fandomhigh | Revolutions: Week 1 Period 5

Aly perched on top of her desk, watching her students enter the classroom with a bit of a smile. She nodded to those she knew before and smiled at the ones who looked like they were probably brand new. Once everyone was seated, she stood up and leaned against the desk.

"Good afternoon. Some of you know me already, but for those of you who don't, I'm Alianne of Pirate's Swoop. You all can call me Aly, but if you're uncomfortable with that, duani is also acceptable." She grinned. "First person to call me Miss Aly, I get to demonstrate on. This class is 'So You Say You Want a Revolution.' If you're not interested in revolutions or you thought you were taking Home Ec - that was first period. You missed it."

"During the term, we're going to talk about why formenting revolution can be a good thing. We're going to discuss what revolutions can be used for, how they can be put together, and why a failed revolution can be just as effective." She gazed at all of them with a slight smile. "And yes, I still hate theory so practicalities will be covered. Demolitions, weaponry, organisation, magic - or not, tactics." She grinned. "And my favourite, intelligence."

"Seven years ago, I helped organise a rebellion that put my Queen in power and have served as her Spymaster ever since. Almost everything I'm going to be teaching you is what I learned during the rebellion and in the years since. And if I didn't learn it there, it's something that was useful to me at the time." She paused thoughtfully, stroking her black beaded necklace. "In spying, your brain is almost everything - half of spying is half mental as I've said before. But a single person can't put together an effective revolution. But a single person can destroy one. And a failed rebellion feeds only the ravens and Stormwings. It's a dangerous game. And one you have to commit to fully if you're going to succeed."

"So today, I'd like to get to know those of you I don't know already, and I'd like to hear what you think about revolutions and rebellions. When are they appropriate, what would it take to rebel against the current power structure of your home country, society, or even this school." She smiled mischievously. "Zuko and Bridge are your TAs for this class. They'll help me with many of the aspects so if you have any questions and I'm not around, feel free to ask them."

[OOC: And OCD is coming up...]

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"What about if the government is just oppressing other people to do their whim?" Jamie asked.

"It is their duty to serve their lord," Zuko dismissed the question.

"Does the lord have duties to his people as well?" Aly asked, interested.

"It is his duty to do what is best in the interest of the Nation and its people," Zuko nodded.

"What about if the interest of the people conflicts with the rulers?" Jamie asked.

"It won't," he argued, refusing to acknowledge the possibility.

Aly watched Zuko carefully for a second. "How should the Lord define 'best interest'?"

"He's Fire Lord," Zuko said. "It's his destiny to know."

"So why are there rebels and traitors?" Jamie asked innocently.

"Because some people do not have the best interest of the nation at hard," Zuko replied, narrowing his eyes at Jamie.

Aly listened to the exchange with some sympathy masked behind her general amused expression. "When does this destiny settle upon the Fire Lord - or the ruler?" she asked. "With the placing of the crown, instant knowledge arrives? Does only the Fire Lord receive this knowledge? From the Gods? Or is it simply the will of a man?"

"He was born and raised with it," Zuko replied. "His entire life was build up towards the destiny of becoming Fire Lord. There is no one more qualified to lead the nation."

Aly stifled a sigh. "And what are his responsibilities when leading his nation?"

Zuko frowned. "There's a lot of them."

"Such as..."

"Such as keeping your country save from people who are trying to destroy it," Zuko replied.

Aly nodded. "Certainly keeping the country and the people within safe is a priority of any ruler. But does he have responsibilities to the people beyond that? To allow them free movement or make sure they have food? To give them freedom of action or word?"

"Yes," Zuko said after a long pause. "If their freedom does not harm the nation as a whole."

"So are those freedoms the people's right? Or a privilege given by the King and able to be removed without repercussion?" Aly asked, trying not to probe too strongly.

"The Fire Lord would only remove them if he thought it was in the interest of the nation," Zuko said. Yes, he sounded like a pamphlet, but he didn't seem to want to go any deeper into it.

Aly raised an eyebrow slightly and gave a small smile. "That is certainly the optimal case."

"Yes," he replied simply.

Revolutions: Week 1 Period 5

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