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

[mortalweapon]

I am called Danger.
How do you prefer to be addressed?

[halfblaked]

It's nice to meet you, Danger. Most people call me Professor Blake, but you may call me David, if you wish.

It sounds a great deal less formal.

[mortalweapon]

Acknowledged.
What is your field of study, Professor?

[halfblaked]

Ah, I'm sure it's not difficult to guess. Pantheon studies and mythology.

[mortalweapon]

A very specific field of study.
It is fascinating how humans can dedicate the entirety of their short existence to a single subject.

[halfblaked]

Well, when you have such little time, you can really only choose one to become an expert in. [ A beat. ]

But, ah, it's not so specific, in my world. We have... a very constant ebb and flow of the gods and goddesses. Apparently that is not common.

[mortalweapon]

That could be a rather impressive phenomenon.
Depending on what constitutes "gods and goddesses" in your world.
Often, I find such entities more fragile than one might think.

[halfblaked]

Oh? Have you encountered many in your days?

[ A pause. David knows precisely how fragile they can be. ]

They seem to be more weak to one another, as opposed to us mere mortals, at least in my world. I couldn't stand a chance against them, for example, but any one of them can do so, if needed.

[mortalweapon]

A few.
I killed the last one.
She was called Ammut the Devourer.

But I do not share in the frail mortality of humans.

[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.