(OPEN) probably the least secret secret meeting, all things considered

[elswhisperer]

WHO: Setsuna F. Seiei (elswhisperer) & you!
WHAT: The code word log!
WHERE: City Hall Park
WHEN: July 12
WARNINGS: N/A


[ Over the course of the past few days, you may have noticed simple, nondescript flyers posted here and there across the city. All handwritten, they list a location (a particular statue in the City Park) along with a time and date (3:00 PM, July 12). Below that, an extremely brief message:

For establishing safe communications.

- moment.

On the day of, you'll find a young man in a red scarf waiting by the named statue. He has with him sheets of blank paper, pens, and pencils. ]

My name is Setsuna F. Seiei. 'Moment' from the network. The purpose of this meeting is creating a way to safely disseminate information to each other all at once. If one of us found an exit, or determined the identity of our captors, we'd be jeopardizing ourselves by revealing it openly over the network. At the same time, the network is our most efficient method of communication. We need to make the most of all the tools at our disposal.

We can accomplish that with the use of code language. One that's not complicated; that anyone could remember and pass along. What that code is and what we want to communicate with it is something one person can't determine for themselves. That's why I wanted us all to meet.

Without cooperation, we're not gonna get anywhere.

[ ooc: just a couple things! go ahead and mingle/threadhop as you like (especially bc i may not be the fastest tagger rn), and if setsuna has already mentioned to your character that he's been working on something, feel free to assume he left some kind of vague message about checking flyers over the inboxes or smth. ]

Comments

enter this guy

[benedicus]

001; baked goods fix everything.

( here's the thing. aziraphale supports the spirit behind the flyers and posters so immensely, but he doesn't know the first thing about how he might provide a proper show of it. after all, it's his first time in such a situation and the flyers don't actually provide that much information.

as clearly intended.

what he eventually comes up with is a large folding table and two picnic baskets full of food, snacks, and cannisters of hot black tea (unsweetened). he greets setsuna warmly, but incredibly briefly before getting to work setting up the table.

he sets out a small assortment of breads and other baked goods, black tea, and plastic tableware. )

Please. Help yourselves. Everything should be suitable to eat.

( said at a respectable volume, gesturing to the table. )

I didn't know if anyone else was going to bring anything, but I thought it would be a nice gesture.

( he makes a small almost fist-pump like gesture, trying to come off as encouraging. )

A good first impression is important.

002; the books, the books!

I believe I might have a suitable idea for the codes.

( or at least a contender for a suitable idea. it would depend on how plausible it actually turns out.

aziraphale pauses, briefly considering that. )

Although, I suppose it might need some testing? Provided they don't return to their blank state afterwards, we could use books and journals to hide information within. It would be quite easy to pass them around under a different pretence and return them to a set place.

003; dude's old.

( eventually, when the topic of the network starts becoming a bit too heavy— )

I must admit, I do not know how to use the network.

( mostly his fault for spending the last several decades refusing to "get with the times". )

004; something else

(( ooc: or just tag in w/ whatever you want. i'll roll with it. plurk available if needed. full permission to threadjack if desired. ))

[gripper]

( Her from online, that's right. )

Evidently there are more than just the ones over there, though... ( ...but too bad the kiosk won't say where! ) Wonder if they say the same thing. All of the answers I get no information from end with "at this time," but that's just the usual PR fluff anyone puts out.

( She knows... she works in a Wing. )

I'll stop by after this whole meeting anyway and see if I can get any answers. ( might as well be, like, productive. or appear productive. ) Which comes to the question of how to get them out without looking too suspect, though if whomever's brought us here is paying attention to what questions we're asking, it might be a moot point.

[elswhisperer]

[ The best part is it's not even the killing that's the problem! Just how indiscriminate the hypothetical killing is!!

But they're not here to discuss her concerning perspectives on justice, so Setsuna's fine to leave the issue be. ]

...Anyway, a mail system would benefit us. Security is still a concern, but not nearly to the extent the network poses. And it'll give people something to do.

[elswhisperer]

Heero Yuy.

[ Despite having organized the meeting, Setsuna's intention is not to be the one running it all way the through. Ultimately, he wants this to be a community effort. Meaning, he eventually he does get the opportunity to speak with Heero one-on-one. ]

I told you I'd let you know if I found any of my comrades here. Gundam Meister Lockon Stratos arrived earlier this month. Irish, and wears an eyepatch over his right eye. He's a man I trust implicitly.

[lockingout]

[ This is already some pretty productive talk and Lockon's happy to just get a feeling for the group by listening in on it, but when the matter of 'biggest deals' comes up... ]

We also need a code for actual, physical danger. Preferably one we can also use non-verbally to mark areas with inconspicuously.

There's been no injuries that weren't... murder, I guess? [ Seriously, what was that network post?? ] But I don't think we should blindly count on things staying so calm forever.

001

[lockingout]

[ Oh no, that's so sweet... Lockon had imagined this would be a meeting not unlike a mission briefing, full of business-like faces. Even though he knows the importance of good vibes for group morale, it had not even occurred to him that the atmosphere could be lightened up with some snacks and seating.

