[When Mizuki enters the parlor, it's perhaps a little strange to see that Beauty doesn't have a set-up of tea or snacks or anything like that. Instead, he's seated at the piano and he seems to be working on taking his mind off of things. Instead, he seems to be brooding a little, the song Mizuki heard filtering from the piano as he plays. The flowers are in a small vase (where does he keep getting vases, we don't know) on the piano lid, and he doesn't speak as Mizuki approaches.]
...Mizuki-san. [Quiet, but still welcoming. Hello, please come in, etc.]
disappointed the song was not kiss kiss fall in love
[ he's a god, he can make vases. Mizuki could enter sheepishly and beg for forgiveness, but they're not really the type - they're aware things didn't exactly go swimmingly, and they'll just have to endure whatever the punishment for that will be. So they wander over, hands crossed behind their back innocently. ]
[Truthfully, he wouldn't know how to feel should Mizuki ever beg for forgiveness and the fact that they don't speaks volumes. It's something Beauty notes, something he appreciates, and though his back is straight and his fingers glide over the keys he still addresses them.]
You never asked, really. [Just a polite point even as he shakes his head.] I wouldn't say that I'm angry, Mizuki-san, but please tell me...was this your intention all along?
Why would I want to put Nito-kun in danger? He's not even close to a threat. [ at that, Mizuki sighs, their brows scrunching up a little bit in frustration. ] No, I just wanted information. If I had known that a suspicious journal would be popping up along with his note, I wouldn't have tried at all. The whole point of using that power in such a roundabout way was to keep Nito-kun's identity out of the public - not to mention mine. Or, in this case, yours...
[ they hesitate a second, but find themself continuing before they can really consider it. ]
Sorry, Beauty-kun.
[ ... they shouldn't be apologizing to one of these people. ]
I wasn't aware a journal would appear in the trial either, or I would have advised better. The trouble with the Beholder is that they'll believe the idea was theirs and theirs alone...but there's no accounting for what happens after that. My numbers are low as it is, so I'm rather concerned about your well-being. If people know you're aligned with me...I fear it will be more simple to pin this power back to you.
[The music slows.] ...I should apologize to you, I think. You knew I would forbid use of the ability for this particular cause, didn't you?
The only people who know I'm with you are Majima-kun and Ishikirimaru-san. Nito-kun, too, now. I don't think any of them will use it against me.
[ there's always a chance that others will be able to guess, but as far as actually telling people, that's as far as it's spread. It really depends on how leaky Senri is, from Mizuki's point of view; he's the wild card out of this group. ]
That's right. You're fond of Nito-kun, after all... There were risks from the start, even if I didn't believe it would go quite this badly. [ a beat. ] I wouldn't say that warrants an apology. Not from you, at least.
...Majima-san came to speak with me as well. I knew that you had spoken to him because he knew my age. [Which is a little odd, but Beauty doesn't mind too much.]I've yet to speak to Ishikirimaru-san, however. I'm afraid I may not get the chance to now. Though I can assure you that Senri-kun won't speak out against you. It isn't in his nature.
[There's the bias...]
On the one hand, I'm rather pleased that you've used this ability to take the necessary risks to take matters into your hand. On that account, you're correct, an apology isn't required. However, I have failed as your patron given that you felt you couldn't be honest with me that these were your intentions nor trust my judgment in what I was doing. And that, Mizuki-san, is why I must apologize. I have failed to earn more of your trust in these past weeks.
...you performed beautifully today, however. [A good show in trial.]
[ There's a pause before Mizuki replies; they're going over his words again in their head. More than that, they're going through their own thoughts on the matter. How should they craft this response? Perhaps it would be best to be fully honest. Yet, in the end, they can't bring themself to do so just yet. ]
Trust isn't something I give away easily, Beauty-kun. You're going to have to fight for me a little bit harder if you want it. Still... [ they pause, taking the single flower they'd kept hidden behind their back and leaning in towards him to gently tuck it into the headwraps of his mask, and smile. ] Somehow, I think I trust you a lot more than any of the other gods.
[Can't believe Mizuki's a smooth operator. This is a trick that Beauty himself would use on a beautiful young maiden that crossed his path, but to have it done in reverse leaves him a little bewildered. In a good way, of course, and there's a delighted laugh when Mizuki pulls back and the flower's tucked into the headwraps of his cloaks. That's about when the music stops because he's thoroughly distracted now.]
