While everyone's lost, the battle is won

[The feed clicks on, and there's nothing but soft breathing for a long moment, before John speaks slowly, painfully.]

...the blame for this event falls solely upon my shoulders. Miss Rei, for all of her involvement, was only following my instruction.

I- I'm sorry. I know that my words don't mean much now, but I'm sorry.

[His voice breaks. He tries to take a deep breath.]

I really thought... I was just trying to help. I thought that if I could... calm the Animus from their frenzy, help them remember themselves, then they'd be less inclined to torment us. Aelia- told me that they would work with us, if Ekpyrosis was calmed. And I was wrong- I know that now, and I'm sorry.

[A soft, shuddering breath. When he speaks again, his voice is more resolute, hard.]

I have no choice but to resign from any position that I had which was affiliated with the Protection Squad, and I fully offer myself up to be imprisoned for however long the authorities see fit. My actions were independent of my positions, and blame for this should fall upon my shoulders, and not on the integrity of the protection squad, whose admirable actions saved many people during this past weekend.

...thank you.

[The feed shuts off.]


[[ooc: as the event is now over, Nat makes his apologies from his room. He's not leaving his house for awhile. ;w; Also I am now off my hiatus!]]

[The video button is hit and Nat smiles at the PCD, sitting at his desk, surrounded by stacks and stacks of books and papers- an organized chaos.]

The victor of our last poll was none other than mister Alphonse Elric.

[He smiles.]

Congratulations, mister Elric on your new position as ombudsman. I look forward to working with you. [Nathaniel glances through his papers for a moment, before looking up toward the camera again.]

There's been quite a few new people. I'd like to welcome all of you- my name is John Mandrake, and I serve as the secretary for our Protection Squad. If you have any questions or concerns, I'd be honored to address them.

[He nods once and turns off the feed.]

[Private to Alphonse Elric || Unhackable || Text]

I'd like to talk to you about a few key points that we didn't discuss when you were simply filling in for Roy Mustang

[Private to Hino Rei || Unhackable || Text]

I'm doing the summoning tonight. If anything happens to me, please work with Alphonse and maintain calm.

[The feed starts with Nathaniel sitting at his desk, contemplatively glancing toward a few papers- notes- as he considers his words carefully, before looking up, directly into the screen and beginning to speak.]

Shortly before his departure from Adstringendum, Colonel Roy Mustang resigned from his position of Ombudsman. As this was in the height of our last event, I decided to postpone the reelection until after the panic died down a little. Having kept up with the work, I can assure any potential applicants that the workload will not be overwhelming, and I would be pleased to assist in any way I can.

It should be volunteer basis only, and the next Ombudsperson should be elected from the pool of potential volunteers. I will warn everyone who applies- it is a demanding position. However, you will get the satisfaction of helping the community decisions, as well as the opportunity to listen to many different viewpoints. I would highly encourage anyone with an interest in peace and organization to apply. You may respond to this post with any signs of interest.

[A deep breath, and Nathaniel steeples his fingers.]

Furthermore, there are a few more things regarding this 'Police Force' that I would like to address. Firstly is the name itself- I believe that it detracts from our overall goal and gives a bad impression. We are not intent on policing the people at this time, we are only concerned with protecting them. While we do intend to lock up dangerous civilians, it is only out of concern for others; and in a case where the people are altered by an event, only for the duration of the event.

We are not here to control your lives; we are here to help you live them safely. For this reason, I suggest we change the name of our organization to the 'Protection Squad'. Any further suggestions will be welcome.

[Nathaniel pauses one final time, considering his next words very carefully.]

...there have been... concerns brought to me about my level of involvement in this Protection Squad. Some believe that my assuming Jean Louis' secretary position, as well as Cabal's research division and temporarily doing the Ombudsperson's tasks, that I have been attempting to... take everything over. [He swallows hard, but forces himself to keep eye contact with the camera.] I assure you all that this is not the case. My only concerns have been with upholding the integrity of our Protection Squad- keeping it organized, keeping it running smoothly. While I... realize that my work-oriented nature does not attain me much social approval, I would like to reiterate that I will answer any and all questions and concerns.

Additionally, I would like to remind everyone that positions in the protection squad are open and on a volunteer basis- I do the amount of work that I do for lack of assistants or other volunteers. Our research positions are desperately in need of people, as well as our communications, planning, and the patrols themselves.

[Nathaniel takes another deep breath.]

Thank you.

[And the feed is cut.]

[Text file || Updated as volunteers apply]
Please consider the following volunteers for the role of Ombudsperson:

Alphonse Elric
Hitsugaya Toushirou

-right.

[There's a small pause, and Nathaniel takes a deep breath, before starting to speak.]

