[EVENT] Courtyard of Public Opinion, May Forum

[ironwood]

Characters: Come one, come all!
Date: The 24th of May
Location: The Courtyard of Public Opinion, in Central Sector
Situation: This is the second public forum to be called since the Foreigners' return. It's led by the three family heads, but specifically designed to allow anyone the chance to speak. This particular one was called because of the Foreigner muggings, the Chihulean threat, and the rumours of remaining cultists; however, a variety of other things might get brought up as well.
Warnings/Rating: Added as they become applicable.

The Courtyard of Public Opinion isn't any bigger than some of the open fountain areas in the Water Sector, and it isn't set up the way some of the Foreigners might imagine a political debate area to be set up. There's no podium, no chairs apart from the stone benches too heavy to be moved, and no grand banners or archways. This is done deliberately; everyone is meant to have an equal voice in the Courtyard, so everyone is on level ground. Apart from the greenery, the stone paths, and the low stone walls surrounding the Courtyard, one could almost imagine it's just another Market Day in an open square.

Since the Foreigners are also residents of Keeliai, the Courtyard Forum will be a public opportunity for Foreigners to ask questions and air concerns of their own. This can range from something specific to individuals or making requests of all the major NPCs.

---

LINKS
Soul Gem Muggings | Cultists | Chihuelans | Turtle Sinking | Sky Sector | Individual NPC Interactions | OOC Questions

OOC
There are starters for various parts of the discussion, covering all the major topics regarding the happenings of Keeliai lately. NPCs will be available for all of the conversations below. The first five topics are general city occurrences which everyone in the Courtyard will be able to hear; use these threads as discussion between PCs as well as NPCs. NPCs will contribute to discussions as necessary, but won't be engaging in every line of conversation occurring in the general topic starters.

The NPC comments are for directly speaking with that NPC or those in that group; if your character has a specific issue to bring up with an NPC, this is where it should be done. The rest of the post is for Foreigners talking and organizing amongst themselves.

Comments

Individual NPC Interactions

[ironwood]

These starters are for PCs speaking individually with the various NPCs. Unless specifically noted, it is to be assumed that all these conversations are limited to the characters involved and can't be overheard by anyone else; please keep this in mind for using OOC information as well!

Tu Yunxu - The Snakes

[ironrule]

Yunxu is as impeccable and charming as always, taking various accusations in stride and perfectly content to let others take center stage. More than once during the forum, he's approached by various kedan, quietly asking about the Chihuelan prisoners; his answer, however, is always the same. He's discovered the Chihuelan threat is greater than imagined, and is already taking steps to ensure no one else is hurt. The soul gem muggings, he will freely admit, have him completely baffled. Any help the Foreigners are willing to offer, he says, would be greatly appreciated.

Meisheng, Yunxu's second-in-command, is also at the forum. However, unlike before, she isn't at his side. Quite the contrary, she seems to be taking every excuse available to sit or stand as far from the leader of the Snakes as she possibly can. She looks exactly the same as she did during her previous console announcement, as if she hasn't shapeshifted even once all month - and for those who know her, that's uncharacteristic enough to be worthy of note.

Open to being overheard by others

[aquanimity]

It may not be the wisest thing, she thinks, but Aqua has wondered about the Chihuelan muggers and their well-being under the control of the Snakes for some time. In part, she wishes to make sure her choice in not handing over Jintou was a sound one. As it stands, their status is unknown to her, and this public forum is the best opportunity to find out about them. As well as if anything was learned since their apprehension.

Aqua has never met the leader of the Snakes, but her approach is calm and determined. "Tu Yunxu? Do you have a moment?"

[ironrule]

Yunxu turns at the sound of his name. There's no hint of recognition in his face, which perhaps makes sense, given that he and Aqua have never met. Still, there's a slight pause before he answers, just a shade long enough to be noticeable.

"Of course," he says with a smile. And, almost immediately, she has his full attention. "Would you like to speak privately?"

[aquanimity]

The pause is not unnoticed: Aqua is on the alert, paying attention to anything of potential importance. "I don't mind either way," she responds evenly. "I've been wondering about the muggers you apprehended last month; there hasn't been any news of them since they were caught."

She pauses for a moment, before adding, "A friend of mine was mugged as well; if the Chihuelans have said anything while in custody, it would help me understand why she was attacked." Aqua doesn't like using Xion's attack to leverage information like this - it feels wrong. But it also proves her to be more invested in the attacks than a simple bystander, concerned for her own safety.

[gistful]

It took a bit of time after Anton's and Akito's conversation for Anton to decide how to proceed--primarily because he spent some time gently nudging his contacts and waiting for information to come in.

The forum seemed somewhat the best place. It was semi public, but private enough to make an overture without necessarily risking being overheard.

Anton waited until Meisheng was somewhat apart from the rest of the crowd. "Lady Meisheng?" he asked, and bowed slightly. He had a bag over his shoulder, like a shopping bag, full enough that the presence of anything else in there wasn't immediately identifiable. "May I speak with you?"

