//------------------------------// // Southern Tendencies // Story: Why is life? // by Daxisle //------------------------------// Southern Tendencies Dear Princess Celestia We have finally made first contact with the natives of state known as "South Equine". I'm astounded to inform you that what we were told was true, not only are the races desegregated, but there seems to be no overt signs of racism anywhere. Recorded Species Present: 1) Ponies: Earth, Pegasus, and Unicorns 2) Griffins 3) Donkeys 4) Diamond Dogs 5) Minotaur Listed in order of visible population density. There are supposedly Buffalo here as well like from the Mild West! And another race known as the Centaurs, both of which I have yet to come a cross unfortunately. I'll need to ask about them later. However, at a glance: the citizens of the small town we're visiting seem rather happy and content with their day to day lives, despite the bitter cold and dismal landscape. However, upon my first interview, it was confirmed that the state of Southern Equine holds a great deal of socialist themes. So much so that they don't even bother with currency aside from the small amount held in the treasury for a democratically determined purchase from a Northern New Equine company... It would seem that even the utopian society the ponies here wish to create, isn't beyond of the clutches of frivolity. The interview continued and Spike and I learned that the ponies citizens of south Equine held exception for their Equestrian origins. The political style here is one of collective democracy, details to this and the locationing of ponies will be included with the detailed report I shall send later on. The citizens here see any form of centralized monarch or oligarchical government as inherently wrong and self destructive. This too shall be given detail at a later date. This land is interesting Princess, though; it does have, in my opinion, it's short comings, it also has so much more to offer that I'm sure I just haven't found yet. Expect the detailed report some time tonight. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. Mac sighed dramatically as he reentered the towns gates. Thoughts about how the "collectives" demands had warped the parents methods of raising their children. Did they know their grandparents? Brothers or sisters? Were the parents allowed to show genuine care when the child left or would that cause complications in the extraction process? As his thoughts drifted, so did his concentration. He carelessly hit and knocked over a small filly that looked as though she were about to hit adolescence. "Sorreh." He called helping the young mare to her feet, rubbing the side of her sapphire mane she accepted the apology and looked up curiously. "It's ok, hey; you're one of those liberty fighters, aren't you?" Mac thought on it for a moment, technically he wasn't really fighting for anything, he was just here to accompany his friends, though, Sin was part of those guys, wasn't he? Deciding not to complicate the matter he simply nodded. "Can I ask a question sir?" Mac nodded again. "Why do you hate the government so much?" Mac mused over his memories, he didn't really hate the government; he just hated what it could and had done to him. "I mean," the filly continued. "If it wasn't for the government, we wouldn't have food. All of the farmers would just hog it all to themselves, the construction workers would only build for themselves and those who travel would only trade for themselves." Macintosh's eye quirked at the statement regarding farmers. He hadn't been forced to share his food, he had assisted in the apple bucking and selling of his own free will. Yet this filly made it sound like he, and all farmers everywhere, would keep it for their own while everypony else starved. But another thought hit him, this pony spoke with such conviction and intelligence that far exceeded her age. That alone was enough to halt any response he might have given. "Who toldya that tha farmers n' such would be so selfish?" He managed after a moment. "Momma told me, of course." The mare smiled, "She and Pop told me that the government is the only reason society works. And if they weren't here to make sure the job was done, it wouldn't be done." That wasn't true, that wasn't true at all! What kind of lies has this child's parents been teaching her? Instead of rebuking the statement, as hard as it was to refrain from arguing, he simply kept asking more questions. Each inquiry answered in some way by the intervention of government forcing it's will for the greater good. A migraine was soon to make itself at home in his mind the more he interviewed the filly. It did hurt him personally a little that she not only thought his entire thought process and philosophical beliefs were inherently bad, but to call what he himself had accomplished impossible. His eyes darted around as he thought about another question to ask, though he noticed he was receiving strange looks from the locals. One of skepticism and miss trust, perhaps these citizens weren't as sympathetic as he was lead to believe? "Ah right." He announced pushing the uncomfortable leers aside, and bringing up a fool proof scenario of which he had personal experience. "Wha' if the yo' government arrests som'one that don't deserve ta be 'ressted?" To his disbelief, the filly actually giggled at his