audience: kate

[mygod]

Comments

[mygod]

Ah. It's all right. Inconvenient, not painful.

[They're just not going to win any races.]

You can call when you need us.

[sootprints]

I see... I appreciate it.

I believe we were talking before about how one might narrow down this search for a "partner"... I've given this some thought, but if you have any ideas you're willing to share, I would like to hear them.

[mygod]

Sure. I did offer.

Can I ask what sort of conclusion you've come to so far?

[sootprints]

... First of all... I understand we can't speak carelessly about these monster affinities with others. Are you an exception to that?

[mygod]

[They nod.]

Your caution is wise. But we already know your monsters.

[sootprints]

Huh?

Ah...

Then... do you know how we came to be bound to them in the first place?

[mygod]

...It was a side-effect of the ritual that brought you here. Those that summoned you were not concerned with any rippling consequences. Both to your detriment and benefit, in this case.

[sootprints]

If you know all of our monsters, could you not simply tell me who my partner is?

[mygod]

[Head tilty.]

They might not want you to know. It is a two-way bond.

Besides, you may not have experienced this because you've stepped about warily. But you can roast from the inside if you aren't careful. Hence the rules. We don't want to spread your information too far, in case.

[sootprints]

[ ...... ]

Very well.

... I understand that I've received some kind of power. Should I assume my partner has the same ability I do?

[mygod]

[They think about this for a second.]

It seems a safe assumption.

Are you afraid to use yours?

[sootprints]

... Yes.

It seems a bit cruel to manipulate people's emotions.

[mygod]

[Quietly:]

...Maybe it is.

[Sorry to make you rely on buttdials for chaos.]

But if you want to approach it strategically—I suppose using your ability might make it easier for your partner to find you. Some people probably wouldn't care if you picked them either. It wouldn't mean much to me, for instance. Worse things out there.

[sootprints]

I did wonder if that might be a workable strategy. If by using our powers, we could each reduce the possible candidates by two... It would improve the odds, little by little.

... You really wouldn't be bothered by such a thing?

[mygod]

Not really. Everyone knows there's powers, I'd chalk it up to experimentation.

[To be fair though, they sound extremely dead inside.]

It's a sound enough strategy, so long as the results are visible. You're settled on finding your partner, then?

[sootprints]

As it stands, I have no power here. If there's something I can do to change that, I think it would be worth the risk.

[ she says, not knowing this is a murdergame. ]

[mygod]

[Who would assume murder would happen in our sweet little village...]

...Regardless of how things turn out, that a good attitude to have. I hope your partner is someone you feel you can rely on.

Do you know what you would wish for?

[sootprints]

What I would wish for...?

[mygod]

Ah. Maybe word hasn't traveled as far as I thought.

[They regard her curiously.]

When you make a bond with your partner, we believe you receive a wish. Within limitations—I doubt you could affect the ritual's machinations. [Can't wish to end the game.] But a powerful wish, all the same.

[sootprints]

Powerful, but not enough to save us...? I wonder...

... What would you wish for?

[mygod]

Maybe it could save you, but it'd have to be indirectly.

[Getting the power to change the course of things, rather than directly ending the ritual itself. They pause.]

Why?

[sootprints]

I suppose, to get an idea of what sort of wish would be appropriately "powerful".

And because I would like to understand you better.

[mygod]

[For a moment, they seem a little uncertain, but recover back into their usual staid tone of voice without issue.]

Mine is one that I suspect wouldn't be granted unless I returned home. I doubt you would find it pleasant.

[sootprints]

Still, I would like to hear it.

[mygod]

Sure, all right. I would like it if I did not exist in the first place.

[They drop this very casually and continue.]

So you can imagine it's pretty powerful. You could accomplish plenty with it.