Stand-still

Let me tell you about something interesting that has happened to me lately.

I am a major fan of the Total War series of computer games. I bought Rome: Total War a long time ago and really liked it and have been hooked ever since. In it, you rule over provinces using military might, economic might, and political might--basically you're the king and your objective is to take over the world in whatever way you can. I like how you can engage in full scale battles--you see all of the soldiers, you control them like a real army (unlike those crappy strategy games where it's more like you're a band of heros taking on thousands) The latest edition is Shogun 2:Total War, and I LOVE IT.

Anyway...

The other day I got into a battle with someone who resides three (well 4, now) provinces away from me. We had several diplomatic relationships for quite a while--we even were allies for a long time, but then we stopped working together and I kinda faded into their background.

We got into a particular battle--you might could say it's still ongoing really, based on the circumstance--where I was on the high ground, in my castle, defending myself and they came to fight. --Except...instead of fighting they just stood there waiting and waiting without moving, without attacking.

I'm still waiting for them to move because I'm not going to leave where I have things good just to meet them for a pointless war. I would like to see us as allies again after all! But alas, I'm just waiting and waiting for this battle to commence or for them to leave or to re-ally themselves with me, but instead it's all just a bunch of waiting, wondering what's going to happen, when they'll make the first move, -if- they'll make a move or if it's all just fun and games for them to sit back and besiege me.
The unfortunate thing about this situation is that eventually you HAVE to leave your castle and fight--time runs out, food runs out, resources run out, patience runs out, etc. and you are slowly diminished every second that you stay besieged. So right now I'm slowly dwindling away waiting for them to make their move, and I don't see them moving any time soon. They are forcing ME to make a decision for them that they should have made a long time ago.

But, I'm not talking about games right now, am I? I'm not talking about Total War...