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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Oct 22, 2017 18:26:53 GMT
A small Liberata sat by the wall. Covered with spider webs and dust and being soaking wet from melted ice he looked like very unhappy sod. Unhappy he was indeed. Totally miserable. When he saw approaching Volodja/Lord Lodja he rose one short hand and wiped them closer.
"I've heard a rumour about your twin brother, Volodja" he said, looking into two identical faces. "Now I have a chance to talk with both of you."
"Not exactly a twin brother," said Volodja Uljanov who differed from Lord Lodja mostly by his clothing which was still torn and dusty from the fight because he had time to wash his face and hands but not to change.
"I am him and he is me," added Lord Lodja who's costume like clothing was neat and clean. "I am his synthetic copy, but our lives went into separate directions at one point, so now we are two different persons. And yet we are same."
"In that case you both can help me," replied Count Casannuendo. "I heard that you are expert in escaping. Or experts. I have to swallow my pride and amit that I am too weak to improvise at moment and execute a grand escape, so I could use your professional advice." And he smiled wearily. Then he explained:
"You see, my friends. I think that best thing I can do will be sneaking away unnoticed. After Madame Widowmaker passed I feel that I am not needed here any more. My part seems to be done. Part of me wanted to remain behind and freeze to death when something broke in cooling system of the morgue, but then I thought that if there is an afterlife, I would be a fifth wheel because Madame Widowmaker has her husband waiting there already, so..."
Count Casannuendo lifted his small finger and said after allowing himself a brief pause:
"Soooo since there is no room for me in afterlife, I decided to continue my lonely path in this world. My Pegasus is waiting in waters of the island of poets where I first met Volodja, so I need to get back to my faithful steed and I prefer go there without any kind of advertisement. No need to hire a band and present me with a gold watch."
Both men sat down by Liberata's side and switched glances. Then they thought a bit. Then they nodded to each other.
"Well," begun Volodja. "We think that..."
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Post by Belle Starr on Oct 23, 2017 7:50:21 GMT
A tall statuesque human woman who he did not know sat against the dusty wall next to the small Liberata. She looked to be in her mid-twenties if not for the gray hair at her temples and the laugh lines around the corners of her blue diamond eyes and and rose petal lips. She took a slug of the bottle of golden liquor she held in one pale hand before turning to him and regarding him for several minutes with wide eyes before a look of sadness eclipsed her beautiful freckled face. The woman swiped her blonde bangs from in front of her eyes with her free hand and her lips parted as if to say something but then didn't as she took another long gulp from the bottle while pondering what she could possibly say to reassure the small man. Finally a quote came to mind and she said in her soft Southern drawl, "Give sorrow words: The grief that does not speak whispers the o'er fraught heart and bids it break!" The woman took another slug of the strong alcoholic drink before continuing, "I had a friend who was always quoting Shakespeare but this one stuck with me although I was never quite sure what it meant until now! To get over grief you got to talk about it to somebody! Erika was my best friend in many ways! We rescued each other from dire situations at least a half dozen times each! That was part of the life we chose as adventurers and neither of us ever complained! Heck, the first time we met I rescued her - or did she me? I can't remember at the moment! Anyhoo, death was always the risk of living - especially the way we lived!" The woman took yet another longer and slower drink then reminisced, "One time I got near death south of the border and Erika and Lady came to take me home to Fortress Kshaa! They didn't know if they were taking me home for treatment or burial so on the long flight they kept up their spirits by talking about me," The woman laughed pleasantly before going on remembering, "They didn't know my EGO was recording everything which she later played back for me! Not all of it was complimentary but it still would have made a nice eulogy for me! Point is people need people especially when they're grieving! I know y'all think that doesn't apply to you - that you just want to be alone - but think again!" The woman stood up leaving the half full bottle where she had sat as she dusted the back of her pants off with both delicate hands before saying with great sincerity, "I know y'all don't know me from Adam, but Sandy told me how much good you've done since since you joined the Protectors! They're no finer group of folks out there to share the low or the high points of life with! We're more than friends, we're family! Far as I can tell, you're part of that family too so... if you decide to go, you know you have a home to come back to if you have a hankering! But as old Will said, one should voice their grief - and that's a mite hard to do alone! I for one, hope you'll stay, and I'm sure the other Protectors would echo my hopes! Still... if you decide not to, none of us would blame you! Just remember you have a home to come back to!" Without another word, Belle Starr smiled warmly at Count Casannuendo listening to the sounds of the many people around them before sashaying back into the crowd and out of his sight.  |
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Post by Lady Christianna on Oct 24, 2017 2:25:00 GMT
