Scene #6033: MISSION: After the Line

Owner	Pose
Starbound Flotilla	The sky is clear. It hasn't been /clear/ for a long time. Open, maybe, streaking by in a constant rushing storm at unthinkable speeds, but clear, no way. It's a shining, clear blue day, with a few clouds finally starting to form. There's a few relevant sites here. To the south, the Refinery and Sunseeker City have come together to park. To the north, the Holy Combustion Empire's various holdings are beginning to concentrate, moving to claim the section of the Line that has now been taken up by the Immovable Kingdom. Both are peaceful motions, and neither are moving at their previous superluminal speeds. In fact, a swift power-walk to match the speed of the holdings of the norther empire. In a heavily secured medical throne room, the Starbound Flotilla have set up an array of energy-directing equipment around a tremendous medical pod, within which a shadowy figure can be seen. Dexter Arkwright has been invited, and asked to bring the Paradox Shield. The others... Well, everyone's received a courteous invitation to visit both Sunseeker and the Refinery, as well as the Church's main northern Fuel Ark (it's called the Westward Fortress, but nobody ever asked). In the north, all three Saints have gathered, one of whom understands well that he nearly came close to death. The Saint of Glass and the Saint of Carbon are relaxed and speaking to each other in the throne chamber, and the Saint of Fire has projected some sort of digital avatar into the wide, sweeping, vaulted throne chamber: A humanoid form on fire, though the fire is beginning to fade, over time. Where Zwei is is another matter entirely. It's likely as anything that they're handling their analysis in orbit or somewhere similarly isolated, but with their ownership of the Paradox Spear, they've got a chance to examine its properties and establish their constructs. To the south, the Engine King, now crownless, is giving a speech to his people from a high point in the Refinery's main garage, one that is somber, but promises some measure of hope. It's a longer one, but it's more articulate than he usually is, less weighed down by lingo. He's just now wrapping it up. "The Line's over. And the point of the Kingdom is done. I lived my reign, and it's time for it to end the way a king's reign ends. I'll be working with our champions to find the ways to park the kingdom in stability, so we can live the life we've earned together, free the way we wanted it." "I'll be retiring to let someone lead who knows peace better than I do, and I'll take the jobs they need me to, because you're still the people I plan on living and dying for. But lord knows it's better to let something end while it's still a little good. The champions I got showed me I was a little too set on war. It's what we needed then. But it's not now. Maybe it's better I let someone who's really got the heart for building take up the time when we need to build." "Now's our time for building. Not more hating, not more fighting. So I'll get off the throne by the end of the next year or two, and until then, hopefully the champions that fought for us won't mind giving me some down-to-earth advice. I'll do right for you, though, and I'll hope you remember the Engine King real well. It was a boss bash, slodges. But now it's starting to get to be time for me to agitate gravel." "Later." Now he'll settle back in his throne garage, not on the Dragster Throne that was there before, but on a simple stool he's using while he works on another new car. Anyone who wants to join him can. Kura's here as well, and so is Kaito, the elder Hylotl Starscale of Daggum, the southern settlement. If you have anything to wrap up or last words to say, now's when you can do it. The Line's over and it's starting to be time to finally move on. Nothing stays motionless forever, nor in motion.
Yang Xiao Long	Yang approaches the Engine King, limping, her head covered in a bandage, obscuring one eye and her left arm is secured in a cast with some scrawled wellwishes, her left leg is secured in a brace to support the knee joint, but she resolutely moves up to place her free hand on the King's shoulder. "Well spoken... I'm, sorry things turned out the way they did, but... it's finally over." she says, looking over toward the slowly moving Westward Fortress. "I, think I'm going to see how they're doing, with the revival thing. I've got to talk to one of the Saints, too." Yang moves her hand, then starts her walking back down into the garage proper, to awkwardly mount up onto her bike to make the journey.
Gilgamesh	The King of Heroes is here. Despite his immense, staggering, overwhelming mixture of frustration, embarrassment, and irritation, he's the kind of person who prefers to see things to the end, regardless of the end. The Line may have ended /staggeringly/ unprofitably for him, but it ended peacefully in large part because of his actions, and thus there is a sense of responsibility behind it. Moreover, he's the King of Everything and this is a Major Political Event - he feels some need to be here and see his good work finished. Probably a lot of reasons for that. He'll be up to attend the Empress's revival later, but he has something more important to do first. He's here, again, in full regalia, perfect torso exposed and covered in his red tattoos, gold armor lower bottoms, radiating that aura of physical glory that tastes like honey and promise and power. He listens to the Engine King step down. He watches him go. A slave cannot ever be a king. He walks into the garage and stops. Red eyes watch the man as the demigod sits down across from him. The former King of Engines gets a long look from the King of Heroes. After a moment, he sighs. "Democracy is a mistake," he says to the garage, waving his hand and leaning forward. He steeples his fingers against his gold-clad knees, watching the Engine King. "You are opening your people to a vacuum of power. They will elect someone who speaks out of one side of his mouth and has earned none of what you have. A slave cannot be a king, but a slave can be a leader, and while I think you are a fool and a mongrel, even a mongrel can be trained, and even a mongrel can learn their lesson." "If you are so committed to stepping down," Gilgamesh says as he rises, "Then step down and run for office again. Do not end as a king. You are not a king. You are a slave." "End as an example for your people to follow when they next elect a leader." Yang enters as Gilgamesh turns. His face goes a bit red. He scratches his cheek, and looks away. "You were very impressive. I look forward to testing your strength for myself, fair Huntress. The smile on your face as you fell told me that you had seen the wisdom you sought." "B, but, until then," he adds, "I am also heading up to the revival."
