melodiesoflife | Here's hoping for a Christmas Miracle

Entry tags:

Here's hoping for a Christmas Miracle

Who: Ramza, Jack, Ashe, Chrom, Zelda, OU Yuna, MarKus, any other volunteers
What: Ramza is proposing a Christmas time peace with the Empire to deliver presents ~~and warning Kurma that his city is going to be a crystal in a month or so~~.
Where: The Imperial Capital
When: December 24th (crazy forward dated)
Warnings: There will probably be consequences for our stupidity. This may include, but is not limited to, death, torture, capture, immolation, and/or extreme exasperation on the parts of all NPCs involved.

Ramza was not sure whether it was the ‘Santa’ job affecting him, or if it was his own ideals, but either way, as Christmas approached, he knew what he needed to do. The Heroes of Light had reached out and given gifts to the kids of every city but one. The Imperial children, the ones who were in imminent danger of crystallization in the upcoming months, had not been visited by Santa and his helpers. Even if Cid was convinced the Empire was full of monsters, Ramza could not believe that of the children. There were lives worth saving there, and he would not write them off.

If there was ever a time to reach out to the Empire, it was now. Ramza had a bag full of presents, and he was certain that if he could just explain his reasoning, he would be allowed in to distribute them. And once inside, perhaps he could find Kurma and warn him of what they’d learned from the Sage on the Continent of Ruin.

They had failed to save the people of Aqures Tosf, and Ramza was determined to never let a tragedy of that magnitude happen again, not even if it killed him.

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" but surely there's a way to get them out of the city without ordering an evacuation. That's the official way, yes. But if thousands of people need to simply leave the city, that doesn't need to happen through official channels."

"You need a disruptive, subversive group to come in and spread scandalous lies about the Empire? Done. Because of course you don't need help. There's no crisis anywhere."

Kurma is the sort of man to be able to follow this. "But if the most ridiculous failed distraction just happened, which was a cover-up for these phony Heroes of Light making some sort of attack on the city, proving that this place isn't safe anymore? Who cares so long as the Empire's citizens are alive and safe?"

Ramza turned to Jack, betrayal and shock written on his features.

"Captain, what happened to 'peace first'?"

He turned to Kurma. "We have presents for the children of the city. Let us show them our goodwill. Let us try to undo some of the hatred and fear. Then, with this new trust built, we can invite them to visit the Christmas Village, where they will be safe."

A hand clasped down on Jack's shoulder as Sparks pulled his way forward in the group. He lowers his voice, but make sure to keep the volume at a place everyone can hear.

"Pull the reins back on that horse, pal. Some folks don't know the difference between phony 'n real Heroes, so before we go causin' other problems down the line for all of us, let's think this through more. 'Sides, something like that's gonna take time to build up, and time ain't something we got a lot of."

Sparks looks sternly at Kurma.

"Yer Emperor ain't exactly known for bein' warm-hearted and accommodating. I wouldn't be surprised if he'd never warning anyone here of what's gonna happen. You willin' to risk everyone's lives here waiting on his word? What happens if the citizens find out before they're warned, 'n they start to panic?"

With each passing seconds, Kurma seemed to contemplate more and more the possibility he was still sleeping and only having a very bad dream. Either way, he replied to Jack anyway.

"Maybe in your world, it's possible that hop into blue boxes that make it easy to always save the day no matter how poor the plan is, but that's not the case in Crystallis."

With that said, he turned to Ramza. "You can get them the presents if you want, but in case that's not obvious, Herans aren't monsters. Odds are that their parents got them something." Then exasperatedly, he turned to Sparks. "Do you seriously think I've been waiting for you to tell me evacuating would be a good idea? Matsya is already evacuating people in small quantities. On my end I've been doing everything to convince the Emperor or come up with an alternative, but--"

He shook his head. "Maybe you've missed the big news, but Kalki died a couple months ago. Or so I've been told anyway. The Triumvirat has been dissolved and Garland only consults that Tarutaru now. I cannot help you. As a matter of fact, I don't think I can even get you out of the city without risking my own life... And given the caliber of your ideas so far, I'm not sure it would be worth it."

"No..." Of all the things for Jack to look upset about, it's the news that Kalki has- died? He looks down briefly, with a deep pang of regret. "I'm very sorry."

"...The original plan was to not even deal with your leadership at all. To talk to the people ourselves, to let them make the choice to leave. Whether it's us that does it, or whether it's you, I'm telling you that you have a way to act, right now, and blame it on us. If you want these people saved, either let us go, or you're going to need your own people to start spreading the word among the citizens. You want to do it the non-violent way, instead of scaring them out? It'll still require you to spread the word. Stop waiting on your damn Emperor, if we had waited on Aqures Ixen's leadership, we wouldn't be here at all."

"We're here because none of us has a choice, at this point."

"Jessie is here?" Ramza asked. That was something they would likely need to address later. But perhaps it was a matter better left for another day. For now, he would have to place his faith in Kurma and the princess Matsya to counteract the evil she wrought.

