melodiesoflife | Sky Colonel

Entry tags:

Sky Colonel

WHO: Rukia, OTA
WHAT: After over a year of military service, Rukia is promoted to the rank of Colonel. She's super proud about it and drags along anyone who wants to attend the ceremony.
WHEN: November 19th - 21st
WHERE: Esdham
NOTES: Feel free to mingle with each other too! I'll set up some extra links for it below. In the meantime, have some prompts.

The Journey

The special airline that carried passengers to Esdham departed early in the day on the 19th. The skies were clear and the air was crisp, tinged with the scent of woodsmoke from hundreds of piping chimneys. Rukia had packed a small suitcase, staying up late the night before to iron her uniform, polish her boots, and go over everything three times to ensure that she was prepared for this trip. She'd been promoted in the military before, but to achieve a rank of this caliber was truly something special to her. It was reminiscent of the pride she'd felt when she'd been assigned to the 13th Division under Captain Ukitake. The only difference was that she'd made it here on her own merits this time, rather than being accepted simply because of her adoption into a noble family.

Both of her chocobos were neatly groomed, but left at the stables for the time being. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to bring them to Esdham with her, but if she did need either one, her Beastmaster job would allow her to summon one of them to her side.

At the docks, Rukia waited patiently as the gangplank was lowered, then climbed aboard the ship and surrendered her luggage before moving to the side and grasping the railing. She took a deep breath of the cool morning air and smiled. Once everyone was aboard, they could depart. Her heart was already pounding with excitement in her chest. She'd seen Sephiroth's ceremony previously so she knew a little about what to expect, but that did little to quiet her nervous anticipation. Once she arrived in Esdham, she'd have to pay a visit to the salon to make sure her nails and hair looked their absolute best if she was going to be any kind of representative.

* * * * *

The Ceremony

Though the other Heroes likely weren't permitted on the stage unless they were in the military themselves, they'd at least get a good seat. It was a brisk and formal affair, with a brass band to play the Esdham anthem when the ceremony began. Rukia stood off to the side with her hands clasped neatly behind her back, her posture straight, her chin held high. Though she schooled her expression to be serious, every now and then a little grin would sneak onto her face.

The promotion of the lower ranked officers took place first, and she applauded them with her gloved hands. When at least they called her name, she stepped forward, ascending the short trio of steps that led up the dais to approach the podium. She was radiating pride, her countenance aglow when they pinned the new insignia to her pristine uniform. Humbly she accepted the ceremonial sword of Durendal in both hands, bowing low to signify her gratitude.

Then she turned to bow to the stands, and her eyes briefly sought out the section where her friends were seated. Catching their gaze she smiled before she dipped forward and straightened with a salute. Once the applause started, she couldn't help herself from smiling brightly.

Turning to shake the hands of her superiors, and General Varaha's as well, she realized that the president was conspicuously absent. "He" had been there for Sephiroth's orientation, hadn't he? It was unusual, but Rukia decided to wait until after the ceremony to ask. There was likely a good reason for it. For now she accepted a scroll neatly bound with a red ribbon that assigned a ship to her name, a small contingent of soldiers, and her own private military quarters. She was simply too happy right now to be worried about much else.

* * * * *

Afterwards

Once Rukia had time to settle into her new quarters and change her clothes into something less formal, she was eager to meet with her friends. The news she'd received about the president's condition concerned her greatly, as did the refusal to allow her to visit in person. They'd said the information was confidential and only on a need-to-know basis, and she meant to uphold those orders for now.

But it still seemed as if something more should be done.

For now, she would have to push the matter aside and focus on tonight's celebrations before the airship departed on the morrow. It was much warmer in Esdham this time of year than it was in Aqures Ixen, so she might as well enjoy the good weather and better company while she could. Fretting could wait just one day.

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[Rukia is staring at the wall thoughtfully, Durandal cradled in both of her hands. Should she hang it up here, or at home? It seems more appropriate to have it here, but as she spends more time in Aqures Ixen than Esdham...]

[Her debate is put on hold as she turns at the sound of the knock, surprised.]

It's open.

[She puts the sword down on her empty desk, brushing her palms against her hips before walking toward the door. The matter of the president's condition still weighs heavily upon her mind as well, as did her strict instructions to keep the matter confidential. The only person who truly needs to know is Jade, as he has some experience with treating unusual illnesses. That means she hasn't really been able to justify informing anyone else.]

