The genie gone, Ranma stood there for a moment, waiting for some sort of sign that his wish had been granted.
Nothing continued to happen. Or not happen. A nonevent. Nothingness maintained its ontological inertia and remained nothingness.
Bored, Ranma walked down the street to find something else to pass the time as the genie had been a dud. Seeing Buddha and Jesus, he waved at the pair of older men. “What are you guys up to today?”
Lighting up, Jesus waved back. “Ah, Ranma-kun. We’re going shopping today! I’m going to look for a laptop.”
Buddha glared at Jesus with his Buddha smile, causing the long-haired man to step away in shock. “Ahahaha. No. Jesus meant to say we were going to responsibly shop for some reasonably priced clothes. Right?”
Laughing nervously, Jesus was glad to have survived another close encounter with Buddha’s rather intense expression. “Hahaha. Right. Do you know of any good shops Ranma-kun? Hopefully something without bargain wagons.”
Ranma considered the pair. It was kind of fun watching the two gods pretend to be normal people, but not terribly exciting. Jesus was kinda fun and Buddha was pleasant, reminding him of temple visits for obvious reasons.
Well they were better than hanging out with the usual suspects, so he may as well. “Sure, I’ve found a few stores around here. Never know when I’ll need an outfit.”
Wanting to carry on polite conversation, the long-ear-lobed Buddha spoke up pleasantly. “So Ranma-kun, anything interesting happen today?”
Putting his arms behind his head, Ranma shrugged. “Eh, well I found a genie that said she’d grant me a wish. Kinda made an off-handed wish to be rich, but nothing happened. She just poofed away.”
Thinking of something clever, Jesus pointed at the heavens. “Perhaps that was because you were already wealthy spiritually?”
Ranma shrugged again. “Nah, I think she just a dud. Kind of glad nothing happened, she kinda worried me. The sort with good intentions that makes everything come out wrong, ya know?”
Buddha perked up as he remembered something. “Ah, that saying about the wrong road being paved with good intentions.”
Jesus looked surprised. “How could the wrong road be paved with good intentions? Shouldn’t that be evil intent?”
The currently skinny Buddha was mildly surprised. “Shouldn’t you know that saying? I believe it’s from your side Jesus.”
Knowing the phrase, Ranma decided to butt in and nip this particular one in the bud. “It’s, ‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions.’ It means good intentions aren’t enough, you need the wisdom and ability as well to do the right thing.”
Jesus’s eyes narrowed a bit in misunderstanding. “Ah, that guy is involved, no wonder.” Cheering up, Jesus raised his arms and danced a bit. “Agape! Agape!”
Ranma looked to Buddha for guidance. “What’s ‘agape’ mean?”
Realizing they were in Japan, Buddha nodded and explained. “It’s a phrase he likes from one of his languages, it means unselfish love.” Deciding to explain the meaning of the phrase to Jesus, Buddha used a more immediate example. “Jesus has good intentions when we go shopping, but little wisdom in making the right choice, so he takes the wrong road.”
Jesus stopped dancing and looked shocked. “...and spending money on things we don’t need leads me to a Buddha face?”
Buddha sighed patiently. “Just what sort of things are you thinking about me? But yes, I think you get it now.” Wanting to change it to a more positive note, Buddha turned to Ranma with a more cheery expression. “Ranma-kun, you’re good with money, aren’t you?”
Ranma shrugged. “Well, I’m good at getting by on a little and making it last, poor traveling martial artist and all that. If that genie had actually made me rich, I wouldn’t know what to do with that much money. Coulda been nice though.”
Jesus laughed as he thought of something. “And Buddha was born a wealthy prince. I guess your aesthetic training taught you how to be so frugal.” Thinking of something else, Jesus did a fistpump. “Yes, I too shall train and resist my worldly desires! I will shop responsibly today, and then when I have gained monetary wisdom, Buddha will let me buy a laptop.”
Buddha smiled and laughed, happy that Jesus was in a good mood and willing to try. “If you had monetary wisdom, you would be able to buy a laptop. You could do it, right Ranma-kun?”
Ranma frowned at the memories. “It’d take devoting some time to a part time job, but it’s doable. I had to pay that Chardin creep a similar amount of money for a single meal.”
Jesus looked horrified at the prospect of sacrificing an entire laptop budget for a single meal. “I’m so sorry. You could always visit us if you’re hungry, I make lots of bread and Buddha loves to cook.”
Buddha smiled at Ranma. “That’s right, it’s nice to have company, as long as you’re okay with vegetarian fare.” Turning to Jesus, Buddha had to amend a small warning. “But please restrain yourself or we will run out of plates again. I’m sure Ranma-kun prefers rice anyways.”
Ranma considered the offer. It might be nice to visit some relatively peaceful guys for supper some time, especially when it was getting annoying elsewhere. “It’s okay, I’m doing fine. I might come over and visit some time though if you don’t mind me dropping by.”
Buddha smiled at the thought. “Of course, drop by anytime.”
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(Posted Mon, 09 Sep 2013 17:36)
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