divus | GODLY AUDIENCES: NONON JAKUZURE

[ Nonon doesn't need to be told twice to partake in treats, so she does so easily. She watches them carefully while she eats, chewing both the confections and the food for thought. ]

How many duets does it take before I get to see your face? [ It's a rhetorical question but also just wondering. ] But I'd be delighted to see if our playing styles are compatible.

[ Beauty seems to lay the flattery down thick, but Nonon doesn't mind. At least it doesn't seem like they're offended that she didn't pick them.... ]

[Beauty doesn't seem to mind and relaxes against their seat, seemingly watching right back. This is fine.]

Three? [That's maybe a made up number.] If it were truly up to me, a duet wouldn't even be required. These rules are incredibly unfair...nevertheless I can only imagine it'd be an interesting match.

[It's very hard to be offended when Beauty knows exactly who Nonon picked.

I've been seeing a lot of you lately...or, rather, a lot of you have been summoning me. Am I allowed to ask you a few questions about yourself?

Edited 2019-03-01 03:13 (UTC)

I don't even know all your rules, but some of the ones I've heard about seem unnecessary. [ If she stops to think about, she's throwing stones from a glass house, but she's not stopping. ] Three is easy.

[ Made up or not, she'd want to play beautiful music many more times than that. If in the process, she can demask a god, that's just a bonus. ]

As long as I can ask some questions, too, shoot.

I'll let you select the piece next time. [It's all they say despite the fact they 100% agree their rules are stupid and they're exhausted.] I can match just about anything.

You're always free to ask questions. I'm flattered you would. [But okay, sure.] Are the arrangements of the temple to your liking so far?

[Of course they're going to ask about her taste first.]

I'll look forward to next time, then.

[ She'll see if they're true to their word, but she has a good enough idea from the Mozart piece to believe it. She can't say that so openly, though. ]

The temple's fine. Outside of the rule this week, I wish there were more amenities for live music. [ Does Nonon want full access to a whole orchestra of instruments? Yeah. ] I'd be more comfortable if I could have my own locked bedroom, but I know I'm at the whim of you gods for that.

[ Well, for everything in this temple. ]

Well...Justice told all of you he could change his domain, correct? I suppose I could do the same for mine. [Is the parlor going to get a bunch of instruments? Please no.] I'm sorry about the lack of bedrooms, but we felt that this was...well, no, it wasn't better. But it was meant for togetherness, I suppose. A way for you to bond with one another and learn who you can trust.

But that doesn't help, I'm sure.

Would you?

[ There's a glimmer in her eyes, a sparkle. Nonon doesn't deserve an added orchestra pit to the parlor, but she wants it. ]

If something's forced, it can backfire. The fact that someone killed last week makes it a little harder to trust so easily.

[WHERE WOULD IT FIT??]

It's an intriguing thought. The rooms I've hosted previously had instruments as well, so I suppose adjustments could be made. I'll speak to the others and see about upgrades.

You have a point. [They deflate just a little.] Though is it possible that by forging new friendships it will be harder for death to occur? It's easy to dismiss someone to whom you have no attachments, but much harder when you care for someone.

[ THAT'S NOT HER PROBLEM, IS IT? she's not a god and it isn't her domain? IT'S JUST WHAT SHE WANTS. ]

I'd be very pleased if it could happen. [ Genuinely, she would be pleased, but she tilts her head to the side at "rooms I've hosted".

She laughs. ]

You're an optimistic god, aren't you? [ All the gods she's met so far have been pretty soft. ] That's only true if we can all form those kind of attachments. It's easier said than done.

I'll do my best. [She can't see the smile behind the mask, but it's there given the way they speak and the way their posture shifts.]

I suppose optimism is a strength of mine, yes, but I also believe that it's possible for everyone to form attachments even if it's with only one person. It only takes one to start. The difference, really, is if people are willing to try and not give up on other people.

Hm. [ It's more thoughtful than a hum. ] There are some people who refuse to try, but I'm not one of those.

[ She shifts in her chair to sit up straighter. ]

So why else did you want to see me? It can't just be about the living arrangements.

Of course not, but I thought it was most polite to ask. [Just saying.] In the interest of forming attachments and not giving up on people, I've made it my own task to begin getting to know everyone in the temple, not just those who have chosen to align themselves with me. It hardly makes sense to wait for everyone to come to me when I'm perfectly capable of extending an invitation.

My, aren't you charming~

[ She laughs and leans forward, her hand hovering over another treat before she asks her next question. ]

Do you have any favorites? Of the gods? Of all of us?

[ She makes a bet with herself on what kind of answer Beauty will give. ]

My favorites align with yours. [That is to say, Beauty is fond of Love, though:] Sincerity and I are friends, and Piety is a wonderful person. Lady Love is very sweet as well. As of you...my followers, of course, but I've enjoyed meeting with everyone so far. First impressions are important, after all.

Well, I was expecting the answer about us followers, but I think I'm getting a better sense of things now.

[ She happily helps herself to more sweets. ]

But all of that is good to know! Thank you.

[Thanks Nonon.] Things will change with time, Jakuzure-san, believe me. But I hope they'll be a good change despite where the numbers may fall. Your patron and I have a bit of an alliance, if you will. She'll look after my own and likewise for myself.

[Until they get competitive, but that's a whole other story.] Same for Sincerity.

I won't forget that this is a competition.

[ One with the potential for death, for a lot of death, but it's easier to talk of it like it's gossip and like she's not taking it seriously even though she is. ]

But it's nice to know I don't have to be quite as wary with you and can play music with you a bit more freely— until when that time comes.

[ She's still wary. ]

As you shouldn't. But there are still several ways to play if you know how to strategize. You seem quite capable. [Nevertheless they lean back again.]

And in that time I hope we learn more about each other. Not to mention the room is yours to play even if I'm not here.

I'm more used to playing a long game, so I'm having to readjust my thinking.

[ It's good to have explicit permission, not that she'd care if she didn't get cursed, but... ]

How often are you here?

You don't think six weeks is long? [That's interesting. Also Ara why is there an alligator snout in that icon please explain.]

I'm here more often than not even if people are unaware. Not to mention it's my domain, so I have a good understand of who is and isn't here.

Some plans take years to set into motion.

[ it's a stuffed animal!! she has many. ]

So nothing that happens in here is a secret to you.

Did you anticipate something like this coming into fruition before your plans did? [A mild question. Also what the hell that's cute as shit.]

Nothing that happens in here is a secret unless another god chooses to enter my domain with a participant...otherwise, I'm aware.

No. I expected something entirely different, but if this gives me the opportunity I want... then it's fine.

[ Her determination laces her voice and burns bright in her eyes. ]

That's good to know. Thank you. Is that the same for every other god?

[ She's assuming yes, but it never hurts to know for sure. ]

Using a situation like this to your advantage isn't a bad thing. It's actually rather smart. Admirable, if you will.

But yes that's correct. Some of us check in more than others, but we are capable of knowing and seeing around the temple at will.

[ She thinks about that for a long moment before nodding. ]

That makes sense. Thank you again for answering my questions. [ Somehow, Beauty is the more straightforward than she thought they'd be...? Wild. ]

I think I've taken up enough of your time today. I'll come back to you once I can play music again.

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divus - 2019-03-11 06:45 (UTC) - Expand