As you all know, there is a festivity of sorts, held on Friday. For preparation, I am willing to teach a class on the basics of dance Thursday evening. Though I am not a certified instructor in the matter, I have attended several galas which required such... things, and I have had instruction on- dance. [God, it sounds so girly when he says it like that. But with friends like Makepeace, he knows the basics, which is far more than you barbaric lot.]

I will also be attending the prom of sorts if anyone wishes to speak to me face to face- on any matter. Thank you.

[Private to Hino Rei || Unhackable]

[There's a long pause, as if he's not sure if he really wants to say this- but he goes with it anyway, taking a deep breath.]

...I have located another spirit that I believe to be residing in Adstringendum. Something a bit more powerful than Faisal. If... if you like, [a deep breath] you can watch the summoning.

[He lets out a soft sound, like he's nervous, maybe.] Um- not that I think it would be particularly entertaining, but you seemed... curious about that sort of thing. It would be easier than trying to explain everything.

[The PCD turns on to silence at first, before Nathaniel speaks, his voice soft, calm.]

Jean Louis and Mireille have returned home. My condolences to anyone who were friends with them.

[A moment of silence.]

I'd like to reassure everyone, however, that this will not impede any progress. We are more than capable of rising above such dark times, even without their guiding hands- I have utter faith in that.

[Another pause- as if he wants to say anything else- but he switches the PCD off.]

[Text || Private to the Police Force Filter]

I am willing to take Jean Louis' responsibilities in addition to my own. If anyone has questions or concerns, please refer back to me.

Beka Cooper is also missing, but I have retrieved some of the maps she managed to make. We will have to reorganize a little to allow for her absence.

We cannot let these disappearances weaken us, no matter how they may hurt.

...I'm sorry.


[[ooc: I AM STILL TAGGING NAT'S OTHER POST fjdkls I'm sorry, I just had to make a goodbye post from him. :( ]]

[Forward dated to... after Madara shenanigans.]

[Nathaniel's face flickers on the screen again. His background looks slightly familiar- as a matter of fact, he's currently in the building formerly known as the Pokehouse, formerly known as Whipstaff manor. In one of the studies, to be exact- and if you look, really pay attention to the sliver of floor that's showing on the screen, he's ripped the carpeting out. It sits piled in the corner, to be taken out later.

The young magician fiddles with his shirtcuffs for a moment, before looking up toward the screen.]

I would like to thank you all for your assistance in answering my last query. As well as offer my deepest sympathies in regards to recent events- I would have been honored to help rescue the hostages, but I was otherwise- [the ever so slightest narrowing of his eyes- it's gone in a second] -incapacitated.

But, I believe we should always be moving forward. And for this reason, I come to you, fellow citizens, with another request.

[Nathaniel folds his slender fingers together and makes perfect eye contact with the camera. In this lighting, it's painfully obvious to see him for what he is- a seventeen year old boy in a suit, strained, exhausted, but determined.]

I need to know everything about the Animus.

[After that ultimatum, he seems to relax a bit, and turns his gaze down to a few loose leaves of paper.]

There is some... information available, but not nearly enough for my purposes. I've come to understand that certain people have interacted with them, spoken at length with them- I need to know any information that such conversations might have yielded. [Another pause, and he purses his lips, still glancing over the papers.] In... particular, I have an interest in their names. Their true names. But any information would be adequate, for it probably exceeds the things I've managed to dig up about them.

[He looks like he's going to speak further- but then, Nathaniel pauses, glances away. That's enough for one day, he thinks. He should space out his diplomatic attempts.]

[Filtered to Jean Louis || Unhackable] [text]
I have finished your request several days early. Would you like to see my list at this time?

Name: Rae
Livejournal: lysdexicmun
Contact: On file!
Other Characters Played: Yuca Collabel, Elite Four Will
Are you 18 or over? Yes!

( Spoilers ahead for literally, THE LAST PAGE OF THE LAST BOOK. )

HOW'S MY DRIVING

No, really. I want to know! If you have any questions, any problems, or any concerns, I would love to hear them. ;w; IC or OOC behavior, I want to know it alllll~

Anon commenting is on, IP logging is off, comments are screened.

If you don't want to post on lj, I can also be contacteddddd-
On Plurk: Raelet
On AIM: Lysdexicmun
Via e-mail: raethestamepede@gmail.com

PLOTTING

Nathaniel is a 17 year old, formerly the Information Minister of one of the leading countries in the world. He's intelligent, political, and borderline antisocial. He has the ability to summon and control spirits, provided he knows their full name. There's a bunch of other interesting stuff about him, too. If you're interested in plotting with him, let me know here!

The following is a compilation of Nathaniel's notes in game. Most of them are written in code, or in multiple foreign languages (Hebrew, Czech, languages that aren't common to read). Let me know if your character attempts to get ahold of them as these are all written on paper copies and stored in safe places within his home.

( This punishment's cruel; but not so unusual )