Things are gonna be different here than they are on a terrorist spaceship, huh? Maybe it's not a bad change of pace. ]

Need any help setting this up? You really went all out here.

[icanfixer]

[ and he's right for it!!!!!! ]

I would like to volunteer to be a runner! I am quite fast, and I enjoy moving. There should be one other, however, as we have a second section that has opened up as of late.

[ at least one other. maybe two to a district if they trust it, but at least one other. ]

[benedicus]

( that's an offer that he'll gladly take. )

Yes, please. Would you start removing things from the other basket?

( he gestures to the other basket sitting on the table, this one smells incredibly sweet. looks like all the sugary breads went into this one. )

Do you like sweets? Or the more buttery breads?

( listen, it's polite to make small talk even if they're all here to discuss very serious topics. )

002

[coolerjunpei]

[Junpei has come around at least twice now for a snack... This guy's a keeper for the secret committee for sure, if he's going to bring snacks every time? Nice.

Here he is now, listening but also eyeing the food again... subtly...

But,] A set place—you mean like a dead drop? The whole place resets itself except the apartments... We could use some of them?

[coolerjunpei]

[Please, Murdered Girl is here with us live, the murder post is taboo for now or Junpei's going to pass out.]

Uh, on that subject, kind of, [barely,] Apparently we've got doctors now? Doctor Daan on the network mentioned at least one other doctor. Maybe one of us should have asked them specifically to come to this thing...

[But nothing for it now! Maybe they'll still show! Danger codes, in the meantime. Junpei folds his arms and frowns, thoughtful.]

The problem with marks is they'll disappear after a while, won't they? Unless we can make something like... a central map.

[coolerjunpei]

[Murdered Girl who Melts People (from online). He'll keep these gross allegations to himself, though...]

I mean, they've gotta be keeping track of us from somewhere, right? Unless this place is magic or some kind of simulation, the only thing that explains empty kiosks is, uh, bluetooth. I guess.

[Spoken like a man who is not entirely sure how bluetooth works. It's fine.]

...How do we get more parts of town to open up? I don't remember anything big happening before the bowling alley suddenly "appeared."

[lockingout]

[ Ugh. The only thing worse than being stuck in a ghost town is not even getting to customize it! ]

I doubt we can expect people to always go and check that before going out... but the idea's pretty good anyway.

[ Kind of goes along with the dead drop apartment proposed in a different line of conversation he heard from the sidelines. ]

Though if we find something that's imminently dangerous, I'd say we should renew warning marks on a daily basis.

[coolerjunpei]

Oh, they're definitely doing something to us.

[Spoken with the grim, unshakeable confidence of a guy who's been through enough knockout drugs in his life to, you know, trust his gut on this one. He rubs his wrist, idly, frowning--]

I didn't know about the mist. Maybe something's in the air supply...? I don't know. If I had to guess, it's probably not in the food, because there's no guarantee we're all going to ingest enough of it to make a difference. So that leaves air...

[Still, there's no way of knowing without doing tests he's not sure they're equipped to do, at the moment. Bummer.]

We should probably assume we're gonna get caught in whatever test we try to do.

[benedicus]

( snacks every time is indeed a perk of his inclusion. he's got strong feelings about having something to nibble on and drink during discussion meetings. )

Yes, a dead drop.

( a shake of the finger. yes, that's exactly the term he was looking for. he couldn't remember. )

Ideally I would like to see if we could invent a way to claim a space no one is currently living in. . . ( he makes a little hand gesture since it's kind of invasive. ) But, I believe I could offer up some of my living space for it if there is nowhere else more permanent.

( because he could make that work, he thinks. it isn't as if he hadn't spent the last several decades living in his own bookshop. )

It may also be useful for record-keeping if the network is insecure?

[lockingout]

[ Just how much food can one guy bring along? That's dedication!

Lockon never takes off his leather gloves, but he'll make an exception for handling foodstuff and stuff them into his pockets for now. Alright, let's see how we can fit all of this nicely scented goodness onto the table! ]

Leaning to the butter side here. When there's sweets available, my first instinct's always to find a kid to sneak some too.

[ Aziraphale has no idea how much Lockon has missed people with normal conversation skills. ]

You seem to like feeding people, I'm sure you understand the impulse.

[coolerjunpei]

[Well then, allow him to help himself to a third snack to pick at during this talk. Dead drops in people's apartments...]

I think we could get volunteers. It's not like we're all in the same building, already—no one wants to commute to the secret info hoard.

[He shrugs; he... could offer his place, maybe that would help with the complex he has about it feeling like he's living in some disappeared person's space without their permission, but also it's kind of a mess. He'll get there.

Anyway, with a scoff that turns into a cough since he's eating, cringe,] The—ow—the network's definitely not secure. They gave us the phones in the first place, so...

