[ When Billy steps up, he definitely has a certain atmosphere hanging around him. Most people will likely read it as something shy or demure, especially with the way he doesn't seem to be looking at anyone directly at he speaks, but those who know him better might instead realise it's more the air of someone who truly Does Not Want To Be Here Right Now. ]
I agree with what most of the others have said. Judging others by their actions from a month during which we were all driven mad seems ineffective. I know all of us have felt the pull, and I personally know that some of these people would never have done so under regular circumstances, like Kieren and Mr. Little.
.. and Cornelius Hickey. Since some seem to think that an exception should be made for him, I felt it prudent to step forward, since I am uniquely qualified to speak on the matter as the victim of one of the matters Mr. Crozier described from back home, and as his-- his husband. [ He slowly - nervously - twists a ring on his finger with his other hand. ] I have.. forgiven him for what happened. What Mr. Crozier left out of his description were the dire circumstances we found ourselves in. I believe that we all deserve a second chance here, and that we should be judged on our actions in this place instead.
Which are-- He has shared a house with me here. He has shared his food. I know he has shared with others among you. Yes, I am aware that he can be quite annoying, but I hardly believe that is a matter to judge a man this harshly over. Other than perhaps slightly bothering some people, he has not caused any harm in this place. All we have been trying to do is the same as anyone in this place-- trying to build a life here. Especially when we would not have had one together where we come from.
And yet this has been complicated. I have not publicly spoken about this matter, since I was afraid that his past may be used against him as it is now if I had, but a few months back we were attacked in our own home here by someone who also lives here in town without any provocation to merit it. Multiple people have made attempts on Cornelius' life in this town, including Mr. Crozier himself, yet they are all still alive now. If he truly is the person he is being described as, then why would he only now have killed someone here, when the influence of the Darkwalker was at its strongest? Why would he have left those people alone, even now?
[ He stops fiddling with the ring, exhaling a deep breath. ]
I have spoken to many of you here. I hope you can believe me when I say I can vouch for him, and that we want nothing more than to live out our married life here without the sort of judgement we would have received back home. There are no-- no grand evil plans, or however he is made to seem here. There is just us. [ ... ] Thank you for your consideration.
[ Even when he steps down, he won't look at anyone else on the way back to his seat. ]
cornelius hickey (with a slight bonus kieren walker and edward little)
I agree with what most of the others have said. Judging others by their actions from a month during which we were all driven mad seems ineffective. I know all of us have felt the pull, and I personally know that some of these people would never have done so under regular circumstances, like Kieren and Mr. Little.
.. and Cornelius Hickey. Since some seem to think that an exception should be made for him, I felt it prudent to step forward, since I am uniquely qualified to speak on the matter as the victim of one of the matters Mr. Crozier described from back home, and as his-- his husband. [ He slowly - nervously - twists a ring on his finger with his other hand. ] I have.. forgiven him for what happened. What Mr. Crozier left out of his description were the dire circumstances we found ourselves in. I believe that we all deserve a second chance here, and that we should be judged on our actions in this place instead.
Which are-- He has shared a house with me here. He has shared his food. I know he has shared with others among you. Yes, I am aware that he can be quite annoying, but I hardly believe that is a matter to judge a man this harshly over. Other than perhaps slightly bothering some people, he has not caused any harm in this place. All we have been trying to do is the same as anyone in this place-- trying to build a life here. Especially when we would not have had one together where we come from.
And yet this has been complicated. I have not publicly spoken about this matter, since I was afraid that his past may be used against him as it is now if I had, but a few months back we were attacked in our own home here by someone who also lives here in town without any provocation to merit it. Multiple people have made attempts on Cornelius' life in this town, including Mr. Crozier himself, yet they are all still alive now. If he truly is the person he is being described as, then why would he only now have killed someone here, when the influence of the Darkwalker was at its strongest? Why would he have left those people alone, even now?
[ He stops fiddling with the ring, exhaling a deep breath. ]
I have spoken to many of you here. I hope you can believe me when I say I can vouch for him, and that we want nothing more than to live out our married life here without the sort of judgement we would have received back home. There are no-- no grand evil plans, or however he is made to seem here. There is just us. [ ... ] Thank you for your consideration.
[ Even when he steps down, he won't look at anyone else on the way back to his seat. ]