[When Shang enters the fortune-teller's den, he finds a diminutive figure in a mask, shuffling a deck of cards. Fortune looks up a moment later, and speaks in a high, clear voice.]
[Small . . . So small! Coming from a world where he's one of the shortest characters, this is different indeed. Maintaining a respectable distance, Shang Qinghua bows his head. He's more than a little nervous about how this encounter will turn out.]
Great Deity Fortune, this participant thanks you for the audience on such short notice. In order to serve you better as a follower, there are questions I have regarding this temple's contest. Do I have your permission to ask them?
[Brick looks from the cushion to Fortune, then back to the cushion. What a magnanimous patron god! With a dip of his head, he claims the seat.
That yet was kind of scary, though.
Isn't just Fortune a little too familiar? This doesn't jive with his culture . . . !]
Forgive me . . . Fortune. As I have not participated in a contest of this nature before, I am ignorant to its ways.
There are twelve gods competing for followers here. There is, however, a great deal that I do not know about you, and I fear that opportunities may be missed if nothing is done. And so, how can I help you to attract more followers under your gracious name?
[read: where the hell's the instruction manual (the rulebook doesn't help!)]
Well... first things first, try to get to know the others. Some of them are going to be wavering pretty soon, I think - there are a lot of gods that people picked that are kind of...
[Fortune's voice trails off.]
Unpleasant. If we're lucky, some of them will choose to come to our team on their own. [Fortune laughs.] ...and I'm usually pretty lucky! Are you?
As the saying goes, one must make one's own luck . . .
[What saying! He's just reciting the fifth guideline! In all his years of transmigration, did he ever succeed in creating his own luck? The universe hates him, plain and simple.]
[Fortune sets the cards they've been shuffling down to reach across the table, as if to take his hands.]
You've made your decision about which of my powers you want already, right? I promise you, whatever you make will be helpful in some way. It'll be up to you to figure out how to use it, but like you said... we have to make our own luck. Every time you use it, think of it as teamwork between the two of us.
[Fortune lowers their hands after a moment. Well, okay. They won't force him.]
There--
[Their voice is cut off suddenly; there are a few moments where it sounds like they're trying to get something out, until finally they make a noise of muffled annoyance.]
I'm not allowed to tell you that. But I get the feeling you'll know soon, one way or another.
I see . . . Then, is there anything else that you might be able to tell me?
[Anything is better than nothing! It's all right, Fortune. Who needs to know how many potential allies he'll be starting with, anyway? Certainly not him!]
[That... wasn't what Fortune was expecting to be asked. But after a moment, they giggle.]
I guess you could say I have a sweet tooth. I wouldn't turn down desserts... but, anything is fine. It's the thought that matters, not what you end up giving me. I'm just lucky you're thinking of me at all.
If it's a dessert you want, Qinghua can provide! As An Ding Peak's Peak Lord, I excel in domestic service. Yes, the thought is important, but the sweets I offer will bear my thoughts and more.
[Too bad that, after this conversation, he won't be able to take anything out of the kitchen.]
[He's going to cry so much once the new rule's added.]
But, ah . . . May I ask one more question? We, the participants, were told that we would be returned safely once the contest is over. But what of those who, um . . . get treated more violently than others?
[Fortune sounds... very serious all of a sudden. To be fair, that question has a way of putting a damper on things.]
That was the first thing we made sure of. All of this... it isn't fair that you all are getting pulled into this when you don't have anything to do with us. So we made everyone promise that whatever happens here, it won't be permanent for any of you.
[What is this? Up till now, the contest had been an impersonal event, devoid of personal attachment and filled to the brim with pure competitive energy. This answer is incredibly divine, full of holy whimsy and benevolence! Shang Qinghua's lips tremble before he bows his head.]
This participant has truly found himself in good fortune by coming here.
[He doesn't know what the other gods are like, but he sure likes his!]
I thought... you'd be angry. On some level, you all agreed to come here, but... [Fortune's voice trails off.] If it were me, I'd be mad at gods who did something like this.
[That is, a god like Fortune possesses the bearing and wisdom to judge another god. Shang Qinghua doesn't have such a standing.]
Of course, I would prefer to live than to die. But, like all the other participants within this temple, I agreed to join this contest to see a wish fulfilled. This is a wish that can't ordinarily be realized in my world. And so, to be given this chance and looked after by such a mindful god, I am highly blessed.
...I see. Then, I'll do everything I can to make sure your wish comes true.
[It's a good way of thinking about it, Fortune thinks - perhaps Qinghua is just better at staying positive. They're the god of fortune, not optimism, after all.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
WEEK 0
So... You wanted to talk?
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Great Deity Fortune, this participant thanks you for the audience on such short notice. In order to serve you better as a follower, there are questions I have regarding this temple's contest. Do I have your permission to ask them?
