I never got to meet her myself, but from what I've heard she was liked well enough. [Somehow that makes it more tragic. But at Nonon's question, Love seems to re-focus.]
That's true, yes. It's one of the oaths we made. We're not allowed to go back on our word about it. It doesn't make the act much better, but I guess it's a little better than nothing.
[ That doesn't ease the tension in her shoulders, but it does give her something to think about. She draws her knees up to her chest and balances the balls of her feet on the edge of the chair. ]
Well...I can't tell you all of them. That's one of them. [A small shrug. Love would spill everything if they could.] But we also can't outright kill people ourselves, we can't immediately say who else is following us, we can't interfere with another god's power unless that god lets us, I think...stuff like that. It's a bunch of stupid rules that I don't think we realized would really be real.
...it's also why the masks and outfits. That was one of our oaths, too.
Yes. That's...[A huff.] We have oaths and then we have conditions around those oaths? It's so dumb. I think we all just kinda got caught up in our own thing...
[And that's how this competition happened.]
...but yes. If our followers, or anyone, I guess, build up a strong enough relationship of trust and good standing with us we should be able to remove them? I don't have proof of that but it should be possible since we can take them off around each other. [There's a little laugh.] It means you just have to come and see me lots, 'kay?
[Nonon's doing a great job appealing herself so like. No problems here apparently! Love laughs again in response.]
True. It does get really boring around here when you guys are doing other stuff. I know it's not under the best circumstances, but it's been nice having you all here. And next time we see each other hopefully it's to do something more fun.
[And not talk about murder!!!] ...even with all of these bad things going on? I think it's a good idea to still connect with people and try to keep things normal.
[Nonon can ask whatever she wants because she's perfect and Love adores her already, but thanks for having some tact anyway.]
I don't think that's such a bad thing. It's sort of why I made my domain a dance studio. It was familiar and nice to have, and with so many of you being performers…it just made sense. The piano's beautiful though.
[A pause.] Beauty plays, too. I think all of us took things that felt familiar to us when we created this place. It's important to hold on to who you are even when things get really bad, don't you think?
You think people would forget so easily? [ She doesn't sound surprised, just idly wondering. She knows not everyone can be so determined or be unfaltering. ] We'll have to see how much they can focus.
[ But like clockwork or like a cue from a conductor, Nonon sits up straighter at the word performing. Because of course she does. ]
I think in the face of fear sometimes people lose themselves really easily. I don't know if everyone's like that, but even the best of the best can get scared sometimes.
[Nonon...there's a laugh though, soft and sweet.] I did for a while, yeah. [The god tries to speak again, but finds that no more information can be given.] Mm...but I can't elaborate on that right now. But maybe another time.
I was really glad you chose me because I thought you'd understand what it was like. I think I was right.
[ Her tone shifts to something more regal and imposing, as if she's quoting someone: ] Fear is freedom. Control is liberty. Contradiction is truth. This is the reality of this world. [ She shrugs and her tone is back to its usual lightness and nonchalance. ] No one is fearless if they have a wish. It's what you do when you're afraid that matters most.
[ Nonon isn't fearless, but only a very small number of things would stop her in her tracks. There are so many important things at stake for her, and if she's honest, she's not completely in her element as she is in this new place.
Remember how important your bonds are.
She can't forget.
Nonon laughs, too. ]
Okay, I'll forward to that maybe another time. [ She rests her one arm on top of her knees. ] I hate to disappoint expectations. I'll aim to prove you more right.
[That's definitely a quote and Love recognizes that. They want to ask if that's something Nonon's grown up being told to remember, but they're a little afraid to ask. Besides, it seems as though Nonon has her own thoughts as it is.]
I doubt you'll ever really disappoint me. You're a lot more capable than some other people I've met. [So there's that.]
[ Ask her someday!! Unlock the reason why Nonon chose Love over her other choices.
She laughs. ]
I'd be surprised if I weren't. [ It's nice to have the confirmation, though. I always aim to fly as high as the skies take me. [ A pause. ] That's not as impressive here because we're in the clouds, but that won't stop me.
... How many have asked you to undo the ties that bind?
[ The Strung Red between Itachi and Julius, she means. ]
[ WHO IS THE BETTER OTOME PROTAG my bet is on love!!! ]
Yeah. [ Her voice is soft, almost tender. There's her promise of going to those heights in the back of her mind. ] I did. No one else could fly like I did.
[ That's her ego talking, but it's also her true heartfelt emotions. ]
It's not exactly how you thought your power was going to be used, huh?
[ She doesn't know where Julius has thrown his coin, but she doesn't care so much to ask when there are others already asking, when Love has already decided to do something about it. It's not necessary. ]
I don't doubt that. I made a good choice fighting for you. [May as well feed into that ego, I guess. But simultaneously it's just as sincere.]
It wasn't, but I know the person who used it didn't mean to cause any harm. They spoke to me about how to use the power beforehand and what they could do in this game...I still think my powers can be used for good though if you guys choose to.
Nonon just smiles, a snake taking in the nourishment of compliments. ]
Life is funny that way, isn't it? [ Her tone is dry, but it gets a little more serious with her next words. ] No power in itself is good or bad. If we so choose... Do the means justify the ends? How far does intention take you? [ They're mostly rhetorical questions. ]
It's something that's come up before. Even if your goal is noble, the method matters. You just have to consider what's worth it—or what's worth more.
[ Your goodness, your humanity, your love, your life, the world.... What matters most? It's something she thought she knew, but she's been thinking about it more. ]
I think it'd be hilarious with some of the people here.