[ooc: for this reward request.]

[ironrule]

Why? Meisheng wanted to ask. But it was an instinctive response, and she curbed it. She recognised the Foreigner immediately - very few of the Snakes didn't know who he was - but she didn't know how he operated, or why he might be coming to her rather than Yunxu. The only overture she'd made lately had been towards Akito.

... Perhaps that was what this was about.

She returned the bow and gestured towards a bench, partly for the privacy and partly to give Mr Shudder a place to rest the bag he carried over his shoulder. Once they were seated, she gave him a thin smile. "How can I help you?"

Zanru - The Metalworkers

[forgediron]

Most of the tension is gathered around the Metalworkers today. Zanru holds her head high and hasn't apologised for her outburst at the Foreigners over the radio, or explained how she managed to hack it. From the state of her overalls, she's just come from one of the sewer explorations herself; she's focused but brittle, and what contributions she makes to any conversations are, generally, snappish. While not obviously gearing for a fight -- in fact she seems disinterested in the Chihuelan threat and Sky Sector -- there are a few topics on which she'll get heated very quickly.

She's also sporting some bruises, as if someone's attacked her, but her cousin Xuiyu sports similar bruises and some of the Metalworkers in attendance whisper about the two of them fighting -- literally -- in Stark Industries' gym.

Xuiyu is in cleaner condition than her cousin, which says something given all her clothes have oil stains on them. She's also tense and keeping an obvious close eye on Zanru, but is far calmer and willing enough to answer questions on anything. She's tired, though, and disinclined to cater to people wasting her time, and while not as snappish as Zanru she might get a bit short if anyone wants to come to her just to bitch about her idiot cousin.

She's also likely to intercede between Zanru and anyone who seems liable to get her back up. It's for their own good, really.

Heojin - The Woodsmen

[rawiron]

This forum Heojin and his seconds actually arrive on time, but sit quietly as is their wont. Their main source of contribution is the patrols Ran has been leading for much of the last month. Though they have found no Chihuelans outright, the Woodsmen have managed to find evidence of past living-places and even tracked them for some miles after the flooding of the radio station. Some objects found in their patrols have been brought to the forum, if the Foreigners care to make detailed enquiries.

The other topic the Woodsmen are most concerned about is the flooding. They confirm the College's results, with an admirable lack of ‘I told you so', and there is a good deal of discussion among them regarding how best to augment the farmlands' canals using small dams.

Over the course of the day, however, there are some oddities to note. Heojin, for those with heightened senses, smells and otherwise presents the same as the Heojin at the first forum and at the festival, and while his attention is subtle he seems to be keeping an eye on Meisheng's whereabouts. Ran, meanwhile, is more vocal than usual and in fact seems to be leading more discussion than Heojin himself. Lin doesn't stick close to his family's side of the Courtyard, but has apparently made a number of friends in the city in the past month and wanders around the Courtyard to pop up in various conversations and say hello to kedan from other sectors.

Milyn - Cherrywood Healer

[cherrywood]

Milyn seems even more weary than she did at the beginning of the month, although she's putting on a cheerful attitude for Jilay. She's no longer wearing the cast for her broken arm, it having healed cleanly, but a couple times during the Forum, she can be seen withdrawing a small bottle of dark liquid, taking small sips of it. She'll defer much information about it to saying that she's just feeling under the weather, and that she hasn't gotten much sleep lately, with keeping a careful eye on the soul gem affected kedan.

She'll continue to be worried about the outbreaks of zhyris in the Wood and Water districts, and she has her medical bag with her. She will once again be asking if Foreigners are willing to donate a small sample of blood for her to study, in hopes of developing a better vaccine than the one currently in use for the kedan.

[ironrule]

Yunxu waits until Milyn is between blood donations, packing her latest sample into her medical bag; then he approaches her in the middle of the Courtyard without fanfare or warning, plainly visible to any who might glance over, but refraining from drawing any attention to himself.

"Milyn," he says with a smile. "How are you? I'm glad to see last month's injuries have healed well."

[cherrywood]

"Hello Yunxu," the Healer returns his smile with one of her own, straightening and touching her arm. Other than it being slightly paler than the other, so newly out of its cast, there was no sign of the injury.

"Yes, as luck would have it, fate seems not to punish my silly little bouts of clumsiness too harshly," she laughed. "It's so good to see you've perked up for today, you were so dour earlier this month! Like a little blossom that hadn't seen the sun all spring. You are getting enough outdoors exercise, aren't you? I should hope Meisheng reminds you to eat now and again, but activity is good for you as well. I thought you were looking a little peaked, but honestly with your cheekbones, dear, it's really hard to tell."

[needmetoo]

Xion's a bit startled when she's asked for a donation. Honestly she really hadn't been expecting to be asked... much of anything when she came out. She expected to hang out more in the background, listening to others. She knew Aqua wanted to come, and it sounded like a lot of important things were being discussed. But she didn't know how she'd really be able to contribute.

