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+--- Thread: Under the Emerald Sky (/showthread.php?tid=193838)
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Under the Emerald Sky - ellipsis - 07-22-2022
Akihabara, Akabat | 17:30-18:00
She had only heard the stories and reports of the Dragon civilization living on Akabat in the Akihabara district. Day after day in her office, she would manage and carefully read through page after page of detailed summaries regarding many things, but including the status of the city about various topics; economics, structural integrity, morale, and so on. If it weren't for the people supporting her now, she would go crazy. But thanks to them, the Dragons can stand a couple days without her at Kyoto. Having been curious about the city on Akabat, it was decided that the free time allotted would be spent visiting it and exploring how the Akihabara Dragons live.
Immediately, the Ishizuchi, carrying many dragons also seeking a brief vacation, departed for Omicron Mu, hopeful to have a chance at experiencing the vibrant night life it's known for. After a brief three system journey made less dangerous by gunboat escorts, the liner finally arrived at its destination, mooring at the shuttle station. From here, the hundreds of passengers would be ferried onto the Akihabara sector landing pads where they would scatter and mingle with the residents as they please. Tsuya ensured nobody remained on the ship before leaving herself. The journey had made her a bit parched, so the first thing she did was visit the local bar.
Already, she was confused about nobody recognizing her and saluting the way they do back on Kyoto. The people in the bar had never seen her in person before, so it took them a few minutes to recognize her. It didn't help that she was wearing a different outfit than what she usually wears. A dark red fur coat with the mark of the rose on its back covers her upper half and underneath lies a black sweatshirt, preventative measures against the cold climate of Akabat. For below the torso, some simple black jeans held up by a leather belt and black heeled boots with fur covering the collars in a matching color to the coat. Once they did recognize their face, each man and woman stood up and bowed deeply to silently salute her. She bowed back in the same manner and beckoned them to take their seats, before taking her own at a completely vacant table, to await a server that will take her order.
Immediately, the Ishizuchi, carrying many dragons also seeking a brief vacation, departed for Omicron Mu, hopeful to have a chance at experiencing the vibrant night life it's known for. After a brief three system journey made less dangerous by gunboat escorts, the liner finally arrived at its destination, mooring at the shuttle station. From here, the hundreds of passengers would be ferried onto the Akihabara sector landing pads where they would scatter and mingle with the residents as they please. Tsuya ensured nobody remained on the ship before leaving herself. The journey had made her a bit parched, so the first thing she did was visit the local bar.
Already, she was confused about nobody recognizing her and saluting the way they do back on Kyoto. The people in the bar had never seen her in person before, so it took them a few minutes to recognize her. It didn't help that she was wearing a different outfit than what she usually wears. A dark red fur coat with the mark of the rose on its back covers her upper half and underneath lies a black sweatshirt, preventative measures against the cold climate of Akabat. For below the torso, some simple black jeans held up by a leather belt and black heeled boots with fur covering the collars in a matching color to the coat. Once they did recognize their face, each man and woman stood up and bowed deeply to silently salute her. She bowed back in the same manner and beckoned them to take their seats, before taking her own at a completely vacant table, to await a server that will take her order.
RE: Under the Emerald Sky - Ninkurra - 07-22-2022
Among the many dragon visitors in the bar was one lonely figure. She was apparently shunned as she sat alone slowly emptying a bottle of wine. Tsuya would also recognize her. To the probable surprise, the senior heiress of the Tekagi clan sat in the bar of probably the most protected planet in the sector and it looks like she was not here with a diplomatic mission or any other. She was dressed very modestly, almost like a refugee. No clan heraldry or expensive decorations in her wear. Does this mean that fate has turned its back on the Tekagi clan once again? And why she is here?
The waiter approached her without bowing, trying not to even look at her eyes, although Aiko didn't seem to care much. She said something, seemingly making an order, and then returned her tortured gaze to the empty glass.
The waiter approached her without bowing, trying not to even look at her eyes, although Aiko didn't seem to care much. She said something, seemingly making an order, and then returned her tortured gaze to the empty glass.
RE: Under the Emerald Sky - ellipsis - 07-23-2022
Akihabara, Akabat | 18:05-18:10
Now that was an interesting sight. A political figure of the Kusari government hiding among the Dragons, somehow not turned into swiss cheese or sliced like butter? She certainly didn't expect to see a political enemy here, of all places. She stared at Tekagi with intense curiosity and without fear because the poor girl seemed so absorbed by her drink in bitter irony to the point where she didn't even notice her walking in and taking a seat. Tsuya weighed her options. Either ignore them and carry on with your intended vacation schedule, walk up to them and mock them, boasting about the superiority of the Dragons, or just try to have a chat with them. While she enjoyed the occasional banter and 'flexing', they seemed down enough. No need to rub it in. And missing out on the opportunity to make a connection would just be lazy.
