Sylvadie "Sticks" Loronari
"Honour to our orders!"
"We stand ready for duty!"
And so it went, most cadets didn't think upon death often, certainly not combat pilots, but Sylvadie did. As the youngest flyforce servicemember currently under arms, everyone else in FlyForce was ahead of her, further than her. Oh no! She thought, as she saw nearly pure-gold shoulder-tabs heading her way, whoever it was, was a very-very senior Kon. Kons, non-commissioned officers, seldom took an interest in anything done right, and were widely considered Meihomei's own eyes in the military. When they took notice, it was mostly for enforcement, or 'encouragement' as they quaintly said. Sylvadie needed no encouragement, especially not from anything this close to a demigod made flesh, whose discipline would flail hope from her very bones.
"Sylvadie Loronar, FFOF-03 Skua of Starkastar City?"
"Aye, let it please Meihomei. I am Sylvadie, can I do anything for you, Zim-Kon-Zim?" She added that last, before her brain could catch onto her mouth for trying to buttering up a superior.
"I work for a living! Walk with me 'sticks'."
Sylvadie finally noticed the detailing on those tabs. This wasn't just a high-ranking Kon, this was the Telbun, legal 'shire-reave' of Megamisama. Non-com? Yes, but also, legally, a tribunal in her own right. Sylvadie tried not to shake, but it was difficult, this particular non-com spoke to her ruler on a regular basis. "Aye, Kon-Meritant-Zim." The green on her breast was not just 'any' ribbon, either, but a Merit of Honour. Not that it changed anything, a Telbun without a merit of honour was like a bird without wings, it did happen, but the spirit of the thing was somehow diminished. She'd heard of Telbuns with three merits, well, she'd attended, as a civilian, that particular ex-Telbun's funeral, it was quite moving. And frightening. And this wasn't that one's successor, it was that one's successor's successor. Tadros Dandelion had not quite left as big a mark as Marhamat Dandelion, but both of them had enough 'bling' to require an armoured truck just to go around. Wait, that's a lot of green on this new Telbun...
"I got one official merit of honour." Which probably meant she had... classified ones. "And I'm the Secretary of the order of Kagomei, in training to become the Valour-Keeper, it will probably help us both if you don't jump when I breathe. I wear pants, most days, although, when I go on a date, I wear a dress, for my girlfriend. I was there, the night you sang for your wings."
"Oh, heavens."
"Not that you did anything improper, that I could see, you were there, singing for your wings, as a regular, honest cadet, wishing to earn the right to fly..."
"Zorblug."
"Relax. I said, you did nothing wrong."
"Sorry, it still feels strange, knowing we attracted so much attention, I'm still waiting on my wings."
"What, these?" Mariwolfe handed her the small, golden wings, proof that she had earned her flight status.
"You're kidding me!"
"No, I saw you singing, that means I get to hand them, its' personal."
"Oh, noyjitat!"
"Hey, don't speak like that around my girlfriend please."
"What?"
"Come on, bring a sweetheart if you have one, we're going clubbing!"
"What?"
"You just got your wings, and official attention, 'sticks'! Try to make the best of it."
"What, you even looked up my call-sign?"
"Like that was a hardship! My girlfriend is land army, but I own the plank on a FlyCarrier! FlyForce? My best friends fly!"
"What, you're not Land Army?"
"Technically, I'm SpecForce, right now. But, I've spent time in Land Army, Docks, Navy, FlyForce and SpaceForce. And I have friends in Lifeguards and Borderguards."
"Oh, fliegerkorps! You're one of those mavericks?"
"I'm a multi-service, I lost more stripes changing service than some Kons earn in their entire careers, but that's all according to Meihomei's will!"
"Just how screwed am I now?"
"What? Why do you ask?"
"Come on, you're the Telbun, you don't select random cadets just barely earning their wings for the fun of it."
"Actually, like I said earlier, but it seems junior officers have the attention span of a birdbrain, I was in the Fire, spending time with other Meritants and Emeritus."
"Like there's a difference!"
"Well, there is, but I'll grant you, whoever has a Merit and isn't an Emeritus can just talk to Languedier."
"And the converse?"
"You can earn an Emeritus without a Merit, through decades of hard work, sacrifice, teaching people the intricacies of every armed service, skilled, guided ability."
"Are you saying I can't earn a Merit?"
"I'm saying you can earn honour and valour without getting your pretty tushy carted off to an early grave, 'sticks'. Meihomei's service included sacrifice, but hardly requires it."
"How did you get that merit... I assume the unclassified one I can hear about, at least."
"I put together the ship you'll be serving on, from an engineering perspective, making sure taking off her was safe, landing on her was safe, that she could sail into a 80 knot wind and not call it a day. Since it was the largest FlyCarrier ever built at that point, I'm not a little proud of that."
"80s? Fuck that, anything that tries to fly into an 80 knot wind is checking for wing damage!"
