holy place

[she_sells_seashells]

My alternates tend to take over the world. Advice available. Rates negotiable.

Shell Bell puts up her sign and nibbles her most recent charity meal. Not potatoes! It is not potatoes. Or fish or clams. It is rice and curry and a fruity yogurt drink. That nice person told Bar she could use his tab for four meals, and this is meal number two.

Comments

[seewhathappens]

"Yes. But even if there weren't any, I could create some. I'm likely to raise more land at the edges of this continent regardless."

[she_sells_seashells]

"Maybe not extending from the edge of Four, because we're accustomed to boating and used to the currents and coastline, but from the other edges sure."

[seewhathappens]

"I'll start wherever the local residents most want me to, of course. But in a few hundred years the residents of Four may feel differently. The coastal provinces of Lianem do sometimes request land extensions even though they all use boats."

[she_sells_seashells]

"Oh, yeah, I meant in the shorter term. Once the district industries aren't enforced I bet they'll flatten out a lot and it won't be such a strong concern for Four in particular to recognize the coast."

[seewhathappens]

"Oh, of course. I think of land extensions in the very long term, generally, but I realize now that wasn't clear."

[she_sells_seashells]

"Oh. Yeah, I don't usually think all that much about things that will happen after I am dead." Pause. "...There are things other than 'a way to overthrow the Capitol' that I could look for in Milliways."

[seewhathappens]

"Things such as?"

[she_sells_seashells]

"Like... one of the people who mistook me for one of my alts who took over a world said that the relevant alt was a vampire. An immortal vampire."

[seewhathappens]

"...I'm not sure what I think of 'vampire', but distributable immortality would be... extremely helpful."

[she_sells_seashells]

"I know, right? There's probably other ways to do it, it'll depend on who comes through. But I found you."

[seewhathappens]

"You did. And I would be happy to pay for you to stay in Milliways indefinitely searching for solutions to mortality."

[she_sells_seashells]

"Then the next time I find a door I'll park there and do that. Especially if you'll help me keep in touch with my parents."

[seewhathappens]

"Of course. When I experiment with opening doors to desired locations, would you like to be the target?"

[she_sells_seashells]

"Yes."

[seewhathappens]

"I'll do that, then. When I feel comfortable sparing an unknown amount of power to it."

[she_sells_seashells]

"...How dangerous exactly is that? What happens when you're low?"

[seewhathappens]

"A god who can't maintain enough power to live will starve to death. I usually run at a vast surplus compared to that amount. I've been spending much more freely than usual, but nowhere near enough to make me concerned about starving. I'd still rather wait until my surplus is at the usual level before I do things that might have unknown consequences."

[she_sells_seashells]

"And do it right before a holiday. Maybe the anniversary of when you came up, next year."

[seewhathappens]

"A good idea."

[she_sells_seashells]

"Thanks."

[seewhathappens]

Time continues to pass.

The Panem priesthood becomes steadily more organized and stable. Temporary temples are replaced by permanent ones, appropriately decorated. Kirovalin begins to make administrative appointments: mayors for the towns, governors for the districts. He does not select a governor for Panem as a whole.

Industries recover, some more quickly than others. Food is abundant. Soon the only thing Kirovalin is regularly bringing in from Lianem is maple sugar. People begin to ask priests for blessings, and Kirovalin grants them.

They get used to calling him 'the Emperor' when they don't want his direct attention; they get used to calling him 'Kirovalin' when they do. He translates and adapts the laws of his empire and makes them known. A few daring individuals test his willingness to be criticized; he answers them thoughtfully and without violence.

Three months after his arrival, he finishes creating a preliminary batch of local manifestations. Some of them begin to travel the continent - wearing acolyte pendants, to start getting people used to those - and distribute disease immunities to citizens.

One of them heads for District Thirteen. Alone. He decided not to risk any mortal lives on this expedition, just in case.

[alicornucopia]

Eventually, if he waits long enough, Tulip - again - comes up and over to say: "...Hi."

[seewhathappens]

"Hello," he says. "I'd like to make a diplomatic visit to District Thirteen."

[alicornucopia]

"And you are?"

[seewhathappens]

He switches to the omnilingual voice.

"Kirovalin, god-Emperor of Liafnifair." (Irahali, Kirova, Lianu, Elianesket, Amvara, Ashalir, Kirovara, Acsaira, Irathak, Arliasne, Ipraselei, Niaverel... an empire with many names, apparently.)