Loveless Survey

[youmaynot]

Please put your Name and Team Name in the subject line! (ie: Tiger's Eye - Phoenix)

For each topic you may list 2-3 threads that you feel exemplify your answers. You don't need to complete each section, but please don't submit incomplete sections. Surveys are due at 6pm PST on July 1st

Words

1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?
   
2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?
   
3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?

Bonds

1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
   
2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
   
3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?

Change

1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
   
2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?
   
3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?

Any additional thoughts/comments:

Comments

Sapphire - Apple

[appleofhiseye]

Words

1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?; Not at all. Why would I do such a thing?
2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?; None in particular. I already know that words are important.
3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?; I didn't do anything of the sort so I wouldn't know. There isn't a benefit to hurting people with words.



Bonds

1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?; I don't think my understanding of him weakened at all. I always knew him fairly well. I think it strengthened in the sense that I have a better idea of ways in which we are alike, but also the ways in which we are different. ((Relevant thread))
2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?; Strength from Tavros? Uhm...it was nice to have someone there to support me, and let me support him. Being able to support each other is the greatest strength you can have, after all. ((Relevant Thread))
3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?; At the moment it seemed to work fine with Tavros...Maybe Obi would have been good too but then we wouldn't have done much of anything. ((Relevant Thread))



Change

1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?; You mean the cat ears? I don't even know! What was the point of that, exactly? It was so random. From what I could tell there wasn't any correlation between that and being paired up, it was just thrown in randomly and some people ended up with them? That sort of thing should be explained clearly, you know.
2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?; Everyone called the cat ears cute and wanted to pet them. You could say those with cat ears were treated in a more childish fashion, but it was mostly because everyone found it amusing and cute.
3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?; Private affairs? I don't know what you're talking about.



Any additional thoughts/comments: Why do we have cat ears and tails, it doesn't have any connection to pairs at all...

Jasper - Erika

[thinkoutsidethebox]

Words
1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?
Very well, and very effective, of course. It's to be expected, since that's my area of expertise.

2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?
I already knew the power of words quite well, thank you.

3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?
I was able to pinpoint people's weaknesses, insecurities, and hesitations. I was able to state my own position with confidence. Though, again, that's hardly different from usual.

v. Lightless
v. Timeless
v. Limitless

Bonds
1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
I'm not sure I'd say there was any change in understanding, but perhaps there was an increase in appreciation...? Lady Lambdadelta was an effective enough partner. Even her weaknesses were useful.

2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
...I suppose it can be good to work with someone as long as they're competent.

3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?
There's no one.

initial thread with Lambda
uses what she's knows is Lambda's weakness against Naha

Change
1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
People gained cat ears and tails. It was based on their virginity.

2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?
Well, I don't think enough people figured it out for there to be any major societal stigma, if that's what you're asking... and the social standards aren't the same here, in any case. Well, I don't doubt that there were a few conversations about this new knowledge, and perhaps some offers to help them lose their ears.

3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?
I don't mind private affairs being pulled into the open, but this is just a pointless advertisement of supposed "innocence." It's drawing a line that's no more relevant than any other facts you could attach to people's heads in the form of fluffy ears, and it gives it an undue amount of weight and focus.

with Ritsuka
with Sakuya

Any additional thoughts/comments:
Merely from that much information, this level of performance is possible for Furudo Erika. What do you think, Mother...?

Naha/Ruby

[wildnight]

Words

1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?

Words are not my strength, not in the end. Must as I enjoy them, they were never my first weapon and I like them best when they are double edged. The girl used them against me. My brother, on the other hand... pushed me passed words.

2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?

There is no change. I knew their power before.

3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?

My words protected us, even if they did not bring others to submit.

Doubtless.
Friendless.

Bonds

1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?

We did not wish to acknowledge our bond. He is a reminder of terrible time, for me. This game changed that. It showed me that our suffering was shared. He is not my enemy...

Or relationship is still not comfortable, but it is improved.

2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?

There is power in shared suffering, and we have an embarrassment of that.

3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?

Yeine, perhaps. But I do not think she is ready for that... We have had too little time together here.

Rocky start.
Friendless battle again.
A story he deserves to hear.

Change

1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?

Some people were given cat ears and tails—the virgins among us.

2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?

They were far more likely to be petted.

3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?

I think it depends on the person. Some might welcome it. Others might find it an invasion of their privacy. Some might judge others, and some might have very little interest in the particulars of others' love lives.

Perhaps it would be useful, seeing that children don't grow up too fast. On the other hand, who's to day that sex makes an adult.

...Either way, I might find myself subject to more questions.



Any additional thoughts/comments:

Jasper - Star

[mirroredvalue]

Words

1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?

So-so? Did pretty badly in the first game where we were playing a counter based strategy. In the second one, we decided to try and make the game as fun and fluffy as possible, and while we lost according to the rules, we managed to get the other side to play the way we wanted, so Star would say that we did pretty well there! We weren't really trying to bring "those who opposed us" into submission in the first place, so it doesn't matter that we "lost" that one.

2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?

...That it's a good idea to set up boundaries beforehand so that people don't get hurt? Words don't really feel more powerful than they did before the game, though.

