♔ 288

[embersandashes]

With all this talk of wars, politics, and diplomacy, the community has been making me feel very nostalgic these past few months. Even as a soldier of the Vatican, I don't do a great deal of fighting - at least, not the sort of fighting I used to do in the past. And I'm certainly not a politician here, or on Lisa's Earth.

In April, I asked how many of you remember my world. Not many of you did, of course; it's been a long time. Today, though, I have a different question: how many of you would consider yourselves to be a leader of something?

Comments

[faithmanages]

I am my planet's ambassador, now, to the space station Babylon 5, but before that, I served as a member of the Grey Council, our ruling body.

[embersandashes]

I was the leader of a country once.

[faithmanages]

But you are not anymore. Was this through an election or appointment of some kind?

[embersandashes]

The Fire Nation doesn't elect its leaders. I was a monarch.

The throne was taken from me several years ago. I made the decision not to try to reclaim it.

[faithmanages]

More like the Centauri Republic, then. If you do not mind my asking, was it that it was too dangerous to reclaim the throne, or did you prefer your later position?

[embersandashes]

The latter, among other things. The new regime is terrible, both for the country and for the rest of the world - but by the end of my own rule, I despised the job, and my attentions were divided. The Fire Nation deserves a leader with no other priorities. I couldn't be that leader.

There are rebel groups aimed at taking down Fire Lord Zuko and stopping his agenda. I support them.

[faithmanages]

It is a difficult thing, to maintain that kind of focus. But the fact that you recognized it is good, as far as your people are concerned. Hopefully, either the new leader can see reason or one who will be better for your people will rise.

[embersandashes]

Zuko has rarely been able to see reason.

The people of the Fire Nation, however, I have more faith in.

[faithmanages]

I have often found that it is the people in whom it is best to believe.