So she waits, averting her gaze as her server arrives to take her order. After examining the holomenu for a moment, she noticed one drink that can't be found on Kyoto which piqued her interest. Most likely a result of the blend of cultures, the menu featured a cocktail called the Red Lotus, a mixture of lychee liqueur, vodka, cranberry and strawberry juice, as well as other natural sweeteners. Tsuya excitedly places her order as the server writes it down, bowing deeply before walking away. She figures that there won't be any way for both of them to not be seen in public conversing with each other anyways, so she stands from her seat, and walks to the lonely table occupied by Aiko.
The eyes of many drinkers are on Tsuya. People watch in silent surprise as she nonchalantly strides, the clicks of her footsteps drawing closer with each second. Without warning, the clicking stops, and she takes a seat on the opposite end of Aiko's table, leaning onto it with her arms.
"So. What's got you drinking to the bottom of a bottle?"
So she waits, averting her gaze as her server arrives to take her order. After examining the holomenu for a moment, she noticed one drink that can't be found on Kyoto which piqued her interest. Most likely a result of the blend of cultures, the menu featured a cocktail called the Red Lotus, a mixture of lychee liqueur, vodka, cranberry and strawberry juice, as well as other natural sweeteners. Tsuya excitedly places her order as the server writes it down, bowing deeply before walking away. She figures that there won't be any way for both of them to not be seen in public conversing with each other anyways, so she stands from her seat, and walks to the lonely table occupied by Aiko.
The eyes of many drinkers are on Tsuya. People watch in silent surprise as she nonchalantly strides, the clicks of her footsteps drawing closer with each second. Without warning, the clicking stops, and she takes a seat on the opposite end of Aiko's table, leaning onto it with her arms.
"So. What's got you drinking to the bottom of a bottle?"
RE: Under the Emerald Sky - Ninkurra - 07-24-2022
- A wine. Sweet dessert wine. It seems that Gauls supplying such here. Did you come to mock on me, Shogun? Yes, I know who you are. And no, I don't care about what happens in the Kusari between you and the Imperial Court. My clan lost its power and importance a long time ago...
She took a few sips while finishing the contents of the bottle
- So how can I be useful to you? I'm drunk enough that I don't care about the slanted glances of your colleagues and clan members. And I'm a guest on this planet after all. Hospitality at Akabat is a significant thing, as I understood. At least the Order doesn't allow the carnage to happen here.
RE: Under the Emerald Sky - Vitoniz30 - 07-24-2022
OMICRON MU, NOMAD WORLDS
A lonely “Bastet” arrived to Akabat's orbit nearly 30 minutes ago and its pilot was already annoyed after receiving the next message:
Miles Drake, the major of the Order Overwatch, turned on a communicator and dialed the number of the person, who pranked him so badly while moving his fighter towards Akabat docking controls.
“Hello, Storgen, after spending weeks in Liberty you ask me to do something else. Care to explain, what is going on?”
“Miles! Hey friend, yes, I am sorry for disturbing your deserved little vacation, but I am very unfortunate and cannot return until the battleship is ready to leave drydocks. Does 'Tekagi” ring a bell in your head?
“Pretty much. Yoshinobu Tekagi, one of the first nomads figured and wiped by Order before us. But who is this Aiko Tekagi. A relative?
“His granddaughter to be precise and Yurei guys hooked her in Okinawa, so Tekagi is on Akabat right now. Considering, how important and powerful Tekagi clan is, I want you to take a look at her. Nothing serious, just preventing any harmful actions. Would you do this for me? I will buy you a drink once the job is done, your favorite Rheinbier. Even when it's expensive.”
“Alright, but why wouldn't you send somebody else? This Serre guy, for example, make him useful at last.”
“He is already on the mission I gave him, Miles. Not alone and in Taus. I will explain you later, but it's very important for us.”
“Fine, Willy, I am closing to docking ring, gonna cut connection off for a while.”
“No problems, Drake, take care and say Sally hi if you find her on the surface.”
Having hazy thoughts, Miles closed to docking ring and asked landing control for permission to land. After seconds of the external scan, the ring's leaves opened letting Miles on the Akabat.
