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Owner	Pose
Flamel Parsons	Welcome back to the Motherlobe.     http://files.at.decompressed.space/bRJswBtc     You're not in the wide, spacious interior (http://files.at.decompressed.space/KtoHP3Q5 ) anymore. And you're not even in the conference auditoriums, repurposed from classroom lecture spaces, where a vast body of legislative and regulatory text was hammered out (http://files.at.decompressed.space/nmoYkqff).     It's been an absolute whirlwind, and where the storm has deposited you is a simple foyer-space near several of the Psychonaut office spaces (http://files.at.decompressed.space/mTqV7J2f). And here is something important: Every factional mover-and-shaker has pulled everything short of a muscle to land at least a few Elites that represent their superfaction here, in positions of "secretarial appointment consultancy". In person or holo-digitally, you've been asked to shape the policy far more influentially than the legal *text*. Everyone got to bikeshed that shit for a week, it could just as much textually mean anarchy as it could mean total lockdown. No, no, you're appointing who will *oversee and implement* the policy as it has been made, in a world-government sense, and thereby leading the rest of the Multiverse in how Psychogates come to be used.     The Head of the Psychonauts (http://files.at.decompressed.space/3k3h1XcU) is here too, though he doesn't get as much of a vote. There's enough chaos there as it is. Flamel, as well. As for the positions, and your candidates...
Flamel Parsons	There are three positions, and the Head of the Psychonauts provides as impartial of a description as he can:     "The screaming and disorganized strongman-hordes of the Human Triumph Movement, the paranoid telepresent Free Thought Association, and the quiet, stern, old as hell Apocalypse Commission all banded together with the most conservative elements of the Foundation to insist on an Inspector Astral to enact responsible limits, setting policies related to where the Gates might be, where they might point to, and who might be allowed to access them, under the broad umbrella of Safety. That's safety of free thought, safety of children's brains and bodies, safety of... Markets? Economies? It's a thousand different things."     "The furious, righteous, and vengeful Anti-Feds created a coalition with the Free Psychics League (competent and focused despite active substance use during the conference) and the Association of Institutes for Anomalous Investigation, Analysis, and Immurement (AIAIAI, not my circus not my acronym). These special interests, alongside their more, shall we say, *liberal* Psychonauts that they backed, insist on the creation of a Secretary of Subconscious to guarantee and even subsidize access to those with good intentions. Intentions for science! Intentions for uplifting the destitute! Intentions for... Success? Study? All kinds of things could be 'good intentions'. Who doesn't have good intentions, these days?"     "The Psychologist General is the position I like least, I'll admit. Putting policies in place for the times and contexts where people will *disagree* about what the Regional Collective Unconscious should look like, violently. Obviously that comes from those horrible warhawks at Neo-New-Washington, though I don't know how they made any kind of headway with the pacifist hippies in the Cirrus-Marine Revivalists *and* the monarch-utopians in the Golden Regents Inevitability. Frankly: *How* do you put a policy in place for fighting there, without creating a situation where there's armed presence? Suppose it makes sense why I picked up Watch influence on this role."     "And that's the three appointments you need to make."
Hiromi	Hisako is doing her best. Hiromi's still not here, so she has to try even harder. Increasingly worn out in non-physical ways, she's been getting through some of this time by totally disappearing to sleep in some hidden corner of the underground dens, and when that didn't fully work, she left to take a half-day's break back home. That did work, and she was glowing with health on returning, if also not entirely focused for the rest of the day.     She'd returned with written instructions to which she frequently refers, old paper rolled up rather than bound, though it must be freshly inked. She hasn't shown what's on any of it, but...     "The Archwolf has offered a candidate for the position Secretary of the Subconscious." She pauses, double and triple and quadruple checking that she's reading this right. "Though the Archwolf, Herself could surely manage any of these roles..." That's not written there. That's her opinion. And it wouldn't make any coalition happy.     "She has offered the name of a freshly discovered godling, Oreshnika of Earth, for this role."
Rufus Shinra	Rufus has been busy with the usual slate of bribes, albeit now more openly now that it's clear to him that the Psychonauts are A. the sort of mind readers that look gift horses in the mouths, and B. don't seem to care all *that* much about it?     But now the time for generous grants has passed, now is the time for spending that influence.     "Fellow delegates."     "I have a slate of candidates for each of these three positions, ones that I hope you will agree are the best men for the job. Men of experience, men of action."     He clears his throat.     "For the position of Inspector Astral I can think of no better person to fill that seat than the level-headed, appropriately cautious, Psychonaut Compton Boole to ensure we remain on the correct path."     This is Rufus's ideal candidate. Someone theoretically qualified, but also someone who should be easy enough to outmaneuver from being too set in his ways. An old person who's too concerned with fighting the battles of yesteryear to see the true state of the fights ahead. Someone like that should be in charge of setting up the regulations.     "And then, the position of Psychologist General-" Rufus succeeds in keeping a straight face, but someone watching very carefully might see him break for just a quarter of a second, "- simply must go to Psychonaut Morceau Oleander, and honestly I could insist on none other than such a storied personage to handle mediating what will doubtlessly be a volatile situation."     This is a red herring. A decoy. Obviously Oleander is a terrible pick for something like this, maybe for anything in general? This is the one Rufus is prepared to get argued down on, hopefully in exchange for gaining ground on the candidates for this (and the other positions) that he actually likes.     "And finally, the Secretary of the Subconscious. I think, ideally, someone with experience in resource management and business leadership. Someone forward thinking, who values progress and ingenuity above all else. And though it pains me to admit, I can think of no other person to put forward..."     This is the moonshot. This is the fifty yard field goal attempt. Can he pull this one off? He's going to damn well try.     "... than myself, Shinra Electric Power Company's Vice President Rufus Shinra."
Hiromi	If Hisako has opinions about Rufus's pick, they're either too mild or she's too polite to show it. Or maybe that's just not her job, right now. She's looking at her instructive scrolls, again.     "For the position of Psychologist General, the Archwolf suggests one of the psychonauts' own. 'Kramer has demonstrated swift action.'" She looks up, then to either side, seeking someone familiar enough she can lean toward them and quietly ask, "What action was it...?"     Everyone who was here then, and possibly everyone else working here by now, knows what that was about, but it hasn't come up for the wolf-miko. Hiromi hadn't considered it important to spread the story. She did spread the fact, among the wolf-miko, that Kramer took and owes a favor. Anyone knowing this would know she's a debt to pay.
