God of Fortune, part 2
This post is a continuation of the first part of my dream last night. It's looking like this will be a long series, so I'll make the LJ cut for those of you who could care less.
To add to the description of the God of Fortune I gave earlier, a better model to compare him to than Sai would be Mansairaku from Otogi Zoshi. And of course, he's just as handsome.
The moment I agreed to help the God of Fortune, the warmth in his smile increased and he looked upon me with a nearly amorous gaze, which was enough to astound me that I could only respond with a shy smile. It was at that point he related to me what should have been obvious. The day he abducted me was the very day marking 500 years since the last game in which Fortune had been soundly defeated by the evil god king. "But this time," he assured me with a grave frown, "tonight, I am determined not to lose again."
During this time, the question had crossed my mind as to what made him pick me of all people to help him, but it never came up in conversation. In the meantime, I was more preoccupied with what Fortune would have me do first. It was still many hours till sundown.
Fortune paused a moment to look me over with scrutiny. "To begin with," he spouted, "I’d say a change of wardrobe should do you some good." It was true--I was still wearing my modern clothing. So, much in fairy godmother fashion, Fortune grinned and made a dramatic sweeping motion with one arm, instantly changing my attire into something more region-appropriate. My new clothing was composed of simple, loose clothing in plain color that hung somewhat baggy from my waist and hips, and a thick hood to be pulled over my head in the manner of an Arabian sheik or an Indian man. My long hair was tied back neatly, kept out of my face. At the time, I took no notice of the peculiar ethnic nature of the wardrobe he'd provided me. Not until later did I realize that Fortune had disguised me as a man.
That done, he rather suddenly disappeared into thin air. I was then guided only by Fortune's voice out of the cave and into the desert sands, where I was forced to pull the white hood tightly over my head to keep out the dust blown by harsh eastern winds. Even still, I could hear Fortune speaking in my ear clear as day in spite of the wind. "Are you in my head?" I asked him idly.
"Of course not." He snorted. "Tell me, do you feel a tickling sensation in your ear?"
I had to pause in thought. "Actually... I do..." Something told me he hadn’t exactly 'disappeared' after all.
"That would be me."
I stopped walking. "You mean..."
He sighed somewhat impatiently. "Yes, I'm the gnat in your hood. And watch that hand, so you don't bat your ears idly. I didn’t appreciate it earlier."
The combined irritation and amusement that dominated his mood then were indiscernible. Rather than question it, I decided not to debase myself further with a hasty response, and just resumed my previous pace instead, this time careful to keep my hands far from the hood.
Before long, at Fortune's direction, I came upon a caravan of elephants and great colorful wagons. I obeyed the god’s instruction carefully, and though they were slightly bewildered at my sudden approach from the dunes, they warmly welcomed me as though I'd been recognized as family. To my surprise, I could speak the same language as the merchants with ease. I quickly supposed everyone spoke English in this world. Every occupant of the caravan was male. They insisted I travel with them to the nearest village, and I quietly agreed.
After several hours of quiet talking over the wind on the back of an elephant, I heard the voice of Fortune again. "You need to stick with them until they reach the encampment outside of the village," he said suddenly. After hours of silence on his end, I had begun to fear abandonment.
"Where have you been?!" I hissed in a low tone.
He answered simply, mechanically. "Do not concern yourself with the workings of divinity."
God or not, his holier-than-thou attitude did not exactly quell my frustration. "Don’t blow me off here!"
"Shhh, keep your hood on. These men must not suspect you. Listen quietly, and do exactly as I tell you."
Oh, brother, I thought. Here we go.
...to be continued in Part 3.
~Infin
PS: Part 3 will be recorded as soon as I get time. I have a draft and a paper due Friday, so we'll see.
To add to the description of the God of Fortune I gave earlier, a better model to compare him to than Sai would be Mansairaku from Otogi Zoshi. And of course, he's just as handsome.
The moment I agreed to help the God of Fortune, the warmth in his smile increased and he looked upon me with a nearly amorous gaze, which was enough to astound me that I could only respond with a shy smile. It was at that point he related to me what should have been obvious. The day he abducted me was the very day marking 500 years since the last game in which Fortune had been soundly defeated by the evil god king. "But this time," he assured me with a grave frown, "tonight, I am determined not to lose again."
During this time, the question had crossed my mind as to what made him pick me of all people to help him, but it never came up in conversation. In the meantime, I was more preoccupied with what Fortune would have me do first. It was still many hours till sundown.
Fortune paused a moment to look me over with scrutiny. "To begin with," he spouted, "I’d say a change of wardrobe should do you some good." It was true--I was still wearing my modern clothing. So, much in fairy godmother fashion, Fortune grinned and made a dramatic sweeping motion with one arm, instantly changing my attire into something more region-appropriate. My new clothing was composed of simple, loose clothing in plain color that hung somewhat baggy from my waist and hips, and a thick hood to be pulled over my head in the manner of an Arabian sheik or an Indian man. My long hair was tied back neatly, kept out of my face. At the time, I took no notice of the peculiar ethnic nature of the wardrobe he'd provided me. Not until later did I realize that Fortune had disguised me as a man.
That done, he rather suddenly disappeared into thin air. I was then guided only by Fortune's voice out of the cave and into the desert sands, where I was forced to pull the white hood tightly over my head to keep out the dust blown by harsh eastern winds. Even still, I could hear Fortune speaking in my ear clear as day in spite of the wind. "Are you in my head?" I asked him idly.
"Of course not." He snorted. "Tell me, do you feel a tickling sensation in your ear?"
I had to pause in thought. "Actually... I do..." Something told me he hadn’t exactly 'disappeared' after all.
"That would be me."
I stopped walking. "You mean..."
He sighed somewhat impatiently. "Yes, I'm the gnat in your hood. And watch that hand, so you don't bat your ears idly. I didn’t appreciate it earlier."
The combined irritation and amusement that dominated his mood then were indiscernible. Rather than question it, I decided not to debase myself further with a hasty response, and just resumed my previous pace instead, this time careful to keep my hands far from the hood.
Before long, at Fortune's direction, I came upon a caravan of elephants and great colorful wagons. I obeyed the god’s instruction carefully, and though they were slightly bewildered at my sudden approach from the dunes, they warmly welcomed me as though I'd been recognized as family. To my surprise, I could speak the same language as the merchants with ease. I quickly supposed everyone spoke English in this world. Every occupant of the caravan was male. They insisted I travel with them to the nearest village, and I quietly agreed.
After several hours of quiet talking over the wind on the back of an elephant, I heard the voice of Fortune again. "You need to stick with them until they reach the encampment outside of the village," he said suddenly. After hours of silence on his end, I had begun to fear abandonment.
"Where have you been?!" I hissed in a low tone.
He answered simply, mechanically. "Do not concern yourself with the workings of divinity."
God or not, his holier-than-thou attitude did not exactly quell my frustration. "Don’t blow me off here!"
"Shhh, keep your hood on. These men must not suspect you. Listen quietly, and do exactly as I tell you."
Oh, brother, I thought. Here we go.
...to be continued in Part 3.
~Infin
PS: Part 3 will be recorded as soon as I get time. I have a draft and a paper due Friday, so we'll see.