milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Charlie is dangling from a tree branch near the lake. It's not quite spring yet, but it's mild enough that he's come down from the rafters and moved outdoors.

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"Life leads you down some pretty strange paths, as I guess everybody in here must know," Sirona says, with a rueful little smile.

"I know it well. I knew it before I got here. I had a friend of sorts who was almost a god. And also the absolute ruler of a small nation.

"I prefer your approach."

Sirona laughs. "You mean, not actually rule anybody, but to support democracy in a grassroots way by being a hacker? I guess it's more fun. Monarchy must be boring."

"Black Adam didn't think so. He didn't get democracy in the least. But when he was born, monarchy was the only option. If it matters, he tries to have the best interest of his people in mind. And he did liberate them from a worse regime.

"But I didn't love it there. And for all his concern about the people, he was a despot."

"That's the one thing nobody could possibly think of, I guess," Sirona says. "Seriously -- reinstating monarchy. Not on my planet. Except in Spain, after they shook off their dictator. But that is a very constitutional monarchy."

"Our Spain is like that as well. But we have a few monarchs left, in Asia and even in Europe. One of them doubles as a superhero."

"Superheroes would be useful right now," Sirona sighs.

"Against politics? Not really. The greatest hero my world has to offer couldn't stop Luthor from getting elected. And the case of electronic voter fraud in Hub City was stopped by good old fashioned detective work and journalism." Albeit of the sort practiced by a masked vigilante.

"I guess the hackers and geeks will have to save my world from politics," Sirona says.

"Just make sure that no one needs to save the world from them. It's tempting to play judge, jury and executioner. No matter how noble the cause seems." He speaks from experience.

"I think I need an honest man," Sirona says, "that's no hacker and that I can trust to put down the sceptre, so to speak, once we made the point."

"Any candidates for the job? Are you the sort of goddess who leaves a sword in a stone for such a situation?"

"Nahhhh," Sirona says. "Not at all. I'll look at the situation, prod a few connections, and then let it all fall into place naturally. You know, like writing a piece of software. Elegant, not brute force."

"That is not like most of the gods I know about." Though that would explain why she's forgotten. It's easy to be well-knwon when all you use is brute force.

"Some gods are pretty heavy-handed," Sirona agrees. "I'm not. Not my style."

"Good to know." Not that he entirely trusts any god. The track record speaks for itself.

[ooc: fade?]

Sirona nods agreement.

[[OOC: Yes, good fade point.]]

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