Inspired by the concerns brought to her by certain members of her team, Mataya had leaped into action. Flyers went out across the city, distributed as far as she could get them, inviting the whole of Rhy'Din to come to the Shanachie and have a picnic together on their grounds. It was a harmless way of spending a Sunday afternoon, and given the way that some of the candidates for the Governorship were behaving, it felt necessary.

The grounds were strewn with various different set ups for enjoying a meal, from furniture carven from living wood, to deckchairs and blankets, to piles of cushions scattered about for comfort. There were picnic baskets ready made up for anyone who came along but didn't have a meal with them, or didn't have the resources to put one together for their family.

http://cgconcept.be/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2015/05/The-Sculptors-Picnic-Garden-04_940x627.jpghttp://housetohome.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/96/00000cf9f/14d3_orh550w550/outdoorcushions.jpg http://www.confettidaydreams.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Rustic-Garden-Picnic-Wedding-341.jpghttp://gradina.acasa.ro/uploads/photos/original/157489-picnic-1.jpg

But the whole point wasn't about the picnic, or even the beautiful day. It was about gathering together in a peaceful form of protest against the ugliness of racial intolerance that had reared its head in the past week, spurred on by certain political parties.

"Rhy'Din is a great place to live," Mataya declared. "And what makes it great is our diversity. So many different races, religions, cultures, living side by side. We may not always live in harmony, but we should be proud of how unified we are, despite our differences. We've all experienced racial intolerance, one way or another, and I know I'm not alone in not wanting it to become a part of our way of living here.

"So let's prove it. Take the chance today to sit down with someone you wouldn't normally approach. Forget, even if it's just for one day, the ancestral dislikes and influences, and reach out to someone completely your opposite. People who incite violence do it through our fear, and our fear comes from what we don't know. So learn, and I'll learn with you, and let's celebrate our diversity.

"And if anyone causes trouble, I will personally dropkick them."

((This is a board only event. EVERYONE is welcome to post, but seriously, violence of any kind will not be tolerated. Candidates are welcome to use the event as a platform, and businesses are very welcome to set up a stall or donate picnics and other sundries to the event itself. Feel free to post here, and have fun!))

Diversity was the name of the game in certain parts of the Granger family, and no one expressed it more than Desmond Granger's little branch. Between them, they had three humans, yes, but they also had two Fae, and a werewolf, and they'd managed to get along without mishaps among themselves for quite some time, thank you very much. Which was mostly why they had decided to spend their Sunday afternoon at the Shanachie.

Lyneth, in particular, was excited to go, forced to moderate her pace purely because she was holding Dylan up. The newly mobile youngest member of the family loved to walk with his big sister, and she loved walking with him, even if it did mean everyone was slowed down to snail's pace while it was going on.

"And maybe we'll see Maggie there, Dyl, and Maggie's lots of fun, and she was a Baron, and maybe she'll be the Governor, and that will be very cool," the little half-Fae was babbling to her baby brother as they stumbled along together ahead of their family.

Dylan just gurgled up at her, concentrating fiercely on putting one foot in front of the other and holding on tightly to his big sister's hands.

Behind them, Piper leaned into Des, trying not to laugh too much at the sight of their children bonding over something as simple as walking. They'd packed their own picnic, purely because Lyneth was turning into the fussiest eater they had ever encountered, and because of the lack of dietary sophistication that made up the last couple in their group. Not so much Tiernan who, as a Fae, was accustomed to far grander fare than could be offered by an overworked set of parents in a hurry, but more for the sake of Faolan, the werewolf he had accepted as his mate. She was still more wolf than human after spending too long trapped in her canine form, but with slow encouragement, she was beginning to appreciate being on two legs a little more than on four.

They were certainly a diverse bunch, and with Lyneth running the show, there was a chance they'd end up sharing their lunch with just about everyone who happened to get themselves ensnared in the charm the little Fae girl exuded without thinking. But whatever happened, it was a good way to spend the afternoon.

http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/mOdpoE1fsthV7CTXu2Wcw/cid/208591781/id/uDrFoTWD5hGx3b_YihlwOg/size/c600x448.jpg http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/37000000/Stephen-Amell-Arrow-Photoshoot-arrow-37035045-375-500.jpg

Aran was both thrilled and relieved that Mataya had taken him up on his suggestion to host some kind of event at the Shanachie to help heal the hurts of the city, encourage peace and unity, and celebrate diversity. After all, it was their differences that made Rhy'Din great.

A picnic was the perfect event - so much better than a rally - encouraging families to attend and show their children that the differences between them were not something to be feared, but celebrated. After all, children were not born with prejudice; prejudice was learned.

And so, Aran was in attendance, along with Carina and her parents, Amara and Raniel, who had welcomed and accepted him into their family as if he'd always belonged there. Carina and her parents had nearly jumped at the chance to enjoy an outing together, especially one that supported such a good cause at its core. She, too, was of mixed blood, her mother being human and her father elven, after all.

Aran had always done his best to hide his elven heritage out of fear of discrimination and ridicule, but today was not the time to hide one's differences. For the first time since his arrival in Rhy'Din, he didn't bother to hide the slightly tipped ears that proclaimed him half-elven or the amulet he wore around his neck that was a gift from his mother's people. Without any glamour to hide his true heritage, the elf looked like the prince his bloodline claimed him to be, and though his smile was warm and friendly, he was quiet and modest and just a little bit shy.

