GODLY AUDIENCES: RAY

[divus]

Comments

[divus]

[Ah.]

...Ambition's more like family than a friend, honestly. She was really freaked out even after the trial yesterday.

[selfimmolates]

... Family's important. I don't blame her.

[even if that tantrum was exhausting to watch.]

Anyway, you know I was hit by Advancement Opportunity, right?

[divus]

I'm aware, yeah. Am I right in guessing you're weighing all your options right now? Kind of funny that you of all people got hit.

[selfimmolates]

I'm kind of pissed, but what can you do.

And yeah, you hit the mark. I heard you've got an alliance going on with Piety?

[divus]

[A surprised silence follows and Cunning turns away from the bookcase finally.]

So you already spoke to him, too. [Because Piety's the only person who even knows.] I guess you could call it an alliance, yeah. We made a deal a few weeks ago when we started assessing where this game's going. What'd he say to you?

[selfimmolates]

That if you win, you'll give him a platform to act as your mediator. You'll balance each other out and make use of each other's qualities that you lack, essentially.

That true?

[divus]

Yup. [That was easy.] But you think many people are gonna believe that? So I haven't said anything about it and I'm letting people figure out their own choices.

[...] A little while back, Piety asked me to help him be stronger because he recognized that he was one of the weaker gods despite being the most balanced. So we made a deal to make sure that his ideas would be heard and my ideas would be executed.

[selfimmolates]

Well, it's not a bad idea. Piety does seem like the favourite to win among you guys—he just lacks a proper spine. And no offence, but I don't know you well enough to know how you'd be as a leader.

... Though honestly, what have you been doing that everyone was putting you at the same level as Ruin lately?

[cunning's girlfriend became more liked than him???]

[divus]

None taken. I don't really care so much about that since Piety knows my situation and what I've been capable of. Likewise, I know his deal. It's why it's actually not a bad plan. Kinda disappointed I didn't think of it myself.

[But there's a sigh.] I've been saying to people that death isn't so bad when it's temporary and instead of, like, asking for an elaboration or even considering I might have a reason for it, people flip out and call me an asshole.

[selfimmolates]

Well, let's hear it. What's your elaboration or reason?

[ray can, like, guess, but.]

[divus]

I'm not out to actively kill people. If people die, we've got the caveat that they'll come back and it's all about the art of war. You think we'd be getting anywhere if everyone was in play and nobody was moving? In a game like this, you need some stakes. On the other hand, that doesn't mean you can't cheat death. It's not easy, but if you're smart enough you can figure out how to do that.

And anyway, death's a natural part of life. The fact that you're able to come back from this is the unnatural part. Most places don't believe in rebirth. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and what does kill you gives you a second chance that most people never get.

It's the ugly part of balance. People just don't see that.

[selfimmolates]

It might've helped if you guys had brought in people more accustomed to war.

Makes sense, though.

[divus]

Not all of the choices were mine. Ruin is the one who made killing an option but I can admit I backed her up. Are there some people we should have reconsidered? Sure. But you'd also be surprised what people can do when they're thrown out on their own with powers they're just starting to learn to use.

[selfimmolates]

Yeah, I've noticed by the body counts.

[seems like it's been screwing cunning over, though??]

[divus]

[A shrug.] I'm in it for the long game. Always have been. Losing Ava was a disappointment, and Blackfire was interesting. I'm almost sad it didn't work out.

[selfimmolates]

[wow it's a good thing ray didn't kill blackfire]

... So if, hypothetically, I joined you next week but not necessarily with the intention of staying—depending on how things work out—how likely would you be to spite me for it for the rest of the competition?

I was told you might not take it well.

[divus]

[Hmm...]

Who told you that?

[selfimmolates]

Beauty, I think.

[divus]

[There's a mumble that sounds like "dumbass."]

It would depend on your reasoning and who you'd be defecting to. Like I said, I'm interested in the long game.

[selfimmolates]

Well, I'm switching because it's out of my hands to begin with. If I switch the week after for any reason, it'll likely be to go back to Love—assuming she's still winning by then.

Little reason not to go back to a god who's been treating me well and is in the lead, after all. I'm in this to win.

[divus]

What about if she's not in the lead next week? What if, let's say, a god pulled ahead and it's one you don't exactly get along with? Still in it to win it?

[selfimmolates]

If they're in the lead by the last week? Sure.

... Well, maybe not Ruin, but her chances of winning don't seem great right now.

[divus]

Ruin's...interesting, so to speak. Her ideals aren't so much ideals as they are a wish list for herself. But she's still in the running which is impressive alone.

You really think she'll stay at the bottom rankings?

[selfimmolates]

Not necessarily. But unlike with you, no one was clamouring to save her despite her follower count dropping to one.

Then again, I don't know what others are deciding behind the scenes.

[divus]

It'll be apparent tomorrow...rules are happening, powers are flying, it's what makes the game interesting. You learn to start adapting, and fast. It's sort of fun to see how you guys act independently and together.

As for Ruin...well. That's not really my business anyway.