GODLY AUDIENCES: RAY

[divus]

Comments

[divus]

Okay, okay. [That's sort of progress.] What's on the agenda for today?

[selfimmolates]

First, I was wondering: do you actually want to win?

[divus]

Yeah. Of course I do, otherwise I'd drop out on my own. [Not that she's sure she can, but the sentiment is there.]

[selfimmolates]

Then, since it's come up in a few discussions—if you couldn't win, who among the other gods would you prefer to see as ruler?

[divus]

Piety's probably the one who could actually get everything in balance. I hate to admit it, but some of Ambition and Disorder's ideas could be good with some tweaking. Same with Beauty and Sincerity.

Who else have you asked so far?

[selfimmolates]

You're the only one. Based off what Takaomi's told me, though, Piety's the most popular choice among you guys.

What don't you like about the other gods' ideas?

[divus]

It's less about their ideas and more how they'd execute them? I think we can all agree that we want a world that's fair, or a world where the status quo's broken or whatever but I guess I'm worried about what lengths they'd go to get there.

[...] I'm worried about something going wrong and power getting the best of them. That's all.

[selfimmolates]

They do say absolute power corrupts absolutely.

[divus]

Yeah. That's why all of the murders started back home, too. I'm not ready for a new world where the same thing could happen, but if they were under somebody else who knew how to adjust their ideas it might not be so bad.

[selfimmolates]

[...]

Did Yu tell you about what he's thinking?

[divus]

...no, I haven't seen him since Saturday. Why?

[selfimmolates]

A group meeting with all of the participants on Thursday, to discuss how to proceed from here. Specifically, to pick a god to align with as the majority, and to end the game without any more kills.

To be honest, it probably won't work, but...

[divus]

--wait what? [Um. Hm. Give her...a moment to process that.] Oh no, is this what he meant?

[AHHHHH she's just burying her head in her hands for a second before she looks up again.] That's...really sweet, but I'm not sure that's a great idea? You can't force people to pick a god to align themselves with, that's why we gave you guys three choices in the first place.

[selfimmolates]

Yeah, I told him it probably wouldn't work. But in his words, "Can we really say we've done everything we can, if we're not willing to talk things over?"

[divus]

There are some of you I know won't defect from your gods at all. There are some of you who have changed gods and might continue doing that. It doesn't matter because you can't re-align yourself until Sunday anyway, but...[...ugh. Goddamnit, Senpai. She looks conflicted for a moment.]

He told me he was going to gather everyone together, but I didn't think this was what he meant. He has a point, but is that really a fair win if everybody aligns to a god they maybe don't believe in?

[selfimmolates]

Probably not. Though I guess it depends on what any person's given priority is for this game, and if fairness is a concern at all for them.

[divus]

I guess for people it's a question of what's more important, getting their wish or changing the game. You know I'd really like to see less people dying, but...those were the rules agreed on. Even I can see that.

[This sucks.] I can't tell you guys what to do, but can you just look after him and make sure he stays logical?

[I hope you know every time she trusts Ray a little more than she trusts her protagonist I die inside.]

[selfimmolates]

[that's really cursed]

Why am I becoming everyone's babysitter?

[divus]

Because you have the emotional maturity of an 80-year-old man?

[selfimmolates]

I wouldn't put it that way.

[divus]

Truthfully it's because you've been through a lot more than a lot of us have and that's made you wiser. Is that better?

[There's a small teasing grin though.] And anyway you could always tell me no once in a while. It's not my fault you keep agreeing.

[selfimmolates]

[he runs a hand through his hair, sighing.]

... Whatever. It's better for me as well if he stays logical, so I can try.

[divus]

[Just a bright, cheerful smile.]

You've got that right. And I appreciate it, you know? Since our team's not here, he's gonna need people to keep him balanced.

[selfimmolates]

[don't smile at him like that?? ugh.]

Speaking of which, I'm probably going to put off trying to gather your known followers—I want to see how this discussion goes first. Besides, depending on how much I feel like dancing around loopholes, it might be best if I save it to next week anyway.

[since. rules.]

[divus]

Totally fine. This kind of puts a wrench in things anyway, huh? To be honest I don't really know how well you guys can discuss who to align with anyway if nobody can confirm who they're already with...but I'm sure you'll think of something.

[Give her a second to actually grab her smoothie to take a sip.] Anyway I'd maybe suggest trying early in the week...just in case.