[ WP ] `` God '' is actually two people : one who is omnipotent but not omniscient , and the other who is omniscient but not omnipotent . They both hate each other .

The castle had changed since the last time she'd been there. Crawling white pillars loomed like an enormous, stone fence. The broad, curving stairs were laced with flecks of jade and chasing lines of platinum. The wide, double doors were solid slabs of pressed gold. 
 
 `` He's having a mid-life crisis,'' she sighed, as she let herself in through the doors. `` Idiot.'' 
 
 He was concerned about his legacy. She knew that as well as she knew everything else. He was a builder who was no longer confident in the things he'd built. In many ways he'd never been confident. 
 
 And with good reason - everything was going to shit. 
 
 `` Hey!'' she shouted from the foyer. `` Stop hiding in the pantry and get out here. We need to talk.'' 
 
 From somewhere deep in the castle she could hear an exaggerated sigh, then a *POP* as he appeared before her instantaneously. 
 
 `` That is *very* irritating,'' he said as he materialized a plush, velvet-lined armchair from the ether and plopped down like a scolded teenager. `` If I'm hiding it's obviously because *I do n't want to talk to you*. Duh.'' 
 
 `` And obviously *I do n't care*,'' she replied, placing a foot on one of the armrests. `` We need to talk.'' 
 
 `` About what?'' he sighed, rolling his eyes. `` You'll have to forgive me my ignorance. Not all of us know everything.'' 
 
 She took a deep calming breath. He was scared. He was frustrated. That's why he was lashing out. It did n't make him any less annoying to know that, but it helped. `` We need to make some decisions soon.'' 
 
 `` Oooooh!'' he shouted, spinning up off the armchair. `` *We* is it? *We*? Or is it *you*? You want to take control. You do n't like what I've done with the universe. You know...'' He started pacing a wide circle across the mostly empty foyer. `` I *tried* back in the day, alright? I *tried*. I get that you know more than I do, but do you know what it's like having every little choice you make analyzed and criticized? Do you remember those damnable reports you used to prepare for me - the *HERE'S A BREAKDOWN OF EVERY HORRIBLE THING THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF YOUR DECISION Report*?'' 
 
 `` Those made you upset,'' she said, nodding. `` I'm aware.'' 
 
 He laughed. `` I *know* you're aware.'' 
 
 `` And what would you suggest *I* do?'' she hissed. `` Pretend I do n't see it? Pretend I do n't know? I am *not* trying to punish you by showing you these things. I'm only doing what little I can. I ca n't save anyone or fix anything. All I can do is tell you what I know. I understand that's painful for you. It's painful for me, too. But that's the system we picked.'' 
 
 `` That's the system *He* picked,'' he replied, bitterly. `` It was supposed to be easier doing this together.'' He shook his head. `` I'm sorry. What did you want?'' 
 
 `` We need to talk about Mars,'' she said. `` Can I have a seat?'' 
 
 `` Oh, sorry,'' he said, sheepish. An overstuffed couch popped up across from the armchair. She sat down. 
 
 `` This is important,'' she said, steepling her fingers. `` This is one of the most important decision points we've ever faced. If they get to Mars - if they tame Mars - they will go further. And they wo n't stop until they've conquered the stars.'' 
 
 `` Conquered?'' he said, standing behind the armchair. `` You mean...?'' 
 
 `` Eventually all those species... all those other civilizations... those will fall.'' She looked up. `` But if they do n't leave... if they can not make it off their planet... they're doomed. And much more quickly than you may have guessed.'' 
 
 He tugged at his ear and nearly wept from frustration. `` Right. I see.'' 
 
 `` I know you think I've been critical of you,'' she said. `` But you have never chosen wrong. And I do n't believe you have ever acted incorrectly. It is simply the nature of our lives. There will always be suffering.'' 
 
 `` If they die,'' he said, slowly, pondering the words carefully. `` Does that mean that we...'' 
 
 She smiled and shook her head. `` I do not know. Honestly and truly. That is the one dark corner where light does not shine for me.'' 
 
 He nodded, then crossed to the couch and sat down beside her. `` Had we the chance, would you have exchanged roles, do you think? Sight for me. Power for you. Do you think maybe... maybe we could have survived things better that way?'' 
 
 She shook her head. `` It would n't have mattered, husband. These gifts are not compatible.'' 
 
 `` Would you like...'' He paused, reaching out for her hand. `` Would you like me to take it away from you? Both burdens would be mine and you... you could rest.'' 
 
 `` I would die and go into the Wastes,'' she said, shaking her head. `` And you would go mad. He was right to split those burdens between us. Neither of us could handle both. And I could not stand to lose you.'' 
 
 `` Are we not already lost?'' he asked. 
 
 `` We will fight again,'' she nodded. `` No matter what choices we make, we will always find a way to conflict. But - just as surely - we will always find a way back to each other.'' 
 
 He smiled, pulling her close into his arms. `` You talk as if you can see the future.'' 
 
 `` Perhaps,'' she laughed, her head nestled against his chest. `` Or perhaps it's just a woman's intuition.''
