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

Ah. Alright.

[Fiddlefiddle.]

Has she... said anything about me?

[Oh. Oh! Was nothing learned from her prom-night harassment?]

Ehh? You like Rei-chan?!

[Tsukino Usagi, from 0 to conclusion in .6 seconds.]

What? N-no, I just... I thought- maybe she'd said something. That's all.

[Nope, she's not buying it. This is one of her specialties, after all. She gives the video an entirely skeptical I-am-not-believing-this look. Which really says something about how obvious it is, because Tsukino Usagi is famous for being entirely too gullible with jokes and pranks.]

Listen up! [She puts on a mock serious, lecturing tone, and even folds her arms to give herself a more serious look.] I know when a guy asks around about if a girl is talking about him, he likes her! He's trying to find out if she likes him!

[The look becomes absolutely sly again.] Want me to ask her?

No!

[Alarmed suddenly.]

I didn't- mean anything by it. It was just a question. Forget I said anything.

[This is normally where she'd get way too fired up, ignore him, and run off to do this her own way and clumsily, hopefully, help the two understand each other despite herself.

Normally.

Right now, her tone softens.]

Listen. I won't do anything you don't want. But if you like Rei-chan... I think you should be direct. She won't respect someone who can't face it and come to her. I think you should tell her how you feel, clearly.

...I apologize, miss Usagi.

[His voice is quiet, removed.]

Now is not the time, and I am not the person. There are things- circumstances... things that might happen- I can't risk getting her emotionally involved with me. I hope you understand.

I don't, and neither will Rei-chan. We've been through plenty of danger in our world. Do you think that matters to her? She'll always stay by you through that.

What matters is that you trust her. Believe in her for that.

Of course I trust her.

[Just how much, and with what information, he'd never say.]

It's not the danger- I trust her fine for that. I'm just not... I'm a waste of effort, in a way.

[You're not getting it.]

Let her decide that for herself. She's the only one who can. What we think is worth it, what we're willing to do or bear with, that's up to each of us. Saying 'I'm a waste' is pushing them away. And being pushed away... really hurts when you want to be able to help someone and be by their side!

[He watches her for a moment, before leaning back, contemplatively.]

I'll see what I can do.

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

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