bluescreenwhitedragon | IC Inbox [2]

In the interest of honesty.

I don't think we have the option to escape at all. I've always thought the Heaven graduation is just another illusion placed on us and those who take that choice are not actually back in their own world.

Something else I would keep in mind.

. . .

Cool. Then I don't need to worry about this at all, since there's no good option anyway.

There is the less bad option of having you tied to Shadow Weaver.

Incremental improvements.

Or take her place as host. Maybe screw her up in the process.

Yeah, sure.

[Let's out a frustrated sigh as her tail starts lashing.]

This was stupid. I don't know what I was expecting.

Understanding your situation is not stupid. At least know you understand what she signed you up for.

And if she wasn't afraid of you having that knowledge, she would have given it to you instead of that bullshit she sent you earlier.

I'm missing a not insignificant amount of context in this to be truly of any help, and to begin with the information I have is slim to none.

But he is right. Having this contract in your hands is not going to get you out of this bullshit immediately, but it's a step toward it. And knowing what's in it to begin with means you know what you risk, and you know how to work around it for the time being.

That's not nothing.

I just. . . I don't know what any of this is at all. Like a "bereavement" or a "wage" or what "tying our fates" is supposed to be –– except maybe how well Avante does in games. . .? I mean, she wanted us to win, and when we lose she always does stupid little annoying stuff.

Valour and I can help translate the employment vocabulary. That language is fairly standard across worlds.

...

But can you elaborate on the annoying things she does? And does she ever reward you for winning?

Dumb "penalties". Like sometimes my phone doesn't work and I can't get into the dorm, or I'm dizzy for a day, or I can't eat normal food. Nothing that's a big deal, just annoying.

Rewards aren't really a thing. Except that contract we couldn't read for winning five in a row, I guess.

Ah yes. I remember that fifth game. She could have bothered with something more useful, considering.

But perhaps you could request a new reward for a similar achievement, and see if it provides you with any more information. Like he said. We can help with the bullshit terms.

. . .You're not serious. Because it went so well last time?

Obviously it didn't but it isn't as if you came entirely empty-handed out of it.

My only other idea is for someone to die on purpose to get an audience with Lady Death herself which I really hope you're not going to take seriously.

[She sighs, dragging her claws through her hair as her tail flicks, agitated even with the help of Paloma's alcohol in her system.]

Maybe if I went. It wouldn't get me out of it, but even being involved on my own terms would be better. . .

I agree with that but that doesn't mean I want you to actually die to see if there's anything you can do to at least safeguard your soul.

What do you want to do, Kohime?

[honestly: break stuff and then lie on the floor]

I don't know.

. . .Thanks. For, you know, trying to help.

[ trying to help is worthless if no solution is found tho ]

That's not something you have to thank me for.

We'll find a solution. For now. Can you tell me everything you know about this whole thing?

[it kind of is when you grew up with one person ever trying to help you who later ditched you to defect and join a rebellion, ok]

Everything I know like what?

[She waves to indicate the contract.]

This is already way more than I knew.

All right. Then I'll take some time to study it and see if I get any idea that isn't, you know. Dying. I don't need a copy with Taisho's abilities.

[ just making a vague gesture toward Intensity ]

Is he reliable?

Yeah.

[She hesitates, then adds:]

But––no one else. I don't need it getting around that I'm tied to that demon, people already find enough stuff to hold against me.

And she told me not to tell anyone. I don't know what happens if she finds out I did, but there's no point in risking it.

[And then, like. Nudges one of her three remaining jars of mystery Paloma-gifted alcohol over -- just in case today isn't another abstinence day.]

I won't share with anyone, including Alexander. If that was your worry.

The last thing I want is to put you and Ruby in danger.

[ glancing at the jars though, and then ]

Just a glass. For company.

Yeah. I can't ask them for anything else right now, either.

[There are possibly no glasses here but she's an uncivilized gremlin who walks on furniture and sticks her fingers in food platters anyway so she won't care if he drinks straight from the bottle.]

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