[Anastasya is sitting on a park bench somewhere when she turns on her communicator, seemingly enjoying the afternoon sun, dressed in a long, black skirt and a dark green blouse. She offers the screen a small smile.]

Hello everyone. For those of you that I haven't met, and honestly that's quite a few of you, my name is Anastasya Griffin. Like many of you, I've tried to keep to myself since I was kidnapped to this world. I was content, I suppose, to try and...wait it out, until the machine would return me home as it seemed to do to others. Because it was bound to happen eventually, right?

[She hesitates, seemingly trying to choose her words carefully.]

But recent events have made it very clear that we can't simply remain complacent, trying to live our lives, not when the rest of the world considers us oddities at best, and dangerous weapons at worst. Even here in the United States, you're just as likely to receive looks of suspicion and fear as you are of wonder and amazement. It's not a situation we can simply allow to continue, not if there's something we can do about it.

And as my friend Count Dooku has impressed upon me recently, those of us who already have the skills necessary to try and help...raise the perception people have of imports, if you will...have something of an obligation to do so.

[Another small pause, and she seems to straighten up some without really moving. As if she's settling into a mantle she had put aside for a while. A slightly strange look, perhaps, on someone that appears to be as young as she does.]

Which is why I would like to announce my candidacy for Import Ambassador to the city of De Chima.

I realize that this is rather abrupt, given that I've kept so much out of the public eye here. And unlike Count Dooku, I have never found much use for grandiose speeches. So instead, as an explanation, a bit of my...history is in order, I think.

The world I come from, Ashan, is a very different place from this one. Technologically, socially, even spiritually, on a grand scale they are almost nothing alike. But when you get down to the details, it's hard to miss the way the history of my people mirrors the experiences that we have here.

There, I was the leader of a small faction of...highly specialized, uniquely talented people. Like imports in this world, we were the subject of fascination for the abilities and magics that we possessed, but also of fear and misinformation at what we could do, and what people believed we could do with those powers.

For us, each day was a careful balancing act between remaining true to what we believed and who we were, and risking the disfavor of factions far more powerful than ourselves. A accidental misstep here, or an unfortunate action from an unruly member there, could trigger a whispered word in some distant court. Before we even had time to realize something was wrong, we might be flooded with unexpected curiosity seekers, or embroiled in an unfortunate war. Often, it would be the actions we never suspected that would result in the most severe backlashes.

[She smiled ruefully.] I imagine that sounds familiar? It's much the same here, really. Every day we imports are walking a tight-rope between doing what we must to protect ourselves, to live our lives, and bringing down the wrath of some distant power. Be it the the looming specter of the Soviets, or simply the displeasure of our American hosts. Or even still, the justified anger of our neighbors next door after one of us has destroyed a building, or injured some innocent bystander. Or even just blocked traffic for a day.

As I understand the position, it falls to the Import Ambassadors to try and...keep the peace, while ensuring that import needs and desires are met. Balancing those needs against those of our host city, and ensuring that their awe of us remains in greater degree than their fear of us would be my main priority.

It does not sound like an easy task, but it is a burden I am more than willing to accept.

[She smiles, shrugging.]

So, as much as I might prefer to still keep to my new private life, I cannot justify doing so if it is at the expense of what good I could do here for our community.

As for the, what, specifics? I don't want to get too deeply into policy right now, but I will say that the De Chima Import Community Centre has reverted to government hands with the departure of the previous ambassador. One of my first actions would be to attempt to return this to import possession. Not that I don't trust our benefactors, but some things should remain...in house.

I would hope that you all are willing to elect me as your ambassador. [A beat, and she lets out a little breath of relief and smiles again.] I think I'm done! Thank you all for your time. I think I'm a little out of practice with all of this...public speaking.

[She chuckles quietly.]

Oh, and if anyone has any questions please, feel free to ask.