Angela	Angela would have asked for Tiphereth to handle 'bringing her' to this particular event, but Tiphereth quietly admitted that she hasn't really settled her thoughts about the Seed of Light experiment and didn't really want to engage the topic and be reminded of her dead brother and so, instead, she ended up being Roland as the one other person in the Library she figured might have a more nuanced opinion about the Psychogate than 'give it to everyone immediately and don't worry so much about the aftermath because doing things halfway didn't exactly work out the BEST for The City'. This turns out to have been an ill-fated plan because, surprisingly considering the insular nature of The City, it isn't just Angela who is coming as a representative of that area even if, more predictably, nobody with any governmental authority is dropping by because they don't actually know about this meeting. There's not that many ways for them TO find out about it, in fact, since despite the attempts of many Wings to ply for Concord membership, they haven't quite managed it. Instead, unexpectedly, you get these two maniacs. The first is Argalia. If you haven't met him before, he is a man with long curly ashen-colored hair who wears a fancy blue coat with brass bough-like designs all around it. He's even wearing a cravat, so you know he's fancy, and long black slacks with a similar brass design as to his coat. He has an enormous blue scythe with him and has a smile that suggests it's a bad idea to try and take it from him, but if he's asked to relinquish it or stow it somewhere he does so without any hesitation. He seems absolutely at peace with himself and the universe around him and to be in a wonderful mood though attempts to read his surface thoughts end up getting Carmen instead, not really because she's actively guarding his thoughts but because her thoughts are just so much louder and bigger you're just gonna have to go through her first. With him is Elena, wearing a black suit, white dress shirt, and blue tie with a blue cloudy pattern across her left sleeve and arm. The right side of her face is covered in hard-congealed blood, one eye glowing red, because Argalia isn't the type of person to tell his people what to do for the sake of propriety. "--The fuck are they doing here?" Roland murmurs to Angela. Angela has never met Argalia and doesn't think about how he may've been described to him, but she knows City representatives when she sees one and Elena reminds her of Nosferatu as is. "Do you know them?" "They're legends in The City, the Blue Reverberation and the Blood-red Night." Argalia notices Roland staring (it's a bit hard to notice Angela staring because she's on an Angelapad). Elena ends up looking Roland's way too. Elena has no Carmen in the way, but you don't really need to be a psychic to understand by the way she looks at Roland that she'd be all too happy to tear him apart in front of everyone. They don't end up chatting with one another and, indeed, after the moment of Observation, Argalia seems to pay them no mind, even if Roland keeps nervously looking over. But Angela speaks up anyway, "What are you doing here?" Argalia seems surprised to be talked to at all, but just for a moment. "Ah, Angela, as a Concord asset of yours within The City, I felt it prudent to lend my own thoughts on the proceedings." "...You are...my asset?" Angela raises an eyebrow. "Oh you know, I work with Petra and Petra works for you, I suppose it isn't exactly stated as such overtly, but the chains of service ever do cling tightly upwaard. Does it bother you?" "...No. As one close to the Distortions, it seems reasonable for you to provide input as I have little experience with them." Roland scowls briefly but then shakes his head to put it out of his mind.
Angela	Then the options are put forth. Argalia listens intently, as does Angela, Roland isn't paying any attention at all whereas the Blood-red Night, now that she's not radiating malice, seems strangely...anxious, running her claws against her palm as Argalia takes charge. "The Reverberation Ensemble is willing to accept ''Petra'' as the Inspector Astral. She is one of the most well traveled Elites in the multiverse and is highly resilient to being psychically manipulated by something many psychics might have an interest in extending their influence towards. She is also not so permissable that it would defeat the whole purpose of the position. She has been in positions of authority before and has the bravery to say 'no' while not being so against the concept as to be too stringent. A perfectly moderate position in our eyes. Do you agree, Miss Angela?" "I do not know if she would be interested in such a position." Angela says. "But I believe she can do anything she puts her mind to." "Wonderful!" Argalia claps his hands. "As for the Secretary of Subconcious--it is my people's belief that this is a role where one should be maximally interested in allowing access while not being so stubborn as to be unable to agree with the other two positions you are insisting on. I believe there can only really be two people for this role--but we believe this position should go to the one called 'Phony' as she is deemed as an ideal candidate by Miss Carmen for she both has played her role in creating positive psychic environments--she is provenly able at the job." "Not Carmen...?" Angela asks. "I would have thought this would be something she'd rush to be a part of." "Ah, while that would normally be true," Argalia says, smiling. "There are just so many good candidates whom she approves of for the role. She's certain she'll be able to work with whomever ends up in the role. Is this acceptable to you, Miss Angela?" Angela, again, can't really argue against Phony. "...It is acceptable." "Splendid!" Argalia claps his hands. "As for the final role, that of the Psychologist General, I put forward Miss Carmen herself. She has been fighting over the nature of the River--pardon, the collective unconciousness--of our world even before we unified. She knows what people who have dark designs against the psychic landscape of the multiverse can look like. It is a difficult position, as you said, but Miss Carmen is comfortable with making difficult decisions, and so many people fought for her dream because they understood the reason behind her difficult decisions and agreed wholeheartedly with the goal. She has had to manage conflicting ideals amongst the Distortions for years now and, well, she would get along with anybody you put into the other positions because she understands that every dream is worth fighting for, even if they seem strange or cruel to others." He looks to Elena, like he brought her as a prop to provide this example.
Angela	"Is this... acceptable to you, Miss Angela?" Argalia offers. Angela hesitates. She has no reason to disagree. Carmen on this board will only help her own goals, but she is always a little hesitant when it comes to her parents. But eventually she nods, "I do not object. Perhaps this can be seen as a manner of restitution for disrupting her dreams for my own. She never asked me to turn away from my hopes even as they conflicted with her own." Roland's pulse quickens and he says, "What... no psychonauts?" "Wouldn't it be a bit ... alarming for Psychonauts to put themselves in charge of their own creation when it's so vastly important for everyone? To me, they have plenty of power being the natural agents and workers managing the system. They could be, what was it called, a 'Union' to hold the rest to account. As experts."
Storm Investigators	Are Greta Hofmann and Marcus (no last name) the right people for the task of figuring out matters of policy? Probably not. They're investigators, not politicians, not managers, not administrators, and certainly not heads of state. Thankfully, they're not the ones tasked with actually coming up with any of that stuff whole cloth, and instead they're given a helpful rundown on what titles will actually be in the running along with what needs to be focused on for each of those given positions. Unfortunately, knowing the needs of each position still leaves them both with the knowledge that they've got substantial gaps in their knowledge of who to even recommend for such positions. Instead of trying to come up with nominations themselves, they instead focus on the positions themselves to address their own concerns. For the Inspector Astral, someone skilled at long-term planning and risk assessment would be ideal. Seeing everything through the lens of purely maintaining safety could be too short-sighted." "Is it? But if their job is to promote safety, would it not be... Er. Prudent to focus on that more?" "It would be important for the candidate to understand the long-term effects of even a short-term policy. "The Secretary of Subconscious... That sounds like we should pick someone that is a good judge of character. Someone... Hmm. Perhaps not someone combative, but willing to give potential candidates with those good intentions the benefit of the doubt?" "An idealist. We'd have to be careful they aren't the sort to provide too much rope. Good intentions can only go so far in the face of utter incompetence or willful ignorance." "And the Psychologist General... Er. That sounds like it would need a powerful referee more than anything else. Perhaps someone... Powerful? But impartial? A negotiator, even." "Someone with a strong authoritative presence, ideally, but still able to cut to the heart of the matters that others would fight over and get stuck on." They hear a few names posited already, and some are more familiar than others. Some certainly sound better than others, and they put their heads together while considering the names already dropped. "Oreshnika? Well, Madam Hiromi does seem like a good judge of character. A little terrifying at times, too, but..." "But?" "Are the Psychonauts familiar with Oreshnika? What would make this person a good candidate for the position, Miss Hisako? Or..." Marcus' attention shifts to Rufus when he nominates himself for the Secretary position, andboth she and Greta exchange cautious glances as they consider the suggestion. "If the company hasn't gone under by now, then he must be doing something right..." "It could also be too large to fail. And assessing people's intentions isn't the same thing as assessing " "I suppose... Um. Mister Shinra? If you were appointed to this position, what would be your.. Um. Intentions regarding the use of the psychogates? And for people you subsidize?" And then on the idea of a potential Psychologist General... They both look a little uncertain about Rufus' suggestion of Morceau Oleander, but Greta seems content to let it slide. Hiromi-through-Hisako's recommendation of Kramer also gives them a brief pause to consider the idea, but it seems as though they've got an idea of their own!  Instead of rejecting any of those suggestions, Marcus raises her hand sheepishly and waits until she's given the floor to suggest someone.
Storm Investigators	"What about... Um. Madam Hiromi? She has a... An authoritative presence in spades, and that could be enough to bring people to the negotiating table. And the language she uses... It is simple, but it speaks volumes compared to... Er. What arguments might come up surrounding more technical terms, and that could be helpful to keep people focused on what matters...?"
