[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

[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]