[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.
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.
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.]
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.
[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.
[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. ): ]
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?
[...give her a second, she's going to stand up and she's not breaking eye contact because she's 90% sure Ray has at least 4 weapons on him. But also she's a god, so she's inching herself around the table before sort of just. Folding over him in a weird half-hug kind of like the icon.
Go ahead, try and stab her. She's apparently not that worried.]
This was the first. The second is I want you to try and forgive yourself. Doesn't have to be right now but...just think about it.
[Glad this is happening as Senri's going to apparently keep breaking a 12 year old.]
[i was about to say excuse, he only has three, but i forgot about the knife he stole, so yeah. four.
he freezes up, but hey, he's at least not throwing her off, so that's probably a good sign? ... he doesn't even know where to begin computing the second request, though.]
[She doesn't exactly pull away just yet in that case, but she's ready to move just in case. Has anyone ever hugged this child? Jeez.]
I'll be honest with you since that's the agreement we made. [Was it?] It won't be easy, and sometimes you might slip up and get mad at yourself all over again, but it isn't impossible. I promise. If you want to keep talking strategies during our meetings, fine. But I'm here to help you with whatever you need. So please remember that?
[She squeezes his shoulders and finally stands up to her full height even if she doesn't, like, go back to her side of the table. It's a lot to think about.]
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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.
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... Um...?
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a lot?]
... Do you think Yu will stick with you until the end?
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[You little shit.]
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At least I've been honest about it?
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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.]
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[She finally breaks off another piece of the cookie though.] What are the pros and what are the cons of doing something like that?
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[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.
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...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.
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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. ): ]
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[Can someone save Ray jfc.]
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... What are they?
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Go ahead, try and stab her. She's apparently not that worried.]
This was the first. The second is I want you to try and forgive yourself. Doesn't have to be right now but...just think about it.
[Glad this is happening as Senri's going to apparently keep breaking a 12 year old.]
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he freezes up, but hey, he's at least not throwing her off, so that's probably a good sign? ... he doesn't even know where to begin computing the second request, though.]
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I'll be honest with you since that's the agreement we made. [Was it?] It won't be easy, and sometimes you might slip up and get mad at yourself all over again, but it isn't impossible. I promise. If you want to keep talking strategies during our meetings, fine. But I'm here to help you with whatever you need. So please remember that?
[She squeezes his shoulders and finally stands up to her full height even if she doesn't, like, go back to her side of the table. It's a lot to think about.]
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... Fine.
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