[Network - voice] @ SuprNerd- we could be heroes, just for one day

[moderatelymaladjusted]

[The audio starts with the sounds of rustling papers, as if Quentin is reading this from something he's written down (he is) and his voice starts out stilted.]

Hello? This is for all of you who live here in Beacon and it's about something I've thought about since the town meeting. At this meeting, there was one thing we didn't-- okay, so there were actually two things, but I want to talk about the one thing and-- shit. Sorry. There was one thing we didn't talk about, and that's the fact that several of us can do things. I've talked to some of you and-- fuck. Hi. I'm, uhm, Quentin and I'm a magician? We're from, well, Eliot and I are from the same world? Or, the same timeline? I don't know what to call it, but we came from the same place? But, yes. I'm Quentin. Hello.

And I've talked to some of you and you could do amazing things. Brilliant, magical things and that made me think that, what if there's more? What if a lot of us can do amazing things, but we just don't know because we haven't told each other yet? So I'm proposing that we talk to each other and if you're not comfortable with everyone knowing what you can do-- and I get that, I do, because back home we weren't really supposed to talk about magic either, at least not to non-magical people. But okay-- if that makes you uncomfortable, you could always just talk to me? There's a private setting to these texts or we could meet up. Or maybe some of you will want proof of magic and I can show you?

But most importantly, we can do these amazing things and that could maybe help with some of this? Right now, everyone is searching through the forest on foot and in small groups. If we find out what we can do, maybe it's possible to make teams that can search without having to put themselves in harms way? Maybe someone out there can fly? Someone who could fly out and see which way we need to go to get through? Maybe someone is telekinetic? Or, can talk to plants? Maybe one of you can warg in to some of the spirits? Maybe someone is a shapeshifter or a skinwalker-- or, god, you're getting all of this from popular fiction and now everyone has to hear about it... sorry, where was I?

Okay, so maybe if we talk to each other about this, maybe we can find a better way of exploring this place and maybe we can find a better solution to the problem of World Eaters coming for us.

Because the X-men were better when they were a team? And-- and even Frodo couldn't get the ring to Mordor without the Fellowship. So, maybe we can do something like that. Make powered teams and use this, to defend ourselves and to explore this world.

But, uh, it wouldn't be fair to expect any of you to share with me, if I'm not willing to share myself. So, if-- I can do simple wards? For our homes. To ward places like the church, which we know has been destroyed once already or maybe the Inn? I'd need someone to cast with me, but I think we can do it. Ward it from harm or put a shield spell on it, so it's safe. I can mend things, and if anyone wants help mending small objects, I'm willing to help.

I guess that's all I have to say. I hope you'll consider this and that you'll help me keep us all safe.

[indistinct and muttered] and fuck that guy for saying I couldn't. Stupid, fuck-- [click]

Comments

@wayne

[pearlstrings]

This seems short-sighted. And biased.

But then I suppose someone who describes himself as a magician would presume that our best odds lie with, for all intents and purposes, magic.

[moderatelymaladjusted]

No. Wait, no. That's not what I was trying to say at all? But, someone who could fly really would help us all out, but. Magic isn't necessarily the answer?

I'm trying to help.

People without powers did amazing things every day back home, why not here too.

[pearlstrings]

But that isn't what you've asked for.

You've asked for help keeping the residents of this place safe from anyone who might fly, have telekinesis, chlorokinesis, or be able to shapeshift.

You're looking for metahumans.

[moderatelymaladjusted]

Because... people with powers have a greater shot at this? There's not really a lot a regular human can do against magic. That does not mean that people without power aren't as useful, just at other things?

[pearlstrings]

Yes, I understand that this is your perspective. That's why I called short sighted.

I've seen plenty of metahumans fail at diplomacy.
Perhaps you should re-evaluate?

[moderatelymaladjusted]

Look. I know that magic isn't always going to be the answer and I know that more often than not, magic is going to screw you over and turn you inside out- sometimes that's even literally true? I know this better than anyone.

But.

Okay. So, what's your suggestion?

