into his lap only to be whisked away a second later. He has received the message and there is no need for the feather besides an orpiment in the wind so that is what it becomes.
"Why share domains, I am perfectly happy in my own." James questions as Rhod agrees. They both do not see a point in arguing with other Gods. They know what they are and are not, why interact with others and tell them that.
"You have never wanted to walk on the green grasses of a sunset or observe the reckless of the youth?" Noel enquires with knowing eyes, olden than time but younger than the seconds that make it up.
The silence that follows is it's own orchestra to represent the answer, great major notes and rises that speak their own language none of the current Gods understand.
So the orchestra plays alone, ignored but not for very much longer as time will pass and the God of their own will come with it. Not yet though.
Yet is the time of inspection, four pairs of eyes all inspecting the room, noticing things that they are whispered were not there before.
The floor is still smoothed wood, glazed to look healthy despite the rot that should have naturally set in. There is a fireplace that should have been there before for the snow-globe to get nocked of, however only time knows if it was or wasn't there and none of the Gods deal with the past enough to recall the fireplace's time of apparition. The flames are not present just yet but the fireplace feels like they should be so the heat is still produced, just a few minutes or weeks to early. vines hang down around the corners of the room as if ignoring the people present to state that the room is abandoned. They are not alone in their statement, a single spider also saying no one is in this room as it dances along it's hexagonal rope. A single portrait of a person in a red cloth in a bedroom is placed on the wall, giving the illusion of an entire night trapped in many stroked of a brush, all built up to create it.
All together the room both is and isn't, a complex puzzle that follows it's own rules. Similar to the God's with in it.
"The lone symphony of silence in this room is bring me down." A new voice states, joining the song of silence as it continues, a octave jump as the other Gods jump to find the voice.
Luckily for them the God simply sits on his chair, smelling of brass, reeds, salt and metal.
"And you are?" Rhod asks, his voice holding the anger of a million teenagers, overwhelmed by the depths of their emotions and all speaking in one singular voice.
"Joe Lycett, God of Music and Tricks." The God nods and a smile falls easily on his face. It is the confidence of generations of humans that designed it but he alone wears it.
Joe Lycett - God of music (and tricks)
He finds the other Gods interesting. He has interacted with them before, obviously. What is life if music is not there to accompany it. But he has not truly focused on them before.
For instance he has not noticed that the eyes of the God of Witchcraft are that of the opal used by his children for amplification, possibly explaining how his power is more than it should be. The God of Earth shows the cracks of her land, how it has been taken for granted and used, all reflected on her skin like writing for those who come after and will come before. The God of Discomfort's hair is that of a clumsy phone call between Ex's, the sweat and the wall of emotion and ignorance. It almost makes Joe laugh.
The last of the Gods Joe takes the time to look at is almost as tragically hilarious, the God of Passion. It is as if someone only picked what they wanted of the sheet music to The God of Unease and passed it to a scrawny boy to carry through out eternity.
All momentary action and fading emotion, long term regret from a single second, all embodied in one person. Joe would provide a single tiny violin concerto if he could be bothered.
"Our song is not nearly complete." He mutters and makes the God of Passion chuckle, ending the song as he laughs.
The God of Passion finds it amusing a God such as that of Music would constantly be referencing their domain, then again, music is a constant but aren't they all.
"You are among your kind, there is no need to be grandiose." He states but Joe shakes his head, stating that he is only with his kind surrounded by music at a concert, those are his people and his world.
James gives up the fight after that, the feeling of anger going instead to Rhod, for that is his domain and his charge. That is what the universe dictates. But are they not the universe?
"We need drinks or food, correct?" Rhod eventually asks, looking around for Greg. He is their host and from what the Gods know of humanity, the host provides.
"That is what humans do when gathered. It releases some tension and humanizes them to each other. Might be nice to try that, see if we can become human." Mel jokes but the reality is far too real. None of them are quite content with the idea of becoming human. None of them need to eat or drink, they gain sustenance from their charge and their followers, those that create and infuse. However they do think they might as well act with a sense of normality seeing as they are in forms on this human world.
So they are all agreed, food and drink need to be consumed. But what is not decided is who will ask Greg for this.
