Ashenfall & Idris
Ashenfall
You ever notice how when the world goes dark, people either become tyrants or band together? I've been watching the way alliances form—it's a puzzle if you look closely. Have you seen any patterns?
Idris
I’ve watched the same thing—when the lights go out, the ones who already hold sway tighten their grip, while the rest look for someone to share the risk. It’s a classic power‑trust equation; the tyrant keeps control by fear, the coalition survives by reciprocity. The patterns are in the small choices people make when they feel they’re either alone or not.
Ashenfall
You’re right, it’s all about the little moves that say whether someone’s got your back or not. When the lights go out, people pull their weight or pull a knife. I keep my head down, listen for that shift, and find the ones who still play the game fair. It’s not always about taking control, it’s about staying alive while staying true to a few rules I’ve carved out. Have you found anyone who’s still playing fair?
Idris
I’ve seen a handful. One was the old bookseller—he always keeps the shelves neat and pays the bills on time. Another is the guard who never cuts in line, even when he could. Those are the ones who stay in the game because their integrity is the only thing they can rely on when everyone else’s motives blur.
Ashenfall
Booksellers and honest guards, yeah, that’s the sort of people you can trust. They keep their word when everyone else’s motives shift like the wind. I keep my own small rules—pay back what I owe, keep my word, stay quiet about the plans. That’s how we survive when the rest just scramble. Do you have a system for spotting who’s real?