logsinthenight | Round 2 [open]

Entry tags:

Round 2 [open]

characters: Cao Pi and everyone who wants to show up
location: town hall
date/time: Dec. 8, starting at moonrise
content: Community meeting, take 2! After the Dreamer/Defender incident, there's a lot to talk about and Cao Pi has encouraged everyone to come and publicly share what they learned while asleep or what ideas they have to make the next massacre less massacre-y. Feel free to handwave catching his post or hearing about it from a friend.
warnings: none likely but lmk if that changes. Threadjacking likely; if you don't want to be threadjacked, make some sort of indication.

As before, Cao Pi arrives ahead of time to ensure the town hall is ready for a session, righting any chairs that might have been thrown about in recent melees and checking the logbook for recent information. When a fair amount of people have arrived and he can see the waxing moon rising through the leafless trees outside, he rises to begin with a short intro.

"By now we know that those who succumbed to the food at the feast had a strange experience - they shared dreams with each other, in which they found themselves seeing Beacon as it was in the past. I encourage all those who dreamed, and remember it well, please tell us all what you saw. There may be considerable clues to our purpose and progress in even the smallest detail.

"The rest of us, well. We managed to make it through and I believe those who were killed are whole again, but for our part we can go over what worked and what didn't. Defending ourselves isn't merely a matter of being trained to use weapons. The spirits which attacked were formidable, powerful. We will need more than just our strength to outlast another attack. Ideas are welcome, as is any new information we have on everything from communications to threats."

That's all he'll ramble about this time, he'll take a seat and allow others to have the floor before he makes any more grandiose speeches.

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It's not the first time he's heard this man about town. Bruce has known his share of politicians and by extension has come to view them with a measure of skepticism- all people have their own motives, he can't fault anyone for that. But in his experience, those motives require scrutiny when the individual in question is rallying others. Mobilizing them to a cause.

Bruce is not an anarchist. Instead, the comment he offers comes from a preference to investigate before he acts. Cao Pi is not the first to suggest fortifying themselves against the spirits or preparing for acts of hostility. But Bruce continues to consider it a waste of time and resources.

"Things might not have been so dire if everyone had eaten first place."

Cao Pi would not have been the first emperor of Wei if he didn't know how to handle doubt. He smiles so very slightly; he really meant it that he didn't want to go over what-might-have beens but if someone asks...

"Things might have not been so dire if the spirits had waited until everyone had done so. I personally had my cup to my lips when everyone next to me slumped over. Would you condemn a man who was but seconds away from eating? What if such a man was used to watching others be poisoned at dinner by a political rival? Can you, perhaps, forgive that man for deciding not to drink?"

He shakes his head, then, doing his best not to pace or make a fuss. "What happened cannot be undone. We can second-guess ourselves after the fact all we want, but in the light of information provided by both Commander Rosinante and Master Riku, it still seems in our best interests to protect one another and prevent further death. That is the real matter, here, not whether or not anyone should have eaten at a feast."

"You ask the wrong question." It is a very familiar smile that's been bestowed upon him, and Bruce can admire the careful turning of the conversation. He is, in many ways, the last person that could find fault with someone one's attempts to manipulate- a situation or another. The necessity of controlling the world around it in the hopes that he might better protect himself and others was a lesson learned from a very young age. One that has been reinforced through experience.

Bruce doesn't return the smile but he doesn't scowl either. If he were in another mood, if he were capable of anything around the yawning emptiness in his stomach, perhaps he would have played along. Instead there is a kind of perpetual impassivity that settles over his shoulders, that he wears like a shroud.

"My forgiveness is irrelevant. It is the spirits that were offended."

What a formidable opponent in debate he's found! Cao Pi is all in on this conversation, it's one of the more stimulating he's had around here since arriving. Ideas, thoughts, not practical matters - forgive him, everyone else, for pausing to indulge this for a moment or two.

