[He sounds...if not sad, then certainly thoughtful. He seems to be choosing his words carefully.]
I entered this competition with a great resolve to win...because, at the time, it seemed like an absolute necessity to do so in order to achieve what I wanted. But what I wanted, from the start, was never to be the leader of the Pantheon. I simply wanted the best possible platform from which I could properly mediate without being overlooked over pushed aside.
[...]
Things are different, now. Everyone has changed so much. Most of them have expressed, on their own, that they'd like my help and support. That in the event of their victory, they'd be willing to give me that position.
I see. Seven weeks with so many different voices means that not only the competitors were going to change, so were the gods. It seems... a lot of people trust in your ability to mediate and be fair.
... I think that's a good quality in a leader. But if that's not what you want, that's also important to consider.
Thank you for saying that. When I expressed to Senri that I believed it would ultimately be best to have someone else in that lead role with me acting as the support, he didn't seem to want to take no for an answer.
[And, Piety, being so soft spoken, simply gave up.]
I told him that ultimately, I'll be putting forth my best effort regardless of the outcome, and I'll deal with any consequences. Still, I'm glad that you're willing to take what I have to say into consideration.
I suppose he does tend to get caught up in things. Not that I can blame him, he wants the best result for the greatest amount of people.
Senri also said that Ray thought you would be the best suited. He really believes in him. But... it's been a few weeks now. [Since Ray was last able to talk to all the gods.]
If everyone still decides to join me, then I'll accept them.
[There's a slight sadness in his voice.]
It's hard to say that I feel it's quite genuine, as I've had mainly the same follower for the entirety of the competition...and I'd feel more comfortable if everyone made the decision that sat best with them, instead of simply following a strategy. I understand the importance of wishes, of course, but...
[It's clear he's worried.]
As happy as I would be to win regardless, I worry that in doing so, some good will may be sacrificed between us, only causing the rift we've been struggling to close to widen back up. In the end, no matter who wins, I will be provided the platform I need to mediate. That's why I think that it may actually be better if I don't win.
Mm... Disorder did say you've had somebody with you since the very beginning. They didn't leave or go anywhere. [Love, Sincerity, Beauty, Justice, Piety... as of the end of week 6, those were the gods that had somebody loyal to their vision.]
Maybe it's because I... don't have a lot of strong opinions of my own, but I can see the good in all of your approaches to building a world. And so many of them seem like they'd be compatible, it's just a matter of the gods fighting for the leadership position now.
... The way that things are set up now, it makes sense that Ambition would stay in the lead. Most people believe in hard work achieving the preferred results.
She's a good person, Ambition. She's young, and she has a lot to learn. But I think...the youngest ones among us here are the ones who have learned the most, the quickest. She's always cared about people, about creating a fair world. Some people don't have faith in her because of some misconceptions about her, but I've seen into her heart.
[He puts his hands on his chest.]
She was in such pain over the role she played in Guy's murders. When I talked to her about it, she told me how she'd only done it because she was afraid that I'd lose my last follower and be killed. I promised...I'd help guide her as she learns from her mistakes, and she never wants to hurt anyone so badly again.
[...]
I'd like it if people would trust her. I don't believe she was ever in the lead for duplicitous reasons. Her followers have been loyal to her, too. They've worked very hard to get her to this point, because they've believed in her. I don't want anyone to discount that.
Young... She's made her choices, but I really hope you will be able to help her. I hope she listens to you.
Being able to understand people like that... is a very valuable skill. [The closest thing Sieg has are Saint Graphs, and that's a different sort of understanding.]
She thought Guy was going to go after your follower? [Maybe that isn't quite what Piety meant by that, but.] I think we would've done what we could to make sure you wouldn't stay at zero.
... It's somewhat frustrating to be hit by Advancement Opportunity. [Just. Going to put that out there.]
I... want to trust in all of you. I want to believe that the world you'll make will be kind. Or at least kinder than the ones that some of us came from.
No, Guy is my friend. Her followers had been using Advancement Opportunity without consulting her, and since I'm friends with both of them, they made an agreement over it--Ambition could only protect my follower from her followers if Guy completed a terrible task for her.
[Piety sighs.]
It was a mistake, on both of their parts. But no matter how awful or immoral it may seem to be, their guilt is very real, their regret a vice on their hearts.
[He goes quiet for a while, mulling all of that over.]
That's a high price to pay for protection. [Zoe and Jude were both kind people. Even though he never learned what those wishes are, he hopes they'll be granted at the very end of it all.]
I believe they feel guilty. Guy didn't want to kill again when I spoke to him after what he had done came to light. And Ambition's... tired of this competition, I think? Tired of the number of bodies and trials we've had to work through.
I know. I was upset to know that I was in any way involved with something so awful...I expressed my feelings to them both; if they'd talked to me in any way about it, I would have pressed them to consider alternate options.