question. "Well, he wouldn't be arrested if he didn't deserve it." "N' how do ya know that?" Mac quirked a brow. A light smirk twisting his muzzle. She giggled again, "Well, why would they arrest some one who didn't deserve it? That's just silly." Mac couldn't help it, he facehoofed, Not only was she insulting him by claiming what happened to him was 'silly', but this child demonstrated hair pulling ignorance in the simple fact that she couldn't understand the concept of corruption was not only possible, but inevitable. He was about to scold her for such blind faith, though a familiar purple unicorn and dragon interrupted him. "Oh, hey Mac." She said, her tone fidgety. "Oh is this your friend? I'm sorry, but I need to talk to him, k thanks bye." She quickly pull Macintosh away from the slightly confused youngling and proceeded to yank him by the foreleg all the way to the dorm building. Mac, for his part, was in a mix of stupidity shock, and delight to have contact with Twilight's hoof. The longer he was pulled, the more he had forgotten about the child's words and reasoning's. Finally, the reached the building where Twilight's assistant stood looking around suspiciously. "Hey Mac." He greeted with a nod. They were all lead inside, passing into the noticeable warmer cafeteria space. Carpet, warm sweet- NOT COLD GROUND, DIRT, OR SNOW-, nice soothing carpet. Oh how you feel so bucking amazing right now. No wind, no extreme cold, and no desire to just give up on hope. The feelings of warmth and blurs of dark green tables and chairs were all that the stallion could take note of before Twilight practically threw the duo up the spiral stair case that lead to the higher floors. Finally, after a quick walk down the walkway that over looked the eating space, they entered what was presumable her provided dorm room and she quickly locked it behind her. Her nervous features morphing to ones of full on terror. "This place is crazy!" Spike did his best to calm the scholar, and after a quick pacing mixed with nonsensical mumblings; the mare calmed herself enough to to explain what had put her in such a state. Mac facehoofed, again, upon discovering that Twilight had informed the townsfolk that she was from Equestria, and that she was here to conduct interviews and observations on how the Federation operated. Apparently the South Equineite's weren't as ignorant of Equestria as the Equestrians were of them. They knew that her nation was ruled by monarchs. "I admit," Twilight gave a guilty look, her ears pressing against her skull. "I didn't really believe Sin when he said that this state didn't have any real kind of currency, that everything was traded in a more centralized manner. That they would willingly give up their labor for the pure sake of everypony else, with little thought for themselves. They seemed so tolerant and kindhearted, but when they discovered-" her voice began to waver, and she sniffed to fight back a sob. "When they discovered where we were from, they..." The mare tried to get her words out, but a twinge of pain kept coming over her face as if reliving terrible memories. That did it, the tears came. She placed her hoofs over her eyes and tried to sniffle the sobs. Mac placed a comforting hoof onto the mare's shoulder, which prompted the unexpected response of her hugging him and softly crying into his chest. What did they say to her to make her break down like this? Mac patted her head comfortingly before looking to the grim postured dragon for information. "Why... would... they say... such things?" Twilight managed between sobs. "Wha' happen'?" Realizing the distraught lavender pony wouldn't express her pain in a coherent manner, Spike answered in a tone of disappointment: "We were talking to a few ponies before," He explained. "Asking the basic questions you know, than they asked us if we were from North Equine; asking so many questions and all, Twi said no and that we were from Equestria... And that's when they said some things." "Things?" Mac repeated. "Look, they said some mean things and made her upset." Spike barked. "And now she wants to leave." The stallion looked down to find Twilight had calmed herself again and he gave her a sympathetic smile. A sense of Déjà vu swept over him as her lilac eyes met his again. Rage began to mix with the sadness he felt now, how could they say such terrible things to her? She hadn't done anything wrong, she was just from a country who's political ideologies the citizens current, didn't agree with. The stallion had to push his thoughts away for now, anger wouldn't help comfort his friend. "Ah think we should ge' sum sleep." Spike yawned and stretched out his arms while Mac ushered Twilight to her bed. Laying on the dark blue comforter in such a vulnerable position, Mac had to mentally smack himself to keep his mind out of the gutter. 'But she's so beautiful!' He looked around the dorm to find it only housed two for the night, figuring he would have to find another dorm in order to get his rest, he proceeded to the door only to have something grab his hoof. He looked back to find a lavender hoof enticing his own. "Please stay." Twilight pleaded looking up at him with puppy dog eyes. Mac felt his heart begin to race, he knew the mare needed comforting, but an inexplicable nervousness tugged at his heart. What was the big deal? It was only sleeping and comforting a friend. 