The Pact

 is a coalition of Voices seeking to protect themselves and The Blackout Club (Group) from harm and to solve the mystery of what happened to Isabela Madi-Shaw.

Description
The Pact is the Voice alliance formed by THEE-I-DARE. Its goals are to discover the fate of Bells, trap HUNT-THE-STRONG, then strike at SPEAK-AS-ONE. THEE-I-DARE believed that with all the Voices together, they would get the last piece of evidence to locate Bells. They attempt to share what scraps of the Old Tongue they individually know to combat HUNT-THE-STRONG, though they are hesitant due to the threat one of them being taken by HUNT-THE-STRONG and him gaining that knowledge. The Pact hoped to use the Place Between to learn what they can do to stop him. THEE-I-DARE stated that if HUNT-THE-STRONG was not defeated before the kids of the Blackout Club become hosting age, then the Pact lost.

The Pact claimed responsibility for the reappearance of the moon that was previously missing. After many prayers regarding the missing moon, it reappeared in the sky in December 2019. DIE-FOR-YOU claimed it is due to the combined effort of the Pact and the kids.

The Pact can hear and share prayers sent by Lights of Rebellion between its members. Prayers sent to one member of the Pact may receive a response from another.. This allows THEE-I-DARE to act as a messenger for the more elusive Voiced members of the Pact.

History
THEE-I-DARE asked the Blackout Club to speak to the other Voices on his behalf, hoping to rally his siblings against SPEAK-AS-ONE. DIE-FOR-YOU was the first Voice to ally with THEE-I-DARE to protect Redacre and defeat SPEAK-AS-ONE. THEE-I-DARE was pleased and said that alliances between him and DIE-FOR-YOU in the past tended to last a human lifetime. Their adult hosts met at night to confer with each other for Pact related business.

The death of DANCE-FOR-US at the hands of HUNT-THE-STRONG changed the focus the Pact originally had. THEE-I-DARE commented that the Pact now faced a war on three fronts, now that the Hunter was a looming threat. Members of the Blackout Club sent many prayers to the Voices in regards to this new threat, hoping all of them would ally together to defeat HUNT-THE-STRONG. Even SPEAK-AS-ONE received prayer in regards to an alliance, to which they responded that despite the club members’ fear and prayers to them for help, the Pact would never trust them.

After DIE-FOR-YOU's joining, they considered who they should recruit next in light of this new threat. THEE-I-DARE considered SEED-THE-GRUDGE dangerous but driven. He was open to allegiance with her. The idea amused SEED-THE-GRUDGE. Still, she was uninterested at the time, stating that she preferred a more direct method, a more personal cause over a grand alliance. IN-HER-TEETH initially said that an alliance between the Voices was doomed, but would consider working with THEE-I-DARE, due to the more pressing evils in Redacre. Seeking character witnesses, IN-HER-TEETH encouraged Club members to send her reasons why she should trust him, because she wasn't convinced in the sincerity of his words. She believed THEE-I-DARE was tricky and difficult to get answers from, calling him one of the progenitors of lies, and was concerned that he was only be pretending to have changed. She was curious though what the club members thought and what he told them to make them think favorably of him. She wanted THEE-I-DARE to prove he was serious about his long term goal of wanting the Voices to stop riding humanity like beasts of burden. IN-HER-TEETH heard THEE-I-DARE also wanted equitable treatment for humanity, but she was skeptical about whether or not he really meant it. She warned, “I would still implore you to be careful. He has said many things...throughout time." She seemed satisfied with the answers that THEE-I-DARE was trying to change and said she would consider an alliance with him if enough of her Chosen persuaded her, though she found it curious that THEE-I-DARE suddenly subscribed to the notion that their kind must die. She looked unfavorably towards THEE-I-DARE due to his past actions that led many young people to their death before they experienced life properly. THEE-I-DARE offered to show her how he cheated death with Name Fragments after SPEAK-AS-ONE shattered him, which intrigued her. She wondered if she could use such a trick to end the other Voices, and said she needed concrete reassurances from the others that they would consent to their own ends. DIE-FOR-YOU was wary about the implications of working with IN-HER-TEETH but acknowledged that they needed her help.

DIE-FOR-YOU reached out to Chosen of THE-MEASURE-CUTS, asking them to pass on a message to him. DIE-FOR-YOU suggested that the evidence Bells carried before her disappearance would interest him due to its potential to unravel the mystery around HUNT-THE-STRONG or SPEAK-AS-ONE. On that note, DIE-FOR-YOU acknowledged that if this was true, they needed to find it as soon as possible due to the possibility of HUNT-THE-STRONG looking for Bells as well. THEE-I-DARE also reached out to THE-MEASURE-CUTS' Chosen, asking them to vouch for the Pact.

