Xel, still holding him up by the collar, shakes him hard. "Don't yell in my face," he instructs him calmly. "First of all, the gods aren't nice, and since you know that already, don't expect anything from them, just be grateful when they do something that benefits you! And show appreciation, or they might not consider it again if the choice comes up! Secondly, who said you had the right to ask anything and expect an answer?"
"Yaaaa, not bad!" Xel calls after him, genuinely pleased. "Ne, before you go, let me see your running form. Just go around the lot once--still with the plate, though. I can chase you with a knife," he offers generously, producing one, "if it will help you do it your best way."