Title: Of Restlessness and Diversity
Author: Karina
Rating: PG
Pairing: Duo
Notes: Challenge 231. Baby Series 4 #149. Takes place a few hours following A Lesson In Lost Legends
Spoilers: None
Warnings:
Many thanks to ShenLong Deb for her work betaing this set of fics.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.
Title: Of Restlessness and Diversity
"Sanc has a rather diverse culture. We are today, primarily a genetic mix of Northern European bloodstock, originally of predominately Scandinavian origins, though far from exclusively so. We have long had a reasonable representation of many other ethnic communities, beliefs and religions. We as a people in the past, and in modern times, frown on people who attempt to push their ideas of religion, social structures and economy on us, instead of accepting the simple truth that we are different. Sanc's philosophies are not merely accepting of cultural diversity, but actively encourage it. We need to be proud of our similarities whilst welcoming new philosophies which we can explore at our leisure. Exploring new possibilities and blending such discoveries and knowledge into the existing culture is to be celebrated. It makes us stronger, both individually and also as a race. You should always remember that 'different' is neither wrong nor bad. It is simply different."
Duo stretched slowly, willing himself to remain seated, but he had been idle too long. He had always been a restless creature and being forced to contain himself as the world around them destructed in a storm of elemental chaos was far from calming. He needed to move, to do something, to go somewhere.
And he knew it was simply not possible.
The children were gathered before the roaring log fire, listening with varying degrees of attention to the young woman who stood in their midst. The older children listened with greater attention, absorbing what she was saying, knowing that this was considered to be 'class' time. Though they were bunkered down and secure from the storm it was no holiday, and the adults had decided they need not miss at least some degree of schooling. Of course, the class was of an impromptu nature, and socio-economic forms and religious make up was way over the younger children's heads. And young people got restless quickly when they had no interest in what was being taught.
"We of Sanc wish for there to be no barriers defined by one's religion or race. People here are free to choose what they believe in and genetic race is seen as no impediment to marriage. We enjoy free choice and we expect others to acknowledge our choices as we acknowledge their right to believe differently. Now, we will talk more of this at a later session. I think we have bored the younger one's long enough, and perhaps a little sport might mitigate some of that restlessness I am detecting. We might choose something to help keep you warm, I think, run off a bit of that restless energy, but first we have hot cocoa and some fruit waiting. Off you go and get some."
Duo watched the mass surge of small bodies only too eager to leave the gathering. Yes, many of them were not exactly thrilled with the subject matter. That would change later, he knew, when the lessons were more energetic.
End
Karina Robertson 2014