I'm afraid not yet. It's like that for all of us, you see. It's one of the things that keeps us accountable and keeps the game fair in the beginning. Personally I believe the others are afraid I'd disarm their followers simply by my looks alone.
Ah...with the dream of Misaki-chan, you mean. [Yes that sure would be a Lot.] I do apologize for the rude awakening. That shouldn't be your burden to bear, but this is the kind of game we're playing now.
[To be honest, it was Too Much. Hearing that "this is the kind of game" they're embroiled in causes Shang Qinghua's face to fall.]
Will it be like this from now on? It's truly a pity. No matter what, the death of a young one is never easy.
[But the death of an older individual is much easier. That's why this is terrible news! He's up there with the older participants, so those inclined toward violence will surely find him to be an appetizing target. Help.]
I'm afraid it will, yes. I don't wish for it to be this way, but others are going to seek revenge now that this has happened. [Not great.]
I'd be inclined to say the death of anyone is never easy. That's the real trouble with a game like this. Violence only brings more violence, gods will ask for revenge, and it'll continue until there aren't many left.
The only thing to be done is convincing the others to focus on a numbers game and not a killing game, I'm afraid. I don't know if that's something everyone else can agree with, however, seeing how things have gone already.
Have you met many others in the temple, Qinghua-san?
The only expectations I have for anyone in this game is to play fairly and to play to the best of their ability by choosing a god that suits them. I doubt you've failed to meet those already.
[Still...] I do believe it's best to consider the possibility of back-up alliances should the time come that it's necessary.
I want to win. Isn't that why we're here? To win, so the great gods can settle their dispute and we can go home with our wishes fulfilled. But I don't want to kill others to make those things come true. We're all here for reasons of our own. I don't necessarily think mine is better, and I doubt my resolve is half as great as the other participants. I just want all of this to be resolved as peacefully as possible.
[His thoughts are jumbled, disorganized. But these are his feelings. If he can accomplish his objective with the least harm possible, he'll do it.]
A noble task, and an even more noble desire...shouldn't you align yourself with someone who shares those ideals? Should I win, I'd like to do so as peacefully as possible and settle this dispute as quickly as we can. I would never ask my followers to kill on my behalf...can your god say the same?
[And please don't badmouth his chosen god in that roundabout fashion? He likes Fortune, thank you very much! He can't up and say that, though, because he wants to live. The last thing he needs is an angry god.]
Great Beauty, your values and mine undoubtedly align on this matter. Should there come a time when alliances must change, I'll take your compassionate invitation into consideration.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
If I may be so bold as to ask, can you not remove the mask?
no subject
no subject
As expected of the great deity who represents this virtue. Your beauty must be without parallel.
no subject
[But this has nothing to do with that.] Tell me. Are you settling in well?
no subject
Thanks to the great gods' generosity, this participant has been without complaints. It has, however, been an eventful morning.
no subject
no subject
Will it be like this from now on? It's truly a pity. No matter what, the death of a young one is never easy.
[But the death of an older individual is much easier. That's why this is terrible news! He's up there with the older participants, so those inclined toward violence will surely find him to be an appetizing target. Help.]
no subject
I'd be inclined to say the death of anyone is never easy. That's the real trouble with a game like this. Violence only brings more violence, gods will ask for revenge, and it'll continue until there aren't many left.
Surely that's not a game you wish to play, is it?
no subject
No, of course not . . . But if you feel the same way, Great Beauty, isn't there anything that can be done?
[This, he asks more out of curiosity than as a plea.]
no subject
Have you met many others in the temple, Qinghua-san?
no subject
I've talked to some, though I have seen many more around. Why do you ask?
no subject
Curious, I suppose. I was wondering if you've learned the alignment of others yet, or found those who share your own alignment.
no subject
Is it wise for him to answer this? He smiles wryly.]
The nature of this contest is rather new to me. If the great god sitting before me had expectations, I'm afraid I have disappointed them.
no subject
The only expectations I have for anyone in this game is to play fairly and to play to the best of their ability by choosing a god that suits them. I doubt you've failed to meet those already.
[Still...] I do believe it's best to consider the possibility of back-up alliances should the time come that it's necessary.
no subject
With whom?
no subject
no subject
[His tone is curious, genuinely wanting to know what allying with Beauty, versus others, would entail.]
no subject
no subject
I want to win. Isn't that why we're here? To win, so the great gods can settle their dispute and we can go home with our wishes fulfilled. But I don't want to kill others to make those things come true. We're all here for reasons of our own. I don't necessarily think mine is better, and I doubt my resolve is half as great as the other participants. I just want all of this to be resolved as peacefully as possible.
[His thoughts are jumbled, disorganized. But these are his feelings. If he can accomplish his objective with the least harm possible, he'll do it.]
no subject
no subject
[And please don't badmouth his chosen god in that roundabout fashion? He likes Fortune, thank you very much! He can't up and say that, though, because he wants to live. The last thing he needs is an angry god.]
Great Beauty, your values and mine undoubtedly align on this matter. Should there come a time when alliances must change, I'll take your compassionate invitation into consideration.
no subject
That's all I ask. And even if the time doesn't come, please know I will lend my aid to you when I can.