World Tree MUSH

    TEXT MESSAGE TO GROUP:
    Bronya: <SilvermanLTdrink.img>
    Stelle: You feeling better now, Bronya?
    Bronya: Thanks to Seele I'm doing just fine.
    Bronya: Thankfully I put into motion opening the Underworld connection and lift the blockades.
    Bronya: After being closed for more than a decade, the cable car station should be reopening soon, after the maintenence crews check it's still sound. I would like to invite you all to attend my succession ceremony.

    March 7th: Woohoo! We wouldn't miss it for the galaxy!
    Stelle: We'll be there.
    Bronya: See you there, then.
    Bronya: <Elegantflower.img>

    That was the message log from the Astral Express crew, and those who aided them in the fight for Belobog. The Astral crew, and those offworlders that join them, would emerge from the Vine near by the central plaza's Space Anchor... into a bustle of people. The livliest the city's looked in a very long time.

    To the south east, a commotion can be heard, the boisterous voice of Pitch-Dark Hook the Great is bellowing out. "WHOOOOAA! Look at the big blue ceiling!" as she emerges for the first time into the open air, charging up the steps that lead to the cable car terminal. Other children are also awestruck, the adults shading their eyes with wan smiles as the follow behind.

    "That's not a ceiling, Hook... that's the sky." replies Natasha with a giggle of unfettered joy as she too emerges into the light for the first time in ten years.

    Another child, around Clara's age speaks up. "This is the Overworld? It, smells so different." with Oleg responding. "Hahaha, less rust and Geomarrow particles floating around. Take a deep breath, children. This is what freedom tastes like." he says, pausing at the top of the steps with his hands on his hips.

    Meanwhile, Gepard is there to greet the arriving Offworlders, a small smile playing on his lips, even though he's trying to wear a mask of officiality. "Welcome back to the Administrative District, Trailblazers." he says, bowing with only a slight wince from the still recovering wounds.

    "Shouldn't you be taking it easy? We kinda did a number on you, then the Fragmentum monsters came in..." remarks Stelle with a bit of concern.

    This is... What freedom smells like...
    Clara has seen the overworld. She followed the group up with Svarog and helped bring about this change but.
    Getting to ride the cable car up to the surface with the other children brings the silver-haired girl a new sense of wonder. If anything the excitement is killling her the whole ride up. She's... So quiet though. Even around the other children. Clara, in spite of being such a good and gentle girl, was always a little bit of an outsider with the other children.
    "Ah..."
    Right up until another girl, just as nervous and excited as she is, gives her a gentle nudge.
    "Is it true? That you saw the overworld with the others? That's cool! Unfair, but so cool!"
    "... Eheh..." Clara offers the child an awkward smile as the cable bar doors open and-- 
    Hook gonna be Hook.
    Even though she's already been up to the overworld already, the end of the cable car ride is... Symbolic. Clara can choose to live her life in a place with a bright blue sky instead of a dull cave ceiling.
    "Um..." Clara pauses, bare feet halting in her tracks as she looks left, then right.
    "I'm right here, Clara." Svarog says; the massive mechanical man was already waiting at the cable car terminal. He wouldn't want to miss Clara getting to have this moment for the world, after all.
    Gepard being there makes Clara frown a little.
    "Are you..." Yeah she was going to ask if he should be resting or not considering what the group put him through, but Stelle beats her to the question.
    "So... Where are the others?"
    She totally wants to see Bi De, Talia, and Jess.

    Talia was hanging around the Belobog after the chaos that came from deposing Cocolia. She's heard enough of people calling Jedi irresponsible for leaving the scene of their actions without cleaning up. The bare minimum wasn't too much to ask for, right?

    She's had some time to refresh herself through meditation, some much needed meals, and also exercise. Heck, Talia even had her clothes properly tailored and cleaned for the big ceremony, when it was time to greet the Underworlders. Over her Jedi tunic is a warm winter coat, comfortable enough and keeping her from freezing to death up here.

