Scene #9600: The Star Of Courage

Owner	Pose
Angela	The Faded Print was once a hostel and before it was a hostel it was a local news bureau rumored to have the blessing or ire of local capo of the Thumb. The Faded Print is one of the oldest buildings still standing in the neighborhood and no doubt thanks to the Watch, it still stands today. A brick exterior and a wrought iron waist-high fence around the outdoors stairs that lead down to the kitchen and bar. And naturally, after the big battle against the Thumb, Index, and scores of others--it is a hub of activity today. Sonya the Saint, rarely pinned down to one place due to having to manage a Citywide organization, has returned with a new cache of supplies, though he has admitted it might be some time before he can bring in more--his own lieutenants are getting testy over delivering so much support to District 12 when they have their own communities to worry about. In short, he said, it's a good thing that you were able to defend the supplies you had as he can't exactly starve other Districts to help this one. In unspoken terms, it might be necessary to lend a hand to those recalcitrant lieutenants in other District, make what supplies exist last further, or build up more self-sustainability in the region. Kuwaba has been quiet since the battle was over and has been pestered by a more upbeat Yuri who has been emboldened by the victory. Even if she wasn't the chief bulwark that protected the Saint's Warehouse, she did her part and fought and defeated opponents she never thought she'd stand a chance against. Perhaps her time with Lobotomy Corp has strengthened her more than she's realized, or perhaps Petra's last demands of her have given her some grounding, but that early skittishness during her time with the Yurodiviye has faded. Bamboo Hatted Kim is in deep meditation with Aeng-du attending him, but at usual he's a man of few words, though his posture stiffens whenever Kuwaba passes by. "I understand you had to defend the supplies, but I wish you had not been wearing our colors while doing it." Sonya is telling Yuri. "I didn't think to change--will it be a problem?" "Mm... I don't think W Corp will move directly. Fortunately, I think we have some time before The Thumb makes another move. I'd be worried about them working together, but the Prescripts are acting strangely." "Aren't they always strange...? You speak as if they have a will of their own." Yuri frowns and then adds, "Only the mirrors can so clearly show what will be." Sonya gives her a strange look before looking back to Kuwaba. "Our intelligence failed to uncover his identity earlier..." 5rBut even as there is pondering towards the future, the needs of the present are being accounted for. Members of the Blade Lineage and Yurodiviye are working together to prepare celebratory pancakes with the help of Chance and Gamble who are occasionally leave to 'flip' the pancakes over which they are taking great joy in before ultimately setting out hot plates along with cutlery towards anybody who is hoping to partake. And plenty in the alliance are using the opportunity to have celebratory drinks as well, even the normally stoic Salsu of the Blade Lineage.
Skipper	Trying to get involved in Watch things. Trying to get involved in all of the Watch things. There's a certain amount of throwing-things-at-the-wall going on here, between Skipper's fear of missing out that one perfect avenue to getting what they want, and also their internal insistence that no they absolutely can handle getting involved in everything and this won't be the thing that leads to eventual burnout. Anyway! They show up, wearing the closest matching clothing style they can get on short notice, along with having their hood up and their tail tucked away. Close inspection will still reveal that yes that is a mouse under there, but - well, hopefully nobody will get the chance to give a close inspection before they get there. Hood or no, navigating the unfamiliar City is terrifying, but then so are a lot of things. ... The hood stays up even when they're inside, though. At least for now. Pancakes get them to un-wallflower, at least temporarily. Food is important. On acquisition, the pancake vanishes under the hood in short quick bites.
Tamiel Luxis	Unable to join the others in their impromptu defense, Tamiel busies herself with helping the back-end--she's a one-woman crew all on her own, a half-dozen inky bodies drifting through the Faded Print, pulling out tables and chairs--and not taking no for an answer. "You've done the hard work," she insisted, as her shadow-selves plate pancakes before setting them down at an open table. It's the flesh-and-blood Tamiel, along with a few of her other selves, that drift near Sonya. "There's no shame in having to take care of yourself." She says, in defense of the unseen lieutenants of the Yurodiviye, smelling a chance to be helpful in the ways she hadn't been so far. "We're all here to help each other--and you've done plenty." She flicked at a colorful keychain hanging a black jacket's side--with holes in the back for wings. "Please pass on our appreciation to the others. And...If there's anything we can do..." Tamiel shifted from foot to foot. "I should be contributing to the revolution, too." "Our intelligence failed to uncover his identity earlier..." "...Is that why you say it's strange?" Her own gaze followed Kuwaba, briefly, before turning back to the Saint. "Because they hid from you? Are they usually not able..." A pause, a consideration. "...Or interested in hiding things from you?" A shadow brings her a plate--she was one of the last to get one. She takes a small, nervous bite. "...Any idea what it means?"
