tushanshu | oo2 / console video;

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Hello, my name is Jacob Kane. [ It looks like Cain is in a kedanese shop somewhere. He waves for the camera, makes sure not to jostle the cup he has by his elbow. ] What I'm going to say is specifically meant for the foreigner population of Keeliai, but in the interest of transparency I'm bringing this up on the public network. There's no point in the suggestion at all if we do anything in secret. That said...

We need some sort of system. No, I'm not talking about government or laws or enforcement thereof, but any type of accountability we can agree to. With the current state of things, it's just not feasible for us to keep acting as individuals — whether or not we have anything aside from our status as non-natives in common, we are a group all on our own and I honestly believe we'd all benefit from having something put into place that would keep us from imploding and possibly taking innocents with us in the crossfire.

Now, at this point, all I really ask is that we discuss it. Ideas, suggestions, thoughts and feelings on the matter. Just to collate how we feel as a whole before maybe organizing a meeting in person to go over finer details. Even if you haven't been here long, or don't believe in the idea of a system, I would like to hear why so we can try to address any issues.

If nothing else, we'll all learn something from the exercise, right?

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I will say, monsieur, that greater men have tried, and failed at it before. However, if those here now are willing to attempt another try at it? I would be willing to join discussion of that matter.

[Enjolras nods slowly, glancing him over once.]

It seems worth another attempt, though, yes. I know of some I would suggest as representatives.

[ That brings a light smile to his face. Perhaps greater men have, but Cain would like to meet them. Not that he's told anyone and not that it even matters in a pocket dimension so far away from his own home and history but he does sometimes wonder if even invoking his original name would do anything here. ]

That would be a good place to start; I wouldn't think anyone wants a single representative when we're all as likely to disappear any second as our neighbor is. By all means, share their names.

[The problem there being, of course, that of those Enjolras mentions, many are now gone. He thinks of the days before the war came through, when organizing seemed to be much easier, and well, he does not envy this new man the task before him. It is too bad that it comes again now too, when so many who would have been suited to weigh in on things like this, King Richard, Daahd, Hawke, Temeraire, certainly, at least one of Les Amis, when they were here with him, and, perhaps, even Inspector Javert, given his familiarity with the way that things were in the Empire, and considering he would not be alone. Still, there are people here who Enjolras thinks he'd trust the same, and he has to smile at the thought of that.]

There is Monsuier Shudder, who runs the Midnight Hotel, a place of safety and diplomacy, for one, a newer arrival, Klaus, who seems to understand a good deal of how to govern and work among people. Midii Une, who is young but a good deal older than her years and who has been here through the thick of our war...

I'd like to be a part of this as well, should it come to anything fruitful. I...have the experience working with people.

The more the merrier, like I said. It would do no one any good for me to act modest and not say I'd like to be part of it myself. This sort of thing is just up my alley, although usually I'd have more resources and connections to make the transition easier.

All the rest of them, I've met before. They're good suggestions, and I wouldn't bring up any opposition to their inclusion. Worth mentioning is that I was here last year — and the year before, if you want to be technical, when we fought Malicant. It was the aftermath I didn't see anything of until recently.

More resources, yes. Unfortunately we DID get rather wiped out of those during our time...away. In the Dreaming that is. Do you suppose that it might work where it did not before? Perhaps in the absence of Empress or Emperor...

[There goes Enjolras, with his gendered terms for Eshai, again. Not that he respects her any the less for it, and quite more than he respected Evandau, though he feels a twinge or two of guilt about that NOW. Still, some notions are hard to set aside entirely. You can take the boy out of Victorian Paris, apparently, but...

And then, he's ducking his head a bit, looking embarrassed at the last thing there, and flushing brightly.]

Ah, forgive me for not recognizing...it has been some time of course, but even so. My name is Enjolras. It...welcome back.

What, coming together as a solitary group without some governing presence to try and keep us undivided under their control? Almost definitely. Otherwise the families wouldn't be here, either.

I tried keeping to myself more back then. Now I see it isn't worth the privacy. [ That's an amused expression; he's not at all offended. ] "Glad to be back" isn't exactly the right thing to say here, but thanks anyway, Enjolras.

