middaeg | [open] pre-gaming, the dignitary variety

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[open] pre-gaming, the dignitary variety

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. ]

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Leave some IC suggestions for your character to make. Reply with +1s if you support this route. We can maybe present this to the mods on how they could handle the upcoming excursion.

[ queer little situation.

as far as those who’ve showed up are concerned, eren is one of them. different than he was perhaps for those who’ve seen him anywhere close to last week, or anytime before that— he might even do well in blending into the ambience undetected. as far as an undetected dragon man goes. he has aged an extra year in a night, his hair unquestionably longer and his height towering a few more inches (his dragon legs are coming in fine). tattoos, new enough to bleed some, paint the membranes of his arm wings in and out with the symbols of runes and enchantments, up the neck and down the back, only covered partially by a black-pattern poncho (which doesn’t cover much).

odd is also how the man does not speak when he was once even expected to be talkative, coal and deep sunset scales occasionally shimmering into brighter or duller colors to match his hidden mood, behind a stoic expression that only listens, observes, and allow his fingers to play with a broken piece of glass against the counter. his broken piece of glass, mind you.

how many drinks he’s had by now is a mystery, but the bartender seems impressed when he asks for one more, as calmly as he did the last time. ]

Lots willing to help. [ he says to the person next to him, after a moment is given between conversations. it’s hard to tell if he’s being ironic about something, trying to start conversation or if he’s just flat with his words, all that doesn’t seem to match an expression so staid.

don’t mind him, just getting a feel. ]

[Hiccup makes his way into the tavern trailed by a dragon, which is not unusual for him. A couple of people recognize him - recognize Toothless, more like; the apprentice to a blacksmith he frequents, an old sailor they share their catch of fish with sometimes. He greets them on his way in when they greet him first, but his smile isn't all there - it hasn't been since the dream.

He's looking pretty sleepless these days, a little more rumpled than usual. There's a streak of soot on the side of his neck that he missed when he was washing up to come into town. He's had nightmares that keep him awake, lately, and he's been working his ass off in the forge to finish orders and something else people might notice - Toothless is sporting a new tail-fin, this one a matte jet black, blending into his scales unlike the red leather of his previous one. He's also not wearing the usual saddle today.

Hiccup sits toward the end of the table, and Toothless sits right behind him, big chin on his shoulder and the edge of the chair, watching the others gathered. A little tiredly, he says,] If they really are keeping monsters as slaves, how can we settle for anything less than freeing them?

[Well this is...something. He's worked here at The Sly Seadog for a while - since his first few weeks in the city, in fact - and it's rare to see this number of outsiders (those like himself) gathered in the rowdy little dive that reminds him so sharply of home. He's been keeping to himself for some time, since his...housemate...up and left him, since the changes came in thick and fast and left him near-unrecognizable as the man he'd been upon entry into this strange world. Thickly feathered now, inky wings tucked close to his back, hands sharply taloned and legs digitigrade where they'd once been long and straight and pale. He cuts an imposing figure, startlingly tall, eye-patch abanoned now and leaving his plagued eye on unabashed display - just one monstrous feature amidst a myriad of them, why bother to hide it? - and though he has a ready smile for any of the regulars, it's one filled with razor-sharp teeth.

But never mind him. It's the other outsiders that are of interest. He's seen the posts on his watch, has heard tell of the most recent dream, one he didn't fall prey to but which has caused - it seems - quite a stir. And finally, for the first time in what feels like far too long, his interest is piqued. He's been inert, morose, useless really, since his arrival here, his grand plans of bringing medical aid to those outside the wall abandoned when his monstrous changes began to take hold. Perhaps its about time he actually went and did something useful around here.

So whilst he isn't directly taking part in the meeting, he's listening in, collecting glasses from those two long tables with greater frequency than is strictly necessary, and will happily strike up conversation with anyone who comes to the bar for the cheap - but strong - swill on offer, here.]

