From Dawn Til' Dusk (Disc 1 Epilogue)

GEAR

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Jun 15, 2018
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February 9th, OE 102
2:00 PM DST

Artemis Palace Gardens Temporary Shelter


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For those with access to it, the gardens of the great Lunar palace were the most tranquil, beautiful, and serene place in the Kingdom. Somewhere one could go to reflect, depressurize, and meet those of similar pedigree under the shade of exotic foliage that was the result of generations of work splicing genes, melding artistry and biology into a canopy that soothed the soul of even the most neurotic of nobles.

In the wake of the assault from Volkruss however, they had been rapidly repurposed as a shelter for those displaced by the attack. Tents and makeshift beds formed rudimentary homes, crates of emergency food supplies, and an ever-present crowd of both locals and Terrans alike now milled about, crushing the grass underfoot with thoughtless disregard for the signs insisting they do otherwise.

It was here that a meeting had been called, and a series of chairs had been hurriedly grabbed from the rubble of the palace. A pair of Diam Lees worked dutifully in the distance, picking carefully through the debris for anything that could be salvaged for re-processing in the remaining fabricators, the light gleaming off their hides. Overhead, the hole that had been made in the roof by the Bemidban's entrance had been plugged, a group of Riots still tending to its edges, proton spikes serving handily as welding tools to ensure construction moved at a brisk pace.

There being little in the way of assigned seating, Gerart Enfield, now wheelchair-bound, had wheeled himself in early, looking no worse off for wear than he usually did. Opposite him in a second row of chairs across from a makeshift stage, Brigadier General Rodgers sat surrounded by the bridge crew of the Air Christmas, the terrans gawking in collective awe at the display of lushness about them. The past day had been full of surprises, the things the Lunarians took for everyday conveniences seeming almost like magic to the Directory rank-and-file.

At length, a figure made her way through the growing crowd, and stepped up onto the wooden stage. A young woman with dark hair, pale, yet soft features, and a poise that seemed to be standing a little straighter than those near her, stood at the podium. Her eyes moved over the questioning-looking crowd, and gave a small smile.

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"Thank you everyone for coming." She said, only to catch herself, a hand coming to her mouth.

"Oh... I realize my attire may come as something of a shock to you all. My name is Selene III... She of the Flawless Mirror, Queen of the Lunar Kingdom of Everglory."

Muttering and some gasps of alarm traveled through the crowd. Not once had the Queen ever appeared in public without her usual guise, fierce and regal... Yet, she stood before them now as a seemingly normal, ordinary girl. Waiting for the noise to die down, Selene gave a little sigh... and began to speak.

"In the wake of all that has transpired... I wished to say a few words. So many of you have come forward with questions, worries, and concerns... I will do my best to address them.

Three months ago, we received a prophecy: That great and terrible danger would befall our people. Never did we dream that it would have come from inside our own borders, the product of our own arrogance.

For so many years, we have stood alone. We believed the myth of our own superiority... that we were chosen. Greater. Different.

But... all this did was isolate us. Poison us. When our time of need came, when the ZONE incident occurred, there was nowhere we could turn to for help. When the DAMON ravaged our homes, and brother turned on brother in opportunistic spite, it became clear that we were not as unified as we believed. When Thane Ashford and his conspirators attempted to assassinate me, at the moment in which all our lives hung in the balance, there was no longer any doubt that...
"

Here she paused, bringing a hand tenderly to her chest for a moment.

"We... were no different than the Terrans we scorned."

Silence. It was impossible to tell, she thought, whether it was good or bad. Doubtlessly some were holding their tongues, and others glaring at the very suggestion that they were anything like those below. The Moon Cradle's residents might have been gone, but their attitudes and beliefs... would be far more difficult to dislodge.

"And yet... In the end, it was those very same men and women who risked their lives to aid us, when were had been on the brink of war only hours earlier. To Taskforce Upsilon, to Brigadier General Rodgers... I thank you. All of Luna is in your debt."

Rodgers nodded appreciatively as applause rose from the crowd. Never would he have believed in a hundred years that this was how things were going to end up... but, in some ways, he was grateful for it. Better an exchange of words and ideas, he thought, than bullets and black holes.

"What so many have asked, that I see written on all of your faces, is... What now? Where do we go from here? Before I answer that, there are some hard truths that need to be said. If they are not... If we continue to look away... nothing will change.

For too long, the Kingdom has held too many secrets. Not only from outsiders, but from its own kind. We did not trust our own people with the knowledge, the understanding that they deserved to know. Brave knights fought and died, without ever truly understanding what they were fighting for, and why.

And for that... I am deeply, profoundly sorry.
"

She bowed her head. More muffled outcries from the crowd, but they were... softer, now, perhaps realizing that the infallible Queen was apologizing to them as well.

"I... was complicit in these acts."

Her throat ached. The corners of her eyes burned. It took every ounce of self control she had to hold together, to press on, even as her voice tremored with the strain of suppressed emotion.

