voidtreckerexpress | We're all in this train-gether 🚂

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We're all in this train-gether 🚂

Who: OTA. If you’re a passenger with a ticket on this train, then you are most welcome here!
Where: Upper Music Car
When: Imagination 18, at around brunch.
What: Welcome to the train’s first ever community open forum. Come for the food, stay for the best discussions ever.
Warnings: Lots of top-levels for easy access to relevant topics to your characters, but apart from that, nothing right now! (Not a warning but a heads-up that one TL will be dedicated to the dissemination and discussion of the bonus trek during the last mission. For your OOC reference, please see here.)

Someway through the 18th of Imagination, an announcement for the already spoken for meeting is shared by the ICPs, giving people twenty minutes to come to the upper Music Carriage for the gathering. While the chairs mostly face the stage, they’ve been curved to allow people to face their fellow passengers too, so not to put the sole focus in one place.

This is a meeting for all, and everyone will have their chance to speak and be heard.

The promised snack table sits to one side of the room, and on the stage, the white board from the standard coach has been brought in, written on it bullet points for the planned topics. To assist in the flow of discussion, familiar moderators stand in place to help jot things down, carry conversation further should one idea end while another is ready to begin, among other such administrative tasks to organize the forum. Plus, the ICP’s are in constant use all throughout the meeting, with basic announcements about what’s being discussed now, and how more people are still welcome to catch up to the Music Car if they hear something that interests them.

Grab a plate, settle down, and let’s get to work.

(OOC: Specific top-levels will be set-up for ease of tagging. Select ‘Show Top-Level Comments Only’ if you would like to skip ahead! And as much as possible kindly keep to a single thread in that TL, unless a very special or private point has to be made with regards to the subject! :) Of course if you will be tagging the snacks table, the extra suggestions, or the meta-thread, this does not apply any longer.

Also, very important: Please see here for an example format of how documentation of missions can go! It is most relevant during the discussion on information gathering.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Right. Sorry; that's my bad and I own that.

[Even if she doesn't exactly feel that bad for airing the baggage, she did ultimately bring it up and, as a Leader, she has to take responsibly for it.]

[Galo glances away for a moment then back at Tidus. At least what went down before let him have time to think. But he has a flat unimpressed expression on his face and it isn’t leaving any time soon.] Honestly? I prefer this where we all talk. All that before reminded me of the shit I have been leaping through hoops for back home.

[He could write a book, honestly.]

Yeah, we’ll have people not always agree but at least we’re all clearly in this together. If some of us vanish, others can carry on in our steed. It’s like fire fighting teams. We got rules but we also know we can die at any fire.

That’s enough for me.

Talking is best. Though, perhaps it is best to have someone be a moderator at any group discussion, as Tidus just proved, to keep us on topic. It does not have to be the same person, however, or even a single person.

One of the issues, Galo, is that we don't have set rules here. We are not all from the same world, or even type of world, so what might be a law in my world may not be one in yours...or even relevant to our situation on this Train. I stress, however, that I am not saying that we necessarily require rules. It is important to stay flexible, considering what we are learning about the Train and its history.

Yeah, probably best to at least have somebody who can keep things mostly on topic.

And as for rules, aside from some really basic ones like 'no killing, no stealing, no randomly attacking people, etc.', like Glorfindel said, we don't necessarily need that many rules. Partly because it's.... honestly kind of hard to actually enforce them anyway. I mean it's not like we've got a 'jail car' or something we can stick somebody in, so our options are kind of limited.

So to clarify, I was referring to rules as in fire fighting teams have their rules. Not that I was suggesting you need rules on this train other than the basic shit.

The point was, we don't need to complicate the shit out of everything. Open meetings where we all talk is proving really effective. And I like seeing people able to freely express their opinions.

