<@Ked> [The Hunt] <@Ked> [Friday, July 19, 2490 - 1930 local Snowflake time] <@Ked> [The gates of the Headmistress's Mansion, an imposingly large private residence located along the road to the rest of the faculty/staff housing.] <@Ked> So it's been a fairly slow week for everyone. Classes, classes, and notably zero organized Hierarchy activities. A couple of memorials for Lady Unicorn at which the predominant vibe (from the male student body, at least) was one of relief. <@Ked> But Wednesday afternoon everyone on the team got nicely-printed invitations, personalized to their nontransformed identities, inviting them to dinner. With the Headmistress. So here they are. <@Ked> [session start] * Farah is indeed there. She is dressed nicely, and looks surprisingly good in a sweater and tie. It should be noted that she's wearing slacks and not a skirt. * Sei arrives in a formal men's kimono. It's actually expertly done up, and bears a little stylized howling wolf in a circle on each side. It's in black and purple, which actually complements and contrasts his own natural Snowflake coloring. The clacking of his wooden sandals gives away why he looks a little taller than usual, too. <@Ked> The mansion looms in front of everyone, rising an unusual three stories above perfectly-groomed monoclover. The white ground cover does interesting things with the simulated-flame external lighting, giving the brick walls an ambient glow. * Tasiya is sporting her uniform jacket over a long-sleeved gauzy dress in teal and blue shot with gold, with a bateau neck; flouncy, full tea-length hem, and a probably self-made belt made of gold chain, feathers, and lengths of scales. * Sei blinks, looking over Tasiya's outfit with wide eyes. * Tasiya sports tight black leggings underneath, which have colorful pastel frills criss-crossing diagonally down from the knee to her cute blue heeled tarpsuede boots, and a small, incredibly shiny gold purse. <@Ked> As the three gather at the front gate, the front door opens quietly and a slender, middle-aged man in anciently-formal black coat and white shirt emerges. He strides to the gate and makes a flourishing gesture that seems to trigger the lock, then manually opens it. * Butler bows slightly. "Good evening. Dinner is nearly ready, my Lady awaits your company." * Sei bows politely to the butler. "Thank you, Sir." * Butler seems to disapprove of something Sei says, but turns to lead the group in. * Farah nods. "Thank you." * Sei frowns at the disapproval, but knows better than to ask about it. Instead, he follows as politely as possible. When they step inside, he flicks his fan to change his sandals into more appropriate indoor footwear. * Tasiya is wearing her hair in its probably-natural wavy state tonight, with an asymmetrical french braid going from her deep left part over and around the top of her head, disappearing somewhere in the tumble of glossy dark hair. Two feathers and a flower are pinned together in it, over one ear. * Sei keeps stealing glances at Tasi's outfit. It's...definitely something. * Tasiya smiles happily and nods cheerfully to the butler, dipping a little but not so much so that it could be confused for a Hierarchical curtsey. * Farah takes a moment to smooth her slicked-down hair back... and to baffle a little at Tasiya's attire. "One of a kind." Thank you! * Tasiya splits that thanks between Farah and the butler. <@Ked> The interior of the mansion is varied in style - Spoon appears to prefer solid rock flooring, but some rooms are a mess of memorabilia and souvenirs collected over a long lifetime, others are almost without decoration - simply furniture and appliances. The large living room you are led to is more the latter, though the furniture here is handmade, artisan design work with more color and the walls are decorated with simple prints of native plants. * Sei gawks shamelessly. * Tasiya seems to find something slightly intriguing about Sei's outfit too, but forbears to say anything at the moment. * Tasiya looks around the Headmistress' Mansion curiously! * Farah looks around as well, not having been in a house like this... well, ever. * LadySpoon stands from a tarpsilk-upholstered couch to greet her visitors. Another man jumps to his feet from an armchair. He's wearing Snowflake Guard formals, a white tunic with orange trim over brown pants. Hi! * Sei reflexively hides his face with his fan upon seeing the stranger, but then snaps it shut and bows formally, instead. "Greetings, Headmistress. Thank