At that point, the other finalist and I individually emailed the Idol poobah and asked whether we could please finish the season as co-winners, given that the voters' opinions seemed pretty clear.
In a stroke of luck and mercy, he decided to let the tie stand-- for only the second time in all of the Idol regular and mini-seasons.
So, sonreir and I are the co-winners of the LJ Idol Literary Prize Fight mini-season.
Thank you all so much for your help, your support, and your extreme patience. I couldn't have done it without you. \o/
♥ ♥ ♥