Ben raises an eyebrow at Dee's take-command attitude. Not that he wasn't aware of it, it's just that Dee didn't usually show that side of herself when their friends got together. But he could appreciate her enthusiasm.
"Well,... Ben said slowly, rubbing his now-stubbled chin.
"Apparently, I am a terrible judge of character. And I don't do 'subtle'." He smirks as he pats his bomb bag. "However, I excel at note keeping, organization, and fact-organizing. And I know a trick or two I've picked up from the more talkative, but less reputable of my customers. I surmise that I may be the most help in organizing cells activities or overall strategy."
His friends know that Ben is possibly not giving himself enough credit. (And he's not normally known to be modest) With his brains and natural dexterity, he has often jested that if he weren't so enamored of the Alchemists' profession, he would have made a fair burglar.
"Well volunteered, that man!" she says slapping him on the shoulder in a friendly manner. "Sounds excellent, in your usual chaotic way."
Ben grins at Dee and salutes her with his flask.
"Thanks. I think." Ben frowns, shrugs, and chugs a swig of suspect liquid from his flask.
"I like chaos." Ben announces suddenly. "It keeps life,... interesting."
Valexia becomes alert when Deanna enters serious mode and her eyebrows go way up. "Inspire loyalty? Why, I'm a natural inspirer. They called my work on the stage, well, inspirational," says Valexia blithely. She smiles and adds, "I'm not sure that I'm a good judge of people, though, I mean. Look at the company that I keep."
Ensis winks, a note of mock-exasperation in his tone, "And since you all rely on me so heavily to do a little bit of everything... and sometimes more than a little at that... I can't see why the rebellion wouldn't do the same."
"Well. We don't want you to feel unappreciated." Ben replies sincerely straight-faced.
Sometimes it is REALLY hard to tell if he's serious or not.
Dee shakes her head at Ensis; "We're not a rebellion, just a civilian action committee."
Ensis looks at Dee for a moment, rubbing at his chest where the scars of the rose-thorns marked him, then shrugs, "I'm not sure that's a distinction that'd stop his Lordliness from having us executed..." He pauses, then says, "...but I do think it might make it harder to recruit fair-minded people to our side, if we can't admit what we are."
Ben makes a thoughtful face.
"True, I suppose. Possibly. Sadly, I find that while individuals can be smart, and even logical at times, groups of people are generally,... less than fair-minded, let's just say."
Ben frowns.
"No. Let's just call a spade a spade shall we? Groups of people are stupid. Irrevocably, inexplicably, 100% Grade-A stupid. Something about the Mass Mentality and relinquishing all rights and responsibilities to intelligible thought to the rest of the group."
Ben looks at the others.
"What? There are some fascinating papers out there on the subject if your interested. It is this same mentality that allows the current regime to hold and maintain it's power. People are so much less likely to go to the trouble to fight back if they are either comfortable, or convinced it has always been this way. Fortunately we can use this same mentality to our benefit, if properly motivated, led, and fed the correct information,... Yes,... I think some research might be in order."
"Alright..." Dee shakes her head, she certainly doesn't want to be called a rabble-rouser, but if the rest of them are going to kick up a fuss then she'll give then what for.
"So Val, you'll be our Demagogue. A figurehead for inspiring the masses and getting rumours.
Ensis, our Sentinel keeping a watch out & a helping hand where needed... I've heard you're good at that.
Ben, a spymaster. With your disorganisation skills, no-one will be able to figure out your plans. Crazy as a fox, so they say.
Bertom, would you like to be our recruiter? You'll have to work closely with Val, and your contacts and common-touch will help tremendously.
Rexus, would you mind helping as the general Strategist. Putting out fires and working to come up with a vague overall strategy." Dee says this with a wry tone, however in a commanding voice.
"Whilst I can be the Partisan, knocking heads together to try and get some sense into the situation."
Bertom looks about as the others are discussing what role they will take in their Silver Ravens revival group, or organization... crew? whatever they're calling it. The young rogue nods as each person explains their points and what position they feel would be best, but his eyes go wide and he looks back to Dee when she suggests he should be the recruiter "Me? You want me to do recruiting?" he blinks trying to determine if she is serious, all these beautiful and influential noble people and they want Bertie to do the recruiting
"You realize I'm a street urchin right? I typically work best in the shadows, out of the public eye. I'm no noble, I don't have like connections, or clout, or umm charisma, or... people that tolerate my presence without one of those... disgusted sneers" He makes a face wrinkling his nose and slightly raising his upper lip to imitate the type of sneer he's referring to. "I mean I'd be more than happy to work with Ms Aulamaxa, but are you sure this is the first face you want people to see when trying to get them to join up?" He raises an open hand to indicate his own countenance.
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Ben looks to Bertom, a puzzled look wrinkling his brow.
I think you sell yourself short Bertom. You are a perfectly personable young rogue. If you forgive me for saying so. You are young, charismatic, and irresistibly energetic in a sincere, non-sneery way. You may have some challenges speaking with the afore-mentioned 'upper crust' and their hereditary predispositions, but they can get over themselves." Ben says with a wave of his hand to indicate they are of no consequence.
"Besides. While we may need some aristocratic involvement in order to provide supplies and such, I believe you will find that most of our recruitment will come from the common folk, who stand to suffer far more under the newest regime than the upper crust ever will." Ben points out.
Then Ben fixes Bertom with a keen eye, and gives a small smile.
"Although, you do make a strong point. Your natural skill set will also be invaluable in setting up an information network. You may be doing double duty Bertom. You may soon be one of the public faces of the best kept secret society ever established!" Ben says cheerfully, clapping Bertom on the shoulder.
Ben has to visibly restrain himself, in his imagination he is clearly already halfway done with establishing this so far purely hypothetical organization,...
"Well we want the people to be a part of this, rather than a group of out of touch elites. For if we are to help the people, they have to help themselves..." Dee replies softly, feeling that Bertom doesn't seem to want the responsibility and trying to build him up. "Now, you have a perfectly fine face, young Bertom. Fresh faced and honest, you could try your hand at helping with the general strategy if you want and Sir Rexxus can do the recruiting?"
Ensis chuckles, "I can't be the only affable rogue in the group, Bertom. But you should only do what you're comfortable doing, lad."
"...affable.... I think that's what they said about you." Dee says with a smile to Ensis.
"Now we should check out how many were hurt at the riots, what the mood of the townsfolk are & most importantly what's happening down at the docks. The captains certainly won't be happy with the new restrictions put in place by Thrune - maybe we can use that to our advantage." She adds in a matronly manner.
"Charming,... Charming,... I may be able to help with that,..." Ben says thoughtfully, patting his worn satchel.