[He pauses.]
Sieg? Would you mind if I took off my mask? It feels strange to still be wearing it after such an enlightening conversation.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[There's a bit of a pause.]
I actually asked him...if he'd reconsider.
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Do you not want to win?
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[He sounds...if not sad, then certainly thoughtful. He seems to be choosing his words carefully.]
I entered this competition with a great resolve to win...because, at the time, it seemed like an absolute necessity to do so in order to achieve what I wanted. But what I wanted, from the start, was never to be the leader of the Pantheon. I simply wanted the best possible platform from which I could properly mediate without being overlooked over pushed aside.
[...]
Things are different, now. Everyone has changed so much. Most of them have expressed, on their own, that they'd like my help and support. That in the event of their victory, they'd be willing to give me that position.
no subject
I see. Seven weeks with so many different voices means that not only the competitors were going to change, so were the gods. It seems... a lot of people trust in your ability to mediate and be fair.
... I think that's a good quality in a leader. But if that's not what you want, that's also important to consider.
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[And, Piety, being so soft spoken, simply gave up.]
I told him that ultimately, I'll be putting forth my best effort regardless of the outcome, and I'll deal with any consequences. Still, I'm glad that you're willing to take what I have to say into consideration.
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Senri also said that Ray thought you would be the best suited. He really believes in him. But... it's been a few weeks now. [Since Ray was last able to talk to all the gods.]
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[There's a slight sadness in his voice.]
It's hard to say that I feel it's quite genuine, as I've had mainly the same follower for the entirety of the competition...and I'd feel more comfortable if everyone made the decision that sat best with them, instead of simply following a strategy. I understand the importance of wishes, of course, but...
[It's clear he's worried.]
As happy as I would be to win regardless, I worry that in doing so, some good will may be sacrificed between us, only causing the rift we've been struggling to close to widen back up. In the end, no matter who wins, I will be provided the platform I need to mediate. That's why I think that it may actually be better if I don't win.
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Maybe it's because I... don't have a lot of strong opinions of my own, but I can see the good in all of your approaches to building a world. And so many of them seem like they'd be compatible, it's just a matter of the gods fighting for the leadership position now.
... The way that things are set up now, it makes sense that Ambition would stay in the lead. Most people believe in hard work achieving the preferred results.
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[He puts his hands on his chest.]
She was in such pain over the role she played in Guy's murders. When I talked to her about it, she told me how she'd only done it because she was afraid that I'd lose my last follower and be killed. I promised...I'd help guide her as she learns from her mistakes, and she never wants to hurt anyone so badly again.
[...]
I'd like it if people would trust her. I don't believe she was ever in the lead for duplicitous reasons. Her followers have been loyal to her, too. They've worked very hard to get her to this point, because they've believed in her. I don't want anyone to discount that.
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Being able to understand people like that... is a very valuable skill. [The closest thing Sieg has are Saint Graphs, and that's a different sort of understanding.]
She thought Guy was going to go after your follower? [Maybe that isn't quite what Piety meant by that, but.] I think we would've done what we could to make sure you wouldn't stay at zero.
... It's somewhat frustrating to be hit by Advancement Opportunity. [Just. Going to put that out there.]
I... want to trust in all of you. I want to believe that the world you'll make will be kind. Or at least kinder than the ones that some of us came from.
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No, Guy is my friend. Her followers had been using Advancement Opportunity without consulting her, and since I'm friends with both of them, they made an agreement over it--Ambition could only protect my follower from her followers if Guy completed a terrible task for her.
[Piety sighs.]
It was a mistake, on both of their parts. But no matter how awful or immoral it may seem to be, their guilt is very real, their regret a vice on their hearts.
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That's a high price to pay for protection. [Zoe and Jude were both kind people. Even though he never learned what those wishes are, he hopes they'll be granted at the very end of it all.]
I believe they feel guilty. Guy didn't want to kill again when I spoke to him after what he had done came to light. And Ambition's... tired of this competition, I think? Tired of the number of bodies and trials we've had to work through.
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[He pauses.]
Sieg? Would you mind if I took off my mask? It feels strange to still be wearing it after such an enlightening conversation.
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[It's familiar in a terrible way.
He shakes his head.]
I wouldn't mind at all.
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[Taking off his mask, Piety adjusts his bangs, looking a little bashful.]
That feels a little bit better...we've spoken enough that I feel a little silly I didn't offer sooner.
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It's alright... You're the only one who's asked.
It's nice to know what you look like after all these weeks.
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[He laughs softly.]
I think I've surprised a few people with how young I look--but I know you and I have already talked about our unusual circumstances, to an extent.
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We did, a little bit.
If you have any questions for me, I'd be happy to answer them.