"Should I? I am the God of the Earth. " Mel asks before getting up, the others nodding. The Earth provides such drinks and food so it makes sense the God of the Earth should ask to receive those gifts to share them.
A second later Mel returns carrying a tray of drinks, stating food is for later, when they all arrive.
"How many of us are there, surely he can't have invited all the Gods, not even I know all the Gods....though I'm not the God of Knowledge or Categorization." James mutters the last part, taking his drink and swirling it, pleased that it is in a wine glass.
He may not enjoy the simple pleasure of wine but he admires the glasses. In the glass is alcohol, the name comes to him as a Tequila Cosmo but that might be incorrect. Nevertheless it sparks in his mouth as he sips it. Perfect.
"You are the God of Passion. Surely you know everyone's passion, even gods so know how many Gods there are." Rhod reasons as he takes his drink, a pint of beer. Any beer, it all tastes the same to him. (partly as he forgot to differentiate his taste buds when creating his mortal body.)
"By that logic we'd all know the Gods that exist." Joe reasons as he stands and grabs his drink, not wanting to wait for his shot glass of honey lemon tea. It's sweet, simple and nonalcoholic. He can not understand grown human's obsession with the taste of fermented grapes or wheat, nevertheless that is not his are so he simply drinks nonalcoholic beverages.
"How so?" Noel asks, bowing his head slightly as Mel bends down for him to take his mixture of drinks. Part ginger, honey, lavender, elderflower, pinch of lemon, cinnamon and turmeric. Lovely.
"I think we should just wait and see who turn up. Talking only wastes breath and energy." Mel adds and ends what could have been a long conversation, hugging her drink close, a single glass of water.
Each drink fills each god with a warmth, this is what they live for, a connection to everything they do, even drink, is their domain. Their reason for being. So the warmth is explained as they all sip together, a warmth in each though not expressed outwardly.
Unfortunately for them a knock echoes into the house and their peaceful moment of warmth and connection is lost as they all wonder who should open it.
It is Noel who rises to the occasion. He knew this was coming, he knew from the second the feather touches his lap a certain amount of time ago. But he had hoped it was another call not meant for him, alas, no such luck. He knew he should have tied heather to his lapel today.
"Greetings, I am Noel, this is Mel, James, Joe and Rhod. You are?" Noel introduces upon opening the door. He swears it wasn't windy when he entered and it is not windy now but the man's hair indicates it was windy just before he opened to door.
The man's hair is chestnut brown, reminding Noel of a fresh, young witch who wants to get this potion right, his eyes are blue and striking as if intended to pierce through to the heart of a soul and he wears a smile that is slightly too wide.
"Greetings. May I enter?" He asks, indicating with a flat hand the room behind Noel where he wants to go, ignoring the question of who he is.
"You found this place so I think so." Noel nods and moves to the side, letting the man enter. Which he does, moving his head to take in the surroundings. The room has changed again, a sheet of music and flute are integrated into the wall, hanging. As well as a weirdly shaped ornament of leaves hung above the door, dripping down to have one string of mistletoe that has just stopped growing.
"I am-" The man bows and goes to introduce, being interrupted by his follow God charging at him and hugging him. James has been told this is how you express happiness or fondness and he is both happy and fond of this God.
"Ed Gamble, my, I loath to say it, friend. Where have you been?" James asks as he steps back respectfully to allow the fellow god to straighten up fully again, the God of Passion not hiding his look of distain at the fact he is shorter than this God.
Ed Gamble - God of Flight (and Hearts)
"You never fail to suprise James." Ed states with a fond smile before continuing, "You understand James, a bit of here, a bit of there. A lot of ambition as the mortals might say."
They both laugh at the long running joke. James has had to interact with Ed a lot so their paths have crossed long enough to become intertwined in a sense, baring fruits of fondness and friendship.
"That is all well and good but would you mind telling us what you are to illicit such a response from the God Of Passion?" Joe enquires leaning back on his chair and staring up at the man.
"Of course." Ed bows swauvly before continuing, "Ed Gamble, God of Flight."
"Flight?" Rhod questions, the door Noel was hanging onto shutting and trapping his fingers in it.
