Diplomacy

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

I know your minds are probably on the upcoming extracurricular events, I know mine are, so I’ll try not to overload your systems too much.

Today we’re going to go over Chapter Five: What to do when the opposing party is an idiot.

It’s not as easy as it may appear. Trust me.

Comments

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

You let your beautiful Goddess kill them, she has no patience for fools.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

If Beka were actually in the classroom right now, she'd be looking at Cameron very oddly and wanting to ask how his beautiful girlfriend felt about that.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Yes, but this is diplomacy. Not advanced negotitations. Please revise your answer.

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

There is only one answer and I have given it to you. Unless the fool bows down before my Goddess and begs for forgiveness, he shall be dealt with as she sees fit.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Then if that is the case, it is clear to me that you haven't done your reading.

Diplomacy is not about one answer.

*marks an F in the book*

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

*laughs* I did do my reading and I found no truth in it. My Goddess' way is best. Is not diplomacy about getting your way over the others and let them think they came out well? My Goddess always gets her way and her victim the person she is negotiating with is always happy to come out alive or relieved to be dead. Her method is accurate, perhaps you should speak to her.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

No, that is not diplomacy at all. It is not about getting your way and supressing the will of others. And I do not wish to speak to her. I am thinking of speaking to your parent or legal guardian.

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

My Goddess and Queen is the only one you should adress if you have any concerns.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

OOC: This is fun!

IC: I see. In that case, you can be sure she will hear of your failing grade for that day. These things do add up quickly.

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

*sneers* I hope that she does. I am certain she will enjoy discussing the finer points of diplomacy with you.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

I know a threat when I hear one. You can attend detention after classes.

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

If my Goddess wills it.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

She better will it, or the consequences won't be pleasant.

OOC: hehehee. Fun times.

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

*nods in agreement, but tries to look docile as his Goddess won't be happy if he gets her in trouble* Yes, ma'am.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

OOC: It's better than working.

INDEPENDENT STUDY

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

(OOC: Sorry about the other ones. I'll see if I can find them and post back. I completely lost track of this class somewhere along the way...until Beka started seeing Shep. *snickers*)

"Can you clarify in what capacity you mean idiot?"

Re: INDEPENDENT STUDY

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

When they frustrate you beyond all reason. It's generally an indicator.

Re: INDEPENDENT STUDY

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

*Beka considers this.*

What you don't do is what I've done in the past. Make threats and wave weapons. It's also not especially useful to hole up and stop dealing.

*She thinks some more.*

The best thing to do if you can is call a break. Give everyone time to regroup. During the break, do some research, or try to think of the problem from a different angle. Or see the person in a different light. Maybe even try to role-play the situation from their side. With luck, that will give you a sense of how to move forward.

Re: INDEPENDENT STUDY

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Very good. It's very easy for talks to turn ugly when you get to a frustrating point. Stepping back for a moment is sometimes the wisest choice.

*marks an A*

Re: INDEPENDENT STUDY

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

*fervently hopes she'll remember that at tonight's debates*

Re: INDEPENDENT STUDY

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

*is sure she'll do well and smiles reassuringly*

Re: INDEPENDENT STUDY

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

*feels relieved and ventures a question*

When is it appropriate to cut through the crap and lay your cards on the table?

Re: INDEPENDENT STUDY

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Trust your instincts on that. if your gut tells you something is right, it is likely right.

Re: INDEPENDENT STUDY

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

You do realize that this is how all this... whatever it is/was between us started, right???

Re: INDEPENDENT STUDY

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

You do realize I'm not even here right now, right???

Unless you want to play with ropes or something.

[neptune-wallace.livejournal.com]

Always stay calm, and do your best to confuse them into thinking that they came up with the idea you want to get through to them. Did that make any sense?

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Actually yes, you made perfect sense.

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

"Use it to your advantage. You have to remember everything they say and do though, and use it against them. Appeal to the intellect of the people and point out every single mistake the opposing party has made." Alanna pauses for a moment. "If the people still vote for the opposing party, leave town."

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

*smiles* A very thoughtful approach.

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna smiled. "Thank you, ma'am."

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

If the other side is being stupid, do you really want to do business with them? I'd say step #1 is evaluating the whole process of negotiating with them. If you can go deal with reasonable people, do so.

(and if you need help with wack-boy over there, let me know.)

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

Unfornately, when dealing with politicians and government officials, idiots are unavoidable. Trust me. *sighs heavily*

[wraithbaitjohn.livejournal.com]

Alright, fair point, but I was thinking of things like...

Well, where I come from we had to bug out once. We needed a place to go. So we were trying to find someone to take us in for a couple of days. When someone got stupid, we just moved on to the next planet group.

I guess I'm a big fan of the Path of Least Resistance.

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

We all have our preferred methods.

[can_be_more]

I had an incident earlier today- *glares at cameronmitchell*- where he was being an idiot and I managed not to break his face. In fact, I laughed at him and he walked away.

And no, it really isn't easy.

[deirdreofamber.livejournal.com]

*takes notes. reads assignment. compares information to her siblings. decides many of them are indeed idiots.*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_wespryce/]

Of course, referring to one's opponent as an "idiot" is hardly the most promising way to begin diplomatic relations...

[padmeofnaboo.livejournal.com]

I don't title the reading material.