THERE IS A CRACK IN EVERYTHING

[maskormods]

WHO: ImPorts! But especially the NONAH AMBASSADOR CANDIDATES!
WHERE: The Dolley Madison Library in Nonah, North Carolina.
WHEN: Evening, Sunday November 13th.
WHAT: The Nonah Town Hall for an evening of rigorous debate about the issues that matter!
WARNINGS: N/A.

The Dolley Madison Library is a two story structure brimming with books and neoclassical architecture. Clearly a well-funded facility, this library is a bright, warm, and welcoming environment for polite (if political) conversation this evening. The main floor, near the back of the building and behind rows and rows of looming bookshelves is the slightly risen stage destined for tonight's event. It is but a darkly painted plateau nearly a foot off the ground, a little stage intended for reading events and author interviews. Nine simple wooden chairs are set upon the stage, and a microphone greets them all.

The audience portion is complete with organized, open seating and a table of non-alcoholic refreshments. There are muffins and cookies, too, for those of you who have come hungry for both IDEAS and SNACKS.

EACH CANDIDATE gets a time slot to speak about tonight's theme: THE ROLE OF IMPORTS IN RELATION TO METAHUMANS IN A HISTORICALLY NON-POWERED COMMUNITY.

Candidate imPorts may address their solutions and visions, or even drudge up more complications, in response to the thematic prompt. You can be a candidate of hope, or of fear -- it all depends on your perspective. Concerned imPort citizens are allowed to speak with the candidates about their answers, and debate them if necessary. ImPorts are also allowed to debate among each other after the candidates have all spoken.

The event begins at 7PM EST, but may last well into the night.

Comments

[incogneto]

You have enough to start a hospital?

[dendarii]

Near to it. I think we could manage.

[incogneto]

And the staff?

Victor S Court

[curada]

[The part of Victor's mind that is skeptical of politics is quietly hidden behind a facade of calm interest as he listens to everyone's points. His usual medical wear hasn't been foregone. It's one thing to show a sense of style; it's another to let it cloud people's impressions of who you are. It isn't right to fool them to approach you, either.

He is scrawling notes when his turn is up, presumerably his thoughts about how the debate has progressed - so he winds it up and approaches the podium. The most he has done with his appearance is to plait his hair so it isn't in the way.]

I feel imPorts with opinions on this matter are as divided about our role as the local communities themselves. But there could be a unified role for us all in supporting metahumans and the other members of their communities as they determine their future.

[He strokes his chin without moving his head.]

We might be fundamentally divided over the length our outreach should extend, but it is important that all recognize that what is idealogical debate for us is a discussion that will define the futures of millions of people - particularily those living on the fringes of society.

If we encourage co-operation, we must understand the implications; that we are asking non-powered members of the wider community to accept peace with very little justice for their own disadvantaged lives. My position is therefore we recognize our place and primarily leave the native community to have the debate about their future in relative autonomy. It is their sons and daughters, friends, mothers and fathers who have suddenly found themselves with new lives - not ours. Besides, it's hardly imPorts who will have to judge whether to accept suggestions or judge whether they they go too far.

Suffice to say, we should impose limitations on ourselves in regards to how much we want to influence the wider community's determination of its future. There ought be no assistance without invitation.

[And after the debate he is denoting things in any place you please - working in silence or holding discussions with anybody who asks questions.]

[excessivehubris]

[ Helping himself to a stuffed mushroom cap, Charles ate his ill gotten gain, swallowing and dusting off his fingertips before he attempted to answer. ]

Honestly, I'm not sure yet. They all spoke excellently and brought up very good arguments. I'll have to think about it for a bit.

[ He raised a finger and pointed it at Erik. ]

I think you should have given it a go. [ Though they were both well aware that Erik's level of patience might not lend itself to a political life. ]

[incogneto]

You don't believe that, you just want me out of the house so you don't come home to a project.

[ He jests. Though he really should clean up his furniture making setup in the garage. ]

Do you really think so? I haven't done any outreach.

[baetiful]

[ Miles has the enthusiasm and likely the popularity to win this thing. Baelish is certain he's one of the top contenders. And so, that's why it's important that he engages him on this to generate discussion. ]

There can be no debate that it was one of our own who caused this new group of metahumans and subsequently changed this world permanently. Do you view this as a negative impact or do you see this as an opportunity for this world?

[baetiful]

[ While Anastasya does have Petyr's support, he has to ensure she stands out as a strong candidate. Her viewpoint is a smart and cautious one -- less optimistic and more indicative of a leader who has been here and done that and doesn't want any more bullshit to befall on her people. So he has to prepare her to see how she would respond to the criticisms she would inevitably face if she is elected ambassador. ]

It is because of the power of a single imPort that these metahumans were created. In the eyes of some, because we created them we are responsible for them. How do you respond to those who hold our entire community accountable for the actions of only one among us?

[baetiful]

[ Petyr doesn't know Victor too well, but he's not about to count anyone out of this race. And he certainly wants to get to know the candidates since he will be spending time working with one of them. ]

Nonah had, and still has to my knowledge, an imPort training facility created by Ambassador Gamagori. I believe the government has reclaimed control of this establishment, but do you believe we should be creating more places such as this for the sake of allowing metahumans a safer place to learn and practice their abilities? And would you try to reclaim this original imPort training facility to better equip it for this new subsection of the native population?

