|
|
Post by Zack Asiv on Jan 2, 2020 23:38:03 GMT -8
"That is the problem isn't it? I have yet to meet the man."
Bethany gripped her folded arms tighter.
"They expect to hold some dinner party where we will meet for the first time. I suspect to use a public setting to force us to play the game like we are already a match made by the Gods."
|
|
|
|
Post by Cecelia Riddel on Jan 2, 2020 23:40:26 GMT -8
She grimaced. It was a way that things happened; one played the hand they were dealt. But it was also horrifying.
"It sounds familiar." There was a glimmer in Cecelia's eye for a moment. "Though, I suppose you could also argue which gods if you needed to." The wrong gods' blessing could also be considered a turn of phrase.
"When do they plan to host this party?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Zack Asiv on Jan 6, 2020 22:42:45 GMT -8
She would close her eyes and breath slowly for composure sake.
"Within the week."
|
|
|
|
Post by Cecelia Riddel on Jan 6, 2020 22:48:38 GMT -8
Silence lingered for a moment as Cecelia processed that. Then, slowly, the noblewoman took a deep breath and released it before nodding.
"I will be here if you wish." There was a pained smile on her face as she spoke; there was family, but the likelihood of a defect being there could also be seen as a bad omen on their future nuptial. She cleared her throat and the expression fell away to a proper polite smile once more.
"Look at me, acting like I've left my manners in the carriage. I'm surprised you got here in such a rush, Bethany. Why don't we have a seat in the parlor?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Zack Asiv on Jan 8, 2020 12:05:01 GMT -8
Bethany would unfold her arms and nod in appreciation. "Yes, let's move to the parlor." She would lead the way out of the room and to the parlor where trophies and gifts from trades with other noble houses sit on display around furniture and a table for guest entertainment. About when they arrived they would find Lord Riddel also arriving at the same time. He barely gave Cecelia recognition at this point. "Bethany you should be in your chambers preparing for bed. There are important discussions tomorrow and you must be present and presentable." Bethany lowered her gaze to the floor, knowing his meaning was to be seen and not heard. Like a prize to show off. "Yes, father. I simply wished to greet Cecelia home." Lord Riddel would finally fully look at Cecelia. "Yes, I was informed you were returning. Welcome." Cold. |
|
|
|
Post by Cecelia Riddel on Jan 9, 2020 12:58:03 GMT -8
Celia followed Bethany, taking in teh familiar sights that gave her such pride. Her family's accomplishments and legacy, something she had one day planned to continue and still planned to, even if her role would be less than it could have.
"Thank you, Father," she demurred, eyes downcast as she curtsied before her, voice soft and even. "I apologize for the inconvenience of the late hour."
Her sister's fate would be in their father's hands, as was Cecelia's.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zack Asiv on Jan 10, 2020 13:38:50 GMT -8
"Bethany, please return to your room."
Lord Riddel said with some authority behind his voice.
"Yes, Father."
Bethany would give Celia a weak smile then walk out of the room. Lord Riddel would move to sit and wave for Cecelia to do the same.
"Well, what brings you back here? The servant said you had questions. The sooner you get your answers, the sooner you can return to your studies."
|
|
|
|
Post by Cecelia Riddel on Jan 10, 2020 14:04:15 GMT -8
Celia gave Bethany the best she could manage for a reassuring smile, entering the parlor when her father gestured and waiting for hte door to close before she would speak. She nodded, her father's harsh tone like barbs against her skin. But she had something more important than her feelings on the line, and he needed to know she was still on their side.
"Yes. My questions are about something that's come to light that could ruin our family's reputation and standing in Zukunft." She spoke softly but clearly, for once holding his gaze to make sure he understood she meant this seriously and not just as a weak observation.
"Father, who is Mr. E? How are we involved with him? He knew what family I was from with one look at me."
|
|
|
|
Post by Zack Asiv on Jan 10, 2020 14:25:30 GMT -8
Lord Riddel's eyes snap to her before his head even has time to catch up. Looking at her with real concern on his face.
