GODLY AUDIENCES - TAKAOMI SHISHIMARU

[divus]

Comments

[bakaomi]

... I see.

[ he guesses that explains some things, of why senri is always going on and on about beauty.

although it makes taka wonder why didn't he actually just switch to him, even before he started lying to people about his alignment. ]

You were never mad about him not choosing you as his god then?

[divus]

No. Ironically, despite the lies, I felt Sincerity was an excellent match for him. [Beauty props his head up with a hand.] The fact that he's continued to come see me even though I'm not his has been very nice. I'm used to entertaining guests, so...it's a mutual benefit that way.

[Surprise, Taka, it's just that Senri and Beauty are both lonely and needy idiots.]

[bakaomi]

Have you been getting a lot of visitors?

[ he wants to know if beauty is a member of the lonely hearts club ]

[divus]

Yes and no. Only after I asked for Senri-kun's assistance in delivering the roses. But the numbers are rather telling, aren't they? [They haven't changed at all, and it's a little hard to cope with given they're halfway through the game now.]

I have regulars who come by and I like them very much. But I like getting to know others as well.

[bakaomi]

Well, my god suddenly got more followers even though he doesn't get a lot of visitors. So...

[ it's his way of saying

maybe you will get a break, beauty.... ]

[divus]

Your god is very clever, but also fairly hard on himself, I think. [Beauty has Opinions about that, but nevertheless.] …that's what host weeks are for, Shishimaru-kun. It's our time to try and win the appeal of those looking for success. I can only hope. [Though.] …admittedly, two is still better than zero.

[bakaomi]

[ taka also has Opinions on that but also he'd 1v1 someone in a costco parking lot for merriment ]

... yeah. Fortune's kind of...

[divus]

She's safe for now. If she can gain at least one follower during defection day, she'll be alright. I imagine after seeing the current situation someone will step in.

[But Beauty's nervous about that, too.] Have you spoken to her before?

[bakaomi]

... yeah, I have. I've spoken to all of you by now.

[ except patience but she's technically not playing. so. ]

She's... a good kid, I guess.

[divus]

She is. [It's a sad sort of tone.] I'd like to see her still in play and thrive. I think, if anything...please show your support for her this week even if she's not your patron. I believe she'd like that.

[bakaomi]

... mm. I was planning on seeing her again even if she wasn't at zero.

[ taka gets along with the gods better than the other people playing and that's sad ]

[divus]

[And this is why Merriment and Taka get along, I hate that. Anyway, Beauty seems happy with that answer.]

Even for those of us with high numbers, I think we all kind of like being thought of and recognized. Of course it's a game where we're trying to sway people to our sides, but...[It's maybe easy to see who also just likes company.]

[bakaomi]

... mm. Usually when I talk to you guys, you tend to complain more about no one visiting you than what your follower count is.

[ it's

very telling ]

[divus]

Is that such a bad thing? [Should he be rethinking his strategy? Hm.]

[bakaomi]

Not really. It makes you more approachable, I think.

[ tbh takaomi would probably not promise to visit again so much if they seemed to only care about numbers ]

[divus]

[The god's fingers join together in the middle, both index fingers pushing against one another in a nervous little gesture.]

Why else do you think I started reaching out to people on my own? Almost all of us are starting the same, I think. I've realized it must be intimidating to do so on your own.

[bakaomi]

Uh. Not really?

[ taka is a bad judge for how intimidating it is, beauty....... ]

[divus]

...well alright not you specifically. One of my own followers hasn't even spoken to me! [This is Tragic.]

[bakaomi]

Oh.

That sucks.

[divus]

I know! [Beauty's practically falling out of his chair now.] I have to think they must be intimidated by my sheer presence, but it isn't like that! I hoped that one of my roses would find its way to them but the fates were misaligned.

How would you approach someone who didn't want to be approached? Another grand gesture? [Someone save Taka.]

[bakaomi]

...

Explain "grand gesture."

[divus]

If the roses weren't enough, perhaps a hot air balloon?

[bakaomi]

Is that a joke?

[divus]

No? Why would it be? Though now that you mention it that may be a bit hard to control over the temple...

[bakaomi]

[ oh

oh my fucking GOD ]

Isn't that too much of a jump from roses?!