Video - Grasshopper 2

[adregem]

[ Broadcasting from the Dressing Carriage, a young man dressed in a purple shirt and coat comes onscreen. Though this might be his first time showing his face on the ICP for all to see, he carries himself with a practiced ease that can only come from years of televised experience. He may even come across as a little too stiff and serious, shoulders back and chin up, voice sure and certain. ]

[ From time to time, those watching this broadcast might even see a certain Spider dart in and out of the ICP's periphery, eyes shining in the dim light. ]

Hello and good day to my fellow Voidtrecker passengers. I have already met some of you, but for those I have yet to introduce myself to, my name is Roland Crane. I ask only for a few moments of your time as I read to you the following statement on behalf of a proactive citiz - ah, member of the train. [ His eyes dart down from time to time as he reads from a piece of paper. ]



Friends, a day ago we saw the exit of more of those who once travelled with us. Among them was Yuffie, the Black Team's designated team lead. [ A pause. ] While we are by no means taking over the Black Team, there was a thought inspired by their goals which we would now like to pitch to the train at large. [ Another pause. ]

Your friendly Spider Seamstress would like to take this chance to offer interested parties a special black wristband. These are no ordinary accessories, as they will all be imbued with magic. What they would allow her to do is locate the wearer so that during missions, she can open teleportation gates to their precise location. This means that those on-ground would not be confined to one team, but could go to where their skills and talents will most likely be needed. These people would then form the newly decided upon Black Squad. [ He's not pausing for dramatic effect, you are! ]

This arrangement would be voluntary, but has the power to greatly increase our collective response time, give bolstering to any team that needed it, and to better allocate our resources. [ Roland turns to the ICP, and goes off-script. ] Speaking for myself, I think it's a great initiative given that we need to spread backup and recon depending on the severity of our task. This sort of reminds me of something from home. When there's danger afoot, or you need immediate help, we would call the appropriate offices to respond first on the scene.

[ He turns back to the final part of the script. ] If you have any questions, please contact Misa or Roland in the Dressing Carriage.

[ Roland's eyes dart to the side, as if silently communicating with someone off-screen. He nods with a smile. ] Thank you for listening, and have a pleasant Grasshopper day ahead.

(OOC: kumoko / misa will most likely threadjack or respond to comments here as well!)

Comments

Video

[grannyofthebolt]

"In my experience, teleportation magic is really draining. It feels kind of like being drunk. Are you certain the enchanter has the resources to build such things that aren't one off items?"

video

[kumoko]

"It's a specialty."

The spider on-screen with Roland pauses, and then types another sentence into the tablet that's speaking for her, "The wristbands are quest markers. Passive effect, low cost."

[grannyofthebolt]

"Are the quests they are marked to ones predetermined, or will they be hazard encoded as the various jobs are given out?"

[blitzcheer]

[ Teleporting all over the place?? oh heck yeah Tidus is 100% down for black team squad now. ]

Sign me up! This is a great idea!

[adregem]

[ He's happy to see the enthusiasm. ]

You got it. I agree, which is why I was onboard with the idea so fast. It pays to have that kind of flexibility especially when every world we'll visit will be unique. We won't have the luxury of time to scope it out properly.

[ That's at least one new recruit down! Roland turns to Kumoko with a glint in his eye. Success. ]

[Video] Threadjacks welcome!

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita, watching this post, smiles and gives Roland a friendly wave as he talks, before focusing more on the actual speech.

By the end she's nodding, if a bit more serious in mood.]

I think I'd be okay with having one, though let me know if the, ah, Spider Seamstress needs a power boost or anything.

[Video] Threadjacks for breakfast!!

[adregem]

[ He waves back warmly. ]

It's good to see you up and about again, Nita. You feeling better?

