Lady Leizi: I don't think any of her social impediments apply here. Not because she's the leader of the team(though that certainly helps); it's because Justice Unlimited was her family. She needs to be here, no ifs ands or buts. On a different topic, I don't think she's *bad* at recruiting by any means but I do think her relevant strengths lie in heart to hearts(as strange as it may sound), which is sort of the exact opposite of talking to random people out of a crowd. Her ability to spot Hostile actors is of course unparalleled, but her ability to stop them is, and I wouldn't be surprised if she accidentally let one or two panted hecklers slip by.
Mona: Mona can thrive anywhere. The public adores her, she has tons to say about the deceased, she's close personal friends with multiple candidates, and she can fucking obliterate anyone stupid enough to mess with us during the ceremony! She's so damn good that I think its more constructive to look at her failings than her strengths, but I don't trust myself to do that without alienating anyone generous enough to read this far. But as a former journalism student with Moral OCD, I am honorbound to say this no matter the personal cost. So here it goes: I do not believe Mona is good at reducing our enemies ability to speak against us.
She made a DAMN good showing against Silvio when he was talking shit, but whenever I look back on that scene I can't help but feel she did basically nothing to address his points? She just flew in, called him a clout chaser, said "that video was faked, I'm right", and kicked his airs of good intentions in the nuts.
Now, do I think she had any options that could adress his grievances without leaking or leaving out vital information? Do I think discretion is the better part of valor? Do I think her ability to do all this and still have the public side with her is a rarer and more valuable skill? And do. i. think. that this is either the time or place where that capacity for social self-defense is on the forefront of the public's mind?
No, Yes, Yes, and No. But it is my solem belief that if Mona is on that stage, she will do more to raise our public standing than she will to reduce its future reductions. And I simply think that's important angle to consider.
Recruitment: Mona can effortlessly work the crowd and has preexisting friendships with atleast 3 future candidates. Thats not nothing; thats enough to make this whole section worth it on its own!
The only problem is that these people could be publicly seen interacting with an out metahuman. Mona doesn't have a secret identity, and if any of these people are seen gaining suspiciously late powers, or god forbid turn dysmorphic, that's going to turn some heads!
I don't begrudge anyone who thinks this segment of my essay is blatant and shameful fearmongering that ignores bitterman's ample and readily viewable promises to not stomp our hopes to the ground. Because it absolutely is, especially when a writer of Bitterman's quality can find numerous ways around that very issue. Truth be told, I can't think of am ending to this schpiel that keeps my credibility in tact. So like Mona, im not even gonna try and instead say this: if anyone is still reading this, thank you.
Protection: Mona's not the best at spotting people and her powers, despite training, aren't the best at firing into large crowds of civilians. That's it.
Rhys/Handyman: Handyman isn't the most popular or outwardly effective hero on our team, and his civilian self is sort of. Just Some Guy? He's a soldier, a competent everyman whose liked by everyone on our staff, and he mightve publicly dated an Algernon, but in all other respects to the public he's an average man. He only knew one person on the team, and she's alive.
Recruitment: His ability to shapeshift opens unique opertunities when working a crowd, and he has a certain charm to him that might net us a recruit. He's basically got everything going for him, except a good REP score. But these are characters and not numbers so I'm willing to let that slide. Here, being Just Some Guy could be a bonus for him! Handyman is also...an option. Again, I'm not confident the public loves or views him as an effective hero. Even if he's not good at this, I doubt shapeshifting would ever let him be *bad* beyond not actually recruiting someone
Protection: like Leizi he's a spotter, not a fighter.
Maddie/Menagerie: now HERE'S a curveball! Letting her civilian identity speak basically destroys Crusade's scheduled "debate" before it even starts(assuming it wasn't already: who the hell schedules a debate during a funeral?). Menagerie in comparison is merely "good" because she's a badass teen hero. Menagerie's vibe and minions are very funeral-friendly, but by that same token most people might have concerns from the Shadow Monster issue. Madeleine would be good for recruitment because any faux pas could be passed off as her being a Weird Teenage Girl. Likewise, her pets give her amazing area control
Opale: She's a good speaker and our second in command, its a very sensible pick even if she doesn't know the dead very well. She's also spent a lifetime "working the crowd" under her sisters orders so I wouldn't be surprised if she was sick of it. I'm also willing to leave her on protection duty
John Henry: John knew and deeply cared about the members of Justice Unlimited and can be trusted to give an familiar, heartfelt eulogy on par with Lady Leizi's. He wouldn't be a good fit for crowd working for the same my mom wouldn't. It's just not in his character. And call me crazy, but I don't think he's been trained enough to spatially sort through large crowds of people. Plus I'm pretty sure Opale's power is better at guarding crowds of people, but I'm willing to be wrong
Ellie: Doesn't know these people, is not a outspoken people person, and is wearing stupidly advanced power armor. You tell me