"We take full responsibilities for our actions and do not expect your protection, Sir Kurma. Our gifts are not given with the expectation that your children will receive nothing else. It is the act of giving them that matters."

Maybe it seemed moronic to the Heran, but Ramza hoped that if the children could see Heroes of Light risking themselves for the Herans' sake, they would question the hate their leader tried to press upon them.

"Hey, maybe we can settle one matter at a time. First, how about we just go deliver these presents. I mean, as far as I know, Santa wasn't the 'only gift' I got when I was a kid. It was an add on that you wake up to the next morning. But... that aside, how about we settle the matter of us delivering gifts while you deliberate on whether or not you sit on your hands or act on your own."

This was getting well over MarKus head, and he'd been quiet far too long for him not to open his mouth and not say something between motivational and stupid. "I know this is serious, but I'm not going to pretend I I understand the full scope of things. I just wanna give these gifts because I made some of them and that's what I wanna do. No subterfuge or shenanigans. Just holiday hype."

"You don't understand... The people will think you're just a bunch of lunatics. I am two steps away from believing as much."

He sighed and waved at the Moogle. Immediately the Moogle went to pick a few books, which he handed over to Kurma as he replied to Jack. "Garland has supreme control over the armies. If you managed to turn the populace on him, what do you think would happen? Not sure you want that kind of blood on your hands."

And with that said, he stopped looking at them and started looking for something in the books while replying to Ramza and the others. "Go ahead and give the gifts if you want. But since you're so determined..." He paused. "You'll have to speak to Garland himself."

Ramza set his jaw stubbornly. "Very well."

He turned to face the other Heroes. "If anyone would prefer to stay here while I speak with His Imperial Majesty Garland, do so."

Optimistic though he generally was, Ramza had no illusions that Garland would be pleased to see them. A Beoulve did not run from danger, but he would not put the same expectations on the others.

Kurma sighed and shook his head, not looking away from his books would it be for a second. "Wait a second. For one, I didn't say you would get to see Garland right now. It would take at least two months for you to get an audience with him. But since of all days you picked Christmas Eve to come, there is an alternative..."

He then looked up at them.

"For two, you don't get to pick who's going to go and see him. I do."

Kidd didn't look all that pleased about the news of Kalki's death either. There had been the hints they had received but this was the first solid statement of someone less likely to hide the truth from them. She wasn't willing to simply forgive the woman for all that she'd done, but having seen her past she at least wanted to speak to her about it. She wanted to know what it was that precisely lead to the path that she'd chosen to walk down. She was curious how it was that she'd died. The last time they saw her was in the past but that wasn't the linear way of it. Had something happened to her after the encounter at the crystal?

As for Palitutu in the city, she knew that already, but that was all. It was precious little to go on and pretty much an obvious bit of intel so she had chosen not to share it widely. That she was working closely with Garland alone though did little to calm her nerves.

She would like to meet this Emperor herself, but as Kurma said the choice was with him. She didn't like the idea of Ramza going without protection though. Jack in particular seemed a bit too eager to jump down the lion's mouth and it reminded her a bit of how he acted in the past when he offered to sacrifice himself. "Ramza, if we are to be split up then I would have a word with you."

Jack spreads his hands out to the sides in a slightly frustrated shrug. "Why do we get branded the crazy people for saying 'hey, there's this dangerous thing coming, and we'll do whatever we can to help you get out of the way?' Not exactly revolutionary stuff here." This is how the Doc feels. All the time.

"Well, in two months, the city isn't going to be here anymore, so what is the other alternative? Not that we really have a choice, but 20 bucks says it still involves us getting arrested." In which case, Jack isn't sure what his companions' reactions will be.

"Not at all." Kurma didn't even bother replying when Jack complained about being branded crazy, still going through the pages of his books. "You're probably aware of the starlight celebration traditions in this world. On Christmas Eve, we celebrate with our family and all that. And I'm going to assume you did your homework and are aware the Emperor is my father."

He frowned upon reading something in the book, and made a sign to the Moogle. If the Heroes were to look, they could see the Moogle crossing MarKus's name from a list.

"Well, Christmas Eve hasn't been strictly about family for us in a while. Two years after the accident in Aqures Tosf, he started inviting Kalki for all the Christmases... And when the Triumvirat was created, he did the same with Matsya. Of course, sometimes we, too, get to bring guests. Matsya generally bring kids from the slums and Kalki, well she used to bring whoever she felt like."

He finally put down the books and looked back at them all.

"What I'm saying is that you are going to be my guests for Christmas Eve."

"As if family holiday parties weren't get awkward enough. Maybe bein' arrested'll be better." Sparks shook his head.

"If that's what it takes to get to talk to someone about tryin' to save thousands of innocent lives, then fine. Better than waitin' two months til when it's way too late."

