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[bluescreenwhitedragon]

"This is Intensity. Leave a message."

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[rollplayinghouse]

[There is an equally long pause before she responds, and she's much less visibly emotional by the time she does.]

...Obviously that wouldn't be the end of it. And you're right that I don't have a specific goal for "endgame." But that's not because I'm lacking conviction. I'm going to take the people responsible for this down and get out of here. And I'm going to bring the people I care about with me.

Just, specifically how that happens depends on the truth of what's happening here, and I don't know that yet. Killing Asmodeus would at least create a vacuum of power that would make things shift and maybe reveal more of what's going on in the chaos, right?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

That is true. The power balance would shift. And perhaps the idol spies that work for Asmodeus would even be able to watch and report on the events that unfold so that we wouldn't be totally in the dark.

But consider for a moment if what we heard is true - and yes, I know you doubt most things but hear me out. In Asmodeus's realm, it was stated that only Pythia and Asmodeus cared about this production and dealing with humans.

What if removing Asmodeus brings someone even less palatable around? Or even worse, means the end of the production? It's the first run. A test. They don't have to keep it going.

[rollplayinghouse]

It's possible something like that could happen. It's also possible that by killing Asmodeus a person could gain some form of his position or power, or that someone who took over would be more amenable to helping us, or more incompetent and more likely to slip up. We don't know either way. I'd take the gamble if I had the chance.

...But, again, that's why I want to work with you. And why I need to know important information. Why I'm here talking and not off trying to assassinate Asmodeus by myself.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

And if I told you that you had to spare Asmodeus.

Would you be able to do that?

[rollplayinghouse]

[She has to consider that, and she's quiet for another moment.]

I could.

But I wouldn't just because you told me to. Wanting to help and work with you doesn't mean I'm just going to do whatever you say. But if there was a reason, and you were convinced of it, I'd trust you.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Surprisingly not judgmental for once:]

Do you think I would ask you to do something like that if it wasn't important?

[rollplayinghouse]

No, of course not.

But I also don't think you're right about everything all the time. Or even that you necessarily have all the information. So I'd want to discuss the reason.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

And if there isn't time?

[rollplayinghouse]

...

If there wasn't time, I'd trust you.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Then I trust you to make that judgement call when necessary.

[rollplayinghouse]

[a flicker of surprise crosses her face for a moment]

...Thank you.