The Fete at the Observatory

[desertbloomed]

Characters: All (hopefully) uncaptured Heroes of Light
Where/When: At the Heroes' Observatory, the evening of February 10th
Summary: Ashelia has called a meeting - under the guise of a party - to discuss the next steps forward for the Heroes following the revelations revealed in the shared dream.
Warnings: N/A
Note: Each part of Ashelia's speech is centred around a different topic. Feel free to indicate what in particular your character is responding to in the headline for your top level! Alternately, if your character is bringing up something on their own, or not in direct reply to something Ashelia has mentioned, feel free to out the subject in the Subject line! There's a lot going on and a lot of ground to cover, so let's keep it organized so things are easy to find later!

"I would like your attention, please." With her experience as an accomplished politician, Ashelia's voice cut through the din of the gathered Heroes. The high ceiling of the meeting room lent itself well to the sorts of echoes that could easily cause headaches, unfortunately. The Queen planned to bring in some fabrics to soften the effects, but there had been little time for decorating, and it seemed there wouldn't be anytime soon.

The Lady Ashelia stood at the head of the incredibly large wooden table that dominated a good chunk of the room. Wooden chairs lined the edges of the tables, straight-backed and unfortunately not cushioned. It was clear that the Queen of Dalmasca didn't want anyone getting too comfortable in this particular room. There were papers in front of her, books and file folders and ledgers, all organized into neat piles. She picked up one of the papers, clearing her throat quietly before continuing. "If as many of you as possible could take a seat, I can call this meeting to order - and yes, I would like to apologize.

"As you may have guessed, this is not a fete. It is important for everyone to know..." Ashelia paused, waiting for the last straggling voices to quiet down before continuing, "that Mognet has been compromised. There is no longer such a thing as private correspondence, if ever there was. Keep this in mind in the coming months. The war has begun."

Ashelia paused for questions and comments before continuing.

"As many of us have realized, and Markus observed earlier over Mognet, the usual appearance of new Heroes of Light at the Crystal of Fire around the fifth of each month did not occur. This disturbance of the established cycle may seem abrupt, but upon further examination, 'tis not so." The Queen took a sip of water. "The cycle has been disturbed previously, though not in such a drastic manner. Last month, crystal statues appeared and disappeared within the hour. Heroes awakened from the crystal stasis were unceremoniously dropped from the sky. So you see, this disturbance has simply progressed. I welcome your thoughts on this."

Ashelia paused for questions and comments before continuing.

"Next on my agenda is the true motivation behind my calling this gathering. The night of February 5th, I had a dream." She stopped, shaking her head. "No, a vision. It did not take me long to realize I was not the only one to experience this. I've written the contents here." Ashelia held up a file folder. "However, if I am correct, many of you need only read it to refresh your memory." She stopped for a moment, putting the folder back on the table. "The ramifications of this new information are clear. The Empire holds four of our number captive, as well as countless other displaced Heroes in crystal stasis. It is my belief we must act on this information. We must save them."

Ashelia paused for questions and comments before continuing.

"The last subject I would like to cover is this." She held up a small, worn notebook. "This is the diary of the Lady Kalki, one of the Empire's Triumvirate. This woman, more than any other, has made clear her intentions are in opposition to us as a group. I encourage everyone to read through this document." Ashelia put the notebook down on the table and held up another file folder. "I have written a transcription myself, as the original is quite delicate." She put the file folder down. "This document provides invaluable insight into whom we can only assume is our enemy. It , unfortunately, poses more questions than it answers, but it does make clear that it is she who holds the answers that we need."

Ashelia took another sip of water, looking around at the gathered Heroes. "I once again open the floor to questions and comments. I believe it will take all of us to rescue our comrades; however, I also believe that if we do work together as one, we shall not fail."

Comments

Saving Yuffie and Yuna

[woman_of_strife]

Tifa rises from her seat, arms crossed over her chest as she kicks out the chair from behind her. It wouldn't be the first time she's called for action at the peak of Ashe's sermon, and it would most likely not be the last.

"Do we have a plan for what we're going to do? Every moment spent here is another moment they could be doing something to our friends. How many able bodies do we have that can be sent to try and infiltrate their way into the Empire? If we're taking volunteers, I nominate myself."

She looks to the numbers that have gathered, auburn eyes watching the faces of people she's fought alongside and even those she's only seen in passing. "Any ideas? I'd rather not rely on any government but those of us here, so long as we trust one another.."