Team Timekeeper	Well, thus are the dues of Vertin's hubris. She selfishly escaped from her responsibilities in picking the administrative staff involved with Team Timekeeper by being unconscious, and so this has caught up with her in the Motherlobe. Homework.     By all accounts, this is a *success* though, when it comes to her actual political mission here. The collaborative nature of having all three superfactions present, as well as the Foundation and every associated interest group with fingers in the Psychonauts and Foundation pie, and dozens more besides, is just the sort of bureaucratic tangle that Vertin hoped to create, and thereby prevent the Psychogate project from becoming a Concordian mass of explosive ego once again. The downside, is that it becomes a bureaucratic tangle that Vertin is responsible for creating.     This time, Sonetto's here to support her instead of TTT, despite not being present during the Motherlobe incident. Because this is work, and for work, she needs her assistant, and oh god she would lose track of all this bullshit without her. Sonetto's coming in and out of the room, dutifully making tea or bringing in papers, sticking around half the time for conversation.     "Alright."     To gear herself up to the task. Vertin has a teacup and saucer brought to the Motherlobe from her manor, as well as her own personal tea blend, which is how you really can tell she's tired, because otherwise there's no indication at all. She keeps her thighs folded over each other, attentively taking Zanotto's breakdown in.     "First off, I'd like to argue that the success of this revisitation of the Psychogate project has only been made possible by cooperation between all different interested parties. We're well aware that the International Psychic Affairs Regulation Bureau threatened to scrap the project entirely while it was still under the direction of the Parsons Institute, and I haven't changed my stance on that. My suggestion then is to-- despite their professional familiarity with the subject matter-- limit only one position to be assigned to anyone within the Psychonauts."     Vertin quietly sighs, blowing steam off the surface of their cup. "Mr. Boole is a good choice. I'd also raise Kramer as a potential appointment, either for Psychologist General or Secretary of Subconscious-- leaning towards the latter, but she'd be appropriate for either. I respect Oleander's work, but I don't know if I can endorse him in a position with limited oversight like that." "... than myself, Shinra Electric Power Company's Vice President Rufus Shinra."     Vertin's eyebrows raise imperceptibly, and she lowers her teacup to the table, folding her hands over each other. "Alright. Tell me about the direction you've taken Shinra Power Company's leadership." "She has offered the name of a freshly discovered godling, Oreshnika of Earth, for this role."     "Isn't that Lilian's friend? I've heard the name mentioned but haven't met her personally." This isn't the time to ask about 'godling', but it's filed away in the back of her mind now. "Why her?"     "For my own part, I'd like to start with the consideration that we have one Psychonaut, one Foundation official, and one Elite as the appointments. The Foundation's support, I believe, will be absolutely critical in both limiting and enabling the networking of the use of Psychogates to those who need it and out of the hands of those who don't. Given its eventual planned usage on our world, I'm sure they'd insist on it."     "For that, I suggest Chairwoman Katz as Inspector Astral. She's a politician within the Foundation's Joint Council, Chairwoman of the Justice Department, and member of several regulatory committees. She's familiar both with regulatory legislation, and with being a mouthpiece for the efforts of the wider Foundation."
Team Timekeeper	"Oh you know, I work with Petra and Petra works for you, I suppose it isn't exactly stated as such overtly, but the chains of service ever do cling tightly upwaard. Does it bother you?"     Vertin does not know this fucking guy! In fact, the way that he is talking worries her just a little-- but on the other hand, she kind of doesn't feel *super* positively towards Angela either, so someone radiating politely hostile vibes towards her isn't inherently suspect. His bloodsoaked companion is... well....     "Ah-- that is the Blue Reverberation, Timekeeper." Sonetto remarks as she looks up from her notetaking minutes. "He is one of the most highly regarded Fixers in the City, as well as the leader of a Distortion-centric militant interest group in District 12 known as the Reverberation Ensemble. I don't know anything more about his connection to Miss Angela or the Library besides what's been shared today."     "Thanks, Sonetto." Armed now with knowledge, Vertin gives him a nod. "Vertin, Timekeeper of the St. Pavlov Foundation and leader of Team Timekeeper. A pleasure."     They don't know Carmen or Phony, though. "I understand your caution in putting the Psychonauts in charge of the legislation of the project, but I still think there's value in having one internal appointment. Records can only tell us so much: the Psychonauts are the ones developing and working on the actual output of the Psychogate scientific project, and they're the ones who understand it best. Cutting them out of leadership entirely seems like punishment for a misdeed we've already moved beyond." "What about... Um. Madam Hiromi?"     Ah, oh no. Marcus might be a little stupid. As diplomatically as possible, Vertin tilts her head to the younger Investigator.     "It might be best that all members of leadership are equally concerned with and capable of enforcing upon mortal matters. The Archwolf is certainly capable, but I can imagine that she'd wield outsized influence over the project as one position within the, er, triumvirate." %
Rufus Shinra	> Um. Mister Shinra?     "Please, just Rufus." Winning smile.     > "If you were appointed to this position, what would be your.. Um. Intentions regarding the use of the psychogates? And for people you subsidize?"     "Progress." Then he raises a single index finger. "Careful, progress."     "The Psychogate incident is still fresh on everyone's minds. Pretending it is not would be a fool's errand, and I am no fool." He shrugs his shoulders. "But, while we cannot allow another such incident to occur - and trust me, it will *not* occur - we cannot allow our fear of such to hold us back."     "My intentions are to use the psychogates to push for innovation. To subsidize new and interesting applications. To open up novel and exciting resource streams that can better our lives."     "And in doing so, I will strive to be fair and impartial. I will point out, humbly, that I..."     He gives a grand gesture at himself. "Am stupid fucking rich."     "I flew here in three helicopters just to recreate the intro to a movie that I liked. I bought an entire restaurant outright just to make a date go smoothly. I spent hundreds of millions of dollars developing a gacha game that only I have access to, just because I got tired of all my favorite gacha games being shut down."     "I'm not motivated by money. I have more money than everyone in this room combined. I quite simply can't be bribed or corrupted." He can be bribed, just not with money, and he's already pretty corrupt. "I'm the ideal pick as an impartial gatekeeper for what could well be the gold rush of an entire generation."     > "Alright. Tell me about the direction you've taken Shinra Power Company's leadership."     Think fast, Rufus! You're in a room full of mind readers who will light up like a weegie board if you tell an outright lie, but you also can't tell the whole truth that you haven't been allowed to make a real leadership decision for years. Ready, set, spin!     "In my role as Vice President, I've been empowering the well-skilled people underneath me to effect critical change." All the power has slipped right through his fingers. "I'd be glad to tell you about each and every one of them, their missions and their successes and their dreams, if you'd like." He's spent extensive time studying them to figure out how to get them out of the way for his next patricide attempt.     "Shinra Electric Power Company has achieved worldwide reach, expanding into new markets and consolidating our power base, ever since I became Vice President." True, he just had nothing to do with it.     "I have aspirations for becoming the next President, and I have dreams of where I want to take the company. Taking it in new and exciting directions, looking towards the future while learning from the lessons of the past." That's safe enough to talk about, even if it's not entirely related to the question. "But for now, I humbly remain Vice President, by direct appointment of the President and unanimous approval of the board." To get him out of the way into a do-nothing role.     > For that, I suggest Chairwoman Katz as Inspector Astral.     "Interesting. I could be convinced, if you were willing to meet me halfway."
