Open | Network/Action combo!

[professorbestie]

Who: Yujin Mikotoba, OTA
Which: Open Network post and February log.
Where: Optionally at the greenhouse
What: A network post about ~politics~ and ~law~. Also some action prompts!
Warnings: None!

[Journal]

> Sender: Yujin Mikotoba
> To: Everyone

[This message comes in some very distinct handwriting. He's actually writing in Japanese but, y'know, magical mechanics. Though it might be recognizable to those who've conversed with Yujin over the journal before, it's also perfectly legible. (C'mon, not all doctors have terrible handwriting.)]

Good afternoon. If I may have a moment of everyone's time, please.

Should we not be acquainted yet, my name is Yujin Mikotoba. Currently, I am working with Dr. Mathis to get a medical clinic up and running. Back home, I am a university professor of forensic science and on rare occasion, I serve as a diplomatic advisor to my government.

I am writing to you today with the intention of discussing the ever increasing criminal activities within Reverein and its neighboring areas. It has come to my attention that there are no true written laws to be found, nor official law enforcement. There is no ruler of any sort here, and as a result, no one who has the final say in conflicts. I fear that before long, we may be opening ourselves up not only to vigilantes, but to those who may take advantage of the lack of structure and authority in order to get away with more nefarious deeds.

However, I am aware this is not a simple discussion by any means. As our community continues to grow, so does the diversity within it. We all hail from different worlds, with different cultures and values. What may be common courtesy to some may be an entirely foreign concept to others. For that reason, I propose that there may be merit in assembling a council of sorts. Not to rule, but rather, to offer perspective from different angles. It may be too early to construct true laws, though that needn't stop us from coming together and building a bit of moral structure. The more feedback and experiences we gather in this council, the easier it will be to construct regulatory guidelines. Then, in due time, perhaps we may gather some volunteers to be certain these guidelines are adhered to for the sake of keeping the peace.

This is only a humble proposal, of course. If you have any thoughts on the matter, or an interest in this hypothetical council, please feel free to respond. I would very much like to hear more opinions. Thank you for your time.


[Greenhouse | OTA]

[It's a brisk day out, a light drizzle of rain pestering anyone who dares to venture outside. Luckily, Yujin Mikotoba is working inside. Inside the greenhouse, that is! The Glowing Dawn flowers, an impressive collection in all, are glowing with a discreet blue light and the rain is tapping against the glass roof in a relaxing manner. All in all, it's not a bad place to be! Yujin is crouching by some of the flowers, checking the leaves for any infestations and taking notes on their growth.

While the greenhouse is just behind the Mikotoba treehouse, it's not exactly private property. Anyone is free to stop by and investigate!]


[Clinic | Closed to Jude]

[Another location where Yujin spends his time is the soon-to-be-clinic! It's still being prepared together with Jude, but they're getting very close now. The place ought to be operational soon enough.

At the moment, Yujin is preparing a bed in one of the patient rooms. After what happened with 76, it's become extra clear to him that the clinic needs to be ready to accept patients as soon as possible, so they can recover in a controlled environment with all the necessities within reach. The room has to be clean and it has to be comfortable.]


[Wildcard]

[Want to do something else with him? Go wild, or hit me up on Plurk or Discord for plotting!]

Comments

[steadypulse]

I believe that people come with a lot of worries and concerns, no matter their world, and have likely seen such things in their time if old enough to understand it.

Some people also just don't deal well with any sort of authority for whatever reasons they may have.

[professorbestie]

It is true that authority is easily taken advantage of. For one single person to be placed higher than others all too often leads to corruption and an inability to stop that person, should it come down to such a thing. For that reason, I proposed a council whose sole purpose is to guide rather than rule. Perhaps representatives could be chosen by other residents, to further diminish the possibility of the wrong sorts of people taking a seat. Such a system is still not fool-proof, as hiding one's true nature is only too easy, yet at the very least they would have the rest of the council to contend with.

In the end, we are all equals. And it precisely because I wish to keep us all equals that a bit of structure may be required. The last thing we need is for someone to seize power through other means. That is, perhaps, something that the people here have also witnessed in their time.

[steadypulse]

I've been on both ends, to say the least.

[Funnily enough, he didn't find himself worried about Yujin, just most other people. Most of them were young no matter what life-skills they had, running around saving words and having so much on their shoulders when they should get to be stupid kids.

Good words, thought put in to them, all the same.]

It isn't a bad idea, just be prepared to face any of that or worse. Never know the types that will find themselves here- already have vigilantes, after all.

[professorbestie]

[Oh, he knows about the vigilantes, alright. 76 fed him some elaborate stories about one of them, and to be honest, that only made Yujin even more resolved to raise the topic. He won't say it where they can read it, but he has a family to keep safe. That's his biggest priority. And Kazuma is far too much like his father, sometimes.]

I understand. However, nothing will change if we turn a blind eye. If this discussion proves to be beneficial even in the slightest, I will accept whatever consequence comes my way.

[steadypulse]

Be seeing how it works out, either way.

[There's a reason that 76 switches it to private as well, easily making it seem like an end there-]

Private
Can expect to have me at your back, knowing just how something like this can work with the right folks if it turns in to something. People you want to protect with how things have been getting around here lately. My own experience is reason I don't want anything to do with it myself.

