Tribal Council [Complete]

[blackcomfort]

Character(s): The whole library crew eventually
Content: herding cats the meeting finally gathers
Setting: The foyer of the library
Warnings: More than one person in a room, so probably angst and yelling at some point

Comments

[pryr4thedyng]

As could be expected, a number of eyebrows shot up at Hardy's casual 'oh yeah, by the way, I FLY', which Rory was certain they were all wondering how they could have missed.

Two flyers? Their odds were getting better by the minute. But planning was still needed. "Well, if all parties involved agree, then it seems we have two scouts going about finding and tending to our new companions. I don't expect there will be an immediate need to move them, but they may be of a mind to later. We can't be sure. In the meantime, it would be prudent to respond and give them time to prepare."

Without waiting for response, Rory was already accessing the response function and voicing a reply to Booker.

"Mr. Crane, we will be sending two of our own to meet you shortly. Your companions can be healed, and information exchanged on a more personal basis. Whether or not you would like to come here yourselves afterward will be your decision."

He held the device expectantly, awaiting a reply, in the meantime turning to the others to gage their reactions. "Sufficient, I believe?"

[mountain_tree]

Micas nodded, but stepped forward again, holding up one finger, waiting until people were looking at her.

Then, indicating everyone first, she pantomimed eating from a bowl, and then patted her stomach with a look of contentedness.

Pointing out towards the courtyard, her look around the room, especially lingering on Hex and Ana, who had not finished their dinners last night, held both entreaty and command.

[ivyalchemist]

Rory was really getting in to this. There had seemed to be some silent understanding before hand that some how Hex was the leader, like their arriving first and finding the library had put him in the first place running for it. And he WAS a good leader, when he put his mind to it, as well as a damn good teacher, for all the things he'd helped her with in the past. But Rory was taking command, for all that assumption was worth, and he was being practically military about it. It struck her as... odd, but still practical, and while he still bothered her, the way he was doing things didn't.

Maybe things would change once Hex got his head on better, but for the time being Ana felt herself inclined to go along with what he was saying, and not just for the sake of avoiding yet another fight.

They were making plans, ones that involved the people who could fly, which of course excluded her, Nei'ess, and her brother as well as Micas and Tyr, as far as she could tell anyway, and the dark skinned girl was already up making motions about eating.

As if to annoyingly emphasize the look that had been shot at her and Hex, her stomach gave a gurgle, and she let out a squeak, pulling her arms around her belly as a blush came across her features.

Eyes shifted away from the poignant gaze of Micas, and she grumbled.

"I guess that means we're getting food. There's that house with the canned goods. I figure if I alchemize us some bags, we might be able to carry a lot more back."

[mountain_tree]

With a sharp nod, Micas stood on the map Nei’ess had made, looking down at it. They had a general game plan, but for anything to happen, they needed specifics. She clapped her hands once to draw attention, then set to making assignments.

Looking up at Hardy, she pointed to him, then to Ares, and gestured for him to move. Then, taking Rory by the hand, she led him over to where Hex and Nei’ess sat together, collecting Ana and taking her over to where Simera stood.

Then she pointed to the little group of Hardy and Ares, stood on the library, and pointed to the outlying marker of the Military base. She made a gesture of flying, and another nod. This they had agreed on already.

Pointing to the group of Hex, Rory, and Nei’ess, she pointed again to the military base, and walked the distance on the floor, looking to make sure they understood they were to follow on foot.

Walking over to Simera and Ana, she hugged the two about the shoulders, then walked about the area of the map near to the library, making her gathering basket motion.

Then she walked up to Tyr, and indicated the library building they stood in, pointing emphatically at the floor. She nodded, but her eyes made it a question, which she extended to the others as she turned, making sure everyone was satisfied with their assignments.

[pryr4thedyng]

Multitasking. Intentionally, no less. These kids were perking up after all, and Rory found it bringing yet another smile to his face. Such features were beginning to feel less strained upon him, and he wasn't quite sure how to feel about that yet. But that could be pondered later. There were missions afoot. Rory was also so caught up in the excitement of progress, his anxiety surrounding Ana was, for the moment, evaporated.

"Perfect! We can operate in independent units and still benefit the whole. So it seems pretty standard that since you have the location, Ana, you and Micas should go about gathering that food."

He continued brightly, exuding confidence and optimism, strange garb on his usual indifference. "Now, while Ares and Hardy make the first connection, I still think it would be wise to have a backup plan, since we don't yet know the nature of these others firsthand. I volunteer to cover them on foot. And I would deeply appreciate any accompaniment. Any takers?"

