networkinthenight | [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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

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.

It probably won't be quick, but I think you'd be surprised how much we might already have going. It's just a matter of making it more official, more organized. I'd just rather put the idea out there, even help get it going if necessary, as opposed to putting it off because it might not be convenient right now.

But, you're right we need to take stock and inventory first -- get an idea for what and who we have to work with more firmly -- but I don't think we should just table it completely for when that is done. Projects are popping up constantly and if we don't make changes at the forefront we run the risk of falling back into old habits and repeating the process all over again.

A fair point. But first we must figure out which of those most adept to leadership or who had expressed interest in it are...well, still here. The idea may be floated but if no one else wants the responsibility, it becomes moot.

Still. I will make note of it so that at the very least, it gets mentioned publicly to more than one person. Let the idea spread.

That's true. It also wouldn't be right to suggest this and not put myself forward. If I can lead a legion of demigods and legacies, I'm pretty sure I could manage a spot on a council for Beacon or at the very least I would be willing to step up and do so.

Certainly, and I would welcome it. You have more than proven your capabilities, I should be honored to officially work alongside you.

[audio] @kingofwei HERE WE GO

un: jupitersgrace [voice]

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