001; video

[idealisme]

[Enjolras sits at attention, back straight at possible, in front of the computer. He has the look of someone who hasn't been sleeping well, but his eyes are bright and attentive all the same. In the background his two friends are visible.]

My name in Enjolras. I was a French Citizen, killed on the morning of June the 6th, 1832 while taking part in a revolution to overthrow the corrupt July Monarchy. It is after this that I found myself here two days ago. You may already have met my friends Combeferre and Prouvaire. I wish to thank those of you I have already met, and who have offered my companions and I aid.

[He nods his head in quick thanks. There is clearly something else on his mind he thinks more important than either introductions or thanks.]

It is regarding my other companions that I ask you for your aid today, as we are uncertain whether they are amongst us here on Tu Vishan or not.

They would be dressed in a similar fashion to my friends and I, and undoubtedly all have arrived in an injured fashion. They go by the names of: Courfeyrac, Feuilly, Joly, Bahorel, Lesgles - though he may prefer Bossuet - and Marius. [A slight pause.] Grantiare also.

I might also ask if anyone has information regarding the political nature of this Empir- [There's a comment behind him, too quiet for the microphone to pick up. Enjolras turns to listen, then continues without finishing his previous thought.]

We are situated in the Wood sector, should you come across them at a later stage. Again, I thank you for your attention.

Comments

action?

[philosophe]

['Ferre was more than likely the speaker of that particular comment, seated in a chair nearby.]

I think, perhaps, that we should give ourselves a chance to get more accustomed to this place before we attempt to divine the political natures of Keeliai.

action /o/

[idealisme]

How are we to become accustomed to to this city or it's people without knowledge of their political history or philosophy?

[philosophe]

[A little amused look.] By walking about and speaking to people. We shall see what the state of this place is more easily if we do that, as well.

[idealisme]

I do not believe the working classes here will be any more aware of the philosophical thought here than many were in Paris.

[philosophe]

Perhaps not, but it is certainly safer to learn things than to immediately go about demanding change. Let it be, Enjolras, until we know who else may be here.

[poeticverses]

[Jehan is sitting on Enjolras's sofa, distractedly playing with the buttons on his waistcoat.

Said waistcoat happens to be a particularly interesting shade of blue with a floral pattern. At least he passed on the pink dragon when they found a clothier. Redheads don't look good in pink and even he knows that]

Did I tell you I spoke with a young man--a doctor--about the future, Enjolras?

[idealisme]

[This perks him up from being reprimanded by Combeferre about bringing up politics.]

I do not think you did. I would be pleased to hear of it.

[poeticverses]

He only told me of France, but he said that it was a--what was it--oh, a semi-presidential representative democratic republic. The Republic of France, Enjolras. The people have rights.

[idealisme]

[The Republic of France.

He stands to his feet, his face solemn. He embraces first Jehan, and then Combeferre, and rests with one hand on both their shoulders. Oh, if only all the amis were here (it is the first time he has wished this) he would embrace them all equally.

This is the best news he could have heard, and for the moment all questions about when it became so and other details regarding it are put aside.]

This is a wonderful day, my friends. We, along with all those who have given their lives that France may be a greater nation, are now made complete.

[He stops there, unusually speechless. But there are no words.]

video

[sophos]

If you were going to say "Empire," one city doesn't really fit the definition.

video

[idealisme]

An Empress must have an Empire, madame.

video

[sophos]

Emperor. The title is unisex here. I mean, I guess she could consider the city her empire, but it wouldn't be the first time someone used the title without a vast empire behind them.

[idealisme]

[Unisex titles. Interesting.]

An Empire is defined by it's varying political segments and means of enforcing it's rule, not it's size.

Without knowing more about the history of this land or variances between the people who live here it is hard to say whether it is an Empire in title only.

[fotia]

[normally would troll but since enjolras actually said he died outright, implying that it's also a possibility with the two other french guys he met earlier (not that it wasn't obvious, from their wounds, but he's pretty good at denial) he is now feeling a bit too guilty to do it.

so instead...]

I haven't met any Courfeyrac [mangled that pronunciation], Feuilly [that too], Lesgles [DEFINITELY mangled that], or any of the other guys, but I'll let you know if I do.

[idealisme]

[... Ugh. Americans and their ability to mangle beautiful names. But he's being helpful, so Enjolras manages to restrain his ire.]