3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?

Think we annoyed them a bit? The second game was pretty great, though! It helped us recover a lot from that first game, Star thinks.

Vs Heedless
Vs Homeless

Bonds

1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?

Understanding... Don't really know if that changed, but Star got to see Pitch in a different way. He was... pretty cool, you know? He protected Star, even though Star was supposed to be the one to protect him for the game.

2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?

Having someone important to you you know you can count on. That's something special.

3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?

There's nobody more suited than Pitch for Star. Star might not be the one best suited for Pitch, though. Star was supposed to be the one to do the protecting, after all.

Heedless freakout
Complaining to Sakuya about protection failure issues
Apologizing to Pitch/Pitch being cool

Change

1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?

You mean the cat ears and tails? Weren't they supposed to mark people as virgins?

2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?

Well, Star saw a couple people get asked to be pet, and a friend asked Star to let him pet her, but... Otherwise, not really anything?

3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?

Don't really think it would change anything? I mean, people find out about that stuff anyways, don't they? If they're interested in finding that stuff out, at least. So all it's really doing is pushing it in people's faces?

Any additional thoughts/comments:

Still don't understand why you bothered with the ears and tails, though. If they really are marking people as virgins, why bother? Seems kinda stupid and pointless.

Amethyst - Luna

[idkmybffnirvash]

Words
1. Eclipse listened. We did well.
2. Fights involve words. Everyone uses communication.
3. He created.

Bonds
1. He felt familiar. Nothing feels familiar here.
2. A partner.
3. I don't have a reason.

Change
1. There were ears and tails.
2. I was told they weren't normal.
3. I don't understand.

Any additional thoughts/comments: It will go away?

Sterling - Tiger

[heroinhisowntime]

Words
1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?
Uh, maybe too effective? I didn't really want to hurt them...

2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?
Usually just saying stuff doesn't accidentally break people's bones, right? Though, you can still accidentally hurt people by saying stuff... Is that what you were getting at? I knew that already. You shouldn't hurt people just to make a point like that.

3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?
It was fun to talk like we were heroes again with Barnaby, but it really hurt Spitfire in the end.

vs. Kingless

Bonds
1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
I dunno if it was because of the game necessarily, but I do feel like we understand each other a little better, at least. It was nice to work together on stuff! And we talked a bit.

2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
I don't think the game bond really did anything...

3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?
Of course not! We're partners, Tiger and Barnaby! I wouldn't have anyone else!

initial thread with Barnaby
finding names and talking about feelings

Change
1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
Changes in physique? Well, there were tha cat ears and tails and the tattoos, right? What do you mean criteria? It was just for the game, right?

2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?
The people with ears probably got told they looked cute a lot...?

3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?
Huh?

Sterling - Edmund

[justaking]

Words
How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?
That's really not funny, calling it submission like that. That implies servitude that no one wanted after. But the idea of power in words like that is interesting, though I've only gained the idea of it by the end of all this. It's shaping the world around you with words instead of letting it shape you.

What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?
It's not a change so much as an expansion of my understanding.

What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?
The words spoken can be painful both by the effect they created in the battle and and by the context of themselves.

[ vs Functionless ]
[ vs Boundless ]
[ vs Guileless ]


Bonds
How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
I don't even really know what to say here, I'm still processing it.

What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
[whatever was written here has been completely crossed out and blotted with ink, making it unintelligible]

Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?
I don't know about more suited because I can't imagine what it must be like to work with me. Frankly I think Jill could easily have someone who suited her more, but I'm glad she was there with me this time at the very least.

[ The usual relationship ]
[ Jill Pole is a feelings tyrant ]


Change
What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
The new ears and tail feature many of us gained because we hadn't been sexually intimate with someone before.

How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?
Honestly I didn't notice a difference, but really those of us with the new appendages were busy being outraged that something so private was being revealed without our permission.

If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?
It's a stupid change and frankly none of it is anyone's business let alone yours unless the person involved brings it up. Keep your nose out of it.

[ Poor catboy ]
[ Catpigeon tells all ]

[hallucinogenetic]

Words
1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?
2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?
3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?

Bonds
1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?

Change
1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?
3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?

GO TO HELL

Iolite - Rook

[beforehecheats]

Words
1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?
Fairly well. It does help whatever you say manifests in reality.

2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?
Words have always been powerful. I knew that before this game.

3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?
For harm, mostly doubt within the opposing team. They escalated it themselves from there. As for benefit, it made for an interesting match. Relevant battle and aftermath

Bonds
1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
Jaina and I have already discussed that we have a difference of opinion. Nothing about that has changed.

2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
Don't look too much into it. It was a fun game and nothing more.

3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?
No.

Change
1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
There were some ears and tails. Spitfire was going to figure out what they were about. I never got back to him.

2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?
There was none. It isn't that unique. Just the day before I was carrying around a fox.

3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?
So it wasn't random.

Any additional thoughts/comments:

Citrine - Ritsuka

[persnickitty]

Words

1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?