Kotone Yamakawa	So the Line was over, and she was glad of it being over. Those chasing it would have a chance to do more, heck race more rather than be focused on this madness which was also likely damaging the super planet. She'd also been invited by many here, she had made a beeline to see what would become of the Empress when all was said and done, right? The king being willing to step down though? That was not expected after his words during the last leg of the race. Thankfully she seems to have more considering to do at this point. She has her small camera drone there watching, she will check in with the King yet first she wants to see what's up with the Empress.
Yang Xiao Long	Yang looks at Gilgamesh, cracking a grin as she limps away. "Sure, once I'm not a walking disaster zone." she replies, then makes a gesture. "I'm goin' that way, I'll give ya a lift. Bee's big enough for two."
Gilgamesh	"I accept," Gilgamesh says, and follows to join her.
Dexter Arkwright	Dexter Arkwright arrives on-time. It's rude to keep people waiting. Dressed in a fine three-piece suit, a strange metal briefcase hooked to his side (it's the container for his Venture Suit) and the Paradox Shield in both of his hands, he's approaching the throne room. There's a smile on his face, an immense amount of satisfaction going through him that he can be the one to do this, that he did everything he said he would. He couldn't change at all - his way is the right way. Though, that may also be because of the Shield influencing him as he carries it forward. There's a nod to each of the Saints (including the Saint of Fire's projection). Once up to the set-up, Dexter would hand the Shield off to either the Priestess or the Flotilla, depending on who is using it to awaken the Empress. Later, he's going to want to talk business - mostly with Moonfin at his side for the diplomacy - and see what both he personally as well as the Concord can get out of this. "There's nothing to worry about. With everyone's expertise at work, all will go well." It's meant to be reassuring. Dexter hopes it'll go well. If it doesn't...that's very, very bad for him.
Corona Arclite	It's going to take more than a spectacular crash landing rescue to keep Corona Arclite down for long. It's going to take more than a Medical Staff to do it, too. If they even bother trying beyond making sure she gets at least a few hours of good sleep and her wounds bandaged up. The fox has spent enough time around the Engine King's establishments by this point they probably know that she just doesn't stay put for long. Especially when she has things to do. So many things. Like hearing the soon to be Ex-King's speech. And completing the notes in her journal about The Line, The Treasure, and the End brought to them both. In the end, all that matters is that the Treasure and the Line is no longer corrupting entire settlements and nations into 'Gotta Go Fasta' over and over again. Losing the 'race' doesn't matter so much compared to that finale victory, nor does the method the victory came to pass. What's done is done. The Treasure is gone, the other Empire has a chance to revive someone important, and peace is ready to be made. Corona closes her journal and tucks it away to clap for the end of the King's Speech, then ambles her way back to the Garage. By the time the King strolled in after his speech it's no surprise she's already hard at work. The Foxtrotter sits in a corner, but that's not her current project. No, that would be modifying a different vehicle she had brought down to the Refinery. A large heavy duty truck, that's already had the back wheels replaced with a halftrack set of treads. A steam-powered work crane can be see jutting up from the storage compartments in the bed, and Corona had started working on installing a loader shovel to the front. The time for speed was done. This was starting on the building. Or at least cleaning up some of the mess left in The Line's wake. So much exotic materials and wreckage... Corona looked up at the King claiming his new throne and nodded. "Good speech." She gave her hat a faint tip, then hunkered back down between the support struts and some more flash of welding followed.
Leyanne	Leyanne follows Yang into the Engine King's garage. The mouse is just flat-out missing most of her left arm, and in places her skin has been grated to the point where her metal-plated skeletal structure is visible in a few places. She's also out of her armour for the first time since the beginning of the whole Line race. She too walks into the King's garage, although there's a soft 'ugh' at the sight of Gilgamesh. She stays quiet to let him say what he says, shaking her head. "Democracy's working out fairly OK for Mars. It ain't perfect, but it's better than living under tyrrany." she comments. "But... man, your people gotta find their own path. Gilgamesh might, in my opinion be a bit of a tosspot - no offense - and his delivery might have the subtlety of a shovel to the face - again, no offense - but, well... in this situation, he's right. You never know what type of peacetime leader you're gonna be until you try. Your people are gonna need some stability during the transition. Or at least... the option of it. Oh, and Gilgamesh?" She steps up and offers her hand to him. It looks like it physically hurts to do. "This whole race thing, to end the scar on the Multiverse? Nice one."
Orchid	There are a lot of people here to see things to the end. Among them is Orchid, who sees her actions as a favor. A gift to the historians of the future, those who will study the Line, and how the Acceleration Kingdoms rose and fell. So she is there for the Engine King's farewell address. She is also there for Gilgamesh's... tone-deaf statements. "I think he has a point," she says aloud. "Not the slave stuff, but the rest. Let this first transfer of power be smooth and peaceful, setting a precedent for the future. Stick the landing." Oh, and she has a spider on her shoulder, holding a high-quality camera. Once the King has said his last statement, she'll follow the others to the revival North.
