♔ 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

[yes_im_kawaii]

Commander Boring won't let me be the new leader even if they do have to take Hiromu out to take the card out of him, which we still don't know how to do. Unfair.

[embersandashes]

I don't blame them; I wouldn't let you lead a book club.

[yes_im_kawaii]

I don't want to lead a book club! What does that have to do with anything?

[embersandashes]

It means I wouldn't let you lead anything unimportant, let alone something important.

[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.

[yes_im_kawaii]

You're just being mean about it. I'd do a good job!

[embersandashes]

I can't say anything here that I haven't already said before, but I'd be happy to repeat myself if you want.

[yes_im_kawaii]

That's just because you suck. Look, I even fixed my chicken cannon, what more do you want.

[faithmanages]

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

[embersandashes]

You're still doing that?

[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?

[yes_im_kawaii]

Why not? It aims right now.

[embersandashes]

What are you aiming at?

[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.

[yes_im_kawaii]

Enemies. Stuff. I didn't break any windows this time!

[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.

[of_many_treasures]

Leader? Not even.

I start or stop things though.

[embersandashes]

"This time".

Do you have it with you right now?

[embersandashes]

Zuko has rarely been able to see reason.

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

[embersandashes]

Are you not a leader because you recognize that you wouldn't be a good one, or is it just that nobody has allowed you into a position of power?

[of_many_treasures]

Bit of Column A, a little of Column B. I'd rather not lead anyone if I can help it, and no one is stupid enough to let me do so.

So thus, stalemate.

[embersandashes]

... You have more self-awareness than I would have expected.

[of_many_treasures]

I might act like a moron, but that's mostly to throw people off.

[yes_im_kawaii]

Yeah, it's in the hangar. How come?

[faithmanages]

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

[embersandashes]

I want to see it, of course.

[yes_im_kawaii]

Okay! I have some test film.

[She sends a video where she's... well, that is definitely a chicken cannon amidst giant robots and armoured vehicles, and she is definitely firing it at high-up, faraway targets. The lab hands can be heard in the background muttering that at least she isn't testing it outside anymore.]

[embersandashes]

They don't sound very happy about your "work".

[The airquotes are practically audible.]

[embersandashes]

Are you trying to gain some sort of advantage over them, then?

[of_many_treasures]

Depends on the situation. Maybe sometimes, yes, but others I just throw people off their stride.

[embersandashes]

People call that "trolling".

[of_many_treasures]

Well yeah. That's basically what I do.

[yes_im_kawaii]

They're fine with it! Auu. You keep making fun of me.