(no subject)

[longingfreesia]

I heard Asuka-san was attacked by those anti-monster protestors recently.

I'll admit, the more this issue is becoming prominent in the city and the more violent it's seeming to be getting, I've been feeling more than just a little worried when I'm out and about in the city. I'm constantly looking over my shoulder and feeling on edge.

Granted, the only place I've really talked about my unique situation is here and at SAI itself and I'm thankfully very 'human' presenting, but still...

... things don't feel very safe right now.

Comments

[melodiousmaestra]

... I think the fact that you have to say "Human presenting" is a bit, umn...

Screwed up?

Like, it feels like as long as I've been at the Academy, or around Domino City, or really even around Maiami sometimes anymore, stuff like monsters walking around is actually kinda... normal? So it worries me that this is just... becoming a thing.

[longingfreesia]

Yeah, having monsters around has been such a huge part of my life ever since I moved to Domino. It's always just been the normal for us.
We consider Hope a part of our family and Rainbow Kuriboh loves to hang around the apartment. It's kind of like our pet, in a way.

Then there's my own non-human heritage which has also been a big part of my life for a while now. It's a part of who I am and a part I've been working hard to understand and make it a comfortable part of my life.

But with all that's happening... it just makes me want to bottle it all up again.

[melodiousmaestra]

No one should have to bottle up anything like that! Bottling up things just-- it just leads to stressing yourself out, and that just means when something happens, it's just... Errghhh...

... I'm also just kinda wondering what their "definition" is for this. If even just being associated with someone who works with spirits is enough for them apparently... I think it makes pretty much anyone a target.

[longingfreesia]

It very much seems that way, so you're right that it can make anyone a target if they work with, support or associate with monster spirits publicly. They could easily target myself or Yuma, just because Yuma works at SAI.

[melodiousmaestra]

Hmnfgnhhhh I wonder if there's anything that could be done about this... Like, what even set all of this off, anyway? It feels like everything's gone kinda nutty ever since that bizarre missile attack thing.

[longingfreesia]

I have no idea. All I know is that it seems to be the current government that's fuelling it, but I have no idea why.

It just... suddenly started happening.

[whitrthanwhite]

Basically, you know how the government would have a new cabinet every week or two with a new Prime Minister with a new hair cut?

Apparently that stopped in December when the most conservative factions centered around basically the worst of the worst, with the worst opinions because they had the most stable money, the most unwilling to break to public pressure, and the loudest media allies.

No never mind at least half the names there are from scandals of the missile attack.

And one of the big 'thought leaders' not in the government is some weirdo wearing a mask who speaks like a hallucinating AI Chatbot.

[longingfreesia]

So basically, the worst people with the most money and influence got into power and those are the types that don't want monsters, or anyone like us, existing.

[rideon_clearwings]

Hey.

What's this about "anti-monster protestors", anyway? I only picked up a bit on this in-between jobs, and doing searches just brings me to a bunch of weird think pieces and videos of guys ranting for some reason?

[longingfreesia]

From what I understand, the current government has gone on some crazy agenda to get rid of monsters from Japan, so there's been a lot of anti-monster protests around the city recently. They've been harassing people at SAI and even harassing students at Domino's Duel Academy, and it seems like the longer it's going on, the more violent these protestors are getting.

[rideon_clearwings]

... I don't like how familiar this is...

Hey, if you ever run into trouble, or you see trouble happening, even if it's someone you know or someone you don't know, I'll be there to help out. I don't want to sit by doing nothing if something's going on like this, alright?

I'm gonna see if I can pick up anything about how this even started.

[longingfreesia]

Thank you, Yugo. That really means a lot.

Please make sure to stay safe, though. At this point, I think these people are capable of anything.

[rideon_clearwings]

They'll have to stop my bike if they want a swing at me for whatever reason!

I'll try to make sure to not cause a big scene at least.

[whitrthanwhite]

Yeah, it's getting real dire, Kotori.

Ailina and I are using vehicles with reinforced plating, and Ai's taking security to and from any public meetings, but I know normal people can't afford that.

I'm also doing anything to not look like "Isidora Rosencrantz" or even my normal self, specifically so I don't get hassled by these freaks.

[longingfreesia]

I guess for now, all we can do is do what we can to be safe, even if it's not being true to ourselves for a while.

I really hope the both of you are able to stay safe.
If either of you ever need anything, or any help, please let me know.

[whitrthanwhite]

And same to you.

Literally, just ask, and we'll be there in a second for you.

[longingfreesia]

Thank you, Shiroko-san.

[deepseahunter_shark]

... No one's tried to do anything to you yet, right?

[longingfreesia]

Thankfully, so far, no one has.
I definitely can't let my guard down while I'm out on my own though. Even if they don't target me because of my heritage, which isn't common knowledge outside of this community, then they could target myself or Yuma, simply because Yuma works at SAI.

[deepseahunter_shark]

Alright. I'm going to give you a piece of advice:

If they come looking for trouble, give them trouble. Folks like that target people because they think they're unable to defend themselves-- easy prey to barter and threaten with, versus the hornet's nest they're apparently wanting to kick at right now with what's going on.

I can take a guess that your first instinct is to hide whatever it is you can do, but that isn't going to be worth anything if you get kidnapped or worse by some idiots who think they can get away with it for any reason.

[longingfreesia]

I've been apprehensive of the idea of using my powers against them, in case it fuels their hate even more, but... that hate is already there anyway.
Nothing I do, or don't do, will change that.

You're right. If it comes to having to defend myself by using my powers, I will.
They wouldn't be expecting it and I'm pretty sure I could telekinetically throw them pretty far.

[deepseahunter_shark]

Throwing them might be enough if it comes down to it. It creates distance, it'll confuse them, and they can't really see something like that coming.

Just keep it in mind. Don't give them an inch to actually do something to you.

[longingfreesia]

I absolutely won't.

Thank you, Shark.

[deepseahunter_shark]

Don't thank me too much. Really.

[dark_rebellion]

I considered writing some monster positive things for Weekly Domino News to try and help calm down tensions, but after some back and forth with the idea, and the rise in violence with the protestors, we were worried they'd target our office in the city or the staff, so unfortunately, I couldn't get the go ahead.

Instead, I've been tearing down any of their propaganda posters I come across in the city.

[pendulum_soul]

And I've been covering any I find up with these!!

*[Attached is a photo of a bunch of posters and stickers Yuya has made with monster-positive messages, like 'Monsters are the best!!', 'Monsters are Welcome' ect.]*

[longingfreesia]

I saw one of those posters the other day and I actually thought to myself 'that seems like something Yuya would do.'

Seems like I was right.
Thank you. Seeing it made me smile and gave me hope that things will improve.

[pendulum_soul]

They don't tend to stay up for very long before they get ripped down by the protestors, but if they're making even at least one person smile or have hope, then it's worth it!

[Private to Yuya]

[dark_rebellion]

Y'know. If two of us are doing this, we can probably cover more ground.

Give me some of those posters. We can go out tonight into Domino and replace every propaganda poster we come across.

Re: [Private to Yuya]

[pendulum_soul]

Great idea!

And let's wear matching disguises, so they think it's just one person somehow covering all that ground in one night!

Re: [Private to Yuya]

[dark_rebellion]

I'm definitely up for that.