@lance.sweets

[lifetothefullest]

Hi everyone.

@ian.fowler has been working on some upgrades to the other safehouse, which is why the most recent arrivals were sent to the one at Red Wings instead; he's been setting up sleep pods, so that people can have a little more privacy while staying there. However, @el.21396518 recently proposed that we extend the renovations to include the hoverbike garage that particular safehouse is located under, which would give us a lot more room for new arrivals waiting out the creation of their IDs, as well as for people that haven't yet found a place to stay permanently. It could also function as a gathering place for Displaced in general.

But although I have an idea of some things to include in the renovation, this so not my area of expertise, and therefore if anyone has any suggestions of improvements to be made then they'd be welcomed. I know that, in particular, we need to figure out some sort of entertainment that doesn't rely on IDs; since there will be more space, maybe we'll have some options that wouldn't have been possible before.

We'll be starting work on this right away, so make sure to get in any ideas you have as soon as you come up with them.

On a different subject, I'd also like to ask again if anyone has found themselves discovering powers other than the usual, blue-glow-causing ones. It seems like some people have, but it isn't totally clear yet if that's limited to them specifically or if it's a more general thing.

I'd also like to remind people to be careful and aware of the task force agents that have been following a lot of us around. They can be difficult to pick out of a crowd, but if you can do so, it's worth knowing what they look like even if you can't identify them. Limiting their ability to be anonymous, even a little, could be important.

As a last note, if anyone has questions--new arrivals in particular, though this goes for everyone--feel free to ask. I can't promise I'll have answers, but I'll do what I can.

Comments

@ellie.miller

[notathreat]

It's bullshit that they gave up paper. We could just throw together a library or something
Maybe a couple of basketball hoops?

[No clue about finding a ball, though.]

[lifetothefullest]

If we could somehow put together a physical book library that'd be pretty amazing. I wonder if books could be 3D printed somehow.

Basketball hoops are an idea; I bet there'd be room for at least one of them. I was also considering a pool table.

[Hopefully people could be trusted not to hit each other with the pool cues. Or the balls, for that matter.]

[notathreat]

There's an idea but fuck if I know how that would work. I could mock up a backboard and a hoop probably even if it won't be pretty

Pool table could be a good investment and I've actually seen some of those around

[Though they're definitely going to need to replace the balls, because if any of the new arrivals are like Ellie they will pocket anything heavy enough to brain someone.]

Those assholes tailing us might end up raiding this place though

[lifetothefullest]

I doubt anyone will really care about how pretty anything is, so don't worry about that. I'll definitely look into the pool table thing, though.

I was a little worried about that, and still am, though I guess the fact that they haven't raided Red Wings is something. That's much more visibly a Displaced location than this would be.

@quentin.coldwater

[filloryfanatic]

I have my playing cards and the Fillory books I offered people to have permanently at the safehouse. Just as long as the note on it stays NOT TO MESS WITH THE BOOKS. They're priceless, literally.

And I'm pretty sure I just got a power change of some kind. My telekinesis appears to be back, but without spells required. And gold aftermath.

@ian.fowler

[wittingly]

Hey, man

I can duplicate your playing cards and books. You don't need to give them up. I can make a few copies to keep there.

[filloryfanatic]

Seriously???? That would be such a relief.

[wittingly]

Yeah! I can't do complicated stuff, like
guns and electronics are a little too much, but cards and paper are totally doable

[lifetothefullest]

[Since Ian's got the book and cards thing covered--]

That's interesting, about the power. I think you're the first to break the pattern of it being people who were Kestrels in the Aerie.

[filloryfanatic]

Lucky me. AKA not so lucky my apartment.

[lifetothefullest]

I hope nothing too important got broken.

@ian.fowler

[wittingly]

A few of the ideas I had in mind already, that are totally up for discussion:

Converting the safe house itself into primarily a sleeping space, and moving the facilities (not the entire bathroom) to the garage upstairs. This would make it more inconvenient to make a midnight snack, but it would potentially open up more room for a couple of private showers or secluded rooms for the people who absolutely can't stomach the thought of sleep pods.

