[Disorder tips the glass over with a finger, watching it roll helplessly against the wood of the bar's table.]
I'm still working on them. I don't know how far I can push them, how much they'll be willing to do. I'll likely have to tread carefully if I don't want to end up with no one.
[Newt watches the glass too, his attention lost to the heavy rumble of glass on wood briefly before remembering that Disorder was still speaking to him. Ah, right.]
That must be frustrating for you.
[For a moment, it sounds like real empathy. And truly, he means the words, just... There's a reason he hasn't fallen in line with Sincerity. If he was younger, maybe.]
But they shouldn't have signed on with you if they weren't willing to play by your rules. It's not like any of you are subtle.
[The names. He's talking about the names.]
I'm happy to provide a nudge or two if it comes to that. A little advice from a peer might go over better for you
[His to-do list is growing, but he does have six weeks to kill. When the glass rolls to a stop, he reaches for it to give it a spin. It wobbles over the uneven grain, teetering close to the edge of the table.
It's probably, like, metaphorical or something, but Newt just wanted something to do with his hands.]
[Disorder stops the glass where it totters, holding it with the edge of a nail in its hazardous position.]
I don't plan on letting that happen. The two of us have an understanding, but it's only temporary. Once our mutual enemies are off the board, I doubt we'll be playing so nice.
[Still.]
But so long as we're talking hypothetical...
[She lets the glass go, watching as it topples and shatters.]
They're yours if you want them...if you defect to my team.
[She holds up a hand to indicate she won't just leave it at that, knowing that he's already protested about leaving Ruin.]
Defect for one week then defect back. Ruin will likely make a big stink about it, but if either of us can make a promise that it's only temporary, I'm willing to deal with a bit of stink-eye.
No deal. The power I got from Ruin practically makes me unkillable. I'd rather do espionage the good old-fashioned way than risk getting booted from the competition entirely.
[He tips his head to the side.]
Ruin and I get along, but I'm not on their team because we're chummy. It's a business transaction.
Everything's a business transaction. Anyone who thinks otherwise is setting themselves up to get eaten alive.
[She leans her cheek into a palm.]
It's not that I don't want to give you a week's access to one of my powers, I just can't. We're exclusively forbidden for granting that kind of boon onto another god's following, alliance or not.
[This rule is personally victimizing him. There's a quick spark of petulant anger that he's not allowed to have his way, but he snaps out of it as another question pops into his head. He's not sure what made him think of it.]
What happens when a god loses all of their followers?
Hm. Is it rude to say that's unfortunate? Then again, maybe that's more satisfying in the longrun. Getting to lord your win over the others is better than killing them permanently, I think.
[There's a twinge of... something, in the back of his mind. He can't quite tell what it is, but it's not a good feeling. He shifts his weight.
Better switch gears.]
One more question for ya: Any idea where Patience's room is?
Somewhere behind that big door she kept locked. Why even make it appear in the first place, I couldn't tell you. It's more than just a single room behind there, though.
[Rrr. For every answer he gets, there's some rule he has to play along with or work he has to do himself. It's annoying. You'd think a guy would get further in life by agreeing to murder someone in cold blood.]
Fine.
[It'll be a noble sidequest to keep him entertained through his recon activities, at least.]
I'm not really the friend-making type, but I'll see if I can turn up the charm. You know, for the Cause, and all.
[He hasn't been likable in ten years, and even then, "likable" was pushing it.
He stuffs his hands into his pockets and turns to leave, but whirls around again before he's gotten too far.]
And, you know what? The pink really is growing on me.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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But, no, that would be too easy. He likes a challenge.]
Good to know. What's the story with your other followers? They seem loyal enough?
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[Disorder tips the glass over with a finger, watching it roll helplessly against the wood of the bar's table.]
I'm still working on them. I don't know how far I can push them, how much they'll be willing to do. I'll likely have to tread carefully if I don't want to end up with no one.
[Still, she doesn't sound completely worried.]
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That must be frustrating for you.
[For a moment, it sounds like real empathy. And truly, he means the words, just... There's a reason he hasn't fallen in line with Sincerity. If he was younger, maybe.]
But they shouldn't have signed on with you if they weren't willing to play by your rules. It's not like any of you are subtle.
[The names. He's talking about the names.]
I'm happy to provide a nudge or two if it comes to that. A little advice from a peer might go over better for you
[His to-do list is growing, but he does have six weeks to kill. When the glass rolls to a stop, he reaches for it to give it a spin. It wobbles over the uneven grain, teetering close to the edge of the table.
It's probably, like, metaphorical or something, but Newt just wanted something to do with his hands.]
What happens if Ruin wins over you?
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[Disorder stops the glass where it totters, holding it with the edge of a nail in its hazardous position.]
I don't plan on letting that happen. The two of us have an understanding, but it's only temporary. Once our mutual enemies are off the board, I doubt we'll be playing so nice.
[Still.]
But so long as we're talking hypothetical...
[She lets the glass go, watching as it topples and shatters.]
I always find ways to get what I want.
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It's too bad this system is set up for monogamy. That sort of commitment has never been my style.
[There's a flash of a smile, and then he stands, glass crunching under his boots.]
If it wasn't obvious enough, I'm in. But I want to borrow one of your powers next week. I'll use it to further the cause.
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[She holds up a hand to indicate she won't just leave it at that, knowing that he's already protested about leaving Ruin.]
Defect for one week then defect back. Ruin will likely make a big stink about it, but if either of us can make a promise that it's only temporary, I'm willing to deal with a bit of stink-eye.
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No deal. The power I got from Ruin practically makes me unkillable. I'd rather do espionage the good old-fashioned way than risk getting booted from the competition entirely.
[He tips his head to the side.]
Ruin and I get along, but I'm not on their team because we're chummy. It's a business transaction.
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[She leans her cheek into a palm.]
It's not that I don't want to give you a week's access to one of my powers, I just can't. We're exclusively forbidden for granting that kind of boon onto another god's following, alliance or not.
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[This rule is personally victimizing him. There's a quick spark of petulant anger that he's not allowed to have his way, but he snaps out of it as another question pops into his head. He's not sure what made him think of it.]
What happens when a god loses all of their followers?
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[To control other people.]
Technically, they're still in the game. They can try to win back followers...but without followers, gods become vulnerable.
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Open season?
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[There's a twinge of... something, in the back of his mind. He can't quite tell what it is, but it's not a good feeling. He shifts his weight.
Better switch gears.]
One more question for ya: Any idea where Patience's room is?
[Asking for a friend.]
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That's what I figured, but how am I supposed to get in there? Short of defecting to whichever god it was that has that unlocking ability.
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Fine.
[It'll be a noble sidequest to keep him entertained through his recon activities, at least.]
I'm not really the friend-making type, but I'll see if I can turn up the charm. You know, for the Cause, and all.
[He hasn't been likable in ten years, and even then, "likable" was pushing it.
He stuffs his hands into his pockets and turns to leave, but whirls around again before he's gotten too far.]
And, you know what? The pink really is growing on me.
[He blows her a kiss.]
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Patience is a total slut, by the way!