25 ⚜ Video

[restingstitchface]

[Crane sends the address out at 3pm sharp. He stands hunched against a wall with a bundle of files in his arms. Those with an eye for detail might notice math problems on a public whiteboard on the right; peppered with numerous red corrections that range from simple corrections to veiled insults.]

What affect have our ambassadors had on our lives?

[He turns his attention to the camera, eyes hooded. His tone is calm and polite but with a measure of boredom to it.]

Do we possess the same rights as native people? Does the government provide adequate care? Is it safe where we live? [In Maurtia Falls especially.] Who enacts the laws that rule our lives? Who legislates for education and social security? Ambassadors are our representatives - yet they are intimately acquainted with the culture of our hosts. Does this cozy arrangement mean they are politically trusted because they don't ask questions and challenge official stories? In simple terms, what do our ambassadors do for us?

[His fingertips grasp his chin.]

Also, one last question: who amongst us might earn your future nomination? Count Dooku, perhaps? Now there's a man with a political mind...

[Koma-san June 2016. Never forget.]

Comments

[restingstitchface]

I see. Then you believe that it's impossible for any Ambassador to please one hundred percent of the people, all the time?

[sleight_of_hand]

Yeah, exactly.

That's true of any politician though. Even if you push for something meant to benefit everyone, someone's going to be unhappy with it for some reason, even if it isn't a good reason.

[restingstitchface]

[As far as answers go, that's one of the straightest he's heard. And upon reflection, there's one interesting question to ask.]

What constitutes a good reason, then?

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi had to pause, considering the answer himself. ]

...I guess that would be seeing the bigger picture, beyond what the ambassador or politician sees. You know... say you pass a law that's going to have an immediate, beneficial impact on the country, right? But further down the line, circumstances change, but that law is set in stone, and there's no real way to change it. That law starts become a hindrance, and might even put the country in an even worse situation than they were in before. Obviously, if you can see that coming, you're going to want to object to it, right?

[restingstitchface]

That depends. People who benefit from negative laws want to hide them out of plain view, and in the books for a while. Laws themselves only become a hindrance based on perception. One could argue they are immaterial - it's the intention behind the legislation that matters, wouldn't you say?

[sleight_of_hand]

True... though even the best of intentions can be short sighted.

[ Adachi paused, mulling it over in his head, before he let out a breath. Truth be told, when it came to politics, he had only ever really paid attention to what affected his job, and a lot of it was just annoying, underhanded dealings that just made his life harder instead of easier. He didn't know how different it was for people from other worlds and other realities. ]

My point still stands though; what's beneficial for some or a majority isn't necessarily better for everyone.

[restingstitchface]

You're not wrong.

[Unfortunately, being correct brings its own unique discomfort.]

Do you prefer to worry about the needs of the individual, yourself and your close associates, over the fate of the wider community?

[sleight_of_hand]

[ And that discomfort shows on Adachi's face. ]

That's another problem. While I want to be selfish and just worry about myself and the people I care about, I know that's impossible.

[restingstitchface]

[Crane's face is impressively emotionless. There's no sympathy; no disdain; no curiosity. His voice is equally calm.]

It's impossible to be alone when surrounded by people, isn't it?

[Especially when you've formed bonds.]

[sleight_of_hand]

[ For a moment, Adachi looked confused by that reaction, and then he realized what he said: myself and the people I care about. He felt like he needed to squirm on the spot then, rubbing uneasily at the back of his neck. ]

Y-yeah... it really is.

[restingstitchface]

Difficult, I should imagine.

[Tell him your troubles, Adachi.]

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Crane, his troubles got broadcasted so much the Majority Report blabbed about it. He let out a huff at that, and while previously he might have argued with him or been dismissive, he didn't have the heart for it this time. ]

Yeah, especially when you catch youself clinging to the shitty ideals and views that made your world a crappy place to be.

[restingstitchface]

[Yes, but there's nothing like convincing someone to blurb out their troubles personally. He doesn't turn his gaze away and holds a sharp eye.]

It sounds like you need new ideals, then.

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Rude Crane. ]

I'm working on it. It's hard, but I'm trying.

[ He paused, a bit of a goofy smile coming to his face, though his uncertainty and nervousness was still obvious. ]

I-I'm actually going out with a guy tonight.

[ ...at least he thinks? Inanna's gender was still a big question mark to him. ]

[restingstitchface]

Congratulations.

You'll have a good time if you don't mess it up.

[Good for you, Adachi.]

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi let out an embarrassed noise, rubbing at the back of his neck. ]

I'm worried about that. Messing it up. But... I hope it'll be okay.

[ How unexpectedly honest. ]

[restingstitchface]

Everything will be fine, detective. Provided you are willing to invest tonight's escapes with as much effort as you invest in your work.

[Work. Effort... the things he has trouble with, doesn't he?]

[sleight_of_hand]

Ha! Yeah, that should help; been doing better with that too.

[ Wow, it's almost like he grew up a little. What the hell, Adachi. ]

[restingstitchface]

[Development? He holds his voice and mulls it over.]

Well, I was certainly not expecting that from you...

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi squirmed; shouldn't Crane just be dismissing him by now? Why so much interest all of a sudden? ]

Ah, well... After working with Dooku-san on the RISE and the breakout investigations, business kind of picked up. I had to take it seriously.

[restingstitchface]

Of course.

[How long will this last?]

I wish you the best of luck.

[sleight_of_hand]

[ ...hunh. This was actually a pleasant conversation with Crane. Who knew that was possible? ]

Heh... thanks.