networkinthenight | [audio] @kingofwei HERE WE GO

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[audio] @kingofwei HERE WE GO

[he sounds tired. They probably all do, after all of that.]

My friends...

I'm sure I don't need to state the obvious, but we are just now seeing the full extent of this disaster. If you have not yet looked to see the bluff where the lighthouse used to be, take a moment and behold. This is hardly the first time the ferry hasn't come, but everything else....well. It is a tragedy on all sides.

First, I would like those who can to check in. Who is still here, and are you all alright? Now that we have a moment to breathe, report in if you can. We must take stock of who is genuinely missing, versus those who are just too busy to use the Grandmaster's alert system.

Second, can we have reports on what is destroyed and what still stands? I have spent my energy moving torches and redirecting water around the Bonfire. It is mostly safe, as far as I can tell, but Master Rastus is missing entirely. What of the village and the downtown on the other sides of the river? How do they fare? Has anyone been able to reach the Keeper, Dr. Solis, or anyone else with the network?

[a pause, a deep breath. Rosinante, buddy, this is on you]

Now is the time we need leadership, more than any other. We can discuss and debate the options later but for the moment, I would like for all of you to trust me and allow me to take charge. Temporarily, if nothing else. I have led my kingdom through war and disaster on a similar level before, I will do everything in my power to lead us out of this and to recovery and reorder, swiftly and carefully. I have been asked by some to step up, and so I shall. If you will let me. If there are no objections, simply ask me for a direction and I will point you toward a need that your skills can meet. What we need first is to take stock of what we have and what is missing: people, supplies, and shelter. From there, we will move forward one step at a time.

If you will not have me, then feel free to say so and I will not waste my time. Meanwhile, I will be moving torches back to the Bonfire Square until I drop from fatigue.

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[ he's got no outright objections, in fact feels relief at someone stepping up to organize things after this mess. ]

Fitz here, er... I've been at the Invincible, doing all right now that water's dropped. [ there was a bit there when he'd thought he's only hear rain and waves forever. ] Before things got too soggy I nicked a bunch of stuff from Town Hall, records and whatnot. Didn't get everything but it's something. I think.

[ a long pause as he takes this all in. ]

Are any here who would or could challenge his candidacy, rightfully or otherwise? I would assume at least a few here would resist the idea of any authority, regardless of intent.

[Duster turns on the tablet with his not-broken hand.]

Greenhouse has some broken glass, but it's safe.

[And lies down to rest.]

[In an obviously exhausted tone.]

I'm okay.

There's lots of people I haven't seen since the flood, though.

You would think, but I feel like that isn't a safe assumption. After all, a strong man can survive twenty fraught battles and die at home cutting his finger while cooking.

[in his time that's probably more true than poetic exaggeration]

That said, I will not write her off, or anyone, so long as we still have the capability to search on foot. These tablets are not the only means of contact.

So, you are the one I saw going back and forth. You have done us all an immense service. Losing that information would have put us back at square one, at the mercy of our faulty memories. Thank you.

Is it? That is some relief.

I will add your tablet name to the count of those present.

[it takes him a second to connect the voice and he username but aha, there you are Link. Marking you as present]

Where are you presently?

Hm?

Bonfire Square.

[There's a noticeable edge of strain in his voice, the words are rushed and nervous-sounding as Quentin hurries through the message.]

I'm still here. I-- uh, I can't seem to reach a lot of people, but that might just be because the tablets are maybe not working? That could be a thing that is happening. I tried to go back to the cabins, but the bridge is washed out. All the ones I tried were gone, but I'll keep trying. Maybe I missed one. I don't know.

Do you need a hand? Not with the, you know, leadership, but the torches? Before I head back out?

No. Not only has nobody else ever even come forward as willing to try, but I can't think of anyone here who would make a more capable leader. Cao Pi has often been the one to step forward and organize town hall meetings so that everyone can be kept informed, and have their say. He knows this town and its people.

There are always those who will reject any idea of leadership in any society. They deserve to have their voices heard, but a few who will always insist on being stubbornly self-centered even in times of crisis aren't who we should base our decisions on.

[ He's got another pause here as he reorders himself. It's pride that's leaving the sour taste in his mouth, in the end. The circumstances being as they are, he has little choice but to become beholden to some authority, and he is angry about it.

