[OPEN TO ALL] 3rd DEFENSE MEETING

[uncalled_for]

Date & Time: Dec. 22nd, early morning to late afternoon/evening
Location: Near the Botanical Gardens
Characters: EVERYONE AND ANYONE.
Summary: Third Defense Meeting. IT’S FINALLY VOTING TIME. Speeches and questioning the nominees and likely some chatter for those too bored/annoyed to pay attention to the speeches. (Voting will be done in an OOC post in mid-Jan) Basically it’s a giant CR picnic.
Warnings: Language. Otherwise I’m assuming no one will try and kill the nominees or anything… WILL CHANGE IF NEED BE.



[Someone’s looking a little better than she did a few days ago, at least not as exhausted in appearance. Finding a bench to stand on to at least get some height over others she’ll do the usual tapping her staff loudly and clearing her throat to gather attention.]

Thank you all for coming and taking an interest in our cause. Our cause for defense for each other as we fight this battle from all sides on our own. Today we will be deciding our leaders. We have spent far longer than enough getting to know each other and who would be the best candidates for such a role. Now we must choose who.

First we will begin with choosing our nominees, they will each have a chance to give a speech, and by the end of the meeting a vote will be held deciding whether or not they are the right choice for their nominated title. They will each be also given a chance to nominate a Second who will act alongside them.

In the weeks to come those leading will create groups. The goal is that each group will hold a specialty and as a whole we will be able to form an effective defense. In battles they will fight together, in times of crises they will protect those in need, when things are amiss they will know who they can trust and others will know the same. And we will no longer be entirely on our own.

[She’ll give a pause and look at anyone watching before giving a short nod.]

There’s much to accomplish today and I won’t delay things further. We will begin with the nominations…


[OOC: NOMINATIONS are in. SO. We have three nominees; Anora, Edgeworth, and Elissa /o/. Each will have their own thread with the starting comment being their speech. The speeches will be improvised but they’ll be choosing their Second/Assistant/Minion? in the speech. After the speech characters can question them and corner them like small animals with interrogations from said nominees’ thread. Come mid-Jan there will be a vote in the OOC comm that is meant to be done ICly. The vote will be a simple yay or nay since we have so few nominees. If the majority are nays to one nominee then they lose. More on that later. But ICly time wise, the nominations are made at the start of this meeting and the voting is completed by the end of this meeting. The reason for the OOC time delay is for backtagging enjoyment. PM me if you have any questions. :)]

Comments

ANORA

[uncalled_for]

[Speech followed by a pommeling of questions. Her Second, if present, can be pummeled with pestering as well. Please wait until the speech is posted to begin questioning :)]

[selfloyalty]

[After years of training and condition, Anora looks right at home as she stands before the collective to give her speech. There was no look of surprise, and not a shred of nervousness, but instead a calm expression of experience as her ice-blue eyes survey the group.

Her speech is essentially a rehash of her introduction from last meeting. She doesn't know of Edgeworth, nor what sort of opponent he would be, but she knows Elissa and knows how highly people regard the Warden.

She'll have to tread carefully. Her mask of professionalism is set, and her voice is steady and demands attention.]

For those still unaware, I am Anora Theirin, and it is indeed a pleasure to be standing before you as a nominated party. During our previous meeting, I had essentially said what was needed to be said about myself and why I would be the best candidate to lead this cause, so I will keep this brief and to the point.

I am a queen from where I hail. But it is not my title that matters here, it is my knowledge and training that should be desired in a leader for this group. In my youth I was raised to be the better half of the then-crowned prince's rule. I studied with the best scholars and I learned from the greatest teachers. I am an intellectual and a thinker, a diplomat who knows her way around much more than a battle field. My father, who had been a great war hero in his prime, had taught me the art of strategy, and for five years I had ruled on behalf of my husband because I am a great leader.

[She pauses, expression still collected and oddly pleasant as she slips easily into the role.]

I am aware that my crown means little here, and that at the end of the day I am still just another Transport like the rest of you which helps endear me to your wants and needs. What makes me an excellent choice for leadership, however, is that I am a Transport with experience and the drive, and I am willing to work with all of you so as to ensure that this group thrives.

[Her eyes scan the audience once again, locking on to where she spots Elissa in the crowd. Her expression breaks into a satisfied looking smirk as she goes back to addressing the audience.]

And as such, I shall nominate the Warden, Elissa Cousland, to be my Second, should she choose to accept my offer. With my experience in diplomacy, leadership and keeping an entire country united, and her experience in helping to unite and lead entire armies, I feel as though she would help secure and create a rather balanced partnership.