Gilgamesh	"Saying 'no offense'," Gilgamesh says idly, "Does not make the statement /not offensive/." He flicks his eyes at Orchid. "A slave can lead. A slave can rise to a throne. But a slave cannot be King, because in his mind, he will always be a slave who rose free from it. His son will be a king. His son will think like a king. But a slave will rule like a slave, and a king will rule like a king, and the two are not the same and never can be." He looks at Leyanne's hand for a long moment. He doesn't take it, but that's not because he's being an asshole, it's because he's genuinely somewhat uncertain. After a moment he decides that he'll do the proper thing, raises it up to his lips, and kisses her hand. Even Gilgamesh can be charming and gentlemanly, apparently. He releases her hand and waves his hand over his shoulder. "Yes. It was brilliant of me. I may not have profited but I am still King. Solving the conflicts of my subjects is part of my duties. Feel free to praise me all you like."
Staren	With peace negotiated, Staren was content to stay out of the race and let the others settle it. He may or may not get a chance to help personally study the treasures now, but through Dexter's Concord affiliations, hopefully some of the info will make it to him. His remaining interests in this world are mostly not time-sensitive. He'd like a supply of hyperglass, and to learn more from the King's scientists about how they planned to destroy the treasure. But right now... The people of the Holy Combustion Empire are attempting to bring back someone they care for deeply. Someone they cared for so much, they've worked so long and so hard and sacrificed so much to see her alive again. And it's all come to this. It's possibly one of the most moving things Staren's heard of in the Multiverse. But of course, why limit himself? A drone is watching the meeting with the king. It projects a hologram of him. <"I am glad to see both of your kingdoms at peace."> Staren's voice comes over the speaker. <"And though I'm no advisor on governmental matters myself... the Concord has many knowledgeable people, and I'm sure some sort of trade could be worked out, assistance with government for assistance with harvesting the Line's resources."> Staren feels pretty confident the Concord will back such a deal. Of course, even if the King refuses such an association, he'll happily send whatever political theory e-books his support AI can find. He doesn't comment on Gilgamesh's words. This doesn't seem like the time for an argument, and even he can see merit in the King running for office -- whoever runs against him will indeed have to be damn good. Meanwhile, Staren is waiting at the throne room, dressed in his usual clothes and labcoat. He doesn't see the point of dressing up. His thoughts return from the King and possible alliances, to the joy of getting to see the dream of someone /else/ who's worked so hard to save someone come true. Staren nods at Dexter's reassurance. He trusts that, after all this, and with the skill of the Empire's scientists and the Starbound Flotilla, it will work... and if it /doesn't/ work, they'll figure out why and then do it right, because like hell the Empire's going to give up after coming this far, right?
Leyanne	Leyanne smiles a little at Gilgamesh. "I'm sorry, Gilgamesh. But, well, a lot of my people fought and died to free my homeworld from tyranny. It... rankles me that you would claim it as yours by looking at it." A pause, as a thought occurs to her. "As far as I can tell - and there's every possibility I'm wrong- my Mars is one of the sub-planets in the void. Would that mean it's technically part of the heavens, not that which lies under it?"
Corona Arclite	Corona Arclite glances up for a moment again as Yang mentioned she was heading to the other side of the fence, so to speak. "Tell the Fire Saint no hard feelin's for me, eh? Ah dunno if he heard me after the fight. It was all fer a good cause in the end, and he put a helluva fight up." She snickers a little at Leyanne actually trying to make some peace with Gilgamesh, even if he is an annoying carpetbagger. It.. goes about as well as one can imagine, but better to bury the hatchet and move on. "Hey Tiny, wanna go scrap huntin' later? Gotta get in before the claim rush starts comin'."
Riva Banari	Riva's not with the group at the Church. She stood there with the people during the King's speech. She listened to him tell them what happened, to announce his resignation and a planned transfer of power. She's there when Gilgamesh gives his own advice, and Riva collapses, tired, into a nearby chair and takes a long drink of something she got from the locals. She gives a wave to Yang as she approaches and takes her leave. Riva, on the other hand, stays. She did nothing to really help the cause of the Church except indirectly. Even in the end, she rode under the banner of the Engine King because of promises and principles. It was the only way that he would be ensured to get a fair chance at his dream. Finally, she speaks. "You know, you're right about one thing though." She looks off into the distance. "People can't let go. You can't let go. That's why you did what you did. It's why they did what they did. They can't let go of the Empress and their dreams of the past. Is it wrong to tell someone to do that? I don't know." She takes another drink. "But I guess we had to go through this in order to make it happen." She gestures to the King. "Now you're free to find another dream, aren't you? The Line is ended. If you're set on letting goi of power, what direction are you going to really go from here?"
