When you've got luck on your side, you can't lose!
[Fortune is a tiny Lady Luck, apparently. A tiny Lady Luck who makes jokes... but they sound a bit more serious when they speak again.]
...it's because of the kind of world I want to make. I'm going to create a place where people can live peacefully, where one bout of bad luck won't be able to ruin their lives beyond repair.
[Oh no, they're a little reminiscent of Monoyoshi...
He does find that to be a good sort of goal, but he still pauses for several moments to contemplate it before answering.]
And is such a thing truly possible? I don't intend to question your abilities, but there are generally meant to be both sorts of luck, if I'm not mistaken. Do you mean to eliminate it entirely, or do you simply mean to try to keep it from affecting any individual too heavily?
It's definitely possible. Or, if nothing else - I can be sure that I won't be making bad luck for the people I rule over.
[There's probably a story behind that, but it's too soon to tell it. Fortune doesn't seem all that inclined to continue along that line of thought.]
I just need the power to do it. I've gotten stronger since I became a god, but winning this will make me strong enough to make exactly the kind of world I'm imagining.
[It definitely sounds like there's one, but he knows better than to press that on a first meeting-- or to press the topic at all, really. He just nods slowly, taking all of that in.]
I cannot say that your goal is something I'm personally opposed to, although-- how do you intend to work with the others, should you win?
I'll listen to them and consider their ideas, as long as their ideas aren't "let's drag in a bunch of people who have nothing to do with us and also get some of them killed to make decisions".
[gomen for the sarcasm]
...some of them are easier to work with than others. I'll cooperate with them, mostly.
You don't sound terribly pleased with the situation.
[Not that anyone should be, honestly, especially with one of those things they mentioned... Ishikirimaru's pause is a little longer than usual before he speaks again.]
Nor do I think I would be, in your position-- particularly if you're certain this will get people killed.
[He's not entirely unaware it's a possibility, but he would like to think it might be solved without coming to that.]
We made everyone promise that no matter who wins, everyone will be brought back. [That's one small relief, but - Fortune still doesn't seem happy about it.] But that won't change the fact that you'll all remember what happened.
Human lives aren't...
[Their voice trails off.]
People aren't playthings for gods. It's what's going to have to happen so we can get this over and done with, but I don't think it's right that we're making you go through all this just because we're bad at deciding things on our own.
I will do what I have been brought here for, but... I don't believe that it is necessarily right for any of us to die for this, either. Especially considering some who have come here. Even if they agreed to it, they are still...
[Well, they're so young. And he knows that young doesn't mean helpless, or unable to survive; still, there is something inherently wrong in the idea.
Ishikirimaru shakes his head, eyes closed.]
They should not experience such a thing yet. None of them should, regardless of age or status.
[Sometimes life isn't fair, though. Fortune knows that, and yet - well. They've been lucky - lucky enough to become Fortune, even - but it still rankles to see others suffering under the burden of bad luck.]
...that's why I want to win this. If I win, I can make sure that nothing like this happens ever again.
[(x) doubt? That does not sound super fine, and his brow furrows slightly at their tone. Guess who else just got mentally filed under 'protect if possible'.
His expression smooths back into a smile after a moment, though.]
I would like that.
[It'll be in part to make sure they're okay, tbh.]
You will likely be hearing from me in the future, then.
[a pause while he decides how to put it, before he finally speaks again.]
Is there anything preventing any of us from attempting to harm you? [He quickly adds:] I will not ask if it is actually possible to do so successfully; I can understand not wanting any of us to be certain of such a thing. I only want to know if others may end up acting on it, or if it is a baseless concern.
[The bit where they aren't supposed to directly go after participants has come up somewhere I'm pretty sure-- he's less sure of things the other way around, and he is not about to discount the possibility of someone making Very Bad Decisions, especially against gods they think may be less threatening.]
[Fortune's gaze drops to the ground, and they're silent for a few long moments.]
We aren't participants in the game the same way you are. It's only those with statues in the courtyard who can be harmed, according to the oaths we swore. People can... try to hurt us, but... we have power here. We could stop it.
[...]
You don't... think someone is going to try that, do you?
I would very much like to think no one would actually take such a risk, and I have not been given reason to think anyone in particular might.
[But also, gestures at the time periods he operates in and all the things he is aware people will do to each other. Sometimes the most effective strike is not at the enemy, but something they protect.]
But I could not discount the possibility of someone thinking it could be a move benefiting their own god, or even simply their own interests.
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[He nods to that question, though.]
-but yes, we've already spoken.
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[A little mischievously - ]
I would have been the best, though!
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[It's not challenging at all, more an opening-- he's here to listen, to try to know them a bit more.]