Odette Raskins	Today, Odette's in the Faded Print wearing a more casual outfit rather than her usual Company or Trideag uniforms: A yellow camisole and green skirt combo, a white jacket that probably wasn't the best pick to wear in a crowded place in the City, and heavy work boots. She's been torn on whether to keep her head down or to try and be bolder despite having a middling grasp of so many names, and seeing so many people already here along with a few semi-familiar faces means... Buckling down and being bold! If not now, then when? Hearing Sonya's concerns to Yuri, she approaches the two with a quick wave and brief shuffle of that carrying case she's almost always got slung under her arm. "Hello! Hmm. It's pretty reasonable to be worried about them working together after this, yeah. But what's this about the Prescripts being weird?" She asks, looking between Sonya and Yuri a few times so as to not look too weird just staring at one of them. Eventually, though, she follows his gaze over to Kuwaba. She's still not sure what to make of that, either, even while considering Tamiel's questions. "Have things never slipped through the cracks before? I figure even the tightest information networks might have gaps now and then, so..." She's not personally feeling ill at ease with Kuwaba around, at least, although the presence of pancakes and drinks probably helps some. Odette might also be trying a little too hard to look calm in this situation since Skipper's a new face in the Watch, and that makes her a senior member that needs to give them a good first/technically second impression! "Hello! Skipper, right? Have you ever been to the City before? Or the Faded Print?" She asks, waving them over with a polite smile and trying to get them to not wallflower so hard while munching on a pancake of her own.
Father Berislav	The bulk of the work which needed to be done on the old hostel has been done for months, now. The floors have been sanded and varnished, the water collection, filtration and storage methods have been installed and treated, the roof has been redone, the accomodations cleaned and refurnished. Nevertheless, Father Berislav always finds something to do in the Print. It started with helping Chance and Gamble prepare the batter and procure little add-ins and toppings like bananas, blueberries and strawberries. There were of course, some instructional elements as well, before he was satisfied the two of them had the process in hand. Neither one can escape it without having their hair ruffled, newsie caps notwithstanding. Now, he's cleaning the windows, after having taken it upon himself to wash the sheets and pillowcases from the rooms upstairs. Occasionally, he pauses in his work, looking over his shoulder. No sermons today--no work but light housekeeping, and so rather than his battle-worn cassock, Berislav wears a pair of grey pressed slacks, black loafers and a black short sleeve button-up with a floral rose print, plus a white apron to keep his clothes free of dust as he cleans. In his work, he notices, several times, that tensing of Kim as Kuwaba passes by. Kim seldom speaks save in koans, and it seems as though he's occupied at the moment. The two of them share a respect for quiet moments, even when those moments are found in unquiet environments. So, rather than ask Kim, he pauses in his work, setting the bottle of window cleaner and the rag down on the table of an unoccupied booth, and untying his apron to approach Kuwaba. "You've barely said three words since the fight at the warehouse," he says. "I'd like to speak with you about what you said that night."
Veronica	Veronica stuck around after the fight to trade some words with the Reverberation Ensemble, and learned some new things about the ties between Light, EGO, and Distortion. Now, back at the Print, something's got her on edge. "I've read what's in the files, right," she begins, addressing the gathered Elites. "But I don't think anyone's really given me the whole story of the fall of L Corp, what they were doing at HQ and why it went the way it did. Is now a good time for that? I've been wanting to know..." She looks down at her untouched stack of pancakes, the lowest of which is slowly breaking apart in a pool of syrup. "Who caused the Dark Days? Did they- have to happen?"
