[video]

[eatsfish]

[ As the feed came into focus, a certain individual who had been making himself quite know in Genessia's political scene could be seen sitting behind a rather nice looking desk in a rather nice looking office. Most notable were several paintings adorning the wall behind him, but other various odds and ends scattered about showed that he had decidedly expensive looking tastes. A plaque on the desk's surface read his name: Mayor Oswald Cobblepot. His expression was all smiles, but not overbearingly so. Just the right balance between politeness and sincerity showed on his face as he laced his fingers together and looked directly into the camera. ]

Citizens of Everglade and beyond, greetings to you all. To those of you who are perhaps new arrivals or are unaware of recent turn of events regarding Everglade's previous mayor, it was in accordance to one of his final wishes in office that I would serve as his replacement. Due to last week's dangerous incident with the infamous Dr. Seek I was unfortunately unable to make this announcement in a timely manner, but I do hope you will all be understanding.

[ Oswald straightened his tie briefly before continuing on. ] As you all know, Everglade is a city that has been under quite a bit of duress as of late. The reason I'm here is to make positive changes to the lives of every species, human or otherwise, both in and outside the borders of this city and I sincerely hope that resolutions that benefit all can be reached. That said, I have wasted no time working with our Guardian to take steps in that direction.

While I will do my very best to share the most pertinent changes with you now, informational pamphlets written by Guardian Sutcliff herself will be freely and widely made available for further detail on certain subjects. [ He had a stack of papers in his hands then, quite clearly notes made specifically for this announcement. ] As has been a goal from the beginning, the new laws and policies which will be enacted come from a place of desire to bring hope to non-humans who have been unfairly and unjustly treated as inferior while also protecting the lives of human citizens. My personal objective is, and will continue to be, equality for all.

To ensure that Everglade is an advantageous place for non-humans to spend their lives, among the goals is to provide documentation stating proof that those claiming to be inhuman are, indeed, just that. From here on increased improvements will be made for these individuals, including enforced rights and opportunities to prosper through jobs and other means. Ensuring equal treatment will be taken very seriously and those who would go against this notion will be subject to punishment by law.

The city of Everglade will be putting forth efforts to work with other cities in regard to food sources for those who require unconventional methods to survive. It is my hope that connections can be forged with blood banks and prisons with death row inmates to create the most humane path to fulfilling dietary needs as possible. By applying for documentation, we will better be able to more accurately account for demand. As this plan is meant to benefit every citizen, I would like to take this time to bring to your attention that attempting to hunt or otherwise harm both the elderly and individuals under the age of adulthood is hereby against the law. Additionally, those suffering illness or facing disability of any capacity will be given the same protection.

As is likely no surprise, my appointment to the role of mayor has left Miss Sutcliff in search of a new deputy guardian. She has informed me of her decision to hold open interviews to fill the position, so if you believe yourself to be a capable individual with the best interests of Everglade in mind, please don't hesitate to contact her personally.

[ His actions accompanied by a brief silence, Oswald peered downward and placed the papers back on the desk's surface before looking up once more. ]

My last announcement is, admittedly, of a somewhat personal nature but one I feel is of importance nonetheless. In recent days it has come to my attention that my dear friend Barbara Kean is no longer a resident of Genessia. Many of you will know her for the campaign she ran for Attleton's Guardian position, but I have no doubt that she was also known to many as a friend just as she was to me. It feels only right to alert those who may not have yet discovered that she has departed. While her presence will be missed greatly, I very much believe she would want us to move forward in a positive direction.

Thank you all for your time.

Comments

[video]

[scarlet_devil]

[ Remilia doesn't look very threatening at all, given her childlike appearance. But she does have a few things of note: pale skin, red eyes, bat-wings and a light French accent. ]
As a vampire and resident of Everglade, I would be remiss not to introduce myself. I am Lady Remilia Scarlet.

Tell me, what age is considered adulthood here?

[video]

[eatsfish]

In that case it's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Scarlet. [ She seemed to be the type that had manners, which was something he could appreciate. ] The answer to your question would be the age of sixteen.

[Video]

[what_is_a_man]

[Have a very unamused vampire lord glaring at you Oswald.]

You overstep the bounds of your office in demanding that those not of human blood provide proof of their conditions. Would you ask the same of a leper? Or an orphan? Such an action only further keeps humans empowered in this place.

[Video]

[eatsfish]

[ Considering he didn't know who he was speaking with, he didn't find the glaring all that intimidating. He'll just get an amicable expression in return. ]

Sir, with all due respect, I believe you're misunderstanding intentions. There was absolutely no demands in anything said. The purpose of documented proof of species is meant to benefit the individual, not harm them. If it's unknown how many might need blood for optimal survival conditions, for example, the likelihood of not having enough to provide for all is much higher. This would actually put humans at a position of disadvantage.

voice

[sarcastass]

I have to fill out a form to prove my heritage?

Do I need to start carrying documentation of my lineage with me just in case an officer asks to see them?

Goodness, why don't we streamline it all and I'll just wear a brightly colored arm band.

Then you can see me and know what I am automatically.

What an excellent idea.

voice

[eatsfish]

Friend, I assure you that nothing so extreme will be taking place. I had hoped that reasons for this decision would have been made clear but I see that this is not the case. Perhaps there is some sort of questions I might answer to alleviate your worries...?