"I will not hide behind my title, or my blood, nor blame our ancestral kings for the traditions passed onto me. I, and I alone, sincerely believed in my heart of hearts... that what I was doing was the only way any of us could survive. I was willing to sacrifice everything, even my own life, if it would mean our Kingdom would continue. That... was all I had ever known, ever since I was born. My purpose. My only reason to live.

I even turned on the man I loved, and on my own brother, when they tried to save me from the self-destructive path I had chosen.
"

A collective murmur went up from the Lunarians in the assembled crowd, yet Selene's eyes did not meet those of James, nor Gerart in the audience. The Queen had a brother? She waited patiently, eyes closed, for the sensationalism to die down before continuing.

"I realize now... that I was being selfish." She said, "That I was content to suffer in silence, believing it to be noble, and to throw my life away, absolving me of a responsibility, a crown I never wanted.

But... If you will allow me to remain as your Queen, to lead you... I promise that I will guide us down a new path. A better one, not simply for Luna, but for all.
"

She took a deep breath, letting it fill her lungs... and empty it. Offering her head to them would do nothing to bring back what had been lost. It would be nothing more than another hollow, self-serving act of cowardice. So long as she lived, she could at least offer them this. Her arms spread out before her towards them, and she felt the uncertainty fade from her voice, replaced with the commanding, certain tones of a monoarch.

"Never again will the veil of conspiracy, of secrecy, be cast over the eyes of the people.
Never again will we look down at others in contempt, scorning them for the circumstances of their birth.
And never again will we allow our home, our great Kingdom, to be razed to the ground as a consequence of our own hubris!
"

Her eyes moved to each person in the audience, Terran and Lunarian alike, letting her conviction, her vision ring in every word.

"We will extend our hands to those in need, and share what we have long jealously guarded.
We will welcome people of all creeds and kinds into our midst, to learn from them, to grow, and better understand the outside world.
We will be guided by our compassion and dignity, not avarice and pride!
"

She lowered her hands... and at least felt a tear fall from the corner of her eye.

"Everglory... will become what it was always meant to be: A shining beacon of hope for all mankind, not just those who share our blood."

It was even quieter now, and for a moment her heart felt as though it was lodged in her throat. Her eyes moved over the audience once again, absorbing the mixture of faces. Some were shocked, others disgusted, or on the verge of tears themselves. Never before had she, or any other of her line, spoken to them in such a fashion.

"Please." She said, lifting a hand.

"Will you allow me... to walk with you once more?"

Nothing. Selene closed her eyes, as she started to feel the shame burning in her cheeks. Yes, of course it wouldn't be this easy. Not after everything she'd done. There was no way-

Clap.​

All eyes went to the Queen's left. Rodgers rose from his seat, bringing his hands together as he gave the girl an encouraging smile. As if on cue, as if a spell were broken, the rest of the garden exploded with noise - cheers, applause, even whistles. There were no more words. Selene simply stood under the light, feeling for the first time in her life that she was grateful to be who she was, feeling the hot tears running down her face, the scene before her blurring together into a warm, melted haze.



SYSTEM UPDATE COMPLETE:
Hacceitic Limiter Reset Required.
- Super Robot Wars: Ignition: Please Insert Disc 2 -
 

GEAR

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Jun 15, 2018
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#2
February 9th, OE 102
2:00 PM DST

Temporary Holding Cell, 18th District

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"You're gonna die in here, pretty-boy!"
"Cradle-babies gonna cry-cry-cry, ahahahahaha!"
"Got real, real nice skin, like a real woman~!"

The catcalling, the hooting and the hollering, the jeering filled the air. It was omnipresent, the dark, dreary, aging port jail cell providing little in the way of security, or privacy for that matter. With the primary holding cells mostly ravaged by the onslaught, the usual intruders, thieves and interlopers had been relocated here. The guard made his way down the hall, eyes wearily minding the other prisoners, carrying a meal for their newest arrival - the cause of all the hubbub.

His keycard was passed over the surface of the barred cell door, which ground open with an unearthly groan of metal, and he stepped across the threshold.

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The man within was, more or less, in the exact same state at which he had arrived. He sat, cross-legged and immaculate, on the bare bed, legs in the lotus position. This time however, there was something in his hands, causing the guard to slow his approach. Silently, the prisoner turned a page on the book he was holding, the blood on his clothing doing nothing to dissuade the air of nobility that clung to his features, his very presence. Before he could open his mouth to inquire as to where it had come from, the man spoke for the first time since arriving.

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"Excuse me."

Thane Ashford gave an easy smile, pausing his reading. It was easy to see, he thought mildly, why such a man had once commanded such respect and power.

"May I ask a personal question?"

The guard placed the tray of food on the shelf, letting it clatter forward as the contents of the bowl, a kind of stew, slopped over the sides to run across the plastic beneath. There was no reason for him to respond to the inmate. The Arbiter would be the one to pass judgment, all his job was to keep-

"You must be of the Ingelram family, correct?"