Angela	The City is a dangerous place for a 'Critter', there is always the possibility that they'd be seen as Taboo but the people who decide such things in The City. While such rules were not designed for the multiverse in mind, there is always the possibility that could be changed ... or ones could always be a bit more fervent than the letter of the law and decide to take matters into their own hand. In short, wearing a cloak and obscuring their own nature is a good idea. But getting into the Faded Print is naturally going to raise some eyebrows. Skipper is new to the allies the Watch have bled for in The City and there's some movement towards one's weapons when Skipper steps in, only to be cooled down with a wave of the Saint's hand. "You haven't joined us before, are you one of Father Berislav's friends?" Sonya asks of Skipper. Chance slides a plate of pancakes to Skipper heedless of the unease. ''There's no shame in having to take care of yourself.'' Sonya shakes his head to try and reassure Tamiel. "Of course--and it's only natural to not be the ones who are always giving in any relationship, no? If I felt otherwise, I'd rein them in, but that doesn't mean it isn't complicating what I consider one of my top objectives. And yours." ''But what's this about the Prescripts being weird?'' "Normally the Prescripts, however strange they may be, do ultimately help the Index in the long run. But warring against the Thumb right now--I cannot imagine how that benefits them when there's Trídéag--and us. Fingers don't typically get along, but they will work together for major projects if the situation is beyond what any one can manage. Better to split the spoils than end up with empty pockets. One of the reasons they're so dangerous." Sonya says, but he smiles. "If you're willing to help my friends in other Districts, I'm sure I can find something for you. I'll let you know once I've heard their troubles." That latter is a nod to Tamiel, of course. "But no, Kuwaba is not Index. Though I suppose ... it is not impossible that a member of the Index could receive orders to assist us faithfully for a year then stab us in the back." ''You've barely said three words since the fight at the warehouse.'' To some extent, Kuwaba has been like a different person since his return but his silence evaporates once Berislav approaches him. He smiles at the Father and says, "Well... I thought that the right time to speak would be when you approached me, Father. As the one I wished to bequeath my Star too, it seemed impolite to spread gossip and tales before you were ready to talk to me." He pauses and then rubs at his neck, a bit bashfully. "I can't apologize for hiding my connections to you. I wanted to see you through the eyes of nobody in particular. I'd been looking for a guiding star of my own for some time." He dips his head. "But my vows to you and your people remain. IF you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them." ''Who caused the Dark Days? Did they-have to happen?'' That draws a lot of eyes and ears, of course, though it's Yuri who naturally speaks up first. "...I don't know exactly what happened, I was no longer with LobCorp when that happened but..." She pushes aside her plate of pancakes, losing her appetite. "I know at least one person who was probably certain it would happen before it happened. She showed me a glimpse of the future once--and Lobcorp had fallen into ruin in that future just like in this one."
Skipper	Skipper gets waved over. There's a moment of hesitation before they make their way over. > "Have you ever been to the City before? Or the Faded Print?" "Nnno... first time..." "I don't think I've seen that many people in my life... like, this many people all of it, and they're all in one place here..." > "You haven't joined us before, are you one of Father Berislav's friends?" "If, if you mean in the Watch, yes, I have people that can vouch for me..." says Skipper. "I haven't met Father Bersilav, though..." There's a pause. "Um, I can pay for the pancake, if that's the problem..." In any case, they're listening intently and trying to catch up and follow along, as best as they can.
Skipper	<Tac-Watch> [4] Tamiel Luxis says, "Ah...This isn't the kind of dinner you pay for." "Oh my apologies, I am definitely not paying for the pancake." Yay! Social faux pas averted.
Tamiel Luxis	"Normally the Prescripts, however strange they may be, do ultimately help the Index in the long run. But warring against the Thumb right now--I cannot imagine how that benefits them when there's Trídéag--and us." "Maybe it's a little blind, and it's not good at judging multiversal influences?" Tamiel suggested, paused, "...But. If it IS working. Someone would benefit, wouldn't they?" Tamiel frowned. She wouldn't be able to tell anyone who wanted this was unless they were right in front of her. "Either they're...Desperate?" She holds out a finger. "...There's something in play we don't know about yet..." Count goes up to two. "...It's broken..." Three. "...Or there's someone or someones who are benefitting, even when the Index doesn't..." She didn't like any of these. But maybe... "If we want to understand it, someone will have to really investigate the way the Index REALLY works." It made her wings flick, once, twice, eager to taste the air. "Oh, but that'll be tough..." Her hands clasped together, and the corner of her mouth pulled up into a half-smile. The mysterious Finger had been a puzzle to her from day one... Tamiel shakes her head, clearing the thought free of her. "...If they're being weirder, we should at least figure out what's happening. At least, it'll tell us what we should be worried about..." She'd have to do a once-over on the supplies again, to start with.
