LIVE TV / ACTION

[genpcs]

[ Everyone's TVs will flicker on and to the Genessia News Channel for a Live Special Report. The Show Host pops out from beneath the podium, a cool tenor voice coming straight from him as he addresses the camera. ]

Hello hello hello hello there, everyone! It's that time of year again, and I don't mean the holidays! It's the City Guardian Election Debate, coming at you LIVE from the Genessia Center Arts Theatre in Genessia City. This election debate is brought to you by: Paw Paws and Props: You bring your pet, we'll take ridiculous model-level pictures of them as superheroes, celebrities, sports players- you name it, we'll make your pet into a star. Last year was the year of superheroes, but things are getting a little more magical. Even your favorite show host got one, check it out!

[ This is not the first time he's done this. One might think Show Host is totally just using this sponsorship as an opportunity to show off his pet llama. And they'd be right. Here's a photo of Show Host riding a llama with a unicorn horn with rainbow glitter hooves flying through space on a piece of bacon. And back to reality. ]

Let's get started! First, congratulations to our continuing Attleton Guardian, Dante, who ran uncontested this season. Looks like the city thought his inferno was too hot to trot! There are still four cities ready to catch fire if we don't find them with a guardian soon! Let's begin the live debate-slash-Q&A you've all been waiting for. Here's how it works: You all come up with questions to ask each of the Guardians, and each Guardian will have the opportunity to answer it to help you decide which of your candidates is the right one for your city. You can submit your questions via text to the CPU and it will beam them to our stage, or if you're here in the audience, head on up to the podium and ask in person! Now to introduce our candidates.

[ Taking advantage of the theater as the location, the lights dim. Fog machines fill the stage and lightning flashes through it as the roar of thunder introduces Everglade's guardian candidates! ]

Everglade's returning warrior for the undead, Lydia takes the stage to duke it out with current long-running deputy Remilia Scarlet and a newcomer to the fray, a little guy with big ideas, Phibrizzo!

[ Some quick fans run across the stage to get rid of the fog as the lightning effects start up again, though this time it's more of a mad scientist electro kind of vibe than spooky weather. ]

Watch out for Nova City's candidates! We've got reigning champion, or reigning Guardian as it were, Gale Reinhardt and Ayame Sasaki ready for the fight! But I can guarantee it won't be a brief one with Bulla Brief ready for her chance to protect the city that never sleeps!

[ Cool mad scientist lightning changes green, then falls apart into sparkles. Someone in the lighting room is clearly having some fun here with this. Then a real lion walks across the stage to lead in the Fayren candidates!? He roars at center stage before being lead off. ]

Beautiful and mysterious Fayren's first candidate is no mystery to Fayren, it's Qubine, dragon deputy Guardian! But who will win? With a challenger as keen on justice for all, Azura steps onto the stage!

[ And last but not least, Genessia City! Apparently the directors of this show had no idea how to very briefly represent GC with lighting effects, so prepare for a rainbow GLITTER balloon drop across all the candidates and the entire stage! Whaaaaat! Look, they could've gone the Nickelodeon route, just be happy it isn't slime. ]

Last but not least, the hub of all things Genessia, Genessia City's candidates are raring to go! Smoker is ready to smoke out crime, Satou Kuroneko is ready to stop all neko-burglars, and Katsuki Bakugou is EXPLODING the unlawful as King Explosion Murder!!

Now that all of our candidates are sparkling with eagerness [ or glitter ] to debate, take a seat, and let's get started folks! Get into the town hall for this live debate, starting in 30 minutes! You've still got time to pop in, let's go, and don't forget to cast your votes this December 24th at the polls!

{ OOC NOTE: Anyone can reply to this post with a question they want to ask the potential City Guardians. Each City Guardian candidate is tasked with answering any question on this post. No candidate is required to, but lack of participation may affect public opinion of the candidate! Lack of any activity during the election season will disqualify your candidate, however.

On December 24th, the polls will officially go up and each character will be afforded one vote for each city. So if you play 5 characters, you will need to submit 5 IC vote choices; if you only play 1, then only that character will vote. This means you as the player are voting on your character's behalf because it's going to be in the OOC comm just so that we can include instructions. There will be further information at that time as well as a link to a "booklet" with candidate information. For now though, the debate is here! }

Comments

Fayren candidates

[drownindarkness]

[See this face, candidates? Get used to it. This likely won't be the first time he's up. Hi Azura!]

I'll direct my first question to the candidates of Fayren. Word has it that the Royal Family has been missing for quite some time, and if there have been any search parties at all, the results have been lackluster whether from gross incompetence or little evidence to be found of their whereabouts. What efforts are you going to take to ensure that the family is found safely and returned to their rightful home?