'a friend whom I have feelings for'. A voice called from the back of his mind. He looked to Spike, and after a shrug of apathetic approval, the stallion joined his friend and bed and wrapped his forelegs around her. She returned the favor and snuggled her head into his chest, and before long; a content smile passed over her muzzle in a deep and restful sleep. Of course, the one night Sin could be alone, the one night he could actually go through with taking care of a private matter, he had to be stuck babysitting. At least he had enough tarp to give the apple mare her own debris hut, one more and he would have had to resort to cutting up a tree or two. They would be traveling together again come the morrow, and even though it would only be a matter of time until he was alone and able to sort this issue out again, the fact that he had been neglectful was beginning to burden his mind. He had to do it tonight. Applejack was fast asleep now, Sin thanked what ever it was that made this night a little warmer than the others; especially yesterdays. He wondered away from the mare, keeping in close enough proximity to ensure that nothing too bad would befall her, and began wondering around the cold woodwork. Thoughts of time and his past echoed into his mind, thoughts of conspiracy and piloting making his teeth clench in guilt and frustration. That's when the fear set in, fear of the ritual he hadn't preformed in over a year. Fear of the pain that was soon to befall him, the agonized screams he gave the first time he had preformed it were the worst. But just being able to slightly muffle the sounds of his cries didn't make it any easier. He smiled to himself, lightly berating his own cowardice. Seven times. Seven times he'd broken them, whether they ever managed to heal correctly was anyone's guess... Perhaps bandaging wasn't even necessary anymore. The worst part of it would actually be the saddlebags, the pressure they would put on his spine and on those would for exceed the initial break by leaps and bounds. Especially when he was moving. Though, there was a big chance that breaking them now could leave him incapable of travel with said baggage. He was able to walk and carry bags in Equestria the last time the ritual had taken place, though; he had to stop and rest far more than he should have about two weeks in. Maybe they wouldn't ever be able to work now? They'd certainly snapped enough times to leave excessive doubt to the contrary. Though, all mechanics aside, it was more than that now; it was a need for a punishment he both mentally deserved and sadistically craved. Gingerly, the stallion removed his cloak once he deemed himself a good distance from camp, the cold assaulting his naked form causing him to shudder. He looked back and undid the belt loops of his saddlebag, slowly allowing it to descend down his sides. Biting his lip, a quick decision to use some kind of numbing agent transpired and he searched through the documents and tools of his travel sack for anything... though, nothing to be found for it. He cursed himself for the weakness of even wanting them in the first place, they would only numb him for so long anyway. Chewing his lip he looked back to his bandaged appendages, thoughts of his younger brother smiling and happy filled his minds eye. A gentle smile played at Sin's lips, simpler times before life became as out of control as it was today. His brother, an earth pony, happy again; how he longed to see his younger sibling smile like he did when they played games and raced around... 'You just had to do it didn't you?' He told himself, his warm smile dying. If it weren't for you, he wouldn't be so angry and resentful. You deserve to feel pain, he was only a colt!' Encouraged by the inner voice. Sin slowly lifted his hoof and flared his wing, a shamefully great feeling had to be repressed after allowing the limb a much needed stretch. He reached around it, wincing at the feathered touch. 'Look at you, feeling sorry for yourself while he suffers. Pathetic and selfish. You continually go on abut freedom and it's leading to happiness. What about his happiness? The one you 'argued' him out of?' The shame filled stallion hooked his leg around the wing and cringed as he began to tweak it upwards. You like to see the suffering of others. How can anyone enjoy seeing pain? You're a monster, and what's happening to you now is your own fault. The warning pops at the base shot sharp sprints of tense displeasure into his spine, causing him to grunt in both discomfort and effort. You don't deserve to feel anything other than pain and shame. There it was, the breaking point, the point that his wing wouldn't bend anymore and even slightest bit of pressure caused nothing but blinding agony to shoot to his mind like a roaring mantacor. He remembered what came next, the instinctual side of his mind pleaded for the stallion to end the masochism, but he couldn't. How could he? After what he did, after everything he helped cause, how could he even begin to think he deserved mercy? Sucking in a quick breath and readying himself for the grand finale' of earth shattering pain beyond pain, he slowly pulled forward, anticipation and fear coursing through him like electricity until finally... "Sin?" Called a voice causing him to freeze in place. He looked over to see a very concerned looking Pinkie Pie emerging from the brush. 