Fellowship of Animus | First Council of Sages

[sageprincess]

Characters: THE FELLOWSHIP OF ANIMUS aka pretty much everyone
Setting: Floor 38, early afternoon - forward-dated to July 29
Format: Party style - pick your poison
Summary: After repeated delays, Zelda and Gandalf have finally called the populace of the Tower to discuss productive means of dealing with their situation.
Warnings: None yet, will edit should something come up

It's taken far too long to get to this point.

Come Sunday, the various couches and armchairs of the uppermost lounge have been arranged in vaguely semi-circle-like patterns, with chairs from other floors scattered amongst them to increase seating even more. The semi-circles face inwards towards a central point to facilitate discussion among a large group of people. Though this is by no means a party, small slices of Lembas bread are available on tables around the perimeter - though there is no shortage of food, the hungry tend to be less cooperative, all the same.

Outside, the sun shines brightly without a cloud to obstruct it, but the atmosphere inside is much less carefree. Considering the purpose of gathering here this day, it's to be expected. Should this council succeed, it may very well change life in the Tower as everyone knows it. If not, well... one should certainly hope individual efforts begin to bear more fruit than they have in the past.

Comments

[sageprincess]

[...

Zelda leans forward in her chair, rests her elbows on her knees, and covers her eyes with her hands.

She's... got enough sense of mind to not fall apart right then and there, but. She's beginning to wonder why she even bothers trying anymore. Just... what went so wrong?]

[pitiedthefool]

[Yu was about to leave when he stopped himself. Even though everyone was trickling out by now, there was this feeling he had. A feeling that not everything was over just yet.

... He turns around, back to the door when he sees the same person who had both scolded Arisato for his actions that week, and the one he'd reached out to from someone else's pod that month.]

... Blaming yourself again? [He hopes his assumption is wrong.]

[sageprincess]

You always seem to see me when I am at my worst.

[Though she doesn't look up, she recognizes the voice. Her own is quiet and lost.]

I just... do not understand. Everyone I spoke with seemed enthusiastic about the prospect of working together...

[What does she do now?]

[pitiedthefool]

I tend to do that a lot.

[It's a small admittance as he quietly makes his way closer, taking a seat nearby.]

Sometimes differences in opinion can drive a knife through any meeting--especially one of this size--regardless of initial enthusiasm. ...I know I've seen it happen before.

[He sighs.] ...I think the biggest problem is that some refuse to listen. Can't say I see eye to eye with Xehanort, but he raised a good point that everyone was blinding themselves.

[sageprincess]

Yes, he did. And you are right. I could see where Link and Kidou were coming from, but at the same time...

[She trails off then, realizing the futility of such words at this point. Everyone wished to help and protect everyone else, that's all she can take away without being hypocritical herself.]

Many of us are stubborn and embittered to those others wish to make peace with, myself among them, I must admit. Finding a way to work past that... would be difficult at best.

[Shaking her head as if to clear it of those thoughts, she sighs.]

... Is it foolish of me to still want this to somehow work in the end?

[firstofthefallen]

[Sympathy, nor empathy, was part of Lucifer's personality. But that trick you had done to draw attention to yourself and start the meeting...how could she not feel the divine power of it.

To say Lucifer was bothered by it would...not be correct. Even if YHVH and Law were the ones to most often have divinity attached to them there were other gods in his worlds. And she couldn't begin to be sure what type of divinity you were attached with.

The display was worth investigation. And here investigation would require speaking with you.]

You spoke quite well.

[Empathy, again, is not a strong point Lucifer possesses. And so she merely says how she perceived your performance: you spoke well, regardless of how you may have felt the outcome may have deteriorated.]

[sageprincess]

[As she had done before, Zelda finds herself taking a steeling breath when an unfamiliar voice addresses her. Right, right, she's not alone quite yet, and until then, she needs to stay strong, if only to salvage some bit of dignity for this "fellowship."

Straightening, she lets her hands fall back into her lap, giving Lucifer a polite nod in gratitude.]

Thank you. I am glad my inexperience with speaking before a large group did not show.

[That, at least, she supposes she can be grateful for.]

[firstofthefallen]

[She can sense the hesitation. And in part the desire to leave. Lucifer can tell that this won't be a particularly eye-opening to your nature Zelda, or at least suspects it won't.

But still the conversation could prove interesting on its own. And so she'll continue.]

You have quite a talent then. To have strength in words is a talent that is often overlooked. In truth it should be the most sought.

Are you disappointed with how the occasion went?

[sageprincess]

[There's a bit of a smile at Lucifer's praise, but it's not really one of joy, rather etiquette that Zelda has come to find second nature.

As for her thoughts, well... those are a bit more complicated. As evidenced by the way she takes a moment to actually respond.]

A part of me still believes this to be our best chance at learning what we want to know about this place. At least, ideally, anyway. But I find myself wondering if that is simply a naive hope, and trying again will only bring about more of the same.

[Frustrated and confused, she sighs.]

I... do not know what to think, in truth.

[cullscuttlefish]

[And after a few moments, Feferi's had time to leave quickly and come back from downstairs, bringing some water back for her.]

Thank you. I know that was hard, but I know I apperch - appreciate it.

[sageprincess]

[My, don't you look like her quite frankly terrifying roommate. Zelda blinks, but remembers from her words as things were going on that this girl at least presents herself on the other end of the spectrum from the Condesce.

And so she smiles slightly, politely, taking the glass of water with a grateful nod.]

Your words are kind. Perhaps I should say you are welcome, but I wish to say thank you for them as well.

