[He's just puttering about in general: the kettle is on, and he's starting the process of mixing the dough for his impromptu project. There's the distinct scent of mint from whatever he's doing over there -- it's a soothing routine with all the routine noises in the background of Ludger's tipsy pondering.
There's a pause, and then something rueful in his voice as he responds.]
No, nothing of the sort. I was an aide, so I was expected to smooth the way for whatever maneuvers or strategies were necessary.
[It's not wrong that he knows how to use his words, but there's a difference between being a mover and a shaker and merely a mouthpiece.]
Many of you seem to have better experience than I do with taking action. I think that changed the outcome here.
[They do have an almost full complement of chefs available to the thirty of them -- almost enough to actually have group meals that don't just mysteriously and dubiously appear, though there's nothing so organized as that. So far, most of them are either off cooking for themselves or smaller groups.
So long as no one starves or resorts to drinking well water out of desperation, it works.
There's a bit of a wry glance at Ludger but he gets a pass on account of being inebriated.]
You are included in the whole, you know. It would have taken much longer to reach a consensus without your involvement.
[Granted, it was a bit of a messy consensus but it was enough to shift a few puppets and that's about all they can really ask right now.]
Regardless of their intentions, they're not blind. They understand that they can only go so far with their framing of the case.
[It's fine, it's fine. The future isn't here yet and we can be semi-optimistic. Ish.]
Given the state of our group, I'm sure self-satisfaction was a common factor. It doesn't change the outcome.
[Admiration is all well and good, but work done is work done.
Speaking of work and whatnot, there's a smell of sugar and spice from what he's working with now -- the mint is still present, but it's easily traced to the pot of tea he's set aside. Ludger can have some if he likes, but the kettle is out of his reach.]
The puppets... There isn't enough information to fully trust them or understand their ultimate intentions. They're quick to jump to conclusions, and have more resources than we do. I'd have to see more to confirm whether real collaboration is something they're aiming for.
Everybody jumps to conclusions, they're not special. [ hmph ] At least Foxglove and Sage are nice... Rosemary's nice too, but they're kind of silly... And Lobelia's weird. Do you think they still need to eat?
[It ain't ready yet! The oven's not even done pre-heating at this point. But hey, at least they probably won't suddenly be whacked with flour and sleep in the middle. Probably.
There's a brief chuckle because why is that Ludger's problem with the framework here.]
Thus far, their conclusions tend to lead to more consequences than you'd expect. [a shake of his head.....] It's difficult to judge their personalities as puppets, but since I don't think those are their real forms... they shouldn't be so different from us that they don't need to eat at all.
no subject
There's a pause, and then something rueful in his voice as he responds.]
No, nothing of the sort. I was an aide, so I was expected to smooth the way for whatever maneuvers or strategies were necessary.
[It's not wrong that he knows how to use his words, but there's a difference between being a mover and a shaker and merely a mouthpiece.]
Many of you seem to have better experience than I do with taking action. I think that changed the outcome here.
no subject
Yeah, they're really something, huh? [ there's obvious admiration in his voice ]
I'm just glad Sage and the others were open to negotiation - I can't imagine what would've happened if they'd refused.
[ stares into the distance +12 hrs later ]
no subject
So long as no one starves or resorts to drinking well water out of desperation, it works.
There's a bit of a wry glance at Ludger but he gets a pass on account of being inebriated.]
You are included in the whole, you know. It would have taken much longer to reach a consensus without your involvement.
[Granted, it was a bit of a messy consensus but it was enough to shift a few puppets and that's about all they can really ask right now.]
Regardless of their intentions, they're not blind. They understand that they can only go so far with their framing of the case.
[It's fine, it's fine. The future isn't here yet and we can be semi-optimistic. Ish.]
no subject
Ehh... I just asked them to satisfy myself.
[ and somehow it snowballed into an actual alternative - but the work had all been done by others. ]
What do you think of them? I think they're okay - can't blame them for being wary of us, since we outnumber them so much.
no subject
Given the state of our group, I'm sure self-satisfaction was a common factor. It doesn't change the outcome.
[Admiration is all well and good, but work done is work done.
Speaking of work and whatnot, there's a smell of sugar and spice from what he's working with now -- the mint is still present, but it's easily traced to the pot of tea he's set aside. Ludger can have some if he likes, but the kettle is out of his reach.]
The puppets... There isn't enough information to fully trust them or understand their ultimate intentions. They're quick to jump to conclusions, and have more resources than we do. I'd have to see more to confirm whether real collaboration is something they're aiming for.
no subject
Everybody jumps to conclusions, they're not special. [ hmph ] At least Foxglove and Sage are nice... Rosemary's nice too, but they're kind of silly... And Lobelia's weird. Do you think they still need to eat?
no subject
There's a brief chuckle because why is that Ludger's problem with the framework here.]
Thus far, their conclusions tend to lead to more consequences than you'd expect. [a shake of his head.....] It's difficult to judge their personalities as puppets, but since I don't think those are their real forms... they shouldn't be so different from us that they don't need to eat at all.
no subject
Sometimes you're just faking it until you make it.
[ this Sage Wisdom would probably have more oomph if Ludger wasn't nodding his head so exaggeratedly ]
... What's your favorite food?