(Untitled)

[legendarymadman]

The coming of elections on the island is what they have instead of the turning of the seasons, a way of marking time and watching the island change half-year by half-year. And so Geoffrey finds himself on the stage again, not to start up a new play (but soon, very soon) but to announce the semiannual candidate speeches

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[polly_okeefe]

I took a deep breath as I stepped up to the podium. Though I was no stranger to speaking in public, it had been a while, and not under these circumstances. I had to fight down my nerves, but I gripped the podium, and spoke clearly

[dogbitesman]

William shot Tennant a peevish look as he left the stage. What was that supposed to mean? He'd just have to assume the man was talking about the fact that generally there were only two people asking questions, and one of them was a child.

"Miss O'Keefe," he said. "What exactly do you mean by 'improved access to education'? I wasn't aware there were restrictions on attending the school."

[polly_okeefe]

I gave William a smile, though it was a little disconcerting being questioned by him. Rather like a test, in fact

[dogbitesman]

"So you do think the school is less than comprehensive," William said, noting this down. "In what areas do you think it's lacking?"

[broken_brushes]

Having been elected to the Island Council twice did not make the experience of giving a speech that much easier. The act of getting up in front of a group of people so that they can judge you is a little harrowing by nature, but I'd taken plenty of time to practice my speech beforehand, and felt confident enough that I could ignore my nerves as I stepped out onto the stage

[dogbitesman]

"Since I think we'd prefer people didn't vote with their stomachs," William said, his expression not letting on how seriously he meant the comment, "Let's start down the list. So, you'd say your happy with how Loss Services is progressing?"

[broken_brushes]

"You know, I don't actually think that's fair, William," I immediately replied with a considering tilt of my head. "I think there's a pretty big difference between voluntarily providing a dependable service like the bakery to the island free of any kind of charge or expectancy of reciprocation, and occasionally making a batch of really delicious cookies to share. I'm proud of the bakery, I'm proud of the people who work in it with me everyday of the week, in the heat from the ovens in an already tropical climate, and I'm proud of the way we service the community. So, if voting with your stomach means acknowledging all of that, then actually, I wouldn't mind if people voted with their stomachs."

I paused, offering a resigned smile as I changed topics. "As for Loss Services, I think that the fact that it's become a necessity for many people means that I'm never going to be happy with it. I would be happy if we didn't need it at all. But I'm proud of the efforts that are being made, and that we seem to be helping those people who want

[dogbitesman]

"...certainly, then, we can go back to that," William said, raising his eyebrows. "You consider baked goods that important? I just assumed you'd consider it a less critical service than the others, my apologies."

[crazyspacegirl]

River had been surprised to find her name on the list of Council nominees, and even more so to find it seconded. She hadn't ever thought of herself as Government material, but she'd taken the idea pretty seriously once she'd found out that someone else had. She wasn't sure she should accept, at first, but after she'd talked to a few people including Zoe (who was a lot more interested in playing with blocks than any discussion of politics) and Simon Chicago (who at least had the courtesy to look like he was listening, even if she suspected he was just hoping for a treat), she decided that maybe she would like to have direct input into the running of the island. She had, after all, lived there for a long time now

[dogbitesman]

"Hello, Miss Tam," William said, looking over his notes on what she'd just said. "Apart from the duration of the stay, could you give us some idea of what qualifies you to be on the council?"

[crazyspacegirl]

"Hello, Mr. De Worde." River thought that was a formal way of greeting someone whose body she'd once spent several days inhabiting, but this was as formal a sort of occasion as the island ever had.

"Well," she answered, choosing her words carefully. "I've studied all the governments in all the history books I've ever found, so I have a good grasp of all kinds of concepts and theories about what's worked in the past, and what's not worked. And though I've never had a part in government myself, I've seen how one can go very wrong, before I came here. I don't think the system we have here is like that one at all, but there's always a risk. I believe my experience could be valuable in keeping our council from going that way."

[dogbitesman]

William nodded, making notes. He had a recording device, but he still made notes. He found it helped him organize his head.

"And how would you say ours compares to those you've studied?"

[chasinghumanity]

He was nervous. There was no point denying it. He had put on and taken off five different shirts that morning before settling on one, only to have to change before leaving because he'd sweat through it. Dressing up seemed ingenious, a presentation of an image that wasn't truly Mitchell, but he had tried. The shirt was clean, had buttons and did not involve plaid. He had even tried running a comb through his hair but gave up before too much damage was done. He was who he was; he couldn't, wouldn't change that for a speech

[dogbitesman]

"Always," William said, holding his pen up slightly to get the man's attention. "William de Worde, Tabula Rasa Times. Can you speak to your ability to make those judgements, beyond your affection for the island? After all, I'd say some critical reasoning is required as well, wouldn't you?"

[chasinghumanity]

"Yeah, I know who you are," he said, a quick grin showing his amusement at the novelty of it all before he addressed the question seriously

[dogbitesman]

"What was the worst decision- no, sorry, my mistake," William said. "Technically your rights as a citizen prohibit me from asking that, because it might encourage people to discriminate against you based on it. Well, what did you learn from your worst mistake, without getting into details about what it is if you don't want to, then? Like a question from a job interview, I know, but, well, this rather is, isn't it?"

[lastof_five]

For as long as she'd lived, Helen still wasn't terribly fond of public speaking. Still, a speech had been written and practiced in front of Will until she was fairly sure his ears bled from it and then she'd gone to the Vet's Office to do the same. She was certain her employees were likely sick of her speech as well, but it helped calm her nerves to practice

[dreamily_luna]

"Hullo Doctor Helen," says Luna. She's found a pair of pink sunglasses that are very similar to Spectrespecs, and they're pushed up on her forehead. "What sort of procedures will you be using to determine the care of a creature you've never known exists? And what effect do you think the vanishment of magic has upon those who were magical creatures?"

Those silvery eyes fix very seriously upon the woman. "Do you believe in magic?"

[lastof_five]

"To answer your first questions," Helen said carefully, "I usually try to ask the owner or caretaker of the creature a series of questions first to see what I'm working with. Often, they have great insight. If not, sometimes I can get a book from the bookshelf which helps or I have to go on my own intellect and make educated guesses. The lack of magic here may have some effect but I haven't had the chance to study it at any great length. I would certainly like to study it."

She smiled a little at the last question. "Absolutely. Be it magic or science we can't explain, I've always believed in what others believe is impossible."

[dreamily_luna]

Luna tilts her head, and then, takes out a small pad of paper and writes down answers. "Educated guesses," she repeats. "What texts have you found particularly helpful in your endeavors?"