[When she sees Sephiroth, the trouble clouding her thoughts dispels and she smiles.]

We meet again. I wasn't aware we were assigned our own room and office upon being promoted to Colonel, so I was ill prepared to add much in the way of decoration.

[To say the least. Other than the sword on the desk, there's absolutely nothing there in the way of personal effects.]

What brings you here?

[The door swings open only after Rukia's response is heard and Sephiroth takes just a couple of steps into the room. Looking around, though it's all the same as his own except this one is newly made up so really there isn't anything to see, as such. Still, it's a respectful smile that returns Rukia's own, followed by a sharp nod.]

It'll take some time to grow into, but you'll manage.

[Sephiroth tries to relax his straight posture a little bit more, a difficult feat in it's own right given his 'on duty' mannerisms whenever he's at work, and narrows his eyes for a second at Rukia; what did she think he was here for?]

I wanted to congratulate you, personally. Though the ceremonies are always something special...well, we're the only two in this position, currently.

[Should he salute now? Hold his hand out for her to shake? Sephiroth's not really sure what should be the appropriate social etiquette right in this moment and it's written all over the tension in his shoulders that he can't quite make relax away at will.]

[No mention of the queen... That's a pity. She was hoping he would have been told, given that he's the same rank as she is. It'll have to stay confidential, then.]

Thank you. I wish I had more to show you, but you're welcome to sit anywhere you please.

[She nods at the bed. No harm sitting there, she hasn't even had a chance to sleep in it yet. When she looks back at him, she hesitates for a moment. Is that...awkwardness? It sure is. With a little grin, Rukia steps forward, picks up his wrist, and promptly delivers a professional high five.]

Indeed! That's why I chose to be an airship colonel, so we could diversify our range. But I confess I've always had a fondness for high places, so I couldn't be more pleased.

[Need to know means need to know after all, so even if he might know Sephiroth would also be under orders to keep it confidential. Impossible to know for sure.

Taking his wrist is met with a fleeting second of firm hesitation before it's raised and then both eyebrows shoot up in surprise as she essentially high-fives his hand. He blinks a few times, and flicks his gaze between her face and his hand once before dropping it-

-and then all that awkward just seems to boil over into laughter. It's ridiculous how they all hold themselves to such 'etiquette' isn't it? Sephiroth's deep tones quickly quieten into a chuckle, but with an amused grin he then shakes his head at her.]

I'm happy for you, honestly. You deserve it for all of your hard work.

[Then he'll take the few strides over towards the bed and sit down on the end of it, appearing a lot more casual now that the tension has been all but chuckled away.]

I imagine you'll be taking a lot of time up in the airship, then, rather than getting too embroiled with things down here.

I'm sure some would find the idea quite tempting!

[Rukia leans casually against the wall next to him, arms loosely folded with a smile on her face. It's good to hear him laughing again, honestly, so she's glad she can keep him on his toes.]

But you know me well enough by now to know I'm not the type to shirk my duties. I suppose this would allow me to be more lax with my scheduling.

[She's always stuck to the regular schedules so as to not make unnecessary work for the pilots.]

With the receding crystal, there are many places I wouldn't mind traveling to see with my own eyes that I couldn't before, mostly to the south. If we're able to find that final piece of the key, we can travel to the Floating Ruins as well. I hope you'll choose to accompany me when the time comes?

[Rukia raises her brows, her grin widening in open invitation.]

[Sephiroth is probably quite often referred to as one who could do with laughing a bit more. Some of the more junior privates probably wondered if he was even capable of loosening up at all!]

Of course. I know who to call now, the next time I need a scramble.

[It's said with a smile. He's joking, or at least mostly-joking? Or trying, maybe? He's been known to make extra work for the pilots before but, well, it's their duty as much as it is his to do his own job well.]

Sounds like a good plan. There are many places that we didn't even really see before on account of them being Imperial territories; a scout out towards the Heran capital is sure to be on the pile soon I should think.

[Sephiroth's smile recedes almost totally as Rukia mentions the Floating Ruins. He's heard very little about it in a long time, and the small amount he did know was from within the archives at the Heroes Guild. From a time when Ashelia and Zelda were both still here.]

