GODLY AUDIENCES: MIZUKI

[divus]

Comments

WEEK 0

[divus]

[When Mizuki arrives, the masked god appears to be seated in the parlor, head propped up with a hand and right leg crossed over their left at the knee. There's a chair directly across from theirs, and the god holds out a palm in welcome.]

Welcome, Mizuki-chan. [The drink that Mizuki's created as an offering is also on a table before them, along with a second glass and a few small snacks.] Forgive me, I wasn't sure what would be most suited to your tastes.

WOOHOO

[digestif]

[ Mizuki breathes out a little laugh, raising an eyebrow. ]

Mizuki-chan is a bit much for someone my age, don't you think? [ it sets them on edge almost immediately, actually. They play along and sit down, but don't move to take anything. ] It's all right. I wanted to ask you some questions. Is that okay?

[divus]

[Ahah...perhaps a bit too strong of a start? Well. They don't seem to mind, simply shifting in their seat and taking note to maybe not do that again. For now.]

Beauty knows no age, I believe. For someone as lovely as yourself...[Ah well. Mizuki sits down and Beauty remains still to examine them.]

How could I say no?

[digestif]

Flatterer.

[ but they'll take it in stride. ]

I'll get straight to the point. Are you a Sponsor? This is considerably different from past broadcasts, isn't it? I thought there were only supposed to be nine people here.

[divus]

Sponsor? [This time they sound genuinely confused.] How disgraceful.

[They're not insulted, exactly, though it's an interesting though nevertheless.] Nine would be far too few.

[digestif]

If you ask me, a cast this size is only going to confuse the viewers. Too many names to keep track of.

[ the confusion sounds real - still, they're not trusting anything. ]

... But you don't know what I'm talking about, do you? About the Otherworld Broadcasts.

[divus]

There are no viewers, Mizuki. [No honorific this time, and the tone's a little more gentle yet still curious.] We are the only ones monitoring this contest.

Your Broadcasts...they're quite ugly, aren't they? Forced against your will into playing a part you didn't ask for. Families torn apart...

[Seems like Beauty knows enough, at least.] That burden must trouble you.

[digestif]

[ that makes their eyes narrow right away. ]

So you do know.

[ and that means they're involved. It has to. ]

[divus]

We wouldn't have made an offer to anyone whose background we didn't check. [They recognize that look, and while they aren't sure how to read it they're just going to carry on and try to dispel the suspicions.] Do they give you a choice?

[digestif]

I know.

[ all the participants for the broadcast are very specifically selected, according to the institute's research. ]

They don't. If they did, nobody in their right mind would agree to it... Or so I'd like to think. [ they know that's not true; the rest of their family is proof of that. Mizuki folds their hands on the table. ] You still haven't told me quite what it is I agreed to.

[divus]

[Hm. Awkward.]

I'd like to think so as well, but sometimes...[Ah.] It's phrased in a way that it feels like one. [This isn't about that though and they rest their arms on the arms of the chair, back straight and facing Mizuki straight-on.]

By agreeing to come here, you've agreed to help us declare a winner in a competition amongst ourselves. [No, wait, now they're holding up their index finger as if to say "aha!"] While some of us are requested far more than others, some of us felt it was only fair to let the common people decide.

[digestif]

Mmm, I know that much... Patience-san told me that whoever has the most supporters is the winner. From that, I assume we're meant to diminish the ranks of everyone else, correct? And according to her, violent means are allowed to be used for that purpose.

[ they're not a huge fan of that. ]

Are you expecting me to kill in your name?

[divus]

Patience-san was correct. [There's a bit of unease in the tone when they speak of Patience, like they aren't sure what to think yet.] While violence is allowed, I would be disappointed if anyone killed in my name. I believe there are other means of influence outside of such cowardly actions.

[There's a moment that Beauty fumbles, a hand coming up to try and take off their mask...and finding they can't. It's stuck now. So that's great. They struggle for a few moments before giving up and deciding they have to be convincing with their words instead.]

I'd like to see everyone getting along and making a choice based on their heart's true desire. It's why I wish more than anything to be the one to win.

