ritualization | [pcs] mizuki

[ ludger, huh... they nod, not looking entirely surprised. He'd been contrarian a few times - but considering the way his brother died, they don't feel like they can blame him. Mizuki knows better than anyone what that can do to someone.

(It is a little amusing to see Ishikirimaru actually annoyed with someone, though.) ]

In other words, your plan is still to make Piety-kun the victor?

[ hmm. Mizuki crosses their arms. ]

... That's a bit of a long shot. Like you said, reducing Ambition-kun's followers will be difficult. I think we should aim for a tie between a few of the more popular gods.

If we do that, others will feel spurned by not being included in that tie. With Ambition's current numbers, if her followers cannot be pulled away... I do not see a way to do that, regardless. It would be necessary to get her followers to believe in other gods' visions, as well as carefully balance the numbers, and any single person could easily throw it off, which I would absolutely expect from certain followers of hers. There's less risk involved with a majority.

[ishi sighs, there--]

And yes, I know they may also feel overlooked if we favor one, but-- if one must win, then having it be someone who desires balance and will mediate between them is a better choice. It's the best option we have, in my opinion... I have faith that he will follow through on preserving the harmony he says he desires. He told me he feels as if the pantheon as a whole has grown.

They'll be spurned for not having enough followers in the first place. Either way, some of them are going to be losers. It's too late to worry about the gods' feelings, I think. They should be aware of that, too.

[ they're not confrontational in their response, the way they can be sometimes when disagreeing in trial; their tone is purely pragmatic. They understand Ishikirimaru's point of view, too. ]

... For the record, I think Piety-kun is probably the best choice, too. I'm loyal to Beauty-kun until the end, but that boy has the most logical approach.

I believe he does, as well.

[a brief sigh, before:]

But you are not the only one who intends to stay with their chosen god no matter what, from what I know. Considering the numbers Ambition has managed... it's going to be a close thing, I think. She may well still win by default, even if we get everyone who is willing to move, and I have concerns about how much some of her followers believe in her.

Still-- it is something I have to at least try for. I truly don't think she's suited to lead.

I don't, either... I haven't spoken to her personally, but her behavior during trials and this week haven't done much to persuade my opinion. She has a lot of growing up to do.

[ she's impulsive and emotional - not good qualities for a leader at all. ]

Three of her followers only joined with her recently. It might not be that hard to shuffle them back out.

Well, one would be Ludger, and he cannot be relied upon. Entrapta is also one, since she is no longer with Sincerity... I know Qinghua-san joined somewhat recently, but he seems to genuinely believe in following her, and I cannot fault him for that.

The others, I am fairly sure, would be Catra, Hamada-kun, and Alex. Everyone else should be with different gods, barring bad information being passed my way. Justice and Love each have at least one that will stay, so that's at minimum three people who we must remove from consideration, counting you. Possibly more.

Mmm... What a pain.

[ Mizuki hums, considering this list with an air of tiredness. ]

... Catra-kun has never changed since the beginning, or so she claimed. She probably won't now. There's a chance that Entrapta-kun and Hamada-kun could be persuaded to switch, though... At least, compared to the others. Two would be enough to reduce the power gap.

[pcs] mizuki

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