video, earlier today (prior to K-2SO's post)

[captain_by_the_book]

[ Cassian still looks like someone who hasn't had a good night's sleep in months and just plain weary in place of his usual severe officiousness. But hey, he's no longer in Imperial white or hiding. Yay progress. ]

You all know what happened.

[ He goes silent again, lips pressed together, gaze lowered for a moment before he faces the camera again. ]

Our town has suffered an unacceptable death toll and violence we have not known for a long time. For now, we are grieving, we are healing. But the message has been heard loud and clear. We have been reminded of our vulnerability. We have a lot of work left to do, and it will be done, whether by me or my successor.

As you could all see I was affected. I'm myself again and have returned to most of my duties, but for my absence in Attleton's times of need I can only ask for forgiveness. I can't promise it won't happen again if I remain in office, none of us can make such promises. All we can do is prepare, and make sure there are fail-safes.

[ Still feels like a failure. He couldn't even bail out Mobius once he returned, as he hasn't been formally reinstated yet by the one who suspended him. ]

In mundane news, the lake in the Attleton park is now safe for ice skating. The Red House Foundation's emergency shelter in the Attleton Academies' gym will remain open until the end of the cold spell.

Comments

video;

[orlokbutterfly]

If you somehow have a "successor" in this election, then I'm not serving alcohol for a while because people clearly got too drunk.

[Is that a sign of Gale supporting Cassian? As close of one as he'll get.]

... by the way, has anyone in your city reported a missing cat? I think I picked up a stray last week but I wanna be sure I didn't accidentally take in someone's runaway.

Re: video;

[captain_by_the_book]

[ There's a moment of stunned silence - he really doesn't know how to handle Gale saying something nice to him after their long-standing feud. He nods after a moment, still a little hesitant and stiff from uncertainty. ]

Thank you. I saw that you are running for Nova City.

[ And he'd taken it for a joke, but if he's willing to look past personal annoyances he might be taking this more seriously than Cassian had given him credit for. This month just doesn't stop being strange, huh. ]

I hope we can work together well for the good of our cities, if we are both elected.

[ Wait, what had that been again? He blinks. Cat. Right. ]

I haven't heard anything about a missing cat, but I'll check the files and see if anyone reported one missing while I was... indisposed.

video;

[orlokbutterfly]

[Cassian certainly isn't wrong for thinking it was a joke, because it was partially one. Gale's being just serious enough to see what happens.]

Your opponents are an ankle biter and a radio guy, you oughta wipe the floor with 'em. If I somehow pull a victory outta my ass, I think we'll work together just fine. Just remember that you don't have to pretend to like me.

[He said he'd cooperate with other Guardians- he said nothing about liking them. It just makes things easier on everyone involved.

Gale glances down and pulls up a maine coon into view of the feed.]

Lemme know if there's a report on this fluffball. I don't wanna go namin' her and gettin' attached if she's someone else's.

[Video]

[generalgrievous]

Are you in need of any assistance?

open, then locked

[captain_by_the_book]

Not at this moment, but thank you for the offer, Deputy Grievous.

[locked]

I'm slowly getting better, General. Well. Maybe not better. But you have to keep going.

[Private]

[generalgrievous]

It was a troubling time for us all.

[video]

[corruptedsave]

A large vulnerability, if we're being kind.

[They give a small smile now.]

[captain_by_the_book]

[ The smile chills him, a stark reminder that he is Not Okay. But life has never waited for that.

He forces his face into a neutral expression, head dipping in a slight nod. ]

If we're being kind, yes.

[corruptedsave]

[No one is ever Okay, Cass. Not even Chara.

One just gets better at hiding it over time.]

Hey, at least despite everything it's still you.

[alwaysimpaled]

You'd better win this election. I like my job.

[Dante is sounding decidedly less like himself at the moment. The event had fucked him up too, he just managed to avoid running into anyone during the time.]

[captain_by_the_book]

[ There's some silence before the transmission is locked. ]

I like my job, too. I don't know if the people still trust me... after everything.

You sound fragged.

[alwaysimpaled]

My money is on them being more forgiving considering it hit damn near everyone.