Starbound Flotilla	"Thanks, foxy." The Engine King says, tilting his head and making a greatful little motion while he grins wide at Corona, appreciating her assistance. He makes a short, well-meaning chuffing sort of sound, and flicks out another switchblade comb to adjust his hair. Yang Xiao Long certainly has a lot to answer for in a way, but he shakes his head. "Ehh. You had to stick to your guns, baby. Why's that something you're slinging sorries at me for? It's the way things are." He lights up his cigarette. "It's the way I was going too." He gives a short wave to her. "Say hi to 'em for me. I wasn't ever a fan of the Empress myself, but you know, better that someone lived than not." Gil gets a raised eyebrow from the man when he shakes his match out. "You're right. These are people all twisted up by having a bad time under bad news, and I'll bet they'll go for anything that's a large charge." He puts a hand to his face and runs it down the bridge of his nose, pinching with two fingers. "Hard to see what needs seeing. I don't want anyone lighting up the tilt sign in the Refinery, sure. It's complicated." Orchid is considered and so is Leyanne here, and their twist on Gil's statements is cooked in the oven of his mind."I'm not sure what'll come out of it. Democracy, maybe." He shakes his head a little. "We'll see. Plenty of cracks in that engine if you ask me, but it's gonna depend on where we go. I'll see what I can do in the next year and change. Maybe people will feel like they want me to hang, or want me to /hang/. Either way, I still need to take time getting it rolling." "Could be a lot more complicated than it isss!" Kura pipes up. He wanders near Gil, bowing stylishly. The Floran man with fine furs and bones has them arranged almost like the Floran equivalent of a nice suit. "But he'sss got good guidance. I'm jussst that kind of guy, the side-mouth kind, and you've got my guarantee you're right about thisss, I can sssee a million gapsss I could hop into if I weren't gonna ssstick with my King." He sort of "fwips" the Engine King's hair with one hand, wobbling it like it's a big spring. "I can get Engie pulled together on sssomething more though, let him lead a proper movement the way he usssed to. Sssomething to make sssure people earn what they get here. Lesss direction in day to day decisssion, more direction in culture, you know?" He lets out a hissing sort of laugh. His mannerisms are snakelike, but his eyes burn with loyalty. He seems dedicated to making sure the King's ideals keep going to the end. And not to one side in particular, when Staren makes an offer. "Well, you helped usss out pretty often, right... Ssstaren? I think there'sss not a bad foundation for keeping in contact with the Concord! Though I'm not quite sssure the people would want... /External governance/ that way, you know? We'll sssee how it goesss, but if you asssk me, it's more likely you'll sssee usss working to get sssome trade power going from a relationship like that." For the people here, at least, they've made sure the Engine King will try to stay a cultural leader. At the very least, his strong ideals of fellowship and equality, and the intense desire to see leaders earn what they have, will persist in a major political force, though it's likely as anything he won't handle those day-to-day decisions in the end.
Corona Arclite	"Oh! That reminds me." Corona extinguishes the welding torch and sets it aside, then hops up and out of the mechanical assembly for the shovel. She pulls a business portfolio binder out of her inventory, and seeing as Kura is the one fielding the conversation at the moment as Engie's right hand plant-man, walks over to offer it to the Floran. "Muh boss-lady wanted me to pass this on to y'all. Miss C's always got an interest in new market venues, iffen ya got folks looking to build an economy on yer speed tech or minin' the remains of the Line's weird minerals. Minin' is the main way of livin' for Brimsteel; the trade co. can help provide equipment and experience. For a fair price, of course." She steps back after and gives a small dismissing wave. "Business ain't my thing, but if folks got questions Ah can pass 'em along. Or make arrangements if they wanna see what's up to offer first."
Leyanne	Leyanne grins at Corona. "Sounds like a plan! I'm up for helping with that." She says, to her plan of going scrap-raiding. "I gotta find me a nice big gun to remember this place by."
Starbound Flotilla	The Priestess takes Dexter's shield, and also his hand, gratefully. The woman has finally changed out of that mourner's ceremonial robe, and into something a little brighter and more stylish to fit a celebration. "Thank you, again, Dexter. For everything." She says, emphatically, squeezing it tight. Hoisting it, she moves the shield towards a large collection apparatus. The Saint of Carbon moves to work on securing it and setting up some heavy machinery interacting with it. The jetfighter is something of a tech-head, it seems. This takes a little while, and in a place that's as fast as this one, it's enough time for the others to get here from the south. "Siphon systems engaging." "Now, our plan for this is quite simple. Using the Paradox Shield as a focus point, it is suspected that we can draw whatever energies were discharged into the Empress back into the shield." "Optimistic. If we draw parallels with electrons and static, she should be 'positively charged' while the shield is 'negatively charged'. Oh goodness I do hope she does come back..." "Ehhh, I could take it or leave it." "You're gonna take it! If there's anyone here who can handle a holy relic, it's me! I'll get that power zipping through her like a clean circuit in just a moment!" "Floran isss keeping all regeneration sssystemsss going... Be ready to sssupport Empresss! Might be very weak after all thissss." "This needs to work. It NEEDS to work." The holographic burning humanoid avatar of the Saint of Fire intones, a sort of obsessed mantra. The Priestess seems about in tears just thinking about it. The Saint of Carbon is focused and visibly sweating. The Saint of Glass has knelt in a sort of quiet prayer. With a half-dozen people at various controls, a multitude of shining white beams that remind one just about halfway of the Line's old Treasure in motion extrude at a heavy emitter and receiver apparatus lowered on an "arm" from the ceiling, pulsing in and out of the Paradox Shield.
