Coral * First, why don't we determine the actual object of this debate. —Polyta— Negotiation. Coral * Right, this negotiation. * By my understanding, Proteus, your belief is that the residents of Hollidae haven't been working hard enough, and that for whatever reason you see this as suboptimal. —Proteus— Quite correct, Coral. Understand this: leisure has made your people weak. I merely aim to cast you in the crucible of toil, to harden your wills. For the sake of yourselves and the world. Coral * That's a very interesting perspective! * I feel like we ought to define our terms, here. * First of two: what is "hard work"? * I'd call it effort. Exertion, not just of the physical variety, but anything that demands significant attention toward some productive end. —Proteus— It seems we are in agreement, at least on this point. Coral * Right! So we're on the same page. * Now, if we look at the isle of Hollidae through that lens, what do we see? * We see them managing supply lines, building fortifications, and fighting fiercely against your forces. * By any definition, that must be hard work! —Proteus— You mean to tell me my attacks have motivated your people to toil, as I desire? Coral * You can hardly deny it. From this perspective, you've already won! —Proteus— Meaning that as soon as my hostilities cease, the motivation for your hard work will evaporate, and you will return to your prior ways? Coral * Aw, he's good. —Proteus— Perhaps I should ensure your torments never cease, by your line of reasoning. Coral * Now let's just hold on a second. * I want to move on to the second term in dire need of defining: "Weakness". * Because hard work itself isn't the terminal value, clearly. It's "weakness" that you consider problematic. * This raises the question-- what is weakness? * I would define it as-- —Proteus— I know what weakness is, Coral. It is the inability to impose your will upon the world. The distance between your intent and your outcomes. To be WEAK is to be subject to the whims of greater forces, resigned to whichever fate they deign for you. Coral * But even if I accept that definition -- your definition -- * Even that fails to include our people! * We have resisted the greater force of your armies. We have proven that we can stand on our own against your slings and arrows! * If we were weak, then by your own definition we would have fallen to your forces by now! —Proteus— Hmph. Perhaps you have discovered some lingering reserves of strength... Coral * Reserves that have exceeded yours! —Proteus— ...But even so. If I allow you to rest upon your laurels, you will remain unprepared against what greater threats may come. Coral * What greater threat exists? * Surely you, Proteus, Father of Beasts, god of flame and magic and sheer will, you are the mightiest figure in this world! —Proteus— If you mean to flatter me, it shall achieve nothing. Coral * Can you prove me wrong? * If we have proven ourselves prepared for you, then we're prepared for anything! —Proteus— Are you, Coral? Are you prepared for this world falling to pieces? Coral * Okay, uh... there's a lot of ways you could define... that. —Proteus— Don't tell me you haven't seen it. Holes in the world. The fabric of existence itself is wearing thin, and the veil tears open. Coral * Like... doors? —Proteus— That lead to somewhere they shouldn't. Coral * I might know about that... —Proteus— With each passing moment, the realms are stretched farther from their natural state, their elements twisted within each other until they are left unrecognizable. Connections in space that shouldn't be, lostlings in worlds where they don't belong. There are more every day. Coral * You mean...? Coral * Okay. Right. * But let's stop and think about this! Because when you dig down here, at what is actually happening, is it really so bad? * Sure, there's a little more extradimensional travel than there used to be, but... * Can't we get used to that? —Proteus— You think it will stop here!? Perhaps I did not make myself clear, Coral, reality is BREAKING! It's minor now. But what next? What happens when this corruption worsens? If what is happening to these doors begins to spread, when this fracturing continues-- this could unravel our very beings! Coral * You're scared. —Proteus— No--! ...Perhaps. If you were wiser, you would be too. Coral * Okay-- okay! I can understand that! * But that-- isn't that what love is for? * To bring us together, so we might face our fears by each other's side? * I'm sure we can work together on this! With your power, combined with that of the Goddess-- —Proteus— The Goddess? My SISTER!? What I wouldn't GIVE for my sister's HELP! Coral * So let's--! —Proteus— You cannot IMAGINE the power she has! Power we NEED in this critical time! And what does she do with it!? She SEQUESTERS FROM THE WORLD to play DOLLS on her ISLAND!!! —Proteus— The world CRUMBLES around her ears and she-- she does NOTHING! We are DOOMED, Coral, this WORLD is DOOMED to fall into the abyss if nothing is DONE! The COST of MY SISTER'S IGNORANCE will be OBLIVION!! For ALL OF US!!! AND I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO FACE THAT TERROR ALONE! Coral * I-- um--! —Helen— HEY!! Enough, back off!!! I'm calling time out! —Girlbeast Alexi— That, uh. That got kinda weird, boss. —Proteus— ...I merely lost my composure. Forget what you heard. —Silencing Knight— ...... —Helen— Everything alright, Coral? You seemed pretty shaken back there. Coral * I'm... I think I'm fine. * Thanks for asking. —Helen— Oh, I-- I mean I don't even-- Coral * Ahah, I know. It's just for the sake of the mission, right? —Helen— Yeah, that. You good to keep going, or...? Coral * I... yeah. * Yeah, okay. I think I can crack this guy. * Focus on collaboration as a pathway out, hammer the inefficiency of his current course of action... * It might get tricky, but with enough effort I'm sure-- Coral * --!!?