[lazuline]

[little brother........]

I've noticed this as well. Perhaps it's time Fayren seeks help from outside itself. I feel if the cities work together there is much more that we can all accomplish. With a situation this grave, it's not unreasonable to take the next step and request help so that we can hopefully make actual progress on finding the Royal Family.

However, from personal experience I can say that it will likely take a while to resolve a kidnapping of such magnitude. For someone to accomplish such a feat it's safe to assume they had help and are quite intelligent. It doesn't excuse the lack of effort as of late to resolve the issue, however.

[kalmaleader]

I've spoken with Mavis a number of times about this. In between my patrols, I've kept my eyes out for any clues of the Royal Family's whereabouts, but have come up with little leads. Mavis has assured me that the Royal Family may indeed be safe, but have chosen to hide after the Ice Queen incident last year. I'll still continue to search for them, but whether they wish to return to the castle would be their choice.

Fayren

[immortalsoul]

Excuse me! I’ve heard that Fayren is the safest place for people with magic? What kind of experience do you both have with magic yourself? What makes you qualified to oversee a culture like Fayren’s?

[lazuline]

It is certainly a place where magic is welcomed and even exalted. I am familiar with magic from my own world, tome, stave and scrolls all being tools used to accomplish different magical feats. I've since experienced many different kinds of magic after arriving here so I understand that there is a wide array of different kinds of magic that the natives and people like ourselves are exposed to.

My own experience wielding these abilities is limited, but I am open to hearing about other's magical abilities in order to learn more about them and to understand different magical perspectives.

Fayren is much like the world I come from, overall. It is not exactly the same, but it has a decided air of familiarity. It is one of the reasons I chose to live here, and have decided to try and run for guardianship.

Everglade

[rhymeswithstupid]

There's been a lot of talk lately about Everglade prioritizing its non-human residents and all that. But what are you going to do to actually enforce that? Like, how will you respond when residents attack each other and say "I had to do it to survive~." You gonna arrest em, let em go... What? And how are you going to have any say with so many powerful residents already living there?

Re: Everglade

[scarlet_devil]

Anyone who breaks the law is going to be taken in. I don't care how strong they think they are, or what excuse they think up to avoid consequences.

Genessia candidates

[hotstreak]

[He'll never be an intellectual person, but he does have some thoughts on crime and punishment. He wants to see what the three candidates have to say.]

Hey Genessia people! How long do you think someone's criminal record should last if they get one?

Back home, I lived in a poor area of town where there was a lot of theft and violence, and lots of kids I knew wound up in juvie. When they got out, they couldn't get jobs 'cause no one wanted to hire a juvenile delinquent in a city where jobs were scarce.

Here there's plenty of jobs to go around, so that's not so much of a problem, but what are you going to do to make sure people who get out of jail have a fair chance to turn things around and be better?

[justicereigns]

[You have a fire power too, don't you? :| Smoker is calling so many resemblances...]

It's a big part of why I want to run. In my world, someone important was deemed such a threat that mothers and infants were executed before he was even born, and he carried his death sentence no matter what he did.

Laws from other worlds don't carry over here.

But I made a promise after his death to give idiots like him a better place in the world, which is why I took over a marine base of mostly borderline criminals themselves.

[Holds up 3 gloved fingers.] Three strike system. Like baseball. People like Shiguraki shouldn't get off with no warning just because their crimes were in another world either, because they use that opportunity to cause more pain here. But even otherwise criminals can actually be forces for justice with the right incentive and discipline. One of my best friends actually has a reformed pirate in her crew, despite his history as a pirate captain. In as much as people with other world histories are seemingly at a disadvantage in that people remember their past and records; I think instituting a policy like in my world where someone can vouch for them and take responsibility, sharing in crimes and punishment as well, can do a lot of good.

So yeah. Job program for anyone just coming out of jail, and followups to make sure they have what they need to stay on a good path. Everyone needs that in life.

All candidates

[plagiarisms]

For all candidates...please list off three things about yourself that would make you a good choice for Guardian, and three things that you need to improve upon.

And for a second question, what are you looking for in your possible deputies?

[orlokbutterfly]

[He's gotta resist doing an eyeroll here.]

For your first part... One, I've got prior experience in the art of espionage and intel, so I know how to sneak around without getting caught. This aids quite a bit on the front of nabbin' baddies that think they can outsmart us. Two, I'm always willin' to work with the established Guardians and other official positions where necessary. I've already extended my offer to help Fayren here on this stage, and I'm willin' to improve communication for things to move more smoothly. Three, I'm able to provide tech to help boost our efficiency, including but not limited to eye wear that allows for tracking criminals. I've got quite a bit of tech knowledge and some ties to Aster to make these things happen.