“Sometimes what you think is an end is only a beginning. And that wouldn't do at all.” ― Agatha Christie***** Lady Christianna gave her husband confirmation that she was now bundled up enough. Then Atticus Batman once again took her hand and the two of them quietly went down to the icy Morgue. Shortly after entering, Atticus glanced at the numbers on the cold chambers and walked to the one that Count Casannuendo had told him Erika would be in. Shortly after opening it and seeing Erika's face, he felt dizzy. Then leaning against the wall next to the cold chambers, Atticus blacked out. Lady caught the bulk of his great weight and lowered into a nearby chair. Atticus appeared to be in a shock-induced coma from facing the reality that his sister was indeed dead, still Lady confirmed that he was breathing and called Medic Joy Jameson to bring a med-team to the morgue. Lady then went to Erika's corpse touching her face with both chalk white hands trying to will her sister-in-law and friend back to life but to no avail as tears streaked her war paint leaving long trails down from her pink eyes to her sharp alabaster chin as she muttered under breath between sniffles, "Just found each other. Take me instead." Lady then blacked out from the effort but never remembered visiting Death's realm to see her sister-in-law and receive her blessing on taking her EGO psyche Amber as her own. Lady didn't see the other realm because although she was a Harbinger of Life she was also a teenager and like many a teenager didn't have a sense of mortality. It wasn't that she didn't believe in death but just didn't have a firm grasp on the reality of the subject. In fact, Erika was the first person close to her that had ever died. She had thought her mentor Belle Starr had died once but that was proven wrong and though she had been told by her father that her mother had died she later found out that that was a lie. Lady half expected Erika to sit up in her tray in the morgue and tell Lady it was all a joke, although Erika in life had never been much for jokes. Lady woke up with a start as Medic Jameson passed smelling salts under her small nose, but when she stood up she glanced over where Erika's body lay half expecting her to be sitting there with her laughing jade eyes and slight smile on her lush lips. Lady was both sad and disappointed when that was not the case and Erika's body still lied still in cold death. ***** Sandy Bell watched her new hubby and his Synth doppelganger speaking with the small Liberata Count when she noted her own Synth double Dee standing in a corner by herself clutching white knuckled her primitive spear so she walked over with an easy grin and asked, "What's up? Why aren't you with the Chief - or at least enjoying the victory celebrations?" Dee sighed, her blue eyes downcast as she confessed, "My Beloved has replaced me as Champion of the People. He named Apparition as the head of his Royal Guard which is only right. I shamefully let the demon Skarr possess me showing to my Chief and my tribe my weakness. Now that the war is won, through no effort of my own, I will exile myself into the deep rain forest never to be seen by the People or my Beloved again. It is my duty to do so." Now it was Sandy's turn to sigh as she grabbed two beers off a tray a palace servant was carrying handing one to the Synth woman before saying, "I know a thing or two about duty and have done my share of mistakes all in the name of duty so let me give you some advice before you do anything rash: Talk to your man! Not as Champion of the People or even as one of his soldiers but as lover to lover because - believe me - nothing destroys a relationship faster than not communicating! Trust me on this!" As Sandy took a swig of her beer, Dee stared a her identical twin and nodded her head solemnly before promising, "I will weigh your words of wisdom long and hard before I do anything... rash. Thank you friend Sandy." A grin crossed Sandy's pretty tan face as she took another swig wishing she and Volodja had realized that "wisdom" long ago for it might have saved them from a lot of grief in the past. ***** Lena Marr and Marcel Lestrange danced the tango expertly at the victory celebration in the park across from the Chancellor's Palace with all eyes on them as they did. They had just passed a red rose from Marcel's lips to Lena's when Attila Constantine and the Synth Sister Yvette walked arm-in-arm laughing onto the scene. Lena pretty face scowled upon spotting Attila not because he was there but because he was there alive - despite Lena's best efforts! " Ow!" Lena exclaimed, "And now a thorn stuck my lip! This day just can't get any worse..." Her EGO psyche Hope giggled informing Lena through the telepathic link they shared, "I hope I remembered to tell you that Belle Starr had arrived on the Vigilant and is now nearby!" "My day just got worse!" Growled Lena, the rose dropping from her bleeding mouth to the ground to the dismay of the crowd. 
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Post by Atticus Batman on Oct 24, 2017 12:07:01 GMT
Then I deepened the hug and rested my head on Erika's chest with her holding me for as long as we still had, while she responded to me. Then once our time ran out I would give her a loving kiss on her forehead just before she broke the embrace. Then I would turn and hold my wife in a very loving embrace. Shortly after embracing Lady, Erika gave me one final nod, then she stepped through the door and into her husband's and baby's waiting arms. As the door closed, a tear dripped down my cheek. So I embraced Lady tighter. However shortly after she snuggled into my chest and embrace, she faded from my arms. Although she was fading from my arms, I could feel warmth radiating from her.
Just then, Death once again stepped into my view and as I looked over at him, he said, "It was time for the Harbinger of Life to return to the land of the living where she belongs."
I said, "And me? ..."
He gestured towards a door that appeared from nowhere and beckoned me to go through it. Once I had, the door slammed shut behind me and I realized that I was once again in the daking 'Purgatory' bar, empty as always. As I walked towards the Bar, Death was suddenly behind it and offered me a drink. Then he said, "You .... you are complicated."
As I took the drink, I snapped, "And just what the dak does that mean?!"
He responded with, "Your wife could not spend long here for she is not only a Harbinger of Life, but is also very much alive, and being so young does not yet have a firm grasp on death and mortality. You ... you are technically already dead. Have been since you first gave into your rage took a life in cold blood. However no matter how often you should be on the list, you always somehow manage to avoid that from happening. So instead you became a Harbinger of death. A living being who instinctively kills those who are on the list and is not only connected to the realm of the living, but also has a very strong connection to both the realm of the dead and the realm in-between, known as Limbo. Now it is also time for you to return to where you currently belong as well. Just remember to keep being yourself, and NOT what others want you to be, for life is all about being yourself."
I stared into my drink as I started to think about that, then it went dark for me again.
