crystal; closed to diplomacy

[altusimperius]

FORM: crystal
SENDER: Benedict
RECIPIENT: members of Diplomacy
NOTES:

[posh and softspoken, guess who it is:]

In light of our most recent Rifter's arrival, maybe we ought to, um. Encourage a certain degree of etiquette, both for those receiving sending crystals for the first time, and for those greeting a new member.

It can be very confusing and isolating, coming here. When one didn't intend to, presumably when one doesn't even know what our world is or what they're doing here. People say stupid things on both sides of the crystal, and they get heated.

I don't have a solution, but it's something I've been thinking about. And would like to talk through, if you'll humor me.

Comments

[dissolving]

I don't think 's great, but,

[ a moment's hesitation, to wrangle thoughts to shape: ]

I'd rather they have it out here than out there, y'know? Kirkwall's not so forgiving.

[bouchonne]

Have you heard a single valuable argument on the crystals here, at any point? Any instance of anyone learning anything?

[dissolving]

Remember a few with the demons.

[ he hasn't forgotten byerly's contributions there. mild: ]

Arguments aren't only for learning. Folks coming into a tough situation, from a tough situation — that all needs somewhere t'vent. 'S a safe place for it.

[bouchonne]

[ It's extremely rude to call someone out on their hypocrisy. ]

So perhaps the dear hearts involved should find a friend to vent with, rather than sinking their fangs into someone they don't know.

[dissolving]

How'd you make your friends?

[ is a little pointed, maybe. but, ]

We're all gonna be in worse shit soon. They tussle now, 's safer than doing it on the battlefield. You want Miss LaRue getting pissed with a pike in hand?

[bouchonne]

I feel as though there's a slight difference between rage on a battlefield and peevishness over - whatever that argument was about.

[altusimperius]

It might just be nice to-- offer Rifters a softer landing on their initial arrival. They're in a vulnerable place, and don't necessarily know what's offensive yet.

[dissolving]

I agree — and there's plenty were nice. Reckon more'n she would've met if there weren't such a ruckus. Arany'll bite anyone, you're not taming that without taking her crystal. Baudin and her already kissed and made up.

[ okay, what'll pass for that. abella's done all the work in that, and that matters too: they know now she can ]

Trying t'keep to friendly faces is just gonna isolate her from half the company, when we're already holding them here a month.

[altusimperius]

Should we not expect a certain level of decorum within our own ranks? It worked out this time, partially, because the Rifter conceded.

[bouchonne]

I don't know, Artemaeus. Not being a raging asshole to someone who's new and doesn't know how to act? That seems desperately out of reach for this lot.

[ The sharp irritation is not, for once, directed at Benedict. ]

[altusimperius]

I mean-- it's not like she didn't come in with some interesting statements of her own.

[bouchonne]

Scarcely worse than any other Rifter. They’re all clumsy.

[altusimperius]

It's true.

[bouchonne]

[ Ugh it's so annoying when Benedict isn't annoying and can't be growled at. But, to be fair, Byerly isn't mad so much as frustrated, and so he doesn't push. Instead: ]

No one likes a good dust-up more than I do. But, Andraste's tits, make sure someone can give as good as they get before you go after them.

[sprent]

"Go after them"? They did not come to blows.

[ipseite]

( setting aside her incredulity at some of what she's hearing, petrana takes the time to assemble her thoughts to meet benedict in good faith. )

For good and for ill, we have fostered this environment within Riftwatch where— minds are spoken, often vehemently and directly. I would be heartened, rather, that they are also often resolved much the same way.

It isn't that I disagree with your point upon its face; I would certainly prefer a higher degree of decorum, and a more thoughtful approach to many such conversations, and I have spoken before on the necessity of leading by example. I would argue that we are better to simply do so than to raise a discussion that we would be arguing from a weakened position. It is worthwhile to hold ourselves to a higher standard, and to be willing to speak as directly as our fellows — to them, in the moment — when the line is crossed.

[altusimperius]

[in a similarly measured fashion,]

It's to our credit that most issues are resolved through discussion. My particular concern is of the treatment of new arrivals who are still finding their feet--

--which... is to say, [and here some uncertainty breaks in,] this won't have been the first time a Rifter has been met with hostility at the outset. She wasn't blameless, but considering she [and you, and also kind of me] is stuck here indefinitely, completely against her will, I wonder if we might not try to make a bit more of an effort. ...to be welcoming.

[ipseite]

I quite agree, and I am most glad to know that you think so, but I think it would be — counterproductive to that particular end to approach it in this particular way, you see? Bluntly, we lack the credibility.

( they been led by example, and this is where it led. )

But, ( genuinely, ) we can earn it. And you and I both have been here long enough to see the culture of our crystal behaviour change in time; it can be changed. If the crystals, particularly, are your concern— I do think it a valuable use of our time to consider how we conduct ourselves on them, and to model what we wish to hear.

As personnel officer, you are well positioned to make yourself among the first voices a rifter hears to set a tone. I think it need not be only for rifters' sake, either; Riftwatch is a particular place, with particular people. Those new to us, across all walks, may be grateful for guidance and a friendly hand.

[altusimperius]

[long enough to see that, among other things; he doesn't remark on it. dredging it out of the past isn't what anyone needs.]

I appreciate the advice.

[ipseite]

You are most welcome. It is a worthwhile conversation to have, Mssr Artemaeus, and I am glad that your willingness to have it has led us to reflection.

[sprent]

Could we implement a system by which to speak with rifters before they address the company at large? I wonder if a face-to-face meeting with somebody wouldn't benefit them, so they can ask strange questions and get all of the initial reactions out of the way first.

I agree that what happened with the most recent arrival isn't ideal, but tensions are high at the moment. I understand why it happened.

[ipseite]

It is my understanding that this is already a part of our quarantine procedures— I believe Kostos and I, ( wild choice for that assignment, but they both did their best, ) submitted proposed guidelines for those initial conversations, but I admit I'm not familiar with their implementation.

[sprent]

Neither.

It might be nice to do — or, at the very least, to offer? If they would like a good one on one conversation before we set them loose? I'd meet with them.

[ipseite]

I'm not aware of whose responsibility the quarantine education is directly, but it does seem a conversation may be warranted if it was overlooked entirely.

Though I would not assume that it has been— it is a small misstep at most, and there is only so much a person can be protected from making any such in their earliest days.

[altusimperius]

That’s—- me, actually. But as we’ve seen, I don’t always get to them before they have access to a crystal.

And as I haven’t been in the position very long [seeing as a few months it was occupied by an Envy demon,] being on the same page as the rest of the division seems wise.