Personification Life - IC Part VIII [open]

[The BranRiech]

"Meeting." Bran said as he read over the letter, coming back to sit down. "In a few days time, about Yoshi." He nodded and looked to Yuri. "You know what it's about?"

Rylli shrugged and looked sad, and Tolya waved a tiny hand at Yuri, before going back to burying his face in the goupy baby food.

--

"Oh, I'll grab'em later then. Now, what is there to do up here?" Natiya asked wanting some suggestions thrown around just in case they had nothing to do.

[New Aksarben]

"Uh.... no thanks. I'm good. Plus, I don't think there's room for two people on top of that couch." Jacob replied, chuckling a bit. He looked back at his book, and went back to reading. "Why are you staring at the ceiling as well? Especially with the TV on?"

Not missing a beat, she replied, "It's nice and quiet. Just like you. As you pointed out, somewhat refreshing."

The letters were slipped under doors that night. Bran, Rylli, Tolya, Torii, Katya, Gio, Tsu, Blossom and Jacob were all requested to attend the meeting.

"And furthermore, it allows me some attention to dedicate to things like that." She rolled cat-like off the couch and went to pick up the letter. "S'for you guys." She extended it to the closest person.

"Oh, thanks Dora." Jacob said, taking the letter from her when she handed it towards them. He was both referring to her getting the letter for them, and what he guessed was a compliment for him. "Its addressed to me? Strange.... I wasn't expecting any mail...." He closed his book, set it on the coffee table, and got up to go find a letter opener.

The personification returned a minute later with the now-opened letter, and sat back down on the couch. He removed the letter from the envelope and quickly read it. "Hmm.... Its inviting me to be in the communal dining room to discuss a trip to Yoshi's homeland.... Did he want to show his homeland before he returned to the Building? Because if so, that would be awesome!" He smiled happily at that, and his tail waved behind him the best it could, seeing as it was between his back and the couch. No one had yet told Jacob that Yoshi had died, so he just assumed that Yoshi would be returning soon, but wanted his friends to see his homeland before he came back.

Jacob thought of something then, and looked at the others. "Hey, maybe there are openings for people to come with? Would any of you want to go with? I'm sure it will be fun!" Jacob had the brightest smile on his face as he looked over at Dora, Ray and Albert. Jacob's brother shrugged. He didn't really feel like going on another vacation/trip so soon after the one to Torsiedelle and the Branriech. Jacob, on the other hand really wanted to go, and secretly would love if people he thought of as good friends would be able to come with. Like Dora or Ray.


Albert, on the other hand, did know Yoshi was dead, but didn't feel like telling Jacob. HE knew it would ruin the mood, and that Jacob wouldn't take it very well, so instead, he nodded. "Hmm. Ray? Would you want to go along on that trip? or would you rather stay here? I'd rather stay, to be honest." Albert looked down at Ray's face as he spoke, before turning his head to look back at the TV. "Oh, and about the TV show? Seems interesting, Maybe we should watch it together sometime? I think the premise that they would let a writer follow the detective around, and possibly distract her is a bit sketchy.... doesn't quite make sense that they would do that..... At least to me." He shrugged, and continued his petting as he looked to the TV.

[Germanic Templars]

As they opened the door and moved down the hall towards the lobby, there down the way was the M.F.

"Hail, emperor. I have some news to discuss with y-" He paused for a moment and looked at Swith and back at Thriller. "And who is she?"

"Her name is Ms. McCoy. An excellent business woman from the 2nd district. She came to help look over the businesses I have established here to help out the locals and our nation."

"Why that is quite noble and all, kaiser, but we have no nation left."

"What?"

"That is why I am..Here. To tell you that the empire was destroyed by some rebellious planets that had been backed up by the U.E.T.C. Everything fell within a week and we lost. But not before taking seven - ninths of their forces."

"Where were you and your fleet?"

"Defending a loyalist planet. Don't worry, the Four Warships of the Apocalypse survived. Further more they didn't hold the planet for long before a revolution occurred. Even with them kicked off, the galaxy is in complete disarray. Minor empires and kingdoms risen from our empire, Gliese 581g has been divided up with only a few still loyal, others who want to construct their own nation from the ruins of our empire, and those who are too busy with their own agendas."

--

"Actually Vatican Council Two was started by Pope John XXIII. Called it to help modernize the church. I believe it was a smart to remove it from latin and better to go to English, the masses were more able to listen to the message rather then just listen."

