Your Move Pt 2

Voice 4: Hush, child. While speculation is all well and good, it is not anyone’s business to pry. As for yourself, I do believe your focus should be on your own gameplay. It is your turn soon.

Voice 3: TISK! Whatever…

*There was a long pause as Voice 3 settles into there seat scanning over there deck, umming and arring from what seemed like an bothersome amount of time. Before setting on one of his cards.*

Voice 3: Shame… this one doesn't like working with other but maybe…. If I… Yes that might work.

Voice 1: Careful. If you aren’t vigilant and mind your thoughts you might let something vital slip to your opponents. I thought you knew how this game works by now.

Voice 3: OH. Shut. Up. Let me think!!!! Oi, (Voice 2), that tree over there. You see it?

Voice 2: Indeed. I assume you have some need for it rather than it be an idle observation.

Voice 3: ….What would one need to do in order to wake the damn thing from its dormancy? In truth if it did awaken it might pose a threat to my … pawn but it used correctly it could be a useful training tool.  

Voice 2: Hm…*Looks down at the image with thoughtful eyes* If you’re intent on such a course of action….A drop of blood from either one of divinity or tainted blood, a fresh human body to entice and the dark oppressiveness of a hateful grudge. After all, that is a corrupted thing. One cannot expect a clean awakening.

Voice 3: A corpse and a grudger...Where am I going to-

*Voice 3 looked down a the location in which his pawn dwelled. A young couple seemed to be arguing, the young man's family seemed to have a distaste for the partner he had brought. She was a beauty, but a poor girl from the other side of the village known for their farm lands. The young man dragged the girl away from the family, down a near road where they could be alone. He hugged her, but there was stress and doubt in both their eyes, doubt that could be exploited. A grudge that could be used for (Voice 3’s) purposes.

The girl decided maybe they needed to take a break. Angrily, the young man yelled back but then composed himself, saying they were both stressed and were not thinking properly. That they should go on a date next week and clearly think things though. The girl meekly nodded and left the man, saddened and alone, promising himself that he would find a way to work things out, even if they had to start a life in a new town.*

Voice 3: Since you been eagerly peering over my shoulder salivating on what you could do, what do you have in mind, lover boy? Could you do your thing and set up a stake where he could almost lose his mind? Let the darkness take hold.

Voice 1: You make it sound like I’m a ravenous beast.

Voice 3: But you are though my lord... You are.

Voice 1 : *Cool Smile* Oh really? I’m not the one with a beast’s blood in my own. But please, do remain in denial over that. After all, this is a little more interesting. It does seem the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree in tactical maneuvers. And people curse at me for such misfortunes. Ha!

*Despite the cynical words, Voice 1 peers at the scene, a hand absently touching to their chin in thought*

Voice 1: Asking me to ‘make’ someone do anything is a little ironic…..however, in this case...well, it wouldn’t even really be too much work. The seeds of corruption lie in any soul. Just a little push, I think….Yes, It would not be too much work. Still, how cruel of you.

Voice 3: You’re right, I do have a beast's blood running through my veins. But I will say this: it’s from one similar to you, not me. Besides, I never asked you do affect them, just set the scene. If you want to do more work, then, by all means, I’ll enjoy the show.

Voice 1: Ah, to know you drive others to see you as bestial. You must be proud (Voice 2).

Voice 2: Let the child run their mouth. They may say something wise one day. And I assure you, I am your mirrored self. Any bestial behavior I may have is more than apparent in you, SWINE.

Voice 4: Enough, all of you!

*Voice 1 just chuckles slightly at Voice 2’s temper. After all, they got a rise out of her as they had wanted. Still, they just shot her a smirk before turning back to Voice 3, clapping hands together*

Voice 1: Apologies, (Voice 4). To the topic at hand….(Voice 3), by all means, I would certainly not pass up an opportunity to take extra turns if I’m being handed such a boon. Very well, I see no reason not to follow through for now. Still, you seem keen to share in this despite us hardly having an alliance set up. What is your scenario here?

Voice 3: Nothing in particular, apart from a mentally unstable lover pushed to point of insanity, attacking his lover in a deep dark woods, forcing a grudge-born spirit to be born, waking up a certain tree. Me, using your nature to my advantage, that's all.

*Voice 3, reached over to a chalice filled with water and a small needle, picking their delicate finger and drawing out a bead of blood ,allowing it to flow into the now tainted water. Before pouring it onto the board, focusing on the lifeless tree. It seemed to bend and grown, pushing and pulling at its roots to find nourishment.*

Voice 1: Ah, mutual using. Fair enough.

*Not rising to the bait about their so called nature, Voice 1 absently reached over to the representation of the young man from before, resting a finger on his head, lips twitching into a quirk of a smile as they reached through the man’s psyche*

Voice 1: *Humming* They do say the road to hell is pathed with good intentions.

*It was easy enough to tweak things. Though it would take at least a few days to truly take an effect where the man would even believe it all his own ideas, whether through insanity or through calculated intent. However, a few days in a game such as this meant nothing to the Players*

Voice 1: Now then, I wonder just how this scenario will play out…? It’s always interesting to see the depravity sentient beings delve into. Of course, there is only so much influence I have here, but when it’s time, your little pet tree will have what it needs.

