FioHelston "Very well, then. Second rule tonight. There is no rank around this table. Everyone has an equal voice and my attention. I want to hear what you are really thinking."

FioHelston "Yes?"

Rhiannon Brock Is private discussion permitted with members of the GAC that are not currently present'

Gwen Minx There was a sidelong glance at Apple, making sure she was poised to take notes.

FioHelston "Yes. So long as it remains private and doesn't take itself into the public bars and social venues of this city. I've had to deal with that sort of thing once already and I won't be so willing to give second chances this time around."

Apple Looks like now was the time to start taking notes. She pulled at notebook, flipped it open, and began to write. First things first: the rules. Adding little more to them...The first rule of GAC private meetings: You do not talk about GAC private meetings. So on, and so on. Sideglance at Gwen. Taps pen against the open notebook a few times to show she's taking notes.

Rhiannon Brock Understood.

Alain DeMuer ::Alain lifts his hand.::

FioHelston "Alain?" no rank tonight.

Gwen Minx For her part she was taking note of the people as they were called upon, as half the faces were still strangers.

Alain DeMuer ::Alain bows his head.:: "What happened this week is a tragedy, make no mistake. It never had to come to this." ::Then he opens a scarred hand.:: "But there's no denying that this presents us with a unique opportunity as well. The organization intended for these horrific attacks may finally be painfully aware just how dangerous our city can be. I can think of no better time to begin a dialogue."

Riley Lo One corner of Riley's mouth lifted in a little smirk at the Baron's pretty speech. "And are you gonna be the one to talk to 'em?"

Rhiannon Brock ::Rhi was adding up all the math in her head as she listened to Alain::

Caroline Granger Caroline's lips drew back in a silent snarl at this suggestion of negotiation with the problem, but she kept her peace, for now. Her jaw clenched as she forced herself not to react as she wanted to, nostrils white and flaring with the effort of keeping her temper in check.

FioHelston She watched back and forth, Alain, Riley, Alain. She didn't look at Caro yet, though she wanted to.

Delahada Riley made him chuckle. Dangit. He had been doing such a fine job of pretending to be a statue. She ruined everything!

FioHelston She reached back and swatted Sal's abs with the backs of her fingers. Ow.

Apple The serious subject had her hunching over some. Fingers lifting to fix at glasses before she went back to work on writing down a summery of what went on as time went. She couldn't get what was said exactly right, but it was close enough.

Alain DeMuer "If the city asks me to. The best intelligence comes from within, after all," ::with another slight bow of his head, carefully schooling his expression.::

Delahada Ooft. Snigger.

Rhiannon Brock ::She looked over as she heard Riley and smiled a touch.::

Rachael Douglas Pen moved across her notepad while she listened.

FioHelston She waited. Others were sure to jump in.

Riley Lo She snorted. "With your pretty white skin and your round eyes. Yeah, they'll certainly talk to you." She wasn't being racist; she was being honest. "Gaijin aren't to be trusted. These guys are old school Japanese. Do you know anything about their world?"

FioHelston See" "Tell us."

Alain DeMuer ::There's a soft laugh.:: "Then there isn't much reason for me to be here, is there. Please..." ::Gesturing between the Governor and her.:: "Explain."

Rhiannon Brock The time for diplomacy is generally before the opening attack is delivered, Baron DeMuer. ::She turned her attention to Riley::

Audrey Horne ::She listens and takes a long drag from her coffin nail, eyes darting between Alain and Riley in response to the conversational pingpong.::

Riley Lo She shrugged one shoulder and the corners of that expressive mouth pulled down in a slight frown. "Tell you what, exactly?" Alain's obvious reluctance to learn cooled her interest in offering what information she had.

Gwen Minx She had some words but for now she kept them close. She could, contrary to popular belief remain silent. Her hands needed to be busy however and so a silver coin flashed as she made it dance along her fingers. It was that or she'd start 'relieving' some of the council members of unwanted items. "We need to be this Japanese to be useful here?" It was an honest question. She had no idea what their world was like, other than they needed to live in it with her.