you for your kind invitation." * Tasiya curtseys. She's getting better at it! "Hello, Lady Spoon! And, um..." * LadySpoon has merely an anonymous suit on, good for Headmistressing, not- too-formal occasions, and looking generally more professional than Spoon comes across. I see we had some scheduling conflicts, but uh... um. Tasi, dear, isn't that all a little bit, I dunno... *busy*? Uh... hello. And it's Tasi, you kind of get used to it. * LadySpoon eyes her guest's costume a moment longer, then shakes it off. * Sei schools his face to stillness. * Tasiya blinks a little, then darkens and looks...confused, torn between pride for her creation and fear of offending her host. "Er...sorry, Headmistress..." Why? I think it's neat! * Tasiya flicks a pleased smile at Sei. "Thanks!..." * LadySpoon nods to her other guest. "And this is Master Sergeant Doeschate. I believe the Sergeant has acquainted himself with all of you from our files, but... Sei here is Lord Charybdis, Farah is Lady Crystal, and Tasiya is Lady Spitterwing." Oh! Er... * Tasiya bobs in a confused mix between curtsey and bow. "Hello, Master Sergeant." * Sei hides behind his fan again. "Headmistress...aren't we supposed to be keeping that secret?" * Doeschate salutes snappily. "My Lord. My Ladies." * Farah pauses, then nods once again. "I imagine he's a good soldier, so it's safe with him." Please don't, Sir. We - well, I, anyway - are still just in high school. * Sei is trying manfully not to look embarrassed. Yeeeees, but we need to talk about that some tonight. * Tasiya bites her lip a little. ".....er?" That, and to discuss your - our - relationship with the Guard. Which is what I'm here for. * Sei sighs. He suspects he's not going to like this. * Farah stiffens a little. "There some sort of a problem?" UmmMMMmm? Nothing you haven't heard about already. * Tasiya is all wide-eyed and apprehensive-looking. Just... policy. Well, I suppose we may as well discuss it sitting down, if we may? Or is this an after-dinner sort of discussion? No, it's a during-dinner discussion! But it's not quite dinner yet. * LadySpoon looks to the butler. Two more minutes, my Lady. * Sei snickers, then coughs to cover it. * Doeschate smiles toothily. He seems to be in his forties, and his tall frame is muscular without being bulky. He towers a head over everyone else in the room. I can stand for two minutes, I guess. Someone else coming, I gather? No, no, it's just us. The thing is, the events of last Saturday got all the important Ladies thinking about you kids again, and how you're going to integrate into the Snowflake Hierarchy. My apologies, Master Sergeant, for not greeting you properly sooner. *bows* It's an honor to meet you. Please, just call me Sergeant. * Sei sighs. "Did it, now? Can't that wait until, um, we're older?" Oh, certainly. But some things need to be taken care of now, and others need to be prepared for. * Tasiya nibbles at her lip a little. Yeah, this is going to be an interesting night. I can already tell. The Sergeant is one of the most-senior NCO's in the Guard. Third, or fourth, I believe? * Sei raises his hand sheepishly. Well, that depends how you count. Fourth or maybe sixth. I'm kind of floating between the companies right now. Which is how he wound up being picked for this assignment. Yes, Sei? What's an "NCO?" Ah. Dinner is served, my Lady. Ah! * Farah leaps at the distraction of stuffing her face. Dinner sounds better than pending terror and uncertainty. Er, what Farah said! * LadySpoon hustles everyone around the corner to a dining room. The chairs are low and backless, stylish but local. The Very Large Table is wood - real Earth wood - and looks older than Lady Spoon. Sit, sit! * Sei hastens to hold out chairs for the Ladies. This is awkward, as he's so badly outnumbered. * LadySpoon just sits. Wow... this is actual wood, isn't it? * Farah touches the table curiously, even as she sits, thanking Sei and a nod and a smile. A complete summary of Guard ranks is probably more than we want to attempt tonight, my Lord. But briefly, there are only a few dozen real commissioned officers in the Guard, and most of the real work is done by those of us without a commission, hence we are "non-commissioned officers". Oh! Thanks. *takes his own seat, finally* I'm Captain Lady Spoon, if you care. And, um, could you reserve the "my Lord" stuff for when I'm transformed, at least? --really, Captain Lady? Huh. * Tasiya thanks Sei with a bright grin as she sits, taking off her uniform