2nd 💀Video;

[amaure]

I do suppose half a moon is more than enough time to allow the dust to settle on that unseemly misfortune, and I am certain some—if not most—of you would feel much more at ease if I were to speak on it.

[That's how the video starts, Emet-Selch addressing the viewer immediately, his voice controlled, even, and professional. Before him are his gloved hands resting on the surface of what appears to be a wooden table, fingers interlacing, his expression the picture of reserved despondence.]

I would first like to address all of you who had fought so bravely, and were able to fend off those menaces with the fervor matching that of storied heroes. It was by your swift and precise action did we see to our victory over such unscrupulous foes, so that the event did not end in a far larger tragedy than what could have been.

For that, you have my unwavering gratitude.

[He sounds utterly and truly genuine in his thanks, though there is the slightest tinge of remorse coating his words, perhaps guilt? His expression shifts more to that proposed emotion as he continues.]

However, as some number of you may recall, I am Solus zos Galvus, the begetter of the masquerade. I ask not forgiveness for the turn that event took, for I do not expect it. I had believed with a little touch of enchantment to the masks—to blind one of sensory recognition, thus allowing naught but the heart to lead—it would stir deeper passions within us all for such a romantically inclined event, and for those less inclined towards romance, it would serve as an entertaining facet to the evening festivities.

Yet, this would likewise give such villains the means to infiltrate and take advantage of not only our most humble and magnanimous hosts, but everyone who attended. That I would overlook such possibility is...inexcusable.

[He closes his eyes for a moment, his mouth pulling into a thin, straight line as he draws in a breath through his nose, holds it for a moment, before breathing it out in a dejected sigh. Once more he opens his eyes, fixing them on the feed.]

Viewed thus, it is clear I owe all of you an apology for what damage was done and what losses occurred for such negligence. And so, allow me to say my sincerest apologies for the tragic turn it took. That such amoral men were allowed to sully what should have been little more than a memorable evening of entertainment and romance.

[And with that, he gives a polite bow of his head.]

You need not forgive such carelessness, but well do I know such remorseful expression was well overdue. Perhaps one day these scoundrels will see the justice they so rightly deserve, for I shall endeavor to make it so.

[And with that, he reaches towards the 'Gear with an apologetic smile and cuts the feed.]

Comments

Video

[amaure]

Oh? Yet the crux of the incident was not a matter of my masks, and more that of the lack of security and infiltration of staff. I am willing to apologize for the slight hand the festivities played in the disruption, but it is far more shortsighted to believe it to be the cause.

Besides, from what was relayed to me, the masks lost their enchantment upon the invader's attack. Had the masks persisted, that would have certainly aided them far more than their magicks being dispelled, and for that not being the case I am grateful.

If you so choose to dismiss my apology and think me insincere, that is your right, but know that I am just as much a victim in all of this as any of you. I lost my entire team to those rogues--but with such fury, I can only assume your loss was just as steep. My sympathies.

[bestswordmaster]

Don't patronize me. I didn't say they were the cause. But you just so happened to hand the infiltrators the perfect opportunity to prepare their plans with complete anonymity, regardless of what they were. And to ensure that everyone in that ballroom was alone in every way that mattered at the moment the enchantment ended, conveniently delaying any effective coordination to evacuate the room as much as possible.

Besides, you yourself have already admitted that you gave the bandits the means to infiltrate, and that your lack of foresight was inexcusable. You can't make a statement like that and then deflect blame onto the hosts in the next breath. Unless you're also admitting that taking responsibility was purely for show.

I don't want your sympathies. If you truly did suffer such a loss and you legitimately intend to work to identify and locate the bandits responsible, don't waste your breath on platitudes and speeches for our benefit. No one cares about your excuses. We just want the problem dealt with.

[amaure]

If you truly cared for this problem to be fixed, then you would look at the multiple flaws that lead to such infiltration, not merely a single focal point to funnel your aggression. Had it not been my masquerade, it would have still been a dance within the ballroom, where everyone could easily have been locked inside of all the same. With our lovely hosts' intent for the extravagant, their taste would have lead them down a similarly risky path of novelty, I'm sure.

That aside, if you recall, it was only guests who received the masks, yet it was primarly the staff which were the villains. Last I had heard, the guests were otherwise accounted for, so your conclusion does not match up with the data.

To fully put blame upon one cog in a faulty machine is to ignore the underlying problem, which as someone who wishes for such to be dealt with, 'tis folly to focus so keenly upon it and it alone. Your scope is far too small, and is like as not the selfsame type of shortsightedness that allowed us to miss the signs that could have prevented this to begin with.

If you favor feelings over facts, then perhaps you should not be involved in this, for emotions will only twist your judgment and lead us astray.