[Open Log] A PLN in Tarwich

[dragoonrouge]

Date: 16th February
Characters: All members of the Network

---

Tarwich Community Centre was used to hosting meetings and gatherings, though none of the staff at the facility were aware of how odd the gathering going on in one their function rooms truly is going to be. All mention of said gathering that was about to start had been kept off of the Network thanks to Sadie's insistence about safety. Some of the food was provided by the community centre, however, the many plates of biscuits were all courtesy of Ben's Aunt Rosemary. Everything was finally ready for the Numbered to start turning up.

Comments

A - Pre meeting

[dragoonrouge]

Depending in how early that Numbered has chosen to arrive with increase or hamper the time available for casual chatting with the other Numbered, or perhaps even introducing yourself to the cohort.

OTA

[warped_replica]

Benjiro had arrived quite early to help set up the room that had been set aside for use by the Numbered. Deferring to her preferences, he had assisted Sadie in arranging the spread of provided food and generous plates of baked goods alongside the necessary accompaniments of plates, drinks, and the like. His great aunt Rosemary had seized on the excuse to bake the moment he mentioned the intent to meet with a group of local residents with similar interests. A wise woman, Rosemary knows a bit of sweetness can ease nerves. Then with food seen to, he had no difficulty arranging chairs to accommodate the expected count of Numbered in a fashion that would encourage everyone to interact.

Although he has met many of the other Numbered in person previously, he still has a shadow of anxiety that leaves him fidgetting with a cuff of his collared shirt as his eyes constantly check the door for arrivals. For the time being, he has his facemask in place.

Re: OTA

[iamnotgod]

Walter is here as a familiar face... and because he's been involved in what he'd consider more than his fair share of Number-related events thus far. He, too, preferred to be early rather than late, and thus is at Ben and Sadie's disposal for organizing the room in a manner that can best make the Numbered feel safe.

He's far from ignorant of Ben's anxiety, feeling a fair amount himself, and at one point comes to stand beside - not in front or behind - Ben, to lend what's hopefully a comforting shoulder.

OTA!

[iamnotgod]

Walter knew most of the people here already. The fact that so few Numbered are available leaves him feeling oddly present. No, large, he thought - and quickly brushed the thought away.

It was more important for him to listen to what everyone else had gone through, was still going through. So he'd talk... just preferably not first.

[vernal_miss]

During her exploration of the room and those in it, she spots a familiar face and alters her course with a hard turn to scurry right up to him with a cheerful smile, "Walter!" That call of his name is the only warning he gets before two small arms latch around his legs in a hug. Nel has not seen her friend in person since the poppies appeared all over, and to her, this is the only proper way to express her joy at seeing him again.

She peers up to him with that same excited smile after a tight squeeze and hangs on, "Hallo!"

[fairfeste]

By the time Feste finds Walter, they have decided that biscuits were worth the risk, and they approach him while munching slowly on one as they wave. "Hey." Unlike Walter, they only know half the people here, and they don't really know how to start conversations with people they don't know and the only known point of similarity is weird memory things.

[twirighted]

Walter is someone he recognizes. In fact, Walter is probably the person who invited him.

"...Not sure what to do. Lots of nervous energy. I hope they like the cookies--spent a lot of time on them."

OTA

[spaghettimonster]

Russell heard about things from the usual suspects, in those rare times he's seen anyone the last month or so. Trying to adapt to a full time job, in the first time for... ever... has been wearing on him.

And with this agitated itch to talk about all the strange things happening, that's been building in him ever since the earthquake? He goes the extra mile to take the day off, and show up a bit early to help get things arranged.

So, would Russell know about Jim by this point? And the subsequent Echo?

[iamnotgod]

Walter's glad his flatmate was able to attend, and not just because the latter deserved to take a break!

By this point in the preparation steps, he finds himself idly running his fingers along one of the walls (checking for bugs, a rather paranoid part of his mind responds; he swats that thought away too).

"You weren't happening to plan on speaking first, were you?" Walter asks. Making a face, he goes on, "I mean, I wasn't planning to, but..."

So many ways to end the sentence, but none of them fit at first glance, so he lets it simply drift off instead.

[warped_replica]

Waiting until Russell is not otherwise occupied in conversation, Benjiro approaches his cousin after the setup effort has ceased and raises a hand in greeting. Never mind that his hand sticks to his side stiffly after dropping back down.

“Hey, Russell. How has the new job been?”

[dragoonrouge]

"Russell!" Sadie waves at him from over by the food table as she starts to lay out the drinks and plastic cups. "How are you?!"

