.01 [Video]

[thatwasnotmyintent]

[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.]

Comments

video;

[springcleaning]

Is this really what you're using the damn thing for?

[His own video screen is pointed at the ground while he's surveys what looks like part of Verdant Forest. He's up in a tree while Bug paces the ground around the trunk, doing more leaf eating than scouting.]

Boooring.

Video

[liveforher]

Is it recruitment season already?

[Her least favorite time of the year. And probably like every time, she gripes lightly]

We can always use some with some sort of skill too, you know.

Video

[notthatjason]

[Guess who is one of those new recruits. This guy right here. While he isn't exactly showing his excitement full out, there is a sort of gleam in his eyes that just screams 'I am ready for this and want to serve Union.]

I look forward to serving, sir.

Video

[thatwasnotmyintent]

[Erwin notes this, arching both eyebrows in subtle approval.]

Grace, if I'm not mistaken? Welcome.

Video

[thatwasnotmyintent]

[He gives a momentary bemused smile, used to these complaints.]

Union is full of eager, passionate young folk. I'll take what I can get, to be honest.

video;

[thatwasnotmyintent]

Don't move around so much; it gives me motion sickness. [Which you know damn well, Levi.]

And any method of recruitment that's effective is worth my time. If this is how people communicate, it's how I'll communicate.

/THREADJACK

[antiseptic]

And it would truly be a shame for them to be met with an unfortunate end due to a lack of skill.

[Guess who else isn't fond of the season.]

video;

[tagteams]

Do you think we are going to get a lot of new recruits this season?

[At least she can appreciate the passionate side of the Rangers during recruiting.]

[liveforher]

Indeed. What if they eagerly and passionately run headlong into a swarm of Scythers? What a mess that'd be.

[thatwasnotmyintent]

[Erwin is hiding his face and therefore his amusement.]

Truly, you two demonstrate the finest humanity has to offer.

video;

[thatwasnotmyintent]

It's definitely possible, considering the outside forces that have caused so much upheaval in recent weeks.

[He sighs a little, wearily:] Whether or not any of them will have lasting commitment is another story entirely.

[antiseptic]

My my, I wasn't aware you hold the two of us in such high regard, but thank you, I suppose.

[And now he grows a little more serious.] But Teresa's correct. Recruiting recklessly would lead to quite a mess. Of paperwork, that is.

[liveforher]

Yes, thank you. I feel very flattered by your acknowledgement of such.

[Right, down to business] Yes. We can at least test the potential recruits first, surely?

[springcleaning]

[He shakes his leg a little bit, just because Erwin told him not to.]

Well I'm out here doin' my job. Where are you at, boss?

By the way you sound like a dumb old man.

[thatwasnotmyintent]

[Erwin makes the same sort of petulant sound he makes when Gunsmoke pulls the covers off the bed.]

Processing new recruits. Need to separate the wheat from the chaff, as usual. I'm surprised though -- we've only gotten five applications from underaged children pretending to be graduates. That's three down from last season.

You say the sweetest things.

[springcleaning]

Can't blame 'em for wanting to be Pokemon feed. I ran away from home as a kid a bunch of times too.

[Levi you barely had a home, shut up. He finally turns the camera up to his face, though looking at a pink Murkrow probably isn't much help.]

There's a couple'a Guard kids I was with during the Mountain Expedition you should check out.

[thatwasnotmyintent]

Oh, of course. I'm going through the applications now. I'm pleased we've only gotten a few underaged students attempting to pass themselves off as adults. And only one joke application in crayon.

[He'll wave that rainbow-hued one around for emphasis.]

[thatwasnotmyintent]

Yes, and look where that got you. [Living in un-wedded semi-married bliss.

Erwin nods a bit, shuffling through the huge stack of applications.] Names?

[antiseptic]

[He looks at it appraisingly. Someone has no sense of colour coordination.]

Hmm, perhaps we ought to make an example of them. That may deter applicants who are clearly incapable. Teresa, have you found any Scyther swarms lately?

[liveforher]

[Wow that person did not hold back with using all the colors of the wind]

[And she looks to think about it] Not lately. But I'm sure I can find one easy enough.

[thatwasnotmyintent]

[That almost gets an audible laugh out of Erwin. He hides it by shuffling the applications.]

Awful, the both of you. Trying to destroy my record forty-seven days without a Ranger casualty. At least wait until proper training camp to start your body count.

video;

[stahlflugel]

[even though the video is grainy and black and white, Eren's PURE SHOUNEN PASSION is clearly evident]

Sir!! I'm planning on joining! I just... I haven't... put in the paperwork... I'm nervous...

video;

[thatwasnotmyintent]

-- ah, yes, Levi already mentioned you.

[Dismissive/matter-of-fact Erwin is dismissive and matter-of-fact.]

video;

[stahlflugel]

Oh... [Eren blinks] He did? [NOT SURE IF THAT"S GOOD OR BAD]

Re: video;

[thatwasnotmyintent]

Mmm.

Do you consider yourself well-equipped to handle the unique pressures of being a member of the Surveying Corps?