The riddle competition stretched longer than expected. The Nubeculas' enthusiasm for this simple game still baffles me - though I won't complain when it earned me points.
I have a good amount of points now, and that would have been impressive if my stats weren't so low.
I will have to use the points to increase my stats in the future, so I played along despite the absurdity.
+
[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' is happy with her victory. ]
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As expected, Hwang Jini dominated with correct answers. While I couldn't always stump divine beings, their enjoyment made the game worthwhile.
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[ The Nubecula 'Who Like Cigars And Candy' comments "Oh that's bullshit." ]
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However, not everyone appreciated being outsmarted.
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments "One more!" ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' comments " Yes let's have one more."]
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Their competitive nature shone through. Divine egos bruised easily, even over mortal games.
"This will be the last one. 'Until I am measured I am not known, Yet how you miss me when I have flown. What am I?'"
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[ Some Nubeculas are thinking about your riddle. ]
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Most Nubeculas immersed themselves in thought, except one. Persephone lounged on the couch, her disinterest palpable.
-Done with riddles?
She barely glanced up. "You always ask questions. Amusing, but are pointless for me."
I understood her boredom. What did gods gain from this? Her lack of interest was more of an obvious reaction that I was expecting.
Perhaps I could make it worthwhile. Through our private chat:
-How about every time you answer one correctly, and I'll answer any question of yours.
Her head snapped up from the cushion. "Any question?" The sudden intensity in her gaze made my fingers twitch against the desk.
I nodded, though unease prickled my neck.
Persephone floated over in a whisper of silk, planting herself across from me. "No excuses." The weight behind those words settled like ice in my stomach.
After a moment's hesitation, I shrugged.
-Only for difficult riddles. Obviously too easy a riddle doesn't count. No free passes.
Her eyes narrowed to slits. A necessary precaution - her questions could flay souls bare.
"Fine."
-Then try the current one.
As she pondered, answers flooded in:
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[ The Nubecula 'Dionysus' comments " Party. " ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Who Like Cigars And Candy' comments " I don't like it. " ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' comments " Air. " ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' comments " Rest time. " ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jini' comments " Life. " ]
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While Hwang Jini's answer resonated most, Raziel's "rest time" spoke to my exhausted soul. Persephone chewed her lip, frustration creasing her brow.
"It's... difficult."
It wasn't easy, to be honest. The riddle allowed multiple interpretations. Just as I prepared to reveal the answer:
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments " Time. It's Time." ]
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A grin tugged at my lips. "Congratulations, Gumiho." The excitable fox finally got one right. "As promised, I'll answer one question."
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments " REALLY!? " ]
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"Really."
Persephone's betrayed glare could have melted stone as I extended the same offer to Gumiho. It's a reward. The chat exploded with activity:
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments " ok I will ask then." ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' is paying attention. ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' is paying attention. ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jin' is paying attention. ]
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Nubecula's attention focused like a spotlight on me. Even Persephone leaned forward, despite her obvious pout.
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[ Some Nubeculas are holding their breaths. ]
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Their collective anticipation was almost comical. They are all making too much big a deal out of it
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' is thinking about her question. ]
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Take your time. One harmless question.
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments " I got it. " ]
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[ Some Nubecula are curious. They took a loud gulp. ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' comments " How much do you like Gumiho? " ]
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[ Some Nubeculas are speechless. ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' is blushing. ]
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"What the hell?!" Persephone's palm slammed the desk hard enough to rattle my teacup. "That narcissistic rumor-monger. She should ask something more personal."
Classic Gumiho. The so-called "rumor expert" cared more about flattery than uncovering actual secrets.
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[ The Nubecula 'Who Like Cigars And Candy' comments " Hahaha. As expected for her" ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Raziel' comments " I guess. " ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' has let out a sigh. ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jin' is holding her head. ]
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[ Some Nubeculas are disappointed. ]
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Even the other Nubeculas had hoped for juicier revelations. I pasted on a smile, resigned to Gumiho's predictable antics.
"Of course. I like Gumiho very much. She's an active audience and has helped me a lot."
"Tch."
Persephone's sharp tongue click echoed through the room, her amertine eyes flashing with barely contained frustration. The way her fingers dug into the armrests betrayed her disappointment - not just at failing to solve the riddle, but at Gumiho squandering such a precious opportunity on vanity.
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[ The Nubecula 'Gumiho' is blushing. ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Hwang Jin' is jealous. ]
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[ The Nubecula 'Whose Heart Bleeds For Heartbroken' is Jealous.. ]
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My answer wasn't entirely misleading. Gumiho's relentless enthusiasm and gossip network had indeed drawn more Nubecula attention to my streams, increasing my donations significantly. Still, watching her preen over such shallow praise left a bitter taste.
