[ such a serious reply... how can they hit back after that? They chuckle under their breath, letting the topic go. They can deal with Nito later if he turns out to be a bad egg; Beauty is probably right in saying they're better equipped to protect themself.
At the question, Mizuki tilts their head, smiling. ]
Would I be here otherwise? Although I do wish you didn't have to wear that mask.
There's only one other of you right now unless others choose to defect. [He's a little worried but refuses to show it, instead squaring his shoulders and perking up again.]
Anxious to see the beauty I possess? It's a crime that it must be hidden for now. [Boo.] Perhaps sometime in the next few meetings things will be different. It's hardly appropriate to speak to someone with a mask on.
Eh? Really? That's surprising... I'd think they'd want to know what they're risking their life for.
[ maybe that person just really doesn't care... still, Mizuki feels like they should try and find them. Otherwise, they're left trying to sail this ship all on their own. With Senri's help, apparently. ]
It's up to the two of us, I suppose.
[ maybe they can think of some way to use their power to help convert others... ]
All things considered, I believe I know exactly why they haven't. [But that's all there is to say on the matter.]
It's up to the two of you, but it doesn't have to be. [There's a shift in tone then, something a little happier.] Sometimes all you need are two people to create something beautiful where people can belong. Likewise, sometimes all you need is one person willing to make something happen.
[In this case even if Beauty isn't putting all of his eggs in a basket, he feels somewhat confident having Mizuki to rely on, plus Senri.] We simply have to play smarter.
So I've noticed. [Thank god one of them has at least one braincell.]
...to tell you the truth, I like several of the others as well. It does make it a bit more complicated, but it is a competition. Like them or not, I'd still like to win. The best way, perhaps, is to offer them something the other gods cannot. I just need to plan better.
[It's hard when you're on a tight schedule basically.]
Can you offer anything the other gods can't? Other than your non-violence, of course... I was under the impression you all essentially had the same abilities, as far as omnipotence goes.
We do, yes, but not without an exchange. I can offer certain things if people ask, but it must be in exchange for a favor or a pledge of allegiance. Unless you mean something else...?
I know. There are several others who'd like a peaceful world but the ideals are different. What I can offer is a world of experiences like no other. Here, though...I can offer a moderate amount of protection in exchange for alliance, I think. That may work...or items that may be of use?
[They're seriously pondering this and seem to be trying their best...] It's much harder without the use of locations and costumes. But those are doable.
Oh! To entice others to pledge their time with us and for us to entertain guests, we used to create themes and with those themes came set changes and costumes and confectionaries suited to the mood.
[He sounds...so sincere about that. Please help him.]
[Listen everything is fine and Beauty sees nothing wrong with this???]
...actually, that's a perfect idea! [Beauty was initially talking about himself but like. Why the hell not?] Senri-kun offered the roses, but perhaps a bit of a more visual display will help?
[Hm...musing, musing...the god brings a hand to his chin and ponders deeply.]
I can even reward you for it should you recruit someone this way.
Hold on. Even Mizuki Ioti-san can only take so much. I really don't think that would work, Beauty-kun! Mainly, I'd be drawing everyone's attention, and then I'd give away my allegiance to everyone... Well, the main problem is elsewhere, actually, but let's focus on logistics for now...
No? [No. Sit down, Beauty.] I suppose you could say you're doing it as a favor to me without being aligned to me...people would believe that. But you're right, logically perhaps it doesn't make sense.
To a degree, yes. But I'd also be making myself a target. We're one of the easiest groups to take out at the moment... I need to be careful about who I go after.
[...] I'm not used to being in such a vulnerable position. My apologies. [Time to think of a better strategy.]
If it were me, I'd go after others who are part of a smaller alliance, but that's much harder when you aren't sure who is aligned where, isn't it? Do you have a list of potentials so far?
Mmm... Potential followers of Ruin, Merriment or Fortune, in other words? It's hard to say. Those three things aren't usually noticeable parts of someone's personality at first glance.
[ no one's been outwardly callous enough to put into ruin or merriment, at least from their perspective, and they're not even sure how they'd categorize someone into fortune. ]
But I do think I know someone in Piety. Ishikirimaru-san is most likely with that god.
Precisely that. Do keep in mind that it's not only what you may have aligned yourselves with, but we've chosen based on how we feel you may fit with us. Traits we like, experiences we share...it's different for each of us but getting to know all of us may help.
[There's a tilt of his head as he tries to think of who Ishikirimaru is. It's easy enough to identify though.] Do you suppose Ishikirimaru-san would know where others are aligned if you can't sway him to another side?