He stopped. His identification badge wasn't visible, that he knew for sure. His helmet should mask his features, and the two had never met before now. So-

"...How did you-"

"A noble line." Continued Ashford, soft tones of reverence entering his voice as he turned a page.

"The great Sir Anselet Ingelram was a true champion of his day. Fourteen straight victories as a duelist. His virtue was never once tarnished."

"You can't feed a family on virtue." Said Sir Ingelram the younger, tersely.

"If the old man hadn't been so intent on playing knight, wouldn't have left us to fend for ourselves. Guess that's what you boys in the Cradle love though, isn't it? Playing bullshit games, with bullshit prizes."

Ashford's eyebrows raised slightly. Was it surprise, he wondered? He hoped it hurt. He hoped they dragged this son of a bitch through the muck, so he and all his friends could get a taste of how the rest of the world lived. He turned to leave, but Ashford spoke once again.

"Do you have any children?" He asked, voice betraying nothing but friendly concern;

"Perhaps, any who might depend on you to provide for them?"

Sir Ingelram scoffed, letting the keycard swipe again across the door. Ashford remained where he had been, eyes meeting those of the man behind the visor. There was something... unnerving he thought, about how he looked. Something out of place in those eyes that gave him the creeps.

"...Can't say I do. Why?"

The door squeaked open and he stepped through, grateful to put as much distance between himself and the noble as he could.

"I see."

Ashford gave low sigh - and in that moment, Ingelram felt something cold clamp about the sides of his head, fingers of steel digging into his flesh. Ashford closed his book, tucking it under his arm.

"A pity."

There was a sharp, wet crunch... and the guard's body crumbled to the floor. Two dark, metallic forms lowered themselves from the ceiling, their feminine bodies flickering into view as cloaking mechanisms disengaged. The noble stepped over the body below... yet paused, seeing the flow of crimson from the man's open mouth.

"What a waste to die in a place like this." He said, quietly. He shook his head solemnly. Things should never have come to this. The indignation he had suffered today would be temporary, but the damage that his dear Queen would do to Luna would be forever. There was nothing left for him, he could not bear to see its beauty and perfection thrown into the mud and soiled beyond recognition. His voice dropped to a low, apologetic whisper.

"Your blood deserved better."

A deafening silence had filled the hall as the other inmates had watched the spectacle, and as Ashford unhurriedly took the keycard, a howl of renewed protests, pleading and begging rose to a deafening pitch. He walked at his own pace, flanked by his murder machines - the arrangements had already been made for his departure. As proud as he was, as certain as he had been of victory... this too, he had prepared for.

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Bisen Foris.

Nothing else had occupied his mind since he had been apprehended. A collection of some of Luna's finest pedigree knights, and they had spurned him. Even so, he had to admire their resolve - truly, they were everything Everglory should aspire to be, loyalty to the crown and all. No grudge, no hatred lingered in his heart towards them, nor Lady Okuni, disappointing as her performance had been... only a stirring sense of validation, a proud warmth that filled his chest.

His intuition about their abilities had been correct after all.

It was simply unfortunate that they had been on opposite sides.

A mere misunderstanding.

One that would need to be... corrected, in due time.

Here he paused at the entrance to the room, raising the card tantalizingly towards the mass-release panel. He let the voices build to a feverish crescendo of adulation, closing his eyes and nodding along with their desperate words of praise...

And then let it drop neatly back into his pocket.

A smug smirk crossed his face as he disappeared from view into the dim hallways, the explosive peals of of anger and disappointment like music to his ears.

There would be others here worthy of release - of that, he was certain... but, not there.
 
Aug 25, 2018
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#3
The crescendo of voices reached where they were held, but it was too faint and far away to make up any words or what had caused it. It did still get a reaction of the person as they were sitting on the floor, back against the wall: a muted, slight turn of the head towards the probable direction of the sounds.

Their resting position wasn't as comfortable as a bed, but it was hardly uncomfortable either which made it more than adequate for Slask. And there wasn't much else to do in a cell.

'What has riled them up?'

'Eh, who can say? Could be anything from a hated guard bringing food to a mass escape attempt. I haven't actually experienced every aspect of life you know, and prisons are one of them. Very boring places.' For once Johan was glad that Slask was the one controlling the body, so he didn't have to suffer through the incredibly boring jail life in person.

It was still worse for him than it was for the Melior Esse. The Raftclanz had been a massive disappointment, and while fighting on his own away from the others against the swarm of enemies had been thrilling it only was so because of their numbers, an individual was even less threatening than Boucher had been, somehow.

He wanted more. Something thrilling, something truly powerful and dangerous that could get his blood pumping. Something like Shiseiten. Belfast had been the worst day of Johan's life, but not for the reasons one might think. Something powerful enough to overpower all that Upsilon had to offer right in front of him and he had been unable to fight it! It had been the worst of tortures.

'I will gladly let you fight it if we ever get out of this jail and have to face it again.' Slask answered to the overt lust for battle.