Not here

[redcinemareel]

[She knows not to feed the trolls, so she won't respond, and will make sure that Oswald knows to put on his best game with This One. Good luck, Ozzie.]

[Video]

[treesus]

[And here's another unamused non-human. Disgusted might be a better word but he's hiding how distasteful he finds this well.]

Considering the promises that Miss Sutcliff ran with, I hardly doubt that you or her are honestly interested in bettering the lives of all involved. Asking non-humans who might be far more human in appearance than myself to reveal themselves is questionable business.

I also wish to know how you intend to enforce this rule against the attacking of the ill and disabled, such conditions are often not completely obvious at a glance. Are you asking for them to visibly display a sign of their health so that they might move safely?

For that matter, how do you intend to tell that a wrongfully killed person was wrongfully killed if the corpse has been mangled beyond seeing such signs? Are you intended to evaluate every human resident? That is quite the task, identifying and registering every citizen not obviously non-human or within a broad age range.

I'm curious if you or her are aware of the breadth of the task you are proposing.

[Video]

[redcinemareel]

[She thought trees were supposed to be wise....]

There are laws currently in place that makes certain crimes punishable by law. For example, kidnapping or sexual assault. Laws are there to diminish the likelihood of crimes being committed. They have never been a means of perfect prevention. If there was something more specific to your first question, then could you clarify that point? And just for the record, no one has to wear anything to prove who they are. I'm not sure where people are getting this notion from. It's rather ridiculous.

As for investigating crimes, they will undergo the usual steps of determining the cause of death and if anyone was involved.

video;

[stairsbro]

Uh. Hey? Does being human but underage fall under the no-underage harm thing and kinda negate this waiver thing?

And sorry about your friend Babs, Mayor Pocket.

video;

[redcinemareel]

This applies to everyone, no matter what species. The waiver doesn't apply to those in the special groups.

[Video]

[shy_mage]

[So much information. But he only really cared about one thing.]

W-Would it be safe for me to visit Cassian?

[Video]

[redcinemareel]

[Who would wanna visit him???]

Yes, you'll be fine.

[Maybe].

[kalmaleader]

So...regarding this conflict between species...where were the lines drawn? Was it between humans and every other species? Or between one species and another?

[eatsfish]

I would say there has been much animosity between both groups you mentioned. The issue of non-human versus human has been at the forefront as of late, but there is unrest among various non-human species as well. Would it be presumptuous of me to guess that you may be among the newer arrivals to Genessia? [ Both because he'd asked a question no one had yet and because Oswald had the feeling that if he'd seen this individual before he would certainly remember him. ]

private;

[acrostic]

That could have gone better.

private;

[eatsfish]

Oh, do you think? I thought it went off without a hitch.

[ He's still smiling but it's not at all a happy one. More like the kind that he wears just before he's about to explode. Guess who gets to be the one to hear all of his complaining? ]

[Video]

[k2so]

[K-2SO has hear far too many speeches from Imperials to know that polite words might hide darker intentions and he’s understandably wary of the new ‘measures’.]

I don't think we met before, Mayor. I've arrived to the city a few weeks ago.

Historically speaking, measures like the one you want to implement with the documentation of someone’s heritage had only lead to trouble, mistrust between individuals and dangers towards social rights as a whole. Who is this new law meant to protect? Non-humans or the rest?

I’d also ask you what is your definition of ‘under the age of adulthood’.

[Video]

[eatsfish]

[ Wariness is fine. Healthy, even.

Well, in the right amount. ]

I don't believe we have. It's a pleasure to meet you and welcome to Genessia. If you'd prefer it just Oswald is more than acceptable to refer to me as. Might I ask what it is you like to be called?

[ There it was. The heart of the matter. ] I understand that in certain negative lights it's possible that this measure could seem unwholesome, but I assure you that it has been deeply thought upon by Guardian Sutcliff with nothing but the intent to protect everyone living in Everglade.

It's not my definition, sir. The definition is the city's, which currently would be sixteen years of age.

video;

[unhappy]

An inhuman registry coming from an obvious human, huh? That's the plot to every movie before some apocalypse-level event. [ She says as someone who doesn't even watch that many movies it's just that overdone like why do people not get it. ] You know the second something like that gets into the hands of someone like Ted, it'll just be a massacre, right? Good intentions on your part or not.

[ She's also going to have to ask about underage homeless too. The pamphlet says only adults are allowed in the shelters which.. honestly, the adults are the ones who usually fucked their own lives up, the kids are the ones who started there. It's concerning, but Em doesn't like showing public concern for anything. And everything else sounds either fine or she doesn't give a crap. ]

video;

[redcinemareel]

[Grell responds, because why not? She can patrol and multitask.]

This policy will be altered.

[Especially from Ted, whom she hasn't met but has only heard of. She really needs to meet him.]

video;

[icyheart]

And this all sounds awfully boring to say the least.

[She likes chaos, order is not something she would want on her mind.]

video;

[eatsfish]

Not a fan of politics, I take it?

[ At least her response was somewhat amusing. ]

[Here in Spirit]

[redcinemareel]

[Later that day, Oswald will get a special delivery. It's in a cardboard tube and inside he'll find a poster to inspire him. There is a separate note written in well practiced, red cursive:

"Because people will never be satisfied."

True friendship.]

[eatsfish]

[ Oh. How... thoughtful.

The day could not end fast enough. ]