fandomhigh | Library, Saturday

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Library, Saturday

Cassidy happily shelved books on her shift at the library before she settled down at the desk with a new book on hand to hand fighting techniques. Accompanying that book was a book on military tactics, as well.

Yes, she was still being a diligent studier of different tactics as Ender had told her before. For some reason, taking his class made her want to make sure she took as much advantage of the materials she had at her disposal than ever.

The library was open and she would be happy to help you.

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"Is there a reason you wouldn't have the chance?"

She tilted her head and then sighed. "I'm not sure I like this book I found as much as the one you suggested to me before. All this book seems to talk about is how to hurt people. I thought tactics were supposed to be used to minimize injuries?"

Oh, Cassidy.

"I'm leaving in a few months," he pointed out, then covered the last bit of distance to the counter. "And in some cases, that's the purpose of tactics," he said. "Most of the time, its purpose is simply winning battles."

"I'm trying to not think about that part," she told him with a grin. "I believe I am practicing what is called denial."

She shook her head and closed the book. "I thought it was also about learning different ways to approach a dangerous situation like an invasion that won't immediately result in getting yourself hurt?"

"It's about many things," Ender replied. "Tactics are just that: ways to get what you want. A clever escape is one of those things. And injury to one's self is generally not the goal of tactics to begin with."

Unless you were Ender and at one point tactically got the snot beaten out of you in order to make a point.

"And if I'm going to be a good Queen to my people, I will need to learn both sides," she admitted, resting her chin on her hand.

"It would be helpful," Ender agreed. "Your first step would have to be redefining the purpose of your studies, for one."

She looked at him in interest and he had her complete attention.

"What do you mean?"

From her, that was a real question.

"You can't just research tactics from the perspective of someone who wants to use them only for escape," Ender noted. "You might have to strike back aggressively to accomplish that goal-- nevermind if you're waging war and your purpose shifts to victory."

She was silent for a moment and then nodded.

"You're right. I guess I wasn't thinking about how important it might be for me to know how to be aggressive as well as have an escape plan."

She bit her lip. "And there may be some instances where my temper could be an asset instead of the weakness that I've kind of been thinking of it as."

"I think it's best to do what you can to communicate with your enemy," Ender said quietly. "No battle is always better than any battle at all - but if that's not an option, your temper might drive you to strike first, and hard, and that can define the progress of a war."

"The last time I lost my temper I was erased from existence and hurt people that I care about," she said dryly. "And if I can avoid a battle, I'd like that, but I understand what you mean. Staying out of the battles that I honestly can here is one thing, but I may not have that kind of choice wherever I become the Queen of."

She ran a hand through her hair. "And that may mean that there are times I have to be aggressive rather than just defensive."

It was probably obvious that she wasn't sure how she felt about the fact that there might come a time where she had to start a fight to avoid a major loss of some kind.

"The last time you lost your temper, you didn't realize how much of a disadvantage it could be," Ender pointed out. "Nothing is useless, as long as you know how to control it, and you can keep your enemy from figuring out the same."

He took a glance down at the book she was reading. "Believe me," he said, "I'd rather you stay out of as many battles as you can."

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Library, Saturday

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