[The words are nice to hear, and instead of pulling back or anything Tamaki very carefully leans into Mizuki's hand. The touch is appreciated, though the response doesn't come immediately.]
You deserve to be much more than a game piece. [It's a firm sentence, determined little frown etched into his features for the moment.] I...you've agreed to come, but that doesn't mean you must agree to abide entirely by my own wishes. I want you to work with me, not for me. We'll all come back in the end, but you've been brought into our quarrels without knowing the full history. It's not fair and I realize that now.
[He's a little highkey worried, it's fine.] ...my father once said that my idealistic sense and my sense of justice couldn't be applied to business. Even now I think he was wrong. [He looks up though, blue eyes wide and blinking in surprise.] I have a few questions for you. Will you answer?
[He still kind of looks like he would rather curl up and absolutely stop talking about this but also there are important things to discuss and he knows that.]
[ his acknowledgement of the unfairness of the game feels more comforting than they would have guessed. Most of the other gods have been defiant about the fact that they were tricked into coming here - perhaps not by lying directly, but through lies of omission. They never sought an apology or an understanding from Tamaki, but it feels nice to have it; they cup his cheek with a light, affectionate touch. ]
Flatterer. [ they parrot their words from their first meeting with quiet amusement. How many of the gods treat their underlings like this? They wonder. ] Go ahead.
[ his father, his life circumstances - they don't know anything about that, and they can't comment on it. It probably isn't suited for business, his way of thinking. But they want to protect it nonetheless. ]
MIZUKI IS VALID!! but also this is a mess and its fine
[Perhaps it says something that Tamaki easily lets Mizuki's hand support his face. He owes Mizuki nothing, really, given he's the god here, but it's a sign of trust that he's allowing this to happen and also a little bit of neediness on his part.
A smile flickers over his lips for a moment because yes, he's fine with that word, but at least there's an agreement as well.] ...after what happened, will you be keeping Eye of the Beholder?
I didn't have any plans to change it. The other two abilities don't seem as practical. "Hamartia" is too unpredictable, and "Above Suspicion" would only be useful if I knew who the other member of our faction was... or, alternatively, if I was a suspect that week.
[ but Mizuki doesn't have any plans to kill anyone. They stroke their thumb across his cheek fondly, then take their hand back, looping their arms around their knees. ]
I still believe there are ways to make Eye of the Beholder useful.
[ they're just not as wholesome... and they know that Tamaki would need to approve of their ideas before they enact them. ]
[Nooo Mizuki come back. But Tamaki pulls away and considers that, mirroring the stance and leaving the stuffed puppy in his lap.]
I do think I should have thought my powers through a little more. Though the Eye is the most useful...and I think now that the game is reaching the latter half, I'm willing to consider other uses. Such as catching people who have wronged us.
[Like trying to catch Fortune's killer? That's something.] I believe there's a way to use it more assertively without being aggressive. But it will require you to be honest with your intentions going forward.
[ they actually look faintly guilty at that comment, but they nod along nonetheless. ]
I trust you more than I did back then, you know. That won't happen again.
[ and they mean it, they think. They can't really imagine going around his back a second time, even if it would be the most convenient and efficient way of reaching their goal -- they're sure they could find some other method that didn't involve hurting him. It kind of startles them to realize it. They care a lot about this boy and his big heart. ]
But... for example, it would be possible for me to use it to check what someone did last night. If I had an inkling of who might have been responsible, I could have them write out exactly what they were doing. The problem would be delivering it to me discreetly... That was the source of the issue last time, too. [ hmm. ] Could they leave the paper as an offering to you afterwards? -- No, that might put you in danger directly...
I could understand if you did, but I will admit that makes me happy to hear. [More than happy, and he smiles at them just enough to express his gratitude. The last thing he wants is for Mizuki to act without saying so, and doing something that may hurt them in the end. Mizuki is his to watch over despite them being able to take care of themselves. It's just something to cherish and keep for himself.]
...it's a good idea, but perhaps it should be somewhere more discreet such as taping it to their statue in the courtyard? They're rather large. You could easily hide something there that only you could find later. But you've got the right idea.
Mm... My only concern is that the person would go back and get rid of the evidence themselves later. I'll have to be quick going to retrieve it.
[ even if the idea planted is one they think they came up with on their own, Mizuki feels like there's still a lot left to chance. ]
I'll see how things go tomorrow. After that, we can decide how to proceed.
