[OPEN] DEFENSE MEETING

[uncalled_for]

Date & Time: Five days after the completion of the bombing event. Starting early morning.
Location: Whatever area is decently clear of debris.
Characters: Anyone, whether it was previously arranged with Fiona, someone else did the convincing, or they just happen to be around the cleared area at the right time.
Summary: First “Defense” Group Meeting. Some chatting, some sparring, a little showing off, and everything in between.
Warnings: Violence and swearing, I guarantee it.


[When most have gathered Fiona will find some small piles of debris to climb on so she can at least be eye level with everyone else. It’s not the biggest of groups but it will hardly do if no one can see whoever is speaking. She’ll tap her staff to get some attention.]

Thank you all for coming and taking an interest. I’m Fiona, the one who spoke on the network before. Sorry there was a delay but I appreciate everyone coming nonetheless. [Detecting a little anger here…]

If what’s happened this past week has proved anything, it’s proved we need to work together and defend ourselves and each other. Those bastards aren’t going to help us no matter what lies they feed us. They can’t defend us, they have proven that again and again. They say they’re glad we survived, but how many of us didn’t make it through this last endeavor? We’re dealing with complete fools and we have only ourselves to rely on. So we need to find a way to help each other. You don’t have to agree with all of my opinions, but at least stay long enough to try and see if this will work.

[She’ll take a deep breath] This is only our first meeting, none of us really know each other or what each other is capable of. If we actually intend to defend each other then that is the first thing we need to fix. Use this meeting time to get to know the person next to you and what they’re capable of. And if you can fight then show everyone else what you’ve got. [She’ll hold up her hand and produce a tiny ball of fire, whirl it around a moment and wink it out as quickly as she made it.] Lets not be caught off-guard by those bastards again.

[And then she'll start hopping off the debris. Ah, wait. Almost forgot something.] Thank you.


[OOC: Behold the tiny organization abilities. All right so, here’s how I’m thinking this can roll. We’ve got a little fighting and a little chatting for threads. If conversation leads to battle you are welcome to keep it to the talking thread, just maybe tack it into the subject line “Chat -> Fighting” or hop to the Battle thread! Feel free to jump in as you please, opened, closed, whatever. This is a fantastic chance for CR, spoil it rotten! And thanks for being patient with me despite the OOC delays. :)

Edit: Okay so. People are on hiatus and stuff and that's okay. If your character would happen to be here, but you just can't toss them in, try putting down a placeholder reply or something. I am gonna be doing a headcount from the tags list when this wraps up so leader picking later on is easier to handle. :)]

Comments

[OPEN!]

[noble_nate]

[Nathaniel sits a little apart from the main crowd, content to watch everyone else. He's glad the meeting's finally taken place, though he wishes it had taken something less drastic to finally get them all together like this.

He's content to watch everyone else, listening in to conversations here and there, gathering what information he can.]

[ofthegrey]

[It doesn't take Duncan long to work out who he is. Elissa has told him some of how he was recruited and why. There's just enough of his father in his face to catch the resemblance.

He approaches with a relaxed gait and swivels to take a seat beside him within polite conversing distance.]

I've heard of you. I figured if I waited for a formal introduction, I might be waiting a long time. The Lady Cousland stays busy. I'm Duncan. Elissa was my recruit.

[He holds off mentioning that he knew his father to a degree. It has the potential to be a sore topic on several levels. Better to let the younger Howe dictate how that will go.]

[noble_nate]

((ooc: And a billion years later...))

[Nathaniel's attention is definitely caught by the name. He'd heard that Duncan was here, though he hadn't had the chance to meet him yet.

He nods at the man, offering him a smile.]

Duncan of the Grey Wardens... I feel as if I'm in the presence of a legend. It is a pleasure to meet you.

[ofthegrey]

I should probably do my best to disabuse you of that notion right away. Disappointment is an easier blow early on. [He flashes a brief smile.]

Likewise. Elissa speaks highly of you, both as a friend and a Warden.

[noble_nate]

[Nathaniel smirks.]

Disappointment is easier to take at the beginning, yes. But the accounts I’ve heard of your deeds both before and at the beginning of the Blight are quite impressive. You recruited the Hero of Ferelden, after all.