[pearlstrings]

I suppose I find it interesting that you say magic isn't always going to be the answer but you've narrowed your search to that point.

Surely you don't need a suggestion for that.

[mind_blown]

+1

and it sounds like you're volunteering for something here.
might as well just say what your idea is.

[pearlstrings]

Does that mean you're also volunteering?

[mind_blown]

no, no way in hell.
i'm intensely interested in what this guy is selling.

but you sound like you've got a better idea

[pearlstrings]

Yes, I can certainly see the appeal of a list.

My only suggestion was to diversify. We have evidence that not all of the spirits can be overcome, but the reason he's suggesting metahumans serve as a kind of bodyguard for explorers begs the question.

Escalation isn't the answer.

[mind_blown]

and where would you fit in that? what skills are you bringing to the table?

[pearlstrings]

I'm not a metahuman, I'm afraid at the moment my skills don't apply.

@regina

[itselbitch]

the problem with that supposition is thinking that he's at all good at articulating what he actually means.

if you're trying to prove a point, you've made it. there's no sense bullying the child for his oversight. if that's your idea of diplomacy, then it's nothing impressive. there are far more diplomatic ways of volunteering your talents.

[moderatelymaladjusted]

Did you just call me inarticulate?

Hey, he's pointing out that I'm narrowing the field too much, and he's not wrong. Maybe I am. But thanks.

[itselbitch]

aren't you?

yeah, I know. there's no need to be a dick about it though. that goes for anyone.

[pearlstrings]

[Ah, a vested interest then.]

I wasn't volunteering. Nor am I bullying? That's a very strange way to view suggestions, but I suppose feeling defensive in these circumstances isn't unreasonable.

[itselbitch]

implying that bullies aren't also making suggestions of a kind when they insinuate someone is better off dead.

take it however you wish. you're volunteering advice. I'm just saying that tact exists.

[pearlstrings]

If this is the afterlife I suspect that insinuating someone is better off dead is moot. But I agree, that would be an example of very poor manners.

I do however, fail to see where I've omitted tact.
Though you seem to be the only one offended.

[moderatelymaladjusted]

Not just magic. Anything out of the ordinary? Anything that would help.

I don't know. Maybe I do? Maybe I accidentally ruled out a lot of the people here, when I didn't mean to.

private|

[pearlstrings]

It may be worth considering that you and anyone else who discloses in this way-

Will make you vulnerable.

private|

[moderatelymaladjusted]

I know. I'm willing to take that risk to help everyone? I have done things like this before, well, not dying and then waking up somewhere like here? But. I've dealt with serious shit before, with asshole gods trying to ruin everybody's life. With monsters and people close to me dying. It took us tries to get it right, and the only reason it worked was because we were honest. So, I'm doing that.

I'm not forcing anyone to agree with me. I'm just hoping that everyone, or most, will want to help. I don't want to be reset and not know where I might end up.

private|

[pearlstrings]

I can see that. But there are some who might join you without understanding the potential consequences first. Information is also a weapon.


We have confirmation that some of the spirits can't be fought, and that's before we consider how ethical or moral it is to kill them in the first place.

Instead of using supernatural or extraordinary measures in the name of protecting ourselves when we trample through their territory, why not attempt negotiation first?

private|

[moderatelymaladjusted]

I have no idea how information could be a weapon. Not here in this place.

I'm not saying we should KILL them. Jesus. I'm offering a potential way to keep they away from us long enough to get to safety. Shit. No, I'm not out to kill anyone. Or anything.

Do YOU know how to talk to them?

private|

[pearlstrings]

[He's not sure if that's comforting or not: I have no idea how information could be a weapon. Bruce can acknowledge that he's one of a number who will look at the responses here and make note of who replies, what they say. He knows he's one of a number who will study their strengths to find weaknesses, just in case.

It begs the question, is Quentin's naivety equally dangerous?
Bruce pauses. Watches his tablet for a moment.]


No, I arrived when you did.

But I suspect it's a strategy worth prioritizing.

Defensive strategy will only carry us so far. The fact that we're trespassing in their territory can be viewed as an act of aggression.