It's not Fire Emblem, just an OC testrun for SRWU

[stupidhonor]

[1]
I do not understand your people at all.

[Sielje addresses you either during a walk around town, or shortly after returning from one.]

Is Earth not a very dangerous place? Yet from the locals I saw so few carry any kind of weapon. How are they able to defend themselves when a foe attacks?

And all the beasts I encountered were pitiful and small. They seem to live alongside man completely tamed, are there no hunting grounds?

[2, aimed at mecha pilots - especially skilled ones in weak units or the other way around]
[As you try to leave or enter your unit's cockpit, there she is. A woman in a helmet and with a sword at her side, staring at your machine intently - and now, also at you.]


Strange.

[Is that all you get for a comment?]

[3]
[Tactics are being talked about. Maybe it's a briefing, or some kind of lecture. Maybe it's just a discussion. Either way Sielje's time to contribute.]

What should be done? I will tell you what should be done.

[She stands up.]


Challenge the enemy head on. Engage from the front, or stand your ground but be clear about your intent. No hiding, no tricks.

That would be dishonorable.

[4 - combat prompt]

Ghh...!

[The situation does not look good. The enemy is overpowering in strength or numbers or perhaps both.]

Alright. So be it.


Hear me! I am the knight Sielje, tha Guard of the South! I challenge you to a honorable duel. Beast or man, accept my challenge! You will not go past me!

[Oh crap she is walking forward right towards the most powerful of enemies, Sielje's mass-produced (or what counts as mass-produced for Ankaians) Knight's Arm having only a sword and a beast hide cloak to defend itself with.

It's a surprise her voice cracked and wavered only a little.]

Comments

1

[person_dot_exe]

Hm? Oh, well...

In modern society violence is strictly regulated and controlled. Huma-er, we also like to specialize, so we have some people who have defence and security as their whole jobs. That way, a few people keep everyone else safe, and most people can devote their time to other things.

As for animals...well, they are mostly domesticated. Since ancient times, humans either domesticated or ate pretty much everything they could, so now there are so few of some animals people aren't allowed to hunt them anymore.

[stupidhonor]

What about personal achievement? People who do not wield arms cannot grow stronger.

Does Earth's society really require so many non-combatants to support the few who fight?

[person_dot_exe]

Achievement? No, people can become better without being soldiers. They can specialize towards their profession, and become better and better at it. Soldiers don't have much time for research or building things, so we're able to advance as a society much faster this way.

...a better question is, does your society really require so many soldiers? I imagine your rates of military service are quite high, but I've not heard much about your home...

[stupidhonor]

Military?

[Sielje ponders this idea. She continues after a while, sounding rather focused.]

The way Earth sees it, Ankaia has no military. We have no soldiers who are picked and trained, only knights who reached their position with their own strong hands. To battle beasts - and sometimes each other in honorable duels, is the greatest fate anyone can hope for. Those who are strong fight, reach out for glory and further strength. Those who are weak provide for their needs, in return for protection. This is how it is and has always been.

[person_dot_exe]

Hmmm...well, there are a lot of places with a volunteer military, but that's more like isolated warriors...And then a cultural code of honor used to reinforce proper conduct. That's probably fairly effective...But I don't think it'd hold up well when meeting another culture. What happened the last time Ankaia met up with another group of people?

[stupidhonor]

That has never happened. There is only Ankaia and Earth, at least that's what I thought before arriving here.

[person_dot_exe]

Oh. Umm... [Stupid, stupid, stupid, gotta change the subject to something lighter! Impeding catastrophe for less-advanced society is no fun!]

So, do you have your own servants back home? That must be nice, I have to do everything myself.

[stupidhonor]

As an independent knight, I also try to do everything myself.

[The change of subject was either unnoticed or not commented on.]

[person_dot_exe]

Ah...sorry...

[stupidhonor]

There is nothing to apologize for. Most of the common people do a different kind of work.

[person_dot_exe]

Mmm...Well, I guess we have that in common as well. Most of our people aren't supporting the military very much...uh, materially, I mean.

I'm a civilian myself, I work as a doctor. Because of...various circumstances, I have more money than I can really use, so if you ever get hurt, don't worry about payment.

[stupidhonor]

This "money" is very important on Earth, is it not? I have learnt of it only recently but it looks as if doing anything is almost impossible if you have none.

You are doing me a great favor. I appreciate it.