[zodiac_brave]

Ramza stood as well. "I volunteer as well. We must find a way to rescue our compatriots. Their safe return must be our priority."

He glanced at the file folder about their shared dream, but did not need to flip through it. The vision he had been granted might as well have been etched into his mind.

"They will expect an attack during their festival. That must be why they allowed us access to their information. They plan to lure us out by tempting us with the presence of the Triumvirate. I say we give them what they expect...and then, when their guards are down and their numbers wearied at the end of their celebrations, we begin our true initiative."

[whereishe]

Yuna stepped up next to the pair with an encouraging smile. "I volunteer as well. I will be able to get in using the Bliztball team during the celebrations but we need to know our way around. Have any of the moogles been there before. I don't think we can get a map."

They had to know where those captured were taken. "Also we need a way to communicate inside. Maybe direct messages? The moogles aren't always discrete." Her last comment would have gotten a foul look from Celes. Luckily he wasn't here at the moment.

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia nodded slowly when she saw Tifa, Ramza and Yuna stand and offer themselves for infiltration. When Ramza proposed a diversionary strike though, she raised an eyebrow, conflicted. There will be casualties. We cannot guarantee they would wake up here in Aqures Ixen. I cannot allow this.

It took a good long moment for Ashelia to respond. She turned first to Tifa. "We cannot involve any moogles, unless we trust them implicitly. With Mognet compromised as it is, the less people know about this the better. That goes for involving the governments of Aqures Ixen and Esdham. We cannot know how deeply the Imperial infiltration has penetrated. This stays between us, in this room."

She looked at Ramza, Tifa and Yuna in turn before settling once more on Ramza. "You...speak true. They will be expecting us. Thus far, there has been little and less subtlety in our movements. Perhaps this diversionary attack is the only way to mask our infiltrations."

[woman_of_strife]

"It's wishful thinking that all of us will come back from this in one piece, or worse. If it means getting my friend to safety.. then-"

She puts a hand to her heart, clenching it to a fist and rapping it at her chest as she stiffens her lips before speaking.

"I'll gladly do what I can to see that they at least make it back in good hands. If it means laying down my life to do so, then so be it."

[not_most_days]

Kidd waited for the others to speak up before taking a swig from the bottle of wine she brought with her. She clunked it down on the table in front of her, not enough to command the attention of the whole table but at least enough to preface her own comments. "I have some experience in infiltration back home. I lost some of my skill when I came here, but it seems to be coming back in interesting ways. I'd like to lend my blade to this."

She looked around to everyone before finishing, "And unless they've been tailing us day and night, I don't expect the Empire knows everything they think they do about me."

[shinrasfinest]

"That's supposing they haven't already tapped into your crystal." A raised voice rung out from not so terribly far away from this particular discussion. After a pause, steadying his nerve some, Sephiroth pushed up from the chair he'd been sat on and between one underarm crutch and the other furniture, made his way over - no quick transit given his left leg being solid in it's plaster cast, hidden beneath the loosest pair of joggers he had at home. Carefully looking around at those that were so eagerly to lay down their lives in a rescue attempt.

Bold, but his tactical mind couldn't quite be turned from how dire the odds were.

"-or the crystallized form of someone else from your world, in which case they will very much know everything there is to know about you. Even exactly what you may come to be in your future."

[not_most_days]

Kidd glanced at Sephiroth and gave him a quiet nod. All they could do was make a lot of assumptions and hope for the best. Still, she didn't discuss the secret of her identity in public and she took care to change in seclusion, so she wasn't expecting they had many chances to catch her.

If they were able to tap into the memories inside of Edward on the other hand, that would greatly complicate things.

[woman_of_strife]

She can't believe she's even going to say it, feeling as if she should cut off her tongue for even thinking it, let alone trying to form the words to do so. Nevertheless, there were more important things at stake here, and if her compliance was the first step in saving Yuffie..

"Sephiroth is right. It'd be stupid to assume they don't have some of information about us. If they're anything like some of the scum back on Gaia, they're going to be investigating the people they've captured. I don't see them being the sort to keep them in cozy prison cells. If this dream is any indication of that, then it would also be stupid to assume that they have no clue on how our existence works here.. I don't want to say we're "immortal", but coming out of stasis has been both a blessing and a curse for us. They know about it, obviously, and they might now know a way to exploit it and thin out our numbers."