'Of course, it had to be her.' "What- What were ya doing?" She asked. Sin released his flight granting appendage allowing it and his hoof fell into place. "I was stretching my wing." He lied, doing his best to give a smile. Though; the mare's leer didn't give him confidence that she bought his words. "Really?" She called skeptically walking face to face with him "Yes, at any rate. I'm glad you're here." Sin smirked at the ponies greater interest in his words than his actions. He wondered over to his saddle bag and from it, drew a plastic wrapped rectangle. "I wanted to thank you." Pinkie tilted her head and took the rectangle before she made out the purple and pink coverings. She gasped happily upon discovering that thing was actually a well packaged chocolate bar. She hastily ripped off paper obstruction and opened her mouth to bite down and quell a long suffering sugar withdrawal. "Wait," she stopped and looked up to her associate with curious eyes. "Why are you giving this to me now? Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful; but, why now?" The aforementioned stallion's smirk grew. "To be honest, Miss Pie, with as much grief as I give you; it's because of you your friends have come as far as they have. Even if they don't realize it." Pinkie tilted her head to the side and began to nibble on her coco based treat. "You and yours haven't been conditioned to survive in the wild as I have. I can help them survive, feed them, shelter them, and all of that. However, you have kept their mental states in check and their moral high enough to where they won't kill each other. Even if it is just by guilting them into peace." "Believe it or not, the most important thing about Survival-ism, is not tools, the knowledge, or even the know how; but keeping everyone mentally together. Being in not only a new land, but in a whole new environment deprived of the typical comforts that you and your friends have become accustomed to, has wrought an excessive amount of stress. And I am proud to say that you all have fared very well considering the circumstances, and I would just like to thank you for your efforts, and try to keep your moral high so that you might keep theirs as such." Pinkie smiled gratefully and finished off the chocolate in a matter of seconds. To Sin's delight, the party mare's mane regrew some of it's poofieness and her eyes restored a shine they'd lost a few days ago. "Thank you." She beamed and moved to give Sin a hug, to which the stallion raised a leg and held her out of reach. Pinkie looked up to him in confusion at his rejection of her affection. "Easy there kiddo." The survivalist replaced his hoof once he was sure the pony wouldn't assault him. "Unlike most, touching is six ways of uncomfortable to me, no offense." He did his best to maintain his resolve,but the pink mares disappointed face all but broke his heart. 'Strange, usually I get an unusual sense of satisfaction out of seeing her dejected, why is now different? He sighed. I'm going to regret this...' "Alright," Sin held out one of his forelegs, "Go ahead." Pinkie perked up at the offer and the stallion soon found himself unable to breath due to an ungodly amount of force trying to destroy his rib cage between two pink forelegs. 'I take it back, regret really doesn't cover the amount of woe I feel about this decision' Finally, after a few breathless seconds, the party pony released her death grip. Her victim gasped for air, grateful for reprieve, electing an apology and sheepish grin. "Actually," Pinkie smiled malevolently, "If you really want to keep my spirits up, it would be nice if you answered a few questions." "Always a catch. Go ahead." Pinkie beamed. "Where is Star Shade?" Sin was actually taken aback by the question. "Uh, I'm not completely sure, Star Shade isn't the most predictable of ponies you understand." In another village, dozens of miles away: Star Shade cackled maniacally overhead as the towns folk of a large wheat farm ran through the panicked streets, the over abundance of straw that many storage units stored catching flame, and quickly engulfing the small town into an inferno. Females and younglings screamed and cried in terror as the males of all races began a fruitless campaign of quelling the flames. Homes burned, dispensaries of food and water would soon lay in not but ash and char; all edibles crisps and all water poisoned with burned debris. And through it all, one single bat pony flew on high, dozens of beaten and unconscious griffins and pegasi laying before him. "I AM YOUR LIBERATOR! YOU SHALL NOW PLEDGE YOUR ALLEGIANCE TO THE CHAOS GOD: DISCORD. AND BRING ME YOUR UNBORN BABIES!" Sin shivered, "Now that you mention it, I have a growing sense of impending doom when I think about it." Pinkie giggled than told of how that wasn't her real question, but something she was just curious about. Sin couldn't help but roll his eyes, as much as he really hated to do that, and motioned for the party lover to ask her real question. "Who are you to Malich?" Sin shook his head before complimenting the mare on her tenacity. He explained that his world was more controlled by money than anything, politicians elected to the Senate typically were older and more well spoken males and females. His youth and lack of experience should have been enough to keep him