...And as the Melior Esse pondered on what the others would think if there was a human with more lust for battle than one of their own, even the failure, there was a tiny amount of pure amusement. Just the barest shred of that wondrous feeling.

But it was there.​




The previous day...
February 8th, OE102
19:37



"And what of Impetus!? I was told I'd get it as soon as we had sufficient energy and materials for another mobile weapon of that caliber and now you're saying that you made both Violaceum and Priscus Nox while I was left at the mercy of the skills of humans!?" Kvinna yelled at Huvud through the connection that had been up for the past hour.

"There was a change of plans."

"Change of plans!? And that justifi-"

"Silence."

Kvinna's nostrils flared in anger, but her tirade was stopped all the same.

"I do not need to justify anything. What matters is bringing this world to our Lord, nothing else, and this was a better use of our resources than giving you two another machine. Kill the Brigadier General. His death will drive panic and with any luck hamper the unifying efforts. The Queen is the real target but she is beyond your reach. Tell Slask to do his best in eliminating that pest. That is all." The connection was cut immediately afterwards, leaving Kvinna to simmer in her rage on her own. And to think on what to do.

It was an hour later, Kvinna was stomping through the corridors in search for Rodgers, openly seething with anger and not caring a whit of who saw her. The few that came across the easily irritated woman had to only take one look at her before skirting well clear of her.

Her mind replayed every slight, every insult and every look over and over again. Put under Slask's command, thrown away from DARC to the middle of their food while having to act like one of them, not given any tools to defend herself or do anything, every contact with the other Melior Esse filled with slights and contemptuous looks. And contrasted the way the Melior Esse treated her with the way Rodgers had, despite her facade as a human being far from the most charismatic of humans. Even she could admit that much.

And now she was sent on an obvious suicide mission like she was a Miles!?

The Melior Esse that could be said to personify anger and rage had never been this driven by those two emotions before. Only, they were not aimed at humanity or even a single human. But Huvud, their supposed leader.

If he was so bent on treating her like this she would give him what he wanted.

Damn the Ruina, damn the Melior Esse, damn the Lord of Ruin and damn Huvud! She would ensure that the flames would take them all.

"You need to know something." She spat out when she had finally found Rodgers, not bothering to think about how it should be put to better pass as human. It did not matter anymore. If she was going to be sent to die she would drag those fuckers with her.
 

Hitura Rael

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Sep 29, 2018
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#4
James fidgeted the entire speech and for the moments prefixing it. By the grace of Charles and plenty of work to volunteer for, he had avoided Selene for the most part up until... now. He willingly came along to this speech to support Selene, fully expecting to be arrested and thrown in the brig along with Enfield. He really wished that love sick idiot would have stayed out for a while, at least until he was recovered... But he had a stubborn scary little badger of a woman on his side. He caved to Merida's glares as much as he caved to Charles' stern but gentle words about not hiding in the back of the crowd.

He waited for the end of the speech, when people were up and mingling or picking at the food set out to mill about and drag his feet. After five or ten minutes of milling about and trying to work up the courage, he took a deep breath and forced himself toward Selene during a gap in her being crowded by others. He stopped a few feet from her and paused. He had the look of a deer in headlights as his brain COMPLETELY blanked. She had mentioned having a brother in her speech. Should he still salute her? Of course he should, she was Queen and higher ranking and... did younger siblings in his family line salute their older siblings in public? You're standing around too much idiot do something! James awkwardly saluted his sister, fumbling and definitely messing it up badly under the stress. He looked to the side of her, avoiding direct eye contact.

"H-hey so... uh... your room's..." No idiot, don't bring up the destruction! "I mean... Merida- My room mate... she's off visiting some family after all this happened so-" he hurriedly shoved his hand in his pocket to fish around, almost spilling the entire contents to the floor as he pulled out a key on a little bauble. His face burned red as he practically shoved it into Selene's hand, "You can stay in her room. She gave permission as long as you don't redecorate or anything."

Why was this so hard?! He should just let the awkward between them go but... He bit the inside of his bottom lip before looking his sister directly in the eye. Fear and stress could not be hidden from his face, "I need to ask..." He leaned in to try to not be heard, "You didn't send the knights to the colonies after me... right? Like... with orders to kill me." What would he do if she said yes?
 

GEAR

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Jun 15, 2018
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"James..."

Selene stepped down from the crowd, and immediately caught sight of her brother. It was clear from the way her body stiffened that he had not been the only one dreading this confrontation. As he approached, she listened to him speak without interrupting for what must have felt like the first time in an eternity. Her face, revealed to him and the world... When was the last time he had seen her like this. At length, she finally spoke.

"I... Needed the Sphere back. I thought... It was the only way. I'm sorry."

Selene's eyes went to the ground in silent shame. She could already feel the tears welling in her eyes again, and fought them back as best as she could. There were so many things she wanted to say to him, to at the very least show that she knew full well she'd been wrong, and how she would make it up to him-

There was a rough noise, a polite clearing of the throat behind her.

