@el.21396518

[mrngstr]

Hi, everyone. It looks like it's time I said something.

To be clear, I've never really thought of myself as much of a "leader type." It's why I tend to remain in the background: doing the general upkeep for this branch of Morningstar, handling the logistics of your arrival, and leaving it at that. To be clear, I don't mind chatting with all of you, but that's neither here nor there.

For the sake of being thorough, my name is El. I'm one of the few remaining AI in this world and the founder of Morningstar, though you're some of the only people who know my true "identity," so to speak. While we now know how you Displaced came to be in this world, for a long time that was a mystery, and the man responsible didn't bother to come forward with an explanation until recently. We were clueless about how and why you came to be here, but you happened to be dumped into our laps and so Gaby and I decided to take you in and oversee your integration into our world.

The protocol for processing you has always been the same. I need a few days to fabricate identities for you that are specific yet vague enough to make it seem as if you've always been a resident of this world, rather than a "tourist," so to speak. Forging that documentation and then attaching it to your neural implant is something that takes a bit of time. Yes, even for me. If there's anything about this process you want to better understand, feel free to ask. But please understand, an ID here is more than just a piece of plastic with some basic information on it.

A question has come up of whether or not this is "fair." I see it as a precaution to ensure that none of you end up in trouble that we can't bail you out of — a necessary if frustrating processing period. Even if you were all to take caution when going out into this world without identities or full implants, there are too many variables to account for; too many ways in which things could go wrong. I am, at the end of the day, a security bot, and the idea of letting you out into the world while so vulnerable would make me break into hives, if I had skin.

A certain James Henries has been able to bail people out in the past, but I'm not convinced we can rely on him. If you would all rather put your first steps into this world under his purview, you could certainly talk to him about that, assuming he can be contacted. He would likely be able to provide nicer accommodations than our safehouse, if that's your main concern. Additionally, he is the one responsible for giving new arrivals a drug that compels them to listen to orders, likely because he had similar concerns about what would happen after he let you loose. If that's a point of contention, I would discuss it with him.

As for Gaby, she's going to remain on leave. Actual leave, this time. Much like the rest of you, the time in the Aerie has taken its toll on her, and she's not in a position to manage such a wide and varied group as you right now. If any of you are willing to take on some of her duties in the meantime, feel free to let me know.

Finally, there may be something I've missed. I don't always process emotions or desires in the same way as humans. Ask what you want, but know this: my only real goal here is to keep you safe. If you decide as a group that you no longer need or want that protection, you're free to discuss it amongst yourselves and let me know. I won't be taking any action unless you all come to some kind of consensus, so there's no need to worry about being left out in the cold.

Comments

@quentin.coldwater

[filloryfanatic]

Thanks, El. I'll go to the newbie guide and be a little more specific about the process and why in it, if that helps.

Is there anything we can do for Gaby?

[mrngstr]

That would be a good idea, yes. If you want to add something about how anyone new can reach out to me for clarification on the process, go ahead.

For now, I think just leaving her alone.

@hafid.alghul

[batricide]

So she finally threw in the towel?

[ not that he's terribly surprised. ]

I advise anyone who finds the mandatory week long hold to consider that being locked up for a week is better than being locked up for a lifetime.

[mrngstr]

For now. I think she'll be back, though I don't know when. I basically ordered her to take time off.

And yes, that is a point I've been trying to make. I realize the safehouse isn't comfortable, but a handful of days spent there must be preferable to an actual prison cell.

@anonymous

[halfbloodhatchling]

And trusting people who lock you up is a tough argument to sell.

If nothing else it indicates that you don't trust us not to go...murdering random people.

@robert.plant

[righteously]

Wait, so let me get this straight

Jimmy's been shooting us up with nice nice juice just for funsies? We had to walk around the first day like cranked out sock puppets for no friggin reason?

[mrngstr]

I can't speak for him, but I assume the intention was to make sure that you made it to Morningstar and the rest of the Displaced, rather than ending up stranded and alone in a world unknown to you. Why he decided to do this via a compulsion drug rather than explaining things directly, I couldn't say. That's something you would need to take up with him.

@dick.grayson

[dickism]

the "justification" he gave me was that he doesn't know which of us are dangerous. apparently he's had issues with people getting violent.