Starbound Flotilla	"Couple seconds until this bar matches the other one. Hell if I know it'll work, but we're about to find out. Might want to hold on to something." George mutters, prodding at his console, before it very abruptly shuts down. Several heavy shockwaves of white light emerge from the heavy medical apparatus. The shadowy figure within convulses several times. "She's waking up... SHE'S WAKING UP!" The Saint of Fire, flickering in the odd emissions, is immediately linking with the medical systems, and beginning to release. "COME BACK! You're almost back, you're /almost back/, COME BACK TO US!" For once in all his time the others have seen him, he's crying in a /good way/. Masses of steam pour out of the tube. Whatever happened inside, it appears to have entirely boiled away all the substance inside the healing vat. If Staren has his eyes on readings, he'll find loads of valuable information on how Immovable and Unstoppable energies can be manipulated inside a body, in this case a Floran one. It's easier to tell what she is when she steps out and stands on her own two feet. If Gilgamesh was a tree, and knowing myth he might have spent some time as one, he would perhaps look like this. Her body is covered in bark like it's armor, carved in a dozen angles and a dozen styles. Ancient traditions mark her skin with whatever the Floran equivalent may be of divine symbology. She is tall for a Floran, reaching a good six feet and change. All she has to do is move one hand and her Priestess has already shrouded her body in a long, powerful-looking royal cloak. "Good. I see you've put substance to the faith I put in you. I expected nothing less and hoped just as much." She says, regarding her subordinate with a kind, but knowing and superior smile. She's the first Floran so far who has spoken /effortlessly/ around their teeth, despite the fact that hers are some of the longest and sharpest yet seen. When she turns to regard the others, a long cascade of petals in a multitude of royal purple and blue colors shifts down her back like hair. "And I see you gathered assistance for it." She tilts her head briefly, focused on gathering as much information as she can in as little time as possible. Her mind is as sharp as a blade. "I don't hear the main engine. We're not moving. Did the launch to reach the Treasure fail?" The Empress smiles wide, deep purple eyes burning with /interest/, the way most people could make their eyes burn with hate. "Should I blame you for a failure in my Empire, or thank you as befits its success?" Everything about her sings and screams leadership and power from root to tip. For someone known exclusively as the Empress, it's as fitting a substance as the name can get. The Saint of Fire has "gone out", no longer aflame, leaving his body a flickering storm of glitching holography, as he prostrates his avatar in front of her and makes a sort of quiet noise of relief. The other Saints have bowed deeply on both knees as well. The Priestess is visibly crying. Good job to the people who fought for her revival, it seems.
Gilgamesh	Ah. So that's interesting. Gilgamesh has never spent time as a tree, and the person who has, he hasn't met yet. But he's not someone who can't recognize the divine when he sees it. It takes him exactly a single glance to determine her origin as she rises, and the elegance she moves with is a mirror of his own. He watches her silently, his own aura of glorious divinity roiling around him. He's not bothering to hide himself or his shining power; there's no /point/. She'd be able to tell him as easily as he told her, and she'd be able to see him as easily as he saw her. She speaks. Gilgamesh closes his eyes. He turns around. And he leaves. His duty is done, as King of All Creation. He's seen what he came to see, and he's ascertained the quality of the leader. It's probably the most telling thing of all that Gilgamesh, King of Heroes, King of Kings, King of All That Is, Was, And Ever Shall Be, says nothing at all to the Empress. No words of advice. No words of thought. No words of encouragement. No introductions. Power does not need to introduce itself to power. That? That's not disrespect. That's /respect/. That's knowing when you don't need to say a word. That's knowing when someone else knows everything you could say to them, and that anything you were thinking is made meaningless because they already know. There's no need for a perfect king to advise someone who is born to be a king. That's simply foolish. She may not be his peer - nothing /can/ be, but something made by the hand of the gods - but she is at least worthy enough for the King of Heroes to acknowledge her with his silence as he leaves.
Yang Xiao Long	Yang bows her head to the Floran Empress. "The Line is Over, the Treasures are separated, and the war is over." she says. She'd drop to her knees but the brace and her injuries prevent that. She then looks to the Saint of Flame, prostrated before the Empress. The blonde smiles softly, but then turns to leave, following after Gilgamesh.
Staren	Staren watches the proceedings with interest, but the Empress... inspires a mix of respect and annoyance. Her immediate adaptation to the setting and rapid assessment of the situation is impressive, but her words, if not the tone in which they're spoken, aren't words he likes to hear from a leader he doesn't know. He lowers his gaze and tilts his head in thought for a moment. It might be taken as a head bow of respect, though. Yang speaks first. Staren nods in agreement. And thinks of a question to ask: "What will you have the Empire do now?"
Corona Arclite	Corona Arclite does a finger-gun point at Tiny as she mentions finding a BFG as a souvenier. "An' that's one of the reasons yer my favorite martian-mouse," she replies, before wandering back over to finish her work. Sooner she gets the halftrack modded, the sooner they can get out there.
Gilgamesh	As Yang follows him out, Gilgamesh stops. Crimson eyes meet violet ones. "Stay," he says, "You don't need to follow me if you don't wish to. How often will you have a chance to meet a divinity and claim responsibility for its resurrection?" "It's an act that makes legends. Are you really willing to simply let something like that pass you by?"
