NationStates

“Freedom of religion is guaranteed and all that as long as it isn’t harmful. Like you can do it in your own home. But otherwise there aren’t really any absolute laws or rules which determines whether or not the government can do something to you. Every able bodied and able minded person has to serve with the armed forces for a while, for example, no exceptions.” she explained. “Are you coming with us to the slave place then?” she asked, remembering why she was here with Erima in the first place.

"Forced to serve in a military? Isn't that a little...harsh..." Sévérine bit her lip, "I mean some people may have conscientious objections. They could be philosophically pacifistic, and fundamentally opposed to violence on a personal level. Not to mention that not everyone wants to die in a war, its a personal choice after all." She heard Katyusha and asked, "Slave place? Erima was planning on taking you to a slave place?"

“We’re not going round invading people.” countered Katyusha. “It’s a citizens duty to their country to ensure that they can defend it from those who would seek to destroy us, and the point of serving is that you don't die in the war. A civilian without a gun or knowledge of how to use one is going to die just as much with just as little say in the matter. And yes, Erima was planning to take me to a slave place. I think her clan is involved with slavery if I remember correctly.”

The twins wandered to where Erima and the others were, oberhearing a bit of their conversation and wondering what they were talking about.

Sévérine burst out laughing at the last part, shaking her head, "Oh yes...I bet her clan does own slaves." She turned to Katyusha, enjoying the debate and conversation, "I hope you don't take this as an attack on your country's system. We in Divitaen love a good intellectual debate. I was just thinking though...isn't it a bit indistinguishable from slavery for the government to force or coerce citizens to sacrifice a portion of their lives in the service of or in a job they may have zero passion in, or may not love at all? I'm sure creative or artistic people don't really thrive under a culture of stringent military discipline, and they may not like it or be inspired or passionate about it at all. Why should they be forced to undergo the process?"

“Armed forces are hardly limited to combat roles, you know. Creativity is a valued trait in warfare and on the battlefield.” Katyusha replied, enjoying the discussion. "It’s not a matter of loving the job. It’s your duty to your country and fellow countrymen and women. No-one wants to stand there helplessly watching their own parent, sibling, lover, or child being slaughtered, do they? There should always be times when one is forced to do things. Absolute freedom is ridiculous. You get tyranny of the majority. Not to mention the paradox of freedom, and absolute freedom isn’t psychologically healthy anyway.”

"Joining the military should be a freedom of choice issue," Erima said, weighing in on the debate. "For example, I don't always think Celeria is worth defending. Should I have to defend the country if it does things that I find Abhorent? Like start a war, for example. Oh yes...my Clan does more than owns slaves, it owns the main slave trading corporation in Celeria." As she finished talking, she caught sight of the twins walking up to her group in particular.
"Can we help you?" she asked the odd-looking pair.

"Certainly...I don't support absolute freedom either. But it seems to me if we accept the principle of self-ownership, and that people are autonomous agents pursuing their individual happiness, fulfillment and satisfaction in life, and we recognise that we are dignified agents rather than slaves or commodities of the government, then we cannot be forced to sacrifice a number of years in our life doing something we do not love. Of course defenses are necessary, but why not a voluntary military instead? And of course in the event of a war, this means sending people overseas to die doing something they do not agree with, and killing other soldiers against their will. This seems to be contradictory to basic principles of the right to life and the freedom not to kill."

“In Celeria, maybe.” conceded Katyusha. “But Daristan does no such abhorrent thing.” she said, not realising the riduculousness of her statement. Turning back to Sévérine, she got further engaged in the debate. “Well firstly it’s one year and that one year is standard training, and that’s all you’re required to do. And Daristan does not go overseas.” Yet. “If you really do have an aversion to killing, an army always needs mechanics, chefs, accountants, people involved in logistics, medical personnel and all that stuff.”

"No government is ever perfect in war." Sévérine added, "I think we have to admit in every war, two sides must to an extent refuse to see eye to eye or refuse to come to a diplomatic compromise, and war is the choice to resort to violence, and to killing, to resolve a diplomatic impasse. My country would have some fault to bear, as would yours, in every conflict or act of violence. As a citizen, I should have a choice whether to abstain or partake in this conflict, and if I genuinely oppose the act of war by my country, why should I give up my life? Why should I be forced to participate directly or indireclty in the killing, as a footsoldier or a mechanic? After all, my life and my body are not the personal property of the state."

