17th of June, 2019. Al'Arz.
Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
The day was wonderful - after finals were done in early June, there were three weeks, during which we were technically still in school, but most people saw it as a pro-forma matter, which meant, that we were there, were taught, but both teachers and us knew, that we were there physically, but not mentally.
The End of the School Year Ceremony would be on Friday, on the 21st - next year, that would mark my graduation ceremony.
Like that, we were mostly watching educational movies and "consolidating what we learned over the school year."
That did not stop us from enjoying Lunch Break, from 12 o'clock a.m. over midday's heat until 2 o'clock p.m., for two hours. Usual haunt of the students of the Haram Girls' Academy was the Al'Arz, a restaurant/diner right opposite to the Main Gates, which was well used to masses of young women in the white sailor-style uniforms in the knee-length skirts with the blue sailor-collars coming for lunch.
The HGA itself was a tourist hotspot in and of itself, at least the areas with public entrance. The Haram Campus, where we had our buildings, was built in the Early 18th Century, its frescoes and mosaics being renown all over the world and certainly a highlight of any tourist's visit.
Anyway... the Al'Arz was right opposite to the HGA's gates and it was only natural, that we would frequent that restaurant. They had four storeys, after all, and more then enough seats for the entire HGA. And we got a discount...
...which was, just like the HGA itself, financed by my Grandmother, the Ilkhana of Utica and the Sultana of Kyrenaia.
Hi. I am Princess Aurelia bint-Damir, Horsearcher, Captain of the Horseman Team of the HGA, relatively good student (I admit, that I am not the best in sciences, thank you very much), owner of a Sand Wolf by the name of Aldhiyb, openly bi-sexual, openly in a relationship with a foreign, female head of state (Marcella Villa of the UIS of AHSCA, every time I thought of that name, my heart fluttered), working actively on changing the law to allow homosexual couples in Kyrenaia to marry (make an educated guess as to why) and thus political opponent of aforementioned Grandmother/Sultana. And enemy number one for a number of organizations.
Thankfully, most of these organizations were focused on discussing the matter peacefully, demonstrating peacefully, but there were some, which were more violent. Violence during protests, violent - throwing stones at police, having fist fights with proponents of the legal changes, such things. Luckily, the proponents of the law change had some more violent groups as well.
I basically led these changes, a social revolution in its own right, from my bedroom at the HGA's Dorms. And the majorities were kind-of even as well.
Despite that, and my station as a Kyrenaian Princess, I did not even have a bodyguard.
The Al'Arz was not cordoned off when I was there. I remembered a state visit to some place not too long ago, where I accompanied my Father to, where me running around Utica without any sort of escort would make them develop pestules.
I sat with a few friends of mine on the second floor because first had no free tables left. In hindsight, that might have saved my life.
Soraya was there, as was Fadia (a.k.a. Princess Fadia bint-Dardan), Samira... good friends. We were chatting and
None of us took greater notice of the white van in front of the Al'Arz, suppliers often parked in front of the restaurant to deliver the materials needed for the delicious food, which we had.
And Samira was just telling us about a rumour she heard about Alya, one of our girls, and Adil, a lad from the TBA, when, suddenly, there was a deafening thunder, pressure, heat, we blown over and onto the ground, screams, panic.
A ringing in the ears, as I got up.
I was feeling fuzzy.
Iron taste on my tongue.
Samira's hand in mine, holding on for her dear life. I turned to her, saw the absolute terror in her eyes as she whispered something, holding her hand to her throat, the fear, absolute terror, in her brown eyes, blood... there was dirt everywhere, screams, or at least what sounded like screams through the cotton wool, that filled my ears.
Outside the window, I could see a pillar of smoke rising.
It took a moment for it to settle in: A moment later, I had a handkerchief on Samira's throat, keeping the wound contained, at least halfways. I resisted the urge to throw up, as it dawned upon me...
Someone just tried to blow the Al'Arz up.
Times of Utica, English Internet Edition.Breaking News!
Terrorist Attack in Downtown Utica
Utica - During the Midday's Heat, the Downtown of Utica was rocked by an explosion in front of the Al'Arz, a restaurant popular amongst the students of the Haram Girls' Academy nearby. Especially well-filled due to the lunch break, the explosion of what appears to be at least three pipe bombs in a van parked in front of the restaurant wrecked havoc amongst the crowds of students and other diners.
So far, eyewitnesses speak of a large explosion, which killed at least fifteen students, wounding countless more. Source appears to be a white van parked in front of the restaurant.
The Al'Arz, founded in 1913, enjoys a lot of popularity amongst the students of the Haram Girls' Academy due to its close proximity to the Academy. Even Royalty studying at the institution is oftentimes found in the restaurant, Razia-Sultana Herself even calling the Al'Arz the "best restaurant an adolescent woman could imagine", having frequented the establishment Herself quite often during Her time at the HGA.
As of late, the Al'Arz was especially known as a gathering place for Princess Aurelia bint-Damir and the supporters of the proposed change in legislation, which would allow homosexuals to marry and be treated, in front of the law, much like heterosexual couples. This comes after the legalization of homosexuality in front of the law in 2000. Princess Aurelia, in a relationship with Marcella-Khana of the United Island States of AHSCA, is known as one of the most vocal advocates of the change in legislation.
So far, no organization has claimed responsibility.
Update:
Utica Metropolitan Police confirms, that Princess Alya is lightly wounded, Princess Fadia unconscious, while Princess Aurelia is in treatment for Acute Stress Reaction. Police also confirms, so far, 96 wounded and 8 dead.
The Sultana promised all conceivable aid to the victims and their families and promised to have the attack's perpetrators found and brought to justice.
Update:
The leader of the Movement Opposing the Homosexual Marriage Law, Damir Khasm, condemned the attack in very clear terms, calling the attack an act of cowardice and stupidity. He, as well as the leader of the Supporting Movement for the Homosexual Marriage Law, came to an agreement of an 'armistice', according to him, suspending all protests until the beginning of July.
A confirmation from the Supporting Movement is still out.
Meanwhile, many of the wounded were brought to the Utica Military Hospital.
Update:
The organization Front for a Traditional Kyrenaia claimed responsibility for the attack on the Al'Arz and expressed their deep sadness over having to "end so many young and promising flowers' lives in order to end the one of the shameful Carpet-Muncher-Princess Aurelia Taistealaí [Prc. Aurelia bint-Damir, ES]."
The Utica Metropolitan Police has, as of now, neither confirmed nor denied their involvement.