If Swith's eyebrows raised any higher, they would have disappeared off her face. Her first impulse was Smite them all!, especially the ungrateful bastards on Gliese 581g. Swith took a few breaths and pushed that thought out of the way. Smiting wouldn't do anything. Thriller wasn't about domination. These were his subjects... but they were also his children and he loved them. Children sometimes go astray. When that happened, parents were sometimes left feeling rejected and heartbroken. Swith tilted her head and looked at Thriller. Mech suits didn't express emotion, however.

"Fuck the U.E.T.C.," she muttered. But Swith wasn't any stranger to war. Striking down the U.E.T.C. would solve one problem but the more-pressing need was the wayward colonies and kingdoms.

"Kaiser, this matter won't solve itself," she ventured. "Gliese is the foundation of the Empire. You must move quickly to retake it before focusing on the outlying kingdoms. The rebellious governments don't represent the people, necessary."

I can't help with this, she told herself. It wasn't her place to. Her hands were tied by the very nature of what she was. And then, like a sniper round, her heart spoke: He's going to be gone a while. That pain was quickly diffused when she imagined the people of Gliese were struggling and in need of their Kaiser. That need outweighed anything she felt.

She set her jaw, bit back her sorrow for the people, and looked to Thriller for guidance.

--

"I always forget Pope John XXIII," Xanthe admitted. "I was very out of touch with Mankind during that time period. Granted, his decision did open things up and draw people in, but I so miss the Latin mass." Empty creamer containers now littered the table. She began to stack them, and then stuffed the empty sugar packs inside. Old habits, but that was Xanthe.

"We..I have video if you wish to see the events leading up to and after the revolution on the planet." He pulled out a pad-tablet device and gave it to Thriller. He pressed the play button in the center.
"Now then on this day shows the eleventh district in an uproar over the law passed by Haylan requiring no one leaves or enters onto the planet. Now as you can tell, the Islamic, Christian, and other denominations who make their pilgrimages to Earth were not so happy about this and rebelled. This had a ripple effect in the other districts, and within hours, the entire planet took arms and ousted the Confederacy. With this, eleventh quickly became organized as Jihads and Crusades were called up to free passages towards Earth. Listen to what this preacher said here."

The video switched from pictures of ruined cities to a man in a suit on a podium with a microphone in front.
"My fellow brothers and sisters. Today we find ourselves in a horrible state on which we have been denied our rights. Our rights to express our belief. Our right to amass together, even for times of worship. And now we have been denied another God given right of Pilgrimage! Those rights are ones I do not want taken away from me! How about you, do you want them taken from you?!"

"No!" The crowd roared.

"And so then, we go to undertake a mission to set ourselves free from the bondage of these oppressive laws! But we are not alone, many people from other beliefs have come to join us too. The Islam, The Hindus, all who have been opposed their rights. Though take heed, not all who join us will raise a weapon, and that is fine, killing a man is the hardest task for anyone to follow through with. So I say this, when we fight, do not raise your sword in the name of God, that would be against his will. Instead, raise it up in defense against the oppressors who wish to do harm to your family, your friends, and your countrymen!"

From here it cuts off onto the ruined streets of Romlin. A shot shows the once well kept and bright strip completely ruined with debris and a few craters. The two mile long fountain that lined the strip was destroyed. Another shot showed bodies with wrists tied up, hanging from the still standing lamp posts. Bodies also littered some streets, one of the images showed two children hugging the body of their dead mother as they cried out in sorrow.

"I get the idea now. My people need me."

"Yes, yes they do. Now then if there is anything else you need to tell me, kaiser, then now is the time. If not, i'll be heading back."

"Nothing." He replied. He handed the device back the M.F.

From there the man turned around and walked out of the building, waiting for a ship to come back and pick him up.

Thriller turned to Swith. "Well..."

--

"Well those times were a bit hard, and a bit annoying too. All the wars and lack of humanity in them."

[Torsiedelle]

Katya wanted to not be nosy, or make Primordial late, but her curiosity eventually got the better of her. She turned right back around and jogged off to catch up with Prim. Torii decided to follow her sister, and sprinted to catch up.

"Prim! Prim!", She called as she ran to catch up. "Say, I can't help it. What cult meeting? I wanna know."

[Primordial Luxa]

Katya wanted to not be nosy, or make Primordial late, but her curiosity eventually got the better of her. She turned right back around and jogged off to catch up with Prim. Torii decided to follow her sister, and sprinted to catch up.

"Prim! Prim!", She called as she ran to catch up. "Say, I can't help it. What cult meeting? I wanna know."

He held up a hand to cut her off "Now, now the summoning of Y'Golonac is of no concern to the uninitiated." he paused but conited to walk a look of displeasure crossing his face. "I definitely shouldn't have told you that." He continued walking turning a corner and gazing around the four way intersection that they had come to as if looking for something in particular.

