View source for Detroit Convocation of the Traditions, Summer 2018

{{Log
| date=07/28/2018
| time=8:00pm EDT
| summary=The Traditions Mages of Detroit vote on a leadership structure to build a chantry. Also, it rained unexpectedly.
| cast=
* [[Aaron]]
* [[Alexandra]]
* [[Alma]]
* [[Amane]]
* [[Arthur]]
* [[Kai]]
* [[Maya]]
* [[Rei]]
* [[Wednesday]]
* and mentioning [[Emma]]
| st=We have a storyteller? I thought we were an autonomous collective!
| place_name=Detroit, MI Measure 2 tracts, [[Upper East Side]]
| place_desc=A tech startup lounge room has been made into the meeting space for this. Beat up leather couches have been arranged in a hemicycle, with chairs behind in case those fill up. A table is setup in front, with a few chairs behind it. Arthur's coffee machine, and Wednesday's tea equipment, are put on another table in the corner. 

| log=

Arthur took the initiative in trying to make this happen, so he took it upon himself to do the logistics. Instead of checking near the heart of downtown, as with his office, he found an abandoned 2-story office building in Measure 2-emptied areas. The interns had the fun job of picking up the trash, cleaning, and setting up a room for this purpose. Alexandra was then invited to ward it.<br/>

Those who arrive will find that a tech startup lounge room has been made into the meeting space for this. Beat up leather couches have been arranged in a hemicycle, with chairs behind in case those fill up. A table is setup in front, with a few chairs behind it. Arthur's coffee machine, and Wednesday's tea equipment, are put on another table in the corner. Arthur is sipping coffee at the speaker's table as he waits for arrivals.

Wednesday peeks in a few minutes early. He literally tilts his head in so that he can see who's there, first, then calls behind him, &quot;All clear!&quot; He waves to Arthur. &quot;Doctor, thanks for setting this up. Do we make nametags, or...?&quot; Someone skulks behind him, in a Kai-ish form. He'll move on to the opposite wall, regarding the couches and chairs, and leans against a wall.

It was over Al's objections that they took Aaron's car. But they did nonetheless, and the couple was early. No doubt as part of the compromise on which car to take, they worked on Alexandra's schedule. And that meant arriving with ample time to spare. Aaron holds the door for Al, who enters with the soft thump of her cane against the ancient grey carpets. She leaves a little trail behind her in the plaster that covers the floor, left when someone ripped the wiring from the walls.<br/>

&quot;Well. This place has its charms...&quot; Al mutters to Abraham as the two make their way in.

Kai holds up a wall as well, cutting slices of a fragrant bruise-colored plum with a folding knife and eating them from hands that probably haven't seen a sink in a couple days.

Oh God Alma brought that bird with her, and what a neat tidy bird it is. Alma shows up a few minutes before the show begins and wanders over to Wednesday and Kai. &quot;I don't know about you guys, but I want to sit down.&quot; She heads over to a sofa and sits on the end. A notebook comes out from one of her many pockets, as does a pen, from another. She is ready to take notes. Note, her familiar, is steady on her shoulder.

&quot;Are you kidding?&quot; Wednesday laughs. &quot;I slept standing, last night. I'm going to stand until Fimbulwinter.&quot; He continues his lean, waving to Al and upnodding to Aaron, the stranger.

Outside, there is the distant sound of someone riding a crotch rocket or rice rocket or whatever semi-insulting slang term someone would think of for them. It's a high, clarion, note. Some in the room might find it familiar... but as it vanishes into the sounds of the city night again it was probably just dopplering by. Or perhaps not. Only a few minutes after that sound is gone, in walks a bike-armored woman who is pulling a helmet from her head and yanking bobbypins from her hair to let it fall in long raven plates. &quot;Heya guys and gals... hmm. Some faces I don't know... &quot; says Amane, back from the 'dead'.