Thank you, boy. Your response is appreciated.

[fotia]

[ 'SCUSE YOU. why do french names have all those weird pronunciations and unnecessary letters anyway he doesn't even know ]

Don't mention it, man. Considering how the turtle seems to have taken a liking to pulling in random French guys from 1832 though, maybe they'll be here soon.

[idealisme]

[That's because there were a number of French guys who all died around the same time then.]

I understand it is common for new arrivals to show up every week, yes?

video;

[wintershepherd]

[ There's a lot of people coming in lately who don't look like they've had the easiest time, Jack thinks... but also a lot of people who are saying they're coming from centuries past. It's a little disconcerting for the winter spirit but at the same time, a pull he can -- or want -- hardly to resist.

So he replies in kind, though always aware that the new arrivals may or may not see him, and actually managing not to butcher the French name as though its style weren't unfamiliar to him. ]

Hi Enjolras. I can't remember those other names coming up yet, but it's good that you already have some friends here.

video;

[idealisme]

Thank you for advising me of that, monsieur.

[Enjolras is not altogether worried to be faced with a blank screen. This technology is new to him, so he's not really about to question what the box chooses to do.]

It is a small comfort to have my compatriots with me. We were brothers in life and death, and there is a sense of congruency that we are united here as well.

Re: video;

[wintershepherd]

A lot of people here have their friends arrive. Maybe the others will show up too.

[ hopefully not dead! but he doesn't say that aloud ]

Is there anything I can get for you or your friends?

video;

[idealisme]

Perhaps.

There is nothing we require at this time. Our apartments have been well stocked to meet all of our needs, I believe. But thank you, all the same. It is kind of you to offer.

[video]

[polyhistor]

[Spencer just sort of nods, semi-awkward. He is not a fan of using computers for-- well, anything honestly, but here he is.]

I haven't seen or heard any about any of your friends, but ff you're interested in information about the local politics I've compiled a considerable amount and I'd be happy to share.

[He likes you guys, okay.]

Re: [video]

[idealisme]

[Keep this up and Enjolras may try to co-opt you into the amis.]

I begin wonder, Monseiur Reid, if there is anything you know little about.

Such information would be most welcome.

[video | encrypted]

[polyhistor]

There are a few subjects I'm less than functionally conversant on.

['A few'. He's being modest.]

There's an Emperor - who is a woman - who's been in power for an unspecified amount of time. The earliest mentions of her reign crop up about seventy years ago in the local books and poetry but there's no indication of a prior ruler, leading me to believe she's been in power significantly longer than that. She keeps no council and seems to have no advisors save Evandau, who better occupies the role of 'enforcer'. I'd classify this place as an autocracy, personally, given that Eshai seems to consider herself above external legal restraints and regularized mechanisms of popular control such that we ourselves are subject to.

There's no indication that she governs any body of people save those in Keeliai, as there's no local mention of homage or tribute paid to her from the Mainland, which leads me to assume that Keeliai functions as a sort of city-state in and of itself. Actually, a more accurate term might be an altepetl, which is an Aztec term derived from words that mean 'water' and 'mountain' and refers to a similar political structure but requires specifically these four components, those being;

[and he slips into his 'this is a quote' voice]

'a delineated territory, large or small;
an autonomous government;
“a predetermined set of named constituent parts”; and
a dynastic rulership. Other common elements are a pyramid and a market.'

It's unclear as to how a successor might be chosen, as the Emperor is neither married nor seems to have children of her own. She's also significantly different from the kedan themselves, suggesting that she is not a member of their race or if she is, she's a great deal more personally sophisticated than they seem to be capable of as a whole. As the average lifespan for the kedan appears to be approximately 118.3 years it's simply possible that she's survived longer through some other means as well.

On an architectural level, there are at least four clear 'ages' visible across each Sector. It's difficult to judge how long each age might have lasted but the scarcity of materials available now in Keeliai suggests that there haven't been any significant architectural developments for at least a hundred years, barring the foreigner's suites, which you might notice have such amenities as running water and a sort of biomechanical power source.

[video | encrypted]

[idealisme]

[Luckily Enjolras has a pen and paper handy, taking quick notes as Reid expounds on his knowledge. Some of it he is already aware of, some he is thankful is provided to fill in gaps in his slowly growing picture of the political landscape of the Turtle.

Before he looks over his notes, there is one word he wants to query.]

Biomechanical?