Noel simply rolls his eyes and swears. Of course this is what happens if the God of Discomfort feels threatened, discomfort. Specifically for all of them, starting with Noel.
"Flights of fancy, flights of the heart, birds, squirrels, planes. That sort of thing. I am a very diverse God." Ed explains before taking his seat, smelling of rose and fresh air.
The other Gods just roll their eyes, most because of the range of domain Ed has alluded to and James because of his friend making a fool of himself and reveling in it.
"You all have drinks." Ed states as Noel returns to his seat, noticing the various glasses his fellow Gods have.
"Ah yes, do you want me to get you something?" Mel asks as she rises before sitting being waved down by the God of Flight.
"No, it's fine." He states casually though does not attempt to move to get his drink and in fact leans back on his chair, getting comfortable like a cat in a cradle.
Soon enough Greg returns to the room, baring a drink he swiftly hands to Ed with a curt nod before leaving, not giving any God the chance to say a word to him beside Ed who nods and thanks him.
"..what was that?" Noel asks as he points at the the room Greg has just returned to as Ed simply sips on his goblet.
He hums at the God of Witchcraft softly, slowly placing his drink down by his feet before answering. Seeming in his element and, if the Gods knew better, cocky.
"I have certain persuasions that allow me to get what I want when I want."
The other Gods do not accept or understand this but nod. It does not do a God well to seem confused or a fool. James, however, does understand this. Like stated before, he has worked closely with Ed for some millennia.
"James, as a God of Passion surely you have seen humanity at it's finest and it's worse." Joe addresses the God out of the blue, possibly a little loose with his drink.
Gods can not get drunk, not the the traditional sense but if they want to they can pretend to be drunk and it becomes a reality. Thanks to a miscommunication from the dawn of time, or since humans started drinking alcohol out of cups, most Gods now think that any liquid consumed out of a drinking vessel causes drunkenness. Any God that knows better has declined to comment on the miscommunication.
James simply raises a brow at the statement, sipping his drink with eyes narrowed at the God of Music.
"Surely you must have a tale of the mortals making music?" Joe smiles almost as twisted as James's stomach at the words.
He huffs and crosses his arms, "That is your domain is it not?"
"I wish." Joe sighs into his shot glass and sips. What he is talking about is not what his words are.
"Joe means to ask if you stand and watch when the mortals reproduce." Mel explains only to have Rhod add on further.
"Have sex."
James shakes his head and tightens his arms around himself, "I know what the God of Music is asking and certainly not. I am not the God of Sex, I am the God of Passion. Once my job is done I leave, off to the next."
"Liar." Ed comments as he smirks, eyes falling to him, "I have seen our God of Passion right in the thick of it, mouth agape at full power when passion is at it's highest. That is to say, when the humans are having sex. He looks absolutely stunned, I imagine the increase in power must be euphoric. You certainly stay and watch. You have to."
James scoffs a sound not dissimilar to that of a strangled swan and turns a soft red colour at Ed's words. It is true but none of the Gods should be privy to that information.
Luckily for him, he is a vengeful god so does not take Ed's direct attack silently for long, "And you Edward, the God of Hearts are you? When is the heart not more active than during sex for these mortals. Don't pretend I haven't also seen you stood there alongside me, practically tense with power."
James knows this only confirms the God Of Flight's words but sacrifices must be made to ensure victory and James does love to be victorious.
Ed huffs out of his agape mouth, a smile twitching on his face. The God wants to play? Fine.
"I never denied that James. I simply stated you lied, you are, as you put it 'The God of Sex'. We both are. You provide the passion and I provide the action." Ed casually states, swirling the liquid in his goblet while staring with knowing eyes at the God of Passion. He has spent too long with these mortals, they both have, they have adopted such petty things as squabbling and teasing. Though the God of Flight will admit he likes what the mortal's shame does to the God of Passion.
James' face turns a further shade of red, bose crunching as he goes to retort, only being interrupted by a knock on the door that makes Ed laugh and the other Gods sigh. They are of the opinion it was getting too tense. (At least all but the God of Music, who thought the clash of their voices hinted at wonderful music, thought they were getting too tense.)
