[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

[ladyspitfire]

[She smiles.]

No? I was under the impression you were in here in part to smooth over some feathers.

[ofthegrey]

If they need it, I won't be completely opposed.

[He drops his voice lower.]

All kidding aside, we're going to have to stretch our diplomacy to the limits, all of us if we want this to go anywhere. It's one thing to sell an idea to people whose history you know and understand. In this situation with some of these people we don't even know what constitutes basic courtesy, and we're asking a lot.

Not what I envisioned for my retirement. [Very dry. His "retirement" was a hurlock blade across the neck. He supposes just about anything is better than that.]

[ladyspitfire]

[She nods. She's been thinking on similar lines.]

We start with potential allies and work our way through the populace. It's going to take a lot of work and scouting on our part to know who we can trust and who we may have to appeal to. I think I know a few people I can speak to already who aren't here.

[But it will take quite a bit of pushing on their part, small prods and plenty of favors to get this to work.]

And I thought appealing to the armies of Ferelden was a difficult task.

[ofthegrey]

I know a few, myself. I don't know them well, but I think they might be amenable. We're also going to have to try to curb any of the more radical elements among us.

[He dips his chin subtly toward Fiona.]

She's very good at stirring people up. She's not so good when it comes to being patient. We're going to have to have both. I can handle her to a degree, but-

[He shakes his head.]

If she starts rubbing people the wrong way, we're going to have to pay attention to that and work damage control. This makes Ferelden look like a garden picnic in Val Royeaux.

[ladyspitfire]

I wish I could say we have the time. Alistair and Anora have been here a long time. We could be here for just that long. If so, then we most certainly will have enough time to build an army of our own. If not...then we'll need to be quick about finding the proper channels and allies to work with.

[Anora may still be angry with them, but Elissa knows she won't abandon them if they go to war. She'll have her place rallying others.

She glances sideways and slightly smiles.]

Yes, I've gotten a bit of that abrasiveness before. I have a few like that.

[Anders has rubbed Fiona the same way, after all.]

I'll keep an eye out for her, have no fear. A little dissent wouldn't be such a bad thing if it meant we could garner more information or even new options.

[ofthegrey]

We'll do the best we can with whatever we have.

[It's all borrowed time for him now anyway. Every extra moment is more than he would otherwise have been allotted. Perhaps it's one reason he has the sense of urgency that he does.]

She has a good heart. Don't let the prickliness fool you. [A brief smile.]

I'm not worried about dissent as long as it's not to the point of alienation, or worse outright opposition and obstructionism.

[ladyspitfire]

We always do.

[Her smile broadens and she holds back a chuckle.]

Of that, I have no doubt. She's a good woman. I don't know enough about her to say much else, but I know she's dedicated. She's worked hard to bring this together.

[Elissa nods in agreement.] My thoughts exactly. Have you heard anything about this task force they hope to build among the Imports?

[strategic_guile]

[After seeing Duncan and this new woman going at it, even if it was just a spar, Blaine wasn't going to sneak up on either of them. Watching from afar gave him an appreciation for just how fast the big guy could move. Being able to anticipate the movements from the outside didn't mean much unless he went toe-to-toe with either of them himself, and that would be for another time, if ever. He walked up from the side, easy smile spreading across his face.]

Am I interrupting something important?

[ofthegrey]

[Duncan gives her a quick "hold that thought" glance and smiles pleasantly at Blaine.]

Just two old friends catching up. Blaine, have you had the opportunity to meet Lady Cousland yet? If not, I'll make introductions.

[He glances between both of them.]

[ladyspitfire]

[She turns to their new arrival and nods her head politely, giving him a faint smile.]

Just Elissa would be fine. It's a pleasure to meet you, Blaine.

[strategic_guile]

[Blaine had taken a good look at her on his way over, so he held her gaze for a moment at the introduction without need to size her up.] Good to meet you, Elissa. I was watching your match there.

[He gives Duncan a side-eye of amused suspicion.] He moves rather fast, doesn't he?

[ofthegrey]

Or you can introduce yourselves. I'll just stand right over here.

[A tease for both of them.]

[ladyspitfire]

[She laughs quietly, shooting Duncan a bemused look.]

He does, indeed. Would you believe he was going easy on me? I should learn to wear armor at all times.

[strategic_guile]

Easy on you? [Hand to mouth to cover his exaggerated surprise.] Oh my, how scary.

[But then he lowers his hand and quirks his lips.] You weren't looking too bad yourself, Lady Elissa.

[ofthegrey]

Don't let her fool you. We were both keeping it pretty friendly. When do we get to see you in action?

[He wipes a hand down his face to keep the sweat from rolling into his eyes.]

[ladyspitfire]

Isn't he? He's a terror on the battlefield.

[She shoots Duncan a look. Two can play that game.]

Yes, when do we get to see you fight? I admit I'm curious now, myself.

[strategic_guile]

[Blaine laughs and holds up his hands in surrender.] A battle with either of you, friendly or not, is a recipe for disaster. I'm going to have to pass on that.

[ofthegrey]

Why do I get the feeling we're being buttered up?

[His smile is really more smirk, but he lets it go after that.]

What are your feelings about the rest of it? What do you think about what Fiona had to say?

[ladyspitfire]

I'm almost certain we are.

[She settles her arms across her chest, a comfortable gesture and not one of boredom. She nods, eager to hear the answer as well.]

[strategic_guile]

I enjoy a good buttering, I must admit. [Mischievous grin accompanies that as he crosses his own arms across his chest.]

I won't know for certain until I talk to her myself, but what she said I can agree with. [At least the base sentiment. The degree may vary.] Of course, I've only been here some odd week and the bombings are a new thing, so I've heard.

[ofthegrey]

[He snorts.] I'll bet. [Dry.]

I've known her a long time. Longer than she has known me now.

[Something else that doesn't sit well with him about this place, the strange timelines.]

She has been here a while. Long enough to know they don't have our interest at heart.

[ladyspitfire]

They would sooner see us rely on them but fend for ourselves. I did not see any Initiative warriors or defenses engaging the enemy as we did.

[Because they are supposed to be their recruits.]

It's something to be cautious of.

[strategic_guile]

[There's a quick huff of air out of him and a wry grin that flashes fast across his face] We are their warriors, aren't we? Their interests are supposed to be our interests.

[ofthegrey]

They have an interesting way of trying to cultivate loyalty. [If not trying at all could be considered a way.]

[ladyspitfire]

Their interests are survival, as are ours. But we're their captives. We have no rights nor any voice here.

[Not yet.]