[ It... was very clear that this woman was vocal during this whole mess. Hellbound and tunnel-visioned on ensuring at the end of the day, justice was ample to all citizens of this world. With no true investment beyond her short-sighted view of slavery, Daenerys wishes to gain council from others. To listen and view the choices they have properly.

She sits in a corner with a few people she trusts, sipping on backwater ale and trying to not interject. For once, she is restraining her thoughts until people had a chance to speak. Carefully, Daenerys will stand and address anyone who wishes to listen, almost as if giving a speech: ]

Friends, we all share a common concern. The dreams we have been given have not yet proven as fact or omen. We are extended the opportunity to see for ourselves what lies in... Dorchacht. Admittedly, I have heard concerns both erring caution and encouraging justice to be sought. Both are true – which is why we must hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

You know not of me nor have reason to place faith in me, but I assure you – I will listen to you all and offer my own considerations all the same. So please –

[ Daenerys opens the topic up rather bluntly: ]

We are being brought to seemingly offer reparations – but we must offer them the time to tell us their demands first. I believe we should speak with Aefenglom's Coven on what they are willing to do for the best and worst outcomes. It is in my opinion that we shall not allow Aefenglom to roll over like dogs to their demands.

[ A breath, more harshly: ]

We must find a way to protect anyone going on this excursion. Armor, spells to counter magic, plans to ensure not all of our people are at the same location in fear of an attack. Once again, I believe more experienced Witches may be useful to bring along.

[ Dany does not yield in her own anxiety for offering such a bold claim, instead she fuels herself on knowing what is right: ]

My main concern is this: if we find Morgana Drummond to be encouraging the enslavement of monsters, abusing magic with vocal commands, or selling monsters... we must work with the Aefenglom Coven to ensure this does not bleed into their city and we put a stop to it in theirs. I do not suggest war, but I seek to snuff out any spark of that behavior. How we go about that... I am still not for certain.

[ Daenerys is use to giving orders, not bending. Yet... it visibly looks as if she is strained to do so. Her eyes dart around and finally: ]

I am open for suggestions. Please, someone take the floor. I fear we have a long night ahead of us.

Edited 2019-09-02 17:00 (UTC)

[In this dive bar, Elliot looks a little out of place. A short young man, scrawny enough to have a strong wind knock him over. His expression betrays his nerves too. He's doing his best to be composed, but there's no hiding the anxiety coming from him. His hands hold onto a glass of water, not being a drinker himself or perhaps being too young.

He doesn't talk much through the meeting, but he's paying attention to the words being spoken. Thinking, assessing, sometimes reacting with widen eyes or a quiet sound of concern. There's no doubt the situation they were shown in Dorchact bothers him, but he doesn't seem to get caught up in the fervor with the more outspoken members of the meeting. This is a time for him to gather information, not join in any causes. ]

Edited 2019-09-02 17:33 (UTC)

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[ Lloyd has a drink, but just one, and he's nursing it so slowly it'll clearly last the night...even if they have a lot to talk about. There's also a notebook out in front of him, although he's not noting every comment and suggestion - just concrete facts and the most important points. ]

Not all of us are planning on going for the same reasons. I think it'd be wise to get an idea of who here does have diplomatic experience, and who's focused on other concerns.

[Rich looks exhausted and far less enthusiastic than he usually is when he enters the bar. It's been... a rough time, since that dream-that-apparently-wasn't-a-dream in Dorchacht. It's all the more reason for him to go, though. There isn't a point to moping around and feeling sorry for himself. It's easier to handle his problems by... well, he'd call this confronting them, but it's really more running away from one to go find another.

Still, he's willing to listen, even if he doesn't think himself smart enough to really contribute. He doesn't drink, but eventually his old spark of passion comes back, and he even feels willing to bring up a point.]

Do you think we should try to disguise any monsters who have more noticeable features? [He gestures to his face, a good third of the burn scar on his cheek now covered with orange and red scales.] Just in case they turn out to not be as willing to discuss things with us. Lots of people think this could be a trap.

