Serious Discourse

Adwenln was the first to answer with her thoughts. <I would think that if freedom of speech was absent, due to a lack of respect for the sovereignty of the individual, a nation could easily find themselves in a command economy situation that would regulate the markets as well as the hierarchy of other systems.>

Jaewyndl chimed in, <So you think it would lead to a reduction in private individual ventures and rights, for a centralized authority's agenda instead?>

Gonyaul leaned over to Taewyln and signed, <Is the command economy what Orohc Osiryaul was talking about this morning?> He was referencing the Orohc that taught them language and history. It also gave way to the fact he hadn't been giving his full attention in class.

Taewyln nodded. <It is basically governmental authority that dictates the levels of production that are permissible and the prices that may be charged for goods and services.>

Qualestrel poked Gonyaul in the side making the ticklish lad flinch. <You really need to pay better attention in classes where we sit still. Oh, and two hugs for flinching.> She tackled him in a big hug that took both to the floor.

Adwenln, not phased by the side commentary and shenanigans of the others, replied to Jaewyndl. <Yes, I think whatever the centralized authority deems valuable would fair better; however, anything that did not would be intentionally squashed. And it wouldn't have to be with force, they could simply make it socially taboo or control the prices to create barriers to entry.>

Myrcelni spoke up, riding the wake of Adwenln's thoughts, <I feel that a country's innovation is skewed if that happens. Not using their human resource's full potential.>

Xaveltis seconded her comment with a couple of snaps.

Qualestrel grinned, <Yes, like forcing Gonyaul to only dance with the fans instead of the circle, because circles are an abomination.>

Gonyaul went to playfully shove Qualestrel, <Hey, don't sensor my circles.> With a series of precise movements of her hands, she easily turned the tides on Gonyaul and once again pinned him back to the ground.

Jaewyndl played devil's advocate, <Is that a bad thing? Hierarchies can be corrupt. Regulating them may be smart.>

Adwenln shook her head, <Yes, but just because hierarchies can be corrupt, that doesn't mean the same thing as always corrupt. Remember sovereign individuals. It just depends on if there are decent or indecent people running them.>

It looked like a wrestling match might break out between the two best friends; however, it was cut short by Taewyln actually speaking out loud. His voice was only that of a whisper. <Do you think a Vaux can be indecent?>

It shocked everyone, that he said it out loud, to the point they knew it was a very serious question. It must have been weighing heavily on his mind the majority of the day. They immediately stopped being silly and gave him their full undivided attention. He signed it again, <Do you think a Vaux could become indecent?>

While everyone was thinking it over, Rruelyn and Zendayul had joined them. They were on route to their group's "dorm", walking arm in arm coming from the extra relationships classes for the older youth. This didn't mean they were being romantic, it was commonplace to walk arm in arm to allow for being next to another person when walking across the thinner bridges.

Rruelyn had seen Taewyln's signing from a distance and had formulated a response by the time they joined the rest. <Yes. A Vaux, like anyone else can become indecent. Every choice that we make has to fight over the choice of yes or no in regards to doing what we ought to do or what we ought not to do. If we practice more things which are morally indecent then we become more indecent. If we practice more things that make us decent, we become more decent.>

Zendayul added, <Rruelyn is correct. Everything is governed by the laws of nature. If I were to hold a rock and let go, it will fall to the ground. If I were to jump off this platform I would fall to the ground. There are some laws of nature which all things, no matter what, are commanded to obey. But the laws of nature which deal with human morality are not so. It appears that humankind can make the choice to do things that they ought not do.>

Myrcelni looked a little confused, <Then how come there are no indecent Vaux here?>

Rruelyn actually beat Zendayul to the punch, <Because we as a culture help one another. We guide, correct, encourage and support those behaviors which help us to become decent. We are intentional and strive very hard to practice the things we ought. The ways of peace and goodness are inscribed on our very bodies so we do not forget. We mindfully learn to hold every thought captive and humbly die to the selfishness inside. We honor the kagim that flows through us to make the world remember the beautiful design that it was intended to be from the beginning.>

Taewyln stood up and brushed himself off, triggering the rest to do so as well. From the look on his face, he seemed at peace from his mental anguish from earlier. <Let us promise to encourage one another in truth, honesty and love, so that we are edified towards becoming better today than we were yesterday.>

They all agreed with tender smiles on their faces and placed their hands together in a Vauxian knot sealing the promise.

The mood being light again, Zendayul started to lead the way. <Come, let us to bed.> And with that the group headed off towards the children's sleeping quarters.

Gonyaul leaned over to Qualestrel as the two brought up the rear of the train. <I am excited about tomorrow.> He beamed.

Qualestrel giggled, <And why is that?>

<Because I've never seen it before!> He cleverly replied.

Qualestrel shook her head, laughing in silence. She then locked arms with him and proceeded across a bridge.