[digestif]

[ that's a relief, at the very least, even if Mizuki is uncomfortable having such a loose grasp of the situation. It was always going to be dangerous - but at least they thought they understood how the Otherworld Broadcasts worked. They breathe out through their nose. ]

All right.

[ that'll be easier. They do notice how Beauty tries and fails to take off the mask, one eyebrow raising a fraction, but they table that question for now. ]

And if you win...? The survivors will be returned home safely?

[divus]

Yes, that's right. They'll return home safely, or to a world they feel is closer to home. After all, isn't home where the heart is?

[No sense returning someone to a dire situation if that isn't what will make them happiest.] A choice will be allowed if I win.

[digestif]

Another "world" ...

[ that's a hard pill to swallow, too, for someone from a normal Earth. Mizuki frowns. There's no point in debating it; it's impossible to prove one way or another at the moment, and, in truth, it doesn't matter. For now, all that matters is that the people here are real - and they're working on the assumption that they are. They're too realistic to be AIs or simulations. Those are lives that need to be saved. End of story. ]

There's a lot of this story that still doesn't line up for me... but, for the time being, I'll stick by my choice. If you're telling the truth, then we have the same goals.

[divus]

[It's a lot, they know. Truthfully from the sound of it Beauty thinks it's a little idealistic but they hold onto it anyway. They don't seem to mind that Mizuki seems a bit unsure.]

There's a reason I'm glad you chose me, Mizuki-san. [Still trying out honorifics, huh...there's a smile in their voice though as if none of this really bothers them. Try to be optimistic.] I hope we'll be able to work together well. You've chosen a power, yes?

[digestif]

[ ideals are important. Mizuki doesn't think things will work out that nicely, either, but they appreciate the thought - it's nice to think about and hold onto while they do the dirty work. ]

Mm. The "Eye of the Beholder" seems like it would be the most useful for our current situation. [ ... ] How does it work?

[divus]

[The god shifts, tilting their head up just a bit as though to think of how to phrase this.]

Think of it as something that can be done in order to encourage someone to act in a way they normally wouldn't. They won't know that they've been influenced and they won't be able to remove the thought until it's carried through. It…can be used for good or bad, I realize, but I'd rather it be used to help people be honest with their actions and thoughts.

[i.e. please don't use it to engage in "please stab this person."]

You've heard that perspective is everything, yes?

[digestif]

Come on. I thought you knew about me and my past.

[ they won't use it for stabs... probably. Unless they need to. ]

[divus]

I know an overview but not the basics. Like a fine painting, it's easy to see the full picture but not the broad strokes.

[Please don't stab. Unless necessary. But really, please no.] But I trust you to use it wisely, mon ami.

[digestif]

[ so that's how it is. Mizuki doesn't seem particularly put at ease by them only knowing their general story and not the details, but... it's probably better that way. Maybe. Things are really confusing. ]

I will. My only intentions with this "power" are to try and minimize damage.

[ when people get emotional, it can be hard to choose the right path. Manipulating them onto it might make them a bad guy - but that's just a sacrifice they're willing to make. Putting their personal wants first has already backfired enough in the past. ]

[divus]

[Thank you for understanding I meant details and not basics Sib I'm dumb. Regardless, Beauty studies them again and there's a gentle tilt of the head.]

That's really all I can ask. I believe with time you'll understand what it is you have to do and how to do it, whatever the case may be. I also believe over time you and I will be able to speak more...and then I can tell you more about our situation.

If you'd like, that is. [It requires Mizuki to come see Beauty again and they're not 100% sure since it's just the beginning.]

[digestif]

[ IT'S FINE ]

I certainly can't say no to having an inside source.

[ Mizuki can't say they trust Beauty, exactly, but what else do they have to go on? They offer a cordial smile, though it's followed by an inquisitive look and a question. ]

You're not allowed to take off your mask? You looked like you wanted to.

[divus]

I would love nothing more than that. [They're incredibly sincere about that? This mask is getting in the way of being able to have a proper face-to-face conversation.] Perhaps the other gods are afraid I'll blind everyone with my brilliant looks?

[And yet, on a more serious tone:] If I recall, it was an argument amongst ourselves to have the masks cover us to even the playing field. I can't say how long they'll remain, but with time I imagine they'll be removed. I can go without it when speaking to the other gods but not with you.