That One With the Meeting [OPEN]

[pure_havoc]

characters: Cao Pi and OPEN!!!
location: the town hall
date/time: appx moonrise Sept. 2, for a couple of hours
content: Cao Pi proposed a meeting for everyone to talk about what ideas they have for organizing, protecting the town, and safely exploring their confines. This is that meeting. Newcomers are welcome as well! Assume characters have heard about it through the grapevine, but especially on Sept. 1 as Cao Pi makes the rounds and tells people this is happening. He will have a moment to orate but after that the floor is open, threadjacking is encouraged, and whatever comes of this is a complete free-for-all!
warnings: probably some discussion of character death. lmk if I need to edit this.

Despite the fact that Will Ingram's messages providing further information were yet to come, Cao Pi had made a public promise and he would hold himself to it, carrying out his meeting as described. At moonrise on the 2nd, he is already present in the town hall, hoping to see not just those who told him they would be there, but also some of the unfortunate newcomers freshly thrown into this situation. He had done his best to prowl around the Invincible and the bonfire, mentioning that the meeting would happen, but he still had to rely on word of mouth to do its work.

When he decides there are enough people present to begin, the Lord of Wei steps up before the assembly, clearing his throat importantly. "For better or worse," he begins, "we are a community. A town, if we are not a country. The hints and cryptic comments from the Lighthouse Keeper have suggested that we have a job to do, but we're still waiting on information as to what it is and why - why us, why the dead stolen from their worlds or their respective afterlives. But the recent mission to connect the Keeper to the network our tablets can access has shown a number of weaknesses that may hamper our ability to do any job, let alone the one which will keep us all from being permanently obliterated." Is that harsh? Too bad. He doesn't care. "We know a few things for certain. One, that we must carry out the purpose which the Keeper understands and encourages. Two, if we fail in any way, she will kill us all by ordering the spirits to destroy us. Three, the spirits deep in the forest are not just her weapon against us, but they have their own will and may attack or destroy anyone who simply wanders out too far. Our explorations have uncovered a number of things but not everything, by far. If you are new or simply haven't kept up on the recent developments, the record is here." He holds out a hand to the logbooks kept there in the town hall.

"I've asked you here to discuss the issues facing us in Beacon, and to offer up any ideas for how to solve those issues. There are quite a few of them, some that even I, perhaps, haven't considered yet. Please be orderly and take your turns, but I should like to hear from everyone. Whether you have questions, or have an idea you wish to share, please. Speak up. We will all be better for the sharing of ideas and discussion of pros and cons, rather than just waiting and hoping that someone will take charge and give us orders."

With that, he steps aside, inviting anyone and everyone to come up and speak. Or simply rise from their seat and speak. The floor is open, Beacon, use it to say things that you might not want anyone connected to the network to overhear. Sass the Keeper, gush about the Postmaster, whatever you want. Hopefully by the end of it all, someone might have some plans that can be brought about. For his part, Cao Pi is not putting himself up as any sort of authority or the one actually in charge, he literally is only there as organizer and moderator and nothing else. At least, so his cool half-smirk and perfect manners would suggest...

Comments

[kungfuey]

Exactly. [ Her eyebrows bouncing as she allows a grin to play at her lips. ]

But... it's not as hard as it sounds. You look at the people who are sharing ideas but who won't get anything out of the ideas they share. The ones with smart ideas that help everyone. They're the better choice for leaders.

[policier]

( Javert turns a little more toward him, when he's mentioned by name, his haughtiness still present in his posture. He already knows he's an asshole, he doesn't care if anyone hates him for it. )

Perhaps that is not the best analogy, as military-men must first be trained before going off to war.

( But Javert's not here to argue analogies. Here's to make constructive plans, and this boy has the right idea, even if his delivery was a bit foolish. )

It is possible for us to do both, to strategize and prepare. There are enough of us here to do it, to have groups out searching for information while others stay behind, readying for another crisis. I am an inspector. I know the value of information. You do not need to lecture me on it.

So I ask you again. What do you think we should do? Explore, yes, I understand that. But we cannot throw ourselves blindly into the woods. We need to be smart about how we go about it.

[pure_havoc]

All very good ideas. [no, really! personality conflicts and sniping aside, everyone here seems to be smart. Well, except for Crowley over there but that's a different issue] Off the network is precisely why I asked everyone to meet here. It doesn't stop someone with...well. Either nefarious or well-meaning intentions from using the tablet to report what was said here, but it at least slows that process down.

