It does. [It gives them an idea just what they're dealing with, and yet they're not too worried.]
I'll be honest with you…if I can avoid spilling too much blood that's the route I want to take. But I believe in self-defense and I believe in protecting what matters to you. Isn't that what love's all about? Taking care of the things you care for most.
And we all know love isn't easy. [So. Strong followers are a blessing.]
[ There's less of an edge to Nonon's smile now. She'll kill as a last resort, but it does ease her mind a little that Love isn't out for a massacre. ]
Yes. [ Her voice becomes a little softer. She doesn't talk like any of this is a bad thing. ] I want nothing more than to take care of those I love, and sometimes, what I have to do to ensure that isn't what my first instinct tells me to do. I made a promise.
It's easier to do that if I don't have to make an enemy out of everyone. [ But she's not a stranger to doing that either. ]
[Love will be pissed if y'all kill each other for sport but you know. It's fine.]
…more than anything, I'd like you all to get to know each other even if you don't share alignments. I don't want you guys making enemies of each other and I want you all to be safe. Just because this is a competition doesn't mean you need to purposefully hurt each other. There's always another option. But…it's hard, sometimes. I can only hope nobody does anything too brash.
[There's a curious tilt of the head.] Can I ask what sort of promise you made? Is that okay?
[ I want to see a pissed off Love. Not Nonon. Me, personally. ]
I can get to know people. [ Even if she won't like everyone, she can get to know them. ] I'd like to hear whatever options are available. I don't shy away from long-winded or difficult plans.
[ Nonon looks down at her hands before looking straight at Love. There's nothing to hide her conviction, her dedication, or her devotion. ]
I made a promise to see from the same heights as someone, to see the same view as they did. I made a promise to work to come out of our final battle alive, as impossible as that chance may be.
Then I think we're going to make a really good team. You stake out people for me, see where they're aligned, try to recruit them…I'll try to open more options for you to help in this game.
[They're about to ask something else, but oh. Hello. Love pauses to listen.]
…the thing about love, Nonon-san, is that nothing is impossible with it. [They would know.] Is that what you're playing for? [They also want to hear it specifically from Nonon herself.]
[ Nonon's eyes sharpen at the honorific. What are the odds that Love would be Japanese, too, unless Love was using an honorific to make her feel more at ease?
Who knows with gods honestly? ]
Can you tell me who else is aligned with you?
[ Can you make her job a little easier.... ]
Yes. It's not all of it, but it's part of it. People can make as many stupid short jokes as they want, but I don't set my sights low. Ever. I know love can take anyone far.
[The mask is in the way, but the tone is absolutely pouty.]
I wish. That goes against our rules right now to make sure we aren't cheating. But there are seven of you. It may be easier to find them than you think.
[And then, lightly:] I'm a little surprised Ambition didn't get to claim you, but I can't say I'm sorry either. [Nonon has quickly escalated to a favorite.]
[ Nonon pouts, but she sounds more grumpy than anything else. If she weren't trying to be more ladylike for this first meeting, she would have stamped a foot. ]
How is that cheating? [ She huffs. She sure wishes Inumuta were here. ] All right. Fine.
[ She grins like she wasn't annoyed two seconds ago. ]
Love makes me more ambitious, so my choice would have remained the same.
You can't tell? [It's a joke, but they also want to see if Nonon's paying attention.] You guys have those rules that we wrote, but as gods we have our own divine oath, too. It's why we can't say a lot of things yet or interfere with each other too much.
[A beat.] I don't believe in regrets either. I just believe in learning from mistakes.
[It's maybe because they like Nonon already that they don't even seem to care about sharing.]
Bonds, Nonon-san. That one's mine.
[It's fine, Love's totally down with rich girls.] But divine oath! It's kind of ridiculous but it's a way to make sure we don't spill too much too fast, give you guys an edge over the competition, and keep some of the more ruthless members of our pantheon in line.
Like a keyboard? [Time for Nonon to get a trumpet!!!] Yeah, I think I can make that happen! But you have to do something for me first. God rules.
[But...what...] ...Nonon-san, you've already picked your power, right? Here's an assignment for you. You string together two people who look like they need to learn to get along, I'll get you an instrument. And you have to play something for me. Okay?
I was thinking a clarinet or a flute or a trumpet. I'm more of a woodwinds or brass girl. [ Give her a trumpet so she can be the most obnoxious. ]
That's more than doable. [ She smiles like a cat that got the canary. She had been wondering how freely the gods wanted them to use their powers... but now it's Sanctioned. How wonderful. ] Do you have any requests?
[ Music-wise, she means. What's your favorite music, Love? ]
I'll know when it's done, so come find me again when you're ready. [But woof, what a question. What does Love like to listen to...?] I don't mind the classics, but something you can dance to and something that puts you in a good mood. We could probably use that around here don't you think?
