Elfkin POV

So this is it then, a sandtrap ferret determines if I live or die. Entirely based on how 'tasty' I smell. That's gotta be some kind of sick joke of the fates isn't it? What even causes it to drool based off our smell anyway.

"This has got to be some kind of cruel joke, right? A sandtrap ferret will eat most anything so you're just setting me up to die, aren't you? You even just admitted it right? What with tricking people with that 'game theory' thing of yours." (Elfkin)

I can't help shaking after speaking my peace as this 'Poppit' comes close to start sniffing at me. The sudden stop at it's approach and the angry hissing and clacking of it's mandibles near my ear is terrifying. Yet, I won't stop glowering at that giant...snake-thing as it looks down on us.

"I guess you could see it that way, yeah. Let me help you understand some then. Game Theory is, like you said, a trap. It requires two 'players' at least and one...lets go with 'dealer' here. The dealer then gives the players a choice when it comes time to claim the prize. First they are separated then the dealer makes an offer. You can both get let's say...5 gold, or, you can get 20 gold, but, if your partner chooses the 20 gold options then you both get nothing. Since the players cannot speak to each other, or even tell what the other player is thinking, the only right move is to take the for sure 5 gold. If you both select it, that means you still have 5 gold, if your partner selects 20 while you still take 5 then you both win. Though, you should never be the one to put in the risk to ensure you both win. This can also be done with punishments, like you saw earlier. Only those who tried to choose their personal greed or fear, ended up fleeing as they were to frazzled under stress to make the right call." (Curator)

He used...the dealer's con, as a way to weed people out. I'm not quite sure if, now that it's been explained, I should be impressed, or terrified. Who would think to use a way to leverage people's winnings against their greed could be used as a way to punish folks?

Poppit POV

All the friends, all the snacks! Curator wants us to smell out the tastiest of snacks. This first one doesn't smell all that tasty. Not like the very first one that we wore too. They are being mean to Curator though. That's not a good thing to do. So, we hush them by clacking and showing how much we don't like them being mean to Curator.

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Curator though feels...calm? Maybe amused, like by a joke, as they try to calm us down too. It's hard not to be calm though, when Curator wants it, and when they think something's funny. This not tasty one, may end up a friend?

Curator POV

Ooooh, this one's a bit feisty, thankfully Renenutet doesn't need any calming as she's pretty much in sync with my emotions. Man, that takes me back, maybe when I can start trying to get records or something made I can try to inscribe some music I remember from back in the day on them. Wait, focus and back on the point. It really only does take a moment to explain to the elfkin the logic behind that trap.

"Now then, since you've had a moment to think, congratulations! You aren't irredeemable, otherwise Poppit would have started drooling and well...you saw what happened to those runners, yes?" (Curator)

Watching the elfkin nod, with a slightly shell shocked look it's hard not to, almost, feel bad. Guess I really took the wind out of their sails so to speak. Really though, it's their own fault for being part of a slaver gang.

"Now then, first question. Have you ever committed any of the following acts. Murder, Rape, Arson, Burglary, or Kidnapping?" (Curator)

"Uh...no? Unless you count burning one's own property to keep other's from having it as arson, and it was just papers and goods, not a house or anything." (Elfkin)

"Good. Next question, should you live, what would you plan to do with the life that was spared?" (Curator)

"I...don't know. Maybe try going home, see if they'll accept me back even though I left on a bad note. Really don't think much beyond trying to live in the moment unlike the rest of my family." (Elfkin)

"I like the honesty there, with me, that's the best policy. Since you don't know what you want to do, how about you join Paul there, set up a place to call home in a nearby domain, help other folks, make up for the path that lead you to this moment, and try to help guide others away from that path. Paul is quite gungho and has taken my words rather to heart...but..." (Curator)

With a gesture of our tail to Paul who's constantly moving from kowtowing to reverently staring up at our head, to the occasional off kilter giggle my point should be pretty clear.

"So...some one to....balance out the zealotry?" (Elfkin)

"Exactamundo! Got it in one. Now, while I will expect some level of reverence from you still, I don't want you to blindly follow like Paul there. If you don't understand something ask, if it doesn't sit right with you, let me know so I can explain the logic and through process behind it." (Curator)

"Like how Father and I share a body, you two will alssso share a role. Faith hasss a placsse, tempered by knowledge, and forged by power." (Renenutet)

"I...understand. Could I...have some time to think on that before making a decision?" (Elfkin)

"Oh, by all means. Also, based on the pointy ears I take it you're some kind of elf, yes? I gotta know, do elves in this world have a hard on for trees and the forest and do the whole 'hippy vegan' thing, or is it more of a 'the forest is our home and we'll fuck a bitch up if they mess with it' type deal?" (Curator)

"What?" (Elfkin)