"I... Hope we're not interrupting anything?"

"You are."

"Nrgh."

Two individuals made their way through the crowd. One was particularly striking - her long, lavender hair and dress offset by the bandage about her forehead, covering one of her eyes, the remaining of which peered fiercely out into the world from behind a pair of folded arms that were like iron bars. As delightful an occasion as it was... she couldn't help but grimace from the constant pounding in her head, courtesy of that damnable assassin.

"That was a wonderful speech, Queen Selene. And, the vaunted Sir Steelheart..."

The other of the two, a man with short, gelled hair of similar build to James gave a smile as he approached. His uniform was more decorative than those they had met thus far, but the medals on its front immediately identified him as being one of the Directory.

"We meet at last."

Selene's eyes narrowed slightly, evidently annoyed at being interrupted, but not impolite enough to interrupt the two.

"And... you are?" She said, thinly - yet the man continued amicably, as though he were following a script that he was reading off the inside of his own eyeballs.

"The Directory will ensure that Luna's independence continues in some shape or form... At least, if I have something to say about it."

A sigh escaped the woman's lips, and she gave him a not-so-subtle elbow.

"Are you going to introduce us, or...?"

"Oh, right. Ahem."

He gestured towards his compatriot, who gave a curtsey that made even Selene a little flushed with envy at its grace.

"This is Chief Engineer Juliette Carpentier."

"Ravie de vous rencontrer."

-And he in turn gave a humble bow.

"Assistant Director Chethan Sullivan. You've met Brigadier General Rodgers, and my subordinates in Taskforce Upsilon... I apologize for the difficulty they've caused you."

He extended his hand, and Selene took it, her eyes widening slightly in surprise as she did, before offering it to James.
 

Hitura Rael

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Sep 29, 2018
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#6
"I... Needed the Sphere back. I thought... It was the only way. I'm sorry."

His heart sank to his stomach, swallowed by a dread void and... oddly... he felt numb. Shouldn't he be upset? Hurt? Angry? His worst fear had been confirmed, the dream a premonition. Perhaps he hadn't processed it? Expected it? Why did he feel so calm about it. Why did he want to comfort her instead of yell at her. His arm moved, as if to pull her in a hug, but then what he had expected to happen truly did.

"I... Hope we're not interrupting anything?"

James flinched back, away from Selene. In the same motion he spun to face the two interlopers with a painfully obvious fake smile plastered on his face. THERE was the irritation he had expected, burning two fold for these two. Though the conversation he had tried to start was... probably best for somewhere private. It was a feat and a miracle of the damn Sphere that he kept his mouth shut.

"That was a wonderful speech, Queen Selene. And, the vaunted Sir Steelheart..."

He gave a small cant of his head to the left, "Please, Sir Steelheart is my dad. Call me James." His smile slipped into a neutral expression, glancing the pair over quickly before his eyes snapped back up to the man.

"We meet at last."

He faked a smile again, annoyed but masking it. Painfully obviously masking it, which was probably worse than Selene's outright annoyance.

"And... you are?"

Ah how he loved his sister, always bold enough to show that distaste and annoyance instead of having to fake politeness. As far as he knew anyway. She was good at faking it, he was a terrible liar.

"The Directory will ensure that Luna's independence continues in some shape or form... At least, if I have something to say about it."

"It is good to have allies who will watch our backs." James gave a small bow of his head to the man. Really it was to hide the smirk of amusement. How long had this guy spent reciting that in the mirror before the meeting? Is this what Selene had to deal with all the time at those boring state meetings? Wrote lip service and- that smirk died as a horrible realization dawned on him. She was going to make HIM go to those boring state services now! He was going to have to have Merida start cooking on those days... At least the amusement and sheer genius of that thought put a real smile on his face.

"Are you going to introduce us, or...?"

He didn't tune back in to the conversation until the man offered his hand. Oops. What was his name? Shit, what was hers? Too late now. He took the man's hand and frowned, holding it a bit longer than intended before releasing him. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. Though I think you could have waited to be nosey til after our conversation had concluded." He smiled the kind of smile he flashed at his siblings when he caught them sneaking something they shouldn't be. Hopefully, Selene would let him dictate when he introduced himself to the people. Mostly, he wanted to leave these two squirming for a bit. He couldn't grow up TOO much now, right? That'd make people suspicious or think he was a mature adult and he CERTAINLY couldn't have that.

"If I may ask, Ma'am. What happened to your head?" He glanced to Juliette with a small amount of concern.
 
Aug 25, 2018
51
0
6
#7
Baron, you need to remain in the bed!” The nurse’s words fell far short of their intended effect; the woman covered in bandages was already pulling tubes from her arms and rising to her feet. The bandages wrapped around her head covered the horrible cut she’d received during the duel, and stitches lined her sides where the blade had cut into her. The slashes to her arm had been stapled shut and heavily bandaged, before the Doctor slapped on brace on it as well.

