Video

[runs_on_batteries]

Good evening, Voidtreckers. I'd like to announce a council meeting in three days. It's overdue and I believe we have a number of items to discuss.

Please council members take some time over the next few days to come up with and notify me of topics we need to discuss so I can prepare an agenda. If anyone who is not a council member feels strongly about a certain topic we should consider, either tell me or seek out a council member so they may relay the information.

Comments

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Surrendered to fear, hardened his heart to the needs of others, and informed us he's the only one suited to take responsibility in our current predicament.

[irrationally]

Has he ordered yet for people's heads to be cut off?

[ Her standards may be so low that they're actually below the ground.

Because the rest of that doesn't sound like the kind of behaviour she expects from everyone at this point. People suck. ]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Uh, no?

[Really? Is -- is this the standard here? Is this why everyone puts up with him, because he could be worse?]

[irrationally]

[ Welcome to Wonderland standards, Edge. ]

Then we could be doing a lot worse. I honestly didn't even really notice this man before now. [ Which is exactly the way Alice likes it. People can play their little leadership games far away from her. ]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

No, they're useless, but they won't remain so forever. Once they start deciding things... how much do you want to be bound by their agreements?

[irrationally]

Let's look at it objectively. How much could they really do? Is it not in the end the person or entity in control of this train that decides a lot more for us than any of our fellow passengers could? If there's anyone to get annoyed at, it's that person or thing.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Yes, that's true. But do we fall into line with what it wants, out of fear? Or do we try to live our own way? [Edge draws up a fist to bump it against his chest.] I think acting only in fear is dangerous and harmful. That if we do that, our spirits suffer.

[irrationally]

I'm not afraid.

[ Something in that may just sound a tad defensive, but after the whole incident with the train back home, Alice would like for not even the slightest implication that she may have any intense feeling about a train to exist. ]

And honestly, I know I don't talk to a lot of people, but no one here has seemed particularly afraid to me. It's more just practicality. What else would you wish to do other than what we are doing now?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

People hide fear. Or don't even recognize it, or mistake it for caution. All I know is when someone tells me we don't dare go against what the train has decided for us, that's fear speaking. That's something I can't abide.

[irrationally]

[ She's quiet for a moment, as if she's considering something, but then crosses her arms. ]

Alright. If that's the case, then why haven't I seen you stage some sort of big escape attempt yet?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

What's to escape? The train? That means fighting off that drive to board, and I don't know anyone who can do it. I wish I could.

[irrationally]

Then why do you speak as if people don't dare to go against the train? From what I've seen of the people here, most seem far too reckless to not dare something.

[ If anything, she feels like too many people would jump at any dumb challenge, given the opportunity. ]

It's more just that there's no chance to go against it in any meaningful way. You act as if everyone is having some sort of vacation here.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Because that's exactly what I was told by our illustrious leader, the moment stepping out of line was proposed.

He recanted, eventually, but a line of thinking like that doesn't change.

[irrationally]

Then don't listen to him! Step out of line by yourself all you want. Are you required to listen to him? Does a magical contract bind you to his every word? I honestly don't see the big problem you're making out of this. Why does this man concern you so much?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

I did. I was met with universal disdain. And that shows how dangerous it is to have a leader who can deceive others into trust. Quite aside from a matter of principle.

[irrationally]

I don't think I've listened to a single thing he said.

[ "Think" since she has no idea what he's said to begin with.. Alice doesn't pay any attention to all of this council stuff or whatever, after all. ]

And I've honestly experienced much less disdain here than I ever have back home. So I'm not quite sure what you're doing wrong.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Probably I'm a lot more vocal. When things go against my principles, I can't just let them slide! Also, you're a cute girl and I am definitely not. Also, you haven't spoken of the flaws of this election system versus monarchy. Plus if you have extreme distaste for a boy everyone else coddles, you haven't expressed that openly either. So a few reasons there, I think.

[irrationally]

[ She groans before rubbing her temples. ]

Don't call me cute again unless you'd like to deal with some more universal disdain. [ Why does everyone insist on using that word with her! Please! No! ] But I see. I guess that's one of the advantages of indifference.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Hey, it's just how it is! People are more likely to excuse something coming from you than from me just because of looks. I can't make people change how they are! [Edge shrugs. He wasn't even hitting on her!] But if you start defending the wrong people or speaking up about the wrong actions, you'll hit this trouble too.

[irrationally]

I'm pretty sure I fall squarely outside of the 'getting away with stuff because they're cute-looking' category.

[ Granted, that's partially because of low self esteem, but also just since she's well aware she has resting bitchface.. ]

But we'll see. I can handle it if people get mad at me.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[Edge super-disagrees; resting bitchface or not, he's sure she'll get more leeway than a guy like him. But no point in arguing that further.] So long as you're warned, I feel like I've done my duty.

[irrationally]

Sure. I will consider myself warned.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

All right! Then my duty is done, and I can rest easy tonight. You know, easy as anyone can around here.

[irrationally]

[ .. okay, now that's actually an oddly relatable thing to say. Especially since Alice was pretty sure she was the only one here feeling that way.

Not that she shows she agrees though, instead just trying to ask as neutrally as possible-- ]

Do you think something is threatening you at night?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

My conscience, much of the time. Not knowing what tomorrow will bring. I might worry more if people could get into the cabins they didn't live in more easily...