✨ XIMILIA TOWN HALL MEETING ✨ ( video/audio/action )

[farr]

[ some morning in the middle of the week, during their return to the station, an invitation will be taped on the door of every orber. though the calligraphy would suggest this must have been typed on a computer and printer, each invitation is actually very carefully hand-written and reads as follows: ]

[ the idea is for everyone to meet in the mess hall at the intended time, but if some choose not to attend, the meeting can still be accessed by the earpieces, allowing all orbers to watch or listen in and contribute however they wish, no matter where they are.

however, for those who do decide to attend, the mess hall features a full display of bagels and donuts, along with plenty of fresh coffee, all to help everyone wake up and feel refreshed for the meeting that's about to take place.

a makeshift little stage, arranged by stacking together a few metal boxes is at the center of the room, atop of it being the one and only rita farr herself, with a bright optimistic smile. when she sees enough people present and settled, she speaks up, loud and clear: ]

Hello, everyone! Welcome to our first Annual — or monthly, or however we decide to do it — Town Hall meeting! Thank you all for coming and please enjoy the food to your heart's content. For those who don't know me, I'm Rita Farr. Now— though my name does appear on the invitation, this is hardly about me. This is about all of us.

After our ... last mission, it became quite clear that our group could use a bit of improvement with how we approach our next missions moving forward. And I thought the best way to plan for that is to allow all of us an opportunity to discuss how we all feel about what we've done well and what we could do better. After all, everyone deserves a say in this, right?

[ she points behind her where a giant board is on display on an easel, once again, hand-written with careful and precise calligraphy in giant letters: ]


Here, I've written some sample questions we can all try to offer answers to, but the floor will also be open for any other questions and suggestions that anyone might have. Remember, there are no wrong answers! We're all here for an open forum discussion. But before that!

[ she reaches over to the board, pulling it off to reveal another one behind it. this one reads as follows: ]


Please consider the "Keys to Success", not only on our missions, but as we talk together in this room right now. We'll go ahead and take turns either stepping up here on the stage or speaking out from wherever you are. There are no microphones but the earpieces should get your voices out to everyone. Now, who would like to start?


( this post is open to all! the idea is that everyone is taking turns in each thread to speak out to the entire group (whether from within the room or from elsewhere), but thread-jacking and hopping around for discussion is the key here! feel free to run wild with ic suggestions or questions regarding mission layouts or planning or whatever floats your boat (ic complaining/protest is always an option too). though rita is organizing it, it's open to whatever people are inclined to discuss. )

Comments

[farr]

[ rita smiles at the start of his speech, bowing her head. ]

Thank you very much for taking the time to come, Minimus.

[ because, in all honesty, she hadn't been sure exactly how many people would actually come and speak up. ]

Honestly, I think there's potential in a very good idea there. Though I don't expect every planet to be the same, there probably should be certain limitations on how much ... "interrupt" the existing populace. After all, at least in my two missions here so far, the main instruction we received before arriving was to blend in. And we ... might have stumbled in doing so at the end of our last one.

[ she clears her throat, a little embarrassed, aware that she'd turned into a 60-foot tall woman, doing the very most opposite to blend in anywhere. ]

As an actress, I have plenty of experience in putting on a role, so if it's necessary for us to limit ourselves in exposing our identities and capabilities, I'd be happy to help train anyone in how to put on an act.

[legalcy]

[He does give her a brief look for commenting on blending into the setting while growing to the size larger than a Cybertronian.]

I appreciate the offer, but acting is not the same thing as espionage. [He tugs on his mustache with something weighing on his mind.] To pretend that you are another person, or even to pretend that you belong in a exclusive group...there's a level of self-deception required.

[farr]

[ hey, now. ]

I'm sorry— [ rita holds her smile, but there's definitely a slight twitch. ] Are you ... suggesting that a theatrical performance is mere child's play compared to spy work?

[legalcy]

Dramatics makes others suspicious. A noble is not deemed a noble based on his spending and public acts of selfishness. [He huffs a little.] They'll watch your every move, even when you aren't doing anything in particular. You must fit their narrative else you are discovered.

[farr]

Well.

[ she breathes a soft laugh, because it's the only thing to help her keep her cool. everything else here she can approach with a level of collectiveness. but when it comes to her craft— ]

I'm not sure you realize the lack of respect you're placing on an actor's ability. I'm not talking about amateurs like Deborah Kerr or Steven Seagal who wouldn't be able to act their way out of a speeding ticket. I am talking about those that can pour their heart and soul into becoming one with their character to the point where it's nearly impossible to find where one ends and one begins. Because, for an actor, there are no rolling credits to the sweat and tears that go into that perfect mastery.

Now, I beg you, do reconsider your stance about the cons of dramatics. Because aside from playing with a few fancy technical gadgets, there is nothing that any spy agent can do that a critically acclaimed actress can't do even better.

[ hmph!! ]

[legalcy]

[Actors, honestly! Minimus never did quite get along with them, and he supposes he never will. His sits down and picks up his papers.]

I'm certain you are skilled in your profession, Rita Farr, but I believe a espionage and theater do not intersect to a great degree. Tell me, how would you assume a dead woman's identity, if you were required to do so?

[Everything must be taken seriously, no fun is allowed. Granted, not everyone in this had to partake in government-mandated identity theft and hide their true forms to avoid persecution, but Minimus can and will hold others to the standards he was held to.]

[blackfire]

（ he makes a graceful interjection, giving her a nod. ）

I believe at least one individual among the crew has spoken on being a spy, you may be able to compare notes.

（ sorry, natasha, he's only throwing you a little under the bus for your admission all those months ago. itachi cocks his head, and asks with all earnestness — ）

Forgive my lack of understanding for the craft, but I have been under the impression that to be an actor is a matter of following scripts, or improvisation in sterile environments. Is that not the case?

[construing]

〈 in itachi's line of sight, gwen holds up a napkin that reads "r.i.p." 〉