[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

[selfloyalty]

Had I known sooner, I would have discussed this with you.

[lmao no she wouldn't, but it's said so plainly that it could hardly count as a lie.]

This is my way of ensuring a promising partnership. If I had been seeking power, I would have set my sights on procuring a position with the Initiative instead.

I feel as it would be best if we truly worked together, as opposed to having to lead two separate groups. I am a politician, and you are a war hero, it is more favourable than the alternative.

[She raises her eyebrow. She knows that this Elissa was not the one who helped secure her position on the throne, that the idea of a balanced partnership may be foreign to her. Anora is well aware that the Warden has had a difficult time trusting her.]

And it would be an ideal way to keep an eye on me, wouldn't you agree?

[ladyspitfire]

[Anora's suspicions are correct; Elissa is having a hard time trusting her, especially when she says something about discussing this with her. It doesn't show on her face, not readily, because she gives Anora the chance to speak first. But eventually, her skepticism shines through.]

And while I appreciate your forethought on the matter, this is only going to make the both of us look like fools, pulling favorites and protecting our positions.

[She raises an eyebrow.]

It sounds more as if you'd like to keep an eye on me instead.

[But Anora's right about one thing. Elissa would be watching her just the same.]

If you were interested in partnership, then perhaps it would be best if we nominated one another as seconds to ensure things stay cohesive either way.

[selfloyalty]

Believe me when I say that you are no favourite of mine.

[She says nothing about keeping an eye on Elissa, though that is indeed true. She keeps with the pleasant act, though at the offer of being nominated as Elissa's Second, Anora's blue eyes flash.

A trait reminiscent of her father's. Her voice is passively pleasant, and there's a light chuckle.]

I fear, my dear Warden, that this is not something that could possibly work both ways. I am no second.

I am interested in a partnership, but if you are looking for someone who is just as happy to play second as they are to accept the title of leader, I would look to Alistair instead. He bends over more graciously than I ever would.

[She continues, her voice quick, serious, to the point and void of any mockery despite what it is she says next.]

I know how the title of leader can plague some, driving them to stray from their duties and disappear. I look to ease that pressure, Warden. If you wish, I can find another second...but I would truly prefer you despite whatever differences we may have. Had you lived in my time, I would have extended a similar invitation.

[ladyspitfire]

[Of course it isn't an option. Anora will never bow to anyone, not even under threat of death. It is a trait Elissa admires about her, truth be told, but she isn't asking for Anora's loyalty or her servitude. She is asking for equality, but even now she can see that is impossible under the current circumstances. She never expected it.

But when she speaks of Alistair, her entire demeanor changes. Where Anora is pleasant and calm, Elissa is cold and hard, eyes like daggers, fire beneath the ice. Her lips remain in a thin line as she steps towards the woman before her, hands remaining at her sides and open.

She is no physical threat. She does not intend to be.]

I do apologize, my queen, if I have given the impression that I would be cowed at the prospect of leadership or of true responsibility.

[Her voice is low and almost gentle when she speaks, eyes locking with Anora's briefly.]

I am a Cousland, my lady. I do not give up. I do not run away.

[She steps back, raising her head and straightening herself, every inch the Warden and commander she has been for years.]

I would remove any assumption you have otherwise. I would hate for you to make the same mistake Rendon Howe made of me and mine.

[selfloyalty]

[Anora's smile remains simple and thin as she holds eye contact with the Warden.]

Good.

Those are exactly the traits I would wish to see in my Second.

[ladyspitfire]

No, I think not.

[Elissa's tone brooks no nonsense.]

I believe, instead, that you would prefer a competent puppet that will win you votes and admiration. Your skills speak for you; you lack, however, the freedom of mobility among ranks that I have. And I'm not keen on giving you that advantage.

[Not when she can already see the consequences of this endeavor.]

I will stand beside you should you be chosen. But I will cast my lot just the same.

[selfloyalty]

Do you think I took pleasure in puppeting Cailan?

[She doesn't have to be sensitive about the subject, everyone in Ferelden knew who was pulling the strings.]

Believe it or not, I do not wish to pull the strings of yet another. It is why I had wished to rule alone my second time around. I could have easily withheld from choosing a second, you realize, and do you think me unaware of your autonomy?

I may not have been born with the blood of a noble, I may have had to marry and carry along the ego of a man to gain my title, but I am queen. Leadership is in my veins and it is not something I would ever readily give up.

[In any case, there is a curt nod of the head.]

I expected no less from you, Warden. I am glad that you will stand beside me should the public make the right choice.