Irons in the Fire|Sensatiamens, Sensatia

[Kender Bard]

Libre fussed over his sitting room where guests were entertained, making sure that the comfortable seats were arranged to his liking and sending a maid off to get the hot drinks and treats ready. He had called together his advisers--including the two new ones--as well as Commander Sandra and General Cefin. Today was going to be a day of ideas and new beginnings.

Grinning widely, Libre took a seat and waited for everyone to show up. We're going to need a new seat of power soon that's not my house, he mused.

[Darastrix]

Dart was the first to arrive, wrapped in a cloak to keep off the damp chill. "Winter has definitely arrived," he announced as he was shown into the sitting room. "How are you today, Master Libre?"

[Devon]

Xavier arrived soon after Dart in the sitting room. He shivered slightly and rubbed his arms before removing his cloak. "Good day to you Dart, Master Libre. How are the both of you?" he asked

[Skittlebug]

Samuel is the next to arrive, bundled up just a little bit more than the weather warrants. He's still feeling elated and a bit nervous about his appointment to advisor and it showed. He bows to Libre and the others. "Master Redway, Lord Sontief, Lord Kenway."

[Kender Bard]

Libre smiled and rose as his guests began to arrive. "Welcome, all of you," he said. By then the servants were bringing the food and drink. "Help yourselves. We have mulled cider and spiced wine to fortify against the cold. We still have to wait for a few others before we can begin."

Commander Sandra and General Cefin arrived together, each giving stiff but respectful bows to Libre as they took their own places and helped themselves to the confections.

Libre was sipping at some cider. "I have a lot to discuss," he told them all. "And once Kyfe arrives, I can begin sharing those thoughts with all of you."

[Darastrix]

Kyfe arrived after not much longer, giving a quick bow as he brushed his hair out of his face. "So sorry if I've kept you waiting long," he said, adjusting his glasses on his nose. "My son wasn't feeling well and I wanted to make sure he was settled before I left."

[Kender Bard]

"Perfectly all right," Libre told him. "I'm sorry to hear about your son. I'll try to keep this brief, so as not to keep you from him over long." He put his mug down. "First, I welcome our two new advisers to the group. I hope this relieves the work load on myself and Xavier considerably. My first order of plans is to announce that I'll be calling together a UN meeting. Unlike my father, I've not developed my specialization in telepathy. My third sign..." He gestured with his finger, displaying it proudly. "Does give me a considerable boost in strength in that area, but it'll take time for me to train myself up to the level that my father was at. That being said, I'd appreciate it if some, or all, of you were to assist me in holding a mental conference with the UN members. Especially you, Samuel. From here on out, I want you to attend every meeting of foreign matters with me so that, should the need arise, I can send you in my place in the future."

[Skittlebug]

Samuel nods, pleased at the prospect "Of course, and while I'm not the best at it, I'll certainly assist you with maintaining the meetings."

[Darastrix]

"I'm willing to help with the conference," Dart said. "I don't know how much I can actually contribute since I have an entirely different specialty, but every little bit should help."

Kyfe nodded in agreement.

[Devon]

Xavier nodded his head, agreeing to help with everything as well. "Looks like we all stand with you Master," he said.

[Kender Bard]

"Good," Libre said. "That was just a small affair, a bit of side news." He wondered if he should dive into the heart of his ambitions or get the smaller affairs out of the way. After a moment of deliberation, he made his choice. "I've been giving some long consideration on the matter of our nation's government. I've studied personally in Khelek and read extensive histories on all the other nations. Sensatia strongly seeks to protect its ability to yay or nay who rules over her. Even when we were mind communities, it was still a group choice, even if it was restricted to a council and not the combined peoples as it is now."

"And yet they repeatedly select the same person... and are willing to keep them for life or until they step down, even if that decision turns out to be an incorrect one. I feel we're stuck somewhere between two forms of more efficient government. I want all of you to give me your input on how you personally feel and how you think Sensatia as a whole would feel if we were to either convert to a monarchy or a democracy where the elections are in frequent intervals rather than once in a lifetime."

[Skittlebug]

Samuel clears his throat quietly. "I believe that the people would be quite resistant to a monarchy, being accustomed to the say they have in the matter currently. Not to mention that it is not always the case that the ability to rule runs in a bloodline." He stiffens a little as he realises that what he's said might be taken badly, "I mean no offence, of course."

[Darastrix]

Dart frowned as he considered the implications. "Declaring a monarchy, especially this soon after your election, could give off the impression that you're power-hungry or insecure about your position. And yes, whether you're an elected Master or a King via inheritance, you'd generally serve until death either way, but I'm not sure how the people would feel about it. Personally, I don't think it's fair to strip the people of their ability to choose their Master."


"Has anyone ever done the latter method before?" Kyfe asked, brow furrowed. He couldn't recall any that had. He'd thought the nations with elected leaders also kept that leaders until death. He knew Ilyamen had had a rather high rate of turnover over the past decade or so, but that was because their leaders seemed to either get themselves killed or they stepped down for whatever reason.

[Kender Bard]

Libre made a placating motion at Samuel. "I understand what you mean. No need to to apologize."

To Dart, he said, "Your personal opinion will be considered, but how do you think Sensatia as a whole would feel about such a move if I were to, say, wait a decade or two? Presuming I prove myself to be a competent Master."

And finally, to Kyfe, he replied, "No. It would be a radical new movement and there isn't much precedent for how things would turn out, I'm afraid."

[Devon]

"Every place that I've read that has tried a vote usually sticks with whoever the appoint for a long period of time," Xavier said. "I always figured that the reason leaders stayed in so long even if the people have a choice is that no one really wants to step up and do the job, they are just content with complaining when things are bad. Anyway if we were going to do this the leadership would have to have shorter terms I think."