[Week 5, Friday: Max]

[purrtagonist]

[. . .]

[for once, Akira approaches Max quietly. he has a cup of coffee, freshly made (how the fuck did he stand entering and exiting the McDonald's after. . . that. . . ) and will offer it to the Host without his usual witty greeting]

[it's]

[been a day]

Comments

[purrtagonist]

Not an answer to my question.

[turns to face him, frowning]

"Whatever obstacles it is you’re bringing to this party." Does that mean whoever is on the other side always intended to interfere with us?

[concertmaster]

Letting the Composer play out her plan with no change wouldn't prove anything to anyone. They'd just be watching a weirder version of the Game.

[ ... ]

Both sides of this conflict made up their minds long before this Game ever started. This scenario-- it's the Composer's last and only shot to prove anything.

[purrtagonist]

To prove that we're worth it. That the Games are worth it.

[. . .]

That's why they chose you to judge. Because your Game was absolute shit.

[and while Akira knows he believed Nikki deserved a second chance, if it's the Game, the mechanics, the worth of same that he's judging? he can absolutely see why Max was picked]

And because you have a knowledge of a vast variety of Games, too.

[that special skill set he told Akira about, so long ago]

[concertmaster]

Close. Anyone in my position as a wide knowledge of Games. It's necessary for the job. I was chosen... Because I didn't have an opinion on this.

[ ah ]

... The bias from the Composer side was presented as inevitable, since they're an intricate part of Games. Everyone else in my position was given that role because they fit with the Games, so their opinion is also considered biased. Never mind anyone on the other side of the issue.

At the time the discussion was taking place, I was pretty much the only neutral party on the entire thing.

[ he shrugs ]

I don't believe in the Games. But I didn't care for the other option either. So, here I am. My particular skill set was not giving a shit.

[purrtagonist]

[he just]

[gives a small snort, a flicker of amusement somehow working its way onto his features]

Good to know "not giving a shit" can be a skill useful in receiving a sought-after promotion.

[. . .]

As the judge, what do you think of the Game now?

[concertmaster]

...

I think I'm failing the neutral part of the job requirements.

[ ah. ]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . oh]

Do you want to see us succeed?

Because if you do, I don't think that means you're failing the neutrality requirement.

[concertmaster]

Don't make me say it out loud. I will puke.

[ he will ]

Anyway, we'll see how they feel about it.

[purrtagonist]

And I don't have a bucket on me.

[he'll spare him. for now]

I asked Anthy how the higher agency felt about this Game's trajectory. She said she didn't know.

Do you?

[concertmaster]

The Gecko trying to squash me meant they were real happy about it.

[ and he's back to normal ]

[purrtagonist]

That's one way to show appreciation.

[lol]

If they're already convinced we're going to lose, then even if you judge us favorably, are we going to have to fight them?

[concertmaster]

No. They're not fighters, and... They're really not something you guys could fight. They'll accept the outcome, whatever it is.

[purrtagonist]

Good.

[that's honestly what he was concerned about]

The Composer did say we were getting better. And that by the end of this weekend, we should know if we've done enough to save the Erased or not.

[concertmaster]

... Yeah, that sounds about right.

[ hm. ]

Next week's gonna be a fucking mess.

[purrtagonist]

[???]

Ah? How so?

[concertmaster]

[ shrugs ]

I guess we'll fucking see if a decision can be made on the Composer's part this weekend.

[purrtagonist]

[ah--]

And if she can make one?

[concertmaster]

Then you'll see how this Game ends.

[purrtagonist]

[huh]

[huuuuuh]

It feels a little weird to know we're so close to the home stretch.

[concertmaster]

You're telling me. We're hitting the tail end of six weeks in this hellhole.

[ he tilts his head ]

You figure out the time limit yet?

[purrtagonist]

Well, I no longer think hitting it is strictly necessary, but. . .

[. . . he shrugs. THE ANSWER IS NO, NOT REALLY]

I'm assuming that we had a span of eight weeks to either "lose" or "win." Is that close?

[concertmaster]

You're playing the Composer's Game. She didn't necessarily give you guys a time limit.

[purrtagonist]

[oh]

[OH]

They gave her a time limit?

[concertmaster]

You do learn.

[ heyooo ]

Eight weeks is the time the Composer and her team had to prove their point.

[purrtagonist]

And she's awfully close to doing that just now, isn't she?

[ha. . .]

I get it. So I was wrong, about us needing to hit the time limit specifically.

[he was wrong about a lot of things. but they all got him here, somehow, some way, so. . .]