Cheetar
(is a cheetah)
- Location
- space
i like'd your previous avatar more tbh
May The Invisible Hand Be With You - (Star Wars CK2-Style Quest)
- Thread starter Dr. Snark
- Start date
- Sci-Fi
-
- Tags
- star wars canon what canon tsundere dice ck2 quest actions have consequences all the credits all work and no play makes ciaran a dull girl best sister capitalism ho! despairing qm teetotaller society member gotta catch 'em all insanity looting off the rails sage dice approaching spicy sheev tsundere asajj
Barondoctor
The things I chase come to me.
- Location
- The other side of the mirror
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
Cheetar
(is a cheetah)
- Location
- space
What's the meme
- Location
- america
i wonder what padme quest is doing with this. like suddenly they make a new friend, and that friend is now in control of half the galaxy at this point.
Jack_Trade
Chasing the Green Fairy
- Location
- Scotland
*cough*
Padme of course. I'm convinced the questers in that particular Negaverse, are paranoid as fuck about Ciaran.
- Location
- america
i can imagine why they would be though.
i wonder how they are dealing with us being a best friend/mentor.
Obviously Padme quest at first was like 'a friend from Coruscant would be useful'. Then they progressed on to 'Woo! A savvy friend from Coruscant is just what we need to get ahead of our Palpatine problem!' when we helped out with information on Senators and the Military Act.
Then time passed, they saw just what sort of things we may be involved in, and they got onto full 'Oh shit, Ciaran is a Sith Lord. Play it cool guys!'. Not all of them would believe we're a full Sith Lord, but at least one would be inventing titles for Ciaran.
Then time passed, they saw just what sort of things we may be involved in, and they got onto full 'Oh shit, Ciaran is a Sith Lord. Play it cool guys!'. Not all of them would believe we're a full Sith Lord, but at least one would be inventing titles for Ciaran.
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- Location
- alphen aan den rijn
hold on, i am about 99% sure it is not a thing but is there a padme quest?
ppl are pulling my leg right
ppl are pulling my leg right
Jack_Trade
Chasing the Green Fairy
- Location
- Scotland
Nope, we're just joking about a negaverse.
- Location
- alphen aan den rijn
thanks good to know for my sanity
that bad, because i think i would have loved to read it
Ciaran won't be seen as a Sith Lord as Padme doesn't know about our Force abilities. Instead she'd be seen as the female Tyber Zann, corrupting the Republic and planning to own the government. They're caught between Palpatine's Conspiracy, Dooku's Separatists and Ciaran's Criminals.
We're a Miraluka, everyone knows we're Force Sensitive, even if we get away with pretending to be untrained. And the assumption is if you were a Force Sensitive crime lord, you'd get training somehow.
Along with knowing that Ciaran's somehow alive despite organizing a ceasefire of all things. I mean, a ceasefire and an alternative for planets to get out of the war are like some of the worst things you can do to Palpatine and Dooku's plans that don't involve exposure or attempted murder.
So yeah, they'd assume we're Force Sensitive and cramming training pretty much every moment we're out of their sight, just to stay alive. SB/SV paranoia jumps us up to Sith Lord, if only for the purpose of funny omakes.
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- Location
- alphen aan den rijn
the line between being Force Sensitive and a active force user is a wide thing
i am hopeful that padme at this point if not a lot earlier is not or at least a lot less naive that was sometimes shown
also just turned into the new year to happy new year you all
i am hopeful that padme at this point if not a lot earlier is not or at least a lot less naive that was sometimes shown
also just turned into the new year to happy new year you all
Cheetar
(is a cheetah)
- Location
- space
And from the Netherlands
Doomed Wombat
Let's go Darling!
- Location
- Dancing on wires!
And in 27 mins from Britain
(Omake) New Year's Resolutions (Canon)
Killerflood
Corporal Cannonfodder
- Location
- Saṃsāra
New Year's Resolutions
It's a wonderful evening on Taris and, as I look out over the now lively ecumenopolis on the verge of a new year, I wonder how it could be so lively. The galaxy is still in the midst of civil war but looking at the celebrations outside, it's hard to think of it. Buildings are filled with life. The sky lanes are still moving. Businesses, mine and others, are chugging along. It's almost as if there's no worry that anything outside this system could disturb everyday life. Even with how hectic it looks, It's actually somewhat … peaceful.