Father Berislav	Berislav smiles at Kuwaba--much in the same way he smiles at Lilian when she insinuates his having ulterior motives for speaking with Olivier. His soft features lend themselves well to impish amusement, all the moreso given that particular emotion likely isn't one most people would associate with priests. "You'll have to forgive me, Kuwaba," he says, "But I don't even know what your Star is. Much less what you would expect me to do with it. Why don't we start there?" His attention turns briefly towards the door as Skipper enters, and to Skipper themselves. His expression shifts not towards one of suspicion or wariness, but curiosity. "Hello," he says, lifting a hand in greeting. "Please make yourself comfortable and let one of us know if you... oh!" He laughs, after a message on the Watch's local broadband gives it away. "You're with us," he surmises. "Well, the rest of what I said stands anyway. Feel free to get to know everyone. I'm Father Waters Berislav," he says. "This is Kuwaba, that's Yuri, Sonya the Saint, Bamboo-Hatted Kim, Aeng-du--Tamiel I believe you've met, that's Veronica and Odette Raskins. Our two chefs are Chance and Gamble." "This hostel has become the nerve center of our operations in the City," Berislav explains. "It's open to, and serves, everyone and anyone who needs a helping hand. But there are people who feel they have something to lose by allowing us to work out of this District," he adds with a frown. "Their thought process seems, whether they're consciously aware of it or not, seems to be that if the City isn't desperate and cruel, then there's no profit to be had in perpetuating desperation and cruelty." "We recently repelled an attack by several groups of people like that, attempting to steal from people they should be protecting. There's no problem with your presence here--it's just that new faces in the City usually mean trouble, and for all the good work we've done here, it's hard for people not to feel like the other shoe is waiting to drop. They didn't mean anything by it. Isn't that right?" He looks around for confirmation, smiling serenely.
Veronica	"I know at least one person who was probably certain it would happen before it happened. She showed me a glimpse of the future once--and Lobcorp had fallen into ruin in that future just like in this one." "Wha- who? What else did you see?" She's immediately fascinated. "How did you meet?" At the mention of her name, Veronica waves to Skipper, then double-takes. "You're a mouse?" A pause. "Right, that happens now," she concludes, thinking of the trio of animal-headed Distortions with the Ensemble.
Skipper	"Hello Father Berislav. It's nice to meet you." Skipper makes a visible effort to commit names to memory. > But there are people who feel they have something to lose by allowing us to work out of this District Skipper frowns. "That seems... very short sighted?" > attempting to steal from people they should be protecting. Skipper takes a moment to mentally model this, if they were to steal from the people they were protecting, what that would be like. "Awful," they declare. "Well... you've got my help definitely, then. I can fight, and I can track. I'll see if I can convince my friends to come in too." > "You're a mouse?" "Critter, actually." > "Right, that happens now," "Oh, new to all of... this, too?" There's the universal multiversal gesture for 'all of this'. "I'm still getting used to everything being so small."
Angela	''If, if you mean in the Watch, yes.'' "That is good enough for me. But be wary of strangers in this place. The City is rarely gentle and sometimes cruel." But Sonya the Saint shakes his head at the offer to pay for the pancake only--for the critter to rescind their offer before he can comment! "You've a bit of cheek, don't you?" He grins. "Well, please enjoy yourself while you can, friend." ''Maybe it's a little blind, and it's not good at judging multiversal influences?'' "That could be." Sonya admits to Tamiel. "But though citizens under the protection of the Index are often desperate people, those who fight under the banner ... Well, I am not an expert. Out of the Five Fingers, they are the most mysterious in my eyes." He cups his chin for a moment and adds, "Right now, though, the Prescripts seem to be favoring us ... not that I would rely on them for long." But Tamiel is right, of course, they SHOULD figure out what's going on. But even the Saint is not sure where to go with that goal in mind. "I'll see what I can rustle up but..." ''Wha- who? What else did you see?'' "I didn't see much," Yuri admits. "But the Purple Tear herself showed me a vision of the old facility I worked at in ruins, and seemed to know that the fall of LobCorp was coming. I don't know if she tried to make it happen or just capitalize on her foresight." She shakes her head. "I didn't ask a lot of questions. I was too frightened." Chance and Gamble are marveling at Skipper. They're both children, really, even if they're getting older every year and it's Gamble who whispers, "Their ears are so cute..." She'll be making sure that Skipper gets all the pancakes they want, at least. ''They didn't mean anything by it. Isn't that right?'' Bamboo hatted Kim raises his head and says, softly, "Both lowering one's guard and striking thoughtlessly are ways to feed the earth before your time." This seems to be a signal to everyone that, yes, Berislav's estimation was correct and no they aren't going to jump Skipper just because they startled them. ''But I don't even know what your Star is. Much less what you expect me to do with it.'' "I carry the Chiei Star, also known as the Star of Courage." Kuwaba nods to Berislav. "There are many, it is but one of many paths--but what most matters is that it is a symbol of strength and authority within the Pinky. I have decided to one day pass it on to you." He pauses and admits, "Which is a bit unorthodox, you don't even carry a sword as Lei Heng said--but there's no law against it." He gestures to his scabbard with his hand. "There is no insignia or badge but for the sword I carry and even then, I can only indicate my decision to pass it down to you. For it to be recognized, that is something you'd have to do yourself but suffice it to say it's enough to establish yourself as a major force within the Pinky."
