Despite the serious nature of Johnny's visit to WHAM studios, he couldn't help but chuckle a little at Yasmin's introduction. He was the sexiest firefighter in Rhy'Din - at least, in his own mind. He hadn't come here today to talk about fire prevention though. Not this time. No, this time he had something even more serious in mind.

"Thanks for the intro, Yas, and thanks for letting me come by today and borrow the microphone for a little while. Fire prevention and safety are important topics, but that's not what I'm here to talk about today. I'm here to talk about the continuing conflict between humans and non-humans that has been troubling our fair city over the last few months."

Johnny unfolded a piece of paper on which he had prepared a few words - with Liv's help, of course. He cleared his throat once before reading what was written there, just a little bit nervous. He'd spoken in public before, but never about something as important as this.

"On August 28, 1963, a great leader by the name of Martin Luther King, Jr., gave a famous speech in Washington, D.C., on the planet known as Earth. In that speech, he spoke of a day when people would 'not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character'. We, here in Rhy'Din, can learn something from those words.

"Rhy'Din is a unique place. It is the one place in all the multiverse where humans and non-humans - men, women, elves, dwarves, goblins, lycans, vampires, meta-humans, dragons, and scores of others - live and work together in relative peace. We are all considered equals, whether we are mundanes or mages, mutants or humans, living or undead, mortal or immortal.

"We should take a lesson from those of Earth and strive to judge our fellow citizens not by any other characteristic but that of their character. But what does that mean' The dictionary defines it as the 'mental and moral quality of an individual'. That is, we should judge each other based on our actions and deeds, not on our appearance or our racial background.

"Some of you might know that I am what is considered a meta-human. I was born human, but due to accidental exposure to high levels of cosmic radiation, I became more than human. I developed unique abilities that allow me to create and control fire. Some back home on Earth consider me a freak, but here on Rhy'Din, I am just another citizen. I decided early on to use my abilities to help people, and that's why I chose to become a firefighter here in Rhy'Din - because with great power comes great responsibility.

"Some have not used their abilities in a wise or benevolent manner, and that is partly the cause of the hatred and conflict we are facing today, but they are the minority.

"The views expressed by the pro-human protestors are not the views of every human who calls Rhy'Din home. People are only afraid of what they don't understand. Further dividing and segregating ourselves is not the solution to the problem. In order to understand each other better, we must get to know each other better. We must learn about each other, so that there's no need to be afraid of what you don't understand.

"Violence only begets more violence. Violence and aggression will only earn you the same in return. Neither side is better than the other, and neither side is innocent when it comes to these encounters. Look to the children for guidance. They do not see the world as we do. Look at others through their eyes. We must learn to accept and value our differences and appreciate our similarities. We are more alike than we are different.

"We are all citizens of Rhy'Din, and as such, I am calling on everyone - human and otherwise - to put aside your prejudices, your fears, and your hatred and come together as one people. Get to know your neighbors, especially those who are different from you. We all want the same thing - or at least, most of us do - to live our lives and raise our families in peace. We owe it to our children and our children's children to make this world we live in a safe place. We must do this for them, for ourselves, and for the future of Rhy'Din.

"I would also like to mention that if anyone ever needs a safe place, no matter whether they are human or not, I urge you to seek out your local Watch Precinct, Emergency Shelter, or Fire Station. These are all safe places where you can find protection and shelter. They are located in every district, and they are there for you."

Johnny drew a deep breath and refolded the paper in his hands before looking expectantly and just a little nervously to Yasmin. "And that's all I wanted to say."

First caller on the line, and as soon as she started speaking, Johnny could probably guess who it was.

"Mr Burnyman, sir, and Lady Blue, and all ....Oh! I am Lyneth Granger, and I am a Fae, and my mummy and my daddy and my little brother are all humans, and I have a question which is this. If the horrible people who don't like people who aren't human people win, does that mean that I won't have a mummy and a daddy and a little brother no more?"

"Okies, only ..."

There was a pause as Lyneth decided what she was going to say next.

"If my mummy and daddy and little brother are human, and I'm not, does that mean I am a bad apple even if I'm a good girl" I am a good girl. I haven't made anyone go squish or think they are a frog, not even when that man was rude to my mummy about having me as a little girl. My mummy was brave. My daddy wanted to go and find him and squish him like a human, but Mummy said no. Am I a bad apple 'cos of not being human?"

As Johnny was floundering, Yas was daydreaming about how Lady Blue would sound as a nice title. It definitely beat disc jockey. She could totally go by it, since she didn't have a last name. Lady Yasmin Blue. "Oh, that even looks nice," Yas thought to herself as she scribbled it on the scrap paper she had for notes between her and Johnny. Her renaming plans were interrupted as he looked at her for help.

"Aw, no, honey," Yas jumped in, adding the general term of endearment since she wasn't paying attention when the girl said her name. "Oh, of course not. People have said since I'm a shapeshifter, that I'm a fae too, and I'm not a bad?" Realizing her phrasing was not exactly helping her point, she jumped to a different perspective. Knowing Miss Scout Finch said it better than she ever could, Yas quoted, " "I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks." As soon as we can spread the word so everyone knows it, I think everyone in Rhydin will be a little nicer to each other."

She continued, "And don't worry about your mom, dad, and brother. They will always be your family and love you for everything that you are."

"Would you like me to play a song for you, hon?" Yas asked before she forgot.

"Sure, honey. Here's Qweeb with "Friends will be Friends". Yas started up the song.

