Alter Ego

[honkinbigteeth]

tbd

Comments

[diluvian]

The game itself is stupid, but the conditions don't seem too unreasonable.

[ if they're already dead. ]

[honkinbigteeth]

I don't like the idea of people being erased. It's one thing for people to die. But erased sounds like their story won't continue. That's awful.

[diluvian]

When I asked, Kiichi made it sound like we would just lose our chance at a second chance.

[ she tilts her head. ]

Are stories what hold the most power in your world?

[honkinbigteeth]

Not the stories themselves so much as the [she pauses and whispers] Arthurs. Trying not to say their real name. But they really don't like it when the stories go off track.

[anyway, she tilts her head.]

That's a big relief. I thought I'd try talking about it a little more and trying to understand.

[diluvian]

[ she nods. ]

It's dreadful that those who share that name have so much power over you. You should be able to spread your wings and have your own story.

[ that may or may not be a dangerous thing to say, but lambda's an outlier in her own world anyway. ]

I think if they stripped us of our abilities, that much shouldn't apply, too. They made it sound like this underworld's rules would triumph over how things work in ours.

[ which she's a little suspect about, but it's still the beginning. ]

[honkinbigteeth]

I find that a little hard to believe. But you are a goddess. Stripping your abilities wouldn't be easy.

[diluvian]

[ there's the smallest, briefest pause. ]

It wouldn't. It shouldn't. But I have to accept the reality.

[honkinbigteeth]

...There are things out there even more powerful than gods. Believe me, I know. But that doesn't mean we're powerless all together.

[diluvian]

Of course not. Rolling over and being obedient is against my nature, but denying the situation I'm in won't give me a solution.

We have to figure out how to play the game.

[honkinbigteeth]

I agree. It would be nice to think we could get out of here without having to follow those rules, but I don't think so.

[diluvian]

Unfortunately, we're bound by that rulebook for the next seven weeks. If there's a way to update it...

[ she doesn't think it's highly likely that there is, but it's a thought to have. ]

I wouldn't close my eyes to it.

[honkinbigteeth]

I think there are more ways to change the story than it seems right now. But I understand that we all need to find a way to survive in the meantime.

[diluvian]

That's about the gist of every life or death game I've known about.

[honkinbigteeth]

That's the game of life, baby. You gotta stay alive long enough to make trouble.

[diluvian]

Oh? You can stay around for a while yet.

[ she likes ylfa's spunk. ]

[honkinbigteeth]

[she doesn't actually have a tail but she has tail wagging energy at this.]

You can stay around, too.

[diluvian]

[ cute. ]

Don't worry. I plan to.

[honkinbigteeth]

I guess a goddess probably has a lot to get back home for.

[diluvian]

I have to help save the world or something.

[ lambda makes it sound like a bother. ]

[honkinbigteeth]

...Oh.

[well, that's pretty serious.]

It must be important to you, to get back.

[diluvian]

I'll honor my contract.

[ it's a very noncommittal answer. ]

What do you have to return to?

[honkinbigteeth]

My friends. And...saving the world or something. They're going to do it, but they might need me to keep them safe so they can.

[diluvian]

Oh? Are you their bodyguard?

[honkinbigteeth]

[she nods.]

[diluvian]

They must feel very safe with you around.