Audience: Vlad Masters

[probe]

Comments

[probe]

[they make a disgruntled noise.]

I don't know. [that's... genuine, it feels like.]

[niceguyferatu]

Well, that hardly seems fair. Being made to take this role against your wishes with no idea if you can leave afterwards? It sounds like you Avatars are getting a worse deal than we are.

[probe]

Does that matter?

[niceguyferatu]

Shouldn't it? After all, all the rest of us are here in pursuit of our greatest wishes. It seems cruel for you Avatars to not be able to reap those same benefits.

[probe]

Let me rephrase.

Why do you care if it's fair for us or not?

[niceguyferatu]

Isn't it in our best interests to work together?

[probe]

Hm.

It usually isn't.

[niceguyferatu]

By 'usually,' do you mean to say you've run these indulgence-wish games before?

[probe]

Don't jump to conclusions.

I mean typically, cooperation and teamwork isn't viable in any situation.

[niceguyferatu]

Oh, isn't it, though? Perhaps not forever, but temporary alliances can be hugely beneficial, however fleeting they may be.

[probe]

Beneficial until they stab you in the back because you're no longer useful.

[:\]

[niceguyferatu]

Are you speaking from personal experience?

[probe]

Frequent experience, yes.

I imagine you've experienced your fair share of backstabs, Masters.

[niceguyferatu]

Really? How unfortunate. I've had some myself, of course, but I do try to plan to mitigate fallout in case something happens. And it hasn't happened recently--most of my partnerships lately have been rather secure. [ meaning, he holds all the cards and doesn't really have to worry about backstabbing. ]

...although it does make me wonder. How much do you know about us, exactly?

[probe]

I know what's on your profile. I don't know much else. I don't like the process of looking any of you up.

[they shift in their gargoyle perch. they're still sitting up somewhere high.]

[niceguyferatu]

Really? Does that mean you didn't select which of us to represent yourselves, then?

[probe]

... How did you get that out of what I just said.

[i'm sorry they're so rude, vlad.]

[niceguyferatu]

Well if you don't know much about us, I imagine that'd make it quite difficult to select who to represent.

Am I incorrect? Did you select us yourselves?

[probe]

You were selected based on what made sense. Indulgence needs to be spread out evenly.

[niceguyferatu]

Does it now? What for?

[probe]

For your desires to be granted. [they sound so tired.]

[niceguyferatu]

Hmm. [ well really he wanted to know more about the mechanics involved there but like. even if he asks he suspect pride won't answer. ]

So is selecting a process of...teamwork? You all discuss where each of us would be best? Or is it perhaps like a bidding war of sorts?

[probe]

[snort.]

You were placed where you fit best. You're not entirely wrong about the war part.

[niceguyferatu]

Really now? You were fighting with one another trying to claim certain people for yourselves?

[ vlad is 100% fantasizing about how badly all the avatars fought to claim him, specifically, obviously the most valuable person of all ]

[probe]

No. Fighting with each other so we didn't have to have certain people aligned to us.