Aaron guides Al toward one of the sofas. &quot;It's all but tailor made for this sort of meeting,&quot; he says to her as they cross the room. He glances about the room as they traverse it, eyes alighting on faces and features in a practiced and professional observational manner. Wednesday gets a return upnod while Kai gets an upbrow. He takes a seat at one end of a couch--a different couch than Alma's--and makes space for Al to sit next to him.

Arthur stands up when Amane arrives. That's a face he hasn't seen before. But as we're starting to get a big of a crowd, he starts preparing. Finishing his coffee, taking out a small notecard he used to prepare for this.

There is the sound of another motorcycle pulling up outside and a minute or two later Rei enters, dressed as usual of late in utilitarian leather from head to toe. She takes her time entering, eyes looking this way and that, likely assessing security angles, possible attack vectors, and escape routes, before her eyes take in the assemblage of individuals. &quot;Hello, everyone.&quot; she offers, before moving to stand off to one side and observe.

Maya is the tiniest bit late, a matter of minutes, looking at least as harried as usual. Those who don't see her often might notice differences: signs of pronounced fatigue, a sharpness to jaw and cheekbones that hints at weight loss, a harder definition in the lean muscles of her arms. The Dreamspeaker looks as if some of the softness has been scrubbed away, and when she sees the number of people present, she reddens just a little. She, too, pauses a moment for that assessment of the unfamiliar space: entrances, exits, people... Then her traveling gaze hits Amane, and her face lights up, shadows almost erased. She crosses the room swiftly toward the thin woman.

&quot;Isn't this an appropriately motley crew?&quot; Al asks aloud. She's dressed like she may have just come from the office. But of course, that makes no sense. Grey knit skirt and a smart blazer. She doesn't stay standing long. She takes one of the couches, setting her back down next to her. A three-ring binder pulled from it, along with a blue pen.

Arthur lets the last arrivals come, then clears his throat. &quot;Good day all. Thank you for coming. It looks like arrivals have trickled. I won't bore you with a long speech. Some of us have gone missing. More threats have been identified. We need to be able to work together, and having some sort of organization to lean on will help with that. It might save lives. Now, I propose that we elect a triumvirate of coordinators, who will organize the construction or adaptation of a plot or structure, into a base for us. I'll now open up the floor to anyone else who has comments and proposals.&quot; Taking his notes and his coffee mug, he then goes and sits in one of the couches, leaving the speaker's area open for whoever wants to go next.

Once she's set, Al looks around. She raises her voice some, to make sure she's heard. &quot;Why don't we begin with introductions? You'll have to excuse me, as I'm handling much of the security tonight. But I'm Hypolita Germaine bani Fortunae. As I suppose we're doing this with some formality.&quot;

Wednesday's good eye is just visible under the brim of his hat. Still leaning against the wall, he hmms loudly. &quot;For those I haven't met - I'm sorry.&quot; He eyes Amane and Aaron. &quot;Call me Wednesday.&quot; To Arthur, with a smirk, &quot;See? Nametags.&quot; He chuckles, but returns to addressing the room. &quot;Is this going to be open to any Awakened that aren't currently members of the Union? I mean, I propose that it should be.&quot;

&quot;Hermetic, for the new kids,&quot; Kai amends Alexandra's self-reporting. She wanders over toward where Alma's sitting, offers a slice of plum - oh, not to the woman, to the crow on her shoulder. Priorities. Wordless, because that start was an abberation. She offers over the slice of fruit, then another to Alma. &quot;Kai. Verbena.&quot; Brevity is the soul of wit. She moves back to hold up her wall, having said too much already - but Wednesday's query gets a sharp look.