[Torsiedelle]

Katya wanted to not be nosy, or make Primordial late, but her curiosity eventually got the better of her. She turned right back around and jogged off to catch up with Prim. Torii decided to follow her sister, and sprinted to catch up.

"Prim! Prim!", She called as she ran to catch up. "Say, I can't help it. What cult meeting? I wanna know."

He held up a hand to cut her off "Now, now the summoning of Y'Golonac is of no concern to the uninitiated." he paused but conited to walk a look of displeasure crossing his face. "I definitely shouldn't have told you that." He continued walking turning a corner and gazing around the four way intersection that they had come to as if looking for something in particular.

"Well, it's okay, Primordial. You can trust us, we won't tell.", the Elder Sister replied. Torii nodded, agreeing that they were trustworthy. She wouldn't dare tell a secret to someone else.

Katya watched as Prim look around, and her curiosity got to her again. "What's the matter?"

[Germanic Templars]

"Meeting." Bran said as he read over the letter, coming back to sit down. "In a few days time, about Yoshi." He nodded and looked to Yuri. "You know what it's about?"

Rylli shrugged and looked sad, and Tolya waved a tiny hand at Yuri, before going back to burying his face in the goupy baby food.

--

"Oh, I'll grab'em later then. Now, what is there to do up here?" Natiya asked wanting some suggestions thrown around just in case they had nothing to do.

"Well we can look off in the distance, we can look off to the city and see stuff go on... I really do not know. Oh, we can just relax."

[Primordial Luxa]

He held up a hand to cut her off "Now, now the summoning of Y'Golonac is of no concern to the uninitiated." he paused but conited to walk a look of displeasure crossing his face. "I definitely shouldn't have told you that." He continued walking turning a corner and gazing around the four way intersection that they had come to as if looking for something in particular.

"Well, it's okay, Primordial. You can trust us, we won't tell.", the Elder Sister replied. Torii nodded, agreeing that they were trustworthy. She wouldn't dare tell a secret to someone else.

Katya watched as Prim look around, and her curiosity got to her again. "What's the matter?"

"Because you know exactly how evil I can be I trust you." He pointed off in the distance to a symbol written in an alley across the street, it looked like a fanged mouth resting in the middle of an open palm. "Their, the police really don't like us so we have to change our meeting location every time. We cant just send out an email because that could be tapped so we leave clues around the city that point to the next location." He began walking across the streak to the symbol which he began to rub a hand over gently "We got the idea from a movie." he said before looking right and continuing to walk.

[Swith Witherward]

"We..I have video if you wish to see the events leading up to and after the revolution on the planet." He pulled out a pad-tablet device and gave it to Thriller. He pressed the play button in the center.
"Now then on this day shows the eleventh district in an uproar over the law passed by Haylan requiring no one leaves or enters onto the planet. Now as you can tell, the Islamic, Christian, and other denominations who make their pilgrimages to Earth were not so happy about this and rebelled. This had a ripple effect in the other districts, and within hours, the entire planet took arms and ousted the Confederacy. With this, eleventh quickly became organized as Jihads and Crusades were called up to free passages towards Earth. Listen to what this preacher said here."

The video switched from pictures of ruined cities to a man in a suit on a podium with a microphone in front.
"My fellow brothers and sisters. Today we find ourselves in a horrible state on which we have been denied our rights. Our rights to express our belief. Our right to amass together, even for times of worship. And now we have been denied another God given right of Pilgrimage! Those rights are ones I do not want taken away from me! How about you, do you want them taken from you?!"

"No!" The crowd roared.

"And so then, we go to undertake a mission to set ourselves free from the bondage of these oppressive laws! But we are not alone, many people from other beliefs have come to join us too. The Islam, The Hindus, all who have been opposed their rights. Though take heed, not all who join us will raise a weapon, and that is fine, killing a man is the hardest task for anyone to follow through with. So I say this, when we fight, do not raise your sword in the name of God, that would be against his will. Instead, raise it up in defense against the oppressors who wish to do harm to your family, your friends, and your countrymen!"

From here it cuts off onto the ruined streets of Romlin. A shot shows the once well kept and bright strip completely ruined with debris and a few craters. The two mile long fountain that lined the strip was destroyed. Another shot showed bodies with wrists tied up, hanging from the still standing lamp posts. Bodies also littered some streets, one of the images showed two children hugging the body of their dead mother as they cried out in sorrow.

"I get the idea now. My people need me."

"Yes, yes they do. Now then if there is anything else you need to tell me, kaiser, then now is the time. If not, i'll be heading back."

