+- Beasts of Beyond (https://beastsofbeyond.com)
+-- Forum: Animal Roleplay (https://beastsofbeyond.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=8)
+--- Forum: Congregants of Genesis (https://beastsofbeyond.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=43)
+--- Thread: ANNOUNCEMENT where to place fault is up to them (/showthread.php?tid=18143)
where to place fault is up to them - Montgomery - 05-27-2024
Time.
So much time had passed.
The animals were beginning to notice too.
Montgomery Scarborough, archon of the Congregants of Genesis, had his eyes on the problems many months ago, but had never made them aware. In fact, the leader had tried his best to provide his assistant and tie up loose ends where he could, but it was never enough. Their food stashed away in ice was beginning to dwindle and congregants no longer had their pick of a vast cuisine, instead getting rations coordinated by those in charge. Herbs were no longer in the general public's reach too. The sick were beginning to get sicker and decisions had to be made. Do they prioritize the young and healthy or the elderly and chronically ill? Montgomery was left to decide.
Some were beginning to lose their faith and scold Montgomery. They noticed that the canine was a hypocrite. While he prioritized the healthy, he still stashed some herbs away for his chronically ill lover, Lucia. He always said he needed her to keep himself afloat, but what about the rest of them? Why was he a priority, unlike their friends and family? For that, they were reasonably harsh. To say that he did nothing in regards to food though, that was unfair. The archon was doing his best pleading nearby groups for anything they could spare, even if he had to risk his reputation and dignity for it. After all, there was a reason he brought no congregants on his adventures. They did not need to see him at his lowest.
Others were still praying to Neandryne, hoping better times would come. Their utmost faith in the God of Change led them to believe that this was the end of an era, bringing forth another of prosperity. Montgomery envied their faith. He wanted their God to save them and relieve him of the pressure that had been weighing him down for quite some time, but how long did he have to wait? With Neandryne not showing their face for many years, he could only hope soon. In the meantime, Montgomery's own beliefs were beginning to fade.
With his paws shaky and glasses beginning to slide off his face, Montgomery stood at the front of the temple staring at the wall of incarnations. His dark gaze scanned the many faces of Neandryne's variations as if he was trying to find an answer in their pointed expressions, but he soon let his head fall into his neck. He closed his eyes and a singular tear streamed down his cheek. The archon's paw raised to his face and softly caressed it away before anyone wandered in behind him as he called for a meeting after dawn.
Montgomery rubbed the back of his paw against his ceremonial pelt before turning to face the rest of the temple. Moments later, the first of the congregants started to file in. He anxiously surveyed the crowd for any disappointed looks or furrowed brows, but found none. A sigh left him. Maybe this would be a better meeting than the rest. Just maybe.
The majority did not take long to follow. A few stragglers always came late, but Montgomery did not mind. As long as they showed up to prove their loyalty in Neandryne's eyes, that was what was important. Those who chose not to come were what irked him. The music that had once led them into service was now gone. Many were choosing to stay home lately, while others had made their way to an early grave. Ultimately, there weren't many familiar faces, along with no new ones. Montgomery tried to blame their God for their lack of attendance, but only found himself blaming the archon... which happened to be him.
With a final look over the small crowd, the canine affirmed that this was the last of the crowd whether he liked it or not. "Thank you for coming today," he murmured to break the silence. "I will take anyone I can get." Montgomery offered a half-hearted smile in an attempt to raise their spirits. Most of the crowd did not seem to react and remained unempathetic.
He nervously swallowed. "I want to acknowledge a few things today. We, as the Congregants of Genesis, have been struggling... and I need everyone to pitch in." This request has been made many times over the past few months, but not everyone listened. Ironically, those who did not lend a paw were those who often complained, but he always tried to be sympathetic and push them towards a better place. "Our food is low and the medicinal supplies are not going to last much longer..." His gaze momentarily averted their own, trying not to see their reaction, but he still heard their whispers. They were hard to ignore, even if he could not make out the words they spoke. Montgomery just assumed they were negative at this point.
Eventually, he looked back. "I am going to try and go out to the other groups again for reinforcements soon, but I need us to pick up the pace here too, okay?" the canine pleaded. "If you're w-"
"Will you be stepping it up too?"
The dog avoided the question, despite the audience clearly noticing his expression souring at it. He tried to continue speaking, but chaos started to spread among the audience. Questions and accusations were shot towards Montgomery, whether shouted, spoken, or whispered.
"I'm leaving."
"I can't imagine moving a paw till I feel better... and how do you expect to fix that?"