I've noticed. Then this makes me even happier. [It means progress, and Mizuki has been kind to him in their own way.] I'll continue to fight for as long as I must to ensure you stay by my side and I yours.
...though if I may ask, what can I do to earn even more of your trust?
[ they are looking to be forgiven, aren't they? It'd be easy to take the flowers as just a sacrificial offering if they didn't take an extra step here. And, perhaps, they get a kick out of catching him off-guard. Mizuki backs off enough to give him his personal space bubble back, smiling innocently. ]
Uwah, how romantic, [ they tease. ] How to earn my trust, though... Outside of taking that mask off?
[ they hum. (taking off the mask would not actually do much.) ]
I want to know your circumstances, Beauty-kun. If you disapprove of violence so much, how did things turn out like this?
[HOW! UNFAIR! But yeah, Beauty's 100% no longer angry because he's fairly quick to forgive, especially to those who he already likes.]
Soon, Mizuki-san. Soon I'll have the opportunity to gaze upon such a lovely face with my own. [Shut up. He straightens up though because oh, a real answer.]
...I'm afraid I'll need some clarification. How did this contest turn out like this? Or how did I turn out like this?
...well. It initially started because we couldn't decide on a head for the pantheon. If I recall, it was Piety's suggestion that we ask a third party to help us decide, someone who could lend us their fair opinion. One thing led to another, arguments broke out, rules were set in place, and we all came to agreement of this game.
[A pause.] If we chose not to participate, the only gods in the pantheon who would be considered for the title would be those playing. It's why all of us are taking part now despite only half of us voting for the killing rule.
But those rules didn't set themselves. You all had to agree on them, didn't you?
[ as far as Mizuki knows, there's no higher god dictating who can and cannot be considered; in other words, they set these rules together, provided they really were divided equally over them. ]
There were several rules we agreed on, such as bringing you all here and allowing you to choose for us. But there are some rules that were put to a vote, such as what happens to you and what happens to us.
...Ruin's idea. Several of the others backed her up, and several of us didn't. But in the end we had someone act as a tiebreaker for us. It's why things are the way they are now.
[ that matches up well enough with the small piece of information Love had given them. Mizuki falls silent, lost in thought for a brief moment.
Part of them thinks that, if they'd all tried hard enough, they could have backed out and tried again with different rules. But if Beauty had done that, for example, that might have only ended with him being left out of the pantheon. They should know better than anyone else that sometimes you have to play by unfair rules and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the greatest good.
So they sigh. They don't consider that he could be lying about this, for perhaps the first time. They're well-convinced that he's not the type. ]
Your goal must be incredibly important to you, Beauty-kun.
[At this, Beauty actually seems to grow serious and bows his head a bit, a thoughtful sort of posture because the game is...complicated, to say the least. He could have sat out given it goes against his ideals to shed anyone's blood, but the idea of not playing at all wasn't fair either.]
...my goal may seem silly to others. It's my goal to make sure people have a reason to smile every day, because I'm happiest when they do. [A pause.] “Everyday, I do my best to live. Everyday, I live with a smile on my face. And I also want people surrounding me to be happy.”
[There's a long stretch of silence as though he doesn't know how to continue, and maybe it's because those obviously aren't his words but someone else's.] ...I'm here to give it my all, Mizuki-san. I can't lose this, but most importantly I can't avoid playing at all. If I can create the world I want to create where people can live freely, experience life and be able to do more than their names allow, then that's enough reason to play along. I hope you can forgive me for a somewhat selfish goal.
[ Is that worth killing people over? It's not their place to say. But they don't think it's unworthy. Perhaps this suffering that they and the others are going through now will lead to greater happiness for many more if Beauty wins. If that was the case, then Mizuki thinks they might believe it was worth it.
They can't say they're on board with the idea, even now; the nature of this competition is too similar to the Otherworld Broadcasts for them to divorce the two completely in their mind. But they can say that they sympathize -- with Beauty, at least. ]
Listen to you - you sound like the main character of a drama. Stop being such a hero. [ their voice is teasing, but their smile is more serious. ] Wanting to make other people happy and fulfilled is the opposite of selfish, isn't it?
Do you think I'm well-suited to be a main character, Mizuki-san? [Sparklesparkle. This is absolutely derailing his thoughts, but...] I suppose it isn't, but...sometimes in the old life, it felt as though I had made people give up other things they wished to do to pursue my own wants. That instance felt somewhat selfish.
