House meeting

[no_reload]

Who: Reaper (no_reload), Fern (laminae), Luz (imaglyphwitch), Luca (schoolingfish), Varian (droptheious)
What: Disaster House has a meeting
When: Beginning of November
Where: Disaster House in Cassandra

Content Warnings: Will add as they come up.


[Reaper had taken his time with recovery, which left him trapped in his room for a few days. When it seemed that he could get around without having long episodes of shortness of breath, he appeared more downstairs. That's where he happened to be, settled into a chair with the other occupants of the house.

He knew they had questions, knew that most of them would have to do with Lance's outburst on the network. That wasn't the kid's fault; they didn't always control their Omens. And Lance had been circling the drain for years now, barely holding on. Not the kid's fault. For as long as he had known Lance, the kid had been teetering on the edge of a mental crisis.

However, this wasn't about Lance right now. This was about the household where he resided, and many of the youngsters who lived in it. As the eldest, he knew that his position here was the most tenuous.

So Reaper sat quietly, one ankle crossed over his other knee. He remained in comfortable black clothing, and while situations like these usually had him wearing his mask, he had decided against it. Instead, his scarred face was bare, though he kept his hood up to cover most of his white hair. His gloved hands were folded in his lap, thumbs clasping the mask that he would normally wear. Instead, it lightly tapped against his thigh.]

So, I suppose we should call this meeting to order, hmm?

Comments

[imaglyphwitch]

I don't get a...bad impression from him. If you guys were to meet up, there might be an actual fight then, but he wouldn't come here to start trouble.

[Shiro had specifically said he wouldn't. If anything, Shiro was more concerned that Luz lived with Reaper at all, given the apparent reputation Reaper had that Luz was wholly unaware of].

But now that we've talked, I know now not to let people know you live here. No one told me that before, so I figured I could just tell people my housemates. I know better now.

[Which just made her more curious about things, but she knew enough to keep out of things for now].

That's probably for the best. Lance seems like he's dealt with a lot of stuff, and this probably didn't help.

[no_reload]

[For him, impressions of people was such a naïve way of assessing someone's threat level. However, he had so many years of experience not trusting people completely that he knew it skewed his perception.]

I doubt he wants an encounter with me. We spent 3 years basically passing each other like two ships in the night.

[With all the problems that he and Lance had caused each other, Shiro had never seen fit to get involved. That precedence meant that this situation wasn't going to be any different. He wasn't actually concerned that he would have to worry about Shiro for a fight or even a conversation.]

I don't tell people where I live, and I prefer no one else does either. However, I don't make the rules on what people talk about. I can just have adult disapproval on my side.

[It was for security reasons that he didn't tell people where he lived, but it also wasn't something he would actively scold anyone over. Sometimes his reputation was good to keep trouble away.]

Perhaps a public airing of his mental breakdown will inspire him to finally get the assistance he needs.

[imaglyphwitch]

[With Luz, everything was about the perceptions that she had on meeting people. This was not the first time she met Shiro, but she could see that he had his own quiet beliefs and people that he cared about. Lance, she could figure, was one of those in his circle].

That's kind of what he said to me about it: that he didn't want you and him to meet.

[She pretty much agreed with that, and figured the only way that they might even meet each other was if Shiro came to visit, which he might: he seemed to be familiar with a few of the people in the house].

I'll keep that in mind from now on. I, however, always tell people where I live, mostly because I love my group of weirdoes in this house.

[This she said with a smile, because not everything needed to be super serious in their conversation].

Let's hope nothing crazier than another Arena situation happens then! Oh no. I doomed us all, didn't I? Should not have said that.

[no_reload]

That shouldn't be a problem. We have no interest in associating with each other.

[And it seemed perfectly mutual honestly. He had met Shiro twice, and it was plainly clear to him that the other man had a definite opinion about him. He expected it was related to Lance and probably Chloe way back in the day. He had made a few choice public actions that had turned much of the original Sleepers he had come around with dislike him immensely. Which had been part of the plan.

It worked like a charm and he had learned how death would affect him. Yes, there had been a whole mess some of the people of his world had had to deal with, but that was just acceptable collateral damage at the time. He wouldn't make the same choices now.]

You could exercise some caution all the same. We don't know how Trench affects people long term, and it might be prudent to avoid offering private areas for attack.

