Say there's someone you've been... playing some games together with... and one day, they played a little too rough. On purpose. ...Actually, a lot too rough. Now, you knew they COULD do this if they wanted, but you sort of thought... ...never mind that part, that's chaff to the real point.
Anyway, so... they've went ahead changed the rules of the game to something else. This was their choice. And it's a game you've played before plenty, you know the rules like the back of your hand--
...
What do you think? Make your move in the new game? Or stop playing with them anymore because they flipped the book around without warning and so... viciously? And... also.... ...It'll be REALLY unsatisfying if you do the second thing.
...the new game is definitely more... high-energy, high-stakes, high... risk. But it is. Still... fun.
And, yes, quitting the new rules feels like losing. And... like if you do... that how the last round ended is maybe going to start hurting a whole lot more than you thought...?
The old game was just, fine. But there was always something a little... not quite there. But now going back would feel insulting to both of you! And...
S.. some of the old game pieces broke. So it'll take work to play again.
For me, um... If I was playing with someone, and they started playing mean, I would take that as a sign that they don't really want to play anymore. Maybe there's new rules, but I would be worried about what's going to happen the next time they get sick of it.
That's um, just what I would think. I'd worry, but— quitting and playing harder aren't the only two options. I don't always stop playing with people because I fought with them once. When they cool down, sometimes they don't want the rules to be so high-stakes anymore either.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-11-27 02:26 am (UTC)Say there's someone you've been... playing some games together with... and one day, they played a little too rough. On purpose. ...Actually, a lot too rough. Now, you knew they COULD do this if they wanted, but you sort of thought...
...never mind that part, that's chaff to the real point.
Anyway, so... they've went ahead changed the rules of the game to something else. This was their choice. And it's a game you've played before plenty, you know the rules like the back of your hand--
...
What do you think? Make your move in the new game? Or stop playing with them anymore because they flipped the book around without warning and so... viciously? And... also.... ...It'll be REALLY unsatisfying if you do the second thing.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-27 02:34 am (UTC)[stands on one foot, thinking...]
Why would it be unsatisfying to stop playing? Because you liked the old game or because quitting the new rules feels like losing?
no subject
Date: 2023-11-27 03:12 am (UTC)And, yes, quitting the new rules feels like losing. And... like if you do... that how the last round ended is maybe going to start hurting a whole lot more than you thought...?
The old game was just, fine. But there was always something a little... not quite there. But now going back would feel insulting to both of you! And...
S.. some of the old game pieces broke. So it'll take work to play again.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-27 03:39 am (UTC)1/2
Date: 2023-11-27 03:40 am (UTC)...
2/2
Date: 2023-11-27 03:41 am (UTC)...Thanks, Muffin. I like knowing your perspective on these things. I feel I really do understand you a little bit better now.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-27 03:54 am (UTC)That's um, just what I would think. I'd worry, but— quitting and playing harder aren't the only two options. I don't always stop playing with people because I fought with them once. When they cool down, sometimes they don't want the rules to be so high-stakes anymore either.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-27 03:59 am (UTC)A signal, then?
"Gloves on, gloves off?"
no subject
Date: 2023-11-27 04:04 am (UTC)Don't break rules on each other, negotiate them. Let each other disengage when you're not having fun anymore. Take breaks.
1/2
Date: 2023-11-27 04:09 am (UTC)2/2
Date: 2023-11-27 04:13 am (UTC)[ gently. chinlifts Muffin to look him in the eyes. ]
...tell me when I play too hard, okay~?
no subject
Date: 2023-11-27 04:27 am (UTC)I will.
…You haven’t so far. For the record.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-27 04:33 am (UTC)[ leans in.. very lightly brushes his lips on Muffin's forehead...
before he swans off toward the lakeside~
...right after he's "snuck" the skeletal leaf behind Muffin's ear. ]
1/2
Date: 2023-11-27 03:20 pm (UTC)2/2
Date: 2023-11-27 03:22 pm (UTC)Quetzal?
Re: 2/2
Date: 2023-11-27 06:18 pm (UTC)one gets the impression that his tail is probably swishing playfully, right now. ]
Hm~?
no subject
Date: 2023-11-27 09:52 pm (UTC)[he had like five questions but they’ve disappeared]
Me too. —both things.