I'm the Sacrifice, not the Fighter. My words exist to support Soubi . . . though I guess, that's a power of its own, in its way. Not all power is negative, and you can use your words to do things other than harm, or force others to submit. I think that's really important. For me . . . I guess, I think, I don't believe I have a lot of power over others. Not really. But sometimes I think, the only way for me to have strength and be able to get through to other people when it's important is to put my feelings into words. If you can do that, it's really powerful—to get other people to understand your feelings by just speaking plainly and with conviction.

2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?

Is this what you wanted us to learn . . .? Of course words have power. And not even in the sense that we can use spell battles to create things and make them real. I think, along the way, the people that I talked to were also slowly coming to realize that. That spell battles aren't about the words you put together to create images and ideas. That won't win you a battle. It's psychology. It's the words that cut into you and make you question yourself, it's the ones that drive you apart from your partner, it's the ones that leave you tongue-tied and uncertain. I definitely saw a change in other peoples' understanding. I think maybe my own conviction is a little stronger now, too. Even if people didn't believe that what they could be doing was meaningful, it just became clear really fast that words can cut in ways you don't expect them to.

3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?

We tried not to hurt anybody. I don't like being made to harm anybody. But Soubi and I also weren't going to lose, either. Is that selfish and self-centered of us? . . . I think we only went there, really, when push came to shove. I think, when we battled Tactless, that things got a little out of control. Once your feelings get involved, it's sometimes hard to control your own words and the damage they cause. Dirk and Jason and Soubi . . . there were things going on there that maybe I don't even really get. But, I think, sometimes, we don't really make up our own minds about what's important to us, or the things we'd defend, until we find them challenged by somebody else's words. You can cause damage that's turned around into positive momentum. I know that's something I need sometimes to figure out where I stand. After that, though, I won't waver.

[with Dirk; with Jr; vs Boundless]

Bonds

1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?

Our bond and understanding hasn't been weakened at all. It gets stronger . . . We were happy to have it back. We were -- I don't want it to be taken away again. The connection between me and Soubi -- that's ours.

Please don't take it away again. Please don't take it away . . .

-- but I don't, I don't need it. I don't need that power, to know that I'm connected to Soubi. I won't be afraid of being alone without that, and I can just work harder to make him realize that I'm his Sacrifice and I'll never leave him. That no matter how weird our memories are or how scary things get, he's my Fighter. He's Loveless too. I already told him, we don't need promises or bonds or anything else to prove it, and not any words on our skin.

Anything I understand about him is because of the things we share, the times we spend together and the things we talk about. Every time we talk, don't we learn and understand more? There's a lot I still don't know, maybe, but that doesn't matter either. We'll just keep going.

2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?

. . . I can't really comment on the bond any more than I already did. Because it wasn't really anything new that I gained—it was something I got back. I guess, just the manifestation of what was always there. But it was really interesting having it back and being able to battle other people that weren't involved in the . . . things going on at home. Soubi's really impressive. And I want to be a better and better partner for him. I don't really know what that entails, but I want to learn. From all the things people told me, in my memories, about what I should do, and what Soubi's asked me to do as well. I want to figure out what lets us work together best so I don't bring him down. For myself, I want to know. And—it made me a little happy to work together. I wasn't afraid.

3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?

No. Absolutely not. Not ever.

[with Soubi; with Percy; vs Tactless]


Change

What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?

Obviously I know what the ears mean?? I had to tell a lot of people, you know! That was embarrassing!

How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?

I think everybody was just really confused about it? And it's going to be really weird from now on now that everybody knows what it means for me, since I'm going to keep mine. I mean, I'm used to people knowing what it means, but that was always people who also grew up with it being normal and unquestioned . . . It's just weird.

If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?

. . . I don't know. It would just be going back to normal for me. But—I guess, at home, I never really questioned why things were the way they were, or what sort of psychological effects it had. Now that I've been here and people have asked me about it and I had to explain it, I guess I've thought about it more. It's—the relativity of normality. I haven't really thought it all through yet, but—isn't it a sort of labeling? Of stigmatizing and othering, putting a normative value on something that's a social . . . construct . . .

Look, maybe it's just kind of messed up?? If it's not like that here then it doesn't need to be like that! It's just something else people use to judge others because of what they think's socially acceptable and I've had a lot of that kind of thrown in my face lately and I don't know if I care or not. I don't want to talk about it. What the hell am I doing? It's—it's just the same sort of thing everywhere you go, the pressure and expectations. This is just putting a different face on it, and it doesn't change how people think or act, so I just wish people would stop treating it like it's the fault of the ears themselves because talk about missing the point!

[with Jason; with Mirage; with Kit]

Any additional thoughts/comments:

I wonder what you really wanted us to learn from this . . .? I think there's a lot we could say. It's made me think a lot about things—like looking at my own life from a different angle. It's more subjective that way? I'm curious about other people took from it. I know, at least, from talking to a few people, that they definitely—I guess, learned some things about themselves, from the experience. But I guess there's other people that are going to be totally unaffected. I hope it helped a few people, at least, and wasn't entirely negative, even if I don't really know how I feel about it myself. There's . . . there's a lot of questions. But I guess, too, that questions are the way that I figure out what's most important.

