Ascension Council [Attn: All The Last Day SL]

[Shayla]

Mara shrugs absently when her suggestion is shot down and she leans back to allow others to suggest their ideas or offer their own solutions. She is entirely quiet as she does this, her gaze simply shifting to whomever was speaking at the moment. There is a gap however and she leans forward slightly as she held her position at the door frame of the room where she'd stood since the beginning of the meeting.

"Well if you all reallly wanna get the Technocrats involved I still have their number from back in the day, dunno if its still good, cause well i don't make social calls to folks who might wanna reprogram my brain. But I have it if you want it." She pauses briefly to allow that to sink in before going on.

"I still think a physical recon is the most solid bet." She said firmly. "I'm not talking about going up and knocking, I'm talking about long distance recon, 500 meter's away or more with a pair of binocular's and a good bit of ninja skills. A few hours there and it shouldn't be hard to tell if the guy's there or not, or at least if something is goin on that we should be getting involved in. I ain't sayin these other idea's are bad, but they're just as chancy and just as possible to track, so unless someone's gonna gimme a better option? I'm gonna go get my kit, and im gonna go up that damn mountain."

[CourtCat]

"I think," says Shoshannah - and here, now, she's quiet even as her presence is a shout, "that if we want to deal with this thing efficiently and effectively, we can't be too choosy about who helps. Maybe these Technocrats are still a big, bad, evil thing like they were, or people thought they were, or whatever, or maybe not. But right now, it seems like the enemy of an enemy could be a good friend to have. At least for the short term."

For many of them, it's the most they've heard Shoshannah say in one go, ever.

++++++++++++++++++++

Garrett, for his part, looks at least mildly appalled. He was there for the War, after all, and whatever he may think of the Technocracy's status as a big, evil enemy it's clear that he doesn't think they should be opening doors and forging alliances. All he says, though, is, "It might be prudent to put the people you're considering calling into any sort of action through some sort of vetting process. And also to keep in mind that it's exceedingly likely that anyone of us that deals with these individuals - and possibly anyone connected with will have a file opened if we don't already. Mine is pretty thick, from what I hear." The last is wry, almost amused. "Which isn't to say it's a bad idea, necessarily. It just . . . maybe shouldn't be anyone's first choice."

[errin]

[Alright folks, as of right now four people involved in this thread are really sick, so I say we backdate it, perhaps to this past Sunday before Howl's SL kicked off? Which means it's extra imperative people weigh in on the Technocracy's possible involvement and we close this baby up asap.]

[Samael]

[[Couple rulings here:

1. To kick this SL in the butt a little bit, this thread will be closed as of Sunday evening. Anything not said by that time won't be said.
2. The scene took place as of Monday 10/14 In Character, as Howl's SL started on Tuesday. That brings it as close to now as possible.]]

[-ix-]

There are things about not being in exactly everyone's good graces. Some Houses might be known for leading charges, but leading charges before you have anyone willing to come charging into battle after you is just not helpful to anyone. Save, possibly, one's enemies.

This is not a gathering armies kind of day. There are any number of reasons for that, ranging from pacifists to Mages so new to their arts that they are baffled by speaking of Avatars to the fact that unless cavalry charges return to fashion Kalen's not leading any charges for some time.

His eyes shift from one speaker to the next, only drifting on occasion to possible entrances and exits. There are intermittent and muted flickers of response: surprise at Jim's suggestion, a brief smile for Grace (and a mental note that next time she comes by for coffee he knows what they're talking about), a reassuring look to Garrett.

"Make no mistake, what were are discussing is violent." Kalen addresses the room in a voice that says nothing of approval or disapproval by virtue of its sheer distance from any kind of emotion. "Regardless of whether we are responsible for an outcome that involves the disposition of an Avatar or we offer up that responsibility to the Technocracy, it will almost certainly be violent. And," here his gaze strays to Jim, "Whether we do it or simply facilitate it, we are choosing it or we are not."

"We did no more than survive war, and barely survive at that. That isn't the issue at hand here. The issue at hand here is that there is something monstrous out there, and we know of it. You're right, we probably could try to give this problem away. We could offer it up like some peace offering or we could bait what has been historically a very dangerous enemy into handling it for us. It is not impossible."