@hafid.alghul

[batricide]

Much as I hate being drugged, a number of us are highly trained and might have killed to free ourselves before we started asking questions.

@cassius

[btryl]

If they want to get out more quickly, there are several names that I've been considering for the occasion:

> demi.tomato
> mandy.smore
> peace.pizza

I've also exploited a loophole in a local Jazzercise studio for a temporary occupation.

@anonymous

[wrend]

can i have demi tomato?

[mrngstr]

Cassius.

I couldn't allow such sloppy workmanship to be tied back to me.

@ellie.miller

[notathreat]

what the fuck is jazzercise

@anonymous

[insect]

Thank you for this message.

I understand that you are the one who sends the messages to older Displaced to notify them of the new arrivals.
I also understand that so far there is no official assignment of who goes to retrieve these new Displaced to bring them to Red Wings, simply whoever is available at the time; if this is incorrect, please let me know.

If no one has started an official welcome committee, I would like to step forward to offer my help.

[mrngstr]

No, there's no assignment. To be fair, it was never suggested in that specific context. There have been welcome committees set up before, but it was more about making sure that the safehouse felt "homey." I think at one point cookies were involved.

It seems like you have something more practical in mind?

@kyna.medina

[evocation]

hey again
just so you know before i ask
i don't know anything about tech or programming or
whatever
so sorry if this is a dumb question
but someone told me that id scramblers exist
how do those work? could those be like a temporary fix while you're setting up ids for people?

[mrngstr]

Unfortunately, no. Scramblers are a physical item, as in a mask that you have to wear. If someone went wandering around or grocery shopping while wearing one, it would be stand out, to say the least.

@anonymous

[samebito]

Thank you for the information. This has clarified quite a bit.

If I may ask, what do Gaby's duties entail? Is there anything that a newcomer such as myself could take on?

[mrngstr]

Given that I don't yet know you, I'd be reluctant to give you any sort of responsibility over your fellow Displaced.

What skills do you have that you think might be of use?

@castiel.winchester

[unwings]

Hello, El. You resemble your namesake less and less.

Thank you, for seeking to keep us safe.

[mrngstr]

Based on our previous conversation, I'll take that as a compliment.

There's no need for thanks. This is just what I do. The question is whether or not it's wanted.

@cal.amari

[kinkprofessor]

I'd be interested in assisting where I'm able to depending on the nature of Gaby's tasks.
Of course, I understand if I might not be the most... ideal candidate after everything that happened in the Aerie.

[ That lovely Cardinal branding of him. ]

[mrngstr]

Most of what Gaby does is specifically for Morningstar and for you Displaced. It's not a particulary public position, so there is that.

What do you consider your skills?

@ellie.miller

[notathreat]

[This reply is delayed, a little bit. A day or so while she figures out how to say it.]

I just figured Morningstar didn't trust us and that's why we had to stay put
That shit's not exactly uncommon back home
Safety over trust, I mean
Wish I'd known all this when I got here.

[mrngstr]

I assumed that this would be explained by those who came before you. Now I'm realizing additional clarity may be needed.

@lance.sweets [private]

[lifetothefullest]

[There's a significant delay between the time this post goes up and the time when Lance can bring himself to respond, and if it weren't for Quentin's encouragement and Stephen's reassurance that he didn't need to be afraid of consequences, he wouldn't have done so at all.

But he's still so nervous about it that he's holding his mug of herbal tea with both hands so that they don't shake, hidden in a corner booth of this little cafe that had given him the drink for free when he'd stepped in. It was a nice gesture, and the tea itself had helped calm him a little, even if no one would probably guess by looking at him that he's calmer than he was before.

He's done a lot worse than this. It's just that right now, everything is so awful on so many fronts that it seems like an insurmountable challenge. But after a few more minutes, finally he wills himself to concentrate on formulating a message.]

Hi, El. Quentin suggested I should talk to you, especially since I kind of set this whole thing off. I didn't exactly expect for it to go the way that it did.

[He expected some conflict, but definitely not what it spiraled into.]

[mrngstr]

Hello, Lance. Yes, Quentin spoke to me too. And no, I wouldn't imagine you did.