from here [open!]

[blue_ice]

Who: The remaining Council (Seto, Nita, Curufin, Eva, and Glorfindel, with Nerdanel taking a quieter role) and everyone! Everything's fully open, feel free to comment anywhere.
Where: Upper Music Car
When: Imagination 21, before the train's questions and answers
What: The community's voices have been heard. It's time for a change.
Warnings: Discussion of grisly last mission, potential for heated discussion.

That morning, Seto makes a brief ICP announcement.

"Everyone...the remainder of the Council is meeting today to discuss your feedback and incorporate some changes this morning. Come by to keep holding us accountable. It shouldn't be as long as the main meeting, but I'll have the coffee, water, and whatever else we can rustle up."

Indeed, everything's set up similarly. Plenty of space. The stage is set for what will hopefully be a productive discussion.

Comments

opening statements from the council + reactions

[blue_ice]

"All right. Welcome, everyone. We know you're not happy with the way things have been, and neither are we. But before we start, I think we should get it into the open exactly what our starting positions are."

[ Toplevels with each member's take on the meeting can go here.]

Kaiba

[blue_ice]

Kaiba rises soon after that, clearing his throat.

"As was discussed extensively at the meeting...to be completely honest, we haven't done much to help you all. We've been a largely invisible layer of bureaucracy, assigned to enforce the few roles we have and dole out punishments from behind the back door. It'd be one thing if we were effective at maintaining order, but...we're not. At all.

The idea that seemed to have the most support was us going on to be coordinators connecting people with resources...battle planners, the engineers building needed tech, craftspeople, food and fuel, supplies. The team leads have some of these roles, but what can we do to support them?"

[nutkrusher]

"The fact that we don't know who will be leaving at any given moment is going to be a weakness of whatever plan we come up with," Cassie says. "It's not like the Army where the top brass and supply corps stays off the front lines if they can. Anybody can be a casualty. So we need as many people involved and aware as possible."

She pauses.

"So I suppose you could also ask what we can do to support you."

[blue_ice]

"You're right," is his simple answer. "Democratize it. And you've already done that...so I suppose the purpose here is to figure out if we still have a place. Not as leaders, but as support."

[nutkrusher]

"Not democratize so much as decentralize," Cassie says.

Then, with a dry smirk: "In other words, this train could use a few MORE despots."

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita was quiet for most of the discussion in the Train Meeting, but here she does not hesitate before speaking up.]

Ultimately, I'm for changing what the Council's mission statement is - even if that just means making it more clear that there is one - and that the people on it should more accurately represent the four teams on the train, to make a more even community.

[She holds up a hand, palm-out.]

I'll admit I'm okay stepping down, since I don't feel I carried as much weight as I needed to these past couple months... but if people feel I can still do the role justice, and still want a Council, then I'll stay and keep trying to do my best.

[Then she sits down, so that the next person can go.]

[mtsilver_conquor]

[Eva has the biggest mug of (spicy) tea she can her hands on, and it's been heavily spiked with pinap berries. If Senku's around, he'll be able to tell that under the calm professional mask, she should really be sitting down, not standing. All the excitement of the last few days has worn her down.

But duty is duty and she is a leader.] I know I'm staying on. I can handle being both a Team Lead and Councilperson. Administrator? Advisor? Whatever it's going to be called from now on. I'll use Council for this as it's easy.

Seto-san and Nita-chan have said many of the things I'd say, so I won't echo them other than the fact I agree with those things.

What we need is time to show this can work, which it can, given a Council's role should be to basically coordinate things, make sure things run smoothly, and get people to work together for the good of the community.

[There's a nod as Eva moves to stand to the side so the next person can speak.]

Glorfindel

[laurefindil]

"I am the newest member of the old Council, and this is my first Council meeting," Glorfindel said. "I am also a Team Lead. Most importantly, I am someone who cares about the well-being of the people of this Train."

"The old format of meeting behind closed doors," he shook his head, "I never understood that. My views are based on how we did things back home in Imladris. We had a council made up of Administrators and Leaders within the community, but anyone was welcome to participate or speak. Admittedly, after a few centuries, it did get a bit less formal, and fewer attended," he added with a grin. "At least until the Council decided to make council day a holiday with snacks and entertainment. It became a day to show off your latest Thing and had a more festive atmosphere. At least, until most of the elves sailed."

"On this Train, I do my best to help where I can. When I arrived, it was clear that my experiences had not prepared me for this journey, and I needed to find a way to contribute. Eventually, however, I was elected by my fellow passengers to the Council, and shortly after, I was also asked to become a Team Lead...after I volunteered Roland for the position." He grinned at this, too. "So whatever the final decision is, I will abide by the wishes of the group and continue to help as best I can."

Nerdanel

[marriedanidiot]

Nerdanel came only because Glorfindel and Eva asked her to.

"I still don't truly know what the purpose of the original was for, nor, in truth, why I am a part of it."

She shrugs lightly.

"I do not mind standing down, as I was never truly involved."

Re: Nerdanel

[unfavorableinstigation]

"I get that mood."

Nita glances over, looking wry.

"I didn't understand why people picked me for this either."

It was strange, watching people have that kind of faith in you. Especially when you'd had good reason to think it had been shaken...

