Princess Maker 1.5: Taisho Roman Revolution

[idolpro]

[ When you insert the key and open the door, you'll find the room inside looks like the living room of a mansion. There are several doors, but one in particular stands out to you: it is ornately decorated, the very door's wood itself carved beautifully with gold etched in to make luxurious patterns depicting what looks like the sky and the wind blowing through the grasslands. Though the door is closed, you can see through it—as if it's somewhat transparent.

The room is painted baby blue and a gold-plated cradle sits in the room. Inside, a baby cries—high pitched and noisy. That child, your charge—you're her nursemaid, so you go to her and rock her to sleep. ]

-

[ Slowly, the scene changes, fading in and out with various silent scenes—the baby sits up, trying to climb out of her cradle; a little toddler dressed prettily with expensive clothes beams pleasantly; a tantrum, thrown by the little girl who's distressed; the little girl holding a puppy, pleased as punch; then the wall becomes opaque. ]

[ In the middle of the open doorway, a young girl at the age of 11 sits on a chair, smiling at you. A long-haired, pure white cat is curled up beside her.

This is your little girl. you couldn't help spoiling her, honestly—after all, she's a noble too, and she should like to become a princess as well. She deserves it! But you also know, with how her family history has gone, she's going to have to work to get to the top. Still, you have faith in her—she's your girl, after all. Fortunately, when she goes to the Lost Continent, she won't be alone: you, as her longtime caretaker (her third parent, really, or her first, if you consider how her family's left her care entirely to you), may accompany her to her new school. You'll be her ally, her support, her greatest weapon; you'll be the one who determines her success . . . or her failure. ]

[ Of course, you're not the only one that thinks your charge deserves the world: Samira, one of the Queens of your Kingdom, hand-selected your employers' child. She could not send her own child to the Lost Continent, of course—she has her own inheritance battle to face within the Kingdom and sending her own child out is essentially forfeiting that battle—so she's selected theirs to sponsor. It's because of her that your charge will be able to go at all. That your child would catch the Queen's eye surely means the inheritance is as good as hers! ]

Comments

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

While I wish to believe her, the problems she has had recently raise doubts. If she is being prodded into being a collaborator, then this is most certainly the sort of the thing that would be in line with their modus operandi.

Re: DISCUSSION

[sunflowering]

. . . I agree.

For one, I don't think that someone among a lesser fortunate level of society in school would gain anything from causing a commotion like this. They had to work hard just to get here, don't they?

If you combine it with the recent bullying we've heard about... it doesn't really add up. This kind of situation can be pretty common when the aristocracy feels threatened, unfortunately.

[ She, unfortunately, KNOWS ]

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

Furthermore, it would be quite some feat for a singular girl to manage such a thing on her own. Stealing the name plate for the classroom, for instance, is not easily done.

But it sounds as though we are on the same page. So now, what is to be done?

Re: DISCUSSION

[sunflowering]

At the very least, we should pressure her to do the right thing and be honest. She was raised better than this. If she were put into this position, she would hope that at least one person would stand up and do the right thing.

What if we shared stories of our own bad experiences in the past? Make it relatable so that she realizes her actions can have lasting consequences on a person's life and lead to unpleasant ends.

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

That puts the onus upon her, and not upon the others. She will still face consequences, for attempting to be pure in a world that sees innocence as opportunities for tarnish.

She should declare this beneath her. If the other girls are truly so badly off that they need jewels, then they can keep them. If the other girls are so poor in spirit and wealth as to miss such gaudy trinkets, then they are only showing their own lack of depth and lack of class.

Re: DISCUSSION

[sunflowering]

I don't think she should throw herself to the ground and sacrifice herself. But I think asking her to be genuine and honest and to stand up for what is right is important.

If she's supposed to be an eventual leader, she needs to take risks for the benefit of others. Otherwise, she won't be fit to rule anyone.

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

I have been that leader before, and taken down by conspiracy. Morality alone is not enough to survive, not without skill and talent. I do not think telling her of our own bad experiences is enough to be a true plan of action. I am not sending her out to the wolves with her only plan being to offer them a clear path to her throat.

