The beautiful thing about a memory is that it's in the past. If whatever happens here doesn't stick, it's just another drop in the bucket.
[He doesn't exactly have the healthiest coping mechanisms, but, like, it's fine.]
Is the job offer this gig? Being a god does sound pretty sweet, I gotta say. Even if you have to go through the motions with this kind of crap.
[But it's the last thind Merriment says that catches Newt's attention.]
You know, I had a feeling the group of you were meant to be in balance. I wish the rest of us shared that outlook, but the way I see it? Love and merriment and so on aren't inherently good things just like ruin and disorder aren't inherently bad. It's not that simple.
Yeah. I guess you're right. [What if we stop talking about memories? Merriment sidesteps the conversation easily.]
Nah, this was the old life…it doesn't really matter, turns out I wasn't that qualified after all. So I was offered this job and I took it to try and make things better. [Newt can't see it, but Merriment lifts an eyebrow behind their mask.]
You might be the first person to say that to me and actually get it. Tell me why you think that is.
Hm. Well, dunno what you were up to back home, but still sounds to me like you made the right choice.
[Again: Being a god sounds pretty sweet.]
Seriously? I mean, cool, but it's not that revolutionary of an idea.
[Then again, Merriment is just one god, so maybe the rest of the competition isn't as dumb as they sound right now. Come on, guys, catch up.]
The way I see it, you guys are more like the Greek gods than the gods in most modern religions. You read as human to me, and people are complicated. If you were some trickster god obsessed with embodying merriment as a concept, that wouldn't make you a very good god. Granted, I haven't talked to all of you, but if you're complex like people? That'll make you a stronger, like, board of directors for your new world.
[That's how he'd set it up if he was in charge, anyway.]
Yeah...I'm starting to think so, too. [Debatable.]
I've never really brushed up on my mythology but that's a pretty good theory you've got there. People are complicated and that's probably a huge factor in why everyone started fighting. We all had befores and afters. They're just different for everybody.
This whole human complexity thing. Does this make it better or worse when it comes to a game like this?
[Newt laughs. It's funny to hear a god say they're not familiar with other mythologies.
He ponders the question a moment.]
Depends on how you define those terms. From where I'm standing, it's better. I'm not a religious guy, and I'm sure as hell not going to stick my neck out for any quote-unquote god just because that's how the game's supposed to be played.
[He's never been great at supporting causes he doesn't genuinely believe in.]
If you're just like the rest of us with some bonus divine perks, it complicates things, but it also makes for a more interesting experience. I'll take that over the alternative any day. The only bummer is I actually like those of you that I've talked to.
[Which makes the competition aspect more challenging. That doesn't mean he intends to back off, but there's a little twinge of guilt that's been nagging at him since after that first trial.]
[This particular god maybe has a reason for that, but now they're curious and may bug the other gods about it.]
You're a really interesting contestant in all of this. [Can't deny that.] There's not too much that I can say because of the divine oath thing--[They even do the air quotes]--but like I said there's a before and an after. I'll let you guess what our befores were like and you can make that decision yourself.
But I can at least say that we had former lives that make this more complicated and interesting. We have our own biases and our own free will. How else would a game like this start?
[...there's a soft, unsure laugh.] The real bummer is that a lot of us like each other and like you guys, too. But it's sort of like--what do you call it? Those big machines where you start one thing and then it just snowballs from there with each part moving because another part started. [Rube-Goldberg.] That's what the game is now.
[A pause.] I can get you these parts, by the way, but I'll need a small favor in exchange. It's how this whole thing works.
[Newt grins at the compliment. Pat his ass more, please.]
It shows. I think even if some of you weren't so forthcoming with what you were up to before this, it'd be obvious that there's more to the story than just what we're seeing. It's neat.
[Largely because Newt would have a hard time caring about all this otherwise.]
Uh, I think you're talking about a Rube-Goldberg machine. I get what you're saying, though. Now that things are in motion, it's out of your hands, both in terms of stopping it or controlling it.
[Which makes the Rube-Goldberg analogy not quite accurate since that's a structure set up meticulously beforehand, but, good enough. He won't criticize Merriment for that.