How I wish …
I remember the days when all that was on my mind was slipping my way into a high class party or "vacationing" on Naboo. Maybe it was broken up with the small raid or two but … the worst I had to deal with was bumbling novices screwing up a wiretap system or the rare honest bureaucrat.
I wonder what happened to that guy. When it comes to Coruscanti justice, the planted spice was only enough to get him a year in prison, at most.
Not to insinuate that I want to go back to those times. Oh no. I love being a galactic celebrity. That's been fun. And when the decadence gets tiring, I always have my businesses to work on. The whole slew of galactic conspiracies on the other hand … not so much. Running circles around the Jedi and trying to overtake the Sith actually takes effort. And not the good kind either. There's no sense of accomplishment to take from it. There's just the relief of being able to keep the day of upheaval away for a little while longer until I'm ready.
"Are you actually getting nostalgic? I didn't think you had it in you."
I let out a huff of amusement. I greet Ventress's smirk with my own.
I riposte, "And did my dear Asajj actually get a sense of humor? Where did you find the time to get one?"
Asajj's smirk turns into a scowl and she grumbles.
"I didn't. Being around you long enough is a curse that way. You either run away or learn to deal with it somehow."
I laugh lightly.
"Well, figuring out how to trade barbs, so to speak, while maybe not the most acceptable option, is definitely one of the far most entertaining ones, wouldn't you agree?"
"Most annoying, maybe."
My smirk widens at Asajj's put upon expression. She's obviously not truly annoyed. She gets more physical when she's truly annoyed.
I say, "And yet here you are. Rubbing elbows, or maybe butting heads might be the more accurate statement, with the higher ups and socialites of the CNS."
Asajj's scowl deepens.
"It wasn't my decision. This was a stupid idea anyway. What if I get spotted?"
My smirk turns into a soft smile.
"Of course you won't. The great Ventress, if she wasn't supposed to be dead, being spotted talking peacefully with Lady Ciaran at a social event for New Years? There's a limit to even Sith paranoia."
Asajj scoffs.
I chuckle, "There might not be much of one and it might be caused by arrogance, I'll admit, but it's there."
I pull up short just before we enter the dining hall portion of the rented out social hall. I turn to face Asajj fully and give her a full smile.
"And you did have the choice to stay shut away on the Oracle. For all my efforts to drag you here, I couldn't and wouldn't literally drag you. That's beneath both of us. If you truly wanted to stay, you would have. But with a new perspective, you have a whole new galaxy to explore, and some part of you wants to see it. So here you are."
Asajj's expression lightens and she pauses to think. Without the nearly omnipresent frown, she actually looks good. She's no longer the grayish pale she used to be and the ugly amber eyes have been replaced with pale blue ones. And her hair has grown back enough to where she can actually style it. It's a simple combover, yes, but she styles it. My smile has turned back to a smirk for the short moment where she actually considers it before she goes back to scowling.
She states, "Nonsense."
I give another chuckle and say, "If you say so."
I sense my grandfather approaching and I get an idea to do something before he arrives. My smirk turns absolutely wicked and Asajj tenses and takes a step back. Before she can flee, I give Asajj a quick hug while no one can see. Asajj goes stock still with wide eyes. Her mouth hangs open.
I whisper, "Thank you."
I quickly let go and Asajj practically hisses.
"For what?"
I say, "I'll let you figure it out." I wink.
Grandfather walks into view before Asajj can say anything. He's wearing a large smile and opens his arms.
"Ciara, there you are!"
He looks to Asajj and gives her a nod saying, "Ms. Narek."
Asajj manages to stifle the flinch at her chosen name and stiltedly returns the nod. Silas looks back to me and beckons us to follow.
"We're ready to begin the toast and everybody's wondering where you are. Come on, let's go drink some alcohol!"
Asajj rolls her eyes again and I sigh.
With a small grin, I dryly say, "Try not to get too drunk."
Silas' smile grows and he laughs.
"It's not actually me you have to worry about. Gulan's here as well, remember?"
Asajj groans and I cover my mouth while I snicker. I look over to Asajj and grin.
"Here's an idea. During the ball, do you want to make a game of stealing Gulan's drinks for me?"
Asajj twerks her mouth and then shrugs.
