maskormenace | 190① △ video

[ Wherever he is, Nelson isn't at home; the scenery the camera captures as it turns on illuminates that easily. He isn't at home or even in Heropa, but rather Cape Canaveral's Air Force Space & Missile Museum, sitting outside the blockhouse on a bench. He's dressed not in a suit and tie for once but a blue-and-white polo t-shirt with an American flag pin affixed where the polo decal would be, and though he looks tired (circles under his eyes) he speaks with the steady confidence and enthusiasm he can always manage when he's in his element. As always, his posture is impeccable. ]

According to the calendar, today is President's Day. [ He smiles even more for saying it, turning his head briefly to admire the sunshine -- it's a beautiful day, and (in his opinion) he's in a beautiful place -- before he turns back toward the camera. ] Which I bring to everyone's general attention because it's not only a day of remembrance. At least it shouldn't be. We also ought to use today to reflect upon ourselves and what we've done that we can be truly proud of -- not just for ourselves but for our country as well. "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

[ His brow furrows mildly then and he clears his throat, understanding he has to elaborate. Already his ears begin to go red, his body growing tense and flustered already even before his mind gets there. ]

... I know not all of us come from the same place, of course. B-but while not everyone here may be American, there's no reason we shouldn't all stand together as long as we're here. It's irresponsible to let ourselves grow divided when we have a real duty. Y-you know, what's happening here now is what was happening to the world I know... it's more important than you might think, unity. Having a united front can mean the difference between life or death, no matter what your contribution is.

[ And a breath. Good job, Nelson, very inspiring, for sure, totally. He rubs at his wrist where the tattoo would show were it not broad daylight, but it's not a long pause, because he doesn't want to lose his courage for the rest of it. After another breath he pushes onward: ]

It won't always be what you'd like it to be. Sometimes you will have to make compromises... or sacrifices to pursue what you really believe in. You might have to fight and you might have to hide. But at least you won't be alone.

[ Exhale. His fingers fidget nervously. ]

I-I hope you can all understand what I'm saying.

[ Straightening his shoulders he offers his audience a very somber salute, having very clearly depressed himself. ]

United we stand, divided we fall.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[a light laugh because selecting your own leaders, pffffft that's dumb.]

Well why would you do that? Kings are kings for a reason, you know.

They're kings because they inherited the throne. America's founding fathers wanted a government that could represent everyone's interests -- that's why it's the land where "all men are created equal."

[ He is the most enormous hypocrite. ]

The point is ability, not birthright.

Well that's silly. [rude, Hans.] Because of the birthright, kings get raised so they have the best ability. You can't expect a simple farmer to be competent enough to rule the nation.

If the simple-- [ Good example, Hans, play to Nelson's classism. ] There is a qualification process, they don't elect just anyone.

That's better, I suppose. [go team classism!] What sort of process is there?

There's an age requirement and of course a President has to be a natural citizen of the country. Many of them also have extensive military or political backgrounds beforehand, but I can tell you, the citizens wouldn't vote for a candidate that was under qualified.

That's how it works back where I am from. No one in the royal family are idiots. We're all educated in politics, in strategy and tactics, all the things in order to properly defend and rule the kingdom.

[a small chuckle.] Perhaps our political systems aren't as different as you think.

[ You take that back, Hans. ]

W-well-- they are where it counts. I don't know what the laws are like where you're from, but our forefathers left Britain and its monarchy behind so that they could be free from persecution.

[ He pauses. ]

You really are a prince, aren't you?

[he chuckles slightly-a good natured chuckle more than anything else.] I really am a prince. And rest assured, there's no persecution in my land. We all live in peace.

[ Feelings on monarchies aside, it's a little intimidating, talking to a real prince. ]

... I suppose we wouldn't have monarchies to begin with if they didn't work for somebody. You all live in peace?

That we do.

[FUN FACT: we know jack shit about the Southern Isles but Hans would lie about this shit anyway because monarchy, Nelson.]

[ Hans. And yet Nelson can't hate him entirely... ]

Well-- very lucky for you, but that formula won't work for everyone. I prefer a system with checks and balances.

[he will chalk that up as a victory then.]

I can understand that. And, I suppose your system must have some merit, as it's used in this world as well.

Oh, yes! As you'll see in time. Maybe you'll even come to prefer it.

Oh, I doubt it!

I wouldn't be so sure! You may not inherit any throne here but you could make a political career for yourself if you really wanted to.

[Nelson, you are speaking his language now. Hans pauses for a moment, thinking to himself.]

You know, how would politics work with us, now that we're technically not citizens?

Well... [ Hmm. ] Perhaps they'll grant us citizenship so long as we're here, if they haven't already! Who can say? They do seem happy to accommodate.

That would make sense! Though, I wonder who we'd have to talk with to see about it.

I'm sure those government folks would know what to do, or who we should talk to about it. Maybe they've already got something planned that we've still got yet to hear about. Do you consider yourself very political, Hans?

I'd like to think so. Of course, I need to learn more about this land first.

I could help you a bit if you need, though I don't know much about politics... you could speak to, uh, have you met Mr. Hundred yet?

I haven't, no! I'll look him up, though.

190① △ video

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;

voice;