Voice 3: Thank you. Now, (Voice 2), you have one of your pawns. My I have it and all associated with it for this game? I’ll give you the same valued pawns from my deck, if-

Voice 2: I believe I know whom you mean. However, it is not without conditions. If you cannot keep to these, then you forfeit your right to them, Understand? As for the conditions...This piece cannot be swayed from the path of ‘light’. Similarly, at the halfway point, they shall be tested. Should they be swayed or fail, then you lose all hold upon them. Agreed?

Voice 3: ...Agreed

Voice 1: Oh? You’re allowing me to play with this one?

*Peering at the piece to see who it might be before their eyes narrow, a slow smile crossing their face*

Voice 1: Ah, it’s you….*They laugh quietly, anticipation in their eyes*

Voice 3: Huh, the beast is salivating again. Gross!

Voice 2: Agreed.

Voice 3: Go easy on that one - I think you’ve done enough damage there, don't you think?

Voice 1: You’ve essentially given me permission - why would I not anticipate finishing a game that had been interrupted? I wonder how easy it might be to twist this one. Will they break like the others, or will they persevere? Will this piece become mine once I make them fail you both so utterly?

Voice 2 & 3: *Unison* I won't allow that, SWINE!

Voice 1: *Smiling* We’ll see. Still, you are the ones setting up a limit to this piece. Should they lose by falling to darkness or at the mid point, then they will be of no use to you. They would become mine, after all. Your own rules claim it thus. Remember that.

*(Voice 4) Threw a book at (Voice 1’s) head, while (Voice 2 & 3 giggled in the background).*

Voice 3: BOOM!!! Headshot!!!

Voice 2: *Snicker* Well, the pig had it coming…. Literally!

Voice 4: Paragraph 3, Section B: Hero Treatment, Page 37 states thus: It is forbidden that pieces, incarnated heroes or otherwise, be claimed by other gods by falling. It is the duty of the owner deity to keep them on the chosen path. However, a hero, incarnated or otherwise may be tested should the occasion arise. *Narrowed eyes* The signature on the front and back of the book binds us to this. We do not wish for a repeat of last time, now do we? That was a mess we all had to deal with and I do not wish to have a repeat scenario.

Voice 1: Perhaps so. Officially, at least. But recall this - if they act of their own free will, even if they are not a piece owned by myself, then the rules wouldn’t apply. The problem with such a curse, is it not? Likewise, should they fall, it hardly stops anyone from preventing an opponent from ‘playing’ with them still. I would literally be breaking no rules. Perhaps one should not leave so many loopholes next time. Of course, knowing you all, you’d dispose of your own trash, wouldn’t you? That is, after all, what you’ve shown to do so well in the past.

Voice 3: It is the duty of the god to keep the hero on the right tact according to the morals of said god. Though they may be in my possession now, they are still governed by (Voice 2’s) laws and if she says that this piece STILL belongs to her and will be on the path she had laid for them, THEN be it the pieces choice or otherwise, she WILL remain on the side that bares the light. The only power you have here is to test her resolve. That is ALL. Just like (Voice 2) cannot drag the fallen from you. The same rules apply. The only exception is me, and still, I’m the middle ground, where they fall completely or deny you both is my choice. And, for all intents and purposes, I intend to keep that particular pawn on the side of light. Otherwise it fucks with my plan and sorry, handsome, I'm not having that. Not in this game, no sir, no sir, no sir. And if you want to cross me, you’ll be answering to my claws.

Voice 1: Temper temper. But fine, have it your way. But recall that while you’re all so intent on keeping my curse in play amongst pieces, they will not always respond to any plans entirely the way any of us may wish. Just remember that. Of course *Dark smile* If you wish it gone so badly so they’ll play to your rules so well, then you’ll just have to let me win this game, won't you?

*Voice 1 laughs, knowing they would never do that. Instead, they pick up the book that had been thrown at their head, even if they hadn’t even really reacted to it having bounced off him earlier, absently thumbing the pages*

Voice 1: Still, it matters not. I have my fun either way, whether that one falls for not, whether it sticks to our rules or not. It fits in to my own plans nicely enough. Therefore, I have no issues with this. Of course, throw things at me again and I might just decide to go a little too far in the test and have the piece removed from play entirely. That…*They hold up the relevant pages with a dark smile* is not against any rules. Play nice, children.

Voice 4: Remove anything from play and I will remove you! You are not irreplaceable - remember that. You are not above me, child. Snuffing out your light would merely take a moment, so keep your threats to a minimum. Understood?

*(Voices 2 & 3) gulped. It was the first time in a while that they had seen (Voice 4) show any sort of hostility, or even drop his presence. Raising his hand in submission to brush the tempered deity off, (voice 1) settled back in to his seat with plotting eyes.*

Voice 3: Can I finish my turn now?

Voice 4: Yes dear, go one.

*Voice 3’s eyes narrowed picking a single card from his deck, kissing it and placing it onto the board, it sunk down and fluttered into the a temple.*

Voice 3: Just in case. This might come in handy, but lets hope it doesn't come to that.

[END]