The Newcago Court

[old man moomba he/him]

"Profit?" Dwig asked, "You're telling me that you have no care at all for those who live in the city. You just want to make money."

[Steel Inquisitive he/him]

Just now, Dr. Dapper said:

"Profit?" Dwig asked, "You're telling me that you have no care at all for those who live in the city. You just want to make money."

"What did you expect? We are people who despite the guilds, and the destruction, and the wars have built something! We built our own little kingdoms with money and hard work not good intentions. I second Dusk. Where is the profit? Where is the gain?" Valath smiled. "And I do care for the people in the city. I simply care for my people, those who work for me, more."

[Darth Woodrack he/him]

"I care about the people in my city. Alleycity is not my concern. If it does not make me a profit, I have no justification as to why I should waste my resources on it. You pay me, and I will give you a discount, but I will not do it for free," Dusk said, "And thank you Valath, I agree with your sentiment of caring more for those that work for us."

[MacThorstenson he/him]

Mack stood up from his seat and began pacing the room.

"Let me say a few things first. I will address your points in order.

First, Dusk, I'm not sure that the Queen is an epic, and second, motivators are extremely painful when used on living subjects, why on earth would the queen give you a blood sample to make a motivator?

Second, about the government. You mentioned that we had to work with it. I ask why? They weren't democratically elected. The guilds set themselves up there as the leaders, and whit it may seem like they have power, but they only have as much power as we give them. They have no right to rule besides that which they gave themselves. They have no force to enforce it. 

Anarchy is what we had before, and while it didn't help the people, I don't know if giving the guilds who were hurting the people legitimate power is any better. Regardless, we are not here to have a debate about politics. My concern is that some of the things that we will be providing the people could be weaponized and turned against them. I'm planning on putting in running water, and electricity. That will be free for everyone. I don't want to allow the government to use their new authority to seize control and charge tax money for these services that I am giving out for free.

In the event that they try to hamper this work, I will fight to finish it and make sure that it remains for the peoples benefit. 

Next, about your concern for profit.

I'm going to be honest, if you still need a profit despite having access to an infinite source of free clean energy, I'm a little disappointed. There is literally so much you could do for money with this that its crazy. Even most people in Arelon, who have a far inferior knowledge of various types of technology have lived at a sustainable quality of life ever since the city was fixed.

Regardless, I can pay you in whatever you want, Aluminum, gold, various precious metals, spheres, or boxing's. 

There is a limit to how much I can pay you however, I need to make sure that you don't crash the various markets for these materials.

I am rather disappointed in your lack of care for people that have nothing. It was this sentiment of caring more for those that work for them then the general public that got the city in trouble in the first place. What do you think the guilds do? They don't give a flying chulls worth for anyone who isn't a member or of use to them in some way. 

What makes us different is that we provide a service for people, and that we are in a position to care for them." Mack stopped pacing, his face in a frown. Were these really the type of people he wanted to work with? 

"Laonin, what are your thoughts?" He asked, hoping that at least one of the people there was a decent person.

@Karnatheon

 

 

Edited February 7, 2019 by MacThorstenson

[+Ark1002]

22 minutes ago, Steel Inquisitive said:

"What did you expect? We are people who despite the guilds, and the destruction, and the wars have built something! We built our own little kingdoms with money and hard work not good intentions. I second Dusk. Where is the profit? Where is the gain?" Valath smiled. "And I do care for the people in the city. I simply care for my people, those who work for me, more."

 

10 minutes ago, Darth Woodrack said:

"I care about the people in my city. Alleycity is not my concern. If it does not make me a profit, I have no justification as to why I should waste my resources on it. You pay me, and I will give you a discount, but I will not do it for free," Dusk said, "And thank you Valath, I agree with your sentiment of caring more for those that work for us."

Ambrosia turned, spitting the word from her mouth. "Bastards." A cold face emerged. "These people will be yours. Is that enough for you cruel, disgusting little bi-" She stopped. "Make yourself care. Otherwise, you? You deserve worse than hell."

