melodiesoflife | The Fete at the Observatory

Entry tags:

The Fete at the Observatory

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."

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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.

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."

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?"

"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?"

"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."

"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?"

"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.

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."

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."

It's a conversation she'd never thought to have with anyone, being that the idea of having a family was as far removed from her plans as taking up a permanent residence here. It was the type of conversation that would be had with a spouse, or with children once they'd grown old enough to comprehend such things as "loss".

"Cloud.. I'm not going to be around forever. That's something they should have taught you in SOLDIER. If I get captured, I'm prepared to face whatever the consequences might be. If you want to stick to your promise, then you will. When I ever need my hero to come and save me, he will."

And maybe if he had gotten into SOLDIER he might have been taught that lesson. Instead he ended up under the wing of Zack who kept telling him to fight for what he believed in. He wound up meeting that Turk who scolded him for trying to throw his life away. Whatever Tifa thought he was, it wasn't true.

And then there was Tifa, the hopeful girl he knew growing up and now seemed to be so dark and willing to throw herself to the wolves. And for what? What was this talk about not being around forever. What was she implying about life back home? "I'll go with you. You don't need to do this by yourself." It didn't seem like he was going to be deterred. At least not now.

She shakes her head from side to side, just enough to cause her hair to bounce and fall over her shoulders.

"I'm not going to be alone, Cloud. I don't know much about Kaji or this Terra he's talked about, but I'll be able to take care of myself. Look.."

She takes a hold of one of his hands, giving it a solid grip so that his fear of her disappearance might subside just long enough for her to do what must be done.

"When I need you, I know you'll be there to help me. But this.. This isn't Gaia. Things here are a whole lot more serious. When.. When I said what I said at the Water Tower.." Does she even begin to explain? The future she'd been a part of had been filled with numerous attempts at trying to explain how she left. If she said things now, what good would it do? Considering his age as well, would it serve the two of them any good if she spilled the beans? "When I said what I said, that was for our time back home. Here? I want you to keep your eyes on you, okay? I know you're strong, probably stronger than you give yourself credit for. But I want you to be safe. You've got years before you'll understand what I've seen and lived, and I want to make sure you get there. If you want to come along, I'm not going to stop you, but I want you to focus on you. Look out for yourself and stay safe, because I might not be able to, and I'll be busy watching my own back."

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The Fete at the Observatory

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