Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"Oh well. I guess we can't discuss plans over dinner then." I say.

"Why would you suggest something you knew we couldn't do?" Artemis asks, suspicious.

 

Emerald sighs.
"Okay, you misunderstood. Ali can cook. Some people like nice conversations over dinner. If you want to recruit someone to help you fight, since most of your allies seem to be incapacitated or ignored, try asking Ali to cook a meal for them and see if the more diplomatic approach works."

 

"So, get a bunch of people to go to a dinner?" I ask.

 

Emerald shrugs.
"It was a suggestion. What you like, what makes you want to support a cause isn't the same for everyone else. If you want more allies, find those who are able and try to make them willing."

 

"So go to Gaia's place and offer them all dinner?" I ask.

 

Emerald sighs.
"Artemis, do you understand any of what I'm getting at or no?"

 

"Allies through relatability and understanding?" Artemis asks.

 

Emerald lets out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you. That's the first part. The second was that trying to use different means for others to relate might help. Not everyone wants to know the harsh realities, but they might be willing to help if they know that they can make little contributions that can add up."

 

"We could use some extra arms in the army too." I say, thinking.

 

"You never know who you might find. They might not be the best of the best, but if you get enough good smiths working on weapons and armor, enough researchers who have enough resources to actually research, enough people to go around and pool information together, then they'll make an impact."
Pause.
"Just saying. I'm not saying that all the elites haven't been a help, but you've been making big hits on big forces while you leave the less major parts of the Hive Master's reach unchecked. He's been using the little things against you, I figure you could do the same."

 

"Alright, sounds like a plan." I say, nodding.

 

Emerald smiles.
"...Of course, you need to not die for that."

 

"I thought the hive master didn't mind control Gaia's...people?" I ask.

 

"He didn't - or if he did, not many. They also don't have much knowledge he would want out of them - he's looking to conquer everyone, not hold his ground. If there's anyone who knows the defense side of a battle, it would be Miorah."

 

"But that doesn't make sense. Attempting to conquer everyone without holding ground is doomed to fail. We can just undo his work if he holds no ground around the gods." Artemis says.

 

"Troops! Get these soldiers in irons. Raygyon has somewhere to be."

I stand ready to beat more of the soldiers

 

"If you leave no resistance, then you don't need to play defense. Besides, it's not like his offense is leaving us much to counterattack with. You have inflicted zero net losses when you managed to drag Gaia across realities and not get chased."

There... aren't any here yet.
"I asked you to bring me some... are you sure the drugs wore off?"

 

"I'm not quite sure, to be honest. I need to meditate soon. Wait here."

I go off to search for the soldiers in the camps

 

The messenger is bringing a few back.
"How many did you kill? Wait, better question, how many aren't dead?"

 

"Three are alive. One has been partially blinded, however. Patch up the bleeding before you put him in chains."