♕ video; two

[functusofficio]

[ Padme is, predictably, in rather official looking garb, but her settings are not as barren as they have been previously, her moving throughout the house as she speaks, wall hangings and candles making the place seem more comfortable. Her voice is warm and calm. ]

We have elections coming up here in Maurtia Falls, as I'm sure many of you have realized, to replace our previous Ambassador now that he has been successful in his bid to become Mayor. Congratulations to Mayor Baelish on his success, and I hope that we will all see the benefit of his advance in rank.

That brings us to an important question. What is it that the Imports want from their Ambassadors? In Maurtia Falls, in particular, but I would open this question to all Imports. Several have already stated their intent to run, and I hope have been speaking to those who will be affected by their leadership should they succeed, but I think it is an important question to ask in the open, especially after our recent mishaps and struggles as a community. While we may never find a single, unified goal, to listen to the voices of the people is the truest and most important job of an elected official in any world.

While I have considered running myself, I would not wish to do so without having first had an open and earnest conversation with the community about their desires and hopes for the position.

I also extend my sympathy to all those affected by these porter troubles. I hope that the situation will be resolved quickly, and that those we have lost come back to us soon. May we all have the strength to come through difficult times and see the hope on the other side.

[ Signing off. ]

Comments

video

[dendarii]

That ... is an excellent question. We have those sorts of conversations during our public debates, and all of us presented what we thought was needed most. I've focused on emergency and medical care.

[ As. Well. That seems to be needed often, and is a subject close to Miles' heart. ]

Asking like this seems a good step.

video

[functusofficio]

Debates certainly seem like a good place for the candidates themselves to put out what they desire, but I am far more interested in hearing what the community itself most desires to hear.

Do they have a say in the questions asked in the debate? If not, they should.

Emergency and medical care does seem to be something we are in frequent need of. Even this early in, I can see that clearly.

Voice

[viced]

[ A thoughtful note. ]

Important question to ask.

While I'm not a citizen of Maurtia Falls, I know that a successful senator is one who earnestly looks for what the people want. They see problems and find solutions.

For me personally? I'd love to see an honest and earnest attempt at bridging the gap between import and native -- with a focus on reducing crime and corruption. Mind, every Senator I know has angled toward that. Finding the right solution to that problem is like getting New York City's Crime rate under the target. Difficult to do.

Voice

[functusofficio]

That is my experience as well. I have known too many Senators who failed in that duty to be willing to do so even inadvertently.

Maurtia Falls crime rate certainly does seem to be a matter of concern. And as I said, this is a discussion I would open to all Imports, though of course Maurtia Falls citizens are the ones who currently have to actually elect someone.

Do you think the efforts to bridge the gap between the Imports and natives have been insufficient or faulty previously?

video.

[cleptes]

Tackling crime seems to be an important issue for most people in Maurtia Falls. [ A pause. ] And safety for both natives and imPorts.

I had a bad experience a few months ago.

video.

[functusofficio]

It is certainly one that I see many people bringing up when they speak of their problems around here.

I am so sorry about what you went through. [ she is too polite to bring up that she saw that network post, recognizes the woman now sitting alive in the video she sees, but she would extend her sympathy as possible. ] Is there anything you think that could have been done to prevent it by those in power? Or efforts that you think should have been undertaken that were not?

text;

[vanto]

It's good to see you at work, Senator.

text;

[functusofficio]

You flatter me, Mr. Vantos.

I'll admit, it feels good to be doing something of use, even if so far it is simply starting a conversation.

@ Carl D. Noah - audio;

[the_admin]

[ This catches his attention, particularly the question she poses, as it was one he had put forth himself when he'd first arrived. ]

An excellent question. I had the pleasure of discussing something along these lines with Senator Hundred awhile back. My personal position was a desire to find a way to help bridge the communication gap between imPorts and Natives but to also strengthen the channels through which natives could raise their concerns about imPort behavior.

