maskormenace | [Video] Yet another ambassador election announcement.

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[Video] Yet another ambassador election announcement.

[Anastasya is sitting on a park bench somewhere when she turns on her communicator, seemingly enjoying the afternoon sun, dressed in a long, black skirt and a dark green blouse. She offers the screen a small smile.]

Hello everyone. For those of you that I haven't met, and honestly that's quite a few of you, my name is Anastasya Griffin. Like many of you, I've tried to keep to myself since I was kidnapped to this world. I was content, I suppose, to try and...wait it out, until the machine would return me home as it seemed to do to others. Because it was bound to happen eventually, right?

[She hesitates, seemingly trying to choose her words carefully.]

But recent events have made it very clear that we can't simply remain complacent, trying to live our lives, not when the rest of the world considers us oddities at best, and dangerous weapons at worst. Even here in the United States, you're just as likely to receive looks of suspicion and fear as you are of wonder and amazement. It's not a situation we can simply allow to continue, not if there's something we can do about it.

And as my friend Count Dooku has impressed upon me recently, those of us who already have the skills necessary to try and help...raise the perception people have of imports, if you will...have something of an obligation to do so.

[Another small pause, and she seems to straighten up some without really moving. As if she's settling into a mantle she had put aside for a while. A slightly strange look, perhaps, on someone that appears to be as young as she does.]

Which is why I would like to announce my candidacy for Import Ambassador to the city of De Chima.

I realize that this is rather abrupt, given that I've kept so much out of the public eye here. And unlike Count Dooku, I have never found much use for grandiose speeches. So instead, as an explanation, a bit of my...history is in order, I think.

The world I come from, Ashan, is a very different place from this one. Technologically, socially, even spiritually, on a grand scale they are almost nothing alike. But when you get down to the details, it's hard to miss the way the history of my people mirrors the experiences that we have here.

There, I was the leader of a small faction of...highly specialized, uniquely talented people. Like imports in this world, we were the subject of fascination for the abilities and magics that we possessed, but also of fear and misinformation at what we could do, and what people believed we could do with those powers.

For us, each day was a careful balancing act between remaining true to what we believed and who we were, and risking the disfavor of factions far more powerful than ourselves. A accidental misstep here, or an unfortunate action from an unruly member there, could trigger a whispered word in some distant court. Before we even had time to realize something was wrong, we might be flooded with unexpected curiosity seekers, or embroiled in an unfortunate war. Often, it would be the actions we never suspected that would result in the most severe backlashes.

[She smiled ruefully.] I imagine that sounds familiar? It's much the same here, really. Every day we imports are walking a tight-rope between doing what we must to protect ourselves, to live our lives, and bringing down the wrath of some distant power. Be it the the looming specter of the Soviets, or simply the displeasure of our American hosts. Or even still, the justified anger of our neighbors next door after one of us has destroyed a building, or injured some innocent bystander. Or even just blocked traffic for a day.

As I understand the position, it falls to the Import Ambassadors to try and...keep the peace, while ensuring that import needs and desires are met. Balancing those needs against those of our host city, and ensuring that their awe of us remains in greater degree than their fear of us would be my main priority.

It does not sound like an easy task, but it is a burden I am more than willing to accept.

[She smiles, shrugging.]

So, as much as I might prefer to still keep to my new private life, I cannot justify doing so if it is at the expense of what good I could do here for our community.

As for the, what, specifics? I don't want to get too deeply into policy right now, but I will say that the De Chima Import Community Centre has reverted to government hands with the departure of the previous ambassador. One of my first actions would be to attempt to return this to import possession. Not that I don't trust our benefactors, but some things should remain...in house.

I would hope that you all are willing to elect me as your ambassador. [A beat, and she lets out a little breath of relief and smiles again.] I think I'm done! Thank you all for your time. I think I'm a little out of practice with all of this...public speaking.

[She chuckles quietly.]

Oh, and if anyone has any questions please, feel free to ask.

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I think you're more than qualified for the role- and you're right. Ambassadors should try to keep a balance, and we can't just ignore how people see us.

I understand that it may depend on how it happens, but... if the situation between us and the locals deteriorates, what steps will you take to mend things?

That does seem like a terribly complicated question.

I suppose it would depend on if it was deteriorating because of something we did, or because of something the natives did. And...well, how detrimental the action itself was.

[Hm.]

If it were our fault, then steps would have to be taken to show that whomever or whatever was the cause was being addressed, as publicly as necessary. And allow the local government and media to observe and comment, as much as would be...possible.

