[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.

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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

[ironcoin]

Aroyan smiles at Hiro's demonstrated nervousness, but doesn't draw attention to it. Not everyone is as comfortable in the metaphorical spotlight as he is, which is one of the reasons he was the Guild's representative. Hiro's age doesn't seem to faze him at all -- these are Foreigners, after all, and they're hardly brought here if they're incompetent.

"That sounds it could turn some profit once it gets going," he replied. "Not sure how the Metalworkers might take to the competition."

The way he says it indicates less that the prospect displeases him, and more just to make sure Hiro's considered it.

[bigdamnhiro]

The part of him that's just a teenager thinks, The Metalworkers can get bent. The part of him that's a little more clever than that decides it'd be better not to say that out loud to the guy who's considering whether to grant him the space for a shop or not.

So he says it a little more politely.

"Yeah, but the Metalworkers still control the most advanced technology in the city, while the rest of us may as well be scavenging," Hiro points out firmly, the only evidence he's still nervous being the way the papers crinkle lightly in his hands. "They're big, and they're well established, and they keep what they have inside their own family. And as far as I can tell, they're more interested in infrastructure right now. Seeing as they have all that to their advantage, I don't see how they'd feel threatened by one little junk shop providing a needed service to the commoners."

There's a small challenge there, and a raised eyebrow. If Robert's perhaps imparted some of his dislike for Zanru (and his ideas of undermining the Metalworkers' chokehold on tech in small ways) to his protégé, well...

[ironcoin]

Aroyan laughed, holding up his hands. "Take it easy, I wasn't looking for convincing -- although that was, good on you. Property rent is around 250 juulan a month," he said, which was slightly higher than the standard housing cost of around 200 juulan for apartments and small housing. "But I think I've got a good location for you: a wedge-shaped lot that backs onto a small bit of property that isn't zoned. Too small to build on, it was going to sit empty. Might be a good place for a small scrap yard? At least then you wouldn't have to cram everything inside. The lot itself has a basic structure on it, nothing finished yet."

[bigdamnhiro]

His nerves ease some at that, and Hiro brightens considerably, his enthusiasm emerging with an excited "Yes!" Okay, maybe he should tone that down. He continues after a moment, more carefully level, "It sounds perfect. 250 isn't bad."

He thinks Callaghan was probably paying a little less than that for the apartment he was renting previously, before moving to Sky Sector, so it's manageable. "So uh, what kind of modifications and installations are renters allowed to make with the building? Probably important. Also, is there paperwork?"

Because ugh, paperwork, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

[ironcoin]

"What kind did you need?" Aroyan countered, being perfectly serious. "And will you need workers to install them, or will you do them yourselves? That is, I assume this will be a joint venture. Like any land ownership, you can have your name individually, or jointly, on the property lease."

[bigdamnhiro]

"Uh, just shelves, storage, possibly some electrical modification for machinery...maybe some small ventilation for smelting and forging stuff, in the future...all stuff we can do on our own, if it's allowed." He scratches his head, lost momentarily in going over what they might need to do. "And u-um -"

He starts to say something, about the lease, but the words escape him and he glances back toward Callaghan.

[pushtheboundaries]

All things considered, Callaghan would have been quite fine for Hiro to keep his momentum...but this is why he'd stuck around. As Hiro starts looking towards him, he's already moving forwards.

"Jointly. I'm not a hundred percent certain of the age requirements you have here in Keeliai, for putting your name on a lease, but mine will be on it regardless." Hiro having his own on it will be interesting, and some good experience; still, him being the only one there would be something Callaghan isn't quite willing to risk.

[ironcoin]

"That's fine if you can install it yourselves," Aroyan answered. "If you need assistance with any of it however, don't hesitate to let me know. I can point you in the direction of some industry-inclined kedan who aren't affiliated with any of the Families."

He nodded politely to Callaghan as the older man entered the conversation; a good deal of the Foreigners were quite a bit younger, and someone close to Aroyan's own age was a nice surprise. "Normally one would have to be a legal adult," he replied. "But the Guild recognizes that Foreigners are something of a special case, and we're working with that accordingly."

"In either case, it'll take me a day to draft the contract. Would you two like to come by the Guild tomorrow, so you can look it over and we can discuss anything you have questions about?" He pulls a note card from his pocket and writes the address on it, being careful to match it to the street sign labels, so they can use it even if they doesn't read kedanese.

[bigdamnhiro]

Hiro looks up at Callaghan, both eyebrows shooting up and mouth forming a small oh; he hadn't expected to be signing any leases at all, so this comes as a surprise and stirs a faint little buzz of - gratitude? amazement? something - in his chest. He turns that same look briefly on Aroyan a second later. Small business owner at fourteen. Cool.

Hiro accepts the card, looking it over as he shifts his balance from one foot to the other as the excitement spreads through him. The confidence boost is enough that even with Callaghan entered into the conversation, he answers himself instead of deferring to the older man. "Yeah we'll be there. Sweet. Thanks."

There's a moment's hesitation before he offers a handshake, because that's what you're supposed to do in situations like this, right?

[pushtheboundaries]

There's a thin smile at Hiro taking the reigns again; pride? Possibly. "Very well," he agrees, making to place a hand on Hiro's shoulder, "we'll see you there, possibly with another in tow."

Because quite frankly, he has nothing against making this a family affair.

[ironcoin]

Aroyan shakes Hiro's hand without any hesitation, and then offers the same to Callaghan. "I'm looking forward to doing business with you both," he replied.