Afterlife of V (Reon)

[Valerian Blackburn]

What the hell?

Valerian watches in silence, though the confusion is plain on his face.

Finally, he’s unable to bear it any longer.

“My lords, I’m sorry for interrupting but this is... unusual. Why are there so many of us here, outside of Zukunft itself?”

[Zack Asiv]

Lord Blackburn would turn to Valerian.

"I called His Highness Sorrel Kaizer about what has happened, he said he would have our allies sent to the embassy to plan our next steps. He will likely hand down an official judgement on the plan to either save our claim to nobility, or assign us under another family and reclaim our lands, titles, and guards."

Versyl would nod and add.

"We are the allies to your family. We have the most to gain from helping each other politically. However, it's our reputations that will sway this decision no matter what our plan is."

[Valerian Blackburn]

"Wait, what?"

Val's eyes widen considerably.

"Why would we lose our nobility? We didn't do anything wrong."

He may be taking this the wrong way.

[Zack Asiv]

Lord Shadowstar would answer this time.

"You are correct, you did nothing wrong. However the town that was the capitol of Blackwater was leveled, there are barely a handful of survivors that lived in the town, you no longer have a treasury, and your main form of export has been for the time being, cut off. In all respects you are no longer nobility. However, it is fixable."

[Valerian Blackburn]

"How?"

Val asks, turning to look at him.

He's completely forgotten his manners at this point.

[Zack Asiv]

"By making deals, acting quickly and making decisions for the future."

Corvus would answer. Lord Blackburn would then butt in.

"We will levy the Shadowstar estate for a loan of a new treasury with the promise of first picks to medical supplies or innovations we come up with in the future, while the Versyl estate will supply us with manpower to begin construction on a new town in which to house our commoners and get life back to normal, though Lord Versyl says he requires no return on his help, it is not our way. The only issue is going to be what the Royal Family may require of us."

[Valerian Blackburn]

Valerian scowls.

He doesn’t like being in anyone’s debt, and it seemed like his father was the same way.

He takes a breath, then nods.

“I will do my part, then.”

[Zack Asiv]

Lord Blackburn would close his eyes in contemplation before the royal family themselves were announced.

"His Highness Lord Sorrel Kaizer, and Her Highness, the Young Lady Angelonia Kaizer."

The two would enter the room and everyone would give a deep and respectful bow to greet them into the room. They would walk to a far side from the door and with their backs tot he door turn to face the gathered lords.

"This is deeply troubling times..."

Sorrel would start and everyone would stand upright.

"First assassination attempts, now outright terrorism resulting in the loss of an entire town. The disappearance of the Lady Blackburn... Our troubles mount ever higher thanks to this old foe resurfacing in our time of peace. Lord Blackburn, Young Lord Valerian, you have every sympathy I can muster at this time, it goes beyond words your current hardships."

Angelonia remained silent next to her father as he spoke, but when he spoke of sympathy she would speak up in turn.

"Yes my Lords. To lose so much, so fast, to have the pacifistic ways we bring to the world challenged in such a way... It is abhorrent."

Angelonia would complete her sympathy with a bow. Which Lord Blackburn would return.

"Your Highnesses, it is humbling and reassuring to have your words of sympathy to our losses. We are grateful for your support in this time."

[Valerian Blackburn]

Valerian returns the bow as well, bending deeply at the waist.

“Thank you, your Highnesses. It means the world to me, personally, to hear those words from your lips. As our peaceful way of life is threatened, and my own mother missing, it heartens me to hear we have both support and condolences from our allies, friends, and closer still.”

[Zack Asiv]

Sorrel would sit and the other lords would follow suit. Angelonia would remain standing.

"What is the plan for the lands under house Blackburn?"

His Highness asked, Lord Blackburn would respond.

"We have begun inspecting new areas for reconstruction, as well as a plan to rebuild our treasury."

Sorrel would nod.

"What of expectations for bringing back the medicine and trade of your house?"

That left it silent for some time.

"With the Lady Blackburn still missing our medical crystal production is currently on hold. Though we can begin natural medicine production as soon as we get resettled."

Sorrel would close his eyes.

"That may not be enough to maintain a position within the nobility. Lord Blackburn you are one of the greatest medical professionals in the known world that is undisputed, but for the greater good of all of Zekunft it may not be enough."

Angelonia would clear her throat a bit.

"Father if I may... In the absence of the Lady Blackburn and the over all full potential of the Blackburn noble house is halved, may I suggest a turn over?"

Everyone turned to Angelonia for a moment.

"Young Lord Valerian is of age to merry and build a strong alliance with another house. We can give him a year of official aid from the royal coffers to ease the burden of rebuilding, and within that years time he can find a worthwhile partner in which time his father will step down as head of the house and into an elder advising noble role for the new Lord Blackburn."

[Valerian Blackburn]

Valerian sits with the rest of them.

He wants to interrupt so badly, as the idea of his father's and his own positions being in jeopardy was insane, to him. They'd done so much for Zekunft, and the world in general...

His eyes widen in alarm at the following suggestion.

"E-Excuse me?"

Valerian starts coughing, choking on his own saliva as he forgot how to swallow properly.

[Zack Asiv]

Sorrel nods.

"Yes, that is a fine idea, to rebuild the potential of the Blackburn Noble House, I believe that is a fine idea and could expedite the rebuilding of your lands. So, what say you Young Lord Valerian? Will you take this year to find a partner and house to ally yours with to increase your families power and reach becoming an even greater noble house."

[Valerian Blackburn]

Valerian smacks his chest, trying to breathe, while also stalling for... nothing he can think of to get him out of this.

“I... I don’t even know what Houses have single heirs...”

He laughs awkwardly.

Clearly this will change their minds.

[Zack Asiv]

"Not a problem, I can get you a comprehensive list. My father was looking to arrange a marriage for me and had intended to invite them for courtship meetings."

Lord Versyl would give Val a thumbs up obviously being helpful.

[Valerian Blackburn]

“Ah ha ha... thanks...”

No. No thanks. This is terrible.

“Uh... I guess I can try to see who’s compatible with a guy like me...”

Downplay it. Maybe they’ll change their minds.