video;

[purestambition]

[Video flickers online of a young woman with long dark hair and a stern expression. Beyond that, it's fairly unreadable.]

I suppose I should say this is not what I anticipated. The "heroes" who saved Locke City from certain doom had been scurrying and hiding in the shadows for nearly a year prior. [Pause, a slight lift of her considerable eyebrows.] Not without reason, perhaps, yet... not what one anticipates.

My question is, are you satisfied with what path now lies before you, and what it took to get there? [Her tone grows quicker, and far sharper.] What do you think that path is?

After that snake, this city was beset by creatures once more, yet beings from another world cleaned up the mess. Altruistic thought their intentions may be, and I will give credit for cleaning up their own disaster, or what was left of it... I for one am not satisfied to simply let myself just be protected. To simply be reactive to the problems we are sure to face.

[Her eyes narrow.] I imagine the same must apply to more of you out there. To push forward, become stronger, and seize the power that's been put within our grasp. Because there will be other threats. Out in the open, Numbered will not remain so good natured forever. People will use us. Monsters and aliens are real, and even if these visitors mean us no harm, who knows what else may be out there now?

So, I am curious.

[Her head tilts back, voice raising a little.] Who has the pride in their ability and self worth to truly steel themselves, to really be prepared for what else may come down this road we've been forced upon?

[She lowers her head, expression never wavering throughout.] I would simply like to know those whom I am dealing with.

Comments

[vetala]

If we have it at all, you mean. If some of us get the opportunity to cultivate it at all.

Worthy or not, it isn't going quickly. It is irritating.

[purestambition]

Perhaps all that you're missing is the right opportunity.

What halts you, then?

[vetala]

The lack of information. Though that is being fixed presently.

[purestambition]

Information can be as powerful as any sort of weapon. Perhaps more so.

[vetala]

The information is what will allow me to use a weapon.

[purestambition]

That much then, I can respect.

[vetala]

That's surprising. I haven't got much support is ways of my decision.

[purestambition]

Respect, yes. Support...

[Not officially, not openly. What's being talked about sounds bordering on at least the gray line of the legal side of things, and Saretha is a smart enough businesswoman to not tie her hands too close to something like that. Still... she finds the initiative worthwhile.]

Would depend on what actions you are really prepared to take.

Making a decision, taking action - that is of interest, however.

[vetala]

Careful and precise ones that will bear results as far as my issues with the mafia are concerned.

[if 'wholesale slaughter and interrogation' could be considered 'neat'.]

[purestambition]

The mafia, you say?

[Now, there's an interesting one.]

[vetala]

Yes.

Do you know something?

[purestambition]

I don't, no.

Is there a concern regarding them to Numbered business right now, then?

[She would ask if it was a personal stake, but... that seems evident enough. At least as far as assumptions go, but people rarely took specific issue with criminals unless they were law enforcement or it was personal.

...or you were a would-be superhero nowadays, but she's not banking on that here.]

[vetala]

They've killed two of us in an unusually cruel way.

[purestambition]

As one would expect of the mafia, though your want of getting back at them is certainly understandable then.

Wrong place at the wrong time? Or do you think it's because you are Numbered?

[Okay, yes.

Now she's prying.]

[vetala]

They were harmless. Their being Numbered is the only explanation for both their deaths and the manner in which they were dispatched.

[purestambition]

Hm. It was probably inevitable we would be targeted as such... Do you believe the mafia may have had ties to the alien rebel?

[vetala]

I'll try to set time aside to ask them when I find them.

[purestambition]

So no, then. The way you put it, I do not expect time to talk is going to be something you're aiming for.

[vetala]

Well I'm certainly not a mind reader. Not talking to them would be useless.

[purestambition]

So you do seek more than just vengeance, then?

[vetala]

Justice. To do what is right. To do what is necessary.

[purestambition]

[Saretha is not terribly used to things being "just." Still, if this person is sincere that's something else entirely, and... She definitely understands the last part for certain."]

A noble goal. In the end, those willing to figure out "what is necessary" are what I was hoping to see here.

[Of course, she knows that can be subjective, but is is the case, regardless.]

[vetala]

Then I hope you find more than just me. It would be a poor thing if you didn't.