"Nothing." He replied. He handed the device back the M.F.

From there the man turned around and walked out of the building, waiting for a ship to come back and pick him up.

Thriller turned to Swith. "Well..."

--

"Well those times were a bit hard, and a bit annoying too. All the wars and lack of humanity in them."

Swith's lip had curled as she watched some of the footage. Religious persecution was a big deal to her. Oppressing the faithful from their practices was the worst thing the invading government could have done. While she inwardly cheered their reaction and their reasons for it, the fact was still apparent that, in war, it's the children who suffer the most.

"Ten soldiers wisely led will beat a hundred without a head," Swith replied calmly. "And one Emperor as that head can be the catalyst that wins the battle before it ever reaches the field. Those traitors who've served with you know your strength and determination. Thousands might be spared simply because they know you're there personally. Don't let more Romlins happen, Cornelius. Find a way to restore peace and the empire."

She bit her bottom lip. "I can't help you," her voice cracked. "I'm not allowed. Not in this. You'll have only your wits and faith in Elohim. I want to. They're my people, too. I finally found a place where I belonged, and I can't do a thing for them. I'm so sorry." She began to cry bitter tears and pressed her face to his cold metal suit. "I'm sorry."

--

Xanthe nodded. "Don't tell a soul, but I think Gandhi made the most sense. And Twain. Have you ever read Mark Twain's War Prayer? I have it memorized if you care to hear it, but it's sort of long."

[Germanic Templars]

"We..I have video if you wish to see the events leading up to and after the revolution on the planet." He pulled out a pad-tablet device and gave it to Thriller. He pressed the play button in the center.
"Now then on this day shows the eleventh district in an uproar over the law passed by Haylan requiring no one leaves or enters onto the planet. Now as you can tell, the Islamic, Christian, and other denominations who make their pilgrimages to Earth were not so happy about this and rebelled. This had a ripple effect in the other districts, and within hours, the entire planet took arms and ousted the Confederacy. With this, eleventh quickly became organized as Jihads and Crusades were called up to free passages towards Earth. Listen to what this preacher said here."

The video switched from pictures of ruined cities to a man in a suit on a podium with a microphone in front.
"My fellow brothers and sisters. Today we find ourselves in a horrible state on which we have been denied our rights. Our rights to express our belief. Our right to amass together, even for times of worship. And now we have been denied another God given right of Pilgrimage! Those rights are ones I do not want taken away from me! How about you, do you want them taken from you?!"

"No!" The crowd roared.

"And so then, we go to undertake a mission to set ourselves free from the bondage of these oppressive laws! But we are not alone, many people from other beliefs have come to join us too. The Islam, The Hindus, all who have been opposed their rights. Though take heed, not all who join us will raise a weapon, and that is fine, killing a man is the hardest task for anyone to follow through with. So I say this, when we fight, do not raise your sword in the name of God, that would be against his will. Instead, raise it up in defense against the oppressors who wish to do harm to your family, your friends, and your countrymen!"

From here it cuts off onto the ruined streets of Romlin. A shot shows the once well kept and bright strip completely ruined with debris and a few craters. The two mile long fountain that lined the strip was destroyed. Another shot showed bodies with wrists tied up, hanging from the still standing lamp posts. Bodies also littered some streets, one of the images showed two children hugging the body of their dead mother as they cried out in sorrow.

"I get the idea now. My people need me."

"Yes, yes they do. Now then if there is anything else you need to tell me, kaiser, then now is the time. If not, i'll be heading back."

"Nothing." He replied. He handed the device back the M.F.

From there the man turned around and walked out of the building, waiting for a ship to come back and pick him up.

Thriller turned to Swith. "Well..."

--

"Well those times were a bit hard, and a bit annoying too. All the wars and lack of humanity in them."

Swith's lip had curled as she watched some of the footage. Religious persecution was a big deal to her. Oppressing the faithful from their practices was the worst thing the invading government could have done. While she inwardly cheered their reaction and their reasons for it, the fact was still apparent that, in war, it's the children who suffer the most.

"Ten soldiers wisely led will beat a hundred without a head," Swith replied calmly. "And one Emperor as that head can be the catalyst that wins the battle before it ever reaches the field. Those traitors who've served with you know your strength and determination. Thousands might be spared simply because they know you're there personally. Don't let more Romlins happen, Cornelius. Find a way to restore peace and the empire."

She bit her bottom lip. "I can't help you," her voice cracked. "I'm not allowed. Not in this. You'll have only your wits and faith in Elohim. I want to. They're my people, too. I finally found a place where I belonged, and I can't do a thing for them. I'm so sorry." She began to cry bitter tears and pressed her face to his cold metal suit. "I'm sorry."

