elio-del-vecchio

[elio-del-vecchio]

“She’s young and has grit,” Elio challenged. “What it takes to be a deity these days… I need someone who won’t just disappear on me,” he added, tone softening. “Perhaps my purpose needs to change.”

“Falling won’t fix anything,” Elio grumbled as he brought the glass to his lips, softly adding, “Wine does help, I suppose… thank you.” His gaze sank to the glass, swirling the liquid around a bit as he considered the very emotions Matthew referred to, and how he had tried to cope.

“I know you aren’t fond of her… but Elena is a pure heart. She will make for a good deity,” he said with and shrug. “It feels nice… admittedly… Feeling some sense of purpose. I don’t have what you have… But she helps…”

#Matthew #Matt #//mobile

[elio-del-vecchio]

Elio had been ready to leave, but he couldn’t get the bitter taste out of his mouth at Ursa’s words. Instead of turning and leaving, he took a step towards Ursa. “You know that’s not all I think. Maybe if you didn’t spend your days hiding out here, I wouldn’t be tempted to make generalizations like that. If you want me to leave you alone, you’re gonna have to make me.”

"There is no we anymore for us, Ursa," Elio responded, lips curled into a disappointed frown. "And there hasn't been for some time. So what does it matter to you if deities are creatures of seclusion? If we don't congregate in packs or clans together? I can't fathom you genuinely care about that these days-- especially if you find warping and twisting souls into worshipping you a more fulfilling lifestyle."

#Ursa #//mobile

[elio-del-vecchio]

“Falling won’t fix anything,” Elio grumbled as he brought the glass to his lips, softly adding, “Wine does help, I suppose… thank you.” His gaze sank to the glass, swirling the liquid around a bit as he considered the very emotions Matthew referred to, and how he had tried to cope.

“I know you aren’t fond of her… but Elena is a pure heart. She will make for a good deity,” he said with and shrug. “It feels nice… admittedly… Feeling some sense of purpose. I don’t have what you have… But she helps…”

"Is that so? I find that good wine tends to lift my spirits when I'm in a bad mood," Matthew replied and pushed a glass in Elio's direction. He did not bother clinking their glasses together and took a long drink from his own instead.

"You should really give falling some thought," he mumbled into the glass before lowering it. "All those emotions you're bottling up inside? It's not a good sign."

#Matthew #Matt

[elio-del-vecchio]

“Do us both a favor and spare the goat. Watching you suffer as you repeatedly fuck things up with Matthew is as close as I’m betting you’ll ever give me to a genuine sacrifice,” the deity commented dryly, thinking a goat was perhaps a better sacrifice for a demon rather than a deity who represented suffering and endurance. “If you really want the goat, deliver it to Matt’s wine cellar so he can see what you consider a befitting sacrifice for someone like me,” he added, half curious if Izak would indeed risk pissing Matthew off even further, albeit intentionally. A shame, really, considering Elio was rooting for them.

Izak smirked, gaze hardening. What was he going on about? “Yes, past, because now I have you to worship, hm?” His voice was silky, and his words were far from the truth. He’d always praise the old gods of his youth, for it was for the generous blessing of Víðarr that he survived his enslavement as a human and lived to become an immortal wraith. No matter how delicious Elio felt under his teeth, he could never compare to the god that brought him his second life.

“Shall I purchase a goat then? Will its blood be to your favor?”

#Izak

[elio-del-vecchio]

"There is no we anymore for us, Ursa," Elio responded, lips curled into a disappointed frown. "And there hasn't been for some time. So what does it matter to you if deities are creatures of seclusion? If we don't congregate in packs or clans together? I can't fathom you genuinely care about that these days-- especially if you find warping and twisting souls into worshipping you a more fulfilling lifestyle."

"I think we all pass judgement. Some judgement comes with harsher consequences." Elio may not have been part of his fall but he was certain the deity had seen it a hundred times over. They would all fall eventually. "I think it depends on the definition of selfishness." Ursa didn't like to think of his own mistakes when looking back on his fall though he knew he did things wrong. He simply thought it was the right thing to do and everyone else disagreed. "There's not much community when you're vying for worship. Maybe we should learn at the other species, clans and packs, they all flock to communities."

