chikaidestroyer | ∞ 96: Reminders [voice/action]

[voice]

As a follow-up reminder to Rydia's latest entry, this month is likely to be another New Feather cycle month if the new Organization management continues the trend. The Welcome Center is always looking for volunteers when New Feathers arrive.

While the weather may be warmer, there are still watch stations outside the village that should be maintained and well-stocked. Any volunteers are welcome. For now, I am organizing the effort, but I am looking for someone to take over that responsibility.

[There is a slight pause.] Is anyone working on the farmlands outside the village? I am curious to know what crops are being grown out there.

[action]

[Albert isn't up to anything special today. He's finally getting around to taking care of and sharpening that sword he had asked Sokka for during that reality-shifting experiment. He can be found working on the steps of his house, looking the sword this way and that as he works on it; it's more work than he usually has to put into sharpening an axe.

Afterwards, he'll make his usual rounds of tending to his garden and checking on the stables. ...Which will lead to a trip to the grocery store, because the horses need more grains.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I just -- I wish I could be more sure about this truce. And about what it means that Jack's not even...that he's gone home.

But asking Grell is out of the question. [That's the idea he's getting, at least.]

Mostly because I don't really want to get into the business of trusting her word. The whole mess was over Jack's unpaid debt -- the fact that he didn't die, I guess. [ every time she says his name, it's like her throat clogs up. ]

But now there's a group of people who know. And I don't know how she'll react to that.

The very fact that she continues to want her identity kept a secret can be used against her, if you wish to go a more subtle route. If there are very specific reasons she does not wish her identity known, you can try to find out what those are.

...I actually managed to get the names of two people she really very much doesn't want let in on her little secret identity. But who knows if she slipped them in by accident or on purpose.

It may at least be worth investigating. Especially if you feel your options are limited.

If you hear or see anything...?

[ she trails off. what she's trying to say -- albeit a little oddly -- is i trust your powers of observation. ]

Of course. [He nods carefully.] I hope you will forgive me for not putting myself too far out there, though. Not with someone wielding a chainsaw involved.

Forgive you? God, Albert. I expect you not to. I don't want someone else I...[ she frowns. ] I don't want to see anyone else get hurt.

I know you don't. Balancing information-gathering with physical results tends to be difficult. [To say the least, on the Malnosso Organization level.]

...I'm the first to admit that subtle is not my strong suit. But Jack -- Jack was trying to teach me a little more about sly persuasion. Before he left.

Useful. Perhaps his demeanor could have used some polish, but his intentions seemed well-meaning.

I'm not sure half of the people involved believe it but -- but he was good to me. And I know he felt it -- the guilt for bringing the Grell problem down on our heads. He tried for a very long time to keep the rest of us not involved. Even though...I mean even though I'm me.

[ what she's implying is that she clearly thought herself to be the best solution to the problem. and why not? strong, capable, other victories under her belt. ]

There is also a certain amount of pride in dealing with your own problems. Perhaps he felt ashamed that the issue escalated out of his control.

Not ashamed. But -- responsible. I think he felt responsible. He wanted to protect the people he cared about. I can get that.