TEXT | @Punisher

[eyeofmyass]

[ooc warning: Religious tones, catholic terminology, all of which will probably be very inaccurate. ]

So, back home I was something of a priest, and I was thinking of offering my priestly services of confessions to those who are in need. Some of you might be asking whats a confession, or why should I bother? Well, let me tell ya! A confession is you admitting your sins and receiving penance and absolution. All that shit that’s bothering you? That bad thing you did? Or that good thing you didn’t do? Think of it as a ‘clean slate.’

And you don’t have to be religious. I think everybody deserves to get it all off their chest, ya know? Don’t need absolution? No problem, but how about an impartial, unbiased soul to unburden to? Feel guilty and need a way to feel better? I can suggest penance for that.

All I ask for in return is a donation. Not bad, right? All confessions stay in the confession booth, or inbox, however you feel comfortable doing it. I’m not here to share your secrets or judge. Anonymous is fine, just show proof that you donated.

C’mon, it’ll make ya feel good!

Amen.

Comments

[survivaltricks]

[AKIRA NEVER EXPLAINS HIMSELF. . .]

huh. . . and here i thought all priests knew how to play shogi.

[it's a joke!1]

saying you haven't played many games sounds kind of sad, though.

[eyeofmyass]

oh. well guess I'm a special kinda priest.

[Maybe real priests do play games? Not like he's ever dealt with any.]

pretty sure it's nothing special back home. people don't have much.

do you know how to play?

[survivaltricks]

[people don't have much. . .?]

sure. i was taught by the best.

do you want to learn?

[eyeofmyass]

looks like I got time around here. might be fun. do you get to shoot things?

[survivaltricks]

while that would make the game WAY more interesting, unfortunately, no.

it's a board game where you move pieces from square to square while trying to trap your opponent's.

[eyeofmyass]

then the game name is misleading.

do they have those around here?

[survivaltricks]

. . . are you pronouncing it "shoo-gi?"

i bet i could find a set in a game shop somewhere in the city.

[eyeofmyass]

no.

[Not anymore, anyway.]

well if you get it we'll play a round.

[survivaltricks]

uh huh

[it's fine, no judgment on not being able to pronounce foreign words]

works for me. the library should be a nice quiet place to play, if you want to meet up there.

[eyeofmyass]

yeah i've been there. when do you want to meet?

[survivaltricks]

two hours? that's all the time i need to find a shogi board.

[eyeofmyass]

see ya there.

[survivaltricks]

two hours! on the dot!

[not that Akira hasn't been late himself before, but whatever!!]

[as promised though, approximately two hours after this conversation, Akira makes his way to the library! he is carrying with him a rather old and very used shogi set, complete with a board and all of the proper pieces. he probably made it to the library well before Wolfwood did, so. . . he is in the process of setting the pieces up onto the board when his companion finally arrives]

[eyeofmyass]

[He'll listen, and make sure he's there on time. He's not exactly patient when it comes to waiting on people either.

Kid is easy enough to find, one of the only ones with a board on their table instead of a book. So he comes up to the table and slips into the seat across from him, eyes curiously taking in the game and it's assorted pieces.

He plucks one up, eyeing the tile piece. Tum-tum over here seems kind of excited about this whole thing.]

How you been, anyway? Slow down on those protein bars?

[survivaltricks]

[evenly]

I'm never going to eat another protein bar as long as I live.

[OH. . .]

[eyeofmyass]

[He smirks, seems like future him did indeed have to deal with it. And it didn't go well.]

Who woulda guessed.

[Him. He totally tried to warn him.]

So, hows this all work?

[survivaltricks]

[AKIRA WAS TOO HUNGRY TO HEED THOSE WARNINGS. . . but with a laugh, he turns his attention back to the board]

It's a strategy game. Each piece can only move in specific directions and formations. As you move, you capture your opponent's pieces along the way.

[gesturing to each piece as he talks, then moving his fingers to hover over the King]

And once you trap your opponent's King, then you win.

[eyeofmyass]

Just the king, huh?

[And he grabs the king tile, looking over the curious symbol on it thoughtfully before he snaps it back down.]

Makes sense.

[It means everything else is dispensable. Reminds him a bit of a military. A kingdom. A cult.]

Okay. So where's the cheat sheet on how they all move?