    "No hard feelings, right Gepard?" She says wryly before greeting the Underworlders with a warm smile. "Ahh hello there. I was hoping we'd find you here."

    If Svarog allows it, Talia will kneel down and give Clara a warm embrace, hugging her close. "It's so good to see you again, Clara. Have you been well? What do you think of the sky?"

    Speaking of Jessica, she is in fact here! Shuffling into view, she has a more suitable coat today... looks like she finally upgraded, literally weeks after the toughest missions to the cold regions were done. Such is life, hmm? But she's here, and when she sees Clara she waves, her hood falling back to show the distinctive cat ears! "It looks like everyone is pretty excited," she states.

    Adding a comment, she says, "This is what freedom smells like! It's very distinct from napalm in the morning, most of the time!"

    Oh, Bi De is here. Hearing his name, he becomes visible! Not that he was invisible... he's very distinctive, but being short, he's easy to miss if he's standing behind... just about anything. Strutting forward, he does his bow to everyone. "This Bi De is pleased to see the good humor that everyone is in."

    Gepard smiles. "I am recovering, but please, allow me to apologize for what happened in the restricted zone. You were only trying to help... I should have trusted Serval's judgement."

    Stelle lightly baps Gepard on the armoured pauldron. "Weren't expecting to get wrecked so bad huh?" she jokes, which makes Gepard chuckle, and wince at the sudden motion causes something to pull a bit. "Heh ah... You are all excellent fighters. I'd love for you to help train the Guards, but I know you have places to be." he replies, then bows his head to Talia, Jessica and Bi De as they show themselves. "Please, if you would follow me. The Supreme Guardian has set aside a space for you during her address to the city." he gestures to open courtyard at the foot of the stairs leading up to the Fort, where a dias has been set on a raised platform, it's flanked by Guards in their armour, and a few of thee more well maintained robots standing like statues as an honourguard.

    Clara and Svarog would probably recognize the Grizzly they befriended in the restricted zone. It's got some scorch marks in its belt plating, but it's been polished up and looks much better maintained now.

    Bronya herself hasn't arrived yet, but there's a few familiar faces in the crowd, like little Pela, Serval and even Seele, skulking about. The latter is probably now part of Bronya's personal security, so she's looking for troublemakers before the address begins.

    Big papa Svarog will allow it.
    Clara returns Talia's hug warmly.
    "Ah... I've been alright. It's... I can finally..." She kind of trails off. She didn't get the chance to really appreciate how blue the sky was while everything was still a crisis. "... I can finally enjoy the sky, now."
    "Oh! Jessica! Bi De!" She didn't recognize the new coat at first but when the hood falls back, Clara is all smiles when the catgirl and the rooster emerge. Oh and there's that robot, too!
    Neat.

    Talia's maternal/big sisterly side demanded she give Clara hugs. The smol bean looks like she needs them. Talia smiles widely and brushes Clara's hair when she nods. "Yes, it's good to be able to appreciate the small things in life again, isn't it?"

    When it's time to follow Gepard, Talia will take her position in what seems to be the VIP platform. Public speaking is something of a common issue people have, but Talia hopes she'll be up to snuff for that. When she recognizes Pela, Serval, and Seele, she smiles. It's good to see them again. Hopefully they'll be able to catch up after the speech, or perhaps beforehand.

    While Talia is being team mom, Bi De seems to be pleased to see some of the younger ones healthy and whole. He walks with as much dignity as a rooster can muster - which is a surprising amount - over to the small group, and clucks lightly at Pela, "I do hope that you are doing well, yes?" Protective birb, he can't help it.

    Jessica has all smiles for Clara, and with her new coat, she doesn't look like she's armed for going into a war zone! Just private security. Because she's still armed, just not showing all the spare magazines and armor and such right now. Her tail flicks as she's greeted, "I'm glad to see you! How are you and your dad getting along?"