[nodreamsorhonor]

"So then, what we need to do is find a way to use it for us, not against us."

Genesis looked over at Sephiroth, knowing that he at least was far better at planning then Genesis was. The dream and the hints inside the dream had to be useful somehow, but he wasn't sure how. Maybe Sephiroth had an idea, or maybe they can work something out together.

"If they have information about us, then they know how to defeat us, but if we are able to work against what they might be assuming... They could be probably led to giving us openings if they think they can herd us and we let them think that."

[whereishe]

"How do we do that?" Yuna had been standing quietly to the side listening to those around her speak. She didn't have much to contribute except the burning need to help save her family from the Empire.

Her eyes looked up at Genesis curiously wondering if he was merely making a suggestion or if he actually has an idea in mind. "Besides the trouble of getting in, how do we find them? Or know where they are?"

[zodiac_brave]

Ramza looked at those standing with him. They all seemed better suited to stealth than he. He gave Tifa a nod; she had been there with him when Yuffie had been taken, and neither of them would rest until she was safe.

The blond turned back to Ashelia. "I can lead the diversion. If they have any intelligence about my previous actions, I do not think they will consider it suspicious behavior on my part." There was little subtlety in the way of justice, and he knew he was often too predictable when it came to his course of actions.

He thought he knew the reason for the Queen's reluctance, and moved to counter it. "If I lose my life, so be it. This is my path, the one my father would take, and I shall not stray from it. I will take volunteers, if there are any, or I will stand on my own, but I cannot forsake the friends the Empire seized."

[desertbloomed]

"There...may be a better candidate, though I will surely take your offer under advisement." The Queen paused before continuing, hurrying to try to cut off further protests from the supposedly disgraced knight. "I do not ask you to forsake our friends." Our friends, Ramza. "I simply ask that you put your skills to use in the most effective manner."

It made sense, and Marshal Sparks did seem to be a better candidate to lead whatever diversionary attack there may or may not be, but Ashelia wouldn't lie to herself. She valued the companionship of someone else from Ivalice too much to agree with his offer right away. While she had kept Ramza at more or less the same distance she did all the other Heroes, the fact they shared a homeland was never far from her mind. There was a loyalty there.

However, she didn't want to further strain their relationship after her shameful display that night by the Crystal of Fire. "I would, however, like you to help gauge interest in and, given enough volunteers and possibly with the aid of the Republic of Esdham, organize and execute such an attack. Your tactical training will undoubtedly be invaluable to the success of such an endeavor."

[zodiac_brave]

Hurt flashed across Ramza's face, and even as quickly as he forced himself back to indifference, it had been there, plain for anyone who had been watching to see. The queen did not think he could do it, did not trust him well enough even for a suicide mission. He could understand her not wanting him to take part in the extraction; he had now allowed three young women he cared about be captured, not a track record he would trust in. But this, being allowed to atone by standing strong against their enemies...did she think even that was beyond him?

"I am yours to command, your highness," he conceded. "But I swear to you, I will not fail in this. Dispel any doubts you carry about my resolve, and let me serve where the need is greatest." He could ask for volunteers, but only those closest to their captured friends were likely to respond to that call.

[whereishe]

Yuna was watching the scene quietly when she saw the look on Ramza's face. She didn't know the relationship between Ramza and Ashelia but she understood that look. She stepped over with a confident smile placing a hand on Ramza's shoulder in order to comfort the hero.

"We can do it together." She wasn't going to waver with her family captured behind enemy lines. "We just need a plan and then we can execute it together. We can minimize casualties that way and show the Empire our true strength." She wanted the Empire to know it couldn't just take their family and friends away from them.

[desertbloomed]

I am yours to command, your highness. How often had she heard those words in her lifetime? Usually they made her feel proud, at least in recent years. There was a time when they made her anxious, made the knot in the pit of her stomach tighten just a bit more. After defeating The Undying, Ashelia had told herself that would never be the case again. And yet, here she was.

"I could never doubt your resolve, Ramza," Ashelia replied, but she wasn't sure what else to say. Now didn't seem like the time. There was work to be done. "You both have my thanks in pursuing this endeavor. Report back when you've sufficient developments."

After the main thread

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud saw Tifa was busy talking to others about rescue plans. He wanted to help out with that, but by the time he had wandered over to them they were already in the middle of things. He waited until the group dispersed a bit before walking over to her.