We are moderating this one too. I mean, I know I don't look the moderating type, [ he can even attest to that, shrugging with his head, ] but I like this format. And hey, I think it doesn't have to be the same people all the time either. Not everyone's gonna be up for these things always, and we don't want to get too comfortable with the same people. We wanna invite people in, let them take part.

[ Which has been the theme of this. But he's been thinking too since he spoke up. Put together his own thoughts. ]

Just to share my own feelings about a system... I like this, but you know, I still get we need people on the administration side. Divisions - maybe that's the best word too. We still need people to go through everything that's said at the end of this and let the whole train know what's up, right? And I think that works. Some of us who can focus on this project or that project.

If we're talkin' about the Council as mediators - [ he pauses, gathering his thoughts; hands held in a hold position. He needs a second to think. ] - I think we can have some group of people who maybe can be signed up for talking to about some issues or other. But they wouldn't be deciding anything or everything. It's like... [ what the word, what's the word. ] I don't know - like an office you can take complaints to.

[ He sighs. This is a lot for him, and he feels he needs more time. Still. ] I don't have everything laid out in my head, but just - we've got a lot of good people onboard, people who wanna help. No one should have power over anyone. Even if you said we can't anyway, that's... that's what I wanna avoid. What I don't see the point of. [ He waves a hand. ]

But- just quick. Eva, Glor, Seto. Nita- everyone on the council here, [ he says with a nod, tries to look at them. ] I know you wanna help the train, and do your best for people here. You've got stuff you're good at too. Seto, Nita, you've done your best talking to people, speaking out on the ICPs. Eva, you've been doing your best with keeping records, and I appreciate the help with that here today. And Glor, you've got your own experiences too, you were your own kind of leader back home, even if you didn't get to show 'em much as a council member.

I just wanted you all to know... you know. Everything people do, and what you've done before. What you can still do - I still think all of us have a lot to offer. And you guys too. No matter what's said.

[ Is he getting to say what he wanted? He frowns then shakes his head sheepishly. ] Err- someone else go next!

Tidus-kun, don't sell yourself short. You're doing a job with moderating. [There's a grin- than turns into a 'wait what' look at her doing her best with records. She's not even good at it! She's had to learn on the fly! Without her boyfriend to help her!!!]

I have my thoughts with the Council and I know I've likely come off as- myths if I know. Stubborn? [She shrugs a little, not really sure what impressions of her are at this point and she won't blame anyone if they end up with negative.] Either way, the Council'll need to talk between us on everything that's brought up as they are all good points -and I don't think a Council should decide everything; it's not how it works at home at least. We just need time... or at least a deadline?

[A sigh.] I don't know right now. There's a lot to take in right now.

[And she should probably sit down, but details. She's Fine!... Just a bit Tired.]

[ Seto has likely been radiating tension for a little while. He's close to Eva, offering silent support if needed, but it isn't until this last exchange that he speaks again. ]

I touched on this before, but in the business world, failed leaders are a toxic influence to be completely purged if you want the company to thrive. Generally, by the time a board meeting's called to oust you, you're dead---metaphorically, at least. My initial reaction was irrational paranoia, based on that.

I agree that this structure doesn't work as-is, and you all hold the keys to a better one. We'll resolve and be ready to let the train move forward as soon as possible, we owe you that much. And if I can help I will, regardless.

[ He's about ready to retreat, but. The job has to be finished. ]

Edited 2020-12-07 12:10 (UTC)

[Eva's hand shoots out to grab his wrist. It's light, but- she knows that tension; has been there herself.]

Stay? Please?

[She'll let him leave if he really wants, but as far as Eva cares right now, being a Leader is a Duty and Responsibility. Listening is part of that, however hard it is.]

Edited 2020-12-07 12:29 (UTC)

[ That surprises him. He blinks down at her. ]

...well, we're on a train with supernaturally reinforced walls. The furthest I could go is locking myself in an abandoned room.

[ A poor attempt at humor. He gently rests his hand on hers for a moment, then nods back to everyone. ]

But I'm here to face the music. I don't run.

