Barok van Zieks (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
winebar) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crescentview2023-01-17 10:01 pm
winebar) wrote in crescentview2023-01-17 10:01 pm
Town Hall Meeting The Second
WHO: Everyone willing
WHAT: van Zieks trying to catherd, again, in order to Establish Law & Order.
WHEN: Sometime in the Summer between the various events.
WHERE: the forest, outside van Zieks' farm.
WARNINGS: chaos mostly, more will be added if needed.
[A week or so after the chaos of Hot or Not, each farm will recieve another missive from Barry Z himself, chief buzzkill, who clearly learned nothing from how things went last time. It reads as such;]
To All Parties Brought to the Island by the Harvest Goddess,
Tomorrow at 11AM sharp, please arrive at the location indicated on the map shown of the reverse of this document. The topic of discussion on the table is the potential establishment of some form of social contract and body of law. As before, I cannot force attendance, however, I would again hope everyone sees the benefit in being involved in this discussion.
Sincerely,
Lord Barok van Zieks, Esquire
[And again as before, there's a map on the back. This time leading one to van Zieks' residence, an orderly forest farm with a nice stable currently housing the horse van Zieks rode in on to make himself the boss of things, apparently.
At the time of the meeting, there are two tables that were clearly brought out from inside. There are... snacks? Van Zieks is not a chef, you will have these strawberries and fried mushrooms and you'll like it, I guess. There was an attempt. Van Zieks himself is still dressing in his less fancy- but still absurd for this weather- three piece suit.]
Than you all for coming. I understand that the topic I have put on the table may seem... needlessly dire to some, however, in the case that something does happen, it would be far better for us to already have a system in place. I do not think we currently require any sort of active police force, but rather that we should have some sort of agreed set of behavior in place, and then elected individuals to adjudicate any potential disagreements.
As far as a social contract, on Mr. Trahearne's advisement, it would follow thusly; [He pulls out another paper to read from.]
- Do not cause unsolicited physical harm to one other.
- Do not harm or otherwise disrupt another person's farm.
- Do not damage, destroy, or unlawfully take possession of another person's property.
- Do not vandalize or otherwise disrupt communal spaces for us or the townspeople.
- Do not behave in such a manner that would elicit broad reprisal against the group as a whole from the townspeople or the goddess.
If anyone has any other thoughts, feel free to share them. I feel that this is basic enough that even those of you more prone to... rebellion can agree to it.
The second matter is to discuss how to handle if someone does break these rules. While I have made clear before my prior experience with the law, I understand that a system like this can only function if there is trust in those enforcing it. Thus I think that the authority should be given to whoever the group as a whole feels most comfortable entrusting it to. So I open the floor to nominations for that responsibility.
Finally, I'd like to make clear why this is necessary. I have spoken to the goddess, and as long as it does not directly interfere with her and her means, she has no intent of intervening if something were to happen to one of us. We are not her "people," the residents of the town are. Therefore, it is imperative that we work together to protect ourselves.
[And now he will step back and hope that some productive discussion happens.]
WHAT: van Zieks trying to catherd, again, in order to Establish Law & Order.
WHEN: Sometime in the Summer between the various events.
WHERE: the forest, outside van Zieks' farm.
WARNINGS: chaos mostly, more will be added if needed.
[A week or so after the chaos of Hot or Not, each farm will recieve another missive from Barry Z himself, chief buzzkill, who clearly learned nothing from how things went last time. It reads as such;]
To All Parties Brought to the Island by the Harvest Goddess,
Tomorrow at 11AM sharp, please arrive at the location indicated on the map shown of the reverse of this document. The topic of discussion on the table is the potential establishment of some form of social contract and body of law. As before, I cannot force attendance, however, I would again hope everyone sees the benefit in being involved in this discussion.
Sincerely,
Lord Barok van Zieks, Esquire
[And again as before, there's a map on the back. This time leading one to van Zieks' residence, an orderly forest farm with a nice stable currently housing the horse van Zieks rode in on to make himself the boss of things, apparently.
