BLAME IT ON ME | MEETING 6.3

[BASTILLEPAW]

AND I'M JUST A DEAD MAN WALKING TONIGHT

What a difference a week could make. Bastille felt so numbed to his own emotions and feelings that everything passed on autopilot, shifting past him meaninglessly. There wasn't anything that seemed to phase him in the past few days or truly catch his interest, but he supposed that was for the best. He wasn't even dreading the meeting in the same way he'd been the first time. Sure, he still hated having to give them, but it was hard to feel like he was dying if he couldn't feel anything.

"Meeting time," he called, tone bored and flat as he stood in Starry's place (would he ever consider it his own?). He had an absent, mild buzz going, but it was faint and too subtle for notice as he carried on, "We have a fuckload new members to welcome. That's... Whitenoise, August, Geddy, Cooper, Joel, Wren, Ichorus, Azucar, Gordon, and Blake. And welcome back to Rad and shit. You guys should head over to our June ceremonies to get your pendants crafted after you find your meteorite shards from the Starpool." A pause. "If you don't know what that means, just wait until we take [color=#a25367]a group to find shards together. There's enough of you this week to arrange something."

This time, his pause was a little longer before he continued slowly, "We also say goodbye to Maes this week. Roy is arranging his [color=#a25367]funeral, so don't be an asshole and make sure you show up." He didn't mean to be brief, but lingering would do no one any good, so he kept going with a slight shift: "Otherwise, if someone wants to host weekly tasks this week, let me know. I'll give someone a chance who hasn't hosted them yet before I delegate."

"As for demotions -- Rad, I'm dropping you to Halo. I know you're back now, so keep showing your face and we'll work you back up to a Cleric. In the meantime... Rin, if you'd like to step up to Cleric, you're in. If not, step up to Corporal instead. Same for Margaery. Hazel, Starstruck Guardian. Shout out to Wren and White for jumping in from the start." A pause. "Suiteheart, you're Ecliptic Admiral." At least if she stabs me in the back, he thought sarcastically, they'll be left with a better leader. His words lacked all of the meaningful requests Starry offered during significant promotions. For one thing, he wasn't that sentimental; for another, he hadn't forgotten Suite's cutthroat approach. Her name was just as bitter on his tongue as Hazel's and Margy's, but he spoke as if it didn't phase him. "You'll need to get your new rank beads at the ceremonies this month, too."

This was the part he wasn't looking forward to. Bast scowled slightly as he continued, slower, "Starry, apparently, was in talks with the Tanglefuckers about peace. I hate them as much as everyone else, frankly, but it sounds like I'll be meeting with Beck this week about... that." He looked irritated, and it was fairly obvious this was the last thing he wanted to do, but he was bound to honor Starry's wishes. Even if he'd rather stab himself than speak civilly to Beck. "So, you know. If you see Beck, you unfortunately can't stab him, everybody. Just send him to me." A scowl, and then, "Dismissed."

[ -- welcome new members!! pls pick out a pendant and join our discord (found in ooc)!
-- maes passed
-- someone to host weekly tasks pls
-- rad from cleric to halo; rin to cleric or corporal; margy to corporal; hazel to guardian; s/o to wren and white; suite to admiral
-- potential peace w tanglewood ]

[align=center]BASTILLEPRISONER — ASTRAL SERAPH — TAGS

[Character Graveyard.]

LUNAFREYA N.F.

✯ — take these broken wings and learn to fly

space

Another meeting. Luna had walked up first- it seemed and she had taken a seat, her blue-eyes focused on Bastille. She would offer a somewhat encouraging smile to the Seraph and she listened to his words.

"Congrats to those promoted and noted on the rest!" The pregnant female said.

space

✯ — Luna. The Ascedants. Easy. — ✯

#psychosocial.

[charrie graveyard]

x
x
x
x
x

[div style="text-align: justify;"]As painful as it was for Joel to be up and around, he didn't want to seem like a lazy asshole who was just here to mooch off of the benefits of the clan. So, as soon as Bastille called for a meeting, the wolf made his way over, his fur a lot better groomed than it had been when he arrived. This would be his first meeting as an Ascendants member, so that was... exciting, he guessed. It was hard to be enthusiastic when literally every little injury on his body burned and stung but he was trying his best. Listening quietly among the crowd, his ears would perk up with he heard his name, giving the young leader a nod of acknowledgement. Well that was nice of him to welcome them to the clan. As for the rest of the announcements, there were some demotions and promotions, some weekly tasks event he probably couldn't help with because of his injuries, and an alliance thing with another group. Neato. "Sorry to the demoted and congrats to the promoted! Uh, nice job guys." He called out, not sure of what to say since he didn't really know anyone yet.

