[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.
Alright, touché. I'll give you that. And no, the process of how this game's gonna go. You're going to be allowed to pick if you do or don't want to remember all of this in the end.
I'm against you guys murdering each other, but I'd be a lot angrier if we didn't have the caveat in place to let you come back, basically.
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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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I'm not saying it makes it much better that some of you are dying, but...it might help make the process smoother. Surprise deaths are the worst kind.
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[If it's worth begging a god for, it should be worth getting your hands dirty.]
What process? You mean dying for real?
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I'm against you guys murdering each other, but I'd be a lot angrier if we didn't have the caveat in place to let you come back, basically.
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[Interesting. He's not sure why anyone wouldn't want to remember putting this much work in, but sure.]
That's a nice gesture. I guess it's good news for your shiny new world that so many of you are benevolent rulers, huh?
[It may not make much sense to him in terms of the game, but it'll be good for their new world, that's for sure.]
Cool. Thanks, Merriment. We'll be in touch.