♔SECOND

[emblazing]

[ today daenerys appears on the orb. what could be noted is that on her shoulder is the black dragon with the hot coal eyes. he seems a bit larger. while he is not the size of a horse, his tail is long enough to coil around her hip. for a minute he simply stares shrewdly at the screen before flapping off dany's shoulder, where she continues to read a large tome in her lap. she turns a page, pauses and glances up at the screen. ]

A strange place this is. In exchange for our freedom it grants us powers we would not know in our own realms. We would be marked as people we are not and told to fight great battles simply because it is the way of it.

[ her tone is slightly wry ]
I know true knights, and I know that some of you aren't, as much as I am no maegi.

[ drogon sniffs her book, as dany lightly strokes the top of his back, the ridges of his spine. ]

What of your homes? I would ask of your lands, if you wished to speak of them.

[ there is a pause ]

I would ask one more.

What do you believe makes a good King? If such people exist where you were before, what made them good?

{ PRIVATE; TO THE LADY ALAYNE }

[ in a gentler voice ]

My lady. You have suffered an ordeal here. Are you well?

Comments

[shadow_sage]

My people have never been so very reliant on single points of leadership. Matriarchs, Asari who are often closer to a thousand years of age than not, are seen as guides, and advisors, but the old states were representative, or even fully democratic, for generations, and we've maintained a true electronic democracy since before we discovered the mass relays.

The collective voice of our people sets laws, policies, even regulates trade and relations with other races in council space. When we select asari for positions of prominace, such as the council, we chose individuals who are known for patience and wisdom, who are willing to consider the consequences of their choices and actions over centuries, and who promote peace and comprimise between races over violent altercations and arrogant demands.

At least, that is the theory.

[emblazing]

So it is age and experience that best suits a leader in your people's eyes? Not only this, but you choose them?
[ her world certainly sounds unified in a sense. yet what of the young who must rule? who have the shoulders of dynasties? ]

[shadow_sage]

Not at all. Many whom we elect are not Matriarchs at all, and many who come to power out of necessity are far younger. However, only a fool would dismiss a thousand years if experience out of hand.

But yes, we vote for leaders, when we require them. Far more often, we simply vote on the issues directly. In effect, every Asari citizen is a leader of our people, if she choses to be.

[emblazing]

For the most part, it seems as if you are a peaceful people.
[ grim ]
I do not think my people as such. They have need of leaders, of someone to guide them. Across the sea my kingdoms are scattered in war over a seat that is not theirs.

[shadow_sage]

It is true that we prefer to reach peaceful accords. Other races have other solutions. Humans tend to elect representatives, who then make laws and govern them. Krogan have leaders who rise through strength, though a clever mind usually helps. It certainly has seen Wrex unite them formthe first time in more than a thousand years. Turians rise through based upon ability. A people must find a method of governance that beat suits them.

Sometimes, even my people need to be lead with a firm hand. Often, it is a Matriarch who does this, because she is less frightened of offending people she'll live with for the next thousand years. It depends upon what the circumstances are.

[emblazing]

You know much, my lady. I have seen other sorts of leaders, those who are representatives as well, others who have risen to power through strength. My husband was such a leader of his people. They measured them through power, who could remain undefeated would lead them.

I do not disagree that a firm hand will be needed, yet I would have a kind one, as well. When the battles are over that hand must be one they can trust.

[shadow_sage]

I have spent decades studying many races, though my focus was the Protheans. We knew very little about their governance, and so I studied many systems, so that I might recognize clues to that of the Protheans if I ever found any.

If it is your place to lead your people, I believe you must do so as you consider best. Remember, however, that you do not own your people, you protect them.