from ever getting into such a position of power. However, Malich had money. And alot of it. And helped fund his campaign for election into his district. "I lacked age and experience, and that made the voters weary of me." Sin recalled as the two made their way back to where Applejack was sleeping in her debris hut. "However, my grandfather and survival mentor whom I'd sought out in my younger days had both helped me to hone my principals and articulate my speech. I had attended many debates with other would be politicians, and because of the discipline surviving in the wilderness had thought me, coupled with my grandfathers reasoning skills and refined vocabulary; I succeeded in becoming a politician." Pinkie nodded, a little impressed over the young ponies accomplishments, though he still hadn't answered initial question. The two finally made it back to the two huts where she called him out on the fact. "Malich and I have a long history between us." Sin shifted uncomfortably, before taking a steeling his resolve. "He's... my brother." "Your brother huh?" Pinkie didn't seem quite as shocked as expected. "If you think about it, it's really not all that surprising. From what you've told me, he could have taken you at any time, but he hasn't. It's obvious he wants you around for something; but he wants you to do it willingly." "You are smarter than you look." Sin chuckled before looking to the sky. "Cleche isn't it? One brother fighting against another, all the while both trying not to hurt each other." "Why do you fight him then?" Sin looked dumbfounded, the mare had asked the question as if it were one of the stupidest things in the world. "I mean, aren't families supposed to stick together? I've fought with my sisters lots of times, but we always make up in the end." She looked over, offering a weak smile. "It's not the same, Pinkie, I assure you." Sin jumped back after Pinkie let out an over dramatic gasp. He quickly turned around to see if anything was there, but when he didn't see anything, he looked to the mare. "What?" "You, called me Pinkie." Her gaped mouth turned into a ear splitting grin. 'Now I fucked up didn't-' Before he could even finish his thought, the cotton candy ball had latched onto him again, squeezing him for all he was worth. 'Yea, I fucked up. Maybe she can break my wings for me, at least then I wont have to deal with any questions about it.' "You've never called me by my first name before." She said after releasing him. "I think that one was actually tighter." Sin coughed. He sighed again than apologized for his casual address. Pinkie responded with a giggle. "You silly, the hug meant that I liked you calling me that." "Of course it did." Pinkie's smile faltered at his sarcasm, though instead of pressing the matter of his bad attitude, she had another question to ask. "You said you lived in the wild before you became a Senator. Why did you do that?" Sin contemplated answering the question. He really hated it when anyone knew too much about him, Bluecloak knows this pony was the first he ever, personally, admitted to being the sibling of Malich. The whole state of N. New Equine knew about their brotherhood after journalists published a few nice pieces for a newspaper that reached every corner of the state. But, at the same time, it felt good to talk about. Get it off of his chest and so on. Predictably, he decided to answer, revealing his vast infatuation with Economics. While most colts and fillies would go out and play; he would be studying what made the world go round. Alas, he had a different childhood from those he considered his peers at the time, but he strained on how he felt no regret for it. Pinkie couldn't help but comment upon the similarities between Twilight and himself in that regard. Though, his point was made; he had questions that desperately needed answers... Why did paper money work? Why did shops accept paper for actual commodities and consumables? Why was it important for people to continually buy and sell? What was an Economy? If the Economy crashed, how would he and his family be affected? And the questions just piled up from there, left to be answered in hours upon hours of pain staking research and abandon to all else. Sin summed it up in a paranoid, or at the time anyway, fear of complete economic collapse. (At least for North New Equine) Effects running from: lack of medication and gas power, to anger in the streets. And that would be nothing compared to the devastation that the food shortages would bring. And then there was the political side of it... That which made him commit to becoming a senator in the first place. During his later youth, he began delving into state spending as well as the decades of acts and legislation passed not only by his own state, but also by that of the Federation as a whole. Finding correlations between state involvement in things like: health care, food stocks and educations in magics, and their expanding costs. Noting how closely the Economic side of life was closely intertwined with the Political side. After what felt like hours of him trying to give detailed and context-filled explanations on the intricacies of the economic-political spectrum of the Federation mixed with the State and their actions; Pinkie looked as if she were about to pass out on the spot. Shaking his head at her stubbornness to listen to