Private - A Line in the Sand

A message is sent out via Sticky Sticker. Current members (not those undergoing the trial) hear The Grand Witch's voice in their head.

"Hehehe, Dear Witch Ops members. Hehe, your presence is required at my cottage as soon as possible. A war is brewing in Astorea, hehehe, and lines must be drawn. I'll expect you all soon..."

After everyone arrived, Majolica looked over them all with a smile. These were her allies, people she trusted, and considered dear friends. Regardless of what happened, she would think of them fondly. That being said, The Grand Witch had a mission. It was her job to protect the interests of the people, whether people realized it or not, she understood what that meant. In the real world, Majolica's goals would probably have been in possible. But here, where she could command power beyond most and influence events as she saw fit, she was sure she could win. She would work to free the people of this world of the influence of the corruptible. If Astorea was to be a democracy, she would protect it and it's people. She would protect their freedom, and she would stifle corruption as it rose. She was a dark hero, and policing institutions that others could not was not only well within her power, but it was her duty.

As the other's arrived, she greeted them warmly. It was a nice day, and refreshments had been set up in front of the cottage where she greeted everyone. Once everyone had arrived, she began.

"My dear allies, hehehe, I called you all here today because of the situation that is unfolding in Astorea. Hehehe, some are calling this the brink of civil war. Hehehe, Astor has decided to relinquish the monarchy, hehehe, the government will now be a democracy run by the will of the people. Hehehe."

Majolica gave pause to let the information sink in.

"The nobles and ruling class have objected to this. Hehehe, and have staged a revolt to openly oppose the democracy. Some of them even wish to secede from Astorea, hehehe."

Sitting back in air, Majolica's broom flew under her catching her. Crossing her legs with gravity, Majolica continued her talk.

"Now, hehehe, most of you know my feelings on the king and the nobles. Hehe, I have no love for any of them. The King has done nothing to protect his people, hehe, and when he tried he was weak enough to be corrupted. Hehehe, the nobles are much the same. They appear on their golden carriages, flaunting money, and throwing out titles to any dog wanting a scrap and willing to bite when told. Hehehe, what have either of the groups done for the farmers? The villagers? Have their lives been improved? Have they prospered any more with these groups lording over them? Hehehehe... no. They haven't. Hehe, a peasant can only be a peasant in our current society."

Taking a deep breath, Majolica looked upward in thought.

"Hehe, when I created The Witch Ops Battalion, I did so with a singular express goal. Hehehe, to exterminate all enemies of the people. Hehehe, whether power drunk noble, corrupted king, world-devouring monster, or demon tribe! Hehehe, The Witch Ops stands in defense of the people! But, hehehe, I also stand for anything that will help these people. Hehehe, for too long players have interfered and subjugated these people due to the powers we gained in coming to this world. Hehehe, what gives us the right to subjugate these people? Hehehe, what makes us any better? What makes us any wiser, hehehe, and what makes us think that we can lead better then they could? Hehehehe, as Witch Ops members, we are defenders, and protectors, hehehe, we do not conquer. We lead when asked, hehehe, and we take action when action must be taken."

Majolica hopped off her broom and crossed arms.

"Hehehe, and now we come to the heart of the issue. I, Grand Witch Majolica, Commander of the Witch Ops Battalion have decided to support the people's choice to decide who rules them! Hehehe, I do not support Astor, I support the people's freedom! Hehe, If someone seeks to use corruption and nefarious means to manipulate the people and this new government, hehehe, they will be struck down without mercy. If corrupting parties come to power, hehehe, I will come for them. That is my job as a dark hero, hehehehe, and it is yours as well, hehe, as members of The Witch Ops Battalion! Hehehe, this being said, I have no reason to get involved in land disputes. Hehehe, if nobles want to secede peacefully, hehehe, let them. It's their land, let them take what's theirs. But, if they strike out at the innocents, hehehe, they will be dealt with. Likewise, hehehe, if the government decides to attack innocent people wishing to join the nobles, hehehe, they will be struck down. My only goal, hehe, is to grant people the freedom to choose their own destiny, as is their right. Hehehe, all actions I take are in support of the people of this world, and therefore, hehe, to be in The Witch Ops Battalion, your goals must align with mine!"

With a wave of her hand, The Grand Witch's broom drew a dark glowing black and purple line in the dirt. She looked gravely at all of the members.

"So, hehehe, it comes to this. When I created our battalion, hehehe, I gave everyone the option of joining whatever other groups they wish, hehehe, except a few that we all know about. Hehehe, when I chose to allow this, I knew that there may be times when The Witch Ops and other groups may come into conflict. I decided, hehe, that I would deal with that issue when it came up. Hehehe, so I'll say this! Regardless of what other groups you count yourself apart of, hehehe, The Witch Ops must come first! This group, that we built together, to support each other in defense of the world! This group of outlaw dark heroes, that will use any means in defense of this world, her people, and they're freedom! Hehehe, This group must be where your deepest loyalties lie! When lines are drawn and sides are chosen, hehehe, it must be the Witch Ops, with us, that your true and foremost loyalty remains! Hehehehe!"