OTA

[lovedramamoron]

Jimmy walks in the door and casts a quick glance around the room before grabbing a chair and dropping a heavy backpack beside it. He'd stopped by his host house on the way, and grabbed all his notes. Maybe he wouldn't need them, but he'd rather have them here so he could refresh his memory.

Re: OTA

[iamnotgod]

Having notes along was always a good plan, in Walter's mind. Having had some time to decrease his stress level means he's more able to pay attention to new arrivals.

And he definitely recognizes Jimmy.

"Hey!" he greets, walking over to the teen's chair and giving a wave.

"Glad you were able to make it. No hassle on the journey over, was there?"

OTA

[fairfeste]

Feste had promised Sadie that they would talk to their family and try to get them to come, so it only made sense that they would definitely show up. They're not sure how useful they'll be, since they think Nel might actually have a better grasp of the situation than they do sometimes. Possibly because she's younger and therefore accepts 'it's magic' as a reasonable answer and they're having a much harder time with that, but still. It's a little embarrassing and they feel stupidly overwhelmed. Maybe this will help...?

They're also looking a little doubtfully at the biscuits. Not because they don't look delicious, because they do, but-- "There's only a little salt in biscuits, right?"

[dragoonrouge]

Sadie has been placing out the various plates of food for those arriving when Feste's remark catches her attention.

"Feste! Good to see you!" She glances down at the plate of biscuits with a frown, "Ben's aunt made those...They shouldn't have that much salt in them..."

OTA

[vernal_miss]

One of the youngest members of the Numbered arrives in tow with her family, brown eyes bright and expression eager. Ornella had dressed nicely and brushed her thick hair out thoroughly to be pulled back into a ponytail for the occasion, and although overdue for another haircut, she doesn't mind the length of her hair down below her hips. Bouncy steps carry her in through the doorway, and she looks all around the room. Everything looks simple...and that makes it all the better! She really is being included in a legitimate function as more than a tag along - as a member.

Waiting for her family to select a set of chairs, she claims one with the others by placing a simple cup filled with dirt on the seat. Given the topic of the meeting, she came prepared to make a small demonstration. Rather than clinging to an adult from her family after she knows for certain where she will be expected, Nel walks around, looking up at those present to seek certain individuals she knows from the Network.

In time, she makes her way over to the refreshment table. So long as she is not the first there, Nel will take a plate and help herself to one of each type of biscuit.

OTA

[scarsolderthanyou]

As one of the oldest Numbered (in both senses of the word) and also one of the most obvious, given he's here without his concealing foundation on, Sam Stone still manages to show up a little late and find something to eat first thing. Then he wanders around to get a sense of who all came, who he knows and doesn't know, and to memorize any scents (or changes in scents) he comes across that he isn't familiar with yet. He's friendly, albeit America, and a bit odd-looking since all of his skin is gray.

OTA

[twirighted]

Seth finally arrives with a big box. When I say big, it's the kind that a cat would love, and it's big compared to what's in it. Which is six stacked trays of three different types of cookies. There's hot cocoa, red velvet cheesecake and lemon-lime basil shortbread cookies. He sets them out to eat and even grabs a plat of some, because he loves sweets. There's plenty for people.

After that, he's nervously going to try to mingle. This is his first time doing this. He's new to this!

B - A Meeting Begins

[dragoonrouge]

After a casual chat, it is time for the Numbered to truely gather and discuss what has brought them there in the first place; Echoes and any information they may have.

Each person in the group will be invited to speak of what they know, and then the floor will be opened up to the other Numbered for questions and discussion.

[dragoonrouge]

Sadie takes a deep breath as she surveys the mingling Numbered. She had already spoken to most of them but this was going to be very different and as the person who had proposed this meeting to begin with, she should probably get the more serious part of this gathering started.

"Excuse me everyone!" Sadie calls over the chatter, "I think all of us are here now so if we grab some seats we should begin!"

Going to stand next to the small projector screen that she and Ben had set up, she waits until everyone has sat down before smiling nervously, claws flexing in and out as she fiddles with her fingers.

"Thank you for coming everyone. I know that we have all met sort of independently but considering the earthquake and the way I couldn't stop thinking about the weird things that have been happening here I think it was long overdue that we all gathered together like this. I would also like to thank all of you for not mentioning this on the Network so that we could keep this gathering away from anyone who we wouldn't want coming here." Like the bombsite man.

Slightly Later On...

[iamnotgod]

Once the official tone of the meeting (such as it may be) has been set, Walter is comfortable enough to speak up more about his role in things... and more recent developments.