"It's better than standing around trying not to kill all of these airheaded nobility."
Silas nods his head at that.
"I'll be on the same ship as you with that."
I laugh and then start walking. I look back and wave them to follow.
"Come on! We shouldn't keep the 'airheads' waiting."
Asajj shakes her head and moves to walk behind me as my so-called "assistant" and Silas quickly follows. I sweep in underneath the archway to see all of the people gathered in the main hall and mingling. Senators, other business beings, and the general whose-who of the CNS walk around laid out tables and the open space cleared out before a lone long table.
The CNS is an anomaly of peace in between two sides of a civil war and the members reflect the times. People from planets who were nearby or used to be the frontlines mingle with those who were far away and want to keep it that way. Those who espouse peace manage to speak with those whose businesses rely on it and manage to tolerate those whose businesses rely on the opposite. Overall, the CNS is a mishmash of different personalities who all either truly believe in not wanting the war on their doorstep or those who profit from being that doorstep. And at the front table are those who lead these people.
On the far left is one of the newest members to the highest leadership. Garm Bel Iblis from Corellia has taken his planet's addition to the CNS with aplomb. While he is still Corellia's Senator to the Republic, he is nonetheless an open ally to and member of the CNS. He doesn't have a set position but he's taken the lead as one of the more active senatorial leads. He is well known and loudly heard to be championing the CNS cause in the Republic Senate. He smirks and gives me a relaxed two-finger salute as I walk in. I smirk back.
To his right is Padme Amidala of Naboo. Well known in the Senate even before the war as an up and coming leader, she is a well known diplomat. While she doesn't take an active role in the CNS, she is well regarded and the lower rungs of the CNS diplomatic core easily regard any of her suggestions as future policy regarding outside parties. Usually. Unknown to her, my own policy sometimes gets in the way. She's an idealist and a faithful believer of democracy. Thankfully, though, with my … tutelage, she's not the naive idealist like the image she takes pains to maintain. She gives me a simple smile and I give one of my rare genuinely soft ones.
The de jure leader of the Council sits in the middle. Satine Kryze is the primary founder of the CNS and the head of its Diplomatic Corp. Whereas I was the one to strengthen the Council, it was Satine who came up and organized the initial concept and then continued its growth. She's the restless founder who has placed the Council as her life's ambition based on her own ideals. She wishes for a peaceful galaxy. A pacifistic one with no war. Sadly, I've had to trample on her ambition. She's not the actual leader and she knows it. But she begrudgingly allows it as I have made her dream a realistic possibility. The CNS sees her as the symbol to follow. Satine knows better as to the truth. She gives me a mixed expression as I walk along the edges of the crowd. Her lips are pursed but she gives me a nod to which I return.
And the last one, representing the CNS Defense Taskforce, is Colonel Steela Gerrera, the old rebel from Onderon. She's another young face and one I don't know well. After Sevrance's debacle on Onderon, Steela's planet hastily joined the CNS. Steela and many of her followers, including her brother I've heard, joined the small taskforce. From what Thrawn has mentioned, Steela has risen fairly quickly. While not a full general yet, Thrawn has said that she has talent and will quickly rise to the highest rank in time for the end of the war. Since Thrawn is busy elsewhere, he has chosen her to take his place at the festivities. Whereas an admiral might be a better political representative, Steela's a well known face to those within the CNS and to those outside. This is the first time she has seen me in person so the neutral expression is to be expected. I smile at her nonetheless. I have to keep my image after all because ...
I take my position on the far right of the head table. While rumored to be someone more, only the individuals in the highest rungs of the Galactic Hierarchy know me to be the power behind the CNS's rise. With my contacts during the early days where I aided Dooku's Outer Rim Colonial "Defense" League, my public image as a philanthropic businesswoman, and my own still unknown underworld resources, I can safely say that it is I who have done the largest portion of making the CNS what it is today.
From the very beginning, I have taken an idea of a small association of systems publicly declaring their neutrality to the current conflict, one which would have easily been swept aside when the time came, and made it into a well known bastion of peace that is a force just below the Republic or CIS itself. The Republic may be the populous and prosperous core from which the galaxy turns around but it is the CNS which feeds and sustains it. The CIS might have a military which, if lead better, could overcome anyone's defenses, but it is the CNS which funds it.