FioHelston "What do we need to know about them to comprehend their position better?"

Caroline Granger "What we're dealing with," Caroline piped up, her voice stiff and tense. Her eyes lifted to Riley. "We need to know."

Alain DeMuer "Why people in this city are dying, Mrs. Lo. Why one of my employees is crippled."

Gwen Minx Ok, so not silent for long.

FioHelston "Exactly."

Alain DeMuer ::There's sudden heat in his tone. The open hand closes, and he withdraws it from the table.::

Candy Hart Never left, had just been....listening. A lot.

Caroline Granger At the mention of employees and injuries, Caroline silenced herself again, her face pale. She had to be here, but it didn't mean she wanted to relive what she knew of the antagonists building a nest for themselves in the city.

Riley Lo "They have rules. They have a code of honour. Sure," she said, anticipating snorts of derision and cutting them off. "That code's not exactly taken from King Arthur's book, but it's pretty strict. As for why people are dying, why don't you ask the murderer" I'm pretty sure the yakuza had nothing to do with the 30-odd men who were killed in my freakin' neighbourhood."

Apple Thumb pressed to finger after finger. Small cracks of the knuckles. All this talking meant tons of writing. Peeking up every now and then to get a look about the room, and all the faces within it, but keeping her face nice and buried in that notebook. Keeps writing.

FioHelston "But they did have something to do with GrangerGuild. And the strong-arming of other businesses."

FioHelston "Batten's people have some pretty convincing evidence pointing to them as the people responsible for that missing shipment of vaccine last year, too."

FioHelston "So tell us how we deal with them."

Delahada He cleared his throat. Purely coincidental" Or restraining himself from offering his opinion'

Riley Lo "Sure, strong-arming, pressuring people to give into their monetary demands. If you don't pay up, your business suffers. That's how they do business." She paused for a second, ticked a sympathetic look at Caroline. "The bombing, Caroline" Wasn't a part of their code. They don't do that stuff. The attack in the Inn, that's out of line for them, too. They're businessmen. Deal with them like that."

Riley Lo "They clean up their messes in-house. The bikers, Fio' Remember them' Remember what happened to them?"

FioHelston "They ran."

Alain DeMuer ::His hand returns to his brow again, rubbing slowly.::

Riley Lo She shook her head. "They ended up on the steps of this very building, right' Naked, dead, with signs around their necks, right' They take care of their own messes."

Caroline Granger She met Riley's gaze with startling hardness deep in her own eyes. "I know it wasn't a part of their code," she said, trying to keep her voice level. "One of their leaders told me as such at my cousin's funeral. But that doesn't bring back the forty-seven people who died because he and his superiors allowed those murderers to come to this city unsupervised -" She cut herself off, biting hard at her lower lip. "I'm sorry, I don't think I'm detached enough for this discussion."

FioHelston She blew out a sigh through her nose. "I don't need detached discussion. I need passion here."

Alain DeMuer "If this isn't their way, why are they so unstable" Trying to run protection rackets on high-profile companies, large-scale attacks," ::his gaze ticks to Caroline, then away,:: "starting a deadly fight in the Governor's presence. None of it speaks to a stable criminal organization — and there is such a thing."

Riley Lo Riley's gaze slid back to Caroline and she gave the woman a soft smile. "If it helps, that guy's in the bottom of Kamogawa River now."

FioHelston "I don't think we can afford to be dispassionate about this. We have to want to find some way to solve this. I can -not- have more people dying because of some quiet war no one wants to talk about."

FioHelston "So this is everyone's chance to get it out in the open, here, and not in the inn, and not where someone else might here and take things into their own hands, like happened on Sunday."

Riley Lo Her gaze went back to Alain's face then and she nodded. He had a salient point. "Think about it for a second. They came here without any knowledge of this place and then tried to stick to business as usual. For all they knew, Batten and you are just," she shrugged. "Greengrocers without any connections. The ones in the bar, the ones who started a fight with Fio present' They're not even yakuza."