AKHETATEN CITY, AKABAT [18:15]
Half an hour after entering the atmosphere, Drake noticed one and only famous planetary landing pad known as King's Landing and accelerated the fighter towards city. Daffy major pressed several buttons letting out loudspeakers, integrated into his “Bastet”, and huge grin once hard rock song has started singing around. Miles directed fighter towards the city at full speed and flew over Little Crete and Akihibara as low as possible nearly touching the buildings' roofs and causing huge noise around. After finishing a circle around the city, Drake finally landed on Akabat and left ship's cockpit to the applause of locals. They already used to “Miles' circus performance”.
A lonely “Bastet” arrived to Akabat's orbit nearly 30 minutes ago and its pilot was already annoyed after receiving the next message:
Code:
“Dear Miles, we have a high guest on Akabat, she is from Kusari and needs us to feel not like a political refugee, but part of our big Akabatian family. Make sure Aiko Tekagi is alright and not harmed by local Blood Dragons on Akihibara.”“Hello, Storgen, after spending weeks in Liberty you ask me to do something else. Care to explain, what is going on?”
“Miles! Hey friend, yes, I am sorry for disturbing your deserved little vacation, but I am very unfortunate and cannot return until the battleship is ready to leave drydocks. Does 'Tekagi” ring a bell in your head?
“Pretty much. Yoshinobu Tekagi, one of the first nomads figured and wiped by Order before us. But who is this Aiko Tekagi. A relative?
“His granddaughter to be precise and Yurei guys hooked her in Okinawa, so Tekagi is on Akabat right now. Considering, how important and powerful Tekagi clan is, I want you to take a look at her. Nothing serious, just preventing any harmful actions. Would you do this for me? I will buy you a drink once the job is done, your favorite Rheinbier. Even when it's expensive.”
“Alright, but why wouldn't you send somebody else? This Serre guy, for example, make him useful at last.”
“He is already on the mission I gave him, Miles. Not alone and in Taus. I will explain you later, but it's very important for us.”
“Fine, Willy, I am closing to docking ring, gonna cut connection off for a while.”
“No problems, Drake, take care and say Sally hi if you find her on the surface.”
Having hazy thoughts, Miles closed to docking ring and asked landing control for permission to land. After seconds of the external scan, the ring's leaves opened letting Miles on the Akabat.
AKHETATEN CITY, AKABAT [18:15]
Half an hour after entering the atmosphere, Drake noticed one and only famous planetary landing pad known as King's Landing and accelerated the fighter towards city. Daffy major pressed several buttons letting out loudspeakers, integrated into his “Bastet”, and huge grin once hard rock song has started singing around. Miles directed fighter towards the city at full speed and flew over Little Crete and Akihibara as low as possible nearly touching the buildings' roofs and causing huge noise around. After finishing a circle around the city, Drake finally landed on Akabat and left ship's cockpit to the applause of locals. They already used to “Miles' circus performance”.
RE: Under the Emerald Sky - ellipsis - 07-25-2022
Akihabara, Akabat | 18:15-18:18
She shakes her head in reply to Tekagi's comments. "No, you look beat down enough by the alcohol you're guzzling. I'm as surprised as you are that you're even in a place like this." She leans back into the seat and crosses her legs, pressing her hands onto the leather cushions. She was thinking of a way to lighten the mood a bit, but how do you do that when you're talking to the granddaughter of an emperor your predecessors apparently killed? And more immediately, she seems to be the depressed kind of drunk. She pushed that thought aside for now.
"We can talk about your usefulness to me later. I'm more interested in why you're here. Drowning your sorrows instead of lounging in some fancy palace on Kyushu. There's already news reports and speculations about your disappearance, so I think if you went back now, there'd be a lot of pressure. Must've landed yourself in some pretty hot water to be in the arms of your enemy." She pauses to motion the server over, who was confused about where she'd gone. The server, who did a double take upon seeing where Tsuya was, quickly walked over and set down her exotic-looking drink before departing once more, possibly to obtain whatever Tekagi might have ordered. A moment later, and her left hand is lifting the glass up to her mouth to take a sip from the straw. As it's filled with ice, it's not very convenient to drink it straight.
With her drink still in hand, she continues to speak. "But it doesn't have to be this way. Despite your status, we can still be friends... Or, you can continue to simply wallow here, doomed to loneliness. One order from me, and you won't have to worry about anyone giving you a hard time."
