Interviewer: "Duke, I know that you were, at one time, acquaintances with Indivar Mohan, the man who was in line to take the throne before the Great Revolution. Can you tell me what he was like?"
"I remember this one time that I saw Indivar standing on the edge of a cliff -- I think it was somewhere in the Manaria province... yes, it must have been, because it was just after the volcano erupted there. We were on a tour of the province to see the devastation and we were taking a breather. It was a totally uncharacteristic moment for him. I never saw him introspective and thoughtful -- none of us ever did, as far as I know. Of course, I was just one of many, so I can only tell you my perception of things. But Indivar wasn't like that. He was coy, smart, sharp-tongued, but never contemplative. I have no idea if it had to do with the volcano, but I doubt it. More than likely it had to do with the death of Kenn. Oh... I mean Prince Kenneth of Devi. It's hard to get used to talking to people who have never heard of our most important figures. Of course, they're not really important anymore, but...
"The two of them had been close around that time -- well, forever, really. The royal families of Devi and Govinda have been forever intertwined, and Kenneth and Indy were natural playmates as children. It made me jealous... others too. I remember talking to Konrad about this once. I mean, you know how it is. When two of your friends have that /thing/ you know you'll never get. And they're not trying to flaunt it -- it's just there. Jealousy is a natural response, because no one wants to not be a part of the circle, right?
"This wasn't that long ago. When Kenneth died, I mean. I was talking with Konrad about Indy and Kenn before the latter died of course. That's a tragedy of another story...
"I don't know what had brought us to this cliff or whatnot. It must have just been somewhere we were passing by in the transports. After a while you just have to demand some private time. Being ferried around to these events can get awfully tiring, even if you are being pampered. It's hard to explain to someone like you who's never had to deal with this nonsense, but people demand so much of your /energy/. Everyone wants the bat of your eye for just a moment to say they had it. And if you can't give it, then they call you pompous or arrogant. It was worse for Indivar because he had so many more demands on him than the rest of us, of course...
"Which, looking back, is just laughable. Someone like Ajani would have -- Ajani the Prince of Rania, I mean -- would have fit the role a dozen times better than Indy. I... well, I mean, I suppose it's different talking about this now, because we never would have said such a thing when we were on Til'hon, but really, Indy just didn't have the head for politics. He didn't care, and he wasn't all that concerned about his studies when he was younger. Of course I didn't know him when he was younger except through the official channels... that's just what I've heard. I was busy being ushered around in my own province and being forced to slave over books for days at a time. It wasn't until, you know, we became involved that I really saw what he was like. And it's not a bad thing... I don't want you, or anyone in the Federation to get this idea that Indivar's just a sloth. That's not the case. We just didn't think he was cut out for the position his father held. What can you say, though? That's our way. The 'dynasty.' Once you're in, you're in. The Electors put a /family/ on the throne, and Indivar was next in line...
"But it's that one moment that I mentioned before, at the volcano, that made me wonder about him. I mean, we're a million miles away from there now, and it's probably best that Indivar doesn't have to carry that burden anymore, but it makes me wonder every now and again if we don't give him enough credit.
"I haven't spoken with him since that awful bloody war, but I can only imagine that he's more than happy to enjoy what the Federation has to offer. What we took from Til'hon will last us all a lifetime if the Ferengis have their way. It's too bad, though, that he never had his chance. He might have just proven us wrong."
Fed. Press Interview w/Duke Runihuru
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FltAdml. Wolf
, Dec 07 2010 01:33 AM
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