heartofalioness | Empatheias IC Contact

Only because your words are so effective.

[She places a hand on Usagi's shoulder.]

I think it's admirable that you ARE trying to improve as a potential ruler. But going into politics to prove your worth, even if it's one motive out of the many altruistic ones you have, is not the right mindset. An effective leader seeks wisdom from others; there's a reason most governments have so many cabinets and council members and advisors. It's not just so power and responsibility isn't resting solely on one set of shoulders, but for the ruler's well-being as well. You'll have Mamoru by your side someday, as well as your senshi and I'm sure many other advisors and experts to show you how to run your planet.

And you're not alone here either. You have the other committee members as well, not just me. At the next committee meeting, along with participating, I want you to listen and ask questions. Pay attention to certain politicians you respect and how they speak, especially with the people you're having trouble talking to. Notice any specific phrases they use, whether they take breaths or drinks of water before making a rebuttal, their body language, how others react to them. There's even something to learn from the people that you dislike the most; take note of THEIR words and body language, how people react to the points they make, mistakes you want to avoid.

How do you not take something personally?

[It was all well and good to listen and watch and see how other people handled things, but that was one of her major issues. She could definitely stay quiet and just watch. She sorta planned on doing that next time anyways because of her disaster of a last meeting.]

And... I know I won't be doing it alone, here or back home. You have no idea how HAPPY I am that I'm not doing it alone and I have Mamoru and the girls. [Because on top of being queen, she also has a kid. Seriously, how is she supposed to handle ALL THAT and motherhood?] I wish... I wish I could remember all this though. If I really have grown into a better person I'd like to take all that with me.

[Allura nods with a sad smile, air growing a bit damper for a second.]

I wish I could take this with me too...

[Not have to forget how much closer she's gotten to her paladins, all the new friendships she's made, especially Usagi...]

Edited 2017-09-09 21:31 (UTC)

[She shakes her head, not letting herself thing about that now. There's a lesson to teach.]

If I feel annoyed or insulted when I first hear a comment, I do my best to not respond right away. I take a second or two to breathe, to go over what the person said again, why they might have said it, remind myself that they're likely not trying to attack me. In a similar case to your festival idea, I'd say something like "I apologize for not clarifying that point, what I meant was..." and go from there. That little acknowledgement, that bend, will show you respect the person talking to, and they'll respect you back.

If it's someone bringing up an idea I strongly disagree with, I do the same breathing and waiting, and then ask them to rephrase the point I disagree with in a calm, neutral tone. Perhaps a change in the wording will be all I need to understand it better. If you still disagree, lead by pointing out a part that you DO agree with or at least appreciate, so they see that the criticism is constructive. And in a forum situation, you can usually give another person the opportunity to speak instead.

And if they actually DO go for personal slights, you can either remind them of the topic of the conversation as code to back off, or stay silent to let someone mediate. Let THEM be the shouting, angry one, Usagi.

I can't... promise I'll be able to get this the first time.... or second or third. Like I said, I'm a pretty terrible student.

But...

[She took a deep breath.] I can try.

I mean, can't do any worse than I did before, right?

[Allura gives a pleased smile when Usagi says she'll try.]

That's what practice is for. We can meet a few days a week for short lessons, if that works for your schedule. And it'd also give us time for both of us to prepare topics to bring to the meeting: how to phrase them for the best clarity, and practicing answers to possible questions.

Well, I can give you my work schedule, if you want, you can come visit me too. I love being around you!

[She WAS going to offer to give Usagi her schedule too, when Usagi says that last sentence. A light blush rises to the surface despite Allura trying not to, and there's a bit of that sparkly steam again. Instead of trying to dismiss it with a cough, though, she merely smiles and nods her head.]

And I love being around you too. Let's schedule our next lesson then. And please eat, don't think I've noticed you're the only one who's had pancakes during all this.

Don't need to tell me twice to eat! [She digs in, because she had been holding off on eating so that she and Allura could talk, but she also didn't want all her hard work to go to waste. She only burnt 2 pancakes this time.]

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