When I next opened my eyes, I was sitting in a chair with Medic Jameson and Lady both near me. I glared at Jameson and sternly said, "Give me my helmet back. I am awake and fine!" Medic Joy Jameson handed me my helmet back and I re-secured it in place over my still-masked face. Then I said, "Gently remove Erika's EGO. Careful not to damage her in any way for Erika has left instructions that I am to decide what happens to Amber and I have decided that she belongs with family. So at Lady's request, Amber will be transferred to her." Then I stood up and pulled Lady into a loving embrace as I said, "I know Erika wants you and Amber to look after each other. Now we need to go see my nephew. I have a treaty signing to watch over. Then I need to inform him of Erika's wishes. Most importantly is that she wants a traditional Irathient sinking ritual. It is what she wanted, so it will be done. Then once I have finished with my business, we can do whatever you want before we return to the Vigilant for the night. However I suspect that Cael will want to have the ritual done tomorrow and it feels right that I should be there to witness it, even if you choose not to. So I will also talk to Cael about giving the Vigilant clearance to land nearby for the night. Then after all our business here has concluded tomorrow, we will all re-board the Vigilant and head home." |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Oct 24, 2017 18:13:12 GMT
"A seed is planted and it's sprouting," said Volodja Uljanov after Belle Starr shashyed into the crowd. "I can feel it already." "She spoke reason, Count," confirmed Lord Lodja. "And saved us from acting like couple of religious soul catchers who desperately are trying to convince some poor lad to join their church." "I think that good old Wolfram would be sad if you leave without a word. He is your friend too," added Volodja. "I think it's time to sign a certain treaty and you, Count, will make a perfect witness to that historic act," suggested Lodja. "It would be a huge privilege to see your signature on that treaty." He helped Count Casannuendo to his short feet and supported him with his arm. Then he turned to Volodja and said with a smile: "I have some personal matters to attend after the ceremony is over. And so do you. I have a favour to ask." After changing couple of lines which disappeared into the voices of celebrating crowd Volodja nodded in agreement and dived into the sea of party animals to find some very important people. First he appeared between Sandy and Dee and humbly asked them to join him. _________ Couple of Very Important People were still dancing tango when one of them heard the other growl. He also spotted blood on his partner's lush lip and acted like a gentleman - licked the blood drop off with the tip of his tongue and let out a deep. Mmmmm" as it was really exquisite product of Château Mouton Rothschild winery. Then he used his handkerchief to gently pressurise the wound and said: "Let us not let this sudden appearance of mademoiselle Starr to ruin the party, Honey Pot. I believe that we have plenty of time to deal with that matter. We can not allow row of unfortunate events to happen right now because somebody might get paranoid. Being chased by palace guards would definitely ruin OUR party and force us to hitch hike home and cut us off from the Fortress where we have our cosy tastefully decorated apartment and chances to affect events in and outside the Fortress. Speaking of tastes...Have I told you how good you taste? Not lately, so I will compensate that." And Marcel bent Lena skilfully backwards and sank his nose into her cleavage...  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Oct 25, 2017 12:15:06 GMT
After Lady and I held each other for a few seconds longer in the Morgue as I silently looked at my deceased sister, I quietly took Lady's hand and we left the morgue. Then we went back upstairs. When we met up with Cael he was talking with General Kima about something. However Lodja was off talking with Volodja.
So when Chancellor Cael dismissed General Kima, I walked over to Cael and said, "Your mother would want the Sinking Ritual done."
Cael responded with, "I know Uncle and I already have some people from our tribe preparing it for tomorrow. As I am sure you know, traditionally it is strictly open to Irathients, however nowadays we do make exceptions for spouses. So Lady you can attend if you want. I am sure Mother would be honored to have you there. Allowing humans to attend is a more volatile topic. However as I see Belle Starr is here, I know Mother would want me to allow her to attend as well. I have already discussed it with General Kima and we agreed to some minor concessions on the matter. Belle Starr and the humans that are part of your core team will be allowed to attend, as will the rest of the core members of your team, assuming that the humans that are currently here in the palace are the only human members of your core team. I have also spoken with Lord Lodja on the matter and the Synths will also be allowed to attend as they are not human. However none of the rest of your human crew will be allowed to."
I responded with, "That is understandable. However we all thank you for the understanding and concessions that you are offering. As for the humans that are part of my core team, most are present here at the moment. However one is still on the Vigilant. I do not know if Doctor Von Eschen will want to attend, however I am sure your mother would at least want him to be allowed to if he does."
Cael responded with, "I thought your core team only had 5 humans in it NOT counting the Bio-man, and I already counted 5 here."
I responded with, "Yes we have 5 here, not counting the Medical team. However Poe Dameron is not a usual member of the core team. He is here because he is one of our best pilots and he is piloting the shuttle that is to taxi some of my team back to the Vigilant for the night, if they want to return to it for the night So Poe will not be attending the ritual. However I insist Count Casannuendo be allowed to as well as I know how much his 'friendship' meant to your Mother. I also understand you have offered us rooms here in the palace for the night provided we are willing to clean them up ourselves if they require it. I am sure some of the team will be happy to accept."
Cael replied with, "Very well Uncle, I am fine with the Liberata attending as I know you are right. However we have conceded that only 5 of your humans be allowed to attend, especially Belle Starr. So if you feel my mother would want Doctor Von Eschen to attend, then he can be one of those 5. I have also already contacted my sister and informed her of the tragedy. She is upset that she can't be here of course. However we know Mother would understand. I am just glad she has somebody who loves her so much there with her and the children during this tragic time, even if he IS a Bio-man. However I am sure Mother and Kara would both appreciate it if you can take some time from your busy schedule to spend some time with Kara and her children when you return home."
I glanced at Lady who nodded, then responded with, "Of course I will do so Cael. Lady will make sure of that. Now about the Vigilant. I can understand most of the crew not being allowed to witness the Sinking Ritual. However I would like to request that the Vigilant be granted clearance to land. That way they can re-fuel and repair as needed. I would also like to request that it's crew be allowed leave while we are here as well, following your ground-rules of course as it is your city."
Cael responded with, "I have already asked your Miss Whitney to contact the Vigilant and tell them they are clear to land on the Chancellor's airstrip. We will send shuttle buses in the morning to the Vigilant. That way some of your crew can see what our city has to offer, even after all that it has just endured, provided your people follow the rules and guidelines that their bus drivers will give them. I will also have shuttle buses bring any of your Irathient crew, that want to attend Mother's sinking ritual, to where it will be held."
I nodded and said, "Glad that all of that is settled and after we get back home, I will have our ship bring your people back home, now that the threat is over. Now I suppose we have a treaty to focus on. I assume that at some point, you and Lodja managed to come to some sort of final agreement and get the treaty drawn out?"
Just then Lodja walked up and responded with, "We did."
I said, "Fine, then I suppose we should discuss where that will happen, so that I can oversee the signing of this treaty, once everybody is ready."
Cael said, "I think given the circumstances and all that are present, the great Hall would be the best place for it."
Lord Lodja and I agreed, so Cael had one of his people announce that the treaty signing would take place in the Great Hall in 1 hour, which gave the Vigilant time to land before the treaty signing. So all that were to witness it must be present at that time, and that the Treaty signing between the Votanis Capital and Lord Lodja's people would be open for all to attend. Of course I also noticed that Cael's and Lodja's honor guards were already present as well. |
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Post by Lady Christianna on Oct 26, 2017 3:36:06 GMT
“To die, to sleep – to sleep, perchance to dream – ay, there's the rub, for in this sleep of death what dreams may come…” - William Shakespeare
*****
Lady Christianna tried to hide her yawn behind one small chalk white hand but was fairly unsuccessful as she was not only dead tired but frankly diplomacy bored her, so with a clumsy curtsy she said, "S'cuse me," before leaving her husband to negotiate the details of the treaty between Chancellor Cael and Lord Lodja.