"Some of you are not given to fighting. Such things are not for me to judge, I leave you to your own choices there. But some of us are perfectly comfortable sailing forth to challenge whatever comes for us." Mara gets a flash of a smile. "I will not drag any of you into this kind of fight, but there is no reason to drag the Technocracy into it either. If you would stay here, because you feel is safer or because you feel there is some ethical obligation, then stay. Just don't think we all want to stay."

Jim gets another glance, and Kalen's attention rests on him. "Though, we could explore less violent options. There are good odds that Garrett could get more information on the creator of this film, that between all of us we could find or devise a way to handle this with mercy. I am as unopposed to mercy as to violence. I can see easily enough the merits of both."

[jamie]

"If you, like, don't want to go with the most violent option?"

This is the first she's spoken the entire meeting but Whitney has not just been mentally writing a grocery list. She has been paying attention. But she also looks like this is the first time she's ever sat in anything resembling a democratic council. Her voice is strong and compared to Shoshannah she sounds confident as hell.

"I say we leave the mirrorshades out of this. They're kind of a huge wildcard and we don't need that right now." A beat, and then: "Mara, I'll go with you to check out the cabin. For like, backup, or whatever."

[mnemosyne]

When it comes right down to it, Sera pays more attention to Jim than to anyone else in the room. It's easy to see why. He has the great good sense to show up to this thing with whiskey and hand. Her perch on the back of the couch shifts and she braces herself with a hand against the spine and she's watching him, listening to him, digesting his thoughts, letting them run countercyclic through her own mind. This sliding frown knits between her brows. She has not considered that Keller might have awakened; the thought has her breathing out, sharply, not quite whistling as Jim speculates.

When he asks if anyone can neutralize Keller's avatar, Sera simply shakes her head. Her eyes are dark as they sweep around the room, lingering briefly on the virtual stranger whose power she can feel, palpable in the room. Question inherent in the weight of her attention.

"I'd be okay with involving the Techs. Not giving them the PCP. Jim, they could trace the maker if she's still alive, but just. Giving them the tip and letting them deal with the film and whatever's behind it or beyond it. Just the <i>info</i>.

"Hand it over as anonymously as possible and step back."

A neat little shrug. Sera pushes a free hand through the weight of her long blond curls, shaking her fingers thoughtlessly through the tangled strands.

"But if Keller's awakened, awakening, possessed; whatever he is, Jim, I don't know how I feel about giving him to them. No matter how fucked up he is. I mean, fuck.

"Look at how they were trying to use Leah as like, bait - or lab material.

"As for scouting and scrying and the rest, I kind of agree with Jim. I mean, what the fuck does it matter if he's there or not. Either way, we go in. If he's there, to get the film. If he's not there, to get clues about whether he was ever fucking there and where the fuck he went and where the fuck he might've left it, right?

"And we wanna do it right away, no reason to tip his ass off that we're looking. Give him time to bolt. But hell. If you think you can scout from far away without tipping him off, go for it."

That, to Mara.

"I'll go with you." To Kalen, then. "I'm pretty shit in a fight but if the film cultivates and feeds on fear, well fuck. Maybe I can counter it. Keep whoever's there sane long enough to grab the movie and GTFO.

"That's what I got."

[Samael]

Trent, for his part has sat mostly silent in this matter as the others talk back and forth. Make no mistake; he has a vested interest in the resolution. He has expressed to those few here in Denver that he has spoken with that he has spent a long time tracking L'Ultimo Giorno and he considers it deeply important. At the same time he is the visitor here; he has begun to take up some roots but who knows how long they will last, if at all? So he watches the others debate the issue around him, talk about scrying and physically scouting and more.

When Jim mentions the possibility of getting the Union involved, it's not hard to see that the Fortunae Hermetic is shocked. His mouth practically drops open and his eyes widen. Such a thing is inconceivable to him, but then he comes from another time, like Garrett, and remembers the war. Remembers its end. He doesn't stand up and voice opposition to the plan as some might expect a Hermetic to do; he doesn't rail against the very idea of joining forces with the enemy who hunted so many of their fellows down. Instead he shuts his mouth and listens to the others discuss the possibility.

