Round 4

[Stephanie Valencia]

Tribe swap!

I'm officially a member of Saayazu! Tingbani was plagued by all kinds of bad luck so I'm happy for the change of pace but I'm not sure how I feel about my new tribemates. First of all, I got separated from Brenda and Corinne, who were the two best competitors from the original Tingbani (aside from myself, naturally), but I'm still with Kat and Morgan…who have not been nearly as reliable when it comes to challenges. I'm also on a tribe now with Laura and Eddie, with whom I've yet to interact. No complaints so far about Laura—she did, after all, win Saayazu's first point in this Immunity Challenge—but I need to get to know her on a personal level before I can trust her, and the same goes for Eddie. The tricky thing is this: the new Saayazu is 50% made up of original Tingbani members, so it's super easy for Kat, Morgan, and me to stick together and control the vote should we go to Tribal Council. But do I want to keep playing with Morgan and Kat when they might not be the strongest competitors on my tribe? I'm sort of wrestling with two opposing decisions: a) stick with the original Tingbani and protect each other—even if it means repeated visits to Tribal Council—and then pick them off after the merge since they'll be easy targets, or b) trim the fat from the new Saayazu, perform well in challenges, and put all of my stock in Rob, Matt, Brenda, Rafe, and Adam (although, of course, not all together). I have a lot of thinking to do.

On the bright side, Adam and I are on the same tribe now. He's a good competitor so I'm glad to be playing alongside him rather than against him. And being on the same tribe is the perfect guise under which to continue getting closer to him and nurturing his trust in me. I've reconciled myself with the fact that he's going to hate me after this game is over because there's likely no way I'll be able to stay loyal to him…and he seems to think that my loyalty is something beyond the context of the game. He's a really nice guy and I have nothing but positive things to say about him, but this is a game and I'm playing it from every single angle I can. I need to find a way to get him out down the line while still preserving his belief in my loyalty. After all, I wouldn't want to lose a vote in the finals!

[Stephanie Valencia]

How quickly things change. Last night, I was pretty firm in my assessment of the new Saayazu and how I would proceed from here on until the merge. Twelve hours later, I have a completely different perspective. I'm setting a plan into motion that might completely change my direction in this game and really piss someone off, but it has to be done. Operation High Riding Bitch is in effect.



Here's how everything went down. Earlier this morning, Adam and I were talking. And, as usual, general conversation turned to mild flirtation, which then turned into Adam awkwardly pandering for affection. (Disclaimer: In this and all future AIM conversations posted in my confessional, the text has been corrected for grammar and spelling…unless I'm trying to emphasize the other person's illiteracy, in which case I'll only correct my own.)

Adam:[/color] And I'm not feeling good for the last two days. This cold is killing me. Can't sleep and my eyes feel like burning. But I am so happy that we're on the same tribe now!
Stephanie:[/color] Me too!!! But I feel bad that you're not feeling well.
Adam:[/color] :-( Thanks.
Stephanie:[/color] Anything I can do to help you feel better?
Adam:[/color] Hm. I don't know. Anything in mind?
Stephanie:[/color] Haha I have no idea lol.
Adam:[/color] How about a kiss?? Haha lol.
Stephanie:[/color] Haha well maybe if I were closer, I would.
Adam:[/color] Haha.. Aw too bad you're too far! </3
Stephanie:[/color] :-(
Adam:[/color] Haha.. That sad face implies that you wanna kiss me.
Stephanie:[/color] Hahaha you have a one-track mind, mister.
Adam:[/color] Lol how?
Stephanie:[/color] Always talking about me kissing you, and liking you, and being jealous. You're a flirt lmao.
Adam:[/color] Hahaha.. Aren't you jealous?
Stephanie:[/color] Lol stop! We need to start talking game you and me, especially now that we're on the same tribe.
Adam:[/color] Haha.. Why should I? Its just a simple yes or no question. I just need an answer. :-P Let's talk about the game later. We have a lot of time for that.
Stephanie:[/color] *Sigh* I'm not jealous that you and Natalie talk, why should I be? You can speak to whoever you like, I was just being silly. Is that better?
Adam:[/color] Okay. :-(
Stephanie:[/color] Oh my god...
Adam:[/color] What?
Stephanie:[/color] I don't know, it doesn't matter.
Adam:[/color] It does matter.
Stephanie:[/color] I don't know why you pushed the jealous thing so much. Like, I thought we were just joking around but you were basically pressuring me to say what you wanted to hear.
Adam:[/color] I was just joking too. If you don't believe it, fine. And no, I'm not pressuring you. If you think I do. I'm sorry if I offended you or something.
Stephanie:[/color] I'm not trying to be mean. I just don't want to flirt 24/7. Is that so bad? And you didn't offend me at all. I like talking to you but it's overwhelming to flirt all the time. And I disagree with you. I think talking game is important because that's what we're playing: a game. I like you as a person, I think we get along great, so I want to have game talks with you in addition to personal talks.
Adam:[/color] Yeah. I understand what you're saying and I'm sorry if I'm acting like shit all the time.
Stephanie:[/color] You're not acting "like shit." I didn't say that. Look, I'm sorry that I upset you. I obviously didn't want that. Hopefully we can move on. I want us to be friends and I'm sorry.

