Wehnimer's Landing 5118 Election Interviews with Lylia
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By Irar, TownCrier Correspondent
27 Fashanos 5118 // February 27, 2018 - in Wehnimer's Landing
Introduction
Lady Lylia was generous in granting an interview with TownCrier Irar, discussing her campaign for mayor in the 5118 Wenhimer's Landing Mayoral Elections.
Interview
[House Brigatta, Kitchen] Down a short corridor waits the bustling kitchen, busy with scullery maids and cooks preparing the daily meals. Doors open at the far end lead out into the garden for harvesting herbs and vegetables, and the back wall is dominated by massive riverstone ovens, set with clay brick trivets, glowing with the fragrant fire from local applewood. Cupboards and shelves are filled with neatly labeled supplies, and near the entry is a black cast iron stove and a polished copper kettle, for brewing various beverages. Also here: Lady Lylia Obvious exits: out
You ask, "All right then, shall we?"
You say, "Oh, the tea's not done."
You nod.
Lylia starts chuckling at you!
Lylia says, "Not quite. Water must boil, tea must steep, candidates must campaign."
You nod at Lylia.
Lylia says, "But I could certainly start answering any questions you might have."
You say, "Excellent."
Lylia says, "If I cannot think and brew tea at the same time, I would hardly consider myself prepared to handle a busy port town."
Speaking to Lylia, you say, "I'd just like to say, thank you on behalf of the TownCrier for agreeing to this interview."
You smile.
Lylia inclines her head.
You say, "I'll keep it brief to spare you energy for what promises to be a lively campaign, but do tell me if there's anything you think I missed."
Lylia replies, "It is a pleasure. You know the high regard in which I have always held the TownCrier team."
Lylia smiles at you.
You grin at Lylia.
Lylia says, "Certainly."
You say, "I do."
Lylia toggles the latch on a sunset-hued glass jar and flips back its lid.
Lylia takes some tea leaves from a sunset-hued glass jar.
Lylia carefully measures out some tea leaves and places it into a polished copper kettle with a unicorn head-shaped spout.
You say, "And please let me know if I'm going too quickly, or you'd like to clarify further."
Lylia flips the lid of a sunset-hued glass jar closed and toggles its latch to secure it shut.
You smile.
Lylia amusedly says, "I talk quite quickly. I believe I shall be able to keep up."
You nod.
You say, "Alright then."
Lylia put a sunset-hued glass jar in her wrap.
You ask, "First, what prompted you to enter the race for mayor?"
Lylia steeples her fingers together, quietly observing her surroundings.
Lylia replies, "I have long felt the need to do more for the town, to give back to it in a way that suits my skills. Having run before, I know something now of the electoral process, and although I believe Cruxophim has done a magnificent job, I also believe we can benefit from a certain amount of order in the Landing."
Lylia says, "He and I have had many wonderful discussions on the nature of order and chaos."
Lylia smiles quietly to herself.
Lylia says, "I want to continue what he has wrought and build upon it in my own way."
Lylia removes a garden-inked cream porcelain teacup traced in rose gold from in her wrap.
Speaking to Lylia, you ask, "So you'd like to continue some of Mayor Cruxophim's policies, or his general approach?"
You accept Lylia's offer and are now holding a garden-inked cream porcelain teacup traced in rose gold.
Lylia says, "Feel free to borrow mine."
You say, "Thank you."
Lylia says, "Both. I admire his inquisitiveness, his sharp intellect, his ability to view challenges from all sides. As for his policies, we have already seen how well his decree to allow all extra-planars within the town's walls has gone."
Lylia says, "We should continue to embrace this spirit of free inquiry; it is the path to enlightenment, if that is not too high-flown a phrase."
Lylia lifts a polished copper kettle with a unicorn head-shaped spout from a black cast iron stove with two cook lids and an ornate grate and tips the spout of her kettle over a pale golden porcelain teacup painted with purple nightshade blossoms and carefully fills it.
Lifting a polished copper kettle with a unicorn head-shaped spout from a black cast iron stove with two cook lids and an ornate grate, you tip the spout of your kettle over a garden-inked cream porcelain teacup traced in rose gold and carefully fill it.
