"Before we go haring off somewhere," Emma corrects with a smile, writing something in for you on the last document you sign. With her business completed, for now, she heads out to deliver the papers where they need to go. She stifles a yawn as she murmurs, "I'll be back."
You, in the mean-time, get dressed and start with morning exercises. Emma does return, but she doesn't spend time with you, collapsing into your bed instead and burrowing under the blankets. She's out like a light, and you gently tuck her in before leaving for physical therapy. You work until you muscles ache and burn then stagger into another classroom for Brother Hop or whoever is tutoring you today.
The next couple of days are much the same, except Emma has caught up on sleep, and seems to appreciate your assistance with her workload. At one hour of free time, she cuts your hair, styling it for you into a tight topknot. She also leaves the compound one morning, returning in the evening with two nice dress coats for you both.
You awaken early for morning service, getting dressed in your uniform but slipping on the dress coat. Emma knocks on your door when you're ready, flashing you a smile as she adjusts her uniform as well. She brushes a bit of dust from your shoulder and the two of you set out to the hovercraft platform for transit. Your guards await, dipping nods to you. "The Captain intends on meeting you tomorrow, at the start of your pilgrimage." Emma notes to you, casually, looking over a small bunch of notes, "He's a decorated veteran of several Outland Wars, and looks forward to meeting the new [angel]. Mother Nicole approved him, but he's a candidate picked by the Crusader General."
You glance over at Emma, confused, as the ship pushes up into the air, jostling you slightly. Emma doesn't respond, glancing instead towards the guards and relaxing into a conversation with you about training and what you want to do after service.
The two of you decide to have a lovely dinner at this nice Inner City restaurant, and a trip through the plazas afterward. The restaurant is well recommended by your guards, who ask for permission to speak before volunteering the information. It apparently drifts right through several of the nicer sections of the city, and there's a number of shrines and gardens along the way too and from. Emma latches on to the idea, and the food is apparently amazing, so you agree as well.
You both claim a seat within the front row of the Cathedral, upon a pew lined with comfortable cushions, and relax. The Scholars really prefer their gold and jade, and apparently this world has plenty of it. At least the pews are wood, ornately carved and smelling of freshly applied cleaning solvents. Emma looks over the program, passing it to you with a shrug of her shoulder. She opens her notebook and begins reading through it, quietly offering, "He wishes to meet
you in his office after the service. I'll be entertained with tea and cookies, apparently." She makes a face but doesn't protest further, especially as the Pontifex emerges from a nearby door, and begins a slow trudge up to the pulpit.
He's younger than you expected, a middle-aged man with few wrinkles and a mop of unruly gray hair. He's quite handsome, you note, and his smile comes easily, especially when he sweeps his eyes across the room and finds you. Then, he speaks, his voice booming out through the Cathedral, only amplified by the natural acoustics. "I must begin today's service with an apology, as I will not be following the program. I hope that you all will allow this old man his fancy."
"I will not be speaking on charity, but instead about the first [angel], and the first [demon]. On anger, on loss, and on holy retribution." [7] He glances at you in his routine sweep of the audience, and you've noticed you've shifted forward in your seat. He's noticed too.
Long ago, after SEED had made the world, an evil emerged from the sky to challenge his great work. It was a profane mockery of SEED, a twisting, corrupting influence that sought only to spread its own sick infection to all of creation. Not to give life to a barren world, but to devour all it could. It opposed everything that SEED stood for, and SEED demanded an end to it.
But it was not an end that SEED could deliver alone, but an end that must be purchased with blood. He goes to great lengths to describe the war, the slaughter, the death, how SEED had to create soldiers from the very dust to even match the ferocious onslaught. And he describes how hopeless the war was, how despite SEED's best intentions, there was nothing that could be done. Nothing at all.[13]The crowd is silent, a heavy weight hanging over them. The dangers are too real, the descriptions all too similar to the daily newspapers that circulate around the Holy City, to the rumors that swirl in its tea shops, in its taverns. Shoulders are slumped, there are few dry eyes. The Pontifex pauses, letting the crowd suffer that depression, a frown on his mask, but his eyes glow with the glee of an orator successful in his task.
