(2004) Consilium - Venus in Converse

[Briar Rose]

Briar Rose, heads back to her seat, eyes straining in an effort to not roll them. She huffs out something that might be a sigh, before she slumps back into her seat. Sticking her head back into her hand.

fucking hell.

[Abacus]

Eyebrows raised. This was a development. Was it reluctant and begrudging; an appeal to some greater good for a more united Consilium?

Or did she get under Anima's skin on purpose?

Irregardless, she was Councilor now. And the good doctor was not. Queen takes Rook.

My move, then.

"It's good to see that we are not as rigid as some would assume. That we can bend with the shifts in circumstance."

There was no ignoring the fact that he had an Order mate in his company. And if Winter was still credible, he may have even considered the inevitable and unbearably ominous 'Be wary of your true allegiances. Do not confuse them with your duties' spiel he called advice.

On a brighter note, he foresaw future conversations in the Atheneum. To counsel alongside a Master! A unique, and hopefully fortuitous opportunity. The smile is genuine.

"I look forward to working with you both."

[Pixel]

Pixel was eavesdropping both meetings. He wasn't going to say anything. In fact, he was trying to be polite by pointedly not saying anything. Even then though it was hard not to giggle a bit at Star's response to the Shaman pow wow. When they return he does his best to smile as they announce the new Councilor.

"So back to business." Pixel takes a breath and sits up in his seat."Anima mentioned the prospect of a Heirarch and I think it's something to explore. Put simply I have concerns about a council of four arguing into another stalemate, and a Heirarch could prevent that from happening if we ever fall short of a full council now or in the future."

"I propose a Heirarch with limited powers. He may vote on council matters only to break a tie vote. Also, in the absence of a Path Councilor at a formal or informal gathering he may recognize any new mage to the city. He will not appoint a Sentinel or Herald without the consent of the Council, but he will report any news or developments he becomes aware of to us to decide if it's necessary."

He looks to Abacus and his freshly minted peers.

"What do you think? I figure we'll decide if the role is necessary and then move onto who we would pick?"

Eyes continue to wander between the three.

[Kaze]

Kaze smiles as the Thyrsus comes back, and arranges themselves with Anima no longer representing, and Aurora now in--to Kaze's mind restored to--the position. He optimistically takes a larger bite of his protein bar. Between Phoenyx and Aurora, this should go more quickly and efficiently now.

Then when Pixel speaks, Kaze's smile does not waver, but his rate of consumption slows down considerably; it looks like with the Free Council setting out ideas for limits on the authority of the Heirarch, before the Council could even begin deciding whether and who to choose for the position, this could be quite a while yet.

[Campanella]

Campanella grinned mischievously and glanced over to Star West

"Well. Yes. That was a... cribbed version. I decided to leave out all the boring bits."

Like a War fought through time.

"I'd be happy to give you a more detailed version, if you wish Star - but I fear it might take all night..."

His voice trailed and stopped abruptly as the Shaman's returned to their seats. So Aurora was now Councillor? His eye's shot to Anima (who was picking up his gear and moving).

Abacus and Pixel were talking once again. Campanella spared the newcomer Igor CandidesDream a glance as the Warlock outlined proposals for a limited Hierarch. Somewhat reluctantly, he found himself agreeing. They didn't need a Hierarch for their small Consilium and it looked like Pixel was making his play for de facto leader anyway by the way he swiftly ploughed through the agenda.

"The position of Moros Councillor can be yours, if it is your desire, you know." He commented dryly to the giant.

[Naga]

Naga continued to watch in silence. Despite her best efforts, the string of surprising developments got some mild reactions in her otherwise placid expression.

Now both the Obrimos and the Thyrsus had new Councilors. Unusual to see such a huge reshuffling of a Council in the middle of a meeting.

Pixel's proposal made her wince slightly. It sounded like a typical Libertine ploy.

An eyebrow shot up as Igor was essentially offered a Council position. The man literally just walked in the door.

And here I though getting a Ladder on the Council would take time.

[Igor]

Desperate hope is a tempting anesthetic, “Of course Magus Naga. It can wait.” said like ‘Dangerous Organ III’ - slow and resonant.

Organizing a Council by Path and not Order seems like organizing workers by inalienable attributes: race, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity… description not function. The organizational structure of the system (Social Geometry) produces function or dysfunction, according to the need. What need does the Council serve: a social club organized by groups or a hierarchy of roles serving a need? I’m new here, what would I know about the needs of Sacramento?

Magus Campanella’s consultation proffered Igor a moment to bury his plodding thoughts and anguished feelings. Without overshadowing Igor leans down murmurs to Magus Campanella, “Is the somewhat arbitrary allocation of responsibility not deeply troubling? We don't live in a sandbox.” Power without price or privilege was like having a management position with responsibility but no authority or accountability, quietly, “No thank you, Magus Campanella, I would not like the Councillor position. But I’ll take it if I absolutely must.” Cavernous grinding gravel given voice emphasizes the weight of the statement. Respect is earned, not given. And that takes time.

Ingratiate yourself with a Councillor, already not a good look. The Ladder instructed political savvy but a little knowledge can be worse than none at all. Igor shifts uncomfortably and mumbles, “Thanks for the lead. I’ll take a look-see…” Ugh, why is it always spooky - forever trapped in a soul sucking Mirror Dimension. Why not a mystical toothbrush that always removes plaque and gingivitis? “...but we’ll see how solvent Anima may be for consultation, after the fallout.”

Musing - Igor reclines back, leaning his right elbow on the top slaw of the pew, listening and watching patiently. This whole show seems like a blundering ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ flash mob.

[Phoenyx]

Phoenyx watches closely at the Thyrsus meeting disperses. Briar Rose's exclamations are clear through the room.

Abacus' greeting is met with a formal nod.

Once everyone is back, eyes turn to Pixel. It sounded like his choice was already clear - he thought a Hierarch was necessary, as long as they had little power that made them a Hierarch. Like it or not, as Councillor she had to provide an opinion.

"This Consilium cannot fill it's current council. Adding to it's ranks only replaces the potential problem of a diplomatic lock with that of the council bordering on outnumbering it's members - and the former changes the moment the Coucil's seats are filled. As I understand it, a member cannot hold multiple positions in the Consilium, so electing a Hierarch would require yet another Council seat would need to be filled again." The Arrow half-shrugs. "If this Council continues, I see no need for a Hierarch at this time. Councillors can already acknowledge new members. Stripping the position of Hierarch of much of it's abilities defeats the point of having such a position at all, if all their choices must go through the council anyway."

What was the point in having a person nominally in charge if they were unable to act in line with their responsibility?

[Winter]

Democracy this, democracy that. It's amazing that for all their talks of equality and holacracy (is it the right word?), the Libertines are as attached to the seat and the trapping of mundane power as the next random guy in Washington.
The truth of the matter is that they crave order, just like an unruly teenager craves parental approval.
Luckily, Phoenyx is there, wielding her common sense as if it was a blunt weapon.
From his seat in the back, the Obrimos yawns, loudly. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt your power trip", he apologizes. His gaze falls on the Ladders.

[Briar Rose]

Tapping her face, with the fingers, cupping her cheek as she leans into her hand. She wonders if Winter's comment was to Phoenyx, or Pixel. Probably Pixel, given his Order and that the Guardian hadn't yelled unholy murder about the Firebird taking his Council seat.

See, this here. This is why she didn't want to join an Order. This is why she didn't like to stick to Consiliums. Goddammit Morgan, convincing her to come here. Uproot and move.

Popping her head up and leaning back, her finger taps move to her legs.