&quot;Rei!&quot; says Amane as she turns to see the other Japanese woman enter. She smiles, warm as always to her, and continues &quot;Good to see you! It's been a while, hasn't it?&quot; Of course she, then, notes Maya's arrival and waves to her. Once the proceedings begin, however, she falls mostly quiet save to interject &quot;Oh, hi there. Amane Shimizu, I'm just one more lil' orphan Annie. If this little book club isn't open, I'll just head on. No skin off my nose.&quot;

Aaron, too, looks as though he could have just come from the office, or a board meeting. He's wearing a tailored suit, a crisp shirt with fancy cuff-links, and alligator shoes. He offers a wave to those gathered. &quot;I am Abaraham Alexander bani Thig,&quot; he says, and then looking toward Wednesday he nods. &quot;I'd second that. Seems a good place to start.&quot;

&quot;Um, just one amendment to that,&quot; Alex says, raising her pen for a moment. &quot;Any Enlightened soul who wishes may join, provided they're not part of the Union or banned in any way from any organization within the Nine Mystick Traditions,&quot; and then she's back to writing. Her pen moving carefully across a sheet of paper. Next to her leans a wooden cane. Oak, inlaid with silver.

Arthur rises briefly to say &quot;Arthur Hackenmiller Simons, Sons of Ether. I would say we should allow those affiliated with the traditions, or those specifically allowed by our membership.&quot;

Alma 'mmm's the slice of plum. &quot;Alma Hunter,&quot; she says. &quot;I've been here a littler over a year and I don't know enough to know who I'd want to vote for. I've met some of you only recently. I hope we don't rely on a lot of formality.&quot; She grabs the bottle of water hanging from a loop around her waist and takes a sip. Note, &quot;caws&quot; and goes back to eating the slice of plum she's set on Alma's shoulder. One foot on it to steady it so that she can really get some pecking in. &quot;And I agree with Wednesday.&quot;

Maya ends up stopping short of Amane in consternation, but despite the apparent &quot;commencement&quot; of things, she ends that little pause and crosses the rest of the way to take Amane's hand and give it a squeeze. Whatever she might have said is conveyed in a single look and a glad little smile, and then finds a tattered chair somewhere in the vicinity of Wednesday and possibly Kai, if she's anywhere near the one-eyed man. She gives Alexandra a narrow-eyed look, and an uncharacteristically cynical smile curves her lips. &quot;I second Wednesday and decline the amendment,&quot; she says quietly. &quot;No one 'organization' deserves the power of veto over our choices.&quot; She looks around the room and says, without formality, &quot;Maya. Dreamspeaker. Does anyone know if Graham's coming? Simon? Whatever he's going by these days.&quot;

&quot;Welcome back.&quot; Rei replies to Amane's greeting, &quot;I hope you found what you were looking for.&quot; A rare smile crosses her face, &quot;There is much to catch up on later.&quot; she tells her before returning her attention to the matter at hand, &quot;I am Rei Tenko of,&quot; she pauses the briefest of moments while evaluating what affiliation to express, before deciding upon &quot;the Society of Ether.&quot;

Despite the Dreamspeaker taking a seat near her - she is not that far distant from Wednesday - Kai shakes her head, obviously /virulently/ disagreeing with the both of them. &quot;Bar the gun and invite the knife,&quot; she says. &quot;Be friendly with whoever you want, but if this is about a Traditions chantry, I'm here, and if it's not, I'm not.&quot;

Arthur stands again, cradling his coffee. &quot;I think we're talking about two different people here. We have a young lady here, who is clearly vouched for by Ms. Novak and Dr. Tenko. But there is one Zach Penn who's going to be on the minds of many of us. Can we agree to leave the matter of Penn for another date?&quot;

&quot;We'll talk later Maya! Good to see you!&quot; whispers Amane. &quot;Enlightened... wow,&quot; says Amane at a louder volume as she runs her fingers through her hair and then scratches her cheek lightly, &quot;What's that phrase? 'If you meed Buddha along the road, kill him'? Or something like that. Not that the Himalayas weren't full of self-proclaimed Bodhisattvas. No eye, no ear, my ass.&quot; She shrugs, &quot;Eee-ney-waaaay. I suppose I don't really get a vote in any of this until it's fully decided if I'm allowed here?&quot; She conspicuously, for those who know her, does NOT mention she was a member of the Virtual Adepts up until recently. She waggles her fingers &quot;Oh, hi Kai. Been a while since I saw you too.&quot;

Alma sighs, and continues to draw fractures in the margins of her notebook.

