Meanwhile.....
Gwen was busy at the apartment gathering everyone's contribution to the supplies tax while helping Necropodopotus's group get ready for their migration. He haggled her into giving her some extra supplies, his argument being that by joining the C.U., she and the others would get a share of their supply runs. True... but we'd have to get the supplies for them... she thought. Maybe Jack and Kalyna are on to something....
She wanted to tell migrants the truth. To make them stay and in some way help if they weren't happy with the C.U.. To increase the chances of forcing Othello to step down. It might not work for the best... perhaps the independents not knowing about the coup is what Kalyna had planned... but...
Will save to resist surges of poor judgment!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 FAILURE!!!
She goes to speak with Herb. He was busy gathering things out of another resident's apartment, who was joining the migration.
Gwen: "Do you have enough backpacks?"
Herb: "Yes. We have one backpack for every person. Thank you for your help, Gwen, and for your understanding."
Gwen: "I understand your reasons more than you think... do you mind if I talk to you in private?"
Herb: "Oh sure. But isn't a representative arriving soon?"
Gwen: "Yeah, but Eli's taking care of it. There's just something you have to know before you leave."
They make their way to our apartment. She offers him a seat on the couch, but he says he'd prefer to stand.
Herb: "What is it that you need to tell me?"
Gwen: After a long pause, "We're not exactly joining the C.U."
Herb: Take aback, "Well, what do you mean? Are you saying you want to come with us? I know you're close with Kalyna and Jack, but I think they may understand. You'd be invalua-"
Gwen: She interrupts him, "We're staging a coup."
Herb: With ignorant enthusiasm, "Ooooh. Well that's nice. Something for the kids? Who's playing in it?"
Gwen: With sudden realization, "Do you know what a coup is?"
Her: Stumped, "Honestly, Gwen. I don't. Kind of embarrassing really."
Gwen: "It's nothing to be embarrassed about. A coup is... well, it's like usurping a ruler."
Herb: "Oh! Is that what it's called when you read the metric side?"
Gwen: Amazed, "...No. A ruler as in a lord or a boss. Like Othello. To usurp him would be to stage a coup."
Herb: "Hmmm... I still don't get it."
Gwen: Regretting her decision to tell him... "We want to directly threaten Othello and get him to relinquish his power!"
Herb: After a long pause... "Oooooh! Like a revolution!"
Gwen: With relief, "YES!!! Just not so long-term... we want to do it before next week and plans are already underway. But you CAN'T tell ANYBODY! Please, let me control who knows and doesn't know. We can't trust everyone."
Herb: "No, no. I understand. No worries. But... how do you plan to do it?"
Passing of time....
Herb: "Wow... you really think that would work?"
Gwen: "Even if it doesn't, is it better than fending for yourself outside the barrier or fending for yourself outside the barrier gathering supplies for Othello's army?"
Diplomacy DC 10: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Herb: "I have to say, with enough people voicing themselves against Othello's treatment, plus the threat of unleashing the Horde into the city, it just might work. Who would we instate, though?"
Gwen: Caught off guard, "Weeee don't really know yet-"
Just as she finished her sentence, Gwen starts coughing. A deep cough; one from within. It sounded painful. She turned her head away so she wasn't coughing in Herb's direction. She caught her cough with her right hand. She felt something wet on her palm, so she opened her hand to reveal some blood. It wasn't a lot, but any amount is enough to worry....
Herb: "Gwen? You alright?"
Gwen: "Hoo boy. Yeah, yeah I'm good, Herb. Thanks. Must be some allergies." She did her best to conceal her palm.
Herb: "Well, hey. With your permission, I know of a couple people in my group that have already mentioned they would want to do something like this. I should talk to them."
Gwen: "Yes that's fine. But please, only them. Who is it?
Herb: "Paul and Steve. They're part of the small orphanage here, but they've really grown into caretakers. They're the oldest the bunch, too."
Gwen: "Oh, okay. Yeah, I know who you're talking about. Go ahead, but make sure they don't say anything to anyone!"
Herb: "Of course, of course."
He extends his right hand to shake hers but she awkwardly gives him her left. Once he leaves the apartment, she rushes to the bathroom and cleans herself off.
Now, back into the action!!!