Mm THERE is a good point. I've been reluctant to interfere in the kedan way of life, but now...things have changed, haven't they? The way they change may be important still.

I did for a long time as well. There were others from home then, and things... [Malicant things, Taraja things...] it was a busy time, wasn't it? Perhaps we might be busier still, now. I would like that.

You say that like we're forcing ourselves on them. Reluctant as we may be to be here and they are to have us, we're all on the same page now. Cultures are allowed to merge and exchange parts of themselves, you know. Coming together is natural.

Idle hands, devil's playthings. [ His head dips, acknowledgment and agreement. ] Achieving something constructive while we're here is probably the best we can hope for while we plan for something going completely wrong at the same time.

At the time, it seemed we would have been. Things have changed since the early days though, haven't they? No more predominant culture, no understanding that this is temporary any more, since that's been squashed...

[Not that Enjolras has anything to go home TO, he's just saying. It's not looking like a valid option for any of them the longer they are here.]

And we did aid them in the war. Perhaps things changed and converged at that point, made us worthy of being here, a part of this. Not so strange a thought as all of that, then.

Constructive. Do you think it possible, among so many?

[Once, Enjolras would have taken to the street by now, demanding Foreigners sign up by the dozen. These days, he tries to chase their stories for the book, when he can, though he's mostly given up on that and...just about everything, less because he does not want them than that he has a hard time seeing any future for any of them here anymore. Not a real one anyway. It's a thought he keeps to himself, though.]

Wherever you need me then, allow me to be present.

We may have aided them in their war, but they aren't the ones who asked for us to participate in the first place. Coming in and saving them without their say-so won't endear us to anyone even if some actually are thankful for the help.

Of course it is. History is made up of a few greats aided by the countless many. There's just only so much space in the books to keep track of who was involved. It doesn't mean changing everything either, just something enough to notice.

[ Cain doesn't seem deterred by the thoughtful replies, though. He just nods for the offer. ]

I'll keep you updated if we push this further than the brainstorming phase.

[A fair enough point to some degree, but, Enjolras thinks, with a little stab of indignation flashing in his eyes, it was not as though they had much choice, now did they? Certainly, they had been asked about the final battle, but before that came about, there had been dozens of smaller fights, places where the Foreigners had stood up and played various parts to help in the war effort.

It would be different, he thinks, if they had marched in here with weapons, demanding the kedan step aside, for instance, let them handle thngs all at once. As it stands, though? Well.]

I was under the impression we had suffered through the war together and somewhere the fact was still appreciated enough that we might be considered somewhat closer to allies taking that in store.

[The answer is rather to the point as he looks back upon those months, the ones minus an Emperor of any kind, especially, when they were in the fight together and god forbid, before that.]

Then again, perhaps I missed the place where we made the choice to be here at some point before we were offered the chance to go home from the Dreaming. Or the chance where they supported that we sit here idle and leave things to them. After all, it was a busy time, perhaps I missed the place where we stopped being allies then.

[As far as history goes? Enjolras has to laugh in acknowledgement of that point, certainly enough.]

Ah, no disputes there. Too many things have passed through history uncounted and unacknowledged where they ought have been, not to mention people. Rather, the idea of a consensus among our current Foreigner Population, much less the thought that enough care is what I question. Still, the attempt is more than worthy, and perhaps I judge the newcomers too harshly now. The cloth does not make the monk, does it?

[He nods in return, not deterred himself, although he does worry that it will come to nothing. Still, even having the chance to speak about this, and their chances...Enjolras won't deny that it feels GOOD somewhere.]

Your goals are worth attempting, all the same. I will gladly be there.

Edited 2015-09-23 23:06 (UTC)

[ Cain doesn't even blink for the rebuttal. This is clearly personal, but that isn't how he meant for the observation to be taken; they're just people here and the kedan don't owe them anything, nor act as they do. ]

That would be the most sensible outcome, but the fact of the matter is that we aren't appreciated as war heroes or staunch allies as much as those whose use has dried up or on an individual, and sometimes very harmful, basis. Certainly we're still appreciated by a portion of the population, but what exactly are we doing here anymore? Just existing and without an option to do anything but. We're as much a part of this culture now, more than merely foreigners, but still people who don't belong. It's a difficult position and there's no solid stance in their society on what they want to do with us because of it.