jacket as she does so to reveal a downward-pointing cutout in the back of her dress, from lower shoulder blade to lower shoulder blade, coming to a wide point slightly lower than that. * Tasiya oooohs a little at that. * Doeschate nods. "All of you will be officers - at least eventually - so technically you outrank me. And for a Hierarchy member, titled address is correct." * Doeschate grins at Sei. "I might eventually take you up on that, my Lord, though not in front of the Captain here." Wait. Officers... us? Does this mean we have to go through proper training and all that nonsense? * Sei faceplants in his forearms. * Tasiya gapes a little at that. I mean, I could probably handle it, but still... do we have to? On Earth you'd be getting some pre-training already. Here... we're not sure what form that will take. There's going to be so much to do that you may not get to the formal training for a few decades. ...how many Ladies on earth just resign 'cause they don't want to be in the military? So...wait, but, it wouldn't...we wouldn't just be officers in *name*, would we? That doesn't sound right! Again, that's pretty typical. Despite my rank, I haven't truly performed that function since twentyfour-fifty...six? I think? It was well before I joined, My Lady. * Butler brings in a big trayful of appetizers. Despite the seating for a formal meal, the vegetarian sushi is served party-style. Shit. Well... you haven't had to really do anything smashy since the old uprisings, right? * Tasiya pauses to consider that a bit. "...oh. But, so, how come you got to Captain then? Er, if it's all right to ask, Lady Spoon." * Sei boggles a bit at Spoon's age. * Tasiya is immediately diverted by food. "Oooh! That looks really good!" You've done some staff work, though, My Lady, just a decade or so ago. I guess. It all runs together. But I was a Captain because I was a company commander for some time after the Duchess put the Guard together. * Farah nods. "So being a schoolmarm is a lot more cushy, then. Still, you're in it for life, what with how long Ladies live." And I had some seniority from the Earth Confederation. Wow. You've been busy. Were you in the space exploration fleet, too? No, I never had that chance. * LadySpoon pouts. "A shame - I'd be a lot wealthier if I had." So I've been told... Time dilation savings fun, right? Compound interest. * LadySpoon sighs. Anyway! This all kind of came together because of last Saturday. Both, uh, things last Saturday. Yeeeeeaaaaah. *pushes away the overly-full plate of sushi he'd gathered, suddenly not hungry* * Tasiya looks a little subdued at that mention, but it doesn't seem to slow her appetite, just make it look more genteel. Food good. John got ambushed, of course. And that got Balli-chan thinking about security for you kids. * Farah has not lost her appetite, but is actively boggling at the sushi. She had meat on her mind, and this is throwing her off just a touch. Not that she doesn't set onto other stuff. "Shellmaw?" She's concerned that it's inevitable that all of you will eventually be identified, and potentially be targets. Well, if people would stop calling us out as our Lordly selves every third time we speak to them, only John'd need to worry about it. * Tasiya nibbles at her lip again. "Yeah, but...I've been trying *really hard*!" We all have, Tasiya. I've done everything in my power to not give myself away, but shit if I'm not worried someone already knows. And, I mean...er, not that it's not an honor and everything, but uh... ...well, we *are* all *here* right now...just us and stuff. * LadySpoon hangs her head. "She read me the riot act over that one call, Tasi. She thinks Carter knows, and even if she doesn't the school is so small it won't take a genius to work it out before long." * Tasiya shifts uncomfortably, distressed by the reminder of Carter. "So...so what more should we do?" Carter hasn't SAID anything, or acted different. I've figured staying under the radar'll only last so long. People might get tired of the money games to wonder what the poor kids are up to. And that's sort of my fault too, since I didn't plan for more students. At least more first-years, which would have made sense. I think Ballistics-sama is just a bit paranoid. Oh, she is! Pro'lly 'cause she's why people SHOULD be. *bites a sushi* The Colonel is excessively cautious at times. Huh? What would more "first-years" have done? That's me, right? Freshman? Well, getting transfers was always going to be hard. But attracting