[audio] @kingofwei

[pure_havoc]

Good day, my fellow citizens old and new. For the newcomers, my name is Cao Pi, styled Zihuan. Welcome, for what it's worth, to Beacon.

We have just been through an ordeal far, far worse than the one which happened during the mission to connect the lighthouse to the network, and I understand that many are still nursing their wounds and even dead. It is my genuine hope that everyone who succumbed returns to us, we will need their strength now more than ever. And yet, I feel I cannot wait for everyone to be whole before addressing this issue. Master Matt contacted me and we had a fine discussion about the battle and our need for plans going forward.

A couple of months ago we held a meeting for everyone to speak face to face about what we can offer the town in terms of organization and defense. It was productive, but since then only one or two people have talked to me about joining forces to prepare a leadership council. My gratitude to masters Kol and Quentin, and my apologies for not following up immediately. We have had a difficult couple of months.

The forceful attack by the spirits is exactly what we feared would happen, and we were barely, marginally, prepared. The fallback to the Invincible was well-managed, but imperfect. We can do better, and we must, because now we have seen the faces of what lurks out there to destroy us and we know, for a fact, that we are not going to be able to manage another onslaught like that even if we have all those who were asleep at our sides to help fight. Even with the valiant efforts of those who have been preparing, like Inspector Javert, Masters Jason and Riku, I feel we would benefit from another meeting. It will also help those fresh off the ferry to be brought up to speed.

As before, I will be in the town hall at moonrise, let us say...the eighth day of this month. That should allow plenty of time for recovery and resurrection. I welcome everyone to join and share their experiences, particularly those who were asleep. I should like to hear what everyone experienced.

[and here's where his voice turns from pleasantly calm to dead serious]

...I caution against sharing too much openly on the network. Given the last few bulletins, I cannot simply assume that the network is safe. It could be that even the Keeper's last report was compromised. Be wary.

[which doesn't mean he won't respond if people want to chat with him, that's what he's here for]

Comments

audio | @lucky

[mindofathief]

...Who's the keeper? I'm new here.

And if we have to defend the village, I can help with that. I still have my tools with me.

[Thankfully the past few months fighting chimeras and robots kept him in good shape.]

[pure_havoc]

The Lighthouse Keeper, I mean. Many call her by name but I am not accustomed to doing so.

Tools? Please, explain.

[mindofathief]

My Thief Tools. I'm a thief.

[the sound of shuffling and hard objects clinking against each other.]

...Oh, right. You can't see me through this.

@Grandmaster | Audio

[paletteswap]

It's unfortunate our best laid plans were not enough. You are right that we will not survive another such onslaught without proper preparation, I hope everyone attends.

We'll need them.

[pure_havoc]

And how are you faring, Grandmaster? I know you were doing your best out there.

[paletteswap]

It may not have been good enough.

[If anyone can find a flaw in battle technique it's this guy.]

As well as can be, only minorly injured. I shall recover which is more than many can say.

@dr; text

[donttalktome]

[He hates being out of the loop, but so it goes.]

Question.
Did you ever see the spirits attack anyone sleeping?

[pure_havoc]

[what up Will]

I did not, and that was the strange thing. Jason and I noticed it almost immediately. They went for those of us standing, instead.

[donttalktome]

[... Hmm.]

That doesn't track very well with the "trying to eradicate us" theory.
I suppose they could've been going for the active threats first, knowing they could target the helpless ones later.
But then, if they were going to poison us, why not make it fatal in the first place?

( voice; @daylit. )

[sunborne]

I'll definitely join the townhall meeting again, SIr Cao Pi!

There's a lot that needs to be shared and having it done in person is for the best, for sure. I think the ones who got stuck in the dreaming need some time too. To, um, you know- Gather and organise their thoughts.

[pure_havoc]

I look forward to it, Master...Daylight, is it? The commander has spoken highly of you. You brought up several good points last time.

Did you dream, as well? [how, metal person? how does that work?]