[She clasps her hands together and gives the group a nod.]

I am willing to answer any questions you may have. I do not wish to bore you any longer, and I know you will come to the right decision when the time comes.

[ladyspitfire]

[If anyone thinks this is some grand scheme between the two of them, all they need is to look on Elissa's face to see that isn't the case at all. Her eyes are wide with shock and she struggles for several moments not to look utterly at a loss with what to do. Eventually, she controls herself, though her hands are clenched into tight fists at her sides.

Of course she'd pull something like this. Of course she would.

Elissa could accept before even making her own speech. She wouldn't need to lead. Wouldn't that be better?

She clenches her jaw and waits until Anora's finished before making her way over to her. She doesn't dare accept publicly until she knows just what's going on.]

[uncalled_for]

[Girl say what.

Guess who is charging toward Anora looking very annoyed.]

What are you doing, Anora? You can't have your Second be another nominee.

[holmesisnowhere]

Sherlock's been quietly following this whole defense meeting thing from a distance. He's been lurking quietly in the back, never saying anything. He just watches. He's recently come down from his spot on the highest building in the city and he's never seen in the Hold, that much is certain. The man that stares at the elf with unflinching pale eyes is ragged, looking too thin, dark circles like bruises beneath his too-alert eyes.

Tucking his hands into his pockets he steps forward on quiet feet. For a human, his step is a little unnaturally quiet, either by grace or by intentional practice, and when he speaks, it's just loudly enough to be heard above the crowd.

"Rather short-sighted of you," his baritone is gravely and soft, pose relaxed back onto his heels, a sort of artful half-slouch in place.

[latkje]

Your majesty. [ Nash squints. Or maybe his face is just stuck like that. ] I wonder when the Initiative will finally find itself an accountant.

[ And then he shrugs, casually. ] I can't decide if that was clever or not, naming another candidate as your Second.

[songofvalor]

[ Fereldans have an interesting way of handling politics, she thinks. No Orlesian would ever be that straightforward; they would childishly eliminate rather than manipulate. Anora's thinking like a chess master, trying to take control of the entire board. It would be brilliant if she weren't being so obvious about it. ]

[ Save for a small hint of amusement, Leliana's expression is unreadable. ]

I have a question for my lady. [ Always my lady, never Your Majesty. ] It is renowned throughout Ferelden that my lady Anora is a politician, skilled in the art of governance and diplomacy. She is an intellectual and a thinker, and a ruler worthy of respect.

But I have gotten the impression that the whole point of a defense meeting is to protect the Transports -- and the battle aspect of this has been highlighted many, many times.

Should my lady ever win, she would be leading something more akin to an army than a kingdom. She is many things, but she is not a general, yes? What, then, would she offer that is more valuable than someone who has led armies?

EDGEWORTH

[uncalled_for]

[Speech followed by a pommelling of questions. His Second, if present, can be pummeled with pestering as well. Please wait until the speech is posted to begin questioning :)]

[bratworth]

[ Edgeworth's reasons for attending this third meeting are precisely the same as the two prior: to observe the people who are getting involved with this endeavour and to introduce himself to more of his fellow Transports. Never did he imagine that he would be nominated - he's a lawyer, not a leader, nor a politician. Certainly not any sort of royalty. For a moment he had actually wondered if he was hallucinating, that these words were nothing more than a side-effect of the very little sleep he'd been having recently. Yet, he soon dismisses that thought as he eyes the gathered crowd, who all seem to be gazing expectantly back.

He swallows and tries to think of what he should say. Something to say. He'd feel more comfortable if there was a bench in front of him, with the scales of justice high on the wall behind. The courts are where he belongs. Not here. Not now. Yet, rejecting the nomination outright would seem to be doing Ms. Cousland a disservice.

Focus, Miles.

Anyone who knows the prosecutor might notice the exhaustion apparent in his features but he tries to ignore all that and think of the courts, the place where he feels closest to certain about what he's doing, the place that almost feels like home. ]

Good day, everyone. My name is Miles Edgeworth and I am a prosecuting attorney. I know that some of you might be unfamiliar with the term, so I'll provide a quick explanation: a prosecuting attorney, or a prosecutor, is a lawyer who conducts criminal trials on the behalf of the state. That is, to put it simply, to prove that someone who has been accused of committing a crime is actually guilty. [ A beat, and a satisfied smirk spreads over his features, quite at odd with the weariness in his eyes. ] They usually are. Although there is not as of yet a fully established legal system present here in Exsilium, it's something that some of us are working on, in collaboration with the recently established police force -- which, in the spirit of full disclosure, is being funded by the Initiative.

