[When Ishikirimaru enters the study, Piety is where he always is, but his eyes are closed where he sits in his chair and it's clear that he'd been crying recently. True to form, however, when he hears the door he opens his eyes and forces a smile.]
I wish I could give a more enthusiastic greeting...but I know how hard today has been. Please sit with me--how can I help?
... just your company is enough. I feel fairly certain you are unable to offer much of the other help I need at the moment, with the way your rules are, but that is... I would not come to you simply because I needed something from you, anyway.
[he just needs to talk to someone who isn't in the middle of all of this, whose presence always calms him, though ishikirimaru still seems tense.]
I think... no, I am sure Nito-kun was right. We know which god his killer is with, at least for now. I will have to press the ones I know, but I-- need to gather myself first.
[there's work to do, he feels like he can't possibly rest knowing that... but he is aware it's important, even so, to be centered.
you know, before he goes off probably making bad decisions with people he suspects.]
I know three people aligned with that god. We're missing two. Out of the three we know, I have standing contact with two of them-- the third I will likely leave to the others, but I intend to see what I can get out of the ones I've spoken with before.
[he's doing his best to keep his own expression steady-- right now he has to force the calm, but hopefully it will come more easily after that.]
...we have reason to suspect all of them, though, which makes it more difficult. The code he left could apply to all three in some way.
[Ambition, then. It's the only team with so many followers.]
Please proceed with caution. Her followers may be disorganized, but they're much more loyal as a whole than I believe any other team has thought to consider.
[He's quiet for a moment, thoughtful.]
I have a suggestion, though...it feels wrong of me to voice it.
[Ion is quiet for a moment. He takes a deep breath.]
As I'm sure you know, Ambition, Cunning, and Disorder entered this competition with an alliance. I believe due to her widespread success...the three of them may already be acting separately in regards to their own best interest. They all care for each other, but the three of them are all highly competitive, and I expect that neither Cunning nor Disorder expected to have to rely on their junior to help them win.
...you think that may be an angle to pursue, then? I know Nito-kun seems awfully fond of Disorder, and I believe Cunning may still owe me-- or at least, he did not say the answer he was able to give me yesterday counted against that.
[ishi hums thoughtfully, there.]
Given that agreement you mentioned with him before, as well... it would be easy enough to say I am willing to help him regain a lead over her for your sake, if that is still standing.
Yes, our agreement is still in effect--and I don't know how much Ambition or Disorder have even been told about it. That may be information you can use to your advantage, as well. I believe, ultimately, distancing the three of them further may be wise.
[He folds his hand.]
Ambition, alone, is not a villain. She's an insecure young girl who has latched onto people who make her feel validated. I'm doing my best to encourage her to embrace goodness over underhandedness, but as you can see...the close relationship she has with Cunning and Disorder has led her to feeling desperate on their behalves. If she doesn't feel that she needs to protect them, I believe I can reason with her further and put an end to much of this senselessness.
Then I will see what I am able to do. From what Nito-kun has said, he is fond of Ambition as well as Disorder, and may be reluctant in this effort... but I think that I can convince him. Especially if you believe it may be for Ambition's own good.
...I know that this serves my purposes now, but I do hope that if we are successful, it ends up helping in that way as well. I want to see things work out between all of you as much as I want to see the people here safe, Ion.
I believe it's for their own good, as well. I like all of them individually, though I'm not as close with Disorder as I am with Cunning or Ambition. I feel as if they feed off of each other's negative qualities when they're together, and it causes them to struggle with embracing their better natures.
[...]
The more relentlessly a victory is achieved, the more unhappy we're going to be with one another going forward. That isn't just a problem for us but a problem for anyone who we ultimately rule over. I don't want to see innocent civilians caught up in ancient grudges or misunderstandings. It feels...like I'm taking advantage of the trust that Ambition has in me, but I truly believe that all three of them will be happier if they have more reason to branch out and seek relationships with other members of our ranks.
...I think it is the right thing to do, even if it feels like taking advantage. If it is for the good of the world, then-- it is something that should be done. But we are doing what we can on our end; I believe Mizuki-san mentioned attempting to help with relations between gods, and...
[ishi manages a slight smile, there.]
If he hasn't said so already, Nito-kun and I, along with a couple of the others, intend to try to convince others to join you in the end. Not counting myself, I know-- three more, at least, who should certainly do so, and we will be working on speaking with who we can to confirm others.
I know that we cannot simply sway people into joining you just for the sake of winning, but I think... that we can convince more of them that you are our best option.
[Despite himself, Ion's eyes water, and he stands abruptly, turning away to wipe his face on his sleeve.]
Forgive me, it's just...your efforts all mean so much to me. I've felt powerless, trying to do what I can, but only where nobody can see me. I haven't given many people any reason to trust me, so...I know how little confidence I must inspire in so many of the people here.
[ishi stands as well, there; he lets ion keep facing away, but he steps closer, gently wrapping an arm around him.]
