GODLY AUDIENCES: RAY

[divus]

Comments

[divus]

Yes? I don't expect you to kill even if I won't stop you if you feel that it's right. I do think that anyone who actively tries to sway people to our side should be rewarded for their efforts. It's hard to talk to people sometimes. It's even harder to be charismatic enough to make it work.

[They should maybe stop talking.] I can't guarantee anything, but it only seems right.

[selfimmolates]

... Speaking from personal experience?

[divus]

...maybe a little. [Uh. Hm. Let's change the subject!] This isn't about that though, this is about you and the thirty-nine other people who're out there.

[selfimmolates]

Right. And about my ability—or lack thereof—to play nice with others.

[divus]

It takes practice and finesse and you're still twelve. [Amused.] You seem to be getting along with some people so far...Shishimaru-san doesn't count.

["Getting along" is maybe a loose term.]

[selfimmolates]

My age doesn't mean much when I was supposed to be dead by now.

[that he's alive at the age of twelve is a miracle, really.]

I actually don't dislike the guy. Still, I wouldn't say I've hit it off with anyone except for maybe Madoka.

[and she seems like the kind of person who likes everyone, so that's not saying much.]

[divus]

But you aren't. [Which says a lot about Ray, and why Love will kill everyone first before allowing Ray to die, thanks.]

Are you always this contradictory? [Argumentative is maybe a better word.]

[selfimmolates]

... Because I had good friends.

[good family. also why he'll do anything for them!! like murder.]

Hmm? [he shrugs.] I prefer to be a pain than complacent. I leave being easygoing to others.

[divus]

...me too. [That's all that's said though before moving on.]

I never said it was a bad thing, but I think most people don't challenge me anymore. It's kind of nice to see.

[selfimmolates]

You're not talking to the right people if they just go along with what you say.

[especially since love seems kind of

soft.

but that might be rude to say out loud. but he's definitely thinking it.]

[divus]

[That's really rude even if it's maybe a little true these days.]

Call it outside influence. [That's all they say though.] You know the numbers now…are you going to try and find the others who've aligned with me?

[selfimmolates]

Well, that's the idea, but it's also easier said than done.

[and ray doesn't intend to be obvious about his own alignment.]

[divus]

You know that comes right back to "you have to start talking to people and trying to bond with them", right?

[Tada.]

[selfimmolates]

[he sighs.]

I know, I know. You don't need to remind me.

[divus]

[Hm.]

I'm going to give you an assignment. By the end of the week, I want you to be able to tell me the alignment of at least two people.

[selfimmolates]

Huh?

[somehow, this feels like a punishment??]

What if I fail?

[divus]

Then you try again and I up the number by one. [This is said with a very plaintive "duh" invisibly tacked on. Whoops.]

[selfimmolates]

What, is this retribution for me talking back to you!?

[divus]

Of course not. [Lmao.] But I want to be able to reach as many people as I can before someone makes a mistake. I can't do this by myself.

[selfimmolates]

It still feels like I'm being punished somehow.

[divus]

Hm...I see. Then isn't that more incentive to do it?

[selfimmolates]

Yeah, yeah, I'm on it. No promises I can do it within the time limit, though.

[divus]

Tell you what. If you can at least prove to me that you've tried, that's just as good and we'll go from there.

[...Love also maybe has a soft spot for those younger than them, even if she's not letting up on this task.]

[selfimmolates]

... That's surprisingly generous.

[ray is not used to generosity from adults??]

[divus]

[A shrug. Love has their reasons though they won't say just yet. They're good reasons, but they've at least also acknowledged that Ray has to be his own person despite what Love wants.]

This shouldn't be a one-sided thing.