[Darth Woodrack he/him]

Dusk's face went dark. "You want me to care for people who have nothing? I have built a city of the Citadel. Do you know how easy it would have been to use lifeless for the work? It would be free, and they would never stop working. Instead I built a massive sprawling city, where I allowed thousands of people to live, and gave them prosperity! I own that land! You think that I don't want to help these people? Without profit, I cannot help them! I am a businessman, and a city administrator. You think that I like the government? We don't have a choice. At least now we can represent ourselves! Before it we had dozens of different fiefdoms and getting anything done was impossible! So, Ambrosia Nightshade, you think I don't care? What have you done? You fix them up, and you send them back out into hell! I give them a better life! You want me to help the thousands of Alleycity citizens? Do something more than get married to Ghostblood members, and healing their broken bones. I support thousands of innocent lives with this 'unlimited money' as you put it. You want me to spend millions upon millions of crysts on helping people, when if I do, I lower the quality of life for thousands more? They want my support, without someone paying me? Have them move to the citadel."

Edited February 7, 2019 by Darth Woodrack

[Steel Inquisitive he/him]

"You don't know what I have done for the people of Allycity. I don't want your money. I want to know that this won't turn into another bloody war!" Valath's eyes grew hard. "I am not naïve. Everything comes with a cost. What's yours Mack? You intend to overthrow a government? You intend to fight the guilds! How will that help the people? Don't even try to take the moral high ground. I need to know that I'm not throwing everything I have into something that will destroy everything I love." Valath turned her eyes to the child. "I care more than you know. All of my employees came from poverty. I have hired only from those who needed the money most. I reached out a hand and placed them in the best part of the city provided them food, money, and shelter. They are my children and I won't let them get hurt." 

[+Ark1002]

"I'm not a Nightshade."

[Darth Woodrack he/him]

"You think I care that you changed your last name Nightshade? You're Hellbents daughter. The only reason that I even considered meeting with the spawn of that monster is because Walker vouched for you. Don't make me regret it," Dusk said, angry.

Edited February 7, 2019 by Darth Woodrack

[+Ark1002]

"You. Don't. Deserve. To. Live." A look like a highstorm on her face, she walked forwards. "We're coming for you. Renounce your ways." She grabbed the projector, and used division. It turned to dust in her hands. "Please, let us commence. If you aren't interested, get the hell out."

[Steel Inquisitive he/him]

Quote

And here I thought it was going to be a boring meeting

 

[+Ark1002]

Quote

I'm helpful that way

 

[Darth Woodrack he/him]

Dusk himself arrived, with the hyper lifeless, "I don't deserve to live you say? I have actually helped people. You haven't done anything but whine and get in my way. I also was under the impression that you didn't kill, or wish harm. I defend myself, if you were to attack me, that is in my right. You think that I care what the in damnation you think of me? Your opinion means absolutely nothing to me. You think I fear you? If you so much as move at me the wrong way, I have a dozen of people who would kill you immediately. You try to insult me," Dusk stood up, looking her directly in the eyes, "I DON'T GIVE A DAMNATION WHAT YOU THINK. IS THAT CLEAR?"

Edited February 7, 2019 by Darth Woodrack

[MacThorstenson he/him]

Short sighted idiots. How could they not see clearly? Wrapped up in their little visions of what was expected. Mack took a deep breath then continued.

"I've lived for over 600 years. And while that does give me a fair bit more experience than most of you, it didn't take long for me to realize that business is not a zero sum game. Especially when you have access to literally a multiverse of markets in a ton of different universes. You ask if I think you like the government. I don't think you do. I think you hate it. But I also think that for a man who has spent a fortune on buying breaths to make lifeless you are remarkably short sided. Your views are that of someone who has never seen the cognitive realm. Someone who has no idea the power of having access to a multiverse. You are short sided. All of you! There is no limit to what you can make. Why do you need money? To get things for life! Why do you want for anything when you have the Dor?