If it were not our fault. There are so many different variables, really. The goal would be to raise ourselves up in their eyes, outreach campaigns and the like. But without knowing why it was happening, I wouldn't want to say anything too specific.

[Yeah she's definitely a politician.]

[Hey, political acumen is something Sabriel's looking for.]

Thank you. Things are good right now, but they could change.

And right now? I'd say you have my vote.

And I suspect they will, given our fortunes.

[She's not precisely surprised, but close.]

Thank you, Sabriel. That means a lot.

Policy's usually what people look at for these things. Should probably get into it soon.

There is plenty of time for that. This was an attempt to have people simply know who I am. 'Getting my name out', I believe is the expression?

Only got a few weeks. That really don't feel like a lot of time.

I've fought entire wars that lasted less time than that. I don't think I need to rush.

So have I.

[And he still thinks she should get to her policies so people have time to think it over. But it was her choice. And it wasn't like it mattered much to him, anyway. He probably wasn't going to vote at all.]

Pretty noble. Not everyone will step up to the plate just because they feel obligated. But if it's something you think you can do, you might as well go for it.

I was raised to believe that if you can do something necessary, something important, you have an obligation to do so.

My father was speaking of our court but...the idea applies to most things.

Mm... I agree with that in some things. But it's... for me, it's a matter of whether I can do it, and whether or not someone else has stepped up to the plate. I certainly can't be a politician, but if I could, I'm still not sure I would run. Just because -- the bases are already covered pretty well.

And you don't believe that you could do it better than those who are already in the position?

Not one bit. I'm not cut out for a leadership role.

[He knows that better than anything else about himself.]

[ They've had a couple of brief encounters, and Shepard still doesn't really have a sense of her -- this is probably the most he's ever heard her speak -- but he never expected she'd be running for a political position.

Shows what he knows, huh? Still, there's something that resonates with him in that speech... ]

De Chima's going to be an interesting city to handle, if you don't have much experience with technology.

...I'm getting better at it. [She does laugh softly.] Just don't ask me to fix...ah...well.

It's a long list. There's something called a 'VCR' on it?

[ That earns her an amused huff. ]

You can probably hire someone to help fill you in on what you need to know. It's being able to deal with people that's the important part. And you definitely seem willing to do that, at least.

People have never been terribly hard for me. Which I guess sounds a little bit egotistical but...

[Her shrug is audible.]

I will have to hire some kind of tech adviser, though, I agree.

[As she listens to the speech the young woman gave, Nike can definitely understand and sympathize with her. A piece of her didn't want to hand her over such a position because she wanted her to enjoy her private life even more; however it was not in her power to make decisions for her. If she wanted the responsibility, she should respect it especially when she...reminded her a bit of her own grandmother. There will be a sad smile on her lips as she thought about it -- her grandmother, her family, and her own country.]

I never really thought of it like that. The importance of an ambassador's role to not only other worlds that have them, but this one too. The importance of maintaining the peace between us and those residing in this world. You're right. We don't belong here. The voices surrounding this city, and the others I've been, remind me of that same fact every single day. Even if those voices aren't as loud as the others, but...they're still here and coming from the hearts of those residing in this world's heart -- in one full way or another.

[She isn't one to talk openly about the voices she can hear surrounding her whenever she meditated or concentrated on her task, but she felt comfortable enough with the other women to admit it.]

It's nice to meet you, by the way. And to learn a little more about your background and experience too. What kind of world are you from? And...how did you handle the different issues that would appear in your world? Did you close your borders or conceal yourself from the outside world or...?

[Anastasya can't help but smile at that. It's nice to know what she said made sense, after all.]

Ashan is more...magically inclined than technologically, like this world. But otherwise...mm. It's full of people, so it's mostly the same.

[Her smile shifts into a frown.]

Of course not. Why should we deny ourselves the rest of the world simply because of fear? If they didn't understand us, it was job to hope that they would learn, and our duty to make sure their fears did not come true.

But we were not going to hide.

Yeah. I can imagine it's different compare to this one in way of not being as advanced in science or technology. It sounds like an interesting world all the same. People with powers that isn't base on a family's legacy, but multiple families instead. Is everyone born with their powers or is it acquire over time?

[She listens to the other woman's reason behind not wishing to hide from the world for being different. It's definitely an interesting and new way to view their situation as instead of hiding by closing their borders like her family did.]

That's another way to look at it as. I agree with the idea of educating others about your unique skills while proving that not everyone with it will take advantage of it in a negative way. Just like other places, there will always be good and bad intentioned people too. [But, another thought came to mind.] Does everyone in your country possess an ability? There aren't regular people living with you?

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[Video] Yet another ambassador election announcement.

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