PM to Commander Zabala // And a Public Post // Action

[fierybluebird]

[Locked PM to Commander Zabala:]

Dear Commander,

I wish to schedule some time to speak to you in person about a job, not the secretary position.

[Unlocked BBS Post:]

In my world, we have people called "Heroes." Truth told, I kind of hate them. They're the kind of person who will give up everything they want in life for the sake of strangers. For the sake of what they believe to be "good" and "right" or "justice." A hero is the kind of person who has to give up their food, or booze, or even their beloved family members for the sake of the good of the world. I hate heroes. They got in my way, and you could never convince them they're wrong because they were sure in their heart of hearts, that they were right. That they were doing what was good for another, even though it forced them to sacrifice so much.

Someone here once told me heroes are just another word for the people you look up and admire. In that case, my "hero," if you'll forgive the term, was my father. Much like Cid here, he took in all the outcasts of my world and gave us a home, a flag to fly under, a purpose in life, and a father to respect and love. He was widely respected as the strong man in the world, but he only ever used that power and brilliant mind to protect his family and the islands of his friends and loved ones. He stood up where the Heroes of my world were afraid to, and did his best to stop and prevent slavery. He was the first person I gave a valentine to and received one from, and I'm eternally grateful that he lived to officiate my wedding last year.

I'll never be a hero, the very idea irritates me to no end. But I think so long as I always do things that I know he'd be proud of, then I'll be happy with myself, and these last three years, that's worked pretty well for me.

What about you? Who are your heroes or those you admire? Are they one and the same?


[Option C: After that, Marco will be making a bunch of handmade valentines with puns and pirate things and birds, feel free to catch him at it, or even come join him!]

Comments

[espio]

[Oh, Marco. This again? Really? You've only debated this stuff with Espio fifteen or so times already...]

You're really not gonna get a clear answer, you know. There are lots of different types of hero. To me, "hero" was my job back home - to the people of Meridian, "heroes" were people who fought for justice and to protect the citizens in ways the police could not. It was a specific calling and a role to play. I could call myself a hero in the same way I can currently say I'm a teacher - it was my job.

1/3

[fierybluebird]

Aye aye, justice hero whatever, it's all blah blah.

2/3

[fierybluebird]

Wait. You can currently say it?

3/3

[fierybluebird]

So you asked for your job back then? I'm glad. I thought there was no way in hell you'd stop being stubborn enough to come to your senses. Part of being a hero, eh.

1/2

[espio]

Yeah, I withdrew that resignation. I've made my position clear enough, and seriously? I like teaching. Teaching cadets is too valuable to me to leave it.

[And in his opinion? Teaching martial arts is WAY more valuable than going "HEY HERE ARE SOME MONSTERS WHO WILL MURDER YOU IN SECONDS, go get yourselves seriously injured several times!"]

2/2

[espio]

You do realise this means I still outrank you though, right?

[He didn't even get a rank demotion, you know.]

[BBS]

[redcinemareel]

Agreed. Heroes are overrated and can become carelessly overconfident in their ability to 'save others'. No one said we needed them. THey just make it their right.

-Grell ♥

[BBS]

[fierybluebird]

Tell me about it. It's damned annoying, eh? I don't get how they're generally allowed to do whatever they want. Anyone else who did that would be branded as a criminal.

[redcinemareel]

Precisely. The double standard is absurd.

I bet that's why Espio acts the way he does. [The jerk.]

BBS

[tiamat_shot]

Where I come from, heroes are only heroes because doing good pays well.

Plus, you're more likely to get your face punched in being a pirate or smuggler like most seeq are.

......I don't think I actually have anyone I look up to like an idol, though. I've had to carve out my own place pretty blindly.

[...he's not going to mention Tseng, he only met the guy a few weeks ago.]

BBS

[fierybluebird]

I'd rather get punched as a pirate, at least then I know who my enemies are and I've lured them into the out and open.

BBS

[tiamat_shot]

Different strokes, and all. I find just being a researcher and reagent-gatherer leads you to only really have monsters and monster-sympathizers as enemies.

Plus, what good is swimming in gil if you're too busy making enemies to live comfortably? Kind of a problem of both sides of the hero/pirate fight.

[ascendit]

[Guess who has two thumbs and doesn't start class till next week? THIS GUY!

[No, Nate's just exploring Garden and seeing how suspicious people get of a kid skulking around, or, alternately, inching closer for a closer look at what someone's doing.

[I hope Marco's not drawing those Valentines, because Nate is raising his eyebrow enough at the puns.]

[fierybluebird]

[Hey. He is a fabulous artist. Have you seen his bird? It even looks like a bird now!!!]

[Spoiler, he's totally drawing them by himself. They are fabulous. And oh so glittery.]

[ascendit]

[Fabulous?!] Apart from a glittery eyesore, what are those supposed to be?

PM

[commanderzabala]

At your convenience.

~Commander Zabala

[Action]

[fierybluebird]

[He comes right up and knocks on the door. Sure, she probably meant he could schedule a time so long as it was good, but he chose to take it to mean he could come see her as soon as he was free.]

Commander?

[commanderzabala]

[And he's quite correct.]

Enter.

[corruptedsouls]

You.

[That's all Tobias says. That's all he feels NEEDS to be said.]

1/5

[fierybluebird]

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.....]

2/5

[fierybluebird]

[Yeah, no, he's just going to stay in this OVERCOME BY CUTE AND HAPPY FEELS FOREVER state. Deaaaaaal with it.]

3/5

[fierybluebird]

You really mean it kiddo?

4/5

[fierybluebird]

Come give your old man a hug!

5/5

[fierybluebird]

I admire you too, eh?

[Action!]

[corruptedsouls]

[There's no BBS reply, but that's more because Tobias is oh so glad to come give his Dad a surprise hug! ...except not really surprise because Marco told him to.]

Yep! I really mean it. You're always really strong, you love me and Mom and Espio, and you'll protect us no matter what.

[He is snuggling now, yes.]

Do you really admire me?