Fallen Empire

[yendor]

Malone smiles, "Thank you for the compliment. I rather hear from you what you plan on doing my dear."

[albatross]

Claire laughs and shrugs, "If my husband needed me to run the Empire if he were away or hurt I would do it, but I wouldn't enjoy it very much. I'd probably delegate the lesser matters to local authorities to create a beneficial balance between the capital and the local governors. For the matters concerning the Empire I would appoint ministers, or ask the different kingdoms to nominate people to make a circle of advisors. Since there is no way I could learn everything about the Empire's military or trade, I could have the advisors present their ideas and then order them to implement the ones that seemed best. That way if they gave me good advise their assignment would succeed, and bad advice their plan would fail and they would take the blame instead of my husband." Claire checks to make sure the horses are doing well, as she leads them through the tall grasses outside the city walls.

[kurff]

the idea did have a practical aspect Tesla could admire. Also a very good way to keep an eye on potential trouble makers as well. What was that expression? keep your friends close and Enemies even closer. He pondered how the Technoligists movement he was invovled with were. They did the same thing to numberous others...the idea of certain technologies being out there needed to be quelled. The Bomb at Hieroshima was there work..it was the only way to get people to see them for the real threat they were. The US went one step too far and used on live people. It was then the movement left US Soil and went global.

[albatross]

Miriam considers Malone's response. "Do you mean how I plan to convience you select me as the princess? Or are you wondering what I would do if I were to become the princess as your friend Bellephoebe asked?"

"I don't have a plan to get into your good graces aside from answering your questions and remaining true to myself. And if I were to be chosen, I have no specific plan at the outset than to be a suitable wife. It will be many years before the prince is old enough to wield real power in the Empire. By then who knows what the situation might be? Prosperity? Famine? Peace? War? I am prepared for my role and I'm confident I can respond to future challenges, but I can't see the future."

[yendor]

"You can't? Odd...It's not that difficult an ability, depending on how you try to learn. Predicting is the best most can achieve, and sometimes, works better than actually seeing it."

[OOC Which link in the forum'll help fill the backstory for me?]

[thorley]

"That's a pretty typical response from what I've heard from the other girls. To my way of thinking whomever I suggest needs to be ready to step up and be Queen in her own right. Let's say if the Prince died, and the kingdom, perhaps the entire world, was in turmoil. There is a certain wisdom in selecting qualified people to make choices for you, but at a certain point that might not be practical."

[albatross]

Claire raises her eyebrows, "Did all of the others say the same thing?" She sounds surprised, although to an outsider the idea that a cohort of women the same age all cloistered in the same tiny covent and town having similar views is probably expected.

"Didn't any of us say anything different?" She sounds disappointed, probably because she imagines herself to be unique. She didn't realize how much she has in common with Pike, Lily, Miriam, and Celeste.

[albatross]

Miriam considers Malone for a moment, "What do you predict?"

[yendor]

1d100 Intelligence 98%
1d100 Bureaucracy & Administrative Organization 98%
1d100 Lore: Cultures & Customs 98%
1d100 Psychology 95%
1d100 Anthropology 95%
1d100 History, General 98%

"In full honesty? The best princess for the future of this kingdom. Someone capable of ruling wise, but fair, stern, but kind."

[albatross]

Miriam considers this a moment, then asks carefully, "With wisdom and strength or a stern demeanor you cannot go wrong. Even the most foolish, probably Pike, is wiser than nearly everyone in the Emperor's court. And while we hide it well, its doubtful there is many with more fortitude at the palace either."

"But when you ask for 'fair' and 'kind' I'm afraid I must seek some clarity. Life isn't fair. How far must one of us go towards changing that? Many a farmer toils long years only to lose their farm in a flood or drought. We can pool resources and provide alms so they don't starve, but how would we restore the farm itself? Or do you mean fairness merely in the sense of an even handed justice?" She raises and eyebrow.

"And 'kindness.' Kind to whom? To the Prince? The Court? To fellow nobles? To to common people? What is kind to one might be unkind to another. Do you mean for a princess who is kind to everyone?"

Miriam watches Malone, curious. Wisdom and sterness she understands, but she isn't quite sure if kindness is what a princess needs, and the concept of fairness seems alien to her, the product of a society where wealth is the rule rather than the exception.

[yendor]

“In plain speak, if I might, and probably risk being thrown in the dungeon, all I need to find out about someone is just to talk, not suffer needless barbs and arrows. As for wisdom, strength, and a stern demeanor, you *can* go wrong, very wrong. I’ve seen it myself, hell, even did it myself. If you lack the concept of kindness and fairness, you can go horribly wrong with wisdom, strength, and a stern demeanor. Even the wisest man can lack common sense.

As for fair and kind, very hard to phrase it right, but using your own words, if a farmer toils long years, and loses his farm to a flood or drought, you don’t give the man alms so he doesn’t starve. Not in the long term at least. Funds to keep him and his family from starving immediately, and offer to help restore the farm. If the farmer loses the farm due to his own folly, even though he had access to help or advice, then that is when you become more stern than kind.
If a guest wantonly destroys the dishes, do you be kind and let it go on? You be kind only to find out why, and if the reason lacks wisdom, you become stern and either demand compensation, or throw them out, or both.”

[albatross]

"I see," Miriam says collecting her thoughts. "Yes, I agree. When I said you could not go wrong with wisdom and strength, I did not mean wisdom and strength couldn't be used incorrectly. Rather I meant that all of the young women here are highly perceptive, intelligent and well trained. Of course none are as wise as they will no doubt be when they are older, but I am confident whoever you choose will exceed your expectations."

"And I agree with your answer to the question of fairness to the farmer. Yet, I think this part of your requirements might require further discussion. Not because I don't understand what you are trying to say, but because real kindness is not part of our training. Perhaps if we develop what you are looking for I can help to answer your question? Shall we discuss kindness at length? Are you comfortable here?"

[yendor]

"Something non-alcoholic to drink, some light food, and a discussion of kindness at length is more than fine with me. Kindness isn't truly learned, but it *can* be, if you try."

[thorley]

Bellephoebe responds "Yes, they did, though I suppose it only makes sense due to this place training you all simultaneously and in the same way. To be honest Miriam seemed to be the quickest one to break the mould and respond to those questions.

I'll be here for a while, if you want to think on the situation I presented for a while before giving me an answer that's okay. In the meantime you can show me more of these trails."

[albatross]

Miriam prepares some fruit, both dried and fresh, sets out a variety of crisp breads, and makes tea.

"So, tell me how a princess ought to be kind?"