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

[knew_anyway]

[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

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[knew-anyway.livejournal.com]

Over here.

[He is, in fact, in the kitchen, just about to pour the tea. He looks fresh and pressed as ever, and looks up toward her with a curious glance.]

Good afternoon, miss Raven.


[[ooc: I'm sorry for the delay! My internet has had issues lately... /is also Rome mun]]

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[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[She steps in the kitchen and nods at him in greeting.] Good afternoon.

[[ooc: No worries!<3 And yes, I know you are ^_~]]

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[knew-anyway.livejournal.com]

It's nice to see you again. For all the work I try to do with patrols, I don't see everyone face to face as much as I probably should.

[Handing her the tea cup and moving out toward the sitting room.]

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[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[She takes the cup and follows him, before taking the nearest available seat. She gives a vague nod and answers nothing. Still the political talk, John. She's not interested in that and she's not gonna pat you in the back either. She sips her tea.] Your tea's pretty good.

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[knew-anyway.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I don't prepare it often myself, but I know how.

[Letting the cup warm his hands.]

What did you wish to speak with me about?

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[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

The new recruits are doing fine.

And hopefully, further to today's announcement, people will start to trust us more.

[She pauses.]

There's a personal question I've been meaning to ask you for a while as well. I thought it'd be better to do it in person.

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[knew-anyway.livejournal.com]

...of course.

[Quiet, a little apprehensive.]

What is it?

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[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[She senses his apprehension but she's been postponing this for too long already.]

Does it bother you that I'm a half-demon? Does it make any difference to you?

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[knew-anyway.livejournal.com]

...why do you ask?

[He looks a little confused by the question.]

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[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

Just answer me.

[knew-anyway.livejournal.com]

Of course not.

[A little. Yes, it does.]

You must understand, that in my world, such unions are... unheard of. While it does not affect how I treat you- at the very least, I hope it doesn't seem that way- the mating of a spirit and a human is somewhat of a disconcerting idea.

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[She gives him a dubious stare. 'Of course not'. Yeah, right. But she doesn't interrupt him and listens what he says next.]

It's not common in my world either. [A slight smirk.] But at least people can't know what I am unless I tell them.

You 'hope' you don't treat me differently but you're not sure. If my nature didn't affect the way you see me or interact with me, you'd know.

[She turns her back on him because she doesn't want him to see her eyes glow white. It truly wouldn't help.] I can't change what I am. [So stop rubbing her face in it each time you talk to her.] I've been told what magician from your world think about spirits and demons. But I'm not from your world and no one sent me to help you back then.

[She turns to face him again.] Tell me what reason I have to trust you and believe you'd do the same for me.

[knew-anyway.livejournal.com]

Raven, I'm trying.

[This is difficult for him.]

I know that you didn't choose to be like that- it isn't your fault. I appreciate everything you've done for me, and I'd like to continue working with you. If I treat you any differently, it isn't intentional, and I apologize.

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

You're trying, huh? [She shakes her head.] Because you don't think I'm trying to be patient with you? When I never know what to expect and what you're hiding from me?

I'm wary of politicians about as much as you're wary of demons. Yet I'm willing to work with you.

[She pauses.] Apologies are not what I'm after. You say that you trust me. What I need is for you to show me why I can trust you.

[knew-anyway.livejournal.com]

[He stares at her for a moment, incredulous.]

What have I done, these past four months? What have I accomplished? How much of that have I betrayed or taken advantage of?

[He tries to take a deep breath, and shakes his head, standing up.]

I'm doing the best I can, and you and everyone else acts like I'm only in this to serve myself. I don't eat- I don't sleep, I put everything into helping the people here. I try to get along with you and treat you with respect even though everything I know tells me that I should be wary- and it's still not good enough?

[He's about five seconds away from walking off.]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[She looks back at him evenly.]

I don't think that of you, John. I've never had. If I did think for a second you were in this for yourself, I would have said I wanted you out of this. And I wouldn't be having this conversation with you.

[There's something in his eyes, some fire and she can sense his frustration isn't fake. And for the first time since they met, she starts thinking that maybe this could work, their cooperation.]

Maybe that's the problem. Maybe you're just trying too hard. [She smirks slightly.] But I'm not really one to talk.

[She goes to sit down on the couch.] Maybe, just maybe, you could try to eat and sleep more. And forget about what you know about demons to try to get to know me. I'll do the same about you.

[knew-anyway.livejournal.com]

If I'm not working hard enough, I'm working too hard.

[He huffs, but the lack of bite in her tone is settling him down a little. Nat crosses his arms and looks away, childishly.]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[She nods and smirks softly at him.] And life is unfair and most people are ungrateful, I know.

But I know it won't make you give up on trying to make things better. And that's something I like about you. Something I can relate to.

[A pause.] I know you'll die almost immediately if you're ever sent back to your world. Well... I will too. Not immediately but soon after. [So she can undestand why you'd spend days without eating or sleeping.]

[knew-anyway.livejournal.com]

[He frowns.]

My death may be imminent, but there's nothing I can do about that. I may as well make my time worthwhile.

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[She nods.] I can understand that.

[She smirks slightly.] Alright. I accept your apologies. But you'd better never try to 'summon' me.