"I didn't say you could try to fly in that soup, just that the ship could sail into it, trying to get you closer to the enemy, so that when the wind breaks, you can fly your hyper, and take them down!"
"How often has that happened?"
"Often enough, my friends are commanding you to do it again."
"Your friends?"
"FFOF-08 Goshawk Flora Rolli, CAG 0001st Kagomine Imperial Flying Force Air Group."
"Well, of course, you'd know 1CAG."
"So will you, she's bringing her boytoy and meeting us alter."
"Boytoy?"
"Well, ok, her 'namei'."
"Namei? A Prince?"
"Close enough, and anyways, as an Ornate Dagger Bandolier, he's Kon to you too."
"I've heard that story, he's Amarat Beltran Meltran Flinflon Nomintan Killidarvi Sporray Sottofumare Konigsee Stillbergen Ferrare Veneer, ME-20 Bameimeito, Baron of Sporray, Baron of Konigsee, Count of Stillbergen, Namolec prime of Sottolanga, Loroni-warbaron of Utta-Utta, Prince of Ferrare, High Prince of Benevento. What, he's stopped being Wullmei of Starkastar?"
"You're kidding, he was your direct ruler?"
"He does cut an impressive figure."
"Hmm, even on a dance floor, he does."
"Hmm, now I want to see him pace a dance floor."
"That's the spirit! So, who are you bringing?"
"What?"
"I'm serious, you gotta bring a +1, we're hitting The Magnificent Emerald later."
"Aw, dang, I can't say I have that many friends..."
"Invite acquaintances then, and evaluate them on how they handle meeting an actual Namei, thanks to your intervention."
"What, you weren't kidding?"
"He handed off 'Star-Emerald-Knight-of-Kagomei' to me like a hot potato. Whatever you think impresses a Namei, you'll learn better."
"I have nothing to wear!"
"But he's hérévallin, trust me, you don't want to wear nothing..."
"Ugh! Is he even cute?"
"Some cute, but really, it's more that people owe him, owe him favours, lands, titles, or just peace and quiet. I find the ones that owe him peace and quiet are the interesting, broody ones."
"And he's hérévallin?"
"You'll meet her, she is 1CAG."
"What, so he's a walking title 64?"
"I'll just say his idea of the titles is very robust."
"Oh, heavens, he's multiple?"
"He is 3FLTCHAP, 3FLTTHISTLE."
"Oh, so you button up your pants, like normal folks, but he needs a jade assistant..."
"He might take umbrage, but you're probably not that far off, although what he needs help with usually falls under 'would get someone a nice Ryder or something'."
"A Feyd, most likely."
"What, I thought he was a Feyd."
"Yes, he is a Feyd, as the least of his official titles, he would not need help on anything that'd get regular people Rydered, he'd probably do it himself."
"Noy jitat!"
"Oh, do behave! I've been telling my girlfriend FlyForce pilots keep a civil tongue."
"And Navalized FlyForce pilots don't?"
"Land Army Air superiority pilots don't, but I am watching..."
"Oh, and your Land Army girlfriend..."
"Has been applying for flight license. She thinks being fancy free applies to her..."
"I bet."
"Bring your plus one, we will have fun tonight!"
"Sure, ok, right."
I was waiting at the door of the The Magnificent Emerald, and I was more than a little bit intimidated, I could barely afford some of the drinks here! This place was so fancy and fine! The doorman barely took one look at my mess uniform and waved me in though, I had picked correctly, this is one of those places where wearing military finery will get you in.
"Syldavie!"
"Telbun!" I hadn't even heard her name spoken, and I didn't trust my voice.
"Call me Mariwolfe, this is Leviathan Crusher, Flora Rolli, and Amarat Jr Veneer, with us are Shibué Dandelion, Linnaeus Van Pelt, Lusitania Van Pelt, Lunqui Zvei, Firrson Moray and Senya Frangibald."
“I can't believe we're in the Emerald, having Dinner, I always figured it was out of my range...”
“It wasn't my idea, I can't afford this place any more than you can... But the Telbun.”
“And you met the Telbun!”
“I met the Telbun, and she gave me my wings, apparently, the most senior person to hear you sing for your wings has to give them to you.”
“And she's sure she is?”
“Unless Nessun-Honour Comma or Minister Valias was in attendance.”
“Actually, she stole my privilege...”
“And you are?” His tone was belligerant, which Syldavie thought would only land him in trouble, especially if she was right on who this was.
“Might we have the honour of your name, Zim?” Syldavie interjected, trying to keep the conflict to a minimum.
“I am Amarat Jr Veneer.” So I was right, Syldavie thought to herself.
“By what right would you claim to give her her wings, then?” His tone had softened, apparently, he was not a total idiot.
“I am Kon-Thistle of Sixth-Fleet-Actual. The Telbun was borrowing my Kon to hand her those wings.”
“Your Kon?”