more frosh would have been possible. I would think so. I mean, Dad was real excited to send me here. ...he doesn't show it much, but you know how you can read your parents after living with 'em your whole life... Well, maybe we'll grow it more next year. But it's a little late now. * Tasiya smoothes out her napkin over her skirt a bit. "So is there anything more that we can do *now*?" Well, keep on living, I imagine. * Farah sits back. "If we suddenly change our habits, someone's bound to notice." And, um, stop having people know about it? The more people who know a secret, the less safe it is. Right now we're running with the assumption that all of you will probably be public by the end of the school year. Especially when they all seem to think it's okay to spring it on us! ...greeeeaaaaaaaat. * Farah makes a most unhappy face. "Well, shit." * Tasiya whimpers at that. I'm gonna keep denying it, anyway. Ballistics thinks two months is more likely, but that's Lady worst-case for you. Regardless, the plan is to have small security details arranged for when you go home next summer, and some... less visible surveillance when you leave campus before then. And I'm the person who will run all of that. * Sei tries and fails to hide his complete distaste for this. * Farah looks Doeschate's way for a moment. "I have to ask, since we're on the topic. Is there anything else known about the ones who attacked John?" * Tasiya gulps a little, but plays along gamely. "W-what about here while we're *on* campus?" On campus... well, we're tightening security more for getting in and out, but on-campus you shouldn't notice much. The tunnel is getting some working cameras. ... Just don't let the RAs have access to them. Those three are going to cause the very problems they're supposedly there to prevent. Unless the RAs are a part of the security detail. And even then... ...if they are, I quit. ...honestly, now that I say that... * Tasiya winces a little at the tunnel bit, then flounders miserably. "Er, did, uh, was anything found in, uh...well, I guess we would've heard." Well, they're one layer. But not a formal one, not one that's tied in with the Sergeant. I don't wanna be one of "those nobles" who always makes it hard for people trying to protect him. But...I never really thought of myself as - and am not sure I want to be - a noble at ALL. Can we just leave me out of this security stuff? I'll take my own chances. Sei, I'm sorry, but... no. Really, man, no. This is serious life-or- death shit here. I know! Lady Unicorn just died because we all weren't strong enough! And John and his girlfriend almost got killed, too! But I think this is just going to make it *worse*. * LadySpoon blinks, and her voice turns sharper than any of the snowflakes can remember hearing before. "This is not an option, Sei. The Magic gives you obligations, and one of those obligations is to protect yourself." I mean, I wanna keep running for StuCo, and maybe be President one year, but I don't want it to be just 'cause I'm Lord Charybdis. Uh, Sei, you got on StuCo totally without being Lord Charybdis, if you remember. Then let me protect MYSELF. I don't need to be treated like I'm more special when I haven't done anything to deserve it! Yeah, but would I stay? Who knows? That's the problem. We *are* special. And... you know, I think the magic chooses for a reason. Maybe we do deserve it. Maybe we're meant to have it. So? That doesn't mean we've proven it, yet! And... and... * Farah frowns. "So... why waste something so precious? I mean, hell, you can run, but there are people out there who very much want to kill us. And I'm not a genius, but there's strength and protection in numbers." I want to prove it as Sei Murdon. * Doeschate clears his throat. Seems to me you proved it last weekend. ...I promised I wouldn't say what I'm thinking about that any more, Sir. O-*kay*, yeah, but what does that mean if someone puts a bomb or something in Sei Murdon's room? Then they blow up a high schooler's room, and look like monsters for attacking a kid who could be any other kid on Snowflake. They went after John 'cause he's KNOWN. No, they blow up Sei Murdon, someone a lot of people care about. Welll, Sei, if they find out who you are I'm pretty sure they'll spread the news first before that, or at least at the same time. And what if they put a bomb in Sadao's room? If they could put a bomb anywhere, why *would* extra security hurt? Is every kid at school getting it? The general protections for the