...And then came McCreary, who turned the tide from the moment he emerged from the Inner Sanctum, clad in armor made from the Void between worlds. He strode across the battlefield and made it his weapon. All of the creation of SEED responded to his whim, the world itself fighting off the invaders that would corrupt it into disgusting sludge and foul pollution. He approached the Great Worm that was the King of the Dead, and with a single savage blow, split apart the ground to devour it. But he was injured in the fight, and as he watched the great worm thrash its final fight, he expired from his injuries.
"But, he gave us hope. He gave us control. He gave us power. In his death, he destroyed the greatest enemy mankind has ever known and saved our world." His voice rises and falls in a sing-song manner, lifting to a crescendo, "
He gave away his eternity in peace, and comfort, all for our hope. Our happiness. Our lives in the Great Work."
[12]The Pontifex finally breathes out, bowing his head. The rest of the service proceeds more quietly, the Pontifex delivering a lecture on fire and thermodynamics. How the heat of the fire keeps the fuel at the ignition point, so on, and so on. It's actually mildly interesting as far as lecture topics go, and you listen intently.
[-]Finally, the Pontifex gives a benediction, lifting his hand and blessing you in the name of SEED. He approaches attendants in tow. Emma and your guards bow at the hips...you do not, as he shakes your hand instead. "Come, Sister Alphira we have much to discuss. I'm told you're a lover of food. I've had my chefs provide a wonderful noon-time tea for us, and your attendants will also be provided for, of course."
You're lead into the office, and he gestures for you to sit across from him in a comfortable nook. A cart full of snacks and treats lies between you, as well as a neat little tea table. A fresh, steaming cup awaits you. He adjusts his robe to sit more comfortably, leaning back in his chair. "What did you think of the sermon, Sister Alphira? I had to improvise a lot of it."
You are Pheobe Gainer AKA Alphira
Local Time: 12:00 pm 6/15/2011
You're rebuilding muscle definition.
You are constantly satiated
Over Body;
A brand new, black silk greatcoat.Torso:
A fitted grey shirt with long, tight sleeves. Lower Body:
New grey semi-formal, military style pants.Hands:
A pair of leather gloves. Feet:
Woolen socks(hidden)
Feet:
A pair of new leather boots.[100 credits] in local currency.
Overload: Amateur.
Healing Factor: Amateur.
-
Endurance Boost: Beginner.
You are under contract with The Brotherhood of Scholars for twenty-three years. [Angel] of The Holy City State of SEED
--High Influence within its borders
--Full command of all military resources, as approved by Crusader General
--Full command of all military resources, in emergency situations
--Assigned a personal team of researchers, medical officers and trainers.
Grandmother(adopted): Mother Nicole Gainer, (Beloved),
--Contactable in person.
--High Influence with Scholars, Crusaders, the Thornton Family
--Current lawful ruler of Steelworks 9 Region (Crusader Supported)
Organization: The Thornton Family
--Contactable through Mail, Emma
--High Influence within Steelworks 9 Region
--Allied with Nicole Gainer, you
Contact, Threat: William Thornton
--Contactable through Mail, Emma
--High influence within The Thornton Family
--Feared within Steelworks 9 Region
--Allied with Nicole Gainer, you
Contact, Military Trainer Coordinater: Tyler Hop (Cordial)
Lover/Adjutant: Emma Thornton (Contet-Exhausted)
--Low influence within The Thornton Family
Friends(?) (Lost Contact):
-McGee Foster
-James Foster
-Johnathan Shellton
-Jesse Hardhouse
-Erica Hail
-Amanda Silversmith
-'Other' Eric Armstrong
-John Frost
-Quincy Black
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Topic: McCreary's Planet -- (FINISHED) (Read 253173 times)