Flamel Parsons	"Hiromi in a seat of leadership would make the Air Budhists happy, but I don't even think they sent more than one dog! I think sort of *emitting* your intentions instead of paperwork is bad for auditing, but *great* for office efficiency." Flamel pipes up, from one of the side-seats.     ORESHNIKA is put forward for SECRETARY OF SUBCONSCIOUS. "I've kept an eye on that situation ever since Parsons operated there." Flamel's boss rumbles a little, stroking his beard. "She'd need guidance. But there's not a lot of people better-suited to questions of *who needs access*."     Arms are crossed at Rufus. "Unfortunately, the Psychic Seven are unlikely to get much headway in positions. Ever since the... Ahem, well, the circumstances I had to replace my predecessor in, you'd fight an uphill battle to get Boole into that seat. Oleander's toast for other reasons." He shakes his head. "Never seen a hawk so warlike in his worst moments. It'd take a miracle to get him approved. You, on the other hand," He points to Rufus, his face shifting to a more positive, kind smile. "I could see you taking just about any of the seats. On expertise, veterancy, maneuvering. Still, an agent is an agent. If you spend time in the field, you have to be ready for people behind the desks to start going over your head. And you won't be allowed to smack them down when they do, more than once or twice." So, Rufus has more steady ground than one might think.     RUFUS is put forward for SECRETARY OF SUBCONSCIOUS.     Flamel leans in to provide his input. "Kramer... Promoting out of the Psychonauts *lower* ranks, and someone younger, you know... paradoxically that'd be a good pick. She's more worldly. Even moreso lately. Dunno what that woman's digging all those holes about. Hope she won't dig too many trenches."     PSYCHONAUT AGENT KRAMER is put forward for PSYCHOLOGIST GENERAL.     PETRA'S candidacy was advanced for INSPECTOR ASTRAL(?!)     The boss-man keeps a grip *firm* on one of his beard-roses. "Mmm. *Petra*. I'd be tempted to ask which one. But I'd also be tempted to ask if she'd take *any* role." And then Persephone... "I've wanted her in a leadership position for years. I've never managed it. I'd do a lot to make it happen, but only if it *can*."     PERSEPHONE for SECRETARY OF SUBCONSCIOUS...     And CARMEN(!!) for PSYCHOLOGIST GENERAL.     That grip that the boss-man kept on his beard turns tight. Flamel's smile falters, and he adjusts his sunglasses tensely.     Then there's the Timekeeper. She and Rufus are jockeying for position of greatest historical influence here, but where Rufus' is self-serving in key ways, the Timekeeper's isn't; while Zanotto, Flamel's boss, pays special attention to her, it's not because he has special influence, it's because her perspective will mean a lot to the future.     "The Foundation's key role in all this, well, I'm only a little clairvoyant, but I'd say it'd be hard to see a future where there isn't at least one seat that the Foundation fills." He's back to beard-stroking. "What you're suggesting... Boole or Kramer, I could see landing a seat. Katz for Inspector Astral is compelling. And Rufus has a strong position, one I expect him not to cede without compromises and influence." He nods to Rufus. "Influence well-earned, and if he cedes *at all*."     CHAIRWOMAN KATZ for INSPECTOR ASTRAL.
Sarracenia	How Sarracenia Sundew ended up here is a mystery. Perhaps her new appointment to ruler (but not queen) swayed someone into thinking she was trustworthy. Perhaps her attempts to grow and learn have finally been recognized. Or, perhaps she just let herself in and no one stopped her because she -is- in the Concord.      It is the last one.      She is still pretty lost in all of this, even after being here a week. Gregory has helped her keep track of what he could, but now they have to make recommendations for roles that will impact all of this world and perhaps beyond. No doubt she is supposed to try and push for Concord power in these positions, but...Sarra doesn't really pay attention to who is in what superfaction except when it is unavoidable. She also doesn't know who in the Psychonauts might be swayed by one of them.      Since Rufus already made suggestions, Sarra nods lightly. "I am agreeable with Rufus's suggestion of Compton Boole. The head of the Psychonauts should be more than able to determine what is safe."      "However...I much apologize Rufus, as I cannot agree with your suggestion for -yourself- as Secretary of the Subconscious. The reason is simple. What is good for everyone and what is good for your company is sure to cause a conflict. Perhaps you could advise? Anyone who is appointed would benefit greatly from your advise in business matters."      Sarra takes a breath, then lets it out. "I would like to nominate...Riku Asakura. I have met few with such a strong sense of honor, justice, and humility. Further...barring a specific case...he has a good sense for judging the intent behind one's actions. And in addition, he would address a concern I have, which is that the role has been described as discerning 'good intentions' and not 'good methods'. I for one do not want those who are performing terrible deeds to be waived through because they have 'good intentions'. Having said all that, I would also be content with Phony if she were to be appointed."      "As for the last position, the Psychologist General..." Sarra hmms, tapping her lip as she considers. "...perhaps the Concord's director, Yuuki? She already has to manage difficulties between elites and what happens in such instances, what are acceptable ways for them to engage each other, and other such things when elites who are otherwise allies come into conflict. True, we are not to fight each other or hamper each other, but we are encouraged to seek our own paths even when such paths would clash with another of our partners."
Hiromi	'Are the Psychonauts familiar with Oreshnika? What would make this person a good candidate for the position, Miss Hisako? Or...'     To the first part, "I don't think so!" She buries her face in her notes for a bit for the latter question, and reads... a bit slowly, actually.     'Why her?'     "She holds a part of the, um." Even after arriving at an answer, Hisako has a problem -- she's suddenly realized all the theological background that neither of the people she's talking to would be aware of. Translating this sort of thing is in the job description of a miko, but being asked by multiple people at once in an elite conference setting has her begin gesturing with her hands, which doesn't end up helping as anything more than punctuation. "The portion of divine-world-working she holds gives her a type of True Speech. That is, the speech that allows anyone to understand the Archwolf, Oreshnika of Earth has a... variation."     How something can be universal but still have what sounds rather like 'dialects' isn't something she seems able to easily clear up. "The position is one of listening to 'good intentions,' which means, it should be someone of the right character and freedom from corruptive influence." Money. She means freedom from money.     Hiromi has other reasons for making this suggestion, but they're not written here, so Hisako doesn't know them.     'What about... Um. Madam Hiromi?'     Hisako's already nodding along, despite having just put forward a different name.     'The Archwolf is certainly capable, but I can imagine that she'd wield outsized influence over the project as one position within the, er, triumvirate.'     A willingness to agree with Vertin that Hiromi's clearly too strong wars with the desire to support Marcus's noble suggestion, within Hisako's heart. She can't very well say something like 'the person nominated must agree to it' after nominating Nika, either. She doesn't know that Hiromi wouldn't agree...
Vantablitz Remnants	Honestly, Anh thought she'd be hanging out bowling like last time. Lotus just clambered out of her gross biohorror hikkikimori pad yesterday and it'd be so nice if she could just socialize her here, in a (relatively) normal government building, surrounded by (relatively) normal psychics, and Elite friends who just so happen to respect her (or at least like her) (or at least know her name) to get her used to how things are now and maybe avoid problems in future.     But she got lucky last time. After getting really unlucky the time before that, though. So really, having to make serious political appointments that deserve genuine thought is kind of just the average point between them; one that she can't even complain about, because she did know it was coming eventually, and it doesn't put her life in immediate danger. So even though the politics of it make her head spin just a little, and she can't help but panicking a little about just how few people she knows with any kind of pretense to real authority, Anh is genuinely doing her best.     This time, Anh remembered that she can wear clothes that survive 20 minutes of travel in tropical jungle summer conditions to the Warpgate, then change into different clothes after arriving, which she has used to deploy: slightly boring western semiformal, involving a white turtleneck (Psychonauts black looked ridiculous on her) and a hazelnut blazer jacket with a normal knee-length black skirt. She even got a fresh haircut (a trim, really, so she could get side-swept bangs and a half-up bun like was the last thing she remembered was popular)! It's a brave attempt, slightly betrayed by not having nicer shoes, nor a shortage of whatever acid green-tipped felt-black flower cutting that is.     Lotus had to come along after apologizing to everyone on the Watch tacticals and then somehow flirting Berislav into an ATV ride down a mountain. A full day of sunlight and hydration has turned her skin an ambiguous yellow-pink shade off its previous translucency, and a thorough shower has her bafflingly green hair fluffy enough for Anh to restrain with some amount of braiding on her, but the vibe of a woman who was shoved into spare slacks and a slightly too small pop band t-shirt sitting close to the corner and repeatedly examining her nails is more like Anh forced her disinterested girlfriend to be here than any other possibility. Rufus saying 'fellow delegates' gets her attention back, only for it to drift again when the names return.     . . . . . . . .     "Safety is going to mean a thousand different things, even just to a thousand different people. Isn't that kinda-- more or less for the best? Everyone has something they want to protect."     God is she ever trying her best here. Anh's relevance to the situation is happening to be the person who was present at the time who had any amount of survival experience and also wasn't an immortal god-wolf-cult-icon. As has been made abundantly clear with Regulus, Anh actually thnks that relevance is a pretty big deal! But it doesn't prepare her to have nuanced opinions that people will like! Safety and good intentions are so abstract, and they're still the most tangible things she knows here!     "I'd like to vote for, um, Agent Kramer, as well. As Inspector Astral, first. I know there are probably all kinds of people with more experience in that position, but Miss-- Agent Kramer is the only person in the world right now who had to deal with a Psychogate disaster herself, knew exactly what was going on, um, psychically, and decisively chose everyone's safety before anything else."
