As Equals (Greed)

While he considered Greed the most like-minded Sin, Envy was often forced to admit he couldn't predict his brother. For someone of Greed's aspirations he pictured affluence aplenty and obscene demonstrations of bountiful excess. But here Greed sat in the middle of squalor. He was forced to reflect that showing off wealth was more of a Pride thing to do. No wonder he got on better with Greed.

The throne room of the 'Yellow Zone' was in Crash Alley. A simple warehouse no doubt chosen for space. As Greed had supplicants arriving hourly with gifts to grant them audience. Even Envy dare not visit his brother without something to offer.

He had in his possession a set of sleek leather containers. The items inside had fallen into his possession by chance and he had no great attachment to them. He supposed Greed would appreciate them. But as he got closer to handing the trinkets over he began to covet them more and more. They were regaining their lustre. It was unfair that no one brought him gifts of such worth.

The unbidden thought was cleared away at once. He must control himself. The possessions were just a formality at the end of the day. Envy straightened his posture and entered the chamber to meet with his brother.

"How are you, Greed? I trust your new station meets with your approval?" The Sin trio along with a few mortals had taken the city. That achievement would no doubt satisfy the others, "I thought I saw the Running Gag leave just now. What did he want with you?" The Running Gag - another passing acquaintance involved with HIVE. The less said about him the better.

Envy stepped forward and laid the case upon the floor, dropping to one knee as he fiddled with its fastenings. Opening it up, he then spun it round for his brother to see inside. It was a set of laser katanas. Certainly by no means common technology. He then stood up and stepped back, leaving the offering on the ground. Folding his arms he regarded Greed.

"Maybe you already have one. At any rate, there are things we must discuss. Things I'm bringing to you rather than our sister." While they were all lording over their own individual fiefdoms, they each had different styles of ruling. Greed's seemed to be more hands-off than Envy's. But being allies there were certain policies he thought they could agree on. He awaited his brother's word to see if he could continue. Far be it for him to presume he could speak to his own sibling just like that.

"I find those at the top don't often look down. I prefer talking to those with a level head." Being their leader, Lust was de-facto the subject of his enmity these days. He kept telling himself it should have been him who corralled his siblings into a large project like this. He'd had a terrible few nights trapped in depression and had even spent a whole day in isolation - despite the needs of his province.

But he was nowhere near considering open rebellion. He and her were still allies and even Envy found it wasteful to just throw that away by following his darker thoughts. Instead he returned to the conversation, drawing out a crucifix from his jerkin. He held it before Greed by its string. That he could touch it so told both of them right away that it had lost all sanctity it had once possessed.

It had been defiled.

"I'm sure you're already ahead of me on this one. The holy places must be desecrated, if not for our own peace of mind, then for the joy of it." It was no easy task desanctifying holy ground. But humans got it done far easier than hellspawn, on account that they could enter. Envy had a number of corrupt individuals who were willing to do vile acts in these sacred places. It helped that they were atheists.

The crucifix was dropped onto the ground, "Perhaps it does not seem that important. But take it from someone who knows - should the common man discover our demonic nature they will hold their secret meetings in these places. They are a symbol of opposition. Not just the churches, but the synagogues, mosques, and Flying Spaghetti Monster bordello. Of course we can not openly request the debasement of these institutes. The public will be outraged. This we must do in secret. But we must be thorough." His foot stamped down on the cross, snapping its brittle plastic, "Do you agree?"