More kittystuff

*pats Weft on the elbow*

Someone call you cat, that a compliment. You just shy getting compliments. *smile*

*looks prickly and doubtful, especially considering he knows exactly what Baskerville thinks of cats*

Compliments that were meant as insults are the second-best kind, I think.

Oh - yes, like when someone calls you a tool?

...
If you... in.. bfuh.

*wonders if she can somehow help Suitov with his evil plan*

Why does everyone want to seduce me? *whimper*

[he meant, of course, in the sense of 'corrupt or lead astray from duty'. Kehehehe.]

It's nothing personal. It's impersonal. That's the problem, y'see.

I don't follow you... *blinks*

What she's trying to avoid saying is that to her, like other people who value individuals, an organisation that treats people as things is, hm... disgusting.

[delivered very matter-of-factly, no hint of what he thinks]

Ohhhhh. Then she's wrong. That's all right. A lot of people don't really get what we're about.

Care to explain?

Explain what? People like to talk about things they don't know anything about, that's all.

However much I think Nico's all right, I'm an adult monk of getting on for two years and I don't have to justify myself or my existence to her. *has now gone defensive and huffy*

I'm just curious about your order.

My order has a saying, "curiosity kills". Which I don't mean as a threat, more of an interesting fact.

And because of that, certain stupid and ugly individuals who are mages criticise us for discouraging independent thought. But really, who says independent thought is a good thing? Only cultural bias, that's what.

If every unit is always questioning his orders, your organisation won't go anywhere. Someone used to running an army should know that. Independence of thought is a luxury commodity, not a utopian ideal.

My ears are burning. Wha-? Ah, it's only Weft complaining again. Carry on.

*shrugs* I don't like rumours covering over facts, that's why I ask.

*ponders*

An organisation may need independent thought and questioning orders to some degree. A unit may find that their... commanders did not have all the facts when giving orders, if the scouts or spies missed something, or messengers were too slow. Reporting back for new orders may take too long.

Following orders to the letter, rather than to improvise following their intention, when they in such a way turn something into a suicide mission, could hurt the organisation.

That knowledge web of yours may take care of some of that...

What's wrong with suicide missions?

Nothing in itself.

I think there is a difference between knowing from the start that you dying is part of the plan, or thinking you have a good chance of surviving.

Say... Circumstances on the spot were very different from what was expected. Following the original orders would just get the one following them killed. It would not accomplish the goal, just alarm the other side.

Would that not be a waste?

*eyeroll* We are trained what to do if things go wrong, y'know. Obviously if I'm told to improvise, I'll improvise. Anyway, what's it to you?

Good.

I don't like rumour covering up fact, I said. You say a lot of people don't understand what your order is about. So I'd like to know. *shrugs*