Merriment 15 Mission Documents and Interviews [OTA]

[wewillwewill]

Who: Elidibus and Various [OtA]
Where: L1:B, Quiet Car, Standard Car
When: Merriment 15-18
What: Collation of reports, interviews.
Warnings: Reports may or may not contain various traumas.


[Neat notices are posted in strategic locations around the train- namely the dining car, standard car and appropriate communal spots. The message reads much the same content as this network post.]


An Interview - the Quiet Car
For those who wanted to speak directly about their experience, Elidibus chose one of the quiet booths to conduct it. There is an open notebook- the one the train initially provides- and a pencil in hand, likely to make any key notes.

"What would you like to begin with?" he quietly asks.


Other!

Below are various other methods of turning in details about the mission on the false Diagad. Please respond to the appropriate comment. Everything will be collated 'as is' into a public record. The only exception are personal interviews which will be summarized with the salient information.

Comments

Anonymous Documents

[wewillwewill]

Please post here if you submit your report anonymously or wish to maintain anonymity.

If Elidibus knows this anonymous report's sender, please mark that down. But he will not share the information with anyone else.

Documents

[wewillwewill]

Reports here. These will be ones written as if the poster made their identity known.

Interview Summaries

[wewillwewill]

Interview Summaries will be documented in this section by Elidibus. They will contain mostly facts but it's important to know that the data may not contain the entire interview. This would be what is 'ICly' public knowledge.

Actual Interviews

[wewillwewill]

Post IC Interview Threads to this comment!

[helborn]

Casper has wasted no time in finding Elidibus for an interview. This stuff is important.

"Well... first I should probably start off with the fact that this isn't the first time I've dealt with something like this, though it's the first time it's been memory alteration rather than shoved inside a resident of that world's head."

[wewillwewill]

Elidibus is not the type to start writing immediately or much at all. The page it's opened to is blank but the book is hardly more than four pages in by the count. The pencil remains at rest; no fidgeting with it.

"I've heard there were missions before this which dealt with the entity. By all means, begin with your earliest encounter and what occurred."

His manner may seem composed, but he doesn't lack interest. His gaze is keen as he focuses on Casper and waits for the young man to describe what happened.

[blitzcheer]

Sure, why not. Tidus comes, if somewhat reluctantly; with the reason why becoming fairly evident as soon as he speaks after the question asked.

"Welll, do you just wanna know everything I saw? I didn't really get up to the same stuff like you Roland and Wei Wuxian did."

So did he have much to offer in terms of information? He was dubious, but! He'll support this endeavour. It wasn't like this wasn't brought up in the past to do.

[wewillwewill]

"So much the better," Elidibus answers. He then continues by explaining.

"Individual reports provide unique perspective. Even if it seems inconsequential compared to other actions, it may provide a clue that is otherwise overlooked."

With a practiced pause, the Ascian then adds.

"This is not the first time you've come across this entity, is it? Your ability to compare the incident to prior ones is also valuable. So please, don't hesitate to share your experience."

[blitzcheer]

Tidus spreads out his hands, palms facing up, a small gesture as he submits.

"Alright then, I'll tell you what I know," he says. "But some of this is 'he said, he said' kinda-info, so you can ask other people if they heard the same, or if they're the people who said it."

Which is elusive to what he's referring to, not defined, but Tidus continues on, to explain.

"If we're talking about the entity, it's better to go backwards, through-" He's got a forefinger he's already pointing, that pauses to remember the number. "-three missions, from the last one. So Kamakan, that's the first mission we saw and heard from the guy. He somehow hacked the computers there, and was making the people on the different levels see different things."

This is occupied by a short chopping motion, chopping upwards for four levels - the four different tiers of the city.

"One of the things he did in that, it was similar to what we had to deal with in another mission... but some people who can read energies said the illusions that everyone was seeing inside a kingdom, Erda, was the same stuff as in Kamakan."

Tidus pauses, eyes on Elidibus, seeing if he needs him to slow down, if he's following, needs confirmation, or if he can continue.

It's not about the Jinnjar mission, but if Elidibus wants to know about that chaos guy, he better get this mess out first, right?

[wewillwewill]

"Was Erda part of the same mission as Kamakan? Forgive me, I am still catching up on the information available," Elidibus offers. The pause seems welcome and well timed to boot. After another moment, while waiting for the answer, the Ascian decides to pick up the pencil and neatly begins to make a basic outline of what Tidus said of the city.

