GODLY AUDIENCES: RAY

[divus]

Comments

[selfimmolates]

[someone get justice a dog.]

Didn't get the chance in your past life?

[divus]

No...I wasn't alive long enough.

[selfimmolates]

[well, that's depressing.]

... Oh. [uh.] Sorry to hear that.

[divus]

[A little bit!!]

It's okay. I used to be more upset about it than I am, now. I just wish I'd learned more about what the world was like. It's harder to do that now, when I'm supposed to be the one helping make one. I don't know what should be inside of it.

[selfimmolates]

I can't help you out there. Most of the world, I've only read about in books.

[divus]

What kind of books? I haven't really read many, myself.

[Is there anything this child has, like, actually done?]

[selfimmolates]

[yeah, uh]

A lot. Fiction, non-fiction, etc. I've read all kinds, really.

[divus]

Do you have a favorite kind? I think I'd like books about science the most.

[Big ol gestures.]

[selfimmolates]

[he pauses.]

Fantasy.

[divus]

Like, with dragons and magic and knights? Ah! That sounds like fun!

[selfimmolates]

Yeah, though I haven't really read it much lately.

[divus]

Maybe we can find some! There aren't a lot of books in the study, but I think there's going to be an even bigger library later! And I promised someone I'd add some books in here that explain how to use the equipment for those unfamiliar. It's not much, but I hope it helps.

[selfimmolates]

[he smiles.]

That'd be neat. I'm going to see if I can read all the books here before the competition is over—or before I die, I guess.

[but he has no plans of dying.]

[divus]

T-There's no way you're gonna die!

[He's so! Frantic! Gomen, jan, I know your blood boils for death.]

You'll have to read real fast, but I bet you can do it.

[selfimmolates]

[LET ME DIE]

I'm a fast reader.

[...]

... Listen, Justice: I wanted to ask you for a favour.

[divus]

Oh! What is it?

[He'll do! His best! For friendship!]

[selfimmolates]

Merriment said that you'd be the guy to ask about this, so... would it be possible at all to find a loophole in the second rule? The one that says that followers can't take items out of rooms?

[divus]

[Justice wobbles on one foot as he thinks.]

I have the power to veto any rule that's been established if I determine it in any way unjust.

[He pauses again, murmuring.]

Since it's already been accepted and reinforced, I can't get rid of it completely...but...there's no reason I can't make an addendum.

[selfimmolates]

Could you make food from the kitchen the exception? Even putting all else aside, it's kind of awkward we can't take food out.

[someone save ludger]

[divus]

...oh, no, you're right! Sorry, I hadn't even thought about food!

[SAVE LUDGER.]

I can release that condition and it will become effective immediately, but unfortunately I can't undo any consequences retroactively, so it won't reverse anything if someone's already taken food from the kitchen...

[selfimmolates]

That's fine. [not like ray was a dirty rulebreaker, so eh.] Thanks, Justice—you're the best.

[divus]

[Justice absolutely jolts upward like a bolt, his posture frozen in delight.]

You...you really mean that?

[selfimmolates]

Yeah. You didn't have to do this, so I appreciate it.

[divus]

I'd do anything for my friends!

[selfimmolates]

[... okay, he's going to reach up to pat justice. if he can.]

Thanks again. I'll make something for you from the kitchen—how about that?