GAME OVER (S██'s Palace)

[pointzeropercent]

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DISCUSSION

[pointzeropercent]

[prozaic]

... Really now. Video game rules?

[He doesn't even play video games!]

I assume the answer is quite obvious to all of us here, yes?

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile still thinks this is a movie. He slides over to Shalem with worry and confusion all over his face. ]

What does that mean? ...Do you think it's safe to play along?

[ OBVIOUSLY ASKING ABOUT THE VIDEO GAME THING /didnt see the edit ]

[prozaic]

It's not safe, no, but we must. [Sorry Rutile! But harsh truths must be said.] In the rules of a game set before us, we must play along in order to continue and reach the end.

The consequences of failing to do so in a game means we merely start over, depending on the game, but in real life? That is not something to think lightly about, even with magic.

[metagame]

I wouldn't be so sure we can start over if we don't follow the rules.

[He says, interrupting Shalem in the process.]

I don't know how Sou did it... But it's clear to me this is a Shadow Game--- if we fail to play along or follow the rules, then the penalty is death.

[moodwrecker]

[Oh, well, at least they can see now.]

What the- voting?

[beathollow]

It's a little strange, isn't it? But... if that's the only way we can move forward...

[moodwrecker]

...I guess I'll vote for majority vote. What about you?

[beathollow]

... I'm not... sure.

( translation: she's more likely to follow the crowd unless she really needs to speak up, while in this place. )

... Regardless of the options given, we have no choice but to proceed with this, though.

[emptyself]

...

[ hm. ]

I think Mr. Blue is right. Democracy is an incredible thing.

[finalmix]

Is it, though?

[ someone who is Not Convinced, because fam, shibuya is technically a dictatorship ]

[emptyself]

It is. [ he nods. ] In the wild, it's usually the strongest that makes the decisions. But in this case, the strongest is a group that is usually weak on its own. Like a group of ants or termites.

[moodwrecker]

Did you have to use that example...

[finalmix]

But in your example, if one person is stronger than the whole group? Like wouldn't a single human be stronger than a group of ants?

Wouldn't the minority group be stronger, instead of going with the majority?

[speedingticket]

[ Nodding! Hear hear! ]

[beathollow]

... This is...

[metagame]

A game of death...

[He picks at the hem of his shirt.]

[beathollow]

...

( offering her hand. )

[metagame]

Mafuyu?

[beathollow]

Mm.

( seems she's not too talkative! but shes not sure what to say right now... but she can give a bit of comfort, can't she? )

[emptyself]

Did you ever see his memories?

[metagame]

... No. Did you, Soujuurou?

[speedingticket]

[ Rutile turns to Ms. Red, thinking she will respond to him, and says, ]

Why do you assume any majority exists to silence a minority? Can't a majority work to better the lives of a minority, too?

[ ... There will be no response, but not that he knows that. ]

[prozaic]

That's not how this works, unfortunately. With the decisions coming up, whatever the majority says goes. The minority has to conform or be strung along for the ride, because this is not a proper example of how society works.

We're being forced to make a decision in order to survive.

[speedingticket]

[ If Shalem's looking (if they can see at this point), he'll notice a slight twitch in Rutile's expression. His brow, briefly furrowed; his lips, folding tightly into a frown.

He breathes to cool the biting words that claw up his throat, and regain some composure. ]

...You're right. Those are the rules of the game.

[ Because it sure as hell isn't the way he knows things to work. ]