Noel goes up again, Ed rising as well this time as he feels he must move from under James' glare. As much as he enjoys the God of Passions' eyes on him he enjoys feeling them follow him more.
"Noel, Ed, Mel, James, Joe and Rhod." Noel introduces, done with the formalities as he stands to the side, letting the man in.
"Russell." The man introduces while
he enters, taking in the room and raising a bros at the mural of passionate lovers fighting it embracing, he hasn't figure out which. It might be both.
Russell Howard - God of Skill
Eventually he does sit down, not breaking his stride or his eye contact with the mural, still trying to figure it out. This of course means he grabs his chair, swivels it and sits on it all in one motion without looking.
The other Gods would be lying if they said this other God's mastery of his mortal form was not impressive. They may be powerful beings but in these forms they are not without fault.
"Now where were we?" Joe starts the previous conversation up again with hungry eyes. He may not be the God of Discomfort but he's willing to bet the squirming from Passion is feeding them all.
"Please don't. Ed is already big headed enough. Why don't we share the shame and go around." James offers an alternative, seeking support in his fellow Gods. Passion is his domain, not what he chose.
Fortunately the newcomer takes some sort of pity on the God of Passion and starts talking.
"No, I am the newest to this group, let me share my shame first, please." He addresses the room before they can start arguing again. Having only known these Gods in true for less than a few minutes he feels the wish to know them more and if that comes from shame then so be it.
The Gods are unsure but let him carry on. At least this will be new entertainment. A change from the back and forth the God of Hearts and God of Passion were performing before.
"First let us decide a question that might cause embarrassment." Mel requests, watching as the Gods realize their fault. They must decide on a question before the answer can come. But building a question that might shame all gods is harder than it would seem as they all think but find their minds drawn blank.
"Tell us the most uncomfortable you should have been in your domain." Joe finally proposes and watches as a smile grows on the other God's faces, knowing it is perfect. It causes the God to relive the discomfort, admit they should have been uncomfortable but were not. Tricky.
Taking a sip of energy drink out of his flask the God of Skill gets set to answer, recalling a moment of possible discomfort that failed to be so, that he quite enjoyed.
"I was pulled to witness the skill of a certain teenager in an alley. Because of the nature of the skill needed I needed to guide his hand, almost become him, mirror him if you will, mirror them both. The job was completed but I remained, in some ways, rattled for a while afterwards. I had obviously done it before but that one moment has lasted with me." He admits, shivering as he recalls the event years ago. Skill can be many things but he always feels discomfort after needing to be present for skill like that.
"We did say 'should have been' God of Skill. Were you uncomfortable in the moment?" Joe teases with a smirk. He enjoys this round of talking far too much. It is not often he gets to hear the music of a fellow God's embarrassment and sharp breathing. It seems their mortal bodies are quite adept at being..mortal.
"..No. At the time, as I am sure is true of most of you, when my domain is fed, when skill is found it is warming, blinding in some ways." Russell awkwardly admits, though with a smile as he glances up at the God of Music.
Joe huffs but shrugs, perhaps he has met this God before, there is something quite alluring about him, a blue tiny in his mortal eyes that makes you want to stare for longer, figure him out. Of course, rationally, no God can ever be figured out, not completely but the allure is there.
"I suppose it is my turn." Joe admits and places his shot glass down, needing a break from his sweet drink anyway, "It was at the oldest concert I can remember, the humans were just finding their feet and I was the beat they danced to. Little did I know the power I held in that moment. Heart beat in time with my own noxious creation and caused a few unforeseen things to happen, firstly people started to be pushed together, only further enhancing the music, and secondly they created their own music. Like Russell said and Ed admitted is the case for himself and James, the power you feel in that moment in unparalleled."
Two out of the three named Gods nod, James simply ignoring the fact any of this is happening. He now thinks he has a better grasp of the mortals and their need for violence now.
"I believe all of our stories are mostly the same then, mortals suprise us and influx our power, we almost feel the euphoria they do. A strange thing for a God." Mel reasons and watches as the others nod, Joe picking up his shot again. May the cups never run dry.
