The Song of My People

Question: As regards Theme Music: presumably, the player picks the song they think fits their character. But does the PC make that same choice consciously? Or does Fate just play DJ at the right/wrong moment, and "in character" the PC is stuck with it?

If you mean does the character say, “I think Mariah Carey really represents the inner me,” and thereafter “Hero” plays whenever he does anything important, then no, probably not. You’re consciously choosing a song out of character, but in character, the Scion is calling upon his awesome charismatic presence to make the hills around him come alive with song. He’s not orchestrating what song that is, just saying, “Hey, environment, celebrate me through music.” It’s always the same music because that’s his signature style, but he doesn’t consciously choose it during the game itself. It’s basically the same as when you decide to buy a particular boon; you know you’re choosing something out of character, but in character that Scion just knows he developed a new power, not that he chose between a couple.

Using the power itself, however, is a conscious decision on the Scion’s part, so he never needs to fear that it’ll turn on randomly when he doesn’t want it to. He activates the knack and cues up his Theme Music whenever he wants to be particularly impressive or socially interesting, the life of the party or the center of attention. He should know he’s doing it (barring him being exceptionally stupid when it comes to understanding powers), so he should also know better than to do it when it’s going to piss someone off or is a politically bad idea.

Of course, he can do it whenever he wants to, though. Some guys just have to walk into Zeus’ temple blaring “The Boys Are Back in Town” and face the consequences.