Veronica probably expected Lucina to offer to stay with her, but didn't push the matter. They're both new to this. Typically her bodyguard is more experienced with this.]
Any chance you've heard why they're fighting? Please tell me these aren't pub crawls gone wild.
Or wait. Do tell me. We could actually solve that.
But unfortunately not. Usually, when we move to intervene, there's mostly a lot of ... shouting. [ A battle cry, presumably. ] They seem to be from differing clans, however. [ Which means the reason isn't too hard to figure out... ]
You take the testosterone out of the fight, and yet—[Which Lucina won't get.]
What I mean is—I'm surprised by the amount of fighting despite the lack of male posturing involved. I guess honor is honor, or whatever they're using as an excuse to be an idiot.
[ Veronica tried, and thus no one can fault her. ]
As dangerous as these skirmishes are— I would be a hypocrite if I called them foolish. [ Unfortunately. She understands the sentiment well — to have one's identity so closely tied to their home, to protect it at all costs.
That's why she's here, after all. To some degree. ] ... They are simply doing what they believe will protect their homes.
They do not see it as we do. [ Which is to say — it's really stupid, it'd be easier if they could all sit down and wait for a resolution, but it doesn't work that way. ]
Once one person strikes, it's a strike on their people; one that must be returned. [ She pauses, takes a small breath. ] The only thing we can do is stop this — all of this — as soon as we can.
All I see is a bunch of people disrespecting the women in charge because they aren't getting their way. On both sides. It is a huge upheaval to have their Empress' power challenged. However ... I just can't abide by it being a revenge strike in any way. Not without any real declarations against one another.
Yet the fact that their subjects refuse to abide by their word speak volumes. It's unreasonable for a leader to force them simply by the virtue of being in power; they are responsible for the happiness of their people, as much as the people are responsible for listening.
[ She sighs. ] I do not agree with the acts of violence. But if it is the people's wish to act in this manner, both Nama and Youmi must do what they can to convince them otherwise. [ How long had it taken Aunt Emmeryn to win the trust of her people? Years and years, she presumes, after having suffered at her grandfather's hands for far longer. Yet, she had prevailed. ]
... I have faith that they will succeed. If nothing else, we will ensure that they do.
They've done nothing to inspire this rage. Perhaps the "nothing" is the issue at hand, but I find it hard to sympathize with that notion. It's worrying that this is somehow seen as ... acceptable.
[ There's silence on the line — but once Lucina speaks her tone is kinder. Softer. ] ... This world — there are striking similarities to the one that I hail from.
I presume much of it is very different than yours. [ Just based on their conversation. ]
It is, though I think you'll find my life is far more political than I let on. Only it's more ... family politics than anything on this scale.
[Family politics—another way of saying she's in the mob. She doubts that Lucina will have the knowledge or information to make the connection necessary. And she knows that the mob is still different from ... all of this.]
Edited (what if my keyboard didn't deny me my closing brackets on the regular) 2018-02-20 19:20 (UTC)
As you know — I am of royal blood, from a time period similar to this. [ She guesses. At least, it's closer than some of the other missions she's been on. ]
When my aunt had inherited my grandfather's place at the throne, his actions had broken the trust of the general public. It took some time before she could rebuild what had been lost. [ Literally and figuratively. ]
But before then ... the people were angry. Similar to the citizens here.
You realize how dangerous it is to project your circumstances upon this world, right? The people here ... outside of being afraid of something very strange happening, I don't think their actions can be declared legitimate.
[ From the other side, she thins her lips. Takes a moment to digest her words, because if Lucina's learned anything in the last year—
She breathes in, then out. When she speaks again, her voice is calmer. Warm, even. ] Perhaps. But we are not in a position to judge their actions. [ They're here to prevent the destruction. Prevent a full-scale war. Fix the way that the timeline seems to have twisted the world as they knew it. ]
Still — thank you for speaking with me, Veronica. [ And she means that. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[Having to pick up and go would be bad.
Veronica probably expected Lucina to offer to stay with her, but didn't push the matter. They're both new to this. Typically her bodyguard is more experienced with this.]
Any chance you've heard why they're fighting? Please tell me these aren't pub crawls gone wild.
Or wait. Do tell me. We could actually solve that.
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But unfortunately not. Usually, when we move to intervene, there's mostly a lot of ... shouting. [ A battle cry, presumably. ] They seem to be from differing clans, however. [ Which means the reason isn't too hard to figure out... ]
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What I mean is—I'm surprised by the amount of fighting despite the lack of male posturing involved. I guess honor is honor, or whatever they're using as an excuse to be an idiot.
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As dangerous as these skirmishes are— I would be a hypocrite if I called them foolish. [ Unfortunately. She understands the sentiment well — to have one's identity so closely tied to their home, to protect it at all costs.
That's why she's here, after all. To some degree. ] ... They are simply doing what they believe will protect their homes.
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[Harsh, but that's the reality of how Veronica sees it. Sympathy toward these people for these fights doesn't really ... happen for her.]
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Once one person strikes, it's a strike on their people; one that must be returned. [ She pauses, takes a small breath. ] The only thing we can do is stop this — all of this — as soon as we can.
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[ She sighs. ] I do not agree with the acts of violence. But if it is the people's wish to act in this manner, both Nama and Youmi must do what they can to convince them otherwise. [ How long had it taken Aunt Emmeryn to win the trust of her people? Years and years, she presumes, after having suffered at her grandfather's hands for far longer. Yet, she had prevailed. ]
... I have faith that they will succeed. If nothing else, we will ensure that they do.
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[She sighs.]
But you're right. We'll make things happen.
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I presume much of it is very different than yours. [ Just based on their conversation. ]
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[Family politics—another way of saying she's in the mob. She doubts that Lucina will have the knowledge or information to make the connection necessary. And she knows that the mob is still different from ... all of this.]
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But does she know Veronica is from a mob? Not even a little. ] You have been doing admirably, regardless.
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[Veronica Lodge: probably too confident.]
Though I have to ask—where do the similarities fall for you?
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When my aunt had inherited my grandfather's place at the throne, his actions had broken the trust of the general public. It took some time before she could rebuild what had been lost. [ Literally and figuratively. ]
But before then ... the people were angry. Similar to the citizens here.
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Nothing will succeed if the citizens do not accept it.
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[Lucina should know that. There's a hint of frustration in her voice at saying these words.]
It's what someone does with their fear that's questionable.
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She breathes in, then out. When she speaks again, her voice is calmer. Warm, even. ] Perhaps. But we are not in a position to judge their actions. [ They're here to prevent the destruction. Prevent a full-scale war. Fix the way that the timeline seems to have twisted the world as they knew it. ]
Still — thank you for speaking with me, Veronica. [ And she means that. ]
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You're very welcome, Lucina. I'll let you know if I need more uniform attention from you, so to speak.