"Why hasn't Neandryne shown their face to you? Clearly, they do not approve of you. I could do better..."
"How long until we don't have to take handouts from the other groups?"
"Why is your girlfriend the exception?"
"ENOUGH!"
Montgomery suddenly rose to all four paws and stood firm at the front. "What will arguing do besides tear us down further?" he growled. "If you do not believe in my or Neandryne's plan, then leave. It'll be one less mouth to feed." His firmness did not stop the entire crowd with a 'Or die, like the unlucky' being heard near the front. Some animals just did not know how to whisper. He chose to pretend to not hear it, but it was already weighing down upon him internally just like the rest of their comments.
Instead, he persisted. "If you attend today, you're getting an assignment. No ifs, ands, or buts." As expected, there was some protest. "Those who step up first will get the light duty, so I expect to see some faces coming up to the front." He tapped his claws lightly against the marble beneath his feet. The archon was lying, of course. Montgomery was not hard-headed enough to purposefully torture the weak, but he had exhausted his pleasantries. Only commands worked as of late, especially ones with incentive. He was even beginning to wonder if dishing out promotions or extra rations would work better, but had yet to try. He was not that desperate yet.
Another tap of his claws signaled for the congregants to come forth. "Now, who will step up?"
RE: where to place fault is up to them - Seven - 05-30-2024
Seven, despite her own ailment, had been steadfast in her willingness to help those less fortunate. But with thinning rations, and even thinner herb supplies, even she was struggling. Her faith in Neandryne was wilting slowly, with each and every spat word in her direction, every insult, every refusal to help her.
She couldn't fault Montgomery for stashing herbs for Lucia. Even the blind woman could see that Montgomery loved her, and needed her around. But still, her faith in him was wilting.
She was among the first to arrive, ignoring the subtle shove against her by the occasional frustrated Congregant. Seeing so few outlines around her made her feel far bigger than she used to, and she wished she could see their expressions as Montgomery spoke. The growing cries, the anger, all of it was valid. Even Montgomery's commands. Her blank stare was unmoving as she stood, her fur twitching slightly at her Archon's words. Who will step up?
"I will," Her voice was strong as she took a few steps forward. She could hear a few surprised whispers behind her, but didn't turn to look at the outlines. Her gaze was set firmly on Montgomery.
RE: where to place fault is up to them - Montgomery - 06-02-2024
They were one of the first to arrive and they were the true first to speak up. Seven, Montgomery noticed, was of high regard. She was among many who showed up to the meetings he held, but, just like she had, he noticed she was becoming the biggest among the crowd. Not only in size, but in honor. The archon had rarely talked to the Bengal tiger, but her willingness to step up today caused his ears to perk and his fondness to grow. Among everyone, she stepped up to the task, so why couldn't the rest? His faith in his congregants was also beginning to slip.
As promised, he said he would provide light duty for those who came first. The leader took a moment of silence to think. The tiger was blind, but her size was useful and she seemed to be willing to do what they needed. He was unaware of her clairvoyance, allowing her to see other's outlines, so he was forced to think of something that assumed her vision was completely out of the question. In the end, he was satisfied with his choice. "Seven, if you wouldn't mind, I would like you to partner with me on finding some herbs," he declared. Some groans followed. The crowd probably assumed he would take his share first. Rather than acknowledging them, he just offered the feline a smile. "I think we could use your sense of smell to distinguish between them. I'll guide you along the way." Talk about a guide dog... "We'll talk after about when, okay?"
The canine's gaze shifted back to the majority of the crowd with the assumption that Seven would not fight against his request. With a sigh, he continued. "Anyone else?"
RE: where to place fault is up to them - b. shadowmend - 06-06-2024
Branwen was neither sick nor wilting of faith in either Monty or Neandryne, and yet even she seemed more despondent than usual. It was no surprise that she'd showed up for the meeting, of course; if ever there was someone with high hopes, it was her, and yet... Perhaps it was the guilt, the self-blame; if even her steadfast faith couldn't help them, what could? Or perhaps she thought too highly of herself.
Her fur prickled with unease as the angry congregants cries grew louder and louder, until it seemed it was all she could hear. She itched, knowing that their frustration and disappointment was valid, and yet unable to shove away the bitterness that swirled within that they couldn't just see why Montgomery would do what he was. Lucia was important to him. Lucia was important to her. Didn't they have people they loved, that they'd do anything for!?
She waited, patiently, for Montgomery to hash out Seven's task before stepping up and volunteering herself, too. "I'll take a task," she offered quietly, shooting the canine a warm, sympathetic smile. "Don't bother giving me anything easy. I want something to occupy myself for a while... If that's alright?"
