Heart on the Menu

[Avis]

Avis listened intently as the others around the room spoke. July, on the nature of generic Order roles, Varyx, on the difference between Orders as Ideologies and as Institutions. Which, really, spoke to the heart of the matter, at least as far as Avis' issue went. She'd have to read up more on the two, and on their differences, and see if that brought her any insight. In the meantime, there were a few other points she wanted to address.

"Actually, Arthur, not really. Part of our mission is to facilitate inter-order cooperation. You're a Silver Ladder. That's kind of what you do, isn't it?" Avis asked, turning to the posh politico. Maybe he just felt strange since they hadn't brought him into their other operations, but that was more out of respect for his talents than a disregard of them. It would really suck if he got killed by a half-crazed college student, and all of his ideas, calmly spoken words, and expertise on the lex was drained out with the streams of his blood...

Avis gave herself a slight shake, and dipped a spoon into her fudge concoction.

"And I did do that, Star," she added, eyes flicking over to the corporate graveyard that had once been the beloved mop, "but it hasn't exactly been successful. The only people that responded were Steel Phoenix, minus Varyx, and they didn't really seem to get it. I tried to emphasize the importance of teamwork and headspace when going into a conflict, but they were mostly just focused on learning how to stab people. Like, I would outline a scenario for them, and they were like, 'yeah, whatever, can I just learn how to knife, please?' It was kind of...dubious, I guess, as to how helpful it really was."

[Varyx]

Varyx had to contain a sigh at the news that the people who had shown up for Avis' lessons hadn't really taken them to heart. In fairness, she probably would have shown up with the expectation that she was going to be taught how to use a knife, too, but tempering your expectations like that was part of the process. Why bother wasting everyones' time if you're not going to respect your teacher enough to pay attention to what she's teaching?

It reminded her, though, that Wayland had a point. Maybe it was time for her to ask Avis to teach her how to knife. And, apparently, also how to get into an appropriate headspace for combat, because seriously, Varyx was in no way arrogant enough to think she knew the best way to start learning how to fight.

But with that thought came an idea. A realization that she's be asking Avis for that training instead of the First Talon. "Perhaps, if we'd like to see Orders taking a more active role in our society, one of the ways to do so might be to see each one provide a more organized service. Institutionalize the roles without enforcing them through policy," she suggested slowly. "Because, right now, if I was to go to Avis for training in combat, I'd be going to Avis, not the Arrow. And, to be honest, I'm not sure how to fix that entirely, especially given how small a community we are, but a first step might be to have each Order provide an official service to the Consilium that is tied to the Order rather than an individual." As to what those services might be? It seemed presumptuous to assume she knew better than they did what characteristics of their respective Orders were valued most and best represented who and what they wanted to be.

[Arthur]

A moment to recover from Avis's logic and Arthur nods in agreement. "True." That is the Ladder's goal. A playful grin. "I hope I haven't gotten in the way too bad yet." Time to learn how to fight? Ehhhh.

The Steel Phoenix wanted to learn how to stab things? They're full of bookworms and an arrow. A bite of food and Arthur looks around. Did the conversation just loop back?

"O, uh, forgot to ask earlier. And I'm sorry for the tangent but I don't want to piss off Aquinas. Anyone know anything about one of the professors at the Banisher university getting off'd?" Is there a good way to ask that question to people who may have done it? Not really.

[Star]

"Whoah, whoah, whoah."

No sir.

"No lions, tigers, or bears during dessert. That's, uh, that's the rule*." A Very Serious, very whipped- and ice- cream covered spoon waved at the other Angel. And a grin. "Main course, or, like, after dinner cigars. Just not dessert."

Remember those who-got-their-chocolate-in-my-peanut-butter commercials? Nobody needs lions, tigers, and bears in their ice cream and slash or cake. At all. He wasn't ignoring the Steel Phoenix talk. There just isn't much to say about the book club wanting to learn to knife.

Plus? Kinda put The Guest in an Awkward Spot.

"My vote is we wrap up by righting a long-standing wrong." The spoon gestured at Avis. "The travesty that she, has never seen 'Top Gun'."

I am Jack's Need, Need For Speed.

Ready to Wrap!

*

We're at the month mark, we need to be closing down not opening up brand new topics :P

[Avis]

"Short answer," Avis replied, gesturing with her spoon in Arthur's direction, "no. But I'm not surprised people are starting to get killed. That's what happens when you have people ruled by hate. Apparently we're going to let Tom Cruise rule the rest of our night, though, so...yeah. The hate can wait until tomorrow."

Avis rose, bowl of fudge in hand, and moved towards Star.

"You wanna use our theater? Or shall we ask for volunteers?"

Great scene! We shall have to do another soon!