[ His jaw works, but he doesn't try to interrupt. He'd be a fool if he didn't think that was a likely price of such a high ask.
There is .......... a very thoughtful look on his face. Intensely thoughtful, the gears in his head clearly turning. ]
That may be possible, [ he'll murmur. ] But I have to ask. What would the chance to do something about it look like? Is that something you can tell me?
That depends on why they're in trouble, and what you'd do. I can't see the future.
[If someone super bloodthirsty was out that night, for example, it'd turn out way differently than if someone else did.]
But here's the thing.
If we do this, I don't want you to defect to me. I want you to defect to Disorder, for me. If you can get someone else to defect too, you can send them to me.
Yu will blow out a heavy breath, ducking his head in a motion that turns into a slow nod. He'll push himself up, taking a few steps out of pure restlessness. He's not angry or anything; just ... thinking.
He returns soon enough. ]
You know what you're asking me. [ It's not a question. He knows she knows. God damn. His jaw works. ]
[They all know who they are. The masks are there for this competition - but they've been a pantheon for longer than this competition's been going on.]
But I can't tell you who she is. Even my affinity for giving hints won't let me get around that one.
[...]
I can promise you that if I win as a result of this, nothing will happen to her. Nothing would have in the first place, of course - but I can make it a divine oath if that's what you want.
[She nods, and when she speaks, she sounds pleased.]
We have a deal. You defect to Disorder, and I'll let you know if Ray is in danger. You get a second person to defect to me, and I'll let you pick a second name. Does that sound fair?
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There is .......... a very thoughtful look on his face. Intensely thoughtful, the gears in his head clearly turning. ]
That may be possible, [ he'll murmur. ] But I have to ask. What would the chance to do something about it look like? Is that something you can tell me?
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[If someone super bloodthirsty was out that night, for example, it'd turn out way differently than if someone else did.]
But here's the thing.
If we do this, I don't want you to defect to me. I want you to defect to Disorder, for me. If you can get someone else to defect too, you can send them to me.
[She meets his gaze.]
We both have people we want to protect, right?
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Yu will blow out a heavy breath, ducking his head in a motion that turns into a slow nod. He'll push himself up, taking a few steps out of pure restlessness. He's not angry or anything; just ... thinking.
He returns soon enough. ]
You know what you're asking me. [ It's not a question. He knows she knows. God damn. His jaw works. ]
You know who she is? Love?
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[They all know who they are. The masks are there for this competition - but they've been a pantheon for longer than this competition's been going on.]
But I can't tell you who she is. Even my affinity for giving hints won't let me get around that one.
[...]
I can promise you that if I win as a result of this, nothing will happen to her. Nothing would have in the first place, of course - but I can make it a divine oath if that's what you want.
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he'd better just lay his cards on the table, then.
His voice is so soft. ]
... that's not what I mean. I'm asking if you know who she is to me.
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[ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ]
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She didn't have to tell me.
[ How could he not know?
After all this time, how could he not have realized? ]
I'll say it again. You know what you're asking me, when you ask me to leave her.
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[She does not flinch from his gaze.]
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He accepts her steel. Yu will finally nod. ]
I love her. You know that?
[ It's said almost casually. He pushes himself upright. ]
Thank you, Ambition. I know you're doing a lot for me by offering this.
[ And she'll finally get a tired smile, for the first time like his normal self again. ]
I'll need time. I may not be back until late tomorrow. That alright?
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[She nods.]
There's a reason why we got the names we did, you know. Love is a concept that defines who she is. [...] I wonder how much of that is because of you?
[She crosses her arms and looks off to one side.]
Take your time. You can decide in the dream, even. But if you give me the name now, I'll make sure it starts applying the second you make the switch.
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Yu doesn't say a word. Just shuts his eyes and bows his head slightly.
He couldn't say. Couldn't lay a claim to a single piece of what a wonder she is. ]
... Ray-san.
[ Quiet. Simple.
The reason why he's here. ]
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[She nods, and when she speaks, she sounds pleased.]
We have a deal. You defect to Disorder, and I'll let you know if Ray is in danger. You get a second person to defect to me, and I'll let you pick a second name. Does that sound fair?
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This time is for me to decide, too. I have to be certain this is the right course to take. But, if this is what we do ...
[ A slow, solemn nod. ]
Yes. We have a deal.
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[She crosses her arms.]
Anything else?
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[ A piece of tired humor. ]
I'm going to talk to Cunning, too. The way I asked you for power, I'm going to ask him for information. Just wanted you to be aware.
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Okay. Just don't blame me if the price for us both is too high for you to pay.
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I won't get in over my head.
[ And with quiet steel: ]
I have people that need me, after all.
[ A nod, then. ]
See you soon, Ambition.
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[but that's it! yu is dismissed.]