"You really think it'll help?" she asks, hesitantly. Almost absentmindedly, a hand drifts up to rub the bandages still on her arm, underneath her hand-me-down shirt.

[cherrywood]

"Oh, I think every little bit helps," the Healer said cheerfully, patting the bench beside her to show Xion she could sit. "Many hands make light work! Isn't that a quaint saying? I picked it up from the Foreigners a while ago, it's rather marvelous. We don't have anything analogous to it-- well, we do, but it more involves shapeshifting extra limbs to make things easier on oneself, and that's not exactly the sentiment that it was going for. Although, I suppose if you did shapeshift extra hands, then on a technicality, the meaning would be the same. Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, though! Also doesn't really apply to non-shapeshifters. You're not one, are you dear?"

[gistful]

Although Anton is there on business, he overhears Milyn's request as he navigates through the crowd to leave. The giving of blood isn't something which Anton has considered before--there are very few people whom he trusts with sharp objects near his body.

But he does have a strong constitution, and perhaps the centuries of being exposed to various strains of illnesses would be of help here. Of course, it could also be that his blood will be of no help at all for the same reasons.

Regardless, Anton waits for a moment until Milyn isn't attending anyone else and then approaches. "You're looking for non-kedanese blood?"

[cherrywood]

"That I am," Milyn replied, looking up -- way up -- at Anton, who had nearly two feet of height on her. "And getting precious little of it, I'm afraid."

Aroyan - Merchant's Guild

[ironcoin]

With the formalities taken care of, Aroyan introduces himself to the assemblage. He represents the Merchant's Guild and its council of leaders (of which he is one) and speaks on their behalf. He seems well-prepared to handle any requests, smiling and yet attentive, and when he speaks, it's evident that he likes the spotlight. Well dressed and with excellent diction, he's something of a showman, body language and hand gestures as punctuation. He'll welcome the opportunity to speak with any of the Foreigners, hoping to establish goodwill between them and the Guild he speaks for. Meanwhile, Foreigners seeking to open private business property in the new Sky Sector can definitely get ahead of the curve by getting on Aroyan's good side.

Re: Aroyan - Merchant's Guild

[whitelotustile]

"Ah, good afternoon!" Iroh, of course, was the sort interested in opening a business. So why not make friends?

[ironcoin]

"Good afternoon," Aroyan answered, pausing in his conversation with Hianmian. "How can I help you?"

[bigdamnhiro]

It's Hiro's first time participating in the forum, and there's so much going on it's all a little overwhelming. He's trying to think of it like botfight organizers' chats, but in person instead of online...and nothing to do with botfighting, also. Yeah, probably not much help. But they've got things to do and Hiro has a stack of papers with a general business plan outline - which he had help organizing, mind. His original notes needed...work.

(He's considering building a typewriter next, if he can shape the keys for it, in case he ever has to do something like this again).

He spots Aroyan in the hubbub and nudges Callaghan lightly with his elbow to point him out, before approaching carefully, clutching his papers in hand. He clears his throat.

"Hey. So...you're the representative from the Merchant's guild, right?"

[pushtheboundaries]

It darn well better not have anything to do with botfighting. Callaghan is trying desperately to keep Hiro out of trouble, not hurtling straight for it like he did before.

He's willing to let Hiro take the lead here, for the moment- but while he lingers behind, he's close enough to remain both in eye and earshot. If Hiro suddenly finds himself out of his depth, he may very well find the professor coming to an impromptu rescue.

(Not that said professor considers himself overly much of a businessman, but, well. One adapts.)

[ironcoin]

"That I am, young man," Aroyan says heartily, nodding reassuringly at Hianmian that he'll be not far at all before giving Hiro his full attention. "Aroyan, at your service. How can I help you?"

Bresilykian Emissaries

[cherrywood]

All five of the ambassadors have attended this Public Forum, although they are sitting quietly and watching the goings-on with keen attentiveness especially during the discussions regarding the muggings, and information produced on the Chihuleans. They don't volunteer anything to the various discussions -- although, having been formally invited, they could have -- and afterward they speak quietly among themselves, however they can be approached en masse or individually, although Azehaiss will be constantly hovering nearby, even if the conversation is with one of the other ambassadors.

[pushtheboundaries]

It's been some time since Callaghan went out on a limb to find one of them, but he's familiar with Eiryam, at least- and with a few recent projects, he judges it worth another outreach. He waits until he's a bit off from the others - Azehaiss aside - and looks as though he won't be interrupted if Callaghan approaches.

Which he then does.

"Eiryam- how have you been?"

whoops I missed this one earlier, sorry.

[cherrywood]

"Robert," Eiryam greeted, although there was a lack of upbeat tone that had coloured their last conversation. The way he glanced back at his fellow ambassadors -- first to Azehaiss, as if in question, then at the three female ones -- before his attention comes fully back to Callaghan with a thin smile.

"It's been a peculiar month," he said. "Yourself?"