Nonsense; I don’t see that Samurai here. If she can walk away from our duel, I should be able to accomplish the same feat.” Ignoring the burning in her side, she walked past the guards standing outside of her hospital room. Though the Baron had requested no anaesthesia during the operation, the doctors had insisted. Nodding in the direction of both of the soldiers, she reached the sanitation room near the operating station. Inside was all the uniforms that had been recovered from the injured soldiers, and cleaned to the best of the hospital’s abilities.

Recognizing an embroidered black sleeve, she pulled her large jacket from the stacks of uniforms. Beaming with pride, she slung it over her shoulders. It was a badge of honor, the legacy of her father, and she refused to leave it behind. Strolling back into the hallway, she walked towards the exit. Her guards had left their post and were waiting for her by the exit.

I heard the Queen is having a speech. You guys plan on being my escort?

Per orders of our superiors, yes. We have a uniform that’s been fitted to your size, Baron.

Awesome, let’s get a cab. The woman took the proffered uniform, and started shrugging off her hospital gown. The guards turned their gaze in respect, as one phoned to a different post. From what Erina could hear, the soldier was coordinating a vehicle for transport. Finishing pulling on the pants and looping the belt through with one hand, she tossed aside the tie and pulled on the button up shirt. Leaving it undone, she threw her jacket over it and looped her arm back through the sling.

Is your arm actually broken?” One of the guards noted the strange behavior, and the Baron scratched her head.

Honestly? No. But the Doctor told me to wear the brace since they were concerned about the cut to my shoulder and arm.” She’d been almost ‘bisected’, for lack of a better term. The doctors were shocked at her surprisingly robust condition, after watching footage of the bloody fight she’d been in. Less for situational knowledge and more due to the bragging rights the Baron associated with the security footage.

Doctor’s orders are absolute, ha. Least that’s what they tell us in the military. The transport is outside.” The other guard motioned for the Baron to follow, and she did so with a grin.




After a short stop by a local bar, the Baron was one bottle into her day and held the other bottle of whiskey in her good hand. She had tried to convince the guards to enjoy the whiskey with her, but they’d declined in favor of doing their jobs. It was definitely a day for celebration; after repelling the enemies the day prior, a new page was turning on the history of the Lunarians. She had heard mentions of a treaty in place, but she had gotten pulled away from the others and ushered to the hospital before she could get any more info. Something about scarring, blood loss, and unhygienic conditions.

Pulling up the large venue, the Baron could hear the crescendo of cheers and claps. She hopped out of the military vehicle, leaving the guards to figure out parking. Strolling past the various people, the woman noted the rubble left by a ‘hero’s’ actions. Not her proudest actions, but damned if the dive through the other side of the throne room wasn’t flashy! Grinning at her own thoughts, the Baron took a long drink from the bottle of whiskey. She ignored the seated authorities and the high-ranking officers, pushing her way into the crowd mulling around the Queen.

Most stepped out of the way when they felt the overwhelming aura of the Baron, and others turned in disgust when they saw the bandaged soldier who reeked of alcohol. But her confidence was second to none, as she spotted Selene further in. She wasn’t dressed in her regal attire from the day prior; in Erina’s humble opinion, the casual attire now far better suited the natural beauty of the woman.

But I’m not the expert when it comes to women’s fashion, if my appearance is anything to go off of.

She noticed when an officer of the Directory pushed his way through the crowd to face the Queen. There was something off about his attitude, as he threw a sloppy salute and avoided her gaze. The Baron was already strolling forward, preparing to dash across the distance.

Ashford wouldn’t send an assassin this late in the game, right!? He was a bastard, but not a coward of that nature!

She got close enough to see him hold out a key with all the bashfulness of a girl talking to her crush. Erina also noted the discomfort written on Selene’s face; this wasn’t a meeting between lovers or old friends...but something far more personal. The Baron pondered the exact relation between the two from the distance she stood at, but they were interrupted by two officers. One was a woman wearing a bandage similar to the Baron’s, but she was apparently fine everywhere else. They started some really dry introductions that the man she knew now as James Steelheart and Selene didn’t appreciate.

Time to interrupt myself~!
Queen Selene! Your humble Baron has arrived from the hospital, here in time to greet your new companions in peace. Assistant Director, Chief Engineer, I’m Baron Doban, esteemed noble of Lunaria and the pilot of the Doban lineage’s Bemidban. James Steelheart, I think I’ve heard tales of you.” She spoke boisterously, bowing her head slightly. She motioned at her bandages as an ‘excuse’ fornot pursuing more polite gestures, before holding out the bottle of whiskey. “Shall we have a toast towards peace and the future?
 

GEAR

Administrator
Staff member
Jun 15, 2018
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#8
"Thank you, Baron."

Queen Selene gave an uncharacteristic wink to her protector as her hands guided the two Terrans in her direction. Always there right when she needed them. When things had quieted down, she would be sure to give the Baron her due recognition.