“May it last forever, the Ground-Floor Thistle, symbol of the Navy's OPM.”
“Oh, so you're Personnel Engineering, for her squadron?”
“I'm Personnel Engineering, 1Thistle, for all of Kagomine 1st Air Group.”
“Please forgive my crewmate, I do know who you are, Kon-Meritant-Zim.”
“Mind you, I think the honour should have been mine...” That was the redhead next to him, wearing the little black-and-dark-emerald-green dress.
“The regs say it's a Thistle privilege, the only time Group Thistle is actually first on anything.”
“I thought you were first only if she was getting purple silks?”
“Aviator's Wings are a Specialty Qualification, and count as a medal. yes, she is getting a purple silk.” He was holding up the purple-velvet covered box, where any purple silk would have been held. “And I have one for you, Diarmont Rhuthen.”
“You know my name?”
“He didn't, but we do, try not to do anything stupid.” That was the tall, sculpted blonde next to him, with... was that an earpiece? And a similarly dark-green/black dress?
“'You'?”
“First-Meihomei-Lifeguards. You mess with us at the palace, when you're invited.”
“The palace? Just who are these people Syldavie?” He was deferring to her, as he knew he must, since she'd gotten her wings first.
“Amarat... Veneer, junior, Meritant of Honour, Bameimeito of Kagomei, to everyone else. Amarat Veneer, Meritant of Honour, FFOR-08 Ornate Dagger Bandolier, 1Thistle, to us and everyone else in 1stAirGroup.”
“Oi. Kon-Meritant-Zim!”
“Add some ease into that, I'm in soft clothes.”
“Everyone knows that doesn't work, you LOSE authority when you put off your uniform dear.”
“Sssh, I was hoping he didn't know.”
“I am informed now, Zim-Zim-Zim.” He wanted to stop at about eight zims, not that it would reach the number of levels the principal heir to the throne was above him...
“You're so humble...”
“Might you remind me who you all are, I got the first meihomei lifeguards, but not the rest...”
“I am Linnaeus Van Pelt, I am his cousin, and Vice-Undersecretary of State for technology assigned to Megamisama, assisting my sister, Lusitania... With me is Shibue, of first meihomei, and Jor-Jie her service animal.” He was obviously referring to the blonde with the otter, Sylvadie thought how in love they were was a bit blinding, with the way he was petting the otter hanging over her shoulders. “Squeak-squeak.” Obviously, the otter thought they were putting on a show too...
“I am Lusitania Van Pelt, Undersecretary of State for Policy.” The diminutive brunette nodded. “With me is Lunqui Zvei, of Burrshire Thataway.”
“I am Flora Rolli, FFOF-09 Eagle, 1AirGroup.”
“Flora!”
“What?”
“That's not official yet, it won't be for two more days.”
“Well they better not tell the press, or I'll know who's leaked it, right?” She tried to sound jolly.
“You're 1st Air Group now?”
“I will be, I've been second in command, but now Ria Baker is moving on up.”
“To what?”
“Eagle-aerie-parent.”
“Oh, so not to FFOF-10, but to FFOF-09*?”
“Her herevallin being FFOF-10 kinda made it a little inconvenient to promote her above him, I must say, not that either of them dissatisfied Meihomei.”
“I presume you know her personally?”
“Just who do you think I served with on that flag bridge? She's literally 1AirGroup's DenParent. Me, and Amarat and Mariwolfe all served flag under her.”
“What?”
“Flora, Amarat, Mariwolfe, Ria and Maelle all served on Northie.”
“Which one of them is plank owner for fleet? Nevermind, just let me die. I'm not supposed to be this close to local legends.”
“Tee hee, Maelle is, and she's.. not available tonight. Just relax, I'm taking you out, handsome.”
“Thanks, Syldavie, I think.”
“Oh, you better plan on thanking me better than that! I'm watching you, Diarmont Rhuthen.”
“Sure, thanks, acting-Skua Loronari.”
“Appreciated, acting-Kestrel Rhuthen.”
“What's with the acting?”
“Someone didn't read them their orders properly, Thistle Veneer, and you should fix that...”
“Ahem. By, by the grace of Meihomei, and as her light, I shall speak her will.”
“Attention to orders!” Both very junior flight officers, their wings still new and shiney, 'heeled' and came to.
“It is by the will of Meihomei, and at her instruction that I call Syldavie 'Sticks' Loronari to order, and instruct her to change her attire to that of a FFOF-03 Skua, being that of a squadron lead officer in my flying forces, on a permanent and well-deserved basis. It is by the will of Meihomei, and at her instruction that I call upon Diarmont Rhuthen, to alter his attire and arraiment to that of a FFOF-02 Kestrel, on a permanent and deserved basis, and that both of them present themselves to the 0077th Imperial Kagomine Hypervelocity Squadron "Children of the Light", as its commanding officer, and her XO.”
“Whoa.”
“I'm still your boss...”
