<strong>Location:</strong>On one of the Boats of Heaven<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Namira<br/><br/>Maman saw Namira's response and showed sympathy.  "Part of the way the world changes," she said, "is how the roles of heroes have changed.  You've read the Epic of Gilgamesh; he was a brutal tyrant who foolishly tried to defeat death.  Humans reject stories more and more as they don't like them; they have their own ideas of what feels properly heroic."  The topic annoyed her, but she recognized the truth of it.  "Plenty of modern-day tales have women who are supposed to be strong and powerful but just come across as idiotic and petty, especially alongside their male superhero counterparts."  She wasn't sure she could explain, and for a few moments, she was silent.<br/><br/>"Basically, recognize that a woman has a harder time just bulldozing a douchebag's house and be seen as the true hero of the story, unless he's a monster enough to deserve it.  Humans make the stories, Fate has its own part to play, and we all have guesses about how it works.  The more you do, the more you act, the more your story and legend grows, and the more Fate expects you to stick to that role."<br/><br/>She wasn't sure she was helping make things make sense, and she offered, "If you have specific questions, stand upon the shoreline and command one of the Apkallu to come.  They're listed as the Seven Sages, so you'll remember their names, and they're still known today.  Work well enough with one and you might build a relationship over time."  She was no more a scholar than her daughter was.<br/><br/>"Here are the two things that are important, if you want a lesson for proper behavior."  She looked to Namira with affection.  "Let's call them Authority and Benefice, because the words are the same enough in French."  Ishtar smiled.  "With authority, it's important to remember that we are<em>gods</em>.  Our stories are so old that the humans have trouble remembering them, and plenty of younger upstarts have claimed spots in the millennia after.  It is the very nature of humans that the gods rule over them.  When the gods adopt a 'wait and see' approach, you end up with a complete mess, as you can see how things are with China."  She gestured a dismissal.  "I wouldn't suggest making an argument about it with any of the Shen, but the Daoist way tends to be not to make waves or get involved.  The Great Cultural Revolution happened to them because they let humans go do whatever they wanted.  If you were the type of pathetic crybaby who people like Gilbert abuse, as I mentioned that some of your half-sisters are, I'd never have considered you to become a proper Scion."<br/><br/>Ishtar continued, "The other, Benefice, is the duty of the ruler to the ruled.  You can't elevate humans to the level of gods; it's foolishness even to imagine it.  However, it's up to us to help them when they need it.  Many others of your half-sisters are self-centered narcissists, and I have little doubt that quite a few would demand human sacrifices.  You barely know this girl, and yet you know it's your place to go and save her, because you can.  When you face the forces of Tiamat - when you Google her, make sure you get the proper version and not the D&D bullshit - you'll be the same way.  Those two virtues are the essence of greatness, and not everything you do will uphold them, but so long as you never abandon them, do what your heart tells you is right."<br/><br/>She grinned at her daughter's laughter, and responded to the mention of the target by pointing westward by northwestward.  "The Mauna Kea Observatory is that way, with a gigantic telescope.  You'll need that first if you're aiming for that tiny of a target."<br/><br/>As they got closer to the island, though the rain still heavily obstructed view, Namira could just barely see a succubus driving a Gugalanna bulldozer, bringing it to the shoreline.  "Speaking of authority, I have someone for you to meet.  She's already been enrolled in classes at the university; it's possible you've even seen her around in your human form."<br/><br/>Maman paused for a moment to add, "Don't touch the house yet when we get there, until your friends arrive.  Time is a little strange right now, and I admit I don't understand the specifics with how this island works with Visitations, but you won't be able to save Hitomi until all of you are together.  Another thing to ask the Apkallu to clarify."