TNDG Day 10: I naively thought at first that there were going to be fewer posts than day 8

[keybroad]

((Content warning: Verbal allusion to "sexual favors".))

[With no patience or tact whatsoever Lotus runs up to Niles, heels stomping.]

I need you to vote for Mary. I'm sorry I didn't ask you to do it earlier when we were having so many problems getting your trade together. If you need proof of why it's important, we can talk about it more in private. But it's very important indeed.

Comments

[locktouching]

...My, I like it when you have that intense look on your face.

Too bad I already have someone in mind... someone who will certainly pay me back for it later. Why do you need me?

[keybroad]

Santa said it was important. Not like I spoke to him now, but back before he was gone, it was important. Look, I know it sounds bad, he made me promise I would try and ensure Corrin's place in the final five, I meant it, and now we have to share schemes. Please tell me how you demonstrate loyalty in whatever land you and your lord come from, I'll do it, I am not entirely sure sexual favors are off the table at this point, I'm that serious.

[locktouching]

I...

[Grimaces. Oh boy that was a trigger. Lotus you have no idea of his past.]

...Look, I know how I act, but I... don't actually want "sexual favors" from anyone.

Anyway, you still have a vote, why don't you do it? And if you need to change someone's mind, why not talk to someone who knows her. I've never even spoken to her before.

[keybroad]

[She just lets out a big sigh of relief that she doesn't have to do any sexual favors.]

I need to cast a vote for Clover who already has a vote. Nobody will let that stand if Mary is one of the players left out of the cold. It is what Santa wants me to do -- no. What he needs me to do.

[locktouching]

...Huh? Doubling a vote on someone? Do you have any idea how bad that's going to look for you, even if she's not one of the ones left?

[keybroad]

It's going to look bad, but it is good. Look, how likely do you think it is that we're going to escape? You've been making weapons, Niles, not a way out. Unless we eventually escape somehow, there will be far fewer survivors if nobody ever gets a double vote.

You've thought this way too, right? That's why you said it will look bad, instead of, it'll be bad. Unless you mean it looks bad because it is bad and that's plain to see. Which, I mean, it's fair to think that, you can be entitled to your opinion, my idea will probably murder whatever other person you were going to vote for, but unless you wanted that person with you in the final five, they were eventually going to die, right?

[locktouching]

Hmph. I'm not attacking anyone; Lord Corrin made me promise I wouldn't, and I follow his direction in battle. I only suspect I might need to defend myself, given that the hotel pass may be pushing people to resort to all sorts of desperate acts.

Yes, it will look bad for you. Think that will go over well when you're the one in the position of maybe being "left out in the cold"? Forget that. You're wasting a vote and asking me to pick up your slack, when my votes have already been decided.

[keybroad]

I am not wasting a vote! Lots of people agree with me in private that this is the best way forward, only way forward, I thought I had a downright majority because I trusted that you and Corrin could be trusted-- I am not taking an unnecessary risk to my own safety! Is what he tells you and what he tells me really so different?

[She drags her hand down her face, which she turns away - aware that she's coming onto Niles too strong.] Aoi-kun, why did you give me so much hope with nothing to back it up...

[locktouching]

[Steps sideways, trying to see her face.]

...You're... you're saying saying Aoi asked for this? He wants Clover to be saved this way?

[keybroad]

[She sees an opening and her eyes are gleaming. She speaks methodically.]

Aoi-kun and I were very specific about this. There are too many people who do not want to die just so that you and Corrin and him can live. Clover will go to the hotel from having two votes, and Snake will be willing to receive zero votes so he can get a hotel pass used on him or just make sure that his sister survives, and then Aoi-kun is in much less trouble balancing his obligations to you and his obligations to "his companions". "I'll choose to trust you that the hotel isn't death for them--" Clover and Snake-- "if you choose to trust me." That. That's what he said. Clover and Snake specifically are at very high risk of not getting votes for themselves in future rounds. Obviously he didn't know that they'd both get zero at once during this fifth voting round, but either one had gotten zero before. If he has to choose between voting for you or Niles or June or else Clover or Snake, then he's in a very difficult position that will damage his social standing no matter what he does. Didn't he tell you how stressed out he and Jumpei have been about having so many eyes on them for casting so many votes?

Kind of like the way I'm doing to you now, which I shouldn't be, I know I'm... [sigh] Really raving at you like this crazy old lady, I just had no idea what you had and hadn't heard from Aoi-kun. Look. You can make your case for the person you want to vote for. Maybe he told you that person is important or something. I don't know. We can try to work this out.

[locktouching]

[Cackles.]

That's strange, Aoi was so very specific to me about how he wouldn't send anyone he cares about to the hotel. Maybe he doesn't like Clover all that much. Or you're trying to play me.

Just stop the "raving", I'm not the most empathetic soul here. I'll tell you what, though. I kind of want to help you. But you have to talk to Okuyasu, if you can get him to refuse my vote, I'll vote the way you asked. I already feel kind of bad for the guy after what I put him through, so I'll leave you to be the one to apologize to him for making him face death.

[keybroad]

Cares and obligations aren't the same thing, are they? [There is that flicker of hope in her eyes and then it wavers significantly at but. She leans forward into the deal.]

Okuyasu? We're definitely talking about this guy Okuyasu Nijimura-kun? [At first, she's just completely surprised - then, a twig cracks.] I almost feel bad for you wanting him to pay you back.

[locktouching]

Well, he's one of the reasons I even have this many votes...

[Sobers to a more serious expression.]

...Hey, if you ever feel again like you need to offer "sexual favors" to make a deal here... you don't really have to, okay? You don't want to start on that path of selling yourself for favors or coins. It's not... pleasant. Things aren't that bad here right now.

[keybroad]

[She quirks her mouth thoughtfully, regretful.]

I'm sorry I said that... I didn't want to make you think "I definitely think he's the kind of guy who would agree to that, in a bad way". I meant it when I said it, but it's more like... look, I would also cut off my leg to make this happen. [GOOD THING THIS HAPPENS BEFORE ENE'S PERFORMANCE?] But I only have two legs. I've got to save them for a hotel pass at least. I know it seems weird that I'm freaking out so much when I'm theoretically safe this round... I just think about the future a lot.

This is the first time I've offered favors, so now that I've seen what it does to someone, it'll also be the last time, okay?