[ if only sib tagged faster, mizuki could have tried to solve last week's murder, but alas!! here we are. ]
... Well, I didn't come here to stress you out more thinking about things like that, though. [ they look over at him with a little smile. ] I wanted to make sure you were okay. That, and I wanted to tell you that won't be happening to you. I can't speak for my mysterious partner, but I'm planning on sticking with you until the end, Tamaki-kun.
Speak to others this weekend in the trial…look for tells of people you wish to investigate further, and we may be able to find a way to use the ability. Secrets only stay secret for so long, Mizuki-san. I'm confident in your skills that you'll find a way to make use of this.
[…but yeah. His expression shifts from surprise to relief and there are tears in his eyes again? Lord.] …thank you. Though my heart is burdened, it's a little less with Mizuki-san at my side.
[Shut up, Tamaki. But…] What about your wish though? If we don't win somehow?
[ that smile becomes a little softer, and they reach out again, a little hesitantly, to brush away those tears with a knuckle. ]
Are you worried about me? [ Mizuki laughs, a little bitterly. If he really cared about their wish, then why did he bring them here at all? No, they shouldn't think like that... ] ... After this is over, I'll be going back where I came from, right? I can still fulfill my wish on my own.
[ it will probably cost them their life, and 8 others, too, but their resolution hasn't wavered in the least. ]
[Thanks for that.] Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?
[Still, even Tamaki's not short-sighted enough to see how bad this looks. He works on composing himself again, remembering that he's in a power position as a god and should maybe be a little more mature about this.] Even so...doing so on your own sounds complicated. I would like to make that easier on you as you deserve.
[Also that would be a lot of dead people and he likes them too much to let himself think of that sort of risk.] You'll all return as you were, yes. Right in the same place, right at the same time. That doesn't mean there isn't time for a strategic outcome...but I've never been the one to execute plans correctly. That was always Kyoya.
[Another name, it seems.] I'll be watching the trial myself. Between the two of us, perhaps we can figure something out for early in the week.
[ he might be a god, but they still want to take care of him, too... when he looks like this, it's easy to forget he's got any kind of power. That was the reason for the masks and everything else, they suppose.
It would certainly be easier to have their lifelong problem fixed with a metaphorical wave of a magic wand. They're still not sure they really believe this can stop the broadcasts. It's too convenient - too fantastical. Maybe that's why they haven't been as desperate as they should. They nod. ]
I had plans of my own. Honestly, this almost feels like cheating, after all the hard work I put in. [ finding a rank in the company, being allowed to chase this case personally and put themself in as an agent -- it wasn't easy. ] But that's the spirit. You don't need to come up with a plan on your own. I'm with you, remember?
Hard work should be acknowledged all the same, you know. I would never take that away from you, even if your focus of where the work should lie has changed since being here. [Working to get out of this game versus working on the broadcast at home, he means. It's commendable.] I know you are...truthfully, I would be lost without you. So thank you for staying even if we're in the middle of the ranks right now.
I promise you I'll do what I can to change that. [Determination!] We have time. That's all we need.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no mizuki is perfect =\
You deserve to be much more than a game piece. [It's a firm sentence, determined little frown etched into his features for the moment.] I...you've agreed to come, but that doesn't mean you must agree to abide entirely by my own wishes. I want you to work with me, not for me. We'll all come back in the end, but you've been brought into our quarrels without knowing the full history. It's not fair and I realize that now.
[He's a little highkey worried, it's fine.] ...my father once said that my idealistic sense and my sense of justice couldn't be applied to business. Even now I think he was wrong. [He looks up though, blue eyes wide and blinking in surprise.] I have a few questions for you. Will you answer?
[He still kind of looks like he would rather curl up and absolutely stop talking about this but also there are important things to discuss and he knows that.]
TURNING THE YOUTHS TO VIOLENCE!!
Flatterer. [ they parrot their words from their first meeting with quiet amusement. How many of the gods treat their underlings like this? They wonder. ] Go ahead.
[ his father, his life circumstances - they don't know anything about that, and they can't comment on it. It probably isn't suited for business, his way of thinking. But they want to protect it nonetheless. ]
MIZUKI IS VALID!! but also this is a mess and its fine
A smile flickers over his lips for a moment because yes, he's fine with that word, but at least there's an agreement as well.] ...after what happened, will you be keeping Eye of the Beholder?
no subject
[ but Mizuki doesn't have any plans to kill anyone. They stroke their thumb across his cheek fondly, then take their hand back, looping their arms around their knees. ]
I still believe there are ways to make Eye of the Beholder useful.
