backdated to fiddlesticks 24, morning

[blue_ice]

I need to address what happened last night. If you're tired of hearing about it, I promise I'll be fast and avoid detail.

[ He looks like he hasn't slept much. He's giving the crew a very somber expression. ]

First, Xue Yang isn't dead. The spirit going by the name of Wester put him in a penalty coma, where he's being forced to karmically experience the sensation of death. I know this because an incarnation of the same spirit dealt me the same punishment for a somewhat lesser crime, and I'm still standing.

Wester's spirit has certain abilities to uncover the past. The image they conjured was likely the truth, but it shouldn't have been shown to you all with such little warning. And I promise we're working on tracking them down to be dealt with, because however well-intentioned, it wasn't their place to be sole judge, jury, and executioner. You all shouldn't have to be afraid that every minor sin will bring wrath on your heads.

I'll try to answer any questions you have.

And...Wester, if you're listening, I still believe in you. We're both sinners, for better or worse, and you won't turn me away that easily. But we have to deal with this, delaying will only make it worse.

Comments

[draconite]

It definitely doesn't do much for the atmosphere, at the very least...

[ She shrugs, but it's not dismissive exactly. ]

Do we have much in the way of actual enforcement of any of the rules you've established? For example, if we have another incident like this, how exactly will the perpetrators be dealt with?

[blue_ice]

That's our next project. The trouble is that this murder happened in the dead of night, if what we saw is accurate, and we didn't have a night patrol. We probably need that.

I'd recommend a psych eval and restricted movement for a while, but of course we need the people to do that.

[draconite]

So we really don't have anything at all in place... I see.

[ Had it really taken this long for something extreme enough to warrant those kinds of measures? That's interesting. ]

I think the only real question I have is how do we plan to handle things from people's homes? If someone from my world arrived on the train and I had reason to suspect they were dangerous, what would we do then?

[blue_ice]

Inform us, so we can investigate...but it sounds like a-Qing didn't really have a reason to trust us, and it happened so quickly that no one could intervene.

I'll definitely drive this home at the meeting. I'm not the brawns to be an enforcer here, but I know a few are.

[draconite]

[ At that, Bryn suddenly lights up. ]

Oh, if it's brawns you're in need of then I'd be happy to help! I'm much, much stronger than I look, you see.

[blue_ice]

...not the first person here to say that.

Strong enough to restrain someone with years of training and hellbent on murder, I take it?

[draconite]

With ease! And if you require a demonstration of some sort, I'd be more than happy to provide one!

[ At least she seems... confident... ]