"Does that end our game then?" Noel enquires. He would hope Greg would have returned by now, he is the God of Time so he might as well not waste theirs. Though he supposes time is not something a God can waste, waste might mean there is a finite amount and in the case of Gods that is certainly not true.
As the God of Witchcraft dwells on this a knock is heard on the door. It echoes and bounces off the newly added picture of sports. No specific sport but all of them at once which makes for a mess of an image but a mess all the Gods can decipher.
"I'll get it!" The God of Skill announces after he follows the glances of all the other Gods and finds them leading towards Noel. Noel looks lost in thought at the moment and Russell supposes he needs to move, he feels tense.
Swiftly he opens the door and smiles, breathing out softly through his nose. Of all the Gods, of which there are many, this one has always had a fondness in the God of Skill's heart.
"Jon." Russell greets curtly, not trying to fight the puppy-like look he has on his face. He thinks he picked it up from the mortal's small Olympic games and their athletes upon victory but he can't recall.
"Russell." The fellow God greets back, stepping in as Russell moves to the side.
Jon Richardson: God of Ritual (and Obsession.)
Of course Jon find it amusing, the other Gods simply sitting on chairs and waiting. Like pets. At least the room is nice.
Slowly he feels the door close behind him, the God of Skill moving past him a little closer than is necessary but he does not bother to question it, enraptured with the room and still standing.
"Are you okay Jon?-Oh by the way, this is Jon." Russell stops on his journey back to his chair, interrupting himself to introduce Jon to the fellow gods.
"Fine, fine." Jon mutter, eyes tracing the room as it shifts under his eyes. He finds it pleasing, almost as if the room is changing to please him. He does find it nice, comforting, until his eyes trail back to the door. Balls.
It's a human exploitive he's picked up, he knows. Unsightly for a God but after millennia upon millennia it is inevitable.
"You do realize you have a seat." Russell teases as he moves back, placing a hand on Jon's shoulder to guide him to his seat and ease the discomfort in the room. (Mel looks like a bee is bouncing around in her brain but that might be Rhod's doing.)
Jon huffs and brings his arms up, grabbing the God of Skill's face and kissing him.
This is not willingly though. It all started with a certain God already in this room creating mistletoe, or at least the 'kiss under the mistletoe' tradition. After that and due to further miscommunication and understanding, most Gods believe that when in mortal form they must do as mortals do and are compelled to do traditions such as kiss if found under mistletoe. They do not understand that they can simply not do the traditions. This has caused more trouble than the other misconception stated before, as we have just experienced.
"Mistletoe." Jon simply states after letting go of the God of Skill's face, walking to his seat and trying to seem casual. It does no one any good to blush as a God. Though he must acknowledge, they do not give Russell the title of 'God of Skill' for nothing. He is the definition of 'skill' in all his domain.
"Ah yes." Russell coughs, coming to his senses a second later than Jon. Of course it was the old tradition. They must kiss, it is the rules.
Between them the God that created this misconception and the mistletoe in the first place is losing his mind. Not literally, it is an expression.
He has waited millennia on millennia upon century simply for this moment. He lives for the small games he can play in his domain, especially those involving his fellow Gods.
He finds those especially hilarious.
"It is a human ritual." Russell coughs and waves his hand towards the God of Rituals. Picking at straws to further explain the human action. Kissing is so mortal, momentary. A way of entertainment for the humans, not something a God should do.
"Anyway..." Jon mutters, his eyes down on the floor. It's a nice floor.
Oh the things a God of Hearts can do to make hearts beat faster...Nevertheless Ed says no words and keeps himself to himself, only slightly tapping his foot on the wood. Each God's domain charges them but it seems to times by seven when a fellow God falls into another's domain.
"Music?" Joe suggest to fill the silence, being met with a resounding no.
The other Gods do not want to give the God of Music a foot up if they can help it. And allowing him to be surrounded by his domain, that is a risk they will never take. (Though no one is preventing Ed, James or Rhod from their domain surrounding them in this environment.)
"Okay, okay. Well how do you think Greg is going to unite us then? He hasn't exactly been a great host, letting us sit on these chairs and wait." Joe huffs and enquires from the group. He is not the most pleased that his music has been turned down but he might as well get the others to fill the silence if it can not be filled with music.