And once Serafine has spoken, he finally speaks up.

"Forgive me for playing…well, perhaps not bean counter, but you get the idea." He smiles faintly. "But, if you will permit me a bit of indulgence, I would posit that such a step as consulting the Technocracy on this is something that should be definitively decided. I would just like to make sure that, for the record, we are clear on everyone's opinions?"

He looks around the room. "Doctor Magnan…" indicating Garrett, "Miss Grace, Miss Terrell and Mister Holliday all seem opposed. Miss Serafine also seems such, due to the possibility of Keller's fate being up in the air at the Union's hands. Meanwhile, Miss Shoshannah and Jim are supportive of the idea."

"As to Miss Mara, Miss Rhodes, Miss Reilly and Mister Horváth, I am not entirely certain of their opinions on the matter."

-------------------------

At that point, when she is called out, Lena does speak up. She's been quiet because…well, it's a lot of people that she doesn't know and she's a bit distracted by the discomfort of Shoshannah and Sid at the meeting. "I'm not totally certain about the idea of contacting the Union myself, to be honest. But I'm not 100% opposed to it either, if we know a way that's safe."

She sighs. "The problem is just making sure that it is safe. I don't have a lot of experience in dealing with them, but if I understand the old stories right, there were some very occasional times that we did so. Some time in World War II, if I remember one of my mentor's friends' stories right. Something about the Nephandi. But it fell apart right after that and things got even worse."

A shrug. "I guess I see both sides of the issue. It's a huge risk and it could be inviting a lot of trouble in the long run for just the possibility of help in the short run, but if we all want to take it, then…"

She finishes with a shrug.

-------------------------

Trent speaks up again after Lena is done.

"As to physically scouting the location…if you wish to do so," he looks to Mara and Whitney, "then I will get in contact with Miss Li. She may be able to assist you in that matter, should you desire it. I believe I have provided all of the information I have on this situation, but I would be happy to help coordinate and be involved however you may need. I will only be too happy to see the matter resolved."

[errin]

Sid's brows come together briefly when her name is mentioned. Her gaze slants sideways, toward Shoshannah, and Lena as she speaks. Day by day Sid becomes a little more open in a way, a little more, well, sociable, at least with the people she likes, the ones she cares about and who claim to care about her. But for years she's avoided close contact with others, she's avoided attention at all costs. It's been so long it's become a sort of instinct, albeit a learned one. It's a tough thing to overcome.

Her hand shifts in Shoshannah's, not becoming tighter, not really loosening, but adjusting. Finding comfort in that cold grip, as the warmth of hers flows ever into the deathly Dreamspeaker's fingers.

"Ah, I. I don't really know." Avoiding contact meant avoiding learning. She never had a mentor, someone to tell her stories and teach her the ropes. Even now she studies on her own, holed away down in the library or locked away practicing in her basement bedroom. "I just knew to...stay away. But, they could have done a lot worse, before. With Leah? They had those cameras. They knew about us, they had to, but." She shakes her head and, frowning, continues. "People aren't all good. So, maybe. Maybe they're not all bad."

She looks up then, eyes on Jim, and her bottom lip disappears between her teeth a moment as she looks at him, standing there in a sweater and sweatpants, whiskey in hand. That movie tried to make her think he was dead. It tried to plant a seed of fear to grow a plant from her nightmares to open that portal.

"This thing needs to be gotten rid of, whatever it takes," she says, her quiet voice hardening. "If you think it's safe, and you think it'll help, do it."

[Shayla]

"The Techno's are a last ditch effort I think." Mara says honestly as she prepares to go. "I'd rather keep them as far away as possible, but if it comes down to it and we need someone to do some real dirty work...i say we talk to them then but only then."
She then turned her gaze to Whitney and grinned, it was a lopsided thing, roguish and ready and she nodded to the woman.

"Alright, hope your ninja skillz are up to par, cuz were gonna need them. As to uhh Miss Li?" She says looking at the Hermetic. "Sure, send her on in so long as thats her sorta thing, which im guessing it is."

"I'll also move in with the team that goes in, less someone else has an issue with that, figure the more the merrier in that regard." At that Mara simply waits for the meeting to conclude.