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I'll be honest with you…if I can avoid spilling too much blood that's the route I want to take. But I believe in self-defense and I believe in protecting what matters to you. Isn't that what love's all about? Taking care of the things you care for most.
And we all know love isn't easy. [So. Strong followers are a blessing.]
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Yes. [ Her voice becomes a little softer. She doesn't talk like any of this is a bad thing. ] I want nothing more than to take care of those I love, and sometimes, what I have to do to ensure that isn't what my first instinct tells me to do. I made a promise.
It's easier to do that if I don't have to make an enemy out of everyone. [ But she's not a stranger to doing that either. ]
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…more than anything, I'd like you all to get to know each other even if you don't share alignments. I don't want you guys making enemies of each other and I want you all to be safe. Just because this is a competition doesn't mean you need to purposefully hurt each other. There's always another option. But…it's hard, sometimes. I can only hope nobody does anything too brash.
[There's a curious tilt of the head.] Can I ask what sort of promise you made? Is that okay?
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I can get to know people. [ Even if she won't like everyone, she can get to know them. ] I'd like to hear whatever options are available. I don't shy away from long-winded or difficult plans.
[ Nonon looks down at her hands before looking straight at Love. There's nothing to hide her conviction, her dedication, or her devotion. ]
I made a promise to see from the same heights as someone, to see the same view as they did. I made a promise to work to come out of our final battle alive, as impossible as that chance may be.
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Then I think we're going to make a really good team. You stake out people for me, see where they're aligned, try to recruit them…I'll try to open more options for you to help in this game.
[They're about to ask something else, but oh. Hello. Love pauses to listen.]
…the thing about love, Nonon-san, is that nothing is impossible with it. [They would know.] Is that what you're playing for? [They also want to hear it specifically from Nonon herself.]
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Who knows with gods honestly? ]
Can you tell me who else is aligned with you?
[ Can you make her job a little easier.... ]
Yes. It's not all of it, but it's part of it. People can make as many stupid short jokes as they want, but I don't set my sights low. Ever. I know love can take anyone far.
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I wish. That goes against our rules right now to make sure we aren't cheating. But there are seven of you. It may be easier to find them than you think.
[And then, lightly:] I'm a little surprised Ambition didn't get to claim you, but I can't say I'm sorry either. [Nonon has quickly escalated to a favorite.]
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How is that cheating? [ She huffs. She sure wishes Inumuta were here. ] All right. Fine.
[ She grins like she wasn't annoyed two seconds ago. ]
Love makes me more ambitious, so my choice would have remained the same.
[ She wants to stay a favorite. ]
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It's just how the rules are. I didn't make up all of them. [They wave a hand as if to brush it off because the gods are a mess.]
That's very sweet of you to say. [It's punctuated with that same laugh as before.] I'll do everything I can to make sure you won't regret this.
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[ Or which guideline. Nonon wants to know. ]
Thank you. I don't believe in doing anything that I'll regret.
[ Regrets are for the weak. ]
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[A beat.] I don't believe in regrets either. I just believe in learning from mistakes.
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[ She smooths out nonexistent wrinkles from her skirt. ]
Can't you give me a small hint about anything? It's hard to start from nothing.
[ She's a rich and spoiled girl. So (don't) sue her. ]
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Bonds, Nonon-san. That one's mine.
[It's fine, Love's totally down with rich girls.] But divine oath! It's kind of ridiculous but it's a way to make sure we don't spill too much too fast, give you guys an edge over the competition, and keep some of the more ruthless members of our pantheon in line.
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[ She smiles, pleased. It's hard to say if she's lying or not (it's genuine). ]
I understand. [ She doesn't like it, but she understands. This game they play has to last a while is what she understands. ]
I don't know if I have anything else to discuss right away. By your leave, I'll go— Oh, can I ask one more thing?
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My time is yours. What's up?
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If I have to do something to earn it, I'll do it.
[ No hesitation. Music is life. ]
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[But...what...] ...Nonon-san, you've already picked your power, right? Here's an assignment for you. You string together two people who look like they need to learn to get along, I'll get you an instrument. And you have to play something for me. Okay?
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That's more than doable. [ She smiles like a cat that got the canary. She had been wondering how freely the gods wanted them to use their powers... but now it's Sanctioned. How wonderful. ] Do you have any requests?
[ Music-wise, she means. What's your favorite music, Love? ]
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I'll know when it's done, so come find me again when you're ready. [But woof, what a question. What does Love like to listen to...?] I don't mind the classics, but something you can dance to and something that puts you in a good mood. We could probably use that around here don't you think?
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[ we can't let memes stay dreams ]
We could always use music to liven up! It's what makes music so universal. I'll think of the perfect song for you.
[ She stands up and bows. ]
With your leave, I'll go do what should be done.
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Good luck. I'll see you later?
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[ And she's out. ]