campus? Of course. And off-campus? And when they go home? And think about this - when your identity is public, that will make the rest of the students less of a target. I-- ... *slumps* You're right. It will. We should just announce it now, then. *totally depressed and defeated* * Tasiya looks a little alarmed. "Sei......don't go doing anything stupid like that, right?" I don't think you should go back to the dorms and just announce it. But there were a few Ladies who were advocating just that in the meeting Monday. They don't have any right! Not without our permission... * LadySpoon snorts. You know, I don't think I like this anymore. Can I just get the Queen to Order me to never transform again? No. * Sei MIGHT be joking. He isn't sure. Thought not. Sei, for all your drive, I never expected to hear you say something like that. And leave the *rest* of us out to dry? * Farah doesn't exactly sound happy. Your dad would kill you! If things get too bad, one option is to send you offworld for the standard program back at T2M. ...why would Dad care that much? ...and I don't like that idea, either. Because I'd still lay double-bets that he's Lord Darkmoon. I don't WANT to be a noble just 'cause I got lucky. And I don't like that it's gonna--who what? Because you're Snowflake's future, Sei. Shit, let it sink in. * Tasiya animates even more. "I mean, *look* at your kimono! It's even all wolves and black and purple and everything!" * LadySpoon spittakes. "Oh, wow, really?" ...and what who?' All of us are, and if--wait what? * Farah seems to have just registered that. *And* the fan! ...he's not in our TOE. * Sei picks at the wolf-moons. "It's just Dad's crest...he's big on ancient Japan." * LadySpoon asks her EI, and blinks. "...huh. Apparently I don't have the access rights to find out. That's wild." * Tasiya !!!!!!!!s. "See? See!" I totally bet that's probably him! But, why would that mean anything? Isn't Darkmoon the pretty-boy in that show you keep commandeering the main lounge to watch? I've never gotten that result for anything on Snowflake. Except about Ballistics. Maybe he's descended... * LadySpoon mutters. "And Nitrogen." He's an Original. One of the first Hunters, Sei. Big ancient Hierarchy history shit. He was never *just* a pretty-boy, Sei! And it was only once! Twice, at least! Remember when Carter wanted to watch Flakeball semi- finals last week? Most of them are long dead, but they made everything we are possible. So if he was... well... it depends on where he stands this far in the future. OK, maybe twice, but *still*! And it was only a junior league tournament, anyway. * Sei hides behind the fan, not realizing the irony given what's being discussed. "But-- but... he's never done anything magic..." Well, if he's so blocked that even Lady Spoon can't look it up, and the master sergeant doesn't know about it, that just goes to show. Well. That's something to ask him, Sei. ...wouldn't it also not show up if he was just Sei Sho? Not a Lord at all? Not very likely. I can get just about everything about everyone. Just... really, Sei. Think about now. The future. We're in the middle of something big, and I hate to see a guy like you just walk away from it all. You've got a good heart and big ideas and Queen knows we need that now. Too many people only looking as far as their wallets. Then it'd probably say something like, "Sei Sho: Definitely Not A Lord At All." * Sei snickers in spite of himself at Tasiya's line. I-- * Butler arrives, along with a maid, bearing plates containing a light Earth- lettuce salad drizzled with an oil-based dressing. I just don't... * Doeschate looks amused, though perhaps not terribly interested in ancient Hierarchy history. How do you think I feel? I mean, I talked with my parents, and they're more on top of me being a Lady than I am. First it's "you're a noble now," then it's "Orders," then it's "and you'll be outed before the year's over," and then it's "and you'll have a security detail..." Ah, round two! Oooh! * Farah eyes the salad. "They were talking about a stipend and name rights and all kinds of shit." ... Pardon my language, comes naturally. No, I'm used to you talking like that. It's what you said, not how you said it. Our entire society is arranged around the Hierarchy. You exist to protect us, and we exist to protect you. Well, think about it. Neko's marketed the unholy hell out of herself. ...and doesn't that seem weird to you? Making that leap, from one side to the other, that must be hard, my