Wednesday shakes his head. &quot;I'd rather talk about it. Let's be a Traditions chantry,&quot; he says, nodding to Kai, &quot;But one that rejects the condemnation of the Council without further evidence, and welcomes any who aren't members otherwise condemned by the Council? I think we deserve to see proof if our own experience doesn't match with others'.&quot;

&quot;Like Kai, I am here to discuss a Traditions chantry,&quot; Aaron says, not bothering to stand up. &quot;If some of you want to start a club where you invite your friends, without regard to the larger organization to which we should all belong, then you're welcome to do so. But this isn't that, or I don't think, is what we want it to be.&quot;

&quot;Hi, Amane,&quot; Kai says, looking at her sidelong. &quot;No hard feelings, but you straight up disappeared for months, and show up singing the song of the orphan. Ok. You could be fine. But -&quot; she lifts a hand, &quot;for all we know, you got hauled off in a van and cut ties with the Adepts so they didn't have any right to check you out. Does anybody remember why we actually /join/ a Tradition? It's not for the drink specials.&quot;

Maya raises an eyebrow at Arthur, and then says, simply, &quot;Actually, I wasn't talking about any particular individual, but about the power we allow individual traditions or organizations. Whatever those are.&quot; She looks over to Kai, tipping her head. &quot;You'd exclude Orphans, then? Or do they count? I'm not clear. I just meant that no one faction or even single Tradition should have the power to ban an individual. And I am in favor of a Chantry of the Nine Traditions. The question I think we need to answer is...&quot; She looks around the room. &quot;Do we allow Orphans, or not? Based on individual, maybe?&quot;

&quot;Mm. If you don't follow the commands of the Traditions, you're hardly a Traditions chantry,&quot; Al adds, after Aaron speaks up. &quot;Orphans are certainly fine, and welcome. We all came to a Tradition in our own way. But, if a Tradition has moved to ban an individual, we have to stand with that unless there is compelling reason not to.&quot; Arthur's idea of leaving this all behind? Zoomed right past.

Arthur had to try. But he stands again. &quot;I believe Orphans are not unaccepted in a standard Council-affiliated Chantry. Not to allow... Amane here, would seem to run afoul of tradition. If none of us has been informed of a reason to be wary of her, as we are wary of Penn, then I think she should be allowed to stay. How do I put this? One important aspect of this chantry is we're creating a space for people to feel safe discussing our concerns. We must be at least somewhat exclusive.&quot;

Rei stands against the wall watching, listening, finally she speaks up &quot;My education on the Council of Nine Traditions is still progressing, however in the formation of an organization clear criteria should be outlined. If I am not mistaken the goal here is structure. If it becomes an issue then I would like to nominate Amane to the Society of Ether. If the stated goal is a Traditions Chantry then it should be answerable to the governing structure of said traditions and their protocals.&quot;

&quot;I think Alexandra and I are talking about two sides of the same coin - she asks for compelling reason, and I ask for evidence of the claims. Either way I propose we should allow Orphans.&quot; He sighs. &quot;The premise of the dire need for this chantry was that we need to coordinate resources and talents against serious threat. Zachary Allen Penn has been a significant help with that already, if I'm not wrong. Other Orphans might bring their own charms and swords to help.&quot;

&quot;Even if a single tradition bans an individual, could they not find solace in another?&quot; Rei asks curiously, &quot;Unless they have been banned by all?&quot;

Maya glances to Alexandra and offers, &quot;Nothing in the Protocols says dick about a single Tradition holding that kind of power,&quot; she says. A glance around the room, and she adds, &quot;I'm not bringing this up because of any individual. Zach wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole, so attitudes toward *him* are immaterial. I'd propose that the admission of an Orphan should be determined by all of us, under whatever procedures of governance the group ends up with.&quot;

Having said his piece, Aaron seems content to remain quiet as he listens.

