Plan [42] : Orange Ball of Love

[nowarstowin]

People, people, calm down. It's just a color, right? While not the ... first I'd have chosen, I think it's quite a bit better than some of the things we've gone through. Ladies and gentlemen, considering our flighty guests have returned, do watch out for tiny flying creatures with ribbons. Of course they're only coming to make you look nicer,

Comments

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[mywariswon]

Sir Silverberg... I have some rather urgent business to attend to with you. Might I pressure you for a meeting?

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[nowarstowin]

Of course. What can I do for you?

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[mywariswon]

Allow me to be curt bordering on rude, for I think it would be the most succinct way to put this -- given your penchant for menial invasions of privacy, I presume you broke the encryption on my status report?

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[nowarstowin]

Your encryption could use some work, I'll admit. I would suggest, perhaps, a few lessons if you are going to record such information in an insecure place.

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[mywariswon]

...Must everyone note this? For what feels the hundredth time, I only used this thing due to a lack of a viable place to securely store documents in the clinic.

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[mywariswon]

...Regardless. I would like to hear your opinions.

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[nowarstowin]

A potentially damaging oversight, my friend. Were I not so decidedly magnanimous (and eager to rid myself of that particular foolishness), I might be offended. Not to mention that others who've taken up this ridiculous cause might see you plotting at a bid for power that could cause anger or resentment within those that ... care, really. That is all. I trust you've rectified the situation?

I'm glad you've finally come to your senses regarding that matter, for one. Now, if only the others would see the light, we could be getting somewhere. My brother and I still favor the idea of a council, rather than a singular leader.

As for your conjectures regarding what we are ... while my own are a bit different on the matter, I believe at this point further dissemination of either of these theories would only lower morale among our people.

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[mywariswon]

I feel a council has merit, but even in the Lycian League Ostia's Marquess holds the final say in most matters -- a swing vote, if you will. I feel it is entirely needed that there be a similar figure even in such a grouping. Either way... progress on this has been decidedly slow. While I am in little position to comment, I feel that actions need to be taken in relatively short order.

...Of course, I agree, but we few that are outside these bounds need to hold these possibilities into consideration. When victory is achieved, if such a thing as 'escape' proves impossible, the council to which you refer needs to be prepared for the rage and despair that will follow.

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[nowarstowin]

An odd-numbered membership would reduce that possibility greatly, I'd say. As far as I'm concerned, the entire point of the council is to promote equal power between those within it, so that the widest swath of citizens can choose one or more of those members to support and feel that they have an equal say. I can understand the desire for a steward of sorts, but you seem to be speaking more along the lines of electing a president.

I worry that it's too early in the battle to distribute such information. One badly-placed word, and morale can crumple -- to cause such a thing on mere theory is unsettling.

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[mywariswon]

...A president? I merely mean that a noble holds no real power over their lands unless they are liked by the people. Particularly in a state such as Luceti where there are plenty who would take the position by force. Rules of terror will eventually crumple... you need only to look at the pitiable Marquess Laus to see this. But... I digress, yes, you are right, I suppose.

We ourselves need to be prepared for this potential as best we can, however. Even if 'we' means only the two of us.

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[nowarstowin]

It's strange, to think that anyone here would want that sort of power -- I haven't seen anyone in particular looking for that sort of dominance. I don't trust anyone who wants to rule others as a general rule, but I haven't seen that particular ambition in play, as of yet. I wonder sometimes what this place will become if once the Malnosso are no longer a threat.

To that extent, I fully agree. The initiation of those who can swallow such theories without despair can come, as we gather more information.

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[mywariswon]

It is not a matter as to if they want it so much as if they do not want someone else to have it, I would imagine. I've run across a fair few sorts like that in the mountains of Bern back in Elibe. It is not so much that they desire the power of a marquess or the influence of the local brigands, they merely do not want someone else to hold this power.

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[nowarstowin]

Ah, I understand. I imagine we'll run into our fair share of that -- hopefully from a small minority. We'll just have to deal with it when it happens. Without violence or the threat of it, we don't have much power over such people here.

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[mywariswon]

You speak the truth, and if violence or the threat of it is to be out main weapon, it will only breed more unrest, such as the mistakes that Lord Darin made in Laus.

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[nowarstowin]

Agreed. I refuse to take part in it, unless there is no other options left to us.