[video] The Nature of Power (CW: discussion of master-servant sexual relationships)

[silentsummoning]

So I find myself once connected to this forum. I had almost began to think this an dream, but I see now it isn't. I will update you, those who have been selected by BadgerNet, on the years that have passed for me. I, Lord Summoner Auau, and my fellow student, Lord Summoner Jaiu, developed our summoning arts sufficiently to summon a Lord Spirit, therefore advancing to the rank of Lord Summoner.

However, our master and teacher High Lord Summoner Macri graciously allowed us to stay and continue our studies using the resources in his tower. He... I will admit I have came to care about him; he was a good teacher. And I believe Jaiu feels the same way. He encouraged great diligence in our studies, but allowed us some leisure and was not an overly strict teacher. He also contributed several notable advancements to the study of spirits. He was an intelligent, fair, and hard-working man.

And he is dead. There is no cause for suspicion in his death: he was an ancient and ailing man and it was only natural that his body would fail him. And, indeed, nothing suspect was found by those who came to make a careful investigation.

He will be missed, if nothing else by his students.

Now I come to the circumstances I find myself in. Our reagent has seen fit to lay claim to my master's tower, as I and my rival student do not have a superior claim since we are only Lord Summoners, not High Lord Summoners. Said reagent has proclaimed that she will return the tower to us if we become High Lord Summoners and is presently only temporarily holding it for the safety of its contents. I do not believe this proclamation. It is clear as water that she intends to make use of the tower's library and resources.

I can only think to advance toward becoming a High Lord Summoner while being wary of those that would discourage me by various means, and Jaiu is attempting the same. We have an agreement between us that whoever reaches that rank first will allow the other to use the tower. It is our master's legacy and has been our home for several years. We will not allow it to remain in the hands of one who does not truly appreciate it.

[She sighs.]

Both of us have found others who would take us in. Presently, Jaiu resides with a High Lord Summoner who is indifferent to anything but the pursuit of weaving spirit-augmented garments, an interest Jaiu herself shares in some small part. She has spoken to me of how he regularly spends days without speaking a single word to her, and stated she prefers this arrangement.

As for me, I am residing with another Lord High Summoner just as... eccentric. Lord High Summoner Naam is known for her... fancy of my own kind, the Kikin. Let me immediately say that she has offered amply sufficient reassurance that she will make no undue advances upon me, and indeed she has lived up to her word. Still, the situation leaves me somewhat uneasy, not for my own sake, but for the sake of what I have seen. All her servants are Kikin, and she is known to bed at least several. She has said that no coercion is involved and I believe she believes this. Indeed, she will refuse to bed any who feels any distress at being involved in the act and employs the aid of spirits to ascertain their feelings on the matter.

However, it is quite plain that she holds great power over those she sleeps with. And I find myself pondering the nature of power. Its influence on the relationships people hold with each other. How it informs and shapes, perhaps even deforms those relationships. I find myself thinking about certain concepts some... acquaintances have spoken of, about how there can be no true justice as long as power over others exists. There are many reasons said acquaintances are opposed by those vested in the current way of things. That is all I will say about said acquaintances. Indeed, perhaps I have said too much already.

I will instead ask you all: What do you think power is?

Comments

[axmeowder]

[ the following words are written in broad, angry strokes]

Power is control. Control over another person. It's forcing your will over another's.

And what that person is doing is wrong. I would kill them myself. But I can't, so maybe you should.

[silentsummoning]

I appreciate your sentiment. Killing the person in question is perhaps a bit strong but indeed she should face consequences or at least understand the wrongness of what she is doing. Unfortunately it is not in my power to make her face consequences and any attempt I make toward such would drastically worsen my situation.

[axmeowder]

If anything, killing isn't strong enough. It's a moral obligation.

[silentsummoning]

One which I am unable to fulfill. Even if I possessed the capability to overcome her guardian spirits, I would face highly significant consequences. I would lose any protection I have by being her guest. As well, she was the only one willing to shelter me when doing so would potentially risk the regent's displeasure. I would have every ally of my host out for my head and my limbs. I would draw objection and potentially assassination even from summoners not allied with my host. Most importantly, as a rogue summoner I would lose the usual protections a summoner's family enjoys. Others would feel free to threaten or harm my family to get to me.

[axmeowder]

[ It's a while before there's a written reply. Even if it's only text, it's neater. She's spent some time calming down. ]

Some things are more important than all of that.