. . . sorry. I'm tired now.

Peridot - Thistle

[fragmentedimago]

Words

1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?

Obviously, I'm the best at doing so. You aren't going to find anyone better regardless of who you pull from. We won our three fights, though the second hardly counts under the circumstances. But as you said, it's an advantage I have, and one I can't help taking advantage of. Very few of the people here are really conscious of how much their words can be used to rip the hearts out of people's metaphorical chests should they choose to do so. A fist-fight is less dangerous. Your choices of words like power and submission were good ones. Spell battles are about exposure, after all.


2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?

Why do I need to have felt a change? This is the life I live. Words create my reality already. No, no change. If anything, I expect it to change the understanding of others.


3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?

Watch your referents; you're asking what benefit I find in those I faced.

It did precisely the harm I intended, and I received precisely the benefit I hoped for. It's unkind to focus too much on the meaning of where harm is done, and uncouth to gloat too much on where benefit is received. Once the battle is over, it's best to let that go unless I intend to battle again.

(1: http://aather.dreamwidth.org/822943.html?thread=689068447#cmt689068447
2: http://aather.dreamwidth.org/824968.html?thread=691369608#cmt691369608
3: http://aather.dreamwidth.org/824083.html?thread=690011667#cmt690011667 )


Bonds

1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?

I believe Ritsuka has faith in what we could be as well as what we are, which I had not seen before. Mm, but that's it. I know Ritsuka. He knows me. What we haven't understood yet isn't something that can be understood so easily as through spell battles with untrained participants. But we cannot be weakened. We will not be weakened. That's a spell as well.


2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?

The strength we gained wasn't due to the game, but the game let us access it. On the other hand, what weakness will we gain when it is taken away again? Perhaps there will be no net gain at all.


3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?

Don't speak such nonsense.

(1: http://aather.dreamwidth.org/820854.html?thread=688121462#cmt688121462
2: http://aather.dreamwidth.org/821328.html?thread=688203600#cmt688203600 )


Change

What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?

Obviously, the got cute ears and tails because they haven't had sex. I wonder if anyone lost them in the time of this game? That'd be cute and fun. Would you let them keep the ears as trophies after?


How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?

It didn't matter here, per se, because you hadn't seen fit to inform them. If you'd wanted an accurate societal comparison you'd have had to do so. I think there was a lot of "It's cute" and "it's hideous" and "why don't I get any" and other general confusion. Ah, those informed were quickly embarrassed, though. You can't just fold two worlds together like pages from two different books and expect them to react the same way. There's no coherency to it.


If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?

It'd be a lot more comfortable, certainly. They're the ones who keep all affairs hidden and treat sexuality as invisible. Sexuality is always visible, unless you take steps specifically to disguise it. Or so I'm accustomed to.

(1: http://aather.dreamwidth.org/820854.html?thread=687606902#cmt687606902
2: http://aather.dreamwidth.org/821328.html this entire post)

Sterling - Dandelion

[everfixedmark]

Words

1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?

Well, I was the sacrifice, and honestly, Nezumi wasn't that good at taking my cues, but then, he's such a good speaker he probably just had better ideas.


2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?

Change? Words have always been one of the most powerful forces in human growth and development. They're used to bind, to free, to educate, to confine. I'm not sure how a literal word-to-force transmutation would change my view of that.


3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?

...they seemed to mostly do harm to ourselves... I don't know why my encouragement was so embarrassing? I just thought if it was impossible to not enjoy it, I could at least, um, take advantage of that...

( http://aather.dreamwidth.org/824083.html?thread=690012947#cmt690012947 )


Bonds

1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?

No change, really. He was very typically himself throughout it. I suppose that's reinforcement?


2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?

It was pleasant to feel so attached, but I don't think it was 'strength' necessarily. We've gone through so much without something like that I almost feel like it required more strength without. 'No guarantees', you know?


3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?


Of course not. If it was a partner other than Nezumi, I wouldn't have played the game.

( http://aather.dreamwidth.org/824083.html?thread=690012947#cmt690012947 )


Change

What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?

I saw some people with cat ears and a tail, but I didn't get them and neither did Nezumi. I didn't really ask them about it so I've got no clue, to be honest. Nezumi and I have such incredibly different traits that it's hard to figure out what we've got that's similar enough to both lack them.


How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?

I don't think there was any difference. Was there...?

If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?

Private affairs? Hey, what WERE those ears, anyway...? Oh... oh, wait, I think I get it now! Um, thanks for this survey... it helped put things in perspective. I don't think it's anyone else's business, so I think most people wouldn't welcome it, no. At this point it has nothing to do with me, though. I can't imagine treating anyone differently.

Tiger's Eye - Pumpkin

[imaginemeandyuu]

Words

1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?

Um, I don't really remember anything except mayo and dismembered limbs so I didn't have a lot of options to draw on for making fighting-words about. But mayo was surprisingly really effective! It really is the best food around!!


2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?

Who would have thought you could literally restrain someone completely with mayo? I'm sold! Words are the best!


3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?

MAYO. Mostly. I -- look, that's really it?

