“He looks to have been trapped good.” Kevin referred to Walter’s forced climb-down.
“Given that he couldn’t back up his so-called “facts”, that’s no surprise.” Carly pointed out. “The others had him cornered and he knew it.”
“And it was one of the better ones.” Danielle added. “The facts themselves are often the top weapon we’ve got against the likes of him.”
“Hmm?” Kevin turned slightly to face her.
“Think about it. First they tried to have everyone think of us as mindless beasts, then when it became obvious that we’re anything but that, they tried to claim that we’re intelligent hunters, actively seeking out and turning or killing humans for Sport, in spite of that going almost completely against what they’d just said before.” Danielle explained. “But the facts are coming out, and just looking at them is enough to show the magnitude of the ignorance of those like Walter Moxie.”
“Of course, that requires that said facts be looked at.” Kevin returned. “And the fact is many of them don’t, keeping themselves wrapped in their presumptions.”
“And that will be the hard part. There will be those that don’t want to know the truth, but some CAN be convinced.” Maria supplied. “It won’t be easy though.” She added as an afterthought.
“Perhaps.” Danielle had to concede. “But the more we can, the better it will be. And not just for us. So what of the others?” She asked to change the subject slightly.
“About Karl? He’s honest enough, he knows it’s largely his own fault, and he is sincere with his apologies.” Maria gave her answer.
“After what he did, he’d better be.” Kevin added with rather less sympathy.
“And as said before, he didn’t know until it was too late, the whole thing was a complete accident.” Carly pointed out. “But what of Sharon?”
“Well, her answer about whether or not we should’ve remained hidden was vague, but she did raise a good point. That we would be found out eventually was inevitable.” Danielle replied after some thought. “And I suppose the reactions we’ve seen were just as inevitable, but really, what actually matters now is what’s done about it.”
“And to do that, we really might need to bend over backwards to show that we’re not what certain ‘stories’ have made us out to be.” Maria stated. “But that’s the really important part, to demonstrate that we are like them in all the critical ways.”
“And once that can be done, it should be possible to get those restrictions lifted.” Carly answered.
“It will be nice to be able to go out again.” Kevin sighed.
He did make a good point there, Danielle thought to herself. Since all the States had made it illegal for them to hunt, getting a good meat supply wasn’t easy, relying heavily on purchasing enough to fuel their accelerated metabolisms and if possible, owning private ranches if you were lucky enough to serve that purpose. Danielle herself didn’t participate in them all that much, her trucking schedule often leaving her without the time for one, and sometimes in the wrong place, three or four times a year was really the best she could hope for. It would still be nice for her to be able to again, if they could get the Bans overturned on Appeal.
“Nate though, he was definitely the most vocal supporter.” Carly spoke up.
“He was, but not skilled in Diplomacy, that’s for sure.” Kevin agreed on Carly’s main point.
“How so?” Danielle asked him.
“His examples weren’t the best. Using the Native American and Jewish Genocides as examples, to say what we’re not. Not a smart move at all.”
“Oh? Why’s that?” Maria queried.
“First off, those were Human-on-Human examples, and those were based on Base Hatred more than Paranoid Fear. Add in that said examples, were State-Sponsored acts and not committed largely by individual groups. That is why.”
“Add in to this, there will be a lot who tune out the moment you make that comparison.” Danielle added to Kevin’s point. “And might deem you in the Wrong the moment you try to Play that Card. Furthermore, if the other side is smart enough to know where the key differences lie, they will use that to turn it against you. For trying to help us, that will probably cause more problems than it could ever even hope to resolve. It’s known as Godwinning for a reason.”
“In other words, while Nate is trying to help, his inexperience could well be more of a hindrance than a help.” Maria worked out.
“Precisely.” Kevin replied before having to stifle a long yawn.
“I suppose it’s been a long time we’ve been up, I guess we should turn in soon.” Carly rose to stretch and loosen her limbs.
“I know I need an early night, I have to leave early tomorrow.” Danielle agreed. “Have another job to do real soon.”
“What job is that?” Maria asked out of curiosity.
“From this State, to the next one, and then the one after that. Delivery to a few farms then back.” Danielle gave her answer as she rose, preparing to head to the spare bedroom. “It’ll be a few days, and I gotta cover over eighty miles just to get to the Truck so I can even begin.”
“Bit of a distance just to get to work.” Kevin remarked.
“Two-and-a-half-hours at most on a good day. And besides, the way the jobs are given, it’s to be expected.” Danielle explained to him as she too had to hold back a yawn of her own. “I’ll be turning in now then. Night all.”