After it played, she came back on the mic, bright and chipper as ever.

"Welcome! You're listening to DJ Zazzy Yas and Johnny Storm on WHAM! 101.1FM and we're discussing the anti" wait, I think its pro. Pro Human Protests. "Pro' "pro"tests" If you use a double positive like that, does it cancel out like a double negative" I'm not sure, but I do know I have another caller on the line. Welcome, caller!?

While Johnny and Professor D'Arcstorm might not always understand each other, Johnny essentially agreed with most of what the other man was saying. Wasn't that what all this was about anyway' Listening to others, communicating, and trying to understand differing points of view so that they could come to an agreement of some sort"

Johnny did just that, quietly giving Atticus the chance to speak and say whatever it was he needed or wanted to say. He didn't seem to have a question, but that was fine, too.

Johnny didn't say anything, until he thought the man was finished, a small smile on his face for the conversation this was taking place and the thoughtful discussion it was hopefully inciting among Rhy'Din's population. After all, he didn't just come here to make a speech and call for peace and tolerance and leave it at that. If there was going to be understanding among people - human and otherwise - that understanding was going to have to start with simple communication.

"We are all citizens of Rhy'Din, Professor," Johnny started, agreeably enough. "You, me, Yas, everyone who lives here is a citizen of Rhy'Din, and as such has the right to live their lives without worrying about being harassed, bullied, and victimized. As you well know, there are factions who believe themselves superior to others. There are factions who prey on those who are unable to defend themselves, but these are the minority. I believe most citizens of Rhy'Din just wish to live peaceful, productive lives.

"Many citizens of Rhy'Din have multi-racial friends and family members. They already know that we are stronger together than apart, and that it's our differences that make us unique.

"There's been violence and casualties on both sides of the protests. There is nothing wrong with peaceful protests, but what exactly is it that is being protested here" I don't think this is just about magic, Professor. It's about fear. People are always going to be afraid of what they don't understand.

"So, let me ask you something. What do you think we can do to help them understand? To show them that those who are different than themselves mean them no harm, and in fact, could stand to be of benefit to them'

"By that same token, if there's anyone out there who knows what these protests are really about and what people hope to gain from them, give us a call here at WHAM 101.1 FM and let us know. Let's talk about this. Let's get to know each other and try to understand each other and see if we can't reach some agreement."

Johnny glanced in Yas' direction, wincing a little and hoping it was okay that he'd just invited further callers and discussion on what was, essentially, her show time.

A call would be placed to the station, the voice perhaps familiar to many, vague to others. It sounded like it should be a singers voice, like that of the lead singer from Blackmore's Night. The familiarity may have been from possible public appearance during the previous Gubernatorial Race in Rhy'Din City.

"Hello DJ Zazzy Yaz and Johnny Storm. You may or may not remember or know me. This is Ammy Spiritor. I'm a student and professor at Bristle Crios as well as a shop owner and a mother of children and grandchildren that are not always what they appear to be. I've seen first hand the fear and the concerns in the streets and businesses with everything going on. Most notably with the children and students I come into contact. I can't say I blame them nor would I try to shoo away their fears.

Sorry, I am getting away from what I am calling in about. I've faced being hunted down myself during theses times as nothing more than a trophy. A rug or something to mount on the wall by many that find courage in the bottle. I can only guess that I was hunted because I, in no way, shape or form am remotely humanoid to pass for threats of a less lethal or sporting nature. What are your thoughts about hunting other races for sports just because we look like animals" What are your thoughts on people assuming that because some of us have children around that don't look like some hideous beast like their parents, that they have been stolen to be eaten"

The world is rapidly becoming one where my youngest daughter may, at some point be forced to hide who she is related to for fear of what others may due to her, or one where someone may try to kill me permanently to take my child out of some idea that races should be segregated. Any comments or suggestions for this dilemma because being a young, deaf child in the world is an amazing and precarious world to navigate without added muck and I am beside myself to explain to her why mother didn't come home for a night or two, or why father was gone too to be by my side at a hospital. Any suggestions would be of great help.

I....used to be human. People may never believe that, but I was, once. These days, what is going on, I can't just understand what is going on anymore with everyone. Thank you for listening to my call."

"Hi, Johnny! I'm just calling to say you're hot!" A slightly familiar woman's voice declared on the other end of the phone before a distinctly male voice cut in. "Miri! I think Ro is into your lipstick aga-" Click.

"Yes, thank you, caller," Yas added after Johnny elbowed her. She shrugged her shoulders in reply to his silent question.

"I have to say, I really loved having you here, Johnny. You and all of our callers definitely gave us a lot to take in. I have a lot to think about myself. Well, I would, but I'm gonna try not to. Thinking a lot gives me a headache..." She crinkled her nose at the thought.

"If I may offer a little support to all of my non-human brethren?" she said a little more seriously, looking at her microphone, "I have always loved Rhydin for its openness and welcoming environment. I still believe it is that place. As a shapeshifter, I know full well that not as many of you are able to change or hide your non-human appearance as easily. I hope you find some solace in the fact that I choose not to hide. For myself, and for those of you that look different, I choose to look different for us. I stand for us."

"And for those that hate me," she added with her humor quickly returning, "I just hope you hate me for who I am, not what I am."

"Thank you again to all of our callers and thank you, Johnny. I'm gonna let you have the final say, bud. Then take us out with a song." She looked over to him with an appreciative smile.