Re: Nerdanel

[laurefindil]

"Nerdanel, and Nita as well, you are both people who care deeply about others. I know I have come to you many times with problems, Nerdanel, and you have never turned me away. That, especially in an environment like this, where we all start as strangers to one another, is a precious gift."

"If you wish to step down, it is your right. I know that it will not effect your warmth or the depth of your care for everyone here." He offered her a hug.

Re: Nerdanel

[marriedanidiot]

"Lord Glorfindel is right, pen neth." She smiles at Nita. "Yours is a very kind heart, and you have been always eager to reach out and help."

She shoots him a wry smile. "Although he over-estimates me. Even Arafinwe knows better than to ask me to sit on his Council of Lords! I am an artist, and the rule of others is not mine, e'en though I married a prince."

[so_dark_a_road]

I've been on the Council for a while, and during that time, we've only made one important decision, and that was what to do about the murder of Qing, and what to do with Xue Yang, who killed her, and with Wester, the one who took action against Xue Yang without consulting the rest of the train. It was a very difficult situation and it was difficult to discuss it. I wasn't comfortable, even at the time, with the Council being the only ones involved in that decision, though the results were actually better than I'd hoped.

I prefer collaborative processes to authoritarian ones, and if we can find a purpose for the Council that involves making that change, I'll stay. That's assuming we decide not to disband altogether.

[blitzcheer]

Whatever you guys decide, you know - I think each of you have something you wanna do and give, no matter what's happened before. Maybe you'll disband the council or change it - but I don't think any of you will stop doing what you can for the people on the train, right?

[ Don't mind Tidus, he just feels the desire to speak up. He could voice his agreement about the murder business, but. ]

So whatever happens... we should call it an evolution! Or an improvement! Let's look at it that way!

[so_dark_a_road]

You're right, each of us does have something he or she wants to do or give. We'll never stop doing what we can for the people on the train, whether it's on or off the Council.

[ Curufin doesn't mind Tidus! Tidus' desire to speak up is welcome. ]

I like your idea about what to call it. It's definitely an evolution.

discussion

[blue_ice]

"All right...given that, how should we proceed? All I ask is that you let the council get their first statement in, and then everyone chime in here."

[ ooc: The council back and forth goes here. Do we agree with the community's proposed changes? Propose something else? ]

IN THE RIGHT PLACE THIS TIME

[nocawsforconcern]

[Enna's here, listening attentively to everyone, but when there's a chance for her to speak up, she does.]

We need a code of conduct, or... something. For when we're on missions. Leaders who can keep order, and deliver punishment to those who can't do things the right way.

I don't wanna ever see someone, especially a 'crewmate', kill someone who can't fight back anymore ever again.

[mtsilver_conquor]

Speaking as a Team Leader for Orange here, I can only do that if I'm told as soon as possible that someone's done something like that. Even then I'd need to have the full story from all involved in the matter before I can make any judgements as to punishments.

Not to mention, doing things the 'right way' is going to vary from culture to culture and when coming up with a code of conduct, we're going to have to take that into account.

[nocawsforconcern]

If there's a culture where killing someone who is already on the ground, restrained, with a weapon to their throat to make sure they can't try anything, is okay, I don't wanna go there and I don't care about the culture.

[mtsilver_conquor]

Of course it's not ok.

[And she emphatically means that.]

Tell me, given this is based on what happened last mission, what do you think would have happened had you taken away the weapon?

the council's role

[blue_ice]

"All right, so. It's clear that the original role we envisioned is redundant and not needed. If we want to stay on, we need to clearly articulate this new role---largely informal, friendly advisory...? Or something else?"

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin speaks up. "I agree that the original purpose of the Council is now outdated. There is so much energy and willingness on the part of so many passengers to pitch in and handle the work and the decisions, and I wholly support that. If the Council continues to exist, we'd definitely have to find something else to do. And truthfully, I can't think of much. We could be advisors, that's true. Or, if the rest of the passengers agreed, we could be diplomats in case we ever have to deal with the governing members of planets or institutions. Institutions such as the Ministry of Void Travel, if we ever communicate with them again. But the passengers might want to send their own diplomats or emissaries, and might call a meeting to agree who to send. So, we might not be useful for that purpose."

He's still thinking about it.

"We could be coordinators between the various groups. But again, that would depend. The groups might want to handle that function themselves."

CLOSED to (former) council to get an IC resolution.

[mtsilver_conquor]

"It is, yea," Eva agrees, more than a little subdued given the various conversions she's had before this. "I think diplomats would be good, yet it's..."

Here, she sighs and runs a hand through her hair. "It's sounding like they don't want a council. Us. Which is fair. Yet... Hmm. I don't know. There's a lot I could say, but." Another sigh as she gathers her thoughts. "I want to stay on, yet..." Eva shrugs a little.

open forum/mingle

[blue_ice]

[ Any side conversations go here! Coffee and a post-breakfast snack tray are here. ]

[10billionpercent]

[ Senku is here, less to speak and interrupt, after all he's had his say, but just to observe so he can see what the outcome is.

Also, you know, there's coffee, and that's something he's in the mood for.

He's settled in the corner, just to observe, but he can be interrupted. ]