02 | Video

[halfblaked]

As a professor, whenever a holiday comes, it's always an opportunity for learning, and today happens to not be an exception, despite the personal nature of the holiday.

I suspect there are not many who celebrate such things, but perhaps it is a nice time to speak of them, considering it's father's day. I'm reflecting on fathers of myth, of course, not real ones -- but, ah, if you need someone to listen, I am, of course, here to listen.

There are, unfortunately, not a terribly high amount of good fathers in mythology, at least from my world. Sometimes, if you think of yourself as a poor parent, you can at least remember that you are no Zeus, or Hiranyakashipu. One was merely...devoted to sowing his progeny around Greece, as we all know, but Hiranyakashipu attempted multiple times to murder his son, because he worshipped a god he hated. [ A soft chuckle, and a shake of his head. ] I worried about moving too much, with mine! I suppose things could be worse. Then again, there is also Cronus, the god who ate his sons, [ he starts ticking on his fingers, ] Tantalus, Izanagi, Abraham...

Well, we're not short on those, are we? [ A soft chuckle, and a shake of his head. ]

I suppose there's something to be said, when we consider ourselves bad parents, yes? Not that we should ever excuse ourselves. [ A beat. ] I suppose I'm just...thoughtful, today. Moreso than I thought I would be. [ Another pause. ]

Are there others out there, who are thinking of things like this today?

Comments

[halfblaked]

Then you very well could be closer to a god.

Although it sounds like that may be more insulting, than complimentary. What was it like, the god you killed?

[mortalweapon]

Large.
And rude.

In the end, it bled.
Just like all other fleshy things.

[halfblaked]

Ah, most gods can bleed, in my experience. They...don't seem to be weak to much, beyond that, in my experience.

[ They can even survive a beheading! ]

Perhaps you are just extraordinarily powerful?

[mortalweapon]

Perhaps I am.
But I am also man-made.
Which somewhat disrupts the hierarchy between man and gods.

[halfblaked]

Man created something...beyond themselves with you, yes? And beyond gods? [ A thoughtful hum, as if he's considering it. ]

Or is it something new? Are gods man-made as well, ideas that we've gestated into power? The origin is...malleable, I've noticed. Some cannot survive without the belief of man, it seems.

But I suppose that's beside the point. You may be truly shaking things up, if you are outside of the hierarchy. I don't consider that a particularly poor idea. Why, I think even some of my own gods would quite like that.

[mortalweapon]

Would they?
That seems counterintuitive.
Do the gods not benefit from maintenance of the hierarchy?

[halfblaked]

That may...be up for debate, at the moment. We aren't certain. Things are...changing in my world, and it may be to the benefit of all, or none. Perhaps if I ever find out, I can let you know.

One would think the hierarchy may be to the benefit of the gods, but... what if there's something more advantageous outside of it? Sometimes a little chance can... truly shake things up.

[mortalweapon]

I concur.
And I would be curious to know what happens in your world, Professor.
If you should ever be afforded the opportunity to discover the outcome.

[halfblaked]

I would be happy to share it with you. I'm luckier than most in my field -- I actually stand a chance of discovering it, as long as I don't remain here.

[ And as long as he doesn't get killed. ]

You will be one of the first I will call -- after the pantheon, of course.

[mortalweapon]

That is very gracious of you, Professor.
Thank you.
Is there something I may offer you in return?

[halfblaked]

Ah... oh no, spreading knowledge is quite enough. I'm an educator by trade. It's the least I could do.

[mortalweapon]

If you insist.
I look forward to hearing from you, Professor.

[halfblaked]

Of course, and the same for you, Danger. Perhaps next time it can even be in person -- Er, face to face?

Do you have a preference?

[mortalweapon]

Of course, Professor.
I can accommodate a face-to-face meeting.
As long as you feel that you would be comfortable with me.

[halfblaked]

Oh, I'm certain that I could manage! I've encountered many things that should be beyond my comprehending.

This would be just another one, and I welcome the...new experience, as it were.

[mortalweapon]

I defer to your judgement, Professor.
Though I would not say I am beyond your comprehension.
Unlike your myths, I am not supernatural — only ones and zeroes.

[halfblaked]

Ah, yes. That's... Binary, yes? I'm afraid I'm more expert in dead languages and dead societies, than math. Jon -- my son, is the one who is much more expert at such things.

He would like you, I think. Robots always fascinated him.

[mortalweapon]

Perhaps I would like him as well.
It is possible that the Porter will someday afford us the opportunity to find out.

[halfblaked]

Ah, yes. Perhaps someday. [ A twitch of his mouth, half a smile, half a grimace. ] I couldn't wish something as awful as being here on him.

[ David Blake, a man who loves his son and wouldn't wish anything bad on him, clearly. ]

I think he would like you, as well.