‘Indulge an old woman. I am Professor Dirksdochter, or Jessica if you prefer to be informal.
My adopted son calls me Mum or Mother. No, you didn’t call me here to speak of him.
You want to know what I found in the ancient desert region of Belphus.
Statues with eyes and senses which you were certain were alive. All nonsense obviously, they never moved you see. Not an inch.
I remember the Guardian Statues at the entrance. One a lion, one a half-broken mythical creature. How they howled…
Bring me a cup of decent tea and I’ll tell you why our world has no gods.’
[TBIA Entertainment exclusive with pioneer and original creator of the Facility of Myth Reduction Professor Jessica Dirksdochter]
I confess, I’m partially retired these days. I teach at a university, lecturing the brightest and talented on Belphus, mostly the elites with a few thrown in.
As for my work at the Facility of Myth Reduction as the public calls it I developed more than enough procedures, tools and containment technologies to deal with emergencies. The dangerous side is dealt with by more suitable individuals. Dangerous types. Armed types.
No, I was never in the military. I used to dream of being a famous archeologist as a teenager. Part of why I was out in ancient ruins searching for the one famous discovery to make my name. My parents were wealthy but wanted me to become a dry academic, a boring life, I suppose I half-fulfilled their expectations.
The young have such large dreams. My adopted son on the other hand is content working in the Belphus National Museum and eating his YamYam meals. Such a silly boy, he follows the rules I set him at least. Rules of engagement with human society, or he would have to remain here with us and that wouldn’t be healthy for him in the least.
He deserves it after what he went through. Bless me, he suffered more than he cares to remember. I see your eyes want to ask for more details but your tongue is held in patience.
To make it simple given your obvious lack of security clearance and my consideration as an old woman I’ll be kind to you. He was imprisoned by himself for longer than even he could remember. Alone for an eternity but he kept his innate kindness.
No. I will not accept further questions, he has his own life and contacts me when he can. He deserves a better more than his original one ever was. His father was even worse according to our records. An act of kindness can be worse than an act born out of the desire for atrocity. Such cruel acts in the name of love. No. I’m rambling, ask your next question.
Oh, I see you have a picture of me when I was a young woman. I was pretty back then, no, I never married, hence the reason for adoption.
Interesting how your mind wanders when you age. Trust me dear, you would not believe how old I actually am. Price to pay for giving up something important.
Silly me, you asked about gods. We have no gods on Belphus because the last time someone tried to make them they ended up destroying a significent part of an ancient civilisation and killed untold numbers.
They called themselves Stone Gods. Ah, the sigils are lighting up nicely. You can take your time with the interview, I need to examine your soul for traces of outside control.
Pray don’t worry dear. One of them is active and out of our control and needs to be taught a good lesson. Your soul should be fine.
Begin the Purification Chant Protocol.
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