[When Estelle walks into the parlor, Sincerity is lounging at one of the tables, reading her story. The sound of her footsteps draws the god's attention, though, and he looks up as she enters the room.]
Estelle-chan! I didn't realize you were an author.
[ Just in general. She sits down, uninvited, without permission - an indulgent little rarity, fairly divorced from her courteous upbringing. However, her hands clasp neatly in her lap. ]
[ That wasn't why she came here, although it hadn't hurt to ask. To put it simply, it felt like the right time. Choosing Sincerity, not wavering - those were decisions she had made. ]
Your followers are dwindling, you know. [ And she's sorry, but - ] Do you want us to stay with you?
[It sucks!! It definitely sucks. But it's also still early.]
Of course I do. There are still several weeks to convince people to join and re-join us, you know. I'm not throwing in the towel just because we hit a bumpy patch.
More than one. And, sure, once you all pick a leader for us, we're sworn to accept it, and not to do something else like this to pick a leader.
You all will be going home after this, but there will be people living in the world we make. My hope is that I'll be able to make a world where they can live peacefully. But if some of the others win, well... a good chunk of them weren't opposed to the "playing games with lives" part of this. I'd rather not have them in charge of a world people are going to be living in.
[ That same agonising little flutter, this time spreading its wings further, brushing her veins - injuring them. ]
Even people who... who want to hurt others?
[ Ragou, for example, had lived the way he wanted to. His power and wealth had protected him from the consequences of sacrificing people - children, even - to monsters. For sport.
She has to ask the question. She's not naive enough to assume it can go unasked, not anymore. ]
[ Well, for Sincerity, she took the time to write a cute little story. In this case, she grabbed the first thing she could find and dropped it in the bowl without much thought or care. ]
I don't mind. It isn't like it means anything here. This place is very different from home.
[ Her voice crackles a little, around the edges, as she adds - ] What would have happened if that last vote had gone a different way?
[He did not spend his isolation reading. Shocking, considering his clearly learned inspirations.]
...but you're more than that, I can see it. You know, you're one of the few people who spent the trial trying to find the truth that didn't simply rely on the opinions of others. It's a good quality.
[ Because she isn't helping now, so what's the difference?
Because maybe she can trade her own place in the game for the truth, if Guy proves amenable to reason. She has the faintest rumblings of a plan, a gambit in two moves, but it won't work if she can't be convincing. It may fail. It probably will fail. But she still wants to try.
Because - insipid poison - and poison kills, doesn't it? ]
Perhaps... perhaps I can leverage Guy's life so he'll finally tell the truth about why he did what he did.
[ Unless someone snaps next week and kills him outside the bounds of the context, but she isn't even considering that possibility. ]
[ She doesn't admit that she still fears Phaeroh's words to her, and she thinks it'll be better for those still living if she's on the... the other side of this game. If she crosses that unseen check point to where Julius and everyone else "dead" is.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
WEEK 3
Estelle-chan! I didn't realize you were an author.
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[ Entering the parlour, she punctuates her reply with a shy little laugh, one that tapers off into a breath. ]
It's nice to meet you. You're Sincerity, I presume?
[ a small, deferential bow ]
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[He is most likely smiling behind his mask; his voice sounds like he's smiling.]
So what brings you here today?
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[ Just in general. She sits down, uninvited, without permission - an indulgent little rarity, fairly divorced from her courteous upbringing. However, her hands clasp neatly in her lap. ]
You - you know who cursed me, don't you.
[ It's not a question. ]
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[The gods know all, and all that jazz.]
Are you going to ask me for a name?
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I thought you couldn't tell me.
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[And Sincerity sounds very sorry to say it.]
I'd like to tell you, though.
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[ That wasn't why she came here, although it hadn't hurt to ask. To put it simply, it felt like the right time. Choosing Sincerity, not wavering - those were decisions she had made. ]
Your followers are dwindling, you know. [ And she's sorry, but - ] Do you want us to stay with you?
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[It sucks!! It definitely sucks. But it's also still early.]
Of course I do. There are still several weeks to convince people to join and re-join us, you know. I'm not throwing in the towel just because we hit a bumpy patch.
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[ ? ]
You're playing a game with our lives.
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But I intend to play this game once and win it to prevent someone who's willing to play more games with lives from winning.
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[ Hm. ]
Do you mean... one of your fellow gods?