Yang Xiao Long	Yang limps along. "Already met one, meet one, meet 'em all, I say." she replies, smirking at the young looking King. "Why do I need her when you're right here?" she adds, chuckling softly.
Dexter Arkwright	As the Empress awakens, Dexter waits for her to speak, having nodded to the Priestess when she thanked him. "My name is Dexter Arkwright of the Concord. Yesterday, I claimed the Paradox Shield from the Line, and brought it here as part of an agreement with your Priestess." He waits for that to set in a little, so that future discussions are favorable. "I am glad to see that you have come back. Everyone has put quite a bit of effort into this. They're really exceptional!" And from Dexter, that's high praise, as he glances towards both the Flotilla and towards the various Saints and priestesses. Mentally, he thinks they deserve a holiday raise or whatever they get in the Empire.
Gilgamesh	That was...unexpected. More so than the divinity they just met. That's, you know, that's looking in the mirror. Gilgamesh's face flushes crimson. Again, Yang gets a look at what else is inside the god-king of all creation; he's two-thirds god, but he's one third man, and the man is still an awkward teenager when it comes to this kind of thing. "I," He pauses. "Erm." ANother pause. This time, he rallies himself, and the King of Heroes slides a hand against his hip and tilts his head sideways. "I thought that you wanted to be a legend. This is something that makes people legends. But if you're satisfied..." He leaves the thought hanging for a moment, like he's trying to decide what to say. Then he snaps his fingers. "If you're satisfied, then let me show you the Preserver of Life up close. You've only seen it from afar. And you did give me a ride here. It's only right that I give you a ride in return." Yeah he very clearly doesn't know how that sounds, or he probably wouldn't've said that. Modernity!
Yang Xiao Long	Yang shrugs, smirking at the discomfort and the glimpse of dorkiness under the ego and bravado. "A legend here, nobody back home. I'd rather work for something with my own two hands, instead of hanging off the coat tails of others." she says. "I didn't have a hand in getting the treasures. I got bitchslapped by a giant hammer shaped like an off-center plus symbol and came too after everything was said and done. I'm not legendary. Not yet."
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone is cleaned up but in her more standard fair, as when things settle she'll be likely joining Corona in hunting through things for salvage. It was going to be fun but first, there were some important thing to do. She'd also plan to drag Leyanne into it too as well. For now, though she is here to see the Empress and meet her, she had not forgotten the fight she had with one of the Saints and their drive to restore her to proper life. Kotone's own hover-drone is buzzing about she'll come to talk to the King in person later. For now, she watches the Saint of Carbon move and the play their part in the waking of their leader. She watches it seem to be working the Empress is waking she is waking and that's one if the biggest Floren she's ever seen in her life. She bows slightly "It was one of your servanta utter faith and drive to see you restored to the living world that made me turn back. "I had simpley wished to stop the Line from claiming more people's. The road is clear for a future for your people as well as the others of the line." This may have been the best possible restult both empires lived with minimal loss of life.
Gilgamesh	Gilgamesh's blush fades. His eyes are the only red still on his face, the color of blood, the color of something other. He stares at hers, unmoving, unblinking, for a long minute. Then he sets a hand on her shoulder. "You burn." He pats her gently. It's not a casual contact. It's not a 'you did your best.' The gesture is clear in his eyes, a reminder that she /did/ work for this, that she /did/ fight for this, that she /did/ earn it with her own two hands. Then he turns around. "Well. If you're only interested in being a legend in your own world, then I suppose there's no accounting for your lack of ambition. Although I commend you for recognizing that even here, in such company as the Empress, I am peerless." He smirks, and she can see it plainly as they walk. "Come, then. I'm eager to see your own strength, but I'm also eager to show off the Preserver. It has some very impressive cannons. You'll like it."
Starbound Flotilla	Power recognizes power. Gilgamesh isn't recognizable to her, but his posture is. He leaves, sure, but it's hardly a swift one, given he's no coward. She's ready to walk too, though substantial portions of her body are still amid regeneration, taking strides towards administrative areas of the Westward Fortress. It's half because of her businesslike nature, and half because it's a good wordless way to get her subjects back on their feet. The others are wordlessly invited to join her and talk as they walk by her posture. She takes the matters in order. "The war is over. Which war?" "A rebellion in the south, Your Majesty." Glass pipes up. "Hmm. I want a full list of causes assembled." "Yes, Your Majesty!" "I will do with the Empire what I've always done." She makes a broad, powerful motion, sweeping her draped cloak. "Excel. In all ways and in all things. If you want specifics, a war's conclusion means I need to immediately reform wartime political processes and establish infrastructure recovery. If we have the Treasure now--" "We do, Your Majesty!" Carbon speaks up, hoisting the Shield. "Of course we do, Kalo. If we have the Treasure, we need to immediately begin study to effect several quality of life improvements to dissuade post-war instability and encourage economic growth periods. Noskova?" "Yes, Your Majesty?!" The Priestess pops up fast at her side. "Do we still have an economy?" "Commerce was redundant at the time of--" "We're restarting the economy. Distribute seed capital according to losses sustained. Find me whoever is responsible for this cloak, and tell them to find whoever has the best design skills for new coinage by the end of the day. I want a mint running by the end of this week." "Yes, Your Majesty!" "Arkwright. Whatever this Concord is, you're going to get me a connection. You're also granted a position as a leader in our post-war artifact acquisitions. Do we have one? You have it." She says, immediately, when Dexter explains; she doesn't even bother to ask just in case he can't say yes, but the tone isn't demanding; presumably he can instantly turn it down. "Anyone I make part of my leadership is exceptional, and they stay exceptional if they want to stay leaders. That's the point of leaders." She seems to think well of him, though only says it through that weird immediate job offer. Kotone gets a quick nod. "They have faith because they know truth." She says, and that's delivered as easily as she breathes. "Turned back. You were against me before?" She glances to the flickering mess that is the Saint of Fire. "How long did that last? Reports later, commendations after, work now. If the Line was taking lives and you had enough strength to fight mine, then you have enough strength to fight to help them recover. Explain anything you can do to help the Line's people recover. We'll collaborate." That's, again, not a demand, just a sort of fact, and she figures Kotone will dispute her if she's wrong, but she /wouldn't be/.
