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I am working with Daniil to dismantle the largest group vote inherent with the pirates. Muzzling them will aid us. And then, we must even the numbers between less-decimated teams — and keep our own alive.
And if Alia is a killer, we have likely lost her from our number. The evidence is compelling and precise. The number of potential kills will be decreased... we will fall behind if we do not do something.
And if Alia is a killer, we have likely lost her from our number. The evidence is compelling and precise. The number of potential kills will be decreased... we will fall behind if we do not do something.
Oh, you want to be clever!
[ Angry and smart. Set's appreciation for Daniil has risen quite a bit now; as he sits forwards a little on the bed, eyes bright and studious. ]
There are several clever ways we could do it, provided our legwork is clear, concise and we are patient.
[ He lifts his hair, long and scarlet-red. Rips a few out and sheers them in half with a flash of raw power. They're shorter now, and have a gentle wave — ]
Frame and remove Shanks from play.
[ Option one. ]
If you think you can swallow your anger and pretend long enough, Koby's misery and guilt could be preyed upon. Make him think he owes you a vote of confidence, and target someone else — have him do the legwork to draw the crew into it. Use their vote while it lasts.
[ Option two. ]
Lastly, we need more votes. Anyone sympathetic to you who you know well, ask them to join your coalition. That Furiosa woman might help counter the pirates' number.
[ Angry and smart. Set's appreciation for Daniil has risen quite a bit now; as he sits forwards a little on the bed, eyes bright and studious. ]
There are several clever ways we could do it, provided our legwork is clear, concise and we are patient.
[ He lifts his hair, long and scarlet-red. Rips a few out and sheers them in half with a flash of raw power. They're shorter now, and have a gentle wave — ]
Frame and remove Shanks from play.
[ Option one. ]
If you think you can swallow your anger and pretend long enough, Koby's misery and guilt could be preyed upon. Make him think he owes you a vote of confidence, and target someone else — have him do the legwork to draw the crew into it. Use their vote while it lasts.
[ Option two. ]
Lastly, we need more votes. Anyone sympathetic to you who you know well, ask them to join your coalition. That Furiosa woman might help counter the pirates' number.
[ righteous anger flares briefly back up again: ]
Koby can go and fuck himself.
[ a beat. ]
But the others I can work on, maybe.
[ he turns, pacing, and talking with his hands. ]
We need a better candidate. There has to be actual proof somewhere of who really did all of this. There's more people who haven't voted at all. Before this happened, I didn't want to get involved, I wanted to keep our heads down until they came for Lexi. Maybe others feel the same.
Koby can go and fuck himself.
[ a beat. ]
But the others I can work on, maybe.
[ he turns, pacing, and talking with his hands. ]
We need a better candidate. There has to be actual proof somewhere of who really did all of this. There's more people who haven't voted at all. Before this happened, I didn't want to get involved, I wanted to keep our heads down until they came for Lexi. Maybe others feel the same.
red, blue, and pink were untouched, right? if you don't count attempts, anyway.
and yeah, alia's a lost cause. statistically feels like we won't go through as much of a massacre the next night, though maybe that thinking's too hopeful.
did you get a role? or know who did?
and yeah, alia's a lost cause. statistically feels like we won't go through as much of a massacre the next night, though maybe that thinking's too hopeful.
did you get a role? or know who did?
[ Honestly, he'd asked for it. A competition, an opportunity to metastasize his desire for physical dominance into intimacy ( Quentin's words had rung a little bell in his head, after all; a notification resonating within him, that some people thought of violence as intimacy, that some people liked tooth and claw in a way that got them off — ). It's not like he wants to rip Matt apart or anything, he's just stumbling through a few millennia of — well, naivety.
The barrier snaps shut around him, thin and pretty and transparent. And magic is a thing he never had, not like his siblings. Isis and her gauzy tendrils of mist, Osiris's mint-scented ivies and roots, Nephthys's arcs of warm light — moving around them like auras, fetching physical items and interacting with individuals from a distance, stroking cheeks and kissing brows and touching the tops of heads gently. And then, there was him.
