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

Cao Pi | open

[pure_havoc]

When he gets a turn, Cao Pi steps in front again to mention specifically who he is and what is stakes are in this meeting. "My name is Cao Pi, styled Zihuan, and my title at home is the King of Wei. I have experience in matters of rule and the military, but that by no means indicates anything here. I am, as you all are, dead.

"But what bothers me most is that we have a small population which could, and should work together toward our common goals. It pains me to hear how many have gotten themselves killed wandering off, trying to explore without a plan in mind, and so on. I don't fault the people who volunteered to assist Winters with the mission the lighthouse. The end result was important. But we lost so, so much in the process."

He pauses, as if to observe a moment of silence for the dead. The extra-dead, if you will. "I hate to see people suffer needlessly, whether experiencing a second or third death and being forcefully resurrected to go through it all again, or facing a more permanent form of death. We can do better. We should do better. Whether we care for one another or simply know the intellectual prudence of relying on each other, it doesn't matter - we can help each other. I would rather see us somewhat organized, like a town should be. People who can welcome newcomers. People who can protect in case of attack. People who can escort explorers and make sure they return alive. People who can provide additional services that would make life easier for us all. I know you're all out there. What I would like to do is determine who has what skills and who would be best in what role. If I must actually organize anyone, I will, though I'm aware that some have a problem with simply being given orders or direted by a leader. At present, we have no leader. Whether you want one or not, it is my assertion that we need one. But I will not presume to be him unless asked."

It may be clear by now but Cao Pi really likes to hear himself talk. He'll open the floor to questions and abuse, though. Bring it on.

[sunborne]

Feeling kind of (justifiably) called out for the 'trying to explore without a plan in mind' aside-

Daylight raises a servo up to get (King? Zihuan? Sir??) Cao Pi's attention when the opening talk seems to have wrapped up. A kinda redundant action for him to do given his height and his build, he knows, but he doesn't want to speak over anyone who might also want to have a say on this.

When he's sure he's allowed to speak, he first clears his vocaliser of the white noise that's been building up. Then he asks, "Does it only have to be one person, though? The leader role, I mean." He pauses for a second, trying to gather his thoughts because he's just talking first, thinking second. "That's a lot to put on someone and, um, you're right that there might be disagreements with others. On someone calling the shots.

"Maybe... Maybe we could divide the responsibility and stuff like that. Break it down to smaller, manageable stuff. So there's more structure and... stuff." Yeah. Stuff.

Re: Cao Pi | open

[lunchbreaks]

Aziraphale actually claps for this speech. "Well said, Cao Pi, King of the Wei." It's been a long time since he's heard that kind of introduction, though, so he wonders where Cao Pi is from. "Yes, I think - the less deaths we have, the better. Though, if I may ask, what do you mean resurrection?"

Yes, he's new around here.

Rosinante | OTA

[callada]

As one topic seems to draw to some sort of close, Rosinante clears his throat.

"For those I haven't met yet, I'm Rosinante. I have military and seafaring experience and I'm happy to talk about either of those things here if anyone wants to. But first what I want to discuss is what we should do in case of an emergency, like the one we faced recently."

As he draws in a lungful of smoke from his cigarette, he also turns his tablet outward toward the group, with it open to the mapping app as a handy visual aid.

"During the last attack, people scattered. I tried to help bring people to The Invincible. It's an easy place to defend. Others were across the river, in the Village. I'm guessing others tried to take shelter where they could. I'd like to talk about establishing one or two main meeting points for people to go to, and also, to work out how we can keep track of who is accounted for. Any ideas?"

[pure_havoc]

Emergency plans are definitely top on the list (and he'll make sure Mary makes note of that). "If there is a way to use the tablets for tracking or at least putting out a message, that would be one ida," Cao Pi suggests. "At the very least, having a single central location in each place designated as the emergency fallback is the easiest and plainest solution. People may still scatter to other locations - the church, for example - but the fewer who simply run off with no idea where to find shelter, the better. The Invincible and...the library, perhaps?"

Mary | ota

[withsadness]

"Hi, I'm Mary!"

As most people know. She makes herself as tall as she can, and it helps that she's holding a sketchpad up over her head. It seems she's drawn a chart with three columns messily labeled in her childish scrawl (all with crayon, of course): name, project, want.

"I think we should have an idea board for making Beacon better for everybody! If you have an idea for something, you should write it down here, and if you agree with somebody else's, put a mark in this space saying that you want it, too! You can use your favorite color!"

She has provided her particularly large crayon supply for proper documentation.

"I put welcoming committee at the top, because I think we all think it's a good idea to have one already."

[equinoctials]

"Good idea, Mary," Riku chimes in. He had arrived on time to the meeting, dragging someone else along with him, potentially. But for the most part, he kept to the wall and to himself, observing until he saw an opportunity to contribute, not being a guy who's super comfortable in the spotlight.

"I was thinking... what if it was possible to put a message on these tablets for when we first use them? Something basic to get people started," he continues, "Then more information at a meeting, where the newcomers can ask questions."

As he speaks, Riku selects a darker crayon for visibility, printing under "welcoming committee": welcome message on tablets, then meeting?