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[Fortune points at the cushion on the other side of the table. Come on, Brick, it's time to sit.]
Sure, as long as you drop all that Great Deity stuff. It's just Fortune for now... I'm not in charge of everyone yet.
[Hopefully soon, though.]
no subject
That yet was kind of scary, though.
Isn't just Fortune a little too familiar? This doesn't jive with his culture . . . !]
Forgive me . . . Fortune. As I have not participated in a contest of this nature before, I am ignorant to its ways.
There are twelve gods competing for followers here. There is, however, a great deal that I do not know about you, and I fear that opportunities may be missed if nothing is done. And so, how can I help you to attract more followers under your gracious name?
[read: where the hell's the instruction manual (the rulebook doesn't help!)]
no subject
Well... first things first, try to get to know the others. Some of them are going to be wavering pretty soon, I think - there are a lot of gods that people picked that are kind of...
[Fortune's voice trails off.]
Unpleasant. If we're lucky, some of them will choose to come to our team on their own. [Fortune laughs.] ...and I'm usually pretty lucky! Are you?
no subject
As the saying goes, one must make one's own luck . . .
[What saying! He's just reciting the fifth guideline! In all his years of transmigration, did he ever succeed in creating his own luck? The universe hates him, plain and simple.]
no subject
[Fortune sets the cards they've been shuffling down to reach across the table, as if to take his hands.]
You've made your decision about which of my powers you want already, right? I promise you, whatever you make will be helpful in some way. It'll be up to you to figure out how to use it, but like you said... we have to make our own luck. Every time you use it, think of it as teamwork between the two of us.
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Yes! I will do as you say. The bountiful power you've blessed this follower with will not go to waste.
[He pauses, his mouth still open as a thought occurs to him. Will this next question toe some kind of a boundary?]
Though I must wonder . . . Are there any other followers at this time?
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There--
[Their voice is cut off suddenly; there are a few moments where it sounds like they're trying to get something out, until finally they make a noise of muffled annoyance.]
I'm not allowed to tell you that. But I get the feeling you'll know soon, one way or another.
no subject
I see . . . Then, is there anything else that you might be able to tell me?
[Anything is better than nothing! It's all right, Fortune. Who needs to know how many potential allies he'll be starting with, anyway? Certainly not him!]
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[Fortune sounds apologetic, at least.]
But there are things I can tell you if you ask the right questions.
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There's a beat before he smiles sheepishly.]
What kind of offerings do you like . . . ?
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[That... wasn't what Fortune was expecting to be asked. But after a moment, they giggle.]
I guess you could say I have a sweet tooth. I wouldn't turn down desserts... but, anything is fine. It's the thought that matters, not what you end up giving me. I'm just lucky you're thinking of me at all.
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[Too bad that, after this conversation, he won't be able to take anything out of the kitchen.]
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[fortune is shameless, sorry]
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[He's going to cry so much once the new rule's added.]
But, ah . . . May I ask one more question? We, the participants, were told that we would be returned safely once the contest is over. But what of those who, um . . . get treated more violently than others?
[I-if they die, do they stay dead?]
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[Fortune sounds... very serious all of a sudden. To be fair, that question has a way of putting a damper on things.]
That was the first thing we made sure of. All of this... it isn't fair that you all are getting pulled into this when you don't have anything to do with us. So we made everyone promise that whatever happens here, it won't be permanent for any of you.
no subject
[What is this? Up till now, the contest had been an impersonal event, devoid of personal attachment and filled to the brim with pure competitive energy. This answer is incredibly divine, full of holy whimsy and benevolence! Shang Qinghua's lips tremble before he bows his head.]
This participant has truly found himself in good fortune by coming here.
[He doesn't know what the other gods are like, but he sure likes his!]
no subject
[Fortune sounds ... well, surprised.]
I thought... you'd be angry. On some level, you all agreed to come here, but... [Fortune's voice trails off.] If it were me, I'd be mad at gods who did something like this.
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[That is, a god like Fortune possesses the bearing and wisdom to judge another god. Shang Qinghua doesn't have such a standing.]
Of course, I would prefer to live than to die. But, like all the other participants within this temple, I agreed to join this contest to see a wish fulfilled. This is a wish that can't ordinarily be realized in my world. And so, to be given this chance and looked after by such a mindful god, I am highly blessed.
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...I see. Then, I'll do everything I can to make sure your wish comes true.
[It's a good way of thinking about it, Fortune thinks - perhaps Qinghua is just better at staying positive. They're the god of fortune, not optimism, after all.]
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He smiles, though this one doesn't quite reach his eyes. Ah, he can only pray that his wish comes true! It feels like a dream, this possibility.
With an exhale, he rises from his seat and bows in gratitude.]
Then . . . I will go and make myself useful starting now.
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[Fortune doesn't want to keep him, if he has things to do.]
...if you ever have any questions or need anything, just pray to me. I'll answer.