No magic. Just sands, imitating and mimickingand falling short, strange, unlike them the flow of magic. Physical manifestations of physical power, his fists and claws and weapons and sands. God of magic, god of life, god of harmony. God of the desert. Born last and different and always, always yearning. It almost hurts to feel magic against his skin for a moment, and he can only turn that hurt into fuel for determination. Into fuel for anger. Anger into power. ]
— you think a trap is war?
[ His voice crackles, a mix of complex emotion and a brief twinge of don't you dare and a desperate little oh, i don't want to lose it. His mouth curls slowly, first at the corners and then at the lips, until he's come to bare his animal-sharp teeth — incisors and canines and premolars like a carnivorous cat or dog — at Matt's laughing form. ]
Little witch, you must not challenge so boldly.
[ He's not mad. He's not. He's just suddenly very, very interested in sinking his teeth into the pretty barrier, in getting his claws deep into it like a beast might slip theirs into soft flesh, biting and curling his fingers hard and fast and pulling the barrier. Straining to tear it apart by sheer force, the way he always has had to with magic. Physical prowess against metaphysical. Somewhere, something tears audibly.
And that's when the delight comes back into his eyes, bright and red and thin dark pupils like a devil as he feels something slacken between his teeth. Through gritted jaw he sneers, joyfully: ] Five seconds.
The barrier snaps shut around him, thin and pretty and transparent. And magic is a thing he never had, not like his siblings. Isis and her gauzy tendrils of mist, Osiris's mint-scented ivies and roots, Nephthys's arcs of warm light — moving around them like auras, fetching physical items and interacting with individuals from a distance, stroking cheeks and kissing brows and touching the tops of heads gently. And then, there was him.
No magic. Just sands, imitating and mimicking
— you think a trap is war?
[ His voice crackles, a mix of complex emotion and a brief twinge of don't you dare and a desperate little oh, i don't want to lose it. His mouth curls slowly, first at the corners and then at the lips, until he's come to bare his animal-sharp teeth — incisors and canines and premolars like a carnivorous cat or dog — at Matt's laughing form. ]
Little witch, you must not challenge so boldly.
[ He's not mad. He's not. He's just suddenly very, very interested in sinking his teeth into the pretty barrier, in getting his claws deep into it like a beast might slip theirs into soft flesh, biting and curling his fingers hard and fast and pulling the barrier. Straining to tear it apart by sheer force, the way he always has had to with magic. Physical prowess against metaphysical. Somewhere, something tears audibly.
And that's when the delight comes back into his eyes, bright and red and thin dark pupils like a devil as he feels something slacken between his teeth. Through gritted jaw he sneers, joyfully: ] Five seconds.
[ Wao!! Dani has FIRE, Set likes. :)
While the other man begins to pace, frantic as anything, he stays on the bed and watches him. Back and forth, back and forth, eyes raking over the animated slice of his hand and ears listening to the pitch and roll of his voice. ]
There is still a chance that your Alexei will not be voted out. Someone may be presentable as a better choice than he, and that means ensuring in the subsequent rounds that your "better candidate" is found. Still, others who fear persecution or being mobbed by greater numbers can be located based on this. The pirates opened an opportunity to rally together quite soundly, by showing what we can do.
[ Slowly, he rolls off the bed and onto his feet, crossing to press his hands to the motions of Dani's own. ]
I must admit, I'm a little less interested in finding out "who did it" than most. I am aiming to have the greatest number of my team left at the end, is all. I would not mind that and you and you Alexei remaining as well. That could satisfy us all, hm? His safety for you, your safety for him. My victory.
While the other man begins to pace, frantic as anything, he stays on the bed and watches him. Back and forth, back and forth, eyes raking over the animated slice of his hand and ears listening to the pitch and roll of his voice. ]
There is still a chance that your Alexei will not be voted out. Someone may be presentable as a better choice than he, and that means ensuring in the subsequent rounds that your "better candidate" is found. Still, others who fear persecution or being mobbed by greater numbers can be located based on this. The pirates opened an opportunity to rally together quite soundly, by showing what we can do.
