[A drop of salt from his end -- the only vocal irritation he'll allow himself -- still remembering how he'd warned what would happen if you add a prize at the end of a road; it quickly becomes soaked in blood.]
I have spoken with a few of the others, that it might be best to share what memories we think will tip our motivations into more aggressive territory.
[A desperate bid at negating the worst effects. But... mm, he hums]
Of course, the dangers there is one might open themselves up to being killed by anyone who believes it necessary to remove those with a higher likelihood to murder.
[There are. some with that type of temperament. The kind who might bloody their hands in the name of justice and make a further mess of things.]
Well, if you can get them to share with you-- I suppose you to be one of the few here capable of evaluating that more objectively, not to mention more likely to be told in the first place.
[he is well aware of their differences in temperament; emet-selch could fake it, yes, but he's grown quite weary of wearing these faces over the ages.]
But I asked because there may yet be more at play, if what I have heard is to be believed.
[He was going to make a quip about Emet-selch being perfectly capable of being told things as well, he certainly has a way of getting the information he wants, but--
Mmmmmm craning his neck around, expression displeased]
[he does have his ways... case in point coming up.]
Not quite. I would ask you to keep this to yourself for now, as it may need further evaluation, but... I received a slightly different answer when I spoke to him.
[he takes a slow sip of his tea.]
He claimed his actions were not his original intentions. That he was asked for his assistance, and did so at someone's request, though he would not say who to avoid others going after them. Only that it could likely be guessed at.
That is what I understood him to mean, yes. According to him, he did not disagree with their reasons for asking his help, and they had no need to offer anything in exchange.
[his fingers tap idly on the cup, there.]
Though he also said that the one requesting it of him is not necessarily the one to be careful of. He did not know who is.
It is in line with what he'd expect of a competition. If anything, they're a little ahead of schedule, as Chiron had not expected this level of secrecy so soon]
Did he mention his reasons for targeting the girl?
Given the implication that it could be guessed at? I would assume his own leader. Mine informed me they are discouraged from getting too close to participants on others' teams, and that they can only observe those of us they are linked to-- though they were not certain the other leaders would actually follow the first of those.
Yes... mine admitted that not all of the Leaders are equally enthused by some of the rules. They are united in fixing the core problem, if even that much is to be trusted -- but that is all.
Whether that can be trusted remains to be seen. We will simply have to be observant.
[but, hm. he glances back to chiron, a little more thoughtful.]
Though I have been considering something. If each of us cares little for this competition, then it should matter not if we know who we each are linked to-- and in the event that they are different, we may learn more of them that way.
[given that their own leaders may be more likely to share things with them than opposing ones.]
Something of the sort, yes. You are more or less the most tolerable person I have met here, and the only other with such a long history.
[they may have their disagreements about humanity, but-- they're on similar wavelengths otherwise, it seems. particularly when it comes to how much they want to bother engaging in the competition itself.]
If neither of us is truly competing, then there are more benefits than detriments.
I can't be allowed to forget that I've already died.
[Speaking plainly on the matter because... Chiron knows himself very well. He knows what drives him, his weaknesses, his strengths, and the dangers at play here]
There are children here, so I am confident that would be enough to stay my hand in most cases. However, if I think there is some greater purpose waiting for me, there is always the chance I would manipulate situations to my advantage, and place myself on the board.
At present, there's only five here that I think could face me on equal footing, either on merit of their wit or strength.
[It's not his intention to overstate his importance. Just what he views as a pragmatic truth. He prefers to be an ally, but would make a formidable enemy in his own worst-case scenario.]
Well, depending on the functions of missing memory, I may be unable to properly remind you... but I will at least be able to evaluate whether or not you are yet aware, and know what may occur if you've forgotten.
[and deal with it as necessary. should it be necessary, anyway.]
Should you truly forget, what would you have done? Or would you rather make no explicit plans, bearing in mind the fact that you will likely remember them even after losing the memory of your death?
[he nods in turn, noting that momentary shift in expression... and as it was his own proposition, it does seem appropriate enough for him to answer first.]
[Listen, he knows his team lead faints a lot but it's fine, they're trying their best]
I would say nothing of particular merit. That they are unfortunately very fallible and only receive information shortly before we do, and we were assigned to them by unknown means.
[Emet, you could have been on Rabbit's team. What a missed opportunity]
I had also thought that they would some information on us, but that does not seem to be the case, either. The Realm holds all the cards, not them.
[In any case:]
I'll be speaking with my Lead tomorrow, so if there are any particular questions you wish me to ask...
[they may be trying but they are far too soft for this.]
I was told the same. Though they were... uninclined to learn more than the Realm has shared regarding all of us.
[a wave of one hand, there.]
Thus far, I've mainly learned that mine is not terribly social; they wished to know little more of me than whether I meant to cooperate, and are uninterested in being on friendly terms. They are fairly confident in their own ability, as well, and explained a bit more of the magic they now wield-- truly creating objects, it seems, rather than merely summoning them from elsewhere. While they cannot share who our teammates are, they may be able to help guide us in that direction... as I was the first to speak with them, however, they had no such knowledge.
I would know as much of how each of them operates as possible, if you could ask after that with Rabbit.
