Roland isn't someone who answers without thinking before he speaks, regardless of the question presented. But he's never had to answer this particular type of question before. Not this upfront. He looks around the room and sees faces both new and old, chatting, laughing, stuck in deep discussions of their own. Oh, he's probably known how to answer this question long before Asch ever had to ask it of him.
"You know, the first mistake I ever made was to assume the Voidtrecker was exactly like how it would be to run a country. I used to think to myself, hey. That's something I can do." He pauses again, eyes roaming but not quite meeting their mark, wherever it is he's looking towards. Here, or there, or another place far, far away. "Then I realized that's pretty much the worst thing when you've got no banner to unite under, and no one is here of their own free will. It was just easier for my head to wrap around."
Not to make things long-winded, he continues on. "In fact, the only thing we've all got going for us, no matter what world or universe we come from, is that we have places to be. Stories to see to their ends. Loved ones to save. Kidnappers to hold accountable." The steel in his eyes is unmistakable. "Truth be told, I'm aware that whatever you call this - " Roland gestures to himself with a smooth flick of his wrist. "- is imagined. I have no true hold or power to discipline, police, or otherwise restrain passengers who want to go against the grain. Nobody does. I can only hope to work for earned trust and respect so we can progress."
His arms cross back over his chest.
"That said. People who opt out of initiatives can do as they please. Operate as they please. Offer themselves as they like. We've all got our roles to play, and I'm not one to stifle diversity where it can flourish. They have unconditional support, regardless. If there's something here that isn't to your liking or agreement, then by all means. Propose something else. Something better. Something to add to our shared goal of finding answers. Complain. Don't. That's your right." But, there is always a but. "All I ask is that people remain aware of others around them, especially the children onboard this voidcraft. That we're the closest thing to community, because this train is not on our side. That actions...have their consequences. And more often than not, consequences affect innocent lives, despite intentions. That, I can't tolerate."
A beat.
"As Roland Crane won't tolerate. Team Lead or not."
all good!
Roland isn't someone who answers without thinking before he speaks, regardless of the question presented. But he's never had to answer this particular type of question before. Not this upfront. He looks around the room and sees faces both new and old, chatting, laughing, stuck in deep discussions of their own. Oh, he's probably known how to answer this question long before Asch ever had to ask it of him.
"You know, the first mistake I ever made was to assume the Voidtrecker was exactly like how it would be to run a country. I used to think to myself, hey. That's something I can do." He pauses again, eyes roaming but not quite meeting their mark, wherever it is he's looking towards. Here, or there, or another place far, far away. "Then I realized that's pretty much the worst thing when you've got no banner to unite under, and no one is here of their own free will. It was just easier for my head to wrap around."
Not to make things long-winded, he continues on. "In fact, the only thing we've all got going for us, no matter what world or universe we come from, is that we have places to be. Stories to see to their ends. Loved ones to save. Kidnappers to hold accountable." The steel in his eyes is unmistakable. "Truth be told, I'm aware that whatever you call this - " Roland gestures to himself with a smooth flick of his wrist. "- is imagined. I have no true hold or power to discipline, police, or otherwise restrain passengers who want to go against the grain. Nobody does. I can only hope to work for earned trust and respect so we can progress."
His arms cross back over his chest.
"That said. People who opt out of initiatives can do as they please. Operate as they please. Offer themselves as they like. We've all got our roles to play, and I'm not one to stifle diversity where it can flourish. They have unconditional support, regardless. If there's something here that isn't to your liking or agreement, then by all means. Propose something else. Something better. Something to add to our shared goal of finding answers. Complain. Don't. That's your right." But, there is always a but. "All I ask is that people remain aware of others around them, especially the children onboard this voidcraft. That we're the closest thing to community, because this train is not on our side. That actions...have their consequences. And more often than not, consequences affect innocent lives, despite intentions. That, I can't tolerate."
A beat.
"As Roland Crane won't tolerate. Team Lead or not."