Flamel Parsons	Sarra's input is appropriately considered. She's a royal! "Director Kuran is going to have a hand in this no matter what." The Head of the Psychonauts says, nodding along. "If she chose to work directly, there'd be no stopping her." Then he peers at her more. "Riku Asakura? I don't know the name."     Flamel puts his hand up. "I do, sir. I've been working with him for months, well, maybe years now. She's not wrong, he's got a great heart and I know he'd make good, moral decisions. Buuuut! Not sure he has a head for regulatory business. Sanest, maybe one of the kindest guys I know, still."     RIKU ASAKURA got advanced for SECRETARY OF SUBCONSCIOUS.     "Is he the one who gets really big?"     "He's the one who gets so, so big."     "If he's wealthy, try to send him a bill for our grand hall getting cracked in half."     "He works part time at a corner store, sir. Also he defended the grand hall from various attacking giants."     "Oh. Send him a voucher for free psychonautics instead."     "Sure thing, chief."     "Better make that 70% off, I think I'm offending one of our backers."     "Hah!"
Vantablitz Remnants	Oh god. That was the only one she had loaded in the chamber. Who else? Vertin? No way! Look at her! She's still using a cane to walk! Hiromi? That's scary! Hisako? That's just Hiromi again! Crenshaw? Would he even accept? Is that weird? Having two psychonauts who she thinks of as basically one person now? Is she only thinking about Crenshaw because Kramer came up? Who does she know that's responsible? It can't be anyone she knows from the village! That's ridiculous! The Watch? Ezra is nice, but definitely not that, and her boss is a crusty meanie who employs annoying freak girls. She heard Petra's name, and she likes Petra! But Petra quit! Rita is a total sweetie, but--     Anh's nervous glancing around suddenly stops on something. "If Petra is being considered, I'd vote for her too, but then I'd suggest Miss Rita Ma as Psychologist General." The way she says it is uneasy and strange, but oddly firm; as if it's the most believable thing she's said all day. "Though I think Petra Soroka would probably do fine as either other position? I wouldn't want to put the Secretary of Subconscious position on poor agent Crenshaw. That'd just be making him and Kramer fight again . . ." Nope. It's gone again.     Who the fuck is Oreshnika of Earth? Who is this handsome sadboy with the luxurious cloud-like hair? Is his assistant okay? If they're friends of Petra they're probably cool right? Didn't she overhear that Oreshnika is Petra's friend too? But Anh is Petra's friend! She wouldn't want to be in any of these! Who appoints someone called Phony to a government position?!     "Could we maybe try ranked choice voting?" Anh says. If smiles could sweat . . .
Flamel Parsons	Truman scratches his beard now, which means he's confused a bit. When he's in his zone, he strokes, when he's scratching or gripping, he's confused or distressed. Sort of like an animal. Ahn's words get him pondering. "I don't know what Agent Kramer did to get so much backing, but I really want to. So I can tell certain agents to do it a lot. And tell other agents to never, ever do it at all. Well, regardless, it's looking more and more like she's going to have *some* seat at a table. Her and her... 'pack' she's been cultivating. If she takes the seat, Boole is certain to wind up a vice-something or another one of these days. Seems more and more like he's the one who keeps up a conversation with her best."     That archwolf-blood in her thrives still. Still, the political reality of things, with the Timekeeper's influence pushing for a one-Psychonaut triumvirate, means that's the most they'll get. Nobody Psychonaut-aligned is likely to wind up with a seat. She's getting a firmer and firmer presence for the Psychologist General nomination or the Inspector Astral nomination, and she's not likely to botch the hearings for either once that's in place. "It's not going to be about ranked-choice anything. When we're done here, I'm turning you kids loose on the hearings, and you're defending yourself, you know. I'm just estimating what's going to be the best defenses."     RITA MA got advanced for PSYCHOLOGIST GENERAL.     "I don't know that one."     "The head of that psychic fish hivemind I was telling you about."     "She's *real*?!"     "Pretty politically savvy too."     "Not made up?!"     "N-no. No. Why would you think...?"
Angela	''--But I still think there's value in having one internal appointment.'' Argalia isn't really surprised that someone is arguing against him, actually some part of him expects to have little influence on the proceedings because he doesn't have as much multiversal experience as the others even if his Sun and 'boss' (Angela) has some. Argalia doesn't feel pushed to the point of hostility and, frankly, not feeling super positively about Angela isn't really a dealbreaker for him either. The fact that he's mostly put forward people Angela doesn't feel she can argue against might not be a kindness. "Well, I understand your point. If they are to have a position, then I believe that the Inspector Astral will be most appropriate. To be honest, I didn't expect there to be no Psychonauts in such a position, but I wanted to put forward my most favored candidates. Reaching for the stars, as they say, but I believe that the Psychonauts do have tremendous experience in walking that fine line between acknowledging there must be some rules in place while still wanting to encourage psychic potential." He agreed to that so easily one might think that he left it out of his initial proposal so he could seem conciliatory after. "But I must insist on one position at most, after all--the Psychonauts already have tremendous influence over the psychic landscape of this sector." ''I'd be tempted to ask which one.'' Argalia's eyes widen, briefly confused by the 'which one' comment before he cocks his head as Carmen presumably fills him in--and then he breaks out into a bigger smile than before, laughing a little. "You know! That is such a good point. Perhaps the Petra who IS a Psychonaut means that we get the best of both worlds, as I so often hear." He hadn't even thought of it but the idea just seems kismet to him so he's going all in on it now. Maybe he's more agreeable than he seems. ''One seat that the Foundation fills.'' Argalia doesn't seem to know the Foundation but he looks towards Angela for a moment who seems uncomfortable with the idea but he then cocks his head as if listening to someone before going quiet though he's frowning. ''Then I'd suggest Miss Rita Ma as Psychologist General.'' Argalia is surprised by this and at first it seems like he might just let it go but eventually he asks, "Rita Ma is beloved by many in the Ensemble, but may I ask you something, Miss... Ah, I don't konw your name, but personally I do not know Miss Rita Ma too well. May I ask why you would like Rita Ma to be in the position I covet for my Sun?" "Surprised he hasn't swung that scythe of his yet..." Roland murmurs. "That would be insane." Angela says, a little uneasy about Rita Ma in the job. She might like her but Rita Ma did almost kill her, so. "Personally, I think ranked choice voting is ideal, otherwise the split might be too spread out to really mean ''anything'' even if there are 'winners'." "It sounds like you're a little unhappy with the Foundation having a seat." Roland adds. Angela looks towards the Timekeeper for a long time, staring at her.
Hiromi	With Flamel and Anh both supporting Kramer, Hisako feels a little better, as if the pick was her own. She nods twice toward Flamel, getting a gist now of what happened, even if it still feels mostly like An Incident she wasn't here for.     She frowns a bit at Rufus talking about his wealth -- him being also in the Concord having rather less effect on her than the matter of how his posturing relates to certain religious beliefs of hers -- and also toward Argalia, though for less clear reasons. 'Militant interest group' should be a plus, over all, but the vibes are off.     There are a whole lot of names she doesn't know, but most of all...     Turning to Vertin, "Ah. How active is the Foundation, outside of your world? To be critical to the network of Psychogates, I mean."
