text ↪ un: steve.rogers, dated before the closed door meeting

[fossils]

Everyone's already got their hands full so I'll cut to the chase:

There's room at the table for us at the upcoming meeting between Capt. Childe and the Thessyx representatives. Don't know how many seats or what's going to be discussed, but if you want to be the one representing us, or otherwise got any strong feelings on the matter

Now's the time to speak up.

( ooc: the mods said they'll be RNGing to pick from candidates for the closed door meeting! but if you've put your character forward OOCly already feel free to use this post to make their case ICly, groupchat amongst each other, etc! )

Comments

[portolan]

All for it, and the more the merrier if we can.

[He doesn't love that a big group of them know each other but he doesn't know any of them.]

Any ideas on gifts we might provide in reciprocation? Seems like a diplomacy opportunity. I know we have a few artists. Maybe a performance if anyone is particularly good at any of the arts.

[fossils]

You thinking you want in?

Can't really argue against offering them something, as long as we don't end up insulting our hosts.

[ The Adamant folks. ]

[portolan]

I'm no stranger to diplomatic meetings. More than willing to participate, if it comes to that.

[He might prefer it, but he also doesn't want to look too eager for power.]

Good point about our hosts. Maybe something symbolic? A title? Something ceremonial but singular for their leader? May be worth doing something similar for our hosts.

@weaverville

[wittingly]

I could make something physical, if you have any ideas in mind.

I don't know if kinetic art would be appropriate, but I can do something like that relatively easily. Technically cheap, so I don't know if that's offensive. I got really into David C. Roy's work for a few years, faux-perpetual motion sculptures look really tasteful.

Otherwise, if you need a lot of material moved or shaped really fast, let me know.

Re: @weaverville

[portolan]

Cheap may not be a problem when any materials here are considered precious. On the one hand, I'm not certain we won't offend our hosts by dedicating that many materials to our new arrivals.

If we do something like that, perhaps it could be a gift to our hosts that the new arrivals are invited to -- an art opening of sorts.

[wittingly]

Tragically, once you shift away from the building to the event planning, I'm officially out of my depth.

If you guys think of anything you need put together, you know where to find me :)

[fossils]

From what you've told me before, I don't doubt it.

I'd vote for waiting to see how things shake out first, but it's not my call to make. Weaverville over there looks like he's got some ideas though.

[portolan]

I agree on waiting to gather more information, but acquisitioning and preparing something that feels formal and not slapdash does take time. If it's something we want in our back pocket, we need to get started on it.

[sunmon]

Have you talked to Captain Childe?
If someone is going to represent us, I feel like it should be you.

[portolan]

[ Balthier is genuinely touched by Alina's support. ]

I appreciate the vote of confidence. Happy to do so if that's what we decide, though my preference would be for two or three of us.

Alina, is there anything the theater crowd could do by way of a performance for our guests?

[sunmon]

I'll see if the director can organize an early performance of the play they're working on. 🤩 Good thinking. This is exactly why I suggested you.

[portolan]

Excellent. I'll check back with Childe on logistics.

If we need someone for the welcoming party, you have my vote.

[Hopefully centering their hosts in the exchange will create more good will than damage on both sides. A material or symbolic gift still wouldn't hurt though.]

@romanoff

[dissemblance]

I'll vouch for this one, Rogers. Good people.

（ which steve is savvy enough to take as 'trust but verify', given how well he knows her by now. she likes balthier — but 'like' rarely translates to anything more intense than that with her short of trial by fire. ）

second half PRIVATE

[fossils]

On the same page there.

[ Speaking of, he switches to her inbox ]

I pointed Sam this way.

[ For potential future excursions. ]

private;

[dissemblance]

Hm.

You know how I feel about men in masks.

（ she's — wary. sam can look after himself, but nat's just got him back, she doesn't exactly want to throw him to the lions, either. ）

[fossils]

If it leads anywhere I figure he'll take one of us with him.

[ They're of the same mind on that ]

@ both of them

[portolan]

Are all people on your planet this charming, or do you both just enjoy making me blush?

[He's pleased that his early trust in them is returned, though too much of a pirate to count on anyone that quickly. Still good to have allies.]

[fossils]

We might have that effect on people.

[dissemblance]

Oh, absolutely the blushing.

@Zigazigah

[figlia_morbida]

I like this idea, if only because having a new group show up suddenly makes me less confident in our standing here. We were already outnumbered before...and still weak on the trust part, I'm sure.

A performance is ideal. Something immaterial and shared by everyone...

With that in mind, I can sing for any production you happen to put together. I think music is always a good bonding point. I think plays can work too, but I wonder what would appeal to our new friends as far as stories go. Or even our current hosts.

Re: @Zigazigah

[portolan]

Music would be an excellent addition. I like the option of a play to include our hosts, but you're right that the intended narrative experience likely won't transfer.

[ He's also aware the quality is unlikely to be something the thessyx or their hosts want to write home about. An actual performer could strengthen the gift considerably. ]

Perhaps we could have a dedicated musical performance as the finale?

[figlia_morbida]

I don't have any ideas for how to work around that other than to be as broadly appealing as possible. But I also don't think it means they won't necessarily be entertained either, even if it's pure gibberish to them.

Who knows, maybe watching us act silly in front of them will be enough.

[Ham it up, so to speak.]

A finishing act is a good idea, though. If it's strong enough, then maybe the lasting impression will make the whole experience better. But that can be decided on after the play is established.

[portolan]

Alina volunteered to organize the performance, as she has been working on something with the theater since her arrival. I think something that has been pre-rehearsed is probably our strongest and least labor-intensive option. If you have experience in these matters, I'm sure the collaboration would be invited.

[ Hamming up the performance on purpose may be a good call. He hasn't seen it yet, and doesn't want to upset the alliance he's begun with Alina. Better if someone else gives that critique, should it be needed. ]

No one else has volunteered performance experience. I'm happy to delegate musical choices to you.

[dissemblance]

I think that would probably go over well.

（ and it's surprisingly mature from someone who nat half-expected would go ewww, fish! awh, she's proud of you, tiny middle schooler!! ）

You gonna do Britney Spears or JLo?

[figlia_morbida]

[Oh, Nat's not far off the mark...Trish was definitely a little grossed out, but the Thessyx aren't too slimy, and honestly, as long as they don't stink and don't go for hugs...she can deal.]

That depends. Did these aliens whisper into your brain and tell you they really, really liked pop, or are you taking this time to remind me my taste in music is "old"?

Either way, no, I was going to see what the play entailed and go from there. Can you imagine ending a tragedy with Baby One More Time?

[Fish people probably don't want a play centered on human romance either...or do they?!]