Candy Hart Spares a glance aside to Audrey.

Gwen Minx The coin flipped across her fingers as she listened, watching the faces of the people gathered.

Audrey Horne ::Returns the glance in kind, one dark brow ticking up.::

Alain DeMuer ::He nods slowly, frowning deeper.::

Rachael Douglas Her scarred features were stone hard while she continued to take notes.

FioHelston "She's right about the incident in the inn. I....questioned one of them. We have him in a safehouse."

Riley Lo "But, like I said. They're businessmen. Deal with them accordingly. Send someone to Little Tokyo to talk with their oyabun."

Ebon Ilnaren Who would you suggest'

Candy Hart "Someone they'd take seriously an can respect."

Alain DeMuer ::Alain opens his mouth. Ebon beats him to it. Even under these circumstances, he can't help a ghost of a smile at that.::

FioHelston "I want a councilor involved."

Caroline Granger "Who did you have in mind, Fio?"

Riley Lo "Someone Japanese, or at least someone with knowledge of Japan." She nodded and lifted her chin to Candy. "Yeah, someone they'll respect."

Alain DeMuer ::He looks over at Fio beside him. Eyebrows inch up, asking a silent question.::

FioHelston "So we send two people. Or three. You can advise them, or someone you recommend can, and be part of the delegation." The last for Riley. "But I want someone with some perceived authority in charge. And a man. They don't respect women."

Candy Hart A hint of a smirk to Audrey. Candy exhaled some smoke in the other direction.

FioHelston She knew that much from the interview.

Riley Lo "Definitely not a woman. That's part of why they think they can run roughshod over this city."

FioHelston "Alain. Who else?"

Caroline Granger "Maybe I should introduce some of them to Gigi and Madion, then," Caroline muttered, not quite to herself. Just as well only those who knew those two particularly volatile Grangers would catch her reference.

Rachael Douglas Comment on the knowledge factor was withheld while she took notes in an even, precise handwriting.

Gwen Minx "So we perpetuate that view by not presenting any strong examples of their misperception' We have many strong women, perhaps one as a part of the few sent?" Because that rankled her slightly.

Gwen Minx Then just in case they read that wrong. "Not me, by the way, but we have good candidates I believe."

Rachael Douglas "It would not do our cause good to disrespect those whom we are attempting to parlay with."

Audrey Horne ::She snickers at the mention of Gigi, smoke pouring out from between clinched teeth.::

Ebon Ilnaren I don't think that confronting them with that reality will help, Gwen. ::then he nodded to Rachael::

Riley Lo "Ebon' Matt' Personally, Fio, I think you should go, 'cos Blondie's got a point."

Gwen Minx "We disrepect ourselves if we constantly keep our women away from their eyes."

Rhiannon Brock The Baroness of Seaside presents a valid point. They moved here, we didn't move to their home.

FioHelston "Oh, they've had interactions with me....." wryly to Gwen, but she didn't rule it out. "Any others?"

Apple There was a small hint of a smile at Gwen for her words. Back to note taking!

Caroline Granger "I wouldn't volunteer myself," Caroline offered. "I got a little emotional last time I came face to face with them." And practically screamed the cemetary down.

Delahada Oh. He knew that name. He cracked open an eye to peer at Caroline a minute, but it was a gesture shrouded under the fall of his hair, head still bowed.

Ebon Ilnaren I will volunteer.

Riley Lo She nodded. "Exactly. You want to come to terms with them, right' You want this to be about give and take" Show up ready to deal on even footing. Be strong. They respect strength."

Rhiannon Brock I'll go.

Riley Lo She gave Rhi a little smile and shook her head. "You're too young."

FioHelston Her brow arched. "She comes."

Rhiannon Brock Really'

Alain DeMuer "Who are we sending who knows their customs?"

