week 3, saturday

[digestif]

That was Fortune-kun's handprint, wasn't it?

[ hello, Nonon. Everyone's tired after the trial, Mizuki included, but they don't seem as wiped as they were last week by a long shot - just mildly frustrated. Mostly because they don't have all the answers they want.

Nonon is now a person of interest, but they have their own suspicions, and she's not really a part of them. ]

And not yours, I mean.

Comments

[digestif]

[ it's a metaphor, nonon!!!

mizuki nods, smiling a little. ]

My thinking's pretty much the same as yours. Even if they're not "bad people," the fact that they've made this happen and put our lives on the line for it makes them criminals.

[ they sound a little bit like a cop. they aren't one... but maybe their job back home is close enough. ]

Even if Ambition-san throws a tantrum, this is all still a system she agreed to, in the end. My sympathy is pretty limited.

[symphonise]

[ she knows!! that still isn't her point!! find someone to share the metaphorical load, stupid!!!

Criminals... does that apply here when there are only gods, rules, and oaths but no laws? It makes a bit more sense why Mizuki seems bent on logic if they talk like that. ]

Some of them are a— [ Assholes is not a good word to say this week. ] This entire system they've built is a combination of rules they didn't think through, and they've all admitted it in one way or another. We may have agreed to a competition for them, but we didn't have all the details. [ She throws her hands up in the air. ] And still, they all say they can't reveal everything at once, and that is one of the most frustrating things! For all they talk about a fair and even playing field, it's not really a fair "game" that way. [ Air quotes included.

Is she being cool-headed or is she just being mad? She's somehow both, trying to keep a tighter lid on her anger, so she doesn't accidentally say something that's blatantly disrespectful. ]

[digestif]

Exactly! I wouldn't have thought it would take me this long to find someone who agrees with me.

[ Mizuki left being mad about it back in week one, so they just seem sort of pleasantly surprised that Nonon agrees with them. They pause for a moment, then continue. ]

But even though you feel that way, there must be one god you're helping out.

[ they're actually not trying to get a name out of her, considering she's not allowed to say according to the rules... they're just curious. ]

[symphonise]

Huh? Do others really not feel the same? Or at least sort of the same?

[ Granted, she hasn't asked too many people about the specifics of their feelings in this regard, but she's a bit mystified by that. It's too bad Nonon can't leave being mad behind like Mizuki. She can only set it aside. ]

Yeah, of course. There's still something I want to achieve no matter what. [ She clasps her hands behind her back and takes a small breath. ]

... If I say I want to trust you, will you believe me? I'd be fine telling you on Monday, if you're fine telling me yours. Although... Disorder's words make me think a lot of alignments are going to shift.

[digestif]

[ they look marginally surprised that she makes the offer - and goes as far as saying she wants to trust them. They give her a sort of faint smile, almost apologetic. ]

You want to believe in me, Jakuzure-kun? That makes me happy. I'm in a sort of tricky situation, though... So I'll just tell you this much, okay? I follow a god that doesn't have many followers. If I put myself in the line of fire by telling too many people, I might end up leaving him alone, and I don't want that to happen.

[ a beat; their expression shifts a little to something more serious. ]

But I can tell you that I haven't hurt anyone here. If you want to believe in me, then believe in that, at least.

[symphonise]

[ She smiles and then laughs, nodding. It seems like she accepts all of that easily enough. ]

All right. I will. If I don't start trusting some people about some things, I figure I may not get anywhere.

[ She shrugs lightly. ]

You must like your god quite a bit.

[digestif]

[ they look just faintly sheepish at that - not so much because they're ashamed, but because they know it goes directly against everything they just talked about. ]

I do. There's no mistaking that he's as guilty as the others... But I feel like I can forgive him.

[ what he's told them - they want to believe it. Mizuki pauses then, eyeing her curiously. ]

And? What about you? [ they tap their finger against their chin. ] Hmmm... Ambition, maybe?

[symphonise]

[ She smiles at their guess. Whether or not it's a serious guess, it pleases her. ]

You know I can't confirm or deny that. I do always try to get what I want. It's why I'm here, but I'm not special for that alone.

[ After all, everyone who joined this competition wants something. ]

[digestif]

I know that. I was guessing based on your personality, not for wanting your wish granted. You've got pride in yourself and what you do. You don't have time for those without passion. And... you'll do whatever it takes, no matter what other people think. Something like that? Jakuzure-kun is a fearsome girl.

[ they smile, hooking their thumbs into their pockets. ]

But I like that. Just try not to get into trouble.

[symphonise]

You'll make me blush, Ioti-san. What a charmer you are.

[ She puts a hand up to her cheek, but there's zero hint of embarrassment. Her smile is wider and more genuine.

She's a little touched by their assessment of her. ]

I try my best not to get into too much trouble, but I like a little danger. Out of everyone here, you're one of the few I hope most I don't have a dream about Thursday night.

[digestif]

Really? Now that's an honor!

[ mizuki chuckles a little at that. ]

I'll do my best to make sure I only end up in your good dreams, then... that's the sort of line I should use here. Get some rest, Jakuzure-kun.

[symphonise]

[ She wrinkles her nose at them. ]

Ugh, that's a bad line, casanova. [ A new dumb nickname. ] I'm leaving!