Closed Post: Meticulous Planning

[sporesprouter]

Dark is thankfully over and the mansion is slowly returning back to normal, and it's honestly not a moment too soon. They'd gotten through it, because clearly the mansion spirits didn't want everyone dead, but since everything had happened without any real warning, and in the middle of winter at that, there hadn't been a real way to know to be ready for it.

Clearly, though, that wouldn't be the case next time.

Tress did still have her notebook that she'd brought from home, full of her original notes on sprouting, as well as a bunch of notes she'd added since arriving here, but it seemed to her that a long term project that's going to be quite as wide-ranging as preparing for next Dark would probably need one of its own, so she had found another notebook in her closet. (And she had smiled so brightly upon discovering it, with its charcoal gray cover and pristine pages. It was another sign that things were going back to how they had been.) She had then proceeded to jot down what ideas she had this early on on the first few pages.

She also knows, though, that this isn't a one-person project, and it absolutely can't be. Obviously not everyone here is going to be interested in the extremely early planning stages, but not everyone really has to be involved in those, either. She knows exactly who will be, though.

So she's off to find Susan.

Comments

[sporesprouter]

"Yes, I don't see anyone wanting used circus equipment. Probably, anyway."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"We can shove the nicer things somewhere, but I can't think of a single use for an elephant costume."

[sporesprouter]

Well, now she's curious. "Is it a costume for an elephant or a costume of an elephant?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"For an elephant."

[sporesprouter]

She nods. "Then yeah. I don't think an elephant will be showing up here any time soon."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I should hope not," Susan says, with a small smile.

[sporesprouter]

Tress nods. "We'd need a lot more supplies."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I wonder what elephants even eat," Susan says, thoughtfully. "I've not thought about it. Perhaps it could subsist on the trees."

[sporesprouter]

"Hopefully. At least there are a lot of trees."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Luckily, I think we shan't have to put this one to the test."

[sporesprouter]

Her eyes widen a little. "Oh, hopefully."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Perhaps we come up with an elephant contingency plan," Susan suggests. "They say if you bring an umbrella with you, it shan't rain, after all."

[sporesprouter]

"I haven't heard that one before. I like it. Elephant contingency plan, yes. But probably not an extremely high priority."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan lets out a little huff of breath that could, correctly, be interpreted as a laugh. "Item number two hundred and fifty-three," she suggests. The tea is ready, she passes Tress a mug. "Do you know of anyone else who might have an interest in this sort of thing?"

[sporesprouter]

She takes the mug. "Thank you." She considers. "I think Claudius might enjoy being involved. He'd probably at least love determining who'd be well suited for specific tasks, since he's good at paying attention to people."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Absolutely Claudius," Susan agrees. "He's got plenty of opinions."

[sporesprouter]

She laughs. "So many."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I think there might be others, too. People who found ways to provide during the past month who might want a more substantial way to contribute throughout the year."

[sporesprouter]

"Probably. Once we have the basic framework settled on, it can't hurt to ask around, or even put up notices. You've already done so much, I'm happy to have anyone come talk to me, or we can just split the difference."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Perhaps Nina might also be interested in talking to people, once we've got our framework sorted out."

[sporesprouter]

"Oh, yes, maybe. She's very good at that. I'm sure there are plenty of people who'd like to help if they know about it."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Perhaps we might organize... a meeting," Susan says, with the faintest hint of irony to her voice. "Perhaps with the first of spring? So that we might lay out our thoughts and see who is interested in various sorts of tasks."

[sporesprouter]

"It would make sense. Let people have some time to recover from Dark but still leave plenty of time left to get things settled for the next one."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan fishes her teabag out of her mug, takes a sip, and nods. She turns a page in her notebook. "In the meantime," she says. "I believe the categories are foods, necessary supplies - clothing, medications, soap, things of that nature - and appliances. Yes?"

[sporesprouter]

"That sounds right. I'd probably add things for recreation. Even when basic survival needs are taken care of, it's good to keep spirits up."