Winter, January 7th - Guardianship

[zenoh]

Video - Public

[ Ayame appears on video clad in her old black armor, with the phone camera fixed toward her and showing a vast and empty chamber behind her. Ayame stands at Nova City's Holodeck, where the sound of her voice makes a subtle echo ]

Good afternoon.

[ She starts, clearing her throat for a moment and looking into the camera and trying to appear more composed. Speeches are hard ]

This last election has seen a very close competition for Nova City's Guardianship position. I have nothing but gratitude for those who voted in support of Gale Reinhardt and myself. I wish to congratulate Ms. Bulla Brief for having so much support, and wish her the best from this day forward. I hope to reward people's faith as a new Guardian of this city. I look forward to working with my fellow Guardians and working for the people of this city.

Now, our Guardian team could use another member. The loss of former Deputy Yang Xiao Long has yet to be mended, so I am here right now on Nova City's Holodeck. Consider this an interview should you be interested in the position. That's all. Thank you.

[ With a gesture of her hand, she makes a fist that shuts the feed off ]

Comments

[formerabyssinian]

[He sits, watching the glasses form on Ayame's face. It dawns upon him that he really doesn't know many people that well, if at all, in this world. He's pretty sure he doesn't want everyone to know him any deeper than they need.]

[So he tells her only what he needs to know.]

The same place I learned to arrange and grow flowers. [He looks down at the sword. There are bitter memories associated with it, and none of them happy..]

I've had it for well over a decade now. [He partially draws out the sword, only enough to show the gleam of the metal. It's definitely not in poor condition.] With how peaceful it is most times, there isn't much use for it. [The sword is closed again with a light snap as it goes back into its sheath.] Not that I'm complaining.

Working with a team in this field isn't a new experience. Back home, I'm leading one, and we were in the middle of a mission before I was taken here. We're not part of law enforcement. I've hopped between teams before, so I'm used to working with different personalities as well.

[zenoh]

So you lead a vigilante group?

[ She wasn't judging or anything, he wasn't being one in here. But it's definitely something to consider. ]

If I remember correctly, you're from a modern era. A sword would be too impractical against guns and small spaces, so that already speaks for your skill.

[ Now she's curious to see if he's some sort of superhuman, or if he's just at the peak of it. She already got an idea of what simulation to put him through, taking her holotablet to set up the test. ]

Well then, I can tell you're not lying and I'm not one to pry for details when I have enough information. What you gave me should be enough for now. Step right in the glowing platform, please.

[ She will only ask for those details should he be accepted into the position, that way Ran can keep his secrets if he didn't. A square on the floor glows to indicate the starting point for the sim, which would darken the entire room once he steps in. The echoes of the spacious room fades and is replaced with familiar sounds of a city. A night life district of Nova City forms from the darkness. Bright holographic signs surround him, and people step out of the stores and little alleys to populate the sim. Ayame's voice comes in sounding like it's coming from an earpiece ]

Your mission is to rescue a young woman taken by local gangs suspected in hiding in this district's largest restaurant called the Golden Whale. It's ten blocks down this road, and you will have eyes on you everywhere. Spot as many as you can and tell me how many you saw without attracting attention on your way to your objective.

[ Ayame scattered some obvious and subtle gang members working on surveillance, hiding in various shops and acting as pedestrians. Overall there's 26 suspicious looking people along the way, but the actual thugs would only be 11. ]

[formerabyssinian]

Something like that.

[He steps onto the glowing platform as instructed, and watched as the once bleak looking room turning into Nova City at night. He listens to the objective, starting to walk towards his location. The part about not attracting attention would have been easy to do had he not been holding a sword.]

[He spots a few suspicious people already. glancing at him in a way he knew too well. Even the flower shop he stopped by had a couple of lookouts behind the counter. Now carrying a bouquet of red roses, Aya continued his stroll.]

The simulation is real enough. The florists clearly don't know about their stock. I've spotted seven so far. [He's only travelled three blocks so far, and almost to the end of the fourth.] Make that ten. [Three in an alleyway, probably waiting for orders to attack him while relaying information.]