"Please see to it that our guests are attended to."

As James looked at Juliette, she returned his gaze unflinchingly as he asked about her wound. Her stare hardened, however, along with her voice.

"Pest control." She said, in a voice that was more like a growl than an utterance. Thankfully, before she could bite the young prince's head off, the Baron once more leapt to the rescue. Weighing a potential public scrap with the allure of a free drink, she eventually gave a small sigh, grasping onto the arm of her companion affectionately.

"I don't see why not. Chethan?

... Chethan?
"

The was a curious silence from the Director, as he shook James hand, as though the words of greeting had died in his throat. He didn't even comment on the man's rudeness, merely letting his mouth slowly close, before finally settling on:

"James it is, then."

He withdrew his hand slowly, looking down at his palm in seeming deep, almost trance-like thought.

"Something the matter?" Asked Juliette, tugging on his arm anxiously.

"No. Nothing. Just..." He laughed, and trailed off before looking back up, meeting James eyes for a moment. That crackle of unspoken familiarity in the air, he wondered - did he feel it too?

"...Deja vu." Said Director Sullivan, with a quiet smile.​

With that, he departed along with Juliette, dragged in the direction of the Baron and a table laden with what drinks could be salvaged. Neither spared a backwards glance at the Queen, as if they themselves were glad to have the difficult task of introductions over. Selene gave a sigh of relief, and touched James shoulder affectionately.

"We'll talk later... I promise."

She turned to make her way back to the stage, but stopped - and looked back to give him perhaps the most honest smile he'd seen her give in years.

"For real, this time."

With that, she stepped back up to the side of the stage, causing a murmuring among the audience as she returned to the podium.

"There is one more important matter before us. If the circumstances were perhaps better, it would be a grander affair but..."

She paused, collecting her hands near her chest as she thought. Normally there would be a parade. A great many toasts, songs, and all manner of celebrations. Were it only, she thought, that she could give them what they truly deserved. She hadn't even prepared a proper speech.

"In times of crisis... It is important that tradition be maintained. Things that we have taken as routine, or perhaps for granted, we begin to realize the meaning of. Why they were started to begin with."

Queen Selene paused a moment, letting the attention fall on her words as she lifted a hand.

"Please join me, Knights of Bisen Foris."​
 
Jun 28, 2018
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#9
There was a slight tensing of Sir Richard's jaw. A faint, momentary twitch at the corner of his eye. The great bear of a man stiffened, murmuring in hushed tones through braced teeth to his immediate company.

"... ah. That's... that's a new wrinkle."

Without breaking his own unflappable poise, the castellan made equally hushed reply, keeping his eyes trained on the stage.

"I told you. Always have a strategy." His head lilted to the other side, nearer to his fellow blonde. "Sir Kiraly? Your move."

A cleansing sigh issued from the tawny woman, her drink set aside on the adjoining table, giving a smile and a curt nod to the stage. And just as deftly, leaned back just a step to put the gray knight's sizable frame between herself, the stage, and the intervening crowd. Just briefly enough spit a hushed command over an inconspicuous commlink.

"Regroup, regroup. Central position, twin."

Leaning forward again she resumed her sunny smile, and stepped around Mirko to take the lead. Strolling casually, yet at a precisely relaxed speed the better to lend time to her cohort. Her eyes shot briefly to a line of tables on the other side of the venue, where another highly visible quartet in purple naval uniforms was taking a similarly deliberate course. At the cardinal points about them, their sharper-eyed CIC operators were politely excusing themselves from their conversations, and apologetically squeezing between the assembled throngs - each of the four moving at just a little more quickly than the overt formations.

And while eyes were turned toward them, a particularly slender bundle of heat mirage was streaking through the air, rapidly descending from a cozy spot amongst the rafters to a certain choice vantage point on a rooftop. Somewhere beyond the vision of the assembly, the two women hustled at best speed, descending from their posts and cutting through the back way to a chosen waypoint behind the stage. Pausing there, briefly, to gather themselves. Their armor melding back against their bodies into coats of crisp purple, boots of gleaming black, and trousers of lily white.

Just as the others were nearing their central spoke, Sir Kiraly made a practiced turn to sweep her gaze about the crowd, and lifted a hand in the air to issue a snap of the fingers. Then two more in quick succession. Attention drawn to her, and unspoken cues taken, the errant half of the company took to well-honed jogs. Seemingly called in the moment to form up. Hana and Vered straightened their caps, and nonchalantly emerged from the wings when the fewest seemed to be looking. The only one not to move amid this exercise in subtle party navigation was the good doctor - who merely stood waiting at the ordained point, having already been there to begin with.

As the thirteen figures met, Sir Kiraly lifted a fist to her chin and cleared her throat. Her head popping up, she spun on her heel and came to face the stage with a clack of her boot heels.

"Company. Hup!"