Majolica pointed towards the line.

"Hehehehe, before we go further, LET ME REMIND YOU WHO WE ARE! HEHEHE!"

Majolica pointed towards her each of the members as she spoke.

"WE ARE THE WITCH OPS BATTALION! HEHEHE, WE ARE PEOPLE THAT WILL FORSAKE ALL OTHER GROUPS UNTO OUR OWN DEATHS TO PROTECT THIS WORLD! Hehehe, we have no nation. Only our philosophy, only our ideologies, only our wish to defend this world and its people! Hehehe, we go where we're needed, hehehe, fighting not for country, not for government, but for those that cannot. Hehehe, we need no reason to fight. We fight, hehe, because we are needed. We will be the deterrent, hehehe, for those with no other recourse. We are a battalion without borders, our purpose defined by the times we live in. If this word demands it, hehehe, we'll be revolutionaries, criminals, terrorists. And yes, we may all be headed straight to hell, hehehe. But what better place for us? Hehehe, we dark heroes who will sacrifice everything for the good of this world, hehehe, the PEOPLE of this world. This battalion is our only true home. Our heaven and our hell. Hehehehe, this is The Witch Ops."

Majolica held out her hand and her broomstick quickly leapt in. Holding out her stick, bristles away, she addressed each of the battalion members.

"Now I ask you! My Witch Ops! My Members! My Friends! Hehehe, MY ALLIES! WILL YOU CROSS THIS LINE! HEHE, WILL YOU STAND WITH ME TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD! WILL YOU WORK WITH ME TO GIVE THE PEOPLE THE FREEDOM THEY DESERVE! HEHEHE, WILL YOU STAND WITH ME IN ELIMINATING ANYONE WHO WOULD SEEK TO MANIPULATE OR CORRUPT OUR PEOPLE! HEHEHEHE, WILL YOU REMAIN STANDING WITH ME IN DEFENSE OF THIS WORLD!"

The Grand Witch paused. Then calmly...

"Hehehehe... if so. Cross the line, and stand with your Commander. If not, I must ask you to relinquish your Sticky Sticker, hehehe."



@Corvella @Iván Carl @Janet Reilly @Bradwynne @Haru

 

Fast-forward through the usual Janet-hears-a-hehehe-coming-from-her-sticker. Speed through the opening, through saddling her horse in Honeyhome, through riding through the twisted trees to Majolica’s forest home, to striding up to the cottage door with the infinite patience of someone going to work day-after-day. Greeting @Grand Witch Majolica. Making herself comfortable outside with refreshments and attempting to socialize with the Witch Frogs. Waiting for the others to arrive from their various locations in Terrasphere and time zones in the real world.

And listening, spine straight as a ruler and with a cookie still clenched in one hand, to the Commander’s speech.

Janet hadn’t been playing this game (or games at all) for very long. Despite her newfound freedom from her tedious daily life, Janet’s world was still so small. She didn’t know what was happening in the kingdom, only that there was a king. She didn’t understand what made Astorea, only that the Witch Ops had to protect it. And after all this time, Janet never really understood what it meant to be dark heroes in this virtual world, and it finally clicked.

Civil war. Topple the noble houses and the ruling powers in favor of democracy. Relieve the farmers, the citizens, the common people, from player interference. But we are the players, Janet couldn’t help but think helplessly, frustrated, We’re no different! But maybe that was the thing—they could be different, they didn’t have to be “just” players to the populace.

It didn’t really matter. It wasn’t as if Janet had expected to get made a duchess, or a princess, or to become royalty. But some part of it had suited her whimsical fantasy, some part of kings and queens and noble lines that just seemed right. When the good of the game itself outpaced the desires of the people the game had been made for… was that right? They were the consumers! Janet had a right—yes, she was entitled—to the experience she (actually her son) had purchased! With every one of Astor’s new decrees, Terrasphere threatened to become more safe, more fair, more easy—more like Janet’s real life.

When Majolica called for them to step forward, Janet crossed her arms.

It was unexpected. Janet had always felt like she was one of the most invested in the Witch Ops, in their mission, in their fantasy. Yet she hesitated now. She’d always admired how Majolica truly committed to her character, whatever she might be in real life, and never crossed the bounds of what Janet considered inappropriate for younger minds. Witches and magic and kings and queens and fighting evil dissonance, not one another! Why can't that all stay the same?

But Janet had no place among nobility, or royalty. Her place was here, in the Witch Ops. Majolica and the others had given her so much. And if Astorea was just about to turn into another America… well! Janet supposed that was all right. I don’t like this talk of terrorism and crime, however! It gave her a nasty, suspicious uneasiness. Janet wasn’t sure she’d really be able to stomach all of that, if that’s what being a dark hero really meant. Upsetting the system. Leveling the playing field. It was all so…uncomfortable.

