tushanshu | (01 video)

[The camera flips on to reveal a young girl with long bright blonde hair drawn up in two high pigtails, and a blue and white striped sweatshirt. There’s also noticeably a long, wrapped package slung over her shoulder, in what someone who’s familiar with swords might realize is exactly the right size for a full length katana. There’s a fierce, set expression on her face, and she dramatically points her finger directly into the camera.]

Alright! Let’s not waste any time around here! If we’re given obstacles, then we have to overcome them, right? I’m sure if you’ve all been here for a while, then you’ve gotten a lot more answers than what those unhelpful lackies told me on the ride down… So, fill me in. What's something interesting you've learned since you got here? Just one thing!

[She’s not totally mindlessly determined and naïve, though. Raimei sobers, frowning slightly.] My name is Raimei Shimizu, a samurai. We don’t need to keep any secrets here, do we…? I’ll openly try to achieve my goals with my sword.

[Then she brightens up again, not letting herself think about how dire circumstances are for too long.] Ah, and--! Since I guess I’m not going anywhere fast, what’s all this about a job? Shouldn’t a girl my age still be in school?!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It never does.

[He wonders if Raimei knows from experience. He doesn't ask.]

I would like to know what it is that the Emperor wants to protect, whether it is herself, her people, this turtle, or this whole world. Unfortunately, that isn't usually a question that is best directly asked.

[Oh, she does. But she's much better about that now.]

But you could ask the people around her, couldn't you? The ones that support her? I don't know if they'll give you the truth-- but-- even a king has to be seen clearly by his friends!

[She's thinking about Miharu, here, as the once prospective king of Nabari.]

[Richard can't argue with that; no one knows him better than his friends and his closest advisor.]

I may need to look into who they would be. Perhaps Commander Evandau is one such. I know little about how the Emperor's court is run, and whose position would be closest to her. We have little opportunity to observe such things.

They don't make that public?! But it's a government, isn't it? Whatever happened to transparency?

[Yeah, she's grumpy and annoyed at that.]

[He's a little surprised at the idea. Perhaps she comes from a democratic country? The Strahtans feel differently about it.] While I believe there is more emphasis on transparency in the democratic republic of Strahta, monarchs do not conduct their affairs with that same need for public accountability. Unless there are laws or traditions in place to limit her, it is entirely at the Emperor's discretion whether she wishes to have a council, act independently, or take advice from the general population.

And there's nothing to keep her in check? Is that really what it's like here?

Augh... That's so old-fashioned! There needs to be someone responsible for keeping the balance.

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