- N04h: So, Hotaru Kowano... Vacuum heiress, I have to say you are the member of EM I have talked to I least would expect to BE in Electric mayhem.
Hotaru: Many have expressed similar disbelief. I actually attempted to leave the group not long ago, but... Ensuing circumstances led to my return.
Hotaru: A promise. ·
N04h: may I inquire further?
Hotaru: It's personal. People needed me. Apparently I am also something of a support for many members, as well.
N04h: I see. So what is your role within EM?
Hotaru: I have many positions. Officially I work on the holodeck, and recently I was appointed a leader of off-ship missions. Unofficially I attempt to ensure the crew is mentally fit and cared for, which I assure you is harder than it would seem.
N04h: excuse me, holodeck?
Hotaru: Is that supposed to be special? It's not particularly important. N04h: That's from Star Trek. Those aren't real.
Hotaru: Well, we are 'trekking' the stars.
N04h:...are you trying to tell me Electric Mayhem does a lot of drugs?
Hotaru: (*^_^*;) No drugs, at least as far as I know.
N04h: now, turning to the mental health of the crew, from the little exposure I've had to them, psychotic would almost seem an understatement
Hotaru: Hence why the job is harder than one would think.
N04h: what does it entail for you?
Hotaru: What exactly do you mean? The job itself, or the mental health?
N04h: both
Hotaru: The job itself is frustrating. I am by no means trained in psychology, so the actions of my fellow crewmates are often of, for lack of a better word, alien in nature to me. I try my best to reach out to them. Many seem to need a listening ear.
N04h: Whats a typical day for you like
Hotaru: I wake, check my messages, shower, and attempt to create as much order as possible. I don't need to explain the complications of creating order on a ship like this.
N04h: so, how chaotic IS EM?
Hotaru: On a regular day they go about their own business. Many do not appreciate being bossed around. They are all individuals. They forget at times to think of others before they act, which is troublesome at the least and devastating at its worst. I can't stress how much they value their freedom, to the point of flaw. EM began with no leadership. The hierarchy is still young.
N04h: Is there a lot of infighting?
Hotaru: Honestly, there is not a spectacular amount. However, the places gone to during feuds are astounding, which increases the amount to 'a lot'. I try to mediate in the cases I can.
N04h: has anyone ever died over one of these disputes?
Hotaru: Yes.
N04h: can you elaborate?
Hotaru: There are no words. Only remorse.
N04h: I'm sorry these events have pained you. What was being fought over?
Hotaru: Generally, petty revenge.
N04h: so this is common?
Hotaru: It seems many people have grudges in their hearts.
N04h:...okay. But all of these people still came together, why?
Hotaru: Camaraderie in chaos, perhaps? For some, I cannot say. But I know that many feel sheltered here. I myself feel there is a grand string which ties us together. A string of fate. It sounds silly, but there is a greater cycle that has brought us together.
N04h: for what end?
Hotaru: You assume an historical endpoint.
N04h: you assume you can talk in vague philosophical sentences to a journalist.
If there isn't a historical endpoint, doesn't that mean you are admitting yourself to be wrapped up in an eternal conflict? Never ceasing? Never waning?
Hotaru: That's not philosophical, it's historical. History with an end, history with no end--both are merely historical views. Perhaps we are together for a single era, for an event that is one of many events that take place simply because they do. Time is not so simple that it ends or has no end. EM is most likely just a facet of this universe's existence.
Perhaps it is karma.
N04h: So what do you think of Radical Doitzel's leadership of EM?
Hotaru: I do not wish to be arrogant, but it is in many points lacking. He is not meant to be the leader of such a large and important group. True, he has his merits. But I do not think his pillars consist of leadership.
N04h: who should lead the group?
Hotaru: The one best fit.
N04h: who
if it was up to you, who would you choose?
Hotaru: With deliberation, myself.
N04h: I see. What makes you best qualified?
Hotaru: My mediation and ability to delegate. I also strive to see my crew is taken care of. I have assisted my parents in administrative work, and was a communications officer in the military for four years. I may not be the best, but I feel I have the necessary pluck.
I have no wish, Mr. Noah, to be arrogant in this. I am merely honest.
N04h: I understand. Now, you served as a communications officer in the military, are there any other members with military bacgrounds?
Hotaru: A few.
N04h: okay, well, do you think you are adequetely prepared then with only a few people with military experiance?
Hotaru: Considering the time frame, I am glad for those without military service. The only problem is structure, which has become steadily less of a problem.
N04h: Lets talk about the crew. Do you have any favorite members?
Hotaru: Mr. Noah, are you trying to get me to say something? My preferences aren't important! What is important is that I treat my crewmates equally.
N04h:...No, I was simply asking if you had any friends on the ship who were particularly notable or kind to you. I will take that as a "no".
Hotaru: Of course I have friends.
N04h: okay.
Hotaru: I'm only human, after all. I have feelings, though you may be inclined to believe otherwise. A lot has happened. EM is close knit.
N04h: I never said anything about- nevermind. Forget it.
Now, on the blog comments, on of your members egged another member of EM on to kill a different member. What do you think about that?
Hotaru: Absolutely ridiculous. They are so caught up in vengeance... It is only after they have their revenge that they realize how empty they have made themselves.
N04h: Is this a regular occurance?
Hotaru: As I said, grudges abound. Many have yet to consolidate their past with their present.
N04h: are you familiar with the posts of a user on my blog named "BlackLikeBurns"? do you have any idea who that is why they would want to hurt EM?
Hotaru: I know them, and what happened. Again, there is remorse--we tried to help, but we were not... right. It wasn't black and white. It was gray like everything else. No one was right. We tried. I'm sorry, I'd rather speak to the man himself rather than of him.
N04h: Who was he?
Hotaru: An antagonist. Merely on the opposite side. I had only just joined EM, so I didn't quite understand the full story. It was only in the end that we realized their intentions, and by then it was too late. Not to say they were not at fault. It was not an easy situation.
N04hI see. Before we finish up is there anything you'd like to say to our readers?
Hotaru: Please give us a chance.
N04h: Alright, well, thank you for your time Miss Kawano.
Hotaru: Thank you, Mr. Noah.
(end)