Ramza nodded to Kidd. If they could steal a moment to themselves, he would listen to her concerns. There was no true privacy here, but he'd do what he could.

He turned his focus back on Kurma.

"Will presenting us as your guests not put you in danger, Sir Kurma? I am ready to risk my own life here, but I cannot ask that of you unless you do so willingly."

"Not if I say the idea came from you."

He kept reading things in the book, until he found everything he wanted.

"Ramza... Yuna... Ashelia... And hmm... Chrom." He finally closed the book and nodded at the Moogle, who circled these names on the list. "These are the only ones I feel won't ruin everything on impulse or try to assassinate the Emperor in the middle of the dinner." His gaze rested on Jack and Kidd in particular when he said that. "Everyone else, sorry but leave the office. Gibbs will find you someplace to stay tonight."

Ashelia stepped forward, head held high. She had taken a backseat to proceedings thus far, but it looked as though was about to change. And thank the Father for it. She had agreed so much with the principles Ramza had wanted to put forward, but she had, in her own opinion, once again put too much trust in the other Heroes. They had always produced results, but on this operation, when an international incident was so easy to ignite, to see them act so...with passion, yes, and enthusiasm, and very much purity of spirit...and yet...

"A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Lord Kurma," Ashelia said, nodding cordially. "An honour and privilege it will be, to break break with you and your kin this night." She looked birefly at the others, one eyebrow raised - because that's what it was. Guest rite. Once they had begun eating, the others should be safe. They were being given a chance at salvation. Don't do anything to ruin this...

"Hey! What the he--" he stopped himself.

"No... no you're right. I am impulsive. So what, do I just get sent to jail because I get a little passionate about shit?" he scolds. With Kurma's point already proven, he just folds his arms and does his best not to pout like a child while still playing with the action figure he'd designed in his hand.

"I'm not dumb enough to try and just assassinate anyone but... tch... I guess I'm left on gift delivery, or what?"

Kurma nodded to Ashelia, and the group he had picked.

"Just... Get better clothes or something before tonight."

Eyes resting on Ramza in particular as he said that. Then he implied a facepalm in Markus' general direction.

"Thank you for confirming my opinion. As I said, leave the office, Gibbs will take care of you."

Not inviting the Assassin to the dinner was probably for the best. As it was, Kidd wasn't much for posh affairs anyway and likely would have stood out like a sore thumb. Still, she wasn't intending at the moment to assassinate the Emperor but still...

She looked at the group that had been chosen for the dinner and gave and approving nod. It had occurred to her to give Ramza her extra hidden blade for his own protection if it seemed like he was being walked into a trap. However, the way things were unfolding and the way Ashelia thanked Kurma made her rethink that plan.

"MarKus lay off. It's just as well anyway. You don't want a pirate ruining a posh dinner now do you?" She remained as tense as ever though. She expected she wouldn't feel calm at all until they were back on the streets of Aqures Ixen.

Edited 2015-12-20 18:45 (UTC)

"Accepting everyone is a sign of equality, but, I come from a different time and place where I could get away with this stuff and not cause a war." Still pouting, he's at least complying as he turns and leaves, taking his toy with him.

What a way to be an adult, eh?

Ramza looked down at his Santa suit and sighed to himself. "We will do our best to present ourselves in a manner befitting the occasion."

He wondered to himself if they could safely shop for clothing in the Empire, but he refrained from asking Kurma. The man looked a step away from lobbing rocks at their head, and Ramza had no illusions that he would be pleased to have even more to do.

[[Should we start a new thread for the dinner or keep going here?]]

Relatively quiet for the exchange so far, at the news that Kalki had passed, Yuna quickly looked up for the eyes of her cousin, her own widening at the possibility. The woman -- who had caused the four of them so much strife in captivity... was dead? Everything else seemed to be blocked out after that... up until the point where her name was called.

It was more than enough to thrust her back into the moment, now looking at the other three that had been chosen. A dinner with Garland?! Clasping her hands together in front of her, Yuna stepped forward, trying hard to swallow down that lump in her throat, and turning to give her cousin a confident look. It's all right, she seemed to say silently to her guardian. I'll definitely come back, so please don't worry.

And forward again she turned, eyeing the three of them again -- Ramza, Ashelia and Chrom -- with the slightest of nods.

( ooc; i'm cool with whatever! though a new thread might help for organization? )

Chrom was visibly surprised that he would have been named. Not so much for being chosen, but because they seemed to know who he was, even though he'd arrived only with the very last group of new Heroes. How did they know him? Did they have a copy of everyone's files here as well?

He glanced at Ramza, and offered a little shrug. Certainly he would be pleased to accept the invitation, and he didn't think he would botch it up horribly.

At least, he hoped not. Etiquette wasn't his strongest skill, but he still knew something of the matter.

But if there was one thing he could be relieved about, it was a change of clothing. He just hoped they had something that fit his new...er...size. Damn those cookies to hell.

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Here's hoping for a Christmas Miracle

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