nysalogs | (mini-event) THE COALITION OF REFUGEES

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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ With Jim stepping aboard, the arm unit lifts, accounting for speed and trajectory in relation with its human cargo. Leveling at its chest, it pivots inward to offer him a leg up towards the cockpit. The topmost hatch swings up and the inner hatch folds out, allowing Mikazuki to climb out when the center console lowers. Reaching up to balance a hand on the upper hatch, he offers the other hand out. ]

You might get a better look this way.

[ Maybe not his first purpose for bringing the robot down, but it's convenient, all the same. ]

[ Jim takes the outstretched hand, though he's got enough leverage from his own momentum that he doesn't have to weigh Mika down too much. Once he's got his footing and has taken a look out at the view, then back in at the cockpit, he turns his attention to the young man and says, with extreme seriousness: ]

This is the coolest thing I've ever seen.

[ Once he's got both feet planted on the platform, Mikazuki lets go, pausing to slip off and lower what looks like a headset, letting it rest around his neck. Though he's up and about, a long, thick cord follows him from inside the cockpit, wiring a pod on his upper spine to the seat.

There's a definite expression on his face that's saying, "Right?" ]

Its name is Barbatos. It's from home.

[ Distantly, Jim wonders if that cable has anything to do with the irregular bone protrusion on the back of the kid's neck he saw when he pulled him out of that room in the tower. Jeez. Rough way to pilot anything.

But: he keeps up the totally stoked mood, because he is. ]

Barbatos. [ It's easy to take the bond between man and machine easily, what with his love for the Enterprise. ] I had no idea the Natha could even provide things like this.

I told them I'd do what they wanted for it.

[ There's no reason to mince words about that choice — Darma gave them all an option, when the teeth of that cosmic storm were tearing through everything. Live and earn her trust, get something in exchange for it. He gave his compliance, but even he named a price for it.

This just happened to be a part of it. ]

Man, I just made sure my crew was okay then agreed because Starfleet officers don't turn down requests for help, [ he says, no shame or hesitation about it. ] I got the raw end of the deal on that one, I definitely should have asked for something nuts.

[ Joking around a little, because Jim would never, and the importance of his people to him is paramount, BUT STILL. How hecking cool is the Gundam. ]

[ In all fairness, Mikazuki only knew he could ask for something crazy because he's pretty much the product of the Natha's craziness, being able to stand here alive and all. But he wisely keeps that to himself, not taking the machine's hum for granted. ]

Who knows, maybe you still can.

[ You altruist. ]

Hopefully this'll work out for now.

[ Filling the crazy cool quota, and all. Also, give him a run down. ]

I'm happy leaving it to the professionals.

[ Aka you (And Duo, though he doesn't know that fact just yet). Jim looks out at the view, and down at the body - literally? - of the armored vehicle. ]

Looks quiet for far. A friend of mine attending says they're letting refugees put forth proposals for things we'd like to see happen, and letting everyone else vote on it. Pretty informal, sounds like a 'tally mark on a wall' kind of thing.

[ He wouldn't consider himself a pro (of course), but he can appreciate the sentiment. Reaching aside to give the cord a quiet tug, a new length of it unfurling from its socket, he treads to the edge of the platform, looking out across the area towards the outpost proper.

Might as well take a seat and enjoy the view, because it seems pretty boring from here. He's experienced enough to realize it's lucky for them, though. Especially after last month. ]

They reacted pretty fast to what happened.

And in tandem. [ Which Jim still thinks is odd. He glances over at Mikazuki. ] The invitations sent out to people in Wyver and people in Olympia were identical. The terrorists were right about there being secret cooperation between city authorities. It's just... baffling to me that anyone could think it's a bad thing.

Or that refugees would have any idea about it. [ We've been here for FIVE MINUTES go interrogate Cree or something you nutjobs. ]

[ Despite Mikazuki wanting to sour immediately at the idea of the terrorists being right about anything, he knows it happens. ]

I don't understand things like this that well. [ He's the muscle and not the brains. People call on him when they need heads smashed. ] But it seems like they'll accept a fight faster than anything else.

[ Also he's pretty sure interrogating Cree would get them thrown into a vat of bird crap, so. ]

[ It's not right as in morally, ethically correct. It's factually relevant to their cause, apparently. But it's all still horrific. Yeah, looks like the cities are getting along. No, it's nothing to do that over. ]

I might not understand what's going on here well, either, [ he admits. ] I know the rules and the cultures at home. Not so much, here.

[ Swinging his legs over the side of the platform as a headwind rushes upward, catching on the trees and whistling through the seams in the machine's armor, he hums. ]

Even at home, they were kind of... difficult.

[ It's why he's unapologetic with his violence. ]

But even then, you could take guesses at how things would turn out.

[ It's a steep learning curve on this planet. ]

We gotta up our guessing game.

[ Hmph. Jim looks out for a bit more, then plunks down to Mikazuki. He'll stay up here for a little while, then head down - either through his own power or whatever crazy thing the pilot suggests - so he can talk with a few more people, scope out corners that are hiding under convenient foliage.

And nothing will happen!! Everyone lives happily ever after, until next week. ]

(mini-event) THE COALITION OF REFUGEES

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject