In the name of board games

[aestrix]

Raezenoth has spoken to his priests and his acolyte, and they have been informed that the manifestation of their god is going to be away for a little while. He has Godly Duties to attend to. Godly Duties meaning playing strategy games with this mortal he met over a multidimensional forum he can access through his godly powers. He's still not entirely sure how that works, but hey, it let him learn to play chess, and then play chess. He really can't complain.

He sits at the top of a mountain in his domain (the view is nice) and waits. Sometimes he can be very patient.

Comments

[thisvorlunatic]

He receives a private message from Leaf indicating that his invitation will arrive soon.

A few seconds later, an interdimensional gate opens directly in front of him.

[aestrix]

Well that's nice and convenient!

Into the gate goes the god.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Hello," says, presumably, Leaf. "Welcome to my planet." The gate closes.

[aestrix]

"Hello," says, presumably, the god Raezenoth. He looks very scruffy to be a god, but his voice echoes in every language Leaf knows and a few Leaf doesn't. Probably the god. "Thank you."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Oh, that's interesting," blinks Leaf. "The way you speak multiple languages at once. Very... something. Anyway, the games are over here."

The games are heavily computer-based and involve a holographic display and subtle controls which Miles has to explain. The first one he suggests is an abstract two-player game involving directing streams of coloured fluids and particulates through a three-dimensional space. It's very fast-paced and reflex-heavy, with complex tactics, and Miles finds it delightful.

[aestrix]

Raezenoth agrees.

He is also astonishingly good at it. Better than with chess, actually.

[thisvorlunatic]

Miles is pretty damn good at it too, but he's impressed with how fast Rae picks it up.

"The only other person I know who can keep up with me at this game is my mother!" he says.

[aestrix]

"I am a god with reflexes as one of my available blessings," he says serenely. The he pauses, and tilts his head. "... If anything, this is unfair. I will rectify this. Would you like a blessing to improve your reflexes?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"...I would like such a blessing very much, if it didn't come with any unspoken obligations or drawbacks," he says.

[aestrix]

"None inherent to the blessing," says Raezenoth. "That would somewhat defy its purpose. But other gods would be able to tell I had blessed you and some would possibly resent you for being favored."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I find that consequence acceptable," says Miles.

[aestrix]

"Very well."

He waves his hand, and now Miles has improved reflexes.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Thank you," says Miles.

Now Rae will have rather more trouble keeping up with him.

[aestrix]

"You're welcome."

Yes, that was the point. Raezenoth is pleased. He still performs admirably, but Miles is going to win more games than he loses.

[thisvorlunatic]

Miles takes great joy in beating a god at Plasma Rain.

[aestrix]

The god takes great joy in playing against a challenging opponent! He is not a sore loser. If anything he seems pleased when a mortal beats him.

[thisvorlunatic]

Good, because if he was a sore loser they would have a big problem.

Miles manages to refrain from openly gloating, but he is not subtle about his delight at winning.

He totally meant to show Rae some other games too, but Plasma Rain is turning out to be such a hit that he keeps forgetting to suggest it.

[aestrix]

Rae doesn't expect him to not be delighted by winning. It's fine by him. Also kind of amusing.

He's fine with playing this game for a while. It's challenging, it's fun, the tactical situations change from game to game - he is happy.

[thisvorlunatic]

The game itself also has plenty of interesting variations. The targets and sources of the colour flows can be arranged according to preset patterns, or generated at random using various algorithms; the array of devices and methods for controlling flow can be expanded considerably or restricted to arbitrary subsets.

[aestrix]

Yeah, they're going to be here a while. Raezenoth doesn't mind. He much prefers it being generated at random over preset patterns; more challenge that way.

[thisvorlunatic]

If and when they get tired of Plasma Rain, there are more games by the same company available - Lightning Strike, Cometfall, Starfire, Mirror Run. They probably won't have time to branch out past those.

And then Miles says, "It's been fun, but I think I should send you home soon. I have work to do."

[aestrix]

Raezenoth nods. "I will return to my domain. Thank you for the company and the games. I enjoyed myself."

He's smiling, faintly.

[thisvorlunatic]

"We should do this again sometime," he agrees. "I had a blast. Here's your gate."

[aestrix]

"Agreed. Thank you."

Into the gate goes the god!

[thisvorlunatic]

And Miles closes the gate, and takes the time to refill his MP, and flies back to Vorkosigan House from the house on the long lake.