It was amusing to listen to the pair of them. Perhaps they were just two old men with the world changing around them. "That's the lucky thing about being a demon, I don't need followers." Maybe it was an old habit that he was still drawn to this kind of thing. "But you're right. Numbers are low but I also sit in Hedon. This place is dripping with sin and at some stage, it becomes too much and they wander in to confess," he answered. "And there's no cheats when you're a deity. It's quite easy to make them follow you on this side."

#ursa

[elio-del-vecchio]

"Your past deities, hm?" The possessiveness of Izak's wording annoyed Elio. Deities belonged to nobody but themselves. If Izak had simply referred to other's he'd worshipped.. Well.. "Tell me. Where are these deities then, if they were so happy to answer your call. I haven't seen an ounce of genuine sacrifice from you, Izak."

"Waste of mead," Izak muttered, eyes flicking between Elio and the burning liquor, but he wasn't frightened by this display of magic. No, instead he found it seductive, and he doubted Elio would be surprised if he expressed it. Izak had always found power appealing, especially when it reminded him that he was not the god he thought he was.

"Only you took it as an insult. I had merely said it in jest." He swiveled his head haughtily. "Or rather. half in jest and half seriously, but I do require my own alms. My past deities were quite happy to offer their strengths for my sacrifices, and I have sacrificed a lot already just to make you happy." He took a sip of his whisky with a cryptic smirk.

#izak

[elio-del-vecchio]

“Ah yes. Because lecturing a deity is the quickest way to get in their favor,” Elio responded dryly, holy fire burning the mead in Elio’s glass with a second flash of magic. “Perhaps you best to remember your place if you’re to be a follower of mine,” he challenged as the remainder of the mead also caught on fire as well as the rest of the nearby liquor. “I only wish to ease the burden. Help others carry the weight of life’s setbacks and preserve, but that doesn’t mean I will just sit and listen to you insult me, Izak.” He gave the vampire a rather pointed look as he added, “I’m not some desperate being clawing for attention.”

Izak rolled his eyes, and without his sense of smell or hearing, he was cast into the dark. Now he had to look at Elio like a talking doll. Beautiful and otherworldly but lacking flavor. “You are so dramatic,” he replied with a languid wave of his hand, and then he laced his fingers together to lean on his desk. “Can’t tell if that’s an invitation to monologue. Or if you really want me to come up with something in hopes you’ll actually do your job as a god and pity a broken creature like myself.” He gave Elio a curt smile. “I am willing to worship you, y’know. I was and still remain what new wave religions like to call a pagan. But it’s becoming apparent that the reason why your followers have been more interested in a life of sin and free from higher judgement is because you’re really good at the latter and not the former. Does that not bore you?”

#Izak

[elio-del-vecchio]

Elio had been ready to leave regardless of Matthew’s tug at his clothing. That was of course until he saw the man opening a bottle of wine, knowing it would be even more rude if he left now. He sighed and turned to sit down in a nearby seat, not wanting to make things worse. “Feels like a waste to drive good wine in a sour mood,” he mumbled with a forced, weak smile.

Matthew's chest was still rising and falling rapidly in response to the emotions he just experienced. Had he been in his right mind, he would have kicked Elio out immediately to let the deity deal with his own depressing emotions, but that did not seem right and Matthew would later chalk his actions up to needing to meet his non-existent quota of good deeds for the year.

He reached out and grabbed Elio by the sleeve of his coat, wordlessly indicating for him to stay before he pulled away and moved to pull out two glasses and a bottle of wine for them.

"Sit down," Matthew ordered, eyes refusing to look Elio in the face as he opened the bottle and proceeded to pour out the two glasses.

#Matt #Matthew

[elio-del-vecchio]

"You think I pass judgement on my own?" Elio couldn't help but correct Ursa's words, knowing as council representative he was at least partially responsible in the other's eyes. At least, based on his criticism. "I don't disagree with your perspective of staying hidden, but a deity doesn't fall purely from the spite of other deities. Acting selfishly and for one's own gain... Well, I'd argue it's quite easy to fall without another deity even noticing these days." They were disconnected. Numbers were down. Falling just seemed easier for many, and there had been more than one occasion where he had only found out after the fact that someone had fallen. Elio leaned back against a pew, gaze swinging from Ursa to a few religious symbols in the space and then back again. "As for worship, well-- I'd be willing to bet the numbers are down even in a haunt like this, yes? Mortals now in days.. They don't worship the gods.. They don't even worship a God these days. My followers would probably be considered a cult by modern standards... Not a popular one either. It's simply not that straightforward."

