041 ♦ YouTube, mirrored to network; backdated to immediately after Thunder Corp's announcement

[peacefulwinter]

[The Winter that pops onto the screen, and onto the internet at large, is one that's quite a bit angrier than she's been in a while. She clearly didn't like something she heard.]

Thunder Corporation wants to blame the Numbered for this. They're pushing it on us again. They don't know anything. Where were they, when the violence broke out two years ago with the mafia? During the Invasion? There's something fishy about asking for help now, when we've never been given the time of day before. This press release... I'm not sure what to do with this. But I've got a response of my own.

If Locke City will have me, I would be honored and excited to protect my home once more. Like many people, I don't want to be put in danger because of who and what I am; it's why I left Locke in the first place. I've had my eye on things; I know Summer's been around Locke, keeping an eye on the city when I can't. I want to help, as I always have. It's my duty as a Precure; it's my duty as a person. That's never changed. But as my wife keeps reminding me, I can't help anyone if I'm dead.

I've always been an open person. Lily and I have nothing to hide. I've made some mistakes. I've done things I would just as soon take back. But I don't cover those things up. Maybe it's foolish of me, but you don't earn trust by only showing the things you're proud of. If they want to ask questions - if anyone wants to ask questions, within reason - so be it. If they want help keeping Locke safe... they didn't have to do something like this to ask. I still have an e-mail address, a YouTube channel, a Twitter account. I have a mailbox. I refuse to believe that anyone thought public shaming was the best way to ask for our help.

If Thunder Corp. is honest about their intentions, I have no issues lending a hand. We've shaped this world, since everything started, three years ago. I don't deny that, either. It would be irresponsible of me to leave everyone out in the cold now. Assuming I don't get attacked in the process, the light of wisdom will shine over Locke City once more. Count on it.

Comments

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[alilyinthemoonslight]

[At the conclusion of the video, after Winter has switched things off, she'll rather promptly find a pair of hands on her shoulders.]

Sometimes, it can be good to vent.

[Almost unconsciously, she figures Winter looks like a person who could probably use anything possible to relax right then, as such it doesn't take long for her to begin a soft movement of her hands, beginning a very gentle massage. She stays quiet for a moment, letting that comment hang in the air before she broaches the more significant issue.]

They're not going to let that go unanswered. [It's said as if she's stating the obvious, because it is. Both of them probably realize that, and it's not a criticism. Not even remotely.]

[peacefulwinter]

[By this point, a combination of being back in a place that's nominally hers and knowing Lily is comfortable with her again has put Winter at ease, enough that Lily's touch from behind doesn't startle her. She manages a soft, brief murmur but aside from that, she just takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, willing the sharp, almost uncharacteristic anger away. Thunder had really pushed a button on this one.]

It can. I certainly need it.

[There's silence for a bit longer, Winter taking comfort in the effort to keep her calm, until Lily's voice drifts up again.] Mm. I know they'll want to pick a bone with me, if not a fight. It would be unlike them not to. But what else can I do? After something like this... we have to send a message. You can't casually pin things on us. Not without a fight.

Network Video

[icy_heavens]

[He doesn't like seeing her so upset, but as far as Toushirou is concerned, she has every right to be.]

The way they're going about this really is suspicious as hell. [Yeah, he doesn't really trust it, either.]

[peacefulwinter]

Extremely. I can count on one hand the people that don't have a problem standing up and blaming someone for their problems in a public forum. None of them were part of Thunder Corporation, last I looked.

Still, if this is what it takes to be able to go home, so be it. If they want to make me a monster, I'll just have to prove them wrong. [Or right, she silently adds. She's not so naive to think nothing will happen.]

[video]

[jasminebloominginshadow]

[Jasmine's tone is razor-sharp, and her expression focused and serious.]

This is just the beginning, Winter. They damn well planned this. We ran off and now they want us back where they can keep using us.

[peacefulwinter]

And we're stuck either way. If we don't go, it looks like we're abandoning Locke City, and we'll lose all credibility. If we do, we wind up with whatever scheme Thunder's working on.

If I'm honest, though... I miss home. I can deal with our local crazies if it means I can go back.

[dictator_ko]

I know, right! I wasn't there for all that, but those guys still pissed me off!

1/2; not here

[peacefulwinter]

[She wasn't there... but they still... um. New and angry might be a problem. Winter takes a deep breath before she keys the network up again.]