Neither side can function without it. Neither side can afford to attack it. Through my actions, the CNS has been made the linchpin of this war.
The time will come when this neutrality is put to the test. The time will come when all of this talk of a "better" galaxy must be acted on. As I look over all of the people gathered here, I wonder what they want for it? What they want from it? Will they be willing to fight for it? I am. I am already doing so.
It is late and the New Year is just a few minutes away. With me standing beside those with large ideas and larger dreams, Garm raises his glass to start the toast.
His smile turns grim. He shouts, "To Sanity in a galaxy set upon by the insane!"
He downs his drink. His toast brings a few unnerved chuckles from some but gets a determined nod from others. Padme's momentarily concerned look at Garm's toast fades away and she looks forward.
She raises her own and states, "To a galaxy safe for democracy and diplomacy!"
She sips from hers and everyone, believer or not, politely claps. Satine nods her head and then raises her own.
"To peace in a galaxy torn apart by war."
More polite applauses greets the toast and Satine takes a sip from her own glass. She looks over to Steela and gives her a small smile. Steela nods and then takes a breath.
Lifting up her glass, she says, "To Freedom! From tyranny of any sort!"
I give her a knowing smiles and politely clap along with everyone else. She declines to take a sip and instead calmly places it back down.
Ah, those poor fools who decide not to partake in alcohol. Willingly or not …
I look over the crowd as the applause dies down and spy Asajj, Gulan, and Grandfather near the back on my side. Grandfather tips his glass to me with a large grin which causes Gulan to sneer at him. A waiter with a platter of glasses walks by and Gulan takes one. As soon as it is in his hand and on its way to its mouth, Asajj easily takes it from him and smoothly drinks it herself. Gulan turns to her with an aghast expression and then to me with a betrayed one. Asajj's face doesn't change from neutral. She stares at me and simply raises an eyebrow up and then lets it fall down.
I professionally stifle a snort and keep it to only a twitch in my placid smile. I gracefully lift up my own glass and fill my smile with bland radiance.
Time for the meaningless endnote.
"To the New Year and-"
The latter half of my empty platitude is interrupted as the whole hall is awash with bright color. I turn my head to gaze out of the windows and see the fireworks go off covering the entire sky in dazzlingly bright light. The streets able to be seen are filled with light as well, as all of Taris celebrates the coming of a new year. The slow behemoth that is the masses moves. My control slips for a second by my sheer surprise of my forgetting the time. This moment allows the Force to naturally flow through me. I can feel the mood for a split second. I can feel the excitement, joy, hopes, and expectations of a whole world overruling the lingering presence of apathy, sadness, despair, and regret of an ecumenopolis once brought low and still healing. For a split-second in time, I am overwhelmed.
I blink and it's over. The fireworks continue at a steady pace. The audible cheering dies down. I close my mouth and turn back to focus on everyone else. I first spot Asajj whose eyes are narrow and then my Grandfather who's hard grin as become small and soft. Gulan gives me a thumbs up. I even manage to see Satine in my periphery looking confused and Padme wearing a worried look. The crowd of course is still looking outside or doesn't give a damn. On with the show and all that.
I ignore them and smile brightly once more. If I let my smile take on more of its natural smirk, well, no one will remember any difference. I end the toast to those listening.
Energetically I call, "To our efforts! To Prosperity!"
The crowd's applause is a bit more lively. Whether it's due to the show or my words, who cares?
The lead table disbands with all of us going our own ways. Or at least, most of us. I let Steela pass by and wait for Padme as she walks towards me. The worried expression still remains. I grin and greet her.
"Padme! I'm glad you could make it! I'm surprised you don't have a certain blond haired escort though."
Padme shoots a quick smile but then quickly looks around. No one is really focused on us so she turns back around and lets the smile slide off.
She asks, "Are you okay?"
I tilt my head and my eyebrows furrow behind my visor.
"Of course. Why do you ask?"
Padme hesitates.
She eventually says, "When the fireworks went off and you turned to look, you lost control of your expressions for a moment. I doubt it was from surprise."
Padme wryly smiles and says, "After all, it's rare for you to be ever genuinely surprised …"
Padme pauses and then bites her lip.