[ Roland keeps his eyes on the ICP, though it does look like he's communicating the message to said Spider seamstress away from the screen. He chuckles and nods back to Nita after a quick yet silent conversation. ]

What kind of power boost is it? Thanks, I'm pretty sure she's grateful for that support! This is a pretty ambitious undertaking, after all.

action in the dressing carriage

[kumoko]

[ Don't mind her, she's just staring at him in unmitigated awe. Roland!! When he'd said he had some experience reading out lines she didn't think he meant he was some kind of... intense politician type. What's with that charisma! How did he know how to stop and wait for a response without making it look awkward? He brought Misa's speech to life.

Is this what it feels like to involve oneself?

(Kumoko, you didn't do anything).

Feels great! ]

Thanks!

[sensitiveapple]

[ Misa smiles just the tiniest bit and moves her long hair out of the way, as she sits embroidering on her blue dress. ]

Kumoko, can you make green fabric?

[ The question is the most she's spoken since before platform. ]

[agathokakological]

What exactly is the point of saying you're not going to follow the train's team system if you're just going to join another one, anyway?

[kumoko]

Black team is a team. Black squad is a secret operative force out to save the day.

Video

[swansongs]

I'd be totally down for this, it sounds really cool. And helpful.

[He wasn't sure how much help he'd be, personally, but he still liked the idea.]

Video

[adregem]

[ Roland nods, and takes note for Kumoko. He's happy to see the endeavor is currying favor. ]

That's well noted. Thank you for the feedback. I think the more we empower one another to get the job done, whatever it may be, the better we'll get through this Voidtrecker business together.

Video;

[madcuriosity]

There's a black team? [Look, she's still new and learning about this ever changing train.]

Video;

[adregem]

[ A...little girl? No, Roland knows what power children have. Evan, Tani, Ferdinand...He nods at her, though he is compelled to explain a bit further. ]

It's not a new team, per se. The train still gets to decide who goes on what official team, like how I'm in Purple. The Black Squad...helps get people out of trouble, regardless of what color team they're in. If there's trouble.

[ Video ]

[theturksway]

[First off, Reno recognizes that kind of confidence and charisma this guy giving a speech gave off. It was awfully familiar and for a moment Reno gets a little homesick. He's not gonna get into that though. The meat of the speech was what was important here.

He's down.]

We've got something like that back where I'm from, too, and I'm part of it. Used to flying a helicopter to the designated trouble spot but, ya know, teleportation is fine. Talk about a quick response time with that kinda capability, yo!

You can count me in. That's makes two, actually, my subordinate will join me.

[rookiemistakes]

I prefer “colleague” to “subordinate,” but yeah. I’m in.

Video

[cannibalartist]

Sounds like a good idea. I would like to be part of this Black Squad, if you will accept newcomers.

[ That's it. He doesn't seem to have any questions or anything like that. ]

Video

[adregem]

[ He nods without hesitation. ]

Of course. As long as you're fully aware of the Black Squad's goals and are aligned with them, anyone is welcome to volunteer. [ Roland is sure of this fact, though he does glance side to side every so often to check for...approval? From the said Spider Seamstress who bore the idea! ]

[laurefindil]

[Glorfindel shows up moments later in the Dressing Carriage. He has on his serious face. Naturally he shows up with pastries!]

I am very interested in participating, and in helping out if any planning needs to take place before or after or even during a mission.

[sensitiveapple]

[ Misa is sitting in her hammock, her dress in her lap, with gold embroidery. Her hair is down and she looks beyond exhausted. ]

We could use some help with distribution. People need the black wrist bands, and don't always like coming back to the dressing car.

[ She doesn't understand why. ]

video;

[mynameisallen]

Sign me up. If that is still okay?

video;

[adregem]

[ Roland nods. ]

More than okay. You're already signed up. The Dressing Car should be distributing the wristbands by tomorrow.

Video

[goingthroughaphase]

That could actually be really helpful. [ Not that she's been on a mission yet, but she can only imagine it would. ] I'd like to join too, if that's okay.

[sensitiveapple]

It's fine. Kumoko will be making these wrist bands. If you want to stop by dressing car tomorrow or something, we should have a few for people to take.