Re: DISCUSSION

[sunflowering]

Then the only thing we can do is investigate it ourselves.

Re: DISCUSSION

[composeur]

We should put them on trial! All of them. If they're not guilty of anything they won't object, right? Search their things, and we'll find the real thieves!

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

It is easy enough to plant things, Tsukinaga. Such a trial can be easily rigged.

Re: DISCUSSION

[composeur]

Hm... I can't argue with that! But then how do we put them on trial? The words of the privileged are about as flimsy as the gold plates they eat off of.

What if we turn them against each other? If we can get even one of them to turn traitor, then their entire story crumbles right?

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

Such people are wolves, I am sure they are slavering to turn on their own but I will not support Ruka participating in barbarism. She should declare this beneath her, and if the other girls care about jewels, it only shows how classless they are, that a few trinkets going missing causes such a big stir.

Re: DISCUSSION

[composeur]

They are wolves! That's why we should eat them first!

We should ask Ruka what she really knows, and if they're liars like we think we should expose them!

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

The incident with the knights has made it clear that she will be under suspicion, though I doubt she is the lone culprit.

Re: DISCUSSION

[sunflowering]

Mm... publicly dragging everyone out might out people in a difficult spot. Including the one being accused. It already sounds like people are going to pretty great lengths to set her up.

It sounds more like we'd have to find evidence that would free her from suspicion, right? Like taking on the position of defense lawyers and providing reasonable doubt.

Re: DISCUSSION

[composeur]

Otome, you know that kind of thing only works in favor for the people who already have power right?

Re: DISCUSSION

[sunflowering]

Then it's a good thing we have some power! Let's use it for some good!

Re: DISCUSSION

[composeur]

We have some power, but is it really enough? Our Ruka-tan is one of the ones pointing fingers. She's obviously being bullied, but do you think that excuse will hold up? If we do everything by the book then won't Ruka be found guilty? That's why people with power end up bunching together, because if one of them falls then the whole foundation ends up crumbling. It makes them weak, but that's also why they're so strong. We're not going to turn on Ruka so we have very few weapons at our disposal.

Re: DISCUSSION

[sunflowering]

[ Haaah... ]

. . . . Then maybe our best suggestion is to try and move past the incident? What we can do, is pay for the damages and ask that no charges be brought against the little girl.

While doing this, we can encourage her to stand up to her friends at school when being asked to participate in bullying or doing criminal activity. Because that is absolutely not acceptable. If you're there as her knight and keeping an eye on things, that might not only give her courage but will prevent other students from taking action against her.

Re: DISCUSSION

[syncintohell]

There will be none. The children have already decided amongst themselves who is the villain of this story, that the facts say otherwise will not change their social dynamics.

Re: DISCUSSION

[sunflowering]

That's why we need someone to come out into the open with the honest truth. Whether it changes it or not... I don't want to see another girl kicked out of the school when this could be their one big ticket in life.

Re: DISCUSSION

[untiltheend]

Nowhere here says it this child "of ours" is being accused of anything, no? Thus, there are no consequences to having the commoner girl punished regardless of the matter of her guilt.

[Well, no consequences for anyone but the commoner girl. Basically, why is this even a discussion.]

Re: DISCUSSION

[sunflowering]

Kuro-kun...

We can't just ignore a person in need. A good ruler has to stand up for the weak, you know? Otherwise, you're just asking for a revolt.

Re: DISCUSSION

[untiltheend]

Oh, on a large scale, certainly. Yet one causality will not cause a big uproar and can be easily swept under the rug.

Re: DISCUSSION

[sunflowering]

It starts at the very bottom! I think... what we ought to do is look at the big picture here.

While we can suggest that this incident is not a big deal, and throw... some of our financial weight around to cover for some of these expenses. We ought to still have her stand up as a good example in class.

Shu suggested giving her a guard. She can dress elegantly, stand up for the weak, and have the knowing and backing of having a handsome guard at her side. This can allow her to speak more freely for what is right without worrying as much about repercussions because she will already be beyond reproach.