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[priceofmagic]

It looks like Katsuki-san went home... I can't find him in my phone's contact list. [And she's been trying really hard to call him. There's so much she wanted to tell him about her plans. It stings that she can't.

Yet, she doesn't look as heartbroken as she did when Ada disappeared.]

He's probably back home taking those hero classes and becoming stronger, though, so I guess it's a good thing. I'll bet he's happier, and he's probably working really really hard, so...

[She nods slowly, reaffirming her own optimistic position, and then breaths in. Time for her to work hard too! To be the "hero" Bakugou thought she was.] I think that Guardian elections happen at the end of November, right? I'm running this time. I've thought about it a lot, but I think I'm gonna do it. There's a lot that I think could be done here.

But before I start on the politics stuff, I want to be better informed on a particular topic. Can anyone tell me what they know about the barriers around the cities? Do we know anything about what's on the other side? How much do we know about those 'Spirits' I've heard hold up the barrier? And don't waste my time telling me to check books. I've done that. I want to find out what I've missed. Like first hand accounts.

Thank you!

Comments

[Video]

[leekspins]

I'm glad you're running for the position. I think you'll be a really good guardian, Kuroneko-san.

I'd like to investigate the barriers too, but it's hard to really study them if people pass out when they get too close. Let me know if I can help with either of these things. I'm willing!

[priceofmagic]

That would be super helpful, Orihime-san! Thank you!

So far, most of what I've heard is about the barrier and Everglade possibly being connected.

[leekspins]

I've heard that too, but I don't know if that's just Everglade's barrier or if it links to all of them. It'd be interesting to find out! And if Everglade really does run on fear, it might be nice to see if an alternate source of power could be found. Part of my powers deal with barriers and I've been able to move through someone else's before, so that might come in handy.

[priceofmagic]

Mmm. My magic is based in emotions, so I wonder if I’d be able to help set it up differently... Fear is a strange feeling to pick.

[leekspins]

Agreed. I guess if the fear also repels the spirits outside because they're afraid to get too close, that would make sense. But I'm not sure they can feel fear at all, so a substitute might be possible. I hope so, anyway!

[priceofmagic]

That is a possibility... It just seems strange to scare our own citizens in order to keep them safe. I don't like that kind of system...

That aside. I don't like that our only protection from the outside is a barrier we don't even understand. We're defenseless without it.

[om_nom_namur]

What city?

[Though he has a feeling he knows which one. He guesses it'd be okay if she won. He likes her well enough. But she is human, and he's getting really tired of humans meddling in Everglade. Damn it. Tough choices.]

Honestly don't know much 'bout the barrier itself or whatever the hell eats the fear outta Everglade t' keep it runnin'. But when they go down, it don't end well.

[priceofmagic]

Um... P-Probably Everglade..? I don’t think I could just abandon Everglade without knowing who the other candidates are, anyway. I really don’t like how so many people want to “fix” it. Plus if that barrier really is emotions based, I’m in a good position for understanding it.

[om_nom_namur]

Oh yeah?

[Girl, you can't even recognize when you like a boy.]

How come y' say that?

[priceofmagic]

My magic is based in emotions, and I have the ability to read emotional energy. I want to see what I could learn from getting closer and reading the barriers.

[om_nom_namur]

Ain't gotta be a Guardian t' do that' do y'? Can't y' jus'... I'unno. Go do it?

[priceofmagic]

I mean, yeah. I can just do that part on my own. I'll just want someone nearby in case I get myself zapped and pass out.

But... [She hates admitting that part of her reason to run is to gain more sway. Satou is very aware of how some characters treat her like an ordinary school girl.]

... There's a lot I've been thinking about. I don't like how this place operates. I don't like how we came to another world and got magic pendents, and now we established our own government. And I really don't like how people keep looking at Everglade like it needs to be "fixed."

[om_nom_namur]

Wait...

So y' wanna be Guardian so y' can get rid a Guardians?

[priceofmagic]

[Oops. She's a bit flustered to be called out.]

Something like that... Sorry, I'm being a bit strange. Like I said, I've just been thinking a lot. Maybe too much. I think that having people around who protect others from things like those dolls is a great idea. Sometimes, you do need an authority figure around so that everything doesn't fall into chaos. So I support the system a little bit...

But I've heard people talk like Everglade is full of criminals. Like"being a vampire is wrong," just because a lot of us are from worlds where vampires are considered spooky. I understand that the barrier feeds off of fear, so that's supposed to justify the way everyone looks at Everglade's citizens, but... Hm. I guess I just don't find that fair? Why should the people of Everglade have to be feared and hated, just so everyone else can be safe?

I probably can't get rid of the Guardian system, but I can at least try to move people in a more pro-active position. I want people to rely on Guardians less and know how to help themselves. And I want all of us to demonize Everglade less. Let Everglade be what it is because that's good for the citizens, not because it's good for everyone in the other cities, who benefit from the barrier. But to accomplish that, I probably need to take advantage of the existing authority structure. Ironically.

[om_nom_namur]

Naw, that kinda shit happens all the time, sweetheart. Can't beat 'em, join 'em, an' destroy 'em from the inside.

Think yer on t' somethin' though. So shit. Y' want help, I'll help.