We're obviously allowed to say some things but not others, and I'm gonna guess that's why. Just enough to entice you guys to start asking us questions and figure out how to play along. And yeah, one of those things.
[Thanks, Merriment doesn't know how science works. On the other hand...a favor, a favor.]
Find someone you've spoken to and convince them to come see me. Easy, right?
You're the science guy and you can't even count? [It's a gentle tease, but.] Okay, so you have twelve of us and forty of you left. Wouldn't it make sense to find somebody, figure out their alignment and then send 'em my way if they're in the bottom rungs?
[An outlier, in this case, is apparently someone who is currently losing.]
[There is no such thing as a gentle tease with Newt. Luckily, he likes Merriment, so all the god gets is a slight look before Newt gets back to the task at hand.]
Another strategy would be to pick off followers of the gods who are already in the lead. By your logic, you're looking to knock another god out of the competition entirely.
By my logic, some of the ones who are low are ones who shouldn't be winning in the first place. There're some with higher numbers that I'm not sure how to handle yet, but I'm talking three or less right now. It has nothing to do with knocking them out and more to do with putting enough space between them and winning that it won't happen.
That's the one I'd be the least bothered to see knocked out. [Just. Bluntly. Hope you weren't expecting a nice answer despite them being your patron, Newt.]
Then we're on the same page. You're right, though. I've got something in the works. Playing for her team isn't getting me very far, but I don't feel like dealing with her tantrum after I defect.
[Hence his earlier comment about not wanting to piss her off.]
I'm not asking for help. Just figured you should know where I stand.
...cool. Should I be worried? [They're curious as all hell, but that's nothing.] I hope you know what you're doing but you seem pretty smart. Ruin doesn't reach out to people she sees as weak.
You're probably the first one I've seen who's actually fine with the idea that even if you die you'll come back. [That's good at least.] That's a pretty valuable skill.
But I'd appreciate it. I'll get you your parts as soon as I can.
Honestly? I don't get it. I get that being murdered would suck, but we all agreed to be here. We chose this. Just because the game is a teeny bit more intense than some of us might have expected doesn't mean the whole thing is unjust or cruel. We get to go home either way! That's the only thing matters!
[He's. He's got thoughts and feelings.]
If someone really came here for a wish that wasn't worth a little cloak and dagger, that's on them.
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The beautiful thing about a memory is that it's in the past. If whatever happens here doesn't stick, it's just another drop in the bucket.
[He doesn't exactly have the healthiest coping mechanisms, but, like, it's fine.]
Is the job offer this gig? Being a god does sound pretty sweet, I gotta say. Even if you have to go through the motions with this kind of crap.
[But it's the last thind Merriment says that catches Newt's attention.]
You know, I had a feeling the group of you were meant to be in balance. I wish the rest of us shared that outlook, but the way I see it? Love and merriment and so on aren't inherently good things just like ruin and disorder aren't inherently bad. It's not that simple.
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Nah, this was the old life…it doesn't really matter, turns out I wasn't that qualified after all. So I was offered this job and I took it to try and make things better. [Newt can't see it, but Merriment lifts an eyebrow behind their mask.]
You might be the first person to say that to me and actually get it. Tell me why you think that is.
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[Again: Being a god sounds pretty sweet.]
Seriously? I mean, cool, but it's not that revolutionary of an idea.
[Then again, Merriment is just one god, so maybe the rest of the competition isn't as dumb as they sound right now. Come on, guys, catch up.]
The way I see it, you guys are more like the Greek gods than the gods in most modern religions. You read as human to me, and people are complicated. If you were some trickster god obsessed with embodying merriment as a concept, that wouldn't make you a very good god. Granted, I haven't talked to all of you, but if you're complex like people? That'll make you a stronger, like, board of directors for your new world.
[That's how he'd set it up if he was in charge, anyway.]
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I've never really brushed up on my mythology but that's a pretty good theory you've got there. People are complicated and that's probably a huge factor in why everyone started fighting. We all had befores and afters. They're just different for everybody.
This whole human complexity thing. Does this make it better or worse when it comes to a game like this?
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He ponders the question a moment.]
