GODLY AUDIENCES: RAY

[divus]

Comments

[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.

[selfimmolates]

Like I said, I don't think expect Yu's idea to work. Still, might as well sweeten him up by helping, right?

[can ray do nice things for people here without ulterior motives?]

... Yeah, if I'm going to do it, I'd rather do it as soon as possible.

[divus]

If you use him and hurt him I will sacrifice you first. [The worst part is that she's only half-kidding? And apparently using Yu a little for the greater good is fine. God.]

...I like that I don't have to spell things out for you. [Another sip.] Plus Monday's the day you'll have a fresh count of numbers anyway.

[selfimmolates]

I know, I know. Again, not pissing you off is pretty high on my priority list.

[divus]

Then you can start by at least pretending you'll drink your smoothie. I worked really hard on it!

[The look on her face says this is absolutely not true and she's just giving him a hard time because she can.]

[selfimmolates]

I'm pretty sure you can just manifest these things out of the blue.

[divus]

[She just pouts at him. A lot.]

[selfimmolates]

[...

with a deadpan look, he picks up the smoothie and sips through the straw.]

[divus]

Now was that so hard?

[It's a god-made smoothie which means it's definitely more delicious than anything Rise could do herself.]

[selfimmolates]

You're awfully invested in a drink you didn't even make yourself.

[divus]

You still could've said no. [Point.] ...besides, you usually bring me things so I just want to return the gesture, okay? It's not nice to turn down a gift.

[selfimmolates]

I thought I was supposed to bring you things?

[divus]

I've answered you when it was just prayers, you know. It doesn't always have to be that easy. And anyway that doesn't change the fact that I can and want to do something nice for you guys.

...see now you're making it weird. [:|]