[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

[ofthegrey]

I'll likely keep asking you for definitions or meanings until you get tired of it. So many things here are completely new or alien to me. What is a ronin, and what is a host?

The first word is completely new to me. I have a definition of the second, but I doubt it fits what you mean if you say that was an occupation.

[He rubs idly at his beard, a sweep of index finger down the side of his chin.]

[onemoredeath]

It is how to learn a new language, asking questions until you have it right. [ He smiles, a little more pleasantly than before. ]

A ronin is in ancient times, a masterless warrior, a sword-for-hire, a man who had either lost his patron or was left homeless after some dishonor. In the modern times, it means a person who has stepped away from his or her chosen path to follow their own heart.

As for a host, in my country we have these host clubs. Often bored and rich women come into the clubs looking for a little companionship, a little fun. We serve them drinks and talk to them, making them feel like they are special. Most of us are skilled with talking and with drinking and with some kind of entertainment - mine was playing music and singing songs about love and heartbreak.

[ofthegrey]

[He nods and listens, seemingly appreciative of the indulgence in his curiosity.]

An interesting shift of meaning over time.

It sounds a bit like a bard. Some believe them to be no more than musicians, a misconception they happily cultivate. There's much more to it than that. This was your calling?

[There's no tone of judgment in the question.]

[onemoredeath]

I suppose there are similarities. Yes it did. After all, I could never stand the press of every day work.

[ofthegrey]

I can think of far worse occupations than giving ladies attention. Why do you think the Initiative targeted you to bring here? Do you think they did at all?

[He's not entirely sure it isn't random, or if not random at least imprecise.]

[onemoredeath]

I know how to listen and pick up information from listening. I often thought that because of that, they may have thought to use it to gather information in other places. A spy, I suppose even though the closest to fighting I can do is barroom brawling and some sports. I would be useless standing shoulder-to-shoulder in an army but behind the lines...

[ He shrugs, not exactly sure on how to proceed with the thought. No doubt Duncan can fill in the blanks since he was military in so many ways. He was skilled in a lot more than what he was saying, but why tell all? His hobbies was his own. ]

[ofthegrey]

Such skills are invaluable. A battle is only as good as the intelligence off of which it's based.

[He doesn't mind that most think him a warrior and never guess at his original profession. There's no need to bring it out without good reason.]

If you're interested in this endeavor to the point of involvement, your observations will not go unheeded.

[onemoredeath]

I have told her that I could help but I am unsure if others would want to work with someone as useless in a fight as I am. There is only so much that a broken bottle can do to people in armor, yes?

[ofthegrey]

It would be foolish of us to place you in that sort of position deliberately. We have little control over what happens when we are dispatched, I imagine. But in part we're here to determine who has what strengths and allocate accordingly.

[onemoredeath]

And when I am employed to use my skills for listening, does this mean I will have people trailing after me or would they be somewhere else, making sure I will be able to escape?

[ofthegrey]

I would think that would depend entirely on the situation in question. There are times when it is useful to have allies close and times when it could be disastrous. In general, one is less conspicuous than more.

[onemoredeath]

That is as I have thought, but who knows what others may feel.

[ofthegrey]

Hopefully when we have things more organized we can work out details like that better. It may be that we have several small groups rather than one large. It would be to our advantage overall.

[onemoredeath]

I believe that is what she had been thinking of. At least that is what she had said when I brought up my little usefulness for a real fight up.

[ofthegrey]

That's Fi for you. Practical.

I can say this much. If you're ever gathering anything at my request, I'll do my best to ensure you have the support you need for it, either for ingress or egress. [He doesn't believe in wasting resources.]

[onemoredeath]

I would thank you for such a thought. I may find it a little thrilling to seek out danger but I am not one to go into that danger without the right kind of support.

[ofthegrey]

It'll be dangerous enough even with the support, I'd wager.

It was a pleasure meeting you, Takegami. [He's not just being diplomatic in this instance. He appreciates a good tactical mind.]

Perhaps we'll be working together soon.

[onemoredeath]

I would agree.

[ He slightly bows - shaking hands is a Western thing after all. ] It was nice meeting you, Duncan.

I do hope that things will work that way, yes.

[ofthegrey]

[He slightly bows as well, a clenched fist brought up to his breastplate and held for a moment.]

Until next we speak.

[And then he is gone for more mingling and later a spar.]