Thus Amenosagume was captured, and she was bound with eight lengths of rice straw rope, to be held by four guards to her right and four guards to her left, so that she might not escape. They led her to the great palace of the deity Amatsukunitama, saying, "Here is the earthly spirit Amenosagume, whose lies did slay the deity Amewakahiko. What should be done with her?"

Like everything else on the moon, the parties had every drop of joy squeezed out of them.

They were dry, formal affairs, always intended to celebrate some event that was just as dry and formal. She hadn't even bothered to read up on what today's was meant to commemorate, but she'd picked up everything she cared to know from speeches anyway: The wife of one of the administrators had given birth to a child, the first to be born in this new lunar society.

Sagume was glad that she hadn't read up on it. She didn't even want to know how many types of purification they felt were necessary for such an event.

Now, at least, the formal proceedings were over, and the attendees had broken out into small groups, scattered throughout the mansion's grounds. There still wasn't much of a celebration. She'd listened in on a few of them to see what the guests were up to, and come away unsurprised: poetry, philosophical debate, and gossip.

She wasn't interested. Instead, she snagged a bottle of sake and a cup from a table as she passed, and carried them until she found an unoccupied balcony to settle in on. It overlooked the mansion's front courtyard and the milling crowd below. Dozens of unsuspecting, self-righteous deities. As she drained the cup for the third time, she wondered if she shouldn't hurl the bottle into the crowd when she was done.

Before she could act on the impulse, a voice interrupted her. "I thought I might find you by yourself."

Sagume glanced back, annoyed, but paused when she saw the speaker. She hesitated to very carefully line her words up in her head. It was sloppy, drinking like this somewhere where she might have to talk. "Omoikane. I didn't know you were keeping tabs on me."

"I keep tabs of everything that happens up here. And you should know that I abdicated my heavenly title, just like everybody else. It's 'Eirin' now."

"Eirin, then." Sagume turned back toward the crowd and filled her cup again. "I'm allowed to be alone if I want."

"And do you want to be alone?"

"There isn't anybody up here that I'd want to spend time with." Sagume shot Eirin a pointed glance and hoped that she could take a hint.

She didn't. Eirin settled in against the railing as well. "Well, unfortunately for you, we plan to live up here for eternity. Spending eternity drinking alone might get old."

"Better than drinking with them," Sagume grumbled. The reminder made her want to shout curses off the balcony for half an hour. She settled for slumping against the rail, glaring blearily at the crowd below. "You weren't there. On Earth. In Izumo. Every few years, a different god came down from the heavens to try 'pacifying' the place. Trying to get it ready for this bunch. ... I lost people. Friends."

"Maybe they would have survived if they hadn't tried to resist destiny."

"It wasn't destiny. It was heavenly spirits, high and mighty and thinking that they can take whatever they want because they're stronger. And now I'm on an entire planet of you assholes." Sagume thrust the cup toward the crowd below. Some of the contents sloshed out. Maybe she'd had a drink or two too many. Too late to stop now, though. "... and I'm a half-breed mutt with no reason to be here."

Eirin plucked the bottle from her grasp. Producing a small cup from her robe, she filled it and took a slow sip. "You're selling yourself short."

Sagume snorted dismissively.

"You are. You made the pacification of Izumo take fifteen years, instead of a few months. That's no small feat."

"We still lost." Sagume snatched for the bottle, but Eirin saw the attempt coming and moved it just out of reach.

"Before you drink yourself into oblivion, I have a proposal for you."

"Can I drink myself into oblivion afterward?"

"That is between you and your liver." Eirin finished her drink and sat her cup aside, then folded her hands on the railing to join Sagume in watching the crowd below. "You've seen what kind of people we have up here. They're bureaucrats, philosophers, and artists. They were to be the foundation of a perfect society, and I still think they will. But in the meantime... there are matters that need to be addressed, while that society is being built."

She withdrew a scroll from her robe and offered it over. Sagume eyed it. "What's this?"

"A proposal that I think would suit your unique skills."

Sagume didn't take the scroll, but turned to give Eirin her full attention, crossing her arms. Eirin continued. "There are rumors that two deities have been talking about returning to Earth together. If somebody were to leave this new society so soon... it would reflect very poorly on Lord Tsukuyomi."

"And? Don't tell me you think I'm the right person to give them a sales pitch."

"We already tried the 'sales pitch.' I'd like you to find out if the rumors are true. If they really are planning to return to Earth, fabricate some evidence that we can use to accuse them of a crime. They'll be found guilty at their trial... and the punishment will be banishment to Earth." Eirin gave a tight smile. "We save face, and everybody is happy. You would, of course, be paid well."

Sagume was too surprised to reply for a moment. "You want me to frame them?"

"I wasn't aware that you suddenly had morals."

"... forget it. If they want to leave this place, good for them. Maybe I should join them."

Eirin didn't budge, and for a second or two, Sagume worried that she wasn't going to take no for an answer. She inclined her head in understanding, though, and tucked the scroll away. "Suit yourself. I'll let you sulk in peace, then."

"I'm not sulking, I'm..." Drinking alone and avoiding all human contact. Right. That didn't sound any better.

"Whatever it is, then. When you're ready to find some purpose in this society, get in contact with my assistants." Eirin took a step back from the railing and turned to leave, but then glanced back, giving a wan smile. "In the meantime, if you don't enjoy this sort of gathering... come visit my manor sometime. I wouldn't mind talking to somebody that isn't a bureaucrat, myself."