--

Xanthe nodded. "Don't tell a soul, but I think Gandhi made the most sense. And Twain. Have you ever read Mark Twain's War Prayer? I have it memorized if you care to hear it, but it's sort of long."

He wrapped her up into a hug. "Hey now, it's fine. Besides I can do this. I mean I am the emperor. Just do this for me: please care for the children and tell them that daddy just went on a business trip for a while. I will make this quick as I can , and still try to reduce the amount of casualties on our side."

--

"Go ahead and tell. I might like to listen to it."

[Swith Witherward]

He wrapped her up into a hug. "Hey now, it's fine. Besides I can do this. I mean I am the emperor. Just do this for me: please care for the children and tell them that daddy just went on a business trip for a while. I will make this quick as I can , and still try to reduce the amount of casualties on our side."

--

"Go ahead and tell. I might like to listen to it."

"You did it before, Cornelius," Swith said as she melted into his hug. "I have faith in you. So, I'll hold the fort here so you have a sanctuary to come home to. No matter how long it takes, it's worth the effort. The people are worth the effort."

She leaned back a bit and said, "But you should say goodbye to the kids. They think you've just gone to check the mail."

--

Xanthe put down her teaspoon and took a sip of extremely sweetened coffee. "Okay... um short synopsis?" She cleared her throat...

And shrugged. It was a very long thing to recite and perhaps not the best day to do it. Instead, she imparted the gist of the story.

"People always pray for something and usually that means asking God to take sides in the matter. A man prays for rain for his crops but doesn't think of his neighbor or his neighbor's crops being ruined by rain. It's the unspoken part of prayer that gets overlooked. When it comes to holy wars of the past, in asking for victory, we're also asking God to turn wives into widows and children into orphans over our opinion of what God's will is."

She took a sip of coffee. "I think it's better to pray for each soldier and not the cause, unless the prayer be that the campaign is brief. It's better to ask God to show mercy to all, no matter the outcome or nation."


It should be noted at this point that the opinions expressed by Xanthe somewhat reflect the opinions of her handler, becuse her handler hates it when people rise up in arms over disagreement in religion or "who is God's favorite people" attitudes. After all, if God didn't love all people, he would have dropped a rock on some them long ago. To Xanthe's handler, things went wrong whenever mankind coupled "the holy fire of patriotism" with "beseeching His aid in our good cause" because, after all, isn't it up to God to decide if the cause is good or not? But now Blythe rears her head from the midst of her dreams and reminds her handler that holy wars of the past serve as a history lesson. Which, of course, is the whole purpose of bringing up War Prayer, and it in no way relates to Thriller's war... that war isn't about God. It's about freedom from oppression and rebuilding an empire of peace, just as the minister on Gliese reminded us in the video.

[The BranRiech]

"That'd be nice, really nice." Natiya said and scooted close enough to lean on Aleki. Her heart was racing, but she felt at ease around him. She looked up at him and smiled before it turned to concern.

"If your ships are here, y-you won't need to leave, right?"

[Germanic Templars]

He wrapped her up into a hug. "Hey now, it's fine. Besides I can do this. I mean I am the emperor. Just do this for me: please care for the children and tell them that daddy just went on a business trip for a while. I will make this quick as I can , and still try to reduce the amount of casualties on our side."

--

"Go ahead and tell. I might like to listen to it."

"You did it before, Cornelius," Swith said as she melted into his hug. "I have faith in you. So, I'll hold the fort here so you have a sanctuary to come home to. No matter how long it takes, it's worth the effort. The people are worth the effort."

She leaned back a bit and said, "But you should say goodbye to the kids. They think you've just gone to check the mail."

--

Xanthe put down her teaspoon and took a sip of extremely sweetened coffee. "Okay... um short synopsis?" She cleared her throat...

And shrugged. It was a very long thing to recite and perhaps not the best day to do it. Instead, she imparted the gist of the story.

"People always pray for something and usually that means asking God to take sides in the matter. A man prays for rain for his crops but doesn't think of his neighbor or his neighbor's crops being ruined by rain. It's the unspoken part of prayer that gets overlooked. When it comes to holy wars of the past, in asking for victory, we're also asking God to turn wives into widows and children into orphans over our opinion of what God's will is."

She took a sip of coffee. "I think it's better to pray for each soldier and not the cause, unless the prayer be that the campaign is brief. It's better to ask God to show mercy to all, no matter the outcome or nation."


