Audience: Harrowhark Nonagesimus

[probe]

Comments

[bonetiddies]

Very well. Perhaps I'll ask someone more skilled in explanations. It sounds as though you haven't investigated it very thoroughly anyway.

[probe]

[there's a pause as they slowly look up at her. there's no face visible, but the jiiii energy is palpable. their voice is very calm, but quiet.]

There is a difference between being skilled in explanations and deigning to not explain at all, Harrowhark.

[bonetiddies]

There is.

[Listen. Was she intentionally trying to wound their pride to provoke an answer? Maybe. Apparently it backfired. Either way, she meets their jiii gaze right back.]

Let me propose something. It will save your time as well as mine if you simply let me know when I've asked you something you do not intend to answer.

[probe]

[silence. then:]

You have guts, girl. [it sounds a little like a compliment.]

[bonetiddies]

Yes. [She agrees, she does have guts.] Being chosen by Despair is not unexpected, but your sin has always been mine as well. I do not like to be toyed with, or treated as something that must be managed.

[probe]

Mm.

[they click their nails on the counter.]

Straightforward, then. I don't want to answer that question.

[bonetiddies]

Moving on, then. Why did the welcome message mention dying?

[probe]

Why do you think? [this is more of a genuine question - they seem like they want to know what she has to say about it before they answer.]

[bonetiddies]

I think you expect some of us will die. Perhaps it's dangerous here, or perhaps you anticipate some of us will become dangerous to others.

[probe]

[they nods a little.]

Indulgence can mean violence. [...] People placed in a situation where they're allowed whatever they want to do without rules always eventually revert to base instinct.

[bonetiddies]

But we would be given the opportunity to seek justice. So there are some rules.

[probe]

[they scoff, at that.]

If I had my way, we wouldn't bother. But Greed was insistent.

[bonetiddies]

Why not make killing one another against the rules?

[probe]

Why would I want killing one another to be against the rules?

[bonetiddies]

Let me rephrase the question. Do you want us to kill one another? Or are you simply ambivalent?

[probe]

Not so much that I want it, perhaps, but I expect it.

I wouldn't be sorry to see some people die.

[bonetiddies]

Oh? Someone has made an enemy of Pride so quickly?

[Still.]

So you aren't encouraging it, but it is a permissible way to participate.

[probe]

I'm only not outright encouraging it because Lust would hit me with a broom.

[they sound. very annoyed.]

[bonetiddies]

Lust doesn't want us to kill one another, you are somewhere in the range of neutral to pro. Are any of you outright recommending it?

[probe]

I am, but only where Lust can't hear.

Despair, Gluttony, Envy and Wrath don't seem to care much if people die, either.

[bonetiddies]

Then that leaves Sloth, Greed and Lust opposed. [Greed is surprising to her, a little.]

Considering that, I suppose the odds are poor this won't devolve into violence. But you have put me in a difficult position.

[probe]

Talk to them to get their opinions. I don't like any of them enough to know their stance.

[...] How have I put you in a difficult position?

[bonetiddies]

Not you specifically.

We've lost our powers to make it more "fair". But physically, I'm quite frail. I have no means defend myself.

[probe]

It doesn't need to stay that way.

[bonetiddies]

How is that?

[Harrow, looking at the gym: I wonder who that's for?]