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

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?

[kungfuey]

[ At Mary's approach, Scarlett has to work to keep the smile from pulling wide at her lips, the infinitesimal twitch of her lips at least enough to suggest that she's not sorry for the company. At least not when it's in the form of Mary.
Despite her attempt to follow what's being discussed, her gaze does drift down to the little girl beside her. A real smile touching her lips now as she can see the way Mary is mirroring her own stance. Dress her in black and strap a couple of bowie knives to her back, and she really would be a miniature version of Scarlett. ]

I'm thinking... that it's interesting to see who wants to help versus who wants to be in charge. [ Honest? Yep. Probably a bit much for a child Mary's age to understand? No doubt, but Scarlett made a point of not lying, regardless of age.

She crouches down to be more on Mary's level, her elbows resting on her knees as from this far back, she can still see everyone clearly. ]

Have you ever met the one who called the meeting?

[withsadness]

Uh-huh! I drew him a picture once...a picture of an orchid on the water.

[Which was a bit of a challenge for her set of knowledge but she did her best, gosh darn. After she answers the question, Mary takes a moment to consider what Scarlett had said about helping.]

Do you think the people who want to be in charge don't actually want to help?

[kungfuey]

[ Scarlett takes a moment or two, to really think about her answer. Giving it the weight that was eared by respect, regardless of Mary's age. She'd fared better than plenty of people who had arrived in their group. ]

It's been my experience that people who want to call the shots aren't the best leaders. It's the ones who want to help but not lead that should be in charge. [ She glances at Mary, a wry half-grin touching her lips. ] Kinda messed up, huh?

[withsadness]

[Mary, clearly puzzled, affirms the sentiment, albeit in a somewhat different manner.]

How silly! How are we supposed to find the right people to be leaders, then, if only the ones that don't want to will be best?

[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.

[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.]

[kungfuey]

[ She snorts at that, shaking her head. ]

If I had my way, we wouldn't have a leader. [ She glances at Mary, allowing her small grin to widen her lips. ] But that's cause I don't like people telling me what to do.

[ Scarlett gently bumping into Mary as if she's making a joke. She's really not though. ]

[itselbitch]

[ for as much as he adores the spotlight, it's only really enjoyable when everyone's crawling over each other to kiss your feet. it's been years since anything like that has ever happened, so eliot does eventually escape from center of the forum to find some silence of his own. there's always a benefit to watching people anyway, plenty of information to find when people don't realize they're being watched.

he sighs softly as he finds a spot to lean against the wall, some feet away from a woman who he can't really read. she listens with clear intent but with no motive to collaborate. maybe not a team player? or perhaps someone who simply hasn't the patience?

eliot finds his flask and takes a swig, making a clear, "ah," of satisfaction after he swallows and rolling his head against the wall to watch the woman more. what's her deal? ]

Not much of a partier, are you? [ he manages quietly after another moment. ]

[kungfuey]

[ She'd been content to keep her acknowledgment of his presence to herself until now. Watching his approach from her periphery. The flask he pulled from his pocket that she's almost certain he hadn't gotten here. It told her at least enough about him not to be patting the handle of the knife at her side, instead, keeping her gaze on the front of the room as she watches the proceedings with her arms folded across her chest.

Until he speaks, that is.

Her head turns with slow, deliberation. Her eyebrow popped as those words spin over in her head and after a long moment that she spends scrutinizing his appearance, a dry huff of what might have been a chuckle spills past her lips. ]

Haven't had much occasion to find out. [ Not really what he was leading to, she knows, but she figures it's an answer that will distract him from what she's doing here for now. ]

[itselbitch]

[ it's a clever response, and eliot offers an amused look, even if she seems like she wouldn't care either way. ]

You don't have to stand so far back, you know. It's just discussion. It's not really capable of biting.

[kungfuey]

[ If only Eliot knew how much truth there was underneath those words... ]

Hard to watch if I'm in on the discussion. [ The other eyebrow joining the single raised one as she teases at her purpose for being here. ] I'm more interested in who's speaking than what's being said.

[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. ]

[kungfuey]

[ His response has her double-taking, just the smallest glimmer of amusement dancing in her eyes that she tries to conceal by refocusing on the front of the room. Still, there's no hiding the slight pull at her mouth as a grin threatens to take hold. ]

Don't worry. [ Pretending to listen to whatever's being said by some kid that is wasy too built for his age. (She totally means Jason.) ] I promise to take out the ugly ones first.

[itselbitch]

[ that makes him snort audibly in amusement, and he offers her his flask. apparently that's enough to earn his interest and flask rights. ]

If only that were the worst of their crimes. [ which is to say he doesn't really think people are being as honest as they seem. ]

[kungfuey]

[ Scarlett's gaze drops to the offered flask, the brunette taking her time to consider the offer before she finally takes it from him. A grunt of a noise that sticks in her throat, perhaps something thats meant to pass as a 'thanks' as she lifts it to her lips.

Downing a long pull with practiced ease and only the slightest grimace, the smile on her lips as she hands it back to him is both as sincere as it is off. Not something full of mirth but instead, knowing. ]

And now you know why I bothered to show up to this thing at all.

