No party like an pope party??

[archboxer]

[That... that was a thing for everyone. There should be no celebration for Lif but, well, even if Rhea has a very cynical view of such things it's probably for the best that everyone stays together. Her first stop is the cafeteria, after all nothing better to keep people in one spot than free food. There she bumps into Mira, leaving the snacks to her Rhea ends up writing notes to everyone to come to the cafeteria in a few hours.

Some she hands personally and if she can't find someone she slid it under their door. Rin's she slides into her room regardless.

Fortunately, you won't hear a sermon.]

Comments

[mouflon]

[ It takes some time before Rin appears. She's spent the past two weeks keeping a wall between herself and her fellow prisoners, even as she counted them as tentative allies — and after the events of today, that seems like a wiser idea than ever. One of their number killed, and now that the Pandora's box has been opened, she doubts any of them will manage to close the lid again.

But, even so, she does show up. Eventually. Whatever emotions she had been feeling at the end of the trial have been neatly boxed up and tucked away where only she can see them, a cool smile on her face. ]

Wow. Looks like the rabble's all here, hm?

[ The remark just slips out of her. You know, much like Rhea's during the trial. ]

[archboxer]

[Her. Rhea would have liked to have not given her an invitation, to have begun the process of shutting her out completely but that wasn't wise not after that display during the trial.]

Being hospitable is a virtue.

[She shouldn't be petty towards this girl but... there's something there. She knows the type and hates that she didn't realize it before. Not just a thief or a mercenary. No... someone who purposefully sought out disorder.

Someone who would always be a threat to someone with absolute authority.]

[mouflon]

[ She's actually surprised that Rhea responds to her directly. It's a point in her favor, even if that single point doesn't stack very high next to the kind of person Rin has already decided Rhea is. ]

Is that so? Mind telling me what other virtues your church values, then? I can already tell being nonjudgmental isn't one of them, so I'm curious about what else I can expect out of the great Archbishop.

[archboxer]

For one, we do not normally ask someone if they were targeted by assassins based on their personality.

[Really, that should have been a red flag to what sort of person Rin was.]

[mouflon]

Oh? I'm sorry, you must have misunderstood me the other day. I was asking if those assassination attempts were thanks to your policies, not your personality. I can tolerate someone who is unlikable, but a person who abuses their power is a different story.

[archboxer]

There is nothing I can say that will be properly defend myself. Any leader with a long career will have many that dislike their policies. Any reason, even a bad harvest, can be cause for a rebellion or assassination. Those who do not think ahead about what happens afterwards... they are nothing but warmongers, beasts who seek blood or wealth. I pray that you are just young.

[mouflon]

Sure, I can write off one assassination attempt like that. But more than that? Asking me to believe you're being innocently wronged is just naive.

[emberserker]

Apparently. [Anna looks up from her bowl with a frown.] You two don't get along, do you?

[mouflon]

Apparently not. Would you be surprised if I said that's only the second time we've spoken to each other?

[emberserker]

Not entirely. Some people are just like that.

[She says, having thrown a box of laundry soap at Birkin after one conversation.]

I'm surprised, she usually seems more reasonable.

[mouflon]

It's like I said: all people with power are the same. If I'm a threat to one, I'm a threat to all of them, so neither of us can abide by the other.

[emberserker]

Is it all that simple where authority is concerned? It isn't as if they all get along themselves.

[mouflon]

Well, you're right about that. I wouldn't be able to fight against my enemies without their enemies bankrolling me. But... Think of it this way. If wealth is important to you, wouldn't you be wary of a burglar even when they've shown no interest in your home?

[drladysounds]

Um, ouch.

[That was quite the remark]

Your words are as sharp as ever.

[Which may not be entirely undeserved, really. Better to be like that, maybe?]

[mouflon]

Hey, I'm not the one who thinks there's anything wrong with being rabble. You'll have to thank Rhea for that.

[drladysounds]

I would rather stay away from her for the time being.

[It was unwelcome, really. But Shelley can tolerate those borrowed words coming from Rin because, well, she knows Rin a little better]

[mouflon]

[ Yeah, that's probably the benefit of being lowkey (or highkey) rude all the time. It's a lot less startling than seeing the mask crack. ]

I have to tell you, I'm not used to hearing people take my side. It's kind of nice.

[drladysounds]

Surely it has to happen more often and in better circumstances than this!

[Rin isn't unreasonable, she's sure there has to be more opportunities for people to agree with her!]

[lovelikeyou]

[Rose...actually chuckles, just a bit. She wasn't a fan of everything that went on in there, and Rin seems so harsh most of the time...but she can usually get behind an anti-authoritarian sentiment.]

I guess we are.

[mouflon]

[ Oh, hey. Mid-trial argument buddies. ]

I'd apologize, [ no she wouldn't ] but I assume you understand where I'm coming from. Right?

[lovelikeyou]

There are...a lot of reasons I rebelled against Gem society. I'm not sure what Jasper has told anyone here about Homeworld, but...

[okay look she could dish but now she's thinking that might not be appropriate right now??? she'll just give an overview?]

There are three Diamonds who rule Gem society. Their word - their every whim - is absolute. And they don't care about anyone or anything.

[mouflon]

Whatever she's said, she hasn't said it to me. I owe her for the knife now, but we didn't exactly get off on the right foot, either.

But I get it. The kind of people who want to rule the world are never the ones you can trust to do it.

[lovelikeyou]

It's not entirely her fault. They start programming Gems when we're still in the ground. But I don't know how I could ever convince her that she deserves better.

[She does, even when she's gotta be like that. All Gems do. Especially the ones born on Earth.]

They want to rule the entire universe. They'll colonize any planet they come across, and destroy any life that's there. [...] I guess you heard about some of that.

[of course her and jasper's fight came back to colonization in the end]

[baitless]

...could we please not pick fights in the middle of the dining hall.

[LIKE... YOU KNOW... IT'S NOT... IT'S NOT HELPFUL... PLEASE DON'T GIVE HIM A HEADACHE LIKE THIS...]

[mouflon]

[ Y...eah... Seteth was the most tolerable Anime Religious person Rin has met, but unfortunately he's now guilty by association in her eyes. ]

If you want me to hold my tongue when she insults me, you're out of luck. You're her advisor, so keep her on a tighter leash next time.