Resonance

Chapter 6 - Valoran Snowburn

Note: Boring chapter for those who don't care for politics. 

The leader of the Pro-War party stood up, and took the podium. Even from where we sat, I could feel his confidence radiating outwards. Genski, he was called, a famous orator from the northern parts of Mayu with a reputation for never losing a political debate. Here was a man who truly believed in what he said and knew how to convince others; I felt a little scared for Delphi. Sure, she acted all confident and bold, but would her gift for persuasion really stand against someone who had spent his entire life dedicated to the art of politics? I hoped so.

Genski spread his arms and smiled at the body. "I believe that wars are necessary for the advancement of society. Yes, some may argue about the loss of lives, but if the goodness of something was judged solely by its toll on humans, time would be our enemy, would it not?" A few senators laughed, and he shrugged. "It's true, it's true. Also true is the fact that humans are selfish and inherently interested in themselves. I too am guilty of this. Emotions such as joy or sadness are our expression of feeling satisfied or not. Such selfishness inevitably leads to conflict, does it not?" 

A general nodding of heads. "So what do we do? We can either hide such antagonistic feelings or we can openly express our animosity. If we attempt to hide our hatred, what becomes?" Genski paused, and sighed. "One day, we will have had enough and, clouded by these emotions, we make mistakes. In that single moment, all the bottled up rage comes spilling out like a volcano. Our attempt to express ourselves, shall we say, results in such things as murder or other devilish trickery." He shook his head, and gestured at us. "What I see with a strategy to 'keep the peace' is people pretending to have friendship with their enemies, leading to a lack of trust and a loss of the true meaning of the word 'friends'. We will end up losing a part of what makes us human. That is what I fear from your position, Minister." 

Besides me, Delphi nodded curtly and I could almost hear her mind whirring, remembering quotes and developing counterarguments. Genski continued. "Thus, I support the necessity of war. Unlike the aforementioned tragedy of 'peace', war is open and direct. We know who the enemy is and we know why we fight. It's a decision made after consideration; not rash, not hasty, not random. Those besides us are our comrades and trust is built between us, not destroyed. It's the only brave decision left to us. It's the only good choice we can make. War is inevitable and good. Thank you for your time."

Many of the other senators clapped, and he returned to his seat, looking smug while those around him turned to him in congratulations. It was like he had already won, and I hated it. Despised it. "You'd better win this, Delphi." I whispered, as she made to stand up. My childhood friend winked at me, and ascended the marble steps to the podium. The room grew quiet once more, and I swear I could've heard a pin drop.

"I completely and utterly disagree with Mr. Genski. War is not a necessity, but a hindrance. Althought some of what you mentioned is true, the vast majority reflects your own selfishness as a businessman." A look of anger came of Genski's face, and I felt a strange sense of satisfaction. He covered it up a second later, but I had seen it and Delphi did too. She smiled. "You say war develops society: what society is there to develop when half its people have perished on the battlefield? The only ones that benefit are those who run businesses dealing with war necessities." A murmuring broke out in the chamber, and the presiding officer had to call us to attention multiple times before they finally quieted down. Delphi raised an eyebrow in my direction as if to say 'you really doubted me?' and I chuckled quietly to myself. 

"However, I do agree with some of your beliefs. For example, that bottling up negative emotions results in chaos. Which is why I advocate for the cleansing of such emotions. What good has hatred or dislike or envy done for us?" The room was silent as she gazed over the sea of faces. "Nothing! If we live peacefully and help each other, we will have hundreds of thousands of such comrades, of such friends.. Is that not true?" 

A great clamor arose amongst the listening senators as they began to bow down before her logic. Just like last time, and the time before, and every other time before that, Delphi had managed to secure their approval. A bit like magic, I thought. The three men who had just moments ago applauded Genski's speech were now nodding along. What mindless animals they are. But he himself was stubbornly refusing. 

"Why do you still advocate for war, Senator Genski? You say it's direct and open. Is burning down the farms of countless innocent civilians 'direct and open'? Is assassinating political targets and leaders what you would call 'honorable'? Is anything about war really good for those who fight?" She shook her head at Genski and spread her arms in a sweeping gesture. Most of the senators were now listening attentively, occasionally nodding in agreement. "Some return home from war as heroes, yes, but others return scarred and injured, and yet others never see their family again, their bodies rotting away on bloody battlefields. War is no honorable thing!" 

At those words, the room erupted into applause, and I felt strangely satisfied after seeing Genski's mortified expression. Politics did seem kind of fun, I guess. As Delphi sat down besides me, she grinned. "Good job! You've finally convinced those dull guys, once and for all!"

"I hope so, Valoran. I really do."