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

[peacefulwinter]

You know... I was on the student council, before all this. I was fired, because I put my duty to the students before the apparent requirement not to question authority. That's the k-kind of thing I mean. I have responsibilities, to people other than myself. I have things I want to do, because I believe they are the right things to do. I... it sounds silly, and overdone, like some kind of movie. But that's how I feel. I will not apologize for who I am.

And the people around me, my friends... I trust them with my life. I know that w-whatever happens, they'll keep me safe, and sane, and warm. They'll give me... a place to come home to, wherever home is. I believe that with my whole heart. It... keeps me going, when things get bad.

[She shakes her head.] I'm not that special, really. I just have so many amazing people that let me into their lives, and I want to repay their kindness with everything I have, everything I a-am. That is what drives me. That is... where my power comes from. If that makes me interesting... it's better than what the news likes to think.

[purestambition]

[Saretha's eyes narrow as Winter speaks. While she's not sure she comprehends everything that goes into it, she recognizes it sounds very genuine. An honesty of belief in other people that she isn't used to seeing herself. Not in reality, despite words that may be said. Actions matter, but... she gets the feeling that perhaps Winter had already seen the actions necessary to confirm all this for herself.]

If you have people to whom you feel such trust, then I hope you have what it takes to protect that, and them as well. Something like that is not trivial.

[She may not understand it, but she at least understands that.]

When you put it all like that, given what you've shown... I was asking if people here were truly prepared for things. There's a few here that strike me as if they might be - I think that you could be one of them.

[Still, if others are apart of that strength, what happens if something happens to them? Was it enough to have faith that nothing would, or that you could keep them from harm all the same? Saretha doesn't voice it, but files the thought away.] You've shown yourself capable of actual action as well, so yes - I would say that's interesting.

Pay little mind to what network news says, however. It's normally trash.

[peacefulwinter]

I know. It's why I take this seriously. Everyone else... thinks I'm a s-stick in the mud, that I worry too much about all this. But... because of those people, I have to put a lot into all this. I can't... let something happen because I was unprepared. I admit that I'm n-not perfect, and I have to relax sometimes, or I'll go crazy. But everything that I can give, I will. Everyone is... too important not to. I'll protect them. That is a promise.

[After a moment, she just... lets out a deep sigh.] I hope that you're right. There are... too many variables. T-too many things that can go wrong, that I can't control. I don't know how to fix this. And even though I know... that I don't have to, that there are other people to help me, I still worry. Every life is precious. Nobody else has to die. There were... too many in Locke City that we were unable to help. I am h-here now because there will be no more. I won't pretend that I can... stop everything. But if I can save even one person, I will have made a difference. So I hope y-you're right. It's... what I'm counting on.

[At the last, though, her mouth quirks in a smile again.] I've seen midway games m-more "fair and balanced" than the stories on us. That lesson, I know from experience. I try not to put... too much stock in them. It's just hard, when you walk into a room and everyone knows you from television.

[purestambition]

[Saretha considers her own experiences as Winter speaks. She'd grown up with discipline being taught to her, how to steel one's resolve. This girl had much of that resolve, even beneath this stuttering, seemingly gentle exterior. It's intriguing to her, and unlike anyone she's actually known, hearing this much from her. All because she had one thing that Saretha lacked, and that was something she wasn't about to go into much detail about on her own.

Because she could assuredly make do herself without it. After all, she had thus far, right?]

Hmn. If that is what you are resolved to do, then good. That is the sort of dedication I am looking for out of people, regardless of its source. If you can use your strength to do what you deem necessary, then... Between you and some others here, I know that at least some on this Network has what it takes. That gives me at least part of the answer I'm looking for.

[Her hand grips into a fist unseen at the comment of "every life is precious," but she does frown.] The intention to save everyone is commendable, but... Not always realistic. But it doesn't sound like you're blinded by that, either. This is good, because if you were... I very well think that would crush someone in the end before they could save anyone.

[A beat.]

You get used to being known. And that can be utilized, considered properly.