acatalepsy_rpg | [Video]

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[Barabas appears on the video -- fully clothed, thank you -- with a sedate expression, cordial enough. Bright red hair is less styled than he'd prefer it (his kingdom for decent hair product, really) but he still looks sharp, put together. He's set his watch somewhere so that he's in fame, seated at a table, from about the chest up, hands folded in front of him.]

Hello. I've already met some of you, but for those of you I haven't had the pleasure of encountering yet, my name is Barabas. Everyone seems fairly alive, which is better than the alternative. There's a new vacation spot in town, complete with an off-brand Loch Ness Monster. What more could anyone ask for?

[He spreads his hands.]

As... charming... as this place is, there is a disturbing lack of information infrastructure. Even Astoria doesn't quite seem to be able to keep track of who is coming and going at all times -- since the last bunch of us were apparently unexpected guests. I don't exactly find that reassuring. It does not make me feel warm and fuzzy.

[At all.]

In that vein, I think we should address this, put in place some way to keep track of who is here, who is no longer here, the abilities we each possess. [He ticks these items off on his fingers.] And a collection of information of the places that Astoria has sent us, and the general outcome of each trip. And really any other useful things to know, for all of us, and those who may be brought here in the future.

[A smile now, no teeth, but still pleasant.] Sadly, I'm only one man, so I suppose what I'm looking for is twofold:

First, would anyone be willing to help gather and compile this data?

Second, those of you who've been here longer than I have, perhaps we can chat about your experiences.

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Good to meet you, Maes. I would be very grateful for your help -- and your expertise. I'm a lawyer, by trade, so that's where most of my info gathering has come up. The scope here is... a little wider.

[Barabas is quite good at paperwork. So that part at least he has some confidence in.]

The listing in the devices is a good start, definitely. And I'd say t's more important to pay attention going forward to who comes and goes -- as a priority. It would be good to know those who've come and gone too, but that is definitely going to be trickier, especially for those who arrived without any others from their own worlds.

Considering I've had to gather information for several court martial trials over the past few years, I'm pretty familiar with lawyers. I think we'll work together just fine.

[Sure, he knows the stereotype about lawyers. But he isn't about to rag a guy who just wants to help. Maes leans back in his chair, considering how best to proceed.]

That's true. It wouldn't hurt to try and build a backlog at some point, we'd have to work backwards based on who people remember--I know there are people who have been here since this all started. But I agree that moving forward makes more sense to get down who is here now and then up date it as necessary.

There are still some empty bedrooms. Perhaps we can turn one of them into a kind of library or office, that way the records could be in one place.

[Barabas spares a grin at that, nodding.] I think so too.

[...shh. Barabas knows all the lawyer jokes already anyway.]

Working backward is harder, but not impossible.

[Something to think about in the future. For now, Barabas's eyes light up now.]

We set up a command center, I like it. Makes it easy for people to find and access what we put together to. Let's find a room.

It should at least make people feel a little less like we're trying to gather all this information to use against them. It can be more like a public record than anything. Honestly, this sort of reminds me of a conversation I was having with Shiro prior to getting sick. We discussed how my ability can be startling to some people and how we should find some way to let people know what kinds of abilities to expect around here.

This could almost serve as a welcome room in the future if people want to find a place with easy to find information about magic and the kinds of things that have happened, without necessarily asking everyone in person.

And that does seem to be a concern. It seems quite a few people here have been burned before, so to speak. I do understand it, but the more useful information people are willing to share, the better.

[So this other man certainly has a point. Make it accessible. Welcoming. Barabas nods, considering.]

I was discussing the need for organization with Mr. Shirogane before as well. And somewhere centralized for newcomers to find information seems like it would only help with that. As often as people seem to come and go, it's better to have the information in a more... enduring form... than just oral history.

Some people just like their privacy. I'm not sure how it has to be any different than the records we keep on State Alchemists...but on the other hand it's not like we have records on non-military affiliated alchemists. Those people tend to like their privacy and keeping the military away from their affairs. So I could see where some people among this group would have an issue with providing TOO much information.

But, as you say, this is all strictly voluntary and I'm hoping by being up front and open that will encourage people to share as opposed to playing things close to the chest.

[Says the man keeping his own status as 'supposed to be dead' close to the chest. But he feels that's a little bit of a different situation.]

I agree. It can at least ensure a continuation, even if it passes into different hands along the way. Who knows, when we aren't on other worldly missions maybe we can even have a rotation of "office hours".

Here's hoping.

[Barabas manages to contain a surge of cynicism at a government actually only keeping tabs on members of the military, because maybe in Hughes' world it's true. Honestly it's truer in his own world since the Shift, since databases and surveillance have become complicated.

He does grin a moment later.]

I like the idea of office hours. It would create a space for people to start if they have questions.

As much as I love reading reports and files, sometimes you can't beat face to face interaction. I learned a lot more that way than just reading on the network what was going on here.

Exactly. It has its advantages. It humanizes it a bit too, especially for people who might be feeling a little lost.

[A pause as he considers.] Though humanize may not always be the right word given that there are different peoples here, not just humans. Or human-and-extra.

Hmm. Yeah, I hadn't thought about that aspect either. I know you've gotten a lot of people on board, but we should maybe make a special effort to get a wide variety of people in there.

That's a good plan, I think.

[Barabas nods in full agreement.] Speaking as someone... not always trusted or welcome in certain human circles... it's nice to have a bit of varied representation.

[Interesting. So Barabas is something beside human? Maes debates asking but doesn't want to come across as rude, so he sticks to the business at hand.]

So would you say it might also be helpful to include information like that. In case people want to find others like them? I know getting different perspectives is important, but when first getting here it might be comforting to talk to someone who understands the feeling of losing your abilities from home or being an android or centaur...for a few examples I know off the top of my head.

It may be, if people are willing to provide it. There is that continued sense of reluctance some have voiced for that sort of list. But it may be very useful for newcomers.

[He would have liked someone to speak to about what was going on with his powers, after all.] For my part, I don't mind anyone knowing that I'm a shapeshifter, or that my beast form has been changed since coming here. It was very unsettling when I first arrived, and the only other shapeshifter I've met here turns into a machine lion -- which is entirely unique as far as I'm aware.

I guess I could fill in on the other end of the spectrum. I was 100% normal back home, so it took some getting used to the idea that I even had an ability, let alone figuring out how to use it.

[He's noticed that people with abilities back home tended to use their power in a similar way, at least based on conversations or ways they talked about it.]

Hmm...now that you mention it I guess shapeshifting is less common among the magic abilities I've been told about.

That does sound like an adjustment.

[Like. Quite an adjustment really.] But you've managed well enough, after any initial confusion?

[Or is it still a struggle?]

It seems to be less common. Which is strange. Back home, the Pack is more than fifteen hundred strong, and that's only Atlanta.

Sure. I've always been a pretty quick study and a lot of the people here encouraged the idea of 'practice makes perfect.'

[After some close calls, he wanted to make sure he could use his ability to get OUT of danger as often as he got into it. The only way that was going to happen is if he made it come second-nature.]

Hmm. That is interesting...though you've got me on what it means.

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