CA   Quinby.

CA   Do you believe in predestination?

Your writing stops.

This isn't the most unorthodox subject. In fact, he turned the conversation that way the first time the two of you ever spoke to one another. It was a strange approach for a job interview, but you nevertheless answered succinctly and (mostly) honestly. What he was looking for then was somewhat unclear.

You take 1.6 seconds to conclude this thought, then another 1.7 to look up and make eye contact.

MS   Predestination. {divine will, omniscient determinism}

MS   That would rely on my faith in the Chromadeities, yes?

CA   It could.

CA   But it isn't limited to them. No, higher powers can be of all sorts.

CA   Even something that gets tossed around - luck, fate - can apply.

CA   It all depends on what you decide to include in your reasoning.

His posture remains in a relaxed state, though he's got his fingers intertwined and rested on the desk. That usually means he's contemplative, and it's your responsibility to talk him through whatever's got his mind all twisted up. So, you proceed with caution. (As always)

MS   I believe that there are inevitabilities.

MS   There are powers outside of human control, of humanity.

MS   But much of humanity's achievements could be considered highly improbable.

MS   (e.g., scientific progress, technological innovation)

MS   That is the power of willpower. Of belief.

MS   In a roundabout way, I believe it is fate for humans to defy expectations.

MS   Just as it is for them to act exactly as predicted.

CA   Hmm.

CA   Roundabout indeed.

MS   I apologize for not committing to an answer, sir.

MS   I admit, I think little of the divine. (i.e., higher powers)

MS   As a result, I bear few compelling thoughts on the matter.

Such belief has yet to reap rewards. It's only belief in the material (in the self, in evidence, in results) that has served you well.

CA   No need for apologies. Doubt is only natural.

His smile is warm. But it isn't requesting an end to the discussion. So, you make a quick list of what he may want to hear, starting with something of a complimentary nature.

MS   Your belief is much stronger than mine, sir.

MS   It shows through the mastery of your element.

MS   There is little ambiguity of your mission.

GALUCTUS: The honor and virtue to enlighten all for the greater good.

CA   Ha ha.

CA   You make me sound like a clergyman, Quinby.

It's evident in how he preaches to the people. How he speaks of promises and plans greater than anyone could imagine. You've always viewed those aligned with GALUCTUS as paladins, sworn towards virtues much purer than humanity can be trusted with. It is an element you had once strived to grasp for yourself.

But you are not virtuous. It's only by walking the path adjacent to theirs that your output is anything noble.

MS   It would be high praise to compare you to such, sir.

CA   ...

CA   Would it?

You realize what you've said a moment too late, and you internally curse your recklessness. His tone indicated a change of subject, not a further elaboration of the comparison. His expression says as much, as he sighs and shakes his head.

CA   I am not devoted to the gods themselves. They are not the foundation of my principles.

CA   I do not fear them. The threat of their punishments do not stay my hand.

CA   Or do you have evidence for otherwise?

MS   N-no, I never meant to imply as much, sir.

CA   What did you mean, then?

MS   I meant - it was supposed to be - that is, I was -

CA   Catch your breath, Quinby. I know you can articulate better than that.

You're not out of breath. But when you're struck unprepared in a moment of stress, the perfect response eludes you. Nevertheless, you exhale and compose yourself.

MS   My apologies, sir. I was referring to your benevolence.

MS   Nothing more.

CA   ...

CA   Look at me, Quinby.

He can't see your eyes behind your spectacles. But you can see his, as well as your own, reflected.

CA   I know what you meant.

CA   So, let me clarify for you that the divine are not my devotion.

CA   Rather, I am devoted to understanding them.

CA   Scientists and scholars don't worship the subjects of their field, no?

MS   No, sir.

CA   Yet, they must remain engaged in the matter as exemplary models, shouldn't they?

MS   Yes, sir.

CA   Do you have any further questions?

MS   No, sir.

CA   Good.

CA   I'm glad we could come to this understanding.

CA   It is vital, after all, that you know of my goals as well as I do.

CA   And there is no room for doubt between us.

MS   Of course, sir.

You accept the lecture, because you should have known better. There is a reason he hasn't pursued an outright holy mission - you've seen his subtle, but evident distaste towards worship and blind adoration. It should have been obvious.

This was the first and only time he had reprimanded you. It had only been a month since your employ.

MS   Mr. Luciano, sir?

Many months pass. After more than you can count (a figure of speech; you could fetch the number if you really wanted to), you knock and enter the same office. He's flipping through some documents. When you walk in, he nods without looking at you.

CA   Yes? What is it, Quinby?

CA   Please tell me it's Guo, at last. I can't stand their indolence.

MS   No word from them yet, sir.

MS   I was just dropping off some mail.

He lets out a combination laugh-groan of disbelief. It's an inelegant gesture unbefitting the Luminary, and only few people have earned the privilege of witnessing it. Knowing you are one of them has become a powerful motivator for getting up in the morning.

CA   Fantastic. Shall I bother him at the next social event?

CA   Or, even better, should I play his game as well?

CA   Lounge in inaction until we both reap the rewards. What a damn nuisance.

MS   Would you like me to reach out again, sir?

CA   No. Let him come to us.

CA   We're the busy ones. It wouldn't do to look desperate.

You mentally pencil in a message to Philip at a later point. The two of you have become unwitting intermediaries for your bosses, and that includes whenever they come to these strange strategic stalemates. However, a part of you is somewhat grateful that their childish animosity hasn't lessened during their cooperation. It reminds him who his true allies are.

CA   I'm feeling restless. Let's go for a walk.

You place the stack of envelopes in the bin. Then, you join him en route to the outside. For privacy reasons, the two of you don't leave through the front door of the office. Rather, you utilize the wide expanse of the backyard, big enough to fit several acres.

When Mr. Luciano's mind is weighed down, he discusses. Theological, philosophical, societal matters. You recall the prospect of sudden debate intimidating you long ago. Now, the back-and-forth has grown comfortable, enough that you feel compelled to initiate this time around.

MS   Do you believe in predestination, sir?

His eyebrows raise, but his expression doesn't change much.

CA   Hmm.

CA   The will of the divine?

CA   I'd think that even the all-powerful can be defied.

CA   And the destiny we create can override whatever they have in mind.

CA   If they had grand authority over our lives, it wouldn't be benevolent.

It's an incredibly straight-forward, honest response. You wonder why he had brought it up all that time ago.

CA   Strange.

CA   Have we discussed this before?

MS   To an extent, sir.

MS   But I never heard your opinion on the matter.

It wouldn't surprise you if what happened that day slipped out of his memory.

CA   How about you, then?

CA   Do you believe in such things?

It's your job to remember, not his.

MS   No, sir.