But she’d started playing this game for a fresh start. To escape her comfort zone. As much as it pained her, she refused to give in now.

“I will not turn my back on the Witch Ops or Astorea,” Janet said, finally unfolding her arms. Lifting her chin, she stepped across the line Majolica had drawn. “I agree that if innocents are harmed, we should step in and defend them.” She lifted her crude wooden shield, which she'd taken up solely because she was inspired by their small battalion. For a moment Janet paused, tempted to call the pink-haired witch out on her radical ideologies, then decided not to. Majolica can be so dramatic—there's no reason to get upset with her just yet. If it became a pattern in the future, Janet would speak up. As it was…

“I… am with you, Commander.”

It might not be the game she'd ordered, but she'd play it nonetheless. To the end.

 

There's a super urgent Witch Ops meeting held by Majolica. Titanius has fallen, so what is it this time?

Oh, of course it was the political conflict.

Over the few days, the tension was getting bigger and bigger by the moment. Astorea is literally at the brink of a civil war, with Astor declaring to abolish the throne and make Astorea democratic. That thing wasn't taken lightly by the nobles, adding to the fact that their land must be surrendered to the nation and their title will get stripped away.

She was already there at Majolica's cottage, complete with the frogs still preparing some snacks for them and her commander @Grand Witch Majolica greeted her cheerfully like always. But the meeting that will take part shortly won't be so light-hearted. She just know it.

As she listened to Majolica's speech, her thoughts wandered elsewhere, mainly the consequences of the conflict to the people. Everytime Majolica mentioned the word 'people', her heart skipped a beat, because she knew she played a part in this. Corvella is always fighting for the people; that is why she joined Witch Ops, and that is why she is also something else. It's always for the people, nothing else.

And when this conflict brewed, nobody knows who is wrong or who is right. Nobody know what one side's interests. It's still the same, it's still the people that they have to protect, the nation. And for that reason, she believed that Astorea shall not fall, and the nation shall not abandon its citizens.

Or did she? Wasn't she expecting something else?

"We might all not have the same mind set or motivation." Corvella declared and crossed the line "But your cause is my cause, Commander. That's why I stand for the people, and for Astorea. Because the nation can't fail the people just yet." She's not that surprised that Majolica would do anything, just anything to protect the people. Because that's also what Corvella does. Putting aside justice for the greater good, that's why they are the dark heroes. The one people does not need but they deserve.

 

Hmm… Iván was leaning against a wall in the corner of the @Grand Witch Majolica’s cottage, listening intently to what she had to say. He had been prepping his curry house’s kitchen for another day of service when he hear the Witch Ops commander’s summons. Without one more moment’s notice, Iván left the restaurant in the care of his most trusted comrades: a pink-haired girl, a shirtless Caenis (or was he a Felis?), and a top-hat wearing scary tiny dude. What could go wrong?

Truth be told, Iván was not expecting some sort of civil war to loom over their heads, although he should have, right after hearing King Astor’s speech regarding the transformation of Astorea into a democracy. The nation, the kingdom, was built by Players, some of which held lands and titles of nobility. Outside this world, democracy was an ideal, but in this game? Some of them were in this to play lords and ladies, knights and wizards. Their fury, their scorn, was thus understandable, though Iván personally could not recommend it.

Even though he thought the idea of himself becoming a noble, with his own lands and titles, a very attractive idea, he was still a member of Witch Ops, which he meant he had to do what Witch Ops had to do, not just out of duty but also out of his own accord. Iván joined this group because he believed in the idea of the Witch Ops, he believed in the ideals set by the Witch Ops, and perhaps more importantly he believed in his Witch Ops Battalion Commander, the Grand Witch Majolica. So there was no way, he’d pick the other side, the side of the rebels, the side of the nobles, the side of the rebellious nobles. Besides, King Astor did endorse the Curry House. Somewhat.

Iván bore no ill feelings towards nobles, the nobility in general, and has in fact made friends with several nobles. To his knowledge, none of them were interested in joining the rebellion, this so-called civil war. They were going to keep their lands, their investments, and that was good enough for most of them. Not a lot of them did fancy playing masters of the rest of the population. If any of them did, however, hold any interest against the population, then Iván was glad Witch Ops was around to thwart their nefarious machinations.

Greater than the king himself were his people. Although generally, Iván thought little of these faceless NPCs, as a concept they were to him a far more useful resource than any single Player, even far more useful than a couple of Players. Majolica would therefore find no opposition in Iván in any way anyone could ever imagine. He was a part of the Witch Ops for a reason, a part of nothing else. Whatever was needed of him, he would comply with. Even if that meant he had to die, which wasn’t really a big deal to Iván, considering he’d keep coming back for more, though he was currently unsure if that would still be the case with his UI currently inaccessible.

“I’m here,” Iván deadpanned from out of his corner, eyeing both @Janet Reilly and @Corvella who also proclaimed their allegiance to the Grand Witch and the Witch Ops. “I’m in. I’m yours.”

Now and forever.