GODLY AUDIENCES: RAY

[divus]

Comments

[divus]

I know. And you're right. It's why we have to come up with a plan to make sure people don't vote for us. I'm pretty sure everyone aligned with me right now won't kill, but...just in case.

[selfimmolates]

Well, it's already come up that voting for you could be beneficial, even if only in the sense of trimming the numbers of the leading god.

So yeah, you have a target on your back, regardless of whether or not any of us kill or not.

[divus]

I know. I can see all of the trials even if I'm not there. [There's a sigh though.]

...there are at least three of you I cannot give up no matter what. Which sounds bad, because I don't want any of you getting hurt, but...um...[...] You're really important to me. I'm going to ask the other two for their opinions, too.

[selfimmolates]

[he's just not going to think about being cared about beyond how it's pragmatically useful, thanks.]

I'm guessing Yu is one of those three? You two seem fond of each other.

[divus]

...he doesn't realize it, but Narukami-kun and I have known each other for a while.

[selfimmolates]

... What?

[divus]

[It's truly unfortunate that Ray has the highest s-link for her right now.]

Yu-senpai was the boy who changed everything. ["A strategist. Pragmatic. I know someone like that. The boy who changed everything for me? You're alike that way."] And I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm actually dead.

[selfimmolates]

[that's bad]

... Um...?

[divus]

The point is yeah, I'd like to keep him alive. [There's a pause because at this rate Ray already knows, so.] You, Zoe, and Yu-senpai. Those are the three opinions I value the most even though I want to keep all of my followers alive until this game's over.

[selfimmolates]

[this is

a lot?]

... Do you think Yu will stick with you until the end?

[divus]

Yes. Five out of six of you? I'm pretty sure will stay no matter what.

[selfimmolates]

... Done a pretty good job of enticing loyalty, huh?

[divus]

I think so, but you're the sixth.

[You little shit.]

[selfimmolates]

[he shrugs.]

At least I've been honest about it?

[divus]

I know you have. I think it's maybe the most honest you've been with me, which is the really interesting part.

[selfimmolates]

What would be the point in pretending otherwise? You know my life story, so you know I'm not the poster boy for trustworthiness.

[divus]

Yeah, I know, but a lot of us still trust you anyway. Wow. Totally weird. [Love still has the mentality of a teenage girl.] Wonder what that means.

[selfimmolates]

That you're all idiots or I'm a better liar than I thought?

[divus]

Try again.

[selfimmolates]

It doesn't matter.

Anyway, if you're sure the others won't defect... I was thinking about a get-together with Yu, Zoe, and Nonon so that we can all be on the same page. [a beat.] Well, I can already guess that you'd tell me to go for it, though.

[and he might've if senri hadn't FUCKED HIM UP and now paranoia is making him not want to do it.]

[divus]

Oh yeah? Nonon-san and I have a pretty good relationship too, I think. But let's take the pragmatic approach.

[She finally breaks off another piece of the cookie though.] What are the pros and what are the cons of doing something like that?

[selfimmolates]

The pros are that you need allies in this competition. [even if ray right now is in the mindset of "i only need to pretend to care about them."] It'll provide a better information flow, potentially give us ideas on how to utilize our abilities, and we can get an idea of what each other's strengths and weaknesses are. After all, Yu already wanted me on your side because he knows I can think logically, even if he was wrong when he thought I could sway others.

[listen, ray acknowledges he's not leader material.]

The major con is that this benefits us only as long as everyone remains aligned with you. If anyone defects or betrays us—or even just doesn't know how to keep their mouth shut—they know our alignment and possibly our abilities too, along with any info we shared. Zoe already knows, so it's too late for that level of caution with her, but Yu and Nonon don't. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't trust them with it either.

[divus]

[She takes all of that into consideration because wow, he sure had that ready.]

...Like I said, I trust Yu-senpai with my life and he won't do anything that's going to hurt me. Even if he doesn't know it's me, he's been very protective, and I'm sure he'll feel the same about anyone aligned with me. Especially considering he was trying to bring people to our side. Nonon-san I don't know as well, but she has a really big goal she needs to reach and I think that'll drive her decision-making like it does yours. If I stay in the lead, the more likely your wishes will come true.

I think if the four of you can come into an agreement and align yourselves, you'll make progress and also be able to find the other two aligned with me. I wish I could give you names, but I don't think I can yet.

[selfimmolates]

[...]

I'll think about it.

[do you know how weird it is for half your instincts to be screaming TRUST NO BITCH while the other half wants to have faith because you were just starting to get good at it back home. ): ]

[divus]

That's all I ask. And I know you're probably gonna say no, but I have two more requests from you. Actually? I know you're going to reject one of them so I'm just going to say the other. If you're still having trouble deciding, you can always come back and talk to me. Okay?

[Can someone save Ray jfc.]