[Action]

[lunarborn]

[After the events of the previous week, the mature thing to do would have been to would have been to take the awkward stares and deliver his humble apologies like a man. Yet after spending a week steeped in the most negative emotions he'd indulged in even the darkest of fantasies, it was easier to keep to himself.

He'd been spending quite a bit of time along the southeastern banks of the river running outside the village, staying outdoors to avoid the all-encompassing yet entirely oppressive forgiveness that awaited him at home. He would make amends and pay his dues in time, but for now, there was still the matter of coping with what was within him that the experiment had tapped to affect his actions.

The man lying faceup on the riverbank would still be visibly bruised despite sharing living space with a mage proficient in the healing arts. He'd been grateful to have been pulled from the precipice of death, yes, but wished to let the tender achy muscles, dark bruises, and angry gashes heal on their own as penance. It was in this way that he watched the sky begin to darken, chronicling the sun's slow journey towards rest.]

Comments

[seedprodigy.livejournal.com]

Not everyone can do it; it is something you have to learn. But from some of the people I've talked to since I arrived, our magic also isn't like anyone else's. We don't have any divisions in magic aside from blue, and that's just to classify the monster skills. [She pauses, considering for a moment.] Blue magic is difficult to master, though, or maybe it's just that people don't try it. It wasn't that difficult for me, but I think it scares others. As for regular magic, once you get the hang of it, it's not difficult, though unless you practice you'll only be able to use spells with little power. At least one of the armies back home uses magic as a matter of course, but it seems to be mostly a military thing.

[Quistis shakes her head a little.] Responsibility is one of the main things they try to teach you where I'm from. Sometimes it works a little too well... But your wife sounds like a good person. But there is a point you reach where you just take too much on yourself; I've gotten there a couple of times myself, and coming back from there is always just as bad or even worse than getting there.

[lunarborn.livejournal.com]

[Cecil nodded, taking in her description thoughtfully. It was difficult to fathom a system of magic that didn't think to separate the sensitive caring that required to heal from the spark of inner fire necessary to bring destruction. The two arts seemed mutually exclusive to him, but he let her continue uninterrupted.] It seems as though military is unavoidable for your land as well. I do wonder if, once we depart from here, I will be able to lessen such a need for my own country. There exists more reason to unite peaceably than to continue destroying one another over petty disputes, don't you agree?

[Cecil made a small, agreeing noise to her then.] I understand the difficulty of returning from overwhelming responsibility. It seems to me that such journeys are best made in small steps, though it helps to have someone there to guide you. Have you such a person in your life?

[seedprodigy.livejournal.com]

Oh, definitely, but unfortunately some people will always be destructive to the way others wish to live. Most people just want to live in the way they choose - and most other people are happy to let them, as long as they're not hurting anyone. It's that minority that think they can decide how others live, what they do for work, the foods they eat, where they build their houses - those are the ones it's impossible to get rid of. Humanity on the whole is good, but no one's been able to rid us of that percentage of the bad yet. Garden only accepts contracts from those wanting to improve life, not those who want to invade and capture - it's better that those trained for it should fight then that young clerk who should be behind a desk, adding up taxes, isn't it? He'd only get injured, or even killed, on a battlefield.

[Quistis didn't get openly philosophical too often - she was practical, maybe too practical, but this was her way of life she was talking about, and she meant what she said. Better someone who had some honor and was trained to stay alive fought a battle and not those who weren't suited to the task at all. It made the effects, and the death toll, so much less devastating.

[And she smiled at his question.] I have my friends - my family. They help me. [It was a simple answer; it didn't need a complicated one.]

[lunarborn.livejournal.com]

[Cecil nodded thoughtfully.] You argue well for the merits of maintaining an army. [He pursed his lips, considering this.] Yet where does the will of the common people come into this? My world was recently ravaged by international warfare, and I am embarrassed to admit that my country was somewhat instrumental in maintaining the conflict. My people will surely seek some sort of revision in the policies of our military, yet I am... uncertain how extreme these measures must be. This place provides far too much time for impotent ponderings.

[It was good to know she wasn't alone, though. The woman seemed to have a good head on her shoulders; it would have been tragic to waste that in solitude.] I'm glad. Everyone deserves a comforting presence.

[seedprodigy.livejournal.com]

No conscription. [Quistis was immediate with her first thought.] Conscription doesn't lead to a cohesive fighting force, and should only be used as a last resort in times of invasion by a foreign party - and only if you're badly outnumbered. Taking people away from their lives and loves by force only breeds resentment. Open military training from a young age for officer recruits and either look them over personally or appoint someone you trust implicitly to do so to find the good ones. Regular foot soldiers can wait until they're older, but you'll want to find the good officers early and hold on to them. Only fight to defend yours or another's freedom, institute tolerance and no-tolerance policies - if people can't agree to disagree and keep their differences out of every day work, they shouldn't be in a group that needs to be able to trust every other person with your life. Group your army by their similarities, with the time they arrive for training being the first choice, and their origin being second. Don't tolerate them misusing the general public. Don't let your officers go unchecked. Treat your enemies fairly but justly. And above all don't ever forget that everyone's a person with their own undeniable self - even your enemy.

[...It took Quistis a moment to realize what a speech she'd just given, and she blushed.]

I'm sorry, here you just say something off the cuff and I go and turn it into a lecture... you didn't ask for that.

[lunarborn.livejournal.com]

Not at all. [Cecil dismissed her concern that she had spoken out of turn, excited for the opportunity to talk shop.

He accepted Quistis' insight carefully, weighing her words against what he knew from personal experience.] I don't think it will be much of a challenge to find willing soldiers. My people hold great respect for their military; even the King's son must train as a knight to prove his worthiness for the crown. The practice tends to inspire sufficient volunteers from the peasantry, who are trained to display honor and valor at all times.

It is the forgiveness of transgressors that concerns me. Though our war has ended, the people cry out for a punishable villain. Yet I do not wish to feed this scapegoating.[He trailed off there, lacking a direct question for his plight, uncertain if it was even appropriate to invite a mere acquaintance into his most intimate political concerns]