"How did- where- explain. Explain what happened. Mr. E is dead and long gone."
|
|
|
|
Post by Cecelia Riddel on Jan 10, 2020 16:46:21 GMT -8
If there was one thing that surprised her most, it was the sudden reaction her father had to her question. Something twisted in her chest. It seemed quite possible that what this Mr. E said was true.
"I believe he would prefer everyone think that," she said carefully, "but if he is dead, then someone is posing as him and may have similar knowledge. I came across an experiment that he spoke through. He made it clear that he was not interested in being found, and had been discovered by some fluke in a qi user. When the boy mentioned finding a way to dissolve the issue Experiments have been as of late, it was in my presencem. Mr. E remarked he was surprised a member of house Riddel would feel thr same way and made a point to show he knew of our family and mentioned you specifically." She shook her head slightly, clearly upset.
"I understand that this could be a game or some sort of bluff, but to know us so readily worries me. I thought you should know and may know of what he speaks."
|
|
|
|
Post by Zack Asiv on Jan 21, 2020 21:54:18 GMT -8
Lord Riddel took some time to think over what he would respond with, what he would explain...
"Mr. E was a scientist during the war. He was responsible for almost all of the enemy's cloning research. His first project was to try and clone the Dragons and use their DNA to make negatives, or anti Dragons. Through the genetic research it was found a way to turn anyone into a Qi user with a pill."
Lord Riddel would reach into his coat pocket and pull out a Zekunft Pearl.
"We find dregs, urchins, homeless beggars. We scoop them from the streets and train them with weapons, we feed them these pearls with specific markers in them that erase personality and free thinking. Replacing them with orders and instincts, powers and other things useful for Zekunft. These pearls are the reason the Riddel family has grown to the level of prominence it holds now. I was also a scientist working under Mr. E. I developed the process of making Royal Guards the way they are. I saw Mr. E killed by the Dragon clones he had become so fond of. Removing the genetic ability to control the minds of experiments and the facility that could do it would reveal the evils of the past of our house to the world."
|
|
|
|
Post by Cecelia Riddel on Jan 21, 2020 22:02:03 GMT -8
What she had hoped for was a reassurance that she was wrong, that there would be some form of explanation that she hadn't thought of that could be used to force Mr. E's bluff to come to light. What Cecelia got was instead a very different explanation, the blood draining from her face to the point it was ashen by the time her father was done speaking. She stared in horror, opened to mouth to speak, and closed it again as she found no words.
How were they able to be a part of something so...so wrong?
"Do other houses not know what it means to have these pearls?" Her head swam as she tried to make sense of it. No wonder she was told to have Zola ask her father what the relationship was. To find out the reason they had no emotion, the reason they were so good at what they were, was because of her father. Her family. She shuddered.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zack Asiv on Jan 21, 2020 22:13:18 GMT -8
"They understand enough that they don't want to know the rest."
Lord Riddel would respond.
"How many questions have you asked about it in all the years you've known they existed? All the time you were out in the world on your own, how much did you look at the Royal Guards as a contrast to the other military types of other countries? It's there somewhere in the back of the mind, but it makes just enough sense you know institutionally to avoid it's meaning."
|
|
|
|
Post by Cecelia Riddel on Jan 21, 2020 22:22:06 GMT -8
It was true. Asking about ties to experiments was one thing. Knowing the Royal Guard were also part of it made it worse. She thought of her childhood, growing up around them, never questioning their presence or obedience. Assuming it was training and not something that was physically done to remove their personalities and change them. Those that were valuable, but also less than other people with their qi abilities. How they followed orders to the letter, doing nothing without direct order in some cases.
her family was part of what she wanted to stop. How could she help them if that meant exposing her family?
She couldn't Just as she had left out her family's name in her report to Angelonia, she knew she could not tell the young princess of this, either. Defect or not, she had to protect her family.
"So our guards, any Royal Guard, could also be taken over the way these experiments can be? They can be used against us?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Zack Asiv on Jan 21, 2020 22:25:48 GMT -8
"No, that is entirely my own privilege. Using the initial research of the first generation experiments I fashioned myself alone that ability. As the man who started it all fashioned himself control over everyone else under him. However, there seems to be a way to give their personalities back. Re-etch the slate. In their need for retribution from suddenly having emotions again... They can turn on their masters."
Lord Riddel continues.
|
|
