[Open Mingle] Town Meeting! Dome Meeting? Meeting!

[concealingeyes]

Date & Time: Monday, October 21st
Location: One of the VR Rooms
Characters: ANYONE AND EVERYONE!!!! Everyone who wants to share information in a group setting and anyone who wants to hear said information.
Summary: Kido made a post thinking they should share information face-to-face since it's easier for some people. Anyone with a device would have gotten a meeting notice with the promise of a transcript if they can't make it. Sharing information about their situation with new arrivals, trying to decide on a course of action, all that jazz.

Encouraged: Anyone with firsthand accounts of the rescue mission, of being held hostage by them, of any discoveries made like about Project Chimera, of older UE plots that would be helpful to know, anyone who wants to try to take charge, etc.

Mingle, make your own threads, go for it.

Snacks are of course provided.
Warnings: None that I can think of but I'll update it accordingly!
Liam and Elaine rekindled their relationship




[Since it's supposed to be a meeting, Kido tried to pick out something good for the VR room. Maybe something soothing would be productive? Something they haven't gotten to see in a while to inspire them to move forward: green earth.

The meeting takes place in a forest clearing. Light filters in between the leaves, swaying in a slight breeze. There are even wildflowers growing along the edges. Over the tops of the tall trees, mountains can be seen.

But for the purpose of the meeting, chairs and stools are assembled as well as a few small, round tables in case anyone wants to take notes and brainstorm together (or eat snacks).

Either way, once it's set up, Kido sits herself down. She doesn't have much to share personally but she'll chime in with what little she has.]

Comments

[lucency]

[ handing them out does not seem difficult at all. and it's not. it's a friendly smile and a brief explanation and here, have this kit to ensure that you won't die immediately upon being wounded. that's it. and it's great.

in fact, belle could stand for it to be a little more involved, but she doesn't mention that. not right away, at least. this is easy. she appreciates the relaxation. ]

I can take over for a little while, if you want.

[ there is a social element to it, she knows. and she also knows how donny fares with those.

so. ]

[bumbles]

That'd--

( That'd be good, he wants to say. He wants to lie down and forget about everything for a while, to just slump against the wall or rest or do anything that isn't thinking and speaking. Allowing himself that is exactly what he shouldn't do, however, and there's a moment of hesitation that hangs in the air before he shakes his head. )

I c-can-- I can stay.

( She is more than welcome to help, but he isn't leaving. He looks paler than he did when he first set the table up, more ragged, but he'll keep pushing because stopping isn't really an option. He has to get better at this. )

[lucency]

Are you sure?

[ she actually pauses, kit in hand, brows knit together as she - she doesn't stare.

she totally stares.

she hadn't meant it as a gesture out of worry, more out of consideration. she has it under control, after all, and rest is important. it might be quiet - for now - but they all need to keep their energy up. he looks overworked. he looks - something else. ]

Do you feel alright?

[bumbles]

( for once he'd really like people to not look at him like he's about to break apart, or question if he can do this. People keep tearing shreds off him and he knows why, it's because there's no reason to have fath in him, in anyone like him when he can't even shape his words and he's meant to have initiative--

The look he shoots Belle is sharp. Sharper than he means to be. Everything is going wrong.)

I c-can-- I can do m-my job.

[lucency]

[ she doesn't snap back, but she does frown, and she sighs. ] That isn't what I meant.

[ and a pointed look towards him, because he knows it. he has to. he isn't about to break and she knows he isn't fragile, but for heaven's sake, donny, you look like you need a nap. that's all she's trying to say.

her attention is momentarily diverted by handing one of the first aid kits to a newcomer, and she places it in their hand with an explanation and an introduction, and then they're gone and she's back to donny. ]

You look tired. That's all.

[bumbles]

It's-- s-sorry.

( pushing his hair back, tugging at it and it's sticking out hilariously.)

I c-can't. There's-- t-too much.

( in his head, to do, and he feels like he cant talk to Max or see her or-- he's not good to be around an se too afraid of everything going to pieces.)

[lucency]

There's not. [ there's quite the crowd, sure, but really. she's got it. ]

Go sit down. Just for a moment. Catch your breath.

We'll switch.

[bumbles]

( a moment of staring at Belle before his gaze drops to the clipboard. ) You n-need to, um. Sign next to p-people's names to show who h-handed it um, it out, and-- and they n-need to sign, too.

( Quiet, defeated, and unhappy about being reminded to catch his breath, to breathe, because he is told that all the time and now it's becoming slowly more patronising. )

Okay.

[lucency]

Not a problem. I've got it.

[ she takes the clipboard, does a quick checkoff to make sure all of her things are signed appropriately, before looking back up at donny. ]

If I need any help, I'll come get you. Alright?

[ and she offers him a smile, because really: she knows what it's like to be asked to sit out while everybody else gets to play. but she doesn't want him to hurt himself, either. ]

[bumbles]

Yeah.

( Some part of him feels defeated, another part relieved, and he bobs his head to acknowledge that he's listening when he knows he looks rather distant and zoned out. She's right, he should take a break. It's kind of embarrassing, but it'd be better than doing a bad job or stuffing something up. )

Yeah. I'll, um. I m-might-- ( There isn't really anywhere to lie down, here, unless he napped under the table, and that would just be silly. Plus sleeping or dozing or just looking lazy on the job won't be good, either. ) I m-might, um, g-go-- go to m-my dorm? B-but uh, you c-can message me. I'll b-be back here fast.

[lucency]

[ donny, it's okay, she won't tell anybody if you decide to be a cat.

i mean, there's boxes under the tables so that might not be too comfortable, but she'll let it slide.

she sighs, smile going thin over her clipboard as she tries not to worry. ]

If that's what you want, yeah. Absolutely.

[bumbles]

( She looks worried. Donny tilts his head. )

W-what's-- what's wrong?

[lucency]

Nothing. [ kind of. ]

You just - don't seem too happy about it, is all.

[bumbles]

( oh. His gaze drops, embarrassment tugging at his mouth as he fiddles with a pen.)

J-just-- other p-people do this stuff b-better.

( he's burning the candle at both ends, sure, working hard, but isn't everyone? )

I should-- d-don't worry. It doesn't m-matter. ( e attempts a smile, worn as it is.) Sorry.

[lucency]

Donny.

[ don't apologize. don't do that thing. ]

It's still work. And it's new for a lot of us. It's alright to be frustrated.

[bumbles]

There's, um. Enough stuff to b-be frustrated without-- this.

( Quietly, and though he's keeping the self-reproach out of his voice, it's there. Without him getting petulant, without him being mad because he isn't able to do better, there are still so many things tying them up in knots. It's like catch-22, being frustrated with yourself for being frustrated, but he's always been amazing at finding new ways to criticize himself. )

[lucency]

Okay. Okay, and that's what we're all here for. It's fine. Go.

[ she isn't going to reprimand him, but she doesn't want him running himself ragged, either. the boy's got enough stress going on without having to worry about this, as well. ]