Skipper	"You've a bit of cheek, don't you?" Death. Skipper is now dead. Struck down on the spot, so young and so much left to live for. Truly a tragedy. "S-sorry."
Odette Raskins	"Normally the Prescripts," "Maybe it's a little blind," Listening to Sonya carefully, Odette nods at him slowly while confirming some of her earlier suspicions. "So we can't really count on them to ever turn on each other in the long run. That's... Easier?" She says with some audible uncertainty, then shakes her head. "Not easier for us in terms of them doing things, but in... Predicting what they'll be angling for, as long as we know it's them and not a.. Er." She smiles apologetically at Kuwaba, although there's some visible awkwardness there. She's not sure how to finish that thought without sounding like she's accusing him of something, but she barrels on at Sonya after a bit more thinking. ".. Yes, someone with orders to be a real deep sleeper agent. If any of the Index do still help us after all this happened, then-" She nods at Tamiel. "My gut says it'd be number three. Investigating them might be hard now that they know who we are and what side we're on." "IF you have any questions, " Kuwaba's reply to Berislav does put her at considerable ease, and it also makes her feel a bit worse about even thinking about saying what she did a little earlier. Something does come to mind eventually, and Odette raises her hand briefly before remembering that she (probably) doesn't have to do that here. Her hand still stays up until Kuwaba acknowledges her in some way. "What do you want to do now? Now that you've been seen with us and helped us in front of everyone... Do you want to keep working with us here?" Still curious about Kuwaba, Odette glances over at Kim, then strokes her chin. "And... Do you and Mister Kim know each other from before? Er. Long before?" L Corp and the Dark Days "All of what I know is from after all of that happened, too." Odette adds after Yuri to try and explain what she can to Veronica, although it's clear she's not too well-versed in the entire situation herself. "Things got dark, then really bright, that big tree aappeared, and there's a library there now." She sounds rather uncertain as she explains even that little, furrowing her bnrow while finishing off a pancake. "And after all that... More people started manifesting powers. Well, not always 'powers' like something they can control, but... Things that could kill them, or everyone around them?" "Nnno... first time..." Luckily for Odette, Berislav introduces Skipper to everyone before she needs to make an ass of herself for missing core facts about the situation. "A lot of new faces have been coming into the City for a while, too, and... I don't think anyone's really sided with the Index? Or at least I haven't heard of it happening yet."
Veronica	"Oh, new to all of... this, too?" "New? No, I'm from the City." "I'm still getting used to everything being so small." "How would-" she does a little mental geometry. "Right, since you used to be mouse sized?" "But the Purple Tear herself showed me a vision of the old facility I worked at in ruins, and seemed to know that the fall of LobCorp was coming. I don't know if she tried to make it happen or just capitalize on her foresight." "The Purple Tear..." Veronica's a little awestruck, chewing her first bites of pancake and listening wide-eyed. That most mysterious of Colors! She leans in and lowers her voice. "You wouldn't know how to find her, would you?" "Well, not always 'powers' like something they can control, but... Things that could kill them, or everyone around them?" This earns Odette a glare. Something in Veronica's EGO-corroded arm crumples loudly under pressure. Then the moment passes, and she's calmed herself. "So you know about as much as I do. How about you," she says, turning to the 'Mad Father'. "Were you around to see the White Nights and Dark Days?" "There are many, it is but one of many paths--but what most matters is that it is a symbol of strength and authority within the Pinky. "Yeah, about that," Veronica says, pointing at Kuwaba with her fork (rude!). "You a 'rogue operator' or has the Pinky had its eye on us the whole time? Just wanted to make up their mind about if we were worth the time before going public? Weird way to start a dialogue, if ya ask me."