2/2

[peacefulwinter]

There's been a lot of trouble, only some of which we can provably link to Thunder, but... something about this bugs me. Not enough that I'm not seriously considering going, but it's definitely on my radar.

I know it's kind of hypocritical for me to say, but please, give it a little more time before you make a decision. It's entirely possible they turned over a new leaf... [A grimace.] Yeah, never mind. I can't even finish that sentence with a straight face.

[scarlet_devil]

Hmph. Locke's people have already made it very clear that we're not welcome there. I was shunned by everyone, even after the invasion, for instance.

[It goes without saying that Emilia is less than happy and 100% done with this.]

And Thunder Corp... I don't trust them one bit.

[peacefulwinter]

Ordinarily, I'd be more than happy to agree. But... I grew up in this city. My home is in this city. I have so many memories... I want to go home, Emi. I need to. If nothing's changed, I can try to find a real estate broker, and cut ties. But... I have to try.

Thunder, I have significantly less goodwill toward. Still, even if it's a trap, I can't not go. We're playing right into their hands if we don't.

[Video]

[lovesickkiller]

I don't get why they bothered trying to play nice with us if they were going to throw us under the bus like that! Maybe it's just for PR, but- grrr! They should have given us some warning!

[Video]

[peacefulwinter]

You don't warn your enemies, even if you're trying to play at making friends. Especially then.

Maybe it's just a genuine miscommunication, but somehow, I don't buy it.

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[knights_king]

I don't think you gotta help them to help other people.

[Arthur could tell it was likely some sort of trap. Thunder Corp had been dangerous back then and he wouldn't trust it even years after, either.]

Maybe they're trying to look good by bashing us?

[voice]

[peacefulwinter]

I probably don't, but they've got a point - we left, and now things are cropping up. As much as I'd like to say it's not our problem while they're doing all this, I have a certain sense of responsibility I can't shake.

...They probably are trying to start something, and make themselves the heroes in the process. But if they think we're just going to roll over, they're wrong.

[guitar_case_vagabond]

Man, fuck those stupid sacks of shit and their fuckin' crap! The only reason I'm going back to that city is to jam every fucking piece of it up their goddamned asses!

[Well, somebody has strong opinions.]

[peacefulwinter]

Easy, Raye. You're going to pop a blood vessel. Or three. We're not going to let them get away with this, but we also can't just set them straight the hard way, as much as I'd like to. We'll play this straight, and when we show the world we're well-intentioned and don't rise to threats, things will be okay.

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[dragon_blossom]

They know just what they're doing, of course, making it so that we look bad if we don't join in on helping them, like we don't really care. Put it out there, sway public opinion because they've got the money and resources... and get us under their thumb.

It's obvious. I think they know that it's obvious to some of us, after all this time, but we also want to help Locke, and keep our image positive enough that the whole world doesn't want us dead.

Those manipulative bastards.

[peacefulwinter]

Two can play at that game. It's not the most elegant thing I've done, but... they're going to have to do some work to get around me.

They're bastards, yes, but we can do some damage control of our own. If they think we're going to roll over and let them have their way, they've got another thing coming.

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[purestambition]

[Well, here's a face that's been busy for quite awhile. Holding the kind of smirk one would honestly expect after a display like this.]

Well, good to see you haven't lost your edge, Winter.

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[peacefulwinter]

[Somehow, she's missed this.]

I'd wondered if I was passive-aggressive enough. I guess it came across okay.

Good to see you, Saretha.

video

[switch_over]

[Oh wonderful, another Precure.]

It might not have been the best way to ask for it, but you have to give them some credit. It certainly got you motivated.

[peacefulwinter]

Absolutely. I'll grant them that. But I don't think they're quite prepared for the reaction they're going to get. If they are, I'll take my lumps like a good girl. We're not going to act how they expect, though. I'd put good money on that.

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[brotimaeus]

I knew it. Soon as that goo shit showed up I knew somethin' was going to happen and some evil faceless corporation was gonna appear to blame it all on us.

Like we don't get enough bad press just by fuckin' existing.

[peacefulwinter]

Originally, I wouldn't have blamed a faceless corporation - I wouldn't have known who to blame, but "aliens" seemed as good a cause as any.

Our press is a problem, but I think we'll be able to handle things. I'm working hard. With any luck, we can turn things around.