Woe unto the Gods

Posted on Sat Jan 20th, 2024 @ 11:55am by Lieutenant Inara Senn & Captain Shran dh'Klar

Mission: Hard Earned Peace
Location: Observation Lounge

Inara was painting a number of moons over the world the Washington was orbiting to get her mind off things, as she had seen gods, and she did not like them. They were contrary to every rational and ethical principle she held dear, as they allowed Hela to plant a child into Shon, and then they allowed her to come back and kidnap Shon's children out of her very womb, and their answer to such incivility was excuses and lies. If this was a taste of the morals of the divine, beings far superior to themselves, and it was a shock when Inara learned that the gods were mad hypocrites, and mortals were far superior in matters of ethics and virtue. Though she did have scattered thoughts. Something else happened involving a Morrigan and Brigid, and in fact, she didn't want to know. She was painting to remind herself that there was something she could do that they could not; make something beautiful.

"Always painting" Hela said as she materialized, a wry grin on her face. "You either love the arts, or you use it to distract yourself from your shortcomings. Perhaps both. I'd ask what is on your mind, but Urd just took your memories, so you know nothing of what we might speak on. I am sorry for that. I've never understood their need to interfere on a good revenge plot, even if yours was woefully inadequate." She took a closer look at the painting, "I believe Brigid could inspire your art. You do appear to need a bit of inspiration."

"Hela, I am not the person to enlighten you on mortality. Suffice to say, there is a beauty in the unknown, as your existence is unimaginable to me, and you stand on the summit of everything. You have accomplished all by design. Anything you want to do can be done with a snap of your fingers. I do not aspire for that which has been prepared for me, but I have the consolation that soon you're going to be kept up at night, every four hours, to feed a young child, and when they become teenagers and drive you into divine insanity. I will smile at that, and I believe your torment has just begun. There are consequences to every action, even for you."

"From your lips to the universe's ear" Hela snickered. "If only what you said was true. I would much love having anything and everything of my whim at my fingertips. Sadly, that is not the case. Though I won't bore you with the details. As for your wish for glee at my upcoming parental torment, I fear there too you will find yourself wanting. I'll spare you the details on that as well. Suffice to say, you aren't going to get anything you want this day. I just thought I'd popped by before I go and get that bundle of joy you hoped would torment me. He is being born as we speak. I'll try to have Brigid come by, inspire your work so that it looks more than childish water coloring" she said as she cackled softly and vanished.

"Everyone's an art critic, and if I ever painted a portrait in heaven, it would be like the art scene in Paris." Inara mentioned as she returned to her painting.

"Don't concern yourself with Hela. She just likes to needle you" Brigid said as she appeared. "Your painting is quite nice actually."

"Now I've transitioned to the art scene in Manhattan. Where everything is never good, nor great, just nice. But I do appreciate the compliment. Aside from that, I must be frank. Hela came onto a Federation Starship, impregnated one of us with her offspring, and then stole the children from her mother's room. That alone is considered reprehensible to us, and there will be consequences, and I'm not referring to immediate consequences. I'm referring to a terrible day of reckoning when younger races such as ours come of age." Inara pointed out. "Perhaps it is advisable that mortal kind and your kind refrain from antagonizing each other." The true Inara was more rational, when she wasn't obsessed over her, but with her, deeply, she was lonely.

"You see only one side of the situation. The truth of a matter, as with all things, is a three-edged sword. Never assume what you believe to be true is wholly factual, especially when about the actions of others. Details matter" Brigid replied. "As the humans are known to say, the devil is in the details. Hela did assist in the impregnation of Shoniara, but only after doing something for her first. The situation is what you would call a quid pro quo. While I agree that the end result is vile its way, it was made possible only because Shoniara sought out Hela and asked for something to begin with. And before you try to argue the point, keep in mind, for all your technology, all the knowledge you have gleamed, you do not have the ability to resurrect the dead. And I tell you this, it is a power you do not wish to have, for such power comes at grave costs. Beyond that, our kind does not often mettle in mortal affairs besides chance encounters. Very soon we will leave, and you may never see any of us again in your life, or perhaps our paths will cross again. Life is funny that way."

"Do not justify it, what Hela did is horrific. And somehow, I have the strangest feeling I've done something terrible. Regardless, horrific deeds are often answered with horrific deeds." Inara explained. "Farewell Brigid. I regret our meeting was not under more favorable circumstances." Inara turned to pain once again as Brigid left.

Brigid stared at Inara. "Perhaps your heart is truly made of stone, and you as cold and unfeeling as the frost giants Odin slayed millennia ago. How tragic, when so many in this place would happily welcome you into their lives if you would just take the chance." Brigid vanished, and in her place was Morrigan.

"You know, it takes a great deal to drive away Brigid. You must harbor quite a bit of hate. Did you direct such bile at her as you once did me?" Morrigan questioned.

"No. I do not like the gods at all." Inara mentioned. "And it's not out of envy, as I do not want to be a god. I would end up knowing everything, and that is not what I am out here to accomplish. Still, you confuse me, Morrigan."

Morrigan offered a scowl. "No more than you seem to vex me and the others. You are a prideful and spiteful mortal Inara. You pride yourself on your intellect, yet you show no intelligence when it comes to others opening up and being honest with you. I do not understand why Danu had me save and protect you. You are a shrew, incapable of love or enjoying life. Like a badger you lash out at any who would show you the tiniest bit of affection. If being alone is truly what you wish, I am sure your captain could send you someplace quite desolate."

"As long as you don't get too close to anyone, you can bear anything when they walk away, feel less pain." She noted. 'Good, they're gone... at least I can focus on science without people getting too close again, as I'll only lose them anyway. People do not understand that pain is everywhere, and joy is fleeting.' Inara thought to herself. 'And this existence, this world was made by someone who wanted a twisted divine comedy where torment reigns supreme. I hate it. I could undo it all if I could.'

Morrigan shook her head. "You seek to live life without joy for you fear it will abandon you. No matter what happens to you, you refuse to see your own fault in the matters. I warn you Inara, if you continue down this path, solitude will become your punishment, a solitude that quake the most cold and logical Vulcan." With that Morrigan walked away and slowly dissolved, leaving Inara to contemplate her words.