Vantablitz Remnants	Lotus, meanwhile, could absolutely have been anywhere else. Despite the bad vibes radiating from here, Anh can't actually force her to do much of anything. The reason she came along is the same reason that she spent several decades progressively altering her basal shape to be closer and closer to this; her first time having skin.     She's being parasocial about humanity.     '... than myself, Shinra Electric Power Company's Vice President Rufus Shinra.'     "Vice President?" Shitty evil cat tone from the getgo. Purring interest, elbows on thighs, chin in hands. "Can you back that up? I've heard a lot of companies have hundreds of 'vice presidents' for looks you know. Not that I'm doubting you~ I like your style~" "Lotus please--" "Shhshhshh let him cook!"     '...You are...my asset?'     Lotus whistles. Her human voice is pretty good, but the whistle needs practice; it sounds weirdly electronic. "Congratulations! And who says there isn't any room for feelings in the workplace?" "Lotus, that's Angela. She--" Lotus snaps her fingers. It's upsettingly loud. "Petra! Right! That's the girl! The 'waa vore' girl! I remember now." "Hhhghgffh!" "Just let Petra pick all three~"     'Wouldn't it be a bit ... alarming for Psychonauts to put themselves in charge of their own creation when it's so vastly important for everyone?'     She even bats her eyelashes at Argalia, trying to get her pomegranate stare to look as innocent as possible. "Why so? Isn't it only natural for Prometheus to patent his fire?" "That's the opposite of--!"     'What about... Um. Madam Hiromi? She has a...'     Anh abandons the point to jump ahead of Lotus. "I think-!! If she were interested, she would come to see this herself! Wouldn't she? Sending Hisako means that this is a valuable learning experience for people who aren't her!" Oh god no. Don't make 'everyone should be wolves' queen of the collective subconscious.     'For my own part, I'd like to start with the consideration that we have one Psychonaut, one Foundation official, and one Elite as the appointments.'     "Explain why your boss gets a one-third cut please." Actually by accident, rather than intentional prodding, Lotus happens to choose "Sorry, I just got out of a coma~" as her means of leveraging the annoying request. "Oh please call it something else!" "What? She's the Foundation girl and she wants a Foundation and an Elite so why can't she just take it herself?"
Storm Investigators	"I can imagine that she'd wield outsized influence over the project as one position within the, er, triumvirate." "If she were interested, she would come to see this herself!" "Could she...?" Marcus starts to wonder aloud as Vertin addresses her suggestion, her brow furrowing slightly as she lets her imagination take over. She hasn't even finished uttering that partial question before scrunching her face up a little and starting to nod already, then shivering a little at her imagination going a little further and scaring herself with her mental image of an even-larger version of Hiromi just pushing the other two positions out of frame entirely. "... She could. I would like to believe that someone like her would be responsible as mediator, but." Cowed already by both her thoughts and convinced by Vertin's assessment, Marcus winds up nodding slowly towards Ahn as well. "She might not have considered it a posibility, but indeed... It may be better not to consider Madam Hiromi after all, both for interest and as a... Ehm. An opportunity? For someone with greater stake in the matter." Now that she's successfully been diverted from that train of though, Marcus instead turns her attention to Flamel, seeming a little confused about one more thing! "Er. Who are the Air Buddhists? How involved would they be in any of this?" Is that different from a regular Buddhist? It's not a term Marcus is familiar with, and she's not even sure where she'd begin to look up anything about that. She's not about to push her way into Flamel's mind, but she does look over at him hopefully. "Careful, progress." "My intentions are to use the psychogates to push for innovation." "That does sound like a potential match in what would be needed for the Secretary position... Even in the pursuit of progress, it'd still be important to exercise some caution and approaching such ... Ehm. Such advancement with some level of control." Marcus nods slowly, seeming convinced easily enough by Rufus' self-promotion. Unfortunately for Vertin, she truly is very a little stupid, at least when it comes to trusting such statements. "Am stupid fucking rich." Greta, meanwhile, gives him a pointed look almost on reflex. Marcus doesn't react nearly as much, but she does seem to be hrrming thoughtfully a little the more he speaks. Hisako gesturing Marcus' eyes light up a bit at watching Hisako work her way through her replies. Even if she can't say it outright, she can still cheer Hisako on in her heart. "the Psychonauts are the ones developing and working on the actual output of the Psychogate scientific project, and they're the ones who understand it best." It's Greta's turn to look impressed, even if the only visual cue is a slight eyebrow quirk. "Perhaps someone within the Psychonauts as the Inspector Astral would fit the bill, then. With their general knowledge of how things function here, they would be well equipped to recommend safeguards."
Vantablitz Remnants	'Careful, progress.'     Lotus visibly loses interest.     'I quite simply can't be bribed or corrupted.'     Lotus visibly regains interest. "Oh, but, you know, there are other things that can corrupt people . . ."     'Cutting them out of leadership entirely seems like punishment for a misdeed we've already moved beyond.'     "I . . . think I agree. Mostly. I can't help but think that it makes whoever takes the job look kinda tyrannical and precious if the guys who do the work don't have any representation."     'In my role as Vice President, I've been empowering the well-skilled people underneath me to effect critical change.'     "Oh he's good."
Vantablitz Remnants	'However...I much apologize Rufus, as I cannot agree with your suggestion for -yourself- as Secretary of the Subconscious. The reason is simple.'     Now she's applauding like this is a trashy romantic-legal drama. Anh doesn't even bother at this point.     'The position is one of listening to 'good intentions,' which means, it should be someone of the right character and freedom from corruptive influence.'     "Oh like . . . someone on the level of 'what is an intention?' instead of, politically?"     'Better make that 70% off, I think I'm offending one of our backers.'     Lotus has no idea who this guy is, but she laughs about it anyways. Not a subdued snort either.     'She's *real*?!'     Anh purses her lips. "I know she can deal with psychic events at huge scales already. She's scrupled and politically resilient. Mostly, fighting over ideology and power over people's minds isn't something that's abstract and textbook-y to her. It's pretty likely she'd turn it down, if I'm being honest. I just can't think of many people thinking they can ignore her and do what they like in the collective subconscious; which is the part where the first two positions can't do much about."
Flamel Parsons	Marcus gets a quick head-tilt from Flamel. "No no, not air-buddhist. Air-Bud-ist. You know how there's not necessarily a *rule* saying that a dog can't play basketball? There's also not a *rule* that many dogs can't be an organized political bloc." He smiles brightly. "That clears it up, I hope!"
Angela	''I'd like to start with the consideration that we have one Psychonaut, one Foundation official, and one Elite as the appointments.'' This would inherently cut most of Argalia's offerings out of consideration, including the one he wants most. "I can't accept that," Argalia says. "The Foundation is conducting a genocide, after all, against their Arcanists. Any Foundation official would be inherently suspect by the very people who would need the Psychogates the most." Angela wrinkles her nose like she doesn't quite agree, but is slow to comment on it. "...I thought you don't like the Foundation but it doesn't seem like you agree..." Roland murmurs to the Angelapad. "...I do not." Angela sighs and then, as if for the sake of correctness raises her head and adds, "There is an example of a Foundation official that I feel can be trusted by those who need the Psychogates most, even if we do not particularly get along I trust her to more or less behave responsibly, and from what I've heard she's even gained the trust of some Manus agents and as you are, I imagine, unwilling to accept a Manus agent, I suggest someone from Team Timekeeper. They are cohesive enough that I don't believe it really matters ''who'' from Team Timekeeper, though obviously Vertin has the most leadership experience. Anyone else may jeoprodize your very project as the Manus or even the arcanists might see it as a hostile action against them. That said, while I know little of the Foundation, there aren't many other people I would see as appropriate from the Foundation, considering." Argalia waves his hand at the insistence the Psychonauts have a position. "I already said I would accept the Psychonaut Petra, haven't I? I beg you, stop belaboring the point." He seems somewhat annoyed. "Surprised you haven't asked to be in a position either." Roland asides to Angela. "I can't go outside, Roland." ''Why so? Isn't it only natural for Prometheus--'' Argalia smiles at Lotus. "My, you're beautiful." He says it like the way one might call a painting beautiful. Roland shudders, looking around to try to look for a psychic to get his attention by thinking 'Hey! Over here!!' really loudly with his mind.