[ Slowly, he rolls off the bed and onto his feet, crossing to press his hands to the motions of Dani's own. ]
I must admit, I'm a little less interested in finding out "who did it" than most. I am aiming to have the greatest number of my team left at the end, is all. I would not mind that and you and you Alexei remaining as well. That could satisfy us all, hm? His safety for you, your safety for him. My victory.
[ he has a whole sun waiting to burst out.
thankfully not today. ]
Your team...
[ dani pauses in his pacing, turns to look at set. ]
You mean the masks? I...
Yes, that would satisfy. I don't care about the teams or the game. But why do you? People have died, more might still die. This is serious, we can't just play the game.
[ can they? ]
thankfully not today. ]
Your team...
[ dani pauses in his pacing, turns to look at set. ]
You mean the masks? I...
Yes, that would satisfy. I don't care about the teams or the game. But why do you? People have died, more might still die. This is serious, we can't just play the game.
[ can they? ]
Well, mortals were made to die. That they are is... not exactly alarming to me.
[ Someone else might be ashamed to admit to it, but he's got an alien, unknowable brain. He can definitely play a game that people die in. ]
This is akin to a war, in my eyes. Someone will lose and someone will win, so why not my team?
[ Someone else might be ashamed to admit to it, but he's got an alien, unknowable brain. He can definitely play a game that people die in. ]
This is akin to a war, in my eyes. Someone will lose and someone will win, so why not my team?
I like them. They belong to me, after all!
[ He has a Possessiveness Thing. An inhuman sense of Ownership over things he should be a cohesive part of. ]
And we are the underdogs. We started out with the most number of deaths attributed to us, after all. Erik, Parisa and Grace.
[ His eyes do flash, pupils thinning into cat-like slits, as Dani speaks a few words that SOUND TO HIM LIKE CHALLENGE. ]
— like, you and Alexei? I wish you could convert to another team! We'd take you both!
[ He has a Possessiveness Thing. An inhuman sense of Ownership over things he should be a cohesive part of. ]
And we are the underdogs. We started out with the most number of deaths attributed to us, after all. Erik, Parisa and Grace.
[ His eyes do flash, pupils thinning into cat-like slits, as Dani speaks a few words that SOUND TO HIM LIKE CHALLENGE. ]
— like, you and Alexei? I wish you could convert to another team! We'd take you both!
Edited 2024-10-10 00:47 (UTC)
[ he sees that flash, but it draws him closer, gets him to come sit next to set and train interested eyes over his face. ]
They changed.
[ his eyes, behind his mask. a little smile ticks at dani's mouth, despite this situation, despite the heat that still bubbles in his chest. ]
I'd like that. If we could change. I'd rather pick my own alliances, this is--
I don't know how I'm to trust anyone.
[ that doesn't just apply to the game. he had trusted people here, he'd found them friendly. kind. helpful. it was nice to be in a place where he didn't feel like everyone he looked at might be his enemy.
he regrets letting go of that mentality, now. ]
They changed.
[ his eyes, behind his mask. a little smile ticks at dani's mouth, despite this situation, despite the heat that still bubbles in his chest. ]
I'd like that. If we could change. I'd rather pick my own alliances, this is--
I don't know how I'm to trust anyone.
[ that doesn't just apply to the game. he had trusted people here, he'd found them friendly. kind. helpful. it was nice to be in a place where he didn't feel like everyone he looked at might be his enemy.
he regrets letting go of that mentality, now. ]
Of course they do.
[ Those eyes blink, and Set touches his hands to the sides of his face — as if the state of his eyes being pointed out is a surprise ( it is, if only because the things his body does are natural to him ). The stupid green mask still sits over his face, annoying him as he cannot draw his divine emblem over it for the time being. He's used to wearing a mask, but the green one is decidedly unpleasant. ]
I... would not say I am someone who even could tell you to learn to trust again. It is not something I know to do anymore, for sure.
