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

Ianto's grateful that John doesn't press him for further information. It's for the best, considering he hadn't intended to lie to him in the first place. It makes it easier to keep from lying to him if John doesn't want to know more about the lie itself.

He shrugs slightly in response to John's suggestions, deciding to focus on the latter offer of work and say, "I'm not certain that I'm really bouncer material. I'm a decent shot but I'm not certain that's really what such an establishment would want. A bouncer is supposed to be more... Physically imposing, than outright threatening."

Ianto takes another sip of his drink, raising a hand to run through his hair and sighs softly. "I'll... Figure something out," he concludes.

There's plenty of things John could take from this. One, that Ianto is a decent shot. Two, that he's not continuing with the master tailor discussion. Three, that he's not commenting on bar tending or delivery work.

Instead, though, John gives a smile that has a hint of smugness and takes a sip of his drink.

"Are you saying I'm physically imposing?"

Some things are just important.

Ianto raises an eyebrow at the other man and makes it a point of giving him an assessing once-over as he considers his reply. Would it inflate the other man's ego if he agreed with the statement? Would it deflate it too much if he didn't?

"You could do with a little more work on your expressions," he replies, flicking the quirk of a smile at him, before raising his glass to take another sip of his drink. "But I certainly know who would win in a fight, yes."

"Not planning to challenge me to a wrestling match?"

John considers this seemingly for a moment before shrugging, as if he's thought about it but on balance is fine either way.

"I'll practice growling in the mirror. Think that'll be enough?"

You know, to brush up on his physically imposing appearance.

No, as a matter of fact he hadn't considered wrestling John, and he gives the other man a look to suggest as much before simply saying, "I know my limitations."

And then John's going on to suggest growling in the mirror and all Ianto can see is the other man doing so literally. He seems ridiculous enough for it, though the image puts the quirk of a smile on his face.

"I think the mirror might end up more intimidated than the patrons will be, but you're welcome to give it a go," he quips. He still can't really picture it though. It's something about the other man's face. Maybe it's in the eyes...

"Well, you've never seen me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry."

You know, like the hulk. He takes another slow sip of his drink again, sets it aside once more and takes a deep breath -- lets it out in a sigh as he scans the crowd.

"I was hoping this would be... livelier."

Maybe a few arguments? Some hot debates? Hot chicks? You know anything.

Well. That's true as well. He hasn't seen him angry. Nor does he particularly want to, all things considered. A person never really aspires to see their friends in such moods, if they can help it. Not with such an emotion directed at them certainly.

He glances around the room and takes another sip of his drink as John redirects his attention.

"I suppose that it's for the best," he says. "It's the first event of its kind, everyone is probably trying to at least pretend to get along. Trying not to get too excited in case it all goes to shit. You know." He offers another little shrug.

He does know.

Pretending to get along, smiling for a crowd, it's something he has more experience with than he'd like to admit. He'd done it plenty as a child at family events, plenty at meetings with people he hated, and now it seems it even continues on new planets.

"I'm gonna do another circuit," he says finally, pushing off the bar and clapping a hand to Ianto's arm. "See if I can get anything good. Call me if you wanna head out -- or if you find something cool."

Since John isn't exactly planning to stay here all night, and he's fine walking back with Ianto.

Ianto stands up straighter himself, nodding in response to the other man's words.

"Yeah, I'll keep an eye out," he says. "Probably stick around for a little while longer at least, since we've made the effort to come out here in the first." He isn't certain what else he might find. Or who, for that matter. But he'll do a few more rounds of the room on his own before he gives in and calls it a night.

"Who knows, my date might even make an appearance," he quips, flicking the other man a smile before raising his drink at him. "I'll let you know when I'm ready to head back," he reassures the other man, before making his way back into the crowd beyond.

(mini-event) THE COALITION OF REFUGEES

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