New faces

[Sydney Gardiner]

Sydney needed a moment to decide what it was she could answer. She didn't want to die, that was never something she thought all through training. She was always taught to persevere and get the job done no matter what the.cost. But supporting the Capitol would mean sending other children to die for the name of the Caiptol and nothing else.

Nothing for family. Nothing for the individuals. Just for a government that didn't care.

Her lower lip quivered but she steeled herself to keep it together as she wiped at her face and glanced over at Cal, exhaling deeply.

"I want to live...but I can't live for a government that sends their own to die for them without any kind of remorse."
Her breathing was getting a little bit ragged once the reality of the situation was made clear. She would die within the next few days. And she had to come to grips with it.

[Cal Mensen]

Cal's composure was a bit shaken, having to consider these dark truths as well. It was so easy to steel yourself when you had a goal to work towards, but it can't be buried forever.

His eyes begin to water, a grimace forming over his face.

"Me too... I want to think we're in the same boat. Not the same as everyone else, but..."

He reaches a hand out to hers, leaving it open for her.

"You don't have to be alone."

[Sydney Gardiner]

After a couple of moments of deep breathing and taking Cal's hand in hers, she exhaled deeply and looked over to him. He knew what the glass ceiling breaking felt like and for once, it was okay for her to question what she had been raised on and what she had been raised to do.

"so what do you need me to do?" she asked Cal and Wren after several deep breaths. She would deal with this sense of impending doom later but for now, there was a task at hand and her training was kicking in. Task first, emotions later.

[Cal Mensen]

He let himself be lost in the moment, the mask he so comfortably wore left bare. The war could wait, Cal allowed the pain to envelope him, finding a sort of release in it all.

Settling back, he looks up to Sydney, thinking carefully.

"Observe before you act. It's not enough to know a person's background, you need to take in their actions as well. Together, you'll know whether you agree with their intentions, and respond accordingly. Trust is built through these acts, helping one another in any way you can."

His expression begins to clear, his eyes reflecting clarity.

"If hacking will bring harm to your allies, do not hack. If scavenging will enable you to assist further, gather what you need. Spying is permitted, if at the very least to warn others. Strike down any who intend harm to your allies or beliefs."

His gaze is filled with strength and determination, a will capable of anything.

"This is what it means to be a Peacebringer. It is, and will always be, your choice. Would you join me?"

[Sydney Gardiner]

Sydney nodded her head and held out. her hand. Start the job now, deal with the emotional trauma later.

"I guess it's really a good thing that my hacking is shit anyway," Sydney attempted to joke as she shrugged.
"I'll join you, for nothing else but to finally have a world where kids aren't afraid of the day they'll be sent to an arena to die for sport, no matter their allegiance."

"I told Wren about a couple people I was suspicious about, I can spy on at least one of them from here. I'll start there."

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren awoke from his chair nap and overheard Cal she Sydney discussing some things. 

He listened quietly and watched them shake hands as he recalled something Sydney had said as he fell asleep. 

"But at this point you've formed your judgement on me."

"No, actually I haven't. It's not my place to judge you without hearing your story or reading into what you've done. Sometimes, it's your actions that define you, not what others call you. I've been called weak my whole life. And I'll be damned if I let that be the judgement people serve me.

Take Cal, for instance. I love him FOR who he is and what he's done, not DESPITE what he is."
 Wren glanced at Cal. 

"Since the beginning of this, I've been open to working together with whomever, and WHATever, as long as we share a common goal."

"If I survive, I'm hoping to make a case for all peacebringers that refuse to attack rebels and hack to be pardoned from execution."

[Sydney Gardiner]

Sydney was a little surprised at Wren's outburst but she wasn't deterred. He did have a good point.

"You have a point and I'm sorry I made you feel that way. If we do this, we have to do it together."

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren looked around for Lartius. That kid was always so hard to find. Well... I guess I'll start talking, and he'll come out of the shadows if he hears me.


"Hey, Lartius. Thanks for hacking, man." Wren smiled. "Let me know if you think you'll stick around or move on to somewhere new. I'd trust you in the watchtower if you stick around another day. I'm considering heading to the market, but I'm worried it'll get crowded. Oh, and I have some secondhand information on Val, for you, if you want it. I know you were interested in seeing what she's about."

"I'm told Val is a peacekeeper, turned peaceBRINGER. She's been like Cal, refusing to attack rebels and refusing to hack for peacekeeper points. So, she's an ally. Like I said, it's more about actions than actual titles at this point. I also hear Gwen is a rebel, proved by hacking like yourself. And Dante is a peacekeeper and has apparently attempted to hack for their side. So, I'm not a fan of his. If you run into him, feel free to whack him with that baton I hear you have."

[Lartius Selkirk]

"Hey there Wren. Sometimes its better to lurk in the shadows. I find that the prudent move is to wait to act until I have as much information as possible, and that often leads to me being quiet.



As far as movement goes. I think I will stick around the watchtower for another day. I feel safe here, and I like the ability to spy on some other groups. I gather that the consensus is for some to move on to the market, while others stay here and hold strong. I will gladly defend the watchtower with you if you choose to stay."

Thanks for the info. The entire peacebringer thing is making things rather difficult to assess. I can trust the rebels mostly, but I have no idea what side certain peacekeepers are on. Thanks for the help.

[Wren Hartwood]

Wren shrugged. "Fair point. Everyone has their own methods and goals. Shadow-lurking, intimidation, genuinely making friends. I dunno. I'm cautious, but I like to think we could all work together, someday. Obviously, peacekeepers haven't been able to keep the peace and do their jobs properly or we would never have sent children to go die as a spectacle. Maybe our world never had peace to keep, to begin with. Maybe that's why someone has to BRING them all peace and teach them what it means." 

Wren sat in a chair. "But maybe that's just me being optimistic and naiive. Who knows?"