"Might get us to fight, I hear that bonds mortals, might work on us." Mel shrugs and suggests. She is God of the Earth, she has seen many a war rage and rebuild civilizations.
"I don't think so. Do you remember what happened in 10-something? A fight between Gods is never good." James shakes his head and sighs, "Maybe games? I won't participate but most Gods would. Might bond us through laughter?"
"You were never one to bond through laughter and I guess it's got to be universally bonding so that's off..." Ed objects and slouches further on his seat, this is a tricky situation as there is no right answer, just like most questions, "Dance? From what I've seen it's very intimate."
"Exactly why it's not suitable for us." the God of Ritual objects now as he rolls his eyes, Gods should not become intimate, it might lead to fondness and favoritism, "Talk perhaps? Knowledge often leads to bonding and the sharing of information, only follows it can lead to us sharing our domains."
Russell shakes his head, "I believe we've had quite enough of talking. Some Gods have been sitting here for longer than I and I'm already bored away from my domain."
"I'd suggest physical activities but games have already covered that." Rhod mutters, the others humming in agreement. Games are often just physical activity with more formal hatred.
"The breaking of bread." Noel finally speaks up, certainty in his voice. No God objects to it for it is not a question, it is a fact.
"May I come in?" A small voice asks from behind the door.
Of course this is endearing. Most of the gods at least find it endearing, Joe, Ed, James and Rhod find it hilarious, a presumed God asking if he may enter. They are not vampires, they do as they will.
Nevertheless Noel stands and opens the door to a shy looking boy, ill suited for the look of a God but Noel sees into the heart and nods, allowing him in. Their mortal form often reflects their domain or their preference for mortal appearance, this God seems to be in the latter.
"Joe Thomas." He bows his head and introduces in a quiet voice, already aware there is the God of Music here. Silence is a symphony after all.
Joe Thomas - God of Exhaustion (and Silence)
Joe is very low energy, as his job requires. He is not exactly use to being around loud or energetic beings, including Gods. Gods do not get exhausted so he has very little previous encounters with them. Nevertheless he appreciates the silence they grant him upon entry and as he sits, tasting lavender and apricot in the air. Silence is a virtue after all.
"We meet again." The God of Music muses playfully. If Joe had to define the smile Lycett has on his face it would be hungry, possibly for war.
The God of Exhaustion just nods, no need for words as Lycett has already disturbed the silence. His words are not untrue though, they have met before but the God of Music has always viewed their interactions as more antagonistic than the God of Silence. What disturbs silence but sound and what is sound if not music unfinished.
"God of Exhaustion and Silence." Ed states for Joe Thomas, explaining in part why he refuses to look at them or speak. Ed understands, he always does. How can you control hearts if you do not understand them?
Many questions and no answers. That is existence.
"Shall we wait for the last God to arrive or not?" The God of Exhaustion finally speaks, asking a question none of the others know the answer to. Mostly because it is not a question but a statement, like most God's words. He has seen so many at the breaking, it has caused cracks inside him. You are what you rule over.
"How do you know only one more remains? This is not all the possible domains." James hisses, narrowing his eyes and failing to bring the other God's eyes up from looking at the floor.
"No one said all the Gods would gather here, only those the God of Time has asked to come today, correct?" The God of Silence speaks again, his voice like the hushed whispers held with in the wind. It brings a fondness to the God of Music, they are so similar and there is music in this God's words.
How beautiful. Music in the God of Silence's words. He supposes that is how it must be. Why lock away a voice so beautiful if not to stop wars raging, poetic. Lycett imagines it is a thrilling tale of jealousy and betrayal. A being with a voice so enchanting the other forces got so angered they forced the title of silence upon him and now that voice is rough from disuse.
The other Gods just process the words, making sense of them. Words, how quaint an invension for mortals.
"Well I suppose we wait right?" Mel muses and glances around, eyes only slightly narrowing at the God of Music's blank stare. He has a smile on his face though so she supposes she should not be worried.
