[Then Ray may as well scold the god for not wearing shoes.]

Never said it was a bad thing, kiddo. It's a nice change of pace. I haven't played for a while so I might be rusty.

[:)]

I think it's your move first. Both with the game and with your questions.

[Amused. They've definitely heard by now that Ray's been making rounds to the gods.]

It does, but sometimes in life you break a few rules to make progress. [Is that how that works? Still, they begin to play and I also suck at chess, so let's pretend they're just. Doing that. While they chat.]

Who'd you hear that from? [No denying it, curiously enough, but they'd like to know sources.]

[There's an interested little hum at the mention of Senri (weird kid, but a good kid) but with the mention of Piety Merriment seems to actively relax. When they speak next, the tone is a little softer and more fond.]

Piety's pretty smart and I shouldn't be surprised he noticed. [So yeah, that's correct.] I wouldn't be opposed to winning, but not if it means someone better for the job would lose. Otherwise, I'm in it to prevent chaos from taking over.

[:) x2]

Mostly? Just a world where people aren't afraid of the dark. [This answer seems to vary.] I'll be honest with you. If I win, all I can hope for is a world where the important things are protected and preserved.

Memories. [First of all.] And protecting the light. I just realized it later than I should have.

For now, yeah. [It's possible to change though, they mean.] It's a long story from the old life that I'm not letting happen again. Not if I can help it.

[But…] Lots of you are from some pretty dark worlds, too. ["And a lot of you are so young" goes unsaid. It's a little odd, they think.]

[They move one of their pieces and look up to face Ray again.]

You've been asking all of us what kind of world we want. Have any of us asked you what kind of world you want? That's different than a wish.

You mean Emma?

[This time there's a soft chuckle.]

Funny how those people get attached to us whether we want them to or not. But the world needs people like them to help protect everyone else.

...but that ideal world sounds nice. [They ponder that.] I'd like to make something like that happen.

You want my stance on the killing thing. [Unsurprising, yeah.] I haven't figured out if it's against the rules or not, but if it came down to it I'd step in myself. You don't think I'm keeping an eye on the others?

Easy there. I never said it was a bad thing. [Especially because, well:] I'd rather not have you guys knocking out the competition in a bloodsport, but if push comes to shove I'll take care of things myself somehow.

[That's maybe a little fucked up for the god of Merriment, but.] I don't believe in murder, especially when so many of you have barely even started living. But I'm pretty protective of what's mine.