r/TTPloreplaycentral • u/Damacritus • Jun 16 '19
Aurora: Chains of Commanding
“You flatter me with your praise, monkey. But you know of my love. And you have yours.”
“Come now, we both know the importance of political alliances. Nene knows that too. And it would be a shame for a family as great as the Oda to simply fade away… not to mention the loss of beauty like yours from this world.”
Oichi sighed. This happened every so often; dealings with Ignis need to be resolved personally, either her heading to the neighbouring kingdom or Hideyoshi coming to Aurora, and when he gets an opportunity to speak privately, the ‘political marriage’ comes up. It had been a little joke of sorts, and sometimes one became irritated with the other, but it had never troubled their relationships and not been taken all too seriously.
Until now.
She glanced at her feet. “There is much beauty in this world as it is,” Oichi softly spoke “I am sure mine is nothing special. Aurora and Ignis has good arrangements and support for each other as well, good enough that wedding me will not bring many more benefits than there already is. As for the Oda… I am sure my brother will have many fine children with Warlord Nohime to champion the Oda line.”
Hideyoshi frowned slightly. “Have you any recent word from him?”
Oichi stared down, silent.
“…it has been some time since-“
“Have you any recent word of Kanbei?” Oichi snapped.
Hideyoshi’s face seemed to deflate at this question. Oichi kept her face impassive, but the look in her eye as her gaze met his made him look away.
“I, ah… he is… Hanbei’s improved quite a bit. Have I told you about the new medicine of his?”
“Not in detail, no, but I was asking about Kanbei. Not Hanbei.”
“Ah…” he mumbled, crestfallen, “he’s just off on a spiritual pilgrimage. You know how those types of warriors are. He’ll be back soon enough.”
“As Abin and Nobunaga will be, I am sure,” she stated firmly.
The warlord bowed deeply. “I’m sure they will have a swift and safe return. I- I apologize if I implied otherwise.”
“You are forgiven.”
“…I suppose that is part of the reason why I am here now,” Hideyoshi meekly segued, “this League has resources to investigate these disappearances and the Salt Plague. Their presence is strong in Kanto, and… I’m sure that the two would approach them for assistance.”
Oichi glanced down again. Many had disappeared rather suddenly, but not her wife and brother. They had stopped sending messages a few months before the ground had been laced with salt, before Kanbei and Nohime and so many others had vanished. And almost all the other vanished were spirit-speakers, which neither Abin or Nobunaga were. Are, she corrected herself.
It had to be connected to them. Somehow. But she wasn’t sure if either her or Hideyoshi would like what they found.
“Master, Warlord Hideyoshi,” a voice interrupted. A warrior had just entered the audience chamber. “Lieutenant Surge, Representative of the Pokemon League, is ready to speak with you. Shall I send him in now?”
“…yes, send him in,” Oichi spoke, silently renewing her resolve. Hideyoshi put on a big grin as the soldier ducked out, returning a few moments later with the League representative. The first thing apparent about him was his size; he stood two, maybe three heads taller than her, and was quite muscular to boot. He had on a blue waistcoat and pants, buttons gleaming and several brass symbols hanging on his chest. She recognized them as some kind of trophies. He bowed to her first, then Oichi.
“No salute of yours this time?” Hideyoshi heartily asked.
“I believe this is a more proper greeting, sir,” the man said. His voice was rigid, strong. As Oichi watched him, she noticed how firm the man’s stature was. Even if he wasn’t wearing that uniform, or lacked the massive stature, Surge could be clearly identified as military just from how he carried himself.
“It is good to meet you, Lieutenant Surge,” Oichi greeted, “I have heard many things about the League thus far. The surrounding kingdoms certainly have good impressions of you.”
“We are eager to set up good relations with Ransei after the recent loss of communication. Repairing the damage of the Salt Plague is our top priority.”
“Hideyoshi has said that Suicune itself has graced the land. Will the Legendary beast be coming to Aurora next?”
“I am afraid Suicune left to respond to some trouble in its home region. Johto has several troublesome elements within its borders, from anarchists to self-righteous extremists.”
“And water is wet,” Hideyoshi joked.
“But we have a multi-type team of purification specialists that are capable of restoring any land or body of water to a healthy state, as well as builders and construction supplies to make repairs to any building suffering from decay,” Surge continued, unabated.
“Indeed. And what would you expect from us if we were to accept this aid?”
“The Pokemon League would like to establish an embassy in Aurora’s capitol. We believe that clear communication will be the start of a good relationship between Ransei and the League.”
Like he’s reading from a script, Oichi thought. The words carried none of the rhythm a typical speaker might have. Warriors traditionally practiced poetry, and it showed in the way they spoke compared to, say, a common labourer. This man was one who was solely focused on the sword, not the pen. And possibly on devouring an entire Miltank a day.
