VIGIL 3: Uh... can we get a mulligan?

[Shadowcaller]

[Below VIGIL]

Spark, Kelligan's lawyer arrives below the airbase accompanied by, Amy, a small group of other goblins and two golems. They're likely here to discuss that agreement VIGIL made.

[Deathkeeper]

Ferry Terminal

After the lovely NPCs can get the goblin's group and their escorts to the surface, Spako will be waiting for them, again wearing his nicer clothes rather than what he'd vastly prefer to be wearing at the moment.
"Good day, everyone. My superiors are expecting you in one of our conference rooms. I can show you there now." he says, in that polite tone he's not completely comfortable with doing all the time.

Wenomir's Cabin

At some previous date, Spako will have knocked on his CO's door after confirming their appointment with the goblins.

[Morty]

[Wenomir's House]

The warrior opens the door.

"How did it go?"

[Deathkeeper]

Wenomir's House

"Amy says we won the auction as long as we don't screw up the negotiations in a few days. She'll be there along with the lawyer from earlier. As long as we have an actual lawyer this time we'll probably be fine." the kobold explains at the doorstep.

[Morty]

[Wenomir's House]

"I'll see what we can find." Is that disappointment in Wenomir's voice? "We'll try to make it as non-ridiculous as possible. At least the demons didn't get it."

[Deathkeeper]

Wenomir's House

"We should be fine. Amy's proposal was very respectful." says the kobold, waving a hand. Though abruptly, his eyes snap open.
"We just have to hope that the lawyer doesn't revise out all the good things she put into it. Anywaaaay," he continues, relaxing again, "I realize that I should probably show you this, because it was honestly pretty irrelevant to the initial negotiations, so while still pretty irrelevant they might try to blindside you with it too and that would probably be bad in the middle of a negotiation." he admits, holding up a memory stick.
It took him hours to figure out how these things work, and get the file onto it, but it was far, far cheaper than actually getting the original tape and a player for Wenomir, who he didn't think would have one.

[Morty]

[Wenomir's House]

Wenomir looks at the stick with some confusion.

"Is this the show they've already made about us?"

[Deathkeeper]

Wenomir's House

"Yeah, I don't really know if it matters, but like I said, if they find a reason to pull it out like last time it's probably best that you don't see it for the first time right then.

Also, Amy is going to ask you to sign a bunch of things. I already had to bug Ms. Harnetta about it. She was really gracious about the whole thing. And it's good too because she probably had the least flattering look."
Spako doesn't know what CGI is but he could tell that it looked fake.

[Morty]

[Wenomir's House]

Wenomir pinches the bridge of his nose.

"At least I won't suffer alone. Cessie needs to see it too. I'll call her here."

[Deathkeeper]

Wenomir's House

Spako doesn't say anything to that, but from his nervous face Wenomir might be able to gather that neither of the Mithars were given a very flattering portrayal.
"So uh, that's all you need, right sir? Because there's only one file on that thing and I'm sure you don't really need me...." he says, inching back out the door...

[Morty]

[Wenomir's House]

"You really don't want to be here when Cessie sees this, do you?" Wenomir can be annoyingly perceptive sometimes. "Don't let me keep you."

[Deathkeeper]

Wenomir's House

"Frankly, sir, I don't want to be there when any of you see it, but you're not the one who can throw lava at the messenger. Uh, good day, sir." he says, saluting and scampering away.

[Shadowcaller]

Ferry Terminal

After the lovely NPCs can get the goblin's group and their escorts to the surface, Spako will be waiting for them, again wearing his nicer clothes rather than what he'd vastly prefer to be wearing at the moment.
"Good day, everyone. My superiors are expecting you in one of our conference rooms. I can show you there now." he says, in that polite tone he's not completely comfortable with doing all the time.

[Wenomir's House]

"You really don't want to be here when Cessie sees this, do you?" Wenomir can be annoyingly perceptive sometimes. "Don't let me keep you."

Ferry Terminal

Spark nods, his eyes folded neatly as his focuses on Spako behind his glasses. "Perfect, and good day to you too Mr. Highclaws. Mr. Kelligan have left me some instructions how to deliver the desired object to your organization. I look forward to meet your superiors."