    She probably means Svarog.

    She follows though, asking lightly, "Is Bronya going to show up?" Mostly out of curiosity while she heads over toward... SERVAL, yes, that seems like the one she'll pick out.

    SERVAL is standing near a small group of off-duty Guards, including a large man with jet black hair. The pair are animated speaking, before noticing Jessica approaching. "Ah, Miss Jessica. it's good to see you." says he rockstar mechanic. The man bowing his head... and when he speaks, it's Lieutenant Dunn. "Greetings. I hope you and the other Outsi---. Trailblazers are well... I must apologize for my actions during the crisis... and hope you forgive me."

    Talia would find SEELE appearing behind her. "Hey. Your Jedi skills picking up any problems or potential trouble?" she asks, as if stepping out of Talia's shadow. "I'm just trying to make sure Bronya's address goes smoothly." she clarifies, looking around.

    PELA bows to Bi De in greeting, adjusting her glasses. "Ah, Mister Bi De. Welcome back to the Administrative District. I will offer my personal apologies for the misunderstandings that occured during your first visit... none of us knew what the truth." she says. "I do hope you decide to visit again after this. Lady Bronya has put into motion a re-opening of the Belobog museum, and placed me at the head of the project." she adds.

    "Nothing too much." Talia says, not too shocked at Seele's sudden appearance. "But it helps to be prepared, a second glance never hurts." She adds, before focusing out at the crowd, scanning with those cool blue eyes of hers.

    "Oh, I don't think you really um, had it tout for us or anything," Jessica replies, waving it off! "I'm a mercenary, I'm kind of used to dealing with some mixed up messages and stuff. I'm just glad it all worked out in the end!" No hard feelings, apparently! Then she looks more serious, her ears splaying. "I'm not sure about the others, though. Bi De is really nice and relaxed, and so is Talia, but they have their whole honor thing... but then again you were doing your job..."

    To Serval, "And you're doing well too? Everyone seems... lighter, more relaxed."

    "Big sis Talia, I wouldn't call 'seeing the sky' a small thing for me or the other underworld children." Clara points out. It's kind of a BIG deal for her whole generation. "Mister Svarog and I have been doing just fine." She answers Jess before following over to Serval.
    "Oh um. Miss Serval. Now that everything is over... I was wondering... If maybe. I could help out in your shop now that..."
    Now that she can freely visit she means? Probably.

    "I would like that," Bi De replies. "I am curious about the different ways that humans - and others like them - live. As you can tell, I spent most of my life in Fa Ram, where life is very different." He pauses, then clucks again with a note of humor in the vibrant, synthetic voice. "Although I do hope that I can soon sing to the morning sun once again."

    Serval nods to Clara. "I would certainly welcome you Miss Clara. A sharp young mind like yours needs to be cherished and nurtured." she replies, kneeling and placing a hand lightly on the girl's shoulder. "But we'll need to get you some actual shoes." she adds gently.

    Pela nods to Bi De. "I would certainly like to exchange information in that regard too. Our knowledge of the outside universe has... degraded... over the past seven hundred years, since the Eternal Freeze began." she remarks softly.

    Dunn nods a little. "Still, Miss Jessica, I could have chosen differently... though it would have gone against my Rock'n'Roll soul." He bows deeply. "Let us work together in the future, for the good of Belobog."

    Seele nods a little. "I'm not expecting any problems. Everyone's been really excited to be reunited, but it just takes one... keep me posted if you notice anything." the Underworld Assassin then seems to vanish again, melting back into the crowd.

    

    "Guards! FORMATION!" comes a cry from the guard detail around the podium. The Guard there coming to full parade attention, shouldering weapons ceremonially. The machines come alive, shifting into their assigned positions and coming to full ready, their optics flashing blue. "Citizens of Belobog. Honoured Guests from Beyond the Stars. Brothers and Sisters from the Underworld, all. I kindly ask for your attention! Lady Bronya Rand's inaugural address will begin shortly. Please attend, but remain orderly." a man in ceremonial armour says from the dias, speaking through some kind of amplifier built into his neckbrace.

