UN: Senth; Video

[sergeant_slick]

[Against his better judgement, Slick's going to take a stab at organizing.]

Alright, everybody. We're doing good here--bear notwithstanding. The city's a mess, but that's what happens when the ones in charge muck around with people's lives.

That means the next bit's up to the locals. They'll get to decide what they want to do with the city, and the people that screwed them over. The more we stay out of that, the better it'll be for them. But it's going to take a long time for them to settle their business here. Might be years before it's through.

So once the Doxe's crew are out and the beacon's powered up, we need to go. Staying here is not going to help solve these people's real problems here. That means we need to be prepped to go ahead of time. Whatever you're bringing with you, get it together, and ready to move. Anybody you've got unfinished business with, wrap it up and say your goodbyes.

And if you're coming with us, we could use another roll call. I don't want the Merchant being the only one who knows how many of us there are.

Sound off if you're receiving and say if you're in or out.

Comments

un : dappled peals of the parted seas (voice)

[beitangmoran]

It sounds pretty obvious that propping this city back up is not our problem. Does it really need to be said?

[A short pause.]

.... We do have a few good-hearted idealists that do need to hear this, actually.

UN: Senth; Video

[sergeant_slick]

Yeah. Can't blame 'em, it's understandable for wanting to win this thing somehow. But that's not how this is going down.

You're all set, then?

[beitangmoran]

I'd like for my preferred candidate to at least be installed before we go, but realistically speaking, this is out of our hands. If it happens, then fine. Otherwise, she'll have to handle this on her own.

[sergeant_slick]

I don't think the locals are too fond of either of them right now. At least, the ones I that brought me on were fed up with the candidates before they realized the Doxe was utter Hutt slime.

Oh, figure you might want to know: I'm still in touch with a local who sells hair stuff. Let me know if you want in on that--don't know where we'll be ending up next. [Hair that long has to get cared for somehow, right?]

[beitangmoran]

They might not be, but they also do not have much choice. In all of this, Vannozza and Maccaluso's hands are maybe the least tainted, as surprising as it sounds. I have my opinions as to which of the two is the most capable, but that's for another time.

Do let Xunxian know, if you'd be so kind, he takes care of those things for me.

[sergeant_slick]

Or they could throw out the whole system and try something new. Some of them seem ready to try. [Which he can relate to.]

...So... Xunxian is your money and hair guy? [Because that's the two things he knows about Xunxian.]

[beitangmoran]

[.... His 'money and hair guy'? Excuse you, Slick?]

... Xunxian is the person I trust the most in my life.

[sergeant_slick]

Oh. Sensible choice, then. [He's mostly not being serious. But look--Slick still doesn't understand Earthers, he had to ask.]

[beitangmoran]

Of course. I accept nothing but the best.

un: moonage daydream (text)

[lancifolium]

I've been getting supplies together in case we don't get to use the Beacon, if you want things stowed just in case bring them round.

un: Senth; text

[sergeant_slick]

[Hey, it's his xenopal favorite magical lady!] Figured you'd have your head screwed on right. And yeah, it's probably be worth it. I don't like having some other guy controlling all the traveling supplies anyway.

[lancifolium]

The study group should get together again to discuss that particular issue.

[ Because while she's not about to discuss how shady and concerning the Merchant is over the network it's definitely past time for a discussion about him. ]

[sergeant_slick]

Yeah, sounds good.

Oh, while that's got me thinking about it--next time we talk, might be worth trying it without the translators. We're the study group, right? Learning this stuff's important too.

[Because yeah, he'll grumble a bit on the network when he can pretend it's just concern about logistics, but... even when they're not using the network, they're still parking these devices right in the middle of every single private conversation they have.

And given that that's how he did a good portion of his spying on his commanders, he's kind of suspicious of this.]

[lancifolium]

That's a very smart idea. If you're bringing me things to stow we can try among ourselves!

[sergeant_slick]

Yeah, let's give it a go. I'll be around. [With practical supplies. ...And hair products.]

un: Black Prince; text

[blackscales]

You know my feelings on this. I travel light. Inform me if you require assistance.

un: Senth; text

[sergeant_slick]

Copy that. All set for now.

Though I do need to grab a few basic words from your language. If our translators ever go down, us that don't have tons of Earth friends are going to be in trouble, if we don't have a way to communicate with anybody. [Seriously, what is it with Earth anyway]

[blackscales]

[ What the fuck is earth tbh. ]

I speak several. We can see if one is easier to learn for you than the others.