[ Those hands tuck into his lap, and Set draws his shoulders back. Formal, and stiff. ]
Remember, I am known for being a traitor.
[ Those eyes blink, and Set touches his hands to the sides of his face — as if the state of his eyes being pointed out is a surprise ( it is, if only because the things his body does are natural to him ). The stupid green mask still sits over his face, annoying him as he cannot draw his divine emblem over it for the time being. He's used to wearing a mask, but the green one is decidedly unpleasant. ]
I... would not say I am someone who even could tell you to learn to trust again. It is not something I know to do anymore, for sure.
[ Those hands tuck into his lap, and Set draws his shoulders back. Formal, and stiff. ]
Remember, I am known for being a traitor.
[ dani looks sharply up. ]
Yes, in human stories. That doesn't mean they're true, humans get things wrong. They don't know everything.
[ this set is a different creature from the god of evil dani's stories have talked about. detail is missing. or context. something. ]
You wanted to help people. The women you talked about.
Yes, in human stories. That doesn't mean they're true, humans get things wrong. They don't know everything.
[ this set is a different creature from the god of evil dani's stories have talked about. detail is missing. or context. something. ]
You wanted to help people. The women you talked about.
I am the origin the sickness that caused those women agony.
[ Even as he says it, there's no real pride in his words. No gleam in his eye or flash of sneer to reveal him as someone reveling in the cruelties he'd introduced and empowered in his tenure as God Supreme. His hands twist together, because unbeknownst to him — it is right. What Dani thinks is entirely right. There is a "why" that nobody asked him; an ease in which they had thought the worst of their strange, solitary god of war. ]
My sister, Isis. We were best friends. She and I confided everything in one another: secrets, struggles, doubts, fears, desires. She was my greatest ally, and I hers — together, we could have outlasted any troubles set before us.
[ His mouth twists. ]
Understandably, we fell apart after the night I killed Osiris. And we used all those private moments between ourselves as tools to hurt one another, afterward. So. I comprehend Koby, and I comprehend you. That's why I was not about to let his companions... "protect you". Like you were an afterthought.
[ Even as he says it, there's no real pride in his words. No gleam in his eye or flash of sneer to reveal him as someone reveling in the cruelties he'd introduced and empowered in his tenure as God Supreme. His hands twist together, because unbeknownst to him — it is right. What Dani thinks is entirely right. There is a "why" that nobody asked him; an ease in which they had thought the worst of their strange, solitary god of war. ]
My sister, Isis. We were best friends. She and I confided everything in one another: secrets, struggles, doubts, fears, desires. She was my greatest ally, and I hers — together, we could have outlasted any troubles set before us.
[ His mouth twists. ]
Understandably, we fell apart after the night I killed Osiris. And we used all those private moments between ourselves as tools to hurt one another, afterward. So. I comprehend Koby, and I comprehend you. That's why I was not about to let his companions... "protect you". Like you were an afterthought.
Edited (wording) 2024-10-11 11:00 (UTC)
[ Matt's laughter begins to fade as he focuses more closely on Set within the barrier. He's listening to him talk, but much more than that, he's watching his face, the way tension enters his posture and leaves it again, the places in his body that light up with potential energy. Set looks good dappled in magic. Right, somehow--as if through this holy lens, adoring as a stained-glass chapel, Matt is able to see how he'd appear lit by desert sun, haloed in a corona of golden sand.
And then, to his great surprise-that-shouldn't-be ... Set fucking bites the shield.
He bites it.
Matt's eyes widen, impressed and ruffled in equal measure. For a moment, he just watches Set's teeth tear at the delicate tapestry, his magic unraveling under the sheer force of it. A quick-and-dirty barrier of this sort, with only a bit of breath and sigil holding it together, can really only take one good hit before dissolving like a sugar cube in water. ]
Wow, [ Matt says. (Two seconds ... three ...) ] Uh, actually, "The Art of War" is a b--
And then, to his great surprise-that-shouldn't-be ... Set fucking bites the shield.