You don't want me to take the moral high ground? Well then start using your brains! Idiots!" Mack pulled out a metal plate with an Aon on it. He tapped it and made it glow, activating an aon program that would produce a bar of gold. After a few seconds it stopped with a gold bar sitting on it.  "Where was the cost in that? I created a gold bar out of the Dor. Tell me where there is a cost when I can use an infinite energy source to create things? Do you want me to do that with aluminum? Diamond? Cryst? I can do that. You want to make a profit? I can literally magic one up for you." He took a breath.

"I apologize for getting mad. And you are right. You have done things for this city. That's why you are here. But you are short sighted! The things that are possible that you are unwilling to see is astounding! Thankfully, the guilds in the government share your view on life. And thus shouldn't pose an issue." Mack sat back down but then Dusk and ambrosia started fighting. Sighing inwardly, he stood up again. "Please be civil. While we are at this meeting we will be civil. Unfortunately I am unable to use in person force to get you to listen, and I would rather not have to threaten to kinetically bombard the citadel, so I will leave it at this:

If you want out, you can take it. No harm done. But while you are here, you will be working together with the other members of the group." With that he sat down with a sense of finality. Putting the Aon plate into his robe.

Quote

Of course this will break out in a fight with my non-combatant character. 

 

Edited February 7, 2019 by MacThorstenson

[Vargo Seldon he/him]

Darkness butted in.  "Ahem.  I'm a kinetic epic, minor.  I can help you build stuff, If I save enough energy I can lift extremely heavy loads.  Depends on how much money you're willing to pay."  He smiled and rubbed his pointer and thumb fingers together in the universal gesture of greed.  

[+Ark1002]

Quote

1 minute ago, Darth Woodrack said:

Dusk himself arrived, with the hyper lifeless, "I don't deserve to live you say? I have actually helped people. You haven't done anything but whine and get in my way. I also was under the impression that you didn't kill, or wish harm. I defend myself, if you were to attack me, that is in my right. You think that I care what the in damnation you think of me? Your opinion means absolutely nothing to me. You think I fear you? If you so much as move at me the wrong way, I have a dozen of people who would kill you immediately. You try to insult me," Dusk stood up, looking her directly in the eyes, "I DON'T GIVE A damnation WHAT YOU THINK. IS THAT CLEAR?"

10/10

Ambrosia took a deep breath, and made a rude gesture at Dusk. Then she grinned, though her eyes were wild. "Yes, Mack, you're right. Sorry."

[Steel Inquisitive he/him]

Valath wasn't impressed with his gold trick. She was wearing a soulcaster after all. She groaned inside What have I gotten into? He had sidestepped all of her questions with ease. "There is always a price, whether that be in gold or lives." She whispered more to herself than anyone.

[MacThorstenson he/him]

After glancing at Ambrosia Mack turned to face Valath.

"While sometimes people pay their price in lives, they shouldn't have to. And I can stop that.

As a more complete response to your earlier comment, I intend to help the people. If over throwing a group of guilds that has done nothing for the city is what it takes, then I will. They can't stop me. They won't stop me. Most of them aren't even based out of the alleycity. The ghostbloods have their city, Tuba is full of decent people, and the keepers are alright as well. But none of them care. We will be helping the city. If they try to stop that. I will stop them. If things start getting too messy, then the DA will get involved." Mack took a shuddering breath, "While I don't know everything that makes them tick, I do know that they don't like fighting in the Alleycity. They additionally hate those of this government more than me. So they won't attack us or the people.

I think that indeed you are naïve. Naïve in that you don't see that there are other options. If there is a cost to the deal, renegotiate the deal. You don't want people to loose their lives because we pissed off the coalition of guilds that declared themselves the leaders? Fine. We will focus on personal defense first. If you give me a day I can design an Aon shield that will protect the city. I could even make it protect houses if you wanted. I could give every person an individual shield if you want. I'm not focusing on that first because getting rid of need lowers crime better than that. 

