As Dave watched the crowd gathering before the Goddess Eris, he started having second thoughts. Not with the Goddess eating and transforming everyone, of course, that was fun to watch. But do these people have to be so afraid?
He figured it was a little fun if a few were frightened, but maybe at least some of them should revere the goddess for who she is. After all, the Goddess was offering gifts. At least some of them should be happy, right?
He wrote down more changes. ‘Have the crowd treat the goddess with genuine respect, and maybe reverence’.
As soon as he lifted his pencil from the pad, a chorus of cheers started ringing from the lined up beachgoers. The crowd was now full of enthusiasm at the sight of the Goddess Eris and her new temple, and maybe excited to be changed by her powers.
Chuckling haughtily, Eris waved a giant hand at her worshippers. “Thank you, faithful subjects! I wish to bless all of you with new, wonderful forms. Now come forth! Bring your line around my altar, so you may bare witness to my work!”
Doing as told, the beachgoers came closer to the altar; surrounding the marble platform’s front steps while still lining up. Just as Dave wrote, most of them were happy to be in the Goddess’s presence, though some looked unsure or nervous. Dave found it a good balance.
“Now,” Eris called with a booming voice. “Who is first in line to receive my gifts?”