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I never got to meet her myself, but from what I've heard she was liked well enough. [Somehow that makes it more tragic. But at Nonon's question, Love seems to re-focus.]
That's true, yes. It's one of the oaths we made. We're not allowed to go back on our word about it. It doesn't make the act much better, but I guess it's a little better than nothing.
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[ That doesn't ease the tension in her shoulders, but it does give her something to think about. She draws her knees up to her chest and balances the balls of her feet on the edge of the chair. ]
What other oaths have you all made?
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...it's also why the masks and outfits. That was one of our oaths, too.
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It does sound stupid, especially if they're calling it stupid. Nonon frowns, but it's gone the next second. ]
I'd like to see you one day without the mask. Is that something that can happen?
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[And that's how this competition happened.]
...but yes. If our followers, or anyone, I guess, build up a strong enough relationship of trust and good standing with us we should be able to remove them? I don't have proof of that but it should be possible since we can take them off around each other. [There's a little laugh.] It means you just have to come and see me lots, 'kay?
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Well then, Nonon leans in a little closer to Love, her smile playful. ]
Why wouldn't I want to come visit you more and more? That'd be silly and boring.
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True. It does get really boring around here when you guys are doing other stuff. I know it's not under the best circumstances, but it's been nice having you all here. And next time we see each other hopefully it's to do something more fun.
[And not talk about murder!!!] ...even with all of these bad things going on? I think it's a good idea to still connect with people and try to keep things normal.
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I hope so, too. [ except with the new rules..... who knows!! ]
It's why I've been gravitating towards the piano a lot. It normalizes things for me.
[ And it's easier to connect with people who can appreciate music because she doesn't care when she's being rude.
She does have to wonder, though, how long people can keep a pretense of normalcy if there are more people like the weasel ninja. ]
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I don't think that's such a bad thing. It's sort of why I made my domain a dance studio. It was familiar and nice to have, and with so many of you being performers…it just made sense. The piano's beautiful though.
[A pause.] Beauty plays, too. I think all of us took things that felt familiar to us when we created this place. It's important to hold on to who you are even when things get really bad, don't you think?
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She nods and leans back in her chair, not that it even budges the chair since she's so tiny. ]
It is. You shouldn't forget who you are or what motivates you. [ She idly looks around the studio. ] What kind of dancer were you?
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[Hm...] I did a little of everything, but I had routines and stuff when I was performing. [Seems to be all they can say on the matter, too.]
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[ But like clockwork or like a cue from a conductor, Nonon sits up straighter at the word performing. Because of course she does. ]
You performed?
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[Nonon...there's a laugh though, soft and sweet.] I did for a while, yeah. [The god tries to speak again, but finds that no more information can be given.] Mm...but I can't elaborate on that right now. But maybe another time.
I was really glad you chose me because I thought you'd understand what it was like. I think I was right.
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[ Nonon isn't fearless, but only a very small number of things would stop her in her tracks. There are so many important things at stake for her, and if she's honest, she's not completely in her element as she is in this new place.
Remember how important your bonds are.
She can't forget.
Nonon laughs, too. ]
Okay, I'll forward to that maybe another time. [ She rests her one arm on top of her knees. ] I hate to disappoint expectations. I'll aim to prove you more right.
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I doubt you'll ever really disappoint me. You're a lot more capable than some other people I've met. [So there's that.]
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She laughs. ]
I'd be surprised if I weren't. [ It's nice to have the confirmation, though. I always aim to fly as high as the skies take me. [ A pause. ] That's not as impressive here because we're in the clouds, but that won't stop me.
... How many have asked you to undo the ties that bind?
[ The Strung Red between Itachi and Julius, she means. ]
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That's definitely something else we can agree on, even if we're in the clouds. You chose to fly this high, didn't you? [Just saying.]
...a lot. A lot a lot, and even if they hadn't I would have decided to try anyway. I bet people will ask me tomorrow, too.
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Yeah. [ Her voice is soft, almost tender. There's her promise of going to those heights in the back of her mind. ] I did. No one else could fly like I did.
[ That's her ego talking, but it's also her true heartfelt emotions. ]
It's not exactly how you thought your power was going to be used, huh?
[ She doesn't know where Julius has thrown his coin, but she doesn't care so much to ask when there are others already asking, when Love has already decided to do something about it. It's not necessary. ]
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It wasn't, but I know the person who used it didn't mean to cause any harm. They spoke to me about how to use the power beforehand and what they could do in this game...I still think my powers can be used for good though if you guys choose to.
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Nonon just smiles, a snake taking in the nourishment of compliments. ]
Life is funny that way, isn't it? [ Her tone is dry, but it gets a little more serious with her next words. ] No power in itself is good or bad. If we so choose... Do the means justify the ends? How far does intention take you? [ They're mostly rhetorical questions. ]
I do want to see your other powers in play.
[ where are the arrows!!! ]
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You've put a lot of thought into this already. [Impressive.] Do you have answers for those questions yourself?
[Hm...] Now that Strung Red's been used, I do wonder how often the other powers will be used.
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[ Your goodness, your humanity, your love, your life, the world.... What matters most? It's something she thought she knew, but she's been thinking about it more. ]
I think it'd be hilarious with some of the people here.
[ At least she's honest. ]
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There's a lot of you that could probably stand to learn to work together. No offense. [It would be, but that's also optimistic thinking.]
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Everyone has something they want granted. It's to be expected, but there are a lot more bleeding hearts than I thought there'd be.
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