pti | TEXT + ACTION

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celes chere: final fantasy vi

TEXT + ACTION

Posted By: BlueRose
Posted On: March 22, 2018

In the time that I have been involved with the Phantom Thieves, I have yet to be impressed by the ability to come together to bring about change. Our previous endeavor went smoothly, however, there seems to be little cohesion in the group as a whole.

This is a failing on our part, and will be our Achilles's heel if we let this persist further.

I have a proposal. Friday night, the 23rd, at 7pm, we come together in the usual place for the first meeting of the LA chapter. And since I know there are those who will not attend unless there is some sort of incentive, light refreshments will be provided. Bring your notes on the pray-in, if you attended.

We have motivation, but no direction. If we hope to incite change, then we must change as well.

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[ Celeste begins setting things up about an hour before the predetermined time. While this is supposed to be more of a informal meeting, she pulls some seating from other rooms to accommodate what she assumes will be a meager but acceptable number of people. As far as refreshments, "light" isn't much of an exaggeration, with a few pizza boxes and various snacks set out for people to nibble on. She is a college student as well, so she understands that this might be the only thing to draw certain people to come.

With a cup in hand, and a plate set aside, she sits with an open notebook rested in her lap; fingers curled at her lips, going over what appear to be notes. ]

[ TEXT ]

Posted by: MissEight
Posted on: March 22, 2018

I'll come, but I'll have to come up with an excuse as to why I'm home late unless someone's willing to pretend I was invited somewhere overnight.

[ Action ]

[ Naomi is keeping to herself, mostly. She's been pretty deep in thought since the pray-in, and her mood has generally been sour. But she'll grab food, so she has a plate of pizza. Otherwise, she's tapping pen against a notebook and writing in some code that only seems to make sense to her. ]

...No, no, doesn't make sense...

[text]

Posted By: Knight
Posted On: March 22, 2018

I work at a bar so I will arrive a hour late for the meeting, but I will be there.

[action]

Everyone, listen up.

[Takamichi did bring his own laptop and all, but he also going to make use of a rolling whiteboard in the building so he pulled that in with him. He pins up pictures of each of the notable members of the Poplett and writes their first names under them with a dry erase marker. He calls for attention on him after a while of his arrival and getting settled in.]

For those who attended the pray-in, let's get our information in order. During that day, I got the chance to talk to Mrs. Tamara, the wife of the reverent. [He points his marker to the woman's picture.] From what I have gathered, the charity has been going on for fifteen years. Maybe it started genuine or something was shady from the start, but about her... She certainly looks more luxurious compared to her family, don't you think?

[Action; Private]

[Since they're roommates, Locke will just pop his head into Celeste's room when the door's open.]

Hey, I'll be at your thing.

[Action, OTA]

Locke is mostly keeping to the background for now, listening to other's observations. He'll step in if he feels it's relevant.

These churches tend to have pretty nasty reps. They definitely asked for money a whole hell of a lot.

Something bothering you?

Mm. I'm trying to figure out what they ultimately gain from what they do to those children.

[ Which is obviously a Sensitive Subject. ]

...And I definitely don't think they treat them as well as they pretend. But I can't believe it's just for public image, either.

True, but greed is considered a sin. Only true representatives of a church would be actually genuine and show good faith for money.

The whole family of the charity is suspicious yet they play their cards right to use the children for their own gain.

I definitely got the impression they were exploiting those kids. I'm just not sure entirely how.

I talked to one of the kids and I'd put money on there being abuse in there at the very least. I guess the big question is if that couple are true believers or con artists, because that makes motives go in very different directions.

That's the mystery. If the money isn't going to those kids, then what is it being used for?

Speaking as someone from a rich family, I know someone wealthy when I see one. There is a lot of details that give away that Tamara could be using that money for personal use.

She might be using it out of grief as well.

Yeah. It... Reminds me of the worst foster homes I've heard about. I've been relatively lucky.

[ But it bothers her. What is the motive. ]

...Greed or Pride. I can't figure out which.

[Sinbad was loosely mingling, before noticing Celeste writing]

What you got there?

We might as well try both. We need keywords right? We can try things that relate to what might be going on.

Strong emotions can cause distortions, even if not malicious. But are we sure that's a driving force for her?