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You all will be going home after this, but there will be people living in the world we make. My hope is that I'll be able to make a world where they can live peacefully. But if some of the others win, well... a good chunk of them weren't opposed to the "playing games with lives" part of this. I'd rather not have them in charge of a world people are going to be living in.
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[ Briefly, a very precise look. Her heart flutters in her breast, the precusor to - not panic, not exactly, but something alike. ]
Do you wish to be in charge?
[ A follow up - ] What would you do?
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[Sincerity says this ... sincerely. I wish I could think of a better way to phrase that.]
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[ That same agonising little flutter, this time spreading its wings further, brushing her veins - injuring them. ]
Even people who... who want to hurt others?
[ Ragou, for example, had lived the way he wanted to. His power and wealth had protected him from the consequences of sacrificing people - children, even - to monsters. For sport.
She has to ask the question. She's not naive enough to assume it can go unasked, not anymore. ]
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[Sincerity was not including "corrupt murderers" in the equation.
That awkward moment when a god is somehow more naive than Estelle.]
WEEK 5, POST-TRIAL
...you didn't have to give this to me. I know everyone says I'm picky but these aren't exactly normal circumstances.
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I don't mind. It isn't like it means anything here. This place is very different from home.
[ Her voice crackles a little, around the edges, as she adds - ] What would have happened if that last vote had gone a different way?
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[She doesn't seem to really want to beat around the bush, so he won't, either.]
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[ It's hard to think about. Estelle folds her arms around herself, looking miserable. ]
Do you think Guy did what he did because he believes in his god?
[ It's not the question she planned to ask, not at first. ]
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[He makes a small wave with his foot.]
I don't know all that much about him, but we talked once. He seemed like a nice guy. Not much of a ruthless killer. Hard for me to say what happened.
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...
I don't think you're dumb, Indulgence. You know, people say the same thing about me back home? The naive princess in her sheltered little castle.
[ but fuck that!! ]
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[He turns to get a better look at her.]
You know, I never really left my castle either, when I was a mortal.
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[ Well. ]
Before that, all I had was books.
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[He did not spend his isolation reading. Shocking, considering his clearly learned inspirations.]
...but you're more than that, I can see it. You know, you're one of the few people who spent the trial trying to find the truth that didn't simply rely on the opinions of others. It's a good quality.
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[ Everyone says, "trust me." Everyone says, "I have a feeling." No one tells the truth. Ever. She's - sick - of it.
... ]
I don't think I can help anyone anymore. Not... not from here.
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[It's less of a question than an observation based on her followup.]
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[ Mouth closes. ]
I think... The phrase is, "the devil you know," isn't it? The enemy you're aware of is always better than the one you're unaware of.
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[He considers what she's saying.]
I'm following, but I'm not following. I get what you're saying, but how are you planning on applying it on this situation?
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I think you should leave Guy alive.
[ It takes considerable effort to say the thought aloud, in the end. ]
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[He pulls his legs out of the water and folds them beneath the rest of his body, leaning back on his hands.]
Alright. You got my attention--but you know I can't just choose whoever the other guilty party is in his place. You'd have to give me a name.
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A name...
Estellise Sidos Heurassein.
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You realize exactly what you're asking me, right?
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[But...]
But how does this all help, losing you in his place? I'm just trying to get into that head of yours, is all.
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Because maybe she can trade her own place in the game for the truth, if Guy proves amenable to reason. She has the faintest rumblings of a plan, a gambit in two moves, but it won't work if she can't be convincing. It may fail. It probably will fail. But she still wants to try.
Because - insipid poison - and poison kills, doesn't it? ]
Perhaps... perhaps I can leverage Guy's life so he'll finally tell the truth about why he did what he did.
[ Unless someone snaps next week and kills him outside the bounds of the context, but she isn't even considering that possibility. ]
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[He taps one foot.]
I'm sure a lot of people won't understand. You'll be criticized. I'll be criticized.
[...]
But if you're really serious, I could make that switch.
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That's only for her to know. ]
I'm serious, Indulgence. Please believe me.
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[He seems to be considering something as he hums.]
Alright. I'll do it. Why not?
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Thank you.
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[...]
I mean...there's gotta be something you want, right? If not in return just, maybe, to make things easier?
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Even if he isn't your follower... Will you give Ludger a blessing?
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[He lets out a breath.]
Doable. Did you have any kind in mind in particular?
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I - I don't know. Something... that will protect him, or - or help him. Is that possible?
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