[ So far, so good, apart from the point where he has to stifle a yawn. He hates this time of year. ]

While I'm aware that I don't have the war experience that our two other nominees possess, I don't particularly consider it to be necessary for this endeavour. In fact, I don't believe in fighting unless there truly is no other option. I feel that the purpose of such a group as this, if it is to exist, is not to cause more friction and division within the Transport community but instead unite it. The Initiative already plan to train us for war. If you're interested in that sort of training, the centres are open every day, as you would very well know.

I believe that at the end of the day, community safety should take priority. While we have all been drafted here against our will, that does not mean that we must fight, or that most of us are in any way trained to fight. Everyone has their different specialities and if we capitalize upon this, assign people roles based upon their particular skills, we can do our best to protect our fellow Transports, some of whom are only children and other innocents. Not only that, but we could use this knowledge to also help the Initiative win their war against the United Earth and thus eliminate that threat.

So far, the Initiative has not taken advantage of such organization, but I believe we could. If were were to involve more Transports in these proceedings and utilize everyone's varying talents to the best of our ability, we could truly create something capable of ensuring that we can protect each other.

[ It could potentially be an unpopular opinion, if some of his discussions at previous defense meetings were to go by, but now that he'd said his piece he was willing to stand by it. There was no way in the world he was equipped to head a war effort, but something like he had proposed would be doable. He seeks out Elissa's face in the crowd, wondering if what he had said had been at all what she'd been expecting, wondered still why she'd nominated him at all. He didn't know her very well but all the same he'd hoped that he'd not disappointed her -- that was the reason he'd tried in the first place.

But right, right. There was something else. He needed a second. Of the assistant variety, not of the unit of time. ... Heh. He really must be tired, he thought, scanning the crowd again. Who would understand what he was trying to achieve? Who could he trust? Who would even want to help him?

Then his eyes fall on Franziska and he realizes his decision is made. ]

For my second, I would like to nominate [ and then he points to his mentor's daughter and it's almost just like being in a courtroom again; his worries, his tiredness, they all seem to fade away into something unimportant in that moment ] Franziska von Karma, a colleague of mine who is also an incredibly skilled lawyer. I believe she would be a valuable addition to the cause, and her work ethic is second to none.

[ Then he immediately turns his gaze away from Franziska so he doesn't have to see her react to that, quietly glad that she's too far away to hit him with that whip of hers. Addressing the audience at large once more: ]

If you've any questions about anything that I've mentioned, I'm happy to answer them.

[ After that earlier rush the weariness settles back in heavily; it feels like something physical on his shoulders, weighing him down. But he'd done it. Despite all his misgivings, his uncertainty about what this group was actually trying to achieve, he'd said something and meant it and maybe -- on the off chance that this actually panned out -- this could actually be a chance to make a difference. To do something that wasn't spinning his wheels, or to use Ms. Fey's term, dragging his feet.

Something that finally could give him his real chance to atone. ]

[vaudevil]

[Lee mentally facepalms at the mention of the second but shows no outward sign of the disapproval. Having two attorneys and both with the same background isn't a good idea. Still, he supports his friend with a tired smile.

After the speech is completed, he gives his applause in the form of a slight bow. It seems to him now that the person he's supporting is all about the arbitrary nature of setting up laws and order than actually trying to fix the problem. This is a bad sign to Lee.

Still, he can't complain. He didn't put himself up for nomination for a good reason. His purpose isn't about leading. It's about exposing the truth and he can't do that if he's the center of attention. That smile stays as he approaches Edgeworth.]

Best of luck to you, my friend.

[ladyspitfire]

[She catches his gaze when he turns to her, surprised to find him looking almost...lost. He had made it clear to her how he felt about their work. Edgeworth had good ideas. He could work in cooperation with the police force. So why does he seem so uncertain?

At length, she nods, and offers him an encouraging smile. You can do it. Don't be afraid.]

[perfectionisms]

What a surprise. And here I thought I would be here just to observe.

[ Her surprise was as genuine as her smile was fake. She didn't even agree with him being nominated in the first place, must he drag her down with him too? And he nominated her as his second. His second!