[baetiful]

[ This is the largest election in the imPort community to date. So of course Petyr Baelish is here -- trying to get a read on the ambassador hopefuls. The fortunate thing is that he has a largely positive relationship with most of the candidates so no matter who wins, it won't be detrimental to the things he's trying to accomplish. The unfortunate thing is that it's impossible to read who stands the best chance of winning.

So to anyone who isn't running for ambassador, Petyr will often approach them with the question: ] So what do you think of the candidates thus far?

[ And for the nominees, Petyr will approach them with a friendly smile. ] I just want to say, if there is anything you need of me -- advice or otherwise, feel free to ask.

[dendarii]

[ Miles considers that question thoughtfully, tapping at the side of his face. ]

I think we were already changing this world permanently even before all of this happened. But - either way, we have a lot to offer. If we are given the opportunity to do so freely.

[dendarii]

Imports and natives both.

Sam Merlotte

[shifting]

[a suit jacket and tie, jeans with a belt and boots. Almost formal. Enough to look professional, at least, and paired with an attentive focus and caring Sam's never had to fake. He offers the audience a close-lipped smile and a welcoming nod.

He's thought a lot about how to approach this. In the end, even Sam was surprised about the conclusion he reached.]

My name's Sam Merlotte, for those of you who don't know me, and I'm gonna start tonight by bein' honest about somethin' I haven't been yet: I'm a shapeshifter. I was one 'fore I came here, it's not new to me. I grew up in a world where that wasn't the norm, either. Caused a lot of complications in my life, a lot of hidin' who I was out of fear and shame. Enough that I thought to hide it here as well, for a time.

These people, the metahumans we're talkin' about, their lives have just been turned upside down. They didn't ask for this anymore than we asked to be brought here, or I asked to be born a shifter. Some of them were excited by these powers - we saw that. Havin' some experience on the matter, I'd say there were just as many we didn't see. People frightened, confused. Same boat I'd imagine a lot of you were in, when you first came out the Porter to find you were different than before.

Fear's our biggest enemy in this. Has been from the start. Our fears and the fears of those lookin' 'round their communities, second-guessin' their neighbors, afraid that this new group's gonna pose the threat some fearmongers have claimed that we do. We've got nothin' to gain from distancing ourselves from metahumans, and too much to lose to ignore the troubles this is gonna cause.

[Sam leans forward, arms on the podium, hands clasped - relaxed and earnest.]

So we get in front of this thing. We head off the fear 'fore it has room to grow. Best two weapons to have in this fight are communication and education. We break down those barriers and build community. Regular town halls in the imPort cities are a good way to start. You pair that with community outreach, education programs regardin' these new abilities, and keepin' the floor open to address concerns and point out the similarities between us.

Whether I get elected or not, I plan to be a part of that effort. My hope is y'all will join me in it. Because however temporary this world is for us, it's our home - and it's a home worth makin' better for all of us.

[dendarii]

[ Miles turns from his spot next to Sam in the half-circle of chairs, quite interested in - well, all of it, really, but one thing in particular -- ]

You're a shapeshifter? What sort?

[jacksonian]

[ A sardonic grunt. ]

I'll tell you what I think of you, if you'd like.

[ #brotherlylove ]

[dendarii]

[ Thanks, Mark. Miles just laughs fondly at that. ]

You're still here! That tells me all I need to know.

[jacksonian]

[ Hmph. Mark looks away, tugging at his shirtcuffs. ]

It's a networking opportunity.

[dendarii]

Of course. Though you should at least take pride in your handiwork.

[ He gestures down at himself. ]

[shifting]

[a question he came into tonight expecting, but not who he expected it from. Not, come to that, someone Sam knows all that much about to start.]

Animals. Long as I've seen it before. [friendly and offered with a smile. Not a moment after, he offers a hand to shake as well.]

I don't rightly think we've met yet. I'm Sam.

[jacksonian]

[ Mark grunts in acknowledgment, his expression getting a bit less studiously aloof. ]

Yeah. You do look good. That stylist knows how to work with - people like us.

[ Men with insane body types. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles hasn't ever spoken with the man before. Heard about him briefly from Mark, and that's it. ]

Ah, very flexible. I've only got the one form.

[ He gladly shakes Sam's hand in turn. ]

Lord MIles Vorkosigan. Pleasure to meet you, Sam.

[dendarii]

Depressingly rare no matter where you go. [ This huff is two part pride and one part exasperation. ] I would still kill to be able to just buy clothes normally, but this works too ...

[jacksonian]

[ He sticks his hands in his pockets. ]

It does get easier when you have money, doesn't it.

[shifting]

[Sam would admittedly prefer a plastic cup of whiskey to apple juice, but he needs something to wet his mouth after all that talking. He hopes it went over well - people at least seemed receptive, and he was pleasantly surprised to find it didn't feel all that different from roles he already played in Bon Temps, between running Merlotte's and being a landlord. He's been offering advice, help, and listening to people's issues for years - funny that it turns out politics is a lot of the same.]

Hope I didn't wear out people's ears too bad. [is the greeting he'll give to anyone who approaches.] I think it's good we've got so many of us runnin'. Bodes well for us movin' forward, I think, that we've got people willin' to be active and engaged.

[dendarii]

... Mmm. Just so. I'm increasingly glad we have it.

[ Despite still not quite getting it. ]