[Video/Action]

[rulerofme]

[David has a lot to do in the coming days, he realizes that. But all he can really do is take things one step at a time. While he already has some irons in the fire, so to speak, he still has other things that he needs to take care of. So he switches on the video feed.]

Okay, now that all of the stuff with the spirits is taken care of, I’m ready to start interviewing people. Those of you that responded to my last video posting can feel free to meet today at the Guardian’s office in Genessia city. For those that don’t know what I’m talking about, you can find my last video posting to inform yourselves about what I am doing, and if you want to meet with me to potentially join, you can show up to. Or if you just want to talk, the door is open for that too.


[Action]

[The Guardians office felt so bare when he arrived, not that it really needed much anyway. He was fully aware of the real spectacle being in the basement, but still, he wanted the office to feel less barren. So he spruced things up, So he spruced things up, new curtains, carpets, a fresh coating of paint, pictures on the walls, adding in a large fish tank to give it more life, two nice sectional couches that faced each other. He still had a desk, but he wasn’t sitting there. He was sitting on the couch while waiting for his first interviewee.

Off to the side of the couches, he had a table and a bunch of snacks upon it.]

Comments

[youfool]

"Not a bad idea; good enough to steal, even." Ted didn't have a hand for home decorating; perhaps one of his deputies might come through and add a lady's touch.

Ted didn't want to be too forward and open up the discussion straight away, not least of all because his last "interview" had been incredibly unnerving.

"So, any promising candidates?"

[rulerofme]

"You should. You will have that office for a while. Better to make yourself comfortable in it, than have to feel out of place there." That's how David saw it at least.

"To me, all candidates are promising, until they give me reason to think otherwise." He personally doesn't see why people seem so nervous about the interview, though.

"But so far, none have had a negative interview."

[youfool]

He gave a small laugh. "It's Genessia. Out-of-placeness is par for the course."

"Well, good then." Might as well get started. Who knows, maybe the interview has begun in secret already. Testing his initiative, or something. "Hopefully I can continue your perfect record. I'm ready if you are."

[rulerofme]

The interview really didn't seem that difficult to pass if you asked him. He wasn't even sure if he could say it was a pass/fail sort of thing.

"Alright. First question. What's your full name?"

[youfool]

"Hm." It'd been a while since someone's used the middle. "Theodore Alexander Satchel."

[rulerofme]

"How long have you been here?"

[youfool]

"Hmm... let me check." He dug out his journal from the bag. "My earliest entry was in October, so...about a three quarters of a year. Goodness. So much has happened; I'd even forgotten my birthday last month."

[rulerofme]

"It's coming up on your anniversary here. And it's never too late to do something for your birthday, you know. We can go out and get drinks one day." But onto the next question.

"On a scale of 1 to 20, where would you rate yourself on how good a person you are? 1 being not good at all and 20 being a super goody two shoes that helps old ladies cross the street."

[youfool]

His eyes lit up. "You'd do that for me?" It was like David was the big brother Ted never had.

"You're like the big brother I never had. I believe I even turned 21; legal drinking age! I've always wanted to try a beer." He gave a nervous laugh at the next question. "Ahah, you realize I'm probably not the most objective person to ask about that." Through the unsure smile, Ted actually was thinking, believe it or not. Well, theologically speaking, he knew a little. There was definitely some bit of scripture where "good", as an adjective, could only truly be applied to the Lion of Judah. Extrapolating from that, that would mean that Ted...

"...One, I guess. Not good at all."

[rulerofme]

"Of course. Beer can be an..acquired taste. But if you don't like it, we can find something you do like." And hopefully not get him completely blind drunk in the process. He listens to his response to the question, and it's an interesting one. His next question would follow up on that one nicely.

"Why do you want to join?"

[youfool]

Phew, an easy one. That wasn't too hard, especially in light of the mission statement given to Ted by the spirits.

"Our goals; mine and your project's...sorry, I mean your project's and mine. That's the proper grammar, isn't it?

Anyway, they align."

[rulerofme]

That's interesting considering he doesn't see himself as a good person. There is more to you than you let on, Ted.

"What are your thoughts on this place?"

[youfool]

Talk about loaded questions. Ted thought how best to sump up so as not to talk David's ear off.