RE: where to place fault is up to them - sidra d. - 06-06-2024
Admittedly, Sidra had been selfish. Under the excuse of mourning her family, she had been hidden away when she could've been spending her time helping those around her. She should've been doing her fair share of giving rather than only taking. Besides, her family was now dead longer than she ever knew them. At this point, she had done absolutely nothing with her life to rid herself of any memories that plagued her young mind. She felt pitiful at the realization, skulking into the meeting with a drop of guilt in her stomach.
Her ears flipped back as arguing swelled for a moment against Montgomery. If she had been a little older and wiser, she would've seen reason behind their emotions even if she didn't necessarily agree with how they handled that now. Instead, her own guilt only made her upset with those speaking against him. Her gaze swept angrily through the crowd before snapping back to the Archon at the call to action. Sheepish to step forward at first, the tigress watched Seven first as she received her task. Then she looked toward Branwren, and after a few more moments of hesitation - like someone would direct a disappointed glare toward her if she made any move that called attention to her - she stepped forward.
"Um, me too," she quickly threw in right after the smaller feline.
Her ears flipped back as arguing swelled for a moment against Montgomery. If she had been a little older and wiser, she would've seen reason behind their emotions even if she didn't necessarily agree with how they handled that now. Instead, her own guilt only made her upset with those speaking against him. Her gaze swept angrily through the crowd before snapping back to the Archon at the call to action. Sheepish to step forward at first, the tigress watched Seven first as she received her task. Then she looked toward Branwren, and after a few more moments of hesitation - like someone would direct a disappointed glare toward her if she made any move that called attention to her - she stepped forward.
"Um, me too," she quickly threw in right after the smaller feline.
RE: where to place fault is up to them - Grateful Mae - 06-11-2024
Mae had truthfully stumbled onto the Congregants of Genesis much like someone would a discarded hamburger wrapper on the side of the road. She wasn't impressed. Maybe even a little annoyed by its existence. She had been wandering around this joint and hoped it was abandoned enough that she could set up shop to brood her days away. She had a lot of days to brood, being only six months old with the problem-solving skills probably better than that guy standing up there trying to keep everything from falling apart. She could probably do it better with her paws tied behind her back, at least, Mae thought so.
The bright orange fox buzzed her wings in impatience, the ruined tiger moth wings making an obnoxious sound from where she stood towards the back. The juvenile fox wasn't a familiar face but... how many familiar faces were there here, really? With a sigh, she stepped up in line and raised one white brow. She was the shortest canine creature here. Damn, she was hoping to get off without being treated like the runt of the litter, but this was really pushing her luck.
"I'll take one. I guess. Make sure it doesn't suck, I don't want a task that sucks," Mae stated plainly with a nod as if to punctuate her point.
RE: where to place fault is up to them - Montgomery - 06-14-2024
Another soul stepped up to the plate with a warm smile. Montgomery offered a hesitant smile in return. Branwen's positivity was helpful in the moment, but it did not fix the displeasure of the rest. The canine merely ignored the rest as she spoke and noted her request. She wanted something hard, but the domestic feline did not have the size to perform the strength-related tasks. Maybe a task related to mental fortitude would do the trick? "I see," he mumbled to himself. He sat quietly for a moment. Upon finishing his thoughts, he spoke up. "Branwen, I want you to take some time to attend to any injured, elderly, or mothers. They would appreciate your youthful glow." Catering towards that sector was not always the easiest, nor the most desired job. It was often unsanitary, especially when viruses worked their way through the territory. Thankfully, for now, they were fine.
Sidra's called out from the crowd hesitantly and his gaze shifted over to the tigress. Unlike Branwen, they were much bigger. Their physicality could come in use. "If you wouldn't mind, grab some of the pelts we have and reinforce housing across the territory." It wasn't winter, but the taiga was still chilly, especially for the smaller members. He wanted to keep everyone satisfied the best he could before making any cuts.
As Mae spoke up, the archon sighed. Tasks weren't made to be fun. Montgomery would try his best to make them seem 'cool' for the youth, like Mae, but he could only do so much. Biting his tongue, he tried to think of something entertaining. He was coming up empty though. "We all have to do our part," he chided sternly. "You can focus on setting up tripwire at the edge of the territory." What he did not mention was his worry of enemies coming to attack them. They were clearly weak, hence vulnerable. The more they could prepare for an oncoming attack, the better they could retaliate. That did not mean the congregants would win though.