28 ❄ ( VIDEO; CONSOLE )

[wintershepherd]

[ Jack's taking some time out of his evening to address something that's drawing rather close. As fun as participating in the Mystery Games has been, he feels like someone should maybe point out the elephant on the turtle. He's seated at one of the consoles in the Welcome Center, the recognizable backdrop visible behind him. ]

Sooo... that super-formal Justicar lady sounded like she means business. Is there like-- I don't know, a plan or something? Has anyone even attempted to let the Chihuelans know that someone's coming? Wait, are we even picking sides in that?

[ He runs a hand through his white hair, causing it to spike and settle. At least he looks better in the face of the oppressive outside heat, and less like he's about to melt. ]

Like I'm not in any way favouring the "immediate execution" thing, but if we're not going to stop this group that's coming, then we should be trying to help the others. Doing nothing seems like we're... almost as bad as they are.

Comments

[walkthedarkpath]

I am inclined to agree with you, that doing nothing is just as bad. However, if we choose to warn them, we may have to be prepared to stand with them and fight. Are you prepared for such a choice? Just warning them will likely make many enemies.

[wintershepherd]

I'm saying it's probably a good idea to sit and talk it out, and instead of doing everything behind the kedan's backs like they're always accusing of us, we should probably include them in the talks too.

[walkthedarkpath]

That sounds very wise, it keeps everyone on one page.

[wintershepherd]

Yeah, but the challenge is going to get everyone to agree to it. I'm open to suggestions on that end.

[Video]

[purered]

I've trekked up to the approximate location that the Chihuelans are hiding with the intention of warning them, though I wasn't able to find anyone in that area yet.

There are some of us who intend to not let the good Justicar simply have her way. However, it is unwise to speak publicly about it - they were able to tap into the networks with ease.

Re: [Video]

[wintershepherd]

Huh... they have to be living somewhere out there. I've searched by air too, just looking for maybe signs of a camp, but no go on that either.

It's not like there's a lot of places they could go, the shell doesn't lend itself to pulling a Sherwood Forest.

[Video]

[purered]

Perhaps they've gone deeper underground? O perhaps there's some manner of illusion in effect?

Or it's possible we've just been unlucky in our searching.

action

[backwordscompatible]

[She heard the whole broadcast. Sitting on a chair across the room, a glass of lemonade in-hand, she waited patiently until he was done with his broadcast before sitting up.]

If history is any indication, nothing is the last thing anybody around here will be doing.

I've already been talking with some people. They're preparing to fight. If it comes to that.

Re: action

[wintershepherd]

That's what I'm worried about. It's like everyone's not just ready for a fight, they're looking for one.

action

[backwordscompatible]

Can you really blame them, though?

Somebody not from around here, out of the blue, offers a thinly-veiled threat with almost no chance of sitting down and talking things through. People get pissed when they feel like they're backed into a corner like that.

audio

[redlightgreenlight]

What do you mean 'are we even picking sides'?

[She sounds, not unfriendly, but slightly annoyed.]

There are no 'sides'. Keeliai is our home, if the Justicar plans to invade, then we must defend it.

Re: audio

[wintershepherd]

[ If it was one thing Jack didn't appreciate, it was being spoken down to. ]

Look, I know this is a wild and radical idea and all, but has anyone considered maybe not jumping to attempting to kill each other as a first resort?

audio

[redlightgreenlight]

[She seems to have realized her tone and shifts to something more neutral and relaxed.]

The Kedan were attacked once before by the Chihuleans, so they are not likely to believe that the Justicar and her forces are anything but a threat. A war is the last thing I want.

[That much violence, pain and anger would probably be problematic for her empathy.]

But if it comes down to it? I'll fight alongside the kedan.

[Even Yunxu if she absolutely had to.]

[highprofilerichkid]

Whatever the Chihuelans that are still here did, I don't think we should just let the rest of them come in and set up shop. We don't know that they have our best interests at heart any more than the original invaders. This could just be a set-up for a second attack.

The kedan fought them off before without our help - all of us together shouldn't have any problem with them this time.

We don't need to take any side but our side. If the rest of the Chihuelans want their buddies back, they can ask us nicely. If they're just going to show up and try to tell us what to do, we should send them packing. Keeliai isn't an easy target, anymore.

[Ain't nobody tell Tony Stark Keeliai what to do. THE NERVE.]

...Also, we can't technically commit treason against an empire we're not a part of. [So there, Grand Justicar Chosheni!]

[wintershepherd]

I don't think anyone thinks our best interests are anywhere in their minds, Tony. But if they're planning a second attack, why let us know a month in advance?

[highprofilerichkid]

As a threat. They probably hope we're too afraid of another war, and if they act tough enough, we'll take the chance they're telling the truth rather than risk fighting them.

[insertdadjoke]

I was under the impression that we didn't even know where to find them. If we're able to actually get in contact with the deserters, not just sending a mass message they might or might not pick up on, that changes the game entirely.

[wintershepherd]

I've done some flyovers out by the shell, but it's a lot of shell and they're not a very big group, so I haven't found anything yet. I know the Woodsmen were out looking for them too, and have been on and off ever since that whole thing back at the Spring festival.

[insertdadjoke]

All right, then for the moment we can't find nor contact them. Unless we were to put together a concerted search team, which isn't the greatest idea given current weather conditions, we're currently out of contact and have no way of letting them know.

On the other hand, I've been told there's a drug out there that grants minor shapeshifting ability. That makes it entirely possible they're already nearby and even harder to locate.

I think I remember number one, but if I'm crazy, let me know.

[seismometrics]

[It's something to focus on. She'll take it.]

I was going to ask if we even managed to get in touch with those guys, but pretty much everyone else confirmed we haven't.

So I guess that leaves a couple of options.

One, wasn't there some kind of Dust or something like it going around that let people who weren't supposed to change shift like the kedan?

Two, if no one's seen them above ground, what about under?

[wintershepherd]

Oh, the thing where those two Chihuelans were hiding but got found out? They attacked Akito, he might be the best one to ask about that. I'm not sure about the substance they used, but yeah, it was supposed to let them shapeshift.

Underground? You mean, below the shell's surface? I guess that might explain why I haven't been able to see anything from the air.

[seismometrics]

So that kind of thing could still be around, right?

[And a small grin.]

If you need someone to find something underground, I'm pretty much the girl to do it.

video;

[wrathfulkhan]

Under normal circumstances, I'd say that picking sides would only lead to trouble. But it looks like trouble's headed our way no matter what.

Re: video;

[wintershepherd]

I wish the barrier was still around Tu Vishan. If the Chihuelans couldn't get in, that would certainly change things.

video;

[wrathfulkhan]

I'd say it's an even trade for being rid of Malicant. More than even, really.

Not that I like the Justicar at all.