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While enacting <span class="mu-i">prima nocta</span> on poor Aok wasn't your plan- it proved an interesting anatomical exercise. Of course, it isn't all just fun and games. Aok has become far more... deferential after this incident- and more believing in what you tell him. You wonder if this incident has made you seem more “mortal” in his eyes- from a foreign alien God-like being into something that <span class="mu-i">samples the local fare</span>. Humbling, to a degree, but more relatable. He's certainly feeling very <span class="mu-i">humbled</span>.
<span class="mu-b">”Does your wife always prepare dinner after caring for your young?”</span>
<span class="mu-g">”Yes, your lordship.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">”That's no good- she needs to wash her hands first.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">”Do you think my wife is... dirty?!”</span>
<span class="mu-b">”Silence, you blowhard! It's about <span class="mu-i">bacteria</span>. Imagine tiny animals, smaller then you can see. If someone sick or weak ate food touched by it, they could get sick, or even die...”</span>
You've explained to Aok some of your plans for this planet, and told him some of the wonders of your age. Food preservation, literacy, instant communication, travel to other planets, advanced medicine that can grow back limbs- these are all things that his people believe may exist as magic, but not something real and concrete. They're fairy tales, but as you have proven, they are real.
<span class="mu-g">”...But if your empire will take over us, what will happen to our freedom?”</span>
<span class="mu-b">”Hmm?”</span>
<span class="mu-g">”Our freedom. Our right to go where we want, to build the homes we want, our love and happiness to not be ruled by evil and cruel lords- that would all go away! These uncountable thousands of thousands of thousands of men you control- they'll outnumber us if they come here. You make it sound like its all good works you bring, but you'll control everything!”</span>
<span class="mu-b">”Let me tell you something about freedom, boy. The freedom you think you have? It's an illusion. Freedom doesn't even exist. Freedom to what, travel where you want? Would you really do that? Abandon your family? Your nation and people? Leave them before harvest-”</span>
<span class="mu-g">”No!”</span>
<span class="mu-b">”Then you don't have freedom, do you? The mythical type of freedom you pine for is meaningless. What difference is it if an alien race conquers you, or if you are alone and must fight among yourself? Even I, the <span class="mu-i"><span class="mu-s">Supreme Ruler</span></span> of the Jaaxtians, am ruled in turn by the forces of the universe- death and time will eventually undo me as well. Even if you could somehow go where you wanted or do what you wanted at all times- what purpose would that serve? Eventually you would run out of resources, meet an enemy stronger then yourself- even your own brain chemistry betrays you, as all the pointless happiness one could have just dulls it in the future. No- to live with <span class="mu-i">purpose</span> is superior to freedom. The Hegemony will take your <span class="mu-i">freedom</span> away- but you will be given purpose!”</span>