There is always another way. There needn't always be a cost. I can stop that cost from being paid."

[Steel Inquisitive he/him]

"You have my support. That is why I'm here, but know this, the day you start caring more about stopping the government than you do about the people, will be a day you will regret." Valath said still in a quiet voice. "I believe in this cause and trust you now, but if you would entertain a final question? Why now? Why not a year ago or sooner? Why wait until after a government is formed?" 

[+Ark1002]

"Because the government inspired us. We can't let that be in charge. Remember the Seven Day War, remember the Great Game. They caused that. The second was even called a game."

[old man moomba he/him]

Dwig waggled his finger. 

"Don't call me a heartless bastard. I provided jobs to only those who were less fortunate. The homeless, those who lived in squalor in the crumbling districts of this so-called city. And Mack, don't give me that chull about 'limitless free power'. If that were true, then why are you selling weapons?" he sighed "I wanted to believe in the government. I did, right up until their first meeting. I thought that maybe, just maybe, the guilds wouldn't get caught up in bureaucratic nonsense."

[+Ark1002]

2 minutes ago, Dr. Dapper said:

Dwig waggled his finger. 

"Don't call me a heartless bastard. I provided jobs to only those who were less fortunate. The homeless, those who lived in squalor in the crumbling districts of this so-called city. And Mack, don't give me that chull about 'limitless free power'. If that were true, then why are you selling weapons?" he sighed "I wanted to believe in the government. I did, right up until their first meeting. I thought that maybe, just maybe, the guilds wouldn't get caught up in bureaucratic nonsense."

Ambrosia smirked. "I only called those two bastards." She shook her head. "And there isn't a chance in a million that the guilds won't be corrupt." She stood in a flash, tapping speed and burning pewter. "And selling weapons is an art, in that form." Moving closer, she was in his face within a second, only a blur marking her movement. "And I sell weapons no longer. I'll sell to those I believe in, but the guilds? They've abused their power."

[Darth Woodrack he/him]

Dusk, who had sat back down silently, interjected, "How, exactly, have they done this? Mack, you said that the guilds were full of good people. Everyone here is a member of one of those guilds, except for possibly Valath. Mack, using aons to make money corrupts the economy, and isn't good for anyone. You want to help people? Do business honestly."

[MacThorstenson he/him]

Quote

Gosh I had a post, then it was deleted. Anyway, gtg now. Cyall later.

"Why I am doing it now? Well I wasn't in a place to do it until a year ago, and then I started planning.

As to my free limitless energy and the weapons I make? Well I will say this. When you have lived as old as I have you need to be able to keep yourself occupied. Especially if you are an elantrian. Making different things has kept me doing that. I have always striven to learn more, how to make more. I recently studied the issue of weapons. Creating weapons to solve the current issues in warfare, then making weapons to block those. Then making more to dodge past those. Its a cyclical war against myself, and it keeps me occupied." He turned to look at Dusk.

"Dusk, the economy will break down eventually. Its only a matter of when. We have access to a literal multiverse. There is nothing stopping one of the richer denizens of the alleyverse from going to another uninhabited universe and mining that place. For my part, I don't go around creating gold and dumping it, I create things that I need to make my things, then I stop. If I need money I sell various precious metals to the people of planets for slightly below market value. I can extract them cheaper, and I make sure that my input to the economy is safe, because on other planets, there exists an economy.

Edited February 7, 2019 by MacThorstenson

[Voidus]

A humanoid shape made entirely of Aons stepped into the court, tophat held in one hand he gave a low, respectful bow to the queen as he entered. In his free hand he held out a handful of brochures which he brandished towards the gathering of people.

"Hello all, I'm a repurposed detainment unit here to ask you if you've ever considered joining the Dark Alley. Science and all that. Hemalurgy and what have you. Then the Dark Alley may be for you!"

It was questionable whether or not such an Aonic construct would ever need to sleep but nonetheless it seemed somewhat tired as it half-heartedly gave its speech.