Yang Xiao Long	Yang's eyes flicker red, matching Gilgamesh's own for a brief moment as he stares at her. "You're right, I do Burn." she answers, turning to follow the King of Heros. "I never said I /only/ wanted to be a legend in my own world. I'd just rather start there and work outward." she corrects, forcing her limbs to move a bit faster to keep up with Gilgamesh's stride. Yang then smirks at the declaration. "Well, sure, I guess. Bitches love cannons, after all." she jokes, cracking that trademark, Unstoppable grin of hers. The Line, whle gone now, certainly left an impression on her.
Kotone Yamakawa	"I sought to stop the line from consuming more lives and civilizations, the only way at the time seemed to destroying the Treasure, I allied with the now Former Engine King to do so. When I fought one of your Stains and hacked into his craft I saw his devotion, his drive to bring you back to the world. When Gilgamehs here offered to arbitrtate noegations for how to settle it I took up the offer and backed the idea of a race to end it rather than contiuned war." Kotone is honest about this as far as she can knows. "I may be able to offer some contacts who may be of aid in the rebuilding and I shall do so."
Starbound Flotilla	Kura is a savvy businessfriend. "Well! Sssunseeker City's always on the lookout for rising ssstars in every market! If you think you can get us sssome good distribution ssservices in the post-war economy, you've got my ear!" He grabs up the portfolio. "Misss C! Charming from the sssound of it, a perfect opportunity. Your thing'sss mining and danger-diving, isssn't it? We're looking to expand our mining operationsss now that we can create ssstable sssites on deposssits. I'm sssure we can get all kindsss of great pricesss worked out." His wide eyes glitter and he adjusts his fancy furred tie. "As for ssscrap hunting, we'll happily show you all the prime ssspots we can, if you can bring usss a few choice objectivesss we've been sssorely misssing sssince the crashesss. What would you say? Up for a few more adventuresss for the Engine King?" Kura seems eager to keep a running relationship with these two Watchfriends, hoping to keep them for the purposes of recovering old artifacts... And also keeping the trajectory of society safely away from power-vaccuum tyrants or tricksters, is his unspoken interest, having some awareness of their history, it seems.
Dexter Arkwright	Dexter walks with the Empress. She reacts and gets up to speed fast - truly leadership material. Truly someone who represents the apex of Dexter's philosophy on power. He's a bit awed, though he still views himself as a top dog - but there's no reason to butt heads, because she immediately offers him something useful. To be a liason, and a leadership adventurer - his dream job, actually making money off adventuring. He's sold immediately. "I accept, your majesty." And so, Dexter regards her with respect as well, immediately moving to grab his radio. "I'll contact the Concord now." And so, Dexter walks off to do so while being in range to be called over if anyone needs to talk to him, without disrespecting the Empress's space.
Corona Arclite	Corona Arclite barks a laugh (literally being a fox) in response, and gives Kura a hearty slap on the back. Though she's careful not to actually muss up his designer fur-suit. "Sounds like this arrangements gonna be hummin' like a fine tuned engine block." Then turns to grin over her shoulder at her friend. "Ya here that Tiny? May of been the End of the Line but there's still adventures beginnin'. Feel like helping rebuild the society we helped save?"
Leyanne	Leyanne listens to Corona and Kurra talking. SHe smirks. "I'm up for that."she comments. "Especially now...it's all calmed down. Everyone get through the, ah, decelleration OK?"
Starbound Flotilla	Riva gets a bit of a special moment to chat with the King because of her dedication to him in her promise before. "Yeah." He says, nodding and agreeing. "We move and we don't stop. We hold and we don't let go. It's the way the Line was. I gotta find a way to break it. Shake it up. Really make a bash of it. It's hard, though. Everything matters so much, nobody lets go. It's always too important." He lets out an easy stream of smoke. "It's not all bad though. We hold white-knuckle on things and we make them important that way. You kept by my side. My boys are gonna remember your name, baby. No matter what, we'll always know you did the right thing for me." He offers her a smoke, as if she'd take it. "Where I'm going... Mmmh. Well, there's plenty that still needs doing while we figure out how we'll find someone to replace me. And plenty needs doing after that. Not for going after that Treasure now, just... Making sure the Kingdom settles down and it's safe. Maybe I'll find a good job keeping it safe. Something where it won't hurt to try to lead the culture a little. Who knows. Now, it's not about holding on... Now it's about making sure I own up to some responsibilities I've got. Can't just ditch 'em, but I can still do right by the people while backing off. That's the noise under my hood, at least, who knows what's on the road ahead."