Good. I'm glad no one is running. This isn't the time to escape.

[ He asks for the floor when he sees that lull, right when Eva asks Kaiba to return. Between the heated debates and digressions, Roland's kept quiet, listening, figuring out what to say. Staying as levelheaded as he can, given the unexpected tension. At last, he knows exactly what he wishes to say, clear with no hesitation. ]

I don't know about everybody else, but I think this has been a really successful discussion. [ If Roland is getting faces thrown his way, he smiles in an almost genuine sense, nodding in affirmation. ] I'm not joking. Listen. Any time a community breaks down barriers and decides they want to come together as one, no holds barred, is considered a win. And hearing dissent? That's even better. Because then you get to understand where people are coming from. You hear their concerns without the bells and whistles.

[ The arms crossed over his chest grow tighter in his determination. ]

Let me be clear on one thing though: this isn't a gathering for attacking previous efforts, or who's most passionate about being a leader. We need to focus on what matters, and why we're all here today. Because for the councilmembers present, is this not your perfect opportunity to appeal to us - the people of the train who you have asked to elect you in your positions - what you want your organization to accomplish? We ask of you not to convene behind closed doors anymore, and to instead, stay here and talk to the community who you are representing on the day to day. And if you have no answers now, then let this gathering be your rallying support to help you find that meaning. You are not alone. Take whatever failures you perceive and let them go. The past can't shackle us forever. We have to look forward. Together. If doing so means disbanding for something better, then so be it. We must be able to make tough calls for the future.

[ He looks around the room, meets both familiar and new faces. ]

Now, regarding the topic on the role of the council should it be retained - I'm hearing that it can be a group of folks that can moderate, direct open forums like this, and compile minutes for dissemination to the rest of the train. Are there any other suggestions, from anyone else? Everyone is all ears. Please don't hesitate, and speak up.

[Devero's been silent through this segment of the discussion, feeling that he is far too new to the train to speak on organizing and leading it. There's obviously a lot of history that he's completely unaware of. He's simply been listening, and occasionally taking notes with a flurry of his hands. But at Roland's invitation, he stands.]

Where I come from, the role of a leader-- of any organization, at any level-- is to facilitate people working together. Do you know what our main leadership title is?

Administrator.

If nothing else, it sounds like this community is in dire need of an Administrator, or a team of Administrators, to improve the organization and cooperation of all the different groups and teams-- divisions, whatever-- that we all want formed.

[He nods at Roland.] He's got the right of it. It sounds to me like that's a role this Council of yours could play. Not making decisions or enforcing rules, just compiling and disseminating information, and helping balance the needs and duties of the-- [A gesture as he tries to recall the terminology everyone's been using.] --Team Leads, and White and Black Band groups, and whatever other divisions we ultimately decide on forming.

[He spreads his hands.] Know I haven't been here more than a few days, so I could be completely off-base, but that's how it seems to me.

[His piece said, he sits.]

I'll admit-

[It's the first time Nita's spoken up during this part of the discussion, too. Anyone watching her could have witnessed a veritable storm of emotions as the earlier arguments had erupted - but this latest development has her expression clearing, and calming.

Something like enthusiasm is in her eyes.]

That's more like what I'm familiar with, too. You have wizards in Advisory and Senior positions, but they're more often than not just coordinating people - the area of the world, or even beyond, that they're in charge of, is because they've spent time making things work on that scale... which means helping everyone within that area get along with their lives. Being able to help with trouble in that jurisdiction, if other wizards come asking for it.

[Then she smiles, wry.]

And knowing how to delegate. That's important, too.

Getting people to work together - and helping them stay informed, about the train and how they can work with each other, on-mission and off - that's something I want to help with.

Having spoken to the other Council members at various times, I think removing the closed door policy is definitely at the top of any agenda we come up with for any meetings we have in the future, even if it ends up just being one. The person who insisted on that is no longer a part of the Council, so please, consider that a relic of the past.