It's hard for me to say. He's the type who's kind to everybody. But that's exactly why I want to work with him. [ he'll be easier to coax into favorable positions, so to speak. ] If I press him, he might tell me.
[ ... ]
By the way, are you telling me to talk to all the gods I can?
Then I suppose that's as good a reason as any to strike an alliance.
[The mask is in the way, but there's an enthusiastic nod and it sounds like he's grinning.] I think it's an excellent way to get information! Learn about them, see what they're like, and then search the other participants for like-minded people. [...] ...I realize it's foolish, perhaps, since I'm your patron but...I trust you.
That's right. You're not worried some other god is going to say what I want to hear and steal me away? If I were you, I'd be keeping my sole subject as close as possible.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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At the question, Mizuki tilts their head, smiling. ]
Would I be here otherwise? Although I do wish you didn't have to wear that mask.
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Anxious to see the beauty I possess? It's a crime that it must be hidden for now. [Boo.] Perhaps sometime in the next few meetings things will be different. It's hardly appropriate to speak to someone with a mask on.
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[ one day they'll meet tamaki ]
I did want to ask you about that, though - the one other. You're not allowed to tell me who it is?
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Unfortunately I'm afraid I cannot. The oath won't let us speak of those things...but if you ask around, you may find them. We haven't spoken yet.
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Eh? Really? That's surprising... I'd think they'd want to know what they're risking their life for.
[ maybe that person just really doesn't care... still, Mizuki feels like they should try and find them. Otherwise, they're left trying to sail this ship all on their own. With Senri's help, apparently. ]
It's up to the two of us, I suppose.
[ maybe they can think of some way to use their power to help convert others... ]
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It's up to the two of you, but it doesn't have to be. [There's a shift in tone then, something a little happier.] Sometimes all you need are two people to create something beautiful where people can belong. Likewise, sometimes all you need is one person willing to make something happen.
[In this case even if Beauty isn't putting all of his eggs in a basket, he feels somewhat confident having Mizuki to rely on, plus Senri.] We simply have to play smarter.
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[ a playful smile. ]
I think the biggest hurdle will be convincing people to choose you over other gods. It sounds like a lot of the others are peaceful, too.
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...to tell you the truth, I like several of the others as well. It does make it a bit more complicated, but it is a competition. Like them or not, I'd still like to win. The best way, perhaps, is to offer them something the other gods cannot. I just need to plan better.
[It's hard when you're on a tight schedule basically.]
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[ they purse their lips, thinking. ]
It seems like there are a lot of gods who'd rather avoid violence, not just you, after all.
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[They're seriously pondering this and seem to be trying their best...] It's much harder without the use of locations and costumes. But those are doable.
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Locations and costumes...? How so?
[ they have other questions but that part is so weird... they have to ask... ]
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[He sounds...so sincere about that. Please help him.]
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Wait, wait, what are you talking about? You want me to dress up and offer food to get people to join you?
[ MIZUKI IS LOST ]
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...actually, that's a perfect idea! [Beauty was initially talking about himself but like. Why the hell not?] Senri-kun offered the roses, but perhaps a bit of a more visual display will help?
[Hm...musing, musing...the god brings a hand to his chin and ponders deeply.]
I can even reward you for it should you recruit someone this way.
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Hold on. Even Mizuki Ioti-san can only take so much. I really don't think that would work, Beauty-kun! Mainly, I'd be drawing everyone's attention, and then I'd give away my allegiance to everyone... Well, the main problem is elsewhere, actually, but let's focus on logistics for now...
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But isn't drawing attention what we want?
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If it were me, I'd go after others who are part of a smaller alliance, but that's much harder when you aren't sure who is aligned where, isn't it? Do you have a list of potentials so far?
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[ no one's been outwardly callous enough to put into ruin or merriment, at least from their perspective, and they're not even sure how they'd categorize someone into fortune. ]
But I do think I know someone in Piety. Ishikirimaru-san is most likely with that god.
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[There's a tilt of his head as he tries to think of who Ishikirimaru is. It's easy enough to identify though.] Do you suppose Ishikirimaru-san would know where others are aligned if you can't sway him to another side?
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[ ... ]
By the way, are you telling me to talk to all the gods I can?
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[The mask is in the way, but there's an enthusiastic nod and it sounds like he's grinning.] I think it's an excellent way to get information! Learn about them, see what they're like, and then search the other participants for like-minded people. [...] ...I realize it's foolish, perhaps, since I'm your patron but...I trust you.
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[ this is not very strategic, tamaki-kun!! ]
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