Laughing, Amane responds &quot;The Adepts don't even meet each other in meat-space. Considering I was one of the Reality Hackers' linear members for years, and I know for certain the Tradition's methods didn't exactly catch certain fallen in their midst who I had to have help from the Akashic Brotherhood to deal with... I didn't exactly try to renew my membership when my ideas about reality strayed outside their hyped up ideas of What's Leet and what's not because I got a little too esoteric for their Ginsonesque Neuromancy.&quot; She shrugs, &quot;You are ALL able to use insights, or magics, or technologies of one form or another that would give you any knowledge you could need. I'm here, unopposed to being 'checked' by anyone. On the other hand, when I left this city? There WAS no Tradition meta. It had been tried and had fallen through lead through a wet paper sack multiple times. Now? It's Tradition clubhouse time. Okay. So check me like you would any unknown. Scientific method is the reproduction of an outcome based on recordable data sets, is it not?&quot; She can't help but laugh, &quot;Oh GODS, Zach... yeah. He wouldn't be caught dead here. It's kindof funny because I'm not even the level of Anarchist that most Virtual Adepts are. I'm just not a Virtual Adept at this point.&quot; She looks to Rei and raises her brows, but says nothing in response to being nominated tto the Society of Ether. She apparently didn't see that coming and looks, well, happily surprised.

Arthur stands again. &quot;I move that we vote on the admission of Amane into our group, lack of active memebership in a Council tradition notwithstanding.&quot;

Blahblahblah Alma doesn't have much to say but she notices the water in the coffee pot is low. She gets up and takes the pot over to to the faucet to get refilled. Note hops on to the sofa to hold her place. &quot;Don't mind me. I&quot;m listening.&quot;

Kai is mostly listening to Amane, here; she was waiting for what she'd say, naturally. &quot;Provisional, then. On her story checking out. I'm sure somebody here can do that, right?&quot; She looks mostly at the A-names here - Aaron, Alexandra, Arthur - since they're being vaguely (or mostly) authoritative and invested in the whole thing.

Maya smiles a little at Amane's words, and then murmurs, &quot;Seconded. We can ask our VA's about it.&quot;

&quot;In general, if your ally casts someone out, you take it on faith they deserved it. That's what it means to be allies,&quot; Al says, flipping to a new sheet of paper. The previous one covered in notes and symbols, all shaped with remarkable precision. &quot;But, again, I didn't say anything about barring an Orphan, all other things being equal.<br/>

&quot;But if you all believe it to be a moot point at present, why fight about it?&quot; Al shrugs, without looking up from her paper. &quot;Fine. Does anyone object?&quot;

Wednesday shakes his head. &quot;I'm afraid I want to understand, here. So, we're allowing Orphans if they check out by our own standards - is that the case? Because that's what we seem to be doing with...Amane? Good to meet you - I think I've heard a little about you.&quot;

&quot;I do not object.&quot; Alma says. The coffee pot has plenty of water now, and Alma is assured that people will be able to get coffee or tea as they please. Too bad there is no food... she can fix that. She pulls some bags of trailmix and sets them on the coffe station. Does anything else need doing? She looks around to see if everyone is comfortable.

Kai turns eyes on Wednesday. &quot;/I'm/ suggesting that we /pick/ a standard, and then /use/ it. There's a difference.&quot;

Arthur nods. &quot;I believe the standard should be vetting and approval by the membership. And it sounds like Amane is being admitted by acclamation.&quot;

&quot;I do not object to the inclusion of Orphans in general, or Amane in particular, pending proper vetting,&quot; Aaron says, offering a wave and a smile to the woman in question.

Maya looks over to Kai, and adds, &quot;Provisionally, pending background check. Does that work for you?&quot;

&quot;That's what I said,&quot; Kai says to Maya. Then she looks past, to Wednesday. &quot;Can that eye of yours see truth and lies? Between you and Alma - I'd trust you to check her. Neither of you knew her before, right? No ties to pull at.&quot;

Wednesday smirks. &quot;I have a charm for that - maybe after all the voting and mug-throwing and wrestling is over?