[He’s quiet for a few moments, his eyes casually scanning the room -- an unconscious act, borne of years of training as a rogue. When he speaks again, his voice is soft, thoughtful.]

She saved my life, both literally and figuratively. She spared me from the hangman’s noose... and she gave me a purpose in life, when I was at my lowest point. I will always be grateful to her for that.

[ofthegrey]

I may have recruited her, but her accomplishments are her own.

[There's a bit of pride in his voice. What Elissa and Alistair accomplished was the culmination of the entire purpose of the order. How could he not be proud of them?

The watchful gesture is a familiar one.]

You and I may have quite a bit in common. [Also thoughtful. He's not sure how much detail he will divulge right now. It's something to consider for another time.]

I'm glad that she was able to see past the wrongs done to her and not perpetuate the cycle. That's a rare quality.

[noble_nate]

It is indeed. Elissa has never held my father's actions over my head... something I can't say about a great deal of people I knew during that time. Thankfully, things have changed in the years since.

[He wonders just how much Duncan knows about his fate, or what has happened to Ferelden since he left. It depends on which of the Thedosians he's spoken to, really.]

[ofthegrey]

Yes, she mentioned that you are from a few years in her future. I'm having a hard time understanding what they want with so many Wardens. While our battle prowess is hardly in question, the thing we're best at doing isn't an issue here at all.

[He shakes his head.]

Have you been able to discover anything of their purpose in this?

[noble_nate]

[Nathaniel shrugs.]

For the longest time I thought they just picked people randomly. There are children here, for Andraste's sake. But they seem to have chosen a good variety. There are strong fighters here, but there are also diplomats, healers, people good at defense and support. If they truly have control over who they bring in, they've done a very good job with those of us from Thedas: we have two kings, a queen, several Wardens, and the Hero of Ferelden herself. They could have done much worse.

[ofthegrey]

Yes, I've seen some of the children, myself, although at least some of them are more than they appear to the naked eye.

They do seem to have picked a decent variety from Thedas, much better than they could have done. Do you find it odd that there are no templars? Not that I'd want them around in particular, but they'd be more inclined to be the soldierly types.

[selfloyalty]

[It had been awhile since she's seen Nathaniel, and while she and Nate had never been the best of friends it is a familiar face in a familiar set up.

Anora approaches him, her expression neutral and painted with a trained patience, right at home with this group set-up.]

It has been awhile, Nathaniel.

[noble_nate]

“Anora.”

[Though Nathaniel has long since given up on addressing the queen as royalty (their time spent in Woodstock helped with that), he does get to his feet out of respect for her presence and offers the chair next to him. He has to admit it is a bit of a relief to see a familiar face here after the large spate of new arrivals.]

“I trust you are well?”

[He had heard a brief account of what had happened to her with that boy Martin, and then there were the bombings -- but she seems to be in one piece.]

[selfloyalty]

[She cannot say she is a fan of the familiar tone some people have taken to talk to her with, but she supposes there is nothing she could do. Thones and crowns mean little here.

Her neutral expression gives way to a vague smile.]

I am, for the most part.

[Y'know, despite the husbands and drama and whatnot.]

You have been keeping to yourself, haven't you?

[noble_nate]

I suppose I have.

[Anora's likely the last person Nathaniel would choose to confide in, but it isn't as if she's prying.]

I kept myself busy after the bombings, I didn't allow myself the chance to think about anything. Once everyone was safe... I seem to have done nothing but think.

[selfloyalty]

[If she is prying, she's doing it really super subtly. Girl could have been a rogue had she not been raised to be a queen.]

I suppose everyone has done their share of thinking...some less quiet than others.

[sob Cailan sob.]

Even after months of this, going back and forth, having new people arrive and others disappear...it is still a lot to take in. I am pleased some form of action is taking place.

[noble_nate]

[Nathaniel’s not one to vocalize his thoughts and feelings, unlike certain Fereldan kings.]

As am I. If we’re to defeat this United Earth, we need to get organized. A full-on assault against them would be foolish at this point, but we need to be ready.