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

[trouvaille]

( well, this is interesting. working for ambassador baelish reflects less gwen's interest in politics or belief that he's making a substantive difference - she hasn't seen enough to say, if someone asked her - than it does her ability to land on her feet. baelish pays very generously.

but disinterest in the real merits of the situation is different from ignorance to its optics, so - she pays attention to the answers he's getting. hers is just, drolly: )

That's a dreadful thing to say about a person.

( probably accurate, on her short acquaintance, but terribly unkind. )

[restingstitchface]

[With the knowledge that what he's saying is accurate, given human behavior, Crane carefully stops the disinterest creeping into his face. He tilts his head and stares to her right.]

Dreadful by your perspective. I call it honest.

[trouvaille]

( it's the swiftest she's ever found herself in a conversational pothole; there's no obvious way forward when no interesting conversation ever arose from having to explain a joke.

maybe he'll get it the second time; )

Is that not what I said?

( that's not a nice thing to say, gwen / it was just an observation! )

[restingstitchface]

[The only thing he gets from that is that it's a joke at his expense. The thought that everyone's out to get him - it's a real problem.

He hides such insecurity behind his acerbic tone. Yes, it's obviously a joke. He gets it, duh.]

No? It wasn't particularily kind.

[trouvaille]

( it's not the first time trying to be friendly hasn't gone to plan; it won't be the last as long as she continues, you know, being herself at people. )

Not a huge fan of jokes about politicians, I take it.

( a bit wry. )

I have heard we have to be nice to lawyers now, I didn't know politicians had someone in their corner, too.

[restingstitchface]

[He's not a huge fan of other people's jokes in general.]

You must not be that observant, then.

[He says dryly, hiding the insult behind humor.]

[trouvaille]

( Her eyebrows rise; it isn't what you'd call well hidden, with that lead in. It also isn't much of a surprise, so - )

Don't worry, ( she settles on, light as she moves to disconnect, ) I can take a hint.

( Three strikes, he's not having it - her observation skills still beat out her charm. )