Rei turns her head to look at Wednesday, this apparently getting her attention, &quot;There is to be wrestling and mug throwing as well? I was not aware of this part of the agenda.&quot;

Alma looks back at Kai and Wednesday, then addresses the room. &quot;Graham called me a judge, but that's not what I'm here for. If Amane,&quot; She nods to the woman, &quot;wants my help, sure.&quot; She smiles at the woman.

Smiling and waving to those who are greeting her in ways overt and subtle, Amane holds her hands palms out and says &quot;Kai has a point. Security is, by its nature, not the friend of liberty. I don't want to have it said later that something was done sloppily about my admission, or that some sort of double-standard was used because I am friends with a couple of your members. I'm here, in plain view with my defenses down and I submit to testing when you are ready.&quot; Looking to Wednesday she grins and then says to Rei softly, &quot;Either your sense of humor has gotten better, or you don't realize the joke there. We have GOT to watch Thor together later... I won't even geek out and reference the original Norse Myths the mug throwing happens in.&quot; Smiling to Alma, she responds &quot;Hey, I'm open to whatever you guys want to do so long as it doesn't involve me incurring physical or mental harm in the process. Be my guest.&quot;

&quot;Well, it sounds like that's settled then. It also sounds like everyone is on the same page as to our purpose here. Foundation and sustenance of a chantry for mutual cooperation, protection, and the pooling of resources. So. That's two things we've accomplished tonight,&quot; Al turns her pen in her fingers. Tapping it against her binder's edge for a moment. She goes back to double check something, strikes a symbol out with a single stroke, and resumes her writing. &quot;Next time, can we meet somewhere less suspicious?&quot;

Maya bends over and rummages in her messenger bag, pulling out a pottery cup. And a random-looking twig. &quot;Suspicious? We have people here who can ward it, unless you have already. If not, hey, let's *do* that.&quot;

Arthur stands and returns to the table. &quot;Amane is accepted provisionally, pending a vetting by neutral third parties. MEeting places for next time will hopefully be at a permanent chantry location. But if we want one of those, we need the NEXT item on the agenda, which was to be the first. What is to be our organizational structure? I think we need something small, but diverse. A triumvirate.&quot;

Kai snorts. &quot;Wasn't anything suspicious until the fancy cars and motorcycles started rolling up,&quot; she says. &quot;Wanna speak English for us in back?&quot;

&quot;I propose each Tradition has a representative on a Conclave. More diverse, but less small.&quot; Wednesday steps forward, no longer using the wall as a crutch, and heads to the tea stuff.

The cup is glanced when Al looks up. It's a good idea. She leans into her bag, pulling out her travel mug. The name of her alma matter entirely legible, but chipped and faded down the side. She opens the top and sips. &quot;A triumverate is a group of three to rule. Taken from Latin, in every sense,&quot; and it's back to writing.

&quot;Respectfully, Wednesday, but have you ever _been_ to a Conclave?&quot; Aaron says, turning to look at the Verbena. &quot;It was my impression that we were here to organize in order to get things done.&quot;

Rei shakes her head, &quot;There are nine traditions as I understand it and nine people standing in this room, such a structure will be top heavy and ultimately non-functional. With the extreme danger in this city, we need a structure which is capable of quick and decisive action.&quot;

Alma speaks up for a change. &quot;Perhaps the three should not be from the same tradition.&quot; She frowns.