( http://aather.dreamwidth.org/824083.html?thread=690012691#cmt690012691 )
( http://aather.dreamwidth.org/824968.html?thread=691121288#cmt691121288 )

Bonds

1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?

I didn't know her well at all before this! We'd decided to be friends but we still don't know too much. I feel way closer to her now, though -- even if we don't know that much more, I know she's easy-going, and enjoys fun, and likes teasing her friends, and that's a really good start. She let me have the freedom to use what words I could, too, even though I didn't know much.


2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?

Strength...? I don't know what you mean. It gave us the ability to become better friends! That's strength, right?


3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?

Yuu! I wanted that kind of bond with him and to get to know him better and to see what kind of thing I could do to protect him and if he'd think I was cool and if he'd enjoy that at all??

( http://aather.dreamwidth.org/824083.html?thread=690012691#cmt690012691 )

Change

What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?

I HAD EARS AND AN EXTRA TAIL IT WAS REALLY WEIRD. I have no idea why though and nobody explained.

How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?

There was a difference?? People always treat me different anyway because of how I look so I guess I didn't notice.

If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?

What's a private affair? I dunno! Two tails is too many and Lenalee was worried about having to adjust her clothes so I wouldn't want it to stick around or be a permanent change or anything.

(http://aather.dreamwidth.org/822314.html?thread=689091882#cmt689091882)

Sapphire - Bubbles

[tonewlengths]

Words
1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?
Our first battle was definitely a success, throughout the battles we managed to turn our opponents ideas and spells against them and used our words to twist theirs. We didn't give them much ground to stand on, but even so, we managed to give them something to enjoy about the fight so nobody was left completely bitter. I think that's better than bringing someone to submission. I fear I went a little too far in some of my spells in both fights, it was more power than I wanted to exert.

2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?
My own mother always told me not to take words so seriously, but I think now... There's definitely a lot of damage they can do. Without realising it, you can accidentally stumble across things that upset someone and hit deeper scars than you realise. When we were fighting Endless, I aimed to undermine that name without realising how obviously important it was to her, and then her words hurt me, if not for our friends that fight might have escalated even more horribly. I've always known it's bad to say things that upset people, that's something you have to apologise for, but it's the first time I've exploited something to get such a reaction. Some of the names were silly or insulting, whereas some truly meant a lot to their holders, it's taught me to consider the pride people hold in their names more carefully and to respect the words some choose to use more carefully. And also, to put more thought into the damage what I say can do. Beatrice was right, that was completely inelegant.

3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?
Like I said, we really upset Endless on a personal level, and I think we made Clueless a little embarrassed, at least one of them, but! We found ways to resolve that. Even if harm was caused, we made up for it, either by changing the type of fight or offering a consolation prize for their loss, we wanted to find benefit for everyone.

Vs. Clueless, vs. Endless

Bonds
1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
Nil is still new, so any time we spend together has me learning more about her. She's a really good person, even missing so much of her life she's got such strong convictions and belief in herself and compassion for others, Nil is really admirable. This game made it shine through so much more, she had some really clever ideas and she was focused on making sure everyone was alright, opponents included. I feel we're a little closer now, although I'm a bit embarrassed to have shown so many weaknesses in front of her throughout this game. A little worried too, she's really driven about them...

2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
We did well together, Nil and I had similar ideas about how to play this, neither of us wanted to hurt our opponents and we wanted to keep things as light as possible. I already said she was clever, we came up with some good attacks and ways to turn our opponents attacks against them, and when things got out of hand she was a good balance to keep me in check. I'm glad she was there to stop me before things went too far, she made sure our fights went well.

3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?
Oh no, Nil and I had a lot of fun and worked well together, I don't want to change what happened at all. She's certainly a strong ally to have, I'm glad she's on my team.

Heart to heart with Nil

Change
1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
You mean the ears? Yeah, that was strange, I still don't know what it was all about. Why did only some people get them and others didn't? The animals especially looked odd. Sorry Mother, I never figured this out. Oh, there was also the names, people got names written on some part of themselves to match their partners. The point of those was to establish the bond for definite, I suppose, some of them were nice but some of those names were really terrible!

2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?
I'm not sure it did, really? I guess some people who got the ears and tail looked a little cuter, I saw some people were more willing to pet them. And the treatment for names was more based on hearing them than seeing them, although when I saw Aoko's I felt so bad for her, you were cruel to give her that name, and to make it so she can't even get rid of it for days. Here I thought you were trying to be a good parent to all the heroes, why give her 'parentless'? Even back home, she has her father.

3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?
Private affairs..? Huh? What do the cat appendages have to do with private affairs? And the names can at least be covered if they make people uncomfortable, though it would be awful if some of those names had to stay forever. I wouldn't mind mine, but I know it would make some very sad and uncomfortable to have them remain.

Mad at Mother with Aoko, C-CATBIRD. . .

amethyst - eclipse

[detectivewonder]

Words
1. For a first try? Pretty well. Let's say my effectiveness wasn't quite as high as I wanted, though. I made some mistakes. Dumb mistakes.
2. If it applies outside this game, it's news to me. Unless you mean more general kinds of power, in which case, I didn't learn anything, but I already knew something.
3. I don't think I hurt anybody. But I learned more about what I can do.