It's not like she couldn't do it. She can and she will if she has too. Whether she wanted to or not apparently didn't matter as much. ]

ELISSA

[uncalled_for]

[Speech followed by a pommelling of questions. Her Second, if present, can be pummeled with pestering as well. Please wait until the speech is posted to begin questioning :)]

[ladyspitfire]

[Elissa's expression as she steps forward to speak is, at first, neutral. She stands with her feet shoulder-length apart, like a warrior, her hands clasped behind her back. Silent, she scans the small audience she has before speaking, and her tone is direct but almost gentle.]

My name is Elissa Cousland and I stand before you as one of your nominees. I'm humbled by your choice, though I know many of you have questions and are uncertain.

[Especially since her nomination as Anora's second, despite being a candidate herself. She does not look at the queen, her eyes focused solely on the people before her.]

I come from a world called Thedas and my home was recently ravaged by a great destruction that choked the land and could have killed many. I was tasked with gathering an army to combat the blight on our nation. We were divided by culture, skills, and a history that seemed insurmountable by many. In one year, these armies had been gathered, united in their cause to fight against a common enemy and to protect one another from the slaughter that threatened us. They would spare no one, not even those who lived in seclusion in the forests or the mountains.

Despite those odds and the losses we had already suffered in that year, we succeeded. And when the war was over, I was given a position as commander of a small group. We were responsible for the protection of a hold in the north as well as the city that lay beyond it.

[As she speaks, she looks around, eyes lingering on each and every person for a moment before moving on to the next. At length, she shifts her stance, no longer holding herself as rigidly as before. Her expression even seems to relax as she looks around.]

I did not do it alone. I did it with the help of many, many people who dedicated their lives to helping my cause and who only wished to save their homes. I may have lead them, but they were not my loyal subjects...nor were they my soldiers or my servants. They were my comrades, my friends, and my allies. I am not here to rule, Transports, nor am I here to speak of my accomplishments. I am here to make certain that we keep ourselves safe in this war, a war we had no right to be conscripted into, and to ensure that we make enough headway to go home.

[She briefly gestures.]

Look around you. You stand amongst strangers and friends, people who have been brought here against their will. We share a common bond, albeit small. You will not survive by fighting alone in the field, closed off from those around you. To win this war and to secure the safety of our homes, we must work together. [She smiles faint, the expression lacking mirth.] Though I do not expect us all to get along.

Not everyone here is capable of fighting battles. Many are diplomats, spies, assassins, teachers, children, and others possessing unique talents. They are just as important as soldiers and warlords, for we cannot continue to thrive here as a community without them. We will not be able to convince the Initiative to send us home without their support.

[Lifting her head, she takes a breath to bring herself back to her main point.]

I want us to go home. I want to protect our worlds. And I want us all to live well in Exsilium until the day comes that we are granted our freedom.

[Turning, she looks out into the crowd for Blaine and, briefly, Duncan.]

To that end, I wish to nominate Blaine Thorps as my second. He is skilled in gathering information and he has been as concerned as I with our survival in Exsilium. I hope that he will balance my strengths in combat with a level-head and a keen eye, and that he will provide as a check to make certain my priorities remain focused on the safety and succession of our fellow Transports.

Now, if you have questions, I would be happy to hear them. I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability.

[strategic_guile]

[Blaine had smirked a bit upon hearing Elissa being nominated. He'd thought about doing it himself, except he knew she nor Duncan, his other possible nomination, wanted anything to do with leading. Suffice to say he was pleased to avoid being the asshole and doing it anyway. This time. After Anora's speech and seeing the stunned reaction of her possible second-in-command's nomination, his eyes were dancing with glee. He did love a good political move. Though there were plenty of flaws he could see in it, he had to applaud the brass balled boldness of it. She was certainly getting a mental golf-clap out of him for the effort.

Listening to Elissa speak, he felt confident in her ability to get her thoughts across. He would have to see if she was truly able to lead as well as she spoke, but his instincts were rarely wrong. Of course, he didn't realize just how much he was going to have to trust in that ability until the end. She looked at him, and then she nominated him as her second. The extent of his surprise was released in one raised eyebrow and a look that said, 'Oh really now?'.

After she finished he made his way over, containing his wolfish grin under the guise of his normal smile.]

I didn't know I had made such a good impression. Is it still inappropriate to call you Lady?

[estelio]

[ Content to keep silent and listen up to this point, Arwen takes a small step forward. ]

I have only one question for you. [ She pauses and her lips thin slightly before she continues. ] Another has named you as her second. Has she not?

