Ryu’s people decided it would be best to ignore whatever weird fetishes their new leader liked to partake in, and so he had to settle with being called something far less entertaining - Ryu. His other suggestions such as “The Almighty One” and the classic “Master” had all failed to take hold.

That didn’t mean it was over, but at least for the time being he would have to settle.

Ryu then spent some time finding out what resources he had at his disposal, and the results were sorely lacking. Dot had determined almost instanteously that it would be impossible to proceed with any degree of reconstruction without first dealing with some of the more critical issues.

“Do any of you know how to fish?” said Ryu.

Food, water and shelter - they all needed to be dealt with.

“No,” said the crowd.

“Farm?”

“No.”

What other options were there?

“I guess we could eat the weak-”

“NO!”

Ryu stood up from his seat and scratched his head.

“Well does anyone know how to do anything?”

“I can pray,” said the priestess.

“Well that’s useful,” said Ryu.

“And fight.”

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“Go hunting then.”

“I can only fight for the goddess.”

Ryu tsked and continued his pacing. Why did he always draw the short straw? His people were all deadweight as far as he could see. Except the priestess. He liked her.

“So how have you guys been surviving?”

“Scavenging,” said someone in the crowd.

“Then go do that.”

Ryu flicked his wrist, an act of dismissal, and all except the priestess scuttled off.

“You’re not going to scavenge?” said Ryu.

The priestess bowed her head.

“It would interfere with my duties to the goddess.”

Ryu called bullshit. She was just lazy, not that he was going to complain. It meant he got to spend time alone with the cute priestess. He took a seat again and began flipping through menus, checking on things in case anything had changed.

“So what are your duties?” said Ryu.

The priestess looked at Ryu, though he was too busy going through menus to notice.

“Whatever the goddess wishes I do my utmost to fulfil.”

“So what are you doing right now?”

“Ensuring I am free in case the goddess asks something of me.”

Ryu stopped his scrolling for a second to catch the expression on the priestess’ face. Composed as always. “And when was the last time she asked for something?”

The priestess opened her mouth, but shut it moments later. “She speaks to me, but she has not yet asked anything of me.”

“I wonder why…” mumbled Ryu, off to the side, before looking at the priestress. “Then there should be no problem with you giving me a hand, right? Come here.”

Ryu waved the priestess over, and she stepped towards him, warily.

“So… about your dress. It never gets dirty?”

“The goddess has blessed it.”

Ryu reached out, fingers fondling the air.

“So…?”

“It is immune to impurities.”

“Ahh…” said Ryu, leaning forward.

“What kind of impurities?”