Rising Sun [text/action]

[mother_of_god]

[Her last memory is heat and rust and darkness. Now there is light and life and comfort- at least, more comfort than she's felt in seven years. (Or less comfort for part of her that has lived a life free of constant pain.) She sits up with difficulty, blinking in the bright. The air is clean, carrying a fresh smell she'd forgotten after half a life in a basement room. The world is green and dazzling and living. Birds twitter, leaves rustle, a breeze rolls past her ears; no beeps or rumbles or electric hums.

[Dread creeps up her insides.

[A cat meows. She peers at it in surprise, then notices the scroll. A few moments' fumbling with bandaged fingers and it's open. She reads, silently, then turns her attention to the Vine, which unfurls its parchment and stylus helpfully, apparently aware that speaking isn't high on her list of strengths. She reaches for the stylus automatically, before realising that her fingers are too restrained to operate it. But there's another way.

[The Vine offers a new text to the residents. Unusually, the words aren't hand written, but singed into the parchment.]

Is this Paradise?

Comments

[fionna_time]

What does that mean, paradise?

[mother_of_god]

it's a place where all the faithful will be happy.

[fionna_time]

Dude, there are a lot of people and happy can be different to all of 'em! How would they all be happy?

[mother_of_god]

[She shrinks back a little at the heat in Fionna's reply.]

be- because of God's power...

[fionna_time]

[Fionna noticed this, but is no less fiery].

And if the god's powerful, why would ya need a sacrifice anyway? Wouldn't that mean they depend on little guys just like anyone else?

[mother_of_god]

God's power ran out, so She needs us to give her more, and then She can come back.

[fionna_time]

Why did it have to be you?

[mother_of_god]

because i had power... i'm sorry... i didn't want to.

[fionna_time]

[Fionn shook her head. She didn't get this, any of it, especially when it came to hurting your kid for some god. She didn't care what anyone said. It was not OK.]

But they made you anyway?

[mother_of_god]

[She nods.] i tried to stop it.

[Oh, boy, did she try.]

[fionna_time]

[Fionna sighed. This story was hard to here, and it was one of those rare times where coming here was actually a step up to what she'd been doing before].

Well that's not happening here. You're safe.

[mother_of_god]

[She nods.]

they're dead now.

[Then again...]

i think i died, too...

a lot of people died.

[fionna_time]

But you're here, so you can't be dead, right?

I'm pretty sure you're not a ghost.

[mother_of_god]

sometimes.

maybe... i don't think being dead hurts.

[And she does hurt.]

[fionna_time]

Let me try to take care of that, ok?

[mother_of_god]

it always hurts. but it's a little better now.

[fionna_time]

We can try to see what we can do about it later, so it won't hurt as much anymore!

[mother_of_god]

[She's clearly dubious about that possibility, but doesn't say anything.]

thank you for helping. you're really nice.

[fionna_time]

It's the least I could do! Everyone who comes here always have to find a way to deal!

Do you want something to eat?

[mother_of_god]

[A shy nod.]

[fionna_time]

Cool! I can make ya a meal, or if you want something sweet I got leftover cake!

[mother_of_god]

[Her eyes light up at the mention of cake, though she doesn't give an answer: this might be another Test, after all.]

[fionna_time]

[Fionna watched her, grinning].

Ice cream cake sound all right?

[mother_of_god]

[Another nod, with a little smile. (Followed by a little wince when it hits the burns on her face.)]

thank you

[fionna_time]

Like I said, its what people do for each other!

...

Want some sprinkles on that?