Don't disagree with anything, or your reasons. Just know how bad it can go.

[Reasons he kept himself as 'just a soldier' and a number.]

Private

[professorbestie]

I appreciate your concerns. Truly, thank you very much.

It is somewhat ironic, I suppose. My own bad experiences with these matters are precisely the reason why I feel the need to raise the topic. I don't wish to lose anyone else to political corruption, nor to a desperate desire for justice. There must be a middle ground somewhere.

Private

[steadypulse]

Had a building exploded while I and others were inside of it over this sort of thing.

Believe your heart and thoughts are in the right place all the same. Middle ground and balance is just a hard place to find at times. More so when it comes to law, and no doubt the different ones with the various worlds people ere come from. Only knowing authority which are corrupt, things along those lines.

Day one has basically been bounty and vigilante work with the dreamboard, mixed in with volunteer jobs.

Private

[professorbestie]

It is true that bad experiences may drain someone of the will to get involved, and that is perfectly understandable. However, in some cases, perhaps these experiences may inspire someone to try and do better. There is much which may be learned from mistakes and poor judgment.

As for the dream board, one must wonder how much stock the word "vigilante" still holds to it when it is a request filed by the masses. That would sooner be a mercenary working for the people, I suppose.

[steadypulse]

Also spotting those most likely trying to use the chance as a sway of power and influence for their own personal gain. Experience can help in a few ways, yeah.

The difference between the two is payment, as vigilantes believe themselves to be filling a request by the masses. Mercenaries tend to follow the money. Technicalities there of course. [Reaper was a mercenary. 76? 76 didn't think himself a vigilante, the news just called him one.]

You've ideas for people you'd want to reach out to for this if not enough reach out in interest?

[professorbestie]

I'm afraid not. I don't know quite enough fellow residents to judge who would or would not be suitable for such a task.

Truth be told, if not enough reach out in interest, there may not be any merit in pursuing this concept. I would hate to force any political aspect if the majority of the residents do not believe that we need it.

[He won't be one to say "I told you so" if things go belly up without a bit more structure, but he will be able to refer to the original idea then.]

[steadypulse]

That's the most difficult part of all of this; bringing together a group of folks so different and expecting them to get along and work together. It's possible, I helped do it for a war. Should be possible if enough folks want it here.

If there isn't enough who care or want something like this? Next best thing, get to know people who act as vigilantes. Know the people to reach out to and suggest some organization there; teamwork. Might keep some from getting in over their head and not stumbling in on a job in progress unknowingly.

Teamwork saves lives, no matter what sort of team that may be. Different skillsets tend to work best to pick up where another might lack and so on.

[Knew a thing or two about that.]

[professorbestie]

[Yujin's not sure how comfortable he feels being part of an 'organization' of vigilantes, even if he himself would only act to encourage communication. Still, 76 has a point, it would be best if those sorts of individuals keep in touch with one another. If they end up clashing with one another, there's no telling what might come out of it.]

I understand. That's a very good suggestion, thank you very much. I don't suppose you have any names for me to consider, should it come to that?

[steadypulse]

Start with who answered van Ziek's call when you all first arrived. Don't mean to be vague, don't pay names on these too much attention unless I end up meeting the person one way or another.

Two I'd have given aren't in this world any longer.

[He knows very well the irony, being one of those people who answered and went after Kazuma.]

That's another issue with putting together some council, isn't it? How we can come and go without warning.

[professorbestie]

[Those who answered Van Zieks's call, huh? It's true, that's a good starting point, but he's certain there are more of those types around. Whether they arrived later or missed Van Zieks's message is a whole other question. It's something to think about, in any case.]

Yes, that is a rather pressing problem. We must always be prepared to replace a council member, or at the very least function with a smaller group if necessary.

Another possible benefit of having a council to oversee some matters and to confide in ensures that there are others holding vital knowledge. That way, should someone in charge of a project suddenly be sent away, knowledge and progress won't be lost entirely. Even if the knowledge retained is only a rudimentary summary, it's preferable to having to start again from the beginning.

[steadypulse]

Could always write down information that's needed to be shared- which is an obvious, but not everyone will be able to locate shared information over these journals I imagine. There's likely a few various groups that hold certain information already and it's not getting spread as well as anyone really thinks.

Easy to get caught up in the doing and moving along of things.

[professorbestie]

[He's intimately familiar with people getting so caught up in the doing, they forget to log or share any progress. It's quite frustrating to be on the other end of that sort sort of behavior.]

Indeed, that was my line of thinking as well. If we can encourage the residents to work as more of a team, that will already prove very helpful. It all relies on awareness, motivation and discipline, though.

[steadypulse]

[He knew how it felt to be on both sides- to the point where he's given up and has leaned heavily in to 'just do it'- even while collecting and logging away his progress for himself after.]

Some of them do pretty well with team work from what I've seen, even if there's the obvious share of those that leap before they look. Don't expect the bunch to whip in to shape, but there's at least a loose structure forming out of necessity to grow off of.

Just need to keep a watchful eye, and help when needed.

[That experience keeps showing— Still no want of any part outside of the given.]