[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

[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.]

[pure_havoc]

...you intrigue me. I look forward to everything you have to say.

[yeah speaking of that last party, Ignis] I wonder what would have happened had you not been the one providing food, that previous time. But, I suppose all we can do is wonder.

[reigniter]

And I am looking forward to what others have to say. I heard a lot of us fell asleep.

[He's trying to suppress a shudder.]

That's what I was wondering as well. I feel like we may have dodged a bullet. But that's all speculation now.

[He will, however, keep the event in mind. Something that repeats itself is not a coincidence.]

[pure_havoc]

Still, patterns cannot be entirely ignored. Generally, though, I agree with you.

There were...a lot, yes. It was fairly touch-and-go at the onset, trying to evacuate all of you safely, but it seems that most of us used to the sword were also hesitant to join the party, and that might have been our saving grace.

[reigniter]

I will be more careful next time. Thank you, once again, for your help.

But that being said, if the dreams we had hold any truth to them, we may have stumbled upon some critical information. We will have to properly check and investigate everything.

[pure_havoc]

Yes, and that's why I would like people to come to the meeting and speak up. So that everyone can hear all at once, hopefully so that they don't have to repeat themselves continually if their experience is hard to revisit. I don't usually take stock in such things but in this place, it seems as though shared dreams with people who were able to sleep for two weeks with little ill effect is not the same as just anyone having a strange dream after eating a heavy meal, say.

[reigniter]

There is nothing wrong in repeating information- to yourself or others. At least, I find it helpful; it helps me think clear without losing important bits from my sight. Sometimes it is hard, but it is better than not revisiting the memory. You never know what you might remember after rehashing it a few times.
But I do wish everyone to hear what I saw and experienced. If any of that proves to be real, we have some clues on our hands.

[pure_havoc]

Fair point. Either way, I am pleased that I will be able to see you there.