Though it is given a musing frown. Simple geometry does not give full appreciation of the city's layers. Should he peek at the youth's memories? That would probably undermine trust, though. Sigh.

Well perhaps there will be pictures of these places available.

"How many of the missions would you say have been influenced by Chaos that you know of? Is there a sense of escalation to each?"

[blitzcheer]

"Erda was the mission before Kamakan." He points towards the table, but at an angle, 'separating' the two locations. "Erda was a city with a whole wall around it, made from bricks, but Kamakan was a city that sat on top of itself, in the four tiers. It was in a giant tube to keep the air outside from getting in."

Two cities, two entirely different structures. But maybe a better way of differencing the two locations, even without knowing of Elidibus's want for visualisation. But, Tidus figures it's an easier way of separating the two.

"There were three places in all. And..." An escalation? Tidus frowns, brow dipping as he thinks. "I...guess. The first place didn't even have anyone there yet, 'cept the computers. Then the next city, there weren't many people? They were in the middle of a war against these demons, and we never saw the guy. And then Kamakan, that had a whole lot more people there. And when we started messing with his plans, he made everyone in the city walk out where there was bad air that'd kill them."

That sure was an escalation.

[wewillwewill]

Small geometric doodles of Erda and Kamakan, complete with labels. Notes. It's basic but effective. The pencil is placed down again and he looks to Tidus, listening quietly as the young man outlines the story.

"That would be three including our recent?" He looks thoughtful. "No, you said there were three places, two before Kamakan." Tidus has probably talked with Elidibus enough to know there will be no great shock or emotion related to hearing the entity had forced many people out into an environment that would kill them.

Besides, he seems interested in taking a moment to outline the three places and their composition.

"Perhaps we should begin again. Tell me the order of the cities, their population or lack of, and what matter of significance the entity known as Chaos did. What retaliation, if any, was there for your actions?"

[blitzcheer]

Tidus wonders how confusing he's making this, that it's fuzzing his brain now, to have to start from the beginning. He runs a hand through his hair, leaning back some as he lets out a breath. Alright, starting again.

"There weren't any really, 'til Kamakan. Not on a big scale? It's difficult." To explain, but that's not the beginning, so he pauses.

"The beginning," he starts again. At the beginning. "--we landed on this space station- I don't remember the name well. Something like Crysohale? Anyway, that - we went there, no one was around, but it had a big computer." He pauses, to give Elidibus a moment to process before he continues.

"We went into the computer, and there were these...red vines. And there were these lights around too, outside the computer." Aha. He makes a ring motion with a finger.

"Those are the relevant stuff for that place, 'kay? Then we get Erda, the next place. There's a big city, surrounded by a wall. Everyone in there thinks everything's okay - they're all part of a big delusion, and they're getting attacked by these things called demons.

"Apparently-" he sweeps a hand across the table, a short motion, a conversational thing more than anything, "--the humans or someone made a deal with the demons, and the defences - the magic wards - that the city usually had up that keep the demons out were broken, and there was this mind control going on. And in the last fight we had, some of the people fighting, on our side - they saw illusions too? Even if they weren't in the city."

Again, another pause.

"That's what we have for those two places. And they connect with Kamakan, 'cause people read the same energy from Erda being used in Kamakan to make illusions. And, the lights that made illusion on the space station were around, as well as the red vines and people getting trapped inside computer games. Like a...nother reality."

Er, does that make sense? Please make sense, he doesn't know how much he has to explain video games.

[weifinder]

"Tea!" He says, so brightly, sliding a cup of the very thing across the table toward Elidibus. "I'd say alcohol, but mine's not coming in until next platform."

[wewillwewill]

Tea. Elidibus looks at Wei Wuxian briefly and then down at the cup pushed to him. It is reached for and lifted, examined for its color and scented. What manner of tea has been brought? Well for the sake of discovery it would be irrelevant, as the Ascian will be tasting it anyway before setting it down again.

"Thank you," Elidibus politely offers. "Tea is fine. Alcohol would dull the senses and it is important to remember the details with as much clarity as possible." There is a short pause. "I trust you have recovered from your ordeal?"

[weifinder]

"If recovery means I've woken not feeling entirely drained, that does appear to be the case." Upbeat, and them being any day after the fifteenth, means it's also true. "If you mean in other ways, that's half of what I'm here to discuss!"

Even more upbeat, and he takes his own tea and sips, the brew of green, decent leaves, but not inspired. He wishes it were inspired. He needs to see about making use of the train system of points to procure tea, he really does.

