A Meeting Called

[noblerise]

WHO: The Black Order's Kaisou Team
WHERE: A rented out rec room.
WHEN: End of November
WHAT: Jusis suspects that they're about to get recruitment orders because of all the people who have left the team recently. He calls an all-hands-on-deck meeting to talk about what their strategy will be, as well as how they want to do it.
WARNINGS: Unhinged Shit^TM

[Jusis is seated at one of the bigger tables, which is hopefully enough to accommodate everyone left on the team. There are snacks and drinks available since he anticipates that this is going to be a long meeting, and he's not about to have someone get hangry in the middle of the discussion. His arms are crossed in front of his chest as he looks at each of them before nodding.]

Now that everyone's here, I would like to discuss a matter with everyone. I suspect that soon The Order is going to give us recruitment orders. With how our team has abruptly shrunk, and given what happened earlier in the month, they are most likely going to have us looking at getting more people signed up for the team.

[He pauses, eyeing each of them and studying their reactions.]

That being said, my opinion is that I would rather give people the option to volunteer, and possibly to set up a parole system for those who have committed a crime magically. Given the amount of people here with magic and/or are possessed, it would be in our best interests to look into that as an option to give them a chance to prove themselves.

However, I'd like to hear what everyone else thinks, too. We need to discuss options, how to implement this system, and any concerns we may have going into this. Any problems with the process itself will need to be worked out as we go, but we can at least build a solid foundation before proceeding.

Comments

[scourgingstars]

My, my, it's been a long while since things were that dire. Here I thought the Order stumbled across enough miserable unfortunates that recruitment was barely necessary, but I've certainly been proven wrong before.

[Casually drinking a cup of coffee, Ardyn just sort of rolled his eyes.]

...Then again, I think we're all quite aware that my being here at all is what in modern parlance would be called a 'red flag' of sorts.

[gotbadblood]

[She'll make a scoffing noise]

Probably less "dire", and it's more a loyalty test. There's no way we haven't raised suspicions by now.

[scourgingstars]

And you don't think they consider that in and of itself dire? Usually if we're bleeding members like this, it would involve copious amounts of actual bleeding.

[noblerise]

Ardyn raises a good point.

[Ugh, he'd rather eat an entire lemon than admit it, but he has to.]

We also have had a sudden influx of otherworlders. That means things are getting worse, and they're people that the normal law cannot touch. The Order most likely will want us to look at them in particular as a source of recruitment, if only to keep an eye on the ones they consider more dangerous.

[eiternity]

[Look! She’s here! In person! And looking extremely unhappy with the whole affair.]

How vexing. If we were to refuse, I’m sure the Order would insist on recruiting via their own terms.

[She thinks for a moment.]

I would like to avoid seeing anyone else tangled up in this organization. But, if we have no options, I believe that opening it up to volunteers is the best course of action.

[noblerise]

[Jusis nods at that assessment.]

That would also be my prediction for what they would do with outright refusal from us. In which case, we're better off playing ball under our own rules and criteria instead. As long as it gets results, they won't care too much.

[Just because they're getting strongarmed doesn't mean they have to subject the rest of Kaisou to it.]

My vote would also go there, alongside letting potential recruits know exactly what they're signing up for. Also, I would like to set the minimum age requirement to 18.

[scourgingstars]

No objection. I'm not interested in babysitting.

[one has to have some standards, even if they're an asshole about them.]

[gotbadblood]

[She shrugs]

You won't get a disagreement from me. We're not a daycare.

[eiternity]

I concur. We cannot claim we're letting people join of their own free will if we are not clear with what being a member of the Black Order entails.

Those that came before us always worked to protect the younger members. It falls to us to continue that trend.

[entmachtung]

Sure, why not. Kids can get traumatized elsewhere if they really want to.

[ Nacht isn't agreeing out of goodwill, he just doesn't want the hassle. ]

[crisantemo]

[ As one of the people looking to leave in the future, Lapis does feel... some guilt, now that things have reached this point. Not that anything shows, as she nurses a cap of coffee in her hands. ]

I agree with the volunteer option, though... How would the parole work? Would they need one of us to supervise them? Would they have to become a full-fledged Guardian after the parole ended?