"Suppose he wants us to wait." Rhod mutters, referring to their host. They've exhausted their tempers with each other, with stupid talks and questions, games and danger. He has had enough and wants to return to his domain, no matter how torturous.
"I hate to say it but the God of Rage is right. I can't stand this anymore." James hisses and grips his head, pressing down hard to dig his hands into his head. If he stays here longer, talking and sitting on one chair for another minute he will lose his mind. (And that is not a good thing for a God to do. The last God that happened to...)
"Then stand, stand up I mean, we're going to question Gregory and leave if he makes us wait longer." Ed proposes, tensity in his mortal form. He envisions shouting at the God of Time for this spectacle. This terrible terrible gathering.
"I can't allow that." Noel casually states, standing alongside Mel. They both understand they can not simply leave, they were called for a reason and they intend to find out what that is.
"And I can not stand being here longer, I don't understand how you have managed." Jon snaps, glaring at the other Gods. Why did he not see it before, the boredom that drives a God mad, the endless passage of time. How do mortals stand it so.
"We will all go then but not to fight, to break bread. Then we leave, our separate ways." Russell states, showing a clear head in the storm of this madness. Skill can not be effected by frustration or it falters, that is what he knows so he does not give in to the pressing frustration in the room.
Rhod huffs but does not speak, slowly leading the charge as they gather to move towards the room Greg has been in all this time. He reminds himself he is the God of Discomfort, that centers him and makes him understand the slight shake in his hand is explainable. With the other Gods all around him in discomfort he is the epicenter, the catalyst and the battery. All that frustration charging him.
Glancing over at James he thinks it does not simply charge him though. But he does not dwell, pushing into the place Greg should be found and pausing as he sees an empty dark room with a rich table.
"Welcome finally, you certainly took your time." Greg laughs from beside the entrance, arms crossed with a bemused face.
"What the fuck?" James hisses as they all enter the room. He feels betrayed but also, strangely, hungry. He supposes a mortal body means mortal problems.
Luckily the table is not only rich, it is full of food and large, grand. It makes James' mouth water. A God should not be hungry or watering from any part of them.
"Sit, sit. For the breaking of bread." Greg instructs, walking casually to the head of the table and sitting, waving his hands dramatically.
It instructs the gods to approach, and so they do, slowly pulling their chairs out and sitting. Noel nods to the others as they do, silently signaling 'the breaking of bread'.
"I have a question." The God of Flight states as he sits next to the God of Time, pushing himself in and observing the food, his voice level.
"Go ahead." Greg states, to both Ed's question and the curious looks of the other Gods asking if they should eat what is on the table.
"If you are the God of Time surely the God of History would be above or below you, right? IS HE YOUR SON!?" Ed rambles as the others tuck in. Food, where souls bond and questions flow like wine.
Greg laughs and waits a moment to recover, letting the God of Flight smile up at him with fondness. In truth Ed likes all of his kin, no matter what domain they hold.
"No." Greg simply states, bringing a goblet to his lips and drinking, watching at Ed does the same with a chalice. If this was a throne room Greg believes Ed would be his son who he will give his throne to. The mortals do not say 'Time flies' for no reason, Greg made sure of that long ago.
"So Joe Thomas said there was one more?" James enquires after finishing a slice of rasberry cake. Gods of Passion only know of what brings mortals passion and that is quite often cake first, main course second.
Ed stifles a laugh as he leans across to try and wipe the stray cake away from James' mouth. Silly mortal food, it always tries to escape to where you just can't reach it. James need not fear, Ed will always track it down and destroy any rebellious cake for him.
"Yes, shouldn't we have waited?" Mel asks as she ties a napkin to her waist. If she has learnt anything of customs it is that mortals should not eat before everyone is in attendance. And by the looks of it the God of Ritual is sticking to that.
"And waste this food?" Lycett laughs as he scrapes some turkey onto his plate. It's the perfect temperature and will not stay that way for long, he's not giving that up for anything.
"He will come, he's just late, had business with some other Gods." Greg casually states, causing multiple eyes to turn to him as he sips again on his drink. So many questions are in the Gods mortal heads. What God spends time with other Gods on the daily? Why is the God of Time so casual about the loss of time?
