logsinthenight | That One With the Meeting [OPEN]

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That One With the Meeting [OPEN]

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...

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Crowley is decidedly Not Participating. At first, anyway. Because this is a lot of things in his head, and Stupid is one of them. Look at them all, acting like this is a community, like this is actually a town and not some incredible blasphemy of nature. They're all dead and yet here they are, trying to act like a welcoming committee and a school and anything will make it right.

He slouches against several chairs, taking up more room than he actually should, because he can.

"So, while everyone's busy getting comfortable here, I'm assuming there are people who want to form plans to leave? Do those people get a say, or are we just going to act like we're staying here in spook-town forever? Or, at least, until the great big Lighthouse Keeper in the sky decides to reset us all?"

In his defense, he just got here, he's still learning how things work.

Oh, no. No, they don't get any kind of say.

[The words, with that sharp sarcasm and heavy deadpan, ought to be familiar to Crowley, even if the voice isn't. Rosalind has been fairly quiet, observing more than contributing, but she glances over at him as she says it.]

Point in fact, we silence anyone who speaks of leaving. In three months, we've resigned ourselves to living out our lives here. We none of us have decided that perhaps biding our time and using our brains instead of running around like witless children is helpful. My god. Leaving. You're the first person to suggest such a thing.

[So.

That happened.

Rosalind lets it sit in the air, icy cold, before adding:]

Think before you speak.

Edited 2019-09-05 00:49 (UTC)

Can you? That's useful. Boats, bridges, and general repairs are all pretty high up on the could-use list. There's an old bridge west of the village, past a fork in the river, and we don't know what it used to lead to.

[As just one idea. But he's eager to get over there and explore more and that river is a pretty dangerous obstacle without a safe way to cross.]

[Jason, who had been quietly listening to the proceedings, speaks up now. He was new, so he wanted to defer to those with experience he, but he also knew better than anyone how fresh eyes and a fresh mind could be a great asset to solving a problem. For the most part he was processing, but this was a good idea and something he could quickly contribute to.]

Getting more organized is a great idea, as is learning skills that we aren't normally used to having to use. I can help teach combat and some basic first aid...it's something we were all taught back at Camp.

[Usually they relied on Apollo campers or ambrosia, but in Camp Jupiter it was decided that a cohort and a legion would work best if every soldier could do the basics of every other soldier. He wasn't sure what sort of weapons they had available here, but if nothing else he also had an understanding of hand-to-hand techniques as well.]

[Crowley's eyebrows hit his hairline and he turns to look at this person who has spoken to him in such an incredibly sarcastic and icy tone. She's completely acerbic and utterly unpleasant to him without mercy.

He has no idea who she is but he adores her immediately.

He waves a hand, gesturing to the room.]

Where are the plans to leave, then? Everyone is talking about what to do while we stay.

All this brainpower in one room and we could be out of here in a matter of weeks.

[ kol shrugs, but it isn't out of any lack of belief in what javert proposes. it hits a little too close to home. if he wants to be better, then this is one of those opportunities to be better, isn't it?

arms crossed, ] I know how to fight with weapons and without. You'd be doing yourself a favour if you learned both. You won't always have a weapon in your hand when fighting something bigger and stronger than you.

[ he's often that thing that's bigger and stronger. perhaps viking dad mikael did actually teach wily troublemaker son kol something after all. ]

You should also learn outside of the gymnasium. You won't always be on known and even ground.

Oh, could we? And how do you suggest we accomplish that, hm? Do you happen to have a doorway in your back pocket?

[She's being slightly more irritable than usual, but also, she's in mourning, so.]

You know, I might. And wouldn't you feel a right bit stupid in this moment if I did?

[Alas, he does not.]

There's someone in this town who is making a portal to get out of here.

[There's just a moment, and then she realizes. Ah, and suddenly her air changes: going from irritable incredulity to something smug and confident, like a cat who just figured out how to open the bird cage.]

Are they. And did they give you an estimated time of creation?

[Crowley notices the change in the air and he Does. Not. Like. That. Because he can't tell what that means.]

Working by themselves, yes.

And did they ask for help? Or did they tell you that no one could compare to them, and thus they'd have to work alone regardless?

[There is a small pause.

It's not a long pause, but it is a pause in which one could easily imagine gears turning. Or a very small hamster running on a very small wheel trying to get to a destination as Crowley listens to what the woman has just said.]

It's you, isn't it?

Indeed.

[Why does she look so smug? And yet she does, one leg crossed at the knee over the other, her posture straight despite the fact she's no longer bound in her corsets and layers.]

Three years, I told you. Maybe more. If we're to leave, it won't be anytime soon-- and given Will's deadline, I don't know if I can accomplish it.

[It's a new experience, coming to a meeting and not having everyone immediately defer to you. Jason could get used to hanging on the sidelines, but maybe there really was something to having the king of the gods' blood in his veins because before too long he straightens up to speak.

