[Mini Event] bellatrix audet concurrere viris

EVIe Evie never expected the meeting to go this way. To have such a tide of emotions run hot inside her, more akin to fire if it were not for how it sweeps her away helplessly in its clutches. Begging her to get involved, to lift her voice in turn. Her eyes are sharp, uncharacteristically cold, as she listens to the voices rise one after another. Still civil for now, but Evie has been here her entire life. She is ready for anything, any amount of violence or dissent. But when her own name is given, she simply cannot remain silent, as if the words are ripped from her chest the second she is called upon. Stepping around Dante, she places him intentionally behind her. He is tall, and can still be seen behind her, but before him she is the stalwart wall that breaks the ocean's battering waves. Protective, keeping him concealed and defended from these people who are gathered all around. And it gives her the strength to speak. "This land has been ruled by tyrant after tyrant, whose few crowned citizens were hand picked and groomed to the wants of their regime. You have all seen Zariah's impact, and summarily condemn Wessex for her inaction upon her return. But she cannot be everywhere at once, and there is no collective of people voted into power to help keep our citizens safe. Monarch or no, she is still one woman, and our own inaction is apparent. We could have asked for this forum long ago." The militia is weak, barely even a thought after Zariah's conscription had burned everyone away from it. But how can they condemn the Queen for not being at the perfect places at the perfect times, while remaining inert themselves? Wessex, like every ruler Evie has seen come and go over the years, is imperfect in her leadership. They merely like to cast stones at a target to ignore their own lack of support. Because it's easier. Because they are all cowardly, no matter how highly they like to think of themselves. "Yes, a council is in our best interests, but we would be foolish to stop there. We are called here from our homes only in the wake of drama and destruction, and only at the whim of our current leader. We are the citizens that our monarch protects, and we need our voices to be heard on a regular basis. Rexanna and Jigano are correct, but it is our duty to follow up and remove any who make a play at tyranny again. Or even those who simply work against the majority wishes of the Grounds." She feels irritation bubble inside, but keeps a firm grip on her emotions. "Whether that's seasonal voting like this or some other idea. We cannot be complacent in our own destruction merely because someone places a crown upon their own brow. Or offers themselves, or is put in power by previous dangerous people, or who replace a previous leader without our consent. It should be a choice, a vote, that the recipient can accept or deny. No more forcing us beneath their heel." Loren and his tarnished name, an unfairness she feels bad for, but one she can't ignore after Zariah had destroyed her home so thoroughly. Wessex and her lack of checking in to see if they even supported her reign. Jigano and Ronin abdicating and placing new people in their positions without consulting the Grounds. She takes a deep breath, the fire raging hot inside her helping burn away the anxiety she feels about speaking out so freely in a forum of people far braver, stronger, and more well-connected than she is. But this is her home. Nearly everyone who has spoken is an Outlander, and it chafes just as it did when they first started arriving and taking over. "It is ridiculous to squabble about who to put on a council yet. Take a look at those in this room, who are already invested enough in this land to care to come. Find someone you trust to allow a council, and to be open minded to making it as impartial as possible. We need a face, a leader, someone at the mantle for discussions. Someone to put on that slip of paper. That is our starting moment to fixing this ridiculous mess of leadership. Councils can come later." Here she stares at Jigano and Oliver, because frankly she can't allow herself to be kind and understand right now. Even if she is deeply humbled by the faith Jigano has shown in her by naming her as trustworthy. She can't afford distractions or preferential treatment, not when this is her home, and these Outlanders can't stop putting in their own two cents that divert from the most important part of this forum. "For now, I beg of you all, as someone who has been trapped in these Grounds my whole life, and who doesn't want to be ruled in a cycle continuous cruelties - make a singular choice. And then follow up. This is your home now too." And in so saying, she strides to the front of the room, fiercely writes a name on a slip, and after depositing it returns to Dante's side with fire still simmering in her gaze. Don't read the last page But I stay when it's hard or it’s wrong or you’re making mistakes

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