Lady spotted Belle Starr leaning against a wall deep in thought so approached her and asked, "Want rooms?"
Belle smiled warmly and shook her head in agreement, then waylaid one of Cael's Castithan servant girls asking her to lead them to their assigned rooms which she did without question and with a short walk down a mirrored hall and up an ornate staircase saying when they arrived, "This is your room Ms. Starr and next door is Lady Batman's and the Commander's."
"Thank y'all kindly for your hospitality!" Said Belle with a smile then entered the spacious and luxurious quarters with Lady hot on her heels who sat bouncing on Belle's bed showing her young age.
"Comfy," Judged Lady with an approving nod then looked at Belle with narrow pink eyes and an enigmatic smile pointing at her with one small forefinger before asking, "Where?"
Belle laughed grabbing a banana off a fruit bowl that was on a side-table peeling it and taking a bite before answering, "Hmm mmm! You can't imagine how hard it is to get good fruit outside of our solar system! Forget finding a good banana! Anywho, I've been traveling in another universe for quite a long time as a Traveler discovering a threat to the whole multiverse!"
Lady laid down on the bed looking up at the ceiling with her tiny fingers tented on her stomach as she said impassively,"Multiverse, huh? Long time short for us. Got some grey midst the blonde Belle. How long for you?"
Belle stopped in mid bite her blue diamond eyes growing wide before saying with a sincere look on her beautiful freckled face, "Three hundred and eighty two years - my time!"
A pretty pout crossed Lady's alabaster face as she said bluntly, "Then look good for your age..."
Belle poured a glass of water from a chilled pitcher sipping it to wash the last of the banana down as she stared at the floral wallpaper on the wall in front of her before saying, "Thanks to Korvax technology in general and their stasis device in particular! If it keeps working and I don't die before my time, I should live about another seven hundred years!"
"Why here why now?" Mumbled Lady in a sleepy voice.
"The Sentinels! I had to warn y'all about the Sentinels! I - " Belle stopped speaking when she heard Lady gently snoring from the bed next to her and smiled reaching over pulling a cover over Lady before contacting Atticus via their EGOs and telling him telepathically, "Lady fell asleep on my bed while we were jawing! Poor little thang is plum tuckered out! My room is next to yours, so y'all can come get her when you're ready! I'll watch over her until!"
Belle smiled again watching Lady sleep then sat down in a comfortable stuffed chair next to the side-table with the fruit bowl on it picking through it until she find a nice navel orange which made her smile grow wider as she voraciously peeled and devoured it.
*****
Lena Marr paced back and forth in front of Marcel as he sat smoking a cigarette in the room they were assigned for the night stating angrily, "I knew Erika longer than any of them! Hell and tarnation, I used to work for her - okay, to be truthful I worked for Skarr while pretending to work for her! Same difference - I knew her longest! I should be there for her funeral thingee!"
Suddenly Lena stopped short as she snapped her fingers and a wicked grin crossed her pretty chalk white face, "And I will be there! No security can keep me out!"
*****
As Volodja Uljanov was at the diplomatic event, Sandy Bell was in the bathroom of their assigned room changing into a silky red negligee she had stuffed into her back pack prior to leaving the Vigilant. She admired her girlish figure in the mirror, dropping first one strap then the other off her tan shoulders trying to look as sexy as possible for when her new husband arrived. She had already showered and gave herself a generous but not over whelming splashing of perfume but had decided against putting on any makeup to instead rely on her natural good looks for the momentous event.
Suddenly Sandy heard a rattling at the door to the room so she raced from the bathroom and jumped into the bed striking a seductive pose while thinking, "Now for the REAL honeymoon!"
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Oct 26, 2017 9:49:10 GMT
The door handle turned, the door went open and let in one ragged married man who declared from the door: "Finally I managed to leave the treaty signing. Lodja was modest anyway and insisted to keep things informal as possible but couple of old farts wanted to make a ceremony of it. "Traditions!" they said. "We must make a face that Skarr's attempt of seizing power means nothing and we are functional as any state can be.""
Voldoja gasped when he saw Sandy on their bed and begun unbutton his torn and dusty shirt quite hastily while describing the signing procedure:
"Cael let those farts have their fun and then there was more debating about the ceremony than points of the treaty itself. While they were busy with arguing who sits where and who signs first and who comes second and so on so on, Cael and Lodja used the chance to discuss about the essence of the treaty so by the time when formalists finished their debate, they signed the treaty right away. Casannuendo and Kima put their hands on the paper as well and then Lodja asked Dee do the same as the "Synth representative of the Council of the Tribes.""
Volodja looked at his shirt remains and put them over the back support of the closest seat. Then he begun to remove his boots:
"Looks like that Lodja got a bit worried about having too much power in his hands and he decided to add some counterweight to keep the power balanced. Since the thought that Synths deserve to have their tribe representative and Dee was the best choice, he appointed Apparition as the head of the Royal Guard because as he said: "It will help him to grow more mature considering his relatively young age." and moved Sandy into the Council. I do suspect that had personal interests there as well when he arranged that rotation. Dee is very dutiful but that also meant that she was ready to guard the Royal Guard twenty four seven, so Lodja became worried that they can't spend enough time together because all of those reports of strangers on their lands, so he assumed that dealing with civil matters gives her chance to widen her character and takes lesser toll on their private time...
Volodja removed his trousers and put to the chair as well. Then he sighed and said: "Anyway...They had an after party, but I took off as soon as I could. Look at you! So sweet and soo....Compared with you I am a total tramp! I should take a shower and only then..."
"Shut up already," said Sandy, but her voice wasn't angry at all. She reached out her tan hand, grabbed Volodja by his boxers and pulled down to bed...