Tamiel Luxis	"That seems... very short sighted?" "It's worked for them all their lives, probably? And maybe all their parents' lives, and their parents' parents' lives." Tamiel shrugged. "It just didn't work for everyone. And caring would get in the way of their way of doing things. So. They learn to not." "They're not stupid. They just make their lives better, by hurting everyone else." A small frown. "...And a lot of the normal people here, who they hurt for it, think there's no other way to be. They feel trapped...Like they don't have any real choice, but to do the same thing." A shudder, and Tamiel ran a hand down an arm, leaving her clutching at her wrist. "It's...Noxious.." "I'll see what I can rustle up but..." "It's dangerous," Tamiel agreed. "...And, even if it weren't, most people who work for them don't know the first thing about how they work..." It wasn't quite the same, but things always were murky when it came to this. The most anyone could know was who immediately passed down their Prescripts. "I'll try to make anything you find work..." She was, if nothing else, an exceptionally sneaky angel.
Father Berislav	Awful. "It is," agrees Berislav. "And that problem is far, far too widespread across the Multiverse. The City... that's the worst case of it that I've ever seen. It's part of the... cultural background of this place." I'll see if I can convince my friends to come in too. "We're never going to turn down help," says Berislav. "We can talk more about the specifics later, but for now, you should know our efforts here are largely two-pronged. We're planting the seed of a kinder, more cooperative world, and we're defending it against harm until it's large enough to choke out the evil of this one." For it to be recognized, that is something you'd have to do yourself but suffice it to say it's enough to establish yourself as a major force within the Pinky. "So," Berislav concludes, nodding slowly, "You want me to have a certain amount of influence within the Pinky, eventually, because you believe I embody what the Star represents? I'm honored," he says with a slightly confused frown, "And I certainly won't pass up the opportunity to bring more people to the cause. But," he asks, "I know the least about the Pinky of any of the Fingers." "That is to say--it isn't exactly monolithic, is it? Much like the Watch, it's a very loose outfit of vaguely like-minded people, all part of it for their own reasons. Just as the Watch has both myself and Hibiki, the Pinky has known both you and Lei Heng." "Apart from the Star itself, I don't know what they respect, or what's important to them, so I have even less idea of what I'd need to do for them to recognize your decision." Were you around to see the White Nights and Dark Days? "No. Not in the way you mean. I was in the City, but I wasn't involved with L Corp. I was here," he says, "Doing largely the same as what I'm doing now--trying to build a support network that can survive and later fight the systemic violence of the City. I certainly didn't expect the Wing to collapse when it did, and when it did, the farthest I ever ventured from this part of the Backstreets was to the Trideag Association." "I only saw the aftermath--Distortions, as Detective Moses calls them, people variously either hurt by those Distortions or who caused them in the first place, as well as the infrastructural collapse that you're already familiar with, living where you do. Power outages, the births and deaths of would-be heirs to the so-called throne, people rushing to see what they could pick from the bones instead of rushing to help their neighbors."
Angela	''S-sorry.'' "Oh, don't be like that. I didn't say a bit of cheek was a bad thing, did I?" Sonya smiles. "It reminds me of a dear friend, I thank you for it." He seems a bit more confused at what Odette is trying to get at with all the backtracking on and qualifiers she's giving but he really wants to try. One of Sonya's personal rules is that you always be a friend to the people who are keeping your people alive and Odette is maybe the most direct example of that. "--In short," He decides to summarize. "We don't know much about their plans or why the Prescripts are so strange but we shouldn't rely on it. We can speculate, but it would be nice if we could capture or interrogate a Messenger..." ''You wouldn't know how to find her, would you?'' Before, Yuri would've stammered out something like 'Find her?? Are you crazy???' and that isn't really too different from her current opinion, but her answer doesn't come out hurried. Instead she glances up at the ceiling like she's trying to visualize The Purple Tear looking from above ready to strike. "...No, she and I are no longer associated. And if we met, I doubt it would be a friendly meeting. She's the type of person to find you when she wants to talk--not the other way around." ''You a rogue operator or has the Pinky had its eye on us the whole time?'' Kuwaba shakes his head. "The Pinky is too busy elsewhere to get involved in District 12. I wouldn't say I'm a rogue operator--different Stars and factions within the Pinky clash all the time. It's an organization that believes greatly in personal freedom--even if for some that merely means 'might makes right'. But when we are called to by our leaders, we are expected to unite for the common goal. Otherwise, we are free to do as we wish. Even join another Finger, as Lei Heng had." He collects some pancakes for himself and carves them into smaller more edible chunks. ''What do you want to do now?'' "What I wish to do now hasn't changed." Kuwaba says with a simple shrug of a shoulder. "I am compelled to follow our 'Mad Father' and help enact his will. It is my hope that he will--one way or another and along with all of you--restore a sense of decency to this City and embolden the hearts of those he comes in contact with. I have few other desires besides drink, laughter, and music."