[sunborne]

[ when your technically human mom and your very much mechanoid dad love each other very much- ]

You can just call me Daylight, if you want. Or Day, since I know that's easier for people.

And, um, yeah- I was dreaming! I was with Sarissa and Kol. It looked like we were in a... a radio tower? [ which is weird. he doesn't think he's ever come across that during his time in beacon. ]

@scientia; voice

[reigniter]

My sincerest apologies for everything that you had to go through while we were unconscious. We all are quite in your debt.

If there is anything I can help with, feel free to ask me. I will do my best.

[pure_havoc]

There is no need for apology, young master. None of us knew what would happen.

I value your input, you have always impressed me with your astuteness. I would rather look forward than back, so if there's anything you learned while asleep, come and share it with the rest of us.

[reigniter]

There's only one thing to point out here- similar happened before.

[That party months ago, when they all worked on connecting Robin to the network. It was this same setup, except that Ignis was overseeing what was made from food. And Robin said she intervened to stop them. Now he wonders if she was telling the truth- if she didn't use the horn, would they fought against those spirits for a long time too?]

For us to move forward now, we have to look back on what happened to Beacon. I'll say more at the meetup. Hopefully, people that were with me will come as well.

[He needs to talk to Will as well.]

SuprNerd@voice

[moderatelymaladjusted]

We can't wait until the 8th. Didn't you see her?

[pure_havoc]

[Quentin, bro, that user name...]

I did. But the Keeper's predicament is a separate one from what I'm talking about. Besides, I heard more than enough chatter from people who already seem inclined to take care of her. Or at least die trying.

@ Crow

[justcawse]

Unfortunately, I was one of the people who feel asleep during that time, but it would be best to be as prepared as possible.

[pure_havoc]

All the more reason for you, and those like you, to join us. Master Matt intimated that he experienced a shared dream while under. If all of you did, then you may have insight into something the rest of us know nothing about.

audio | @m.hughes

[dadandgone]

Organization is really important, especially with a fluctuating popluation like this. I'm glad we already have things like the orientation presentation, but it's probably time we start organizing more formally as well, like you said. I can't say it will be easy, we never quite got the hang of it when I was helping The Circle...but we did make an effort and that was better than when we were just reacting to everything that was thrown at us.

I also agree. The network, especially one like this, just cannot be trusted with detailed planning. That was another lesson we took to heart pretty quickly...so I definitely agree with your assessment. I definitely have some things I want to share that will be easier in person if nothing else. I'll be sure to come.

[There's a pause and then he adds.]

And thanks, to you and any one else who was involved in defending those of us who had a bite to eat.

[pure_havoc]

I should be very grateful for your presence and contributions, general. You have an extra layer of experience that will be quite valuable at a time like this.

Efforts are better than nothing, but I will take anything that will lead us to honing our efforts to being genuinely useful versus simply flailing around. At some point, merely 'trying' isn't enough.

@HK

[catholicisms]

( he doesn't have too much to add to this prospect, he and Cao Pi have already more or less discussed it. this is probably obvious, but, )

I'll be there.

[pure_havoc]

I appreciate the swift kick in the behind to get me moving on this, young master. You had better be there.

@riku; text

[equinoctials]

Take a look at this. The spirits wanted to show us something and attacked those who didn't play along.
It sounds like they've agreed to try to play nice. Nicer anyway. We'll see how it goes.
I think this information coming from you might go over better.

[pure_havoc]

[he had kept tabs on the other responses, since his own was, well. Maybe sarcasm is too far above the heads of these spirits, and he needs to stop wielding it as his primary weapon.]

You managed to pull more from them than anyone else. Excellent work.

We will make sure the whole community knows it. I'm sure there are some who will be quick to forgive the spirits for their murderous rampage when they find out the reason. I am not so generous, but I do see the potential, here. The whole thing is far more complex than it appears.

Still. They've taken eyes and ears and lives. If they could have just waited a few more minutes maybe all of us would have finally gotten around to having something to eat.