@everyone

[restingstitchface]

[On the nearest surface: a mess of spidery calligraphy, words from a curious mind, written with a mental hand. Though accustomed to shorthand, he prefers the traditional touch, and believes it to be the courteous option.]

Well, that wasn’t a boring weekend, not that one.

It was wonderful to meet some of you in person - and enormously encouraging to meet so many new faces. I hope the masquerade entertained you all. But, on the other hand, wasn’t there something peculiar about it? Does anybody else feel led up the garden path? I fear this is me being paranoid but…

I think the Fey mean to return to this world. I know I would be delighted to get back home and, I might add, so would many of you. It’s only natural we miss our loved ones. “My heart to joy at the same tone. And all I loved, I loved alone.”

Now, I suggest we discuss our impressions of our hosts this week and what we managed to glean by means of information. The most pressing and urgent problem I think, without doubt, is their intentions. Perhaps we should discuss our experiences and share what we learned. It could prove useful. Our small community cannot afford to misplace its trust, and I advise we exercise critical thinking at this juncture.

[ooc responses can come from anyone so feel free to threadjack! for extra plotting hit me up at safekeeping or discord at celedrin.]

Comments

[obiwanofthosedays]

Did anything in particular stand out to you, Doctor?

[restingstitchface]

Well, aside from being religious, they seem suspicious. Like anyone they fear being met with violence. Quite understandable when one considers their history, really.

But what truly caught my eye is a growing unease with being trapped in a small... pocket, shall we call it? The mind can only endure so much confinement. We call it cabin fever back home.

[obiwanofthosedays]

So much confinement and so much mundanity. Some species would be satisfied with the same routine in perpetuity, but they do not strike me as such. The novelty of our arrival seemed to stir quite a bit of interest, it begs the question of what they may do for want of continued novelty to one another, or to this realm should they return.

[restingstitchface]

What anyone does when deprived of liberty: they seek peace or bloodshed. Some convince themselves to accept their fate. Others find the patience to wait and survive. More give up on their ideals and live as themselves. Remember, when people reach the limit of what they can stand, not all resort to peace over violence.

[princessvegas]

No offense but you sound like one of those people who thinks the moon landing was fake or that lizard people secretly run the world.

The Fey are probably the least suspicious group we've run into here.

[restingstitchface]

Now, please don't take offense, but that sounds naive.

Trust without pragmatism only results in moral idealism. I can't say I don't share your optimism but what is there to trust in all we saw in, what, seven days?

[princessvegas]

Versus two years with the folks who snatched us? Let's see, the Fey were willing to answer questions.

That alone puts them head and shoulders above everyone else. They're the first ones to ever tell us why they wanted to meet us. Because we can go to the Horizon. What has Marlo Reiner ever told us about why they us here?

I ain't the naive one. We already live with the folks we should be suspicious of.

[pendejadas]

Tell me. Were you ever a teacher's pet?

In my experience, the Fey are not to be messed with, but they probably have their reasons to protect their own. Then again, so do every other group out there.

[restingstitchface]

Well, I agree with you there: we all have reasons to protect our own.

[And by his own, he means me, myself and I.]

But who are our own? The nations that took us in? There are those who disagree.

[He'll just ignore that teacher's pet comment, thanks.]

[pendejadas]

{ so teacher's pet. aka one flavor of nerd. he's dealt with plenty. at least that never changes. }

And are those who disagree a friend?

{ can you feel the sarcastic emphasis? }

You ask as if you'd start a rebellion. At least it'll be interesting if that happens, but good luck with all the god-level security around here.

[takeatrip]

[Jayden's been watching conversations while eating metaphorical popcorn--he briefly considers summoning up some real popcorn, as he's in the Horizon at the moment, but that's a little much even for him--but decides it's finally time to respond himself. And although he doesn't mind being on topic, interested in this particular discussion, something else had caught his attention when the words had initially written themselves out across the sheet music at his piano.]

"From every depth of good and ill, the mystery which binds me still."

[Poetry was never his strong suit or even a particular interest, but he had liked Poe's works. They're some of the only ones he can remember, and this particular choice is an interesting one for Crane to go with, though of course Jayden's aware that knowing the words himself will say something in return. But moving on--]

Do you think the Fey wanting to return to Abraxas is a bad thing? Or just something worth being cautious about?

[restingstitchface]

[Crane is sitting in his room at the inn, listening to a harmonious piece of music while transcribing notes into his journal. Arguments and discourse offer a sense of satisfaction, the easing of his curiosity, each and every word written in the next empty page.]

Well, I believe their return bodes neither good nor ill: whether they come home or not is a simple fact to which we must adapt.

[From every depth of good and ill, indeed. Poetry is language chosen and rearranged for rhythm and meaning. The overflowing of wordplay - a game he enjoys.]

Come the end of the day, are not the Fey are worth the respect of our caution?

[takeatrip]

Everything about this place is worth some caution. But it seemed like there was something specific you were more concerned about, with being "led up the garden path." Do you think they were angling for something with our visit?

[Jayden does, though he also doesn't exactly mind it too much. Everyone here wants something from the Summoned, it seems, so the methods end up being what sets them apart.]

[itookashot]

I'm getting real 'snitch' energy from you.

[restingstitchface]

I think you should ask yourself what kind of person throws those implications around.

Perhaps ask yourself why. Or are you throwing that label around just to cause gossip?

[itookashot]

I know exactly what kind of person throws those implications around. Smart insightful people.

Being defensive by trying to make me defensive isn't the best move here, mate.

[aquilus]

This makes you sound like the suspicious sort, doctor.

[Him too, actually. Something they might have in common.]

[restingstitchface]

At this point, I hardly care. I think people should remember permitting a possible lie to stand is injustice. To quote our perennial favourite, "Often injustice lies in what you are not doing, not only in what you are doing."

I have nothing further to add.

[A suspicious... stoic wave?]

[aquilus]

I didn't say I objected. In this case, I'd consider it prudent.

They may have truly been the benevolent hosts they presented themselves as — I saw no signs of dissembling. I also doubt that they chose to make such a grand gesture of hospitality for no reason other than the goodness in their hearts.

[blackeyedprince]

They seemed pretty fine with their home to me.

[restingstitchface]

Well, we can all seem fine to others, time to time.

But might I ask what gave you that impression? The few I spoke to make me think differently.

[blackeyedprince]

All of them, I guess. The one I danced with at the ball, the merchants, those at the hunting grounds. I'd even say they seemed to think their lands are better and were pretty proud of them. You don't just drop something like that to go somewhere else Unless you have a very compelling reason.

[nadine_he_loves]

That's a bit of a leap...

Their intentions seemed pretty up front, they're curious about us. I can't say I blame them.

Anything beyond that...we can't assume their intents and logic and everything would be the same as a human's. Or predictable or discernable like a human's.

[restingstitchface]

Well, that depends whether we see personality as human, and my experience here has taught me that even the supernatural amongst us are ruled by behavioral theory. That is to say they are affected by nature and nuture as much as us humans.

Regardless, I see your point, perhaps I worry too much. I'll want to offer the benefit of the doubt, but I can't say I haven't been burned doing so before.

[nadine_he_loves]

I mean some healthy skepticism isn't a bad idea around here. And you're right about behavior, but we just don't actually know enough about the Fey and their history and sociology to extrapolate anything meaningful.

I will say that I'd probably trust them to mean what they say above a lot of the other important groups in this world. They answered questions, they engaged with us, they let us take part in their customs.

And nothing awful happened.