Lord. Sometimes, I guess... the world needs a hero. * Farah digs in, realizing she's fine with the salad after a couple of bites. I mean, look at Snowflake. Really look at it. I always thought I'd have to take care of myself, not have the Ladies do it. Just like Dad did. Just like most people here do. I mean, Ladies help with big stuff. There's things they're needed for. But... * Sei stuffs food in his mouth, swallowing mechanically and not really tasting or chewing. Take some time to grow into it if you must, but please don't insult the sacrifices that we make - that the people make - to give you this opportunity. * Tasiya mmms at the salad. "Anyway, even if your dad *isn't* Lord Darkmoon-- " she makes the concept sound utterly impossible "--if he were excited about you going to the school for Ladies, I don't think he'd be very happy about you trying to back out of it once you Became." That's just it! You shouldn't be sacrificing for me! I don't deserve it! Yes, Sei, you do. Wanna know why? No, because I don't think you're right. * Farah smirks. "Too bad, saying anyway. See, one day, there's going to be something that you just can't handle with an army or a bunch of folks with guns or even the best intel Ballistics can make. The silverdarts, for instance." *shrug* Well, if we're wrong, then you'll be in the best place to change the system. And that's when we, we lucky, fucked-up few, take what the Magic's given us and go out there to do the best we damn well can with it. Yeah, and? That's the kind of thing we should help with, Farah. But you know what? We aren't *obligated*. If we choose to - and we should - we choose to. But it's not something we owe anybody. I feel like I owe it to everyone to use what I have. And... and I don't want people throwing things at me and then telling me I OWE them because they gave me stuff I never asked for! Wait, I--what? Sei, you're...really not making a lot of sense to me. Maybe I just don't understand. Then you're obligated because the people with the bigger Spoons say you are. * Farah looks deathly serious. "I have this gift. I didn't ask for it, but I have it, and it's going to get used. I don't *want* anything back. I just want to be able to go to my grave knowing I didn't waste my blessing." It's-- It's like suddenly, people start giving you money, and presents, and stuff, and it's not for any --no offense, Lady Spoon, but that's not obligation, that's just threats. Regardless of the reasons, you're going to have to figure out a way to deal with it. I'd rather be a ronin than a sworn man. I think that's the way to put it. If I help people, I want it to be because I want to do it. One string, Sei. That's a pretty thought. And has absolutely no relation to the real world. Maybe it should. *deadly serious* After all, Snowflake's not Earth. And until the Darts showed up, people could help themselves. But, we got money and presents anyway right when we moved in. Yeah. Because all those people want us to owe them before we even have a say-so. But...that went to *everybody*, Sei.... * Doeschate has a polite smile on now, but his eyes are frowning down at his salad. Yeah, because EVERYBODY *could* be one of the Mysterious Few. Sei, enough. They got it narrowed down to only a couple hundred kids, and they can afford to buy that many kids. ...sorry, Headmistress. *does sound genuinely sorry* We're all only one string in this, unless we all bundle up. I mean, saying you want to only do something because you wanna do it, but that leaves too much room for saying no when action has to happen. Are you going to let this whole fear of being bought get in the way of... well, lives? * Sei shovels more food into his mouth. Because fuck, man, I wish things were perfect, too! Just 'cause they aren't doesn't mean they can't be better. * Sei shovels more. * Farah takes a breath. "... there comes a point when you just have to clench your teeth and *do*. Because there's something bigger than you, then everyone that needs done." * LadySpoon is really off her happy-hostess vibe now. * Sei looks up and notices Doeschate's expression. "See? If I were just Sei, the Sergeant here would be telling me off rather'n biting his tongue." And this is that moment. The whole dart shit, the assassins, everything. And well, we're doing it for him. * Farah chuckles. "Because, well, we love the hell out of your silly, naive ass, and we hate to see you like this. I mean... look. Let's just walk it back. Get to the basics." And I'm gonna fight and