[image description: A smiling young bald man stands in front of (and is side-lit by) a huge green tr

[image description: A smiling young bald man stands in front of (and is side-lit by) a huge green traffic light. His suit is dark, his bowtie is untied, his collar is open, and he’s giving a hearty thumbs-up. Text reads, “192, ROGER THAT • the small god of SECURING ENTHUSIASTIC CONSENT”]• • • • •“Hello.  It’s a pleasure to meet you, and really, you’re looking lovely today.  Do you mind if I sit here?  Oh, I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to intrude.  I’ll move along.  Have a wonderful afternoon.”Roger can come off as a bit of a used car salesman, but he’s a nice guy, really, and he means everything he says.  For him, a lukewarm yes is the same thing as a no; if he doesn’t know, with absolute conviction, that he’s wanted, he’ll move along.  He’s not trying to be petulant or to threaten with his absence: he just wants to be sure that no one’s being forced to do anything they don’t want to do.Pick-up artists and psychological manipulators are his sworn enemies, and some among the pantheon believe that his unwavering refusal to consent to their manifestation are why small gods of those communities have never manifested.  Roger wants everyone to be comfortable and free to make their own choices.  Cruel gods exist, yes.  Manipulative gods, yes.  But gods whose sole purpose is getting people to agree to things they don’t actually want, no.  And that’s on Roger, and we can all be grateful, in the end.Even if you or I consented to their arrival, Roger wouldn’t, and that’s enough to keep them out.Roger knows we must all sometimes consent to things we don’t actually want to do—to medical procedures that will harm or inconvenience, but do more good in the long run, to kale salads for our health or even to acts of personal service that will do us no lasting harm, but will do someone we care for lasting good.  He doesn’t need your consent to be joyful, or bolstered by a sincere desire for the thing in question.  He just needs it to be enthusiastic, honest, and made without coercion.His position is not the easiest one to hold.  But he loves it, and every time he’s been asked if he would set it willingly aside, he does not consent.  He wants us all to be as safe as we can, and this is what he can do.This is what he WILL do, for as long as he is able.“Hello.  Do you mind if I sit—oh, thank you.  Yes, it is a beautiful day.  Thank you for letting me join you.”• • • • •Join Lee Moyer (Icon) and Seanan McGuire (Story) Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for a guide to the many small deities who manage our modern world:Tumblr: https://smallgodseries.tumblr.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/smallgodseriesInstagram: https://instagram.com/smallgodseries/Homepage: http://smallgodseries.com -- source link

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