[darkeyed]

<sub>[He might have deigned to make an appearance at some point on his own, but it's thanks to Riku that he's there from the very opening speech, the other inexplicably going out of his way to find him and pass along an invitation. Specifically, it would seem, to batter him with fair and logical reasons why he should temporarily embrace amnesia that people talking in rooms is generally a pointless practice.

He'd thought the more persistent busybodies had died out during the massacre--it's easier not to think of them as that in their ringing absence--but it would appear not.

At any rate, Riku's mission counts as a success. He's there, though his attendance falls within the range of lurking with listening ears on like Scarlett.]</sub>

What do you think?

_{[Occupying the same corner doesn't obligate corner dwellers to conversation with one another--for some, not conversing is the whole point of warming the backseat. But Scarlett is from his group. One of the earliest groups. He's curious to hear another perspective, and at some point he drifts closer, stepping up beside her.]}

[kungfuey]

[ Had that question come from almost anyone else? There was every chance that Scarlett would have evaded instead of answered. She had a way of looking at things that few people could understand, let alone appreciate. She might not be able to claim that she knew MK all that well, but she could at least say that she'd watched him in these past couple months. One thing she'd figured out was that he didn't look at things the same way as everyone else, either. ]

I think... you can't have a group of people in a place like this for too long before somebody decides they want to be in charge.

[ That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, having people to call the shots but right now Scarlett was a little more interested in their motivations. She never really bought people stepping up out of the kindness of their heart. People were too self-serving for shit like that. ]

You?

[darkeyed]

Looks like you're right about that. _{[He shifts his weight from foot to foot, restless. Long-ingrained mistrust of organized authority makes his presence here feel a bit like spying on the enemy--or the people he might come to butt heads with. Lowly:]} That's going to be a problem.

_{[A predictable one, but a problem nonetheless. Though he looks out at the crowd, he keeps his voice pitched for Scarlett's ears only.]}

I'm wondering how many times this has happened already. How many groups in the past had this idea. If spending time talking about how to run things had worked, there'd be more of them left to show for it--and you notice who's not here?

_{[Will. That's telling to his inner cynic.]}

[kungfuey]

Yep. [ Scarlett not even trying to conceal the fact that they're on the same page. She could see some sense in it; Trying to be more organised. Trying to unite everyone in a common goal but she's also run across too many communities that were brought to their knees by ambitious fools. She had no doubt that there were people present who cared more about power than they did about everyone else. The kind of people who would sacrifice every person in this place if it meant they'd survive just one more day.

It doesn't take her more than a heartbeat to realize who he means, Scarlett's head cocking to one side as she rolls that answer over. Will wasn't here, which said as much as it didn't. He was something of an antisocial ass and while she could see him being against this for all the reasons she and MK were... she also didn't buy him choosing ignorance either. ]

If I had to bet money? I'd say he's listening. Probably for all the reasons we are.

[ He was smart enough to create apps for the devices they used. She'd bet he was smart enough to create a backdoor that would allow him to eavesdrop as he saw fit.

Listening, but not here to lend support. That was the telling part. ]

[darkeyed]

_{[He doesn't even have the excuse of his armor this time to explain why his limbs feel heavy. As someone who had lived and died exhausted to his bones by such communities, ambitious fools, and struggles to survive, M.K. watches with the lead-weight of faithlessness making him feel tired just standing there.]}

They're all listening so they can report back to her. _{[He turns his head toward Scarlett at her reply. No need to spell out who her refers to, either. She's already become more infamous than Will in a short span of time.]} They haven't bothered to hide they're watching and listening. Waiting to see what move we make.

It wouldn't much matter to them--they have the game rigged.

[kungfuey]

[ She doesn't miss the derision in his voice in reference to the Keeper, Scarlett's eyebrows scooting up her forehead as she turns her gaze back on M.K. She was hardly a fan of the Keeper, for exactly the same reasons M.K. probably wasn't. She just knew better than to say as much to her face and give the temperamental woman another excuse to reset them early. ]

They? [ Her head canting to one side as she considers what he's suggesting. ] The spirits? Yeah... no doubt.

[ She'd kept her distance from the Spirits for a reason. She didn't believe these resets impacted them. They might only be good to the people here if they actually believed they had a shot at saving this place.]

Will, though? [ She understood the suspicion where he was concerned, but she also understood Will better these days as well. ] He hates the Keeper.

[darkeyed]

The spirits, and the bird. _{[Confirmation. But as for their errant scientist--]} He's still working with her, though.

_{[And that says plenty to M.K.]}

He'll do what it takes to survive--he's said as much. Someone like that's not going to stand on principle.

_{[By his own admission, Will Ingram is on his own side, and whatever side happens to keep him alive that day. That's not necessarily something to disparage--this is, after all, survival of the fittest on a bewilderingly cosmic level. But someone willing to work with anyone is really no one's friend at the end of that day.]}

[kungfuey]

[ She's not entirely convinced that he is (working for Robin), but rather that he's doing what he has to do to survive and while Scarlett might want to find fault in that, she finds it's not so easy for her to do so. She's done plenty in the name of survival that other people would frown on, but arguably the difference is that Scarlett won't do things that throw innocent people to the wolves. ]

Maybe not. But he still might be the best shot we have at getting out of this alive.

[ Mostly because Scarlett is banking that Will's desperate desire to survive, will be what makes him do whatever he can to get out of here. ]

Just need to make sure that shot doesn't come at the cost of others.