Orb | GHH 2

[steelhearted]

[With a pensive expression. Forgive him; he's new.]

Do we actually have a king, or is he just a figurehead? I haven't met him--he's not doing a very effective job of ruling, is he.

Comments

[shiromadoushi]

There is one... though honestly, I don't know what sort of job he's supposed to have...

[steelhearted]

He should be tending his kingdom. Keeping his subjects safe and happy.

[shiromadoushi]

Aaaa--- if we just count the locals as his subjects... he seems to be doing a pretty good job, then. They all seem rather fond of him....

[steelhearted]

It takes more than love to rule a kingdom, though. It doesn't matter how fond they are of him if he isn't caring for them.

[shiromadoushi]

I don't think this place works the same as most do... the only thing that really seems to be a problem are the thorns and whatever monster of the week shows up...

[shadow_sage]

He is as effective in his work as anyone else here has proven to be.

So no, he is not.

[steelhearted]

But if he needs us, he's not really ruling.

[steelhearted]

Well. That's no good.

[A frown.] Is there anything these people can do for themselves?

[shiromadoushi]

[[blink blink]] Why do you say that? King always need heroes, don't they?

[steelhearted]

A king should be humble enough to ask for help, but not so weak he needs others to do everything for him. He has a responsibility to his people.

[He feels very strongly about this as a king in training.]

[shiromadoushi]

Somehow I don't think this place runs on those sorts of rules... considering how almost no one here seems very able to do most things by themselves...

[steelhearted]

It's hard for a kingdom to function without a king.

[shiromadoushi]

...somehow I don't think the king's really to blame for everyone being useless....

[steelhearted]

Anyone can be useful, but most people need direction. It's ultimately the king's failing if can't provide it.

[shiromadoushi]

[[and he hesitates a moment]] It just sort of seems like blaming ants for being small...

[steelhearted]

If he can't do the job, he should find something else to do and leave the position in the hands of someone capable. It's not just him he has to be concerned about.

[shiromadoushi]

... if you could find someone else capable in this kingdom, you might have a point....

[[Seriously, have you talked to most of the locals? They way they carry on...]]

[steelhearted]

[A somewhat defeated sigh. He's actually pretty used to being treated like a celebrity; waking a kingdom from a hundred-year curse has that effect. Oddly enough, he hasn't noticed anything terribly out of the ordinary.]

I suppose that's what we're here for.

[shiromadoushi]

[[Where as the only waking healer in the town has seen more cry baby attention seeking helplessness than his share. They were just lucky he was very soft hearted...]]

Un... either to find out how to defeat the thorns or just keep things from falling apart...

[steelhearted]

Right. Perhaps achieving one will give us some insight on the other.

[shiromadoushi]

Maybe... though somehow I don't think the thorns are responsible for everyone here acting like they do...

[shadow_sage]

Eat. Gossip. My working theory is they are also capable of sleeping, though some initial result show I may have been a bit hasty in coming to that conclusion.

[steelhearted]

Really.

[That certainly catches his interest.] How can you tell?

[shadow_sage]

I can't. That was sarcasm.

[Also, she is brilliant at lying with a straight face, because she has more information than that. But she's not going to out Shin to just anyone.]

I meant that I have very little faith in the people from this world.

[steelhearted]

Oh. Oh.

[He rubs at the back of his neck.]

Because...they don't seem to sleep?

[shadow_sage]

Because sleeping is probably the simplest thing for a living creature to earn. Most do it automatically from the moment they are born. I'm saying that the people here are...if anything, they're almost unnatural, at least in many of their responses. I simply exaggerated a little on the extent.

[steelhearted]

Still, it's something worth considering. Unnatural citizens...it's interesting.

Thank you for speaking with me, my lady.

[shadow_sage]

If you notice anything striking, pass it on.