"We can talk about your usefulness to me later. I'm more interested in why you're here. Drowning your sorrows instead of lounging in some fancy palace on Kyushu. There's already news reports and speculations about your disappearance, so I think if you went back now, there'd be a lot of pressure. Must've landed yourself in some pretty hot water to be in the arms of your enemy." She pauses to motion the server over, who was confused about where she'd gone. The server, who did a double take upon seeing where Tsuya was, quickly walked over and set down her exotic-looking drink before departing once more, possibly to obtain whatever Tekagi might have ordered. A moment later, and her left hand is lifting the glass up to her mouth to take a sip from the straw. As it's filled with ice, it's not very convenient to drink it straight.
With her drink still in hand, she continues to speak. "But it doesn't have to be this way. Despite your status, we can still be friends... Or, you can continue to simply wallow here, doomed to loneliness. One order from me, and you won't have to worry about anyone giving you a hard time."
RE: Under the Emerald Sky - Ninkurra - 07-26-2022
She slightly raised her hand and opened her mouth to snipe something sharp, but after changing her mind, she sighed and stared tiredly at Tsuya's face.
- Believe it or not, I'm hiding here. Fate decided to make fun of me, apparently... Aliens are hunting me. It seems one of those that drove my grandfather crazy. And now they showed up to do the same with me. But I'm not a naive fool. Why did I come here? Because no one would believe me, or worse, they would try to eliminate me as the one that knows too much. I'm talking about KOI now. They don't like to stand on ceremony. Given the reputation my clan has, they won't even listen to me. At best, just shoot... At worse, well, i do not wish to even think of what their imagination is capable. So, i'm asked the Order to help me.
Aiko was a little wary and seemed to be looking at Tsuya with a slightly sober look for the first time.
- A friends you say? What do you mean by that?
- Believe it or not, I'm hiding here. Fate decided to make fun of me, apparently... Aliens are hunting me. It seems one of those that drove my grandfather crazy. And now they showed up to do the same with me. But I'm not a naive fool. Why did I come here? Because no one would believe me, or worse, they would try to eliminate me as the one that knows too much. I'm talking about KOI now. They don't like to stand on ceremony. Given the reputation my clan has, they won't even listen to me. At best, just shoot... At worse, well, i do not wish to even think of what their imagination is capable. So, i'm asked the Order to help me.
Aiko was a little wary and seemed to be looking at Tsuya with a slightly sober look for the first time.
- A friends you say? What do you mean by that?
RE: Under the Emerald Sky - Vitoniz30 - 07-26-2022
Miles slowly moved towards the Akihibara - one of Akhetaten's districts, home for Blood Dragons and defected Kusarians, including political refugees. He didn't know how does Aiko Tekagi look like thanks to William who didn't give him enough information about where and how. Drake started checking every shop or cafe in Akihibara trying to find somebody who could look like a rich Kusarian woman but failed every time.
At last, Miles saw a bar near the center of the district and went inside with the hope he found right place. There were mostly Dragons and very few Order guards wearing usual dark-grey uniforms. Guards immediately saluted their officer from Overwatch and Miles responded to them by doing the same move. Miles Drake was an officer who looked like 30-years old Libertonian man, about 1.8 meters in height with short black hair and a round, smiling face. His uniform was a usual Order one too, but with a few distinguishing features - Overwatch badge and silver stars marking he was a Major.
The officer, looking around, did not see anything remarkable, but decided to ask the bartender if he saw somebody new around.
- Yes, she arrived here some time ago, look at the distant corner and see two Kusarian women there.
Drake turned his head after bartender's finger and noticed two talking and drinking women there. One of them looked like a Blood Dragon, but somebody noble, another one looked badly drunk and modest, but Miles couldn't recognize her. Could it be Aiko Tekagi?
At last, Miles saw a bar near the center of the district and went inside with the hope he found right place. There were mostly Dragons and very few Order guards wearing usual dark-grey uniforms. Guards immediately saluted their officer from Overwatch and Miles responded to them by doing the same move. Miles Drake was an officer who looked like 30-years old Libertonian man, about 1.8 meters in height with short black hair and a round, smiling face. His uniform was a usual Order one too, but with a few distinguishing features - Overwatch badge and silver stars marking he was a Major.
The officer, looking around, did not see anything remarkable, but decided to ask the bartender if he saw somebody new around.
- Yes, she arrived here some time ago, look at the distant corner and see two Kusarian women there.
Drake turned his head after bartender's finger and noticed two talking and drinking women there. One of them looked like a Blood Dragon, but somebody noble, another one looked badly drunk and modest, but Miles couldn't recognize her. Could it be Aiko Tekagi?
