week 4, saturday

[digestif]

[ of course Ishikirimaru is one of the first people they find after trial. They feel like they're about ready to drop dead from exhaustion - and they're still more than a little concerned about Majima's condition - but they have to concentrate on the things that went well today.

And, all things considered, the trial went extremely well for the two of them.

They've got a bottle of sake with them (on the smaller side) when they find him. Still, they don't look particularly celebratory; they meet him with a small, concerned smile rather than a whoop of victory. ]

See? I told you. [ they're hurrying over. ] -- How are you feeling?

Comments

[digestif]

[ maybe... ]

Haha. I've had a really difficult time convincing anyone to defect, myself. Maybe you're better at it than I am?

[ritualization]

...Mm, I wouldn't count on that. I have tried a couple of times already and had no luck-- Piety would be in a better position if I had been successful.

[he looks a little guilty, there- maybe he just should have tried harder.]

But it is worth trying.

[digestif]

Unfortunately, at this point, I think most people are pretty loyal to their gods... But maybe you can find someone who was forced to defect, like you said.

[ they take another drink, then exhale, seeming to try and relax a little. ]

The important thing is that you're alive -- and no one even suspects you, either.

[ritualization]

I'm not certain how relieved I ought to be about that... but I suppose it undeniably worked in my favor.

[he's really not going to get over how much was just-- overlooked. how often has that happened with others, and they don't even know about it?]

[digestif]

[ they understand that angle, too... but they don't want to dwell on it at the moment. ]

I think you should be relieved. Being on the other side might have given you an idea of how to do better in the next trial. I know it made me realize a lot of things I never considered before, at least.