The Purple Velvet Secret Society

-- Part 11 --

Should I tell Liam? Should I do anything?

The thoughts tumble over in my head in preparation for a knowledge post, and after the professor drives me back to school, the thanks I give him are courteous rather than sincere.

Friday, September 16th

Post 1 -- Blue River Membership Expectations

Blue River Values

Pledge (kind of sums it up)

"I solemnly pledge to uphold the cause of those that are poor, outcast, and the victims of bullying, whether physical, verbal, or emotional. I pledge to love them though others have not and to do everything within my power to restore them to a place where they can feel valued and accepted."

Reaching out to society outcasts

On a national scale, includes minorities and those in poverty

At school, those who are mistreated, ignored, bullied

Can include those who are poorer but not necessarily

Fighting against:

Unkindness

Injustice

Prejudice/Discrimination

In order to restore these virtues to the world, we must first cultivate them within ourselves.

Justice

Kindness

Caring

Blue River Actions

Cultivating above virtues within oneself, starts at home

Doing odd tasks/chores

On the lookout for when someone feels down

This should flow into school/public

Looking out for needs, then meeting needs

Also trying to stop the source of "needs" (i.e. if bullying, try to get the bully to stop)

Restoration: bring them back up to emotional health/acceptance

Opposing the corrupt actions of the rich/popular

Looking out for Purple Velvet Representatives

Telling on bullies/cheaters

Codes of Secrecy

In all actions: MUST BE SUBTLE!!!! ALWAYS

Otherwise people will suspect you

Absolutely non-negotiable information-- guard at any cost (except maybe your life)

Name of secret society (can be guessed however by your actions)

Location of HQ

Whether or not you have the Blue River card (equivalent to a Purple Velvet Accessory)

Fellow members (although this is very easy to suspect/figure out)

Disclaimer: Any of the above information can be told at the discretion of the current leader (right now Prof. O'Henry)

ONLY if instructed

Interacting with other members

Don't go out of your way to hang out with them, but don't avoid them altogether (just be friendly, like another person/friend)

If questions related to secret society, make conversations short and private. Members can pass information by word of mouth, although color-coded notes (See Knowledge Post 1 Thursday 9/15) are the preferred method of calling meetings

Meetings

Called ONLY by Prof. O'Henry (i.e. I cannot meet with Liam or another person on my own for Secret Society stuff)

Subtlety AND wisdom in making excuses for absences

Don't make a point of going somewhere

Make rational excuses so you won't be accused or suspected

During meeting

Prof. O'Henry will decide upon an objective every meeting -- nothing off-topic until the end

Generally refrain from gossip/other inconsequential topics unless they directly relate and are significant

Get through it quickly and leave ASAP in case of suspicion

Afterwards I rush through my homework so I can secretly do the laundry for my mother. She's had a hard day and is still napping by the time I'm done. It's a very good feeling to be able to "cultivate" this virtue of helping out -- helping my family, my friends.... Liam? Smiling, I flop onto my bed and let my mind be carried away by all the possibilities.