markofthebrave | [Action] .009

[Action] .009

[Due to Sokka's unexpected bout of sheer win, Katara has been given the gift of free time and she plans on making the most of it... after she was shooed back to bed due to threats from Sokka that made no sense at all.

First, she wants to check in on Sanji at the Strawhat's House. Then she wants to stop by the school and see if she can register to go once things are back to 'normal.' And... she has an idea that is going to lead her to the weapons shop. Finally, she'll go grocery shopping because they're running low on easy-to-cook things. Maybe she'll even get a chance to stand by the bridge and practice with real waterbending! ...although saving her strength to keep healing Zuko is probably a better idea. She'll probably just stare at the water wistfully and talk to Sona.

If you're around any of these places today, feel free to say 'Hey!' or give her hand, since she's not exactly sure how to do what she wants to do at the smithy or the school.]

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The differences and similarities between the worlds represented here can be quite fascinating.

I'm curious as to what you have in mind. I was going to mention the idea in the general update I was preparing, though that filter, while excluding the Malnosso, doesn't exactly exclude the less than savory villagers, so it may be better to bring it to the attention of the rest of the community another way.

Edited 2010-03-18 04:53 (UTC)

It's pretty simple, actually. There are a lot of 'defense teams' in town, but they aren't always paroling or you get in trouble when you're out in the forest. But if you run to town... you're just leading trouble back to town.

If we put bells by the bridges... and by the fountain... and by any place where trouble seems to happen, all someone needs to do is ring that bell and people will know where to go to help.

...of course, the only problem with that is if people ring the bell but don't need help, but I still think it might be worth it.

... Really what needs to be better organized are better patrols and communication between the teams, instead of them working at the cost of another, or on their own.

It sounds like this idea would help those who may not have their journals with them, or catch the attention of those who may not have their journal open, even though that's usually the best method of calling for assistance ...

Although, the bells themselves would have to be maintained. There's no doubt that if the people who pose a danger found out about them, they may likely find ways to disable or get rid of the bells. Or they might utilize them to trick or trap villagers instead.

...or even just for a joke. But... when you're running from someone who wants to hurt you, most people don't have the time to open their journal and ask for help. I know I didn't.

... That's certainly very true. But couldn't the same really be said for finding a bell? Especially depending on the conditions involved. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be tried, of course; any additional means for our safety is an improvement.

When you're in a fight, it's a lot easier to reach out and hit something in passing then it is to pull out a book and talk to it - or at least it would be for me. Or if you're running, you just have to see it, and aim for it, and hit it as you go.

...but you're not wrong about communication between the 'defense teams' either. I know that Toph was wanting to start one, and if she does I'll support her... and I know that there were other teams who exist to defend the town... but I don't know anything other than what the guide says about them. Maybe inviting their leaders to sit down and talk would help?

Setting up some form of system for it would be beneficial, and trying is the only way we can find out for certain.

The Blue Rogues are the main defense group, yes. Brave Vesperia is more of a task force that can be hired, though they mostly end up doing their own patrols and backup to the Rogues when necessary, as far as I've seen. There also may be people who just aren't interested in joining any group, but would be willing to lend their skills in a crisis.

I'm sure they wouldn't be opposed to meeting and discussing things with others. Besides, communication is the best way to ensure success.

I told Toph that I would support her when she decided to make her own, but I also think it's important to talk to the people who've been here so much longer than we have and who already have a system.

[Katara glances away for a moment.] I get the feeling that a lot of us who are stuck here are used to doing things and having them make a difference. But in Luceti, everything just cycles over and over again. Stores rebuild in a day. People.. don't really die. And we're up against the types of people that our power can't touch. But that doesn't mean that they should be able to just go around and do whatever they want.

[Her fist tightens. What happened to Zuko shouldn't have happened. She exhales and meets Raine's gaze again.] So if the others agree to meet, I'll make sure Toph's there too. [Heh.] And the rest will probably want to come as well.

I hope that something will be organized then - smaller meetings can be beneficial. The problem with calling for meetings is making sure that they take place, or else they may not happen.

But yes, I understand what you're saying. They aren't words that others before you haven't said before, after all. Sometimes people can make changes, and sometimes people allow themselves to get used to systems that are in place because they feel that they have no choice. So it's always important to take fresher ideas into account.

[She pauses for a moment.] The number of villainous people in this town didn't increase until a few months ago, when the general population seemed to grow larger as well. It's probably why things seem so disorganized to those who just came in - the situation was adapting around them.

[She didn't understand why some of these adults seemed to think that just because something wasn't 'original' it wouldn't work - why did they feel the need to bring that up at all? But unlike with Alexei, Raine goes on to something more important and so Katara is willing to let that go.]

Does that mean that you're telling me it doesn't seem disorganized to you?

[That wasn't what Raine was implying at all, but it's also likely there's some mutual miscommunication in the works.]

I didn't say that it wasn't - only that it wasn't as unbalanced as it is currently due to the situation being different. That's why new ideas are important, as well as seeking methods of implementing them.

[She nods.] I see. And who's in charge of implementing them?

Most people bring them up on their own, or have others do it for them. If it gathers interest, people usually will volunteer for it, as you may have seen already. For example, some of the ideas brought up at the meeting last month ended up carried out in this way.

That makes sense. This place has so many people from so many different kinds of places... it would be hard to get them to agree to follow one person, but give them a common goal...

And relying on one person alone doesn't work, in the case that they go home or are kidnapped for a long period of time. At least with common goals, people are more willing to work together cooperatively.

[Right - Luceti-style complications. Of course. Actually, this style of 'leadership' makes a lot of sense to Katara, since that's the way it works with her friends.]

Well, we're all in this together, right? So it makes sense.

I think that's the best way to look at it... of course, others may not feel the same, but the important thing is to try and keep things going as smoothly as possible while taking points of view into consideration.

[Hesitation.] You've been here for a long time, haven't you.

Edited 2010-03-29 05:14 (UTC)

[She glances to the side] ... Yes, I just passed the second year mark earlier this month.

[A moment passes and Katara's voice carries her sympathy.] That must be hard. I have a lot of respect for the people who've been here so long, but haven't given up hope in going back home. Luceti is a hard place to adjust to - [Worst. Town. Ever.] - and having so much taking out of our hands... it's not like a normal prison. It's every day life combined with total...

[She shakes her head.] So thank you for continuing to try.

Giving up is never an option. We simply have to make the best of what is given to us... and continue to push harder for the truth.

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