    The crowd gather before the podium, the offworlders are ushered gently to the vip section, though they remain in the 'audience' not part of the ceremony. Bronya steps up to the dias, and takes a deep breath. "People of Belobog -- Hear me!" she pauses only a moment to let the crowds cheers subside. "Today we gather to celebrate a great victory -- but one that cost us a mighty guardian to achieve. She dispelled an evil that cost us 700 years of suffering... and in the process, paid the ultimate price." she looks around the crowd, glancing over the offworlders briefly before continuing. "The sacrifice of Cocolia Rand ushers in a new chapter. The blizzard beyond the walls will die away and the offensive of out Silvermane Guards will begin to contain the Fragmentum's advence. In the far north, I witnessed with my own eyes the struggle between the late Supreme Guardian and the evil power that sought to destroy us. In her last moments, she told me her greatest regret..." she looks across the faces before the podium. Overworlders and Underworlders mingled together. The clothing styles mismatched, but clearly showing the shared origins. "The order to seal off the Underworld from the Overworld. With passage of time, she gradually came to realize the consequences of that decision. And though tortured by the guilt of it, she could not undo the damage."

    Bronya steps to the very edge of the podium, placing no barrier between herself and the crowd now... symbolically breaking down the walls that separate the two halves of the nation. "In her final moments, she wanted us to mark the end of the Stellaron's influence, by reuniting Belobog. Overworlders and Underworlders must embrace this new dawn... together."

    Talia does her best to look presentable, when it's time for speeches. She stands up straight, maintaining a stoic demeanor. Much as she dislikes having to keep up a sham, this is likely the best case for maintaining stability for the moment. Otherwise, there would likely be a chance of civil war. And Talia's already in the middle of one conflict.

    Clara's smile when Serval says she can help out in the shop, well... The girl is positively beaming.
    But then the guards take formation and Bronya takes to the podium.
    It's kind of painful watching the speech; knowing what really happened. That Bronya not only lost her mother by also the lie that they all have to tell for the sake of peace.
    "Mn..."

    "Yay!" Jessica feels a pretty pleased sensation as the people take a hopeful look, clapping lightly, then she tries to settle down with a sheepish smile at her friends. She'd stayed quiet through the speech, because she could feel the importance of the words... even if she herself didn't quite understand all that went on.

    Bronya pauses again as the crowd stirr into another resounding cheer, though the Underworlders are clearly a bit more subdued. "People of the Underworld, I dare not ask for your forgiveness -- I now know the reality of your decade of suffering... But I want us to work together. We know that without your perserverence and hard work, Belobog will not recover its former glory... and the seed of civilisation will not be preserved." she then gestures to the offworlders. "And on that note. I'd like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to a few guests ofo the city. Most of you were not aware of their arrival... but it is thanks to them that our world now has the chance to flourish with hope once more." she smiles at Talia, Bi De, Jessica and the Express crew, and even, once she manages to spot the tiny red dot in the crowd, offers a smile to Clara too. "They made me realize that while we remain focused on 'preserving' the ground beneath our feet, we should not... can not... forget to look up to the sky, too." She spreads her arms wide. "I firmly believe that with the determination of everyone, our world, the world the Trailblazers call 'Jarilo-VI' will no longer be alone among the stars." she holds her arms out toward the crowd, palms up and open. "But before we accomplish that goal, I humbly ask that you follow me into the future... I, Bronya Rand, the nineteenth Guardian of Belobog, hereby take my oath."

    The crowd stirs, and the one voice begins to chant. "Lady Bronya! Lady Bronya!" the call sweeping out until the entire city rings with the new Guardian's name.

    Then, as if tapping into a shared subconscious, everyone cries out. "LONG LIVE BELOBOG!"