I am able to sense when something in me has changed -- that is a part of my makeup. It's not always possible for me to confirm or analyze the full nature of the change myself. But I've felt this sort of change before.
A fundamental change in what I am. I need more information.
[She seems slightly less relaxed about this, curling an arm around her midsection and directing a steady stare at the god.
There's a lot she'll put up with, and a lot that she can deal with, but as for this matter...]
You may know, but my blood and my being are special. I also noticed that most of my existing skills aren't listed on my statue. What can you tell me?
[The god whistles, putting their hands up in the air.]
Easy, easy. Nothing's changed...at least not permanently. It's just part of the game, putting everyone on an even playing field to prevent cheating...yadda yadda. Don't sweat the small stuff.
[She seems to relax slightly, her fingers digging less into her arm, but there's still a certain unhappy tightness in her expression. Being changed without her knowledge isn't a good time, y'all.]
An even playing field... Yes, I suppose I can see why the change had to be made, even if I'm not sure I would be playing if I had known. The presence of death is... something I don't want to tolerate.
[But then, her particular definition of death is interesting. It's still something that the world requires, and much as she's going against the whole world, she's also somehow pragmatic enough to recognize its constraints while they exist.
That is partly why she's here.]
So, what you're saying is that all skills that aren't listed on my statue are temporarily out of the scope of this game. Correct?
Bingo. And you only have to deal with it until I win, because then you'll get back everything that we took away and then some. More powers, wishes granted, the whole shebang. Worth a few weeks of a borrowed skillset, don'tcha think?
I'm sure there are those who would enjoy the challenge.
[She's tucking herself back together, all her jagged edges and pieces in a slow-motion furling. She manages something of a smile, thinking of all those who do take such mortality as a challenge, always and at every hour.
Mortality and robots had been strangers for so long where she came from.]
I will see what I can do. [if not to enjoy it, then to live (haha) with it, sure; perhaps even to use it to her advantage] As for the borrowed skillset...
Aaaaand you don't consider yourselves one of those people?
[Indulgence laughs.]
Hey! You chose me, didn't you? Learn to live a little! Hell, I'll even help. Stick with me, and you'll never have a dull moment for the rest of your life.
[He waves a careless hand.]
Yeah, powers on the alter walls? Whichever one you want, its yours starting Monday when the broad with the yin-yang getup announces the tally.
I did choose you, and for good reason -- I'd rather not have dull moments in my life, it is already long enough.
[Long enough to really find better ways of doing things, she means, though she really would like to get rid of the dull things as fast and as cleanly as possible. Like cauterizing a wound or slicing off a gangrenous limb.
Anyway.]
I assume you mean Patience. These are such curious powers. I think I would prefer one that allows me to gather information, even as I work to interfere with my opponents.
Then I will watch, for the moment -- our competitors are many, and it's more than likely they will eliminate each other naturally. There's nothing more telling than the moment that decides victory or defeat.
You've got the right idea. We might as well play like a snake in the grass. Help the others along to bump each other off, then entice the remaining links to our side. Oh, hey, your team getting eviscerated? Join me, where nothing bad ever happens!
[He laughs.]
But I'm no war strategist, so don't let me do all the talking.
It's true that those backed into a corner are easy to sway. They may be at their most dangerous, but also their most suggestible. The timing will be something to keep an eye on, as well as the numbers. I wouldn't say I have the influence that I normally do, with my abilities.
no subject
A fundamental change in what I am. I need more information.
[She seems slightly less relaxed about this, curling an arm around her midsection and directing a steady stare at the god.
There's a lot she'll put up with, and a lot that she can deal with, but as for this matter...]
You may know, but my blood and my being are special. I also noticed that most of my existing skills aren't listed on my statue. What can you tell me?
no subject
Easy, easy. Nothing's changed...at least not permanently. It's just part of the game, putting everyone on an even playing field to prevent cheating...yadda yadda. Don't sweat the small stuff.
no subject
An even playing field... Yes, I suppose I can see why the change had to be made, even if I'm not sure I would be playing if I had known. The presence of death is... something I don't want to tolerate.
[But then, her particular definition of death is interesting. It's still something that the world requires, and much as she's going against the whole world, she's also somehow pragmatic enough to recognize its constraints while they exist.
That is partly why she's here.]
So, what you're saying is that all skills that aren't listed on my statue are temporarily out of the scope of this game. Correct?
no subject
no subject
[She's tucking herself back together, all her jagged edges and pieces in a slow-motion furling. She manages something of a smile, thinking of all those who do take such mortality as a challenge, always and at every hour.
Mortality and robots had been strangers for so long where she came from.]
I will see what I can do. [if not to enjoy it, then to live (haha) with it, sure; perhaps even to use it to her advantage] As for the borrowed skillset...
[Do they actually know what their skillset is.]
no subject
[Indulgence laughs.]
Hey! You chose me, didn't you? Learn to live a little! Hell, I'll even help. Stick with me, and you'll never have a dull moment for the rest of your life.
[He waves a careless hand.]
Yeah, powers on the alter walls? Whichever one you want, its yours starting Monday when the broad with the yin-yang getup announces the tally.
no subject
[Long enough to really find better ways of doing things, she means, though she really would like to get rid of the dull things as fast and as cleanly as possible. Like cauterizing a wound or slicing off a gangrenous limb.
Anyway.]
I assume you mean Patience. These are such curious powers. I think I would prefer one that allows me to gather information, even as I work to interfere with my opponents.
[Time to become a reverse Disney princess.]
no subject
[He sounds, well, incredibly confident.]
Good plan. The one currency richer than gold is information.
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There's still time to plan our movements.
no subject
[He laughs.]
But I'm no war strategist, so don't let me do all the talking.
no subject
[There's a smile here, faint but sharp.]
But I'm sure I can come up with something.