When Adam came back later, there was some very clear tension between us but I decided that it was important for us to talk game, especially since Saayazu is so close to losing this Immunity Challenge. And that just opened up a whole new can of worms. I told Adam that it was my intention to keep the both of us safe and I needed Morgan and Kat around in order to do that. But Adam was adamant about splitting up the three former Tingbani members. More frustrating than that was the fact that we was utterly unreceptive to my logical arguments.

Stephanie:[/color] If we lose...I'm thinking of voting out Eddie. What do you think?
Adam:[/color] I'm thinking of Kat.
Stephanie:[/color] Why Kat?
Adam:[/color] I think she's on the outs in Tingbani and she doesn't perform well at challenges. And that's a fact.
Stephanie:[/color] Yeah, that's true. She did really well in the first challenge but not so great in the others.
Adam:[/color] And as always, we wanna keep the tribe strong so voting the weak links is the best solution.
Stephanie:[/color] My only reason to keep her is that I've talked to her before and I think I have good sway with her. I've never talked to Eddie. My priority is making sure that you and I are safe. So if i can influence Kat and Morgan to keep us in the tribe, that's a good thing.
Adam:[/color] I don’t know. I just don’t feel Kat should stay longer.
Stephanie:[/color] Do you talk to Eddie?
Adam:[/color] We just met earlier.
Stephanie:[/color] I don't know, I'm not totally convinced just yet.
Adam:[/color] About what?
Stephanie:[/color] About voting out Kat instead of Eddie. He's never around and he's not great in challenges either. I'd prefer to keep Kat because at least I have some sway with her vote and can make sure you and I don't get voted out.
Adam:[/color] Right.
Stephanie:[/color] You don't agree, clearly.
Adam:[/color] Well. Yeah.
Stephanie:[/color] I really think it's beneficial to keep Kat. I have no reason to trust Eddie.
Adam:[/color] I just don’t trust Kat either.
Stephanie:[/color] Do you have as much influence over Eddie as I do over Kat?
Adam:[/color] I think I can get him.
Stephanie:[/color] Yeah, that doesn't work for me, because there's a risk you might not "get him." I don't have to "get" Kat. I already have her. It doesn't make sense for me to vote out Kat, she's someone that you and I can rely on for numbers.
Adam:[/color] I mean he's all alone now.
Stephanie:[/color] You're worried that if Morgan, Kat, and I stick together, you'll be outnumbered and at risk of being voted out. Am I right?
Adam:[/color] That's very likely.
Stephanie:[/color] It's not likely at all. You know why?
Adam:[/color] Why?
Stephanie:[/color] Because my loyalty to you far exceeds my loyalty to them. It did even when we were on the original Tingbani.
Adam:[/color] That's good to hear.
Stephanie:[/color] It's lucky for us that they both ended up with me on our tribe because it means we can have a majority vote, and all I have to do is deflect attention away from you. I don't have a legitimate loyalty or allegiance to them, but I do to you and I need them on this tribe to make sure that we're both safe. Because with them around, I can guarantee you safety. You can't guarantee me safety with Eddie around. From an objective standpoint, doesn't my argument make more sense?
Adam:[/color] I dont know.
Stephanie:[/color] I won't feel safe if Kat's gone. I can guarantee you safety, you can't guarantee me the same. So how does that make me feel?