It should be noted at this point that the opinions expressed by Xanthe somewhat reflect the opinions of her handler, because her handler hates it when people rise up in arms over disagreement in religion or "who is God's favorite people" attitudes. After all, if God didn't love all people, he would have dropped a rock on some them long ago. To Xanthe's handler, things went wrong whenever mankind coupled "the holy fire of patriotism" with "beseeching His aid in our good cause" because, after all, isn't it up to God to decide if the cause is good or not? But now Blythe rears her head from the midst of her dreams and reminds her handler that holy wars of the past serve as a history lesson. Which, of course, is the whole purpose of bringing up War Prayer, and it in no way relates to Thriller's war... that war isn't about God. It's about freedom from oppression and rebuilding an empire of peace, just as the minister on Gliese reminded us in the video.

"Oh, right. Let me just get the Levis to get everything packed up and organised." He quickly delivered a message to the Levis via closed circuit chat. He then turned back to the room just down the hall.

--

"Interesting indeed. Never heard it, but I find it rather humble."

---

"That'd be nice, really nice." Natiya said and scooted close enough to lean on Aleki. Her heart was racing, but she felt at ease around him. She looked up at him and smiled before it turned to concern.

"If your ships are here, y-you won't need to leave, right?"

"Not to my knowledge. I just hope I don't have to do that now."

[Swith Witherward]

"Oh, right. Let me just get the Levis to get everything packed up and organised." He quickly delivered a message to the Levis via closed circuit chat. He then turned back to the room just down the hall.

--

"Interesting indeed. Never heard it, but I find it rather humble."

Swith returned to the apartment. The twins had finished dressing and were sprawled out on the couch with toys. Adventure Time was on, and Swith turned it off. "Got microbes?"

"Yep!" came the reply from both.

Swith sat down on the coffee table and looked at the pair. "Well, good." She didn't know what else to say so she watched them a few minutes and then sighed.

"Listen up now," she urged. "This is very important."

The twins put down their plush toys and looked at their mother. "What is it?" Sydney asked. She sensed now wasn't the time to ask if it was llama-related.

"Do you remember home? Gliese?" Swith asked calmly. "People there are being foolish. Daddy needs to go back to kick sense into them. But we're not going this time. This is something only emperors can do, not little children or mommy. Daddy can't put it off or wait until next Tuesday or the fall. So, he has to leave quickly. Now, this is the important part. Daddy doesn't want to leave us. He'll miss us. He doesn't need to leave with pangs of regret. His best memory will be of his brave children back home. Don't plead with him to stay, because he can't. Duty is duty. Give daddy smiles. It's okay to be sad, but we're daddy's heart, so we have to be as brave as he is. Understand?"

Siduer slowly shook his head and buried his face in his hands. Sydney slipped off the couch and crawled into Swith's lap. She pressed her head against her mother and cried in earnest. Swith rocked her and let her get the tears out before Thriller returned.

And, thus purged of a bit of shock and the sadness that always went with it, both twins sat on the couch with freshly blown noses and small trinkets in their hands out of a desire to give daddy a sendoff he could be proud of.

--

"It's Twain," Xanthe laughed. "His commentaries on society was always so intense. I hope he made it to Heaven." She smiled at Lucius.

[Germanic Templars]

"Oh, right. Let me just get the Levis to get everything packed up and organised." He quickly delivered a message to the Levis via closed circuit chat. He then turned back to the room just down the hall.

--

"Interesting indeed. Never heard it, but I find it rather humble."

Swith returned to the apartment. The twins had finished dressing and were sprawled out on the couch with toys. Adventure Time was on, and Swith turned it off. "Got microbes?"

"Yep!" came the reply from both.

Swith sat down on the coffee table and looked at the pair. "Well, good." She didn't know what else to say so she watched them a few minutes and then sighed.

"Listen up now," she urged. "This is very important."

The twins put down their plush toys and looked at their mother. "What is it?" Sydney asked. She sensed now wasn't the time to ask if it was llama-related.

"Do you remember home? Gliese?" Swith asked calmly. "People there are being foolish. Daddy needs to go back to kick sense into them. But we're not going this time. This is something only emperors can do, not little children or mommy. Daddy can't put it off or wait until next Tuesday or the fall. So, he has to leave quickly. Now, this is the important part. Daddy doesn't want to leave us. He'll miss us. He doesn't need to leave with pangs of regret. His best memory will be of his brave children back home. Don't plead with him to stay, because he can't. Duty is duty. Give daddy smiles. It's okay to be sad, but we're daddy's heart, so we have to be as brave as he is. Understand?"

Siduer slowly shook his head and buried his face in his hands. Sydney slipped off the couch and crawled into Swith's lap. She pressed her head against her mother and cried in earnest. Swith rocked her and let her get the tears out before Thriller returned.

