text; un:goddess of death

[queenofkur]

[ A letter is posted on the network. Evidently, Ereshkigal is convinced she's sent it to the proper recipient, and not to everyone ever. Turns out she's not very good with technology. ]

To the guards who were in charge of helping Shizuka and I:

I write this letter to give you my sincerest apologies. I realize my reaction was excessive and no words exist that can properly convey the depths of my regrets. Of course, under normal circumstances, I would harshly reprimand you for your behavior. Attempting to use your authority to coerce results is shameful indeed. Making use of threats and violence is unbefitting of those with guarding duties. Furthermore, the position you hold require a certain maturity you are very clearly lacking. I firmly believe the three of you to not only be unfit for your duties, but also unfit for any positions that give you an ounce of authority over other living entities.

However, I shall not reprimand you this time as the fault is entirely mine. No matter how vile and repugnant your behavior was, it does not excuse my actions. As the Goddess of Death and Queen of Kûr, you are in right to expect more from me. I may have only intended to scare you when I took the form that is mine as Queen of the Gallû Spirits, but good intents does not excuse evil results. I had expected you to run away at a much greater pace than you did... Thus did my attack hit you. I am ashamed of my behavior and promises to do better from now on.

I talked to the doctor and he assured me you will be able to leave your bed within three months at the very most. It is my understanding human doctors tend to be very conservative in their estimates. I believe there is cause to be hopeful, in two months you may very well be back on your feet! I plan to visit you and bring a gift as soon as possible. Even if you are abhorrent human beings, as a Goddess of the human order, mine is the task to look after you.

I wish you the best of recovery possible;
ERESHKIGAL, GODDESS OF DEATH AND QUEEN OF KÛR

Comments

[queenofkur]

Do I?

[ Wait no, she can't show her self-doubts! ]

I mean, of course I am! In this case, it would be my pleasure to officially befriend you.

[bowtography]

[ Ah this is so much nicer than having to consistently pop up in someone's space until they give in-- ]

Great! Then my name's March 7th! Nice to meet you!

[queenofkur]

And I am Ereshkigal, Goddess of Death and Queen of Kûr.

[ The text sparkles! For reasons unknown. March Seventh is an odd name, but she's not going to judge! After all, her name means "Queen of the Great Earth" in her native tongue. Which is less of a name and more of a title really. ]

The pleasure is all mine!

[bowtography]

So they're even pulling in gods to help, huh...
That's some kind of power they've got.

[queenofkur]

It is not that unusual in circumstances where humanity is endangered. When the fabric of reality weakens, divine spirits are easier to summon in the physical world.

I suppose they figured with a goddess like me on their side, victory would be assured.

[ No doubt that's what happened, surely LILITH isn't a gacha addict who randomly summons people...! ]

[bowtography]

[ If that was true, they would have summoned Robin Hood or Euryale first-- ]

You said you were the goddess of death, right?
So does that mean you can keep people from dying or does that mean you bring death to your enemies orrrrr...

[ March beginning to wonder why she is continuously befriending death-coded people... is this a sign. ]

[queenofkur]

I watch over the souls of the dead when they reach the Underworld.

They need a place where they can rest and find peace before they are ready to move on and be reborn. The Underworld may not be the most colorful and happy of place, but there is no beating it when it comes to quietness and peacefulness!

[ She can kill them too, but. No. She's not going to go and kill humans one by one, that's the kind of workload she just can't handle. Besides she doesn't like killing. ]

[bowtography]

[ The goddess of death is a glorified babysitter??

Dang, that's unfortunate. ]

So it sounds like you're pretty busy all the time, huh? Though maybe it's quieter than I thought.

[queenofkur]

It is a lot of work, yes. Nowadays most human souls move on directly to reincarnation...

[ She suspects the rise in the way people are going completely nuts in the modern era is related. You don't take your beauty sleep between death and reincarnation, and bam. Next thing you know, you're reborn as a flat-earther. ]

But there are still countless who need warmth and peace. Worse, some may fade into nothingness if I don't find and care for them in time.

[bowtography]

So this is kind of like a vacation, maybe?
... Sort of.
I guess you still have to work, which sucks...

[queenofkur]

A vacation?

[ The suggestion genuinely confuses her. A vacation for her? For the souls? ]

I have never heard anyone describe the Underworld in such terms before.

[bowtography]

I mean here!

[queenofkur]

Oh!

I have found employment at the cemetery to try and continue my duties in what capacity is available to me here, but I suppose it is less demanding on me.

[bowtography]

Wait, can you
Talk to the dead here?

[queenofkur]

No. But it is not a prerequisite to care for the dead.

Ensuring their tombs are cared for can do a lot of good for their souls. Even if I cannot interact with this world's afterlife, it is my duty to do at least this much.

[bowtography]

You're really diligent, aren't you?
I guess as long as you still take some time to sunbathe or enjoy a nice milkshake or something...

[queenofkur]

Of course. Work needs be balanced by scheduled breaks that last just the right time. It is how you optimize your efficiency while working.

Regardless, I thank you for your concern.