Update on St. Alwin and SPI Crises " Part 1
FioHelston "I believe the bulk of this meeting will be spent on the next two items on our agenda. I'd like to invite Councilor Alain DeMuer to provide an update on the situation in St. Aldwin, and on the tragic events that occurred at the SPI headquarters this month. Councilor, let me say again formally that you and your people have our deep condolences and the support of your allies in RhyDin."
Solange LeClerc Her form was clipped and sewn into a suit. Only a few footsteps behind Mrs. DeMuer, ever silent, she blended into the background to lend a show of support to her employer.
FioHelston She stepped back from the podium, and turned the meeting over to Councilor DeMuer for these items.
Ebon Ilnaren ::nodding solemnly at Fionna's statement::
FioHelston "And our thanks," she whispered to him as she passed, squeezing his forearm.
Katt There was a silent sigh as she reached up and pulled the fedore from the top of her head, settling it down in her lap over the panel.
Rhiannon Brock ::Running late, Rhiannon came in the door and made her way to a seat as quickly and quietly as possible::
Icer1978 ::Attention shifted to Alain, quietly.::
Alain DeMuer ::Alain looks over his shoulder when the door opens, and at the sight of his wife visible relief floods his expression for a long moment; however it is carefully schooled by the time he returns his eyes to the meeting. He rises and steps up to the podium, another ghost of a smile at the supportive squeeze to his arm. When he reaches the podium he bows.:: "I thank you for your condolences and your support, Governor....and you, Councilors," ::turning his head with another bow.::
Rachael Douglas Pen moved across the page left handed to render notes in neat, precise handwriting.
Caroline Granger Her eyes turned from Fio to Alain, solemn in the face of the tragedies that had struck in the past month.
Issy ::She leaned slightly forward, her brow wrinkling as she did so. Her attention was on Alain::
Audrey Horne ::She looks to Alain, her mouth a thin line across her face.::
Steve Armstrong Fionna was given a lift of his chin and a wink, silent acknowledgement.
Sophie Rhovnik As Alain began to speak, she moved to take a seat, cutting a glance back to Solange in invitation.
FioHelston She took a seat along the council table with a twitch of a smile for several in attendance, and gave Alain her attention.
Alain DeMuer "Of the ten thousand refugees who fled from my homeland of New Brittany, more than ninety-seven hundred arrived safely in the Barony of Saint Aldwin. Thanks to your collective efforts they have access to food, shelter, clothing and medicine. In Saint Aldwin they have another chance at life....but it has come at great cost."
Solange LeClerc Her pointed chin dipped gracefully as she accepted Sophie's gesture. Quietly, she slipped into the neighboring chair and drew a slow breath that lifted her shoulders. Her leather-bound pad was out, as was her golden stylus; ready to jot down what was needed for House DeMuer.
Katt Her eyes dipped while she listened to Alain, fingers working along the brim of the hat. Fidgetting...
Goldglo ::he'd spent enough time overhead the SPI over the last several days that he felt like he could draw a pretty good layout-map from memory. He listened to Alian while planning out the next set of sorties::
Katharine Rhovnik After Sophie had went in, Kat stepped into the room and leaned against the wall for a brief moment before moving to sit down in an open chair. Her movements were quiet and head bowed respectfully as she sat, catching the tail end of what Alain had said.
Alain DeMuer "The passage between New Brittany and Saint Aldwin was attacked, and I can confirm to you now that they were attacked by the same Abyssal rifts that contributed to the collapse of SPI days earlier. These rifts have been sealed, permanently, but at a price. The RhyDin and Stars End Port Authority, SPI, knights and soldiers of Saint Aldwin and our allies and many other volunteers gave their lives in this effort."
Sophie Rhovnik One leg crossed over the other and her expression remained interested but maybe a bit more distantly so than could be expected. Clasped hands rested in her lap.