Very well. I agree entirely that we need a more organized system for scouting and reporting on the results. In my experience that was always done by a single general, so if you are so concerned about single points of failure, there is room for a better idea, there.

[pure_havoc]

"Think not of either Winters or Robin, or the remaining doctor, as leaders," Cao Pi warns with a shake of his head. "The captain and doctor are merely people who remained after a reset. They have experience, nothing more. The Keeper is the same but removed from us by having a certain responsibility. Whether any previous groups have attempted organization or leadership, we simply have no way of knowing. Nothing remains of them except four peculiar individuals with their own experiences, one of whom is dead now."

[lunchbreaks]

"Perhaps we should think democratically, then," he suggests. "With forums like these, whenever we need to come to a decision on something. We all come from differing backgrounds and experiences, and... times, it would be insurmountable a task to compare them."

Aziraphale, having lived through Julius Caesar, having known Julius Caesar, absolutely does not want this proposed crown.

[notthatjason]

It's not overly complicated. You have two teams who each get a flag to defend. The goal of the game is to defend your own flag while also snagging the other team's flag and bringing it back to your base.

[Jason isn't sure if now is the time to elaborate much further, since the purpose of this meeting is a more general gathering of resources and cooperation among everyone.]

There are a few rules beyond that about boundaries, taking prisoners, and no maiming or killing. Obviously.

[As for how many players.]

At minimum? I'd say maybe six...though we usually had far more than that.

[withsadness]

Do you have any ideas so far?

[Maybe she's already noticed who she thinks would make a good leader? Mary isn't really so sure, because she thinks most people would probably do great. She hadn't considered anything else until now, really.]

[policier]

( Javert takes the sign-up sheet, looking it over with a bit of difficulty, but he can parse the words out well enough. He takes one of her crayons, which looks almost comically small in his hand, and puts a mark next to the welcoming committee and emergency plans columns. )

As do I. ( He says, handing the sketchbook back to her. )

That is why I will teach you how to defend yourself. I do not wish for anything horrible to befall you.

[policier]

My condolences.

( Inwardly, though, Javert's just like God, I wish that were me. Must be nice to be murdered. Outwardly, though, he doesn't give anything away. He remains as calm and neutral as usual. )

Was it against those demons you spoke of? Perhaps you will do better keeping yourself alive a second time.

( One can only hope. )

[policier]

( Javert almost wants to laugh. Surely this man must be jesting? In all of the months that Javert has been here, he's never once run into anyone who could use magic. He frowns a bit, and folds his arms a little more petulantly against his chest. )

Now is not the time for jokes, monsieur. Speak truthfully.

[pure_havoc]

[perhaps later they can discuss death over a glass of wine. For now, there's work to be done.

Zihuan huffs a quiet, humorless chuckle. Touche, Inspector.]

Every man's time comes sooner or later. But yes, it was something well outside of what anyone would call a typical enemy. No mere arrow through the chestplate or sword to the gut this time. Either way, I have no intention of repeating that mistake.

I appreciate your level head and intelligent suggestions. I think we can work well together to defend this town.

[pure_havoc]

Similar time periods, but what did Caesar have that could compare to Cao Cao, Hero of Chaos? They'll have to trade notes later, Dad sure did know how to conquer a castle in his time.

"Of course, and I wouldn't presume to know everything about everyone," Zihuan agrees. "Here we have our actions to speak for us, more than our words. Those of us willing to step up and take action can pave the way for those who still want to help, but aren't yet prepared to even know how to begin. It seems we are in agreement, sir.

"Then what remains is finding out who, if anyone, is willing to step up."

[unpredict]

[ it sounds like a severe game of cat and mouse, a game kol used to be the cat in. he's in. ]

Sounds fun.

[ there's a little pep to him when he says it. the mere idea does get his blood pumping, and while something deep, deep, deep down and dark inside of him is sad about the maiming and killing, he's just glad to be having fun. he's been desperate for entertainment and it hasn't even been a full 48 hours since he was dropped here. ]

What kind of weapons did you use? I'm assuming this wasn't solely hand to hand.

Coraline Li | OTA [This is really just to show Coraline was like, there.]

[primordialerebus]

[ She had tried to lurk near the entrance at first, that way she could slip out without notice once the meeting was over (or her anxiety over not keeping watch got to her). The only issue was… well. She couldn’t really hear super well, especially with other people murmuring and shit.