_________
Marcel Lestrange finished his cigarette and pulled Lena to his lap, saying with a grin: "I received an invitation to the ceremony as a member of the core team. Maybe they forgot to inform you personally but I believe that you are included among the invited people. And even if it is not so, I will take you with me as my companion and they better allow that! After all, I might be devastated because of the demise of Erika Widowmaker and might need every kind of emotional support and who is the best person to comfort me in my grief than you, Honey Pot? No one! So we both will be there and bring along couple of table cloth sized handkerchiefs. And maybe couple of onions as well if good doers think that our handkerchiefs are too dry and they want to see some rain falling!"
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Post by Atticus Batman on Oct 26, 2017 14:12:03 GMT
Lodja was modest anyway and insisted to keep things informal as possible but couple of old farts wanted to make a ceremony of it. "Traditions!" they said. "We must make a face that Skarr's attempt of seizing power means nothing and we are functional as any state can be."
Cael let those farts have their fun and then there was more debating about the ceremony than points of the treaty itself. While they were busy with arguing who sits where and who signs first and who comes second and so on so on, Cael and Lodja used the chance to discuss about the essence of the treaty so by the time when formalists finished their debate, they signed the treaty right away.
I just leaned against a wall and listened silently to all the discussions, arguements and counter-arguements, only interjecting when I though things were getting too heated, and even then I merely hit the wall to get their attention and would gesture back to the treaty and snap, "Work it out!"
When Cael and Lodja had worked things out, and the old farts had finally shutup, Cael and Lodja both signed the treaty. Then Casannuendo and Kima put their hands on the paper as well and then Lodja asked Dee do the same as the "Synth representative of the Council of the Tribes. Once everybody else had signed the treaty as needed, I silently walked to the table, snatched up a pen and signed the treaty as well. "Arbitrated by: ATTICUS BATMAN (A man who would rather be elsewhere.)" although Cael did put a line through the last part, not finding any humor in it.
Then they had an after party with me once again silently leaning against the wall (hating being part of the crowd and wishing I didn't have to be in this room full of political people aand soldiers, given who I truly was behind my mask), but Volodja took off as soon as he could, which was shortly after the party had staarted. I had received Belle's EGO message during the way too long treaty talks. So when I saw Volodja sneaking out of the party unnoticed, I decided that was my chance to leave as well, now that my part was done and I was now just holding up the wall.
So I silently left the room right behind Volodja. We went upstairs and he entered his room. I however continued past it to Belle's room When I got there, I knocked on Belle's door and waited for her to answer. When the door opened and I walked in, I saw Lady sleeping peacefully. So I talked quietly to Bell as I said, "Last time we saw you, you were heading to the Forbidden zone, with Vo not far behind you. We weren't sure we would EVER see you again. So it is good to see you again Starr Eyes. Altough you have a lot more pepper in your hair than you did just a few days ago. I am also not sure how the dak you got here or what you were doing in that well-armed ship that looked like that daking Big Bird character from those old holo-vids that Stephanie and Lady both play for the twins!"
As I started to raise my voice, I saw Lady start to stir slightly. So I calmed myself and said quietly, "Obviously we need to talk later. However now isn't the time as I do NOT want to disturb Lady's peaceful sleep. Gods now she doesn't get enough of it, married to the daking Harbinger of Death! However I really do mean it. It is good to see you again .... and I am very glad to have you here at the moment, given what happened today and what tomorrow brings because of it ..... and I think you need to talk with Lady tomorrow and ask her about MOM if she hasn't already told you."
I then gave Belle a quick but loving and brotherly love before she could respond as I really did NOT want this to turn into a heattted arguement or shout-fest that could disturb and upset my lovely wife. Then after I finally broke the hug, I walked over to the bed and gently picked up Lady. Then I carried her out the door, stopping infront of the door to Lady's and my room to say to Belle, "Goodnight Belle. I do hope you will join us for Erika's sinking ritual. I know she would want you there, although it is extremely rare that they allow non-irathients be present and. as far as I know this is the first time any Irathient tribe has ever allowed some humans to be present. Beside I .... I need you and Lady both there, not only for Erika but ... also for me."
Then Belle opened the door to my room for me, and as I carried Lady into the room, Belle said what she had to say at the moment. Then hshe closed the door and went back to her room. I gently placed Lady on the bed and lovingly stripped her. Next I stripped myself and climbed. in beside her. I spooned with Lady and did eventually drift off. However I had a very rough sleep, even with Lady instinctively snuggling tighter into me and lovingly holding my hand to her left breast in her sleep.
So after several hours of a fitful and haunted sleep, I looked at the clock and saw it was still very early in the morning. However I knew there was no point in me trying to get any more sleep, as it just wasn't going to happen with me focused on Erika's death and her upcoming Sinking Ritual. So I got up and took a quick ice-cold shower. Then I dried off and put my jumpsuit and mask back on. Once that was done, I gently kissed Lady's forhead. Then I looked around the room and saw a notepad and pen. So I wrote her a note telling her I was going to get some excercise. Then I would be going to the banquet hall for some 'breakfast'. So she would be able to find me there when she wakes up.
Once that was done, I set the note on the nightstand by the bed. Then I put on all my armor and guns and silently left the room. After I walked downstairs, I made my way outside to the palace courtyard. Once out there, I saw General Kima and his men doing early morning calisthinics and Apparition and his men had joined them as well. fter watching for a couple minutes, I silently walked over and joined them. An hour or so later when the excercises were over, I silently walked back into the palace and made my wway to the main kitchen. Once there I rummaged through the cupboards until I found a well-aged bottle of Irathient rum. Then I took my newly-procured bottle and went into the main banquet hall. Nobody was in there yet as it was still quite early and now that the soldiers' early morning excercices were over Kima had them working on patroling the outer walls of the palace to reparir any security issues. So I had the whole banquet room to myself for the time being. Seeing that I walked over to a dusty chair, brushed it off and leaned it against a corner wall near a table where i could see every ennntrance into the room from that chair. Then I sat down, removed my helmet (leaving my mask securely in place), and set my helm on the table. Next I leant back in. my chair against the corner wall, with my feet up on the table and cracked open my bottle. Then I started drinking my breakfast as I sat alone and silently brooded over everything that had just happened in the last 24 hours.