[pure_havoc]

As cute and a little ridiculous as she is, Mary's idea is absolutely perfect. Keeping records. Without mentioning it, Cao Pi takes a moment while others are talking and slips over to...well, not write himself, no one would be able to read it, but rather to whisper to Mary so she can write it down.

"Emergency gathering places. Training. A defense force." And then, with a smile, idea #4. "Building and restoration."

[itselbitch]

For even as tall as she makes herself, Eliot can't quite help the height he carries naturally at six feet and two inches. He kneels to better see the chart, smiling fondly to himself at her staunch excitement.

"A welcoming committee is a lovely idea. I don't think I would have been as confused if someone helped me when I got here."

He looks over the crayons. "Wow, you certainly have quite a collection! I have so many favorites to choose from here!" After some thought he plucks up a royal blue. "I'll use this one first." And he adds a mark: one more 'want' for the welcoming committee.

[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. ]

[moderatelymaladjusted]

[Pushed in to the corner of the room, as far away from the main party as possible Quentin has his tablet up and opened, jotting down notes and questions he needs answers to and there's just no way he's going to get up and talk to all of these people. The sort of duchy guy who wanted to lead people, which, sure he might have a point about it being a bad idea for who knows how many people, to just run around and do things without talking to each other.

Still, though.

He settles for frowning in to the tablet, only looking up through the bangs of his hair and biting his lips to stop himself from just blurting out something stupid. Like, sure a welcome committee, who should probably take names so there was a record? Someone should probably make a list with everyone's names, because that's how this always starts - lists, and more lists. An inventory of who was here now and who had been here before, to show a pattern or just a handy way to keep tabs on people. Someone was bringing them here - random or chosen?

He jots down a few more things, leg curled up on his chair as he tries to hide.]

[consecrates]

[ davina's also not participating, preferring to stand close to the walls and listen in on the conversation while she observes the group. the last time she was part of a group similar to this, she got excommunicated for acting on a threat so she's decided to keep more to herself. less way to die horrible deaths concocted by a group and all. plus kol is already there, giving his thoughts, so no need to add in.

she finds herself getting tired after some time, moving closer to some of the chairs around and to someone who's also decided to just remain on the sidelines. ] Is the seat taken? [ she gestures at the chair near him, offering a polite smile. ]

javert | ota

[policier]

( When it's his turn to speak, Javert cannot do so informally. He walks up to the front of the room, immaculately dressed in his uniform, buttons done up to the collar, arms folded over his chest. )

My name is Javert. For those of you who I don't know, I was a police officer back in France. There, I was known as an inspector. You may call me such if you wish.

( Even though that's not technically his title anymore, what with him being dead and all. But getting more to the point, )

There's been talk of committees and emergency plans, and that is all well and good. But we must also remember to better ourselves. Those of us who don't know how to fight must learn, and those of us who don't know how to heal must also. We cannot be reliant on others to do it for us.

( So says the man who never relies on anyone for anything. He paces over to one side of the room, stops and turns his attention back to the crowd. )

There is a gymnasium across the river. Before the lighthouse expedition, there had been talk of using it as a meeting place for classes. I believe this idea still has merit. We just need to find volunteers, people who are willing to teach. I, myself, am willing, so long as there are others who agree it is worth pursuing.

[colonists]

[ she hasn't forgotten the man who'd helped her during the attack in bonfire square, and clarke smiles in appreciation that javert has stepped forward to speak up. ]

Training in the gymnasium is a good idea. We're going to need every available person who's willing to get others up to speed in basic defense techniques as we possibly can.

How long were you with the police, Inspector?

[withsadness]

I wanna learn how to fight!

[Not that it would really do her much good in the long run, but she's enthusiastic about it nonetheless.]

Remington | OTA

[axegirlfriend]

[Remi, for his part, even though he's cleaned himself up by now and gotten most of his initial overwhelmed shell-shock pushed firmly down into the pit of his stomach where he can ignore it to the best of his ability, isn't feeling particularly confident with speaking up or speaking out at this meeting. It shouldn't be so hard, really, but...while he's managed at least not to shuffle himself into one of the back corners, it takes him awhile to summon the confidence to speak.]

...I can build things.

[Okay so it's not a speech, but.

He sits back down abruptly.]

[callada]

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.]

Crowley | Open

[sauntered_downward]

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.

[originallutece]

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.

Jason Grace | Open

[notthatjason]

[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.

[pure_havoc]

[if it were possible for Cao Pi to vibrate with excitement, he would be right now. This guy...he's practically a Han retainer right out of the gate. Don't worry Jason, there've been younger than you in his own army before...]

So you're saying you have experience organizing a military force. A general of sorts, perhaps? That could be extremely useful, particularly as we work to get defenses and protection in place. Moreso than the, ah, flight, although I don't deny a bird's-eye perspective on the town and the forest would exponentially add to our maps and understanding of the land in an instant. Have you attempted your powers at all, since arriving?

eliot waugh | ota

[itselbitch]

[ 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.

[pure_havoc]

[a fellow king you say...]

