Legend

Myriad Reality

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And that means people are vying for it.

@Inimical

It does appear that way. I’m rather disinterested in participating.

Myriad Reality

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Like I said, I want information after being gone so long. And once it clicked, you became a lot more enticing. But you’re not in the driver’s seat anymore, is that so?

@Inimical

Correct. Nobody is.

Myriad Reality

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Yeah, not by face. But you’re one of those Tier Fives aren’t you?

@Inimical

Ah, the Tier System is no more—that much has changed since you entered slumber. I'm curious as to your reasoning.

Myriad Reality

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Now that I really put some thought into it, I know who you are as well.

@Inimical

I’m sorry?

Myriad Reality

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Surely it's quicker to just find out. Same end result regardless.

@Inimical

Quicker, but amicable terms may allow both of our parties to walk away satisfied.

Myriad Reality

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Calling it needless is a bit of a discredit, I believe. It really is a thrilling sport.
*Folds my hands behind my back*
If she were willing to answer every question I ask without fail, hesitation, or lies, I suppose that the benefits wouldn't be entirely lost. I won't say they outweigh the alternative for me, but it could be acceptable.

@Inimical

In a situation where violence is the equilibrium state, that proposal is very likely to spiral into it. Perhaps if a neutral third party were to vet the questions in advance, we could verify whether such an exercise would be a waste of time for all of us.

Myriad Reality

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Hm. You care a lot about the girl, don’t you?

@Inimical

More so than you likely do. I’ve not known her long, but I’m not an advocate for needless killing.

Myriad Reality

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A compelling argument. Allow me to say firstly that I do enjoy the thrill of the hunt as well and that is a motivator. That said, a bank of information as you describe is only useful in its fullest capacity if they are unwaveringly cooperative. Would she be willing to answer any and every question I have, with a pledge to honesty? Hmm?

@Inimical

Perhaps—that would be her right to decide. But as a man with such a broad collection, you certainly understand the value of information. And from that perspective, we are all more valuable to you as allies than enemies.

Myriad Reality

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I appreciate the appeal to ego, but not the use of it to goad me to a change if mind. Let’s hear the information.

@Inimical

External to hidden motivations, which I would recommend you verbalize, the advantages to combat include using the elements after your slumber, learning the secrets of the Ilouro, and acquiring a new trophy.
*Walks toward Akora and places my hand against her back*
Your third objective already conflicts with the second. Any secrets not revealed by combat will be lost. As a store of knowledge, she's infinitely more valuable alive. The first objective, frankly, can be accomplished via other means. Unless our understanding of your own value propositions are completely disjointed, I believe we can come to a much more amicable agreement for both sides.

Myriad Reality

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Not impossible, but I’m a stubborn guy, Mister Stream.

@Inimical

Then out of respect for your own interests, I'll cut to the heart of this negotiation. My objective is to convince you that peace is of greater net value to you than violence. Unless you cannot incorporate new information into decisions, which a man of your caliber surely can, then that should be an agreeable end state.