[ Perhaps Common might be most familiar, or perhaps Orcish, or Darnassian -- who knows. ]

[sergeant_slick]

[a miserable pile of secrets]

Sounds good. I've tried to get everybody set up with a few words in at least one other language--basic stuff that'd be useful in an emergency. I'm memorizing the list for everybody.

...Though I wouldn't say my accent's ready to go out on parade.

[blackscales]

Good enough for the purpose, I am sure.

[ Then, Wrathion switches this to private. ]

There is something else you should know. Someone from my world is here, if chaos breaks out they will be my priority.

[ He's just being upfront with this. ]

un: absterge

[downswing]

If we do not linger longer, we abandon them.

un: Senth; text

[sergeant_slick]

And if I stay, I'm abandoning my brothers.

I'm not saying people can't stay. But we may only have a limited window to use the beacon, and people who want to leave need to be ready.

[downswing]

And our responsibilities?

[sergeant_slick]

Yeah, that's the point. My responsibilities are elsewhere. If yours are here, good luck.

[downswing]

My duties are divided. Sympathetic to what we have incentivised here.

[sergeant_slick]

Yeah? What's the other bits, then? Got anything back on Earth you've got to do? [He's not feeling accusatory about it, he's just asking. ...Bluntly, but he's asking.]

[downswing]

Only lead.

[sergeant_slick]

That doesn't sound like an "only" thing to me. Or is the translator screwing up again? [Could be. He doesn't know enough Chinese to have any clue whether it's accurately telling him what's going on.]

[downswing]

What is a leader to you?

[sergeant_slick]

Hypothetically? Somebody who cares about the people they're in charge of.

And has the good sense to support causes that are actually worth whatever it does to their subordinates.

And if they fuck up on that, try to change it.

[Hypothetically. He's not convinced he's met anybody like that yet.]

[downswing]

An embodiment of sympathy and accountability.

Correct?

[sergeant_slick]

Maybe. [Accountability would be a new one for him. He's not even sure how that would work.]

[downswing]

Here, now. Are we not accountable?

[weifinder]

To the ends where our interference continues to be an extended manipulation by us, by the merchant who stings, and what, Lan Zhan?

If we were all that set things alight, we owe more than accountability.

[downswing]

A hand is more accountable than its tool, true.

But we are not deadened instruments.

[weifinder]

Not the ones skilled enough to rectify the wrongs here to prosperous future. I suspect the justice we might find is in answering the question that plagues every city in these regions.

What are you working to sacrifice?

[downswing]

So we flee. Convenient.

[weifinder]

Do you truly think that?

[downswing]

I think cowardice tastes sweet on your tongues.

[weifinder]

Fascinating, in retrospect.

@starkov

[sankta]

are you saying we should just upend their entire political and defensive systems then leave them to figure it out alone?

un: Senth; text

[sergeant_slick]

["We"? He stayed the hells away from politics here. Sure, he could charm people, but that was people, not nobles. He had no idea what to do with somebody whose clothes cost more than he did.]

I'm saying that what they're going to do now isn't going to be fixed by us, or in a timely fashion. If you feel a responsibility to Taravast, I'm not trying to stop you. I'm trying to get a headcount of who's moving on, so we don't leave anybody behind.

[sankta]

( she hates this. the people here deserve more.

but she has her own responsibilities to get back to, too.

she can't argue with Slick. so she bites her tongue further. presses on. )

i may stay. catch up with you guys after.

i should be part of the headcount but i shouldn't be immediately depended on.

[sergeant_slick]

Alright.

[He can't do much with a 'maybe', but he's not going to push on it.]

If we get the beacon up and running, our access might be for a limited time. If you decide to come, keep an eye out for more announcements, and be ready to move.

[sankta]

it's not my first time. i'll be ready.

[weifinder]

We did not set the city on fire and I'm tentatively proud of us all!

Wei Wuxian, sounding off, Slick my friend.

[sergeant_slick]

There we go, we've done great! Haven't left a single scorch mark anywhere. [except his own face that one time]

Taravast was headed for rough times anyway, with the Doxe being a moldering old pile of crap, and those Brotherhood weirdos being able to bust in whenever they felt like.

Honestly, the sooner the city got this over with, the better it'll go for them. I mean, I'm not a general or anything, but paying off your enemies with weapons shipments sounds like a terrible idea.

Got you on the list, mate. Thanks.

[weifinder]

Holding something horrific at bay until it comes for you--well. We've seen them come. All the rest has been the city finding itself out, and how it rebuilds, that would always be the question.