[cullscuttlefish]

No need to thank me. I just want to try and do the right thing for everyone here. It's not always easy or pleasant, but I don't know that anything worth doing ever is.

[She trails off, humming lightly. She caught that moment's pause, having seen it a couple of times before.]

I think I should introduce myself. My name is Feferi Peixes. My ancestor, Her Imperious Condescension, arrived here several months before I did. I might be her descendant and her heiress, but we don't see eye-to-eye on much of anything.

[sageprincess]

If doing the right thing were easy or pleasant, those who manage it likely would not be commended the way they typically are.

[And then Feferi is explaining who she is and everything makes sense. Funnily enough, she doesn't even question the ancestor thing - after all, she has Tetra.]

It is a pleasure to meet you, Feferi. I have the, ah... honor of sharing a room with your ancestor, but I can already tell you are as different as night and day.

[lookmanostrings]

[He's been there, and he'd been listening, but as a servant he had never spoken up in matters of debate such as this before-- there had never been a need to.

His connection to the gods was severed, and he was not so much a fool to see that there was no easy answer to this situation. There was one decision however, that had been nettling him for quite some time.]

...I have seen the King handle much less friendly councils in his reign. For one thrust in your position, you were not as bad as you likely think you are.

[And then, a smile, just as always.] You should relax.

[sageprincess]

If I were to relax now, I believe I would fall unconscious for days.

[Said with something of a wry smile in return. She did decently at hiding it during the council proper, but the truth is she's still as exhausted as she was coming out of the pods.

She's trying, though.]

Perhaps there have been less friendly councils, and perhaps I did not do poorly, but it still was not the answer to our prayers Gandalf made it out to be.

I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE

[lookmanostrings]

[He couldn't resist a small chuckle at that.] Perhaps just some time to give yourself some relief from such complicated thoughts and formalities.

[Yes he was very guilty of dodging duties before but thaaaaat was a very very very very very very long time ago.

Still, even he can't keep the smile as crisp as he would like it, and it does dull a bit.]

Answers to questions such as these are...difficult to find. You can spend years searching, and you may never find the right one. [.....] I'm sure this is not condolence when it leaves us without direction; but we will find it soon enough. Worry not.

HEE HEE /can't stop won't stop

[sageprincess]

That sounds like a dream at this point.

[Truly, it does. She's put herself in the spotlight now - will she ever truly be able to step out of it? Is it possible for her to simply be Zelda now, and not a resistance leader?

Nevertheless, she nods quietly.]

I certainly hope you are right. Perhaps it is naive of me, but I do not wish to give up on this just yet.

[faithstaynight]

[Jeanne had stayed quiet for most of the meeting. She didn't know these people, didn't know how things worked... but things like that didn't stop her in her first life, of course. Perhaps her silence was a result of her assuming such a neutral nature in the Holy Grail War, and so she refused to make it seem like she was favoring one side over the other?

Either way, she's kicking herself for not speaking up more, especially considering the ensuing mess... but she can still help now, right?]

It is rare for a meeting such as this one to go without conflict. [Says the one who's sometimes the cause of said conflicts.] Please, do not let this trouble you too much.

[sageprincess]

[Oh, the young woman who had been so eager to take up this cause mere moments after awakening. The memory makes her feel foolish in a way, naive for thinking it would be so easy, but... she should say something, shouldn't she.

She straightens, regarding Jeanne with a slightly apologetic look.]

... I apologize that it did not prove to be as helpful as I thought it would be. I... am aware that it was through no great fault of my own that things went the way they did, but... I still wish there was something more I could have done.

[faithstaynight]

With a group this big, filled with many different people from what I might assume are many very different worlds... it is impossible to judge just how everyone could have responded to the topics presented.

[Jeanne smiles.] The best thing you can do, I think, is to simply keep arranging meetings like this. The others may argue, they may not see eye to eye, but you must show them that you're not willing to give up on them after just this once. And the more we meet, the more we will come to understand each other... that's when this group will truly be able to come together.

[lyricalmagical]

[As people start to get up and move around, leave, and generally mill about, Nanoha makes certain to take a moment and pass by Zelda. She rests a hand briefly on the back of the chair as she smiles and then speaks quietly.]

I just wanted to say thank you. For doing all of this. Regardless of how things look now, I'd like to hope this is a step in the right direction.

[sageprincess]

[Nanoha may not know it, and may not know Zelda that well for that matter, but her words mean a good deal. The princess looks up, offering a small smile in return, though she can't quite banish the disappointment in her eyes.]

I would like to as well, even if I do not yet know how to make the next step. Thank you, for your kinds words.

[lyricalmagical]

[Nanoha just nods a bit, stepping back and putting her hands behind her back. She gives a small bow.]

Sometimes, just knowing there are people out there willing to do the right thing is enough to change things.

[the_white_rider]

[ When all is over, Gandalf approaches Zelda. She is obviously not satisfied with how things went, and he cannot blame her. This is probably not what she expected. What most people expected. Yet, she shouldn't blame herself.

So he speaks with a reassuring tone and there is no lies in his voice. ]

You have been outstanding Princess.

[ He pauses and continues, slowly. ]

I can see the disappointment in your eyes. Yet, let me assure that what you have accomplished here, is beyond my greatest expectations.

[justabignobody]

[Once the crowd has lightened a little (and certain guests have left, Riku comes looking for her - given that Zelda was the one to recruit him, and also seemed to head this all, there is someone he needs to warn her about.

...Though he should probably, well... try to cheer her up some? That cloud of negativity over her head... even without his ability to sense Darkness, he'd be able to see it.]

...I suppose this went as well as one could expect it to go.

[Read: Don't worry too much about it.]