[Open Log]

[bearshermark]

Who: Elliott and OPEN to ALL Different!
What: Beach Partyyy!
When: May 31st, all night
Where: Rockaway Beach
Rating/Warnings: Will update if needed



It's a good spot.

Two diagonal picnic tables are parked a within roasting fork distance of the fire pit. It starts as a small, flickering fire, but once everyone's gathered, Elliott takes the opportunity to kick the night off and turn up the heat with the aid of a few magical fireballs.

There's hotdogs and an overlaying grill to cook up Yotsuyu's mix of meat and veggie kebabs. A cooler filled with soda and water bottles sits further away to avoid premature melting. Cookies and marshmallows or s'mores feature as dessert- or dinner, if that's anyone's preference.

For entertainment, Roselia makes a live, musical debut with Lisa as its sole performer. Meanwhile, Elliott does his best to encourage socialization and facilitate any necessary introductions. There's even a volleyball net and ball, and at least one attempt is made to form teams and get a game going.

But for the quieter sorts, dark, ocean waves lap at the shore outside the firelight. The weather is perfectly clear, and the location affords a rare opportunity to enjoy the stars. There might even be a cat playing in the sand somewhere nearby.

Some accouterments (like cutlery or extra chairs) might have been accidentally overlooked.

...He tried okay.

Comments

[neverjedi]

"More... publicly funded, I think." There's a quick smile that goes with that, but then it turns wry. "We could probably do the same at the support meetings but that feels like a little too much cooperation. I don't think anyone really wants to be entirely comfortable at those meetings. This is for us, not the Bureau."

So bigger budget because people contributed and invested in their own, instead of just reluctantly showing up.

[aggressive_negotiations]

"Fair enough," she says. She pauses, truly considering his words as she looks out over the crowd.

"It's about efficacy, I think. Most things are. What the Bureau and the rest of us want from a support group can't possibly be the same thing."

Which is a problem, when people truly need mental health support.

[neverjedi]

"Yes." Just simple agreement on that point, then a wry smile. "And what the Bureau wants from the Bureau and what we want from it are also different. Namely that we don't want it."

Which was not ideal, he knew, but the set up was contentious and filled with conflict from the beginning.

[aggressive_negotiations]

"And what do you want from the Bureau?"

She looks at him, genuinely curious. She asks because she's not sure what she wants herself, just yet.

[neverjedi]

"Transparency."

He's pretty clear on that, but he's also pretty clear that they aren't going to get it.

[aggressive_negotiations]

"And right now, they've got no reason to give it."

Smith sees the purpose of the Bureau -- this thing happening, it has to be managed. But right now, they're completely in control.

[neverjedi]

"No, they don't. And I have a hard time imagining a scenario in which they do, because the power imbalance here is so extreme."

He sees the purpose, too. He'd also like to trust them.

He just... absolutely does not. In part because of that power imbalance.

[aggressive_negotiations]

"For now," she corrects.

Smith doesn't have a concrete plan. Yet. But Ben Organa is from a powerful family. She's no slouch either. They need to build their resources, bide their time.

[neverjedi]

"Well. If people keep getting very literal powers, they are going to have far bigger problems."

That isn't a threat or a suggestion that violence is good. It is a concern.

[aggressive_negotiations]

Wait.

"Powers?"

Powers are a thing?

[neverjedi]

Oops.

"Yeah. Some people seem to be getting abilities they have in their memories as other people. Same for ...body modifications and some objects, actually, but those are less..." He looks for a word, and fails to find one so finishes lamely. "Those are just less."