Bonds
1. Well, we just met. So it's a little hard to say.
2. Hopefully, I made a friend.
3. It's not like I know anyone else any better. But I'm curious how I would have done with Jason or Cass. Or with roles reversed.


Change
1. Ears & tails; virginity. Tattoos: partnerships.
2. Since I just got here, no way to tell.
3. It's an interesting way to learn about people.

Sapphire - Nil

[turnthetides]

Words

1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission? I didn't at all. I wasn't the one fighting, so my words were for Bubbles, not the other team––and I would never use my words to gain power over a friend like that.
2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now? It's not as literal as this game made things... but I guess you could say this made me a little more aware that words do have power, so you should be careful which ones you choose to use.
3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them? We tried not to harm anyone. I think something Bubbles said got to the team Endless, though, at first. As for benefit––I hope that I could support my partner, even though I'd rather be fighting by her side.

this threaddd and here's another

Bonds

1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened? I think I understand Bubbles a little better now. It wasn't even directly the game itself––more the Persona involved, really, but... anyway, I'm not going to talk about her here. It's personal.
2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game? I'd go with trust, and the value of supporting and relying on one another. Like I said––I wanted to fight with her, but instead I had to trust that she could find the right words and win for both of us. My job was to support and guide her as best I could. It's hard to stay in those defined roles, but in this case, it was necessary.
3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing? Not really. Bubbles is wonderful, and I'm still pretty new, I don't know a whole lot of people that well yet.

bonding!!

Change

1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change? You mean the cat ears? I have no idea. What do cats have to do with word battles?
2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not? I didn't notice any difference in treatment...
3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way? I think this question sort of assumes that I answered the first one right. But in general, I'm not sure making private affairs visible to just anyone is really the best idea... some things are personal for a reason.

Coral - Shark

[digitalemperor]

Words
How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?
Ah.... Submission...? I think my words conveyed what I wanted them to... So they were as effective as they needed to be...
What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?
I've always thought words held power. They're important in understanding and influencing people. You can't expect to get anywhere without words.
What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?
Um, we weren't trying to harm anyone. Our words were about hospitality and friendship, so I think everyone had a lot of fun, and that was great.

Vs Merciless
Vs Stopless


Bonds
How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
Ah, I think I understand more of Nightingale-san's cute sides. She likes being paid attention to, and feeling cute. She's really a normal girl that way...
What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
We had fun, that's what was important. Because that's how we do things. And Nightingale-san was happier than I have seen her in a long time.
Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?
Ah... I thought maybe I'd be partnered with Kazuki or Kit, because we work well together, or Mikage even. I might have even expected one of my friends from my world. I wasn't expecting Nightingale-san at all, just because we don't usually work together like this...


Change
What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
Um... The ears and tails...For people who hadn't um, had sex.... And the names on people, of course.
How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?
People who had ears got them pet a lot...?
If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?
Um... That would be really awkward. No one wants to know that...


Any additional thoughts/comments: This was fun, I enjoyed it a lot. It was nice, to play this kind of game.

Heliodor - Sion

[restorefromsave]

Words
How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?
My words were effective. Though unfortunately I was defeated by absurdity--that is no way to fight.
What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?
When given that kind of power words are indeed effective weapons.
What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?
If I had fought without restraint... But I tried to restrain from doing actual harm to my opponents, Kazuki-san would have disliked it.

vs Homeless


Bonds
How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
We both hate losing, we're competitive and wanted to win.
What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
I felt... Finally in my right place, fighting for him.
Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?
No. For such a bond, I belong as Kazuki-san's fighter.

vs Tasteless

Change
What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
The ears and tail? I don't know. The names seemed to be some mocking parody of us however.
How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?
There was no difference.
If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?
Private affairs? In what way?

Ruby - Cat

[forthreehestrays]

Words
How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?

We won one battle and lost another, so, about average? It's an interesting sort of fighting, to be sure.

What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?

In the end, it was imagination and images that determined the winners, so, while words are certainly powerful, this very specific application of their power wasn't very illuminating, I'm afraid.

What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?

Shameless didn't do very well when we found their weak spot.

Bonds
How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?

He's something called a Flame King! That's about it.

What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?

Not much.

Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?

Someone I knew better, I think.

Change
What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?

Some people gained ears and tails, and some people lost them. I didn't notice any patterns at all.

How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?

Obviously I can't determined such a thing if I don't know what the ears were supposed to mean in the first place!

If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?

I like my ears. I wouldn't wish to lose them to suit anyone.

Any additional thoughts/comments:

Sterling - Yuuya

[secretagentbird]

Words
How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?

What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?

What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?

I think this entire part of the game was lost on me. Oops?


Bonds
How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
I'm not sure about strengthened understanding, but I sure don't like the implication involved in 'fatherless' as a name. Is there something you know that we don't...?

What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
I didn't need it, honestly. Sakuya's my little brother no matter what! I'd protect him whether or not you told me to!

Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?
Nah, I don't think so.


Change
What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
It was the cat ears! And the tails. Sakuya found out that only virgins got the ears, which is a little weird, but there you go.