Hopefully before those concerns reached a level of frustration that lead to violence.

holy shit a finch??? I DIDN'T KNOW THEY EXISTED

[functusofficio]

It seems native anger against Imports has been a constant, varying only in its intensity, at least from what I've been able to see so far. I can understand why - even if it seems like these past few incidents have primarily affected Imports, collateral damage still happened. We are, as Lucretia said, sometimes dangerously powerful.

Strengthening channels of concern certainly seems like it could be a useful tool to aid in stopping that. How would you consider achieving something like that in order to make it both viable and trusted?

video.

[littlemissfutility]

We should work with people to make sure things don't get weird because of what happened with the Porter.

video.

[functusofficio]

What sort of weird? In how the natives see us, or between ourselves?

[Video]

[prophesiedone]

I love you. [He can say that in public. He can say that in public. So he's gonna.]

[Video]

[functusofficio]

[ It's not precisely what she was expecting when the video clicked on, but nevertheless it brings an immediate smile to her face, unbidden and warm, and she actually blushes. Just a little, but she does. ]

I love you too, Anakin. [ It still feels incredibly strange to say that in public, and part of her goes on high alert for a moment, unable to keep down the feeling that something bad will now happen, but -- nothing does. ] Although I don't think either of those facts are going to be very relevant to choosing an Ambassador. [ a little teasing, but it's clear that she still feels pleased ]

[ soooo not here but totally popcorn.gif-ing ]

[9544]

[ Is that Anakin Skywalker?

Is this seriously happening?

HOW IS THIS SO CUTE ]

[Video]

[cadbane]

Do you think you could do a better job here than when you were working in the Republic Senate?

[Video]

[functusofficio]

I'm not sure you can be considered to be quite an expert opinion on the topic of the Senate's work, Bane.

But it will be slightly easier to accomplish things in a timely manner without having to convince thousands of Senators of the worth of a bill.

vidya;

[9544]

Wow. I do not know anything about politics.

[ They had an Ambassador? They had an Ambassador now a Mayor?

He really needs to get his stuff together. ]

But I will say this. [ Dead-serious. ] Can we get a 24-hour pizza shop at every block?

[ ...

...

... ]

Just kidding. [ Jake Peralta is the worst. ] Honestly, I have't been here long enough to really know how the city runs but I do notice that not all locals here are super nice to uh - what do they call us? Imports? What's up with that?

omfg jake

[functusofficio]

[ Her face is somewhere between amused and resigned. He is not the first person she has met to have almost no idea of how their government happens, but it never ceases to cause her grief. ]

I think that might be a rather tall goal, yes. [ But that last question gives her pause, makes her consider the correct answer. ] I have not been here long enough to have a comprehensive answer, but from the research I have done and those I have spoken to on the matter, it seems that Imports have repeatedly been a cause of distress and damage to the community at all, in a way that makes it difficult sometimes for them to see the good we can do as well.

We are capable of great harm, and not all of us act with restraint.

Video

[freedomflighter]

Mostly? I just want calm. Not much luck, so far.

What do you want?

Video

[functusofficio]

I think my general desires are very similar to yours. Peace, calm. Good relations between the Imports and the natives.

I think at least the last one might be able to be worked towards, but it seems we have a very volatile population here, so I'm not sure how close we'll ever come to true peace and calm here.

video;

[lightinside]

I don't live in Maurtia Falls but I've been there a few times to know how dangerous it is.

[No matter how hard she tried to tackle the crime head on, it never seemed to end.]

That was well said by the way.

video;

[functusofficio]

There's certainly a fair amount of danger, yes. I myself have never felt particularly unsafe, but I also have significant defensive ability and -- protection. [ If she was in any genuine danger, Anakin or Luke or Obi-Wan would be there very shortly.

Actually, at this point, even Kylo Ren might show up.

The thought of all four of them in one place just seems like a dangerous one, so she avoids it. ]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

Which City is it that you live in? And what is it that you would most wish from your Ambassador there?

[video]

[cigarbribery]

I'd like a discount on bagels for imPorts.

[He delivers this with a cheeky little grin despite his somewhat tired look (these past few weeks have not been great on him) because that's really never going to happen ever. It would be convenient, sure, but it's not something he expects to see at all.

