[ coughs can be heard. ]

Mom? Stepshit?

Max . . . ?

[ static ]

Ge-ne-ssia . . . The Bay . . .

This sure as hell ain't Arcadia Bay. I'm dead. I must be dead.

[ more static, some clicks, and then the video is turned on. a blue-haired girl in a beanie squints at the camera. she . . . doesn't look pleased. ]

Hey God! You there? This is Pirate Captain Chloe Price. [ she attempts a smirk but it comes out as a grimace. ] If this is heaven, it's hella chickenshit, my man.

Sooo. Can I see my dad yet? People in heaven get whatever they want and shit, right?

[ she coughs dramatically. ]

Dear baby Jesus. Please grant me an after-lifetime supply of bong.

[ nothing happens. she lets out an incredulous laugh. ]

Look at me, I'm going batshit insane. I don't even fucking believe in God.

[ the videofeed is abruptly cut off. ]

Who: Anastasia, Open to All
What: A child has a new toy.
Where: Genessia
When: Early morning of December 2nd
Why: After months of training, it's time to try on her own.
How: Magic training. Magic in general.
Warnings: Road work ahead.

( Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a...uhh...what? )

[ It's very odd to Sertoria to sleep as long as she had been, however it's not as if it wasn't sorely needed. In a way, the angel is thankful for the long slumber she had. It allowed her to be brought up to speed back home and goodness was it ever needed. Still, it doesn't help her desire to go back so that she could take care of things like she normally does since she now knows her help is more valuable than ever. Her head shakes, forcing herself awake in the process before she stands up, stretching briefly.

Right, anyway, time to get back to work. There is still much that needs to be done. ]

[ VIDEO ]

Right, um... I am extremely sorry for my long absence. Gosh, this usually never happens-- Those Dream Docks are certainly something, are they not? Genessia has rather impressive technology, I have to say! A-Anyway, how is everyone? [ There's one of her usual smiles on her face, bright as ever. ] For those who do not know of me or I have not yet had the chance to meet you, my name is Sertoria Cani. It is a pleasure to meet you all. Do not hesitate to ask any questions if you have them!

( Filtered to Quinn. )

( Filtered to Weiss. )

Hello.

[Sakura smiles a little nervously at the screen.]

This might be an odd request but is anyone willing to teach me magic? I don't want to hurt anyone so healing and defensive things if possible. I want to be able to protect my friends and family. I've learned that I have the capability for magic I just need to be taught.

[There is a brief awkward pause.]

Thank you.

[When the feed initializes, the sky pirate is reclined against a small desk and is holding a small scepter, aquamarine in color, and though worn, still shining.]

There was still something to be found in those ruins. Fancy that.

[He moves, the scepter sliding into a hip pouch before he faces the video communicator more fully.]

A successful treasure hunt is food for the soul, you know. Hmm, we should do this more often. Surely there are more ruins to be found beyond one of these archways, and if we find them before someone prints it in the papers, everything we find there is rightfully ours.

[He smiles.]

I tire of repairing someone else's hovers, at any rate. Any juicy gossip? Rumors?

[So that time has come yet again. Naturally Satsuki Kiryuin had caught Weiss' press conference, and while she was somewhat surprised by the 'suddenness', she didn't feel any pressure to respond immediately. There are a number of things for her to do; she's always working.

However the press was getting on her nerves even more than usual and should this keep up she'll hardly get anything done in a timely manner. This brings us to now, where Satsuki stands at the podium, adorn in the (current style) Guardian uniform colors of white, light blue and navy.]

'Lady Kiryuin, your thoughts on Miss Weiss Schnee's joining of the Nova City Guardian Election?'.

[There is, perhaps surprisingly, a lack of Satsuki's usual intensity in her tone. Perhaps she's tired.]

Lady Schnee is an upstanding and ambitious young lady; an exemplary model that many should strive to follow. That aside, I believe that her decision to challenge my position is an unwise one.

'Are you saying that she does not stand a chance against you, Lady Kiryuin!'

No, she most certainly has a chance. What I am saying is that it would be a detriment to Nova and Genessia's other sister cities if she were to be elected. It may not be clear to the other cities, but I work under a supportive system tied to tradition. It is a system not built on otherworld technology but modern resources, and natural progression. A system that we all can feel pride in and one that we can all build from.

One of my goals has always been to show that access to archways or being born with superhuman abilities is helpful, but ultimately unnecessary to become an exceptional Guardian of this city. This is an ideal that I believe should be encouraged as it cultivates the kind of inspiration and growth that we truly need.

Lady Schnee has already blessed Nova City with her Welcoming Center which has ingrained itself neatly into our culture. I suggest that if she truly desires to help this city further, that she do so by starting at the side of Deputy Dantes and myself this coming term, as I have with the Guardian before. Not only do I believe that is fair, but I also believe she will find that her ideas will not be as simple to implement as she may think.

A vote for Kiryuin is a vote for Order via Nova Tradition.