update from sparkleup
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Madison Scott-Clary
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<p>At one point, ey asked Dear how it was that a full quarter of the council that guided the System toward secession was made up of furries, and the fox had laughed.</p>
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<p>At one point, ey asked Dear how it was that a full quarter of the council that guided the System toward secession was made up of furries, and the fox had laughed.</p>
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<p><em>“Can you not guess why a furry might be an early and ardent adopter of a system that seems purpose built to allow one to assume what form feels most natural?”</em></p>
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<p><em>“Can you not guess why a furry might be an early and ardent adopter of a system that seems purpose built to allow one to assume what form feels most natural?”</em></p>
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<p>Made sense. Ey still looked forward to meeting Debarre that evening.</p>
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<p>Made sense. Ey still looked forward to meeting Debarre that evening.</p>
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<p>There was a strange atmosphere at the modern house on the prairie that afternoon. It hovered somewhere between a party, or at least a gathering of friends, and a council meeting.</p>
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<p>What had started as a suggestion to get a few voices together for Codrin to interview had then turned into a suggestion for a dinner party, and from there into what promised to be a cozy, wine-fogged house party that might sprout from a group of friends who enjoyed company, but also quiet.</p>
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<p>What had started as a suggestion to get a few voices together for Codrin to interview had then turned into a suggestion for a dinner party, and from there into what promised to be a cozy, wine-fogged house party that might sprout from a group of friends who enjoyed company, but also quiet.</p>
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<p>The guests started arriving in the late afternoon, with the first to arrive being Debarre. Dear greeted him with a grin and a hug before the slender mustelid greeted both of the fox’s partners with paw-shakes and half-hugs.</p>
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<p>The guests started arriving in the late afternoon, with the first to arrive being Debarre. Dear greeted him with a grin and a hug before the slender mustelid greeted both of the fox’s partners with paw-shakes and half-hugs.</p>
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<p>“Wonderful to meet you two. Dear’s been gushing about you for years, and I’m only sorry that it’s taken until now for us to actually meet.”</p>
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<p>“Wonderful to meet you two. Dear’s been gushing about you for years, and I’m only sorry that it’s taken until now for us to actually meet.”</p>
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<p>Ey stopped halfway through opening a bottle of wine. “Really? I wasn’t expecting a dinner full of politicians.”</p>
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<p>Ey stopped halfway through opening a bottle of wine. “Really? I wasn’t expecting a dinner full of politicians.”</p>
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<p>They laughed. “I don’t think any of them would call themselves politicians. Dear would call itself an “interested party” or something similarly vague. I think Debarre would call himself a guide, or maybe a dupe. user11824 would just call himself boring. Get used to that word, he uses it a lot.”</p>
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<p>They laughed. “I don’t think any of them would call themselves politicians. Dear would call itself an “interested party” or something similarly vague. I think Debarre would call himself a guide, or maybe a dupe. user11824 would just call himself boring. Get used to that word, he uses it a lot.”</p>
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<p>“And Yared? He seems, I don’t know, nervous.”</p>
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<p>“And Yared? He seems, I don’t know, nervous.”</p>
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<p>“He was just a DDR junkie. He followed politics as a hobby, but with a single-minded focus that made him attractive to both phys- and sys-side on the debate.” They shrugged and pulled down wine glasses from the cabinet one by one. “I think he’d call himself a pawn. A puppet, maybe. The nervousness stems from being so thoroughly used by both sides, I think, but don’t quote me on that. Take these.”</p>
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<p>“He was just a DDR junkie. He followed politics as a hobby, but with a single-minded focus that made him attractive to both phys- and sys-side on the debate.” They shrugged and pulled down wine glasses from the cabinet one by one. “I think he’d call himself a pawn. A puppet, maybe. The nervousness stems from being so thoroughly used by both sides and now coming to the house of an Odist, I think, but don’t quote me on that. Take these.”</p>
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<p>Codrin frowned, nodded, and accepted two of the glasses to carry out with the wine, while Dear’s partner brought out the other four.</p>
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<p>Codrin frowned, nodded, and accepted two of the glasses to carry out with the wine, while Dear’s partner brought out the other four.</p>
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<p>Once the drinks had been poured and passed around, Dear stood and, in the grand style that ey had come to love, declaimed, <em>“First, we will have a toast, and then we will drink. After that, we will eat, and then — only then, my dear — may you ask your questions.”</em></p>