We're not a very big number to start with. Better to offer a sort of sanctuary for those who want it, at least, and let the rest sort themselves out. It won't be a big thing, just something overdue.

[Personal, indeed. Nothing that he'd bring up in something like a meeting, probably, but Enjolras would point out that, well, none of them chose to be put into this position as seems to be implied here. It's more a reminder and frustration that he might as well try to deal with, but probably on his own terms. Of course, the kedan don't owe them anything, but the idea that a foreigner who was here for the worst of it seems to think that they... Well, never mind.]

I suppose not, no. There is</> nothing to be done here is there? They've their world, fair and square and we've got no real part in it. As it should be, after all that.

[Enjolras, before he'd found fencing again, and his balancing accounts at the dojo, had assumed he would spend the rest of eternity waiting to die in between shifts at the Welcome Center. He still somewhat assumes the same, but there is distraction now. If someone thinks that there's a chance at more, better to hear him out.]

We are not at that. If you have ideas for what we may do here, the least that I can do is listen. I only mean to say that this is not...none of us want to be here. If you think that can change... I'd like to hear.

They have their place in the world. I don't think anyone can claim a world and all I'm saying is that maybe we should build something for ourselves away from that. Let those of us who want the stability say what should be done without being aggressive about it. There's nothing wrong with wanting to keep away from organization but as it stands, there isn't even an option for those who want to have something.

[ He nods. ]

I appreciate it. No one is in an easy position, this is just one idea of many. I think it could help, though.

They cannot claim it, exactly, but by rights, I think that it is meant to be theirs, given what they have been through, and who held it for them before.

[Enjolras frowns a bit, idly tugging at an earring as he considers what is being said here.]

And you suppose that it might work? That they will allow us so much as that?

[Personally, he somewhat doubts the fact, imagining angry Family Heads and Snakes and all the rest converging.]

I do not like it, that we have no rights here, please do not mistake me for that monsieur , I simply wonder at the idea..you propose a union that you think may help our standing here? You realize it is already fairly low. It has been worse, of course, but there will be difficulty in establishing such a thing as this. Do you think enough here are prepared to weather that storm?

[And is there any chance of success? He wonders, but he doesn't speak the thought. There was a time when Enjolras would have pushed for this as hard as anyone, but now... Now he is inclined to caution, and, while he does not doubt that things SHOULD be different, that the Foreigners should have a presence, he doubts very much that they'll do it in such a way as to make a difference.]

You may see very little, or no gain. Let us hope that it does not come to it, but that possibility is...we must face that idea. Are you prepared to watch it die before you, if you must? It is not an easy thing to watch the future you envisioned come to ruins around you, harder still to rise again.

[But then, he's French. He's seen that happening near daily.]

At least you mean to try. [The words are softly spoken at last, with a tiny bit of a nod and an awkward sort of pause, while he considers what else to say here, in light of all of this. He's gone on too much for one meeting, perhaps.]

...Sorry, I do not mean to break your ears. I suppose that nothing ventured does result in nothing gained. Should you still have me, I will come.

Edited 2015-09-27 08:58 (UTC)

[ There is a lot Enjolras has to say here, but the fact of the matter is that all of it is speculation and Cain isn't the type to not at least try once he's determined to. ]

Your concerns, thoughts and opinions are appreciated and of course you would still be welcome. None of this is easy or will be easy, but that doesn't mean no one should try and I intend to stick with it. While we're here, we either act together, act alone, or don't act at all. There may be bumps and troubles, but that's a chance I'm willing to take.

[Largely speculation, quite more assumption than that, honestly, but Enjolras has always been fantastic at the latter when the mood strikes him, and while he does not WANT for this to fail, he's simply seen too many attempts at things coming and going through his life to throw himself into it as wholeheartedly as he might have three years ago. Still, he is allowing for a smile now, the hint of one, at least, usually as much as he gives these days.

If this were Paris, if the people here were similar, then perhaps...

But maybe that's why it could work. He can reason a meeting or two, anyway, and a wasted few hours isn't awful compared to what could come about.]

If this should work, it would serve all of us well. Fair enough.

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