"I think...It is a wondrous, terrible, mysterious, lovely, fateful, romantic, adventurous bowl of potpourri."

[rulerofme]

That was one way of describing this place. He'd never heard any place be put in the terms of potpourri, though.

"What do you hope to accomplish in your time here?"

[youfool]

The floodgates opened.

"Well, I'd like to know everything about it, including, but not limited to, its origin, its purpose, why we're here, what those archways are, why it demands abilities and memories to pay for everything, how to leave, how to stay (perish the thought), what it's made of, who made it, why they made it, why we're brought here, how it got its name, what precisely that name means, what in the devil those spirits are, how they got to be as they are, what purpose they serve, and the fate of everything and everyone here.

I should also like to champion many goods, including the greatest, and defeat many evils, including the worst.

I want to convert at least one person, maybe even baptize them, if I'm qualified, assuming said person isn't already a believer in something akin to Christianity, but in their own world's flavor.

I want to do my job exceedingly well, such that democracy becomes a quaint joke and I am afforded the position forever and ever. Or at least as long as I shall live here and the job is necessary.

I want to meet all the aspects; I've met Justice and The Moon already, so that leaves around twenty more to go. I think you're one of them, but I'm not sure exactly which.

I really want to figure out— well, never mind that.

I want to know whether it's right to marry and bear children in an alien world. I also want to know whether I am suited to marry and bear children.

I want to do every lovely thing one can do here and nowhere else.

I want to become a better swordsman and marksman, so that my swordstick becomes more than an enjoyable prop.

I want to know why so many people practice magic without taint, and whether I could play danmaku with that condition in mind.

I want to get rid of Dracula once and for all, as well as any other lingering threats in Everglade.

I want to know why Vyers has become so damned demonic. Then I would like skill and might enough to blacken his eye.

I want Justice as my pokemon.

I want to become perfect. Perfect in virtue, I mean.

I want a book or some kind of record from every person here, so that when I leave I will have an alien library.

I want to grow up. A silly thing to say in your twenties, but maybe I'm a late bloomer.

I want to meet God or Jesus' incarnation here, if he has one, and talk to him for a very long time.

I want to know which of these wants should come first, or are actually attainable.

And, of course, I want to join this team you're forming.

...I probably should've used the word "hope" in there, somewhere, but you understand, I hope."

[rulerofme]

Okay, that was much more than he bargained for. He was expecting at least three or four things at most but..wow. That's just a whole list of things. Mostly all of it seems reasonable. Even though it was more than he expected, he appreciated the openness and willingness to tell him this stuff.

"I hope that you can accomplish all that you wish to accomplish here." He meant that.

"Do you have any combat experience or experience working with a team?"

[youfool]

"Hah, me too. I'm honestly surprised you didn't stop me there. I might have trapped you for eternity." Taking a breath and a drink of water, he continued.

"Yes, surprisingly. Sometimes both at once."

[rulerofme]

He gives a nod. "How would the group benefit by having you as a member?"

[youfool]

He smiled, cautiously. "I cannot say much for my skill, aside for being an able-bodied man. For the moment. And I imagine a Guardian has some, clout."

[rulerofme]

It does. Honestly as long as someone was willing to help out, that was seen as a benefit.

"Just three more questions. Would you save a person if it meant giving up your own life?"

[youfool]

He joined his hands, lowering them beneath his waist, and sunk his head a little. He hesitated with his answer. "I don't know. I hope I would,"

[rulerofme]

Honesty was a good thing. David hoped that no one would honestly have to make the choice between themselves and someone else, though.

"Tell me five things about yourself that I might not have learned from this interview."

[youfool]

He tilted his head slightly. "I suppose I'm a little slow—though that may have come across already—for I don't quite understand. Are you asking for five additional facts the interview has yet to discover?"

[rulerofme]

"Yes, they can be anything. They don't have to be huge insights or anything."

[youfool]

"Ah, all right then.

1. I never said 'thanks' for getting me the Guardian position. I'll remedy that now: thank you. Now that it's official, and everything.
2. I'm not sure whether one can forgive someone without their repentance nor apology.
3. I like to wear beautiful clothes.
4. I know that deputies are payed automatically, i.e. not by me, and I intend to exploit that to the fullest.
5. Treacherous as it is, I don't feel particularly homesick."