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Post by Belle Starr on Oct 26, 2017 20:18:18 GMT
Atticus Batman gave Belle Starr a quick but loving and brotherly love before she could respond as he really did NOT want this to turn into a heated argument or shout-fest that could disturb and upset my lovely wife. As they hugged Belle whispered in his ear so as not to wake Lady Christianna. Belle said in a low tone, "Sandy told me about MOM... and about Vo and Lu disappearing after I entered the Forbidden Zone presumably looking for me! I feel bad about all three but for me it seems like ancient history since I was on the Earth! In fact, I figured all of you would be dead by now- now being in my timeline!" After Atticus finally broke the hug, he walked over to the bed and gently picked up Lady. Then he carried her out the door, stopping in front of the door to Lady's and his room to say to Belle, "Goodnight Belle. I do hope you will join us for Erika's sinking ritual. I know she would want you there, although it is extremely rare that they allow non-Irathients be present and as far as I know this is the first time any Irathient tribe has ever allowed some humans to be present. Beside I .... I need you and Lady both there, not only for Erika but ... also for me." Then Belle opened the door to his room for him, and as Atticus carried Lady into the room Belle said, "I missed both of you so much! Of course I'll be there! Although I won't be saying good bye to just Erika it seems, but also MOM, Lu, and... Vo I guess since they disappeared without a trace! However, funeral ceremonies are more for the living, so I'll be there for both you and Lady - just like you'll be there for me!" Then Belle closed the door and went back to her room wondering if she should have told him of the impending doom looming in their future but instead convinced herself, "No, we all need time to grieve - and if I told him, there really is nothing he could do except prepare himself mentally for the end if it comes."  |
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Post by Attila Constantine on Oct 27, 2017 11:09:53 GMT
Attila enjoyed dancing with Yvette, and he even asked Brooke to dance with him for a little while as well. However, despite enjoying the company of the lovely sisters, he missed his sister as they were rarely apart for more than just a few hours.
So after the treaty signing, Attila joined Poe Dameron back on the shuttle. Then once everyone who wanted to return to the Vigilant for the night, were onboard, Poe piloted the shuttle back to the Vigilant. It had of course landed in it's designated location by that time, so it was a short shuttle flight. Attila had done so because he couldn't wait to see his sister and spend the night cuddled with her, after such a long and hard day. Of course before he headed to their quarters, he had to deliver a message for Commander Batman first. So he located Wolfram and informed him that Atticus had gotten him an invite to Erika's Sinking Ritual. So if he wanted to attend, he could meet Attila and Atika back in the hangar bay in the morning. Then after Attila was done talking with Wolfram and even sharing a drink or two with him, Attila went back to his quarters. Upon entering, he didn't see his sister, but did hear her in their bathroom. So he peaked in and discovered that his sister/lover was soaking in a nice hot bath.
Upon seeing him, Atika smiled and asked him to join her. When he of course started quickly stripping to join her, she stood up. Then she opened her arms for a hug. As soon as Attila was naked, he quickly climbed into the tub and gave Atika the hug and lover's kiss that she obviously wanted. Then they broke the embrace and she sat in the tub, telling her brother to sit in front of her. Once he did, she massaged his shoulders and upper back until he felt loosened up. Then she leaned back in the tub and pulled him back into her bare chest. Once they wer comfortable, she wrapped her arms lovingly around him and just enjoyed a long cuddle-and-soak session in their tub. or so of mostly quiet cuddling-and-soaking, Attila said to Atika, in a suggestively naughty tone, "You know we may need a bigger bed and bigger tub, if we have such wonderful company again. Especially since it seems like Brooke kind of wishes we would invite her to join us as well."
Atika acted shocked, as she twisted one of her brother's nipples hard and said, "You perverted little lech! You have all of this and want them too?! Are you really THAT tired of me?!"
Then she giggled and hugged him from behind as she said, "Well, I guess I can't blame you as we did have a great time with Yvette ... and she and all of her sisters are quite beautiful! Just remember that no matter who I allow to join us, you belong to me, My pesky Tily!"
Attila turned and kissed his sister on the lips, then nipped her bottom lip, before responding with, "Don't worry, my sexy sister! We are forever connected and I am happy to know that we will always belong together, and will NEVER tire of you!!!"
Then he kissed her very passionately, as his hands started wandering all over her perky young body.
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Post by Lady Christianna on Oct 28, 2017 19:42:25 GMT
When her EGO wake up alarm sounded in her mind to the tune of "Let Snow," Lady Christianna woke up alone in the quarters in the Votan Collective's Chancellor' Palace assigned to her and her husband. Lady had always liked that song and felt it very appropriate today of all days although Lady had personally never seen snow but her sister-in-law Erika Widowmaker who had traveled all over the world had described it during one of the road trips the women warriors of the Protectors of Paradise sometimes took after a mission to help relieve their stress. The Protectors finally did make it up north to Synth City in Alaska in one of their adventures and Lady had been thrilled to see that snow was as beautiful as Erika had described. Erika Widowmaker would later mention that they should make a road trip back to a winter wonderland someday on a road trip just for fun and the other women warriors, Belle Starr, Sandy Bell and herself heartily agreed. Now it looked like that that trip would never occur - at least not with Erika Widowmaker - for she was now dead - fallen in action from a stray bullet fighting the good fight as a Protector of Paradise and having her luck as a longtime soldier since the Pale Wars finally run out. Lady wasn't terribly surprised that Atticus Batman was not in the bed next to her when she awoke for he often got up in the middle of the night to go to his armory or the nearest mess hall to brood and drink his Irathiant brandy over the latest "crisis" especially since he became Supreme Commander of the Protectors of Paradise. Last night he had more to brood on then usual as he had lost his only sister not long after finding her again them being separated since childhood. Being his soul mate, Lady instinctively knew when he needed time for himself and when she needed to be by his side. Last night was a time he needed to himself. This morning he needed her by his side so she had her EGO contact his to locate him. Her EGO had been damaged when she was attacked by Governor Skarr's tiny mechanical spiders but even though her EGO psyche, MOM, had been destroyed, the VBI factory EGO that was the backup turned on like a backup generator to keep the basic EGO functions going like enabling her EGO powers with her chosen perks and maintaining telepathic communications with the other Protector's EGOs. After she showered and changed into her black leathers and while applying her "warpaint" makeup, Lady contacted Dinara, Atticus' EGO psyche, to find out where he was and to let Dinara know she was coming to join him since the ceremony would soon begun. Then Lady contacted Belle Starr, Sandy Bell and Lena Marr asking them and any significant others who might want to come to join Atticus and herself for breakfast in the State dining room where Atticus was drinking. On a second thought since they had not know Erika as well as the others but because they may still might want to come, she also invited the Constantine twins and the Synth Sisters to join them for the meal although she wasn't sure the later actually needed to eat. Lady arrived first silently sitting next to her husband, reaching over to grasp his huge hand with her small chalk white and giving it a quick but loving squeeze. One by one, and sometimes pair by pair, her guests arrived and still she didn't speak just nodding to them wearing her trademark enigmatic smile as she did so. Only when the Chancellor's Castithan serving girls came in to take their orders did she finally say, "Coffee... please."  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Oct 29, 2017 11:40:08 GMT
Lady arrived first silently sitting next to her husband, reaching over to grasp my huge hand with her small chalk white and giving it a quick but loving squeeze. I watched my lovely wife from the moment she entered the banquet hall, admiring how great she looked and definitely appreciating just how well her leathers always hugged her form in just the right way. When she sat and grasped my hand with hers and give it a quick but loving squeeze, I smiled at her as I reached down and grasped the corner of her chair. Then I pulled it (and therefor her) right next to me, so she could lean into me if she so desired.