Riley Lo Riley shrugged and chuckled softly. "Hey, it's your party. Just don't be surprised when they don't let her sit at the adult table."

Rhiannon Brock You don't know me if you think that, Mrs. Lo.

FioHelston She didn't look any younger than Fionna herself did. She tapped the pads of her fingers lightly on the table.

Gwen Minx "We can change her appearance some to make her look older if that is a concern. She carries herself like an adult."

FioHelston "Alain, Ebon, Rhiannon....myself. And an advisor."

Rhiannon Brock And if no one tells them my age, they will never know.

Riley Lo "They don't know you either. They'll take one look at your sweet, young, innocent face and laugh. I'm sorry."

Caroline Granger "Maybe we're approaching this the wrong way," Caroline suggested quietly. "Riley's the closest thing we have to an expert, right' So who would you choose, Riley?"

Riley Lo "Fio, Ebon, Alain, maybe Matt if he's up for it. Edward if he's not."

Candy Hart Looks at Apple, "You know any strong women?"

Rhiannon Brock Then let them face me on the field of honor. That's one of the customs, no'

Delahada He twitched a smirk. The warrior women of Rhy'Din made him happy.

Gwen Minx "Other than the one that she sees in a mirror every day' Or any of the Baronesses?" Smirking slightly.

FioHelston "What about Candy?"

Apple Peeks up at Candy. Fingers pinched at the frames of her glasses so she could fix them. There was no answer. The thought of suggesting Candy herself came up, but others beat her to it.

Riley Lo "From 200 years ago, sure. These aren't shogunate-era Japanese, Rhi. They don't know anything about swords. They stick to guns nowadays."

Race Late" Understatement but he came to the door and showed identificatoin to the security guys. Yes they knew him, but he understood they had a job to perform. Once in he looks at the others who've come ahead.

Audrey Horne ::Her eyes dart to Candy and she hides a snicker behind a yawn.::

Riley Lo She ticked a look at Candy. "Sure. If she's up for it."

Caroline Granger A thought occurred to her, her hand rising slowly rather than butting in for once.

Rhiannon Brock The point, Counselor Granger, is to build a bridge, is it not' Who better than one born in Rhydin to assist'

Candy Hart A glance between Riley and Rhiannon. Candy's chair thunked down and she put up two lazy fingers to indicate she wanted to talk.

Audrey Horne Rhiannon has a point and besides, she's more mature than a lot of the adults I've met. ::There's her two cents.::

FioHelston She was pondering all of it. Give her a couple of minutes to process. "Caro?"

Riley Lo "And my point is these guys are all about appearances. Rhi has Collie's blood. I know how impressive she is, how mature, how...fiesty and awesome. They don't. They won't care. She's a girl and she's young. That's all they'll care about."

Race Eyeballs the gathering for a place to sit and decides to pull up a chair at Alain's elbow and leans forward with a whisper.

Alain DeMuer "Whoever is coming..." ::He rubs his face for a few moments, wincing from the exhaustion and stress.:: "...should prepare themselves for what they'll want to barter for. Protection rackets, brothels, maybe drug smuggling. I don't think they'll hesitate to bring these things to the table," ::looking to Riley for an affirmative, or negative.::

Alain DeMuer ::Then he leans back towards Race.::

Delahada Sal's holding up the wall behind Fio with his shoulders, eyes closed and head bowed, silent shadow.

Candy Hart Lazy two down, she plucked her smoke out of her mouth.

Rhiannon Brock ::She was waiting for Candy's two bits::

FioHelston Candy would be next.

Caroline Granger She blinked, startled by the challenge from Rhi, whatever she'd been thinking swept from her mind as her hand lowered. "I never said that you shouldn't be a part of this delegation," she said quietly. "But whatever is decided, I will not forgive them for having so little control over their own that my people died. I won't shake hands with my cousin's murderer, but I'm not stopping you." She swallowed hard, aware that she was close to breaking down, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, Fio, I've -

Tasslehofl ::the old man pushed the door open and made his way on in::

Caroline Granger -forgotten the point I originally intended to make."