"You already have what our encounter at the civic centre went like, yes? Have you had many interviews with people who faced Chaos? Who anchored? So far?"

[wewillwewill]

"It's good to know you are not overly exhausted," Elidibus offers. After having established a suitable sense of how the tea tastes, it is set aside. He'll probably not touch it until it's cold to see what it would taste like then. Like a savage.

Just as well it wasn't fancy.

"I will but my report in with the others. Though if you would like to write something from your perspective later, it would be appreciated. Then we can focus this interview on experiences specific to you." There is a brief pause. It is indeed after the fifteenth. Though even if it's early, the Ascian still frowns slightly.

"I have some few who have stepped forward. Though not in the numbers I had hoped. Still, I intend to be patient and get as much from those who do participate as I am able." Elidibus shakes his head and refocuses his attention on Wei Wuxian. "Nevertheless, even if the information you give echoes something I have already head, I wish to hear it from your perspective. And if you are willing, to speak on the matter of the effects of the infusion of Chaos' power you experienced."

[weifinder]

"Ah, sure, sure, I'd love to hear from you as well. You're going to be making this all available to the train after?"

There are important things he wants to know ahead of time, like what he says, and what of it, will go where. Not from any outset of needing to hide anything, but some details are useless outside of his knowing, and others are ones that might have Meaning.

[wewillwewill]

"That is my intention," Elidibus answers. "I will write the relevant parts of our interview in a report and the collection of records I receive will be made available in the library for everyone to read. Should there be a detail you wish to remain private, or at least something you'd wish to be asked about in person, I will note it so."

There's nothing to indicate he's not telling the truth. In fact he's being quite honest with his intentions. Left unspoken is whether he would use the information for other reasons, but at the very least there will be benefit for the other passengers.

Right?

"I'm willing to share my perspective on the conversation we had with Chaos. Given there was little time to do so in the midst of events. Unless you'd rather wait for the published report."

outside of interview

[securityconsultant]

It's outside of the interviews when Murderbot - Rin to most - finds the man. It's difficult to tell whether or not it's tried deliberately to sneak up on him or otherwise appear unnoticed, but whether or not Elidibus is aware of it before it speaks up as he passes through a car-

"You're the one asking about Diagad."

It isn't a question.

[wewillwewill]

Elidibus pauses and glances to make certain this individual is addressing him with the question.

"Yes, I am Elidibus" he answers simply. There's no point in hiding it or showing signs of wariness. The Ascian hardly intends his inquiry in the matter to be secret after all.

After being sure to step out of the way so that others progress through the car isn't interrupted, Elidibus takes a moment to study the one that calls itself Rin.

"Is there something you needed?"

[securityconsultant]

"I wanted to know what you're doing with the information."

Introductions? Nah, those aren't necessary right now. It doesn't seem outright hostile, though, more...wary. Measuring. Murderbot is very good at keeping its thoughts and emotions hidden, mind, but - sometimes it doesn't mind letting a little bleed through on to its face.

Right now, it just seems more scrutinizing than anything else. As if trying to determine something.

[wewillwewill]

Ah, this, then. Well by the look of things, Elidibus was expecting someone to come forward and ask him. There would only be a shift toward an expression of acknowledgement with a trace of resignation.

"No less than what I've announced. I plan to compile the information and make it available to everyone in the train. Barring any information deemed too personal those that come for interviews. No one need give more than they are willing to share for the benefit of everyone on this train."

Elidibus studies Rin right back. Calmly, with no signs of hidden agenda or guilt suggesting he isn't being completely honest.

"Does this answer satisfy you, or do you wish to inquire more?"

tmw you play a character with resting angry face

[securityconsultant]

"Nothing more than they're willing to share? And any of it stays private that they ask?"

It's not so much seeking confirmation or assurance, as well. Perhaps trying to read Elidubus's reaction to the words. Whether or not it has its own story to share still remains to be seen.

[wewillwewill]

Good luck. The man's had twelve-thousand years to perfect his poker face and he's not in a particularly emotional state of mind. Though it is definitely certain now that he expected at least one person to interrogate him about his intentions. Just that it might not necessarily have been Rin he was anticipating.

After closing his eyes in a moment's thought, Elidibus opens them again and meets the bot's gaze.

"If they ask, yes. That is my intention. Though I can't promise I would hold back private information in the face of an emergency where the risk to everyone is greater than the need to keep secrets. I would, however, endeavor to ask permission first."

There is absolutely no sign of guilt or remorse accompanying his utterance. It suggests Elidibus will do exactly as stated, should it be judged necessary.