"Hey. How is the planning going? Is there any way I can help?" He barely knew Yuffie, but she was from Gaia. That was reason enough for him to be involved.

Re: After the main thread

[woman_of_strife]

She leans to the side, letting her whisper carry to his ears as she tries to keep one of her own in on the conversation being had across the room.

"All this needless talking is really starting to get on my nerves. I realize that we need to plan and prepare, but I feel like if we wait too long to take action, it's going to be all in vain."

Re: After the main thread

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud nodded, glancing at the crowd but his face wore the same anxiety that Tifa's did. "I know what you mean. But if we rush ahead too recklessly then we might all get killed. I lost some friends in ShinRa because of that on one escort mission I was assigned."

He sighed and shook his head, "Anyway the parade looks like it may be our way in. I wonder if I can disguise myself as one of their soldiers and do something to help that way?"

Re: After the main thread

[woman_of_strife]

"You think you're up for it?"

She doesn't turn to face him, rather her eyes keep to the opposite wall. Cloud had often leapt into the fray without so much as a word of warning, and it was odd for her to once again be asked of her opinion like they were two teenagers sitting atop the Water Tower.

"This isn't a normal fight we're getting involved in. The risks are very real. But-" She finally turns to look at him, her autumn-tinted eyes looking into the innocence of his own. "Even if I told you not to, you wouldn't listen to me, would you?"

Re: After the main thread

[neverfirstclass]

"Maybe. But I want to do something. We can't just let the others stay where they are right?" His eyes still have that youthful hope behind them. He's not as impetuous as he was, wanting to be a hero and all, but he still firmly wants to make a difference.

"I might. But I'd rather have you there with me." There are so many reasons behind those words. A battle partner. An ally. A friend. Something more. "Actually I wish Zack was here too. At least his crystal statue is safe here."

Re: After the main thread

[woman_of_strife]

"When you signed up for SOLDIER, did it turn out to be what you expected, or was it something else altogether?"

She asks the question in earnest, turning to him and letting a hand rest atop one of his knees.

"Getting so close to the Empire might sound dangerous, but it'll be a lot more threatening than we can and should expect. It'd be the same thing as looking at a Tonberry and thinking that you can best it simply because your knife is bigger." A firm squeeze of her fingers gives evidence to her worry, hoping that Cloud takes every word she says with the utmost severity. "If you go, it might not be together, and it might very well be the last time we see one another. Are you okay with knowing that? Are you ready to keep your eyes forward and to never look back or think about what you have here or back on Gaia?"

Re: After the main thread

[neverfirstclass]

"It was completely different, but I met people who helped keep me from getting completely discouraged or even killed. I wasn't going to be a First Class as quickly as I hoped, but maybe it can still happen. Or it would if we were still home." His last words sound unsure, especially after all that has been thrown around about Gaia around him.

Cloud wanted to help out. He wanted to live up to the title of Hero that he had been given. He didn't want to simply sit on the sidelines where it was safe while others put themselves at risk. But one thing stood out. "Last time? What do you mean?" He had his doubts she meant one of them getting killed. If that was the case it'd make more sense for them to stay together.

Re: After the main thread

[woman_of_strife]

How does she soften the blow when the reality very might well spell her demise?

"I'm not planning to come back from this alive, Cloud. If it means helping those here get one step closer to getting back home, then I'm prepared to do what it takes."

She takes her hand off of his knee, raising it to rest it on his shoulder as she leans in closer to keep her voice down.

"That doesn't mean I won't fight like my life depends on it, but this is serious. I don't see the Empire being very forgiving of people who try to mix in with their ranks. It's going to be risky, it's going to be dangerous, and it is going to be a very lethal situation. We were brought here for a reason, and there are more important people here who can handle politics and keeping this city safe. I'm used to being a rebel, so I'd rather do what I'm best at."

Re: After the main thread

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud's eyes went wide at those first words. Not planning to come back alive? What about the promise? He was supposed to be there for her if she was in trouble. How could she just tell him that she was going to put herself at risk like this and not want him involved.

And then the other shoe dropped.

He looked away from her, unable to meet her eyes as he ran down all the possibilities in his mind. His shoulders rose and sank with a long sigh before he looked back up. "And what am I supposed to do if you run off and get yourself permanently killed or captured? Tifa...I'm not going to stop you, but I can't just sit back and let you do this alone. I promised I'd be there for you if you got into a pinch."