Day three. Or was it two? An estimate requested for when they would arrive put them five days and 15 hours from arrival. Will had been on this ship for close to two days and his life was already changed. It was about to change further.
Breakfast was seized at a much more appropriate time, though the time of day was merely a suggestion. Eggs prepared in a sausage omelet with some melted cheese in there gave him a hearty start in the day, some fruit juice to keep the freshness coming... and a tense waiting for his comfort worker to leave with the promise to return only later in the day. Will had to hold himself from making her promise to fully do so and not return. The man felt like he was doing something he was not supposed to... then again he was doing something that was pretty out there.
Yesterday he met a god, one which was far more human than he expected. The choice he was requested to make weighed on him like a millstone. He had not fully made it yet, instead hoping there could be adjustments. Today he would signal his decision. After waiting a while to make sure Missy did not return with some other reason, he would speak out the name to have the man show up.
James faded into existence a good few feet before Will who was sitting on his couch, still trying his best to calm himself and failing horribly. And the man, dressed just as before in his long coat... could tell.
"I know I'm what I am, but you gotta relax a bit, dude." would be said just as he showed up. "Been watching you pacing for a half fucking hour."
"You've asked me to decide the fate of my planet... so... yeah, I'm nervous. Anyhow... I.... came to a decision."
"All business. No. How about you chill first? Coffee? A joint? A nice girl to take the edge off?"
"No offense, but... I don't know if I can be calm around you. It's just... you know."
The god would give a sigh before stepping over to an armchair to sit down, taking one more drag from his cigarette before dismissing it.
"Far easier than you think. Look, I know you probably think anyone so famous or big is something you can't measure up to and any damn mistake might cost you dearly, but... relax. Come on. I'm not gonna hear what you decided until you look like you've got a clear head. How about a talk so we come to some understanding? I'm not as great as you might believe. Okay, maybe a bit... just... in my experience, even people up high are still people like you and no more impressive I've worked customer fucking service to bloody CEO's. Do you have any idea how incredibly stupid they can be?."
William considered the proposition, also his many questions he still had. He let out a breath as he fixed the man with a look... before trying to take his measure as a person.
"How do you do it? I mean... people who would have this much power usually turn bad. You seem to have a lot more than any person I could imagine and yet..."
"...I'm not an asshole? Yeah, can see where you're coming from. I've seen plenty get too dug up in their cause or their desires... you can say that I'm certainly indulging in something with the whole sex empire part, but... I guess it's just how I am. The only time I would use power is when needed. Always been like this. Never got into office politics, never used my position for unduly gain, just... liked to do my job. And now I can actually enjoy what I make through my job. And can't be fired as easily."
"I'd say you can't be fired at all." Will said with a chuckle. Okay, he was relaxing a bit.
"Eh... not true. My power does depend on people believing in me. It got bigger as the believers increased in number."
"Wouldn't that make you want to increase their number at any cost and just... Not take any disbelief?" That was an easy conclusion to go to.
"Yes... some would see that as an option. Not me. I just... don't. Okay, at the start there was an active conversion going, mostly when it was in the minority, but now... I found that just leaving people be can give the best results. But... if there are people somewhere who don't want me... I tend to not intervene in any way. Just... let them see how the world is without me."
"Wouldn't the whole... going to Earth to fuck them up break that?"
"It's a preference, not some ironclad rule of mine. The only big one is that one of numbers deciding power. But all the other rules are my own. Even then, I have few rules I impose on myself. Still won't stop me from breaking them if the need is big enough."
Far less oversight than most people have, and yet this man seemed to make rules for himself when no one else would. A previous offer was considered.
"I could use some coffee. Uh... you want me to make some?"
"Hey, I offered. I should be the one making it. So, want me to make it with powers or go use the kitchen?"
That certainly struck Will in an unexpected place. This was not how he expected to have to behave with someone like this. The prospect of having this man make him coffee the traditional way was... something he had to see.
"Well... why not go and make some the usual way?"
A sideways nod from the man before he stood up and started walking towards the kitchen.
"Good option. I was told I make good coffee. Give me ten minutes."
Will could not let him go and not see this. He followed James in to see him just... casually taking out a couple of mugs, the needed kettle of increased size to hold both, measuring out water with the mugs he took... and then portioning out coffee grounds and sugar.
"I like mine a lot sweeter, but I guess today we'll even it out. Unless I should use two of these, but.... Nah." He also enjoyed it stronger, but he went easier on the coffee today. Just... normally setting it out to make coffee the much more traditional way, no expresso machine. The act was far more humanizing than Will expected.
"You know... it's... pretty hard to imagine how you were... before this."
"I like to think I changed a lot. But not too much. Still remember how it was like. Mostly because I keep coming down like this. The human body can remember. The thing up there does not. But, don't think too highly. I went to work, had a nice place with a not too great view, enjoyed fine ramen and the occasional fast food. God damn, even now I remember how much one place lost my respect after they gave me ramen with bloody pasta noodles. Those things broke apart when I grabbed them with the chopsticks. Or the few times this one place fucked up my food and forgot to bloody cook chicken. Made me sick three times and put an actual complaint with the delivery company."
