bravenewworld | .01 [Video]

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.01 [Video]

[Is it any wonder that Commander ~~Handsome~~ is one of the first to perfect the use of the new video equipment? After all, dramatic speeches are so much more effective when he can showcase his cheekbones to their full potential.

Except now he's keeping it short and sweet, preoccupied with other matters, clearly:]

It seems recent events have sparked an...admirable rush of civic pride. I encourage anyone who is interested to see about applying for the Scouting Corps. We can always use Rangers with your sort of passion and drive.

As for everyone else -- continue to serve Union and humanity whole-heartedly.

[A brief salute to end this...clearly-rehearsed speech, and the video flickers off.]

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[-- oh. was that supposed to be a joke? He wasn't going to die yet? That realization seems to come across his face and he'll simmer down the flail a little- even if he's clearly nervous]

An explanation? Right...

[Nothing to worry about? Yeah. Right. He's spent so much time hiding his past that it was hard not to worry. But he knew hiding things now might cost him the chance to ever achieve what he wanted, and he feared that more than his worries about being found out]

It's just that- [Just spit it out; get this over with] I'm...not from Union. I've only been here a little over a year now...that's why there's no records before then.

[There's an almost imperceptible shift from indulgent to calculating in Erwin's expression.]

I see. It isn't because you've...forgotten, correct?

[desire to have the earth swallow him up rising...]

[He swallows and shakes his head. Seeing how Roxas is truly killed any desire to use that excuse again]

...No, sir.

[There is no escape from the Eyebrows. :D]

Mmm-hm. [Erwin sits back, steepling his fingers and giving Sora his most searching look.]

...I'll be frank with you. Your record -- what's available of it -- is astounding. You'd be an asset to the Rangers, provided you survive training. But in order to accept you, we need confirmation that your loyalty to Union is unwavering. Are you prepared to prove your loyalty?

[Curses]

[He listens, feeling a bit of hope ebb into the fear at Erwin's assessment. Sure, that implication that training could kill him was a bit unsettling- but it wasn't like he didn't know he was playing with fire to begin with. He could deal with that.]

[As for the unwavering loyalty to Union...he honestly never thought about it. He never had any intention to harm Union or it's people. But it wasn't a place he felt to be a home either.]

[Still...]

...What do I have to do?

[He...might be kidding about training being fatal. Maybe. Possibly. Best not to risk it, though.

Erwin nods his approval, again in the most minute manner possible, as he stands and walks over to the window, hands folded behind his back. His voice is calm and even when he speaks, like the answer to this question isn't basically what Sora's entire future hinges on.]

Simply tell us everything you recall about where you came from.

[Erwin we really need to talk about joking with the newbies. THEIR NERVES CAN'T TAKE IT]

[He watches him. In a way, he's...relieved at that request. That was something he could do]

Where I came from? Alright.

[He furrows his brow a little as he thinks]

It was on an island, named Destiny. I don't know where it is from Union, but it out in the ocean, and far enough away to never have winters. I lived in a small fishing village of the same name, the only village on the island. There couldn't have been more than a couple hundred people there.

[He hesitates]

Then, one night shortly before I came to Union...the Pokemon that lived in the caves on the island attacked the village. I was put on one of our fishing boats with some other villagers to try to escape, but it was storming that night and...

[he shakes his head]

The next thing I remember was waking up after some people from Union had found me on the beach.

Edited 2014-02-15 07:16 (UTC)

[Erwin remains where he's standing, back towards Sora, looking out the window -- but, of course, he's listening to every word, intently. He doesn't want to let too much on, but he's calculating the possibility that these people on an island called Destiny have anything to do with the machines deep in the caves. It seems doubtful, but better safe than sorry...]

My condolences. [This actually sounds genuine, more emotion in the words than Erwin's shown the entire meeting.] Do you know if the village is still there?

[Frankly, he wouldn't be the least bit surprised about what Erwin's considering. The outsiders with the machines were on everyone's mind. It's why he's willing to come forward instead of coming up with a fictitious history on his application. Sora knew he wasn't a good enough liar to keep a story straight when there were people actively looking for outsiders, and he could imagine the consequences of being caught would be much worse now after what's happened.]

[Sora was simple and had no poker face, but that didn't mean he didn't know how to play his cards]

...Thanks. [He's not sure how to respond otherwise, but he does pick up on that sincerity. Erwin was, well, terrifying. But he wasn't a bad person.]

I don't. I was hoping that...becoming a Ranger might give me a chance to find out someday.

[Erwin turns around, finally, taking his seat and leaning forward with his hands folded, all the tension abating just like that. He even manages an almost-smile.]

If you become a Ranger it won't just be a chance. It'll be a guarantee.

[At that, Sora's eyes widen a little bit- fear and nerves fading in exchange for hope]

You mean I'm in?

[Ah, such hope and earnestness. Erwin tries not to smirk.]

I said "if". Your application will be processed and you'll likely be accepted to training camp. It's up to you if you make it through that particular hurdle.

[Yep he is full of that when he's not fearing for his life from eyebrows. He is pretty shonen, after all]

Uh- right. If.

[Even so, he's pretty pumped. HE WILL BEAT YOUR TRAINING CAMP AND DEFEAT THE HUNS AND BRING HONOR TO THE NINIJI FAMILY. Or something like that.]

Thank you! I won't let you down, sir!

[Erwin points his pen at Sora, with his best "I am the dad character" expression.]

Don't let yourself down. That's the important part. [lol lies, the important part is not dying.]

[But Erwin he already did that when he realized that he'd never hit six feet tall. It was the most depressing day not counting the one where everyone he knew got eaten]

Right. I won't let that happen either.

[And then a beat]

Uh...am I dismissed?

[Someday he too can be short and grouchy, like Erwin's ~~boyfriend~~ coworker. There is hope for Sora's future badassery.]

Mmm. [That...will have to suffice as a yes, coupled with a vague handwavey gesture. See you at training camp hell, Sora.]

[Aw yeah. 1,000 Zubat Battle let's go. Except okay, Sora will probably never be grouchy lbr. It's why he smells of cupcakes with sprinkles]

[But oh thank god he's free. He'll smile and hop up from his chair]

Thank you again, sir!

[And now don't mind as he gets out of there as fast as he possibly can because you're still terrifying Erwin of the Eyebrows]

Edited 2014-02-16 17:24 (UTC)

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.01 [Video]

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