03

[halbird]

[ well. considering how aziraphale was nice enough to bring in food (so much food) to this meeting, sinclair feels as if he's more than obligated to help when he voices an inconvenience (not that he wouldn't have normally).

so, i guess this is now the young grandchild helping their boomer older relative figure out the facebook.

he approaches politely, and: ]

H-hello. I can help you with that, if you're okay with it? It might not be secure, but it's still a way to communicate.

[ ah, wait— ]

And... you were the one who brought the snacks, right? Thank you. They were good.

[ can't forget that one. ]

this is 100000% child helping boomer relative

[benedicus]

Hello there!

( warmly, friendly. )

Oh, are you sure? I would hate to trouble you.

( the laws of politeness are suffocating. it is, however, clear that he is interested in receiving help by the noticeable interest in his tone. he welcomes the chance for a non-annoying individual to teach him how to operate the device without barking in his ear about it.

then he very immediately brightens up, like the sun. )

Yes, yes I did! I am delighted to hear that! I made them this morning.

( which is the unfortunate try-hard truth of this. he brought homemade baked goods. however, you see, he's developed a penchant for stress baking and he finds that it does help. )

[coolerjunpei]

I'd say let's make it digital, but that just loops back around to how much stuff we want on the network.

[How inconvenient!! He doesn't super mind going... analog, as it were, but since the idea of continuing to update the network to seem less suspicious was already brought up at this meeting, ugh--it's so much more work.]

What kind of mark are you thinking? A big X won't really stand out... What are those birds that smell gas in mines? Canaries, right? That's kinda subtle.

[benedicus]

( this could possibly become a big gathering!

but also all of this was handmade. aziraphale occasionally dips into stress baking and he ends up with far too much. bringing it here for everyone to enjoy is a far better use for it!

aziraphale nods, understanding. )

I must admit that I do! Lovely to see it go into the hands of someone who will appreciate it more than I.

( kids often light up like little light bulbs when they get an unexpected sweet treat. it's always warming to see and he's happy when he has the chance to do so. )

Buttery can be a touch better with tea.

( almost absently, as if to show approval for lockon's choice.

there's a beat and then he adds: )

I find that food helps connect us. We're quite the varied bunch, but surely everyone could think a little better with something to eat readily available.

[benedicus]

( ow?

let's hit the pause button this conversation for a moment. priorities.

without thinking, aziraphale steps closer as if he could actually do anything here. )

Are you alright? Did you bite into something?

( or did it go down the wrong way?

it doesn't matter because aziraphale is already pouring him a cup of tea and offering it to him. tea'll fix this. )

[coolerjunpei]

Uh— [Tea? Hello? Junpei takes the cup for lack of knowing what else he can do here, and he just kind of looks at it for a second. How hot is this... is hot tea a great cure for choking. He's not even really coughing anymore--

He takes a sip to be polite. It's okay.]

Thanks. Uh, I'm fine. It's... great tea.

[he knows nothing at all about tea???]

So, the secret info hoard...

soon aziraphale will be making cooking tiktoks

[halbird]

[ oh, the sunshine is in his eyes. just kidding, but aziraphale's sudden delight at the compliment helps emil relax a bit.

for him — who's still struggling with the idea of making eggs in the morning — hearing everything's homemade makes the deliciousness even more impressive. wow. at this point, the boomer's a wizard. ]

It's not any trouble. It's the least I could do, too, since you spent all that time making things to feed everyone. I ate a lot of your cookies. [ ... ] Oh, um — not too many.

[ more than one. less than four. a "gotta-teach-him-emojis levels of gratitude" number of cookies, but not an "oh my god that's all the cookies" number of cookies.

anyway, emil'll take his phone out of his pocket. ]

Should I show you now...? Or did you want to focus on what everyone else is talking about first?

[ emil can pen him in for lessons after the meeting, in case aziraphale doesn't want to miss anything. ]

[benedicus]

( for an angel, his logic to this is impeccable. unfortunately, in a space where his abilities don't quite work, the tea is just tea. it's nice, but not very useful! hopefully the gesture counts for something.

the sip is enough to satisfy aziraphale, allowing him to move on. )

Yes, yes. As for the phones, I would say they didn't quite give them to us as they did force them on us. I don't think anything about that bodes well.

( getting trapped in the train car until he answered the survey was something of a frustrating experience. he thinks it's worth mentioning as he tries to regain his train of thought. where was he about this?

that's right. the sisterhood of the traveling secret info hoard. )

If we could get volunteers, what else do you believe we might need? I imagine a box might make it easier to keep it exchanging hands safely, but it might also be a bit too obvious?

[braidedwonder]

How far’re you gonna be hammering anything out not knowing what the end goal is?

[ it’s not that Duo doesn’t think that they can’t hammer something out, at least, but getting to specifics for things to possibly pull a 180 seems like a good bit of time and effort down the drain.

His name comes out of Setsuna’s mouth as though they’ve met before and, for a moment, Duo’s brows draw together. Puzzling, considering, but then…

There’s still Heero, Quatre, or Wufei for him to have met as well. It isn’t as though he blends in well when he isn’t trying. ]

Which of the others have you met, then?