Snippet #2758402

OOC: A witch is not outlawed if she isn't evil. Just because she isn't under the direct wing of the queen or isn't employed with the government, doesn't mean she is persecuted.

Queen Ea

On her way to meet the diplomats, Ea received a call from the school. "Hello?" Ea said. The teacher on the other line said: "There has been an incident with Mayu again. Should we send her to the palace?" "Do so. I will see her in my office after I talk with some diplomats." Ea replied.

Ea reached her office and received the diplomats from the Illy islands. "Gentlemen. Welcome. Do you wish to drink something? Tea or water?" Ea said. The men seemed to be taken aback or irritated by something about her. "Is something wrong?" Ea asked.

"We expected you to be older and you are very liberally dressed by our cultural standards." One of the men replied. Ea then replied: "I get that a lot. I am actually 222 years old and have ruled this nation for nearly 200 years. And does a miniskirt bother you?"

"Noooo, no. Not at all. We don't want to insult you, Queen Ea or are you more of an empress?" The man said. Ea: "I do not call myself empress because I find it to be unnecessary. There are people who still call me empress since I do have an empire. But please just call me Queen Ea. And have you made up your mind on what to drink?"

Man: "I think we will have tea." Ea got up and poured hot water into two tea cups and put tea bags in them. She then served the tea to the two men. Man: "Why don't you have servants do it?" Ea: "They are not servants, but employees. I pay them and they arent bound to service. I also gave them a worker's union. Also I like to do many things myself around here."

Man: "We aren't familiar with this so called worker's union concept. Perhaps you can enlighten us?" Ea: "A worker's union is an organization where workers can collectively barter conditions of work and improvements to the employee-employer relationship. In some instances it can lead to strikes, if demands aren't a least partially met. Personally, my butlers and maids haven't striked in decades, because I pay them well and can pay them well. You should try it sometime if your nation can get rid of serfdom. The trick is that the employer should make reasonable compromises without completely cheaping out. Raises should at least be adapted to economic inflation and if the employees have grievances about safety hazards, then it is best to listen to these and come up with a solution."

Man: "I see. Well we came here to discuss our status as an independent nation as your nation can probably easily annex ours. What are your conditions for a guaranteed independence?" Ea: "Simple. Get rid of unjust systems like serfdom, give citizens some political power such as an elected national council or parliament and rid your nation of corruption. That means you cannot just enact a law and selectively prosecute opposition. It means annihilate political corruption in your nation. If you can do that, then you have guaranteed independence. If you don't, you either can see yourself be annexed in the near future or can voluntarily join my empire, while still being granted semi-autonomy, because if you cannot create a better society, then I will do it for you and any insurgence will eventually die down due to improved living conditions."

Man: "Kind of harsh. But we will talk to our king tonight and see which option he will take. Will any of these options lead to his abdication?" Ea: "If you end up being forcefully annexed, then he will have to abdicate and eventually be judged upon how bad the injustice on the Illy islands is. If he chooses to voluntarily join, he will have to accept a lower title such as prince or duke and only have limited political power. If he chooses to try to improve conditions in your country, he can stay king and will have more power than when joining my empire, albeit still will have to voluntarily reduce his own power some. I am surprised that he didn't come himself if he is in the capital."

Man: "Understood. I think the king decided to go exploring due to his infatuation with the futuristic nature of your nation. We never though it was possible to travel such a long distance from the coast to the capital in a mere hour or two. At home, we would have needed two or three days for the trip." Ea: "Understandable. If the king would like to meet me, we can maybe meet in the city. I know a couple good places to dine depending on the kings taste."

Man: "Gladly. We will try to convince the king for a meeting with you tomorrow." Ea: "Then I guess this is the end of the discussion. I wish you a good day."

As the diplomats left, they said to each other in their native language: "I like her. Friendly, benevolent, yet powerful and intelligent, despite her very unorthodox nature." "I agree. She might be able to convince the king to a peaceful solution."

Meanwhile elsewhere the Illian king was stuffing his mouth full with crepes. "I have never eaten anything so delicious." He said.

Mayu Avalie

Mayu was picked up by car and taken to the palace. Once at the palace, she walked with the teacher down the long halls to Ea's office. She passed two foreign men, who looked somewhat excited. Then she arrived at the office.

"Take a seat." Ea said to Mayu. Mayu then said: "I didn't start it!" "I said take a seat." Ea said with the same voice. Mayu then sat down.

"Mayu punched a schoolmate in the courtyard. She has been acting up lately." The teacher said. Ea then replied: "I want to hear her side of the story, too." "I was on my way to school, when she tripped me and stepped on my new bracelet, breaking it." Mayu said as she began to sob. "I just wanted to get back at her."

"You should have come to me instead of getting revenge. It is okay to be angry or hate schoolmates for what they do to you. But it doesn't mean you have to harm them. If you came to me, I would have fixed your bracelet and made it stronger so that it wouldn't break so easily. Or I could have made you a new one." Ea said. Mayu replied: "The bullying has gotten worse. They call me "witch trash" and "slut". I wish I could do more than just punch them."

On one side, Ea wanted to let Mayu's anger flow. On the other side, Ea cared dearly for her. "Give it a week and on your birthday, everything will be different. Why don't you take a day off school and go hunt some pidgeons in the proving grounds?"

Mayu got up and fell into Ea's arms crying. "Okay! I will try to." Mayu said. Ea then hugged her and said: "It's okay. Let your emotions flow."