Helena Chu (lostchu) wrote in thefield, @ 2009-06-10 16:08:00 |
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Entry tags: | #mod post, z - 1st tribe - day 23 |
The First Tribal Election
Who: Everyone
What: The election of a tribal council.
Where: Around the fire pit.
When: Evening of Day 23
It was well after a dinner of grazer kabobs and Sophie's clam soup that Helena, wrapped in her comforter, stood up and commanded everyone's attention. She didn't feel too steady on her feet so she stuck close to Cross's side. With one hand padded with her comforter rested lightly on his shoulder, her level for up and down, vertical and horizontal was measured by his rather relaxed but correct posture. "Everyone," she called out in a more-raspy-than-normal voice and her dark eyes swept over the group. She nodded to Ken, whom she'd spoken to earlier about his role in this part of the election. He nodded back and pulled a basket toward himself.
Bleary eyes mixed with conscious ones all focused on her and she launched in to the speach that she'd been practicing in her head for the past day or two. "I really want to thank all of you who have put your faith in me as your leader. I don't feel like I've earned the distinction but I want you to know that your willingness to trust me is appreciated and...and it just means a lot." She touched her chest above her heart with her free hand. "However, I think that there are a lot of us now," her eyes found Luc and then Adnan in the dancing, shifting shadows of the fire. "And I think we ought to re-evaluate out method of government. Most of us come from Democratic countries. It's a system we are familiar with and I believe that it is a good basis for building our new ruling body from." She coughed into her elbow for a moment before continuing.
"I know tonight seems like an odd night to hold the election, with no warning and no one feeling all that well but I feel that the time is right to get people organized and making positive decisions for our lives, wellbeings and maybe even comfort here." It was hard to talk about comfort when so many of them were underclothed and sleeping in filthy blankets on the damp ground. Still, she lifted her chin and met many pairs of eyes directly, as though she firmly believed that was possible.
"I feel that we should also not lapse into a dictatorship or even a Commander-and-Chief situation. I feel that more ideas and subgroups of people would be better suited if we voted in a committee. Call it a Tribal Council." She flashed a quick smile, sure that plenty of people would make the association with the television show, Survivor. "Though I don't plan to vote people off the island once a week." She gave a dry chuckle. "I feel that three council members is a good idea. As we grow, if we grow, we might add a fourth and fifth member but for now three would probably do it. Just enough so that we can have a majority rule if we need one."
Helena made a gesture to Ken, who immediately stood up. "Ken is going to give you three of the bush leaves and one twig each. We experimented with the leaves today. If you write something with a bit of pressure on the leave, just enough to break down the fleshy insides a bit, when you hold the leaf up to the light of the fire you can clearly read what has been written." She caught her lower lip, hoping everyone would understand. "You get three leaves because you get three votes. Everyone write one name per leaf and please use each vote for a different person you think would make a good member of the council." She accepted her own leaves and twig with a tired smile for Ken as he passed her.
"When you've made your choices, bring your leaves up front and gently drop them in the basket. Once everyone has voted, we'll tally up the votes and announce who the council will be. Things I want you all to consider are these. What areas would you like to see covered by our council. Self defence and a hunting regiment? Camp building and invention? Personal counciling or manufacture of goods? Please vote for people who you feel could make good decisions for us all in the matters that mean the most to you. Take your time in making your choices." She cracked a rather girlish smile as she sat down. "I wouldn't cast more than one vote for yourself."
Once seated, Helena leaned heavily against Cross's side. Sweat stood out in beads on her forehead but she was determined to see this finished tonight. She took a sip of cool water before taking up her twig to make her nominations.
MOD NOTES: This is a mandatory election, all comments are screened so each character can contribute their vote in secrecy. Feel free to vote exactly how you feel your character would do. At the end, once all votes are in, I'll post the result!