thefarshore | Heaven's BBS

[Oh. Well, okay, fine, maybe he'll let that one pass... although it still kind of annoys him that apparently Axel understood that even though Add didn't.]

So far, we can only conclude that it doesn't discriminate between god or shinki. It's possible she's the only one unaffected, but we'd need more data to be sure. [Unless Axel tested anyone else before Add arrived, it would just be them. Three people (four including Pippa) is far from being a proper collection of sample data.]

Just me, plus you two so far. And I'm not feeling it at other temples, either.

[Axel crosses his arms, considering the door.

Well... so it's not because of their being gods or shinki. And it's not about whose shinki they are, because he's Pippa's, and if anyone outside her should be welcome in the place, isn't it him?]

Just the three of us...

[Two shinki and a god. That eliminated the possibility that only shinki were affected. So what else set Pippa apart from them that could easily be discerned?

He weighs that thought for a few moments before commenting further]

She's a god like me, but she's a girl and I'm not. You should see if another girl's affected, since that's the most obvious difference between her and us, without learning more about her.

[... Well, that would be the next obvious choice. They need more data to work with either way.]

A female shinki and a different female god would be most effective, then. Still, there could be other factors we're not considering, so we should perform further testing on individuals of both genders and castes. At least three or four of each should paint a clearer picture of the criteria.

You seriously think that could be it? I didn't think about...

[He glances at Add. Three or four people? Of each possible group? Ugh.] Look, let's just see if there's anything different about anybody showing up before you start parading tour groups through here, got it?

I'll see if I can find anybody to ask. Thanks.

If all else fails, you can offer free food.

[He shrugs, having seen this tactic work before.

Offer people food and they'll probably show up, Monad had taught him that among other things]

Kukuku, yes, that should work quite easily. It's a common strategy to use bribery like that to gather willing research subjects... The data would be more accurate if they're unaware of the purpose of the research, so why not simply disguise it as an open invitation for a party? That should attract at least a few more idiots.

[Sorry, Axel, but it's too late now. You already made the mistake of inviting Add over, now he's not going to leave until he has enough sample data to write a twenty-page thesis about it.

Also he's just assuming Pippa is okay with all of this. It's not like they have to tell her or anything, right?? Maybe it'll be more interesting if it catches her by surprise...]

I'm not throwing a party. Too much work. Though, hey, if you want to throw one, just clear it with Pippa first.

[He's already sicced a couple of bizarre interior decorators on her. He's pretty sure that if he brings in an experimental party, too, he's just going to wind up cast out on the streets for good.

And she's not that bad.]

[Roxas folds his arms across his chest, weighing that thought]

There might be other ways to get people here, but food's the simplest one.

Just pretend you're throwing a party and survey those who show up. They only need to walk through the door, correct? So they wouldn't know if it's really a party or not until after they've entered, and by then we'd already have what we need from them.

Unless you have any better ideas, I think that would work just fine.

Or I could just ask them to come over.

Hey, it worked on you two. [There's got to be enough helpful -- or curious -- people to pick out the real reason why the temple kicks people out.]

Not everyone's all that generous with their time... But it's your choice in the end.

[He's always thought of Axel as a charismatic figure, though he knows that's owed at least in part to a borrowed personal bias]

[And to that Add is just going to ~sigh dramatically~ what a boring option...]

Fine, if you want to do it the slow way. Disguising it as a large gathering would be the same thing but more effective, and you'd need a believable excuse to call that many people over anyway. But it's your choice, I guess.

[Add just wants to disappoint a whole ton of people over a fake party and/or watch Pippa get mad about it. You're no fun, Axel.]

Hey, you throw all the fake parties you want. I'm playing it safe. Let me tell you, if getting my goddess pissed at me makes it worse, inviting half the Far Shore is not the way to solve my problem.

Hey, thanks for coming by, though.

[Axel eyes the door -- so innocent-looking, so obnoxiously hard to get beyond -- and, after a moment, shrugs and turns to head away from the building. The crystal tree leaves chime gently against one another overhead.]

[Well, that's that. Roxas turns his attention to Add. He figures he'll head back to his own place, since his business is done here]

Do you want a lift back to the temple?

[As opposed to walking up all those steps himself later...]

Mm, fair enough. I suppose it wouldn't be wise for you to intentionally irritate your own god. [and Add isn't sure if he really wants to be that much effort into researching someone else's problem.

When his own god makes him an entirely reasonable offer, though, he reflexively scowls a little. It would be faster and easier... but that would mean admitting he needs help getting around. And why is Roxas being so helpful?? It's suspicious.

He crosses his arms, stepping away from the building as well.]

I can walk. [screw u roxas how dare you be nice]

Alright.

[He shrugs then, supposing Add might benefit from the exercise since he's chosen that route]

Don't be late for dinner.

[And with that, he vanishes]

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