[ She nods. Kind of numbly. ]

...I don't want those kids hurt anymore. ...I'm... Not sure if I'll be able to stop myself from hurting the Shadows of these people beyond recovery.

[ ...She's actually scared of that, which is why she's even bringing it up. ]

[ Celeste looks up from what she was doing. ]

Notes, on what I observed during the pray-in, and what I've picked up from other people's conversations.

Posted By: BlueRose
Posted On: March 22, 2018

Don't worry about it. I intend to make sure that everyone stays until our work is done.

[ Celeste sits cross-legged on a futon, a notebook of half-scribbled notes rested in her lap. She glances up at him as he pokes his head inside. ]

I know.

[ She gestures for him to come inside. ]

[He enters and shuts the door, sitting on the floor in a similar posture]

"I know"?

[He sounds slightly indignant]

I would have made sure you were there.

[ "Whether you wanted to be or not," thoroughly implied by her tone of voice.

Readjusting, she lets her legs drape over the side of the futon. ]

So, your thoughts? I saw you there.

I'll save you the trouble, I'd prefer to walk instead of being dragged.

[He leans back, thinking]

They're a lovely freaky cult for sure, those places are always uncomfortable. The big question is what these guys think it is, I can't tell if they're true believers or hucksters. It could be anything from a breeding facility to an army base to a giant pit of money.

[ That comment earns him a subtle smirk.

Leaning forward, she crosses her arms over her chest, considering for a moment. ]

I'm less inclined to think that they're doing this for some monetary gain. They would be more likely to ask for larger donations from the community if that were the case.

Ah, anything interesting... since, yeah couldn't bring myself to step foot in that place.

They're sorta persona non grata in Tehrangeles.

So zealots then. Awesome.

[ Celeste blinks a few times in confusion. ]

I'm sorry, I don't think I understand.

[ He might want to run that one by her again. ]

[ Nodding, she pulls the pen out from behind her ear, tapping at the page of scribbled notes in front of her. ]

Meaning that we could have any number of motives and distortions. If he thinks that their way is just, then it's a matter of figuring out what the end goal is. That's where I'm stumped.

There was a lot in his sermon, I wouldn't be surprised if the answer is in there somewhere if he really believes that crock. Soldiers of god, righters of wrong, fighting against the corrupt, sinful society.

Then we need to put a stop to this. Once we have this figured out, we can end it.

It's what we call the area around Westwood, it's where a lot of Iranian ex-pats like my dad live. Lot of the more... uh, evangelical Christians aren't very nice when they come around.

[ Exhaling, she looks back down at the open page in front of her. It's like it's staring them right in the face. ]

You know, when I decided I wanted that I wanted to help defend people, I never thought I would be going down this kind of rabbit hole. Isn't this sort of thing supposed to bring out the good in people?

It's a very fine line to walk. The best intentions can bring out the worst in people. Especially if you're angry or scared enough.

[ She... hadn't thought of that actually, her eyes quietly averting back down to her notebook. ]

I'm sorry, I hadn't realized...

But what would make them angry enough to act? What would terrify them so much that they felt like they had to strike back?

For these types? A lot of 'em feel like they're losing control. The world's changing around them, it looks different and their way of thinking is quickly becoming obsolete and unwelcome. Folks that flock to these kinds of churches tend to be super controlling, they can't handle the fact that other people want and should have the right to live differently or that their backwards thinking can't be forced on everyone anymore.

Which is why they go after children and those looking for hope or guidance. They can force those ideals on them, disguised as God's love. Disgusting.

[ Her jaw set, she draws her lips together in a fine line. ]

I can only imaging what they've put those kids through. It's like he's trying to create his own army of God—

[ Celeste stops herself short, looking up again. ]

You don't think...

[ It couldn't be that, could it? No one would go that extreme, would they? ]

It's definitely possible. These guys are all about the propaganda and indoctrination.

Eh, it's fine. I'm probably being too jumpy, but I probably would've been too pissed to really pay attention.

I am throwing it out there that as a possible idea.

We also need to consider her husband's part of the situation as well.

Posted By: Knight
Posted On: March 22, 2018

Good. Even if there is no set leader among us, it's nice to have someone take charge of these things so we can address the Palace properly.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

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OTA.

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