GODLY AUDIENCES - TAKAOMI SHISHIMARU

[divus]

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WEEK 2, THURSDAY

[divus]

[Takaomi will find Cunning in the armory seated at the table near the weapons log. Granted, they also have a sword strapped to their back and they're busy poring over the puzzle book, flipping through its pages, but without looking up they address him.]

It's really funny how many of you give strategic offerings. Are you guys sharing notes or is that coincidental?

[bakaomi]

Others might be, but for me it was definitely the latter.

[ taka refuses to ask ray for notes he'd rather die ]

[divus]

Weird. [But okay, closing the book and leaning back in the chair to face Taka.]

But sure. What're you after?

[bakaomi]

I'm just here to chat. You know, getting to know the gods.

[ it's like meeting your neighbors if they were divine ]

[divus]

Lot of you are starting to do that. [Just saying.] Who've you spoken to so far?

[bakaomi]

Disorder, Fortune, Ambition, Merriment, Love, Beauty, Piety, Ruin, Sincerity...

[ MAYBE indulgence but the thread hasn't started yet so idk if it will get accepted, but if it does pretend he also said indulgence. ]

[divus]

[Well. Taka hit both of Cunning's favorites and some…tolerable ones…so that's fine.]

Are you looking for answers to the same questions you've been asking or do you have something in mind? [Cunning, unfortunately, isn't going to make this easy. Ask away.]

[bakaomi]

I need to get the usual ones out of the way and then we can move on.

[ it's standard. ]

What kind of world do you want?

[divus]

The short answer? When I win, I want a new world order where people aren't forgotten or left behind or ignored. Where the people in charge earned the respect they're given instead of just having it handed to them. And where you can be in charge of your own fate.

[bakaomi]

[ that seems decent enough but also everyone is putting this guy in the evil section, so, ]

What's the long answer?

[divus]

The long answer? I want all of that and a chance to prove I'm better than the repeats of the past. Creating something new is one of the most difficult tasks you can take on. Why do you think history repeats itself? Rulers of the past can't think long enough or hard enough on how to create new concepts and new worlds and instead build upon themselves. Build too high, you fall a lot harder when someone shakes the foundation.

Everybody gets impatient and tries to strike first, stake the first claim, and come out swinging with their best resources. In a game like this, starting low is a benefit because it means working behind the scenes to build a stronger foundation. The world I want is one that's based on a foundation created from the ground up instead of built on someone else's tradition.

[bakaomi]

[ see, again, on paper that doesn't sound too terrible. but an idea and its execution are still different things and taka was told by more than one god to be wary of this one. so. ]

Hm. Why do so many others not want you to win then?

[divus]

Probably because they don't like the fact that I'm willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish that. [i.e. a god that's okay with murder, hi.]

[bakaomi]

That makes a lot more sense.

[ ah yes, cunning is a fucking bitch ]

You were one of the ones who supported Ruin when she suggested you do things this way, right?

[divus]

Had to stay on her good side somehow, didn't I? Part of a bigger plan, man. Don't read too much into it.

[bakaomi]

I mean, I'm still curious considering I got involved in all of this.

[divus]

...you ever hear the phrase "keep your friends close and your enemies closer"? That's a lot more accurate than you think.

[bakaomi]

[ there's a pause ]

So you don't actually like her?

[divus]

[There's a loud sigh and Cunning looks at the ceiling.]

She can be okay, but I have other priorities to take care of. [A beat.] Other gods I care about more. If I can make things go my way, I can keep Ruin in line just fine.

I'm still trying to figure out why I'm the favorite though.

[bakaomi]

Maybe she has a crush.

[ he

does not mean it ]

[divus]

I sincerely hope not. [Dear god no.] ...plus Disorder might destroy her for real if she did.

[I hate this, thanks.]

[bakaomi]

...

Your relationship drama is amazing.

[divus]

[That gets a laugh, but it's not exactly amused? It's more exasperated than anything.]

At least I only have one interest. You should see some of the other people I've met. [Like. No thanks.]

But that's not why you came here. You got my answer about the world. What's next?

[bakaomi]

Is there anything you've been asking people to do for you?

[divus]

I'm not like that rose-loving dumbass. [So.] Surprise surprise, most of you haven't bothered trying to contact me. The only thing I've asked for is something in exchange for something someone wanted. I can at least be fair that way.

Why? Volunteering?