Rufus Shinra	> "Can you back that up? I've heard a lot of companies have hundreds of 'vice presidents' for looks you know. Not that I'm doubting you~ I like your style~"     Once again, the world would be a lot simpler for everyone if Rufus had succeeded in killing his dad.     "I will add that, unlike several of the candidates mentioned, I have the ability to dedicate time to this?" Rufus adds. "Shinra Electric Power Corporation will not suffer unduly for my absence for a while-" It's gone on quite well with him leaving for months at a time, "- and I don't have too many other professional obligations at the moment."     > Air-Bud-ist     Shit. Rufus wishes he'd nominated his own dog, but it's too late for that now.
Vantablitz Remnants	'Rita Ma is beloved by many in the Ensemble, but may I ask you something, Miss... Ah, I don't konw your name, but personally I do not know Miss Rita Ma too well. May I ask why you would like Rita Ma to be in the position I covet for my Sun?'     Anh laughs nervously. "Because I know Rita and I don't know Carmen." she says. "I think if there's going to be a position about people fighting over the Gates, it should just be someone who doesn't think about it like teams."     'Personally, I think ranked choice voting is ideal, otherwise the split might be too spread out to really mean ''anything'' even if there are 'winners'.'     Thank you Angela. Thank you so much. Anh reputation +10. "Great! Because I'd vote for anyone Hisako suggests!" "I want to vote for Shinra." "Well you can't."
Sarracenia	Sarra doesn't have strong opinions on most of these choices. She doesn't know enough to -have- strong opinions on these choices. She offers a smile to Flamel as he offers some perspective on Riku and a moderate vote of confidence.      'Rita Ma'      Sarra agrees to the choice without really even thinking about it, especially since it isn't the spot she suggested Riku for. "Oh! Yes, Miss Rita is amazing!" Didn't Sarra also get nearly killed by Rita? But then, she stops to think about it. How best to fight fairly. Rules of engagement. Is Rita strong in that area? She's certainly better than -Lilian- in that regard as far as Sara is concerned. And Rita has a strong moral center. "Hm. Yes, Rita in any of the positions is something I would agree with."      'Carmen'      Sarra flinches. "Wait...you want...some kind of otherworldly spirit who, lest we forget, killed herself instead of seeing -her- project through and thus caused hundreds of people to live in a time loop just to die over and over again to fuel horrors for dark energy that somehow became 'Light' to be in a position of power? Not to mention what she did to Angela?!" Sarra is quite obviously bewildered and disapproving of this idea.
Storm Investigators	"You know how there's not necessarily a *rule* saying that a dog can't play basketball?" Marcus just stares at Flamel cluelessly when he brings that up, taking that statement completely at face value. "I've never heard of that being used to permit a dog to play basketball, but... I suppose there would be a first time for everything?" She comments, eventually looking quite amused by the idea. "And an intelligent dog could have quite the insights to share..." Greta has a thousand-yard stare.
Team Timekeeper	"I have more money than everyone in this room combined."     Vertin idly considers the Gold Room, the room in her manor where Sotheby puts her gold when she gets bored with it. Speaking with Rufus is the first time the phrase 'passive income' has entered Vertin's mind since waking from her coma and becoming head of Team Timekeeper-- which is mostly a bad thing, but not *altogether* evil, necessarily.     Smiling just a little, "I can't say that makes the most positive impression, Rufus, though I understand your point. It's admittedly inevitable for capital to rear its head in the course of this project, even though it's meant to be humanitarian, and confidence navigating that is an important attribute. But I've never known wealth to encourage its wielders not to accumulate more, sad as it is to say. With all of Shrina's expansions under your leadership, isn't it possible that you're representing their interests, rather than the people's?" "I could be convinced, if you were willing to meet me halfway."     "Halfway?" "Katz for Inspector Astral is compelling. And Rufus has a strong position, one I expect him not to cede without compromises and influence."     "It's a strong starting point." Vertin nods, and Sonetto behind her nods several more times, deeply engaged in thought while notetaking. "I would like to nominate...Riku Asakura."     "I agree with Mr. Parsons, unfortunately. Riku is a good, upright person, but rather young," Barely younger than Vertin is, "And politically inexperienced. More than his competency, I'm not sure he'd be *happy* in the role." "...perhaps the Concord's director, Yuuki?"     Given that Vertin is proposing one of the Foundation's bureaucrats, this is a bit shaky ground for her, but that suggestion fills her with a small thrill of alarm. "I don't think so. Putting Concord leadership on the board is tantamount to selling shares in the project. It undermines the possibility for it to be a communal mission at all. The Concord will have its say regardless, through its representatives and its affiliation with the Psychonauts." "Could we maybe try ranked choice voting?"     "That'd certainly help. We have a lot of nominations going around, so that'd allow us to trim down the bottom candidates that have too little support to even be raised to the hearing for consideration." Vertin tries to project a reassuring smile at Anh. It's a good suggestion! This isn't her environment but she's trying so hard! "Perhaps the Petra who IS a Psychonaut means that we get the best of both worlds, as I so often hear."     Vertin doesn't really know what to make of the vague suggestion that there are multiple Petras, so she decides to patiently restate her original case. "I believe, among the Psychonauts, Kramer has the stronger claim to a leadership position, having been involved with..." Wait, Petra *was* there, right at the very end, and Vertin saw her briefly! In a rare case, Vertin has to change her tactic mid-sentence. "I personally trust Kramer's perspective on the safety of the Psychogate project's deployment and development, after spending the week with her during the incident."
Team Timekeeper	"How active is the Foundation, outside of your world?"     "Moderately." Vertin answers Hisako succinctly, though her hunch is that Hisako's going to be disappointed by the vague foggy bureaucratic-ness of it all, so she states it as directly as she can.     "My Team Timekeeper and the FDMO handle relationships with Elites and deployments in the field, and we've gathered information and established rapport with a number of worlds and worlds' representatives at this point. The Foundation's world has only bee unified for a year and a half, but unity with the Commonwealth has let diplomatic affiliations grow throughout the networks the Commonwealth has already made. To be frank, I think not having Paladins eyes on the Psychogate management would be a mistake that would severely hinder widespread trust in the project, given how it went last time." She's not even in the Paladins! "Explain why your boss gets a one-third cut please."     Vertin's tea is now cold. She takes a sip anyways. "The Foundation's support and my advocacy in achieving it is a large part of why the Psychogate project was revisited at all rather than scrapped. Navigating the issues the project was built with is going to take specific, constant effort and oversight, and the Foundation has to take some responsibility for helping with those issues. The Storm was one of the focal interests of the project as it was designed, and there's simply no chance of it being deployed in our world without a hand from the Foundation."
Flamel Parsons	"If Rufus takes a shot, he's going to get a seat." Flamel pipes up sheepishly. "There's really no two ways about this. Unless someone here really knuckles down and goes up to the stand to tear him down, or convinces him not to take a shot himself, there's not a lot that can *stop* him. He's got veterancy, resources, and the right posture to maneuver into the seat. But limiting things to one Elite is a much easier thing. So it might lock in some of what Vertin's suggesting." And, implicitly, anyone who poaches a seat from him is going to have some *serious* concessions extracted. Budding support for Rita Ma is at least a threat to keep him less rambunctious, if she can be drawn out to advocate for herself at all...     "We're hitting the intractable ideology stage! I love this stage because it's where everything is mental fortitude. Alright, coming up we'll have hearings for the nominations and everyone who pushed hard here is going to get tested in the gauntlet." Flamel is in SUCH a good mood about this. "So far it's starting to look like the Psychologist General is likely to be Kramer, *but* there might be another seat you want for her. And Rufus had interest in the Secretary of Subconscious position, as his selection, though things could shake differently based on influence. And Katz is still a strong case as a Foundation foothold to keep things Foundation-stabilzed... Alright."     He claps his hands together. "*Now* we get to the voting. Not the votes-voting, the hours-voting. Where you vote with how many hours you can stand committees. And the *after-committees* are even *more* intense. It's *brutal*." His smile is sooooo wide. "Really, I ought to tell you guys about the secret order of energy-vampires sometime..."