★ tags ★

[Suiteheart]

[align=center][div style=" background-color: transparent; border: 0px solid black; width: 530px; min-height: 9px; font-family:; line-height: 110%; text-align: justify; padding: 20px"]Suiteheart sauntered over, headed tilted back just slightly to view Bastilleprisoner. Her baby blue eyes glittered with uncertainty and regret for a few seconds before shifting into her natural confident and mellow stare. Though she appeared fine outwardly, her mind was a whirlwind. She was mad at Bast, but she wasn't at the same time. She did feel terrible about what she had said to him while he was drunk, however. God, she felt so bad about that.

Shaking these thoughts from herself with a flick of her tail, the white feline took a seat beside Joel. She offered the injured wolf a small smile in greeting before casting her gaze onto Bastilleprisoner. He seemed better equipped for this meeting, and she found herself letting out a breath she did not know she was holding back. She had been so worried for Bast - she still was - when this all started, but it was nice see he was trying.

She angled her ears forward as she listened to the first news of the meeting. Newcomers. She would nod and offer a 'welcome,' to them all before returning her full focus on the younger feline. After he spoke of June ceremonies, she found herself frowning. Maes' funeral would be soon. With Roy at its helm, she hoped the poor flame alchemist would be alright.

Next on the agenda were demotions and promotions. She simply nodded at the demotion note, not quite feeling up to the task of saying she was sorry to Rad. Grudges were hard things to break. However, she did smile brightly at the list of promotions and shout outs. She opened her mouth to shout out her congratulations when her name was called. She took note of the pause, and she tried to dismiss it. With everything that had transpired between she and Bast, though, it was difficult to drop the thought that the pause meant something... more. Even so, she meowed, "Thank you. I won't let you down." 'Not again.' "Congrats to everyone promoted and those that got shout outs."

Her mind was again spinning. She was so wrapped up in that simple pause that she almost missed his words about Tanglewood. A dark, angry look passed over her snow-white features. Tanglewood? Of all places? Starrynight was an endless enigma. "Hey, Bast? Be careful okay? They weren't too thrilled to see Margy and I when we delivered news about Starry." The tone of her voice was soft, motherly - a far cry from the venom she'd spat at him a few days ago. Concern was alight in her eyes as well, and she wondered if he'd even care about what she had to say.

[color=#99182C][b]"And I can host weekly tasks if we need to. Like, if no one steps forward, I got it."

[radeken]

That was more than reasonable. Radeken, after having shown up and found a place to settle in, dipped her head in acknowledgement of the rank change. She kept current events going on in the back of her mind as well, figuring she had probably better show up to one of those. Maybe the funeral, though she honestly wanted to avoid it just to spite Roy. As for the Tanglewood thing...well, Radeken wasn’t one for politics, so it didn’t rub her any way whatsoever that they were getting into some peacetime discussions with those swampfolks.

“[color=black]Noted. Glad to be back.”

[bubblegum]

[align=center]

geddy — male — the ascendants

well, he had no idea who most of these folks are. the names that were called out, besides a couple of them, were foreign to him and he almost felt bad about that. not because he felt obligated to know everyone and everything right off the bat, seeing as he just joined, but because bastille mentioned some deaths that he didn't really know anything about. he wanted to offer sympathy but it felt like it'd be like somebody coming up to him after his family burned and then try to share his grief, despite knowing nothing about him or his family. he supposed he would try to show support anyway.

the promotion of suiteheart was the only one he really took note of, seeing as he recognized that name. he personally didn't care too much for power. he just wanted to be healthy and safe. sure, he took care of others, but he didn't know how well he'd do under all that responsibility. you'd need to know how to interact well with others and make fast, good decisions or suffer the consequence of making bad ones. he didn't know how good he'd be at that. he wasn't originally going to say anything at all, but figured he'd join the others in giving congratulations. "'grats, n' noted."

[Margaery]

[align=center][color=#b14767] ❁  ❁  ❁[div style="text-align:justify;width:60%;font-size:10pt;font-family:verdana"]
Perhaps we wouldn't be in this situation if he got over things as quickly as you and I did, love.

Margaery sent the thought down she and Suite's bond as she arrived, absently pressing against her wife. She was no stranger to being hated and in their seraph, she all of the typical traits and more towards she (especially) and Suiteheart. Forgiveness seemed to be a foreign concept in this situation as well, meaning that she could only wait and weather out the storm, hoping that her guilt didn't consume her whole. Easier said... especially with how fragile her emotional state had been as of late. To say that these next few weeks would be rocky would be an understatement.

[color=#b14767]"Congratulations everyone," She offered, choosing to ignore the bitterness that their names were said with. If he wished to drive away the people who cared more for him than anything else, then so be it. She was done trying. No you're not, her mind almost instantaneously responded, causing the pregnant femme to glower at herself, You love that boy too much. Right, so maybe she did and maybe simply pretending like she didn't care wasn't the best plan of attack. She wasn't Bastille anyways, she liked to think she had a bit more empathy.