He bites it.
Matt's eyes widen, impressed and ruffled in equal measure. For a moment, he just watches Set's teeth tear at the delicate tapestry, his magic unraveling under the sheer force of it. A quick-and-dirty barrier of this sort, with only a bit of breath and sigil holding it together, can really only take one good hit before dissolving like a sugar cube in water. ]
Wow, [ Matt says. (Two seconds ... three ...) ] Uh, actually, "The Art of War" is a b--
[ his pain is plain to see. how long ago had all this happened? and yet there it is, so striking, impacting set even now.
dani scoffs, at the thought of koby's friends protecting him. ]
I don't need their protection, I'm not defenceless. I can throw my own punches, as well as any of that crew.
[ and more beside. very many things feel possible to him when he lets his anger burn through him.
though the more it does, the more he also feels tired. ]
But I'm glad you said something, I'm glad you were there. [ he reaches to gently touch set's twisting hands. ] Some day I would still like to know your story. Thank you for being my friend today.
dani scoffs, at the thought of koby's friends protecting him. ]
I don't need their protection, I'm not defenceless. I can throw my own punches, as well as any of that crew.
[ and more beside. very many things feel possible to him when he lets his anger burn through him.
though the more it does, the more he also feels tired. ]
But I'm glad you said something, I'm glad you were there. [ he reaches to gently touch set's twisting hands. ] Some day I would still like to know your story. Thank you for being my friend today.
They will not heed your wishes. They have it in their heads that it is their way, or none.
[ He'd hated their attitudes, too. The dry, exasperated way they'd spoken of protecting Daniil — like it was a chore, or something to use speed along their atonement. ]
But, a friend, hm? I warn you that I am not good at being "a friend". I already told you I want to use your vote, perhaps even your Alexei's... I want to vote everyone out, killer or not. Wipe the entire board, and win.
[ If that has the added bonus of ending the game? He won't claim it as part of his scheming. He wonders if the Balfours, the manor, whatever power might be here — if it's ever dealt with someone like him. ]
[ He'd hated their attitudes, too. The dry, exasperated way they'd spoken of protecting Daniil — like it was a chore, or something to use speed along their atonement. ]
But, a friend, hm? I warn you that I am not good at being "a friend". I already told you I want to use your vote, perhaps even your Alexei's... I want to vote everyone out, killer or not. Wipe the entire board, and win.
[ If that has the added bonus of ending the game? He won't claim it as part of his scheming. He wonders if the Balfours, the manor, whatever power might be here — if it's ever dealt with someone like him. ]
All teams are threats, but those definitely.
Up to seven may die a night, it seems. Two to vote out following. We need to make the other teams look more enticing as targets, and keep werewolf numbers up to ensure the math continues. We only really need to have the greatest numbers.
I do not need a role. I am powerful enough as-is, and unkillable too! I think we should bring this conversation to our team. If they haven't the stomach for killing... we may need to keep that between us.
Up to seven may die a night, it seems. Two to vote out following. We need to make the other teams look more enticing as targets, and keep werewolf numbers up to ensure the math continues. We only really need to have the greatest numbers.
I do not need a role. I am powerful enough as-is, and unkillable too! I think we should bring this conversation to our team. If they haven't the stomach for killing... we may need to keep that between us.
Maybe I wished to woo you — then, have you convince Alexei to help me and my team.
[ Set's mouth curls a little, crooked and enigmatic. He's not exactly lying — his motives are often indiscernible to others. A mind like his does not exactly think in the way a human's might. ]
— I told you why, though. Having someone betray one's trust so precisely is... unforgivable.
[ Set's mouth curls a little, crooked and enigmatic. He's not exactly lying — his motives are often indiscernible to others. A mind like his does not exactly think in the way a human's might. ]
— I told you why, though. Having someone betray one's trust so precisely is... unforgivable.
Edited 2024-10-12 16:32 (UTC)
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