AUDIENCE: EMET-SELCH

[retellers]

Comments

[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.

[arkitect]

As if it were to begin with.

[he exhales a breath, shaking his head.]

And should we play the hero well enough, save the day-- what was lost ought to be returned? I cannot abide any permanent loss.

[retellers]

As long as you guys don't fuck up, yeah.

[arkitect]

I feel as if that may be expecting much, from a group such as this.

[retellers]

Oh, it's definitely going to turn into a shit show at some point. Some weirdo was throwing an arm around?

[ they shrug ]

So what matters is whether or not everyone can fix it afterwards.

[arkitect]

Well, you have the wrong one of us if you'd like any hopeful words for this mess, but I will play my own part in it nevertheless.

[retellers]

I'm not really into the whole, words of encouragement thing. I don't really need someone else telling me that I'll definitely do a great job when I already know I will.

[ anyway. ]

But good. As long as we're agreed on that, we're... [ air quotes ] 'peachy'.

[arkitect]

Full of confidence already, are you? I do hope you can follow through on such expectations.

[they're tolerable so far, though. acceptable for now.]

Is there aught else you would know, or was that your sole concern?

[retellers]

What are your thoughts on everyone else so far?

[ they have the general idea that he is not Happy with them, but if there's anyone that stands out in particular... ]

[arkitect]

Most are unlikely to be worth the time. Xie Lian, Hua Cheng, and Archer are all of an age to hold a bit of interest, and have not been disappointments thus far; Rufus shows less promise going by his information, but we have yet to speak. Ruler does show promise, but again, we have not met.

[he considers, fingers tapping on one forearm.]

The pair of elves show perhaps a little promise as well, but are difficult to share a room with.

["there are three elves" alphinaud who?]

Won, I am still evaluating; the same with Sora.

[retellers]

[ honestly, that is still more than tiger was expecting to be be even slightly positive, so they accept the answer. ]

I guess we'll see. Things are sensitive enough right now that just one person's fuckup might make it way harder for the rest of us, so it's good to keep tabs like that.

[arkitect]

[tbf there's a small handful of Olds and that helps.]

Such is often the case. Will you be handling any who seem to stray in that direction?