[voice]

[ryuuzaki]

[Ryuuzaki's low voice is accented in a way that people from places other than the U.K. might think of as "generically English," and when the message begins, his tones are pleasant and measured without being effusive.]

Hello, everyone.

The Ingress has brought us to the Moira from any number of places. When I meet someone, I can't say whether our similarities will outweigh our differences, or vice-versa... when you're this far from home, even small commonalities can seem important. It's led me to be curious about the broad strokes of everyone's backgrounds.

[A pause, as he approaches his real question.]

What can you tell me about the government in the place you came from before this? Both the form of government and, if possible, specific names of leaders.

If it wasn't your original home, I'd be interested in hearing about that, too, even down to what year it was for you.

If you'd prefer to answer privately, that's all right with me. I can promise you my discretion.

Thank you.

Comments

text;

[sturmunddrang]

That depends entirely on first, how you define where we come from, and second, whether you're willing to be half was giving in return of information yourself.

[He doesn't do anything unless he's getting something out of it, thank you very much.]

[ryuuzaki]

Of course.

How do you define where you come from?

[sturmunddrang]

Country of origin, recent residences...? Do you define home as where you're born or where you are? Or neither. Endless possibilities, it would seem.

[Being a dodgy shit is a-go.]

[ryuuzaki]

Country or planet of origin, recent national residences.

You can define "home" however you want to. That kind of specificity isn't important at the moment.

i'm sorry already

[sturmunddrang]

And yet, you're the one asking for said specificity.

Germany first, England second. 1904. Take that as you will, if it's of no consequence which is what.

[Government is a dicier question altogether, and he's not quite sure how to parse it yet, or if he even should. He has no love for any current Ministry, but their existence overall is privileged information,and that holds him back moreso than any particular insight into how they work and who governs.]

[ryuuzaki]

Yes, I'm afraid that's true, but feel free to paint with broad strokes, since you've decided to answer.

[He omits the vaguely passive-aggressive smiley face that he feels an urge to include, since he doubts that someone from 1904 is likely to process it as intended.

His primary interest isn't whether or not the history overlaps so much as how he can find out whether or not anyone has heard of van Rijn without actually mentioning van Rijn, but since he's allowed historical commonality to be seen as part of his purpose, he leans in that direction.]

What do you think of England's government? It isn't the Kaiser.

[sturmunddrang]

Frustratingly confused.

[Not that he cares overmuch about muggle England's politics when he can barely be bothered to follow word from their Ministry of Magic either, but he assumes it's a vague enough answer to suffice. Government frustrations are, at least, seemingly universal.]

Too lax in areas it oughtn't be, overbearing in others. Nothing short of a mess, but I suppose that's hardly new.

[ryuuzaki]

No, not new. And often that way for the next century, I'm afraid.

What would you tighten up?

[sturmunddrang]

Somehow, that fails to surprise.

[Though maybe if he knew what he'd become in a decade, two, he'd still find a way to forestall the end of it.]

The bureaucracy is backward. It would have to be retooled from the ground up, but that's a ridiculous notion, isn't it?

[ryuuzaki]

[Ah, the German love of order and efficiency.]

Most bureaucracies are backwards, but I'm not sure that retooling them from the ground up is often feasible. Reforms tend to be more typical than complete overhauls.

What would keep it from merely becoming another unwieldy bureaucracy?