Amy is looking around the base, her eyes filled with wonder. She eyes never meeting Spako's as they walk.

[Wenomir's House]

Not sure why Spako is afraid of Cessie throwing lava around, has that ever happened outside of combat before?!
She enters the house, regal as ever. Just quirking her eyebrow slightly as she sees Wenomir. "So, the details about our upcoming deal I presume? I wanted to discuss the staff-deal with you, so its good that we meet like this now." Her eyes narrow. "I'm not going to like this, am I?"

[Deathkeeper]

Cessie's never done it, but Spako's never really met her. So all he knows is that she can throw lava at people!

Ferry Terminal

Spako smiles, moving to shake the goblins' hands.
"A pleasure to see you again, Mr. Wisewiz. Ms. Zap." he says cordially. Spako only realizes now that they both have electricity-themed names. He wonders if that's a trend.

[Morty]

[Wenomir's House]

"Probably not. The only upside I can think of is that this way, we don't need to take the staff from demons by force. Unless what we see in there makes us wish we had to."

Wenomir plugs the flash drive into his personal laptop.

[Shadowcaller]

[Wenomir's House]

Cessie doesn't reply right away, instead she silently takes a seat nearby. "Is there tea? I'd love a cup of tea right about now."

[Morty]

[Wenomir's House]

"I'll go make some. Then we can watch this undoubtedly thrilling piece."

When the warrior returns with the tea, he turns on the video. He watches it with an impassive expression.

"Of all the stupid decisions I've made in my life, this kind of hair and clothes have never been among them."

[Shadowcaller]

[Wenomir's House]

"I was actually wanting to discuss... actually, never mind. Let's just have tea and watch it." Should be diversion to more pressing issues at the very least. Not that they really needed more of those, her family was enough of that right now.

As the view the short trailer Cessie is holding her tea-cup close to her mouth a cramped fashion, only taking a single, long, sip once it is over. Draining the entire cup in one sip.
"What did you say this was, Wenomir?" She asks, still starring at the now paused video screen. "How many have seen it?"

[Morty]

[Wenomir's House]

"It's a television show, loosely based on, well, us." Wenomir's face is deadpan. "Fortunately, it's only been broadcast in the goblin nation it comes from. They didn't want us to sue them."

[Shadowcaller]

[Wenomir's House]

"Sue?" Cessie asks, sounding slightly hysterical for a moment. "As if money could compensate for that." She gestures at the screen. "Did you see how that-" It sounds like she suppresses a lot of air. "-that woman was dressed? I suddenly think this deal is a good idea, Wenomir. What if that was the image they had of our organization? It's ridiculous!"

[Morty]

[Wenomir's House]

Wenomir exercises his iron-clad self-control not to laugh. Of all the ridiculous things about this show, the clothes are the biggest problem? At least she was played by a human.

"Setting the record straight does sound like a pretty good option right about now. As long as we pay attention and make sure we retain control over what's produced."

[Shadowcaller]

[Wenomir's House]

How did Wenomir expect Cessie to react?
"Yes, with some positive publicity, we might even be able to raise more money for our cause, especially if we get a cut out of the revenue that the show brings in. We have to appear extremely professional and competent though, perhaps more than we really are." DC had admittedly a few good points of criticism against the current VIGIL organization.
"...by the way, Spako hasn't showed that video to anyone else, has he?"

[Morty]

[Wenomir's House]

"He hasn't, and we'll make sure he won't," Wenomir assures Cessie. "We could use both the money and the publicity. Also, apparently the person who'll come talk to us is a huge fan of the show. Especially, well, Harnel. She signed a lot of things for her... not sure if she used her new name. But we might have to sign something too."

[Shadowcaller]

[Wenomir's House]

"I'm not signing any autographs Wenomir, that actress isn't me, and I'm not pretending it to be otherwise. She puts down the empty cup and takes a deep breath. "But enough about that show, just what are our plans to countering what we suspect to be an alliance between these demons and AMEN? I know AMEN isn't what it used to be, but with these demons backing them up they're a serious threat. If they all attack us with the same force again, what are we to do? Since right now we're basically waiting for them to invade us."