In addition to that, I'm thinking for the upstairs:

-A large central meeting/event room which could also function as a training room when not otherwise in use, essentially a large open space that can be filled with either seating or equipment depending on what it's needed for at the time.

-A few private and much smaller meeting rooms, because privacy seemed to be one of the most important themes the last time we talked about this. Having a place to retreat to for sensitive conversations seems like a good idea. I'm sure there can be other uses for them when they're not being used for that. Doubling as potential first aid areas, maybe, since it might also work well for patient privacy?

-Kitchen & related seating moved upstairs and opened up a little so it feels less claustrophobic.


Keep in mind that we aren't working with unlimited space, and there will be even less than you'd think when we're factoring in the necessary walls or partitions.

I think I can be a little creative and efficient with what we've got, especially if we think about working vertically. The ceiling is probably high enough to create a few loft-style spaces, for example, but to help with the feeling of claustrophobia that can happen for new arrivals I'd like to be strategic with that.

Let me know what you think.

[lifetothefullest]

I think these are all good ideas; making as much use of the space we have is pragmatic, and converting the safehouse itself into a primarily sleeping area will hopefully make people feel both safer and less confined.

It'd probably be easiest to separate areas in the garage by using half-walls or something like that, instead of totally walling them off, plus it'd let people have line of sight in case there's an emergency.

We might want to consider trying to let in as much natural light as possible, too. That'll help the claustrophobia and is generally good for people's moods.

[wittingly]

Half-walls crossed my mind, too. Maybe for some of the loft spaces, using grating instead of even half walls so it seems more open. Maybe an upper platform eating area with that, I've seen it work really well in breweries and coffee places. Kind of a twofer because it saves on material and it's way faster to put in. I can make and brain-weld grating in no time & recycle the excess for somewhere else.

Windows are absolutely staying, I was thinking of throwing an exterior tint on them so there's less concern over anybody looking in, eliminate the necessity to cover them for security.

@kyna.medina

[evocation]

this is super cool
i'm really proud of you guys

[lifetothefullest]

Thanks, but like I told Ellie I can't really take too much credit. It was El's idea, and Ian's been doing most of the work so far.

[evocation]

yeah, yeah
i'm proud of ian too
take the compliment, loser

@sephiroth.faremis

[unkindled_madness]

I suppose installing a door with a more archaic lock isn't on the table.

That aside, the cots were a bit short.

[Seph you're just a giant.]

[lifetothefullest]

If it were up to me, it would be.

[But obvious implications there, etc etc, no need to get into it. As for that second comment though--]

That's something I hadn't thought of; I can definitely look into making sure at least one or two of the beds is more accommodating for taller people.

[Offensively taller people.]

[unkindled_madness]

[Sorry you're only regular tall, Lance.

Sephiroth debates a bit before his next question, because he doesn't want to involve himself. But, he also doesn't have anything better to do. It's just talk.]

Are any considerations being made as to personnel?

@castiel.winchester

[unwings]

Would it be possible to install a resilient holding cell?

As for entertainment... have you played Twister?

[lifetothefullest]

I'm sure it'd be possible, but I don't think that's going to reassure new arrivals very much. What would it be for?

I have, and now that you mention it I kind of want to see how badly everyone would set off the empathy bond trying to play it.

[He's only half joking.]

[unwings]

Monsters.

Then it's purpose is two-fold: entertain, and educate new arrivals about their powers, and how to avoid using them.

@kai.gracen

[halfbloodhatchling]

I think the safehouses need privacy. I don't see entertainment making that big of a difference, and we got plenty of homework.

[lifetothefullest]

I think privacy is the most important thing too. Aside from what we're already working on for the sleeping arrangements, do you have any particular requests in that area?