[open] pre-gaming, the dignitary variety

[freeing]

Who: Anyone invested in the Dorchacht Dilemma or planning to visit Dorchacht through the event.
When: Septeril 1st, late evening
Where: The Sly Seadog
What: Planning
Warnings: Who the eff knows



[ It was getting late in the evening, but it was crucial to meet up. Daenerys – with the help of some more technologically savvy people – offered invitations to anyone who seemed interested in the affair with Dorchacht.

They meet at the Sly Seadog: a run-down little dive of a tavern, found along a narrow back-alley in the harbour, frequented by sailors, welcoming to Monsters and humans alike. The crowd is dense for this early in the "night", but still a few drunkards pawning off their last bit of money for a little bit more booze.

It was not up to a standard she would prefer, but it's something and it's relatively quiet. Three long tables can fit enough people for their meeting – and there's some standing room at the bar. Time to get down to business, right?

Feel free to top level, make points, argue, etc. ]

Comments

[freeing]

[ That does earn quite a snarl of her lip. Daenerys fails at keeping that in check, her gaze looks away and she speaks more carefully. Collected. ]

Are we sure they will even honor such a thing, if we do find a suitable bond? This dream showcased humanity being disregarded in favor of the highest bidder.

[hippocarnival]

I think so. It's like if someone stole from you. [He shrugs a shoulder.] And if their people are robbing us just for visiting, they're not going to look good if they try asking for amends about whatever the dream did.

[He pauses, then taps his chest.] Also... it seems like maybe it lets you keep track of each other? I guess because you can feel their emotions so we'll know if someone's in trouble.

[And possible track them down. He hasn't really make steps to bond yet, but... he can't deny in a situation like this, it might be best for everyone.] But I think they can be temporary! Just while we're there, you know?

Threadjack

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot's been quiet, but he'll speak up for this]

Right, but I think more important, since monsters are not witches property... is that a Bond will keep your mind clear. Going bondless for too long can make it harder to keep your thoughts in check. Monsters can become feral and witches can go mad.

And...honestly, I think the last thing we need is someone losing their wits in the middle of diplomacy.

[hippocarnival]

I don't think they are! [Yuya waves his hands quickly.] But they do, or might, and if they're going to treat any monsters that come along like they did then...

[Well, it's what little protection they can afford them without having to start more fighting in the city to retrieve their own.]

But that's true, too, especially if we'll be there when the moon is full.

[fiddlestick]

Oh, I know you don't. [He offers a small smile to reassure him] I understand what you're getting at. Still...just thought it needed saying.

[Since there's already a lot of apprehensions around bonds]

Yeah, that's something to consider. If we're to convince people Monsters deserve freedom, we can't afford any slip-ups.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya nods.] Like being an example of how successful working together is. I know not everyone will start seeing them as people, but... if even a few do, that's a change in the right direction.

[He clasps his hands together.] But I guess that depends what Morgana Drummond wants out of this, if we'll talk to anyone besides her and whoever else is in charge.

[fiddlestick]

Yeah. We're not going to sway everyone in one visit, but it'll make people think at least.

[He bites his lip] Something tells me anyone who goes would be under a strict watch. If only we could get some people to get around the city without the attention of the Coven...

[hippocarnival]

Like spies? [He quirks a brow.] I guess they won't let just anyone come in, especially now.

[fiddlestick]

Well...spies are one way to put it.

I just know we need information to make the right choice of action. And we can't trust the Covens to provide us with everything we need to know.

[hippocarnival]

Not even Aefenglom's? [Yuya quirks a brow.] I don't think they'd try and let us be hurt... they don't even understand what's going on with us, right?

[He gestures between them.] Like why we're here, or how.

[fiddlestick]

Yeah, sorry, but I'm afraid so. [Which he knows sounds bad] I don't think they're evil, but they have their own people to look after that come first. And that's not the natives of Aefenglom...not us.

We have to be aware of that.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya worries over his lip.] They could have done a lot less for us than they have, right? As long as we're not putting people in Aefenglom in danger, I think Ms. Nessie and Mhairi are definitely on our side.

[And, like, it stands to reason not to do something reckless and endanger a bunch of other people anyway. Right? Right.]

[fiddlestick]

[...]

A war would put Aefenglom in danger, you know. That's why we're doing this, because what we did in those dreams could've caused a war.

[hippocarnival]

I know that! [He frowns.] But it wasn't on purpose. It's weird stuff none of us understand or can control.

[That they still don't understand, like how did Morgana even find out about it? Was she sharing a dream too? How far are these spreading?] So I trust Ms. Nessie to fight for us if Ms. Drummond tries to ask for something unreasonable. And I trust us not to make things worse for her even if we hate that place.

[fiddlestick]

[Elliot really isn't outspoken enough to continue arguments, and he's here more to observe than anything else, so he backs off for now]

I hope you're right...

[hippocarnival]

... Why don't you trust them? Ms. Nessie and Mhairi, I mean.

[freeing]

I... see. [ It feels almost as if it was purely an agreement. It was hard to surmise that given the Coven witches who acted like old married couple. The arrangement of it all feels dubious, but they... have a choice, do they not? Dany loses some of the tension in her gaze. ] Then, if it is as you suggest, it may be best. You are correct.

[ A+ you got her to agree on the concept. ]

I have my reservations about such a tether – something magical that seems more than just a spoken agreement between two parties, but.. so long as it can be broken, it would be a security we can not overlook.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya rubs the back of neck.] Yeah, I wasn't really in the rush to get one either... but it sounds like the kind of thing we can't avoid forever, especially now. I saw someone asking about temporary bonds before, so I'm sure it's breakable if it doesn't work out.

[freeing]

[ She nods, at least that clears things up. ]

...And the most beneficial is with a Witch, correct?

[ Because she needs IC confirmation because she was quick to zip out of the Looking Glass House upon arriving, oops. ]

[hippocarnival]

Right. [Yuya nods in return. He's had this emphasized in magic classes.] Because Witches need to drain magic and monsters need to take it in, so they work best together.

[freeing]

I see. [ It presents a problem, as she still has a little bit of trust issues. The only person she truly trusts is Jorah, another "monster". She stays quiet, weighing the choice. ] Then... we should ensure people become bonded before leaving.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya perks up a little at his suggestion having merit.]

Yeah. There's a spell for it, so maybe the day before we can get everyone who wants to go in one place and match up if they don't have one.

[That requires people admitting they don't have one... but hopefully the warning will be taken seriously. And Yuya will be there, because he can offer that much as a witch.]

[freeing]

[ For the first time, there's a genuine smile on her face. Even if she has to ease herself into the idea... if someone else is offering their experience and faith, she has to as well. ]

Would you like to help organize that...? I do not wish to add any responsibility upon those who do not wish for it.

[hippocarnival]

Sure! [He has an idea of a few NPCs he can ask, scine he arrived in the middle of all that bonding and wedding chaos.] I'll ask around the coven tomorrow, and get someone who can help and someplace easy to find so we can do this. And an announcement...?

[Probably just a quick announcement is enough. He assumes most people who have been here longer than they have know more about how important bonding is.]

[freeing]

That sounds well enough. [ #teamwork There's an encouraging smile his way, one that will hopefully inspire confidence in himself. ] Please let me know if you need assistance.