All of these things are needed, and sooner rather than later. In the absence of tacticians, it may fall to people like us. [you know, kings who listened well to their tacticians] Are you versed in the use of the tablets given to us, at all?

[he really thinks the network can totally be of use but you know, third century China wasn't big on the internet]

aziraphale | ota

[lunchbreaks]

Hello, everyone.

[ He stands up to talk when somehow there's a bit of a quiet moment. ]

My name is Aziraphale, and I am new around here, I suppose. I just have a very quick suggestion, and if anyone who is musically inclined would like to assist, it would be appreciated.

We have been given sheet music in order to communicate with the spirits, in short form. They're very basic things, hardly give us any insight into their language, but they must have a common one. If we could, I'd like to see if maybe we can learn it. Surely, they have been here longer than us, and may have important things to say that we just don't understand.

Thank you.

[ And then he sits back down. ]

[consecrates]

[ all this talk about putting together committees and learning how to fight and welcoming teams—davina doesn't really want to dip her toes in it, having experience in it and the experience is not necessarily good. and while she's capable of certain spells that could fight and protect, she'd rather not use it when their opponent is the complete unknown.

at the very least, diplomacy towards the spirits is something she'd like to try out this time. she lifts her hand from the sidelines, sitting away from the group that's talking. ]

I can play the piano. [ and figured out how to play the ocarina in a few attempts or so. ] so I'd like to help in this venture.

Ignis Scientia | Open

[reigniter]

[As he promised Cao Pi on the network, Ignis arrives to the meeting place, just in time to hear the speech. He doesn't have much to add here. He's never been a type to lead, merely advise, and while he will work with the others, he would probably obey direct orders from one person- even if they clashed with everyone else's opinions.]

Without Captain Winters around, we definitively should have a way of informing new arrivals. It would be easier if we could distribute this information the same way bulletins are sent to every person.

While it makes things less personal, it would be [less biased, Ignis has been fighting this feeling] much quicker and precise.

That being said- I am not a technology person. I can only offer help in writing the summaries and explanations.

[He will not share his opinion on the Keeper unless asked directly about it.]

[pure_havoc]

[he doesn't have much to add but he's still going to say something]

Likewise. These tablets seem useful, so if there is anyone capable of making the most of them, by all means. [seeing as Will ain't gonna do it...]

JASON TODD | ota

[mind_blown]

[ he's listening, but what he wants to hear isn't there. And it's obvious by how he hangs out in the back, not volunteering anything, or bothering to really show his face by lowering his hood. There's not really a plan, it just feels... reactive. Assuming a lot of things that may or may not be true. And he thinks Crowley has a point about talking about getting the hell out of there. He doesn't know what he was expecting, but this wasn't it.

After a while, he finally offers, ]

We don't know anything. We've got what Will told us, but there are what, about 50 of us here? And we lost over 20 last month? We can train everyone, but if we don't have a plan for figuring out what the fuck is happening, outside of what's being given to us on a silver platter, we're screwed.

There was no reason to hide the situation from us for two months. And unless we're proactive, we're always going to be behind the curve.

Just my two cents. Unless we're in a timeless void, I have things I need to take care of back home. People I need to help. I do not want to be here for 2 years.

[itselbitch]

[ oh, dear. someone didn't take their prozac today. he understands the outrage, even a bit of the venom, but for ever as catty as eliot tends to be, there's still a reason why you catch flies better with honey. ]

Granted that there's an obvious need for more action and less talk, don't act as if you're the only one who would rather not get axed or eaten alive by a monster in the woods. We all have better things to be doing, cause of death notwithstanding.

[ he checks his nails boredly. ]

If there isn't information here, then it has to be out there. And if it's out there, we'll still have trouble because it's pitch black and filled with things that would sooner eat us alive and dance on our corpses than help us. Anything else being readily provided is helpful, silver platter or not.

Scarlett Harker | OTA

[kungfuey]

[ If you're looking for Scarlett to show up and impart some epic wisdom? You've come to the wrong place. She's here, which is a miracle in and of itself, but she's the one standing towards the back of the hall, very much away from the debate that's rising up before her.

The most you'll get from her is the narrowing of her eyes, some slight facial tick here or there depending on what is being said. She gives off the distinct impression that she's watching with purpose, though what said purpose is? That's anyone's guess.

You're unlikely to draw her into the open discussion, but if you happen to slip in late or keep to the back of the room, you could easily draw her into a hushed conversation. ]

[withsadness]

[When Mary sees Scarlett, she abandons her crayon sign-up station to stand beside her and look pointedly serious. She's just trying to be impressive. Like Scarlett! The most impressive lady in the world! But she's not very good at staying quiet when there's no reason that she can see to stay quiet, so eventually, she whispers.]

What are you thinking about?

Jo Harvelle | OTA (if you want to interrupt the watcher)

[knifecollecting]

[Jo didn't like Cao Pi's attitude much, but the meeting was still a good idea. She doesn't have a lot of faith that anything will be accomplished, but she attends to watch and see how people act.

She doesn't have any idea what she thinks the best course of action is now, though obviously survival is high on her list.

She stands near the back of the room against a side wall to watch, arms crossed with her lantern tied to her bag.]

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. ]