genessia | [Video]

[The video kicks on to the hermit in her natural habitat. A workshop surrounded by hundreds of semi-autonomous dolls, all busily cleaning and organizing Alice's tools. She was at her desk with a book in front of her, gazing kindly at the camera as a pair of dolls deliver a cup of tea for her.]

Alice Margatroid here. It's been a long time since I last used the network.

So it appears to be that time again for the city guardian elections. While I ran last time and, unsurprisingly, failed, I don't plan to run again. There's no use in competing against a vastly more qualified candidate like Mavis Vermilion. Still, I enjoyed my time as Deputy Guardian under Amagi and wish I could continue and will continue alongside my security dolls until the end of this month when the new guardian comes into office.

Come the day to cast your votes, I wish all Fayren candidates, and all candidates across this world, the best of luck.

[Alice nods to the camera, and the feed ends. Publicly, at least.]

(Private Video - To Mavis)

While I do endorse you and plan to vote for you regardless of reasoning, I just want to express my disappointment that, of all of Amagi's deputies, you chose to bring just Qubine back with two new potentials and not include me in the line-up.

If I may ask, whatever for?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

["Vastly more qualified." That just makes Qubine wonder about this whole election thing...]

...Do you mean "vastly more qualified" or "vastly more popular?"

...Not that I doubt Mavis's qualifications by any means, but I don't believe any of the candidates are more or less qualified than any other.

In regards to the Fayren campaign. For any other, I could tell you who was the most unqualified and undeserving of his position. Someone who was nominated as a joke and elected out of pure luck of having no competition.

[Yep. Alice is not shy about her opinions. However, she does appreciate that same one giving her security dolls a chance.]

Are you concerned that these elections are turning into mere popularity contests over who is more qualified to actually defend a city?

Even if he was nominated as a joke, he still had to accept the nomination to be considered. I doubt he would have accepted if he was unqualified.

[He'll just talk like he knows who she's talking about, when he actually doesn't.]

Considering that the people have very little of us to work with other than the words we speak at the debate, I would say yes.

Edited 2017-12-14 16:46 (UTC)

That's quite a ringing endorsement.

{ 'Vastly more qualified?' That's not an easy thing to admit, publicly. Kudos. }

If I might ask, what, exactly, do you plan on doing with the dolls at the end of the month?

I'm courteous in victory and defeat.

As for the dolls... They may stay, or they may go. It all depends on who wins the election here.

I am aware that the dolls have been a divisive issue in Fayren, but I think few would deny that they have made the city a safer place. I was there during the Hands of Decay crisis and the latest breach in Fayren. I am aware of their merits.

If Mavis wins, you would be well within your rights to lobby her to keep the dolls on reserve for times of crisis, if not kept on active duty.

{ A beat. }

I would even advise Mavis on your behalf that it is worth considering.

Not just in Fayren, even.

[Oh how Alice loathes Weiss's extremely biased and misguided views, going as far to tell the dollmaker herself how her own magic works.]

You are more than welcome to talk to Mavis. While you're at it, can you let her know that I want to talk to her about another matter?

Certainly, though Fairy Tail has an open door policy. They always have, for as long as I've lived with them. { Gods does that feel weird to say. } If it's truly that important, you could always come to Fairy Haven to discuss it in person.

{ If... she doesn't mind them getting ready for the parties. That racket has deprived him of sleep. }

In that case, I'll save it for after.

It's not a urgent enough discussion to warrant disturbing party preparations, or the party itself.

Hi, Alice.

First I would like to thank you for endorsing me. [She hadn't expected that.] I didn't know you thought so highly of me.

As for the potential deputies, I listed people I have been interacting with. I know what their strong points are and what their weaknesses are too. I know I can rely on them and which missions they would be more suited to. [A sentient flying dragon and clan leader, an S-class mage/elite swordswoman and a healer who knows powerful defense spells.]

Now it had crossed my mind to put you on this list as well. You were among the people I was planning on contacting should I get elected. I just wasn't sure if you would be interested in the position of Deputy Guardian once again. Based on your public announcement, you are. So this is something for me to seriously consider.

Also, I'm grateful for this conversation. I have to admit that, despite the two of us being Deputy Guardians for months, we haven't had much opportunities to interact directly. I've always been curious about you and your dolls. [She's heard good things and bad things about them, but she likes making her own opinion about people and about things in general. So far, her opinion leans towards the positive. Mostly because of the help the dolls provided during the 'Hands of Decay' episode.]

Maybe now is the time for us to get to know each other better?

Edited 2017-12-16 11:52 (UTC)

I'm glad to hear a valid reasoning. It's refreshing to hear such.

If you win, and your chances are very high, it's entirely up to you to include someone like me in your deputies.

[One of the helper dolls shows up and collects Alice's empty cup and floats away with it.]

Though I normally am a bit of a hermit,-[lo and behold a massive understatement.] -our interaction, or lack of, was just bad luck. If you're curious of my magic, I'm more than happy to show you. But only if doing so won't interfere with your campaign on your holiday party planning.

[Which she plans on attending.]

Alright. [She's seriously considering it. Alice stepping up like she just did definitely played in her favor.

Mavis observes the little doll, her eyes following her until she gets off screen.

She smiles happily at Alice's offer.] I'd love for you to show me. Just tell me where and when and I'll be there.

[She chuckles softly at Alice's comment on her party planning.] I admit there's a lot going on right now. A few events will take place at Fairy Haven, actually. And you're more than welcome to all of them.

That said, although I can be considered as 'hosting' those events, [Since they take place in her guild hall.] I'm not the one actively managing them. Minako and one of my guildmates, Mirajane, are. So I should be able to make time to come visit you if you so wish. Unless you'd rather come to Fairy Haven?

[Alice ponders for a moment.]

I think the cavernous area around Chireiden will suit our needs nicely for magic demonstrations. There are plenty of lesser youkai to shoot down.

[The behavior of some of the dolls in the background changed. Some continued the house chores while some others appeared on screen, floating around with swords, bows, lances and shields.]

If the place is acceptable, then you can name the time. Any is good for me.

[Mavis notices the change in some of the dolls' behavior. She chuckles softly.] Your dolls seem pretty enthusiastic at the prospect. Do they have names?

Yes, the place sounds good. What about later today?

Edited (Icon change) 2017-12-17 10:19 (UTC)

Later today will be perfect.

[As for the dolls, her two main entourage of dolls floated over to stand in front at attention. One wore a blue dress, the other in red.]

Names? Not particularly, no. Too many to name. Instead, they are named based on color. This one here is Shanghai.

[The blue doll dips into a curtsy.]

...and this is Hourai.

[The red doll curtsies as well.]

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