River City Forum

[Varyx]

Varyx leaned forward, trying to consider each point without dismissing it out of hand, because none - save maybe Crowley's idea about the seedy motel (which, frankly, carried its own issues in her mind) - met with her own concerns particularly well. Well, and Wayland's idea, though that carried with it the same issue as Crowley's, just in the other direction. Plus, she found his "colourful" language concerning the Banishers and Seers to be amusing enough that she was frankly inclined to look a little more kindly on the proposition.

"I'd still be much more comfortable with a place that's reasonably public, which means Sleepers. I do think the idea of keeping them close to discourage up-and-up magical assassination of whoever happens to be present a wise choice on its own. But more to the point, I'm concerned about what information our enemies could glean from a private location. If we were to, say, purchase a mansion or a set of meeting rooms for our own purposes, all it would take would be one of us to be trailed to the location for them to find out the identities of every other member of our community. That's something they can't do if they have to pick us out from amidst a flood of Sleepers."

A pause, and then an amused smile. "Though, you know... I think Crowley may be onto something with thee idea of hiding in plain sight using silly tropes. Everyone's heard of the vampire night club. So perhaps that's what we should be. Play up to the cliche of being something else, shamelessly, and maybe obfuscate our presence that way. Pick something - vampires, werewolves... um, I don't know, what else is popular in paranormal romance novels these days?"

[Miach]

Even though he had kept to himself thus far, Miach had still been listening to the general proceedings, and a strange idea had popped up in his mind. "I like what Crowley suggest about a bigger building and various businesses. What about a private prison ? Security is a given. If we add a couple of side business like a bar to help prisoners integrate back into society, we could meet there. It generates profit. And I think we would all agree that a place where you learn and get freed from is an interesting symbol.

Oh, and we could keep there people like Banishers with the extra care they'd need..." of course, there were plenty of side issues, but perhaps it might be interesting to toss something different in the hat.

[Emrys]

Slow chewing stopped as corrections and ideas flowed. He had intended the full concilium as an example of maximum capacity rather then regular use, but in hindsight he hadn't been overly clear. A shrug pushed his thoughts aside as the majority voiced support for Sleeper security over obfuscation. The idea of using Sleepers as a security buffer still didn't sit well with him, but somewhat disturbingly no one else seemed to mind.

What was the security like at Written in Water again?

"So the consensus is a private business open to the public with heavy security?" Emrys asked, focusing more on the established common ground over the ongoing disagreement. "Because I actually might like Miach's idea regarding privately owned correctional services. Though not a prison, but maybe a rehabilitation clinic?"

"On a practical level it can generate revenue, provide the Sleeper buffer you guys are looking for, and afford a reason for a certain level of security. We'll have an excuse to be there under the guise of visiting friends and family, and between Time based prophecy, Mind reading, and Life based detox, we can genuinely help people along the way. We started this conversation with Avis saying we should look for a place that symbolically represents us, and what represents the Pentacle Orders better then striving to overcome the Lies for something better?"

The Councilor looked hopefully to the assembled mages. While subtle, he hoped they would favor the idea of helping sleepers over using them, but he also knew this idea was pretty close to home for at least one person in the room.

[Truce]

Truce seems to maintain an approving thoughtful expression at what is being discussed. There's lots of ideas, and Avis even seems to support Truce's suggestions without saying as much.

At Emrys's mention of a rehabilitation clinic, however, Truce can't help but smile enthusiastically. "I'm in favor of a rehabilitation clinic. I have a background in psychology as a rehabilitation specialist. If we do decide to create a company in the private sector I could list myself as an employee and support the company's reputation as a licensed therapist. It would create an excellent environment to develop a Cryptopoly that would serve as the eventual security force. It could also function as a gym to provide fitness therapy in addition to mental therapy, while simultaneously allowing us to train Sleepers towards that purpose."

It didn't seem necessary to mention that the business would target those with uncertainties and instabilities in their life who were searching for answers. Vulnerable minds ready to be molded and instructed with guidance towards accepting Truth while maintaining a safe distance from revealing the truth depth of the Awakened nature.

"Ehem, whether or not we end up pursuing that idea, I would suggest that we address the staging process of this endeavor. This community center won't spring up overnight. We should consider this a long term project. First and foremost we need a location with privacy and comfort. All the other factors should layer around that."

[Avis]

Alright, being polite and offering constructive criticism were one thing, but what the fuck had she just heard?

A fucking prison?

SERIOUSLY?