[ Alright, that's only half a question. But this one doesn't understand the politics going on here. She only knows that she recognizes it as such. ]

Chatter/Fighting/Miscellaneous

[uncalled_for]

[Don’t feel like questioning and would much rather enjoy glaring from afar? Gossiping even or discussing the nominees from a distance? Or just start a fight and let off some steam. Have at it!]

OPEN

[ofthegrey]

Duncan felt it was likely a good idea to stand off to the side after his surprise nomination of Elissa. His recruit might not have been the happiest with him in the moment, not to mention a certain queen. It wasn't bias that motivated him, he knew. It was the same instinct that had drawn him to recruit her in the battle against the archdemon. She was leadership material, hard-working, tough and fair minded, and charismatic. She didn't have a desire for power, rather results. Whether she'd want to kill him for this remained to be seen.

He looked around the meeting with an eye for people to talk to, either those he had yet to meet or those returning more invested in the cause. In his bid to see the right person in place for the job, he didn't intend to cast her to the wolves. He'd do all in his power to ease the way. As always, he stood out in his silverite armor with the divided skirting, not an easy figure to miss.

OPEN

[ofmyth]

Thor is keeping as much in the background as a 6'6 Norse God built like a brick shithouse can. He keeps to the sides and back of the room- partly so as not to block anyone's view of the speakers- mostly because he knows that being silent and discreet is not a strength of his and he does not want to accidentally usurp the attention the nominees deserve.

Mortals should lead mortals, or so he has always believed. He will support whoever is elected and lend his strength where it is needed. Polite discussion of the nominees and inquiring after his friends' health is his order of the day.

[glenamored]

Wow. This is good. Prime entertainment. Glen's never cared much for politics, but there's something to be said for peeping in on it from time to time and watching (or causing) the scandal and chaos it brings.

She's sitting towards the back, figuring that since she's such a junior member it's best to observe for now, and observe is exactly what she does. There are a few times she nearly bursts out with a horseshit-eating grin... watching Mr. Hermit and Her Blonde Regency go at it is particularly fun.

She hasn't even done or said anything yet. She hadn't even really wanted to do or say anything, and yet here these people are, debating and in some cases arguing with a few concerned with playing nice. It just serves to convince her that no matter what she happens to do or not do, the world is still cat eat mouse.

And that just happens to be why she's here. A proper cat knows how to hunt, how to be graceful, and how to play with her food before gobbling it up, but Glen's found that in this world she's out of her element and not the cat she used to be. Defending herself is key. Finding a place for herself again is essential, as is gaining the trust of these people.

She's sitting, legs crossed and smiling pleasantly, observing. Catering to her own inner thoughts, none of which are apparent in her face or her demeanor. If no one pays her any mind, that's fine. She's found something interesting in this group, either way.

OPEN

[strategic_guile]

This whole meeting was just full of surprises. Blaine needed some damn popcorn. He expected things to be serious, but the amount of maneuvering of the political nature shouldn't have surprised him, and yet it kind of did. He preferred to deal with the soldiers, but damn if he didn't always get the politicians. He couldn't help but smile and shake his head at it all. Here he was thinking he would get to watch from afar and offer a supportive ear, but instead he might get a front row seat. From the stage. What luck did he have?

Open

[trustycrowbar]

[Oh hey. Look who it is.]

[Gordon is simply watching for now. He had no intention of jockeying for position anywhere. And he sure as hell doesn't want to stick his neck out after what happened last time...]

[But he's somewhat impressed. This might actually start walking on its own.]

Chatter/Fighting/Miscellaneous

[priad]

Priad simply watches over the discussion, his arms crossed over the giant two-headed eagle blazoned upon the plastron of his armor. He's learning about what sort of organization they might have, one way or another, and that is interesting enough for him to stay, even if he has no opinion on most of the candidates one way or another.

OPEN~

[uncalled_for]

[Someone is not the happiest right now.

After the speeches and berating and chattering and whatever else Fiona can throw about at the nominees, she'll stand to the side. She does not look that approachable but she's not about to storm out of her own meeting simply because someone or two someones stepped on her foot.

So she'll stand arms crossed, a heavy look on the crowd. To call her seemingly angry might be a bit much, but she's not exactly smiling either.]

/slams into

[strategic_guile]

[The not very open nor friendly look doesn't deter the tall blonde from wandering over to Fiona. He had been to all the meetings and hadn't ever talked to her. It was definitely time to rectify that. He approached with an easy smile and a slightly arched eyebrow.]

You don't look so pleased, Fiona.