acatalepsy_rpg | [video] el minha

[after the Syndicate and the King have sent their messages, the Circle's watches light up with a third unceremonious communication -- but hey, at least it's someone from their number this time. Vern's scowling, but his tone's even enough.]

Hey.

Astoria wants us to change things here, right? I submit that the best way to do that is to take advantage of what we are. I know a lot of us have been getting to know people and getting more involved with the city, but when it comes down to it, we're neutral outsiders. Sometimes you need those, in a place like this: people with clear eyes and no strong prior investment except maybe a general wish to not see the people of this city offing themselves.

I've got a proposal. I don't know all your powers and backgrounds, but I know we've got a pretty good range of skills and capabilities here. I think we'd do well to split ourselves up. Some of us can concentrate on mediating -- break up fights in the street, take care of those who get caught up, try to damp down things before they can blow up into fights in the first place.

And some of us go figure out what in the hells the truth is behind this. I think a lot of us figure this poor child's death was preplanned in some way -- I certainly overheard talk that pointed to that myself -- but we're not sure exactly what the angle is here. Are the Syndicate just trying to kill the King? Take control of the seat of power? Some of us have figured out that there's no obvious natural water sources that would support this city, and the King's got some sort of blessing -- if the King controls the water, is that the power that's being fought over, rather than the actual throne?

Let's find out, and then let's figure out a way to use that to calm everyone down. If that takes locking the Crown and the Syndicate leaders in a room until they kiss and make up, or some kind of public broadcast, let's make it happen.

If you're up for this, we can form groups and take objectives. I'm not a great organizer, but even I can figure out where you're most likely to be useful if you need help.

And if you'd rather do your own thing -- well, go ahead. I'm not your leader or your mother.

[...he pauses as something obviously distracts him, eyes going briefly unfocused behind his glasses, listening to something that can't be seen on the screen]

Ah, and the King's just told me not to trust the Guard, and to find someone named Jalin, and now he seems to be occupied and won't tell me any more. So that's an extra complication. Anyone recognize that name?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...he might not be. Whatever he is, he has high influence with the king and the city.

. . . it's true that the pickpockets didn't specifically call him the Syndicate's leader.

[but, that said?]

His was the name they gave me when I specifically asked for the leader, though. Or at least the person responsible for speaking for the Syndicate.

[a spokesperson is close enough]

...so having a chat with Jalin would be a good idea. [Oh he will sit with him and not let him be cryptic as hell this time. Not with a murder and war. His voice gains a hard edge.]

If he is their leader then this got a lot more complicated. He tends to avoid saying things directly. Don’t let him dodge you.

You've met him?

[said with a hint of surprise in his tone]

Anyone who fights at the Ring meets him eventually. Everything goes through him.

We've had a number of talks since the first time he introduced himself.

[a pause, and then]

Jalin is the Champion.

[oh]

No wonder the Ring was controlled by the Syndicate.

[some things are finally starting to slot into place, and yet. . . Akira can't help but feel like it's too little, too late]

Yes he is. From what he's said and how he talks...our theory about other factions within the Syndicate might not be wrong.

I can't imagine someone who manages a ring specifically to elevate the powerless would risk it all like this. But I'll have a talk and see what he says. Anyone who wants to approach him should do the same.

Edited 2018-06-03 18:01 (UTC)

So we have the theory that there are factions within the Syndicate working on their own, as well as factions within the guard doing similarly.

[SHEESH]

Thaaaaaaat's politics for ya.

[His sigh is heavy and loud, but he keeps all his exasperation at the politics out of his voice.]

Yes, it is. For now, we need to focus on what we can fix and what information we can gather. Jalin is a start.

I don't think it's a bad idea to be cautious about the guard either. The King moved among his own people and left the palace a lot to help them. With the idea he doesn't trust his guard in mind...there's too many questions and not enough answers.

[and Akira just. . . huffs out a laugh]

And here I said I wasn't going to involve myself in the politics of this world. . .

[He sighs heavily.]

...Yes, I'm eating those words too. Technically, it's just an investigation of what went wrong with it. But it's still being involved.

An investigation into what went wrong and vague plans on how to fix it. You don't get more involved than that.

Yeah. Well, we can't change that. Only thing we can do is fix what we can fix. However this ends, we'll all face it together.

Cheesy.

[a small grin]

I like it, though. It makes me feel like I'm part of a real team.

I like to think we are. We are all bound to Astoria. But, either way I'll do what I can to help.

[video] el minha - a discussion

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