[ She doubts being able to go back to living normally again would be an option, though at least it is a second chance. Of course she already knows how it would be enforced, the memories of all the people she's seen being affected by that sealing spell still fresh in her mind. ]

[scourgingstars]

[in possibly the most sincere confusion anyone has ever heard from him:]

Since when do we even do the equivalent of background checks?

[crisantemo]

[ ... God they've never done background checks huh. ]

Well... [ Pause. ]

Now, I guess? We don't want to recruit like a hyper-zealot.

[scourgingstars]

[if they did at least half the people at this table would surely not be here]

Well, good luck with that one. I can't picture a high recruitment rate without the threat of metaphorical gunpoint involved.

[entmachtung]

[ Nacht is pretty much whatever on the whole affair. His apathy towards most things not directly impacting him is showing.

But... he shrugs a bit and bothers to sit up since Lapis is talking. ]

TBH, I don't think any of us have the power to ensure complete obedience yet. Not even through force.

[crisantemo]

[ Okay FIRST OF ALL - ]

Did you just say "TBH" out loud.

[ Anyway. ]

We do have sealing their powers and memories, as much as... I would prefer we wouldn't go that route. But that may be our best option.

[scourgingstars]

...I would also prefer to avoid that, when we can.

[It's nice to know even he has standards-]

Likely better to just kill someone where possible rather than go through the whole mess of sealing.

[and ruined it]

[rockily]

There's no avoiding it, is there?

[ eizen's leaned up against a wall nearby, hands stuffed into the pockets of his pants. he certainly isn't the happiest about this development, or the meeting, or ardyn's presence (who he has been notably keeping his distance from). ]

Well... if there are people out there that want to join us, they should be made aware of what exactly they're getting themselves into.

[crisantemo]

[ And Lapis will lean back in her chair to better talk to Eizen, humming in agreement... Though maybe the chair goes a little too far back, but her shadows stop her from tipping over. ]

Which means we should make them fully aware of the possibility of being sealed too.

[kanka]

[Ayato will speak up at this, agreeing with them both.]

It isn’t something I’m fond of, but yes. Using sealing as a way of leverage is perhaps the best way to keep volunteers and parole in line.

[As much as it bothers him that this is the route they’re going, as much as he dislikes that recruiting will probably happen whether he wants it or not.]

I believe the more we can keep all of this on our own terms rather than what is usually done at headquarters, the better.

[noblerise]

I'm in agreement with Ayato, though I more than understand most everyone's reluctance on the matter. I also agree with Eizen that any potential recruit should be made aware of what they're signing up for.

[Seems to him like the majority is in agreement for volunteers at the very least.]

That means we should decide how long they will be in a probationary period. Just because they pass screening doesn't mean they truly have what it takes for this job.

[noblerise]

[Now that he's heard most everyone's opinions on the matter, Jusis will call for everyone's attention.]

Alright, in summary, the majority approves of this being a choice that can be declined. We also agree on a probation period of six months minimum, a minimum age of 18, and disclosing what possible consequences there are for breaking The Order's rules and secrecy.

So, now we have a new set of questions to consider. While I have no problem overseeing the training for each volunteer, we should decide on how to train the normal volunteers. Should we adopt a mentorship like POKEGO? Or should we simply have them rotate working with each full team member?

For those who take the deal of joining us instead of getting sealed or going to jail, should their training be the same as the volunteers or should their training only be given by senior Guardians? I'm also open to other ideas for training.

[scourgingstars]

...Jusis, you can not be seriously considering entertaining any course of action that gives me even the remote chance to hold a shred of power over an intern for an extended period of time.

[like, he's not STOPPING you, but]

[noblerise]

While I consider that a fate worse than death, it's an option on the table for us to take. A rotation will be better for our style, in my opinion. But I want to hear from everyone.

[kanka]

[There’s a hum at this, and Ayato thinks.] I am far more for a rotation method myself- having one would not only allow us to keep an eye on everyone, but it would also prevent possible tension in the event that personalities don’t work well together. If they truly wish to join, they’ll have to be familiar with all of us eventually.

As for those who choose this as an alternative to sealing or jail, I think having the senior members taking them into training is probably the safest option. If we were to make both types of recruits face the lesser of the two, I doubt it would instill the message that needs to be said.