[priceofmagic]

[Satou relaxes slightly, glad she's not being called crazy. She's getting used to the adults here telling her off for being young and naive.]

Well... For now. I think I like your idea of being able to pay people to help. I should look into accounting and business management. If nothing else, maybe I can work on something to create a money incentive for people to learn to stand on their own two feet. Can't put all of my hope on the slim chance that I can get elected as Guardian.

[om_nom_namur]

'S the kinda idea got me t' start Jolly Eddy's, an' we're always lookin' for new recruits. Even got day shifts now for the folk that wants t' sleep at night. 'Ventually we're gonna move int' other cities, too, an' add full bodyguard options for events an' VIPs an' shit. While yer takin' classes an' comin' up with yer own plan, feel free t' direct folk over t' us, eh?

Think 's good t' have a couple differnt plans up yer sleeve, yeah. So good luck, sweetheart! Yer thinkin' big an' I like that.

[alwaysimpaled]

I've seen what's on the other side... these eldritch spirits of hunger. It's been a while since the last crack in the barriers, but when it happened even I was pushed to my limits just by sheer volume of them. Anyone they got to had their emotions drained at best.

That's all I know though.

[priceofmagic]

Drained of emotions..? That sounds strange... Back home, that can’t be reversed.

How did you get to the other side, though?

[alwaysimpaled]

We didn't.

There were cracks in the sky and they came pouring in. I still don't know how the cracks were sealed. Don't know how the cracks formed in the first place either.

[priceofmagic]

Hm... Do you suppose that anyone here might remember..? It sounds like a lead, in any case. I'll have to follow up with the research resources.

[alwaysimpaled]

I remember Ayame and Faye were around at the time. Even lent Faye one of my handguns to help deal with 'em. Probably a lot of other people but those were the two that I bumped into at the time.

[notquitedracula]

Some guy got a camera drone out long enough to see what's out there, aside from the spirits. Nothing but wasteland in every direction.

[priceofmagic]

Really? So nothing else exists but these cities?

Was there any indication of what happened? Like scorch marks or a crater?

[notquitedracula]

Nothing we could make out. The video was very short, and a good bit of it was obstructed by the shades - they attacked the probe immediately as it left the dome. I think they've got a copy of the data at the GSRF or whatever it's called.

[priceofmagic]

So they're violent and attack without provocation... Hm...

As far as you know... We haven't "lost ground," have we? It doesn't seem like this place is in immediate danger of being destroyed..?

I don't want to fix what isn't broken, but...

[notquitedracula]

I haven't noticed it, in the two years I've been here. You'd have to ask someone who's been here longer than that to be sure, though - I've only seen one or two breaches. I was more focused on the shades themselves. They're damn hard to kill - normal weapons don't work. Magic does, but anything that hits them directly while it's still touching you can act as a conduit for their draining effect.

[Video]

[fashionably_strong]

I think you'd do a good job and you've been really actively involved in Everglade. They'd be lucky to have you.

[priceofmagic]

Ah, thank you!

But it would depend on who else is running... I would rather support a non-human candidate. I think they would understand the city better than I ever could!

[fashionably_strong]

Not necessarily. I think it would be good to have a non-human deputy, but you've experienced Everglade's culture for yourself, you're willing to listen to people, and you consistently try to help people, no matter what they are. That's way more important for a Guardian than their species.

[priceofmagic]

... Heh. Thanks, Bulla-chan. I needed to hear that.

Still. If I can find someone I support for Everglade, I will back them. Right now, I'm just considering it. I don't want to jump in without researching all of Everglade's options.

[fashionably_strong]

You should run. You've got the people skills and experience with Everglade's legal system already. I've been considering running for Nova City.

[Video]

[wonderland_vogue]

Interesting~

Well, good luck, darling. Because I'm going to try my hand at it again since we do need some real changes around here and our current certainly isn't doing anything.

But even if I did lose this time again, if it were to you, I wouldn't be mad. [For... once that's actually a genuine comment from her, huh.]

[priceofmagic]

Oh, Ms Lydia!

Eheh. I'm sure Everglade would be in good hands with you. I agree, changes need to happen. Both inside the city, and with how the other cities treat Evergladians.

Action

[watcheddog]

[Because like hell is he doing this over phone.] You're allowed to be sad, you know. Even though you're happy for him, you're still allowed to be sad for yourself.

What city are you running for?

[priceofmagic]

[She leans back in her office chair, startled at first with how quickly he pegged her real emotions. Then again, it's not like they're well hidden. Satou knows that her disappointment is written all over her face.]

... Yeah. I know. The tears just won't come yet. It doesn't feel real.

[She sighs, disappointed in herself. It would be nice to get the sadness overwith.] I was considering Everglade. I feel like abandoning this place would be wrong of me. But I'll admit. I'm probably better suited for Genessia. I think a pink magical girl Guardian might make Everglade citizens feel threatened.

[watcheddog]

Do you want a hug? [... He's awkward. But see? He's trying.]

[And he shakes his head.] That thinking's all wrong. Everglade is all about accepting everyone no matter what. If you want to make the city safer, that's all that matters. And I'll vote for you.

[Video]

[scarlet_devil]

Ah yes, the elections...

I may run myself.

[priceofmagic]

Reallly? I think you'd be great! You already have a lot of experience here~!