Can't say I'm familiar with the background- [There goes those arms, folding up over his chest now.]

-but should you need me, you know I'll be here.

Good. And don't worry, that makes two of us who aren't all that familiar with the place.

[She pauses for a moment, recalling a letter written to her several months ago.]

The psychiatrist woman...Parasarya?...mentioned that the place had already been explored in a previous cycle and that we'd find nothing there. But I'm not sure where she got her information, as I've been able to find nothing on such an expedition.

[She could only assume that she either didn't like Rukia, or mistook the name for another place that had already been explored. Either way, she did find the matter strange.]

I've been asking around about the final key piece, but no one seems to know where to find it. It may be at the Ruins itself, for all I know.

Hm.

[A comment about how any mention of the Floating Ruins has essentially dropped from the consideration of many, at least from his perspective, probably wouldn't be constructive so he'll keep his mouth shut.]

Parasarya? [A small nod, he knows the name.]

It's been a while since I've heard anything from her, though from what I gather she's something of a avid researcher and I'm sure that her work keeps her otherwise occupied as well. I don't doubt her knowledge particularly; Zelda- she might well have vanished without a single trace if it hadn't been for that quick-thinking.

[He'll never see the inside of a psychiatrist's office, if he could help it.]

Yet as someone who once hit the books with such fervor, her sources do make me wonder.

[With regards to finding that key, though, there are several places that it might be.]

That doesn't make much sense though, if we'd need that final piece to get to that location.

[Folded arms tighten a little as internally Sephiroth scratches his head for the last mention he might have heard, or even read, about the Floating Ruins. It's clear it's coming up a blank.]

Oh, getting there is rather simple, as long as one is capable of flight in some manner. Sparks and I took a look last year, shortly after our battle against the Reaper. But we didn't land or draw close enough to make a thorough examination. I had thought it might be the 'high place' that was mentioned in that vague letter the Moogles sent.

[She shrugs.]

But most likely, the missing key part is to be found elsewhere. I'm just not entirely certain where. Perhaps I should question the Sage. I've been meaning to visit in any case, considering what happened in Downapolis.

[Speaking of which... She lifts her head to examine Sephiroth's face closely.]

You've been busy lately. Are you well?

[Her look suggests that she isn't just talking about physical fatigue, but emotional and mental as well. She's just polite enough to be discreet about it in case it isn't a subject he wants to discuss.]

[At least it seems his frown has deepened as far as is possible. There isn't anything of what Rukia mentions about any mentioned 'high place' that he can remember. He must have been working, or otherwise distracted to have missed all mention. It's possible of course, but it bothers him. Something to ask Spencer about, perhaps.

As Rukia's dialog leans more towards events he can, and does, have an opinion about, Sephiroth's gaze slowly meanders back up just in time for her to get that examination of his face. He seems as well as ever, if with a certain heaviness about his body language that's tricky to keep up the appearance of not being there.]

There are a lot of things to keep on top of, but I like to think I've got a good hand on it all.

[The majority of this month he's been putting time between Aqures and Esdham primarily, re-assessing the situation after the change of the Calamity that's been caused by the defeat of the Soulcage. It's no secret he hadn't been in agreement. As for the 'what happened' in Downapolis he can only assume she means that particularly grizzly wall of dead, crystallized followers but it doesn't need a comment.

A sharp, dutiful nod follows even if Sephiroth did clock onto the silent 'other' that was laced into her curiosity.]

I'm getting on, or at least it feels that way more often now.

[Remembering the quiet words they'd shared over a few split stitches, on the mission down into the roots of the Planet.]

[As far as she can tell, he's being honest. In that case, she relaxes with a serene smile and inclines her head, as though approving his choice of response.]

I'm glad to hear it. Your shoulder seems to be functioning a lot better as well, it seems.

[It took her a while to recover from Raven's crystallization too, but she's not about to compare his pain to hers. She, at least, was somewhat used to Raven's frequent absences, so it hadn't hit her nearly as hard.]

Well then! As the veteran colonel between the two of us, do you have any good advice on what to do, what to avoid, and who to pay attention to?

It's not most-recent war wound to tend to, anymore.

[It might sound a little dismissive, but he's been stabbed at least once since, thanks to the events surrounding the Night of the Thirteen Moogles; albeit that was much more of a 'superficial' wound and not something that could potentially have disabled him longer-term.

