genessia | [Video / PSA time]

[When the feed turns on, Ozpin can be seen sitting at a desk, his coffee mug very carefully placed so that the Beacon emblem features prominently in the foreground.]

Greetings, citizens of Genessia. My name, for those of you who are unfamiliar with me, is Ozpin. I am the headmaster of a Hunter training academy in the world of Remnant called Beacon. Tonight, I would like to discuss something that, in light of recent coverage in the newspapers needs to be addressed.

In the latest issue of the newspaper, there was a story claiming that a "monkey-man" was stealing food, and various other items while making various claims as to animalistic tendencies and even crass accusations that the culprit would stoop so low as to use excrement as a weapon.

I would like to take this opportunity to clarify something. These accusations and insinuations are baseless and false. I can also assure all citizens of this place that the charges of theft are widely blown out of proportion.

In my world there exist a people who happen to have animal-like features. Feline ears, tails, horns, etc. However, this does not make them any less people. In Remnant, they have been subjected to subjugation, oppression, and denied basic civil liberties for the sheer crime of having been born different. If a Faunus were to take steps to hide the features that set them apart as Faunus, there would be no other distinction that would make them seem different. In fact, there have been several cases where a Faunus has indeed hidden their ears, tails, or wore contacts to disguise their eyes, and led normal lives as humans.

But I ask you this. Why should they have to? When they have done nothing wrong, why should they be the subject of discrimination and hatred based solely on their appearance? For something they cannot choose for themselves? Should we then be placing taxes on people based on hair color? Height? Dominant hand? When this sort of mentality is allowed to take root, both sides suffer. Faunus have consistently shown themselves to be just as resourceful and beneficial to society as a whole as any human. I for one count myself lucky to have befriended many, and believe my life richer for the experience.

I will be answering any questions you may or may not have, so please, feel free to voice concerns or other questions. I will be more than happy to answer these questions.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Consider, if you will, the thief's veiwpoint. For most of his childhood, he was met with hostility and hatred for simply being different than humans. Because of this, he would be denied the ability to work, earn money, and buy food legitimately. In short, if he was to survive, he would be forced to steal.

In adulthood, he would be met with no less hostility and be branded an outlaw for simply doing what he must to survive, and further denied the ability to procure what he needs to survive legitimately, reinforcing the need to steal. After years of forced theft, it would simply be easier to do what he had needed to for years rather than attempt to gather resources legitimately.

[You're looking for a human reaction from someone who isn't human. Mab sees no reason to sympathize with anyone. Sob stories are lost on her.]

And what, precisely is your point? You wish to change humanity's natural inclination to fear the unknown and different? A battle against nature is interesting though futile.

I refuse to accept that futility. In my world, mankind's very nature was to be swept into the void by the Creatures of Grimm. We struggle simply to survive because of those creatures. And here we are, not only struggling against our very nature, we are thriving in it.

To struggle against nature is at the very essence of what it means to be alive. However, there is a delicate balance that must be maintained. That balance is what I wish to perpetuate, so that all may thrive, rather than one sect standing on the backs of others.

You wish to struggle against nature to feel alive? [Oh, why did you tell her that? Now she wants to help. It's always so nice to feel alive.]

Do let me know when you have particular need to feel alive, surely we can find some way to lift your spirits.

Wishing has nothing to do with it. It is simple fact. The simple act of breathing is a struggle against the very air around us. If we were apathetic toward it, the air would not give us the oxygen our bodies require, and thus we must force the issue and take what we need to survive.

It is not something I relish, nor is it something I shirk from. I will say that I do not appreciate your tone, on this matter. I do not wish confrontation, but I'm going to assume that matters very little to you.

I offer you this warning, however. Set yourself against me all you like and I will treat it as a friendly rivalry. Set yourself against any of my students, or their friends, and I guarantee, I will show you why I am feared as a Hunter.

Perhaps you work too hard at things.

[One brow goes up at that. The man decides to lecture the population at large and is upset when he is met with anything less than humility.] At least you realize this much.

Truly? [Just ask her to harass them, why don't you? Now she wants to know what he is capable of.] I have little use for friendly rivalry. Show me how you will make me fear, Ozpin.[Even at a distance, her stating his name should resonate inside him like a plucked guitar string.]

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