It's irrational. This isn't his kingdom. He's going to put it away. ]

Should he need aid in the restoration efforts, I've led a community larger than this through a ten year famine. I shall see to my own affairs in the meantime.

On this side of the river, then. I am merely attempting to take stock of who is closest to which resources, so as to limit demands on those who have powers and can cross the rivers while the bridges are down.

Are there still some torches missing? Some have been returned, I know.

Master Quentin. Good, I am glad to hear from you. [and it's not just politeness]

I am unsure at this point if all the torches are accounted for, but since Master Rastus is missing himself, it is harder to tell. That said, if you need one to assist in searching, you may as well take one. Who will stop you?

A few yeah.

I'd go looking for 'em but I'm kinda stuck without bridges.

If we rule them out as being on this side of the river, then it will be on those on the other side to locate them. At least, that way, others will have access to light when they need it.

Is there anything else you would like to do? I should like to help those who wish it.

[It's an entirely fair point, and it isn't as though he's just assuming she's fine because she always has been, but - well. It seems likely, and that she hasn't reached out for her own reasons, perhaps.]

Right. I'll be out there looking.

Understandable. And should you want to aid him, I'm sure he would appreciate your advice.

[Or at least he would act graciously, for he understands diplomacy. But if Ephrim decides he would rather keep to himself, that's a perfectly fine outcome for now. Let those who don't wish to participate at least not cause hardships for the rest.]

Thank you. Stay in touch.

[Honestly it's just like a couple hours later when]

Found Xayah. She was out cold in the woods. I don't think anything's broken, though. Bringing her back to The Invincible right now. If you could have someone get a bed ready, I'd appreciate it.

[well then, proof that they have to look out for each other, if people are unconscious and can't answer the phone]

If I can't find someone to do so before you return, use my room. The door is open.

This is Jason...[He hasn't seen the other Jason in some time, but still out of habit he quickly adds.] Grace. I'm still in the Invincible and conducted a head count there just this morning -- it's why I knocked on your door earlier. Of the 20 rooms, 14 are still occupied and I believe only two of those rooms have more than one person in them.

I've started cleaning up and sorting debris both downstairs and along the river. There's...a lot. Some of it is salvageable, but most of it we can probably get rid of. I'll leave the piles out for others to sort through though, just in case. It's going to be difficult to check out the rest of Beacon without the bridges. I think our focus should remain on clean up and repair first -- but if you want someone who can fly to check out any other areas I can do that.

[There's a pause, like maybe Jason is about to cut the feed, and in a way he does because he switches the next part to a more PRIVATE response. This next part is meant for Cao Pi alone.]

Thank you, Cao Pi, for stepping up like this. I can tell you are reluctant to do so, maybe because I was in a similar position once myself after a tragedy...but that just makes it more important that we have someone at the forefront since there seems to be so much uncertainty right now. Even if your current position as leader is temporary, I understand you taking the reins as you have. We've cooperated well in the past and I think that is going to be in our best interest to continue as such in the future. That being said, it might not be a bad idea to discuss a form of leadership that is less one person in charge and more of a senate or council.

I know, I know we aren't trying to form a government right now, but if we're going to be dividing up tasks and talking of leadership, now seemed like the time to express my concerns.

You did ask, after all.

[ okay he's going to process that for a little bit, he's not used to that kind of recognition. ]

You're welcome. I just, you know, figured it would be something important. Looking over this stuff's helped me since I got here and...yeah. Glad I hung onto it.

Just not sure what more I can do from here out, honestly.

What sort of background do you have? It is easier to suggest ideas if there is some experience or skill from your life that you would be willing to employ.

Excellent work. I will be down to have a look around for myself soon, but for now I will make note of that.

[is it wrong that there's still some small part of him that gets excited when people switch to private? All that clandestine courtly mucking about...]

[private]

Yes, I certainly did. I still like the idea of a council, especially after this disaster. If I am still here - or anyone is - it is by sheer luck. I should hate to take up the reins only to be killed later and leave everyone back at the beginning. Yet, it may not be something we can implement quickly. In a month or two, maybe. After we see whether the portal still works and whether we will ever receive fresh supplies, new people, and so on.

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[audio] @kingofwei HERE WE GO

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