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 did say he'd support him and a leader doesn't look legitimate without at least a few people visibly backing him up. Rather than keeping quiet as is his preference on the network, he'll just have to pitch in his two cents. Or two beris. It's not like there's money here anyway.]

I've been focusing for the time being on search and rescue on the north end of town. Unfortunately it's pretty quiet outside The Invincible and the Landmark. If people never made it to those locations before the flood, it seems like they might have had more trouble than those who did.

From what I've seen so far, the museum looks to have been hit badly. Like the lighthouse, it looks like some of the cliff under it collapsed. I know Riku used to spend a lot of time there and I haven't seen him since the rain started.

I'd like to keep searching, but I'd also like to get some bridges rebuilt so we can get help back and forth. Let me know which you think is the higher priority.

[thanks man, just what he needs]

Both are, generally speaking. If people cannot use the tablet to send an emergency signal, I doubt they can respond to this message either, and those must be found. If they are hurt or in danger, the sooner the better.

Bridges are important but not time-sensitive. If others are currently stranded on the other side of the river, we will all be able to work together to span it in time.

Right. I'll focus the first few days on immediate search and rescue efforts, and switch to helping with bridges as time allows.

Easier than asking for who is present might be asking people who they notice is missing. I've got a list going in my head. Might be more helpful if it's written down, available to everyone. Also helps me and others out here know who we should look for. Would you be able to maintain something like that for us?

Yes, I would gladly undertake that task. I can form a roster, and as reports come in, update it.

Fair point; I will take reports from people that they haven't seen so-and-so yet, so that if the missing person does surface, they can simply be scratched off the list.

Thank you.

Actually, an even better idea: assuming the list of network handles was up to date before the lighthouse collapsed, we probably can, in fact, use that as a list and cross people off once they're accounted for.

[Look, he's had months to get used to this technology but sometimes it takes him a second still.]

Using that list, I can account for the following as of the last week: Elektra, Ephrim, Fitz, Fjord, Haein, Jason Grace, Javert, the Grandmaster, Matt, Mary, Minimus, Newton, Pudding, Sora, Stone, Dr. Ingram, and Soldat.

I truly hope the others have just been holed up in other buildings and that I've missed any comments of theirs on the network. I'll keep looking on foot for people if you want to cross-check network posts.

[Thanks to that cool search function. He's just barely had time to breathe, let alone poke at a tablet until now.]

Excellent. Off to a good start. I will do that, since most of these names are harder to render in my own tongue. Much as I enjoy writing...

[he would totally have his own inked list if it were at all possible to write 'Jason Grace' in Han Chinese ok. That said, he's privately relieved that he knows so many of them. Good people, he would hate to lose them.]

As others check in, I will account for them. I do hope you find Master Riku in one piece.

I'm more worried that I haven't seen or heard from Daylight.

[He's normally very hard to miss, after all.]

Daylight. [heavily, like saying it also implies fuck no not him he's too good to lose]

I will not count our losses prematurely. Though, if Doctor Solis is not responding we may well not have luck in bringing back the dead.

And she was always so careful not to tell us where to come and find her. Still, she's survived all this time, she must be still out there somewhere. A bunch of rain can't be a bigger problem for her than world eaters.

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.

[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.

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.

You would vouch for him?

[ His voice is as even as always. Is he upset? Maybe, but Ephrim's doing his level best to take this in rationally, and he'd like to think his level best is quite good. ]

I do. I've known Cao Pi since we both arrived last July. He and I have had our disagreements and in that time I've come to see that he's competent and level-headed. We have disasters so frequently, and every time we do, we lose people due to a lack of organization and communication. Having one person we can look to, who can help keep track of who is where and delegate responsibility, will unify us. The flood proves that we're not able to just make our own haphazard independent decisions and survive them.

What's more is we need someone who can help direct research and organization toward fighting the world eaters who is here with us in Beacon. The Wild Hunt and Pluto of the Night Market have put themselves forward as having solutions and while I don't think anyone agreed with Kimiko's ideas, the risk in following Pluto is clear - she's down there, she doesn't know us well, and it's too easy to lose contact with her and the others. Beacon needs its own leadership.

[More words than he's said in one breath since coming here, probably.]

[ 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.

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.

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.]

[ A bit of a short pause before... there's a short snort, and a huff that might sound like a laugh. Of course Rosinante wouldn't know. They've only just met. And on top of treating Rosinante like some go between, here Ephrim's gone and expected him to read his mind. No. He doesn't know anyone here like that.

What appalling behavior. No wonder Fero never took him seriously. ]

If he truly works for better conditions amongst us, then I see no reason to work in opposition to that. Our paths will cross if need be. [ Ephrim will keep an eye on progress on that front. He... will try not to insert himself into a position of power, as tempting as it is. ]

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[audio] @kingofwei HERE WE GO

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