RUBY

[dramatispersonae]

[The table is made from wrought iron in your team color; you can still see the other teams nearby, though of course their answers have been obscured. You can also see which knights have been placed with which team, as well as the multi-colored board next to Odile's chair.

In the center of the table is one item, and one item only. A glass box inscribed with two symbols: ♥ and X.]

Comments

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[unfortunateson]

You would lose pride by helping your fellow man?

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[righthandsmoke]

If you want to act noble and help your "fellow man", then you should be able to sacrifice yourself in one of those killing games too. Giving people a few points in some useless game like this doesn't mean shit. It's nothing honorable, and doing the opposite isn't shameful either.

We may as well just think of ourselves first for a game this small. Worry about the other teams when it really matters.

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[unfortunateson]

I did not say it was shameful. Nor did I ever say I would not sacrifice myself. Do not bring that into this.

I am telling you that we must assume that everyone feels the same way you do.

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[righthandsmoke]

I'm not saying you should! None of Ruby should! We're not that kind of team! Your the one acting like making ourselves lose on purpose is some fucking noble bullshit, and I don't agree.

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[unfortunateson]

That is not my point! I am not making us lose on purpose! I am saying that the chance that the other teams will make us lose on purpose is too great to ignore! We are choosing between two different ways of earning one point! One of them will help no one, and one will help a friend of yours, and a friend of mine! Is that really something that would make you devalue yourself, Wrath?!

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[righthandsmoke]

So you're giving up.

Whatever. It doesn't fucking matter. Go lose if you want.

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[unfortunateson]

Wrath--

[stops, and hangs his head]

. . . Wrath, I apologize . . . a game which I am willing to lose is not a game worth upsetting you over. May I propose--let us take each round as it comes. We will see how our position changes after this round. If--if we are doing well when it comes to the second and third round, and we are paired with someone we have reason to believe will not betray us . . .

Let us do this one round at a time, instead of deciding now to betray or stay faithful.

I am sorry.

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[righthandsmoke]

. . . Aa. I can agree to that.

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[unfortunateson]

Thank you, then. That--sounds most reasonable anyway.

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[righthandsmoke]

. . . I'll try not to argue so much if you guys don't agree with me this way too.

Re: [DISCUSSION]

[unfortunateson]

All right. Yes. It is best that everyone is heard.