“I know, I mean, I did pay attention to your half-stripes, it's not actually a surprise. But... my getting promoted just on getting my wings is still pretty good... And the children are no slouches!”
“To FFOF-02? You bet it is. Not that many people got to jump...” She paused. “Well, yeah, not that many people, and those people are all here, I bet, looking from the way they're trying not to look me in the eye.”
“I did jump from OF-03 to 06, and Amarat from OR-03 to OR-06.”
“How did you manage that?”
“It came with a Merit of Honour.
"Of course it would. And he's Bameimeito."
"Please stop, he's Bameimeito but that had nothing to do with it."
"Aye."
"Kon-Meritant-Zim!" This time even the ones wearing green all heeled. Syldavie almost swooned, she knew this man, he was the Telbun's predecessor, with Three Merits of Honour to his name, and a list of medals that needed an armoured van to carry, not to mention he had been last seen giving military advice to the ruler, as part of her senior council.
"Kon-Tadros Dandelion, how may we assist the order today?"
"As you were. I'm just meeting my Miptun tonight, if I'd known you young and hip folks were here, I'd have looked for a quieter venue, last time, there was even singing!" He grinned, showing he was attempting humour.
"Apologies for abusing your privilege, Kon-Meritant-Zim."
"What, no, you had the right of it, earlier, you, Amarat Veneer Junior, whose name fills a small book, and whose succession of Kagomei is uncontested, but most especially, whose title of 1AGThistle is clear as rain, is the right person to hand these young folks their orders, after which, and only after, am I allowed to offer them drinks and try to mold them into exemplary officers. Which, if I know anything about present company, they're already trying to become. None of you are slouches, either."
"Let's get our table, if Meritant Tadros feels like telling stories, I'm buying, just to hear the stories, and calling it a bargain!"
"I'll fight you for that bill! Tadros telling stories should be a jade screen series!"
"I'm behind that, take my money, take my money!"
"And mine, his stories are sooo good!"
"Only better stories than Tadros are Amarats, and I'm not sharing..." Flora interjected, and the mood went out like a power outage in a full nightclub.
"Aww, you're so selfish!"
"Come on, he's my Namei."
"Well, all you young folks going to get a seat?"
"If Languedier will let us..."
"Ah, Languedier?"
"Yes, Zim-Kon-Zim, how may I assist?"
"These young folk are with me and the other Emeritus present, please let them stay."
"They sang their wings here." Languedier remembered.
"Aye, and we feel their singing was acceptable, they'll get to keep flying..." Tadros' tart tone was like a lemon on a papercut.
"Aye-aye."
"Please, sit with me." He pointed to the massive table, older than the establishment, older as the city it was in, in fact. One of his predecessors as Telbun had used it, before the city got its name, as an oversized official desk at tribunal. He'd gifted it to the bar when he retired.
Next to Tadros the cousins Amarat and Linnaeus then their plus-ones, then Linnaeus' sister and her plus-one, soon took a seat. At the other end of the table, at the seat of honour, sat Skua Loronari and her squadmate, and, well, he hadn't embarassed himself, so he may just end up being worth a second look, Mariwolfe might be more into women than most women Sylvadie knew, but it didn't seem to matter, you'd want to know how people were under pressure, either to date them or order them around, she was right about that, Sylvadie mused.
"What's Starkastar like?"
The elfin man of Tsou origin facing Mariwolfe asked the question, and Sylvadie recoiled, did he really not know? Not what Starkastar was like, but that he was asking her in front of the 'owner' of starkastar himself?
"It's a lovely beachfront town, with orange orchards, mostly." Sylvadie tried to keep it brief, and complimentary, despite how urgently she had wanted to leave the place, growing up.
"Ah, closer to Tsou?"
"..."
"Err, I am of mixed Moniqan and Tsou extraction, but I was born in Kagomei, I've never been..."
"Ah, well no, it's closer to Rossenarch island, but Tsou is just due north of here, and so closer."
"Oh, silly me."
"And you work for the Namei then?"
"How did you get that impression?"
"Err, most of the people in Starkastar feel a sense of ownership over Namei Amarat, Burrshire Fund Management and Burrshire Thataway are words we routinely mention at the dinner table."
"And you know I work there how? I'm..."
"Well known for being the namei's own finance counselor, your picture appears on his Jade Encyclopedia page."
Lunqui looked like he was about to be ill. Certainly no one had suggested that he may become famous due to his client before...
"Lunqui dear, if you don't appear on his, you're sure to appear on mine, once it updates, I would get used to the idea."
"I'm sorry, I know you're famous for being a high-ranking officer at State, but I thought you were discouraged from having a page related to your job there?"
"I won't have a page due to my position in Kagomei, but once the paperwork clears, my position in Mastarna and Grand Hetmanate of all Sarn, Sartnath, Ralt and Luxem will require them to create one for me."
"We stand ready for duty!"
