GODLY AUDIENCES: SENRI

[divus]

Comments

[divus]

We do, but...

[ha ha]

I'm trying to get better about asking instead of just knowing... so I don't frighten people.

[ha ha ha]

...could you... make a rule forbidding people from blaming themselves for things that aren't their fault?

[usogi]

[ . . . . ]

... can I ask why you want me to?

It's a good rule but - .... I guess I'm just curious.

[divus]

...

[She looks down at her hands.]

In case something happens... at the trial. I don't want the people who left me to feel responsible.

[usogi]

[ . . . ]

Is... Is it that easy?

[senri huffs out a little laugh]

I know what you're saying but.... maybe that's part of grieving too. Do you know what happened with Shishimaru last week? At the pond?

[divus]

[She nods.]

Yes... we all know when a power is used. The timing...

[Her voice trails off.]

That wasn't his fault, either.

[usogi]

[senri's expression softens]

... he looked really happy talking to you. Please continue to take care of him, in the ways that you can.

But he came to me and I think he still thinks that's his fault too.... I would make a rule saying that he can't do that, but wouldn't he get in trouble if he does it anyway?

I wish hearts were that easy but....

[divus]

You don't know?

[Fortune tilts her head to one side.]

You get to pick the punishment for whoever breaks your rule. You could... have it be something nice, to cheer them up, if you wanted. I "punished" someone who left me similarly.

[usogi]

Eh? I can really tamper with someone's emotions that way?

[HE'S SCARED]

[divus]

Not the emotions, but... if someone broke the rule, you could make them have to hug someone.

[penalty hugs]

That... usually makes people feel better, doesn't it?

[usogi]

[ . . . ]

Has Bakaomi not hugged enough people for you to be satisfied.

[divus]

What?

[sorry, she doesn't get it, she wasn't paying attention the first time he went on a hugging spree]

[usogi]

Hmm? Fortune didn't see it when Bakaomi went on a hugging spree? Someone cursed him really bad with something!

[divus]

I wasn't watching...

[hmm]

...also, why do you keep calling him that? Isn't his name Takaomi?

[usogi]

[oh.]

Old habits. We fought a lot at school.

He still insults me all the time too - but we get along better here....

[divus]

...dangerous situations have a way of bringing people closer together.

[A beat.]

Not that you should have to be in a dangerous place just to get used to someone, but it's easier to cooperate when you have to work together to survive.

[usogi]

[hmmm.]

I guess you're not wrong. I've at least been really relieved that he's here for me to rely on.

But... it sounds like you've been in some dicey situations before...? Was your life before you came here like that?

[divus]

Yes...

[Hmm. How to describe it, she wonders...]

From what I've read about the world you come from... it sounds like Earth is very peaceful. The world I came from... it's not always that peaceful.

[usogi]

Like Ray-kun's world...?

[that's the one that senri knows as pretty dangerous-sounding]

... I'm sorry. It sounds hard just thinking about it. Did you have to learn how to fight?

[divus]

In a different kind of way, but yes.

[Fortune shrugs.]

But even before I was a god, I could do... you'd call it magic. So it wasn't as hard as you might think.

[usogi]

Eh, really? Like casting spells and summoning monsters kind of magic?

[he plays a lot of jrpgs]

[divus]

[Her voice turns a little mischievous.]

Do you want to see?

[usogi]

[he's just eager i hope she kills him]

Yes! Yes, please!

[divus]

[she holds out her hand to him]

[usogi]

[is this how senri is finally going to lose a hand

he places his hand in hers!]

[divus]

[There's a moment during which she focuses hard...

...and then the two of them start to hover! Slowly, very slowly, they rise up a few feet from the ground.]