004; Video

[baetiful]

[ The video starts in Baelish's ambassadorial office which is currently a mess of books, glorious books. ]

Greetings, my fellow imPorts.

Many of you should have received letters by now in regards to the new library within Maurtia Falls. If you have not, it's either because you are a new arrival and I did not want to burden you, I could not find a proper address to deliver the letter to, or I somehow missed your name on the list. My apologies if it was the latter.

[ He gestures toward the mountain of books within view. And that is only a small fraction. ]

I am pleased to announce that with your aid, we were able to raise approximately 12,089,855 US Dollars and counting, roughly three thousand books were donated, and many of you offered your time toward the construction efforts with many more offering time toward programs when the project is complete. I am sincerely grateful for the outpouring of support from the imPort community and am more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the project. As a token of my gratitude, I will be holding a celebration when the library opens. Unfortunately, due to recent events, the date of which has been pushed forward to April.

[ And hopefully it won't have to be pushed forward again due to any more unforeseen imPort blunders. But Baelish folds his hands on his desk, his expression growing curious. ]

I do have a question for those imPorts who are politically inclined. Which party do you most associate with? It seems the list goes far beyond simply Democrat or Republican, and I'm interested to see where many of us fall -- particularly those of us who are new to democracy. And for those who are not quite new to the system, has this world changed your opinions at all toward your original party?

I suppose that is all. I do extend my greetings to the newest arrivals. My name is Petyr Baelish and I serve as the ambassador for Maurtia Falls. If there is anything you need during this time, do not hesitate to ask.

Comments

[mathemagier]

[Good, he doesn't have to feel bad about not donating or the very limited amount of time he's able to aid construction]

Congratulations on the overwhelming success of your project.

[baetiful]

Thank you, Doctor Gottlieb. And I feel a hearty congratulations should be extended to you as well on your impending nuptials.

You know, it does make me happy to see how far this world has come from my own. I come from a time period where relationships like yours were a punishable offense. But to see that they can marry now, well, I know many men and women who would be pleased to no longer have to hide who they truly are.

[slightlyoffchilt]

You remain an asset to the community, Lord Ambassador.

[baetiful]

I thank you, my friend. But I only had the idea, it was the generosity of most imPorts who have allowed this to flourish.

[ Most. Not all. And now Baelish could name names of just who is unwilling to aid the community at large. ]

[trouvaille]

I've never been involved in the American political structure before - I've got citizenship for England and Italy, I vote in Europe. Nothing here has changed my opinions on how I was voting at home, or on American politics being insane.

I'm really glad to hear people were so generous.

[baetiful]

Well, I am not at liberty to argue. Though I will say, there are governmental systems that are even more insane, believe it or not. Try a monarchy under a bloodthirsty king.

[ With a laugh and shake of his head as though those are just the sorts of things you reminisce upon with amusement. Ah, remember when the Mad King tried to kill us all? Good times. ]

I was glad to see how many people are very supportive of knowledge and education in the community. It seems that strength of mind is on par with physical strength in the imPort population.

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[exceptfebruary]

Congratulations, Ambassador. The amount you raised is almost criminal.

[ Maybe he went into the wrong career. ]

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[baetiful]

Thank you, my friend.

[ Some of it probably IS criminal. But he's not about to question where some of these imPorts got their money. ]

And believe it or not, this money was actually raised by less than half of the imPort population as well.

[ Most people ignored the letters and or only donated books. ]

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[wizzardly]

You've raised -

[Rincewind gapes.]

Is that all from imPorts?

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[baetiful]

It's all from imPorts, yes. And not even half of the imPorts.

voice;

[shifting]

Congratulations. [a touch of warmth in his voice, albeit tired.] When you've got a date for the celebration, I'll put it on my calendar.

And I believe you said there was somethin' you wanted to talk to me about.

voice;

[baetiful]

Thank you, my friend. And yes, there is. But I think that is conversation best had in person. Not on the network where eyes and ears can pry.

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[gravedangers]

What the personal touch can accomplish. I hope they haven't sent the books to your office in the meantime.

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[baetiful]

Most of them have been delivered here as you can see. I've actually had to start redirecting them to a nearby storage unit. The very rare and unique copies I am keeping with me as a means of protection. Which is something I wondered -- is it in the scope of your abilities to put a sort of ward on these books to prevent theft?

Encrypted

[viced]

Well, I think mine is obvious, given my current position. [ Mitchell Hundred. Actual Republican.

Or more likely: fake republican for power. ]

But congratulations on the library. That's an amazing investment.

Encrypted

[baetiful]

Thank you, my friend.

[ They will be a formidable political force, Mitch and Baelish. ]

I've still been largely undecided about which party I wish to resign myself to. But as you already know of my plans, I am well aware I will have to pick one or the other. I could align myself with aspects of both, truth be told. So I suppose the question is more -- what would be more beneficial to you? That we remain close in our political affiliation and alliance? Or that we utilize a divide and conquer strategy? I become a Democrat in order to persuade that side of things to move according to our design.

Pennsylvania is a swing state, after all.

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[liverletdie]

You're going to name the wing after me, right?

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[baetiful]

Of course. I could not think of a name more befitting.

[ Loathe as he is to put the name 'Stark' on anything. ]

You will offer a signed photo for the wall, won't you?

video.

[magnitudes]

( Oh hey, it's a new person who is aggressively unhelpful, from time to time. She exhales a stream of smoke. )

Why a library?

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[baetiful]

[ A new person who looks a lot like a lot of people already here! ]

Why not a library? Knowledge is power.