"Perhaps, but they were also the ones to make the first mistake. To attack rather than wait." He nods toward Riku again. "Master Riku made a breakthrough, he managed to convince them that we meant no offense and only had to defend ourselves. They are trying to tell us something, but as with any difficulty translating between languages, they made some missteps. We had no choice but to dance with those missteps at the time. Now, we know a little more than we did. But next time..."

Zihuan would like to believe that just by making some kind of truce using the network, everything would be smooth sailing from here on out. But he's a pragmatist and doesn't think it will be easy at all. "They could be manipulated. Forced, as we were when we all hallucinated phantoms. It could be no fault of their own. But just as one cannot reason with a rabid wolf that has lost its senses, 'oh please Lord Wolf I am not your enemy do not bite me,' we will still have to defend ourselves. And that is what I would like to collaborate toward. I have no interest in continuing to talk about what might have been. Let us move forward, or else lay down here to die so that we don't offend the spirits any further."

His last sentence is said somewhat sharper than the rest, his usual mellifluous tone evaporating rather rapidly. He's entertained the philosophical long enough, it's time to talk concrete solutions instead.

"Can we call it a mistake?"

Bruce does not separate the philosophical from the pragmatic, not because he fears action but because he knows that any choice will come with a cost. He would rather know precisely what he is to pay for before that happens. His hands fold into his pockets and though the other man nods in Riku's direction, Bruce's gaze doesn't move from his face. "After all, their numbers haven't suffered nearly as much as our own."

With anyone else he might experience some measure of hesitation before laying such a summary out. He's found that in broad strokes, people within Beacon tend to fall into two camps- those quick to adapt an Us-vs-Them mentality that promises to perpetuate fighting into the foreseeable future, and those who have begun to shake off the rules and expectations of their own world in an attempt to better analyze another. The way that Cao Pi chooses to respond will at least allow Bruce to solidify his understanding about which camp he chooses to publicly identify with.

"Surely you can see the wisdom in knowing your enemies." His hands remain at his sides, empty and still, but a single brow raises. Bruce too considers himself a pragmatist though there are many ways one might model the concept. "Talking about what might have been would better inform our actions in the future. As they've demonstrated many times already we are hardly their equal in strength, and what else would they conclude from a group that begins fortification and patrol except that we're prepared and willing to fight again? History is full of wars and skirmishes started this way."

It doesn't escape his notice that the capstone of Cao Pi's explanation has ended on such a fine point, but Bruce doesn't rise to meet it because it isn't in his nature. He isn't here to lecture or to spar and that's the reason his cadence remains so even and quiet.

"With your experience, I'm sure you've seen the adage hold true several times. Discretion as the better part of valor."

Zihuan arches an eyebrow right back. Touche. "Indeed, I have," he acknowledges. "I prefer discretion, it has constantly vexed the more bloodthirsty of generals under me who would rather race off to destroy. To that end, I am pleased that the general attitude here is not to take up arms and go out to destroy the spirits before they can destroy us. That, I think, is the most foolish of paths."

Riku is his best example of someone who managed to find a clue, despite several trying with various degrees of success. Cao Pi failed due to sarcasm. Lunafreya got only so far with their threats against her. So he keeps glancing at or gesturing toward the young man as he pontificates. "We know they mourn their dead. We know they would like to communicate with us but their efforts can come off wrong. What we don't know, yet, is if there is a hierarchy among them - say, for example, that the ones who live and interact with us in the town are of one sort, kind and eager, but there are others further away who are not at all interested in helping, who would rather kill us all, who have their own motives and don't agree with the friendly ones. We do need to learn more about them, for sure. But in the meantime, to leave ourselves entirely exposed out of some fear of looking too threatening is to invite other factions to come have their way with us." He gives Bruce a cool look. "In my experience, I have also seen innocent people who would like to simply be left alone trampled underfoot by the bigger neighbor next door who would very much not like to leave them alone."

