networkinthenight | [audio] @kingofwei

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]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I am glad to see such a thing coming from you. It may come, someday, that I will have to wear the face of the villain in order to encourage people to do the right thing. I am a firm believer in whatever it takes.

When I said that my true goal is not just to survive but to succeed where others failed, so that we are not reset, it was the truth. And it will remain so.

So why the heads up? Why wouldn't I spoil the surprise?
Your faith that I'm all in just because it's the right thing to do might just blow up in your face.

Edited 2019-12-07 21:20 (UTC)

It might, but sometimes a gamble is the only way to know. It may not even come to that. But having at least one other in my confidence mitigates the risk.

[and if it leaves anyone, including Riku, still wondering what's true and what's all part of his plan, so much the better.]

Edited 2019-12-07 21:24 (UTC)

Huh. Well thanks for the vote of confidence.

[ It's a solid strategy. Especially given how some have already concluded that Riku's readiness to work with the spirits that very nearly succeeded in killing him on at least a few occasions means he's trusting and overly optimistic.

The truth might be more useful: desperation and cynicism make for an unstable cocktail. ]

Consider it a show of gratitude for figuring out a better way to communicate with the spirits.

You were defending the armory most of the time, weren't you? How does it fare now?

Intact. We lost a window.
Still gotta clean up the barricades. As far as priorities go that's pretty low on the list.
I think someone moved in right after the ferry arrived. Guess the Invincible is really out of space again, huh?

It must be, with the new arrivals. Clearly, more living space will also become an issue but I think we have more than enough to deal with at present.

The barricades are inconvenient but yes, they can stay for now. As long as the armory can still dispense weapons as needed and the tavern can dispense wine, we'll deal with the rest.

They might have to pry some of the weapons out of the barricades, but at least they won't have to look far.
Man, people around here sure like to drink.

Am I to take it you haven't enjoyed the taste of wine yet? It's probably better if you don't pick up a vice so young. It'll stay with you for the rest of your life.

I drink. The trick is don't do it to excess. Somebody's gotta keep his wits about him.

All that and prudence, too. You are a formidable young man.

[that was definitely sarcasm even if it doesn't convey well]

What, am I supposed to say, thanks? Come on.

Maybe.

Anyway. I look forward to the information you have to share. See what else you can do in the meantime.

[ Riku knows he could just be viewing all this through the lens of skepticism and suspicion he holds for... pretty much all older people in leadership positions (with some exceptions), and not everyone is like Xehanort. But man, he thinks, this feels a lot like a backhand for not eating out of it. ]

Sure.

[audio] @kingofwei

private

private

private

private

private

private

private

private

private

private

private

private

private

private