But I suppose workin' on better communication between established Guardians is something we all need to work on. Better coordination and communication amongst the team is always a necessity, and I should probably learn to not overwork myself. I found myself campin' out in the Skyrise for a few days to get things done. [A pause.] And I could work on bein' more efficient with doin' all that bloody paperwork.

[He's arrogant enough that thinking of his own shortcomings is difficult. Bleh.]

A deputy's gotta be dependable and ready to get knee-deep into team work. Bein' all ultra powerful with magical powers isn't a necessity- so long as they can be calm and ready in stressful situations and can take control where needed. Dependability and leadership are keys here. It's certainly somethin' I'll be lookin' for since Ayame and I will need to fill in an empty deputy slot, seein' that Yang Xiao Long departed late last month.

Genessia Candidates

[lazuline]

Being the central hub City, how do you propose working together with the other four cities? Are you open to perhaps help form a collective assembly with the other guardians to discuss issues that span more than just one location? It seems that some of the gravest issues we all face affect more than one city at a time.

Do you feel it would be the duty of the Genessian Guardian to facilitate something like this, or would you prefer to see it as a collaborative effort? If you'd rather not do something in this scope at all, what do you propose instead?

[priceofmagic]

Thanks for the question~! I completely agree that we need to unite our cities and cooperate together as Guardians. The native population cannot leave their respective cities, but pendent bearers can escape through archways. We need to unite in how to deal with those issues, as well as how to deal with more emergency situations such as we saw in October.

I think that Genessia needs to be open to the idea. We're the connecting hub city, which welcomes new inhabitants and allows people to travel between cities. However, I cannot speak for the Guardians of other cities.

My ideal solution would be that we all agree upon laws for dealing with pendent bearing criminals. We would learn to work together as a unit, so that we can loan resources and aid in times of need. I think that the most important thing will be talking to each other and trusting each other, so we can organize aid on short notice.

All candidates

[drownindarkness]

[Yep sorry guys, he's back up here.]

A few of you have implied that you intend to restructure particular systems that are already in place, including changing up the deputy and bounty systems.

If you intend on a restructure, then how do you plan to do so and how do you intend to make it work? As for the bounty system, what are your thoughts and positions on it?

[priceofmagic]

Thank you very much for your question, sir!

Let's see... Well! The main thing I hope to restructure is how law enforcement works alongside the Guardian's office. I was part of law enforcement in Everglade, and during my time there I learned a lot. We didn't have the same respect as Deputies, which sometimes made it hard to uphold the law and get our jobs done. It felt like we became a secondary service to the Guardians' offices at times.

I would like to see that change. I think the easiest way to facilitate that change would be to define what our jobs are and openly acknowledge one another. I believe that if the Guardians acknowledge law enforcement more, the people will acknowledge them too. At the same time, I want for people to see law enforcement as a separate force and I want the officers at Genessia PD to have a voice. Even if it means speaking out against the Guardian and holding them in check.

I think we can accomplish this by splitting our tasks more evenly and being open about it. The Guardianship should be taking the lead on crimes involving pendant bearers, and we should be responsible for dealing with violent crime.

As for bounties... Having worked law enforcement, I can say that bounties help relieve stress from our department. We're overworked and lack the manpower to do everything. As long as bounties are completed lawfully, I don't see anything wrong with the system. The issues with the bounty system-- people completing them in violent and unlawful ways-- can be addressed by punishing those people rightfully.

If people dislike the bounty system, we will have to start by raising more funds and hiring more manpower for the local police department.

Genessia candidates

[alwaysimpaled]

[Screw it, Dante's not got any competition so time to just come at this as a potential colleague.]

From what I can tell, Satou Kuroneko - and only Satou - has made a major platform of facilitating and encouraging cooperation between the cities using Genessia as a hub for the other cities. Why is she the only one?

[Yeah not even gonna hide his bias.]

[priceofmagic]

That's not necessarily their fault, or even a fault in itself. The cities connect primarily through Genessia, so it's hard to connect with other cities without first having the cooperation and support of Genessia city's governing bodies. It will fall on Genessia most heavily to connect all of the cities, by providing the other Guardians the respect and access they'll need to make that happen.

Plus, the other cities are huuu~ge!!! Fayren has mountains forever, and Everglade has the whole Old Everglade... and even Nova City probably deals with a lot of cyberspace that we can't see. If the citizens of those cities would prefer Guardians that focus on their cities right now, I don't think that opinion will be necessarily a fault.