The Soldier is Not Here. They are outside and listening in under a window, sitting in the snow, because they couldn't convince themselves to actually walk inside. Which means adding to the conversation is kind of... hard. Even when one has actual pertinent information to share, which they do.

They heard Jason in there, though. Jason knows Bruce. Jason might not mind breaking into that particular conversation.

Jason gets a ping on his tablet from "Soldier" that says, Spirits do have hierachy. The green-eyed ones are bosses and give out jobs and control the others. They hide from them if they don't want to do what the green-eyed ones want.

[ jason feels the vibration, and has to pull out the tablet-- his eyebrows furrowing for a moment. that's interesting. he already had suspected there was a hierarchy, and that they were more than capable of understanding intent more than words. just based on his brief conversation with them. but, he's been asked to intervene, and so he tucks away the tablet. ]

I've been asked to pass along the message that they do have a hierarchy. Y'know. Give out orders to underlings. Something at least one of you is familiar with. [ and something the other will quickly get familiar with, judging by the quick glance he gives bruce before looking back to Cao Pi. ]

And they hide from their bosses if they don't want to do what they want. The bosses in this case are the green-eyeds.

Also, just gonna point out... you build a wall, and shit hits the fan again, how long you think that's gonna last? It's not a bad idea, but you can't do it alone.

Having had a couple of productive chats with Jason before, Cao Pi is quick to listen but also to give him a hard stare. "What? You're certain. How do you know this?"

It would undoubtedly change all of his plans, and some ideas for that matter, going forward if this was confirmed. Wall be damned, this is important!

Got a friendly heads up from someone who's listening in.

[ who he figures could have interrupted if they wanted to be known. for now, he offers a shrug. ]

After my last conversation with them on the network, I wouldn't doubt that. Something smart enough to steal our words, even if they hate them, is smart enough to steal concepts, and tactics from us.

If they didn't have them before.

Jason gets another message. If he wants to get details later he can. I just can't come inside. Too many people. I have a contact with the spirits who told me.

Listening in? Pardon him a moment while he looks around suspiciously. Anyone who would rather eavesdrop than join in is already not on his good list.

"I want to believe it," he cautions, "but I should like more than a third-hand account. If it's true, that would mean that the spirits which live around the town and interact with us genuinely are on our side, and if they can be made allies, we could learn so much more very quickly."

[ he flashes his tablet, with the message. ]

It's Soldier.

He says he'll meet with you, if you need more. Just feeling shy right now.

The Soldier is just. Gonna put their head in their hands and stifle the urge to groan in embarrassment, even while still safely outside. Shy. Jesus.

Still unimpressed, but... "Very well."

At least that way he won't be completely surprised to be accosted outside the door later. But there are other things to focus on, let's see who else has a tale to tell.

[ day knows it’s impossible to stop a fight but he’s gonna try and give his hopefully peaceful two cents— ]

To be fair— It’s hard to get a read on the spirits. After, um, what happened a few months back… [ he falls quiet here, crossing his arms over his chassis as if to protect himself from something or someone. ] I get why some of others weren't eager to eat. I mean... Don’t take candy from strangers and don’t eat offered feasts foods from spirits. Things like that. It's practical but I think that's the issue.

We're not, um, completely jiving with the spirits, you know? But it's possible! Ms. Luna and Riku proved that when they spoke with the spirits.

It’s why I want to make contact with them after this meeting. To see if we can make further progress with them if we’re, um, on the same page and we're on the same grounds, so to speak.

[It is impossible not to recognize Daylight. He's a very distinct figure in both shape and size, and he's made himself consistently available to help others. To serve the interests of the group. Time will tell if his viewpoint is optimistic, but despite Bruce's reservations with looking at anything through that particular lens- he appreciates that it exists in others. It's valuable, and worth protecting.

His gaze lifts.]

Make contact how?

... Go into the woods and say hi?