So she ends up just sitting in the fringes of the crowd, doing her best impression of a terrified turtle the whole time. And once the meeting finishes, she’ll make her escape. ]

[primordialerebus]

[ At some point during the meeting, Coraline will slip over to peer at the chart, studying it for a moment before picking up a (purple) crayon to mark "want" under “Welcoming Committee”, “Emergency Gathering Places”, and Building and Restoration. ]

Thank you Mary. [ She says, giving her a small smile. ]

[itselbitch]

[ ah. as he thought. he had been rather like this himself, before he reinvented himself. he doesn't know that he misses it. there are things you see from the front that aren't always as clear in the back. ]

Don't tell me you're going to be plotting my demise now that I've addressed everyone. I'm too handsome to die in the first act. [ it's sarcastic. whether she is or not, he doesn't really seem to care. ]

[itselbitch]

Defensive spells and wards are well within my purview. Things that can entrap, signal warning, what have you. I can enchant weapons and armor as well. The world is your oyster, when it comes to magic. The only limitation is your creativity. And, well, I suppose the skill of the magician.

But perhaps it'd be useful to understand what we're working with first. Who has weapons. Who can fight. Best to better equip those who are not equipped already, I think.

Maybe a voluntary census?

[itselbitch]

[ he gives something of a despairing sigh at the mention of light. he does know light spells, to be sure, but of course they're meaningless here beyond whatever minimal heat is transferred by it. fire still works best.

which is exactly why he does a casual snap of his fingers to produce a quick flame, showing he is indeed capable. it's a common party trick used for lighting candles and such. while it produces no more light than is already present, a clear shape forms and a the faint whoosh of the flame gulping down oxygen is clear before it dies from the source. ]

Definitely practical. It simplifies a lot of things in life. Well, usually. The light not working thing is a bit on the nose, but magic is about more than just light.

[itselbitch]

[ he lets out a short laugh at how seriously the response comes. really, can he fault the guy's confusion? also there's some illogical part of eliot's mind that's utterly amused at the actual image of a very real javert frowning at him in judgement. it's hard to keep from smiling as he clears his throat and gestures gracefully with his hand, a ball of lightless but still otherwise real flame burning from the center of his palm. he let's it sit for a moment, knowing the lack of light makes it less obvious to the bare eye, before wisping it away with the curl of his fingers back against his palm. ]

I assure you, I'm hardly joking, inspecteur.

[pure_havoc]

Hm. Yes, I think you're right. A census would get us further on a number of issues - it's all well and good to talk about people with various skill sets in theory, but I genuinely have no idea at this very moment who has what skills.

I will consider putting something like that out in public. Those who decide not to answer, well, clearly they and their talents won't be taken into account if we don't know about them.

[lunchbreaks]

"No one has offered?" he asks, slightly incredulous. That was unlike any crowd of humans he had ever met before.

"Suppose we might have to draw straws, if it comes to that." He still prefers the whole democracy thing though, sorry Cao Pi.

[policier]

( It does sound a little bit far-fetched. But if there's one thing Javert's gotten used to over the past few months — besides the dark — it's the extraordinary. He looks considering for a moment. )

You must have some skills surviving out in the wilderness, too, I imagine. Whatever the case, your experience will be invaluable, Mademoiselle — ( Ah. It seems he never bothered to catch her name, not among all the chaos, and spirits trying to rip them apart. )

[itselbitch]

Is that too much?

[ the stumble in saying the phrase alone was signal enough, but then the awkward attempt to turn something plausibly gruesome into a joke kinda say, "yes, please, take me away from here." ]

You don't have to if they make you uncomfortable, you know. I'd rather you make something you could be proud of. That's the only way it'd really be made right anyway.

there now they're mutual access biffles

[itselbitch]

"Thinks that are alive? But wouldn't you have to cut roses and apples to enjoy them up close?"

Sort of on the nose there, with things that are alive. But Eliot chalks it up to childlike wonder.

"It is such a beautiful color though. My favorite kind of fireworks are the red ones."

[itselbitch]

[ secure is definitely a good idea. if only he paid more attention in that one computer class he took instead of watching that cute boy two rows down and five seats over the whole semester.

to the guy with a stick up his ass: ] I don't suppose you would know anyone who might. Lock down? A more private means of communication? While there's not general harm in using it, it's certainly a means by which we are observed.

The advantage of technology should be the means to share, but if we can't do that without physically gathering every time, it would greatly hamper all of our productivity.