If I'm going to do this now, I want to do it with everyone's best interests in mind. Therefore I will be honest with you.
[...a subtle tug at the mask, and it seems it's still too soon.] ...sooner than later, I hope.
[ as for whether or not he's a main character... certainly not while he's in that getup. ]
As long as you have conviction in your choice, then I won't condemn you for it. I only hope that we can achieve it soon, too. [ they eye him curiously. ] In the old life - in other words, when you were a human?
[Those words seem to have their impact, something Beauty will take to heart, if only because he nods. It's a good thing to remember.
Though...]
Yes, that's right. Perhaps it's best not to linger on those times since they're no longer real, but memories are very powerful. I think that's why we aren't allowed to talk too much about them in the beginning stages of our relationships with you.
I had a feeling you'd say something like that. You've got an awful lot of secrets, Beauty-kun.
[ they sigh, both amused and tired. They don't have the energy in them to grill him further. The truth is that this trial was extremely stressful for them the moment that handwriting test passed positive for Senri; every minute afterward was filled with an increasing sense of guilt. Guilt that they put Senri in danger, guilt for scapegoating him and his god by accident, guilt for making Beauty look bad, in spite of their better judgement. Only now is their tension finally beginning to unravel. They spoke to Senri, they spoke to Beauty, they spoke to Ishikirimaru about his impending demise, and, somehow, everything hasn't been ruined. ]
For now, I'll let you keep them. [ ... ] Can I sit with you? I want to hear more of your piano-playing. Just for a little while... Then I'll get back to work.
[There's no reply because it's true, and he isn't sure how Mizuki would feel about that. Nevertheless, it's best that they both relent for the time being. Still, he looks up almost in surprise.]
...yes, of course. Please. [He'll scoot over on the bench if Mizuki wants to join him, though there's a chair not too far should they opt for that.] I haven't had a captive audience for some time. I'll make sure it's worthwhile.
[Beauty knows plenty of songs from memory, so it's pretty easy to slip into something a little more lighthearted and meant to relax them. Everything else can wait until at least Monday when Beauty will go hunt down Mizuki himself.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
WEEK 2, SATURDAY
...Mizuki-san. [Quiet, but still welcoming. Hello, please come in, etc.]
disappointed the song was not kiss kiss fall in love
Ah, I made Beauty-kun mad at me, after all.
[ a beat. ]
I didn't know you could play piano.
plz
You never asked, really. [Just a polite point even as he shakes his head.] I wouldn't say that I'm angry, Mizuki-san, but please tell me...was this your intention all along?
no subject
[ they hesitate a second, but find themself continuing before they can really consider it. ]
Sorry, Beauty-kun.
[ ... they shouldn't be apologizing to one of these people. ]
no subject
[The music slows.] ...I should apologize to you, I think. You knew I would forbid use of the ability for this particular cause, didn't you?
no subject
[ there's always a chance that others will be able to guess, but as far as actually telling people, that's as far as it's spread. It really depends on how leaky Senri is, from Mizuki's point of view; he's the wild card out of this group. ]
That's right. You're fond of Nito-kun, after all... There were risks from the start, even if I didn't believe it would go quite this badly. [ a beat. ] I wouldn't say that warrants an apology. Not from you, at least.
no subject
[There's the bias...]
On the one hand, I'm rather pleased that you've used this ability to take the necessary risks to take matters into your hand. On that account, you're correct, an apology isn't required. However, I have failed as your patron given that you felt you couldn't be honest with me that these were your intentions nor trust my judgment in what I was doing. And that, Mizuki-san, is why I must apologize. I have failed to earn more of your trust in these past weeks.
...you performed beautifully today, however. [A good show in trial.]
no subject
Trust isn't something I give away easily, Beauty-kun. You're going to have to fight for me a little bit harder if you want it. Still... [ they pause, taking the single flower they'd kept hidden behind their back and leaning in towards him to gently tuck it into the headwraps of his mask, and smile. ] Somehow, I think I trust you a lot more than any of the other gods.
hey excuse me wtf
I've noticed. Then this makes me even happier. [It means progress, and Mizuki has been kind to him in their own way.] I'll continue to fight for as long as I must to ensure you stay by my side and I yours.
...though if I may ask, what can I do to earn even more of your trust?
fingerguns
Uwah, how romantic, [ they tease. ] How to earn my trust, though... Outside of taking that mask off?
