digestif | week two, monday

week two, monday

[ with all the new space offered up to them, it's easy for Mizuki to find Senri somewhere they don't think the two of them will be interrupted - out in the near-infinite neighborhood streets, Mizuki quietly and inconspicuously follows him for a while before finally calling out. They're not stalking, just... biding their time! There's a difference. ]

Hey there, little rabbit. Got a minute?

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[sure, that's fine. senri is admittedly pretty distracted. he's looking at all the houses with keen interest, like he's not familiar with this type of place despite being otherwise totally normal? he watches all the families go by but is remarkably subdued compared to his usual energy

this changes when someone calls out to him, and he smiles easily]

Mm? Mizuki-san wants a word with me? I'm so lucky.

I've got all the time in the world.

Lucky? I'll talk to you any time, you know. I don't bite.

[ usually ]

We have a mutual friend, so I thought I'd properly say hello.

[what

that said Senri perks up easily]

Beauty's wonderful, isn't he?

[there's only one person who calls him Little Rabbit, and he also wouldn't be surprised that Mizuki's gone to meet him]

[ oh good, they didn't have to spell it out... ]

He's not what I was expecting for an almighty god, but he's certainly cute. Hard-working, too. [ if they could see his face, they might eat him up ] Is he your god, Nito-kun? You can tell me. I already know what you've been up to.

[oh]

Ahh, Mizuki-san is putting me on the spot...

Mm, I think I have to say secret for now? I've been doing Beauty favors, definitely! I like him a lot, and I'd like to see him do well....

But you can do favors for gods that aren't yours too, you know?

[ they tilt their head, seeming a little surprised by the answer - not that they expected him to just come forward and tell them when the two of them barely know each other, but the idea that he's helping a different god. ]

I suppose so. But what would you achieve doing that?

[ a few options do come to mind - buffing up the smaller sects to keep them from getting absorbed by the larger ones and therefore keeping one's enemies weaker, for instance. Or, perhaps, if his god is Disorder, he's simply sowing some chaos. Mizuki can't be sure. ]

Mm, well - gods that aren't yours can still owe you favors too. So if I do this for Beauty, then I can get something in exchange. Though I'll admit that I don't know what I want yet... maybe he'll be able to give me my phone charger?

[senri's been wanting this damn charger for a week, he's losing his mind]

I mostly just think that he's nice, and I want to help a friend even if I can't be on their team....

You're fraternizing with another god because you want a phone charger?

[ a blink. Then, after a few seconds, Mizuki laughs, politely covering their mouth with one hand. ]

You're something else.

[oh my god]

I made Mizuki-san laugh at me....? I was being serious!

[unfortunately,, but he doesn't seem that offended, instead rolling with it.]

I mean... I talked to Beauty about the world that he wants too. I can't deny that I like the sound of it a lot. He's a really good person, I think. And if it was just about that, I think maybe that I'd follow him.

But... [he laughs sheepishly] The numbers make it hard.... Is Mizuki-san one of his followers? I promise I'll keep a secret if you are.

You can't really expect me to tell you that after you wouldn't share yours. I'll leave it up to your imagination.

[ you don't get that for free, senri!! ]

But, in other words, you're trying to persuade others to join Beauty-kun in the hopes of increasing his follower count. If that happens, then you can defect, and still keep your own skin safe in case the worst happens. [ a nod. ] That's unexpectedly savvy of you. A little harsh, but...

[senri laughs a little bit and nods in concession- that's fair.

but like. he does look a little stressed at that explanation]

Eh? Harsh - I don't know if I'd say that.... I guess I just feel... indecisive.

[ . . . . ]

Mizuki-san, have you asked Beauty what happens if he loses all his followers?

[ they shake their head. ]

If that happens, that god is out of the competition, right? I didn't think to ask for details.

[ they were more focused on how it would apply to the people here... ]

[ . . . . senri pauses and he tries to figure out how to word what he wants.]

... grounds for elimination is the wording I got, I think. And when I asked - their rule about not being able to say too much kicked in.... I think. It's also possible that Beauty didn't want to upset me.

I don't know if they go where Passhi went, or if they can be treated like one of us. I don't know if elimination means that they can be killed - or if they get to go back to where they came from if they lost, like we do.

[he frowns and looks off to the side.]

I've met a lot of the gods with less followers. I don't... want anything bad to happen to any of them.

Hmmm.

[ Mizuki pauses for thought, twirling a lock of violet hair around one finger idly in thought. ]

I wonder. If the consequences for being eliminated were that serious, don't you think they'd tell us from the start? Most people would work harder if they knew someone's life was in their hands.

[ themself included. ]

.... there's one thing that I think has been consistent, and that there are rules the gods themselves have to follow. One of them is not to tell us everything all at once. A lot of the gods I've spoken to are nice, but they actually can't try to tell me what I want to know, even if I ask the right question, and even if they really want to tell me.

[senri talks a lot as you can see,,]

So I don't think they'd have told us that, if I'm right.

I really want to be wrong anyway....

Do you think there's someone else above them setting the rules? Or are they just playing along with their own game?

[ their sympathy is limited for the gods, frankly... they're aware that it might be seen as cruel. Maybe it simply is cruel. But if they start worrying about taking care of the gods, too, they'll lose track of keeping the actual human lives here intact. Mizuki gives him a sympathetic smile. ]

... You care a lot, Nito-kun, worrying this much about the people who put you here.

[Ugh. Senri laughs a little bit at that - ]

It's okay, Mizuki-san. I know it's not smart. Plenty of people have told me that. But.... I agreed to be here, because there's something that I want more than anything else. I have to accept that.

[it was a sincere choice he made.]

It's been hard... but now that I'm here, I want to help as many people as I can, and maybe even more than that - make sure that as few people are hurt as possible, if it's something I can do.

[he'll shake his head - ] But about your question, I've been told that they're playing along with their own game. They made the list themselves, and they have to keep it.

[ that's what they figured. Still, it's nice to have confirmation. ]

I didn't say it wasn't smart. It's admirable, being the person who cares about everyone.

[ a small smile. ]

You just can't stay like that. Eventually, you'll have to pick a side.

... mm, I know that, but hearing it from someone else really doesn't make it any easier.

[he wishes it did!!]

I guess I just keep hoping that there'll be a way to play this game so we can all get to win...

It would be nice if that was the case... But it wouldn't be much of a competition if it were. The game won't end until there's a singular winner, to the best of our knowledge.

[ they understand Senri's sentiments; they just also happen to be a realist. ]

Mm, that's true but... I was told that if we all just switch to one team, then that'd be enough. But everyone thinks that idea won't work either....

[and he siiiighs.]

Well, I guess I'll keep having to look for loopholes. If Mizuki-san can think of anything, I'd appreciate the help... I'm really not that good at this kind of thing.

[ they laugh slightly under their breath. ]

Hmm... How about joining up with my side, then?

[senri tilts his head]

I think that depends on which side that is.....

[ at that, Mizuki laughs, then gently prods Senri's forehead with their index finger. ]

You're cute. It's a shame such a cute boy is stuck in your position, Nito-kun. [ they take a step back, tucking their hands back into their pockets after giving him a small wave. ] I'm sure if you give it some thought, you'll find the answers... Well, that's all I wanted to hear from you. Take care, little rabbit.

[ and just like that, they turn to begin leaving. ]

[oh.

he flushes under the attention because senri is useless at the end of the day, his hand coming up to where mizuki poked him and he's still too flustered for a second to respond? just give him some attention and this is what happens...]

A-Ah...

See you later, Mizuki-san! Thank you for talking to me...

[even if he's embarrassed now]

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week two, monday

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