voice; replies voice unless otherwise noted

[payback]

Nutty times around here, huh? It's nice to see things happening, even if it's stuff like "spaceship crashing into building you call home, inevitable relocation into a room with three other people." There are worse things.

[Grump grump. She just sounds dry. It's a little overcrowded here for a girl who likes her privacy, but whatcha gonna do...]

And now a trip home. Or a try for it. What good news for everyone who doesn't want to be here, maybe - if it works they could as well just install a revolving door and kick the people who won't have with fighting in a surprise war right back home. It could make life pretty difficult for the Initiative if it works out, if nobody'll stick around from the goodness of their hearts, or whatever.

It's the first time I've seen a place manage that though. So that's something.

Anyhow, welcome in to all you new people, I hope the Hold has been kind so far. If you're homesick cheer up, it could be so much more terrible around these parts. The group missions aren't so bad. You got armed and you got money and maybe you won't even be here a long time. The future looks bright, right?

Comments

[talenteddog]

They do seem to be. So yes, I'll stay. What they're asking isn't so different from what the bureaucracy of Heaven asked of me, so I'll stay with the ones whose rebellion I agree with for now.

[payback]

... Heaven like literally Heaven?

[talenteddog]

Mm. A Heaven, at least. I'd hardly be so forward as to call it the Heaven, although I've never had cause to visit any others.

[payback]

... Do you mind if I ask what you are?

[talenteddog]

[Another considering sound, followed by the sound of someone lighting up a cigarette. Obviously, he's found a supply here in the city.]

I suppose you would call me a god. It's technically what I am, but it's so painfully nondescript.

[payback]

[She's met one or two who claimed godhood. A somewhat wary pause, not that the wariness necessarily communicates.]

Nondescript like how?

[talenteddog]

[There will always be those who try to claim a title above their station. Luckily, that's far too much work for Tenpou to bother with.]

Well, it doesn't tell you much at all about what I really am, does it? It's only a word, and it likely means very different things to different people.

[payback]

So, why not be more descript?

[those she met might well have warranted the title. By the end she was never sure, as she's not sure now.]

[talenteddog]

Very well.

My name is Tenpou, and I was formerly a Field Marshal in the Western Army of Heaven, subordinate to Goujun, Dragon King of the Western Ocean. We were responsible for maintaining peace in the world under Heaven, and subduing those monsters and youkai who would disrupt that peace.

The human texts that I've read on the subject would term us Taoist deities, but such labels are barely more useful than none at all.

[payback]

Er. Yeah, that kind of is pretty vague.

Can you do magic?

[talenteddog]

Only in the most basic sense, activating a containment seal or the like. You'd need to go higher in rank than I care to be for the sort of magic I imagine you mean.

I am but a simple servant in the army.

[payback]

Oh... were you born a god, or did you ascend?

[talenteddog]

[There's a strange pause.]

You know... it's been so long, I'm not sure I can say anymore. I don't seem to recall ever having been human, though.

[payback]

Do gods even get born?

[talenteddog]

Occasionally, yes, although it's a rare enough event to be greeted with some measure of surprise each time it happens, at least in recent times.

Heaven tends to frown upon all things that may be considered overly... fun, if you know what I mean.

[payback]

[A nervous little giggle-]

So new gods don't grow out from inside roses or something.

[talenteddog]

Not exactly.

Although I'm sure if you asked a few of the Jade Emperor's Court, they'd certainly be willing to claim that sort of origin. Anything to make themselves sound better.

[payback]

That sounds very normal.

[talenteddog]

Disgustingly so. [But even he can't help sounding amused talking about it.]

Heaven is everything you think you want but that you find you can't stand after an eternity or so. Or even a few centuries. This place, such as it is, truly is a pleasant change.

[payback]

Well, that's good! It's better than it being a pit of misery for everybody who arrives. You might be around for quite a while, after all...

[talenteddog]

So I've heard... ah, I don't believe I caught your name.

[payback]

Asano Rin. [Pause.] Yours?

[talenteddog]

Asano Rin. [Just trying out the name. It's not a bad one.] Tenpou, as I said. The titles are completely unnecessary anymore. Just Tenpou.

The pleasure, of course, is mine.

[payback]

Ah, nice to meet you as well. Thanks for sharing your information. Welcome to Exsilium.