young_oldman | IC Inbox: Empatheias

[He nods.] And although there is peace between our communities, my sense is that this peace is more of a resigned acceptance by the natives. I'm not an idealist; I don't expect them to accept us with open arms, but this alliance...no, cooperation may be the better word.

It would be better if our bonds were forged on true understanding and goodwill between each other, rather than this uneasy co-existence. They may see our abilities and our connection with the Arehtei as useful, but there must be a tipping point somewhere, and I'm not so sure where it is.

Useful but also worth resentment. After all, this is their world -- why are they being denied the opportunity to help it? Why are they passed over by the Arehtei while we are given attention, even gifts?

Still, I quite agree with you. Did you have something in mind?

Yes. That is also another concern, and one that I fear has been overlooked by our community.

I have thought long and hard on the matter, but I am afraid I lack experience in this matter. That is one reason why I sought this audience with you; to ask for your advice on the matter, Princess Celestia.

As a general I have had to resolve conflicts between soldiers, and sometimes between soldiers and villagers, but never have I been in a situation such as this before, handling people of numerous cultures and beliefs. My experience is only 10 years, and I only dealt with the people of my land. Back then I had the advantage of knowing the customs and traditionally held values. But here, I've found that the values I've grown up with could prove unpopular.

But at the very least, I can share some of my suspicions with you, and I would gladly be corrected if I am wrong. What is primarily on my mind, is that perhaps we have merely be co-existing alongside each other as strangers and thus the foundations of trust we have is not sufficient to build better bonds with each other.

It is good that there was no widespread condemnation of the Otherworlders after Selim Bradley's crime came to light. However, that only some shops and houses refused to let Otherworlders in during the shop is hardly considered a victory in terms of our relationship with each others. No Otherworlder should have been turned out to face the cold and rain, none at all.

[Celestia listens to this speech quietly and with clear focus, nodding quietly to signify her understanding. At its end, she exhales.]

You are correct, and yet if the world were what it should be, none of us would have any duty to do. That is the end we are aiming for, and yet, do you think there are places we could do better?

[He falls silent, gathering his thoughts carefully.]

Fear, doubt and resentment has begun to emerge on both sides. Perhaps we should see what we can do to alleviate these concerns.

I do not blame them for fearing our powers. Even I am often left in awe at what some of us can do. But we cannot help holding the powers and abilities that we have.

However...if we can settle the doubt they have towards our intentions, if we can convince them that we hold their well-being as important as ours, that might be a step towards building some level of trust to offset their fear. Perhaps even teaching them some of our abilities may help in that manner, although I know that not all skills are easily taught across worlds, nations and races.

But dunamis...dunamis, perhaps that is something they can learn as well. And I will speak to Elios and see what can be done about their involvement with their world. They may not be able to align to the Arehtei, but there must be other ways to help the Arehtei other than sharing our emotions with them. Sosyne has mentioned that she would like to see some tangible effort on our part to save this world; while she has remained difficult and unwilling to part more information on what she means by this, it may be something other than simply feeling less anger and more calm.

Even if they are perfectly convinced of our intentions, there will still be a level of resentment because of our privileged position. And yet, all relationships have such friction, and true bonds can be built nonetheless.

[And yet she's still not certain why Lu Meng wishes to say so many things to her she already knows, except perhaps out of the belief that she does not know them.]

Do you wish this to be formalized, then? Brought to the council?

If it has not been done so, but I suspect what I have told you is not new to you. Truth be told I am uncertain on what else I can do, and that is partially why I came here to seek your counsel.

[He sighs, cross his arms across his chest.]

I'm not sure what I can do to help reduce these tensions between us, and keep them from resurfacing again.

To keep them from resurfacing? You would need to control every single otherworlder who comes here to ensure they had no malice or even ignorance of their actions, for one. [In other words, this division will always exist.] But to reduce them, the best way is to be seen as someone they can trust. That is one reason I opened this shop, for example.

To share your knowledge and your services with the people of this city?

And to demonstrate what good we can do here, if we are allowed. Our powers will be less terrifying to them if they become a part of their lives.

Hmm...

[Give him a moment to think that over.]