She leans in and whispers, "I also can't remember you losing control of your expressions at all. Even when we got news that the bombing occurred, you simply switched modes. I saw you … You actually looked stunned! What happened?"
It's my turn to purse my lips. Sadly, I can't simply brush it off. Padme is one of the few who have managed to dig deep enough to know I'm not just a pretty face with deep wallets. Not as well as others of course, but … she's discovered enough.
I sigh and give a general truth.
"The change in the planet's mood took me off guard."
Padme looks at me askance.
She haltingly repeats, "A change in the- the mood of the … planet?"
I nearly burst out laughing at her look and decide to just stare at her with a smirk.
Padme softly growls and says, "Don't look at me like that."
My smirk widens and I have to bite my own lip to keep from laughing. I raise an eyebrow.
Padme slightly tilts her head and then groans. Only her own professional skills keep her from covering her own face.
She says, "You know full well what I meant."
I have to let out a chuckle and I say, "Of course I do, but I couldn't help but take the bait when you offered such a marvelous opening."
I continue to laugh and Padme sighs and then smiles.
She asks, "Is it some Force thing? Anny gets similar looks sometimes."
I open my mouth and look at her. That last statement forces me to inquire about it.
"Anny? Are you at sweet little nicknames already?"
Padme's face pales and then reddens. She straightens up and then nods her head. Her professionalism is taking hits though by how she's looking anywhere but at me.
"It was good to speak with you, Ciaran. I hope you have a wonderful New Year."
I watch with a grin as she retreats back into the crowd. I cover my mouth and allow myself to laugh. After a moment, I slip back through the outskirts of the crowd. I give plain greetings and hellos to those who spot me. Thankfully no one stops me but for a second. In a few minutes, I am at the back of the congregation where my own little group is. I walk up to Asajj, Gulan, and Silas.
I say, "Well, toast is over. Feel free to do whatever!"
Gulan smiles and tilts the glass he has managed to keep.
"Oh, I plan on it."
I smile and needle him, "So you finally got something to drink?"
"No thanks to these two."
Gulan scowls and casts shade at Silas and Asajj. Silas wears an unapologetic grin while I think I see Asajj's lips twitch upward. I laugh.
"I'm glad to hear it. Planning on just drinking the night away?"
Gulan shakes his head and says, "Nah. There's a couple of people here who I bet I could get some stuff off of so I was going to ply them with drink while I drink the night away."
I let out a soft snort while the other two roll their eyes.
"Well, have fun with that."
Gulan smiles evilly and rubs his hands.
"Oh, I will. I will."
Gulan then quickly takes off into the mass of people. I chuckle when I see him head to a waiter first.
"It's good to see you relaxed, Ciara, if even for a moment."
I blink and look to Silas and smile.
"Relaxed?"
Silas' smile has softened and he nods.
"Yeah." He says. "I could tell you were actually enjoying the conversation with the senator at the end. I'm guessing you teased her a bit too much and she fled?"
I shrug and say, "Certain relationships can be touchy."
Silas shakes his head and then pats my shoulder. He sighs and his smile weakens.
"Try to find some time to relax again. New year, same old problems."
I deadpan, "Such calming words will certainly help me."
Silas laughs and walks off.
With a wave he says, "Happy to help. I'm making off like Gulan and getting another drink."
I wave as well and then focus on Asajj who's frowning.
She bluntly says, "You lost control."
My lips purse and I say, "For a moment."
She growls, "What happened?"
I sigh and move to stand side by side with Asajj. We look out into the crowd but our attention is to each other.
I say, "Like I told Padme, the change in the planet's mood caught me off guard."
Asajj asks, "What do you mean by that?"
I pause to think and let the noise of the crow wash over us. The guests walk with and talk to each other. The staff patiently fulfill their duties. I can even sense the few guards in the halls. They're not what I'm focusing on though.
"Have you ever felt a seemingly sudden change in the background feelings in the Force? You know what it's supposed to feel like. Every change in location, the change in feeling is rarely too drastic. Even when we visited Malachor IV, we weren't truly surprised because it was expected. Our senses were guarded and then slowly opened to feel the murky sense of the Dark Side. And even then it started as a weak sense of unease that slowly got stronger."