Next I gave her a 'good morning' kiss, Then I quietly but lovingly, said with my genuine admiration of her obvious in my voice, "Morning Snow Angel. You look as radiant as ever."
Then, seeing the Palace staff starting to enter and go about their usual business, I once again went silent. However I sent Lady an EGO message on our very private channel saying, "Sorry I missed our morning shower, I do so enjoy those. However that just means we will have to spend more time 'cleaning' each other, when we can finally take one together later tonight. By the way, I contacted Haele and she informed me that Jameson had delivered Amber to her last night. Haele already hooked Amber up to a device that is used to power up EGOs so a diagnostics can be ran on them, and so a tech could activate the EGO psyche and talk to them personally if needed. Haele also said that once Amber was awake, Lexy popped in to keep her company until you are ready to have your EGO replaced with Amber. It shouldn't take long. So if you want, we can take the Ghost-bat back to the Vigilant before the Sinking Ritual and still have plenty of time to be back before it has started."
As the others had started wandering in, I was still silently leaning back in my chair with my feet on the table with my bottle of rum in one hand. However now the other hand was in Lady's and she was leaning into me as she also silently watched the others arrive.
One by one, and sometimes pair by pair, her guests arrived and still she didn't speak just nodding to them wearing her trademark enigmatic smile as she did so. Only when the Chancellor's Castithan serving girls came in to take their orders did she finally say, "Coffee... please."
Even with the others starting to arrive and sit, I hadn't bothered yet taking my feet off the table. However when the serving girls had arrived and Lady requested coffee, I finally sat up and took my big feet off the table, to make room for everyone's food when it arrives.
On the Vigilant the Constantines had gotten Lady's message. So the took a quick shower together and got dressed. Then Attila contacted Poe Dameron requesting he take them back to the Chancellor's palace. While Attila was talking with Poe, Atika contacted the synth sisters (who had returned to the Vigilant last night with Poe and Attila.) She informed them that Poe Dameron was taking her and her brother to the Chancellor's palace for breakfast and to hang out until it was time for the Sinking Ritual. So if the sisters wanted to join them, then they should meet up in the Hangar. Once Attila was done talking to Poe, he contacted Wolfram and said, "Good morning Wolfram. I hope I didn't disturb anything. Atika, Brooke and her sisters, and I will be heading to the Chancellor's palace soon for breakfast before the Sinking Ritual later today. If you want to join us for breakfast, then meet us in the Hangar. Given that Atticus is the one that requested I see you last night and personally deliver your invite to the Ritual, I am guessing he wouldn't have a problem with you accompanying us to the palace breakfast. Poe Dameron is already prepping The Eagle (shuttle) for us. So if you want to join us for breakfast, then just meet us in the hangar."
Once all of Attila's group arrived in the hangar and boarded the shuttle, Poe got clearance to depart. Then their shuttle went to the palace. Once they were at the Palace, Attila's group made their way to the main Banquet hall, of course arriving after the others had already put in their own breakfast orders. As they sat down, Atika and Attila both requested warm tea while thinking over what they wanted for breakfast.
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Post by Wolfram von Eschen on Oct 29, 2017 17:16:54 GMT
"Breakfast," said Wolfram von Eschen. "In a company. I already thought that I have to have beans for breakfast once again and it is really hard to eat them from the can. You don't know that song, junge. But it suits to describe our situation. Frau Widowmaker was a spectacular woman and I am going to miss her terribly. E¤specially when I have a feeling that without Frau Widowmaker the amount of common sense, discipline and following rules is going to be distinctively lowered and nobody can't fill that gap soon. But we should return to the living now and prepare ourselves. Lead on, junge, and take us to the table!"
Let us skip the part where shuttle landed and Wolfram von Eschen grumbled that he missed lot of events while hovering above the city, doing nothing and step to the breakfast table right away where Wolfram let his serious steel grey glance run over face of the people who were gathered around the table. There were Atticus Batman with Lady Christianna who sunk her small pretty face into a huge coffee cup. There were Sandy Bell and Volodja Uljanov who looked like that they hadn't much sleep at all for some reason. There were Marcel Lestrange, armed with devilish grin and a cigarette and Lena Marr who ignored all subtle manners and heaped food to her plate like she was preparing a gold digging trip to Klondike. There was Belle Starr with a streak of grey in her blonde hair who gracefully held her cup. There were more people, including those who delivered Wolfram to the table. And then there was a small, unhappy looking Liberata who just silently stood there.
Wolfram von Eschen poured himself some coffee - quite a small amount because "I try to constrain consummation of legal drugs," he declared - and filled the rest of his cup with the schnapps. Then he went by small Count and said to him: "If you need someone to talk with, my rooms are always open. Especially when all my patients keep running away from me as I was torturing them, so I would gladly have one stationary one for a change!"
