Now that things are beginning to return to normal, allow me to pose a question. Was the reward worth the cost, or would it have been better to not have pushed that button in the first place?

I see the City's repeating its curses now. It would be a nightmare for any city planner trying to deal with such a violent influx, although fortunately we're spared that much. Provided it stays true to the last time, of course.

In the meantime, the chaos is almost like home.

A day full of bests. I'd imagine there's as many as there are people here. Unless there's some force judging the best of the bests? Perhaps the distraction we were warned of?

In which case, I suppose I should mention that the distractions that had Reno at their heart are some of the best I've ever seen.



((Threadjack away~))

I've seen my share of explosions over the years, but I'll admit that one was quite a display. But once the lasts of the shocks die down there's still a lingering question.

With the prison vanished, what will the effects on crime be? After all, there's no real place to keep those who might warrant such a thing anymore.

[The video, like so many others today, clicks on to catch Tseng in a dimly-lit gray cell. He's seen better days, to judge by the wounds he's sporting, but they aren't life-threatening (yet). They are, however, both extensive and varied. Some look to be knife or gun wounds, others are burn wounds... or worse. But he seems to be holding up well enough.]

So this is your game, City? I've seen worse.

((Tseng's punishment? Good old fashioned eye-for-eye. One wound for every wound he's inflicted on people during his time as a Turk. And that number is fairly large.))

First the animals and now their stuffed counterparts? The City's nothing if not consistent, I see. Bothersome, yes, but consistent.

( private, off the network )

"The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone."
Harriet Beecher Stowe

I found this while looking through one of the books in the library here, and was wondering what your thoughts on the matter might be.

I have to say, I have a new-found respect for dancers. But all the same, I would far prefer to have my own shoes back. These ones are... not entirely suited to anything normal.

[For once, Tseng doesn't sound perfectly calm. There's a faint note of exhaustion there, although he's doing his best to hide it.]

I think I'll be glad when this is over. I can't imagine it being comfortable for anyone. All I can hope is that the lack of sleep doesn't cause too many ill effects.

[The city might be busy tearing itself apart with rival companies and assorted mayhem, but even admist that, there's calmness. Take Tseng, for example. He's somehow managed to find himself an office with a decently sized window and is looking out at the city below.]

A shame it won't last.

A sudden spike in the population? I hope the City's prepared to accommodate.

[Today, on this day that's either a blessing or a curse depending on who you ask, Tseng seems to be unaffected by the madness, choosing instead to work on organizing something just out of sight. And it could just be him trying to find something to do.

But to those who know him... there's something a little off about the whole thing. Not that he's here to talk about that...]

To those of you meeting your fathers today, I wish you luck and the best that can come of it. To those of you who aren't... some things are better left to memory, no matter what we wish.

[It's seems that Tseng is not quite as immune to the curse as he'd like to be. Or at least, so one would assume, since the first that shows up is a mess of black feathers. Eventually though, they pull back a bit to reveal themselves to be a black chocobo.

Which isn't what Tseng's stuck as today. Instead, he's done up in full samurai armor, and doesn't look entirely pleased about it, as he pulls the device gently away from the chocobo's questing beak. And since it's one anyway, well... may as well make use of it.]

Has anyone seen Misao today?

For those of you here who are unfamiliar with me, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tseng. A newcomer to this city, its people, and its rules.

You may ask why a newcomer such as I is up for wardenship. The simple fact of the matter is that someone else nominated me. In the world I call home I was the head of an organization similar to the police force here. Not a day went by when I didn't worry for the sakes of my people, not a night when I didn't ask myself how best to arrange the variety of things that would need to be taken care for the next day. I gave them my best, because they were mine.

I took joy in their successes, worried when they were gone, wept when they went where I could not follow them. They were mine, and I did not dare fail them.

That same level of devotion is what I would bring to the job, if I am elected. I may not know the city or it's people, but I would bring to it the same level of commitment I brought to my job at home; Reno or Cissnei would be willing to tell you about the hours I tended to work if you'd prefer to hear from someone else. If not, suffice it to say that I am very used to late nights and odd hours.

I don't ask for you to trust me with this position, but if you do than I swear by Holy Leviathan's scales that I will give the position the time and care that it deserves.

Thank you.

[There's a pause, and after a moment or so, a man's voice speaks up.]

An interesting place, although not what I would have expected. It could be worse, though.

Reno, I’d like to see you in my-- I suppose ‘office’ is no longer applicable, so I’ll settle for ‘my current location’ -- within the next 45 minutes. I would advise you to not be late, and ‘I didn’t hear you’ isn’t an acceptable excuse. I know you’re here.