[ they hum. (taking off the mask would not actually do much.) ]
I want to know your circumstances, Beauty-kun. If you disapprove of violence so much, how did things turn out like this?
no subject
Soon, Mizuki-san. Soon I'll have the opportunity to gaze upon such a lovely face with my own. [Shut up. He straightens up though because oh, a real answer.]
...I'm afraid I'll need some clarification. How did this contest turn out like this? Or how did I turn out like this?
no subject
Truthfully, I'd like to know both... But we'll start with the first one.
[ it seems entirely unacceptable, the way things are being run now... ]
no subject
[A pause.] If we chose not to participate, the only gods in the pantheon who would be considered for the title would be those playing. It's why all of us are taking part now despite only half of us voting for the killing rule.
no subject
[ as far as Mizuki knows, there's no higher god dictating who can and cannot be considered; in other words, they set these rules together, provided they really were divided equally over them. ]
no subject
...Ruin's idea. Several of the others backed her up, and several of us didn't. But in the end we had someone act as a tiebreaker for us. It's why things are the way they are now.
no subject
[ that matches up well enough with the small piece of information Love had given them. Mizuki falls silent, lost in thought for a brief moment.
Part of them thinks that, if they'd all tried hard enough, they could have backed out and tried again with different rules. But if Beauty had done that, for example, that might have only ended with him being left out of the pantheon. They should know better than anyone else that sometimes you have to play by unfair rules and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the greatest good.
So they sigh. They don't consider that he could be lying about this, for perhaps the first time. They're well-convinced that he's not the type. ]
Your goal must be incredibly important to you, Beauty-kun.
no subject
...my goal may seem silly to others. It's my goal to make sure people have a reason to smile every day, because I'm happiest when they do. [A pause.] “Everyday, I do my best to live. Everyday, I live with a smile on my face. And I also want people surrounding me to be happy.”
[There's a long stretch of silence as though he doesn't know how to continue, and maybe it's because those obviously aren't his words but someone else's.] ...I'm here to give it my all, Mizuki-san. I can't lose this, but most importantly I can't avoid playing at all. If I can create the world I want to create where people can live freely, experience life and be able to do more than their names allow, then that's enough reason to play along. I hope you can forgive me for a somewhat selfish goal.
no subject
They can't say they're on board with the idea, even now; the nature of this competition is too similar to the Otherworld Broadcasts for them to divorce the two completely in their mind. But they can say that they sympathize -- with Beauty, at least. ]
Listen to you - you sound like the main character of a drama. Stop being such a hero. [ their voice is teasing, but their smile is more serious. ] Wanting to make other people happy and fulfilled is the opposite of selfish, isn't it?
no subject
If I'm going to do this now, I want to do it with everyone's best interests in mind. Therefore I will be honest with you.
[...a subtle tug at the mask, and it seems it's still too soon.] ...sooner than later, I hope.
no subject
[ as for whether or not he's a main character... certainly not while he's in that getup. ]
As long as you have conviction in your choice, then I won't condemn you for it. I only hope that we can achieve it soon, too. [ they eye him curiously. ] In the old life - in other words, when you were a human?
no subject
Though...]
Yes, that's right. Perhaps it's best not to linger on those times since they're no longer real, but memories are very powerful. I think that's why we aren't allowed to talk too much about them in the beginning stages of our relationships with you.
no subject
I had a feeling you'd say something like that. You've got an awful lot of secrets, Beauty-kun.
[ they sigh, both amused and tired. They don't have the energy in them to grill him further. The truth is that this trial was extremely stressful for them the moment that handwriting test passed positive for Senri; every minute afterward was filled with an increasing sense of guilt. Guilt that they put Senri in danger, guilt for scapegoating him and his god by accident, guilt for making Beauty look bad, in spite of their better judgement. Only now is their tension finally beginning to unravel. They spoke to Senri, they spoke to Beauty, they spoke to Ishikirimaru about his impending demise, and, somehow, everything hasn't been ruined. ]
For now, I'll let you keep them. [ ... ] Can I sit with you? I want to hear more of your piano-playing. Just for a little while... Then I'll get back to work.
no subject
...yes, of course. Please. [He'll scoot over on the bench if Mizuki wants to join him, though there's a chair not too far should they opt for that.] I haven't had a captive audience for some time. I'll make sure it's worthwhile.
[Beauty knows plenty of songs from memory, so it's pretty easy to slip into something a little more lighthearted and meant to relax them. Everything else can wait until at least Monday
when Beauty will go hunt down Mizuki himself.]