I know. That's the rules, once that power is used.
[He sighs.]
...it's a shame. I'd have liked to keep you on my team. Can I convince you to come back to me next Sunday, once you've spent some time with someone else?
Actually - I was wondering if you had any suggestions. I still want to try to convince people to switch to you, even though that still extends the contest because... Even if that works, I'd still have to wait to switch back, or...
[ or if she's the last one not on the team, get murdered but whatever. ]
A-anyway, I was wondering if there was a god you think I should encourage people to switch to if we aren't able to rally under you. I remember Beauty mentioned that the two of you get along and want to work together, so I wonder if that's our best choice...?
I don't think that Beauty would be a bad choice...
[Sincerity hums.]
But the terms of the contest are that whoever attracts the most followers who share their ideals will become the new leader of the gods. Rallying under a single person for the sake of ending things quickly... I can't say for certain, but I get the feeling it won't end quite the way we would all hope it would.
["Their priorities are different" is the most diplomatic way that could have been phrased.]
I'm sure you'll guide us all to an ending we'll accept, Madoka-chan. It's just that until we get there, we have to abide by the rules of all this. It's admirable to want to find a way out... but as far as I know, the only way out is through it.
I know. We can't just break the rules because we don't like them. Sometimes systems need to be changed, but it can't always be done recklessly. It's just...
[ she hesitates to say it, but. ]
... Frustrating, knowing that this was the contest that a majority chose.
You can say that again. But what else were we supposed to do? I guess we could have all sat it out like Patience did, but then only the people in favor of it being bloody would have a chance to win... and I don't think they'd have been as willing to bring everyone back unharmed at the end if we hadn't insisted because we were playing.
... In the end, that's something I'll always be grateful for. Everyone gets to come back, and that's what's most important. Dying is sad, and pitting us against each other is sad, but that's a kindness that no one had to give us.
[ . . . ]
I want to know who voted for this. I think that would help me to talk to everyone about what to do. But... I understand if you can't tell me everyone's vote.
That's fair. It sounds like it was probably really hectic.
But thank you. Just that helps. I may not have time to talk to Piety before tomorrow's meeting with everyone, but... I don't know. Maybe someone else knows more.
Everyone was yelling at each other and talking circles around each other, trying to get them to swear divine oaths... some of us are bound by rules the others aren't because of it. What a pain!
[pay more attention to what you're agreeing to next time, sincerity]
People have been asking around, so if you talk to the right person, you might be able to get them to share what they've learned. I believe in you, Madoka-chan.
I'm not sure whether to say that I hope I can come back to you - or that I hope we're all able to reach a solution that means it's not necessary. But...
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...if you're worried about this Sunday, Madoka-chan, don't be. I understand.
[The gods are cheaters.]
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I just thought I should tell you. I don't want to switch alignments... But I have to.
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[He sighs.]
...it's a shame. I'd have liked to keep you on my team. Can I convince you to come back to me next Sunday, once you've spent some time with someone else?
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But... If it's possible - I do want to come back.
So it kind of depends on how cooperative everyone else is.
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[Well.]
I appreciate your honesty, Madoka-chan.
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If we can keep this contest more peaceful, I want to work with them. And that means that I might not get to do what I want.
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[A beat.]
Just be careful. It sounds like a loophole... and loopholes close up soon enough. We wouldn't want you or someone else on the other side.
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I think that's something I'm familiar with - ending up outside of a loophole. So... If it happens to me again, I don't mind.
But I'll do my best to make sure it isn't anyone else.
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[Very kind, actually. He reaches over and pats her on the head.]
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Actually - I was wondering if you had any suggestions. I still want to try to convince people to switch to you, even though that still extends the contest because... Even if that works, I'd still have to wait to switch back, or...
[ or if she's the last one not on the team, get murdered but whatever. ]
A-anyway, I was wondering if there was a god you think I should encourage people to switch to if we aren't able to rally under you. I remember Beauty mentioned that the two of you get along and want to work together, so I wonder if that's our best choice...?
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[Sincerity hums.]
But the terms of the contest are that whoever attracts the most followers who share their ideals will become the new leader of the gods. Rallying under a single person for the sake of ending things quickly... I can't say for certain, but I get the feeling it won't end quite the way we would all hope it would.
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That's the feeling I get.
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[ and as much as she believes that everyone here is a good person - she still knows their priorities are different. ]
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I'm sure you'll guide us all to an ending we'll accept, Madoka-chan. It's just that until we get there, we have to abide by the rules of all this. It's admirable to want to find a way out... but as far as I know, the only way out is through it.
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[ she hesitates to say it, but. ]
... Frustrating, knowing that this was the contest that a majority chose.
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You can say that again. But what else were we supposed to do? I guess we could have all sat it out like Patience did, but then only the people in favor of it being bloody would have a chance to win... and I don't think they'd have been as willing to bring everyone back unharmed at the end if we hadn't insisted because we were playing.
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[ . . . ]
I want to know who voted for this. I think that would help me to talk to everyone about what to do. But... I understand if you can't tell me everyone's vote.
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But I do remember Ruin was the one to suggest the... fighting. And Justice got bullied into supporting it.
You might try talking to Piety about it. He's got a good memory for this sort of thing.
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But thank you. Just that helps. I may not have time to talk to Piety before tomorrow's meeting with everyone, but... I don't know. Maybe someone else knows more.
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[pay more attention to what you're agreeing to next time, sincerity]
People have been asking around, so if you talk to the right person, you might be able to get them to share what they've learned. I believe in you, Madoka-chan.
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I'm not sure whether to say that I hope I can come back to you - or that I hope we're all able to reach a solution that means it's not necessary. But...
I hope that we can talk again.
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