“Never has there been such a landslide election, you know. Well, not for mayor at least. Getting the guards, the merchants, and even most of the mages to vote for one candidate is impressive!”
“But papa, everyone loves him! Why wouldn’t people vote for him?”
“Ah, my kitten, you ask the best questions. Some people don’t trust him. Others dislike authority in general. Some don’t vote at all. I couldn’t begin to give all the true answers, but I think you understand.” He smiles down at his eldest child, running his fingers through her grey and black hair to elicit a happy purr.
Contemplating all this, the child’s tail flicks excitedly. They’re ten years old now, enough to be included in discussions of politics, though inexperienced in the myriad reasons why things are how they are. “Okay, I think I understand. Some people are just…they go against the grain for one reason or another, but some people don’t think he’s right, or good, what do they see that others don’t?”
“Another excellent question! I would think, for some, they expect him to tax them more, or make laws that will lessen their profits. Mostly monetary reasons, I’d wager. Of course there are those who are evil, or maybe just bad, but either way a strong force for good goes against their principles. Those are the ones you should stay away from.”
Tabitha nods, closing their eyes to imagine all sorts of sinister beings who would hate a good mayor. Sighing softly, they shake their head and frown. “People like that are strange, Papa. Doesn’t going against the common good just hurt everyone, including themselves?”
“Well yes, but ‘common good’ is too broad a term for a city. Even among us, some things that benefit most do not benefit all. Suppose you can’t afford to help everyone, how do you choose not to help?” He scratches under their chin, coaxing forth a deeper purr.
“Well, I suppose…you help the people you like best? Or do the thing that helps the most people?”
They open their eyes, staring up at their father. This is a tricky line of thinking, and it makes them wish they could snap their fingers and help everyone. Even the greatest mages can’t do that, though. Some had tried of course.
“Right, but there are those who would not be helped, and they’re some of the ones who would vote for someone else, yes? If this mayor saw us as a threat, maybe because we’re better at some trade than those he is friends with, he would help those friends and that would hurt us. Not intentionally exactly, he just wants his friends to succeed and his help is unequal. Is that bad, or good? There isn’t always a right answer.”
This revelation was not what Tabitha expected at all. Not always a right answer? Their eyes settle closed again, tail calming as their thoughts swirl about like the ingredients in a soup their mother is cooking. Surely doing something that hinders someone is bad, it has to be. And yet…if it helps someone else, and isn’t done with malice, then can it be seen as bad, as wrong? “This makes my head hurt, Papa. Why is the world so complicated?”
Laughter fills the house. “Yes, I suppose it is hard to piece together! That’s just how things are, Tabi. You’re a bright child though, you’ll find your own truth. That’s all we can do some days, is to understand what is right and good for us, and act upon it. I could be out there, working to make money right now, but we don’t need the coin, see? Spending my time with you this afternoon is a better solution. Helping you grow and learn, and be a strong member of the tribe.”
“That’s right! I’ll grow up and be strong so I can work hard and you don’t have to!” Tabi sits up in their father’s lap to flex their arms as their tail again flicks with excitement.
“Oho, and look at you already! Such a strong young dazh! You make us proud, I hope you know. Not just your mother and I, but the whole tribe, with your sense of self. Not so many dazh when we live in the cities, with the other races.” His smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes, despite the praise.
“Why not?” Their voice is quieter, measured now.
“Well, dazh are not seen in other races. Sure, the dwarves don’t have any genders, and the elves are infuriatingly difficult to figure out sometimes, but we’re the only race that has something like you. A person who chooses not to be a man or a woman. I do sometimes wish we had picked a different name, because of it.”
“But I like my name!” Tabitha pouts, crossing their arms and narrowing their eyes.
“Oh yes, it’s a wonderful name! It is just…well, we got it from a human woman, you see? And it is a name that implies feminine. People will assume you’re a woman because of it.” His hands thread through their hair again as he leans down to kiss their forehead.
“I don’t mind, Papa. It’s the name you and Mama gave me, and it’ll always be special because of that. Besides, Tabi isn’t really that, um, girly is it?” They purr loudly, leaning up to nuzzle against their father’s chin as their arms snake around his neck to hug him tightly.
“No, I don’t think it is. Not very masculine, but I wouldn’t say it’s especially feminine either.” He rubs up and down their back with a soft sigh, so glad to have a child so willing to be themself. “I fear you will find struggles in your life because of this, but I love that this is who you are. Maybe you inspire others in the tribe to look inside and see their true nature as well. A role model for other dazh.”
“You think so, Papa? That other kids will be dazh because of me?” Their eyes light up with wonder, golden and shining like a newly minted coin.
“Of course they will, Tabi. Maybe only one or two, but for them to see that dazh are real and treasured, that will be all the proof they need. Now, let’s go down stairs and help your mother cook, hmm? A strong member of the tribe helps with chores too!” He scoops Tabi up, cradling them in his arms and blowing a raspberry on their shoulder as they squeal and wriggle to get free.
“Okaaaaaay!” They shout between fits of giggles, the politics of the day long forgotten.
