(1907) Counting Heads and Taking Stock

[October]

Kaze. Ombrimos. Arrow.

“Hi Kaze.” Greets the Enchantress. Hearing that leadership and other members hadn’t been seen was concerning. “Part of the nature of the city?” so this was common?

The gun held by the focused one, Phoenyx, didn’t bother her. Guns kept her nights busy. But another Arrow, that was good. “Pleased to meet you Phoenyx.” No Path was given, not that it really mattered. Unless she was a fellow Acanthus, then it’d be good to know.

The stoic one was quiet, no introduction, seemed to simply be observing.

Whatever.

Finally, someone asks who she was. It was flamboyant one, Shodan, another Obrimos and a Libertine. Interesting little group.

“Nice to meet you Shodan, and everyone else.” A nod offered to each. “I’m October, Acanthus and currently without an Order. Just flew in yesterday.” Not that really mattered.

“So aside from a small number, anything else of concern?”

[Kaze]

Kaze nods seriously at what first Winter and then Shodan are saying, smiling slightly when Phoenyx is speaking.

I am really going to have to prioritize learning how to be more sneaky. Just being able to turn invisible isn't enough anymore!

"Welcome, October." Kaze says. "There were a bunch of things going on, but...most of them were things we were kind of initiating. So...they're on hold. There is something going on with someone in the FBI with something that lets them detect magic, when it's active and nearby. We've seen them in town, so if you can cloak your spells...that'd be Wise. If you can change your aura to look like a Sleeper, that would be a good precaution too, and," Kaze glances at Winter, "I'm no Guardian, but it's an especially good time to be careful to avoid anything...vulgar in town."

[Phoenyx]

"You want to make the Circle a fortress." She looks thoughtful, almost keen at the prospect.

"We should focus on the things we can do immendiately. I will put what resources I have towards setting up security within the Circle. This place should be out priority," Phoenyx says to Shodan. Looking back to Winter, she continues. "I am not experienced in creating the things you describe, but am willing to learn. Communication will be key. We must ensure we are all aware of enough locations for resources, which it seems Shodan can provide if we can afford them." The Obrimos knew what she was - a fighter. But now she needed other talents. "These Catacombs - How far do they go? Is it worth just sealing them up?"

Shodan's comment is lost on the Arrow. "Pirate radio? Like... illegal broadcasts? Would that not be picked up easily?"

The new face, October, was another factor. Fortunately, Kaze was there to handle the civilities and the basics."Do you plan on staying long in the city?" She asks bluntly, but not harshly. "We have needed to take extra care for security. Do you have somewhere safe to stay?"

And then Kaze says something that makes he have to repress tolling her eyes. Most times we should avoid vulgar magic, dum-dum.

Still, he had outlined the dangers. She didn't think anything needed adding. The Archmastery spell? Perhaps best to keep that quiet for now.

[Winter]

"Let's stick to the bare necessities, for now", the idea of a public broadcast had been floating around. He didn't necessarily disagree with it as long as the veil was maintained.
There was a newcomer, so any discussion about the Mysteries would have to be postponed until they knew she could be trusted.

[Kaze]

"Seers. Yeah. They might be using hunters that we stopped a while back, or feeding things to the Feds to use them." Kaze says. "It isn't clear, just that there are definitely eyes on the area looking for Consilium members. One of ours was kidnapped from right off the sidewalk leaving a meeting here, and questioned and killed." he says. "We got the ones who did it, but they might not have been working alone."

[October]

A nod to Kaze, “Thanks.” Then came some info on the area, always good to know. “Wait, the FBI, seriously?” she looked thoughtful for a second, “Well, that’s a first for me. As to cloaking, that’s never been my strong suit. But when it comes to casting something vulgar in town, I figured that went without saying. Was that a problem you’ve had in the past?” cause that was basic knowledge.

“So far, yes. At least for the duration of my contract, once that is up, it’ll depend on how other things are going. As to security, I understand.” Sounded like they had a lot going on. “I have a place to stay currently, but I’ll be in the market for something else.” She always hated the places work picked out.

She smirks at the stoic, nameless one, “Bare necessities works. Though do I need to pass a test to know your name?” she asks, both serious and joking. But seriously, it was just manners to know who you were talking to.

“Thank you, glad to be here.” Maybe a smaller group would be easier to work with. “Awesome tech? Well, count me curious, especially in the story of how it was liberated.” Those were always good.

The Enchantress just listens to talk about transmissions and encoding. Her own knowledge was limited on the topic, so it was best to simply listen.

“Work actually, though a change of scenery was a bit of a motivator.” It was warmer here, no snow, so it worked.

[Phoenyx]

Winter is given a nod. What he says makes sense.

It was good of Shodan to offer to show the acquired technology, but being talked down to when she didn't know some technological tidbit was starting to wear thin. "A simple no would have sufficed, Shodan. Do not talk to me like an idiot just because I do not know the intricacies of radio waves," she bristles, jaw clenching. Behind her back, one hand balls into a fist.

Kaze offers useful pointers. October herself seems to have things largely under control. "It sounds like you are set for now. Take sensible precautions. And here." She scribbles a phone number on the back of a card. "If you are in trouble, call. The Aegis will be ready. Those of us left, any way."

[Phoenyx]

"I know what encrption is. I do not know how video surveillance works practically. It sounded more like you wanted to show off how much you know, than convey knowledge." Phoenyx replies monotonically. "When it comes to protecting the Circle, that is not just my safety but yours as well. Since I do not know electronics like you, I have no choice but to trust you will do a job competantly." She shrugs.

She looks to October. "With so few of us, we all have particular skills that are useful." She shrugs again.