Hand in hand with Carina, the pair mingled with both those they knew and didn't know, proving they weren't afraid of those who were different from them. In fact, they were perhaps even more open and welcoming, given the fact that they came from mixed bloodlines and two very different cultures.

Carina, too, had forgone the habit of hiding her ears to show off the rounded point that betrayed her mixed blood today. Her parents had never shied away from making new friends, and it was an education to see Raniel approach the werewolf pack and introduce himself without fear. But then, he was a druid, and he'd never much cared for judging anyone by their outward appearance. With his example in mind, Carina tugged Aran's hand and took him on a tour of the groups that had settled in around them - to Mal and her impromptu jam session, to the little family that seemed to mix shifter and fae blood with human, and everyone else who happened to be there. She was even brave enough to approach an orc, ancestral enemy of Aran's and her father's people, and shake his hand with a smile. After all, wasn't that the point of today' Deep down, they were all just people, and no one deserved to live in fear.

http://orig00.deviantart.net/c1d5/f/2013/087/7/3/chace_crawford_elf_by_hexowl-d5zje1x.jpg

http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/jwRDRruEM3wYNoV7BM8GBQ/cid/208594553/id/znRRTDuD5hGT1nvjZFZllw/size/c600x464.jpg

Maggie arrived with several members of her family and some of the children from Rhydin's Big Brother and Big Sister programs. Blankets were spread out and picnic baskets were set on them. After lunch, Maggie was introducing the children to her theater family and suggested they might want to join up for Shanachie Stars when its next semester began. When Maggie spotted Lyneth, she was filled with joy. Lyneth had a way of bringing out the happiest parts of Maggie's soul. Their chatter sometimes became giggling; they resembled two teenage girls plotting something. Maggie delighted in watching Lyneth doing her big sister duties with Dylan. She offered to hold one of the toddler's hands while Lyneth held the other. An introduction to Ammy's daughter, Ruby, was in order.

Pearl had brought her fiddle and Velen his flute. The couple joined the others with musical instruments and followed along with the tune in progress. Music and dancing were languages that crossed many barriers. Humming and tapping feet could be heard along with laughter of those that had gotten up to dance.

Nicole had the day off; the bistro was closed. She used the time to join the celebration of diversity and play with the youngest of her sisters. Like her, the Littles had the graceful and gently pointed ears of their fey ancestors. They started up a game of tag that gathered in several children and adults. Rhiannon, Eregor, and their twins were among those dashing about on the grass.

Colleen leaned against a tree to watch the spectacle. She knew very well that life was not always about sunshine and finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. There would always be those that preached about hatred and how their way was the best one to deal with it. There would be time later to cope with the unpleasant things, but right now, she was at peace watching the families, friends, and colleagues enjoying a beautiful day and fine company.

Ebon and Phen brought the whole crew from Stardreamer Manor out to the Shanachie picnic. The younger children joined in the play, while the older ones milled about, enjoying the food and people-watching. Phen and Ebon, in the meantime, mingled with everyone; as Mataya had said, this was a day to talk to those you normally wouldn't, and the Ilnarens took that fully to heart.

Doran found Maggie and had a few words in quiet, ending in a hug. When the music started up, the lad led the other children in a circle dance around the players. Not to be left out, the beholder Tenball—a living symbol of diversity if ever there was one—joined in the music, keeping a beat with the bodhran.

All in all, it was a lovely day!

Andu and his family would venture out to the Shanachie "picnic". For today that family would consist of him, his adopted daughter Viola Rose, and his adopted sons, Hiro and Iros. An Apis in minotaur form, a girl with dragon wings and tail, and some scales, and twin Oxen Anthros made for a diverse group. The family would be "augmented" by several anthros of various breeds from those he has taken to calling "Gaia's Children".

Greetings and introductions would be given to those he does and doesn't know when they are encountered as the group makes a first round of the gathering.

There was no family in Rhy'Din quite as diverse as that of the Storms. A superhero, a firestarter, a telepath, an empath, a dragon, a baby with undisclosed power, and ....a P.A. And that didn't include the pets or their neighbors, the Fosters, who were as extraordinary as they were.

Johnny was the one who'd suggested attending the picnic, eager to show his support for a good cause. He had learned to embrace his own differences and those of others, but he knew it was not always easy for others to do the same. He and Liv were teaching their children that it was people's differences that made them special, and this was a perfect opportunity to not only set a good example for their children, but for all of Rhy'Din.

Johnny knew the the best way to teach people tolerance and understanding for those who were different was to get to know people who were different from yourself, people you might not normally meet or mingle with in everyday life.

And so, the Storms were out in force at the picnic, from the youngest to the oldest, laughing and playing and mingling with those they knew, and meeting and getting to know those they didn't.

And maybe if they were really lucky, they'd all get a fireworks show later on, care of the Human Torch.

http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/pWDjmPHeWNCXkVHCqvG3SA/cid/208678150/id/yIZoSkGE5hGln9Dn_neb_Q/size/c600x462.jpg

http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/gjc14RvEGbYjbPXVenLeZw/cid/208678532/id/TiugZEKE5hGe52R2tfvecw/size/c600x358.jpg

http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/IIYFXwrRpI1jibYJJb920w/cid/208679507/id/3qF62byf5hGtTGC1NuhFfQ/size/c600x590.jpg