[ Jorah has, for the most part, sat silent near Daenerys' side as she held her conversation with the numerous other individuals that have gathered along with them. he has many opinions and thoughts, some that even conflict with that of his Queen's, but he refrains from stating them for now. he tries to practice the advice of listening before speaking, so some considerable time passes before he decides to involve himself.

unlike Dany, he does not stand to ensure attention is placed on him. he simply gulps down a liberal portion of his ale before moving to wipe it out of his beard with the back of his wrist. ]

While I share my Queen's sentiments regarding the importance of preventing a preemptive attack from Dorchacht, I do not believe we should be the first to draw our swords. We need a more subtle approach. There are far too many unanswered questions, and we cannot assume the answers we do have are true simply because of a dream.

[ perhaps Jorah is still equating his lack of knowledge to being relatively new, but he can't hope to imagine there are many in Aefenglom with the full story. ]

I have no reason to doubt our own Coven over that of Dorchacht's, but I am uncomfortable with blindly assuming they have told us everything they know. Sending any one of us with them under the guise of diplomacy is dangerous.

[ and the idea of Daenerys volunteering herself without seeking Jorah's advice yields... thoughts, but he keeps those to himself if only because he knows they would fall on empty ears. ]

They talked of an alternative means of getting there. One that is more... volatile, but perhaps unexpected. Does anyone know more of what they meant by "teleportation"? If it works to ensure a small group of us can enter unannounced, maybe we can obtain the answers we week before we make any rash decisions.

[ there is much for them to find out themselves. if the rebellion exists in the real Dorchacht, if the witches that have died truly died, any signs of an army preparing for an inevitable war. it's dangerous work, but Jorah believes it's more practical and assumed than that of blindly sailing to the enemy in hopes of peacemaking. ]

[ Peridot is woefully undecided as to how to deal with this whole messy Dorcha business. The little green dragon showed up on the scene along with that one faerie kid some of the people here might recognize from the network, slinking onto the scene quietly and taking a seat while all the others debate.

Those who know her will notice that she's being uncharacteristically quiet throughout the whole meeting. She's really just here to observe intently to all the other ideas being put forward. Her tail is draped over the edge of her chair, swishing back and forth slowly. She also has a mug of ale clasped between her clawed hands throughout the whole discussion, which she very occasionally lifts to take tiny sips from. Each sip is followed by a hideously disgusted expression, face scrunched, mouth open with her forked blue tongue sticking all the way out, as if its trying to escape from the taste of the alcohol. ]

[Steven feels pretty out of place in a bar, even if it's filled with people he's seen around or is friends with. He's pretty sure he's not allowed to go in bars or drink in normal circumstances, so his presence is a bit awkward and non-commital, like he's waiting for someone to kick him out.

Fortunately, being a fae might actually help him, here. It's easy to assume his youthful appearance is a byproduct of his species, given how short and ageless they tend to be. He isn't drinking any alcohol though, which means he's probably not pleasing their venue. Maybe he'll try ordering food?

It could be good, right? It turns out that it's not so good. He orders some kind of meat pie, receives it, and is so spooked by its interior that he turns it away from him and tries to pretend it never happened.

So! Politics. He doesn't have a ton left to say at this point, but...]

Do you think they'll even listen to any monsters that come along? I'm pretty sure they think we were born to be slaves.

Okay, hey guys! There's a bunch of us, huh? [America is loud and confident--whether you approve or not, there's no doubt he knows how to draw the attention of an entire room, and he's doing his best to do so now.] That's great, 'cause if there were only a few of us they'd probably feel even more okay messing with us. But! They're probably gonna do anyway, so I've got a question! You guys who said you've got experience with diplomatic meetings and politics and all that. Like, we're obviously from all sorts of different places, but it'd be good to know who needs more or less coaching, right? Someone already asked but I want more specifics! Like it'd probably be good to know what kind of experience it is specifically, too! Like if you mostly work with small groups or with big groups and if your world is similar to this one! Like, I've done diplomacy meetings for a few centuries, but magic isn't really a thing, and also this world's more old-fashioned than mine, so I might be kind of rusty with the old-style stuff.

Edited 2019-09-04 21:17 (UTC)

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