And so it went, most cadets didn't think upon death often, certainly not combat pilots, but Sylvadie did. As the youngest flyforce servicemember currently under arms, everyone else in FlyForce was ahead of her, further than her. Oh no! She thought, as she saw nearly pure-gold shoulder-tabs heading her way, whoever it was, was a very-very senior Kon. Kons, non-commissioned officers, seldom took an interest in anything done right, and were widely considered Meihomei's own eyes in the military. When they took notice, it was mostly for enforcement, or 'encouragement' as they quaintly said. Sylvadie needed no encouragement, especially not from anything this close to a demigod made flesh, whose discipline would flail hope from her very bones.
"Sylvadie Loronar, FFOF-03 Skua of Starkastar City?"
"Aye, let it please Meihomei. I am Sylvadie, can I do anything for you, Zim-Kon-Zim?" She added that last, before her brain could catch onto her mouth for trying to buttering up a superior.
"I work for a living! Walk with me 'sticks'."
Sylvadie finally noticed the detailing on those tabs. This wasn't just a high-ranking Kon, this was the Telbun, legal 'shire-reave' of Megamisama. Non-com? Yes, but also, legally, a tribunal in her own right. Sylvadie tried not to shake, but it was difficult, this particular non-com spoke to her ruler on a regular basis. "Aye, Kon-Meritant-Zim." The green on her breast was not just 'any' ribbon, either, but a Merit of Honour. Not that it changed anything, a Telbun without a merit of honour was like a bird without wings, it did happen, but the spirit of the thing was somehow diminished. She'd heard of Telbuns with three merits, well, she'd attended, as a civilian, that particular ex-Telbun's funeral, it was quite moving. And frightening. And this wasn't that one's successor, it was that one's successor's successor. Tadros Dandelion had not quite left as big a mark as Marhamat Dandelion, but both of them had enough 'bling' to require an armoured truck just to go around. Wait, that's a lot of green on this new Telbun...
"I got one official merit of honour." Which probably meant she had... classified ones. "And I'm the Secretary of the order of Kagomei, in training to become the Valour-Keeper, it will probably help us both if you don't jump when I breathe. I wear pants, most days, although, when I go on a date, I wear a dress, for my girlfriend. I was there, the night you sang for your wings."
"Oh, heavens."
"Not that you did anything improper, that I could see, you were there, singing for your wings, as a regular, honest cadet, wishing to earn the right to fly..."
"Zorblug."
"Relax. I said, you did nothing wrong."
"Sorry, it still feels strange, knowing we attracted so much attention, I'm still waiting on my wings."
"What, these?" Mariwolfe handed her the small, golden wings, proof that she had earned her flight status.
"You're kidding me!"
"No, I saw you singing, that means I get to hand them, its' personal."
"Oh, noyjitat!"
"Hey, don't speak like that around my girlfriend please."
"What?"
"Come on, bring a sweetheart if you have one, we're going clubbing!"
"What?"
"You just got your wings, and official attention, 'sticks'! Try to make the best of it."
"What, you even looked up my call-sign?"
"Like that was a hardship! My girlfriend is land army, but I own the plank on a FlyCarrier! FlyForce? My best friends fly!"
"What, you're not Land Army?"
"Technically, I'm SpecForce, right now. But, I've spent time in Land Army, Docks, Navy, FlyForce and SpaceForce. And I have friends in Lifeguards and Borderguards."
"Oh, fliegerkorps! You're one of those mavericks?"
"I'm a multi-service, I lost more stripes changing service than some Kons earn in their entire careers, but that's all according to Meihomei's will!"
"Just how screwed am I now?"
"What? Why do you ask?"
"Come on, you're the Telbun, you don't select random cadets just barely earning their wings for the fun of it."
"Actually, like I said earlier, but it seems junior officers have the attention span of a birdbrain, I was in the Fire, spending time with other Meritants and Emeritus."
"Like there's a difference!"
"Well, there is, but I'll grant you, whoever has a Merit and isn't an Emeritus can just talk to Languedier."
"And the converse?"
"You can earn an Emeritus without a Merit, through decades of hard work, sacrifice, teaching people the intricacies of every armed service, skilled, guided ability."
"Are you saying I can't earn a Merit?"
"I'm saying you can earn honour and valour without getting your pretty tushy carted off to an early grave, 'sticks'. Meihomei's service included sacrifice, but hardly requires it."
"How did you get that merit... I assume the unclassified one I can hear about, at least."
"I put together the ship you'll be serving on, from an engineering perspective, making sure taking off her was safe, landing on her was safe, that she could sail into a 80 knot wind and not call it a day. Since it was the largest FlyCarrier ever built at that point, I'm not a little proud of that."
"80s? Fuck that, anything that tries to fly into an 80 knot wind is checking for wing damage!"
"I didn't say you could try to fly in that soup, just that the ship could sail into it, trying to get you closer to the enemy, so that when the wind breaks, you can fly your hyper, and take them down!"