Raising first his hand, then standing up, he first offers: "I received word from Captain Fairhurst yesterday that they had been recording multiple small tremors at the abandoned Army Forts since the 9th, and that people were supposed to be steering clear of them."

When he mentions the Army Forts he nods specifically at Ben, who had mentioned the location as one of interest the day of the quake.

"I was also advised to warn any friends from heading out there, and to warn the lifeboats if people were going to try anyway. He didn't know, however, if anyone was already using them."

His tone of voice made it clear that he didn't think this was a good sign either.

"Apart from that- in other news, I found out early last month that Echoes can affect aspects of personality, cognition, as well."

He pauses, exhaling and inhaling slowly before letting himself continue. You don't have to share all of the details, Walter.

"They can be counteracted, but an internal analysis and external support system should both be present, and continuously. You shouldn't try to handle it alone."

[scarsolderthanyou]

Sam's part of the discussion is mostly about scents. "So we all know there's that funny little man from when there was that bomb scare. He messed with the bomb somehow, which I am pretty sure is what led to it needing to be detonated rather than defused. I know his scent now, and as I'm sure most of you know by now, I found it on those stockings of coal as well. I've got a photo of the police sketch, which is sort of okay, if anyone wants to know at least kind of what he looks like. I can't share the scent, obviously, since none of you have the kind of sense of smell I have. That I know of, anyway."

The picture isn't great, as it's a sneakily snapped cell-phone photo from a quick visit to the police station to ask about the case, but it's something, if people want it.

"There's been some talk around the retirement community about them wanting to revive the neighborhood watch because of weird bomb-man and all the other crap going on," he adds. "If that's a thing that happens, I might use that to get an in with the police, if I can get involved in it."

[warped_replica]

Sadie had taken on the brunt of leading discussions through a review of events that have upset the normal rhythms of Mossgate, and others have put forward topics of importance. While he had provided tech support for Sadie to allow her to focus on talking, and had occasionally contributed verbally himself, he had mostly remained quiet to absorb the collection of information and experiences.

Laptop set safely aside, he gently clears his throat as he raises a hand in following Walter's example, and then rises to stand from his seat. A small glance given to Sadie, he then addresses the Numbered regarding Echoes with hands gesturing in accompaniment to his words. Not that they manage to hide the edge of nervousness in his voice.

"Early in November, Sam posted to the Network to ask about Echoes that have altered appearance. I realize not everyone will be comfortable sharing, but for anyone that might, I think it would be beneficial to all of us to know who is capable of anything unusual should we be faced with challenges that might be addressed with a particular skill. Much in the same way Sadie was able to explore the mouth of Moss River because she can breathe underwater."

One hand brought to his chest, he volunteers information about himself first, "I've improved my mechanical skills. I've always been inclined to it, and an Echo seems to have enhanced it. Back in October I designed and built a motorcycle from junkyard parts that has consistently performed above available models on the market in terms of fuel efficiency, and I've been designing since. Physically..." His voice trails off as he reaches back behind himself to pick up his chair and bring it forward facing himself as he glances up to gauge the height of the ceiling. Tipping the chair towards himself while grasping the back edge with both hands, he hops off the floor and pushes straight up into a handstand balanced on the front two feet of the chair.

Raising his head from between his shoulders to continue, he speaks while still balancing with little sway in the chair to maintain his position, "I've gained a little in strength and an aptitude for acrobatics." He lowers himself down, stepping down one foot then the other before setting the chair back on all four feet quietly. Returning the chair to its former spot, he sits down to open the floor to anyone else that feels ready to share.

Even Later

[lovedramamoron]

Jimmy chooses to wait and listen before he speaks up. There was a lot of information here, and most of it was new to him.

"After the earthquake, I was curious. At first it was just checking the news, but then I couldn't help but wonder if there was more to be found in old newspapers. And there was." He pauses here a moment to flip open his notebook and briefly refresh his memory of what he had wanted to share here.

"There wasn't much in recent news, but when I got to the college library I found some information on a series of earthquakes that happened here a little before the Norman Conquest. There were at least two major ones. They're not sure about the exact location, but they thought the epicentre was near the south tip of Kent or in the channel." He gestures at his backpack. "I bought copies of the dissertations, if anyone wants to read them.

"As for the echoes, I don't have much to add there." He grimaces. "I wasn't here for Halloween, though I do want to learn more about what happened then. It seems like a lot of important things happened then. So far I think all I've gotten are memories. Really, really weird memories."

C - Wildcard

[dragoonrouge]