Or perhaps he was being more ambiguous than literal; in that both physical, emotional and mental knocks to all Heroes of Light aren't going to stop coming on account of a broken heart.]

Well! [Immediately he straightened back into that role he has, as the topic turns back to work. Tilting his head from one side to the other smally as he gives Rukia a few pointers that he took longer settling in with, all that time ago when he was promoted.]

It's not so imperative to attend every single briefing that the top-brass announce as otherwise you'll find your focus split every which-way with no realistic pursuits for those resources you've now been assigned. There are minutes written, reports published, which can be looked up at the archives.

[It sounds obvious, but he'd been so keen to make himself useful back then. Still is, in those fields of interest he's resources from his own army assigned to.]

Oh, and find for yourself a handful of good lieutenants. Sharp eyes and perception when you can't be everywhere is crucial.

[Despite her many, many years serving in a militaristic capacity, it's obvious that she's paying rapt attention as Sephiroth speaks. She's leaning forward in interest, nodding on occasion when he mentions a particularly important piece of advice.]

Yes. I suspect delegation may be the most difficult skill to learn. I'm so accustomed to receiving and fulfilling orders. Giving them is...new.

[And yet she's so bossy with her friends...]

...I don't have to attend every meeting?

[That one causes her to blink in surprise, then she rubs her chin with a smile.]

That does make matters easier. I had supposed it was a requirement now that we were considered next to top-brass ourselves. Thank you.

[Rukia inclines her head.]

And don't hesitate to alert me if my crew can lend yours any aid.

If your work ethic has been anything like mine, learning that it's nigh-on impossible to do everything by yourself is a strange one to swallow.

[Though he was often called General within some ranks of the military back home, officially Sephiroth had only ever been SOLDIER 1st Class, which, though a coveted title in it's own right, hadn't much of a rank outside of the specially enhanced division. Though he performed with excellence, to a fault and was often depended upon for the same, he'd certainly never taken on even a whisper of the duties Varaha did at Esdham.

He nods at Rukia and offers a gentle smile as she cottons on about the meetings. Indeed, given the duty-rota one might makes for oneself, how could one potentially be in more than two places at once?]

Right. And likewise; it should be beneficial indeed, to have aerial and ground forces to utilize in close coordination. Especially given the larger objectives.

Yes.

[She inclines her head in agreement, her expression sobering.]

I understand we'll need to travel to where the Heran capital once stood, and face Garland there once we've settled all of our affairs. The job might be more easily accomplished with someone who can teleport, but given the circumstances and how much the land has changed, teleporting may not be possible as there is a prerequisite of having visited the location once before.

[She folds her arms, furrowing her brow.]

I'd like to gather intelligence on the area, but I wouldn't wish to risk the lives of the men assigned to me on a reckless and pointless mission if there's no need.

Hm. That does seem to be the case.

[There isn't much preventing the flash of a disapproving scowl that shoots it's way across Sephiroth's expression for a moment there. He's never much liked the whole notion that they've been put on a set path to follow and that it's leading them to an inevitable climax at the end of all of this.

He tries to stay engaged and nods along with Rukia, mostly in agreement about sending any sort of organized force out in that direction.]

I wouldn't say that there isn't a need. It's more a question of reasonable distance that might have to be employed.

Perhaps. We don't know the dangers surrounding that area. To my knowledge, none of us have made the journey since the crystallization washed over it. I've only heard of the change as one of the Mognet Moogles noticed it while flying past on a delivery run.

[She supposes it was one of them who called it Pandaemonium to begin with, as her own knowledge of the area is severely limited.]

Have you spoken with anyone who's been there?

I learned of the change to the Heran capital shortly after it was crystallized. It was fairly easy to see just from high ground near to what was the frontier then.

[He's sure he'd sent a letter about it, to all as well, back at that time. But Heroes came and went so he'd given up keeping a log of what he'd sent. Spencer would be able to tell him for sure, no doubt.]

I'm under the impression that often Esdham sends patrols via airship to monitor, but with all the other pulls on resources that have come up since then it wouldn't surprise me if it might have dropped in priority.

There are a few reports that were made, probably since filed in the archives, I should think.

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Sky Colonel

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O.o I had to check the timing re crystallization

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