&quot;Yeeeah,&quot; says Amane as she leans against a wall, pulling out a pack of cigarettes that she taps against her palm &quot;I didn't help with that I guess. I'm a little too used to being forgotten when I'm out of sight.&quot; She pulls a cigarette out of the package with her lips, staining the battered cig with her lipstick as she does and starts patting around for her lighter before saying &quot;Oh, um... anyone mind if I smoke?&quot; She shakes her head, &quot;A triumvrate. Will that mean three ruling members and a a Caesar, or just the three?&quot; She nods to Rei, &quot;I agree, for what it's worth. An executive member that all are in agreement with, but whom CAN be deposed if there are violations of rules etc. would serve best for rapid response. The only drawback is, such a person would need a strng enough personality to deal with strong personalities.&quot;

&quot;And if we somehow manage to nominate three dudes in a room where they're outnumbered two-to-one, I'm out,&quot; Kai says - the attitude says been there, done that, burned the t-shirt.

Arthur sips. &quot;I meant just the three. A small executive council, a third the size of a full conclave. Definitely only one member maximum per tradition. And I would further suggest we vote on them with a ranked-choice multi-member ballot with instant runoff. Gives us the best shot at a diverse group.&quot;

&quot;I'm glad you started with 'respectfully.' Diversity was mentioned as a strong point for the Triuvirate, so I thought I'd suggest an alternate.&quot; He pouring hot water, and starting to steep something. &quot;I understand your point, though, it may be too many voices. I agree with only one member on in the three being from each Tradition.&quot;

Maya gives Kai a wry look. And then looks over to Arthur, and nods.

At the mention of a cigarette, Al's pen stops. It lifts up off the paper. She looks up, toward Amane, &quot;I would very much appreciate it if you didn't smoke. Thank you.&quot; It's said through a completely insincere smile. She draws in a deep breath, and lowers the tip of her pen to the paper again.

Rei considers and then offers, &quot;Why not combine the two, a Triumvirate where the members are empowered to act but must still answer to the other two and account for their actions after the fact. Diversity would be essential to maintaining morale and order, a Technomancer, a Mystic, and a third by overall popular vote?&quot;

Kai's eyes turn on Rei. &quot;Who's a technomancer and who's a mystic? Depending how you count, you wind up giving someone an automatic seat that might not be acceptable to anyone.&quot;

Nodding once, no stranger to the tone, Amane shrugs and plucks her battered cigarette from her lips to slip it back into the pack. She sighs and puts it away as she looks to Rei, &quot;Hmm. That's... got it's merits. Though I can also see where it could go wrong if they aren't on the wrong page. The risks vs rewards are interesting.&quot; She pulls a toothpick from a small metal case full of them and slides it between her teeth to chew on thoughtfully. Someone is nic-fitting. &quot;All three compose a governing body... each capable of independant action, should the others not be available, but accountable for their actions TO the others. I don't know. Rei, I would be for it... but there is the fact that it would lack transparency and... yeah. As Kai said.&quot;

Arthur looks to Rei. &quot;I think Dr. Tenko's proposal has merit, but then you run into someone like Ms. Hunter here, who is a functioning scientist from a mystical tradition. How does she count? Let's just vote as a group, I say.&quot;

&quot;I think our praxes are less important than our personalities when it comes to leadership,&quot; Aaron says. &quot;We're not talking about leading rituals here, we're talking about leading people. Kai's right.&quot;

Both of Maya's eyebrows lift at Rei, and she murmurs, &quot;Interesting suggestion. But I agree with Kai, I think.&quot;

Alma nods at Arthur.

Wednesday almost has tea. He's bobbing the tea cage in a mug as he turns around to face the room again. &quot;I think that our...praxes, have a lot to do with who we are, and I'd agree with Rei - but it looks like we're outvoted.&quot;

Rei nods once, &quot;I see, your points are well taken. I lack experience in this and was attempting to find a way to logically divide the seats for the greatest representation of views and approval of the general membership while maintaining harmony of the general body and allowing for expediency of action. Finding a structure which satisfies all criteria is difficult, lacking experience I will defer to others and evaluate what is put forward instead.&quot;

Kai gives a chin-up to Alexandra. &quot;Secretary gonna count the votes?&quot; she asks, which is... a thing to call Alexandra, if uh you wanna be stabbed with a pen.

