open | full circle pt 1

[exequy]

WHO: Concerned mages/rifters/others
WHAT: An emergency meeting!
WHEN: Solace 20
WHERE: The Gallows
NOTES: Explanation in the OOC post. Please tag this like a network post. There are top-level comments to provide a little chronology/structure, but threadjack to your heart's content.

Before and during dinner on an otherwise unremarkable Wednesday, there's a chain of whispers (or notes, or perfectly audible comments from the particularly unsubtle) about an emergency meeting, at an evening hour, in a basement room, regarding a matter of concern to rifters and mages.

The basement part is probably unnecessary. It's certainly ineffective; the organization is too small, the Gallows too contained, and the halls too echoey for something arranged with this much finesse-wrecking haste to truly remain a secret. They could have done it in an empty office or the recreational dining hall, probably, and sat on chairs instead of storage crates. But Kostos picked the location, and he's dramatic. If nothing else it signals a clear intention to do this as unofficially as necessary.

Anyone who accepts the invitation (or just decides to come see what the fuss is about) will first encounter Marcus Rowntree, posted up outside the door like a bouncer, letting mages and rifters move through undisturbed but stepping in to question and likely bar the arrival of anyone else. Inside, Kostos is nothing but a dark scowl in the room's far corner, picking at a splinter of wood on a crate and not mustering a word of greeting for anyone who comes in. Derrica has parked herself within arm's reach of Kostos, a long gold-edged shawl spilling over one shoulder. Her diplomacy pin gleams from the front of her tunic. The worried pinch to her brow is the only outward sign of anxiety; otherwise, she is tightly contained, watching people enter. Julius–notably not in robes–is serious but calm as people come in, standing next to the ever-composed Madame de Cedoux.

Once as many people have arrived as seem likely to, Marcus closes the door, remaining beside it, and they explain what the problem is.

Comments

[inkindled]

We can't be a Circle. We can't call ourselves that. If we're a Circle--

[Even saying it makes him want to puke, sorry, excuse.]

We can't give in like that, just to get by. 'Cause it won't stop there. We're not troublesome right now, Riftwatch isn't, and if we put on a disguise and said we were playing by their rules only leave us alone, they might. For a bit. But they'd come for us eventually and then they'd hold us to their rules.

[tender]

We aren't. Matthias, we wouldn't.

[ immediate, soothing. ]

They've no claim on Riftwatch, or any of us here.

[inkindled]

[His shoulders hunch a little.]

Tell that to the Rifters, then. So they don't get any stupid ideas, thinking that might work.

[tender]

[ Derrica reaches to touch his cheek. ]

Matthias, [ soft. to the tune of hey now. ] We're all here, together, talking about what's to be done. We'll decide together, after we've all shared what we know.

They're not the ones we need to worry about.

[inkindled]

[It's Derrica, so he doesn't flinch away. The tightness in his chest doesn't go away either.]

I know. Yeah. I know, only-- [Only what? Nothing he can put to words.] They should know that won't work.

[ipseite]

( in a similarly soothing way, although less in matthias's personal space— )

If I may be so bold as to interpret the remark, I suspect the concern is less that we might protect ourselves by declaring we are a Circle, and more the fear that an Annulment against Riftwatch might be justified by designating us thusly from outside.

That, too, I think unlikely.

[foolsmakeitcolder]

Yeah.

[A deep sigh.]

That's exactly what I was getting at. It's good to hear that it's not likely.

[tender]

If there is any conversation about what to make of the Gallows and all of us who remain in it, I think it won't happen until after the war with Corypheus is settled. Then decisions will be made.

[ipseite]

Right now, we are necessary and that is a thing we can and have been building upon. The Chantry is not as unassailable as it once was; we are not as alone.

These things are significant.

[foolsmakeitcolder]

That they are approaching it this way proves it.

[Gently.]

They know that the facts and stories Riftwatch hold carries weight. That if we are allowed to speak, then they can't deny that we have a right to.

[ipseite]

I suspect they are more directly concerned with Grand Enchanter Fiona and the other fraternities of the college, but the point holds, regardless, for us all.

[foolsmakeitcolder]

Likely they'll be more concerned with us moving forward.

[And it's not entirely a bad thing.]

[ipseite]

The lesson has repeatedly failed to stick, much as I might like to agree, but we are more than able to continue reminding them.

[armd]

(From a few spots away,) Yeah, thanks. We can hear you.

(And not to #not all rifters it but,) I agree with you.

[inkindled]

I know you can, [snapped back, defensive] s' why I said it.

[But. He takes a deep breath.]

As long as you agree. Everyone ought to, if they know anything.

[armd]

(She gets the anger. He's scared.) I don't know everything about this place, but I know I don't want this. And I won't be the only one.

[foolsmakeitcolder]

Not by far.

We are in this together. Even if we weren't, what kind of people would we be if we argued for our own justice and freedom, and ignored yours?

Even if we consider it purely for practical reasons. If there's one group that is the exception from justice, then anybody in power will continually redefine that group.