At the time of the meeting, there are two tables that were clearly brought out from inside. There are... snacks? Van Zieks is not a chef, you will have these strawberries and fried mushrooms and you'll like it, I guess. There was an attempt. Van Zieks himself is still dressing in his less fancy- but still absurd for this weather- three piece suit.]
Than you all for coming. I understand that the topic I have put on the table may seem... needlessly dire to some, however, in the case that something does happen, it would be far better for us to already have a system in place. I do not think we currently require any sort of active police force, but rather that we should have some sort of agreed set of behavior in place, and then elected individuals to adjudicate any potential disagreements.
As far as a social contract, on Mr. Trahearne's advisement, it would follow thusly; [He pulls out another paper to read from.]
- Do not cause unsolicited physical harm to one other.
- Do not harm or otherwise disrupt another person's farm.
- Do not damage, destroy, or unlawfully take possession of another person's property.
- Do not vandalize or otherwise disrupt communal spaces for us or the townspeople.
- Do not behave in such a manner that would elicit broad reprisal against the group as a whole from the townspeople or the goddess.
If anyone has any other thoughts, feel free to share them. I feel that this is basic enough that even those of you more prone to... rebellion can agree to it.
The second matter is to discuss how to handle if someone does break these rules. While I have made clear before my prior experience with the law, I understand that a system like this can only function if there is trust in those enforcing it. Thus I think that the authority should be given to whoever the group as a whole feels most comfortable entrusting it to. So I open the floor to nominations for that responsibility.
Finally, I'd like to make clear why this is necessary. I have spoken to the goddess, and as long as it does not directly interfere with her and her means, she has no intent of intervening if something were to happen to one of us. We are not her "people," the residents of the town are. Therefore, it is imperative that we work together to protect ourselves.
[And now he will step back and hope that some productive discussion happens.]
no subject
no subject
He said you lived underground, yes? Was it pleasant?
no subject
[ Kaspar answers honestly with a little smile. Thinking of all the pleasant things drifts him away briefly. The beauty of the city lights, his fleeting moments of peace in his father's study or in fantasy books. Within them and the recesses laid hidden histories even the Avus could not completely exterminate. Unlike the deep dwelling peoples beneath it all.
Of course, Kaspar's words leave the other end open. In many ways, it was not pleasant at all. And he has still yet to tell anyone he has no intention of returning. It's a shame alcohol weakens him and his light as much as his words. ]
no subject
( Mishka takes both meanings with equal measure, and he weighs them both with that thoughtful sound. )
I would say my home was pleasant too, in some ways. The worse outweighed the good. But I cannot help but miss it. Though... I believe most would think me strange for this.
no subject
[ Mishka is probably right, though Kaspar has been accustomed to the label of strange for a very long time. Even Kaspar misses some things. So, he thinks he understands.
If the other is patient enough, Kaspar eventually goes on. The words come warmly as he reaches out to casually squeeze a hand. ]
But pleasant or not, they were our homes. It is, all we knew.
no subject
The sentiment, though, strikes true, and after a moment, he nods. )
... It is. ( He says, in simple but understanding agreement. ) Do you intend to return if you can?
( Setting aside the marriage clause, and all that. It's the intent that has his interest. )
no subject
Unlike the rest of them, this one is firm. It deserves more than a simple shake of his head: ]
No.
[ Gaze drifting back to the other man, way too calm, too warm. ] Do you?
no subject
His own reply comes after a brief pause. )
... No. Though I don't know what that will mean for me. ( He swirls his glass idly. ) But even if I could return in one proper piece, I don't think I would.
Here is not home. But it is nicer in other ways, is it not?
( Though he doesn't know if that's what drives Kaspar's desire to stay. )
no subject
... I am freer here, sun or not.
