GODLY AUDIENCES: MIZUKI

[divus]

Comments

[divus]

[No he's just better at hiding it, shh.]

...do you really think you're not a good person, Mizuki-san?

[digestif]

I didn't say that, did I? Just that you're better.

[ are they a good person if they do bad things for the right reasons? Who knows? They don't know. ]

... I think, if things had been different, and I'd chosen another god, I probably would have started hurting people by this point. Whether you call it desperation or strategy - either excuse. If people have to die to grant my wish, that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. I always have been.

[ ... this bonding session became a little more personal than they'd intended, but at the same time, it feels good to be honest with him, although they're looking down at their feet and Antoinette as they speak. ]

Frankly, it probably would've been smarter for me to take that route. Right now, we're headed for failure. But when I thought about how I'd be putting you in danger, too...

[divus]

[Despite the admittance of such a thing, Tamaki doesn't seem that bothered. In fact, he's patiently listening and considering it, secretly grateful that Mizuki aligned themselves with him in this case. Anything to lessen the violence in this game is a step in the right direction.]

...I understand you're making a great sacrifice to stay with me, Mizuki-san. And believe me, I'm incredibly grateful. It's why I want to try my hardest to find a way to make your wish come true in spite of what my numbers may be. I believe everyone should be rewarded for something like proper moral standing. [...] Do you regret not choosing differently even now?

[digestif]

[ It's a relief that he's not bothered. They wish they were stronger and that they didn't feel that way, but they do -- they were afraid of telling him this because they didn't want him to look at them differently. Smiling, albeit with a distant bitterness, they shake their head. ]

I don't. If I had, I wouldn't have met you. That's a sad thing. [ a beat. ] ... And... I don't want to take anyone's life. It might be easier, but... it's not the only way. Not in this situation. I want to believe that.

[ They want to believe him. ]

[divus]

...I'll admit that I'm incredibly pleased to hear that. [His shoulders relax a bit.] I've never wanted you to approach the game in a violent manner, but there was only so much I could do to help persuade you.

I want us to focus on other methods in this game. For more long-lasting effects than a temporary fix such as killing.

[digestif]

[ talking about wanting to use other methods and finding a long-lasting solution is easy - making it happen is hard. They've never been one for pretty words. They smile at him, but it's rather tired. ]

... Does the idea of an alliance have any merit at all? Or are Majima-kun and I wasting our time?

[divus]

No. I think it has plenty of merit if only to encourage the others to start making alliances as well, branch out and start seeing how we can actually work together. Convincing others to join our alliance or consider their own will be a bit difficult, but I believe if we show our alliance to the others, they'll realize we can be more.

[digestif]

[ nodding. Tamaki's approval encourages them, if only a little bit. ]

That's good to hear. Even if we only start with the two of you, I think that will be enough to persuade others, like you said. I'm going to speak to Piety-kun soon about the idea.

[divus]

People are bound to listen to him as well. And if I may, I might plant the idea in someone else's ear to bring it up to the gods at large...do you suppose that would help?

I feel that these ideas have a greater impact coming from you than from us.

[digestif]

Mm! I think that would help. I'm probably not the best person to try and get the message out, seeing as I'm not on good terms with most of the gods. Tamaki-kun is special, but the others probably don't care for me much.

[divus]

The others don't realize how valuable you are. [He says, absolutely unbiased.]

...I was thinking of asking Senri to spread the word. He'll listen if it comes from me, I think. And it would spread rather quickly that way.

[digestif]

Stop it. You'll make me blush.

[ they're not blushing they are SOAKING IT UP. he's just so cute, how can they not... if it wasn't for majima, they'd be in serious danger, they think. have thought before, too. ]

I thought Nito-kun would be your pick. I think he's the right person for the job, too. He's got a lot of connections to both the other gods and the other players, and most of them like him.

[divus]

[Look Mizuki can stay with Majima, just so long as they give Tamaki adequate attention once or twice a day. He's happiest when he gets to see Mizuki even if Mizuki's rude and tries to fluster him. It's why he smiles instead. He's here to always flatter them, thanks.]