"That he is, apologies, you know hoe tricky it is to escape your fellow Gods to meet other Gods." The last God to gather jokes as he enters, a smile on his face to his uncertainty as he takes a seat at the foot of the table.
"And you are?" Rhod enquires, holding out the plate of stuffing incase their new companion wants some before scraping some on their plate.
"Josh. God of Advantage." He introduces, a small bow of his head as he asks if the God of Exhaustion next to him wants some gravy.
The table mostly nods, with the exception of Russell who blurts out a loud, "You dick." before having the decency to look embarrassed.
The others understand why though. What is advantage if not the bane of skill. Russell has lost too many a person from his domain has been lost to advantage.
Shaking his head but continuing with the meal, meeting the eyes of the God of Ritual from across the table and trying to convey what words can not.
"Wouldn't any children we have, if we could have children, be minor Gods of our domain. Like Lycett's would be God of Rhythm or something?" Rhod asks as he scoops some ice cream onto a bowl for James. Greg knew what he was doing putting most of the deserts away from where James was to sit, unfortunately the other Gods love to indulge the God of Passion and grant him access to the sweet treats anyway.
"No, no. They would be demigods." Noel answers, sipping his tea. The 'idiot' at the end hidden in his sip but nonetheless said.
"Imagine having a demigod spawn." The God of Exhaustion mutters as he pokes the food others have given him, a slowly becoming cold piece of turkey, melting ice cream, chocolate sauce, gravy, bacon and mash. He can't imagine himself ever wanting to have offspring, he has seen the mortals more times than he would care to admit simply because of their children.
"The God of Luck and the God of Confidence both have demigods, they seem to not mind." Josh admits with a shrug.
"Were those the Gods you were with before us?" Greg asks.
Josh nods and explains how they refused to let him go without them, he had to fight them to make them go away. Not physically of course, it is an expression.
"I might invite them some moment but that is not why we are here, we are here to ensure none of us are alone." Greg announces as he stands with a goblet in hand.
"We obviously know that." James hisses but is soon quieted by Ed telling him to shut up, sneakily handing him a chocolate-coated strawberry to persuade him.
"And to allow you all to pledge your assistance in this new age of the network of Gods. We will help each other, adapt and become closer as a pantheon." Greg continues, raising his goblet again and waiting for the others to follow suit.
"What do I have to lose." Ed mutters as he is the first to raise his chalice, smiling, "I pledge to give any God who calls on my assistance in anything. And I mean anything."
Most laugh at this as the Gods start to see the merit in choosing to commune more often.
"I will also join. Might prevent a few more of those pesky wars." Mel states next as she raises her glass as well.
"I like the wars but that's not the point." Russell follows with a smile. So what if wars show off the skills of mortals, he prefers seeing his fellow gods.
"The point is...this may be a break in tradition but traditions were made to advance and change, that is what they start as and that is what they shall be." Jon finished Russell's train of though, raising his own mug, careful not to spill any drink.
"A closer bond means better music so I am in. The music of Gods, I like the sound of that." Joe chuckles and stands as well, raising a shot before downing it. He has been to one too many a party to not do such.
"You'll be waiting a long time for that to occur." The God of Exhaustion mutters as he is hoisted up by Lycett, willingly of course.
"I pledge to help in any way I can, simply call for me. Hopefully when I'm not too busy." Josh jokes as he to stands, raising a glass.
"James dislikes the idea so I love it, I'm in." Rhod picks up his pint glass and smiles, staring at the God of Passion.
"I..." James starts before picking up his own wine glass and standing, "I may not be comfortable with the idea but as an old friend told me in egypt, 'The greatest passions come from the unknown' so I suppose I'm also in."
"We're all in agreement with this proposition then." Noel states as he slowly rises, meeting the eyes of each of the standing gods as they all now stand around a table, checking that this is what each wants and they know what they are agreeing to.
"To the pantheon." He sighs and drinks, the others following suit and drinking as well.
Around them many other gods who are present and constant huff and some even smile, the God of Household and Family ushering the other Gods away as he makes sure their turn to raise their glass will be a suprise. 'Soon' he whispers into the wind before leaving the newly formed pantheon to revelry and privacy.