[But he was unusually strategic when it came to information. That was him, and kids tended to be far more open with their information.]

You might have, but it would come whether you said something or not.

[imaglyphwitch]

That definitely seemed like the impression I got.

[It was beginning to be clear to Luz that despite them all being here against their will, there were still histories and grievances that people were not going to be able to abandon. Deerington had its own grip on the ones that lives there the longest, and that would not go away just because they'd been reborn as squids].

I will exercise caution, but I don't believe in fearing fellow Sleepers. We were all brought here to try and coexist with each other. If we can't even do that, what type of life are we supposed to have here?

[It was a frustrating thing that even as she said this, she could still grasp the point that Reaper was making: not all people in this world were trying to be friendly, not all intentions were good. After all, Bill Cipher had been a captive of Deerington, and that had not stopped him from dooming some of his fellow Sleepers. Bad intentions were going to manifest themselves no matter how Luz wanted things to be].


I mean, if you want to get all cryptic about it.

[no_reload]

So there is no particular need for such a topic of discussion.

[As far as he was concerned, there was little reason to believe Shiro would dare to come here looking for trouble. It wasn't the other man's style so far, and Reaper wasn't about to test that boundary thus far. Uneasy 'truce' was far easier to maintain.]

I would urge caution all the same. Not all Sleepers have the hold-hands-and-sing-songs mentality. They may be here for a new life, but their version can and will be vastly different from your own and your friends.

[There were plenty of selfish people, and they were going to do whatever their agenda wanted them to in order to build a comfortable life. If that involved stepping on others, so be it. He personally wasn't interested in power; he'd had enough of that for forty years.]

Cryptic is a viable tactic.

[imaglyphwitch]

Uh huh.

I've seen the, uh, darker side of Sleepers too. You can't be friends with Darth Maul and not be exposed to that. Just knowing the wrong kind of people probably makes you look a certain way to some people.

[She could only imagine what she would have looked like to people back home, OR the Boiling Isles. But she'd make sure she'd steer clear of the hurtful ones, the ones that only valued pain and destruction with their new life].

Point proven.

[no_reload]

There are plenty of dark souls in this place, but Maul makes himself more apparent than most. [One wasn't a lover to that Zabrak and not knowing exactly what was being dealt with. He wouldn't change Maul at all either.] If you aren't cautious, you will be taken advantage of.

[Reaper had seen, interacted with and been apart of people with long-standing agendas and the power to push those narratives too. They were dangerous, but those with the smiling face and the nice disposition were often those to avoid the most. They were highly dangerous and effective.]

[imaglyphwitch]

Oh, I know. It's one thing you can count on with Darth Maul: he won't bend on the principals he think work for him.

[Whether they worked for others was another issue, but Luz was certainly not going to think of him as anyone but a person still looking for their truth. She was doing the same thing, but all the same? She still hoped that Darth Maul didn't give in to his worst impulses, and hold out hope that he would at least come to be a little less intense in his way of thinking].

You're right about that. I wish it wasn't that way. I'd like it if I could at least trust Sleepers.

[But Luz knew full well that at the end of the day, she had go with her instincts rather than naivete. One misstep and you'd come to regret it].

But I do want to trust everyone in this house, at least.

[no_reload]

He is consistent that way, yes. Best to understand his goals and take the path of least resistance when he's set on his path.

[Very few people would stand a chance against Maul and it wasn't often the Zabrak could be convinced away from a particular course of action. Of course, Reaper knew he could probably convince Maul, but that wasn't something he did often, if at all. He didn't see the point of altering Maul's course after all.]

You can trust them as much as you can trust the rest of humanity. Listen, ask questions and decide for yourself if their principles are something you can rely on.

[She did seem to have naïve, but that was fine. With age came experience. She seemed to have a better head on her shoulders than some.]

That, I believe, you can do.

[imaglyphwitch]

I try.

[Luz knew there would be things about Darth Maul she would never understand. He had a longer time living the way he did than she herself was alive, and he had been on the brink of death many times. He was much older and had seen much more than she had. What she hoped for, more than anything, was that Darth Maul could live his life free of the influence of his Master and the things that made him the assassin he'd been a time ago.

Whatever that made him, well, time would tell].

That's pretty much all I can do. Heck, it's why we're having this meeting.

[That was honestly the thing she wanted to know most].