THE-MEASURE-CUTS was initially skeptical, as the other Voices were traditionally too "scattered in their desires to even entertain the idea of an alliance." He seemed interested in uncovering Bells' fate and learning of the evidence she carried but held reservations about both THEE-I-DARE and DIE-FOR-YOU. He approached Chosen of each of them to discuss the concerns he had with them. During some encounters, THEE-I-DARE appeared to coach the children and advise them on how to sway THE-MEASURE-CUTS. THE-MEASURE-CUTS stated, "IF HE IS STILL GOING TO FALL PREY TO THE SAME WEAKNESS...THE CRUTCH OF ANARCHY...THEN I WILL BACK AWAY" and desired to know if THEE-I-DARE had changed from rebelling against everything, finding this trait particularly frustrating in the past. He referenced Joan of Arc's fate as an example of DIE-FOR-YOU's influence. He expressed concern that DIE-FOR-YOU would "get them all wiped out" due to his reckless passion. He did not wish that fate for the people of Redacre. However, after many convincing arguments from members of the Blackout Club, he was the second to join and sought to rein in the combined recklessness of DIE-FOR-YOU and THEE-I-DARE. He watched over the meetings and ensured that no one was too biased. In THE-MEASURE-CUTS' own words, he was "keeping the Pact from going off the rails" because of their passionate views and "minding the store". With THE-MEASURE-CUTS' assistance, the Pact was able to search for Bells more methodically. He found a way to remain in The Place Between for extended periods of time and sought to teach the others how to remain there as well. He also sought knowledge on how to manipulate time using the Old Tongue whilst in there. THE-MEASURE-CUTS is preparing the Place Between for the Pact meeting.

After successfully recruiting THE-MEASURE-CUTS, DIE-FOR-YOU saw SEED-THE-GRUDGE as the next worthy candidate to join their growing alliance and sought out children who were close to her. SEED-THE-GRUDGE expressed frustration that she did not have the respect of the other Voices due to being a relatively newer Voice than the others. DIE-FOR-YOU hoped to convince her that there was trust and respect at the table among the Pact. THEE-I-DARE suggested that SEED-THE-GRUDGE could be given leadership of the Pact if she joined. DIE-FOR-YOU agreed with this proposal if it meant gaining her membership, though he acknowledged that she was younger and violent in certain scenarios. DIE-FOR-YOU hoped that if SEED-THE-GRUDGE was a part of the Pact, they would get LAUGH-LAST to join as well, due to his infatuation with her. THE-MEASURE-CUTS saw SEED-THE-GRUDGE as overeager but believed she earned her spot on the table. He was curious about how her machinations would play out. SEED-THE-GRUDGE accepted the Pact's offer to lead them after THEE-I-DARE spoke to her personally. After assuming leadership, SEED-THE-GRUDGE initially sought information about what happened to Bells, but after taking opinions from members of the Blackout Club about what her first act as leader should be, she announced that the Pact would focus their efforts on pursuing HUNT-THE-STRONG, due to popular demand. As SEED-THE-GRUDGE's responsibility within the Pact grew, she marked the most devout of her Chosen with masks and designated them as her generals, to continue her cause, protect her, and speak for her if the time was needed, while she was busy leading the Pact.

DIE-FOR-YOU sought to convert new Chosen to his cause to become strong enough to pull HUNT-THE-STRONG's attention away from SEED-THE-GRUDGE and THEE-I-DARE. DIE-FOR-YOU believed his purpose in the Pact was to accept danger on behalf of the others to protect them. When his followers showed concern for this plan, he said had no intention of dying and only wanted to lure HUNT-THE-STRONG away long enough until he could be defeated. THEE-I-DARE expressed disagreement with this plan, but SEED-THE-GRUDGE supported him, stating that he was dipping into his true purpose and would not stop him if he wanted to sacrifice himself for others. However, he did not pull in enough numbers for his attempt to be successful.

LAUGH-LAST refused to hear out the Pact unless THEE-I-DARE complied with a set of demands. He wanted THEE-I-DARE to come "crawling back to him" and insisted he knew what he did, saying THEE-I-DARE was a "born liar and a dirtbag." DIE-FOR-YOU doubted that THEE-I-DARE would bow to LAUGH-LAST's demands. Since THE-MEASURE-CUTS joined, he believed LAUGH-LAST would hate being left out. THEE-I-DARE was initially hesitant to give an apology, stating that he was the one that deserved the apology, due to LAUGH-LAST selling him out to SPEAK-AS-ONE and getting his hosts killed in the Cull that followed. However, as time went on, he acknowledged that he played a role in how bitter and vindictive LAUGH-LAST had become. THEE-I-DARE saw LAUGH-LAST as useless and dangerous, shunning him in times following the split of the First Tribe. He wanted to apologize to him in order for him to agree to join the Pact, even at the cost of his pride. THEE-I-DARE's offer of an apology was met with silence. In response, THE-MEASURE-CUTS told a follower of LAUGH-LAST to pass on a message to him. THE-MEASURE-CUTS said that he would "guarantee LAUGH-LAST's safety should he join the Pact, and he would be welcomed in without bias." LAUGH-LAST brushed it off after being told of it due to only hearing the offer secondhand and not "straight from the horse's mouth." However, he acknowledged that THE-MEASURE-CUTS was not one to "make up bullshit." LAUGH-LAST continued to be uninterested in joining the Pact unless THEE-I-DARE made a public apology, but after being convinced that "the show might end" if he became a victim of HUNT-THE-STRONG, he agreed to hear out the Pact if only to have the chance to make THE-MEASURE-CUTS laugh. THEE-I-DARE hoped his only motive was not to lust after SEED-THE-GRUDGE, and encouraged LAUGH-LAST's Chosen to convince him to not attempt to woo her. LAUGH-LAST knows he is in a strong position and wants the Pact to make offers in addition to THEE-I-DARE's apology. THEE-I-DARE requested suggestions for what SEED-THE-GRUDGE can offer him, warning that she will tear apart LAUGH-LAST otherwise, and the Pact will lose his hosts.

