GODLY AUDIENCES: RAY

[divus]

Comments

[divus]

I know, right? I don't want to get into how disappointed I am, but I'm a little disappointed. [...] I should've tried to talk to her myself. Maybe that would've changed things, but oh well.

...thanks for helping cover Ishi and Taka today.

[selfimmolates]

[he shrugs.]

Nice job lying during trial today. It was hard not to laugh a little at you playing along with Ishikirimaru being chilled.

[divus]

[There's a laugh at least.] Well, let's just say I'm used to getting away with things. I'm only as good as the people playing along.

[selfimmolates]

Then it's a good thing that everyone in the know was a decent liar. I'm actually impressed we managed to hide Ishikirimaru's missing hand.

For now, anyway.

[divus]

Even if that comes out, what're they going to do about it now? They don't know what alignment he's with, and there're bigger things to worry about.

...I wouldn't go around shouting about it, but you know.

[selfimmolates]

Still, he'll be able to move more freely if he's not under suspicion.

[divus]

Then what're you guys planning to free him up from scrutinizing eyes? Can we make him a fake hand, maybe?

[selfimmolates]

That's the idea for now, though I can only do so much. [us: who's friends with hiro.] We were also thinking about asking a god for a favour.

[divus]

[God.] You know how favors work, Ray. You'd have to do something big to make that work. But it depends on the god as well.

[selfimmolates]

Yeah, which is why I'm not counting on it. Ishikirimaru's just going to have to be a glove fanatic from now on, probably.

Which god do you think would be best, though?

[divus]

...you can try appealing to Justice and tell him it's a favor for me. Otherwise, go for one of the softer ones. Love, Beauty, Sincerity...any of those you can trust. Piety, too. He's got a soft spot for Ishi, I think.

[selfimmolates]

So not Indulgence. The others will be happy to hear that.

[divus]

Definitely not. I don't think he'd even see it as a huge problem. It happens when you're spoiled.

[selfimmolates]

I can see why he's not incredibly popular.

[divus]

He's exhausting, I try to avoid him as much as possible for that reason. But those would be my guesses. You'd just have to figure out how to phrase it.

[selfimmolates]

He's not... that bad.

But all right, I'll think on it.

[divus]

Good luck. ...anything else you're curious about?

[selfimmolates]

How screwed are we next week?

[divus]

...won't know 'til Monday when the numbers are in, but you're not out of the woods yet.

If you do decide to align with me, talk to the other two. I usually meet with them early in the week to strategize. I'd like to do the same with you.

[selfimmolates]

Will do. I have to make sure they won't accidentally stab me at night, at the very least.

[divus]

That too. Having three of you on watch might be best.

[selfimmolates]

Especially since Ishikirimaru's down a hand for now, and Takaomi... honestly, how is Takaomi not dead?

[divus]

Luck, mostly. I don't want to see a day that his luck runs out, and that's where you and skill come in.

...but he's been with me since the beginning, so I'm not about to let anything happen to him now.

[selfimmolates]

I'm a little surprised. I thought he lied to Madoka when he told her he was with you.

Guess Senri wasn't kidding about him not being a good liar—though he's just proven that he can be pretty skilled when he tries.

[divus]

I have a feeling he figured most people wouldn't think he'd be aligned with me so he never had to lie. But we get along pretty well. [That's an understatement, Merriment loves Taka more than anyone in the temple.]

He's a really smart kid. What he lacks in combat he makes up for in brains. It'll be a good balance if the three of you are together.