[Social] Have No Fear, Even Though It's Hard to Hear

[Katarina Karkov]

"It would not even be that easy. For I would have to fight the biggest enemy of all -- my public self.

The people have this...vision of me. This Golden Girl who embodies and reflects the future and hope of the nation. It is an...impossible ideal to live up to. My birthdays have been on television. There are statues of me in Aniana. I am on a stamp. It is very difficult to defeat a stamp."

[Wanda Johansson]

"Then maybe you should tell your own story. It sounds as if the stories have been written about you, rather than by you. And I know at least several people who would reiterate the importance of not being bound by stories of others."

[Katarina Karkov]

"Being bound by the stories of others is a fairly good description of a monarchy in the 21st century, would you not say? No longer may we lean on the Divine Right or L'état, c'est moi. Our legitimacy comes from the will of the people; our authority from their felicity. We may still hold more power in Symkaria than our Western equivalents, but only while we wield it either wisely or mercilessly.

You would have me strike against that at the moment my enemies are spreading distrust and tearing at my legitimacy as it is. I do not have the...the strength to fight the families and my people on two different fronts."

[Wanda Johansson]

Wanda's posture alters again and the breeze swirls around for a moment. "That presumes your people wouldn't follow you, but you know you better than I do and I've pushed enough. I can only offer one weather witch's opinion and, as you've pointed out, I'm not Symkarian."

[Katarina Karkov]

"And I...appreciate the outside perspective," Katarina says. "I really do.

And I appreciate the help across the quad. Small victories before big ones, yes?"

[Wanda Johansson]

"Take the wins as they come, yes," Wanda says, stopping outside the next building.

[Katarina Karkov]

"Thank you again, Wanda. You have given me much to think over."