week 5, monday

[reapertoire]

[ Between one blink and the next, Undine will suddenly find herself in a greenhouse. If she tries looking outside its glass windows, she'll notice that there is a strange haze that makes it impossible to tell the exact location, but the interior of the greenhouse is fairly bright, as if sunlight was shining through.

Everything in it seems fairly normal. There is a variety of plants, but primarily roses, as well as a small outside garden table. Still, strangely enough, there's also a... kotatsu? Well. Okay. ]

Comments

[rosemance]

What makes you say that?

[alchemicalwater]

Because that's how it feels right now. I know we're supposed to challenge the players, I'm not new to this, but it feels like we were brought here just to be villainized and erased.

[rosemance]

I see.

What have you learned about this Game so far, Undine?

[alchemicalwater]

That there's several different groups all working towards their own goals within the game. Each group has their own very valid reasons for wanting to win by their own conditions, but the best possible outcome is likely one of compromise. And sacrifice, too, since there's no guarantee that the Players will be brought back at the end. And even if they are brought back the Reapers will not get that same consideration.

And...it's hard to go along with that. To accept that I might be gone forever for the sake of a couple-dozen people I barely know. Especially when more than a few of that number would not spare a second thought to my life if they knew my role in the game. It's hard to be willing to give up so much for people who, albeit incidentally, would not be sad to see you gone.

[rosemance]

When you first decided to become a Reaper, did you think that all of the decisions would be easy?

[alchemicalwater]

Honestly, when I became a reaper, I wasn't thinking about that at all. I just saw it as a chance to see my friends again.

[And look where that got her.]

But I've been through enough of these games to know that our part in this is to help the Conductor decide who to return to life. We're supposed to provide the challenges that show what the Players are truly like.

The challenges you have asked us to present to these Players here? They do not show what the Players are truly like. All this game has shown is that, when people are told by an authority 'these people are out to erase you, so erase them first', they will believe that authority. They will believe it and will absolutely do it, if only because they're lost and confused and are likely to trust the first person who comes to them saying "Here, I have answers."

Nobody in this game is beyond saving. I truly believe that. But they have been set up to do their absolute worst, and that isn't a true judgement of their character.

[rosemance]

I see. I'm sorry that you feel that way, Undine.

[ she pours herself some more tea. ]

What else do you think about it? I'm sure those aren't your only thoughts.

[alchemicalwater]

[That's...not what she was expecting at all, and catches her off-guard.]

Um-

[Wait, isn't she supposed to be getting information from Anthy, not the other way around? But when she falters there, she loses the bravery needed to outright say that, and instead answers Anthy's question.]

I...I'm kind of wondering what you're even looking for here, because it's hard to guide the players and encourage them to grow when I'm not sure what they're even supposed to be growing towards.

Were we right before? That what you're looking for is 'cooperation'?

[rosemance]

[ she doesn't seem to really react to how flustered undine gets, but her smile does become a tad more sympathetic. ]

We did say that communication is the key.

[alchemicalwater]

I think more people got hung up on the 'they're here to erase you' part of your messages.

[rosemance]

And are you sure that’s what everyone is thinking at the moment, Undine?

[alchemicalwater]

...

[Is that what she really thinks?]

...not everyone no. People are changing. Coming around. Some still think it, I'm sure, but others don't.

[rosemance]

I do think there are a lot more people on your side that you think.

[alchemicalwater]

Well, most of the people who would have been against it are among the Erased.

[And that doesn't really feel fair either. Their feelings aren't any less valid just because they've been removed from the game.]

[rosemance]

If this was a normal game, those who lost it would have actually been permanently Erased as soon as they lost.

[alchemicalwater]

I figured. That's how all the games I was in went as well. Once you're Erased, you're gone. No coming back.

But this isn't a normal game, is it?

[rosemance]

No. But the point I was attempting to make is that at the moment, what matters is the opinions of the ones still playing.

[alchemicalwater]

That's not the truth, because there's only one opinion that really matters: the opinion of the one who can bring back the Erased and return the Players to life.

[That's the person everyone has to impress, really.]

But I see what you're getting at. The person whose opinion does matter has decided that the opinions of the Players is what matters.

[rosemance]

I suppose you're right then.

[alchemicalwater]

...

Anthy, what happens if a reaper chooses not to erase someone? Or if people choose not to vote at the trials?

[rosemance]

A Reaper must erase someone. You could have gone the entire Game without doing so as long as another Reaper did. If everyone refused, the Game would end to a total loss.

The mission in trials is to vote or face erasure. You must vote.

[alchemicalwater]

Even if the other reaper didn't know I was refusing to Erase someone?

[She. Has feelings. But she's not going to ruin the game just because of her feelings.]

And the votes, is writing 'I choose not to vote' an option?

[rosemance]

Even so. As long as there is at least one Reaper erasure per week it works.

And no. You can vote for Max if you'd like, or me, or ever yourself, but you must put a name down.

[alchemicalwater]

I asked Maya once, but...what would happen if I tried to erase someone, but they got away?

[rosemance]

There still need to be at least one erasure. For example, if you attacked someone but they killed you instead, we'll allow that even if you technically didn't erase anyone. If someone else erased another person, we'll also allow it, even if you lived.

However, then you have to deal with the fact that they're still alive.