But if the elected Guardians, and the citizens who elect them, are open to it... I'd like to hope that we can all help each other come together.

All Candidates

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Hey guys!

[ Konoka's mostly cool, but a crowd can still intimidate even her sometimes. ]

From my understanding, the role of a Guardian is largely on protection and enforcing the law. Protecting the citizens, in my eyes, includes having proper procedures to heal those wounded by disaster and sufficiently protected from the elements, after all the fighting is done and the villains brought to justice. We've been there during the big blizzard at the beginning of this year, among other incidents. Fayren's current guardian guided me to specialize in that role, especially since it doesn't really have a hospital to call it's own. But I know that there's more than one way to skin a cat, as that old saying goes.

So what I'm asking is, how are you approaching giving aid and healing, both in general and during times of crisis? Genessia City itself has the advantage of a hospital, but I've still been called to go aid those who emerge from the bay wounded, for instance.

[lazuline]

This sort of situation is why I am keen for the cities to begin to work together. Hospitals are without a doubt key to keeping people in good health, but we cannot overlook individual's abilities. People like yourself are indispensable, and it would be to our advantage to maintain volunteers to take up arms in times of crisis.

It would be the most effective if we all worked together and developed branches that were geared towards the well being of citizens in each city so that if there is an incident in Genessia, the branch in Genessia can respond, and call on others should the scope of the work be beyond their capabilities.

For Fayren specifically, perhaps its time to look into establishing a clinic or something akin to a hospital that is more established than individual healers. Whether is uses magical or mundane means to take care of the sick or injured is not an issue. Considering the nature of Fayren, it could even be best to offer both.

All Candidates

[ubiquitously]

How are you going to handle the things out of your control here? Like the fact you might disappear back home at any moment and leave your Guardian seat open?

Also, you can't make everyone happy. What are you going to say to the people who don't vote for you? Gonna forget them, or compromise your platform, or what?

[lazuline]

[You're behaving, she's proud.]

These are very good questions. Ones that people should not be afraid to ask, or answer—even if they are difficult.

I cannot predict if I would disappear, though I have come to hope that I do not. In the case that this happens, I feel that all Guardians should have a list of people they trust to take up their seat should they find themselves returned to where they came from. Ideally, this would include reasons why they would want to appoint these potential people, and of course the list should be vetted by their deputies.

As for your second question, Uai. I feel as though perhaps I would be open to hearing their concerns. As you said, no one can please all people, but perhaps coming to compromises is the next best solution. Not all issues can be compromised on, however. In cases such as that I feel we would need to approach them as they come, rather than decide now how to handle them.

All candidates

[fierybluebird]

Leadership requires tough sacrifices. What will you never give up?

[orlokbutterfly]

The lives of my team and comrades. If the situation comes to that someone has to lay down their life on the front line with no alternatives, it's gonna be me.

I've done it before. I'll do it again.

For Katsuki Bakugou

[madcuriosity]

You... you didn't really kill Father Christmas, did you?

All Candidates

[liorafae]

Okay, um...suppose there was a threat...a powerful one...more powerful than anything you and your team have ever faced before. It has no clear motive, other than destroying the world, no particular reason for doing so, and no leads on how to stop it. You just know that it has to be stopped, or everything will be over. What would you do?

[Clearly not referencing the threat in her own world, nope...]

[justicereigns]

[Spreads his hands with a shrug.] That happens all the time in my world. [But for reals, it does.]

You do your best. Gather allies, keep going, and don't let idiots press the button if you can avoid it.

Nova City

[vegedad]

In light of recent events it is clear that maintaining the status quo is no longer an option.

What changes will you make to ensure the safety of the residents of Nova City? And how dare such weaklings run against my Bulla??

[mic drop.]

[justicereigns]

[LAUGHS.]

For All Guardians

[myfayevalentine]

*Here is a Faye with a serious face*

Some have already spoken about healing, and power, but how else do you intend to protect the citizens of your city and gain their trust?

Re: For All Guardians

[brat_from_hell]

Well, miss, I already work for Jolly Eddy's escorting people and I have my own business Runic Security that protects people's homes. So I've already been doing a good job protecting people.

All Candidates

[redcinemareel]

Your plans for the future of all cities is all well and good, but do you have any plans for after your time as City Guardian? It may be an odd question, but once you become a City Guardian, your entire perspective on how you see the world changes. You also find yourself suddenly with vast amounts of time on your hands. It might be best to think about it now than later.