After hearing that LAUGH-LAST planned to meet with the Pact, SPEAK-AS-ONE asked for their followers to send them prayers regarding the Pact's activities. They expressed concern that if they waited for the Pact to act first, they would suffer from untold losses.

In the meantime, HUNT-THE-STRONG turned his sights on the actions of the Pact. He boasted that he had spies trained on them and showed no fear of them "coming for his head", calling them a collection of pig-headed clowns. HUNT-THE-STRONG asked his followers and his Chosen to give him names of those who wished to spy on him and to update him on the Pact's latest plans. Due to the concern of these spies, SEED-THE-GRUDGE kept her contact private.

IN-HER-TEETH was still not planning on joining the Pact, stating they were misguided. She believed she did not need their help because she had all of her followers to help her instead. She warned Club members not to trust THEE-I-DARE.. Her reasoning against the Club's vouching for THEE-I-DARE was that they have only known him for a fraction of time, whereas she had known him for over centuries. Therefore, they could not possibly know whether or not he had truly changed.THEE-I-DARE still hoped that prayer could sway IN-HER-TEETH to help them, but no matter what he offered, including his secret of Name Fragments, IN-HER-TEETH would not join the Pact because she wouldn't be able to see past SEED-THE-GRUDGE. Were IN-HER-TEETH to compromise with SEED-THE-GRUDGE, the two may merge together, and the Voices would do anything to avoid that fate. THEE-I-DARE hoped that telling IN-HER-TEETH that she could not defeat HUNT-THE-STRONG alone would sway her to help him, though he believed she may have had a hidden tactic against HUNT-THE-STRONG that would explain why she did not fear being alone against the Hunter. Despite her views regarding the Pact, IN-HER-TEETH looked for children to act as a bridge to her, to gain the ability to observe the Pact and what they do, without being a part of it. She considered what was said during the Pact's meetings of vital importance because "what they did affects her, her kind, as well as our kind."

THEE-I-DARE did not want to tell the other members of the Pact about the reappearance of Bells until he was sure it was not a trick. He was concerned that if enough people sent prayers to the Pact about Bells, it would have divided the Pact's efforts, even though they agreed to follow SEED-THE-GRUDGE's command to target HUNT-THE-STRONG. He believed the Pact would be unable to fight a war on two fronts, and it may come down to a choice between saving "our kind" or saving "his kind". He wanted to think of a tactical way to inform the Pact about Bells out of fear that they would split over it. The Blackout Club gave this new "Bells" voice tests to determine if it was really her by asking her questions where only she knew the answer, While THEE-I-DARE approved of this testing, he believed they needed more proof, stating "FOR THE PACT TO ACT IN ANY WAY... EVEN ...UNOFFICIALLY... THE CLUB WOULD NEED TO BE SURE". THEE-I-DARE thought the timing of Bells' reappearance just as "obstacles began to erode" was suspicious, so he sought to isolate a Watcher in the Place Between to find the answers that SPEAK-AS-ONE hoarded. To do that, THEE-I-DARE needed both a child they trusted and a Watcher that felt their faith in SPEAK-AS-ONE eroding or cared more about Bells, enough to give her liberty or cremation. In late September 2020, the Pact managed to trap a Watcher inside the Place Between successfully. After being cut off from the Song, the Watcher's text turned lowercase, as opposed to the usual uppercase words. THEE-I-DARE said THE-MEASURE-CUTS created the trap that keeps the Watcher there. THEE-I-DARE asked prayers with questions to ask the Watcher.

In response to one of their Watchers' disappearance, SPEAK-AS-ONE threatened to end the Club one by one until it was found. The Pact is currently working to confuse the Sleepers searching for the Hideout in the woods.

After the Isolated Watcher confirmed that Bells was alive and in Saturation Control, THEE-I-DARE believed that he should tell the Pact, even if it risks splitting them up. While in Saturation Control, the Isolated Watcher passed on a message from Isabela warning of a traitor in the Pact.

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