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[A drop of salt from his end -- the only vocal irritation he'll allow himself -- still remembering how he'd warned what would happen if you add a prize at the end of a road; it quickly becomes soaked in blood.]
I have spoken with a few of the others, that it might be best to share what memories we think will tip our motivations into more aggressive territory.
[A desperate bid at negating the worst effects. But... mm, he hums]
Of course, the dangers there is one might open themselves up to being killed by anyone who believes it necessary to remove those with a higher likelihood to murder.
[There are. some with that type of temperament. The kind who might bloody their hands in the name of justice and make a further mess of things.]
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[he is well aware of their differences in temperament; emet-selch could fake it, yes, but he's grown quite weary of wearing these faces over the ages.]
But I asked because there may yet be more at play, if what I have heard is to be believed.
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Mmmmmm craning his neck around, expression displeased]
More competitions?
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Not quite. I would ask you to keep this to yourself for now, as it may need further evaluation, but... I received a slightly different answer when I spoke to him.
[he takes a slow sip of his tea.]
He claimed his actions were not his original intentions. That he was asked for his assistance, and did so at someone's request, though he would not say who to avoid others going after them. Only that it could likely be guessed at.
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[Speaking slowly, just as much for clarity's sake as to keep from growing more irritated with the situation]
He murdered on the behalf of another, and someone we could guess at with proper speculation.
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[his fingers tap idly on the cup, there.]
Though he also said that the one requesting it of him is not necessarily the one to be careful of. He did not know who is.
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It is in line with what he'd expect of a competition. If anything, they're a little ahead of schedule, as Chiron had not expected this level of secrecy so soon]
Did he mention his reasons for targeting the girl?
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[he didn't. really care about that part.]
1/2
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I had only spoken to him once before, and he was rather focused on my strength and ability to protect myself.
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Yes... mine admitted that not all of the Leaders are equally enthused by some of the rules. They are united in fixing the core problem, if even that much is to be trusted -- but that is all.
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[but, hm. he glances back to chiron, a little more thoughtful.]
Though I have been considering something. If each of us cares little for this competition, then it should matter not if we know who we each are linked to-- and in the event that they are different, we may learn more of them that way.
[given that their own leaders may be more likely to share things with them than opposing ones.]
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Now this is interesting.]
You wish to form an alliance?
[The tone of his question is mild -- no surprises there, he is almost always mild -- but he does look to Emet-Selch with some level of amusement.]
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[they may have their disagreements about humanity, but-- they're on similar wavelengths otherwise, it seems. particularly when it comes to how much they want to bother engaging in the competition itself.]
If neither of us is truly competing, then there are more benefits than detriments.
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Very well.
[He doesn't deliberate long on the matter; he agrees that pooling their resources is beneficial, and Emet did gift him information for free.]
There is one stipulation, however.
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[he'll wait, head cocked slightly as he observes chiron.]
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[Speaking plainly on the matter because... Chiron knows himself very well. He knows what drives him, his weaknesses, his strengths, and the dangers at play here]
There are children here, so I am confident that would be enough to stay my hand in most cases. However, if I think there is some greater purpose waiting for me, there is always the chance I would manipulate situations to my advantage, and place myself on the board.
At present, there's only five here that I think could face me on equal footing, either on merit of their wit or strength.
[It's not his intention to overstate his importance. Just what he views as a pragmatic truth. He prefers to be an ally, but would make a formidable enemy in his own worst-case scenario.]
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[and deal with it as necessary. should it be necessary, anyway.]
Should you truly forget, what would you have done? Or would you rather make no explicit plans, bearing in mind the fact that you will likely remember them even after losing the memory of your death?
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[Leaving it at that, though his expression does dip a little into something old and tired.
And then he bounces back and turns a smile in Emet-Selch's direction]
Thank you for your cooperation.
[So you first]
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[he nods in turn, noting that momentary shift in expression... and as it was his own proposition, it does seem appropriate enough for him to answer first.]
Tiger, for me. And yourself?
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[It would have been somewhat anti-climatic if they'd been on the same team this entire time, so Chiron looks pleased with the distinction]
Good; we shall see what our leaders have to offer us, then.
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I suppose you would do better with them.
[he's more kind.]
What have you learned, thus far?
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I would say nothing of particular merit. That they are unfortunately very fallible and only receive information shortly before we do, and we were assigned to them by unknown means.
[Emet, you could have been on Rabbit's team. What a missed opportunity]
I had also thought that they would some information on us, but that does not seem to be the case, either. The Realm holds all the cards, not them.
[In any case:]
I'll be speaking with my Lead tomorrow, so if there are any particular questions you wish me to ask...
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I was told the same. Though they were... uninclined to learn more than the Realm has shared regarding all of us.
[a wave of one hand, there.]
Thus far, I've mainly learned that mine is not terribly social; they wished to know little more of me than whether I meant to cooperate, and are uninterested in being on friendly terms. They are fairly confident in their own ability, as well, and explained a bit more of the magic they now wield-- truly creating objects, it seems, rather than merely summoning them from elsewhere. While they cannot share who our teammates are, they may be able to help guide us in that direction... as I was the first to speak with them, however, they had no such knowledge.
I would know as much of how each of them operates as possible, if you could ask after that with Rabbit.
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