Suddenly, Eddie messages me. More tellingly, he says that he's "heard" that his ass is on the line so he wants to win this Immunity Challenge to keep himself safe. Oh? You've heard, Eddie? Why, I wonder from whom! And suddenly, it all becomes clear. Not only is Adam actively working to eliminate one of my girls; he's relaying what I'm saying to Eddie and advising him to talk to me so that I'll have less reason to vote him out. And you know what, Adam? You're right. Eddie's not a threat to me. You know who is? You. And so it's time to get the ball rolling on the biggest blindside so far this season.



Here's how. I promised Eddie safety. I gave him my word that I would not vote against him. He told me that he wanted to vote off original Nyonni members, since they've yet to lose anyone, and heading into the merge with a former tribe of seven entirely intact is bad news all around. I didn't want to push the subject too far and suggest Adam, because we haven't even lost yet and I don't know how trustworthy Eddie is just yet. Then, I went to Morgan and Kat and told them everything. I embellished with Kat a little bit to really fire her up against Adam. As much as I know it will hurt his feelings, Adam must leave if we go to Tribal Council. Like Eddie said, it weakens the original Nyonni tribe, which is a good thing for everyone. But more importantly, it eliminates someone who knows a lot about me and whom I no longer trust. The girls and I are going to tell Adam and Laura that I'm voting out Eddie (and I've already warned Eddie about this). At that point, Eddie's vote is irrelevant. If he votes out Adam, it'll be 4-2. If he votes out Laura, it'll be 3-2-1 and Adam will still go. It amazes me how quickly my feelings towards Adam have hardened. He's a wounded little boy who's pissed off because I wouldn't keep flirting with him, and now that his temper tantrum is over, he's playing nice because he doesn't want me to know that he doesn't trust me anymore. Well, it's a good thing I have years of work experience with children, because they're terrible liars and entirely transparent. Adam, your number is up; you don't fuck with a high riding bitch like me.

[Amanda Kimmel]

I love you, Steph. That was awesome <3

Are there any repercussions for voting out Adam? And do you have any trust in Eddie?

[Ted Rogers]

Hey Steph! This is a shocking turn of events! I have to admit those conversations with Adam were awkward.

To sum it up, it seems like Adam's insecurities with the flirting and the vote has quickly changed your opinion about him from what I read.

Also if Adam was just cool with the plan to vote Eddie, What would have been your game plan after voting off Eddie?


PS. I am loving the way you post these conversations with the coloring and everything, makes it very easy to read .

[Stephanie Valencia]

Thanks guys! And thanks for the EARTH CRYSTAL!!!!

To answer your questions: no, I don't think there are any repercussions to voting out Adam. If we were in the Jury phase, I would much more hesitant to axe him so abruptly and obviously. But Adam as a pre-juror doesn't bother me at all because, no matter how upset he'll be at me, his ire won't negatively impact my game or my chances at winning. My decision to target Adam—which is now on hold since we thankfully won Immunity—doesn't mean I trust Eddie at all; in fact, I don't. But Eddie is a desperate man and that's a useful quality. I reached out to him very directly and I'm hoping that will foster a sense of trust (on his end). He knows he needs to stick with the original Tingbani girls because we have the numbers. It's the smart thing to do.

If Adam was cool with voting out Eddie, my next target would have been Laura…irrespective of the fact that she's a good asset to have in challenges. I'm not really aligned in any strict sense with Morgan or Kat (although they seem to think I am), but I need them for numbers and for security. They'll never vote against me and I feel like I have considerable sway with them, so why on earth would I vote them off the tribe?