"How often has that happened?"
"Often enough, my friends are commanding you to do it again."
"Your friends?"
"FFOF-08 Goshawk Flora Rolli, CAG 0001st Kagomine Imperial Flying Force Air Group."
"Well, of course, you'd know 1CAG."
"So will you, she's bringing her boytoy and meeting us alter."
"Boytoy?"
"Well, ok, her 'namei'."
"Namei? A Prince?"
"Close enough, and anyways, as an Ornate Dagger Bandolier, he's Kon to you too."
"I've heard that story, he's Amarat Beltran Meltran Flinflon Nomintan Killidarvi Sporray Sottofumare Konigsee Stillbergen Ferrare Veneer, ME-20 Bameimeito, Baron of Sporray, Baron of Konigsee, Count of Stillbergen, Namolec prime of Sottolanga, Loroni-warbaron of Utta-Utta, Prince of Ferrare, High Prince of Benevento. What, he's stopped being Wullmei of Starkastar?"
"You're kidding, he was your direct ruler?"
"He does cut an impressive figure."
"Hmm, even on a dance floor, he does."
"Hmm, now I want to see him pace a dance floor."
"That's the spirit! So, who are you bringing?"
"What?"
"I'm serious, you gotta bring a +1, we're hitting The Magnificent Emerald later."
"Aw, dang, I can't say I have that many friends..."
"Invite acquaintances then, and evaluate them on how they handle meeting an actual Namei, thanks to your intervention."
"What, you weren't kidding?"
"He handed off 'Star-Emerald-Knight-of-Kagomei' to me like a hot potato. Whatever you think impresses a Namei, you'll learn better."
"I have nothing to wear!"
"But he's hérévallin, trust me, you don't want to wear nothing..."
"Ugh! Is he even cute?"
"Some cute, but really, it's more that people owe him, owe him favours, lands, titles, or just peace and quiet. I find the ones that owe him peace and quiet are the interesting, broody ones."
"And he's hérévallin?"
"You'll meet her, she is 1CAG."
"What, so he's a walking title 64?"
"I'll just say his idea of the titles is very robust."
"Oh, heavens, he's multiple?"
"He is 3FLTCHAP, 3FLTTHISTLE."
"Oh, so you button up your pants, like normal folks, but he needs a jade assistant..."
"He might take umbrage, but you're probably not that far off, although what he needs help with usually falls under 'would get someone a nice Ryder or something'."
"A Feyd, most likely."
"What, I thought he was a Feyd."
"Yes, he is a Feyd, as the least of his official titles, he would not need help on anything that'd get regular people Rydered, he'd probably do it himself."
"Noy jitat!"
"Oh, do behave! I've been telling my girlfriend FlyForce pilots keep a civil tongue."
"And Navalized FlyForce pilots don't?"
"Land Army Air superiority pilots don't, but I am watching..."
"Oh, and your Land Army girlfriend..."
"Has been applying for flight license. She thinks being fancy free applies to her..."
"I bet."
"Bring your plus one, we will have fun tonight!"
"Sure, ok, right."
I was waiting at the door of the The Magnificent Emerald, and I was more than a little bit intimidated, I could barely afford some of the drinks here! This place was so fancy and fine! The doorman barely took one look at my mess uniform and waved me in though, I had picked correctly, this is one of those places where wearing military finery will get you in.
"Syldavie!"
"Telbun!" I hadn't even heard her name spoken, and I didn't trust my voice.
"Call me Mariwolfe, this is Leviathan Crusher, Flora Rolli, and Amarat Jr Veneer, with us are Shibué Dandelion, Linnaeus Van Pelt, Lusitania Van Pelt, Lunqui Zvei, Firrson Moray and Senya Frangibald."
“I can't believe we're in the Emerald, having Dinner, I always figured it was out of my range...”
“It wasn't my idea, I can't afford this place any more than you can... But the Telbun.”
“And you met the Telbun!”
“I met the Telbun, and she gave me my wings, apparently, the most senior person to hear you sing for your wings has to give them to you.”
“And she's sure she is?”
“Unless Nessun-Honour Comma or Minister Valias was in attendance.”
“Actually, she stole my privilege...”
“And you are?” His tone was belligerant, which Syldavie thought would only land him in trouble, especially if she was right on who this was.
“Might we have the honour of your name, Zim?” Syldavie interjected, trying to keep the conflict to a minimum.
“I am Amarat Jr Veneer.” So I was right, Syldavie thought to herself.
“By what right would you claim to give her her wings, then?” His tone had softened, apparently, he was not a total idiot.
“I am Kon-Thistle of Sixth-Fleet-Actual. The Telbun was borrowing my Kon to hand her those wings.”
“Your Kon?”
“May it last forever, the Ground-Floor Thistle, symbol of the Navy's OPM.”
“Oh, so you're Personnel Engineering, for her squadron?”
