knew_anyway | Tenth Summoning || Video || Sometimes I hate the line I walk

[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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Xerxes Break as well- though he's left alone since Roy was elected.

[A sigh. This whole thing is an uphill struggle.]

I appreciate the help, Rei.

[She waves aside the thanks, quiet and thoughtful.]

If someone tries to take control that's dangerous, it could turn really ugly really fast.

...I'm trying to prevent that.

[Quiet.]

And- you and Bartimaeus. [Nathaniel glances away, biting his lip.] The two of you know my birth name. If I ever- you know if I become some kind of- [He's stumbling over his words.] -if I'm the person that everyone is afraid that I am-

Don't waste your time talking about useless things.

[A sharp interruption.]

[That shuts him up, and he nods.]

Yes, alright. My apologies.

You aren't that person. And you aren't going to become that person. So there's no point in planning otherwise.

[And that is that.]

We need more than one person to volunteer for this leadership thing.

The odds are slim that anyone else will.

[A morose sigh.]

[ ... hnnng. She trusts Al, but one person taking over without a talk is just as bad as someone supposedly taking over behind the scenes.]

-- I could do it.

Are you volunteering because you want to or because you feel like you're obligated to give Alphonse opposition?

[Quiet, contemplative. He knows how these things work, Rei. :| ]

[ -- shut up, Nathaniel.]

-- hng.

[She's not going to bother confirming his objection. 8|]

I don't know if he'll do it, but I would trust Hitsugaya with everything about this project, and everyone in the city. He's a military commander. And powerful. You can ask him if he'd be interested -- he'll know I'm the one who offered his name.

[He tends to do that.]

I'll ask.

[A slight smile.]

I appreciate the honesty too.

Yeah. Well.

[Rei crosses her arms.]

I'm not really a leader anyway.

I wouldn't want you to strain yourself over something you have no interest doing.

It's not a matter of whether or not I'm interested, it's that it needs to get done.

[A lot of people trust her in this city. She could do something about it. But she doesn't have a lot of confidence in her ability to actually... lead people. She's a soldier, not a captain or a president or whatever else is necessary.]

Trust me- if you hate what you're doing, it would show.

[He shrugs.]

But that's past. How are things going in the power containment squad?

[She blinks at that before frowning to herself.]

Well, I still hate Raphael.

[That much isn't a surprise -- but then she pauses.]

... the memory Cas was trapped in during the last event was something that had to do with her. He thought he was insane. And --

[She pauses again before grinding her teeth in irritation. She has her pride, which is important to her -- and her duty, which is even more important to her. But she also has this sick feeling of disgust whenever she sees the angel, and the urge to teach her a lesson for what she did, and -- ]

-- I haven't killed her yet. So. Better than expected.

...if you would like to be separated from her-

[He knows that Rei and Raphael together weren't the best decision- it wasn't his decision. But the two of them remain the only two on the power containment squad. It would take some shuffling.]

She needs someone with her that won't take her crap.

[She rubs her temple lightly.]

And I'm the only who who has holy fire on command.

True.

[He frowns.]

It's only when you're on patrol. I'm sorry you have to be put through this, even so.

It's my own fault. I volunteered.

[Rei waves a hand.]

I try not to talk to her unless I have to.

[He nods once.]

Again- thank you.

I never got to tell you- back at the prom. [He glances behind him, before leaning in and murmuring quietly.] About the Animus.

[... Nat, are you whispering to a PCD.]

Do you want me to come over?

No, I-

[HE DOESN'T WANT ANYONE TO HEAR HIM TALKING OKAY, HE HAS HOUSEMATES YOU KNOW.]

Let's meet.

Where?

Uh- next to the lake. Is that alright with you?

[Video // Private // Unhackable]

flameandpassion - 2011-12-06 05:10 (UTC) - Expand