How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?
They got a lot more petting, but I bet they'd have been less cheerful about the petting if they knew that it represented something really private.

If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?
More than that, why do you even know who's a virgin and who isn't? Is there something you're not telling us, Mother?


Any additional thoughts/comments:

Kunzite - Shes

[isfet]

Words
1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?
Neither was very effective. We could have done a lot more if I'd been the one actually fighting, but then Judai would have been stuck strategizing, and that would have been a total disaster.
2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?
None. They're important even when they're not conjuring up illusions. Anyone who doesn't think so is an idiot.
3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?
The guy with the long hair got really pissed off, but I'm getting the impression his face is pretty much stuck like that. But I guess playing against Coral was okay, since they seemed really happy with the fight.

[Links:
Merciless vs Ruthless
Merciless vs Ceaseless]

Bonds
1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
If that was a goal of the game, you definitely failed. I guess he did all right, but it wasn't anything spectacular.
2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
None.
3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?
Definitely. We're good in games together, and he's creative. But he's not in Aather, and never has been. Other than him, Lambda, since we're usually on the same wavelength.

[LINK: explaining things in terms of card games to Judai]

Change
1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
Cat ears and tails. Stupid names appearing on our bodies. You'd have to be blind not to notice. The criteria for cat ears was apparently completely biased against Kunzite and you should feel bad about that.
2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?
Lambda and Ruka were pretty sad about not having cat ears. But that's about it.
3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?
I don't know what cat ears have to do with "private affairs," but if you try to reveal anything about me I don't want revealed I'll fucking kill you.

[Links: lack of cat ears with Lambda]

Any additional thoughts/comments: The idea of word battles was pretty good, but the partner selections could have been better. Things needed to be more challenging, too. Also, what the fuck was up with the whole cat ears thing?

Amethyst - Jill

[maidmalapert]

Words

1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?

I did better than I thought I would, to be quite honest. When it's words against words or ideas against ideas, it can be quite interesting to see how power goes back and forth and who's going to come out on top in the end... I mean, we won two fights with the power of talking about kittens, for Pete's sake.

But the first time it was really because we pulled the fight sideways, away from what our opponents understood, so they couldn't get any ground back, and the second time it was because our opponents wanted something particular, and we gave it to them our way until there was nothing they could do.

Talking about exerting power over people, or bringing them to submission, through words... it feels ugly. But that's what you're trying to do in any fight. And with words or with force, you can still decide to do it with... well, honor.

2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?

It was quite clear from the beginning that if you're going to be completely vile about it, anyone can use words to hurt and bully other people by picking at things that are personal or that frighten them. But that isn't news, and you don't need to turn the words into magic to find out about it.

I suppose what I found out is that even when you're fighting with words, even if you're fighting against bullies who do try to hit at you that way, you can fight back without resorting to the same tactics.

3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?

I don't think I did any real harm. I hope I didn't. I tried not to. But I found out that how you talk about things can change how you feel about them, and I think... I can use them better now, to move forward.

[vs. Functionless (kittens 1)|vs. Guileless (kittens 2)|vs. Boundless]

Bonds

1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?

It hasn't been weakened. I already know he'll lead me right. I suppose I understand a little better now about some of the things he's unsure of. That's all right. It ought to help me support him, knowing them.

2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?

It felt... right. I'm his fighter whether there's a magic bond between us or not. I mean to use my own power to stand up for him no matter what. Against anything.

I wish it weren't just for the game. I do feel stronger, being connected to him. Like... like my convictions, not just my words, became real power, because I could feel what they meant, right there, like touch.

3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?

Nobody. I'm his fighter. He's my king.

[Discovering the bond|King Edmund the poleaxed]

Change

1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?

Well, there was the ears and tails, and they say if you had them it was because you hadn't -- you know, you hadn't been intimate with anyone... yet... and if you didn't have them, you had. And there were the name tattoos for the fighting pairs.

2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?

Honestly, mostly people either ignored the changes or thought they were cute and were a nuisance about it. Some people tried to pick on the names, too.

3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?

No, it jolly well wouldn't be welcome! It's nobody's business! And even if people mostly didn't treat each other any differently from usual, it can cause all sorts of misunderstandings! I mean, honestly, I learned that the most humiliating way possible, didn't I...

[Is it really that cute|The most humiliating way possible]

Any additional thoughts/comments:

I wish you'd tell us what you expected from this. Did it go the way you thought it would? I bet we didn't learn what you were trying to teach. And what about you? What did you learn?

[itsalluseless]

Words

How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?
Well, Beato did most of the work. I was just supporting her. But as a team, I think we did great.

What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?
There wasn't any real change. I was already well aware of just how powerful words can be, even if this was a different expression of that power than I'm used to.

What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?
We set out to avoid doing any serious harm and just have fun with these fights. Still, right at the start there were some problems. Our opponents used some words that hit on a touchy subject for us, and I think Beato did the same for them. Luckily we managed to defuse the situation before it got any worse.

vs. Dauntless

Bonds

How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
We've already got a very strong bond. The game didn't have any real effect on that.