“I'm Personnel Engineering, 1Thistle, for all of Kagomine 1st Air Group.”
“Please forgive my crewmate, I do know who you are, Kon-Meritant-Zim.”
“Mind you, I think the honour should have been mine...” That was the redhead next to him, wearing the little black-and-dark-emerald-green dress.
“The regs say it's a Thistle privilege, the only time Group Thistle is actually first on anything.”
“I thought you were first only if she was getting purple silks?”
“Aviator's Wings are a Specialty Qualification, and count as a medal. yes, she is getting a purple silk.” He was holding up the purple-velvet covered box, where any purple silk would have been held. “And I have one for you, Diarmont Rhuthen.”
“You know my name?”
“He didn't, but we do, try not to do anything stupid.” That was the tall, sculpted blonde next to him, with... was that an earpiece? And a similarly dark-green/black dress?
“'You'?”
“First-Meihomei-Lifeguards. You mess with us at the palace, when you're invited.”
“The palace? Just who are these people Syldavie?” He was deferring to her, as he knew he must, since she'd gotten her wings first.
“Amarat... Veneer, junior, Meritant of Honour, Bameimeito of Kagomei, to everyone else. Amarat Veneer, Meritant of Honour, FFOR-08 Ornate Dagger Bandolier, 1Thistle, to us and everyone else in 1stAirGroup.”
“Oi. Kon-Meritant-Zim!”
“Add some ease into that, I'm in soft clothes.”
“Everyone knows that doesn't work, you LOSE authority when you put off your uniform dear.”
“Sssh, I was hoping he didn't know.”
“I am informed now, Zim-Zim-Zim.” He wanted to stop at about eight zims, not that it would reach the number of levels the principal heir to the throne was above him...
“You're so humble...”
“Might you remind me who you all are, I got the first meihomei lifeguards, but not the rest...”
“I am Linnaeus Van Pelt, I am his cousin, and Vice-Undersecretary of State for technology assigned to Megamisama, assisting my sister, Lusitania... With me is Shibue, of first meihomei, and Jor-Jie her service animal.” He was obviously referring to the blonde with the otter, Sylvadie thought how in love they were was a bit blinding, with the way he was petting the otter hanging over her shoulders. “Squeak-squeak.” Obviously, the otter thought they were putting on a show too...
“I am Lusitania Van Pelt, Undersecretary of State for Policy.” The diminutive brunette nodded. “With me is Lunqui Zvei, of Burrshire Thataway.”
“I am Flora Rolli, FFOF-09 Eagle, 1AirGroup.”
“Flora!”
“What?”
“That's not official yet, it won't be for two more days.”
“Well they better not tell the press, or I'll know who's leaked it, right?” She tried to sound jolly.
“You're 1st Air Group now?”
“I will be, I've been second in command, but now Ria Baker is moving on up.”
“To what?”
“Eagle-aerie-parent.”
“Oh, so not to FFOF-10, but to FFOF-09*?”
“Her herevallin being FFOF-10 kinda made it a little inconvenient to promote her above him, I must say, not that either of them dissatisfied Meihomei.”
“I presume you know her personally?”
“Just who do you think I served with on that flag bridge? She's literally 1AirGroup's DenParent. Me, and Amarat and Mariwolfe all served flag under her.”
“What?”
“Flora, Amarat, Mariwolfe, Ria and Maelle all served on Northie.”
“Which one of them is plank owner for fleet? Nevermind, just let me die. I'm not supposed to be this close to local legends.”
“Tee hee, Maelle is, and she's.. not available tonight. Just relax, I'm taking you out, handsome.”
“Thanks, Syldavie, I think.”
“Oh, you better plan on thanking me better than that! I'm watching you, Diarmont Rhuthen.”
“Sure, thanks, acting-Skua Loronari.”
“Appreciated, acting-Kestrel Rhuthen.”
“What's with the acting?”
“Someone didn't read them their orders properly, Thistle Veneer, and you should fix that...”
“Ahem. By, by the grace of Meihomei, and as her light, I shall speak her will.”
“Attention to orders!” Both very junior flight officers, their wings still new and shiney, 'heeled' and came to.
“It is by the will of Meihomei, and at her instruction that I call Syldavie 'Sticks' Loronari to order, and instruct her to change her attire to that of a FFOF-03 Skua, being that of a squadron lead officer in my flying forces, on a permanent and well-deserved basis. It is by the will of Meihomei, and at her instruction that I call upon Diarmont Rhuthen, to alter his attire and arraiment to that of a FFOF-02 Kestrel, on a permanent and deserved basis, and that both of them present themselves to the 0077th Imperial Kagomine Hypervelocity Squadron "Children of the Light", as its commanding officer, and her XO.”
“Whoa.”
“I'm still your boss...”
“I know, I mean, I did pay attention to your half-stripes, it's not actually a surprise. But... my getting promoted just on getting my wings is still pretty good... And the children are no slouches!”
