uptowngirl | [IC] Inbox @ tanagura

I think it's a combination of both. She has the desire to do away with the castes all together, but realizes that they can't just be abolished. It would lead to anarchy and a complete loss of order. Change is something that will have to come slowly in order to maintain societal stability.

[And whereas Mary thought some of the laws were rubbish, order was necessary. She was a soldier. She would be queen when she got back to Albion. Order was important.]

But still some change needs to be enacted - albeit small at first - in order for there to be any movement toward a caste-free society. And taking that risk, deciding on and implementing that first change is a scary thing to do. And I'm not sure Geneva is willing to do that. At least not yet.

I asked her where the caste separation based on hair color came from, and she couldn't tell me. It was just 'how it has always been'. I suggested that the first thing she should do toward breaking down the caste barrier would be to legalize cross-caste physical contact.

...obviously I have a vested interest in that being legal, but I pointed out to her that even with it being legal, that the majority of the natives will still not touch the opposite caste because that's the way it's always been. But slowly, they'll get used to the idea that it's okay to touch each other - since it's happening anyways - and that's really the first step needed. The real first step to eventually abolishing the castes.

I also suggested standardizing law enforcement so there were equal consequences for mongrels and elites when the same crime is committed. But I didn't push. [A pause.] Much.

[ Asami listens quietly and carefully--all this is very relevant to her new position. Although it was made public, she hadn't done much to announce it herself to her friends and acquaintances. ]

I do agree, if things are going to change, starting small might be the way to go. And...maybe, if these grassroots efforts aren't getting ahead, starting from the top.

[ A beat. ]

I haven't really spoken with anyone about it, but...did you see what happened?

[It was amusing how Mary wasn't exactly advertising that she was a non-chrome officer to most people either. It came up, from time to time, but Mary wasn't stupid enough to think there were a lot of transplants that would be happy about her choice to support the government. At least Asami was an elite.]

You're going to need to be a bit more specific about what you're referring to? My initial thoughts are that you mean the caste switch. That was before I arrived. My sister says it happened right before she did and, at the time, sections of Tanagura were open to both castes for transition purposes.

Now, that wanted terrorist I had to bring around to talking with Geneva was right there beside our 'fearless leader' when it happened.

This really goes deeper than I thought.

[ Hmm... ]

So they're no longer in alliance. A friend of mine because a fugitive, too.

The terrorist is a mongrel like me - an elite at the time. I don't think she and Geneva were ever allies, per se, as much as I'm inclined to think that Geneva - and others - made use of the sympathetic transplants among the elite that are far more impulsive than others.

[There had to be a ruthless side to Geneva. No one leads insurgents without one. She was just doing what Mary did with the House of Lords; don't show that side unless it's needed. Let people believe vengeance and hatred doesn't brew deep inside. But Samus had seen that face of Geneva.]

But there had to a be a reason she specifically wanted to talk to that woman. Perhaps she sought out your friend as well.

I would ask him, if I could. [ She admits. ] I haven't heard from him in a long time, though. I'm not sure if it's because he's gone into hiding or...

[ Something worse. ]

What's his name? I'll keep an ear out for him if you want.

[ She knows it would be safer not to say anything, but...she trusts Mary. ]

His name is Zuko.

[And Mary would keep the information Asami gave her regarding Zuko to herself. She wouldn't even talk to him if she encountered him, letting Asami know before doing anything. Really, Mary could care less about 'wanted terrorists' when she didn't have to.]

Mongrel or Eilte?

Elite.

[ She wanted to say he was the Fire Lord, but...well, decided to keep things simple. ]

He had a digital skin the last I saw him, but...I figure he probably would switch it up, you know?

I'll keep that in mind.

...I'm contemplating getting my own. I have have a gift card to one of the boutiques in Apathia that sells digital skins. Any suggestions?

Oh really?

[ The thought that Mary might be able to actually visit her in Tanagura was definitely appealing. ]

I'm not going to lie, I haven't looked much myself. I know there are some that can pass rental scanners.

...and all of those are illegal and not something I can get my hands on without making myself feel really dirty considering the people I would have to get them from. Not to mention the blackmail material they would have over me.

[Which really, really sucked.]

Unfortunately, I also can't buy a dark-haired skin anyways because of the scanners and my palm reader. So my options are a mongrel skin of some sort. Unless you buy a skin for yourself and know how to transfer it to my palm reader overriding the mongrel code on it.

...because I sure as hell don't. I'm just a soldier, luv.

[ There's a pause on her end. ]

I'm not the most adept at programming, but...I know someone who might know how. If you're serious.

[Mary was silent for a few long seconds as she mulled that over.]

...it would be very nice to be able to sit on the steps moongazing with you, to take you dancing, or not have to keep our distance in public. [A pause.] But I also wouldn't look like me.

[ There's a pause on her end before she speaks, but her smile is audible. ]

I generally prefer you as you.

Then that settles that. Funny, for a long time I despised how I looked - because of how much I looked like the Queen.

[It was habit that Mary didn't refer to the Queen as her grandmother unless necessary. She held such hatred for that woman.]

You don't feel that way now, do you?

I don't see the painting of her in her prime constantly anymore, and I'm starting to embrace the family resemblance between me and Esther.

...and there is this one person who does seem to like how I look.

Oh really? [ She smiles. ] And who might that be?

Some woman that looked really good in red that I met in a bar one day. You might have seen her around.

She likes red? Well, she must have good taste. But I already knew that if she's interested in you.

The best taste. [It felt very good to be wanted.]

There was this one day, when I was bored on shift, that I tried to think if I had ever seen her not with something red on. And then I almost spilled the drink I was pouring when I remembered when I had.

I find it very hard to decide which I prefer - her wearing red or not. [Lipstick clearly didn't count in this instance.] Think you might be able to help me figure it out?

[ It didn't take her long to realize exactly what Mary was referring to. She couldn't help but laugh at that.

Oh, she liked it when they spoke like this. ]

I might have a few suggestions...Maybe you should compare the two? One...and then the other.

[Now that was an excellent suggestion; she was going to have a little fun with it.]

That might be a little hard to do, as enticing an idea as it is. I have this... problem. [What kind of problem could this be?] I find it quite impossible to look without touching, and that distracts from a proper comparison.

I may need to ask her for some assistance in finding a way to keep me 'hands off' for a bit.

[IC] Inbox @ tanagura

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