What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
Like I said, it's a bond we already share. What strength we gain from it doesn't really have anything to do with your game.

Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?
Nope. I'm not going to claim that Beato and I work together perfectly in every situation, but I can't imagine playing a game like this with anyone else.

Change

What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
Some people got cat ears and tails. It seems to be a sign of virginity.

How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not? I don't think most people knew what it meant, so they mostly just thought it was cute. In a place like Aather, I doubt it would have mattered even if everyone had known, though.

If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?
People have a right to their privacy, especially when it comes to things like that. So no, I wouldn't want it to be a permanent change.

discussing the ears with Beatrice

Citrine - Annabeth

[divinewisdom]

Words
1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?

I felt that it was really effective...we were able to win a battle, and it was definitely some sort of submission. But I think commanding the words that have power should come with a kind of responsibility, especially in a battle setting.

2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?

Words like that...they've got a lot of power. I think we need to know how we use them and how they hurt others before we actually utilize them for what they're worth. Even something as simple as spiders or mirrors can really hurt someone without knowing that they have a negative reaction for someone.

3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?

Are you expecting me to find benefit in harming other people? There's not really a benefit to making people feel bad in order to win. Stuff like that...it's what bullies do on the playground. Growing up is supposed to be about using words in a way that gets your point across without hurting the other person emotionally or physically.

So yeah, I guess we traumatized two people who we didn't know. But I didn't find pleasure in it. And I wouldn't do it again. (Relevant Battle Thread vs. Guileless)


Bonds
How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?

I don't really think it's done anything but affirm what I already felt about him. And I know that I'll do anything to keep him next to me now. I wasn't...entirely sure before. But I protected what I thought was important. (Relevant-ish Thread)

What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?

I don't think the bond really changed anything for us. We were always connected -- maybe not like this, but we've always been destined by fate to be together in some way. So I don't really feel different. We're always strong together. This just proved it.

Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?

Never. I'd never want another partner than Percy.


Change
What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?

Well Ritsuka finally told us that the ears and tail me and Percy had mean you haven't had sex yet -- he said it was a way to distinguish between adults and kids. But I'm not a kid any more, and I don't think that having sex will really make me any more adult. I guess it's just a difference in worlds and experiences.

How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?

It felt like some people were…judging us. I was kind of worried that people were going to think we were weird -- I mean, we're seventeen, you know? A lot of people our age have already had sex, probably a lot of times. There are people out there who would think it was weird that we hadn't done it yet, especially since we've been together for a long time, in a relationship. But Percy reminded me that it's not that sort of thing that really counts. So I tried to stop thinking about it like that, and instead thought that we still have a lot to learn before we're ready for anything like that. (Relevant Thread)

If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?

I don't think that would be a good idea. If they wanted to tell everyone, they'd just post it on the bulletin board or something. Let's keep personal beliefs to themselves.

Any additional thoughts/comments:

Amethyst - Solstice

[silverbulletkun]

Words

1. How well do you feel that you were able to use your words to exert your power over others? How effective were you in bringing those who opposed you to submission?
I wasn't the one fighting, so my words didn't hold any extra power. If anything, my words didn't have enough power. But Kaito did a pretty good job of holding his own.
2. What change do you feel in your understanding of the power that words might hold now?
I already knew words can be a powerful tool in the right hands, but something like this isn't quite the same. You can't normally create something out of thin air just by speaking about it, after all. But if you use words to say things that already held the potential to have an effect without the added magic- that is, ones that attack the psyche rather than the physical- it can be... very effective. On the other hand, you can do some pretty ridiculous things as well. Some battles involved more playing around than attacking.
3. What harm did your words do to those you faced? What benefit did you find within them?
Our goal was to win and have some fun with it, not to hurt anyone.

vs. Lawless
vs. Defeatless

Bonds
1. How do you feel that this game has strengthened your understanding of your partner? How has it been weakened?
I still think he's an idiot. But I suppose there are some things I understand a little better now. We may have lost our first battle, but we talked it over and I understand why he faltered. I confirmed some things unrelated to the game as well.
2. What strength do you feel you gained from the bond you shared within this game?
Strength? Well... it seems that, somehow, we trust each other.
3. Do you feel that there is another who would have been more suited to partner with you? What reasons do you have for thinking such a thing?
...Out of the people here, no, I don't think so. Though there were times when I felt that I should have been the fighter. Kaito's great with words, but against an aggressive enemy he's out of his element.

post-Lawless battle discussion
Game start shenanigans

Change
1. What changes did you observe in the physique of your companions? What do you feel was the criteria for such change?
If you mean the ears and tails, those were highly unnecessary. The only theory I've heard that seems to fit with who was changed is that they signify virginity. [why tho]
2. How do you feel the treatment of those altered differed from those who were not?
Aside from occasional embarrassment (for both those who changed and those who didn't), teasing, and requests for ear petting, not much.
3. If the private affairs of your fellow heroes and knights remained visible in such a way, do you feel it would be a welcome change? What makes you feel this way?
No. Privacy is important. If someone wants to share details of their personal life, it should be by their choosing.


Any additional thoughts/comments:
Truthless was a very tasteless name.