“To FFOF-02? You bet it is. Not that many people got to jump...” She paused. “Well, yeah, not that many people, and those people are all here, I bet, looking from the way they're trying not to look me in the eye.”
“I did jump from OF-03 to 06, and Amarat from OR-03 to OR-06.”
“How did you manage that?”
“It came with a Merit of Honour.
"Of course it would. And he's Bameimeito."
"Please stop, he's Bameimeito but that had nothing to do with it."
"Aye."
"Kon-Meritant-Zim!" This time even the ones wearing green all heeled. Syldavie almost swooned, she knew this man, he was the Telbun's predecessor, with Three Merits of Honour to his name, and a list of medals that needed an armoured van to carry, not to mention he had been last seen giving military advice to the ruler, as part of her senior council.
"Kon-Tadros Dandelion, how may we assist the order today?"
"As you were. I'm just meeting my Miptun tonight, if I'd known you young and hip folks were here, I'd have looked for a quieter venue, last time, there was even singing!" He grinned, showing he was attempting humour.
"Apologies for abusing your privilege, Kon-Meritant-Zim."
"What, no, you had the right of it, earlier, you, Amarat Veneer Junior, whose name fills a small book, and whose succession of Kagomei is uncontested, but most especially, whose title of 1AGThistle is clear as rain, is the right person to hand these young folks their orders, after which, and only after, am I allowed to offer them drinks and try to mold them into exemplary officers. Which, if I know anything about present company, they're already trying to become. None of you are slouches, either."
"Let's get our table, if Meritant Tadros feels like telling stories, I'm buying, just to hear the stories, and calling it a bargain!"
"I'll fight you for that bill! Tadros telling stories should be a jade screen series!"
"I'm behind that, take my money, take my money!"
"And mine, his stories are sooo good!"
"Only better stories than Tadros are Amarats, and I'm not sharing..." Flora interjected, and the mood went out like a power outage in a full nightclub.
"Aww, you're so selfish!"
"Come on, he's my Namei."
"Well, all you young folks going to get a seat?"
"If Languedier will let us..."
"Ah, Languedier?"
"Yes, Zim-Kon-Zim, how may I assist?"
"These young folk are with me and the other Emeritus present, please let them stay."
"They sang their wings here." Languedier remembered.
"Aye, and we feel their singing was acceptable, they'll get to keep flying..." Tadros' tart tone was like a lemon on a papercut.
"Aye-aye."
"Please, sit with me." He pointed to the massive table, older than the establishment, older as the city it was in, in fact. One of his predecessors as Telbun had used it, before the city got its name, as an oversized official desk at tribunal. He'd gifted it to the bar when he retired.
Next to Tadros the cousins Amarat and Linnaeus then their plus-ones, then Linnaeus' sister and her plus-one, soon took a seat. At the other end of the table, at the seat of honour, sat Skua Loronari and her squadmate, and, well, he hadn't embarassed himself, so he may just end up being worth a second look, Mariwolfe might be more into women than most women Sylvadie knew, but it didn't seem to matter, you'd want to know how people were under pressure, either to date them or order them around, she was right about that, Sylvadie mused.
"What's Starkastar like?"
The elfin man of Tsou origin facing Mariwolfe asked the question, and Sylvadie recoiled, did he really not know? Not what Starkastar was like, but that he was asking her in front of the 'owner' of starkastar himself?
"It's a lovely beachfront town, with orange orchards, mostly." Sylvadie tried to keep it brief, and complimentary, despite how urgently she had wanted to leave the place, growing up.
"Ah, closer to Tsou?"
"..."
"Err, I am of mixed Moniqan and Tsou extraction, but I was born in Kagomei, I've never been..."
"Ah, well no, it's closer to Rossenarch island, but Tsou is just due north of here, and so closer."
"Oh, silly me."
"And you work for the Namei then?"
"How did you get that impression?"
"Err, most of the people in Starkastar feel a sense of ownership over Namei Amarat, Burrshire Fund Management and Burrshire Thataway are words we routinely mention at the dinner table."
"And you know I work there how? I'm..."
"Well known for being the namei's own finance counselor, your picture appears on his Jade Encyclopedia page."
Lunqui looked like he was about to be ill. Certainly no one had suggested that he may become famous due to his client before...
"Lunqui dear, if you don't appear on his, you're sure to appear on mine, once it updates, I would get used to the idea."
"I'm sorry, I know you're famous for being a high-ranking officer at State, but I thought you were discouraged from having a page related to your job there?"
"I won't have a page due to my position in Kagomei, but once the paperwork clears, my position in Mastarna and Grand Hetmanate of all Sarn, Sartnath, Ralt and Luxem will require them to create one for me."
Species
Ethnicity
Other Ethnicities/Cultures
Date of Birth
23rd Unium, 789
Year of Birth
789 AK
26 Years old
Birthplace
Kimagure
Children
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