cyclists | audience: akane

People visited you before, but you couldn't have conversations with them?

I guess if you're some kind of spirit, that makes sense... [ that's her running theory, anyway. ]

That is correct.

For many years, I was not able to possess a will of my own.

I guess I can understand why this is better, then.

I would say so.

Even then - I cannot help but wonder why you neglected to answer my question.

Do you not believe you are capable of bringing happiness to others as you are, as you have done with me?

[ Akane... Shakes her head. ]

I can't control people, here. I can't set them to think of me a certain way, or feel a certain way.

[ ... When she's not in direct, god-mode control of other people's reality, how is she supposed to make them happy? How could people like her when she can't program them to? ]

[a thoughtful pause at that]

What do you think of people who are out of your control?

Are they difficult? Hateful? Generous? Kind?

They're difficult, obviously.

[ Difficult to control, haha, get it........ ]

[there is a soft laugh at that - in understanding]

Humans are odd, aren't they? So full of complex, varied emotion....

[ she laughs too, but it's definitely got an edge of frustration to it. ]

It's much better when I'm in control of things, you know...? This kind of thing is totally jarring for me.

[there is a small nod

then wondering:]

Are you unhappy with it? Is it hard for you to learn?

Of course I'm unhappy with it.

[ That comes out more aggressive than she means for it to. Quieter, she adds: ]

There's nothing to learn. I just have to get back to my world.

[lune doesn't appear too bothered, at the very least. instead they just wait a beat longer, as if to allow her a moment to collect herself, and then they speak]

Mm...

I do not wish for you to be unhappy.

Would anything else, aside from the power source you seek, make it more bearable?

I want the power I had back home.

[ She says it firmly, almost accusingly. Who brought her here, away from that power? Who took it from her? She doesn't have anyone else to point fingers at except for Lune, but can't bring herself to actually hate Lune yet, either.

So even though her tone comes out harsh, her expression is already resigned. ]

And what power was that?

[the tone is curious - it appears as though lune doesn't know what she was capable of, and can only guess based on their conversations]

To have others do as you wished?

That's right. I'm a goddess in that world. I can shape it and reshape it however I want, and I can get rid of anyone I want.

Ahh, I see.

Then it must be a very tall order, to render a goddess on the same level as others - perhaps just as human as everyone else.

My apologies for the inconvenience.

[ . . . ]

... mm, but even so, I have faith in you.

[ ... Not throwing a tantrum is as close to accepting the apology as she can get. This smile, like most of hers are, is very fake. ]

Faith in me? Why? [ ... No, wait, maybe she is throwing a tantrum. That why came out real derisive. ]

[at the very least, she is with the npc who will not answer her tantrum with a tantrum. instead lune is as thoughtful as ever, taking a moment to be sure that they are giving her question the proper contemplation]

I have not seen a reason to fail to have faith in you.

Should a goddess not possess a believer?

What makes a goddess worth believing in, if not her power? Without it, I'm just...

[ Just a person? Just an ordinary high school girl? But she's not just her ordinary self, is she? She's still like this. She shakes her head like she's dismissing whatever that thought was. She isn't sure how to finish it. ]

[lune is patient]

You are...?

[gently guiding, sincerely curious what she might have to say -

though they leave out the 'just']

[ ... She smiles!

That means you don't get a clear answer. ]

It doesn't matter. The only thing that matters if that I don't have control over this world.

Hmm....

If I may... I believe it matters a great amount.

Just as I would like to watch your favorite 'shows' with you - I would like to know more about you. What it is that makes you smile, what brings you frustration.

If you would but allow it.

[ Hmm... It's a playful answer, not really addressing the real subject at hand, but. At least Akane seems a little more genuinely cheerful? Maybe?? ]

I like to win. That's what makes me smile. What brings me frustration is when things get in my way. When people are rude, or pushy, or can't take a hint. That kind of thing.

[ so sayeth: a very fucking rude and pushy girl. ]

Ah, the rules of etiquette are certainly very important.

[a little nod]

Very well then. Shall we continue to make it our game? For the task that I have offered in exchange for your power source, I am entirely certain that you will be able to win.

I would not give you a task that I was not entirely certain you would be able to complete.

I'll try, but... I think you're being pretty unrealistic, here.

[ still, she stands up and dusts off her skirt. ]

I'll let you know how it goes.

(no subject)

cyclists - 2019-06-14 18:23 (UTC) - Expand