In Imladris, our Council was administrative, we advised Lord Elrond, mediated between groups--indeed, the leaders of each group was a part of the council, from Bards, to Builders, to Bakers and everyone in between. We guided, we recruited, we trained, we listened. That is my background. So I am very interested in the Train forming such a thing...whether or not I am a part of it, or just another Passenger who benefits from it.

[Galo’s own flat unimpressed look clears as he listens and a smile spreads across his face.] Hey, yeah. Administrators sounds like a great idea! A lot of us - as said before - know our shit and how to operate. Having people to coordinate us on a bigger scale while letting us do what we do best is a better system to me.

One I bet would make some people relax too. If people need help they can ask for it and if they don’t know who to ask, admins can get them in touch with people in that field. I think I agree with earlier that team leads shouldn’t be admins. The point is balance and that doesn’t feel balanced. But I don’t think admin should tell team leaders what to do or how to balance their part. Just advise and talk.

[And he holds up his hands here. He can almost feel the arguments that his words could cause.] This is not about failures or anything. It’s about letting us all work together and making the system flexible so when we disappear we’re not left scrambling to fix things. And it could tie the community together. People can understand things on all sides.

So no one is seen as lesser or anything like that. Everyone is valued and I want something that reflects that.

[ Kaiba has remained subdued. He really doesn't think there's a place for him in this new structure...he was never one to mediate conflicts, but cause them. He's more like Tony than he realized---stubborn, secretive, thinks he knows best.

But Tony had something over him, as much as he hated to admit it: experience, and that was the building block of the charisma that had made the original structure work in the first place. This new thing was not his style, but with Yugi and his friends? Maybe he'd learned something after all. ]

Right. Flexible and inclusive. I don't think I have a place in a coordinator structure, but for those who do, and there are many of you:

Don't forget to keep your ears to the ground, and recognize talent when you see it. We've had skill surveys, but they're self-reported, and that's a weakness: some might not have the confidence or language to put their skills on paper. Get to know people on a personal level, outside of business. Turns out that makes the work of coordinating easier.

People would not only be able to ask for help with a task, but find a place to belong.

I disagree that team leads shouldn't also be admin; back on Arkea, we had a lot of people doing two roles, especially within the industry I work in. Sure, not everyone is good at it, yet they are capable of separating the two duties. It's a requirement, actually.

[Her eyes flick to Seto.] I think you do; being a CEO's basically that after all.

[ He looks at Seto. ]

Think I agree with Eva, I mean - if I'm getting the admin idea right. Talking to people, helping organising things, getting everyone on the same page? [ He shrugs a little. ] When I think about the two people I heard talking to everyone from the council, even if was about council stuff? Was you and Nita.

But if you don't want to, no one's gonna force you. [ A beat, and he waves his hand, tries to sound reassuring. ] Don't worry about it too hard. Sleep on everything. Whatever happens, if you wanna help everyone, you still can.

[ With that said, there is another small pause before- ]

As for uh, admins and team leads... I never used to get why they weren't in the council convos, but... [ He is slow, trying to think. ] Maybe it's something we can think about. My thing is, I don't want the Team Leads to be taking up more work if they're gonna be the ones available for team talk or putting together their own team meetings and team projects.

Anyway, [ he says with a sudden spark in tone, ] Team Leads are just team admins, right? So they should focus on that.

[Galo shrugs, visibly unbothered by the replies.] Yeah, that’s just what I mean. I don’t want anyone taking on too much. But, not my wheelhouse here. Whoever feels they got a good idea, I’m fine with.

We can always keep trying and adjusting as we go, right? Won’t know what works until we give it a shot.

[He looks to Seto.] Why not try? You sound like you got ideas on how to do it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

We're all in this train-gether 🚂

Re: CONTINUED: so more people feel free to jump in!

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short split off for Seto Kaiba (if this ok with Zoki!)

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