For the Greater Good

[Truce]

It is an insight into Star and Avis's relationship that Truce has not considered. Perhaps he had been insensitive to overlook it, the impact that their partnership might have and how it might be perceived in the community. And Truce could understand Avis's frustration about the Consilium's past performance back when all the meetings only turned into arguments.

The Necromancer finishes his first beer. "I see. Yes, that's okay. And I think we'd all like to make a difference. I'll talk with her then. Or rather, I think I'll listen if she has anything to say."

Popping the cap on the next bottle, Truce looks confused at Star's question. "Panthera Nox?" he starts curiously. "Ohh, that was the name of Mace and Pepper's Cabal, wasn't it?" And Nous. He looks thoughtful, recalling the Charter discussions that they had led. It had been around the time when Truce had first formed Temoins du Sud, still feeling like a meek and soft-spoken newcomer in the city.

"Oh right, when Nous proposed the revised Charter. Are you talking about the membership limitations afforded to Solitaires and the prerequisites to serve on the Council?" There had been an outcry back then, by Gyges and Avis, among others. That could be something else to speak with Avis about. It's a whole new Council since then. He recalls when the Moroi met afterwards to go over the changes.

[Star]

"Yeah, that was them. With Nous."

Pepper and Avis had been friends. Once upon a time? Maybe he'd thought he and Nous were, too. But friends don't let friends stage coups. At least, not Guardian friends.

"And, yeah, totally. Those. I mean," the bottle tipped at Truce, "Look at you. All I'd have to do to keep you from being Hierarch is bust up your cabal. Or, better yet. And probably more realistically? Those two new guys at Consilium who shacked up. Let's say they grabbed Wayland and Strix, maybe Faye or Crowley. Now? Not only did they keep you from being Hierarch, you're not even gonna be a Councilor. And they could jump into two Council seats. Total strangers."

Wait, it gets better.

"Or the new Moros bribes Wayland and Strix and takes your Council seat. Then he doesn't even have to wreck your cabal."

Surprise. Chinchillas still read the laws. More importantly? Seeing how they could be finagled. They say it takes a thief to catch a thief. Pretty fitting for a Guardian to deconstruct another Guardian's shenanigans. Did Truce even realize he'd stopped Nous' cabal from seizing control of the entire Council?

"Look, I normally don't like getting up in that kind of business?" Or even suggesting he understood it. "But I kinda sorta feel like I gotta pitch in and clean it up since Nous did it. And, like, you know. We're both Guardians."

Because Sacramento's history is full of dirt-bag Guardians.

[Truce]

"Well...he could just do that anyways, bribe them I mean. But I see your point. With Cabals being potentially unstable it allows those sort of power plays to take place. Very well, I'll propose the change at the meeting. I doubt there'll be any resistance among the Council. If anything it'll seem like a slackening of red tape. I just don't want Solitaires to be thought of as second-class citizens if they're unable to find a Cabal."

More drinking ensues. The reason Truce hadn't been one of the voices complaining about the change was the incentive it created to join a Cabal in the first place. But there is already incentive to do that, joining Sanctums, creating partnerships.

"By the way, and not to change the subject, but have you thought about participating in the ceremony at this coming formal? I only ask since you don't seem like the type to want that kind of attention." Star wearing a robe and stole with a badge isn't an easy image to form in his mind. Perhaps that goes hand in hand with Star's current tattooed hoodied look he has going for him.

[Star]

"Yeah totally man because that means, like, what if they're a jerk no one wants to hang with?"

It could happen. Someone be so contrary and abrasive no one would want to.

"Yeah, no, not really, I don't?" There's a spark of laughter in the Angel's eyes as he upended the bottle again. Figures. "But."

Here's the thing. Every relationship is give and take. And a team is only as good as knowing your teammate will back your play, even if a team isn't also a crew. Even though no one said 'Looking For Backup' it was still totally a play. Whether it was a Truce play or a Ladder play.

"Figure we need a John Hancock specialist if that gets pushed? So, sure, we can celebrate the Obrimos Councilor being an Adept of Prime."

Hopefully Truce was picking up what he was putting down. It's a Win-Win. Truce gets his backup, and Angels keep their secrets.

"Can I bring an owl. Like, a shoulder bird."

[Truce]

Truce smiles, taking the hint. He's not sure why the secrecy, but he plans to remain respectful of it. Perhaps it's just the Guardian's way. "Excellent. That's already a lot to cover for one meeting. I hope we can get through it all." Which is why they need to talk about these things more in advance.

"An owl? Um, sure. As in a real owl? And here I thought you weren't 'hot on bird-ology'." Though it might be just a joke or a play on words. One could never tell with Star. Perhaps the symbolism of wisdom? "Einstein had a Spirit that took an Owl form. She lent me the sight once to take a look at it, but I can't imagine it's anything like the real thing. What do you call that? Owlery? Owlering?"