Depends on how you define those terms. From where I'm standing, it's better. I'm not a religious guy, and I'm sure as hell not going to stick my neck out for any quote-unquote god just because that's how the game's supposed to be played.
[He's never been great at supporting causes he doesn't genuinely believe in.]
If you're just like the rest of us with some bonus divine perks, it complicates things, but it also makes for a more interesting experience. I'll take that over the alternative any day. The only bummer is I actually like those of you that I've talked to.
[Which makes the competition aspect more challenging. That doesn't mean he intends to back off, but there's a little twinge of guilt that's been nagging at him since after that first trial.]
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You're a really interesting contestant in all of this. [Can't deny that.] There's not too much that I can say because of the divine oath thing--[They even do the air quotes]--but like I said there's a before and an after. I'll let you guess what our befores were like and you can make that decision yourself.
But I can at least say that we had former lives that make this more complicated and interesting. We have our own biases and our own free will. How else would a game like this start?
[...there's a soft, unsure laugh.] The real bummer is that a lot of us like each other and like you guys, too. But it's sort of like--what do you call it? Those big machines where you start one thing and then it just snowballs from there with each part moving because another part started. [Rube-Goldberg.] That's what the game is now.
[A pause.] I can get you these parts, by the way, but I'll need a small favor in exchange. It's how this whole thing works.
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It shows. I think even if some of you weren't so forthcoming with what you were up to before this, it'd be obvious that there's more to the story than just what we're seeing. It's neat.
[Largely because Newt would have a hard time caring about all this otherwise.]
Uh, I think you're talking about a Rube-Goldberg machine. I get what you're saying, though. Now that things are in motion, it's out of your hands, both in terms of stopping it or controlling it.
[Which makes the Rube-Goldberg analogy not quite accurate since that's a structure set up meticulously beforehand, but, good enough. He won't criticize Merriment for that.
He ticks an eyebrow up at the idea of a favor.]
What's the favor?
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We're obviously allowed to say some things but not others, and I'm gonna guess that's why. Just enough to entice you guys to start asking us questions and figure out how to play along. And yeah, one of those things.
[Thanks, Merriment doesn't know how science works. On the other hand...a favor, a favor.]
Find someone you've spoken to and convince them to come see me. Easy, right?
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[He doesn't have any guesses right now, but it'd be good to know how the game works.]
It certainly sounds easy enough. Why does it have to be someone I've spoken to?
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[There's a shake of their head.] Would you go see a god just because a stranger told you to?
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[Still kind of annoying, but. Sure.]
Hah, I mean, yeah? But I'm probably an outlier. You don't have any preferences for who I go to?
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What exactly does that mean?
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[An outlier, in this case, is apparently someone who is currently losing.]
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Another strategy would be to pick off followers of the gods who are already in the lead. By your logic, you're looking to knock another god out of the competition entirely.
[Not that Newt seems upset about that.]
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[He grins. It's probably not all that hypothetical?]
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[He looks up at Merriment expectantly, wanting an opinion before he divulges more info. Just in case.]
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Then we're on the same page. You're right, though. I've got something in the works. Playing for her team isn't getting me very far, but I don't feel like dealing with her tantrum after I defect.
[Hence his earlier comment about not wanting to piss her off.]
I'm not asking for help. Just figured you should know where I stand.
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[Still, it seems like knocking out another god could only benefit Merriment.]
I am pretty smart, thanks. I'll be fine.
[But he pauses, and tips his head back and forth.]
And if I'm not, eh. We're coming back at the end anyway. It'll all work out.
[Probably.]
I'll see what I can do about sending a follower your way. I may not be playing for your team, but I do hope they defect for you.
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But I'd appreciate it. I'll get you your parts as soon as I can.
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[Don't remind him.]
Honestly? I don't get it. I get that being murdered would suck, but we all agreed to be here. We chose this. Just because the game is a teeny bit more intense than some of us might have expected doesn't mean the whole thing is unjust or cruel. We get to go home either way! That's the only thing matters!
[He's. He's got thoughts and feelings.]
If someone really came here for a wish that wasn't worth a little cloak and dagger, that's on them.
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