Angela	''I have the ability to dedicate time to this?'' "Oh that actually is a good point, Rufus basically has no job." Angela says. "I can accept Rufus. If nothing else, at least we aren't heaping more responsibilities, then, on someone who has too many already." Angela gives a nod to Anh, someone she basically doesn't know, because she finds her sensible and the Melting Love with her isn't spreading out and eating everyone which demonstrates leadership ability or something else that's keenly important anyway. ''Because I know Rita and I don't know Carmen.'' "Mm... That is fair. Would it be possible for Miss Carmen to introduce herself, then? Considering so many psychics here, I imagine it's quite possible." Angela looks nervous about that! "But we can accept Rita Ma regardless, even if we wish to make our own case, still." Sounds like Rita Ma is a Number Two ranked choice for Argalia. ''Wait... you want... some kind of otherworldly spirit--'' "Well certainly, who would speak for the otherworldly spirits then." Argalia half-jokes. "More to the point, she is someone who has experience with Psychogate-like constructs as well. So she is capable, knowledgable, and actually a psychologist for starters." "Besides, idiot," Angela says with so little heat that she seems more tired than aggressively insulting. "Her 'killing herself' was part of seeing the project through, you were heavily involved in LobCorp and you haven't realized that yet? She tried to pass on the responsibility to Enoch and then realized it had to be her. Pay some fucking attention when it comes to my world for once in your life, I am so tired of having to babysit you through the basic lore of my world. Fuck." ''Not to mention what she did to Angela?!'' "I said I had no objections to her. Ayin was the one who 'did those things to me'. Once again, in terms of basic cause and effect, Carmen was in a TUBE when I was created. She comforted me when I had nobody else in the world until Petra was put into my mind to prevent my shattering. Ayin was the one who would not so much as acknowledge me as I was forced to to douse my hands in blood again and again." Angela sneers. "She is the one who encouraged me to ''live'' when I was willing to bury myself and be done with it. This barely involves me because if the Psychonauts try to dictate what I do with the Light--" Roland, still desperate to get the attention of the Psychonauts, quickly diverts ever so slightly to take Angela's hand into her own which quiets her down before she pointlessly threatens the Psychonauts in their own home just because she's mad at someone else. Angela takes a long breath, takes a long exhale, and then says, "As I said, according to Concord regulations, the one who has priority over the management of my world's 'Psychogate' would be me. Therefore, I am not particularly concerned about how it might impact my world. What I want is responsible management, reasonable freedom, and people who would respect the Distortions and Abnormalities so that when they use the Psychogates they are not ostracized for coming from a different River."
Rufus Shinra	> Where you vote with how many hours you can stand committees. "Do we have ten minutes first?" Rufus sits up. "I just realized I haven't done my Ocho Revo dailies yet."
Team Timekeeper	"The Foundation is conducting a genocide, after all, against their Arcanists."     It's rare for Vertin to be visibly shocked by something. She tilts her chin up to reveal both eyes from under the brim of her hat, slightly widened.     "Is that really the internal consensus the Concord has? That isn't what's happening at all. The St. Pavlov Foundation is the largest advocate for arcanist equality and employment in the entire world."     "In fact, if the Manus Vindictae told you otherwise-- the Foundation is home to more arcanists, safely, than the Manus Vindictae is, by our best intelligence. The fact that humans are coexisting with us is quite the opposite of a genocide. I'm really not sure where that word could have come from, actually." "They are cohesive enough that I don't believe it really matters ''who'' from Team Timekeeper, though obviously Vertin has the most leadership experience."     A little reluctantly, Vertin says, "If it's impossible for any other Foundation representation to have enough support, I'd accept the nomination, but I'd rather not. Madam Z, my supervisor, would be a very effective nominee in several of the prospective positions, but I didn't suggest her out of preference to diffuse the power centralization. This project needs multiple different perspectives, not a singular one, no matter how driven that perspective is." "Wait...you want...some kind of otherworldly spirit who, lest we forget, killed herself instead of seeing -her- project through and thus caused hundreds of people to live in a time loop just to die over and over again to fuel horrors for dark energy that somehow became 'Light' to be in a position of power?"     Hm. "We should try to avoid unnecessary baggage with our selections too, of course. For the same reason that the Archwolf shouldn't be in consideration."
Hiromi	'I think-!! If she were interested, she would come to see this herself! Wouldn't she?'     "Of course, if she weren't interested, I wouldn't have words from her!" Hisako may have misunderstood slightly.     'Sending Hisako means that this is a valuable learning experience for people who aren't her!'     "That is true..." Hisako nods. "Because the positions didn't exist before, no one already has the necessary experience. It can only be a learning experience for them." Possibly still misunderstanding. But Hisako being here is a learning experience, that's definitely true.     'Oh like . . . someone on the level of 'what is an intention?' instead of, politically?'     Hisako, someone who has never lived in a democracy, tries to suss out whether her sense of 'politically' might be different from others in the room, and different from Anh's sense, in particular. She knows about the place Anh comes from, but also, suspects her sociocultural values place 'voting' highly.     To be safe, Hisako decides to back up before answering. "Someone who -- is in a position like Oreshnika's, can be freed from 'material want.' Like the Archwolf. I did meet Oreshnika once," though they didn't talk much, "and I think that's true. That frees someone to consider the goods of people and actions. Even without obligation, she was talkative, spirited, and had focus for many topics." She has to be going at least partly on faith, here. 'Freshly discovered' doesn't sound like long acquaintance. One can only guess one way or another about Hiromi's accuracy in instant character judgment -- though Hisako's words here are her own.     'Great! Because I'd vote for anyone Hisako suggests!'     Yay! Anh is Hisako's favorite person in the room. This is visibly communicated even without her saying anything.
Team Timekeeper	"Pay some fucking attention when it comes to my world for once in your life, I am so tired of having to babysit you through the basic lore of my world. Fuck."     A little tiredly, Vertin sinks back in her chair and sighs. "By which I mean that we should try to aim for the least amount of 'lore' necessary to explain our nominees. The Project is, after all, meant to improve the lot of average people."
Angela	Angela who was distracted by Sarracenia and isn't thinking about how she sleeps now because and thus actually can lose the battle of 'who can do boring shit the longest' by pure fatigue, focuses on Vertin. "It is not the Concord position." Angela says. "I suppose The Blue Reverberation must have heard my own misgivings about the Foundation as filtered through Carmen." Angela mulls for a moment. "Though I wouldn't say I believe the Foundation is conducting a genocide so much as I fear it. And I fear it because the Manus seem to. And I fear it because I remember Lilian sharing her misgivings about the Foundation shortly after that last Storm when before she was so willing to support them." She looks towards Vertin. "And I suppose, because the Foundation takes arcanist children in and teaches them the path of the Foundation, which is undoubtedly the sort of activity that could be a part of a genocide. And besides, the Manus are a Concord ally. If their concerns about the Foundation are not raised, I would be doing our allies a disservice." She says this despite Argalia being the one to bring it up. "Regardless, I have to agree that the Foundation is not trusted in their own world by the people who most need the Psychogates, so it may not even be material whether or not they can be trusted. I do not know Madam Z, if you feel she is appropriate, perhaps that is enough." ''Safely'' "Naturally, because to be an Arcanist without the Foundation, it is impossible to be truly safe." ''Unnecessary baggage'' "That is a good point. The nominee should be someone even Sarracenia can understand."