At her command, the knights (and their lone squire) stood at attention into two lines of six. And another terse vocalization, set into motion, marching down the central aisle toward the stage. At its end, they turned exactly in paired unison, the well-oiled formation curling neatly round to the steps, and then up onto the platform in twin rows. As each pair arrived, they make precise turns on their own heels, coming to face the crowd at attention. The back row of seven ordered by height amongst the taller half, the shorter six in front spaced to occupy the gaps. This left the Chevalier 01 nearest to their queen, and once the rest were in place, she turned smartly, snapping off a salute.

"Expeditionary Chivalry Bisen Foris. Reporting."
 

GEAR

Administrator
Staff member
Jun 15, 2018
1,165
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#10
"Thank you for joining us."

Queen Selene watched the Order, in silent appreciation of the orderliness of their hustle. Granted, part of her added, she could have informed them beforehand of this but... Well, it looked like her belief in their reliability was right on the money after all.

"I realize... this may perhaps be a little less formal than you are used to." - She smiled, as a laugh rippled through the crowd, but she cleared her throat, her tone shifting to one that was more regal, more... pensive.

"We all... have some adjusting to do. We have perhaps... become too comfortable."

After a moment, she walked across their formation, slowly. Her eyes met each and every one of theirs, as she spoke their names, softly. Each one was like the ringing of a bell, or a chime in its cadence, as though it were being etched in stone before their eyes in some definite, final fashion.

"Sir Grahn. Sir Brioche. Sir Cascada. Sir Dalgard. Sir Rosk. Sir Pritschitsch. Sir Rosslion. Sir Praskowia. Sir Bogdanovitch. Sir Kovak. Sir Kromow. Sir Leth..."

As all eyes fell on the last, tawny knight, Selene's head tilted a little, as if giving a subtle nod of acknowledgement.

"And... Sir Kiraly."

She paused, giving a small exhale. That, she thought, was a lot of names. She quietly hoped she hadn't mispronounced any before continuing.

"All of Luna... is in your debt.

Perhaps you might feel as if you did not do enough. That the price paid was too high. That the debt should be owed to those who laid down their lives, not so the living.

While such humility is admirable... I ask that you clear any doubt from your minds."

Selene returned to her position as an aide, a priest of some kind from their garb, quietly made their way to the side of the stage. Bowing, he passed something to the Queen, who gave him a silent whisper of thanks. A bundle of some kind, over four feet in length, wrapped in white silk. She held it in her hands as she spoke, contemplatively.

"If it had not been for your decisive actions... for the heavy sacrifice in precious Eitelm that was made... None of us, including myself, would still draw breath. Evil and wickedness would have carried the day... and our people would have disappeared under a curtain of despair.

If it had not been for your intervention, I would have been deposed by a man who believed that blood was its own virtue... and our Kingdom would have fallen into the hands of the vicious, the bigoted, and the cruel.

There are no words... Nor treasures in this world... that could accordingly reward such deeds."

Selene lapsed into silence, letting her gaze pass over the crowd, her words to sink in.

"However..." She said, "On behalf of myself, of all of humanity... There is but one thing I deign would offer, if you will accept it."

She let the wrapping fall away as she spoke; such that it fell about her feet What lay within, gleaming as it caught the sunlight... was something that had never before seen the light of day. A gleaming silver sword that shone brightly in the daylight, the veins of pure green Orgone that ran up its heart snaking across the edges of its blade, as though a great tree had taken root in its heart. Not a single scratch was present on its surface as the Queen turned it back into her hands, letting it rest between them, a dull green glow seeming to respond to her touch.

"Since its inception, the Kingdom of Everglory has been protected by its loyal knights." Said Selene, hand resting easily on the simple, dark grip as she addressed the crowd.

"Among these has always stood a champion. A singular entity, an embodiment of the heroism, resourcefulness, and chivalry upon which we have always prided ourselves. Our protector, and savior... The lone candle against the darkness, when all else has been lost."

She looked towards Bisen Foris once more... and closed her eyes.

"While I have no throne for you to do it before... I ask that you please, kneel."​

Once they were to do so, it was Valencienne who would have felt the presence of the Queen as she drew near. There was the distinct sense that at that moment, the Moon's guardian deity, its protective presence was closer than ever before, as if it were turning its great eye to the proceeding at hand as Selene spoke. A hushed, reverent silence had fallen over the crowd, transfixed by the ritual taking place before their very eyes.


"By the blessing of the Alabaster Lady, of Nashim Ganeden...

By the Sword of the Imperishable King, and by my decree..."

There was the soft clink of steel meeting invisible armor, as the blade touched Val's left shoulder. Selene's voice was solemn, even as the Orgone seemed to glow in recognition of the knight below.

"From the soil... to the ash... and the dust to which we return:"

It rose, and touched her right shoulder... and then again, her left in turn with the Queen's words, where it rested for a brief moment before being lifted as the Queen spoke the final lines of the ceremony.

"I, Queen Selene the Third, elevate you to that highest, and most prestigious rank any of our number may aspire to.

Arise, Order of Bisen Foris... Knights of Knights."​
 
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