That was something Ursa would agree on. The world had moved forward and he still felt like he was left behind. "I think they mostly pass judgement on their own these days." The standards of what was a good deity had changed and everyone who stepped out of line had fallen. Ursa wasn't intending to start a fight but he still held onto his opinons about what was happening. "Stop hiding so much, for one. Deities are meant to be worshipped but they all stay hidden. You can't gather worship when no one knows you exist. I'd also stop damning everyone who make mistakes. It's thinning the numbers."

#ursa

[elio-del-vecchio]

"I know what it's like to grow restless with age," Elio retorted with an unimpressed glare. "It still doesn't forgive impulsive acts of stupidity. If my pulse is the issue, I can fix that," he added, eyes glowing briefly as he used illusion magic to hide the steady rhythm of his pulse from Izak. "So what other excuse would you like to throw at my feet today, Mr. Voros? I'm all ears."

"And what was it that I did that was so cruel?" The question was hypothetical, of course, but any time he could tip-toe around the confession to drink it another's reaction was worth it. All in all, he never did truly hide behind a false sense of innocence. Pushing his responsibilities on his fledgling and spiriting away to Europe was confession enough.

However...

He stared at Elio, expression indecipherable. The deity always had a way to make one feel guilty for something trivial, and he looked down at his cigar before deciding on a cigarette. He placed the box and lighter in between them in case Elio had a change of heart with his vices. "The only reason why you make me restless is because I can hear your pulse." He flicked the ash into the ash tray. "Would you like to hear my story, Elio? You can just say you're curious, and if it means that I can win more favorably to you I do not mind telling you. Possibly a story for a story because I am personally interested in what has made you glum with age. I would rather not talk about Matthew anymore, though. It's painstaking."

#izak

[elio-del-vecchio]

The deity's gaze softened at Elena's response, softly agreeing as he said, "Wise beyond your years... I knew you had promise," with a faint smile. He could tell there seemed to be something more on Elena's mind as he read her emotions, but she was doing a splendid job hiding it, considering her age. "Was there anything else you were curious about?"

“You’re curious,” Elio responded, able to tell even without his abilities that the young deity was itching for answers. “Hellborn, no. It’s in their very nature to be deceiving… Cruel. They are born in darkness. They’ve never known otherwise, and even if one showed redeeming qualities, at the end of the day they cannot avoid their very being. That would be like asking a vampire not to drink blood…. A werewolf to try to fight their shift every full moon… Impossible.

“Earthborn demons I would argue there is no redemption for either… While they have known a life prior to their existence, their corruption typically occurs because of how soured their very existence has become. They are often born from malevolent spirits, who are simply too far gone to redeem. You could argue to prevention of these demons of course… Helping spirits settle their affairs and find peace in the afterlife… It’s a cause some deities find purpose investing time in… But that’s also why I suppose I find their redemption unlikely. The term itself also… It’s important to understand that a demon redeeming themselves won’t change their fate, nor their very nature.

“If any might be redeemed… Surely it is the fallen deity, Elena. A being that once put out good into the world, in one form or another.

“Perhaps not always, but some falls I believe can be prevented and are preventable. That some deities are… misunderstood. Unheard. And our kind need to be more open to helping one another. Listening and reaching out. Showing support for those of us who are left, and not isolating ourselves or others. Perhaps not judging other deities for their actions so easily and so often.

“It is why I also believe those whose falls could have been prevented… Surely they never longed for their current life, nor did they deserve it in every case? And I hope…. I hope they can be redeemed. I know not literally.. Their fate is in stone… But at very least, it should be our job to help remind them that their fall doesn’t mean they are inherently a bad person moving forward. And… we should show support for helping them hold onto everything positive they can still do to help others. Show compassion.“

#elena #//after my essay i present a short-ass reply

[elio-del-vecchio]

Elio observed the other's mood, using his magic to gather a more realistic idea of where he stood with Izak as he countered, "I'd argue what you did a year or so back was quite cruel, Izak. I'm not trying to make you a human any more than I'm trying to make Matthew a deity again. I think it's just important to remember changing who we are doesn't mean we have to forget who we were.

"Why don't we talk about something more mutually enjoyable though-- I'm not looking to force you to bring up your past. I never mind listening, but I'm not looking to make you uncomfortable. At least not excessively."

