voice |||

[uncledad]

In my country, we are ruled by a king. His subjects need not vote for him because he came by the crown in some way or another. The king selects his Hand, his Small Council, holds his court, does all the business of ruling. Household positions are filled by stewards. Lords and ladies swear fealty to the crown. Trade goes on.

Without popular elections, what we are truly free of is a great deal of pointless speech-making. Is the position of ambassador truly so coveted that everyone must spend so much breath on it?

I mean nothing against those brave men and women competing for the title, of course, nor the fine speeches that have been made over this network. Conveniently, we can go back and listen to them anytime we wish... if anyone has ever wished for such a thing.

[Oh, wait, an afterthought:] And nothing against any of our current ambassadors either, I suppose. Will they begin to make speeches to compete with the speeches made before them? It's a horrible thought.

Unfamiliar as I am with such elections, I wonder how long we must suffer this process. Another fortnight? A year?

Comments

voice;

[affluenza]

It's just to make people feel like they have a say in something. In reality, it all comes down to who has money, but people like to think their voice was heard.

[...Or so his mother taught him in his daily lessons about why only rich people matter.]

voice;

[uncledad]

Surely it isn't all money. I have seen firsthand the work of an ambassador. In truth, it seems a thankless job, better suited to someone used to not being thanked.

video

[knaval]

You lost me at in.

[uncledad]

Should I speak more slowly?

voice;

[cleptes]

Technically, you are making a speech right now. About people making speeches.

[Just saying.]

[uncledad]

In keeping with what I can only assume is a local tradition. The better to blend in.

[devoutish]

Sir, if I am elected ambassador, my promise to you is that I'll do away with all pointless speechmaking so that we might focus on more important matters, such as more parties. A party every week; that's what we need.

I hope you'll join me in stepping forward into this beautiful future, together.

[uncledad]

You needn't have promised parties. I'd have voted for doing away with pointless speeches alone. Any man who can guarantee that is a man worth-- well, something, at least.

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

It won't be that long. [ though it does feel like it has been going on for years ] But there will be a lot of speeches.


Ambassadors seem just like a fancy title to quiet us down at first, but they have done a much to help us. I speak of personal experience. And the government does listen to them more than they listen to each of us individually.

[uncledad]

That's the worst news I've had all day. How many more speeches? Is there a goal that must be reached? Can we call draw?

For people so important to our welfare, it seems to me that they should expend some of that energy on those who are, in this country, truly in power. Or at least with one another. Leave the rest of us out of it.

» text

[ex_clobbers559]

That's how elections work, buddy. And if you think this is bad, you should've seen the last presidential campaign on my Earth. It was a total circus.

( Thank Rao the Other Guy didn't win. )

People have already told you you've just made a speech and contradicted yourself, so I'll be helpful: probably a few weeks to months. Presidential elections take about two years.

[uncledad]

I'm glad to have missed it.

[Or so he thinks, anyways. What is a circus?]

My words were a question. Not quite a speech. Nor did I pretend that listening to whether or not they were heeded would lead to some dismal consequence, which seems to be the style.

How does anyone stand this for a full year, let alone two?

voice;

[reek]

Aren't you one to talk?

[ You can practically hear that smirk. ]

Far too much, really. You've just made a lengthier speech than even Jon Snow.

[uncledad]

Only because Jon Snow's jaw is still mostly frozen shut. And what words he manages to eke out are nearly as frozen. A hazard of the north, I'm told.

Don't tell me you're also running.

[If that sounds like he recognizes Theon Greyjoy's by voice alone.... well, he doesn't, obviously. At all.]

Video

[112ounces]

The import elections don't last as long as the natives. A few weeks, tops.

[uncledad]

I'll remember to thank the gods for that--until the next ambassador is ported out. Then we'll have to suffer the speech-making all over again.

Still, I suppose it could always be worse.

[voice]

[khaleesipls]

There's an option for video if you'd like to look at yourself while you listen to yourself.

[uncledad]

[oh ha ha ha]

A bit difficult for me to manage. For a man who so well knows my taste, you could have remembered more of me.

Still. You have my thanks for the suggestion, Ser Jorah. I'll remember your interest.

video

[onlyvengeance]

And yet here you are with your own pointless speech.

[ Can't help but wonder if you're drinking again. Such a talky drunk you are... ]

[uncledad]

I'm posing a question, my lady, not trying to convince anyone and everyone of my worth. And if I were trying, I'm sure you'd quickly step in to assure everyone to the contrary.

[wrong Lannister sorry Cersei is the wine mom and Tyrion is the drunk]

[slightlyoffchilt]

Monarchy, even the very whisper of it, tends to stir up emotions here.

[uncledad]

Should I have left it out? The objectionable part seems to be the belief that I am protesting speeches and making a speech of my own. No one's mentioned kings to me yet.

Which is very surprising, in truth.

» voice, private

[golder]

One such speech was mine. Was it terribly tedious?

» voice, private

[uncledad]

Oh, yours was not included in my complaint. I did say fine speeches, didn't I? By that I meant your own.

voice;

[wizzardly]

[well hey there, comrade.

First impressions were admittedly... poor. But that was an alternate dream world, and right now Jaime's speaking on a topic this wizard's developed some hard opinions on.

So of course he has to share them.]

If you think the speeches are bad, try running someone's campaign.

[uncledad]

[Oh, hey... comrade...]

I'd rather not. What made you decide to do that?

voice

[bindsthedead]

Not much longer. I don't understand the need for it to go on quite so long, but people should know who they're voting for.

[uncledad]

Don't they already?

Our community is not so large. In fact, I've been in this country but a very short time, and I already know altogether too much about most of the people making these speeches--and not just because some of them come from my country.

voice;

[baetiful]

[ Hey. Rude. ]

If you do so loathe speeches, perhaps consider voting for the one candidate who has not made one yet. A man so humble, he feels no need to sell himself.

[ Sam Merlotte, he means! ]

[uncledad]

Don't tell me you're going to be ambassador to two cities, Lord Baelish.

Wait--you said a man so humble. Never mind, that must be someone else--please, tell me, who is this man? You can do the boasting for him.