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<p>Once the drinks had been poured and passed around, Dear stood and, in the grand style that ey had come to love, declaimed, <em>“First, we will have a toast, and then we will drink. After that, we will eat, and then — only then, my dear — may you ask your questions.”</em></p>
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<p>Ey laughed and raised eir glass. “I’m in.”</p>
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<p>Ey laughed and raised eir glass. “I’m in.”</p>
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<p>They all watched as Dear and Debarre drank to each other and those who were gone.</p>
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<p>They all watched as Dear and Debarre drank to each other and those who were gone.</p>
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<p>Page generated on 2021-10-17</p>
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<p>Page generated on 2021-10-21</p>
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@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ what gifts we give we give in death,<br />
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what lives we lead we lead in memory,<br />
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what lives we lead we lead in memory,<br />
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and the end of memory lies beneath the roots.</p>
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and the end of memory lies beneath the roots.</p>
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</blockquote>
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<p>End Waking nodded. He murmured, “I sometimes…no, I often think that I belong to the wrong stanza. This is where I belong. I like her plenty and do not begrudge her the name that she owns, but I wish, sometimes, that I were And The End Of Memory Lies Beneath The Roots.”</p>
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<p>End Waking nodded. He murmured, “I sometimes…no, I often think that I belong to the wrong stanza. This is where I belong. I like her plenty and do not begrudge her the name that she owns, but I wish, sometimes, that I was named And The End Of Memory Lies Beneath The Roots.”</p>
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<p>Ioan looked around at the trees, the ferns, the carpets of periwinkle and spots of mint and horsepepper and balm, the epiphytes climbing trunks, the moss on stumps.</p>
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<p>Ioan looked around at the trees, the ferns, the carpets of periwinkle and spots of mint and horsepepper and balm, the epiphytes climbing trunks, the moss on stumps.</p>
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<p>“I do not think that the author of the Ode meant literally,” the skunk said, laughing. “But you share my views on it. While it is not strictly possible on the System, I do hope that one day, the end of memory, that memory of all that I did, lies dead beneath the roots.”</p>
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<p>“I do not think that the author of the Ode meant literally,” the skunk said, laughing. “But you share my views on it. While it is not strictly possible on the System, I do hope that one day, the end of memory, that memory of all that I did, lies dead beneath the roots.”</p>
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<p>A few minutes of silent walking followed as Ioan was guided through a section of, yes, thick roots that threatened to entangle eir feet.</p>
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<p>A few minutes of silent walking followed as Ioan was guided through a section of, yes, thick roots that threatened to entangle eir feet.</p>
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@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ and the end of memory lies beneath the roots.</p>
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<p>Ioan smiled, nodded.</p>
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<p>Ioan smiled, nodded.</p>
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<p>“So many of the Odists are built to manipulate in such complex ways. It is all part of theatre. I am sure that you two have talked about that already. Even May Then My Name is manipulative in her unfailingly kind way.” The skunk stopped and stepped aside to let Ioan come stand beside him before a creek at the bottom of a ravine. “It is a very difficult habit to break. Serene is manipulative: this place is built to be loved in spite of its antipathy towards intrusions. Dear is manipulative: its life is one lived bending the experiences of others to its whims in ways far beyond any those of any prior artist as it plays its games. I am a repentant manipulator.”</p>
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<p>“So many of the Odists are built to manipulate in such complex ways. It is all part of theatre. I am sure that you two have talked about that already. Even May Then My Name is manipulative in her unfailingly kind way.” The skunk stopped and stepped aside to let Ioan come stand beside him before a creek at the bottom of a ravine. “It is a very difficult habit to break. Serene is manipulative: this place is built to be loved in spite of its antipathy towards intrusions. Dear is manipulative: its life is one lived bending the experiences of others to its whims in ways far beyond any those of any prior artist as it plays its games. I am a repentant manipulator.”</p>
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<p>“How so?” ey asked.</p>
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<p>“How so?” ey asked.</p>
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<p>End Waking laughed earnestly. “Are you impressed with my earnestness? I hope that you are, because I strive to be earnest. Are you impressed with the silence with which I move through the landscape? I hope that you are, it is borne from practice. Were you amused by the absent minded way that I made tea? The way I just puttered around, doing this, then that, as though I kept remembering that I needed first wood, then water, then mugs?”</p>