You take a drink from your cream teacup. Darkly potent and redolent of spices, the tea's heart notes of cardamom and grains of paradise lend warmth to the astringency of fresh ginger. Before the ginger's bite becomes too sharp, layers of honey and smoke mellow it to a velvety smoothness made fuller with an undertone of bitter almond.
You beam!
You say, "Delicious."
Lylia inclines her head.
Lylia says, "I have it sent to me from home. Many in my family are members of the Emporion. Spicers' Guild."
Lylia smiles at you.
Speaking to Lylia, you ask, "You say you'd like to build what he has wrought in your own way. Could you elaborate a bit on that?"
Lylia says, "I believe he has built a healthy regard for open inquiry. I would like to formalize that in some fashion -- an academy for promising students, an expansion to our museum and its library, a loosening of legislation that has a chilling effect on research."
Lylia says, "And of course, these things do carry a price. Economic considerations must support this intellectual and magical growth."
You nod at Lylia.
Lylia continues, "We have a port but little in the way of manufacturing. We ship goods through without ever processing them. Our wood should be milled into paper, a more valuable product -- and we should have a stationery shop at the least, if not an opening of the Elanthian Times' old press."
Lylia confesses, "But I am getting rather ahead of myself, talking of economics."
Lylia grins at you.
Lylia takes a drink from her porcelain teacup.
You chuckle.
You nod.
You ask, "If you've nothing more to add on that topic, would you mind I move on to my next questioN?"
You cough.
Speaking to you, Lylia says, "I would be happy to move the Town Criers into that old press, give it new life."
Lylia grins.
Lylia says, "By all means, we shall press on. So to speak."
You grin at Lylia.
Lylia smiles at you over her teacup before taking a drink.
Lylia takes a drink from her porcelain teacup.
Speaking to Lylia, you say, "Now now, bribing the Crier for good press comes AFTER the election."
You wink at Lylia.
Speaking to Lylia, you say, "As you."
You cough.
Lylia raises her voice in merry laughter.
You say, "Excuse me."
You ask, "You're aware, there's only two candidates this time, you and Leafiara. How do you anticipate the campaign dynamics?"
Lylia says, "I look forward to a campaign with greater depth. Each of us will be the focus of far tighter scrutiny, and I welcome it. I am sure she does too."
Lylia says, "It is always good to have an opponent whom one already holds in high regard; I believe that is mutual as well."
Lylia smiles.
You nod at Lylia.
Lylia says, "So I anticipate a great deal of hard questioning at the debates."
Lylia grins.
You ask, "On that note, you and Leafiara are friends, are you not? DO you see this will complicate campaigning? Will you feel obligated to "go easy" on her during the season, or during debates?"
Lylia raises her voice in merry laughter.
Lylia says, "My friends know I do not 'go easy.' It is one of the reasons we are friends."
You grin at Lylia.
Speaking to Lylia, you ask, "So you'll treat her no different than any other candidate you'd be running against otherwise?"
Lylia says, "I feel no obligation to soften myself, for this town does not need a soft mayor. It requires one with strength, one who can face difficult challenges with aplomb, one who can speak civilly without becoming servile."
Lylia asks, "Correct. Why would I?"
Lylia raises an eyebrow.
Lylia asks, "That would be giving in to...what is the phrase?"
Lylia narrows her eyes.
Lylia snaps her fingers.
Lylia says, "The soft bigotry of low expectations."
Lylia nods once.
Lylia says, "Yes, that is the phrase as my campaign manager used it."
Lylia smiles.
You smile.
You say, "That brings me to what would've been a later question, but I'll ask it now for the sake of convenience."
Lylia says, "I would expect the same from her. This does not, of course, mean an uncivil campaign. Honesty is not incivility."
You nod.
You say, "Sorry for the interruption there."
You blush a nice shade of rosy pink.
(Lylia nods at you to continue.)
You nod.
Lylia says, "No no, forgive me. I am ready to move on."
Lylia smiles.
Lylia presses her fingers to her cuff. A brief spasm wracks her shoulders in shivering.
Lylia takes a drink from her porcelain teacup.
Speaking to Lylia, you ask, "What about your staff? Who have you named as campaign advisor? Are there any others who will be helping you run your campaign?"