[ A soft hum, a sip of wine, and a gaze wandering the crowd again. He sounds... like this admission is a relief, a sigh and a balm for his drunken soul. ]
Everyone here, is very different. But... [ Kaspar only slows here, sounding more resigned to his fate than his calm expression. ] even if no one else stays, I will.
no subject
Well, if fate's forgiving, ( which it may not be, ) you might have me around, at the very least. I've nowhere in particular I'm aiming to go, and some of my best company is here.
( He thumbs the rim of his glass. )
Have anyone in particular you're hoping to stay with?
no subject
After a beat, he shakes his head slowly. Hoping implies there is any chance of them choosing him over a world they care so deeply for.
Perhaps strangely, he sounds far too endeared, accepting. Warm appreciation for the very loyalty that will keep them apart. ]
Though... Some do love their worlds very much.
no subject
He has seen love turn to hate turn to curse. It is a very rare thing to see a heart stalwart. )
Hmmm. I hadn't thought it before, but, do you suppose it's possible to return with someone to their home?
soon soon .. phone pls
He had thought about it. But he hadn't thought about ever needing to form the words out loud. ]
Perhaps, with love and marriage.
[ Wine tinges the word love with faint bittersweetness. ]
mood
Short on confidence?
no subject
... falling, is ever more captivating than the landing.
[ They are delivered softly, rote words not his own. Not entirely. Oftentimes, those are the ones that touch his soul. ]
no subject
... I can't say I've fallen for a person before, but I don't think I could be satisfied leaving them be, if I did. I have a sense I'd be suffocating.
( Well! He laughs. )
Granted, a clingy man is not a popular one. If you are so noble to simply enjoy the luxury of love, I would not think you would make for a poor partner, if you ever feel inclined to step deeper in the pool.
no subject
In the wake of Mishka's last words, he breathes a quiet laugh of his own as he tries to place the pool in this metaphor. Casually as ever, it is almost playful-- ]
... I know, how to swim.
no subject
Then you and I differ; I can only drown. Perhaps it is worth it, though, whether you can sink or swim.
( To love, that is. )
no subject
It is. [ Worth it. He hums a beat, before going on. ]
... Though you could, also learn to swim.
no subject
... Is it something that can be learned you think? To feel in moderation? At times I feel as if... I feel nothing at all; and then everything, at once.
no subject
[ There are few things that bring such unshakeable certainty to his words. How lucky Mishka is to discover more than one in a single conversation. Kaspar knows what it is to feel so much at once.
Expression soft with no judgment, he scoots closer to speak more lowly again. His voice drifts with his gaze. Eventually, his eyes fall to Mishka's hands and wine pulls quiet questions from him. ]
... do you, accept your emotions, without judgment? Can you, discern them?
no subject
He's drank too much, he vaguely thinks; he's talking in excess. And yet, like a secret held for too long— some part of him normally hushed wants to speak.
He responds with a likewise quiet. )
... Only lately have I felt. Until then, I'd not... felt anything for a very long time.
( His glass hangs from his fingers, as if gripped loose by a spider. The more he attempts to pull from his heart, the cooler his demeanor grows; not cold, but lacking. )
So when something rushes to me— I'm not clear what it is. In general; at all. Really, it's uncomfortable.
no subject
[ Kaspar asks slowly, delivering his words like a light and undemanding embrace. All he has to draw from are his own experiences, from home and partly from the farm near this patch of forest.
He'd spent too long working through things on his own not to wait for Mishka patiently and looking for any signs of feeling. ]
no subject
He lets it twist for a time in silence to verify the source of the feeling, as if he were watching himself bleed. All these discomfiting feelings end up trapped in here. )
... My body, my chest.
( There's very little left in his cup, but he brings it to his lips to swallow up the rest of it anyway, like an anxious tic. )
It makes me want to do something to them, ( like cute aggression, ) when someone does something that strikes me. The way you are now.
no subject
You can discern some wants already.
[ But he goes on, still using hushed tones. He presses his free hand to his own heart with the following words. More airy question than command, ambigious suggestions as his voice lilts lower and lower-- ]
Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Allow yourself to feel it without judgment or recoil.
(no subject)
(no subject)