(mini-event) THE COALITION OF REFUGEES

[natha]

THE COALITION     On the day of the council, there are markers tied with ribbons in the colors of both Olympia and Wyver that line the paths from the cities to the South Outpost, meant to guide anyone with an invitation to the first meeting of the Coalition of Refugees. While during the previous festivities of the gala the Great Hall was sharply divided between Olympians and Wyverns, the differences between the factions are not so apparent now. Inside, the hall is decorated with a more subdued mix of the white and gold of Olympia and the red and black of Wyver. Banners, pennants, and bunting drape from the ceiling and wind around wooden pillars. To one side of the hall, there are tables set up with drinks and finger foods — refreshments for the guests, for after the opening speech. A raised platform has been set up at one end of the room, flanked by contingents of both the Royal Guards and the Knightryders standing at attention side by side, differentiated only by the make of their armor and the colors they wear. Ashti, Shenya, and Heryn stand waiting for the arrival of their monarchs, pointedly ignoring each other; notably, Raysc, Shanrian's son and the leader of Mythi's Fangs, is conspicuously absent. Staff members cluster to the side of the stage, waiting for the speech to begin. A whisper drifts over from a woman in one of the Olympian groups: Do you really think the Empress will try to negotiate for Nithor's skull? The man she's speaking to shakes his head and scoffs, answering: Ha! Not a chance. She thinks it's too soon, who knows if this peace will last. Besides, there's no way she's willing to give up Ysevrai's heart. A horn sounds, and the staff members subside, glancing around to see if anyone's overheard. A moment later, and Simwe and Shanrian make their appearance, walking together to the stage for their speech. Aha… we have quite the gathering here, do we not? All of our heroes in one place… This may be an unprecedented meeting, but it seems as though it will be a productive one. Let us begin by thanking all of you for your contributions to our cities in recent times. Since your arrival, you have weathered the plague that swept through our cities and aided us in finding its cure; you have withstood the scorn of those who were meant to shelter you turning against you, and helped us quell riots in the very hearts of our homes; you have been taken right off the streets and endured hardships too terrible to tell, and have proven heroes in bringing our people safely home. You have done much for us, and shown yourselves loyal beyond many who were born within our walls. We will allow your voices to go unheard no longer! Today— Today, we will hear you. You have demonstrated both strength and valor in equal measures — it follows that you will be wise as well, and it is that wisdom that we wish to hear brought in council to our cities. You are gathered here to look beyond our history of violence and hostility, to see beyond the prejudices we hold. We hope that with your clearer sight, you'll keep in your hearts the betterment of both of our fair cities, rather than allow pettiness to hold sway and lift one over the other. Those gathered here are deemed worthy by action and by the trust of your brethren: a council. Amongst yourselves, decide what matters most to you about your lives within the cities. Discuss what changes you wish to see, and how those changes should come about. Reach an agreement, put your motions to us, and should they be feasible, we will see what sort of effect your ideas will have. The two proposals with the most support among your fellows will be those we implement, so argue your reasoning most convincingly! And remember, this is your chance to impress us. If your advice is sound, we will look to you again. At this, both rulers fall silent, and withdraw to a balcony to oversee the proceedings. This is not their meeting, after all — this is something that only the refugees can determine the outcome of. FINAL OOC NOTES     Welcome to your first chance to have a voice in the NPC governments, Players! Your task is, as a group, to decide the two most important IC issues you would like to see Olympia and Wyver address, and then put forward a plan of action for how to improve whatever those problems are, which will then be implemented in May. Since these are strictly Olympian and Wyvern issues, topics should still adhere to the Natha's policies of not revealing anything about the Storm or the Natha's existence, but beyond that, you're free to propose any topics you think should be addressed about your characters' way of life in the cities — after all, haven't the Orbiters sent you here to make a difference and improve life on El Nysa in their stead?