That's precisely why I thought he'd be a good pick. You've seen how people gravitate toward him both in and out of trials. He's made no secret that he's spoken to all of us, too. It would be nice to have him present the idea and for others to back it up with facts.

[digestif]

[ tamaki unlocks mizuki's route in dark plasma v2: darker plasma... ]

Mm. Let's do that, Tamaki-kun.

[ a pause; then they laugh a little. ]

I ended up turning the conversation to business again, didn't I? I've really got to stop doing that.

[divus]

It's alright. [He doesn't seem to mind at all, blinking a little in surprise.] It's what you're most comfortable with, being proactive at all times. I can never fault you for that. Besides, nothing says we can't change the subject if you'd like, does it?

[digestif]

Maybe. But I'd like to be able to turn that part of my brain off once in a while.

[ especially considering there's a good chance they're going to die when they get home - if not here in this place. Mizuki quiets for a second, then turns to him with a more serious curiosity. ]

We won't be able to talk again after this ends, after all. I don't want to spend all my time with you thinking about this terrible game.

[divus]

Then we should make the most of this. [They're both aware of what the future holds, after all.] I've never really...[He's not sure how to say "I highkey avoid talking about anything too personal" without sounding suspicious, so.] Anything you wish to know is yours to ask. Even when this ends...I'd like us to be friends rather than a relationship built on only keeping each other alive.

[digestif]

Eh...? Do you not think of me as your friend already? Now I feel lonely.

[ they're half teasing, but half... not... they haven't thought of him as only something keeping them alive since he took off his mask, at the very latest. ]

[divus]

Not at all. I've always thought of you as someone familiar and close even in our early discussions. [Then?]

But...I can also recognize that sometimes the things I do and demand of people can take away from other people's time. [He bows his head a little. This is something that was, apparently, a realization he had in his own world and one he's been working on here.] I've always said you deserve the very best. I still believe that.

[digestif]

[ Huh. Funny - they haven't thought of him that way since the beginning. At this point, he's the only god who they don't feel like is making unreasonable demands of them and their time. Mizuki blinks at him, then laughs softly, reaching out to nudge his shoulder with one hand. ]

In that case, I think I deserve you. You're the best god, after all. [ a beat. ] All the time we've shared, I've given to you willingly.

[divus]

[He immediately brightens again, smiling with little resistance when they speak again.]

And mine is yours, so...please, ask me anything else you'd like. Or we can just talk about anything at all. [Antoinette woofs in agreement but she's too busy leaning heavily against Tamaki's legs.] I want all of our time together to be memorable, and for the best.

[digestif]

[ as always, his big smile warms their heart right up. Once in a while, they think back and realize how foolish this all is. How have they been swept up so soundly in the words and actions of one of the people who took them here? Maybe this is how Hisato got sucked in, too. If there was someone bright and gentle like Tamaki on the other side of the Otherworld Broadcasts, with honest eyes, a tender heart, and a convincing story, they suppose they'd understand. This could still be a great big con with Tamaki taking them for a ride -- all because his sunny optimism and sensitive nature makes them all gooey on the inside.

Now is one of those times. Even so, they sink into the couch a little more, and let the thought pass them by. ]

Let's see... I already asked about your family. Oh, what about hobbies...? Do you have a favorite school subject? I know you mentioned business before.

[divus]

[It's maybe one of Tamaki's flaws, not understanding everything about this competition to the best of his ability, but his strength is being able to charge ahead and be the best for Mizuki, be the one to approach everything with an optimistic mind. It's why he's happy to keep this going even as he thinks on it.]

I did! My father wants me to work with him to expand our enterprises, but that wouldn't have been until after I graduated. He was beginning to teach me a bit though...I don't think I have a favorite subject, really, but I like school. I like trying new things, so hobbies tend to shift depending on what I find to be fun at the moment. Games with my friends, trying all sorts of new foods and traveling new places, and music, of course. I haven't taken lessons or anything but I still play.

The Host Club takes up a majority of my time though.

[digestif]

[ at that, they blink. ]

You haven't taken lessons, but you're still that good on the piano? Wow. You're like a prodigy.

[divus]

Mm. [There's a nod.] My mother played as well, so I learned from her. And then I began teaching myself so I could play for her. It was something we could share together.