I'm glad. Nothing matters more to me than making sure that everyone in here is OK.

[no_reload]

[Reaper liked to think that he knew Maul rather intimately and he could judge what motivations would take precedence over others. Others seemed to find that out the hard way, and usually that just amused him greatly.]

And hopefully the answers here satisfy.

[Ah, she was one of those bleeding hearts, was she? That was going to get her injured or killed someday. He supposed he should make some soup for when that day came.]

Everyone will be fine. Roughed up but fine, chica.

[imaglyphwitch]

[Luz was getting an idea of exactly what motivations Darth Maul would take, and honestly? It was starting to become surprising when he didn't take an action that tended to put him more on the rough side of things].

That's for everyone else's comfort. This is still Fern and Varian's house, after all.

[They been nice enough to let her stay, after all. It just so happened she glomped upon two other kids and tended to try and look after everyone here, even if some of them were older than her].

Here's hoping!

[no_reload]

Yes, it is. They are doing their best to fill it up.

[He had appreciated when they had offered him a place to stay when his borrowed house had been destroyed. He wasn't certain if that offer would remain when he was over here in Trench, but for now, it was good.]

[imaglyphwitch]

They were pretty gracious to give a place for Luca and Ahiru too!

[Even if SHE had sort of initiated both of those, just like she had with Margot to Eda. It was dawning on Luz that she was really lucky people tolerated what was her essentially bringing home strays.

Of course, Luz considered herself a stray in BOTH of those situations, so it made sense she'd want to help others out in the same way].

It is helpful that we can all get along with each other for the most part.

[no_reload]

Please, they will probably take in any stray that requires a small corner of a room. That's the way that they are.

[Reaper technically hadn't needed a place to live, but a base of operation was very nice to store the limited items that he had. And access to a kitchen. He had come to appreciate old baking skills after all.]

Everyone does seem convinced getting along is a good idea.

[imaglyphwitch]

[Well now. Luz took a little offense to that],

Hey! We strays are very cute and irresistible, thank you.

[And she would, of course, stand by every single member of the house, especially since two of them were about her age].

You don't think it is?

[no_reload]

That is not a description associated with me.

[He had, after all, been a stray himself when his house had been destroyed. Anyone calling him cute and irresistible was likely to earn a bullet to the leg.]

If we all get along right away, there won't be any personal development. Plus, I do enjoy drama.

[imaglyphwitch]

[Ah, so he considered himself a stary too. That was acceptable].

Nope, not for you, promise. You get the moniker of being gloomy and mysterious!

I mean, it's IDEAL for us to get along. Varian is still bad at basic human biology, Fern is still a packrat, I'm pretty ADD and bad at attending to my own needs, and of course you have a whole buttload of baggage. So obviously, there will be drama!

[Nevermind the younger kids who Luz knew had their own issues]!

[no_reload]

Gloomy and mysterious? One acceptable descriptor is fine.

[He knew that he was a major source of pessimism, but he liked to think that was due to his many years of experience. He supposed that it would be considered 'gloomy' to some.]

There better be drama. That's half the reason that I live here.

[imaglyphwitch]

You can be both!

[Sorry, she didn't make the rules! Well, she did, but that was just the impression she was getting].

We're living in a world controlled by blood magic where you can get corrupted. Even if we all get along really well, there's going to be drama. Heck, you could even argue that getting along will make MORE drama, not less.

[no_reload]

Yeah, and I could be a magical unicorn if I wanted too...

[Not that he would ever do that anymore. But maybe it would entertain them all to think about it.]

You make it sound like I didn't start corrupted. Yes, but as long as I can watch the drama then I will be satisfied. It doesn't have to even involve me.

[imaglyphwitch]

No you couldn't!

Wait, seriously? I would like to see that.

[Luz gave herself away. She totally would].

How exactly can you START corrupted?

Each member of this house along get into shenanigans. Trust me, you wouldn't have to be involved.

[no_reload]

[Reaper sighed heavily and made a point of rubbing his face with the heel of his hand. Maybe he shouldn't be so sarcastic all the time. Even if he could...]

If I chose to...

[He looked at her from beyond his hood and smirked.]

Some of us came to this place damned, and we are willing to experiment...

[imaglyphwitch]

[Hey, he couldn't blame a girl for being curious]?

Experiment huh? That sounds kinda suspect.