[ they're just not as wholesome... and they know that Tamaki would need to approve of their ideas before they enact them. ]
But if you have a new idea, I want to hear it.
no subject
I do think I should have thought my powers through a little more. Though the Eye is the most useful...and I think now that the game is reaching the latter half, I'm willing to consider other uses. Such as catching people who have wronged us.
[Like trying to catch Fortune's killer? That's something.] I believe there's a way to use it more assertively without being aggressive. But it will require you to be honest with your intentions going forward.
no subject
I trust you more than I did back then, you know. That won't happen again.
[ and they mean it, they think. They can't really imagine going around his back a second time, even if it would be the most convenient and efficient way of reaching their goal -- they're sure they could find some other method that didn't involve hurting him. It kind of startles them to realize it. They care a lot about this boy and his big heart. ]
But... for example, it would be possible for me to use it to check what someone did last night. If I had an inkling of who might have been responsible, I could have them write out exactly what they were doing. The problem would be delivering it to me discreetly... That was the source of the issue last time, too. [ hmm. ] Could they leave the paper as an offering to you afterwards? -- No, that might put you in danger directly...
no subject
...it's a good idea, but perhaps it should be somewhere more discreet such as taping it to their statue in the courtyard? They're rather large. You could easily hide something there that only you could find later. But you've got the right idea.
no subject
[ even if the idea planted is one they think they came up with on their own, Mizuki feels like there's still a lot left to chance. ]
I'll see how things go tomorrow. After that, we can decide how to proceed.
[ if only sib tagged faster, mizuki could have tried to solve last week's murder, but alas!! here we are. ]
... Well, I didn't come here to stress you out more thinking about things like that, though. [ they look over at him with a little smile. ] I wanted to make sure you were okay. That, and I wanted to tell you that won't be happening to you. I can't speak for my mysterious partner, but I'm planning on sticking with you until the end, Tamaki-kun.
no subject
[…but yeah. His expression shifts from surprise to relief and there are tears in his eyes again? Lord.] …thank you. Though my heart is burdened, it's a little less with Mizuki-san at my side.
[Shut up, Tamaki. But…] What about your wish though? If we don't win somehow?
no subject
Are you worried about me? [ Mizuki laughs, a little bitterly. If he really cared about their wish, then why did he bring them here at all? No, they shouldn't think like that... ] ... After this is over, I'll be going back where I came from, right? I can still fulfill my wish on my own.
[ it will probably cost them their life, and 8 others, too, but their resolution hasn't wavered in the least. ]
no subject
[Still, even Tamaki's not short-sighted enough to see how bad this looks. He works on composing himself again, remembering that he's in a power position as a god and should maybe be a little more mature about this.] Even so...doing so on your own sounds complicated. I would like to make that easier on you as you deserve.
[Also that would be a lot of dead people and he likes them too much to let himself think of that sort of risk.] You'll all return as you were, yes. Right in the same place, right at the same time. That doesn't mean there isn't time for a strategic outcome...but I've never been the one to execute plans correctly. That was always Kyoya.
[Another name, it seems.] I'll be watching the trial myself. Between the two of us, perhaps we can figure something out for early in the week.
I CANT TAKE THOSE ICONS SERIOUSLY
It would certainly be easier to have their lifelong problem fixed with a metaphorical wave of a magic wand. They're still not sure they really believe this can stop the broadcasts. It's too convenient - too fantastical. Maybe that's why they haven't been as desperate as they should. They nod. ]
I had plans of my own. Honestly, this almost feels like cheating, after all the hard work I put in. [ finding a rank in the company, being allowed to chase this case personally and put themself in as an agent -- it wasn't easy. ] But that's the spirit. You don't need to come up with a plan on your own. I'm with you, remember?
my life is suffering sib
Hard work should be acknowledged all the same, you know. I would never take that away from you, even if your focus of where the work should lie has changed since being here. [Working to get out of this game versus working on the broadcast at home, he means. It's commendable.] I know you are...truthfully, I would be lost without you. So thank you for staying even if we're in the middle of the ranks right now.
I promise you I'll do what I can to change that. [Determination!] We have time. That's all we need.