eastbound | un: ut malum pluvia

[ Five never enjoys addressing the network. When he does, it's usually with good reason. They aren't going to like what he has to say, but considering how close he is to it, he needs to tell them something before the situation escalates. Even if there's large parts he'll leave out to keep them from getting distracted.

That is to say: he did something. ]

I think we can come to an agreement that we've got problems that go beyond dark water. First of all, if you're still with the Hand, forget your assignment and leave. Get a group together to transport you, or find somewhere to seek refuge. I don't know what they're building towards, but at this point I'd say even the undead encampment is safer.

I know some of you are hesitant to jump into undead politics, but we're in the middle of them if we like it or not. [ Messalina seemed like an opportunity to fight fire with fire, but he has mixed feelings about the advice he gave her. In his defense, he didn't know everything he does now. ] Our shapeshifting friend in the Senate gave a pretty clear indication of the way things are going. I can't tell you if Messalina is the solution to our bigger issues, but she's not going to wait for us to decide.

In the meantime, if anyone has ideas on how to counteract the effects we keep hearing about, this is your chance to pitch them.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

If anyone needs a hand getting out- no pun intended- I can help. Especially if you don't want to camp with the undead.

But I agree with Five, you do not want to remain involved.

Agreed. The Hand is where danger sleeps.

Master Jacob speaks wisely.

( Said no one. Ever. )

I understand that safety is important, but is it wise to leave things unobserved?

If one of our own does not remain near the Hand, we will only further our ignorance on their purpose, no?

[ It's called spying. It's not supposed to be safe. ]

[ He was expecting to immediately be met with objections, so it’s nice to have the backup. ]

If you’ve got somewhere secure, we need to get them moving. Time isn’t on our side here.

Any idea how many are there?

[ Usually yes, but that was before certain developments. ]

Only if you want to sacrifice them when we already know everything we need to know about them.

Yes. [ Trust him. He’s trying to do the right thing here. ] We’ve observed, now we need to go.

Anyone would think you liked me Wangji.

It's easy to disappear in a big city full of people. Especially in the parts where all us undesirables live.

[ 'Everything we need to know', really? Oh well, what does she care. She has no horse in this race, so to speak. She's just...here. ]

What I want is of no import. I am only curious if anyone working alongside the Hand would think the same. By all means, I should still welcome any who do wander into this encampment for...sanctuary.

[ It's not that Sizhui doesn't trust him!

... well, it's complicated, he's seen a lot of conversations over the network over the. Well. Years.

That aside, he hesitates, because for some reason it seems very... vulnerable, to turn their back on a group that is this dangerous and what they will be doing next.

But ...

But Five is not one to tell people to run, in Sizhui's appearance, and certainly not with the urgency of this message, yet here he is. ]

I understand. If anyone has trouble and cannot make their way out, I can stay a little and assist, as I can make my escape by air if all else fails.

[ On the one hand, Messalina claims she has no reason to move against the living, but on the other, the Hand certainly is. ]

I don’t know if the Hand is that picky about undesirables. Or if someone is alive or not, but we’ll make do with we have to.

[ He appreciates that he’s not going to argue with him, even if he fully expected this to be more difficult. Hopefully he can convince the others. ]

Do you know where to find them?

[ He could clarify that he knows everything he needs to know, but he’s comfortable speaking for everyone in this case. ]

They might, and I’m telling them not to. [ For reasons that anyone could innocently have. ] Sometimes there’s something to be said about hiding where they wouldn’t be looking. In theory.

[ He can argue, of course. But what will that do but frustrate Five? Nobody can make those assigned to the Hand leave, after all.

Such warnings have rarely been unfounded, over the last months, after all. ]

Two of them, at least. I have been assigned as mediator, so I have access to most places, or can talk my way into them.

[ That’s convenient. There’s probably a reason Sizhui has stayed under his radar, for all Five has disagreements with his father(s). He recognizes when to take things seriously. ]

Good. Drag them out of there if you need to. [ They absolutely can make them leave. ] We don’t have time to convince everyone if they haven’t figured out by now.

[ ... good luck trying to drag Xie Lian anywhere that he doesn't want to go.

But no, Sizhui simply lacks the kind of certainty in his own opinion that makes his fathers... difficult to reason with when they dig their heels in. Or, rather, makes the situations in which he digs his heels in much rarer. When it does happen, however, he is likely to be more difficult to deal with than both of them put together. ]

Mm. I will try, I may not know everyone. If anyone is in need of help for either reason and they let you known, I will do my best.

[ As Five has made the public announcement, he is more likely to get such information faster. ]

I have... an inquiry. While the danger calls for immediate action, of course, I would question what the chances are that the Hand will cut off food supply when they do act, as they control both the food storages and the adoration of the farmers.

[ He probably has not that much time to stock up on food, but a little is better than none at all. ]

Couldn't agree more. I suppose if there's some of our people stuck in the Hand, I can call on you to help extract them?

Unlikely.

Hundreds. The barracks quarters are numerous.

Some deployed.

Oh you don't have to be coy with me.

I do not.

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