Comments

emma swan | ota

[sheriffing]

[ this honestly isn't Emma's area of expertise. as a former sheriff, her strength has always been in looking out for people. she won't claim to understand the politics of this world when she's only been in it for a few months, and while she appreciates someone finally asking them for their opinions, she's reluctant to add her two cents in.

for most of the night, opts to mingle, staying almost protectively close to the pirate she brought along with her. she's a little more at ease in the company of someone from Storybrooke, and will introduce Killian if someone happens to catch the pair of them together.

but she's never one to turn down free food, and can also be found alone as she grabs a snack, helping herself to a small bite to eat or another drink. when the discussion opens to the floor, Emma moves in a little closer, listening to suggestions with interest. she's not as interested in neutral land as she is in avoiding a war, but will quickly agree to more representation.]

What if we established a shared unit of protection between Wyver and Olympia to help resolve conflicts in the cities before they escalate? The people here are protective of their homes and their people, but if they had forces they could count on within both lands, guards who they could see working collaboratively and without bias, that might go a long way towards keeping people safe.

[ more importantly, it might keep innocent citizens from being unfairly targeted by anyone who wanted to look the other way out of loyalty, and lower the odds of retaliation in their home land.]

[meinwaifu]

[Mephisto is much in the same boat -- a neutral land wasn't very feasible in his mind, seeing as the potential squabble over which city gives up how much territory could just end up sparking a war anyway.]

Sharing troops is frequently seen as a sign of goodwill from one nation to another. If Wyver and Olympia were to pledge to offer support should a third-party begin to cause conflict again, I can see it doing wonders for their political relationship.

Though I can't help but worry that it might prove difficult to find troops lacking in prejudice for the other city. We'll need one hell of a PR team, I imagine.

[sheriffing]

I'd hope working together could help ease some of the prejudices. I've had that happen more than once.

[ how many times had she and Regina had to unite over Henry before they could make something resembling a friendship? maybe the level of investment isn't exactly the same, but put a few people together who are interested in the good of all and the chance to do something meaningful, and she thinks maybe, just maybe, this could work.]

Even if they signed up to make sure their city was fairly represented, teambuilding could happen from there. And there are a lot of refugees who are looking to help people without picking a side.

[meinwaifu]

It's certainly possible... I recall citizens of both nations getting along rather well shortly after a cure for the disease that broke out last October was developed. It was a peace that didn't last, but for a time, cooperating to solve a shared problem did manage to unite the people.

[hidden_and_patient]

[It had been a happenstance encounter, but the brief acquaintanceship with Emma had offered Lizzie an opportunity to see how the governments of Olympia and Wyver operated. She had only known one realm and laws, changing slightly depending on the men that enforced them. She had seen strong queens influence those around her and she had heard new ideas that benefited the people and not a single individual. None of this was new...which was almost a relief. There was something familiar about all of this.

If she knew this realm better, she might offer a suggestion as well, but she was still a stranger and still felt like a guest. It didn't stop her from appreciating other contributions and opinions, especially Emma's.]

There could be a camp half way between the realms to help train the men and allow them to work together? It would need someone to mediate. Men hold strong to their grudges and these kingdoms have been too long at war.

[sheriffing]

[ if Lizzie wants a say in the government here, Emma was happy to invite her to come along.

in a lot of ways, it feels strange to be praised as a hero for her failures after being taken by the extremists. in the moment she had only made the situation worse, but the end result is a position where they can speak out and try to do better.]

There are refugees who could help mediate. It'd take some organization, but you're right, gathering somewhere out of the way to train and learn how to work together would be essential.

[hidden_and_patient]

There would need to be an equal balance between the two kingdoms. [If their rivalry went as deep as it seemed, any little advantage one might have over the other could cause trouble.] You would take part in mediating as well?

[Emma, from what she had learned, was part of the guard. She had the respect of the city. If the idea was approved, who better to organize it?]

Do you think it's possible for them to come together like this?