Lylia says, "The greatest strength of the Landing lies in its citizenry. I plan on following Cruxophim's model of inviting a selection of advisors. Chief among them at this point is my campaign advisor, Xorus Kul'shin."
You nod.
Speaking to Lylia, you ask, "Any particular reason you've named him as advisor?"
Lylia continues, "I have, if you will permit me the indulgence, a certain facility for social graces."
You chuckle.
You agree with Lylia.
Lylia confesses, "But I lack the scholarship and eidetic memory he has. You know him; he is brilliant."
Lylia says, "And specifically, he is brilliant in ways that directly affect the Landing."
Speaking to Lylia, you say, "I must admit I do not know Xorus very well, at least not as well as you."
Lylia says, "Should I be elected, I would hope that Leafiara herself would continue as an advisor, and you yourself as an advisor in matters of faith. I would call upon Cruxophim and Puptilian for guidance too, for they know the office more thoroughly than anyone yet living."
You nod.
Lylia says, "And of course, I do nothing without my husband's support, even if it is from afar."
Lylia smiles quietly to herself.
You say, "Of course."
Lylia says, "Teras Isle should be closer than it is."
Lylia chuckles.
Speaking to Lylia, you ask, "Is that a campaign promise?"
Lylia concludes, "I should add that every single person who has extended a hand in congratulations, offered to hand out buttons, or promised their vote to me is also close to my heart. I appreciate their support more than words can say."
Lylia raises her voice in merry laughter.
You grin.
Lylia says, "If I had the power to move mountains of glaes, I would be something other than the mayor, I think."
Lylia says, "But I could see about arranging more frequent travel."
Lylia smiles.
You nod.
You say, "Which brings me to my next question."
Lylia nods to you.
You ask, "What sort of platform are you running on? Have a slogan for us just yet?"
Lylia takes a drink from her porcelain teacup.
Lylia says, "As I said before, two pillars -- education and commerce. Each is necessary to support the town. We cannot slide into benighted superstition such as those that consumed so many in the south as they followed a false prophet."
Lylia scowls.
Lylia says, "I am sure you are all too well aware of that folly, Deacon, and abhor it as much as I."
You nod vigorously!
Lylia says, "So, a slogan -- only provisional, of course."
Lylia recites, "'A New Dawn in the West.'."
You smile.
[Private]-GSIV:Lylia: "LOL, I love when spells fade in ways that are funny: "Irar no longer appears to be listening intently." I guess that means the interview's over!"
You ask, "You've actually answered my next question in emphasizing campaign pillars, so I think I'm safe to move on from asking about any issues you seek to prioritize?"
You quietly whisper to Lylia, "That is to say, can skip the prioritize question."
Lylia chuckles.
You nod.
You say, "Alright then, moving on."
Lylia says, "I think I have already answered this, yes."
Lylia grins at you.
You ask, "What do you anticipate will be greatest challenge for you during the campaign? Any difficulties that might be specific to you?"
Lylia asks, "The campaign specifically?"
Lylia raises an eyebrow.
Lylia bluntly says, "My race. Some people are still leery of the Faendryl."
You nod.
Lylia diplomatically says, "We have been the subject of millennia of...hm, skepticism, let us say."
Lylia says, "But that is precisely the reason that so many of us feel at home here in the Landing, along with many other races -- including all half-Elven people, so many of whom came here from the south when Lady Alendrial put herself at risk to save them."
You nod.
Lylia says, "Having lived here for decades now, I know the Wehnimerian soul well enough, I believe, to say that race is no impediment to success."
Lylia whispers, "I believe that is all I have to say on that question."
You nod at Lylia.
Lylia murmurs, "I have no idea where Berkana found such a thing."
Lylia glances at a polished copper kettle with a unicorn head-shaped spout on a black cast iron stove with two cook lids and an ornate grate.
Lylia chuckles.
You ask, "A bit on current events... The matter of the vigilante is a hot button issue. Have you decided on a particular stance towards this "Rone" for your campaign?"
You say, "That is to say, your campaign's stance on Rone, not making Rone a part of your campaign team."
Lylia raises an eyebrow.
You snicker.
Lylia chuckles.
(OOC) You quietly whisper to Lylia, "Sorry, badly worded."