Ebon Ilnaren ::the mention of Abyssal rifts sent his eyebrow up again, and he jotted something down in his notes::
FioHelston Her face settled into an implacable mask and she did not move her eyes from Alain at the podium. Her hands, folded in her lap, tightened once. She avoided looking out into the room.
Issy ::There was a flinch in her jaw as she listened, her lashes narrowing slightly::
Icer1978 :;An arch of an eyeridge.:;
Caroline Granger Despite her best efforts, the stark surprise showed on Caroline's face, abruptly concealed as she ducked her head forward, hiding the expression behind her hair. She'd known things were bad, but not quite how bad.
Alain DeMuer "I would like to thank all of them, and the pilots in the RASG also," ::his eyes turn to Matt, then return,:: "for putting themselves at risk to help others. I offer my condolences to everyone who has lost a friend or loved one in these awful tragedies. The conflict is now, thank God, finally over....and now we can begin to rebuild, thanks to your help. I will address any questions you have now or at any other time as best as I am able, and moving forward work to repay our debt to RhyDin."
Steve Armstrong A sharp look was cast towards the podium, fresh interest and scrutiny laying heavily on the speaker. All traces of humor left scruffy features, the machinist's expression stony as he listened.
Alain DeMuer ::He bows his head again, and then turns his gaze around the room, opening his hands in an open gesture for questions, if there are any.::
Goldglo ::He nodded in return to Alain, acknowledging the man's thanks::
FioHelston "Councilor," she leaned forward a bit.
Katt Debt..She frowned and shook her head, slowly looking up to Alain. She started to say something but instantly caught herself. Instead, fingers curled to the hat and drew it close.
Ebon Ilnaren ::he gave a sidelong glance to Katt before turning to see what Fionna would say::
FioHelston "May I say something, before you continue?"
Icer1978 ::A side glance to Issy. Something had felt off most of the week.:;
Alain DeMuer ::Alain nods to Fio.::
Rhiannon Brock ::Rhiannon remained silent for the time being. Her ears twitched slightly like a deer's tracking the sound of an approaching predator::
Rachael Douglas More notes were made in that precise left handed handwriting on her notepad.
Race His shuffling pauses briefly, head still down while he listens. Then the deck resumes its cadence, folding it with the fingers of one hand in unusual dexterity.
Katt She was behaving, Ebon. Thin lipped but behaving.
FioHelston She rose, and did not turn her mic back on, but pitched her voice for the hall to hear, her mien grave. "There is no debt owed to RhyDin. We owe - St. Aldwin and RhyDin, and a number of other worlds - to the efforts of the great numbers who perished in the conflicts in Lashkar and on Drasill. Had they not been successful in their defense, Drasill, the homeworld of St. Aldwin, and many other worlds would have been lost, ours included."
FioHelston "The Councilor's own home world was lost. And," she turned again to Alain, unable to fully hide the depth of her feeling on the subject, "you have our tremendous....tremendous sympathy for your loss."
Solange LeClerc Her slim hand was recording, in the Nouveau Bretagne language, what was being said in common, as the attach' also made personal notes in the margins.
Caroline Granger "Hear, hear." The agreement was quiet but heartfelt, issued from a frowning face. No, Caroline hadn't known truly what had been going on, but she definitely agreed with the Governor's assessment now she was aware.
FioHelston "There is -no- debt."
FioHelston She dipped her chin to him, at a loss for anything else to add, and retook her seat.
Katt She looked over to Fio and exhaled loudly. Thank you, was mouthed to Fio.
Solange LeClerc As her pen stalled, her eyes watched Fio and Alain before looking to her left at Sophie.
Issy ::The Scathachian lifted her chin and her hand slightly, looking to Alain after catching Icer's eye::
Icer1978 ::A quiet nod.::
Audrey Horne ::She watches Alain and throws her own nod in, a frown tugging at her lips.::
Alain DeMuer ::There is a stillness to his expression at the mention of losing his home world, his alternate Earth. He nods again, and after a moment manages,:: "Then at least accept our gratitude and our support." ::He looks around the room again, for any other questions.::