[justicereigns]

Yes. I hope my plans will continue beyond my duration, though if they're unsuccessful or problematic, it'd probably be easy enough for a replacement to undo.

All candidates

[generalgrievous]

As a long term deputy of Nova City, serving under multiple Guardians I, Grievous, have protected this world when duty has called for it and I patrol frequently, even past working hours - when I am not seeing to my trauma centre's good work. I say this as a qualification to where I stand in protecting the citizens.

I ask you all this - what do you consider the most important as well as the least important part of being a Guardian?

[justicereigns]

Protecting people is most important. Pay is the least.

All Candidates

[ubiquitously]

Why do you even need to be elected Guardian? What can’t you already do?

And why do we even need Guardians in the first place?

[justicereigns]

Creating an official standing police force and organized unit to deal with cross-city threats.

Because some idiots just want to blow up the world, and the rest of us would like to keep on living.

All Candidates

[ewww_mortals]

None of you mortals are fit to guard parts of this planet. It is merely a matter of time before you start to your senseless wars and succumb to your natural urge to destroy what the gods have given you.

[scarlet_devil]

I am not mortal. What does it matter anyway?

All Candidates

[nomoreroom]

I've got to say, I'm impressed at how many folks stepped up to throw their hats into the political ring here! I've never seen so many candidates at a debate at once before, the interest in this far flung little outer dimension is absolutely outstanding!

Makes me wonder though, what's your qualifications? Any of you worked in any kind of position like this before? Not that I'll stand here and naysay newcomers, gotta start somewhere!

But we still need the best for the job, what makes you the best?

[scarlet_devil]

My tenure as a deputy guardian should speak for itself, should it not?

All candidates

[youfool]

How would you treat a wrongdoer that had no conscience or will to speak of? Not mind-controlled or compelled by outside forces, mind, but something more like an animal: ruled purely by input and output.

Per this hypothetical "criminal'"s limitations, they are not capable of right or wrong or any choice whatsoever. They don't rise to the level of error. The term punishment would be absurd if applied to them.

Still, you've got to do something, lest they cause trouble again. What's more, they look and act and respond as if they were willful. Like a robot with incredibly complicated scripts, say. How would you handle one like that?

[kalmaleader]

...I'm not certain I understand what kind of "hypothetical wrongdoer" you speak of.

If this "criminal" isn't compelled by an outside force, then where is this "input" coming from? If it comes from within his mind, then that means he does have a conscience.

And I assume by "output", you mean his actions? If there's no outside force controlling his actions, then it was his own choice to act.

Genessia City Candidates / Satou Kuroneko

[biomechanicalcicada]

He's there. Yup. Just there, trying to just still understand how all this madness works itself out. Everything seemed "alright" until one thing listed made his eye twitch in what would seem to be confusion? Cell didn't expect to make himself known, or even appear on the stage to ask a question but just.. He had to know!

"Yeah you, Satou Kuroneko, was it? Explain what in the fresh, test-tube hell is a neko-burglar."

[justicereigns]

[Face palms.]

An epithet nickname is given to both sides of the law. I've got three of them. White Hunter, Wild Dog, Loose Hound.

She's young yet, give her time to get a better one.

[Eyeroll.] Seriously, you think that one's the problem, but not King Explosion Murder???

rl kicked my ass

[hot_handed]

[He's trying to focus on the questions, but every inquiry is starting to blur together like one of Deku's fucking mumbling rants, and it's just as annoying. Stifling a cough, he accidentally singes his face in the process. Maybe pumping his blood full of cold medicine and energy drinks prior to the debate wasn't the best idea, but he was going to kick ass and he drank some orange juice too.

He was going to...

He was-

The world starts spinning more than it had already been, obnoxious black dots swimming in his vision.]

Square up motherfucker-

[But as he attacks his podium, his forehead crashes into it, knocking him out. Maybe staying up all night practicing while having the flu wasn't the best idea.]

[fashionably_strong]

[Bulla glances over when Katsuki starts speaking, issuing a challenge to no one in particular. Then his head collides with the podium, and he's out like a light.

She's quick to rush over, and does so quietly as the debates are going on so that she doesn't interrupt anyone as they're speaking. There's blood and she'll get to that promptly, but she does the basic first aid checks first. Pulse and breathing. They're stable, so she scoops him up and heads to the side of the stage away from the cameras.

This might mean she'll miss a couple of questions, but his health is more important. Hopefully, she'll be able to get someone to take him to the hospital to get checked out. She can't tell how bad the head injury is just by looking. Or maybe she can discreetly bring Konoka over here to heal him.]