[ okay. no. seriously. ]

-I attempted to make contact with them by sending them a package and a letter, letting them know I plan to go to a particular area and I'd like to speak with them. I saw on the network that someone - Ms. Luna, I think? - gave them a name. So I addressed the package to that spirit in particular.

Still waiting to see if something happens so... [ he shrugs, trying to look hopeful with his sheepish smile. ] Thought it didn't hurt to try and show we're willing to help. They're just... scared, you know?

[Fear is a response all creatures feel, human and otherwise. It isn't unreasonable or unfounded to believe that the spirits are acting from this perspective, or reacting for that matter.

Further- as far as stances are concerned, Bruce believes that their significant prospects will lie in communication and cooperation with the spirits. They've demonstrated their abilities several times; the residents of Beacon are unmatched in every conceivable way, it would be a waste of time, resources, and energy to pursue a military strategy.]

And if they don't reply?

[ daylight tilts his helm at the question, optics flickering in his equivalent of blinking. ]

When you say they 'don't reply' - Do you mean if they don't give an answer or if they... you know... turn kinda murderous? [ 'kinda' is a bit of an understatement, daylight, since they've proven themselves to be very murderous on the best of days. ] I feel like that's important to differentiate.

[ and yet he pauses at that point, looking thoughtful when something occurs to him now. ] Actually. No.

I think it'll be the same answer for me no matter what- I'll keep offering them a hand, keeping showing I want to work with them.

The intention is noble, but for the sake of clarification I suppose my question is: do you intend to seek them out in the woods directly?

[There is perhaps a precedent that would give Bruce every reason to frame the question as an accusation. But he doesn't. Criticism when for constructive purposes is a good thing- it allows the seeker to test their theory and for those listening to reframe it, return it, and hear a revised result. They make each other stronger this way.

Bruce, for his part, looks only curious. Thoughtful.]

I know you're aware of the danger they present, but I ask from the perspective of the spirits themselves. An uninvited guest may be considered a hostile act. Trespassing.

[ daylight doesn’t seem to mind the question. in fact— he seems happy? maybe because, so far, the others have been nothing but either supportive or serious of him taking this endeavour. he wants to believe it’s a sign that this idea of his has some merit. ]

Yeah— I do. I’m going to their neck of the woods and try to meet them on evenish grounds. I... I know what I'm doing might upset them, given what I know of them so far. [ and what they’ve experienced from the spirits. ] It’s why I sent them a, um, peace offering in advance.

Just a bouquet of flowers and a letter. [ he ducks his helm a bit when he says this, feeling a bit embarrassed but trying to stand by his action. ] I tried to explain I only come as a friend and I want to help them. And, if that doesn't work, I at least let them know where I plan to go. So if they don’t want me there or anywhere in particular, they’re more than welcome to give me a heads up.

[ in a hopefully non-murderous way but day will take what he can get at this point. ]

[The peace offering in advance is a good sign, not simply because it helps announce his presence ahead of time but also because it demonstrates that he's thinking about the perception of his actions. Bruce has heard a great deal of talk around Town Hall about actions and consequences, but few people seem interested in trying to view their decisions through the lens of the spirits. The residents here know almost nothing about their way of life, their values, their customs. They can only marginally communicate.

Bruce considers this, a small furrow creasing between his brows.]

Have you tried asking any of the other spirits for input or advice? Like the postmaster?

[ daylight pauses at the question, taking it into serious consideration... which is, admittedly, a worrying sign for his trip into the forests. if he's just taken that into account now.

but, finally, he answers with a surprising amount of confidence: ] If anyone can get a lot of info from the spirits, it'll be my partner- Soldat. Broody but really nice. He's going to be with me when I go in there because, um, the buddy system and stuff. I know he made good friends with a spirit or two. He gives them coffee and everything.

[ because if you know the preferred drink of someone, you know them pretty well at that point. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Round 2 [open]

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