And, thus purged of a bit of shock and the sadness that always went with it, both twins sat on the couch with freshly blown noses and small trinkets in their hands out of a desire to give daddy a sendoff he could be proud of.

--

"It's Twain," Xanthe laughed. "His commentaries on society was always so intense. I hope he made it to Heaven." She smiled at Lucius.

Thriller walked into the room and looked at the kids. He then took a knee and waited for them to come to him.

--

"He did, I think. Or that he is waiting in the long line in Purgatory. Did good in his life, but still, fair trial for all."

[Swith Witherward]

Thriller walked into the room and looked at the kids. He then took a knee and waited for them to come to him.

--

"He did, I think. Or that he is waiting in the long line in Purgatory. Did good in his life, but still, fair trial for all."

"Daddy!" Failing to have kneecaps to attack, they launched themselves into his arms.

"Are you going away right now?" Siduer asked.

"Will you bring me back a llama?" Sydney grinned.

Swith snorted a laugh and offered a wry grin to Thriller. "If you bring back a llama, as Elohim as my witness, I'll bite you."

--

Xanthe nodded. "Hey, some of the best people are in Purgatory. If Twain's still there, then he's got good company."

[The BranRiech]

"Good, you get to stay right here, where I can nomz on you!" Natiya giggled and poked Aleki. Her wanting to brighten the mood was cheesy at best, but she always thought that cheesy, could really be endearing, especially if there was a chance she wouldn't be seeing Aleki for a while. Because, hey, there was always that chance, what with all that was going on at the moment.

"Nevermind, that was dumb, wasn't it." She chuckled.

[Germanic Templars]

Thriller walked into the room and looked at the kids. He then took a knee and waited for them to come to him.

--

"He did, I think. Or that he is waiting in the long line in Purgatory. Did good in his life, but still, fair trial for all."

"Daddy!" Failing to have kneecaps to attack, they launched themselves into his arms.

"Are you going away right now?" Siduer asked.

"Will you bring me back a llama?" Sydney grinned.

Swith snorted a laugh and offered a wry grin to Thriller. "If you bring back a llama, as Elohim as my witness, I'll bite you."

--

Xanthe nodded. "Hey, some of the best people are in Purgatory. If Twain's still there, then he's got good company."

"I will bring a llama back, and don't worry it will be one she can most dearly take care of." He gave both of them hugs and gave a look at Siduer. "I am not going away just yet, I still have stuff to pack up and people to assemble."

--

"Like all good, and bad, people are." Lucius gave a small yawn. "Sorry 'bout that."

---

"Good, you get to stay right here, where I can nomz on you!" Natiya giggled and poked Aleki. Her wanting to brighten the mood was cheesy at best, but she always thought that cheesy, could really be endearing, especially if there was a chance she wouldn't be seeing Aleki for a while. Because, hey, there was always that chance, what with all that was going on at the moment.

"Nevermind, that was dumb, wasn't it." She chuckled.

"I have heard worse, so you are alright." He gave a smile and a long yawn with a stretch.

[Swith Witherward]

"I will bring a llama back, and don't worry it will be one she can most dearly take care of." He gave both of them hugs and gave a look at Siduer. "I am not going away just yet, I still have stuff to pack up and people to assemble."

--

"Like all good, and bad, people are." Lucius gave a small yawn. "Sorry 'bout that."

Sydney sighed. If daddy was bringing back a llama, it meant he was coming back. She felt confident in that.

"Okay," Siduer said. "I don't want you to go, but you have to. Don't worry about stuff while you're gone. I got this, dad." He grinned at Thriller.

--

Xanthe snorted. "Want to do something else? My cup's empty. Walk through the park?"

[Torsiedelle]

"Well, it's okay, Primordial. You can trust us, we won't tell.", the Elder Sister replied. Torii nodded, agreeing that they were trustworthy. She wouldn't dare tell a secret to someone else.

Katya watched as Prim look around, and her curiosity got to her again. "What's the matter?"

"Because you know exactly how evil I can be I trust you." He pointed off in the distance to a symbol written in an alley across the street, it looked like a fanged mouth resting in the middle of an open palm. "Their, the police really don't like us so we have to change our meeting location every time. We cant just send out an email because that could be tapped so we leave clues around the city that point to the next location." He began walking across the streak to the symbol which he began to rub a hand over gently "We got the idea from a movie." he said before looking right and continuing to walk.

"That's rather interesting.", Katya said. "And this way, you're never caught...why are the authorities looking for you?"

Surely, she thought, she wouldn't be doing anything that bad. Then again, they were Luxans, strange people from a strange place.