But I've said my piece.

[silentsummoning]

I have too much to lose at present but should my position change sufficiently I will see what I can do.

[lightnovelexperiences]

...reminder to me: don't date anyone without class levels while I'm here.

In general, though? There is no relationship without a power differential. Not a one. Sometimes everyone involved have powers or privileges that they can, if they want, use as weapons.

It's when someone vastly outguns another that you need to look out. And all I have to ask is this:

If you enter this person's service, they make an advance, and you rebuff it. Do you honestly believe it'll be fine? Or do you, rather, have ample reason to think this a sort of "Choose What Kind Of Fucked You Are" situation?

I can't answer that for you. This is, whoosh. I don't envy your position here.

[silentsummoning]

Indeed it might be an impossibility to create a world without the concept of power. And your point that not all power differences are bad is understood and appreciated. I do agree that in this case the power she holds over her servants is too extreme.

As for the other topic, I did say she offered ample reassurance. She swore an oath upon the spirits themselves. This is a very serious thing for a summoner. One who breaks such a vow will find a more difficult time getting spirits to serve them and overall it will impact their ability to summon.

Nevertheless I will admit I am not comfortable with having to witness her carrying on with her servants.

[lightnovelexperiences]

Yeah, I wouldn’t want a reminder that my boss is sleeping with the girl who does his laundry either. It’s worse for you cause you have to live with both of them, even.

...back home, as in uh not Mundus, it’s nigh impossible for me to live without giving my scant money to some richer than God, richer than 99% of everyone else combined, asshole who owns every shop, every (manu)factory making the stuff in the shop, and every supplier to the factories...

It’s literally too expensive to do otherwise; the only affordable food and clothing and games and other necessities and load-bearing luxuries are the ones sold by the richest companies on Earth, who can afford to lower the price because they own the supply chain and can look for profit at any price.

I’m beginning to think I prefer the backscratch exchanges and formal nepotism of the nobles on Mundus. At least that way you can actually talk in person with the guy you’re making richer and they have a chance to remember who you are and maybe like you.

[silentsummoning]

Your position is very much one I do not envy. At least I am at the whim of more than one temperament, some of them kinder or fairer than others.

[lightnovelexperiences]

I’m not even at the whim of Sterling’s temperament. My boss and his boss and her boss all up the chain are too far removed for Miles Fuckin Sterling to know my name, much less have opinions on me.

I’m not sure your looking in your furry-on-main boss’ eye is any better, but.

Via video

[theriflespiral]

[Natalia backs away from the camera. She's standing on top of the Archives of Hayashi Hideo, offering a good view of the surrounding town as she talks.]

I approached this climb under my own power. I precisely calculated each approach, determined the best one, used my martial arts training to make my ascent, and despite a few falling roof shingles, I am here.

But despite that, I do not consider this particularly powerful feat... Or even that impressive. What I did offers no comfort, helps no man, saves no lives.

I came here to show you this view.

[She picks up the camera and pans it, slowly, across the town of Fortitude.]

Every one of these houses took months to build. Every street, paved or not, the work of long years. They came here because they heard, 'you have a home in Fortitude', and believed it.

I am not sure I believe it yet. Even here, there are power imbalances. A council that, though informal, holds all the weight of ostracizing, as my father loves to complain. The Archive beneath my feet holds such a weight of knowledge that to be banned from it means taking a half-hour tram ride and a 15-minute walk each way into Horizon for the nearest library otherwise worth a damn.

The shrine families, though they have never done so to my knowledge, could withhold their service of purifying Outside dust, though having seen Outside poisoning, I am certain the consequences would be dire.

Personal power. Community power. Social power. Spiritual power. All these things and more exist, even if I am unfamiliar with their use.

[She turns the camera around. Despite not having any sort of viewfinder, of course she's perfectly in the frame.]

As to your patron... It's not an easy question to answer, how to deal with her. the assassin's knife would see knives turned against you. Defamation before you are strong enough would leave you vulnerable. It's a wire to walk, and I do not envy the choices you shall have to make.

As for me, I should get down now.

[Video ends.]

[silentsummoning]

Your response is insightful and one I will give much consideration. I do believe that it is possible to at least strive for a more fair world than the one I presently reside in. That may in itself be an unattainable goal but every step toward that impossible goal will improve things for the general population.

As for my patron, it is not impossible that I will end up in a position to do something. It will not happen quickly however.