He'd been listening this whole time, but if they were talking of forming a council, of planning for survival and (as Crowley had suggested) perhaps escape, then it was probably time he threw his own hat into the ring.]

Hello, I'm Jason. First, I wanted to say thanks for inviting the new arrivals here. I know it can be easy to assume that those with experience are going to have the most to contribute when it comes to ideas, but it's not always the case and usually ends up holding things back anyway. I'll admit, I feel like I'm still playing catch up, but from what I've gathered over the past few days of being here seems like even with a few months experience everyone is still learning new things about our situation here every day.

Second, and probably more to the point, it sounds like our first order of business is always going to be learning where each of our strength's lie. Any leadership we select, whether it be a council or something else, is going to have to be made up of people with interest in helping everyone and doing so at something that is to their strength. It sounds to me like we're just as likely to go down together as we are to accomplish anything else, and we'll probably have a higher chance of NOT going down if we make it a group effort anyway. More importantly, we should probably make sure our efforts are evenly spread -- investigation or exploration, survival or defense, and maybe even escape to name a few. That could be how we set the council, dividing the focus, but still united in a common goal. It might even make sense to form those groups and THEN elect a representative to this council at large from each area of focus. That way everyone knows who is involved with what.

[He pauses, realizes he's been talking a lot, and decides to wrap up and see what someone else has to add.]

That's just one suggestion though. Once I get to know more people here I could probably make a better assessment. I may not look it, but I was responsible for an entire legion of Romans at one point. If I can get five different cohorts with the bitterest rivalries to work together, I think I can help with this.

[It's not stated as a brag, just as a fact. He could have just as easily have been talking about being captain of the football team or student body president -- which would be more fitting for his appearance and age. The next part is directed more specifically at Cao Pi again.]

I'd like to see the logbooks at some point tonight, if that's okay. I've heard you all mentioning these explorations. I haven't felt right since getting here...but I may be able to offer us a different perspective on the lay of the land. One of my powers is flight.

That's not the only way out and you know it.

[He lounges back again]

We got in through a door, we can go back out the same one.

"Clarke," she corrects Cao Pi gently, and as unobtrusively as she can while the conversation flows around them. "Not 'lady', just Clarke."

She nods at Kol, acknowledging his skepticism while seeking to reassure. "A vote does seem fair. If someone has a particular skill set that's an unmet need, it stands to reason they should volunteer their services — but by all means, we should leave it up to the populace to decide who they want to guide them."

[Jason looks over to Kol and nods in a agreement.]

That's not a bad idea and with it being always dark, unfamiliar terrain can be even trickier. It'd be to our advantage to at least get more used to maneuvering that way.

[He almost suggests a method similar to Camp Half-Blood's training using capture the flag, but he's hesitant since most people here will think of the game and not the intense combat practice it actually was with the Greeks.]

[tbh he was going to interrupt a lot sooner but he's just learned a new twist in the whole situation. Also? Hilariously entertaining. That was some good snark, both of you, keep it up.]

How do you know we got in through a door? There was only darkness and then the ferry. Or do you mean a metaphorical door, as the Gate of Heaven or something?

What, do you think we just appeared here? Like poof out of nothing?

[This makes so much sense to Crowley, why isn't it making sense to everyone else?]

Something had to happen for us to get in, and we can use that to get back out.

[ really, it's almost convenient that he arrived here so well dressed, though if he had a choice now, he might have worn something other than just black. when he finds a moment to say his part, he strides toward the front, cane clapping along to complete the ensemble. ]

Hello. [ he taps his free hand lightly against his chest with flourish, a graceful smile on his face. there's notable enthusiasm in his voice, something earned from far too many, long, and pretty speeches. ] Eliot. Former Ruler of Fillory, Magician King, Brakebills Royalty, etcetera, etcetera. Not really sure how that applies here now that I'm dead, of course, but I did have to reorganize a large majority of the kingdom directly after my coronation.

I just got here, but with all this talk of attack and death, my guess is that we need far more preparation than there was. A defense strategy would be useful. And perhaps a primer with basics of what one should or shouldn't do should they encounter trouble, somewhere to go or meet or even a means to alert others of immediate and imminent danger. A Beacon survival guide, if you will, maybe even something we could have readily accessible on the tablet network.

We should also likely stockpile supplies for emergencies. For treating the injured but also food and other things we might need if we find ourselves stranded without our. Well. Regular shipments and arrivals.

Perhaps. Perhaps not. Door is a metaphor; they don't stay open forever, and once they close, there may be no opening them.

He's correct.

[DOESN'T SHE SOUND GRUDGING ABOUT IT]

We came from our worlds and were deposited here. How we got here depends, but in some fashion, we were brought from one world to another. Door is just a convenient word for it.

[Crowley preens.]

That's why we catch them before they close again.

[You stop that now.]

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Page 2 of 14

That One With the Meeting [OPEN]

Crowley | Open

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Jason Grace | Open

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eliot waugh | ota

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