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

[dictator_ko]

They just rub me the wrong way. They shouldn't be saying things like that. I didn't even have anything to do with Locke City! And if I did, I'd be even more pissed off!

And I've only been hearing bad things about them anyways.

[peacefulwinter]

They shouldn't - it's not exactly good for corporate culture. But if that's how they feel, we can't really object. We don't have to like it, but we can't change it.

...There are some things, from a couple years ago, we can link to them. Things that were unpleasant... dangerous things. It fostered a very strong dislike for them. [She has to pause a moment to suppress a sudden, unexpected surge of anger and shame, along with a spike of pain from her now-healed ankle. Funny, how even recalling everything brought it back so easily.] You could say we have a history.

[dictator_ko]

It's bullshit! They're just trying to make themselves look good and us look bad! Though I didn't have anything to do with Locke City. Why're they including all Numbered in that? And how can they get away with all that stuff I heard about them?

[peacefulwinter]

Money does a lot to influence the world, and there have been rumors they've got more than just that. Even just the things we, as Numbered, know are their fault are bad enough.

Once upon a time, there were no Numbered anywhere else in the world. That time wasn't that long ago. So... a lot of people still lump everyone in together, in a lot of ways. I'm not sure enough time has gone by to change that view. Plus, it's become common knowledge that we can be more or less anywhere in the blink of an eye.

[dictator_ko]

They shouldn't misuse that money and influence! [Nevermind that her parents' money and influence is largely why she hadn't gotten into more trouble for brutally assaulting other students.]

Yeah, you started out in that Locke City place, didn't you? But they should know there're more of us now. Anywhere? Oh, the teleporters I've heard about.

[peacefulwinter]

It's corporate America. That's our business culture in a nutshell. "If you can't do it the right way, find another way."

Locke City is my home. It's where I grew up, and where my house is. The place I count as my house, anyway. Shepherd's Haven is nice enough, but... it's not home. In any event, I'm sure they know there are more of us. The teleporters are a special case - the one we had before was destroyed in the invasion. We've gotten a new system since then, thanks to Factor Industries. [Probably better not to mention the Heartcatch Mirage just now.]

[dictator_ko]

What do you mean? America isn't like that! [She's had a somewhat sheltered upbringing.]

...I miss my home, too. But it's destroyed and wasn't rebuilt like Locke City. I know about the teleporters, but I haven't been using them. Apparently you get an echo from them?