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<p>End Waking laughed. “Are you impressed with my earnestness? I hope that you are, because I strive to be earnest. Are you impressed with the silence with which I move through the landscape? I hope that you are, it is borne from practice. Were you amused by the absent minded way that I made tea? The way I just puttered around, doing this, then that, as though I kept remembering that I needed first wood, then water, then mugs?”</p>
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<p>Ioan tilted eir head. “I suppose. It was endearing.”</p>
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<p>Ioan tilted eir head. “I suppose. It was endearing.”</p>
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<p>“A clever ruse left over from long habit. It is a way to be likeable.”</p>
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<p>“A clever ruse left over from long habit. It is a way to be likeable.”</p>
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<p>“Doesn’t everyone want to be likeable, though?”</p>
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<p>“Doesn’t everyone want to be likeable, though?”</p>
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<p>Ioan laughed. “Of course. It was still a nice conversation, even if it was a stressful topic. And it’s a beautiful place to talk, and a beautiful walk.”</p>
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<p>Ioan laughed. “Of course. It was still a nice conversation, even if it was a stressful topic. And it’s a beautiful place to talk, and a beautiful walk.”</p>
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<p>End Waking nodded. “That it is. I never get tired of it. I wonder if it is still penance if one enjoys it.”</p>
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<p>End Waking nodded. “That it is. I never get tired of it. I wonder if it is still penance if one enjoys it.”</p>
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<p>“I suppose it can be. It still sounds difficult.”</p>
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<p>“I suppose it can be. It still sounds difficult.”</p>
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<p>“It is that, too.” He leaned down and plucked a few yellow-green berries from a bush, gathering a small pawful to give to Ioan. “Gooseberries for May Then My Name. Did you have any more questions for me?”</p>
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<p>“It is that, too.” He leaned down and plucked yellow-green berries from a bush, gathering a small pawful to give to Ioan. “Gooseberries for May Then My Name. Did you have any more questions for me?”</p>
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<p>Ioan frowned and accepted the handful of berries carefully, slipping them into a pocket of eir vest after unbuttoning it so that ey would not squish them. “Um, one more, though I am conscious of all the warnings I’ve received about not pushing anyone hard enough that they’ll resent me.”</p>
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<p>Ioan frowned and accepted the handful of berries carefully, slipping them into a pocket of eir vest after unbuttoning it so that ey would not squish them. “Um, one more, though I am conscious of all the warnings I’ve received about not pushing anyone hard enough that they’ll resent me.”</p>
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<p>The skunk grinned. “I will not resent you, Ioan. I am trying to shake that habit, and I like you. I just may not answer.”</p>
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<p>The skunk grinned. “I will not resent you, Ioan. I am trying to shake that habit, and I like you. I just may not answer.”</p>
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<p>Feeling strangely bashful at the compliment, ey shrugged. “Just that you mentioned your short- and mid-term goals for meddling with finances. What were the long-term goals?”</p>
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<p>Feeling strangely bashful at the compliment, ey shrugged. “Just that you mentioned your short- and mid-term goals for meddling with finances. What were the long-term goals?”</p>
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<p>“Critical mass.”</p>
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<p>“Critical mass.”</p>
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<p>“Critical mass? What do you mean?”</p>
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<p>“Critical mass? What do you mean?”</p>
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<p>Rather than answering, End Waking took Ioan by the elbow and guided em back to the trail. “Let us get you back so that the berries are still fresh for May Then My Name.”</p>
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<p>There was a long silence before, rather than answering, End Waking took Ioan by the elbow and guided em back to the trail. “Let us get you back so that the berries are still fresh for May Then My Name.”</p>
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<p>Page generated on 2021-10-21</p>
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<p>Page generated on 2021-10-21</p>
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@ -88,14 +88,14 @@ Jonas Prime of the Jonas clade by way of Jonas Anderson (Council of Eight), Coun
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<p>“Why, though? I don’t see how introducing something so divisive would lead to anything other than either the entire referendum getting thrown out or, at best, delaying the process for months.”</p>
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<p>“Why, though? I don’t see how introducing something so divisive would lead to anything other than either the entire referendum getting thrown out or, at best, delaying the process for months.”</p>
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<p>“There may indeed be a small delay as debate kicks up again.” Demma nodded toward Yared. “Which we will help you participate in, much as we have up to this point. Still, broaching the idea as an amendment is a good way to get this idea in the forefront of people’s minds. They can have the debate with lower pressure on acceptance. They can always vote on original referendum without passing the amendment, correct?”</p>