[Primordial Luxa]

"Because you know exactly how evil I can be I trust you." He pointed off in the distance to a symbol written in an alley across the street, it looked like a fanged mouth resting in the middle of an open palm. "Their, the police really don't like us so we have to change our meeting location every time. We cant just send out an email because that could be tapped so we leave clues around the city that point to the next location." He began walking across the streak to the symbol which he began to rub a hand over gently "We got the idea from a movie." he said before looking right and continuing to walk.

"That's rather interesting.", Katya said. "And this way, you're never caught...why are the authorities looking for you?"

Surely, she thought, she wouldn't be doing anything that bad. Then again, they were Luxans, strange people from a strange place.

As they walked down the ill lit street Primordial let his eye wander to the shadows and shapes that the light only half clung to both seeking the next symbol and weary of danger. “Nope, this method is so ridiculous no sane civil servant would think about it and any insane ones would join us.” He said with a wicked grin on his face. He rested a hand against one wall feeling for something that neither Torii nor kaytia could sense it pulsed in his mind like an old tumor that wouldn’t relent before turning left to stare at an image of large burning tri-lobed eye. “Their after us for many things. Fraud, parking violations, failure to appear in court, abduction and trespassing.”

[Germanic Templars]

"I will bring a llama back, and don't worry it will be one she can most dearly take care of." He gave both of them hugs and gave a look at Siduer. "I am not going away just yet, I still have stuff to pack up and people to assemble."

--

"Like all good, and bad, people are." Lucius gave a small yawn. "Sorry 'bout that."

Sydney sighed. If daddy was bringing back a llama, it meant he was coming back. She felt confident in that.

"Okay," Siduer said. "I don't want you to go, but you have to. Don't worry about stuff while you're gone. I got this, dad." He grinned at Thriller.

--

Xanthe snorted. "Want to do something else? My cup's empty. Walk through the park?"

"I am sure you do." He said as he patted his son on the head. He then picked both of his kids up and gave them both hugs with his mechanical arms before setting them down again. "Take care now, daddy is going to his mech room to collect a few more of his things."

--

"Sure thing, nature is one of the few things I love."

[Dabfia]

"So why is Tony sad?" Evil Dab asked. "Something about it being his fault that 5/7th's of squad mates deaths were his fault." Dab said. "I'll go get him to man up." Evil Dab said and walked into Tony's room. 5 seconds later he walked back out. I yold him to man up and he shot me in the shoulder." Evil Dab said and went to tend to his room. "Wel: maybe you shouldn't of done that." Dab said. "Next time don't mess with people who have guns"

[Swith Witherward]

"I am sure you do." He said as he patted his son on the head. He then picked both of his kids up and gave them both hugs with his mechanical arms before setting them down again. "Take care now, daddy is going to his mech room to collect a few more of his things."

--

"Sure thing, nature is one of the few things I love."

"Goodby daddy," Sydney tilted her head back and smiled at him. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Siduer said. "And come back safe after you fix stuff, okay?"

"Mind some company?" Swith asked. "Chi can keep an eye on these two little monsters." She stuck her tongue out at the twins and they play-growled back at her.

--

Xanthe slipped a tip under the empty packets. "Me too. I'm glad they built parks into the city. The green places feel good." She tilted her head. "So, what are the other things you love? Books, I imagine, and peace and quiet?"

[Torsiedelle]

"That's rather interesting.", Katya said. "And this way, you're never caught...why are the authorities looking for you?"

Surely, she thought, she wouldn't be doing anything that bad. Then again, they were Luxans, strange people from a strange place.

As they walked down the ill lit street Primordial let his eye wander to the shadows and shapes that the light only half clung to both seeking the next symbol and weary of danger. “Nope, this method is so ridiculous no sane civil servant would think about it and any insane ones would join us.” He said with a wicked grin on his face. He rested a hand against one wall feeling for something that neither Torii nor kaytia could sense it pulsed in his mind like an old tumor that wouldn’t relent before turning left to stare at an image of large burning tri-lobed eye. “Their after us for many things. Fraud, parking violations, failure to appear in court, abduction and trespassing.”

"Fraud?"

Katya frowned. "Abduction?"

She gasped. Maybe it was that bad. Okay, so they had done everything a normal criminal group would do, so what? She kept following Primordial.

Torii's interest was perked. A secret, hard to find group of people, being sought after by the police, guilty of all sorts of crimes?

She remembered her jacket and triangle shades back home.

"Um...", She spoke up, "I think I forgot something back home. I'll be right back."

And with that, the girl turned and skipped off, seemingly nonchalantly.