Angela	''Do you and Mister Kim know each other from before?'' "I do not know him." Kim says. "But one day I intend to return to District 19." Despite no threat in those words, that last sentence of Kim's is drenched in violence. ''It isn't exactly monolithic, is it?'' Kuwaba nods slowly, taking his time with his pancakes as he's wholly focused on his own thoughts and this particular conversation rather than eating. He pokes around, occassionally having a bite. "It isn't. The best ways to be recognized are to be very strong, a master at swordsmanship, or--as you are doing here--drawing others under your banner. Unfortunately I suspect that I won't have the time to teach you my art, but I intend to pass my blade to you all the same. What I wish for you to truly inherit, you already have, I simply acknowledge it. If I can embolden that flame you're nurturing--or at least protect it--I consider my job done." "But in the end, you'll no doubt have to crush those that inevitably desire to bar your access. Not all of them might be like Lei Heng. They might just be ... cautious." Kim says. "It'll also require a sense of political maneuvering. Either from you, or from one of your aides." Kuwaba nods over to Kim. "That's right. They respect strength, wisdom, courage, skill, and ...." Kuwaba sighs. "Power. If you play your part in pushing the Thumb and Index out of District 12, that'll be a big help." "Just because they aren't fighting for District 12, doesn't mean they want another Finger controlling it." Sonya murmurs. "Right." Kuwaba agrees. "Liu Heng is no politicain though, he just wants to clash his blades against the strength that's here even if he is being 'ordered' to do so." He looks to Berislav. "Like you said, there are many different ideologies within the Pinky. While the cause of 'freedom' is a pithy one word answer, ultimately what that means is frightfully different. What they'll care about most is how you well you establish yourself and your ideology. Then it's a matter of surviving those that deem yours a threat to theirs."
Skipper	> ''They didn't mean anything by it. Isn't that right?'' Belatedly, Skipper demurs. "No, no, I get it, I'm new, and it sounds like I'm coming in in the middle of things, and I do look, like, well..." "... Well, I look like I'm from out in the country, and this is the City, I mean?" Oh, it's a joke. > We're planting the seed of a kinder, more cooperative world, and we're defending it against harm until it's large enough to choke out the evil of this one. "Good! Good." > "but it would be nice if we could capture or interrogate a Messenger..." "... Seems... easy enough? Just need to find one, convince them to come with us, and ask them some questions."
Odette Raskins	"So you know about as much as I do." Odette avoids eye contact with Veronica while nodding slowly, withering a bit from the glare. She does look over at hearing that crumpling noise, though, looking at Veronica's arm before looking back up at her. "Does anything hurt in there? I've still got most of my stuff with me if...?" She visibly relaxes once Veronica's attention is turned to Berislav instead, but Odette's hand doesn't move away from her supply case unless there's an answer in the negative. "but it would be nice if we could capture or interrogate a Messenger..." Odette's gut reaction to Sonya's summary is to balk at that, but she stops herself from saying anything at first. Sure, it could be seen as openly declaring war on them, but how different would that be from things in their current state? Once she considers that, she calms down visibly. "Sure would be lucky if we caught one hanging around nearby, or if one of them happened to get hurt where we could bring them back here for treatment and questioning." She speaks hopefully, furrowing her brow a moment later. "We'd have to be real lucky for that, though, unless our network picks up some routes they're using...?" That'll be something worth asking around for. "It is my hope that he will" Kuwaba's lofty-sounding goals seems to strike a chord within Odette's heart, at least, and that gets an approving nod from her. "Then you're in a good place here. Father Berislav's really working hard to make the City better than it is, and that's why we're all here. The sooner we get everything improved, the sooner everyone can do that, too." "I do not know him." Odette finds that hard to believe, and that skepticism flashes across her face briefly as she recalls that tension from when she came in. That followup statement raises even more questions, too, but she's not about to... No, she needs to be more direct. That's how she's supposed to change from being the coward she's been for so long, right? Odette takes a few moments to psyche herself up first, finishing off the pancakes on her plate and washing it down with something boozy she probably should have asked someone to identify before picking it up. "District 19... Could you elaborate on that, Mister Kim? Um. On how that ties into all of this?"
