[ let ishi yeet senri specifically ]

[usogi]

Comments

[ritualization]

You do not need to.

[he says that quickly enough, with a shake of his head.]

Save that for another time; I will be all right without it. But-

[ishi pauses, there, thinking for several moments and taking another sip from his cup; eventually, though, he seems to come to a decision.]

You are likely to find this out when the week begins, anyway, so I suppose I can put your mind more at ease now. The rules say a god must lose a follower, not that they necessarily must be removed from play.

Piety knew I already planned on defecting.

[usogi]

[ . . . hm.]

What a loophole.

[why the fuck is ishi so smart. senri looks surprised, and just tilts his head.]

.... can I ask where Ishirin-san is going?

[ . . . ]

I'm - trying to figure out where to go. If I can find out how the roles are moving a little bit.... if that's okay.

[ritualization]

Where to go... are you considering changing your own allegiance, then, or do you simply mean figuring out how to act?

[don't answer questions with questions you goddamn grandpa]

[usogi]

I'm changing my allegiance. Shishimaru will get mad at me if I try to stay in the same place while it's still super obvious and everyone knows my alignment.

[ritualization]

-I can understand that.

[he nods, before going right for more questions. he will get back to senri's, probably.]

And do you feel drawn to any others in particular, or are you simply choosing based on what you think will help most?

[usogi]

The latter, I think.

[ . . . ]

If Ishirin-san doesn't want to answer my question, you can just say so?

[ritualization]

Ah-

[called out... he breathes out a slight laugh, there.]

My apologies. I- am deciding how much to say, I suppose.

[it's that habit of just keeping everything to himself.]

[usogi]

.... I know a couple of people's alignments, but I'm not going to be the person to blame you for not being sure if you want to tell me.

[ . . . ]

It's an information game, but I'm trying to play responsibly. Promise.

[ritualization]

I believe that you are, Nito-kun. It isn't because it's you.

[but he's been pretty easy to guess so far; it's difficult not to want to try to keep it a little quieter, now.

--senri hasn't really given him any indication he can't be trusted, though, even though he's somewhat young.]

For now, I will say I'm joining someone I believe can help me try to keep this sort of situation from happening again.

[and if senri figures it out from that, well.]

[usogi]

[ . . . . ]

Are you going to go on patrol with Merriment?

[ritualization]

Sharp, as expected.

[not that he made it extra hard, but still, this is why he approves of senri?]

I intend to make use of their ability. So if anything should go wrong-- now at least one of you will know what happened.

[usogi]

[ . . . . . god dammit.]

.... I have a secret, and it's not mine, that's why Ishirin-san needs to guard it extra heavily.

Because there's someone that I said I would protect - but if I'm not with Sincerity anymore, I can't. So I...

If Ishirin-san is trying to protect people, there's something I really want you to watch over.... please.

[don't mind him if he sounds a little desperate]

[ritualization]

[he absolutely doesn't miss that desperation, and he sets his teacup down, abandoning it so that he can reach over and take one of senri's hands.]

I will do what I can, Nito-kun. You have my word that I will keep it to myself, if you will tell me who you need me to look after.

[usogi]

[senri will accept it and.]

..... Shishimaru goes out too, to try to help when it's time for curfew.

Please... please take care of him, if you find him. Maybe he'll tell you first, but I...

[his hand trembles just faintly, just for a moment]

If I can't be with him, then maybe someone else...

[ritualization]

I will. You have my word on that.

[ishi squeezes his hand gently when it trembles, giving him a more solemn nod.]

--and thank you for telling me. Not that I would have immediately suspected him if I did find him out anywhere, but it certainly helps to be aware.

[usogi]

[ . . . . ]

And there's... someone else...

[senri's brow furrows]

... but I don't know if they're going to use that power of Merriment's, but.... if I find out that they are, I'll let you know.

Because I don't... ever want to wake up to four bodies ever again.

[ritualization]

...neither do I. I'll do everything I can to keep it from coming to that.

[another brief squeeze before he releases senri's hand, folding his own in his lap.]

If you do learn that they intend to be out-- please do let me know, so that I'm aware. I don't want to end up suspecting anyone unrelated.

[he's aware, still, that people might have other reasons for using that kind of ability, and that it makes a good cover... but that's something to worry about later.]

Ah, but you said you need to decide where to go, don't you. ...May I ask you something selfish, Nito-kun?

[usogi]

[ . . . . senri pauses.]

You can ask - because I want to know if there's a way for me to help Ishirin-san if I can...

But I won't be able to let you know if I can do it until tomorrow.

Is that okay?

[ritualization]

That's fine. I am not expecting you to do anything for me-- the choice is still up to you.

[he pauses, before:]

I dislike the thought of leaving Piety with only one, should no one else decide to join him. It's my own doing, I am aware, but all the same... I feel I should at least try to leave him a little better off than this.

[a short sigh, there. it puts his god at a definite disadvantage, despite what others said yesterday about wanting to keep piety in the game, and he doesn't have confirmation on anyone else switching.]

I can tell you that no one is currently using his ability for insight, if you do decide you're willing and want to choose something that may help. His other follower is the one who's been calling him, and I've had the last of his abilities.

[usogi]

[ . . . . . . hm.]

.... would it count still? If the number stays the same and someone goes to Piety - they wouldn't technically lose a follower, right?

I hear what you're saying, Ishirin-san, but that's... kind of scary to think about....

[ritualization]

It'd be something to confirm, I believe. I am being lost regardless of how the numbers change otherwise.

[but also, senri's not wrong. this is already being loopholed and that is Definitely something to think about.

uno concern about what if someone unknown joins piety now, tbh]

If it is something you're willing to consider, then I would not do it without being sure of that. But if it's possible...

[usogi]

[ . . . . ]

I'll put it into consideration, Ishirin-san. I....

But even if I can't - I want to keep Piety in the game for as long as possible. So I'll jump through as many hoops as I can after that, to make sure that happens.

I can promise that, at least.

[ritualization]

Do whatever you feel will be best, Nito-kun. That is all I can ask of you.

[but he adds, with a warmer smile-]

...I do appreciate that, though. I will still be doing what I can for Piety as well.

[usogi]

Good! I like them a lot - they're suuuuper helpful. I really should've started talking to them earlier? They're way more knowledgeable than even Cheri...

[and senri loves sincerity so fucking much]

[ritualization]

That's certainly part of why I'm fond of them.

[his expression softens a bit, there.]

I suppose I should have encouraged you to speak with them sooner, as well... they've been quite reliable, from the very beginning.