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<p>“There may indeed be a small delay as debate kicks up again.” Demma nodded toward Yared. “Which we will help you participate in, much as we have up to this point. Still, broaching the idea as an amendment is a good way to get this idea in the forefront of people’s minds. They can have the debate with lower pressure on acceptance. They can always vote on original referendum without passing the amendment, correct?”</p>
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<p>Yared nodded.</p>
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<p>Yared nodded.</p>
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<p>“So, if that happens, at that point, we can spin it off into its own referendum, and by then, much of the debate will have already started, and we can continue to work through the whole process calmly, as we have been.” He spread his hands, still smiling. “It is all a matter of risk management, Mr. Zerezghi. You understand.”</p>
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<p>“So, if that happens, at that point, we can spin it off into its own referendum, and by then, much of the debate will have already taken place, and we can continue to work through the whole process calmly, as we have been.” He spread his hands, still smiling. “It is all a matter of risk management, Mr. Zerezghi. You understand.”</p>
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<p>“I suppose.”</p>
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<p>“I suppose.”</p>
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<p>“Have you had a chance to speak with Jonas and his strangely named friend yet?”</p>
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<p>“Have you had a chance to speak with Jonas and his strangely named friend yet?”</p>
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<p>He shook his head. “Not yet. Like I said, I started to panic and went for my walk.”</p>
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<p>He shook his head. “Not yet. Like I said, I started to panic and went for my walk.”</p>
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<p>Demma nodded. “I suggest you do as soon as you get back. I’m curious to hear their opinion on the result of this amendment. I suspect they are equally curious to hear your opinion. Please report back to me what they say, as you have been.”</p>
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<p>Demma nodded. “I suggest you do as soon as you get back. I’m curious to hear their opinion on the result of this amendment. I suspect they are equally curious to hear your opinion. Please report back to me what they say, as you have been.”</p>
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<p>“Alright.”</p>
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<p>“Alright.”</p>
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<p>“Now, here are my thoughts on the matter,” the councilor said. “I think the amendment will be successful, and I have three reasons why. First of all, the DDR is far easier to send into a fit than you might be giving it credit for. We’ve watched it for decades now. It has a very short attention span, and dramatic reactions are part of that. Voters will work themselves up into a froth on whatever the current issue is, but there will always be another issue.</p>
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<p>“Now, here are my thoughts on the matter,” the councilor said. “I think the amendment will be successful, and I have three reasons why. First of all, the DDR is far easier to send into a fit than you might be giving it credit for. We’ve watched it for decades now. It has a very short attention span, and dramatic reactions are part of that. Voters will work themselves up into a froth on whatever the current issue is, but there will always be another issue.</p>
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<p>“Second, there will be another referendum introduced in December. It is already being drafted up in Cairo, and will involve some issue of mid-level consequence, but one that will be of interest to many of the regular DDR voices. You’ll have to pardon me for not giving you more information until the referendum is made public, but I can tell you that it will involve both the subcommittees on environment and land management.”</p>
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<p>“Second, there <em>will</em> be another referendum introduced in December. It is already being drafted up in Cairo, and will involve some issue of mid-level consequence, but one that will be of interest to many of the regular DDR voices. You’ll have to pardon me for not giving you more information until the referendum is made public, but I can tell you that it will involve both the subcommittees on environment and land management.”</p>
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<p>Yared blinked. Demma was right, of course, anything to deal with land rights, especially here in the Northeast African Coalition, was bound to draw many of the loudest DDR junkies, himself included.</p>
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<p>Yared blinked. Demma was right, of course, anything to deal with land rights, especially here in the Northeast African Coalition, was bound to draw many of the loudest DDR junkies, himself included.</p>
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<p>“Should I take part in that conversation, too?” he asked.</p>
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<p>“Should I take part in that conversation, too?” he asked.</p>
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<p>“You can if you’d like, so long as you don’t drop your focus on the current referendum completely. I don’t imagine you will, given that your name is on an amendment.”</p>
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<p>“You can if you’d like, so long as you don’t drop your focus on the current referendum completely. I don’t imagine you will, given that your name is on an amendment.”</p>
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<p>“The third reason, however, is that there is more going on behind the scenes on the governmental level than you are privy to. It’s often fashionable to ascribe ill intentions to politicians, but that is because they have often borne out when scandals come to light.</p>
