Imperial Quarters, Teppelin, The Blasted Isle
When the Eye of Mondo had begun its cycle of day and night, those years ago, it had brought many changes. Some were welcome. Some were useful. And then... there was morning. Some people claimed to like mornings.
Kiki was of the opinion that they were lying. Nobody could possibly like mornings.
Groaning, she pulled the covers back over her head for a few moments before sitting up and sighing. She glanced to her her side, sighing more heavily still at the empty place. She understood that the schedule of the Empress was a demanding one... but she'd like, just once, to not wake up alone. Still, she was used to it - she'd wed a workaholic, fully aware of what that meant. It was still worth it.
Slipping into her clothes, she strolled casually to the small kitchen she'd requested be installed in the dwelling. Not that she liked cooking - actually, she hated it with a fervor. Ifrit had informed her that her 'skills' with food preparation might actually break the laws of reality. But Genome was an excellent cook, and one of the perks of being the Empress-Consort was that she could commandeer the city-spanning bio-computer to make her breakfast. She'd raised her hand, ready to give the gesture that would call up the bearded visage of the construct, but froze at an unexpected sight.
"...Yumiko? Yumiko! What are you doing here?"
Sure enough, the general sat at her table. While she technically lived here as well, Yumiko was forever requesting deployments in the field. Her presence was a rarity. Like Kiki, she hadn't aged a day in the years since the rise of Teppelin. Which is not to say she looked unchanged - with her light sleeveless robe, her crysteel replacement of a right arm glinted in the artificial light.
"I did not wish to spend this day alone. Too many sad thoughts. I... I need a sister right now."
Kiki lowered her hand, casting her gaze downward.
"Oh. Today again. I'd almost forgotten. I... wish I could. I wish we could just forget all this death, even for just a little while, and... make something new."
Taking a seat, she knitted her hand together - a habit she'd unconsciously picked up from Teikoku. Taking a deep breath, she hesitantly phrased a question to her lifelong friend and sworn sister.
"Yumi... would I make a good parent?"
Enki, Area 06, The Blasted Isle
In the confines of the Spire, silence reigned. Gathered in quiet mourning, the soldiers of the city watched the Crysteel screen, listening to the broadcast.
"...and now, continuing our vigil, words from the Lord-Marshal Idra, broadcasting from Teppelin..."
The screen shifted to a view of a solemn tiefling, back-lit by the characteristic ambiance light of the Capital. He spoke calmly, his voice and temper even. There was no fire to his words. But they were cool, and soothing.
"Thank you. People of the Empire, you all know why we gather today. We gather to remember, to hold those memories close to out heart. Twenty years ago, to the day, we suffered a terrible tragedy. When a cruel and unprovoked terrorist attack on Area 06 broke out, none could have suspected that it would be the most unthinkable tragedy of our Empire's history."
"But heinous as their actions were, we do not gather to remember the monstrous villains who committed this crime. We gather to remember the heroes of that day - the Knight, who stood against the mob alone that the foot soldiers under his command might escape to the Spire. We remember the infantry who gave their all to quell the battle with a minimum of bloodshed. We remember the eighty-nine noble warriors who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty."
"Join me now in a moment of silence in honor the 89 who died that day..."
Enki gritted his sharply pointed teeth, scowling and hanging his head. The memory of that day was still fresh, after all these years.
"Sir?"
A whisper, and a tap on the shoulder surprised him. One of the few who hadn't been pulled off surveillance duty. He dragged the aide out of the main hall... and as he listened, his face contorted in utter rage.
"They... what? Tell no one for another hour. Do not disturb the vigil. I will handle this myself."
Brimming with anger, the Knight-Commander strode out into the silent city.
Someone would bleed for this.
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OOC: Actions!
AP: 6 - 0 (Lead Populace - Telecommunications and advanced Scrying; free from Leader of Men)
Final AP: 6
GP: 15/21