[song_of_ice]

It seems as though the United States only accepts one of two parties. Third parties never seem to gain the upper hand.

[Look who has been studying, Baelish.]

[baetiful]

[ Aww, baby's first politics. ]

It is true that all others seem to fall to the wayside. And yet, you have to admire the fact that they keep trying.

[ Sort of like powerless House Baelish and its climb to power. ]

[restingstitchface]

Fascinating question. Although political leanings are often surveyed in order to restrict dissent and politicial criticism. You're not going to have many admit to membership of the CPUSA, I imagine.

Regardless. Congratulations on the opening of your library.

[And the potential loot-source of his reading material for years to come!]

[baetiful]

[ Petyr chuckles at that. ]

Well, my only goal for the question is relatively simple, truth be told. I am trying to figure out which party I should declare for. All the books in the world do not account for the personal experiences of our fellow imPorts, after all.

[ Of course, Crane's not too far off the mark. Because Baelish would have likely chosen to align himself with whichever political party had gotten the most 'votes.' But fortunately, no one really wants to talk about that. ]

But I thank you all the same. I've been able to acquire all of the books you had on your list, and I do hope the community will appreciate them just as much.

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[divaricate]

I'm glad to hear you had such success with that -- congratulations. [A smile.

His question also draws her interest, because she's been politically inclined for basically her whole life.]

As for where I fall politically, I fit most neatly into the Democratic Socialist side of things.

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[baetiful]

Thank you, Miss Maximov. I really do appreciate that you took the time to donate.

[ He pauses to consider her question. ]

Socialist...socialism. That tends to be a system utilized mostly in European countries, correct?

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[helpline]

I'm technically Prydonian Chapter but I don't think that answers your question.

[ that does not answer Baelish's question in the slightest. ]

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[baetiful]

You're a....what?

[ Squint. No. It really doesn't answer his question. At all. ]

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[caduceusvalkyrie]

Oh congratulations, Ambassador Baelish!

That's a wonderful amount raised. Was this just down to imPorts, or were the native public contributing as well?

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[baetiful]

Thank you, Miss Ziegler. Or would the more appropriate title be Doctor Ziegler? I greatly appreciated your support all the same.

[ With a broadening smile. ]

This was all from imPorts alone believe it or not. And not even half of the imPort population. Of course, I do have to thank Tony Stark for his extremely generous donation. But even without it, the rest of the imPorts would have raised a sizable portion toward the effort.

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

Congratulations, Lord Baelish. I'm glad your project was so successful.

[ Video ]

[baetiful]

Thank you, Kaneki. I am as well. We can make all the network posts addressing imPorts as a whole, but I think the truest way to reach them is with a personal touch. I did not expect nearly this amount of success going in, and now I am glad for all of the finger cramps and disgruntled mockingbird deliverers.

voice;

[112ounces]

I guess my 20 dollars didn't amount to much compared to other imPorts' donation.

voice;

[baetiful]

On the contrary. It's because of many donations like yours that we could get the number so large. Every little bit counts. Someone even sent me five dollars in pennies.

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[stretchy_girl]

Um Mr Baelish, you mentioned new arrivals...I am one. You said we could ask you questions?

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[baetiful]

Welcome to this world, my lady. And yes -- feel free to ask of me anything. If I cannot answer your question, likely I could point you toward someone who can.

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[incogneto]

Congratulations, I look forward to the unveiling.

As for your question... I align more heavily democratic, but I care more about platform than party.

[ No way he's voting for the Party of Goldwater though. Maybe if they went back to Lincoln. ]

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[baetiful]

Thank you, Mr. Lehnsherr. I could not have done it without the support of you and many others.

[ And FINALLY. Someone who is actually answering his question. ]

You know, that seems to be the stance of most imPorts I've spoken to about this. I'm glad to see we are largely a group that pays attention to the broader picture rather than subscribing to a singular party and never seeing beyond that party.

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[alcheregis]

I'm so proud of you, dear! I hope Maurtia Falls knows just how lucky they are that you're taking care of them.

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[baetiful]

Thank you, my sweetling. If they did not know before the library, I do hope the message will be sent home once it is unveiled.

[socialactivillain]

That's an impressive success for the library. I'm glad I could help. Thanks again for reaching out to me.


As for your political question, Democrats and Republicans are both flawed parties who have more of their own interests in mind than that of their constituents. Democrats have the most care for socially progressive politics, though, so if I have to choose between the two, that's where I'd land. Unpopular as it may be in this world, I tend to come down closer to a democratic take on socialism or communism, since the United States's greatest political failing is Capitalism running rampant, valuing businesses over individuals.

[baetiful]

Thank you for responding in kind.

[ A lot of imPorts didn't even answer when he sent out the messages. ]

I think that's the one thing everyone can agree upon. Both systems are flawed. And will there be any changing them? Likely not. They will probably only become worse as the years wage on. But I think I do agree with your viewpoint. It's likely where I would fall as well -- on the democratic side of things. If and when I declare for a party. Because while I do support business and progression to that end, that is only if the money circulates back into the city rather than a single man's pocket. Too many non-profit organizations end up closing their doors simply because they cannot find the proper funds. And because most businesses don't want to pay well, I do believe that is largely why Maurtia Falls has the crime problem it does.

voice;

[heckblazer]

Cheers, guv. I take it the books and artifacts found a good home?

((la la la juuuust gonna handwave the donation getting dropped off because my activity's been ass))

voice;

[baetiful]

They will once we start putting books on the shelves. For now, they are still here in the office, about to bury me alive should one pile tumble over.

[ With a chuckle. ]