Diminutive Count nodded seriously, grabbed Wolfram's thin hand into his and gave him a strong handshake. Wolfram was his friend and he already learned that Wolfram's thick and spiked skin covered soft heart and willingness to help. Although it could mean that his leaving might be postponed now, he accepted the proposition. Especially when Wolfram wasn't the only one who hoped that he will stay around. At least for awhile.
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Post by Lady Christianna on Oct 31, 2017 19:18:02 GMT
Lady Christianna silently watched and listened as the others filed into the Chancellor's dining room. Although that wasn't unusual for her, the absence of her enigmatic smile from her pretty chalk white face was and she sought to cover that fact with the huge cup of coffee she held in front of her thin lips as she pretended to continually sip from it. Lady did that to hide not only the lack of her habitual Mona Lisa smile but the reason for it which was her overwhelming sadness over the loss of her friend and sister-in-law: Erika Widowmaker.
Lady didn't think those titles gave Erika justice for she was more to Lady than those would imply. Along with Belle Starr and Volodja Uljanov, Erika was a beloved teacher and mentor to Lady. Furthermore, as Belle had been her adopted big sister, Erika in many ways was her adopted mother helping to guide her back to the straight and narrow when she strayed off the "good" path. When Lady's real mother the Mistress of Judgement convinced Lady to begin a campaign of world dominion to produce a utopia, albeit with the help of drugged bubble gum, Erika was there helping her to deal with the repercussions while her real mother disappeared again. As Lady was trying to atone for the huge mistake it was Erika's simple advice that Lady felt helped her most out of her emotional often suicidal depression.
Erika simply said to her, "Learn from this past error. Then don't do it again. Now we really need to change your babies' diapers."
Lady had thought long and hard realizing that Erika's advice followed Lady's normal habit of concentrating on the here and now but with the addendum that you should never forget the past mistakes or you might repeat those mistakes in the future. Erika had always been proud of her rich Irathiant heritage particularly in the Votan Collective but always lamented their part in the Pale Wars. Lady always thought that Erika was a contradiction of terms being a proud and patriotic Voltan soldier but also a strong supporter of her son's efforts first as a Votan Collective Senator than as Chancellor to promote peace between Votans and humans particularly between the Votan Collective and their longtime enemies the E-Rep. Lady truly hoped that she could be half the good mother to her and Atticus' twins that she felt Erika had been to both Cael and Kara.
Lady glanced at the other core Protectors wondering if they felt as great an emptiness in their hearts because of Erika's death as she did in hers then realized that each was dealing with their grief in their own way. Belle was busy debating in a friendly manner the merits of balancing individual freedoms with social control with Synth Envoy Ruby. Sandy Bell was working hard on her data pad taking on the Protectors' logistic operations that Erika had seemed to do so effortlessly, asking for her new husband's advice often as he sat next to her. Lady's husband on the other hand sat motionless as Lady leaned into him, silently brooding although Lady was sure Atticus was painfully mourning more than any of them the recent death of the sister he had so recently found again. Of all the people at the table who had known Erika the longest, Lena Marr... was more of a paradox. Lena was eating her breakfast like there was no tomorrow so it was hard to tell whether she was feeding her sorrow or just really hungry.
As Lady looked around the table, her pink eyes dwelled on the small sullen Liberata who sat next to the old psychiatrist Wolfram von Eshen who was doing his best to emotionally support his friend. It was well known to all in Fortress Kshaa that Count Casannuendo had a huge crush on Erika - except probably Erika herself for she only had that kind of love for her deceased husband with no room in her heart for any other romantic love. Lady hoped the little man would stay with the Protectors for Erika was indeed fond of him and would want her other friends to support him in these difficult times.
Lady was awakened from her quiet musing when Belle stood up after everyone had finished eating except Lena and taking a spoon lightly tapped it on her half full class of water causing a pleasant chime then said, "Excuse me folks, if y'all will indulge me for a moment! We have a custom among us humans in Paradise of giving a brief eulogy for our dear departed and this looks to me like the time and place to do it! The dictionary defines a eulogy as a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, typically someone who has just died!"
Belle's blue diamond eyes flashed down to the table as she gathered her thoughts then looked back up with a good-natured grin, "Erika would have thought it was pretty silly I guess, another human affectation, for she was much more of a woman of action than of words, but I also know she would just say, 'Belle get on with it' so here goes!"
Belle's easy grin disappeared as a serious look took over her beautiful freckled face as she began, "Erika was my best female friend and was the most nonjudgmental person I ever met! She took a person she just met at their word until you done her wrong - then heaven help you!"
Several people laughed briefly but Lena just stopped eating and stared with unblinking sky blue eyes into her half full plate of food that would remain untouched by her as Belle continued, "I'm sure everyone here has an 'Erika' story highlighting her virtuous nature and leadership qualities as well as her as a fount of wisdom - all of which will be sorely missed by me and my fellow Protectors! Erika would give the fatigue shirt off her back for a friend - and without saying a word would make one feel embarrassed for looking but never be embarrassed herself for that wasn't her way! I'm probably not the only Protector whose life was saved by Erika risking her own and I'm proud to say I would have given my life for her - but it just wasn't meant to be!"
Belle took a deep breath and let out a huge sigh before continuing, "In my travels through over thirty galaxies, I ran into many monuments left millennia ago on many planets by many lost civilizations but on one was written something I think Erika would whole heartily agree with. It read: All things must happen. All things will occur. Somewhere, elsewhere, or in the hereafter. So ends the testament of the Korvax." *
As Belle sat back down, a Castithan serving girl came up to Lady and whispered, "Mr. Dameron is at the door saying they are ready for you at the Vigilant and that he will take you there when you are ready."
Lady nodded her white tousled head in assent merely saying,"Ready now" before standing up, hugging her husband from behind before leaving to have her damaged EGO device replaced with Erika's own before the Irathient funeral ritual for Erika that afternoon so that Erika's EGO psyche, Amber, could attend.
* A tip of the hat and my thanks to the writers of "No Man's Sky" (GREAT game!) for this quote.
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