help however I can. But I-- I resent that it's made out to be my duty. Fair. Fair. I guess that's where we differ, in the end. * Tasiya just shakes her head slowly, salading. "*So* confused." You will get protection. You WILL coordinate with Master Sergeant Doeschate. And you will - this is the other thing we're here to discuss - start another round of after-classes training with him. Fine. Yes. * Doeschate puts down his salad fork. Oooh. Like, ninja training and stuff? Besides the attack on Lord Wind, the *other* att- * Doeschate gags. "We're not ninja, my Lady." But only if he stops calling me "my Lord" and treating me like I out- rank him. And I know I'll hate it and regret it if and when he does, but not as much as I'm going to hate never ever deserving the fake respect he has to pretend to give me. * Farah can't help but snicker. "I imagine basic soldiering business." * Tasiya blinks innocently. "Well, not *literal* ninja training, of course." I hated it Saturday. That was the worst part. Well, other than learning about John. My Lord, shut up. * Farah looks to Sei, and holds her tongue. It looks like Doeschate's stepped in for her. Yessir. Thank you, sir. Kind-of. Whether or not you hated last Saturday, whether or not you hate the whole system, the fact is you are a Magicdamned hero. You went and scouted that monster, all by yourself, with a sonar rig held togther by dental floss and Lady Turbulence's toolkit. * Sei looks the Sergeant in the eyes, trying (and likely failing) to read him. And listening respectfully. You went to meet that monster - which was, what, a few MILLION times bigger than you. And I've seen the EI recordings - sure you got creamed, but your powers made a crucial difference, and your team won in the end... which meant that MY team didn't have to. And WE don't heal when hundred-meter tentacles and thirty-story buildings land on us. So like it or not, you deserve our respect. Are you ready to be a leader? No, not yet. But it looks to me like you've got the first lessons figured out. Here's the next one - don't WHINE. My Lord. * Sei nods. "Y-Yessir." Thanks, sir. I-- *chokes, and hides it behind his fan* Don't call me sir. But that's one we can work on over time. Only if you reserve the "Lord" stuff for when I'm actually a squidboy. *attempting joviality* * Doeschate looks around uncomfortably. Where's that main course? * Sei coughs, and clears his throat after nervously munching a bit more. So, um. The videos of the fight with the Chary-monster. Have they been publicized? Being what Snowflake is, I imagine pieces of it. Nicely-packaged, of course. * Sei looks embarrassed to be asking this, but seems to be leading somewhere. * LadySpoon smiles gratefully at the Sergeant. "One thing you'll have to get used to eventually is that you always are a Lady. Even when you're not transformed. That took me about a decade to really grow into." Lady, Lord, whatever. I will...think about it, ma'am. I ...that's something to worry about later. Oh, there's been some stuff we fed to the media. But mostly for close-ups of the monster, not so much all of you and your powers. Well... If Sergeant Doeschate here is right, and we're heroes, and what we did saved lives that didn't have to fight it and, as he put it, "don't regenerate when buildings fall on them..." I think we should package and release the whole fight. Every bit of it. Make the threat really clear. If we're really the "hope of the future" or whatever, then we need to make it clear WHY. Could cause a whole lotta panic, but... ...and scare everybody? No, not at all. * Farah frowns. "I mean, that thing was huge." We can handle it, right? * LadySpoon shakes her head. If Uni hadn't died, we might have. But here's the thing: if we really ARE needed, then it'd make people who try to blow us up look like reprehensible villains no matter WHAT their politics. * Sei is taken aback a bit at the reminder. After a deep breath to keep from saying or doing something he'd regret, he asks, "Why does that make a difference?" She was a hero. She deserves a hero's praise. But actually showing them that would have been... fraught. The pieces we handed out included all of you looking suitably heroic, though. You can't give a speech like the Sergeant just did--no, you can't DO it that way. That just makes us look self-aggrandizing. I feel your idea here, though. I guess it's just a matter of how. Balancing the reality of it with some kinda... buffering? * Farah actually looks to be thinking about