his tale, the stallion walked the pink mare to his own debris hut to lay her to sleep. He quelled the mares protests about his lack of sleeping space, after which, and with some effort; Pinkie carefully slipped her way into the slender tent like construct and wished her friend a good night. "Oh, and don't try to break your wing again, ok?" Pinkie called, Sin looked in her direction about to ask her to repeat what she had said, though before he realized it, the filly was already well within a deep slumber. He smiled down at her innocent and content face, completely oblivious to what she was really asking of him. After procuring an emergency insulation blanket from his bag, the stallion began to wrap it around himself. Stopping upon the sight of his bandaged appendage, Pinkie's words echoing through his head. "No promises." "The implications of this bill are ridiculous!" Cried a well kept donkey slamming a piece of parchment onto the dark brown bench with his fore-hoof. "And the fact that it's receiving actual supportt is ridiculous! Don't we have more important matters to attend?" Light murmurs began churning around the chamber. "Be that as it may-" Sparhawk said massaging his temples. "-the bill has received the required number of co-sponsors and all other criteria." It was stupid, it was ridiculous, and by the centaurs hunch, it was out right cheating. These idiots didn't care about the law they were making, they just wanted fatter pockets. Gah! It was almost enough to make the Arbiter miss Islander, at least he took this job seriously, even if he did vote 'nay' on every bill that came up. At least his term in the Arbitration committee was almost up. After that, he could recluse into the farthest part of Northwood; away from all of the idiots and stupid banter he'd been forced to suffer through. "Allowing a unfulfilled senator to return? I will never vote for anything like this." The donkey replied folding his fore legs over his chest, before thrusting his nose into the air. Sparhawk watched expressionless while the senate began to debate amongst themselves. Though, it was quickly silenced by a small pegasi mare slowly approaching the podium in the middle of the room. "Something you'd like to say, Senator Thornberry?" The light brown mare cleared her throat and pushed her wild blond mane behind her ear. "Yes Arbiter," She took a breath. "These are trying times for both the nation and North Equine. Though I and the newly elected Senator Nymph would be the only two who's seats would be affected by this, there are more important matter that must be attended to." Most of the politicians looked on with approval, especially the bench of the Pegasi/Unicorn consortium. Though a few politicians of each race and most of the Orvalian Donkeys didn't take well to her words. As she continued her speech about the insignificance of the bill and how it's passing would have no real impact, the anger within each of the non-bribed politicians began to grow. "-and in conclusion, with all of the indignities that the North Equine Citizenry are suffering, it is in the best interest of not only my own state, but the Senate as a whole; to vote yay on the bill and simply allow it to pass. I reserve the balance of my time." She stepped back from the podium and the congress erupted into a grand stand of applause with a few shouting against her. "THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS!" One of the minotaur yelled. "Yes!" Agreed a griffin, "Senator Stone is right. It is absolutely ridiculous to pass a bill simply under the premiss of it being 'irrelevant'." It was a new low for Sentience in power, just pass a law because: Why not? Sparhawk put his hand over his eyes, Only in Unitas... "If it's so inconsequential? Why not just vote nay and be done with it?" 'Because their lobbyists told them to...' Thornberry sighed. "Because we've already had two Senators go missing this year. And as miniscule a chance the scenario may be, should another go missing; it would be best to return an old Senator than have to wait until a new one is elected. 'Is that what they told you?' The chamber began it's low key bickering again, arguing semantics. 'And their off... You know with the poor approval rating these guys have, I could kill them. I could kill them all and no jury in the Federation would convict me. I'd probably receive a damn medal for it.' "Just pass the bill!" 'A medal? Who am I kidding? There would probably be a parade in my honor. Maybe even a day dedicated to me. "Sparhawk day". Awarded for his single handed slaughter of the 35 most moronic individuals in the country...' Now that tickled his fancy. The arguing grew to unintelligible shouting. 'Too bad I'd have to wait until all new Senators were elected. A whole new batch of idiots to moderate at that point. Oh Tapio, what if they were worse than these retards? Was that even possible? We should really make a law against that.' After damn near thirty minutes of bickering, the third Arbiter, much to Sparhawks relief, called it to a vote. Fortunately for his patience, unfortunate for the sanctity of the chamber, the legislation passed with a vast majority. of practically 4-1. 'Maybe I'll just sew their mouths shut or constantly threaten to skull fuck their left eye socket if they speak. The possibilities are truly endless when you add violence to the equation.'