Obviously I fucking know that, but it is very dramatic and over the top and wouldn't be out of place in Tevinter, probably, if they knew how the fuck to do it. In any of the noble circles, in any of the countries of Thedas. They'd do it to servants and employees paid wages, too, if they could get away with it.
It's spirits, that're kept as slaves. Spirits who are - well, like us, I suppose - with personalities and intellects and histories. Which is why they're able to banish them. And which is why they're hard to reach.
[ She blows out a breath, annoyed at his sarcasm. ]
Given that I'm the one whose way of life has been economic slavery, rather than growing up a noble, yeah, I don't think you need to explain it to me. [ She shakes her head, then says: ] The law says, technically, that we're all free men and women, and equal in the law, all that. But only magicians are allowed to have certain jobs, and when you take a magician to court a judge always finds for them. And we're the ones who get pressed into the armies, and we're the ones who die in factories. So it's not slavery, but it's something close.
[ Then, for a moment she hesitates, then admits - for the first time outright here - ]
We were fighting against it, back home. There weren't many of us, but we were fighting.
[With impotent but still intense rage, Nikos stares at his fucking crystal. Is she saying what he thinks she's saying? And if so, how does she know he grew up a noble? Fucking Kostos. Nikos scowls, and makes a mental note to kick him in the back of his stupid knees, next time he has the unfortunate cause to see him.]
Then you're familiar with the conditions I just said. [And, because she made him think of Kostos, he adds a petty:] Technically.
At least you're aware. At least you were fighting. Which is more than I can say for most.
But I have been told that we must try anyways. Even if we move pieces with cunning, and guile, if we kill, or start a war--we still leave in place those that might be receptive to the message. And we repeat it until they are willing or able to hear it. Or die of boredom. Or old age. Whichever of those happen first.
[Because Caspar has always seen the wrong--and not just looked, but wanted to do. Because from the moment Nikos saw Caspar, he burned. Because looking at Caspar is like looking at the sun. Because, because, because.]
Someone has to be charismatic and inspiring, or else I'd never get anywhere.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2018-09-07 09:21 pm (UTC)I guess a slave revolt was a bit too much to hope for.
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Date: 2018-09-07 10:44 pm (UTC)Are those easy to inspire, where you're from?
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Date: 2018-09-07 10:53 pm (UTC)Slaves are imprisoned far more securely, where I'm from. So - no. But it's not impossible, either.
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Date: 2018-09-11 09:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-09-11 09:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-09-11 09:41 pm (UTC)Holy shit.
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Date: 2018-09-11 09:43 pm (UTC)It's not something to laugh about.
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Date: 2018-09-11 09:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-09-11 09:59 pm (UTC)[ A little reluctantly - ]
It's spirits, that're kept as slaves. Spirits who are - well, like us, I suppose - with personalities and intellects and histories. Which is why they're able to banish them. And which is why they're hard to reach.
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Date: 2018-09-11 10:10 pm (UTC)Then there are no human slaves, where you are from?
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Date: 2018-09-11 10:12 pm (UTC)That's...complicated. But technically no. Not in England, at least.
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Date: 2018-09-12 01:26 am (UTC)[s a r c a s t i c]
--Servitude is slavery dressed up, and sometimes paid a wage. Does that make it easier?
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Date: 2018-09-12 01:30 am (UTC)Given that I'm the one whose way of life has been economic slavery, rather than growing up a noble, yeah, I don't think you need to explain it to me. [ She shakes her head, then says: ] The law says, technically, that we're all free men and women, and equal in the law, all that. But only magicians are allowed to have certain jobs, and when you take a magician to court a judge always finds for them. And we're the ones who get pressed into the armies, and we're the ones who die in factories. So it's not slavery, but it's something close.
[ Then, for a moment she hesitates, then admits - for the first time outright here - ]
We were fighting against it, back home. There weren't many of us, but we were fighting.
no subject
Date: 2018-09-12 03:25 am (UTC)Then you're familiar with the conditions I just said. [And, because she made him think of Kostos, he adds a petty:] Technically.
At least you're aware. At least you were fighting. Which is more than I can say for most.
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Date: 2018-09-12 12:06 pm (UTC)Most haven't got the power to fight. They haven't got the tools. They've got to be shown a way to it.
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Date: 2018-09-12 02:43 pm (UTC)Mm. And what do we do with those that choose inactivity, and willful ignorance.
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Date: 2018-09-12 02:49 pm (UTC)Some people will get left behind. Leave 'em to catch up if they can. And if they can't, then leave them to figure it out.
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Date: 2018-09-12 03:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-09-12 03:51 pm (UTC)Do they not, in yours?
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Date: 2018-09-12 06:55 pm (UTC)But I have been told that we must try anyways. Even if we move pieces with cunning, and guile, if we kill, or start a war--we still leave in place those that might be receptive to the message. And we repeat it until they are willing or able to hear it. Or die of boredom. Or old age. Whichever of those happen first.
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Date: 2018-09-12 07:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-09-12 10:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-09-12 10:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-09-13 12:32 am (UTC)Someone has to be charismatic and inspiring, or else I'd never get anywhere.
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Date: 2018-09-13 12:34 am (UTC)(no subject)
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