Only the memory of that caustic stench, that image of carmine rain spattering into a flame, kept the Warlock from raining hell down upon the ears of everyone that sat around her. Instead, Avis took her frustration out on her pizza, the feeling of her teeth obliterating the food providing an outlet for the tide of anger that had risen. Though, not the subtlest of outlets. The sound of grinding teeth was audible for anyone sitting close to her.

Finally, however, she gathered together words that she wanted to speak.

"I think that, me, of all people, can understand the doubts as to whether a club really possesses the values of our community. I hate alcohol. I hate drugs. So I can understand the confusion. What appealed to me about the idea was that it was a place where people went to be together. It's a place where people were able to escape the burdens of jobs and loan payments. A place of celebration. All things which seemed positive to me. So let me ask: what..." THE FUCK, she mentally screamed... "do you think a building that locks people in would have to say about our society?"

The Warlock took in a deep breath, and forced herself to continue on.

"I can understand the symbolism behind helping break people free from the chains of addiction, but it sounds to me like, in order to do that, we would have to act as enforcers of a false paradigm. We would have to become complicit in a system that's already based on..." fucking bullshit... "philosophies the Seers use to control people. The War on Drugs isn't a positive thing. It's just an excuse, like anything else, to oppress people...And I just have to be honest here," the Warlock added, gripping her plate tightly to keep her hands from shaking, "I would not be able to live with myself if the place I went to socialize was a place that kept people isolated in cages so that they could be mentally dissected and rearranged. I mean, our society isn't about reshaping and controlling people is it? Do we really want to become tyrants on little thrones, lording our will over people locked behind doors which only we have the keys to? Do we really want to try and control peoples lives like that?"

[Wayland]

The First Talon was right of course. Like, the group appeared to have taken the idea of security and ran with it, and along the way, moved further and further away from the locations main purpose. A place to talk freely and chat. To socialise. Even Wayland thought back and realised he had thought more about a place that would generate an income over a place to talk and welcome new people (should they want to join this fun circus that is the Sacramento Awakened).

"Yeah, seems like we've kinda fallen off the wagon, so to speak. So like, lets get back to the, you know, main core of what we want." Wayland holds up his hand and starts counting on his fingers, "A place to socialise, that we can go to at all hours without looking suspicious, with regular Sleeper foot traffic, with moderate security features." With four fingers ticked, he looks a bit confused at not reaching the fifth finger, "Yo am I missing one? Anyone wanna help me out? Anyhoo, what fits these?" As he waves his four (five???) fingers in front of him.

[linkrulesx10]

Flidais arrived late, clearly occupied with something else as she removes the late model mobile phone from her ear, exhausted is one word someone may use to describe the Thyrsus, she seemed to be tired a lot lately. She had only heard the last few things.

"Dog training and boarding place? Some sleeper traffic, plenty of additional eyes and ears that won't speak of what we do. Oh... Sorry I'm late..."

[Crowley]

Prison? Clinic?

A curious noise came from the direction of Crowley, where he stood almost doubled over by the drinks. Soda was in his mouth. Soda was not in his mouth. Soda was in his gullet. And Soda was going up his nose. He looked like he was having an apoplectic fit.

Ecstasy of fumbling as he dug for a handkerchief.

Eventually, he was able to gasp: "Are. You. Crazy?"

A bit later, still mopping himself down, drink forgotten, he was able to continue: "Clinic? Prison? What the...? And how, pray tell, are we supposed to rock up to one of them on a whim, sit down with our fellow Awakened. And have, like, a good old chinwag? I know we have Banishers and Seers and lord knows what else out there, but seriously? Security is one thing - but we still have to have freedom of movement. How many of us here have reason to be on the grounds of a private prison or clinic for heaven's sake? If we want to be open for allied Awakened dropping into town, how the heck are they supposed to get into such a place?"

He flopped into a seat.

"No. Sorry people but the security comes close second. We either have a club or a business where people can meet and freely mingle. Its the only way."

And anything else he had to say was lost in some more coughing.

[Miach]

So perhaps the idea of a prison had been taking it too far, but in the Curator's opinion, they hadn't learned enough from the Banishers what living under a constant threat was like. Perhaps a couple of months as a guinea pig could help them get some sense into their brains.

"If we wish to have a rather open front, how about at least we try to locate our business - be it a club or whatever - just next to a police station, or something like that ?" He suggested, trying to accomodate the whims of the carefree Sac-city Awakaned.