That is why we will act on your behalf, and why I have always supported you, no matter who else I may be with. I know you are doing everything you're able, with the restrictions of this contest.
Thank you. You don't have to say any of that, but...
[But it feels so nice. Nobody's been unkind to him, but it's felt like he's had so little support, at least not the way that Ishi's always been there. With Luke so upset about Guy, having to be such a pillar, himself...]
Make it up to me by continuing to do what you can to succeed here. That is all I can ask-- I know I do not have to ask you to do your best for the world all of you will watch over.
[his voice softens, there, before becoming a little firmer once more.]
Your numbers do not reflect the support you actually have-- bear that in mind, and trust that we will try to keep increasing it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
WEEK 5, POST-TRIAL
I wish I could give a more enthusiastic greeting...but I know how hard today has been. Please sit with me--how can I help?
no subject
[he just needs to talk to someone who isn't in the middle of all of this, whose presence always calms him, though ishikirimaru still seems tense.]
I think... no, I am sure Nito-kun was right. We know which god his killer is with, at least for now. I will have to press the ones I know, but I-- need to gather myself first.
[there's work to do, he feels like he can't possibly rest knowing that... but he is aware it's important, even so, to be centered.
you know, before he goes off probably making bad decisions with people he suspects.]
no subject
[Exhausted as they both are, Ion sits up straighter in his seat, expression knitting itself into that of the leader he's trained to be.]
If nothing else, I can at least provide you with my council on the matter.
no subject
[he's doing his best to keep his own expression steady-- right now he has to force the calm, but hopefully it will come more easily after that.]
...we have reason to suspect all of them, though, which makes it more difficult. The code he left could apply to all three in some way.
no subject
Please proceed with caution. Her followers may be disorganized, but they're much more loyal as a whole than I believe any other team has thought to consider.
[He's quiet for a moment, thoughtful.]
I have a suggestion, though...it feels wrong of me to voice it.
no subject
[he nods, leaving his head bowed for a moment.]
And I will be as cautious as I am able. I may have to push my luck somewhat, but if that leads to any of them targeting me, well.
Better for it to be me than Shishimaru, or anyone else.
no subject
As I'm sure you know, Ambition, Cunning, and Disorder entered this competition with an alliance. I believe due to her widespread success...the three of them may already be acting separately in regards to their own best interest. They all care for each other, but the three of them are all highly competitive, and I expect that neither Cunning nor Disorder expected to have to rely on their junior to help them win.
no subject
[ishi hums thoughtfully, there.]
Given that agreement you mentioned with him before, as well... it would be easy enough to say I am willing to help him regain a lead over her for your sake, if that is still standing.
no subject
[He folds his hand.]
Ambition, alone, is not a villain. She's an insecure young girl who has latched onto people who make her feel validated. I'm doing my best to encourage her to embrace goodness over underhandedness, but as you can see...the close relationship she has with Cunning and Disorder has led her to feeling desperate on their behalves. If she doesn't feel that she needs to protect them, I believe I can reason with her further and put an end to much of this senselessness.
no subject
...I know that this serves my purposes now, but I do hope that if we are successful, it ends up helping in that way as well. I want to see things work out between all of you as much as I want to see the people here safe, Ion.
no subject
[...]
The more relentlessly a victory is achieved, the more unhappy we're going to be with one another going forward. That isn't just a problem for us but a problem for anyone who we ultimately rule over. I don't want to see innocent civilians caught up in ancient grudges or misunderstandings. It feels...like I'm taking advantage of the trust that Ambition has in me, but I truly believe that all three of them will be happier if they have more reason to branch out and seek relationships with other members of our ranks.
no subject
[ishi manages a slight smile, there.]
If he hasn't said so already, Nito-kun and I, along with a couple of the others, intend to try to convince others to join you in the end. Not counting myself, I know-- three more, at least, who should certainly do so, and we will be working on speaking with who we can to confirm others.
I know that we cannot simply sway people into joining you just for the sake of winning, but I think... that we can convince more of them that you are our best option.
no subject
[Despite himself, Ion's eyes water, and he stands abruptly, turning away to wipe his face on his sleeve.]
Forgive me, it's just...your efforts all mean so much to me. I've felt powerless, trying to do what I can, but only where nobody can see me. I haven't given many people any reason to trust me, so...I know how little confidence I must inspire in so many of the people here.
no subject
[ishi stands as well, there; he lets ion keep facing away, but he steps closer, gently wrapping an arm around him.]
That is why we will act on your behalf, and why I have always supported you, no matter who else I may be with. I know you are doing everything you're able, with the restrictions of this contest.
no subject
[But it feels so nice. Nobody's been unkind to him, but it's felt like he's had so little support, at least not the way that Ishi's always been there. With Luke so upset about Guy, having to be such a pillar, himself...]
I'll never be able to make it up to you.
no subject
[his voice softens, there, before becoming a little firmer once more.]
Your numbers do not reflect the support you actually have-- bear that in mind, and trust that we will try to keep increasing it.