Izak gave a derisive laugh, and he stared at Elio over the rim of his glass. Maybe he was right, and Izak was lazy or unbothered to change his ways. Modern psychology loved to relate the past with people's current demeanors, and thus, tended to give the patient a foundation to put the responsibility of their flaws onto. But Izak didn't typically think the way a modern man should, and all people of the past had to blame was the Devil and pre-set personality.

He hummed and placed his glass down, trailing an idle finger across the grooves of the cut design. "Forgive me for touching on a sensitive topic; though from what I remember of my human life, there was nothing beautiful about it besides the company of my wife and the mountain we lived on. Fragility makes things brittle and easy to break, but I digress. I don't hold the cruelty in my heart like I used to, so I believe excessive is an overstatement." He hummed again and stopped his tracing. "If knew any better, I would assume you were trying to make me human again."

#izak

[elio-del-vecchio]

Elio instantly regretted when he saw Matthew visibly react to his actions, pulling back and shielding his own. "That was out of line... I'm sorry," he responded back softly with a sigh. "I should leave." The urge to go off alone-- perhaps to drink, or just to simply drive hit him full force, even though he could still hear Elena's soft voice suggesting he show himself compassion. Something that was easier said that done, of course.

Matthew felt the deity's emotions descend upon him, unasked for, as Elio admitted himself and he was briefly incensed until the other's coldness and emptiness washed over him. The fallen deity recognised this feeling having felt something close to this in times pasts, but feeling this from Elio was not something he expected. Matthew had an inkling that the deity had been going through some things since that alternate timeline, but he was not expecting this.

These feelings had Matthew wanting to retreat, to shield himself from the hollowness Elio was feeling as it dredged up sentiments within himself, and yet...

"Stop. Stop it!" he gritted out, teeth unclenching only when Elio finally did so and he managed to breathe a little. Blue eyes were fixed on the other as Matthew glared at the deity. "I never thought the day would come when you'd hate yourself more than I hate you..." The words were harsh, and yet there was something in Matthew's tone that seemed to be inviting Elio to respond.

#matthew #matt

[elio-del-vecchio]

Elio gave an audible tut of disapproval, shaking his head. “Blaming it on your nature makes you sound no better than a dog,” Elio mumbled as he took a sip of his refilled glass. If Izak was a demon he supposed he wouldn’t mind him belittling himself so much, but he wasn’t. His sire may have given him unconditional love, but they obviously faulted him in the sense they left Izak heavily co-dependent on said love.

He spoke up as he added, “Human lives are beautiful because of how fragile and fleeting they are. But I’m no savior, Izak. My existence has never been peaceful. I understand that everyone has a role to fulfill, and vampires have never offended me with their need to feed.” His lips curled into a smirk as he added, “It’s only been your excessive cruelty and ego that I find needs occasionally checked.”

Sure, he wished Izak valued peace between various species in their community more— but that was a topic they had already discussed at length time and time again. Whether he viewed Izak as a project or not seemed irrelevant to touch on. Elio viewed everyone as works in progress— even himself.

Izak quipped a brow and continued to slow consume his liquor as Elio talked. It was becoming apparent to the vampire that they were two sides of the same coin: the desperate need to fix things for benefit. What benefit was completely based on the situational, and Izak had give credit to the deity that Elio did not seem like the type to fully divulge into his own greed and desires.

Izak leaned over to pour more mead into his glass, waiting until he had finished speaking before Izak replied. The room was silent for a moment, and there were too many cards he could play. Vulnerability was one he wasn't certain, like holding onto the ace in a game of poker when all the dealer's cards were a mix of faces and spades. "How insightful," he finally said, quiet and reserved. "From what I can see and from what you have told me, I don't offer much."

A twinkle shone in his eyes. "At least right now, I suppose. The past is comforting to me, if I have to admit it. I miss the blood. I miss when my sire used to brush my hair back and tell me that I was perfect in my skin. She never saw me as a blight or tough to love, even when I was at my worst, and for once, I'd hope to meet someone that saw that my...oddities and desires were my nature and not something to gloss over or bury. Matthew is the closest I've ever gotten to meeting someone who enjoys my extremes. I'd say you're a close second, even though you like to father me." He sighed and took another sip. "Do I offend you because of what I do to humans, Elio? Or do I look like a project that would sedate you for some centuries? I haven't given up on my life, and I don't plan to trap myself forever. But for now, it makes me feel like I still have meaning."

