[broadcast mind]

[charmprince]

[You're gardening-- pruning the roses--, and small, barely more than a toddler, looking up at your aunt-- a pinched, angry-looking middle-aged woman. She's stern, a little scary, and she's always talking about your father and mother and looking at you like you're not exactly what she wants around, but you know she loves you because why would she

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[mothertodragons]

Your people feared you?

[charmprince]

Ah-- [Oh, a new face. This isn't... the first impression Asellus would have liked to have made, but...]

Among... other things, yes. Fear is-- maybe a bit weak of a word for it?

[mothertodragons]

To encounter fear and hatred from your own people... it is the worst kind of pain.

[charmprince]

...So you know how it feels, too, then.

[Because why else would she say that? Most people just dismiss it with a 'you'll be fine' or don't ask at all.]

It's-- well, it's hard, being turned away from over what you are.

[mothertodragons]

And what is it that you are? A wizard of some kind?

[charmprince]

Wizard? No. I'm no good at magic, ask anyone. I'm...

[Well, she's not going to be anything but oblique about this.]

...What you see, that's all.

[mothertodragons]

I see a green-haired woman.

[charmprince]

Then that is what I am. Anything else about me is... incidental.

I'm not turned away because of it, anyway. I'm turned away from because I'm in power, and power is both tempting and terrifying to the ones who don't have it.

[mothertodragons]

Yes. I can see that is true.

[charmprince]

Ruling people is like taking care of unruly puppies or children. One hand holding them close to protect them, the other holding yourself apart to protect yourself. Fail to do either, and someone will get bit.

[mothertodragons]

...are you a sovereign, then?

[charmprince]

In a way of speaking. It's probably better to say that I know a lot about it. I don't rule anyone here, after all, and it's been... 9 months?

[mothertodragons]

I see. But you did, once?

[charmprince]

Once upon a time, yes. I wasn't entirely thrilled about it, but it was what I did.

[mothertodragons]

You disliked ruling?

In my home, people scrape and steal and slaughter to gain control of even the smallest bits of land.

[charmprince]

Not quite 'disliked'. But given the choice between the constant time constraints and heavy responsibility of ruling, and being free to do what I want?

I wasn't born with the temperament for the responsibility given to me. I was, however, the only person I knew who would both take that duty and not abuse it.

What about you? Given the choice, what would you do?