[Morty]

[Wenomir's House]

"If there's one thing we've learned in our research, it's that fighting their armies is a wasted effort," Wenomir says. "We need to take out their leaders before they can mobilize. As for AMEN... it's best to leave the volcano alone. That thing still lives in their walls. We should target their members, such as they are, when they leave. Preferably along with the demons."

[Shadowcaller]

[Wenomir's House]

"Yeah, but we've been saying that for a long time now, yet we haven't actually started to make a plan for such an attack, Wenomir. We do know where at least one of their temples are located, but as you just said, we don't dare to attack AMEN directly. So we need to find these leaders and take them out." She pauses. "I have considered using that essence of theirs as a possible method of tracking them down. If we can find large concentrations of it, it will likely be where their leaders are."

[Morty]

[Wenomir's House]

"Using their essence is a risky proposition, but we may need it," Wenomir agrees. "If you think it can work, we should try. And I'll lead such an attack. I've got a few scores to settle with those things."

[Shadowcaller]

[Wenomir's House]

"I'll get started on it then, but I will probably need to ask Ambrosia for help. Meanwhile you should start preparing a strike team to lead against the demons. We need people that have experience fighting these things, reliable people." Cessie replies. "You can't underestimate them after what happened last time, Wenomir."

Ferry Terminal

Spark is quick to shake Spako's hand. "Of course. We are glad to have a chance to see your fabled base."

"It is not the old one though..." Amy remarks, without as much as looking at Spako.

Spark corrects his glasses. "Er, she's just being nostalgic, I'm sure she will love this base as much as the old one. Now, shall we go and see the two leaders? That should be exciting."

[Deathkeeper]

Ferry Terminal

Spako bristles at being ignored, but shoves down his indignation. Just some innocent gawking. One-track-mind problems.
"Not everything from the old days is gone. " he tells Amy, and attempts to give her the Harnel Watch-Force button that Harnetta had signed, From Harnel, With Love.
He'll wave it in her face if he has to.

[UncleWolf]

[Debate Night]

Kalya is already in place at the desk with the other two moderators, wearing a plain blue jacket adorned only by the VIGIL emblem sitting on her lapel polished to a gleaming shine. All her usual jewelry is in place, but the chains are just unornamented gold, without gemstones, medallions, or other effects.


"Hello, and welcome. It's a great honor to be seated here, not only with the four candidates from Riverside, but with my fellow representatives from GLoG and HALO who are here tonight. Before we begin, I'd like to take a moment to thank all those who helped us make this important moment, and brought us all together in this vital step towards celebrating and preserving Eastside's democracy. I'd also like to briefly remind the audience here tonight that out of respect for those watching at home, who are tuning in tonight in order to be informed about the decision they will be making very shortly about the future of their city, that no further noise is made until the conclusion of the debate. Thank you."

Kalya extends her hand to the candidates, starting with Jezebel and sweeping across them in turn ((using the posting order we just so conveniently established)), before speaking.
"Tonight I'll begin by inviting each of the candidates in turn to speak briefly about why they chose to run, and what their vision is for Eastside's future."

Jezebel gives a smile to the crowd and a small wave. "Hello!" She says, sounding truly happy to be here. "Before anything else, I would like to thank everyone for being here tonight or watching it from home if you aren't, and I would especially like to thank Vigil for hosting this event." She says, giving a nod of respect to the Vigil members near by(if there are any). Afterwards she brushes her hair back behind her ear before truly getting to the meat of the subject. "There are many reasons I chose to run for Mayor, but the main one is that Eastside, and Riverside as a whole, needs to change directions if we are to better ourselves." She explains. "I am no stranger to isolationist policies, for the Gardens were based off of such for a long time, and while they are usually born out of necessity as they have for the past several years in Eastside, they must be tempered. The time has come to throw off this cloak of darkness and rise up out of the dread that's encompassed the lives of all of us, even myself. Through policy change and public works, I believe that we can lead not just ourselves into a new and better age, but we can lead Riverside as a whole into it." She explains before giving a sweeping gesture towards the crowd and cameras. "Regardless of how this election turns out however, I want you all to remember one thing. It isn't us up here who matter. It is you. Make your voices and fears heard and demand change for the better. We are up here to represent you, not ourselves. We can only do what you give us power to do, and it is my sincere hope that no matter who you choose, we will flourish. Thank you."