Veronica	"Does anything hurt in there? I've still got most of my stuff with me if...?" Veronica just shakes her head. On the matter of catching an Index messenger, she does have something to chime in with. "They tried to steal one of our 'protection' payments to the Thumb, then engaged in open war with them at the warehouse. They've clearly got it in for the Thumb, so where we find one of the fingers we might soon see the other. Right? We could try keeping an eye on who's messing with the Thumb."
Father Berislav	But one day I intend to return to District 19. "Do you? I'd like to discuss that with you," says Berislav, glancing over his shoulder, "When things quiet down around here." If I can embolden that flame you're nurturing--or at least protect it--I consider my job done. Berislav smiles warmly. "Faith is an incredible thing," he says. "When it's tested, and doesn't falter, it gets stronger. I was prepared to be here alone, if I had to be." It'll also require a sense of political maneuvering. Either from you, or from one of your aides. If you play your part in pushing the Thumb and Index out of District 12, that'll be a big help. Leaning with his palms on the countertop, Berislav nods. "Political maneuvering is something I owe much of my success here and elsewhere to," he admits. "Using it to deal with your enemies requires a sense of timing and space, a lot like martial arts--knowing when to press your advantage, when to wait, to back off or feint, is vital." "In other words, that won't be an issue. As for pushing the Thumb and Index out," he continues, pushing off the bar to turn and put Kuwaba and Kim in his field of view, "That's proceeding apace, largely because of that maneuvering. Pointing those vultures from that other Wing to the Thumb has forced them to fight on two fronts, which leaves them with limited ability to strike back at us for having done so." "All we need to do to push them both out is to keep them focused solely on each other for as long as possible, then wipe out whoever is left standing before a third party gets the same idea. That only leaves my ideology, which... largely does happen to be written down in an extremely well known book." Another impish smile is given to Kuwaba, before he turns his attention to Sonya. "Sonya, you mentioned other Districts needing help, didn't you?" he says, brow lifted. "I'd like to hear from you about that. We may not have the numbers of a Finger yet, but we've accomplished a lot by being flexible with small, surgical deployments."
Angela	Sonya muses on the story of the country mouse and the city mouse. Meanwhile, Gamble is reaching out to try to pat Skipper on the head with a hand, leaning over the counter to do so. ''We could try keeping an eye on who's messing with the Thumb.'' "We certainly wouldn't want to discourage them from doing so, but we might learn more if we see who exactly is getting the Prescripts to keep that conflict going." He consider sthis, glancing over to Tamiel. "Would you be able to manage something like that? Tailing someone for a long period of time to see what they're up to? You might need to do it a few times before you find the right members of the Index." ''Do you? I'd like to discuss that with you.'' ''District 19... Could you elaborate on that, Mister Kim?'' Kim lets out a low sigh. "It does not connect directly. But I am wary of the Fingers and their influence. It is my hope to purge their influence from my home District and purge it of the governmental corruption that has taken hold." He does not mention that he also would just like some good old fashioned revenge, because that's a personal matter--not really relevant to the Blade Lineage's overarching goals except in so far they all followed him into disgrace--so he holds some responsibility for them. Aeng-du looks vaguely uncomfortable in the moment but shakes her head as if chasing away the negative thoughts away. "But that involves direct conflict with a Wing, so we are some distance from making a move that big." Sonya intrerjects, not entirely gently. "But it does seem like we have some plans." He holds up one finger, "Tail the Index--figure out their goal." He holds up a second finger. "Help some of the Yurodiviye Factions outside of the District so they can continue supporting us." He pauses a moment and then gives a hapless shrug. "Push out the Thumb and Index. Though maybe that isn't exactly a 'right now' plan." ''A lot like maretial arts--'' Kuwaba and Kim seem to nod along to this, they seem to be more alike than Kim would like to admit right now. "If we wait too long, they may align with one another and then turn on us." Kuwaba says. "...So...like you said... we need the right timing. It might be a little earlier than would be ideal. But that's a fight for you." "I'm inclined to agree." Sonya agrees. "Right now we need more information. Eventually they will come after us again. We've bought time--not peace." ''I'd like to hear from you about that.'' "I'll check in with the particulars and get back to you on that." Sonya agrees. "Some of it might just be a matter of supplies, but some of them might be feeling some external pressure too."