Greater vakolicci haven wrote:"Joining the military should be a freedom of choice issue," Erima said, weighing in on the debate. "For example, I don't always think Celeria is worth defending. Should I have to defend the country if it does things that I find Abhorent? Like start a war, for example. Oh yes...my Clan does more than owns slaves, it owns the main slave trading corporation in Celeria." As she finished talking, she caught sight of the twins walking up to her group in particular.
"Can we help you?" she asked the odd-looking pair.

"If someone could show us around that would be nice," said Arashi. "We're exchange students from the Seven States, nobody told us where to go or where we'll be sleeping, we just got dropped off here."

"I'm not sure where the 7 states are," Erima told the twins, "But we're going to a slave store if you want to come with us. This group seems to be growing nicely."

"Very well then," Lucas said, paying the bill without paying it much attention. "I'm afraid we might only have 1 bedroom free though, I'm so sorry."

"It's your turn now," Alicia said, dislodging Allen's arms as she stood up. "I think you deserve it with your condition, don't you?"

Greater vakolicci haven wrote:"I'm not sure where the 7 states are," Erima told the twins, "But we're going to a slave store if you want to come with us. This group seems to be growing nicely."

"Very well then," Lucas said, paying the bill without paying it much attention. "I'm afraid we might only have 1 bedroom free though, I'm so sorry."

"It's your turn now," Alicia said, dislodging Allen's arms as she stood up. "I think you deserve it with your condition, don't you?"

"The Seven States of Saikai," explained Arashi. "Seven islands and their minor islands joined together under one crown. And yes, we'll come with you."

"Oh that's fine, I'm sure you'll have a good sleep on the couch." Scarlet answered.

"No that's alright. You're a princess you shouldn't be rubbing the back of a slave." Allen said.

"No it's just a bed I'm sorry," Lucas said with a laugh. "Anyway it gets really cold in their so I'll need someone to keep me warm. Besides...touching's OK, you said...I wouldn't be doing anything else."

"Maybe not," Alicia conceded. "But then again I shouldn't be marrying one either, or kissing one, or even caring about one. I do, however."

"Shall we go then?" Erima asked the group. "We've got 6 people for 6 seats in the car, and unless we want somebody on the roof, we can't wait around. More people might turn up."

Sévérine turned to Erima, agreeing, "Sure...lets make our way there now. No point standing around. Let's head to the...slave shop..." Her face visibly scrunched up in disgust at the unfamiliar concept.

Scarlet pouted... But she had said that. She didn't want to go back on her word, her father had always stressed the importance of keeping your word. "Fine but don't go too far."

Allen sighed "You're too nice to me." he mumbled before flopping onto the bed.

"So who's actually going to purchase a slave?" Erima asked, getting into the car. "Oh, by the way," she said, turning to the group, "The car drives itself, and it's pretty...violent in doing so, so I'd advise wearing seatbelts."

"I won't be going too far," Lucas said, taking Scarlet's hand. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

Alicia stood beside Allen, resting her hands on his naked back.
"I don't even know what to do," she said blushing, obviously embarrassed.

Sévérine looked around the group, strapping onto the seatbelt as she looked at Erima, "We...we are purchasing them? I just want to see how the poor things are treated..."

"If I may add one thing to the debate of compulsory military service I do believe it is a necessity but in Camelone the levy system means that most soldiers only serve to defend their communities and never go on the offensive while leaving the Royal and Catholic Army of Camelone to engage in offensive maneuvers without worrying about leaving a section of the country undefended. Each noble has their own army, which gets bigger the higher the rank, and the king has the largest army independent of the Royal and Catholic Army." Frederick said before he also started to get into the car "I'm not going to buy slaves."

"Just... push your thumbs into me and rub your hands in a circular motion." Allen replied.

Scarlet smiled. "Good. Do you want to leave now?"

The twins climbed in the car and Kal spoke for the first time. "I'll probably buy a slave, we had tons of them back home. Saikai was pretty much built on the backs of imported slaves."

"Why is slavery practiced so much? Has nobody here heard of indentured servitude or a basic social contract between the classes?" Frederick muttered to himself in shock and wishing he was back at Castle Honorem.

"Very well," Erima said, programming in the route and setting the car on its way. "It'll still be open now. Oh...and Severine, why don't you purchase a slave and buck the trend by treating it right? It's still useful to have someone to do the things you don't want to do for yourself."

"You mean like this?" Alicia said, doing as she was told with her small, soft hands. "Your body is tensed...you need to relax more around me."

"We can go now if you want," Lucas said standing. "I do think you'll be impressed by what I have."

How could he relax when at any second she could snap and start hurting him? "I'll try." Allen answered nervously. Her massage wasn't very good at all but Allen was too scared to tell her.

Scarlet blushed and hoped that the phrasing of that was unintentional. She stood and walked off with Lucas.