I am. The 'event' hit me hard, and honestly we're lucky the city is still fucking standing.

[Video]

[specialist_snowflake]

[Hey look, Cassian, it's your favorite! Winter's expression is as dispassionate as always. She's listened to his message. Considered it. And listened again.]

[Her conclusion is as follows: she cannot offer sympathy because it would sound foreign coming from someone like her. She's not good at it in any case. But she's efficient if nothing else, and it seems like he wants to do better. In which case, she thinks she can nudge him in the proper direction without outright seizing control and giving him a detailed list of what she thinks would be best.]

What sort of 'preparations' did you have in mind? Your plan is somewhat vague.

[captain_by_the_book]

I'm aware of that.

[ Oh yay. This is just what he needs today.

He keeps his face carefully neutral. He can be coldly cordial, he tells himself, he's dealt with worse people than her. Just gotta keep a grip on himself. ]

We have only just returned to mostly normal shifts. One of my Deputies is still dead. Restoring regular functionality of law enforcement took precedence to long-term planning, especially in light of elections in two weeks, which will make my plans void if I'm not reelected.

[specialist_snowflake]

Not necessarily. Your successor will likely value any plans and solutions you put into effect, if indeed another is elected in your stead.

[She can't say who's likely to win. He's going up against a kid and a radio DJ, she can't see how either of them is all that qualified to serve as a guardian. Mayor perhaps in Cecil's case, but she's not about to put a child in that office.]

Given that next week's training schedule needs little personal instruction from their captain, I can offer assistance on a temporary basis.

[ Video ]

[pianola]

You're back to work?

[ But said gently, for her, anyway.

Because what she's not saying, not wanting to repeat herself: are you all right? ]

[captain_by_the_book]

[ He scrutinizes her for a moment, taking note of the question that remains unvoiced. ]

Life has to continue. I still have responsibilities.

[ Not alright. But he doesn't have time to wait for being alright. ]

private voice

[softlyspeaks]

Mr. Andor, I sincerely hope you're alright.

Do you need anything? I'm very good at making comfort food.

[captain_by_the_book]

[ There's a short stunned silence. First at Cecil contacting him, then at the contents. If he didn't know that Cecil knows he has a boyfriend it would look like... ]

Thank you, Mr Palmer. I'm, well, I'm capable of doing my duty. There is no need to be concerned.

[ Yes, there is, but his meltdowns are a one-person party. ]

My friends have been making sure I eat. But I appreciate it. Also what you said on your radio show.

[ Minus the strong calloused hands and... !!! So flustered. ]

video;

[gamerrep]

[Chiaki choose to not think about what happened recently. It sent shivers down her spine thinking how she wanted to bring people to despair and odds were likely did with some natives.

It takes her a moment and shaking her head slightly before she speaks up. She is going to focus on the other thing.]

So people can go to ice skating, now?

Re: video;

[captain_by_the_book]

[ Best not to think about it. If you have the opportunity to live in denial, it's definitely what Cassian would recommend, too. Denial is fantastic. ]

Yes, you can safely go ice skating, at least until the cold spell ends. We will have to keep a close eye on the thickness of the ice then, but for now it's perfectly safe.

[Video] [Locked]

[initia_nova]

Mr. Andor,I know that this last week has been a mess and the consequences will be long lasting but none of that was something that could be controlled. It's not anyone's fault.

[Scott's tone is still polite but it turns more personal when he speaks again.]

I imagine you are not okay, I won't ask you that. Is there anything I can do to help?

[captain_by_the_book]

Foremost, you can try to return to life as normal, and encourage other people to do so as well. It will do the regular citizens of Attleton good to see that the pendant bearers they know are acting normal again, and not to be feared for their dangerous erratic behavior.

[ Cassian turns a little more somber. ]

And yes, the past week has been a mess. It will be a good long while till we have recovered from it.

[Video]

[om_nom_namur]

Sounds like yer whole house went t' shit an' back. Y' gonna be okay?

Re: [Video]

[captain_by_the_book]

[ A moment of silence. ]

Eventually. We're getting there. Thank you for asking.