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

[firstofthefallen]

[Ah, etiquette. Once upon a time Lucifer knew all about that. It's still there, in part. But she'd like to deny that any adherence to rule structures still dwells within her.]

To want cooperation is understandable. But perhaps in your case it would be best to see who it is you wish to cooperate with.

To expect full cooperation even among those who aren't evil here isn't possible. Your basic idea has promise: to set up a group that might work together and benefit the people here with what they might find in escaping.

But you need to trim it. To expect all here to work together, even if they have the best of intentions, is naive. Only certain types may work with certain types, and often that type is far more limited than one first believes.

I think it would be worthwhile to try again. But perhaps be a bit more...selective.

[sageprincess]

... Selective.

[She repeats quietly to herself, mulling it over.]

You are right - even if we all genuinely have the same ultimate goal in mind, opinions on how to go about achieving that goal differ wildly. As has been proven.

[There's hesitance, though, and despite her agreement, her brows furrow further in thought.]

But I cannot help fearing how those who do not pass whatever screening process we might decide on would respond. Fostering more divisions and resentment among us is that last thing we need in this place.

[There must be some way to get the right people to work together without sowing even more hostility...]

[firstofthefallen]

Two may want the same thing while still wanting something fundamentally different.

[Lucifer raises her eyebrows a little in amusement. Quite concerned for their feelings aren't you? You remind him quite a bit of the humans who would often have the fate of their worlds laid in their laps. The deciding pieces in the game she and YHVH would play over and over again. Would play throughout eternity.

At the very least you seem more like the Neutrals she knows than an agent of Law. If it comes to it she hopes this means you might be more malleable to suggestion and manipulation if it should benefit Lucifer.

Even if it doesn't you're worth keeping an eye on Zelda.]

That mustn't be your concern. Your concern should be to build a functioning group who can work together. If those who do not "pass" are logical they will hopefully begin their own group or groups. Competition, as odd as it might sound, can help progress in situations such as these. Can push the groups to try harder to reach their goals, whether that push be due to desire to leave and help or just a desire to prove themselves.

If you fear resentment you will allow yourself to stagnate. You must come to terms that no matter what decision you make someone will resent you.

[sageprincess]

I... care little should that resentment be directed towards myself. Simply by being in the position I am in, I have already made myself a target for anyone who would feel threatened or upset by this group's existence. Adding to that number would not change much, in that regard.

I fear resentment directed towards the people who have placed their trust in me. Placing them in greater danger will only cause more fruitless arguments and tension, I feel.

[At her core she's still a guardian. A guide. One that directs where to go and what to do. Even if she barely has idea herself, that instinct is still there.]

Competition may serve to aid progress, but not all here are as logical as you say.

[firstofthefallen]

[Lucifer shakes her head a bit. Sternly almost, like a teacher annoyed by how naive a child is being.]

Also inevitable. In order to move forward danger will need to be braved. And you will need to learn that placing those under you in danger is inevitable. If it worries you so make that clear to those who would follow you, although I doubt many will be truly bothered by it if they have already come here.

They expected to work to find a way to leave this place. And in doing so they've come to expect danger. All that remains to be seen is who will help guide them through it.