Lylia says, "My stance is the same as it would be for anyone found murdering the citizenry: Apprehend the attacker, bring him -- or her -- to trial, and mete out justice as needed in accordance with the law."
Lylia says, "Of course, that is not possible until his apprehension, which I believe is nigh."
Speaking to Lylia, you ask, "What about the bounty? Would you support the "dead or alive" provision that DeArchon has included?"
Lylia says, "He has personally threatened my campaign manager and our current mayor. When he strikes, we strike."
You nod at Lylia.
Lylia says, "I would always prefer to capture a criminal alive. The dead are of little use except in necromancy."
You squint at Lylia.
You nod.
Lylia smiles at you.
You quietly whisper to Lylia, "Any more on that?"
Lylia says, "In a word, yes. I support 'dead or alive' more than I support merely 'dead.'."
You nod at Lylia.
Lylia says, "One cannot try a corpse, nor can one learn much about accomplices."
Lylia whispers, "No more, I think."
You nod.
You smile.
You ask, "I believe we're winding down at this point- I did say I'd make it brief tonight, but is there anything you'd like to add or discuss that I haven't brought up?"
Lylia thoughtfully taps a finger against her lips.
Lylia replies, "There are a great many matters affecting the town that I could discuss; we are so often beset that to talk about them all would take days, not the mere minutes we have left in our conversation."
You nod at Lylia.
Lylia says, "So I shall leave it at that, with a promise that I shall speak freely to the press about any conflict or challenge we face."
You exclaim, "Ah!"
You say, "You intercepted my next question."
You chuckle.
Lylia laughs!
You say, "If you'd be amenable to follow-ups."
You grin at Lylia.
Lylia teasingly says, "May we write down that I am prescient, then? A useful trait in a mayor."
Lylia grins at you.
Lylia says, "Of course. The spirit of openness I mentioned earlier extends especially to the free press."
You nod at Lylia.
Lylia says, "An informed populace is a prepared populace."
You say, "I appreciate that, as does the TownCrier team, I imagine."
You smile.
Lylia says, "You may call upon me anytime."
You exclaim, "Oh!"
You say, "One final question of utmost importance."
You stare at Lylia.
Speaking to Lylia, you ask, "Do you like all Deacons of Koar, or just some in particular?"
You snicker to yourself.
Lylia laughs!
You say, "You don't have to answer that. I ask everyone."
Lylia admits, "In this regard, I am utterly biased. I have but one favorite."
Placing her hand over her heart, Lylia sighs dramatically.
You grin.
Lylia says, "I confess, it is you."
You let out a cheer!
Lylia grins impishly.
You say, "Interviewers note: this shall not indicate bias on the interviewer's part."
You nod once.
Lylia says, "I fear that will not help you differentiate between the candidates at all, for Leafiara is doubtless going to give the same reply."
You chuckle.
You exclaim, "I hope!"
You say, "Mayors Cruxophim and Puptilian got it right, too."
You nod.
Lylia says, "No surprise."
Lylia flashes a quick grin.
You say, "If there's nothing else, I believe that wraps it up."
Lylia says, "I look forward to reading the finished interviews."
Lylia says, "I know what I said, but I am most curious about Leafiara's."
Lylia smiles.
You say, "Thank you so much for agreeing to the interview, Lady Lylia. I look forward to covering the campaign in the future."
Lylia inclines her head.
You say, "And if there are announcements to be made, you can contact me as the TownCrier correspondent for the election."
Lylia sincerely says, "Thank you for taking the time, and for doing all that you do to keep us well informed."
You nod at Lylia.
Lylia says, "Excellent, Irar. Thank you."
Lylia takes a drink from her porcelain teacup.
You exclaim, "Absolutely. Now it's off to the editing table for me!"
Lylia hugs you, and you wrap her in a warm embrace, stirring the faint scent of clove-infused wine gliding through notes of aged parchment and beeswax. Ashen incense and caramelized musk cast a hazed veil above the other accords around her.
You hug Lylia.
Lylia says, "Thank you. I enjoyed the interview."
You say, "Good night then. I did as well."
You smile.
Lylia gives a sigh of relief.
You wave to Lylia.
Lylia waves to you.