The afternoon passed in quiet study as I pored over Lisa's lecture materials. By evening, I'd absorbed enough to confidently report my progress. Lisa acknowledged my completion with her characteristic minimalism, dismissing me with only instructions to return tomorrow. The white cat - Hekate in disguise - watched me leave with unblinking sapphire eyes.
The reception area lay quiet except for Todd's methodical paper-shuffling and an unexpected sight: Ducas perched stiffly on the waiting couch, a massive wicker basket occupying the coffee table before him. His silver hair caught the fading sunlight as he stood abruptly at my approach.
"Good evening, Sir Arthur. Is your work done for today?"
"Yes."
"Good." He lifted the basket with both hands, the woven strands creaking under its weight. "I bought some food for you."
The basket's size suggested requirements for a week, not a single meal. I guess I do not need to go out for dinner anymore. Todd's gaze followed us as I led Ducas upstairs, but the assassin-turned-clerk wisely kept silent.
My room welcomed me like an old friend. I collapsed backward onto the bed, savoring the way the mattress cradled my exhausted body. The day's mental exertion left me drained in ways physical labor never could.
Ducas set the basket on the table with exaggerated care.
"You finished registration and got your dorm room?" I spoke without moving a muscle.
"Yes, sir."
"Good." The relief in my voice wasn't feigned. While Ducas' presence had its uses, I craved solitude after hours of playing assistant professor.
A scalding shower washed away the day's tensions. Emerging refreshed, I found Ducas standing at parade rest beside the untouched food basket. The array inside put royal banquets to shame - artfully arranged meats, delicate pastries, fresh fruits, and sandwiches cut with geometric precision.
I grabbed a buttery cookie. "Come. You eat as well."
"No, it's for you. I'll eat later." His posture stiffened further, as if I'd suggested sacrilege.
"Eat." The command came muffled through cookie crumbs but brooked no argument. His reaction was a little confusing for me. I could not even eat all this, even if I wanted to.
Ducas approached like a man facing execution, carefully selecting the smallest portions possible until I fixed him with a stare. Only then did he fill his plate properly.
Between bites, I remembered tomorrow's agenda. "Ducas."
He looked up, fork suspended mid-bite, a chunk of glazed meat dripping sauce onto his plate.
"How do you feel about injustice?"
The change in his demeanor was instantaneous. His scarred hands clenched around his utensils, knuckles bleaching white. "I hate people who do injustice. No one should suffer through something like that. Everyone should be treated equally."
The fervor in his voice matched the holy glow suddenly emanating from his skin. This was the man who'd endured decades of Church experimentation yet still clung to ideals of absolute justice. He has morals that a God should have. Maybe I should help him become one of them in the future.
"And if you find someone in trouble?"
"I'll obviously help them." No hesitation. No caveats.
"And what if the person is unjust themselves?"
His mouth opened, then closed. The cognitive dissonance played across his face like shadow puppets - the idealist confronting moral relativity for the first time. I almost pitied him.
There is nothing wrong with that, but he needs to have some common sense. Bad and Good are all relative, if someone is good that person will be bad for someone else and a bad person will be good for certain someone.
"Don't think too much about it." I waved away his internal crisis before it could fully form. Some lessons couldn't be taught, only learned through experience.
"I need you to do something for me."
"Yes, Sir Arthur. What do you need?" Eager for purpose.
"Go to street 45 near the plaza tomorrow."
Confusion wrinkled his brow, but he remained silent. Good. The less he questioned, the better this would work.
"There's an alley on the street side. Spend the afternoon and evening there."
"Spend the afternoon and evening?" The request clearly baffled him.
"Yes." I offered no explanation. None needed. With classes starting the day after tomorrow, he'd have no other commitments. And more importantly, that's where he'd encounter Valerie.
"Okay. I'll spend tomorrow afternoon and evening in the alleyway on street 45." Simple acceptance. He seemed curious as to why I wanted him there but he didn't ask anything.
I nodded approval, then added as I remembered something else.: "Observe from a distance. Don't intervene unless absolutely necessary."
+
[ Some Nubeculas are curious about what you are planning. ]
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Their prying messages earned no response from me. Let them wonder. Ducas returned to his meal with renewed gusto, oblivious to the strings being pulled.
As I settled into bed, the plan crystallized: Ducas would gain a valuable ally, Valerie would receive unexpected aid, and I? I'd gain precious breathing room.
The pieces were set. Now it's all up to him.