whatever comes, let it come
what stays, let it stay
As Morgan said her piece, Loren waited patiently. Nodding at a few points, he took his own stage when she vacated hers. Turning, he regarded those gathered for a brief moment.Then he took a deep breath, before speaking. "Morgan is right. About more than she knows." He paused to let that sink in. "I too mourn the Deepfrost Shields who perished. They are heroes who gave their lives as they lived them, defending the people of Halo. I also mourn Weaver, who did the same." His breath hitched a bit as he mentioned the late Warden. "May they all burn brightly."
He let the ceremonial and traditional words echo through the hall before he continued. "Like her, I also plan to make myself available to you all. Not to make myself your leader, but your humble servant, to always open my doors to you and to listen to your concerns, whenever they might arise. I would make myself as accessible to you all as possible. Many of you know me, and know that I have striven to do just that while serving as your Grand Healer" Certainty suffusing his voice, he gave them as confident a look as he could manage under the circumstance.
Expression still determined, he spread his hands a bit. "Where she is wrong is how much I care about Halo and its people. I know I am an outsider, but I like to think that I have proven my commitment to this land and its people to all gathered here." His genuine belief in that suffused his voice.
"If voting for Weaver over Neron is not proof of that, then let my other actions speak for themselves. I have defended you from every threat that Morgan has, at least while I've been here. But beyond defending you, I have also looked out for your best interests. Including Morgan, who I saved in the battle of the Citadel, as she herself acknowledged. I have healed you, I have listened to your troubles, I have advocated for you, and I have done my best not to impose my own vision on you all, but instead to help you achieve your own dreams."
Eyes narrowing, he clasped his hands behind his back. "And while many of you may doubt my sincerity on this matter, I am no longer a Launceleyn. Attempting to paint me with the same brush as Neron and Zariah is unfair and a cheap political move." There was almost a bitter edge to his words as he reiterated that. However, he wasn't above calling Morgan out for her underhanded behavior, even if it cost him points with her.
"But you all came here to hear what we would do as Warden. Well, for starters, before rebuilding our walls, I would focus on rebuilding the homes and business that were destroyed during the Eirachi's retaliation. And then, instead of waiting for threats to present themselves at our gates, I would actively seek them out, and prevent further violence from coming to our walls."
He spared a glance for the former and hopefully future Captain. "As for the Ascended, I believe the people of Halo have seen enough violence. I do not think they wish for another battle or war, especially against a people who have not brought harm to their gates." Then he smiled faintly. "Besides, the hospitality of Halovians is famous. We do not turn away any who come here with peaceful intentions, including the Ascended. Therefore, I would seek alliances with those beyond our borders, and trade that would benefit this land."
Much more quietly, he added, "I trust your judgment as well. All I have left to say is that Morgan already had an opportunity to advocate for herself as Warden, and she ultimately turned it down because she knew she was better suited as Captain than Warden. As I said before, I have not only fought for you, I have done my level best to ensure your health and well-being, as a Warden should." He bowed his head, the picture of humility. "But I will abide by whatever decision you make, and regardless will continue to serve you to the best of my ability." With that, he stepped down to await their judgment.
tl;dr
LOREN'S POINTS
-Has done everything Morgan has done and then some
-He will focus on rebuilding the homes and businesses destroyed before reinforcing the walls
-He will seek out threats before they arrive at the Citadel
-He will always make himself available to any citizen of Halo
-He won't start a war against the Ascended, as he believes they don't pose a threat
-He reiterated that he is not like his former family
-He has faced every threat that Morgan did
-Beyond facing threats, he has actually improved the lives of Halovians beyond just protecting them
-He's proven his commitment to Halo
-Morgan already had a chance to put herself up as Warden and ultimately withdrew herself
THINGS LOREN HAS DONE
-Dealt with cannibals in the following threads: [PQ] Flush Out The Rats, Nothing there for you to see, you are what you eat, and [PQ+] The omnivore's dilemma
-Defended the citadel from the cultists: [KQ] diamond dust
-Helped build a training ground for the guards: [PQ] Let's get down to business
-Cleaned up and refurbished the infirmary: [PQ] and those lies heal
-Collected wood for Deepfrost: [PQ] Woodchuckers chucking chunks of wood
-Created a space for outsiders to stay in Deepfrost during Halo: [Training] In My Sights (Open!)
-Built a School of Healing that welcomes all: [PQ] doctor's borders
what goes, let go
LOREN