#izak

[elio-del-vecchio]

“You’re curious,” Elio responded, able to tell even without his abilities that the young deity was itching for answers. “Hellborn, no. It’s in their very nature to be deceiving… Cruel. They are born in darkness. They’ve never known otherwise, and even if one showed redeeming qualities, at the end of the day they cannot avoid their very being. That would be like asking a vampire not to drink blood…. A werewolf to try to fight their shift every full moon… Impossible.

“Earthborn demons I would argue there is no redemption for either… While they have known a life prior to their existence, their corruption typically occurs because of how soured their very existence has become. They are often born from malevolent spirits, who are simply too far gone to redeem. You could argue to prevention of these demons of course… Helping spirits settle their affairs and find peace in the afterlife… It’s a cause some deities find purpose investing time in… But that’s also why I suppose I find their redemption unlikely. The term itself also… It’s important to understand that a demon redeeming themselves won’t change their fate, nor their very nature.

“If any might be redeemed… Surely it is the fallen deity, Elena. A being that once put out good into the world, in one form or another.

“Perhaps not always, but some falls I believe can be prevented and are preventable. That some deities are… misunderstood. Unheard. And our kind need to be more open to helping one another. Listening and reaching out. Showing support for those of us who are left, and not isolating ourselves or others. Perhaps not judging other deities for their actions so easily and so often.

“It is why I also believe those whose falls could have been prevented… Surely they never longed for their current life, nor did they deserve it in every case? And I hope…. I hope they can be redeemed. I know not literally.. Their fate is in stone… But at very least, it should be our job to help remind them that their fall doesn’t mean they are inherently a bad person moving forward. And… we should show support for helping them hold onto everything positive they can still do to help others. Show compassion.“

“I suppose that depends on your definition of redemption. Once we fall there is no way to regain what we have lost… You cannot undo a fall.

“The circumstances behind why individuals fall ranges greatly though… Sometimes it’s unavoidable and even accepted by the deity. Other times unfortunately I think it’s quite avoidable. Or, should have been,” Elio explained softly, regret seeping into his voice as his thoughts drifted to Matthew. “There are former deities who are still inherently good… Do not let someone suggest otherwise. It isn’t the case for all fallen, but… some. And depending on your view of redemption, yes. I do think they can be redeemed.”

#Elena #//mobile

[elio-del-vecchio]

“Who do to think I am, Matthew?” Elio’s voice was light, almost curious as he willed himself to stop feeling the former deity’s emotions and instead projected his own.

Despair. Defeat. Envy… The smallest sliver of hope. But mostly… Nothing. Just cold.

Most days Elio felt numb when left to his own devices. Filling his time with his council duties and individuals such as Matthew and Elena gave his existence purpose, but most days when he was left with nothing but his cab, he drove as aimlessly as he felt.

“I’m hardly afraid to piss you off,” he added with a wry grin and a faint level of grim amusement. “Personally I would rather focus on your disdain for me rather than my disdain for myself…. But I suppose beggars can’t be choosers.”

“And what if I simply projected my emotions onto you?”

Elio gave a weak glare, silently feeling out Matthew’s emotions. He wasn’t going to make an act of it, although he did feel some of the tension ease from his shoulders being about to feel the other’s emotions. It was like losing one of his senses when he restricted himself, and it was a quiet comfort as much as it was a crutch. He found himself pleasantly surprised too— the other’s mood around him not quite as negative as he remembered. Had so much time passed he had simply forgotten? Or perhaps Matthew didn’t hate him quite as much these days?

#Matthew #mobile

[elio-del-vecchio]

“And what if I simply projected my emotions onto you?”

Elio gave a weak glare, silently feeling out Matthew’s emotions. He wasn’t going to make an act of it, although he did feel some of the tension ease from his shoulders being about to feel the other’s emotions. It was like losing one of his senses when he restricted himself, and it was a quiet comfort as much as it was a crutch. He found himself pleasantly surprised too— the other’s mood around him not quite as negative as he remembered. Had so much time passed he had simply forgotten? Or perhaps Matthew didn’t hate him quite as much these days?

Elio leaned forward from the waist up, as if he was hanging on Matthew’s every word. “And what if I lack anything to rely on, Matthew? Will I have you to thank for that as well?”

#Matthew #Matt