Gwen Minx Glances over and gives Tass a smile, not piping up for now as she was listening.

Riley Lo She nodded, agreeing with Alain's statement. She streched a little and then fell back into her lean against the wall.

FioHelston She got up from her chair, abandoning her shadow to go pour Caroline a glass of water. "Candy?"

Rhiannon Brock Quite understandable. ::She nodded to Caro::

Race Nods at the briefing before saying something more and sitting back.

Rhiannon Brock ::She gave Race and the Old Man an upnod::

Alain DeMuer ::There's a flicker of a smile, but he contains the rest. Rubs at his jaw again as his gaze moves to Caroline.::

FioHelston She came back around the opposite end of the table, passing behind her and briefly resting a hand on the other woman's bare forearm, lingering there a moment in a display of support.

Candy Hart Cracked her neck a second, then hearing Fio address her—she looked to the woman and around the other present. "You got spirit Rhi, but I'm agreein with that one." A point of her smoke at Riley, "Folks like that. It's about appearances." A gesture in once-over of Rhi. "You look like a sweet girl. An' men like that....they don't want t'barter with sweet girls, however much bite they might have." Looking to Riley, "These men....they the sort to take in gamblin" I know someone...runs a

Candy Hart place. I fight there. If they're like to go. They're likely t'know me." That edge of her dangerous smile.

Delahada When Fio moved, he lifted his chin and watched her intensely.

Riley Lo "They have a club in Little Tokyo. Called the Kotetsu Social Club. There's a casino in it and a fight club in the basement."

Caroline Granger Losing control was not something Caro was happy to do in public, and certainly not in a situation like this. Aware that eyes were on her, she dropped her gaze to the table, struggling for a moment. The comfort offered to her by Fio brought a sense of better calm, helping her gather herself under control once again. Her hand covered Fio's, offering a quiet murmur of, "Thank you."

Tasslehofl ::he just took a lean against the wall, taking a moment to listen and well...listen::

Candy Hart "This place is bigger than a basement."

FioHelston She gave her arm a little squeeze and a pat before breaking contact and returning to her seat. She pointedly did not look at Riley as she passed her.

Riley Lo Though Riley's words were for Candy, her eyes were all for Fio. She watched the Governor as she touched Caroline, nostrils quivering as she tracked Fio's movements like a sight hound, then wrenched her attentions back to Candy. "Yeah, so's theirs."

Gwen Minx "I believe the point was they might know Candy and therefore she might be a good candidate to send?"

Candy Hart A glance to Audrey, thinking the woman might enjoy it. Then a look back at Riley, "Then they're missin out on the other flavors o'the town."

Alain DeMuer "Seconded." ::Nodding to Gwen.::

FioHelston She was still listening as she dropped back into her seat.

Delahada Once Fio was back in her seat, he stared at the back of her head for a few seconds too long, then closed his eyes and bowed his head again.

Tasslehofl ::his eyes took in a few things, and seeing perhaps more than he should, his mind behind to calculate...dangerious, that::

Audrey Horne ::Her eyes go wide, but she doesn't say a thing. The smile she gives Candy is perhaps a bit unnerving.::

Riley Lo "I thought she was find to send before I knew about her after-hours activities." She shrugged.

Candy Hart Leaning toward Audrey, she said something to her ear alone.

FioHelston "I want another woman from the council in this group. Does anyone else have an objection to Ms. Hart's inclusion in this little party?"

Rhiannon Brock No objection.

Ebon Ilnaren None.

Gwen Minx "None here."

Candy Hart Leaning back, hearing the vote.

Caroline Granger Caroline shook her head.

Tasslehofl ::he almost commented...but he held the Black in check::

Audrey Horne Or here.

Riley Lo "So it'll be Ebon, Alain, Fio, Candy?" Riley just wanted to make sure she had her facts straight.

Audrey Horne ::Then she leans close to return Candy's whisper with one of her own.::