[color=#b14767]"Hm, yes, do be careful. Our arrival was not well received by Beck," She hummed quietly, though her face and words remained strictly neutral. Her thoughts were a distressing whirlwind of absolutely sadness but she'd rather die than reveal that.

[GORDON CIPHER.]

This was her first meeting here, and honestly, Gordon was entirely sure how she felt about that. There were going to be a lot of people there, in the same area, all at once. The little she-cat did eventually find the courage to make her way over at Bastilleprisoner's call and sat down towards the back, not wanting to squeeze through the crowd. However, when the leader mentioned her name, she tensed up and immediately looked at the ground, not wanting to catch the eyes of NPCs that looked over at her. She waited a few seconds before she looked back up, ears folded back in embarrassment.

"Ah, yeah, con-congrats," Gordon murmured after the promotions, taking note of the other announcements Bastille made.

★ i'll need you to reassure me i didn't waste a verse ━

[★ HAZEL]

[align=center]

[table][tr][td]

[/td][td]

[/td][td]

[/td][td]

[/td][/tr][/table]

★  WHEN MY HEART IS MADE FROM GOLD AND FORGIVENESS SEEMS TOO BOLD

Hazel took a seat near Gordon, having heard the call from outside. She settled down, trying not to linger on the apathy that clouded Bastille's expression. She knew he was having a hard time (which might be the understatement of the year) due to the...aggressive conversation that had happened a few days prior, and Hazel found herself unable to pick a side. Was she angry at him? Yes. Was she terrified of what he was doing to himself? Yes again. Was she avoiding him completely? ...Yes.

She let her gaze fall to something else while he spoke. Newcomers, Maes passing...that had been particularly tragic. Hazel hadn't been present for the event, but she had the assumption that it had destroyed Roy. It was a sad death anyway, because even though she had only interacted with Maes once, Hazel had quite liked him. He was friendly, and had a certain aura of paternal kindness about him.

When her name was called for her own promotion, Hazel's eyes flicked upwards, wondering what she would find in his expression as her name slipped off his tongue. Something in her lifted. Then it fell, as she realized he hadn't wavered at all in his apathy, and let her gaze fall once more. That was fine. She deserved it. He kind of deserved it, too, in an indirect, petty sort of way.

A small sigh escaped her, unheard to anyone nearby. She turned her attention to Suite and Margy, pleased to hear their names as well as Rin's. Good. They deserved it. She was glad that Bastille could see that too, despite their feud. Hazel found herself nodding faintly as he finished up the meeting, noting that the issue with Tanglewood and Beck was foreign news to her, as she had arrived just after the issue simmered down.

"Welcome to all the newcomers," The girl spoke at last, echoing a few others that had said it with a welcoming smile. "I hope you like it here."

★ — hazel — "speech" — seven months — the ascendants — tags — ★

[sup]c) miithers[/sup]

[Warringkingdoms]

  [font=trebuchet ms]Bastille seemed more stable this week, Rin reflected as she approached, but then perhaps he was simply getting better at hiding his grief. The shock of Starrynight’s fate had dulled somewhat, but the pain was likely to last a while even for her, who had barely known him- it must have been even worse for those who had known him, if Bastille’s previous drunkenness was any indication. That sort of sadness didn’t just go away within a week and never return.

  Even with Starrynight still hanging over their heads, the sheer amount of new and returning members was worthy of celebration. The Ascendants would live on, even as its members came and went. ”Welcome,” she echoed, glancing over at Joel and the other newcomers. She actually still needed to get her pendant back, but she could worry about that after the meeting. In regards to Maes, all she could do was dip her head. Even though she knew that risky use of magic had consequences beyond those curable by medicine, and that resuscitating someone who had lost both hind legs was essentially impossible, it was still difficult to deal with, and she could imagine it was all the worse for Roy.

  Hearing her name and the offer attached to it, Rin blinked, then glanced down at her paws, deep in thought. Being a Corporal would be simpler, but she lacked combat training, something that would naturally be expected of such a position. Becoming a Cleric, though... was it really right for her to take the place of someone who actually knew what they were doing (or at least, knew that dry wounds were easier to treat than wet ones), even if that someone was Radeken? Could she learn all the necessary knowledge as she went? Was she qualified- was she good enough?

  Then again, if she didn’t learn now, and Radeken vanished again, they would be right back where they originally were. Perhaps she couldn’t guarantee the patients’ survival, but if she could increase their odds by even a little bit, that was better than nothing. She would just have to become qualified, as scary as that prospect was in the wake of recent events. ”I’ll take Cleric,” she said finally, glancing up at Bastille. ”And congratulations to the others.”

  Tanglewood was not a group she knew much about, other than that they had previously been enemies, but it was probably to their advantage to end the fighting. Bastille was clearly unhappy about the prospect, however, so she would have to stay on her guard- lest this “Beck” individual pose a problem. Seeing as how that was apparently all, Rin stood and left, in the direction of the complex- there had to be some herbal books there.