GODLY AUDIENCES: ALEX

[divus]

Comments

WEEK 2

[divus]

[Where is Alex? Well - wherever he happens to be, he'll see a flash of gold out of the corner of his eye, and Ambition walks toward him, their arms crossed.]

Alex, right? I've got something to say that you're going to want to hear.

[psynergy]

[That's anyone's guess, at least the odds of him being alone are very good.]

You were...Ambition, as I recall? [He paid attention when he was not selecting you!] And what might that be?

[divus]

That's right.

[Ambition is probably rolling their eyes behind their mask.]

After Sunday? You're going to be Fortune's only follower, unless you make the smart choice and change sides. You don't want to be on the losing team, do you?

[psynergy]

[Yeah, he does that.]

Of course I fully intend to win. But I must consider what I can get when I do. Clearly these people are fickle, so who's to say that won't change at some point with some proper incentive?

[divus]

Because everyone is going to be falling all over themselves to join a god with only one follower.

[Ambition is definitely rolling their eyes behind their mask.]

As for what you can get when you win, why are you worried? All of us can give you whatever you want if we're the winner. The power we get from winning will let us do that. So, if you're smart? You won't stick with someone who's destined to lose.

[psynergy]

[He'd probably have an argument for that, but his interest in the next part makes it moot.]

...Ahhh, so you're competing to be that sort of ruler. I suppose that makes sense, given the circumstances.

[He's not wondering if there's some way he can be the winner now, what are you talking about?]

In that case, no, there's no point in being the sole follower of one god.

[divus]

Exactly. So you'll do the smart thing, won't you?

[Ambition sounds pretty sure of herself.]

You aren't a stupid man.

[psynergy]

Far from it, in fact.

[This is why you only use a half mask, you can see when they're smirking.]

I'll have to give the powers and sizes of each faction due consideration.

[divus]

If you want to win, mine is the one you want. With my power, you can force the competition to get out of your way.

[psynergy]

At least temporarily, from what I've read. Permanent moves would behoove this contest more, wouldn't they?

[divus]

If you use it every week, you can make it look like the would-be winners are constantly losing followers. People will stop joining them once they see that.

[psynergy]

Wouldn't they know, though? It seems some of these people aren't very good at discretion...

[divus]

Oh, please, like anyone would be stupid enough to risk themselves like that. Whining about my power being used on them would make it so easy for anyone with half a brain cell to figure out where they went by looking at who got a new follower.

These idiots only complain when they won't be in danger from it.

[psynergy]

[If this were set after Trial 2 he would so argue the "stupid enough" point... I'm sorry for his IC opinions.]

That's the way of people, isn't it...?

Actually, to my recollection, it said nothing about when that power can be used. Could you expound?

[divus]

You can use it at any time during the week. As long as it's before you all have to defect, it works.

[psynergy]

That would have its advantages then, yes.

This point of the benefits of switching sides does make me wonder, however: what happens when a god has no followers?

[divus]

They become much more vulnerable. [There is something almost vicious about Ambition's voice here. Yikes.] You'll see exactly how vulnerable if you leave that god of yours.

You might even find it a good... opportunity.

[psynergy]

[It's hard when the person writing cares but the actual character doesn't give a shit, Fortune nooo...]

Interesting... I do look forward to finding out, then.

[divus]

As you should.

[Ambition is probably smirking behind her mask.]

Next week will be... interesting. People have been asking and asking what happens if someone drops down to zero, and now they'll see it for themselves.

[psynergy]

[He still hasn't said he's switching to you, he is so talking to other gods first at least.]

Have they now? Hmm, despite what they say, I thought these people were more worried about their own rewards than anything else. And really, this is just about the numbers...

[divus]

It's always been a numbers game. We even promised to bring everyone back at the end of it, but they're soooo convinced this is the worst thing ever. Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous.

They're not going to get their prizes if they don't play.

[psynergy]

That's the only reason I agreed, honestly. I wouldn't risk my life for added insurance. I can't say I have much respect for those who enjoy unnecessary bloodshed, but that doesn't make one a needless presence...

[He'll only ditch you before you've served your purpose if you nearly kill Mia, okay.]

[divus]

[she knows you like people who will shed blood so you don't have to, alex. they all know...]

There's a reason for everything. So? That means you're going to play, right?

[psynergy]

[Well, yeah, but he's still not doing it! And just because he's working with you doesn't mean he likes you.]

As much as is necessary to win, yes.

[divus]

Good. I am getting so sick of people who want their prize but don't want to actually do anything to earn it. How ridiculous is that?