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<p>“The third reason, however, is that there is more going on behind the scenes on the governmental level than you are privy to. It’s often fashionable to ascribe ill intentions to politicians, but that is because they have often borne out when scandals come to light.</p>
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<p>“There is nothing scandal-worthy here, but there are still strings to be pulled. The correct hands shaken, the correct babies kissed, the correct promises of support on the correct issues. Some of those strings are the ones that everyone can see: the campaign contributions, the baby-kissing, the promises. Some of them are not, though. Thinly veiled threats, intimidation. Who knows, perhaps even some market meddling.”</p>
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<p>“There is nothing scandal-worthy here, but there are still strings to be pulled. The correct hands shaken, the correct babies kissed, the correct promises of support on the correct issues. Some of those strings are the ones that everyone can see: the campaign contributions, the baby-kissing, the promises. Some of them are not, though. Thinly veiled threats, intimidation. Who knows, perhaps even some market meddling.”</p>
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<p>Yared’s baseline frown deepened, to which Demma laughed.</p>
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<p>Yared’s baseline frown deepened, to which Demma laughed.</p>
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<p>“Politics are politics, my dear Yared. It is a game, as I’m sure you’ve guessed from your interactions with Jonas, but it is one with high stakes. When there are high stakes, one must use all the tools at one’s disposal, savory or otherwise.”</p>
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<p>“Politics is politics, my dear Yared. It is a game, as I’m sure you’ve guessed from your interactions with Jonas, just one with high stakes. When there are high stakes, one must use all the tools at one’s disposal, savory or otherwise.”</p>
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<p>“I understand,” he said, still feeling that tension in his shoulders.</p>
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<p>“I understand,” he said, still feeling that tension in his shoulders.</p>
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<p>Still smiling, Demma soothed, “You have made your own harsh comments, I know. You have questioned your opponent’s competency. You have suggested that perhaps others band up against them and nudge them out of the debate. You have the very same toolkit, if only on a smaller scale.”</p>
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<p>Still smiling, Demma soothed, “You have made your own harsh comments, I know. You have questioned your opponent’s competency. You have suggested that perhaps others band up against them and nudge them out of the debate. You have the very same toolkit, if only on a smaller scale.”</p>
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<p>He finally let his shoulders sag.</p>
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<p>He finally let his shoulders sag.</p>
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<p>“So. The DDR is easily distracted, an additional distraction will be provided, and politics will be done where required. I promise that you’ll quickly see a swing in favor of the amendment. I’ve promised such in the past, and surely delivered.” Demma’s voice held a tone of conclusion, as though the conversation was nearing a decisive end.</p>
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<p>“So,” the councilor said, ticking off on his fingers. “The DDR is easily distracted, an additional distraction will be provided, and politics will be done where required. I promise that you’ll quickly see a swing in favor of the amendment. I’ve promised such in the past, and surely delivered.” His voice held a tone of conclusion, as though the conversation was nearing a decisive end.</p>
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<p>Yared nodded. “Alright, councilor. I understand. I’m still having a hard time internalizing it, but I’ll work on that. Should I expect further instructions?”</p>
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<p>Yared nodded. “Alright, councilor. I understand. I’m still having a hard time internalizing it, but I’ll work on that. Should I expect further instructions?”</p>
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<p>“You’ll get them, yes, but for now, please enjoy a few days off from the issue. You’ve done your work for now, let it simmer, and then you can come back to it. I know it’ll be hard to do, but I trust you’ll find a way. Enjoy good food. Drink good coffee. Talk with good friends.” That avuncular smile returned. “You deserve it, Mr Zerezghi. And, as always, thank you for all of your hard work.”</p>
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<p>“You’ll get them, yes, but for now, please enjoy a few days off from the issue. You’ve done your work for now, let it simmer, and then you can come back to it. I know it’ll be hard to do, but I trust you’ll find a way. Enjoy good food. Drink good coffee. Talk with good friends.” That avuncular smile returned. “You deserve it, Mr Zerezghi. And, as always, thank you for all of your hard work.”</p>
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<p>And with that, the driver pulled the door open, and it was back out into the heat of the day for him. The heat of the day, the real world, and hopefully a bit of space from the stress. Hopefully. Hopefully he’d be able to let it go for a few days.</p>
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<p>And with that, the driver pulled the door open, and it was back out into the heat of the day for him. The heat of the day, the real world, and hopefully a bit of space from the stress. Hopefully. Hopefully he’d be able to let it go for a few days.</p>
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