Arthur clears his throat. &quot;If a ranked-choice ballot is too complex, we could try something simple. Approval voting. The folks approved by the most members make it on. One member per tradition maximum. If there's a tie... we re-vote among those tied.&quot;

Shaking her head, Amane says to Rei &quot;I doubt many of us HAVE much experience with this, Rei. The reason for a phase like this is to debate ideas as they are boiled down to a vote by the majority. It's... more Democratic than the Nine Traditions themselves are. Your opinion is no more or less valid than anyone else's but, just like with a scientific paper will be reviewed by your peers for the merit.&quot;

&quot;I'm not taking notes. I'm running security and making sure we're not being recorded,&quot; Al corrects, speaking down toward her paper. &quot;But that sounds fine to me.&quot;

Maya hides a smile. &quot;I think ranked choice is good, if I understood it right.&quot;

Kai shrugs a shoulder. &quot;I don't care how we vote as long as like, it's explained what needs to go on the paper.&quot;

Al sighs softly, and taps her pen against her binder softly. Another flip back. Reviewing notes. &quot;Should we vote on this three-person structure, or just move on to electing an interim set of Triumvers until a permanent organization can be arranged?&quot;

Arthur realizes he didn't bring ballots. But he did bring napkins. &quot;I can be the secretary. If everyone brings me a napkin, listing all the names of people acceptable as members of the triumvirate, we can settle this right now.&quot;

&quot;May I still participate in the vote if I abstain from the nominations?&quot; asks Amane, &quot;I trust my gut for that outcome based on what I've seen so far, but I don't know enough of you at the moment to really make a list of nominees from scratch.&quot;

&lt;&lt;&lt;Voting happens&gt;&gt;&gt;

Arthur sits and takes some time counting. Finally he stands. &quot;We have a result. With 8 approvals, Wednesday is in. With 7 approvals, Dr. Emma Durov is in. And with 5, Alexandra is the third member of our triumvirate. Congratulations.&quot; He then takes his stuff and clears out of the speaker's table.

Wednesday doesn't do a spittake - barely. The mug stops at his lips, and he lowers it, glancing at Maya. His smirk has transformed into a look of confusion and a little exasperation.

Maya glances in the man's direction, widening her eyes a little as if to plead innocent.

As the winners are announced, Al looks up from her paper. Her lips open, about to speak, but then she thinks better of it. She shifts her weight, lips bunching up into a tight frown. Her jaw shifts. She goes back to doing her notation.

Kai appears to be - rather pleasantly surprised, by that announcement, though diffusely.

Alma looks over and catches Wednesday's eye, grinning. She has a nod and a smile for Al too. &quot;I hope Emma doesn't decline.&quot;

Removing her toothpick for a moment and looking to Wednesday, Amane's eyes glitter as she grins and says &quot;Congratulations.&quot; She replaces her toothpick and begins to applaud even if none of the others clap as well.

Aaron seems to be pleased with that result as well. Though, something very briefly plays across his features that might be read as concern. But then it's gone.

Rei's expression is unreadable, it is unclear what she thinks of the result and she doesn't seem inclined to voice any clarifier.

Arthur sits with his coffee. &quot;May I suggest the elected leaders take control of the meeting if they have any further business, or else we adjourn and let them get right to work leading our chantry building effort?&quot;

&quot;Well.&quot; Wednesday takes a drink of tea, which is too hot, and nearly spills it. He tries again. &quot;Should we talk about what we want in a Chantry building - open forum, to get ideas?&quot;

Finally, Alex swallows her annoyance, &quot;I think I'm done for the evening. Wednesday, let's you and I meet up with Emma and schedule the next time and place? It's been an eventful evening as is.&quot;

Alma thanks Arthur for arranging the meeting and handling the voting, and then she goes up to Wednesday and starts going on and on about the building. &quot;Make sure it is maximally ADA compliant! purchase a fleet of cars so that everyone can have rides! Make sure there are lactation rooms for parents!&quot; Keep Kindness Weird, Alma.

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