It is true that us Otherworlders have helped to protect the city during times of adversity, using our powers to defend and save lives. However that is not so much us being a part of their lives, as us being present in that single moment to protect them from a danger that a few, rightfully or not, see as a danger we brought to them in the first place.

In that sense, our powers are less a part of their daily lives as they are to be called on only in times of need. So they are unused to such abilities and remain so, and thus this becomes a source of unease for them. It would be better then if we also used our powers to help them in their day-to-day troubles.

Is this your meaning, Your Highness?

You have put that very well. [Celestia bows her head to acknowledge his words.] On a day-to-day basis, our powers are like a sheathed sword. We keep them away, and even if we draw them in times of need, people get back when we wield them for fear of getting cut.

But who fears the knife they cut their bread with each day? And so I work in magic to provide lights and warmth and comfort, and that, I hope, is how people here think of my magic.

But do we not have the Task Board for this matter? Very often does the Task Board request the help of Otherworlders in carrying out numerous errands, both the mundane and the dangerous.

Yes, but that represents a small minority of people -- including ones who do not believe their problem can be solved any other way.

Which is not to say that working on those posted tasks is a bad thing, mind! But -- as we have discussed, anyone can put something there. [Including unsavory folks and those who had less-than-ideal intent.]

[Yup. He remembers that discussion very well, and that prompts a faint frown to appear.]

I see...yes, what you say has much truth in them. I will look at my own conduct in this matter then, and see where it is that I can help the natives while teaching them not to fear our abilities as well.

Do you think there is anything that can be done to galvanize our community in such a direction as well? There is...growing discontent among the Otherworlders. Many feel that they are unfairly judged, and that the natives should be the ones extending an olive branch to us, rather than the other way around.

Overlooking the fact that one of our own did great and horrific harm to the natives. [Celestia shuts her eyes. Complicated, as it ever is...] That is a question I have been pondering, myself. Much like the natives, most of our people here are understanding and sensible...

...but there is growing resentment at being painted with broad strokes. During the campaign there were a vocal group, angry at the attitude held by some of the natives during the storm at the beginning of the year. Undeniably and unfortunately the action of the few has coloured the view of the newcomers, those with close ones who had arrived at the beginning of Dodeca, and the others who have not been here long enough to know that such actions are outside the norm.

[A slight frown here.]

Even both of the candidates tapped onto that anger when they were giving their speech. From how Ms White and Master Freeman spoke of the natives, you would think that the majority of the natives are against us.

And you see why a small but obvious minority can cause an entire people to be painted in broad strokes. [The two-way street of relations is poetically appealing ever as it is worrisome.] It is also true that some people want to be angry, and want an outside source to lay blame and anger upon. That, sadly, is also a difficult nut to crack.

We've been here for over a year with no clear path ahead to our homes. All things considered, it's remarkable that tempers have mostly held all the way until now. [The ever-sticky business of managing people.]

There needs to be more awareness of both the good and bad in our communities so that there is no confusion or doubt of where we stand with each other. There may be a vocal minority, but surely there must be a silent majority that disagrees with them. If we could bring their voices out more frequently...

[He sighs.] ...perhaps it is a dream though. To wish for unity from different strokes and walks of life.

Of course it is a dream. All goals must begin somewhere, with a dream -- often a dream that seems impossible, that goes so far beyond what is that only a dream can begin to encompass it.

And that dream provides the strength and clarity to proceed. The will to move forward. The first steps on a long road. That is how dreams become reality -- with effort, hard work, perseverance, and hope.

Your Highness has experience ruling a kingdom for many centuries; has there ever been a situation similar to the conflict we face here that called for your wisdom?

Equestria was founded when three pony tribes, on the brink of conflict, instead put aside their differences to create a nation of peace and harmony. But that was not without its difficulties, of course -- though perhaps not the same as this.

[Interesting. Three tribes...just like three warlords.] And how were such difficulties navigated?

Their three assistants, much wiser sorts than the leaders in such ways, found common ground where the leaders had found enmity. Such harmony not only did great good in the world, but it showed the leaders the value of friendship as well.

IC Inbox: Empatheias

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