I let myself open up to the Force again and look for those same feelings that burst into me before. I ignore the party and search for the average citizen. The families of refugees. The hard worker and even the slacker. It's weaker but it's still there. Mixed in with the dreary usual, the lighter feelings are at least noticeable where they weren't before. Of course, it was always there. As the night drew on, it had grown with the anticipation. But …
"When the fireworks went off, I was slightly taken off guard. I had actually lost track of the time and wasn't paying attention. When they burst into light I opened my senses for a second to help find out what was happening. I realized quickly of course, but a second was all that was needed. In that second, the planet's sense surged with sensations diametrically opposed to the usual. As deep as I was into my own search at the time, I was … blinded."
Asajj's eyes narrow again.
She asks, "Blinded? You mean the Force was concentrated for a moment?"
I shake my head.
"No, all that happened was that it's flow changed. I guess I felt a sense of vertigo. You get so used to the usual mute feelings of apathy, contentedness, slight amusement, or minor annoyance, that you're surprised when you experience deep feelings on such a scale. Pure excitement for one."
Asajj murmurs, "What of others? Pure joy? Pure agony?
I stare blankly out and then bring myself back. A moment of silence between us occurs before I say, "Probably. Anything large enough and so distilled … it just manages to overwhelm you."
Asajj hums. She then scowls and says, "So I was right. You did lose control."
"And?"
Asajj looks to me and I stare at her with a smirk.
"Think of our current situation. Are we in control?"
Asajj blinks and then shrugs and says, "Aren't we?"
I chuckle darkly and smile into the crowd.
"If we were, would this war be continuing? Would the CNS still be necessary?"
Asajj frowns and then looks down.
I continue, "We don't always have full control over anything, much less everything. If I was always in control, then I would probably still be physically blind. If you were, you would still be Sith."
Asajj flinches. I look over the people talking and walking. I see Satine. I see Padme. I see Garm.
I continue and say, "You don't like that. I don't like that. But such is part of life. You don't always have complete control."
My eyes land on Steela. I let a wicked grin take over my face.
"But it doesn't mean we can't retake it."
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Jack_Trade
Chasing the Green Fairy
- Location
- Scotland
Happy new year from Britain.
Doomed Wombat
Let's go Darling!
- Location
- Dancing on wires!
Same here
- Location
- Leeds
"If we really were worried about people spotting you I'd have had you come in black robes with the cheapest lightsaber toy we could find on the market.
Every conversation would begin saying how your accessories let down the makeup."
Nah, I know how they'd dress Ventress up. I have her concept art from when the Clone Wars was going to keep going before Disney wanted to do their own thing:
I kinda want to put Ventress in some groucho marx glasses and bring her with us to a fancy party.
- Location
- At the Edge of Insanity
I'm tired and I feel like rambling:
Thrawn: All beings begin their lives with hopes and aspirations. Among these aspirations is the desire that there is a straight part to those goals. It is seldom so, perhaps never. Sometimes the terms are of one's own volition as one's thoughts and goals change over time, but more often the terms are mandated by outside forces.
I'm surprised that ANYONE remembers that guy.
Any moment now... ANY MOMENT NOW...
I can allready imagine it. Ciaran and Asajj in brawl.
Awwww...
As we all remember... Gulan loves expensive wines, luxury and women. By the end of the night he has managed to drink away or steal ALL the most expensive drinks.
Garm Bel Iblis with screentime as something else as a cranky, lonewolf rebell. Thats cool.
Nice to see Ciarans effect on her being mentioned again. Idealist and believer of democracy? Yes. Naive? Not at all, she just pretends to be,
Well, what works, works. Sorry Satine.
Oh, another character I forgot to mention during my summary of the fates of various people. She is supposed to be DEAD.
That and the utter annihilation of the Death Watch.
Yeah, a lot of trade flows through the CNS. Cargo may switch ships up to thrice but using the CNS as loophole at least ensures that trade functions AT ALL without reliance on the Trade Federation.
Surprise Ciaran. Good feels good.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA~
That reminds me of the following:
Thrawn: All beings begin their lives with hopes and aspirations. Among these aspirations is the desire that there is a straight part to those goals. It is seldom so, perhaps never. Sometimes the terms are of one's own volition as one's thoughts and goals change over time, but more often the terms are mandated by outside forces.
Killerflood
Corporal Cannonfodder
- Location
- Saṃsāra
Too bad, so sad. Not changing it!