Staren	Staren stares in amazement. He's never actually seen a monarch do this much leading this fast this close up. She clearly knows her shit, and most any doubt about her is swung over into respect so fast the 'rarr distrust tyrants' part of Staren's mind is just stunned. Staren turns to Dexter. "Wow. You really picked a winner, the Concord's gonna /love/ her." He offers Dexter a congratulatory handshake. And then she asks for explanations, albeit primarily from Kotone. Staren feels a little bit put on the spot as he realizes he knows nothing of the Empire's technological base. "I bring manufacturing, medical, and information technology that can turn power and raw materials into a great many things," he rallies, his tone growing more self-assured, "curing diseases and genetic conditions and extending life indefinitely. I heard you used slavery, and although it sounds like that will no longer be the case anyway, I am happy to improve your people's quality of life even further."
Riva Banari	"I could see it." She nods in response to the King. The arrival of the Empress elsewhere doesn't concern her. She'll approach her in time, if she ever has a need to seek audience. For now, however, she's had much more of a conversation and relation with the King, as wild and laser-focused as he was. A paradox in his own behavior in many ways. This entire experience has been a study in paradox. "Don't worry about me. I didn't do it for fame or fortune. I'm just going to trade for some things and head out after a while. All I want is you guys to get some peace, but I think it'll be a while before you can get it." She waves off the smoke. "That's all good. Keep busy, keep working with people. Nothing wrong with that. One day you're find another thing to deal with, another road to follow. Or maybe you'll just follow this one to the end. That's good too." She laughs. "I suppose it's a lot different now that you have a little more freedom, right?" A little more. Not too much. "If you need any help, send out a call through the Watch. I'll hear it."
Starbound Flotilla	"Noskova, make it happen. I want a team and facilities available to him before the end of next week." "Yes, Your Majesty!" The Empress /strides/ with the full weight of the definition of that term. She's already sorting out business for Dexter. "Hmm. Connections. Good. If outlanders can get this done, I want to know about it." She nods to Kotone. "Kalo. Talk to this one. Find out what we need to know." "Yes, Your Majesty!" "We'll have this figured out. Get me a full list of any recovery and humanitarianism industries I can expect the connections to enhance within 24 hours." That one's to Kotone. Boy she just goes right into the orders. Staren's end is given its due contemplation, which is a moment with a single curled wooden finger on her chin and her thumb below it. "Hmmm. Kozato. Get me industrial projection comparisons for current labor standards and externally enhanced labor. I want full analysis by tomorrow." "Yes, Your Majesty!" The Saint of Glass pipes up. "I want at least twenty personal test cases of proof for your enhancement technologies initially, drawn from my volunteers. Kozato, get a list of candidates before the end of the day." She says, speaking to Staren. "Following that, you'll be granted limited industrial access while we assess the costs and effects, escalating if you can provide results in line with projections within two months. I want proof of concept for industrial models of all non-personal-enhancement technologies, get them to me before two weeks from now. I want enough to make a full inspection and decision on their distribution. If your technologies are effective, they'll be adopted. Also, your name." Really, that last bit is kind of an afterthought for her.
Staren	The Empress fires demands at him rapid-fire. It's a little overwhelming, but words appear in his vision: It's alright, Staren, I've got it! [ ] Determine suitable biomods and cybernetic enhancements for citizens [ ] Determine technologies suitable for industrial use [X] Queue rescue exoskeleton for manufacture [ ] Tell the Empress your name The last item flashes and then repositions itself to the top of the list. Relieved by his muse's assistance, Staren rallies again. "I'm Staren, Gifted of the Concord." Just spitting out his official title feels more appropriate than the usual 'I'm a researcher but I usually end up shooting bad guys' informal introduction. Nevermind that the title of Gifted just means that his words have a little more weight with Concord R&D but not actual authority The now-first item in the list checks itself off and flashes satisfyingly. Staren smiles.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa looks to the Empress and nods for a moment "I will do so shall we Kalo? I'm not sure how these contacts will pan out but it's a starting point and one of them I can speak from personal experiance using their prosetics." She notes she will speak of the companies she's aware of and the aid groups as well whom might have an interest in getting in on things here and have lower odds of trying to take the Empire or the former Kingdom for a ride. When that is done she will slip out to go find the king and speak to him.
Starbound Flotilla	"We'll need it. I'm not the only one who needs to let go. Who knows what other bad news is gonna go for a shot at the top." The King says, taking the offered smoke back. "I'll need to keep you guys on call to make sure that whatever hits the top isn't bad. One of those sorts of things I know you'll know when you see." He heaves a heavy sigh, and flicks his cigarette onto the ground. This one he doesn't stomp, letting it fizzle out as he watches it. "I want to keep helping. I came this far, and it's my responsibility now. It'll be chili if you help me live up to it now." "Especially with everything you already did. It wasn't a panic and a half here for me to say you're gonna be remembered fondly." Eventually, after a time, the little embers stop, and they all fall to ash, when it's left to burn too long and too hot.