That's all I had planned for Truce to cover with Star. But I'm up for keeping the socializing going if you like

[Star]

"I just thought a shoulder bird was a thing. You know, Awesome Wizards and Salty Pirates."

If there's a robe, there needs to be a wand, hat, and bird. No half-measures here.

And a broom.

"In-strix-tion?" Give it a minute. "But no way dude I'd never put a real bird on my shoulder. Unless it was, like, someone shifted. Do you know how much birds poo? Relentless and unapologetic. Nuh-uh no way not me."

The empty bottle is considered with slow blinks. Jack's gonna take a nap soon. It's obvious.

"You know, I was gonna ask. How'd things shake out with Grim and Grimmer? I think Tuesday is a good fit. For us." Like, weirdly good. Just thinking about the Who's On First Incestuous Bovine Edition made him want to smile. The banter had felt natural and effortless... and still cracked him up. "Also. That whole Hearthmaster deal you mentioned. Last time? But then I was, like, whoah, he hasn't even talked to Faye about this stuff and she's his own caballero and country club member. So. Obviously. I'm guessing not great?"

Ever have trash can punch? Sometimes ideas are like that. Shake a bunch of different ones up and...

A stoned, slightly buzzed hamster slowed to a crawl, then sat down in the wheel.

"You're not, like, crushing on me, are you?"

[Truce]

Truce chuckles lightly at the thought. "I've never been much for animals myself." Simple minds with simple needs. Eat, sleep, mate. Poo.

On the subject of Grim and Grimmer he answers, "Ah, yes. We're planning on meeting with Strix and Wayland to discuss things. I doubt there'll be any issues, at least with Wayland. I still haven't gotten a sense for Strix yet, but he's been cooperative and friendly enough. But that's good to know Tuesday is fitting in."

Ah yes, Faye. Considering they are both Thearchs and are living together, one would think she and Truce were close. But in truth they both keep things so formal in their exchanges, at least in his part. Perhaps that was because she is an attractive and intimidating woman. He finishes off the second beer.

"Well, we have talked about it. That's what led to the whole barbecue invitation and figuring out how we can best work together with the rest of the community. But yeah, we're not to an ideal spot yet. And with two additions we'll have to see how well we can work together."

When Star suggests that Truce might have taken an interest in him, his brow raises in surprise. "What? Crushing? No, no, I'm straight," he says quickly, wondering how that might have been misconstrued. But then, it had come up before, hadn't it. "I hope I haven't been making you uncomfortable with my visit."​

[Star]

"No, no, it's not you."

One hand waved in protest.

"It's, uh, it's me. I get, like, confused." That probably sounded strange. "I, uh. I had sisters."

Which might explain why VT 1.0 and 3.0 worked a lot better than VT 2.0. Or why someone like July or Striker with their testosterone drenched IQs got under his skin but mercurial rage didn't.

Speaking of?

"And, look. On that note. I don't want to be a jerk? But, uh. I'd appreciate if you talked to Wayland about him dialing it down."

Normally chinchillas don't make veiled threats. It's just not in their nature. And even if it was, they wouldn't want anyone to know. But Truce had seen him blow up a building full of Bad Guys. Plus it'd be super convenient to have that settled before any more barbecues.

Because some day the Sentinel poseur might find himself on the wrong end of a Duel or empyrean conflagration.

[Truce]

"Not a problem," Truce smiles, wondering what a life with siblings could have been like.

"Oh right, that. I would like to apologize for his attitude, not that it's my place to apologize so much as his. I'm not sure what set him off. Perhaps the pressure of his position? But then that doesn't speak well of his being worthy of it. I'll talk to him though when I have the chance." Unresolved emotional issues and social pressures were an understandable trigger. But Star had less reason to tolerate Wayland than someone like Avis. Best to nip those disputes in the bud before they had time to grow.

He considers one of the last two bottles but doesn't reach for them. "Well then. I suppose I should stop there before it effects my ability to drive home. Don't want to end up on the wrong side of Twilight by accident." A rather grim joke as he rocks his weight between feet.

"Thanks for hearing me out though. I'll see if I can speak with Avis before the meeting, but it might be too short of notice. I'll see you there though."

[Star]

The struggle is real.. and eventually lost as a snicker slips out. Whatever Truce thought of the joke, it's clear that Angels liked it.

"Oh, man, thank goodness. I mean, this," a finger waved between them, "This was great, but I totally need a nap."

He took the empties and did a half-way job of cleaning up and led Truce to the door.

"And Faye, yo. Try, like, treating her as a caballero? Instead of another Thearch."

...or surprise everyone and treat her like a hot chick that someone should ask out.