✨ 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

[coordination]

Of course it's not always a guarantee that greater heights will reveal themselves.

Regardless, though it would still be nice to reach what's possible now. I don't like knowing something is achievable and not aim for it.

[firstroar]

[mn.]

At the very least... I liked the notion...of bettering our understanding of each other's capabilities. Limitations.

[coordination]

As do I. For those who wish to be forthcoming about them, anyway.

[ A couple of beats of silence pass as Yzak shifts, removing his hands from the handles of the chair to swing around and lean on the nearest (table, chair, wall, doorframe, whatever) ]

And? What about you? What is it that you'd want to change if it were within our control?

[firstroar]

[his mouth curves up in a grim kind of smile.]

If I had my way and...that much ability, Yzak... We'd not need to suffer any of this at all. [because the orbs wouldn't be an issue, and wishes could be fulfilled without dire consequence.

he looks back ahead of him, expression sobering.]

But pipe dreams have no place...if they cannot fuel better action.

I only wish...for the time and wisdom I lack to better help.

[coordination]

[ Arms crossed, a hand ever so slightly squeezes at his forearm when Blue speaks of his wish for more time, more ability. He wishes for those things, too. He wants to grant him that and so much more that he desires.

After a moment, though, the hand eases up as he takes in the rest of what Blue says. ]

There's a pretty thin line between pipe dreams and attainable hope. Hubris can make the former seem like the latter, and too little determination the opposite. In order to retain the right morale among a team, one has to carefully walk that line.

[ He looks down thoughtfully. ] No morale at all, though, I think, is a far worse thing to have. So a little dreaming is fine if it can inspire the right action. By and large, people do better when they have a little hope as opposed to nothing.

[firstroar]

[Blue's head turns to regard the hand on his arm, listening quietly.

that's right...dreaming is fine, but...sometimes dreams are all a person can do, and that achieves very little. he dreamed for decades, didn't he? and it wasn't until Jomy came that any of his wishes could find purchase and the means to move forward.]

...I know. Yzak. [he sighs, slumping a little in his seat. tired.] But it won't...be what carries everyone the entire way.

[coordination]

No, probably not. But it may carry them far enough. Or farther than they might have gone without it. And sometimes, that can make all the difference.

But, hey, what's with that? Wisdom you lack? [ He says nothing of time because, well. They just had a conversation about that, didn't they? ]

[firstroar]

[he tilts his head to look back up at him.]

The kinds of rescues and retrievals I knew... They're not like this. [Mu children are nowhere near as capricious or violent as the orbs... the cities though? the security? that could be argued.]

Magic...the fluctuating levels of technology...the alien species... These are things I have no experience with.

[coordination]

And you think I do? Or at least half the people here?

Not counting the year-plus that I've been here.

[ He can't help but snort. ... and then falter and go a little red, because it makes him recall their very first meeting again. The very first time he saw Sabriel use her Charter Magic...

After the slight fumble of absolute clownery, he continues. ]

Don't sell yourself short, is all I'm saying. Your approach to things and insight has been something I've found to be invaluable as part of this team.

[firstroar]

[he smiles small, putting a hand over the one still on his arm.]

Thank you. You may be...a bit biased, but...that doesn't change the value.

[coordination]

Hey— I'm not biased! If I ever thought you were approaching something like an idiot, you wouldn't be exempt from me calling you one!

[firstroar]

[hmhmn...]

Something tells me...it wouldn't be in the same way I've seen you do so to others.

[coordination]

[ Opens his mouth. ]

[ Closes his mouth. ]

[ Opens it again. ]

[ Shuts it again. ]

[ Puffs up with one of those low, grumbly hhhrrrmmmphs that reluctantly admits defeat. ]

[firstroar]

[he chuckles, squeezing the hand and tilting his head to bump lightly at Yzak's arm.]

It's alright. I understand...what you're meaning to say. Thank you.

[coordination]

[ Ugh he's so fucking cute how is he this endearing this is exactly why he's correct because he does have a little bias there. Get it TOGETHER Yzak this is an IMPORTANT TEAM MEETING.

Though really what he said to Blue counts as part of it, he thinks. Because he does value his approach, his willingness to understand and learn. It's not only that good synergy they have in that regard that caused him to eventually fall for him, but from a purely commandering standpoint? He'd want someone like Blue on his team back home. ]