She wakes up to the sound of her alarm clock every morning, usually at seven, but sometimes earlier if she hears the weather's just right.
She'll eat a light meal, just to ease her stomach into the morning, and then commits herself to streneous exercise until midday when she goes to deal with any paperwork that needs to be done. Sometimes, her relatives call to check in on how she's doing. Often, it's her mother. Sometimes, it's her cousins.
But it's never her.
She always wonders if she messed it up, you know? If she said the wrong thing, did the wrong thing. She doesn't understand how this is supposed to work.
Hell, she didn't think she had it in her in the first place.
But when she came around.....
Okay, so maybe she was always that way. Maybe her eyes lingered a bit more than they ought to, but no one ever said anything about it. Everyone seemed to accept it, if they even bothered to notice it. Her mother was a bit concerned, but you could have kids in other ways too.
Well, back in my day.....
But she never calls anymore. She never seems to ask hey, how are you doing? Her calls never get answered.
Perhaps you ought to find someone new.....
No, she thinks, she can't do that, doing so many pushups and situps this morning that she's lost count.
How can you ask me to forsake her?
If one wants to understand how Ganosia works, you inevitably find yourself looking over to the Imperial Court, the heart of an empire that spans the world, the heart of a nation that was in the midst of what the media called a campaign of national rejuvenation. The entire empire was expected to chip in, to ensure it all went according to the plan. The plan that was passed down by the Empress Herself to her ministers, to instruct the people in the new ways and disregard those of the old. The Empress, who sits upon her throne this morning, contemplating the affairs of the world, wondering when she even signed the treaty of the Axis Commonwealth in the first place, because it's very hard to remember all these things sometimes, but she gets it done, because it's all for the people, you see.
Like her.
"Cousin," she says. "So nice of you to come by."
She isn't too pleased.
"Spare the bullshit, Quinn. I know why you wanted me to come see you."
The Empress smiles. "Now, now, no need for that. You must understand that I am only looking out for you."
Still, she isn't too pleased.
"I remain loyal to Rehan, no matter the circumstances, no matter the cost. Are you going to-"
The Empress waves her hand. "We do not desire you to forsake your beloved. We wish to help you see her again."
"How?"
"We are planning to renew ties with the Nalayans. We desire that the empire blossom as it ought to have been. Don't you think so, Iri?"
"What about Allison?"
"We have kept her busy. She shall not disrupt Our desires, ruin Our dream."
Jane Saroyan.
She is, at this point, a depressed woman. She feels like it's all been for naught.
"All my work.....it's been for nothing," she murmurs. "I've tried, I've tried and tried for so long, and what has it gotten me? The suspicion of an entire nation! I am surprised I have not been attacked yet. Perhaps my husband's been able to pull some strings, I don't know.....it worries me. Sometimes, I feel afraid going out with my own family."
She looks to see if anyone is around. It would hurt to see her husband and daughter see her like this.
"This campaign of national rejuvenation! What use is it going to be, honestly?"
She soon found the answer to that when the Imperial Commands came in.
"What makes Her Imperial Majesty think it will work out this time?"
"Saroyan will proceed as planned?"
"Yes, Majesty."
"Good. I should very much like to see Nalaya become convinced of the merits of friendship with us. After we're done with them, proceed with plans in Edom."
"As you wish, Majesty."
Irikah decides that it's best to hold out hope.
She's put in too much to just give in now.
"Iri," he says, "you ought to always think positive. Sometimes, it'll be all you have out there."
Thanks, Dad, she thinks, sitting at her computer, wondering how to.....
"Dear, Rehan," she types out, then erases, then retypes, then......
This is going to be harder than it looks.
General,
May good tidings be bestowed upon you and yours this day.
As you may have heard, it is Her Imperial Majesty's will that the Empire begin to renew and repair ties with those nations in whom it had once felt the power of friendship.
As you are undoubtedly well versed in the unfortunate decline in our relations with your esteemed nation, Her Imperial Majesty has desired that I undertake all that is necessary to repair what damage has been inflicted by neglect and incorrect decisions. The Empire knows it cannot change the past, but it can ensure the future looks bright for both our nations. Our time is now, General, to build a new relationship, to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated ever again.
Should it please you, I will be able to meet with you to discuss the possibility that we can begin such a noble undertaking. We have heard much of Nalaya's humanitarian work throughout the Cornellian region and beyond, and we wish to assist you in such endeavours. Perhaps you have heard of the Refugee Sanctuary? Mr. Pitkanen, in charge of its foreign affairs, has oftentimes cited your nation as an influence upon his life's work, the uptlifting of the downtrodden, and it would do him much happiness, perhaps after we have fixed our problems, to see Nalayan aid for the Sanctuary project become a reality.
I will be able to meet with you at your earliest convenience.
Signed,
Jane Saroyan
Ambassador of the Ganosian Empire to Nalaya