Video;

[avaricious]

Who: Greedling and You!
Broadcast: All
Action: The Marsiva
When: Now!

[The feed kicks in to show the latest arrival at where else? The viewing bay where rather than the empty expanse of space, there's now the view of an ice world within sight. A single figure is standing there with his hand pressed to the glass. He seems to be in a conversation already, even though he appears to be alone. His voice is deeper than what might be expected from such a young looking face.]

Do you think I care about all that? Just look at it. The entire expanse of the universe just waiting for me, as well as an entirely different planet. I always knew one world wouldn't be enough for me. The whole galaxy? Well, that might just do the trick.

[Ling, the docile observer just now, can't be too alarmed to realize Greed has gone from wanting one world to wanting a galaxy. Still... it's far more ambitious than simply one country. And you're content to let your Father go unpunished for what he's done? That's remarkably selfless of you to simply forgive and forget.]

Can it, you brat. What I do with him can wait. Right now, I just want to see what that little planet down there has to offer.

Comments

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[resnipstance]

[A cocky teenage alien girl appears on the other side of the screen.]

Sorry to disappoint, but if you want to take over the galaxy, you'll have to go through me first.

video

[avaricious]

Is that right? Frankly I'd rather see you on the winning side. Besides, you don't even know me. I might just be what this galaxy needs.

[resnipstance]

I've seen enough to know that no galaxy should be put under a system with only one ruler, no matter how good they are.

[avaricious]

[He has a good laugh at that.]

Well, clearly you haven't seen enough. But if you can beat me, how about I'll just settle for a few planets. Otherwise, you can sign up to me on my side.

[resnipstance]

Uh huh. And just what credentials do you have exactly that make you a fit ruler for a bunch of planets you've never even been to?

[avaricious]

The question is irrelevant. You see, my name is Greed. I want everything you can possibly think of. I want power and money, women, sex, glory. I demand the finer things in life. And so naturally, I can hardly be satisfied when I know just how much is out there for the taking. What makes me a fit ruler? Because I like to keep my possessions in top condition.

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka's expression turns from amused to unamused very quickly.]

... Sounds awfully like a Sith to me.

You can rest assured I won't let someone like you gain even an inch of power in this galaxy so long as I'm around.

[avaricious]

You heroic types are so dull. You get it in your head that someone just has to be your enemy because they have more ambition than you do. [He shrugs helplessly.] It really is too bad.

[resnipstance]

... I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with greed or ambition in reasonable doses. [Though the Jedi are taught to eschew them entirely. Ahsoka however doesn't believe that approach is entirely realistic anymore.]

There's nothing wrong with wanting friends, or sex, or money, in and of itself. We need those things to live. Following your dreams is fine, too.

But if getting what you want means trampling over innocent people, then I'm going to defend those people. It's as simple as that.

[avaricious]

[It's refreshing to hear someone who doesn't equate greed with being bad. It makes it all the more a pity she's decided to pit herself against him.]

Fortunately for you, I'm not really the sort that likes to trample. I don't really care to own broken things.

[resnipstance]

[The most judgmental of faces, you are getting it.]

Right. Because places gaining new rulers who know nothing about their history or culture has always gone well. No trampling there. Nope.

[avaricious]

What can I say? I'm just more charming than you give me credit for.

[Or he hasn't really thought out the long term consequences of actually owning a planet or a galaxy. The unfortunate thing about greed and his own greed in particular was that it was never enough.]

[resnipstance]

Since when does "charm" have anything to do with running a planet competently?

[avaricious]

People love a charismatic leader. You throw in a few lines about... oh, what was it?

[Inside, a less than amused Ling supplies: A ruler's duty is to his people. Without them, he is no king at all.

Greed snaps his fingers as if he suddenly remembers.] Oh, right! A ruler's duty is to his people. You keep them involved in the process, kiss a few babies, shake a few hands, and you've got a functioning system going on.

[The most silent of forehead slaps occurs inside the raging storm of souls inside of Greed's body.]

[resnipstance]

... You ... don't actually have any idea of all the stuff that's involved in running a planet, do you?

[avaricious]

A lot more than you do, kid. [He just has to look at his Father and then not do that.] But I understand if the subject isn't one you're familiar with. So I'll tell you what, the moment I start trampling anybody, you can be the first to show up and deliver your speech about how awful I am.

[resnipstance]

[She sighs.] Why do you think that? [Ahsoka has sat through enough senate meetings to last a lifetime.]

You're right about one thing-- a ruler's duty is to his people. Do you know what that means?

You have to listen to their complaints. Set the laws. Enforce and change the laws, if necessary. Then you need to put up with the people protesting the change of laws. Avoid starting a war. Figure out where to allocate your resources if you get caught up in one anyway. Prevent your people from starving if there's a sudden food shortage or economic collapse. Decide whether or not to deregulate the banks if you need more money. Decide whether or not it's worthwhile trading with other people for the sake of their goods even if it means supporting a cause you don't agree with. Deal with unrest and rebellion. The list goes on. And on. And on.

[avaricious]

That sounds more or less like what I was implying.

[Sure it was.]

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka's own skeptical face seems to mirror inner!Ling's sentiment.]

Uh-huh.

[avaricious]

You do seem to have a grasp on the situation, though. I can't be expected to do all of that on every single planet in my possession. A pity you're not on my side - you'd be just the kind of person I'd put in charge of a planet.

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka makes a show of inspecting her nails, expression resting somewhere between bored and amused.]

Sorry, but politics bores me. I'd rather be out in the real world. Thanks for the offer, though.

[avaricious]

Eh. Suit yourself.

[He's not terribly bothered by it. This idea of politics sounds particularly boring to him... but greedy is as greedy does.]

[resnipstance]

I usually do.