The next sentence is more serious:] Honestly, I think that the Ambassador of Maurtia Falls should institute some protections for people who're likely to get caught up in imPort bullshit. I'm working as an insurance investigator for imPort-related claims, at the moment, and there's a lot of people in Maurtia Falls who've been adversely affected by events like this stuff with the porter.

[video]

[functusofficio]

Should I get elected, I will certainly see what I can do to deliver on that.

[ It's delivered very seriously, but that's spoiled by the laughter that immediately follows it. It's easy to feel cheerful and optimistic around Foggy, honestly. She likes that.

But she also reverts back to a more serious tone. ] I was actually speaking with someone else a little while ago about the possibility of setting a reparation fund for small damages, the sort that would be too costly in time and paperwork for natives to be willing to go through the government for them. It's something that is looking more and more like it could be useful, as I speak to people.

What sort of investigations have you been involved in? Is it difficult for them to get their damages reclaimed?

[not here]

[art_of_war]

[ Not here either. Still creepin']

[not here]

[functusofficio]

[ but bro what if she just wants to politic with you? ]

text

[knaval]

yo i ran before but i'm not gona this time because i can't be assed
i can give some advice

text

[functusofficio]

[ it reads almost.... Gungan. ]

I would be interested in hearing of your experience in running, certainly. What was it like? What did people seem most to need aid with?

video;

[cognitivism]

I was a detective in Maurtia Falls until recently. I believe the safety of imPorts and Natives is of the most concern to its residents. The crime is unfortunately vast and it is very difficult to contain.

That being said, we need more consistent communication between imPorts and the native population. If we continue to separate on the basis of "us vs. them" we will never see eye to eye.

If this is how you wish to run for ambassador, you will do well. They need someone who will listen.

video;

[functusofficio]

Safety is something I hear concern for from many parties, indeed. May I ask what it is that led you to leave the post of detective?

I thank you for your kindness, but I hope anyone who is willing to run for ambassador would be willing to listen to those they serve.

And I must agree - the divide between native and Import populations can not lead anywhere good.

late to everything!!; video

[hardcut]

Back when I first showed up, there was a lot of trouble with 'clones' of imPorts. And a minor footnote in the news in De Chima was that an estimated hundred and fifty civilians had died thanks to that trouble.

[ When's the last time 150 imPorts died overnight? Sure, this all can be inconvenient for them, already abductees, but it's the native civilians in the crossfire, and they don't have the benefit of nanites waiting to resurrect them.

Anyway. Hello. Arthur tends to keep his political opinions offline, but Padme's a familiar face. Might as well. ]

Not that I live anywhere with an ambassador, but if I was going to want one, I'd say I'd want somebody interested in looking at uncomfortable problems.

I'M ALWAYS A LITTLE LATE AT LEAST

[functusofficio]

[ She is genuinely pleased to see him again, and it shows on her face and in her smile. ]

Yes, I've heard about the clone problem.

[ Except - what. No. She had heard there were problems, but not to that extent, and her smile vanishes, is replaced by a stern hard steel. ]

A hundred and fifty civilians? Was there any - recompense would be impossible for those lost lives, but do you know anything about any efforts made at that time to aid the native population in their time of loss and grief?

[ It feels similar to what Jacob had told her about Debrecen, and her blood is boiling somewhere inside of her. Innocents, hurt again because of a war they never asked to be part of. ]

Uncomfortable problems have always been something I've specialized in. [ And that's a rather strange mix of wry and flat. She's gotten herself nearly assassinated more than a few times for that exact tendency. ] You don't live anywhere with an Ambassador?

[ Video ]

[ghoulking]

I wish you luck in this, Queen Amidala.

I know imPort and Native relations are very important and something Lord Baelish focused on. But considering everything, ImPort-Government relationship clearly needs some strengthening of late.

[ Video ]

[functusofficio]

It is always good to speak to you, Kaneki.

Import and native relationships are certainly what I've most been hearing stressed, so this is an interesting departure from that. I understand that your access to the Porter came from the government?