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knew_anyway[The video flicks on again, showing Nathaniel in profile- his head is tipped down, as he mulls over a cup of tea.]
I've been watching the network lately, and it seems that there is a certain amount of mistrust aimed toward the people trying to organize this whole- police force idea. And why wouldn't there be? I, for example, have only been in this city for a few weeks. There's no reason for anyone to believe anything I say, or to trust me with any sort of power.
So I thought I would- tell you about me. I know this may not help all of you, but for some... perhaps this can help you to see that I'm trying to approach this with only thoughts of the people.
[He takes a deep breath. This story isn't exactly an easy one for him to tell- it's one that he'd only just realized the ending of shortly before his untimely arrival into Adstringendum.]
I entered in my service the government in my home world when I was thirteen. This government, it was... twisted. [He stirs his tea with a sigh.] -and I came to realize that. And I thought, if I rose enough, I could change it from the inside. What I didn't see was how the people around me were changing me.
[Another long pause.] Power corrupts. Ambition, greed- these things lead to the kind of police force that you all are wary of. I, myself, have battled all three of these in my four years serving the British government. I know how easily they can twist a well-meaning person into a self-serving dictator- I witnessed this very transition within people who I thought were my allies. I found myself in the prime minister's cabinet, only to watch the entire thing topple like a deck of cards, as the magicians succumbed to their greed. To their own ambition. [His hands tighten on the cup now.] The reign turned hostile and demanding toward the commoners, and a small group of them revolted against us. The magicians, struggling for power amongst themselves, were in no position to lead a unified front. Though their lust for power, a potent demon was summoned, and the entire governing force fell in a single day.
[He sets the cup down then, facing the camera, but looking off toward the distance. When Nathaniel said the entire governing force, he meant all of them. Every member of the cabinet, including himself, had died that day.]
In the end, I fought against them- the people who I had served, I could serve no longer. I saw the truth, in that day- and I vowed to spend every breath I had, making my world one where the government was fair and just. I believe that vow also extends to you. This place is my home now, you are my people. It is my only wish to help and protect this city, to allow it to grow to its full potential in a way that is befitting to every single person here, not just a select few.
[Finally, Nathaniel's eyes meet the screen.]
I believe that my experience with the tainted government can help to prevent the same thing from happening here. It is my fullest intent to protect you- all of you. Not only from the monsters that lie in wait, or the criminals who can hurt and kill... but from those charged with your protection as well.
[He nods his head once.] Thank you.
[If only Kitty were here, she'd be able to say this better. With heart and passion, rather than calm, pained words. Nathaniel takes a deep breath and tries to think of something else- anything else he could say. But before he can speak again, the feed times out.]
I've been watching the network lately, and it seems that there is a certain amount of mistrust aimed toward the people trying to organize this whole- police force idea. And why wouldn't there be? I, for example, have only been in this city for a few weeks. There's no reason for anyone to believe anything I say, or to trust me with any sort of power.
So I thought I would- tell you about me. I know this may not help all of you, but for some... perhaps this can help you to see that I'm trying to approach this with only thoughts of the people.
[He takes a deep breath. This story isn't exactly an easy one for him to tell- it's one that he'd only just realized the ending of shortly before his untimely arrival into Adstringendum.]
I entered in my service the government in my home world when I was thirteen. This government, it was... twisted. [He stirs his tea with a sigh.] -and I came to realize that. And I thought, if I rose enough, I could change it from the inside. What I didn't see was how the people around me were changing me.
[Another long pause.] Power corrupts. Ambition, greed- these things lead to the kind of police force that you all are wary of. I, myself, have battled all three of these in my four years serving the British government. I know how easily they can twist a well-meaning person into a self-serving dictator- I witnessed this very transition within people who I thought were my allies. I found myself in the prime minister's cabinet, only to watch the entire thing topple like a deck of cards, as the magicians succumbed to their greed. To their own ambition. [His hands tighten on the cup now.] The reign turned hostile and demanding toward the commoners, and a small group of them revolted against us. The magicians, struggling for power amongst themselves, were in no position to lead a unified front. Though their lust for power, a potent demon was summoned, and the entire governing force fell in a single day.
[He sets the cup down then, facing the camera, but looking off toward the distance. When Nathaniel said the entire governing force, he meant all of them. Every member of the cabinet, including himself, had died that day.]
In the end, I fought against them- the people who I had served, I could serve no longer. I saw the truth, in that day- and I vowed to spend every breath I had, making my world one where the government was fair and just. I believe that vow also extends to you. This place is my home now, you are my people. It is my only wish to help and protect this city, to allow it to grow to its full potential in a way that is befitting to every single person here, not just a select few.
[Finally, Nathaniel's eyes meet the screen.]
I believe that my experience with the tainted government can help to prevent the same thing from happening here. It is my fullest intent to protect you- all of you. Not only from the monsters that lie in wait, or the criminals who can hurt and kill... but from those charged with your protection as well.
[He nods his head once.] Thank you.
[If only Kitty were here, she'd be able to say this better. With heart and passion, rather than calm, pained words. Nathaniel takes a deep breath and tries to think of something else- anything else he could say. But before he can speak again, the feed times out.]
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[Video // Private // Unhackable]
Date: 2011-09-22 03:56 am (UTC)[A little pause, and the smile flickers a little.]
I... had a little help.
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Date: 2011-09-22 04:06 am (UTC)Who was it? If you don't mind me asking.
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Date: 2011-09-22 04:10 am (UTC)A... a commoner girl. She was. [Not sure how to say this and make it sound alright, but.] She was the leader of the rebellion against the government.
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Date: 2011-09-22 04:17 am (UTC)[Not was, is. Rei never likes using the past tense for people who have passed -- if that is what happened. It's just a nasty way to refer to people. Even if it's only because she's back home and not here, she's still there. Existing.]
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Date: 2011-09-22 04:25 am (UTC)[He adopts the present tense because she is. Even though she's not really the leader of the rebellion anymore, Kitty is still the bravest person he knows (knew? What was the appropriate tense when one is dead, anyway?)] It's not like it was a very good thing set in stone either. Commoners- the class divide between magicians and the other people was... probably a little unfair. [He frowns.]
It was my job to hunt her down for- most of my four years in the government, really. But when the demons took over, she was the only one who could fight with me. [Well. Her and Bartimaeus, but he's a demon and he doesn't count. Mostly.] We saved London together.
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Date: 2011-09-22 04:29 am (UTC)[She's had it occur a few times, both in her own world and in Adstringendum. Experiences melt and change your perceptions for the better or worse.]
I'm glad you got the chance to see the other side of the story. It sounds like it changed you for the better.
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Date: 2011-09-22 04:33 am (UTC)[A wry smile. And he changes the subject.]
I know that you seem to want to stand back and watch how things unfold- but I feel like your opinion would be valuable in this... development. If you ever wanted to help-
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Date: 2011-09-22 04:56 am (UTC)... I don't really know how I feel about the whole thing, but -- I can't complain about it if I don't try to involve myself to help fix it.
[She pauses again before letting out a rush of breath in an exhale.]
I'm in.
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Date: 2011-09-22 05:11 am (UTC)Thank you. It means a lot to me that you'd be willing to try.