savetheearth | video;

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That's kind of a difficult question. Considering all I've gotten is some weird suit and a plastic model, I'm not exactly sure what I even can do with it.

But if my life is threatened, and this stuff can help me in any way, I won't reject it.

[A... plastic model. Saretha is skeptical, but... She at least seems sincere.]

There is more to power than just what is physically in your hands.

... Well, yeah. If you want to make it in this world, you have to be focused. A little bit ruthless sometimes, right?

Precisely.

[Well, more than a little.]

Ideals have their place, but... survival is the most important thing, in the end. If you don't have that, you have nothing.

If you're just living, though, all you're doing is going through the motions.

I don't want to have anything halfway. I want to live life by my terms, be what I want to be.

If you're not living at all, everything else is rather pointless. However, you are correct - you should not settle for just that. Push and strive for all you can have, and do not simply settle.

Just taking the scraps of whatever you're given is unacceptable.

Looks like you and I agree on a lot.

[There is a sharp, brief laugh.]

To some degree, it would seem so. It's good to know I am not alone so far as those things go on this Network.

So am I. I'm glad there are some people out there who value a sense of perseverance.

[And a smirk, too.] Perseverance is one of the most important things needed for all of us going forward, I think. What we'll have to deal with isn't easy.

But if you can take what's given to you and make it yours, then we stand a much better chance of being able to move forward.

... It's worth considering, at least.

If it can help me get through this so I can carry on to do what I really want to do...

I would think - regardless of what they might say - that would be all anyone on here truly wants.

You don't think... some of them are getting caught up in living other people's lives? Letting the past affect them too much...?

I believe that much seems clear.

Yeah, that's what I'm not sure about. It's like everyone wants to throw away who they are to be someone else!

Or maybe this allowed them to find something better. Being content with what you are and wanting to grasp that is one thing. But the Numbers, the echoes - they provide new resources for people.

Perhaps some are just better suited towards putting those towards another path for themselves. I'm sure some are foolish about it, but... it's very possible to use it in ways to be even better than you are currently.

[Her plan, basically.]

... That's a pretty good way of putting it.

I'm sorry, I've just... well. I don't want to spill my whole life story, but I've pretty much had to rely on myself for most of my life. I didn't want to be a burden on my family, or trouble my brothers... they have their own lives basically...

So I guess I just thought... accepting all of this stuff from the past would mean losing my individuality. Demeaning all my accomplishments. But when you put it that way, I think I've been going about it all wrong...

So. Um. Thank you. Seriously.

[Oh, Saretha knows ALL about relying on herself, Amy.]

I look at the echoes as nothing more than an opportunity. They can grant me knowledge and power, this Network can be a communication resource to cover ground very few can see. It's invaluable.

What we are is what we are, and I'm not about to let something change that so simply. I will be what I make myself... and I'll use that to build the me from now on.

Yeah, you definitely have it all together.

I'm Amy, by the way. Amy Dylandy.

[She likes to think so. Flattery will get you places, too.]

Saretha Kaiser.

So I suppose the question is, what do you aim for, or how do you plan to get there?

Well, I've been working multiple jobs to raise money for college, plus I've got an office internship to build up experience. It's a lot of work, but you don't get anywhere without putting in the time.

No, you don't. Even someone who has things handed to them should be expected to work hard to maintain them.

[As was the case with her.]

That much work and an internship is quite impressive, however. Any employer would do well to have someone with that much enthusiasm.

[Not like she would know anything about that, of course. No ma'am.]

... Heh, that's a really specific kind of compliment.

It almost sounds like you're getting ready to make me an offer.

A bold assumption.

[Which she approves of.]

Maybe, but you know what they say about what fortune favors, and all that.

(no subject)

purestambition - 2014-05-22 06:34 (UTC) - Expand

feastorfamine - 2014-05-22 06:38 (UTC) - Expand

purestambition - 2014-05-22 06:51 (UTC) - Expand

feastorfamine - 2014-05-22 06:55 (UTC) - Expand