Before there could be a response, the device in his hand came to life again with another message, this one sounding more harried than the last. Rory's expression soured, but only momentarily before turning back towards the others, once again all business.

"Hmm...complications. Yet another reason for the backup. I'd say now is as good a time as any. The sooner the better."

[chimeralchemist]

It would probably be a- well, not really a better idea- but Hex thought, as he (somewhat) listened, that he could at least be faster by himself than with company in tow. Still, that left him rather vulnerable (stupid cat-things) and it would be even more trouble to get anyone back to the library... if anyone wanted to come, that was.

"I... can go. That is, if you need me. It'd be better with more eyes."

[blackcomfort]

I'm going too. Nei'ess frowned at Hex, remembering the last mission he let Hex go on without him. That wasn't going to happen again. I want to map the route to the base and I can help us move through the city more safely. I don't want anyone getting hurt out there if possible.

Part of him wondered if he was up for a walk this long, especially if he didn't grab some sort of breakfast. It didn't matter though. He was going to go and his stubborn expression made that quite clear.

[bitchofthelight]

Ares was ignoring the various volunteers, focused entirely one one little comment from Rory. 'What is the "complication"?' she demanded.

[pryr4thedyng]

Rory opened his mouth to address the others agreed actions, when his attention was drawn to Ares and her insistent query.

"Nothing that can't be handled without finesse and intelligence. But to be specific, this 'Odessa', one of the three in that location, seems to be a bit wary of outsiders. So much in the way of insisting upon meeting us with guns cocked. But I feel Booker can keep her under control if he wants to. He seems level headed enough. And where he may fail, we won't."

The last bit was emphasized with another wry grin, lending another peek into Rory's rarely accessed swagger, something he normally didn't allow himself the time or luxury to feel. The issue addressed, he returned to the home front, and the organization therein, recalling Micas' indications with a studious eye.

"So I'm to understand that you will take Ana and Simera with you to gather food while we prepare the rest? And as for your other suggestions..." he trailed off, immersed in obvious calculating, gaze sweeping the map then returning to the girl's smiling face. "Well, it all seems well and good to me."

He finished his statements with a deep pocket fishing expedition, making sure he still had supplement magazines enough to protect himself and his companions on the upcoming trek into unknown territory.

[mountain_tree]

She nodded to Rory and she handed him a bowl of warm broth. Then she gave one to Hardy, and looked questioningly at Ares, the obvious implied question of "Are you hungry?"

[bitchofthelight]

Ares accepted the bowl, careful not to look too eager. She was ravenous from her previous flight.

Turning back to Rory she cast in a dark look. 'I think that perhaps you are not taking into account what an easy target flying makes a person. If this Odessa is planning to defend her stronghold with firearms, flying in is not an option.'

[chimeralchemist]

"But..." Hex interrupted, raising his hand like he was in a classroom. "What if you had a shield? Would that help? I-... er, well, Nei'ess, actually... he can put up a shield on you. He did it for me, when we ran into some of those cat-things."

[bitchofthelight]

Ares glanced at the... man, and considered. That he was referencing the shadow-weaver meant that he likely meant a magically-generated shield. 'I can't carry extra weight. And my wing span is just over twenty feet. It would have to cover them.'

[blackcomfort]

Nei'ess frowned, considering. His shield's strength was proportional to its size. Covering those wings and still making it strong enough to stop bullets would take a lot of magic, but it wasn't that bad if it meant she was willing to go.

I could do that. Covering your wings would mean it wouldn't stop more than a few bullets at most before breaking, but it's better than nothing and would give you a chance to get out of range. The spell wouldn't weigh anything or interfere with your ability to fly.

Pausing to consider, he added, It would be best if you had your wings out before I cast it though, just to make sure I covered them all.

[bitchofthelight]

Ares considered the shadow-weaver from under the brim of her hat for a long moment before nodding. She glanced to the boy who had said he was coming with her, 'What about him? Can you cast two shields at the same time?'

[quietesper]

Hardy shook his head slowly, deciding that perhaps it was time for a short demonstration.

Standing, he brushed his pants off simply out of habit. A step out of the circle of people, and with a simple motion of his hand a red orb surrounded him completely, lifting him off the ground a few inches as green arcs rolled around it. He let it dissipate as not to expend too much energy.

"It acts as a shield as well as what aids me to fly. I'm a bit concerned about how things will go if it gets escalated, as I've noticed it takes energy from me to use my powers here, but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it."