RE: Under the Emerald Sky - ellipsis - 07-27-2022
Akihabara, Akabat | 18:18-18:24
Tsuya listens to Aiko telling her story, sipping ever so elegantly at her drink and unaware of the agent about to swoop in on their conversation. The more she went on, the more sad this honestly became. She reflected upon it for a moment, wondering just how poorly this girl gets treated off the cameras. She wanted to ask if Aiko believed the Dragons were truly the ones to blame for her grandfather's death. But those were sensitive questions for later. She's not exactly wrong here. The KOI most certainly would like to have a word with her considering Tekagi history. Whoever in the Order picked her up has got to get a raise, because things are about to get really interesting. Tsuya can't help but show a little smirk after seeing Tekagi perk up, and opens her mouth as she gently swirls the drink in her hand. The ice gently clatters and clicks against the glass and against each other.
"Let's look at it this way, Tekagi-san. Assuming the KOI would come after you regarding your nomad encounter, what are you going to do? Go back after it blows over? The nomads don't stop, they never do. If you're right about them hunting you, they won't stop until they get what they want, or until they die." She pauses to take another sip and adjust her sitting position, opting to cross her legs and set her beverage back onto the table. She crosses her arms.
"You're wise to be proactive about this." She taps her forehead after saying that, a gesture of intelligence. "And incredibly lucky that the Order even decided to hear you out. But now, you've gone AWOL to anyone who's unaware. That may not be much, but the KOI who might have witnessed that will consider it enough to warrant an arrest or even your death, as you describe. If you so much as tried going back, the media would be all over you, and you'd be scrutinized. Game over. But, that's where I come in. Because I can make it safe for you to be in Kusari again. We can sneak you back in. Provide a cover story. Something along the lines of 'being kidnapped by Dragons before the Forces swooped in at the last moment to rescue her from her captors'. But we won't be able to protect you from the nomads that way. There's only one safe place to hide from them, and I think you know where I'm going with that. A nebula so thick that even they can't pierce through. Chugoku."
"Let's look at it this way, Tekagi-san. Assuming the KOI would come after you regarding your nomad encounter, what are you going to do? Go back after it blows over? The nomads don't stop, they never do. If you're right about them hunting you, they won't stop until they get what they want, or until they die." She pauses to take another sip and adjust her sitting position, opting to cross her legs and set her beverage back onto the table. She crosses her arms.
"You're wise to be proactive about this." She taps her forehead after saying that, a gesture of intelligence. "And incredibly lucky that the Order even decided to hear you out. But now, you've gone AWOL to anyone who's unaware. That may not be much, but the KOI who might have witnessed that will consider it enough to warrant an arrest or even your death, as you describe. If you so much as tried going back, the media would be all over you, and you'd be scrutinized. Game over. But, that's where I come in. Because I can make it safe for you to be in Kusari again. We can sneak you back in. Provide a cover story. Something along the lines of 'being kidnapped by Dragons before the Forces swooped in at the last moment to rescue her from her captors'. But we won't be able to protect you from the nomads that way. There's only one safe place to hide from them, and I think you know where I'm going with that. A nebula so thick that even they can't pierce through. Chugoku."
RE: Under the Emerald Sky - Ninkurra - 07-28-2022
- You're certainly right that I need a credible story to get back home. And as for the offer to hide among the mists of Okamura - there is an obvious problem. My clan has already lost almost all of its reputation. I do not want to become the one that will destroy it completely, making us an exiles and the scapegoats for the media. I will say this: I am a practical person and I am used to paying the same for kindness and honesty. One good turn deserves another. It's simple logic, right?
Aiko's eyes followed any change in Tsuya's expression. Her speech, despite the amount drunk, was much firmer than before, which spoke of a clear experience in the matter of taking alcohol, or, of Aiko's remarkable will. Or maybe both at the same time.
- I'm willing to accept your offer with a few conditions. First, I will not stay among your people permanently. I need to be visible so as not to arouse suspicion. Secondly, I will repay the asylum accordingly. By some special service or finance. It does not matter.
Also, you must understand that this does not make me your follower. At least until I see evidence that the Imperial authorities are talking nonsense about who you are. I will not interfere in your affairs and you in mine. But at the same time we are helpful to each other. Will this option suit you?
- I don't want to be anyone's pain in the ass, but I don't need one either. Besides, if you're sitting here right now intending to recruit me, I have bad news for you. I am absolutely apolitical and also a bad combat pilot. In my short life, I got used to working with my head and not with the blade.
What about my grandfather... Well, I blame no one except him, his stupidity and blindness. Old man was greedy for power and knowledge. And he paid too big price for such. How he ended is well known, I guess, for the whole Sirius.
Her gaze drifted to the man in Order's uniform which was moving towards their table.
- Hm... Who is that?