(no subject)

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

If you were born into a country involved in war, when do you typically begin being trained for combat? Go ahead and satisfy me with an answer, I'm just being curious.



-----Ursa-----

I discussed this, at length, with Ty Lee, and I will need your help after all.

But first, before I invite you here, we need to lay out a few extremely important ground rules.

---------

Comments

[dad-of-the-year.livejournal.com]

On Viltrum, we were taught to fight from the time we could comprehend what fighting was.

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

Really? And how old was that, generally?

I would think it best to begin teaching combat when the child is still learning motor skills. That way, it becomes ingrained in their very being.

[dad-of-the-year.livejournal.com]

It is roughly when we learn to walk. We mentally mature much faster than humans, but our bodies grow at about the same rate. Combat prowess and intelligence are the most prized traits among my people. It's the reasons they spread across the universe so quickly.

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

Ah.

Are your people nomadic, or do they take over other territories by force?

[dad-of-the-year.livejournal.com]

We have a home planet. Half our population culled the other half in a massive war, to ensure only the strongest survived. It was a brutal period, but it helped us ensure a strong gene pool to begin rebuilding with.

As I already informed the castle-residents, they made offers. They would go to an inhabited planet and talk to the ruling sentient beings. An offer would be made. Viltrumites would share advanced technology with the natural populace, improving their culture and quality of life. In return, they would belong to the Viltrumite Empire. Those who joined us prospered. Those who did not were destroyed, usually by a handful of Viltrumites. In essence, we are not that different from the Fire Nation. The difference is that your species moves across countries. We move across the universe.

I was one of the foremost agents, back when I was with them. I spent centuries helping conquer new territory.

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

Interesting.

And you're not worried that this information can be used against you?

[dad-of-the-year.livejournal.com]

Consider the things I had done, I figured it was better to get it out in the open. If someone arrives from my world, they would have no doubt tried to paint a much worse picture of me. I am no longer like the rest of my people.

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

Mm, but for all we know, this "I've changed!" whining is just a ruse, and a common one, at that.

[dad-of-the-year.livejournal.com]

If I were like that still, I would have already starting eliminating threats. Taking down the strongest ones would take top priority.

[squirrelsenses.livejournal.com]

When my Great-Grandfather was five, he was captured by a caravan of Canadian Gypsies and began training their own small army of destructive children.

Their tiny fists did quite a lot of damage...

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

Canadian Gypsies? I've never heard of that race before. Did he train them, or did they train themselves? Your phrasing was a bit misleading.

[squirrelsenses.livejournal.com]

No, he was a prisoner there. They forced him to train. He only managed to escape when he fell in love with a woman called Lakeisha and they eloped.

Sorry, that happens. I have a disorder known as "Misphraseitis".

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

Oh, I see. You're trying to be funny. I'm not in the mood.

[squirrelsenses.livejournal.com]

On the contrary, ma'am, I am 100% serious.

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

I said I wasn't in the mood.

And my name is Princess Azula. "Princess" or "Your highness" will do, but never "ma'am".

[squirrelsenses.livejournal.com]

My sincerest apologies, Your Highness.

...Have you ever considered ruling this place?

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

[she's relaxing a bit]

I have, but then I decided that I am not interested in ruling this place; just certain people within it.

[squirrelsenses.livejournal.com]

So you're more of a strategic kind of person. I admire that.

Oh, and if you ever need a lawyer, just ask. I know one from my world.

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

Good.

A lawyer? No, I don't need a lawyer. I'm perfectly capable of being my own defense and offense, no matter what happens.

[so-many-needs.livejournal.com]

Personally, I was created strictly for melee fighting. I've known how to brawl since the day I was made. Never had to waste time with a childhood, either.

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

Did you have to learn motor skills, when you were created, or did you already have a grasp on them?

[so-many-needs.livejournal.com]

No. Speech, logic, brawling ability. Had it all, right from the start. Same story with my "siblings". Of course, I've picked up a lot of information since then.

I think I need to refine my fighting skills, here. Against normal humans, I was pretty invincible. Fightin' some guys here actually requires skill.

[gimmeureyes.livejournal.com]

As early as 7, or even earlier if one is capable.

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

Seems awfully late, for the "average". In your world, are abilities obvious since birth, or do they develop later?

[gimmeureyes.livejournal.com]

Is it? There are always exceptions. Our worlds must differ greatly in this area. Both.

[invincibleluki.livejournal.com]

during

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

Generally, people who do combat for sport alone just don't have the same talent or drive.

Azula

[obturated.livejournal.com]

[a pause -- she has a problem with something Azula wrote, but decides to address that later]

I'm listening.

Ursa

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

You are not allowed to let anyone know that I have an issue. You are to maintain that I am perfectly healthy and that everything is normal. No one -- absolutely no one -- should have the slightest indication that anything is unwell with me. There are no exceptions.

You are not to attempt to "fix" me. I need your help for one problem, and only that problem.

And if you cannot agree to these terms, then you aren't allowed to help me.

Azula

[obturated.livejournal.com]

I can't promise anything until I know what this 'problem' of yours is. Are you certain that I would know how to help you with it?

Ursa 1/3

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

Mother, I would be in serious, grave trouble with anyone in a position of authority and power. I could be in serious trouble alone. Do you honestly think I'd come to you if this wasn't so important? YOU, of all people?

As far as I know, you are the only person here I can go to about this. I've looked into it. Ty Lee barely knows more than I do. I've exhausted the library.

Ursa 2/3

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

Mother -- [frustrated huff; she's getting a bit shrill, here]

Ursa 3/3

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

-- I can't tell you until you promise you won't tell anyone!

Azula; 1/3

[obturated.livejournal.com]

[taken aback -- only a better icon than this]

Azula; 2/3

[obturated.livejournal.com]

Azula

[obturated.livejournal.com]

[despite what's happened between them in the past few days, she's very worried]

You have my word, then. I won't tell a single person what has happened.

Ursa

[sofaultless.livejournal.com]

[irritated tone]

Good.

[nothlitprince.livejournal.com]

Even when our country is at war, people aren't really trained for it until they enter the military, or are drafted - and age depends on when it happened, and how easy it was to sneak in. Generally, anyway.

...We're at war right now, but most people don't know it. There was no one to train us.