That way, I should be able to make a more informed decision when I next have the chance.
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[Fortune is a tiny Lady Luck, apparently. A tiny Lady Luck who makes jokes... but they sound a bit more serious when they speak again.]
...it's because of the kind of world I want to make. I'm going to create a place where people can live peacefully, where one bout of bad luck won't be able to ruin their lives beyond repair.
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He does find that to be a good sort of goal, but he still pauses for several moments to contemplate it before answering.]
And is such a thing truly possible? I don't intend to question your abilities, but there are generally meant to be both sorts of luck, if I'm not mistaken. Do you mean to eliminate it entirely, or do you simply mean to try to keep it from affecting any individual too heavily?
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[There's probably a story behind that, but it's too soon to tell it. Fortune doesn't seem all that inclined to continue along that line of thought.]
I just need the power to do it. I've gotten stronger since I became a god, but winning this will make me strong enough to make exactly the kind of world I'm imagining.
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I cannot say that your goal is something I'm personally opposed to, although-- how do you intend to work with the others, should you win?
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[gomen for the sarcasm]
...some of them are easier to work with than others. I'll cooperate with them, mostly.
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[Not that anyone should be, honestly, especially with one of those things they mentioned... Ishikirimaru's pause is a little longer than usual before he speaks again.]
Nor do I think I would be, in your position-- particularly if you're certain this will get people killed.
[He's not entirely unaware it's a possibility, but he would like to think it might be solved without coming to that.]
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Human lives aren't...
[Their voice trails off.]
People aren't playthings for gods. It's what's going to have to happen so we can get this over and done with, but I don't think it's right that we're making you go through all this just because we're bad at deciding things on our own.
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[Well, they're so young. And he knows that young doesn't mean helpless, or unable to survive; still, there is something inherently wrong in the idea.
Ishikirimaru shakes his head, eyes closed.]
They should not experience such a thing yet. None of them should, regardless of age or status.
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[Sometimes life isn't fair, though. Fortune knows that, and yet - well. They've been lucky - lucky enough to become Fortune, even - but it still rankles to see others suffering under the burden of bad luck.]
...that's why I want to win this. If I win, I can make sure that nothing like this happens ever again.
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[It's all too easy for some to think that things aren't fair, and give up on trying to make them more fair in turn.]
It is, at least, good to know that your intentions seem to be in the proper place.
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[Fortune doesn't sound entirely sure of that, but... eh.]
But I can't be really certain of anyone's intentions but my own.
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[That is definitely not great, though. Hm.]
If nothing else, I will hope that none of those give you cause to doubt their intent after all.
[It really does not need to be less than half in actuality, that's even worse.]
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[Fortune sighs.]
It's all going to work out one way or another, but... it's not easy right now.
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[After a few moments of hesitation, there, he adds:]
I may not be one of your followers, but still-- if there is ever anything I may do to help ease things, you are welcome to ask.
[He can't promise he can actually fulfill any requests, but he can at least offer this.]
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[Fortune is smiling behind their mask, but it's impossible to tell because yOU CAN'T SEE THEIR FACE. Alas.]
...take good care of Piety, okay? He's very sweet. I don't want to poach you from him.
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[this time the nod is more akin to a bow, really, just. a sitting bow.]
And I hope that your followers will do the same for you.
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[Fortune... does not actually sound that sure of that, but. It's fine, probably.]
If you ever want to talk, feel free to ask. I'll listen to you.
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His expression smooths back into a smile after a moment, though.]
I would like that.
[It'll be in part to make sure they're okay, tbh.]
You will likely be hearing from me in the future, then.
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[It seems like this is wrapping up, but -]
Did you have any other questions for me before you go?
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[a pause while he decides how to put it, before he finally speaks again.]
Is there anything preventing any of us from attempting to harm you? [He quickly adds:] I will not ask if it is actually possible to do so successfully; I can understand not wanting any of us to be certain of such a thing. I only want to know if others may end up acting on it, or if it is a baseless concern.
[The bit where they aren't supposed to directly go after participants has come up somewhere I'm pretty sure-- he's less sure of things the other way around, and he is not about to discount the possibility of someone making Very Bad Decisions, especially against gods they think may be less threatening.]
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We aren't participants in the game the same way you are. It's only those with statues in the courtyard who can be harmed, according to the oaths we swore. People can... try to hurt us, but... we have power here. We could stop it.
[...]
You don't... think someone is going to try that, do you?
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[But also, gestures at the time periods he operates in and all the things he is aware people will do to each other. Sometimes the most effective strike is not at the enemy, but something they protect.]
But I could not discount the possibility of someone thinking it could be a move benefiting their own god, or even simply their own interests.
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