AUDIENCE: EMET-SELCH

[retellers]

Comments

[retellers]

They were given to us. We basically just received a list of the names of people who would be on our specific teams. Didn't know anything about you until I saw the profile.

[arkitect]

And does that remain all that you know?

[do you get extra knowledge privileges or what. how much does he need to be concerned about them knowing.]

[retellers]

I know what I've seen since you arrived here.

The Realm thing isn't as powerful as it normally is right now, so I'm assuming it couldn't even send us a proper cheat sheet.

[arkitect]

You have been able to observe, then.

[cool. good to know they apparently can be watched.]

If you know no more, I assume you may have questions as well-- but with what you have seen of... this gathering, what would you assume to be the odds of success?

[retellers]

Yup. [ they pop the p. ] Only people on my team though, since I guess it's considered "cheating" otherwise.

[ they do the air quotes. but, moving on. ]

As for the odds... as long as people participate in this whole mess, and things progress as it has been, it should be fine. But if whatever is taking the nova suddenly changes how it's doing things, it might throw us off a lot.

[arkitect]

Which it almost certainly will, should things begin to happen to stop it... presuming it has the ability, and is not merely some natural disruption.

[a slight shake of his head.]

Then as long as the rest do not grow complacent in any progress made, it may prove to be enough.

[retellers]

[ they nod. ]

Pretty much. It's not going to be easy--it's going to be to be annoying as hell, honestly. But hopefully we'll get it over with sooner than later.

[arkitect]

'Annoying' is more or less what I have anticipated since arrival.

[most things are for him, let's be honest.]

Our expectations, at the least, do not seem so far out of line.

[he would be way more annoyed if he were dealing with like, a genki.]

[retellers]

[ unfortunately, tiger is very much not a genki. ]

Great. Look, I'm not going to pretend that I want to be your friend or anything, so we can at least skip the whole handholding deal.

[ there's a pause, and then they go on. ]

What else? I know you probably have other stuff you want to talk about.

[arkitect]

That will suit me well enough.

[he's not here to hold hands or be friends either.]

As we have not been provided any sort of roster, are we not to know the others you mean us to work with?

[retellers]

We can't out our teammates. It's not allowed.

[ they shrug ]

But we can sort of... point you in the right direction towards them? Not right now though. I haven't even met all of them yet.

[arkitect]

Well, if I grow bored enough, I may ask later.

[he isn't. very invested in the competition part right now.]

Have you any guidelines surrounding it on our end, then? Not that I truly intend to answer should anyone ask, but I would not have a lack of awareness.

[retellers]

You're not flat out banned from telling people, but... [ they wave their hand vaguely ] it's highly recommended that you tell as little as possible. And it'll have to be in private--no public declarations, which doesn't really seem like it would be an issue with you.

But the Realm is, like, stupid about certain things. Strict about how we go about it, especially when it's falling apart like this? So if we break too many guidelines it set up, it'll throw a temper tantrum.

[ there are better ways to explain this but tiger is too annoyed by it to do so. ]

Thus, as little people as possible.

[arkitect]

...rein in any who grow too eager, then.

[understandable. that was definitely going to be the plan.

will teej ever play people who would actually want to share? probably not!]

Are there any other guidelines not covered in the list we were provided?

[retellers]

[ they're thinking about it. ]

... as of now, no, but that can be changed, like the rules state. I think that's mostly because we haven't found out how the nova recapture is going to get yet, so once that happens, we'll get more of them.

[arkitect]

By the same token, I presume you have little to ask of us as an apparent leader, until such time as you know more?

[retellers]

I guess I should be getting to know you.

[ they. do not sound excited about it. ]

Mostly, I just want to know whether you'll cooperate. I'm assuming the answer is yes, but you never know.

[arkitect]

Insofar as it is needed to return to my own world, yes. I will do whatever is necessary. Past that...

[he folds his arms, looking maybe vaguely uncomfortable. he hasn't moved from where he stands this whole time, he absolutely refuses to get touchy.]

I have no measure of your worth as leader after so short a time, or of what else may be required in future, and will make you no promises in advance.

[if he must, if it interests or benefits him, or if he decides this one is worthwhile. case by case basis, really.]

[retellers]

[ that's funny. and it is unfortunate that tiger is unaware of why he looks uncomfortable. maybe that is just what old people are like. ]

Eh. Good enough. It would be pretty creepy if you were swearing your loyalty after like, five minutes of conversation.

[arkitect]

I should hope no one would, but some are ever too eager.

[protags. he means the protags.]

But once you have gotten to know us-- how is it that you intend to lead? Or is this yet another aspect in which we will have to wait and see?

[retellers]

I'll be your cheerleader.

[ it is said so, so flatly. ]

How much did you hear about the whole memory loss stuff yesterday?

[arkitect]

I heard enough, but I would have your own explanation of it.

[not even touching the cheerleader thing.]

[retellers]

See, our main purpose above everything else, is to make sure you guys don't get fucked up by whatever is stealing the nova. We're like, human shields, I guess. The whole team thing isn't just because of a competition--each of us can only use our powers to protect so many of you without overextending ourselves.

So, I'm meant to stop you from forgetting who you are immediately while being here.

[arkitect]

How lucky for us, then, that all of you were apparently willing to act as such shields.

[which he says in the same dry tone, because evidently it would kill him to show a little appreciation for that.]

You prevent it immediately, but is it absolutely certain to happen at all?

[retellers]

The power we got to prevent it came from the Realm, but the Realm is weakening, which means the protection isn't perfect.

[ they look at their nails as they speak. ]

So, yeah. We won't be able to stop it from happening completely. We can just slow it down enough that you all can save the day quickly and make everything sunshine and rainbows again.