[Week 3, Saturday: Yusuke and Makoto]

[purrtagonist]

[at some point on Saturday, Akira is going to be flagging down Yusuke and Makoto, and dragging them to a nice quiet booth at Wish You Were Beer. order what you want, guys; Akira's just drinking water]

Sorry about the short notice. I have some information I need to share, though.

Comments

[justfists]

[she is also... just drinking water.]

Did you find something...?

[wantsnudes]

[Yusuke has some juice and has sworn off alcohol ever since he tried some after last week's trial... rip]

We're listening, Akira.

[purrtagonist]

[probably a wise choice, Yusuke]

I did.

[answering Makoto's question, first]

From Max. I've been working on him for the past few weeks, asking him about the game and the Composer and the reasons why we're here. He's only given me things in small pieces, but I think I have enough to put it all together.

[. . .]

For starters, one of the first things Max told me was that the Composer built the game this way in order to prove something.

[justfists]

To prove something?

[she pauses.]

And do you know what it might be?

[wantsnudes]

They want to test our worthiness, correct? That's why only a limited number of people can prevail.

[Yusuke nods, thoughtful.]

Though what the criteria is, I can't imagine...

[purrtagonist]

No. I think the part about having our worthiness tested is bullshit.

[he responds, super bluntly. but hey, that's the way he's always been]

I don't know about you, but I don't care to be judged by some all-powerful being I've never met before. I think it's way deeper than that.

Especially since Max told me that someone or something-- other than the Composer-- is benefitting from this game.

[justfists]

[that... is alarming, and Makoto has a thought. But it's literally got no backing, so she's going to table it for now. Someone is benefitting from the game.]

Haven't you thought it strange that in death we're paying for necessities? Or that we need them at all?

[she frowns.]

And all of our natural abilities are gone, replaced by the psychs.

This must play into it somehow.

[wantsnudes]

Yes, I agree. I have no interest in being judged by anyone so arrogant as to believe they can decide who should live or die. Particularly if their means is to use a game as cruel as this...

[Yusuke looks thoughtful at Makoto's points, and nods.]

But... In what ways can this be of benefit to anyone? Max has implied in the past that there's a reason for all of this, even our entry fees, but I cannot fathom it.

[purrtagonist]

[leans forward, fingers linked and pressed against his mouth thoughtfully]

Think of it this way. We're essentially divided into teams, right? Reapers and Players. We know the Players can win the game if we find all the reapers, and I bet the reapers have a win condition as well.

What if. . . there was someone out there placing wagers on which team would win?

[holds up a hand]

I don't know if that's actually what is happening, but it's the analogy I used with Max, and he neither confirmed nor denied it. And because of that? I think it may be awfully close to what is actually happening.

[justfists]

That makes sense, unless we can find out more.

[she'll need to pick up her needling of Max too, at this rate. Still...]

There are more than one composer, and it is explicitly framed as a game.

[wantsnudes]

So even if the Players prevail over the Reapers, there is still some twisted being behind the scenes who benefits from all this... gambling with our fates...

[Yusuke crosses his arms, disgusted.]

That being the case, I wonder if individual Players are being manipulated to make the game go in their favour, just the same as the Composer gives direct instructions to Reapers. What do you think?

[purrtagonist]

Maybe. I don't know anything about that, but even if I did, the part I want to focus on is. . .

"What happens if neither side wins the Game?"

[he glances between them, for emphasis]

Obviously, the beings betting on certain teams want there to be a victor. And if there's a victor, then the Game ends earlier than eight weeks, and everything proceeds right to the Composer's judgment phase.

But if there isn't a winner-- if we end this game neutrally-- then what happens next?

[justfists]

[Makoto places a hand to her chin, and then slowly shakes her head.]

I don't know. But... you're right. We're going to have to find out, if we want to save everyone.