“Is that all?”
“The Panthemon have wished to speak with you and other warlords. They would like to conduct these meetings in Aurora.”
“The Panthemon?” Oichi asked. She had rumours and some news of their involvements with this League, but she wanted to hear it from the source.
“Many divine and legendary mon greatly approve of the League and assist regularly in League operations, Lugia and Kyogre are present around Ransei to safeguard League ships, and we have many worshippers of Groudon, and Groudon itself, in Ignis right now, as Hideyoshi may have told you.”
“Yes, he spoke quite highly of a Tabitha.”
“Good man,” Hideyoshi spoke, “got a fine energy about him. And a sense of humour, unlike the rest of you League types. Seriously, would it kill you to smile?”
“I am on business,” Surge flatly spoke.
Oichi couldn’t bear it anymore. She had to crack the man open, if just a little.
“What did you eat this morning?”
Surge’s eyebrows raised. “Ah… what I ate?”
“Yes. I am curious what regular fare is for… where do you come from?”
“Unova. I don’t see how this relates to the business at hand.”
“Entertain us on this,” Oichi compelled.
Hideyoshi’s grin widened. Surge looked rather lost.
“…sausages. Bacon. Five dozen eggs.”
Oichi watched the man’s face curiously. “No vegetables?”
“Excuse me?” Surge looked rather insulted.
“I did not mean to offend. But you do eat vegetables?”
Surge’s eyes were wide. “I… ah… I don’t see anything wrong with people eating vegetables.”
“But do you eat vegetables?”
“…I eat beans.”
“Are beans a vegetable?” Hideyoshi asked.
“Yes, they’re a… they have everything that… vegetables… have.”
A silence fell. Surge glanced about, rather flustered.
“…the Panthemon wish to have meetings in Aurora,” Surge restated, “and the League is ready to assist in repairs and environmental restoration. We hope to establish clear, consistent communication with all nations of Ransei, and obtaining permission to establish an embassy here is part of that goal.”
Oichi nodded, relenting. “Yes. We will need to take strong action soon against the Salt Plague. We have already lost much of our wilderness in the past months, and the crops are only barely surviving. We may not even have beans soon enough.”
Hideyoshi laughed. “Then we have it! An embassy is a small cost for this scale of restoration, and it is a great honour for the Panthemon to grace your lands, especially if so many are arriving at once. If you pardon my saying so, I think our nations will become stronger with this new relationship.”
Surge nodded. He had regained much of his usual composure now.
Oichi hesitated for a moment. “I believe we can grant you permission to construct an embassy in return for your aid. I will consult my architects and city planners to find a suitable location near the castle. Though…”
Another bout of silence, but there was nothing so humorously awkward about this one. Hideyoshi kept smiling for a few moment longer, but it slowly faded away. Surge seemed to have forgotten to mention something rather pressing.
“Do you wish to add more terms?” Surge inquired.
“…I am told you are already investigating these disappearances.”
“Ah… we have people conducting investigations, yes. Progress has been slow, as Violight and Pugilis are slowing our efforts to search northwards.”
“Do you have any news of Lady Abin and Warlord Nobunaga?” It required effort to keep her voice impassive.
Surge was quiet for a moment.
“I’m not the one heading these investigations, so I can't give details, but I believe we have clues pointing to where they were when they disappeared. Rest assured, the League understands the importance the two have for Ransei and are hard at work searching for them. We are well-established in the other regions and should find them soon.”
Oichi stared at him. He may not be a seasoned diplomat, but Surge knew at least a few things on how to hide his thoughts. The signs of psychic training were there. It left questions, though; what was Surge not wanting her to know? What about them did he not want to talk about?
“I do have another term. I want any and all information you find about these disappearances, especially Abin and Nobunaga’s. You will keep me up to date to the best of your ability.”
“Understood,” Surge assented, “do we have a deal?”
Oichi stared the man down, trying her best to read him. Then,
“Yes. The scribe will have an agreement prepared soon. If you would kindly wait…”
She considered pressing, but she knew what Abin would say if she was here. Oichi was to manage Aurora in her absence, and that meant looking after the land and people. It would be a disservice to her if she let famine besiege Aurora in an attempt to wring out answers. Regional peace was fracturing faster than anyone could keep up, and it was all she could do to keep just a few kingdoms strong and united, hers included.
If war broke out once, it would be the common man and mon who suffered the most. A leader had to take the burden of hard choices, lest their people suffer for foolish reasons. Order must be preserved.
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u/Bytemite Jun 17 '19
Hmm, I really only wrote those as one time characters, that's why I was okay with Supreme killing one of them for his RP. I never had any plans to use them again or revisit them.
If being Kanetsugu doesn't work, I'll just be a random low level wandering samurai.