this. I know the style is to show everything, but people would view it for entertainment and it was... felt, by the Duchess, that just showing that would be... crass. Wrong. Ah, Football weighed in on that one. How's she doing, by the by? So make her the hero she is. Was. Oh, yes. We're emphasizing her sacrifice. ...I wish there was something we could do to help the Duchess. *looks down at his plate* I mean, with her health. She's rallied a bit this week, though that may be just because there's extra stuff to worry about. If-- if Dad's really that Lord Darkmoon, maybe he knows some way to help her? I mean, he's gotta be even older... But he'd have offered, if he did. *sighs* Maybe he trusted you to stand up for who you are on your own. Like we trust you, Sei. * Butler shows up with plates... wide bowls, really, containing some sort of pastry immersed in a white gravy. The scent is powerful and spicy, and as he sets the bowls in front of you you see sizable chunks of meat suspended in the gravy. ...what's that got to do with helping the Duchess? Mn. Finally. * Farah seems reinvigorated by the presence of meat, and digs in. * LadySpoon inhales and begins to relax some. This is fantastic, Lady Spoon. I wanted to import a cook, but it would have cost too much. But Tara is great with a cookbook. Tara? * Sei eyes it. He looks like he wants to eat, but doesn't have the stomach anymore. Tara is... well, the old parlance would be my steward? Personal assistant doesn't really seem to cover all of the contexts she helps out with. She helps out at the office a little, but mostly she's managing the residence here and dealing with my non-school duties. Majordomo? Hatamoto? And cooking! Right-hand ma--er, woman? You'll meet her sooner or later. * Doeschate clears his throat again. Anyway, we're taking over three floors of the Administration building, and maybe some in tower 2, if we need more. Training facilities? Or just office space? I don't think we'll have any true training facilities - if we need elbow room we'll follow your lead and use the beach out at Zone 4. * Sei nods. Right now, I'm the only person in this command who knows your untransformed identities. I don't think you need to worry too much if my guys find out... but it'll be safer if you show up transformed. * Sei nods. "I will do so." We'll use a conference room for the first few weeks. Nothing too hard to start - mostly just looking at what the Guard does, and what we have, and how we operate. And how you'll eventually fit in. All right. In a few months, maybe we'll roll down to Zone 11 and start checking you out on the hardware. But for now, it's just Thursday afternoons at the Admin building. * LadySpoon grimaces. "Hated rifle qualifications. Hate hate HATE." Well, you're the commanding officer here. So you should get back in practice. ...no, wait, this is all yours, remember? Guns? We get to shoot things? * Tasiya nods slowly at everything the master sergeant says, while wolfing down the delicious entree. I'm just a sergeant. Captain. You can give me all the work, but you still get the blame. Sometimes they can be useful. But for silverdarts, you're probably better off sticking with magic. ...you mean you've never done it, Farah? Yes. Most of the things that need shooting, we'll be around for. At least that's the plan. Hell no, Pops hates guns! Really? Huh. They're essential when you're on the frontier zones. Then again, he taught me how to kill a man with my elbows and knees. It's the impersonal part, he said. And the other thing... you need to check in with the Guard office every time you leave campus. * Doeschate nods. "We're going to have constant aerial surveillance, and keep a small response team within forty seconds any time you're outside the fence." ...oh. I've only shot animals. If - when - you go public, we'll probably have someone actually accompany you. * Sei suppresses a sigh. And we'll get some protection for your families too. Though that's still being worked out. Dad's not gonna like that... Neither will mine. * Farah frowns. "Yeah, this adds some wrinkles. The Gym gets Ladies now and then..." Well, you can break it to them over parents' weekend. That's just two weeks away, now! At least it's insured, but fuck if it were bombed or something. Mn. ...I wonder if Aunt Hammer knows if Dad really is that Darkmoon lord or not. *musing to himself* Dessert, anyone? ...oh! Um. *wolfs down the main course that he'd left alone 'til now* ...yeth pleath! Please! <@Ked> [end session]