[story] With this station-ring...

[robkelk]

Oh, yes...

Hrmmmmm.... Benjamin's gift to the happily wedded couple... A pair of his special Wave-Focus ion drives, as seen on the Magnificent Midnight. While it may not provide the same kind of insane levels of speed/acceleration, Ben's pretty sure that it'll put some pep back into the step of the Epsilon Blade. Oh, and since people have been known to get headaches just looking at the guts of one of those things, free engine maintenance. Forever.

"Great. What are we going to do with these?"

Leda looked puzzled. "Is there some reason we can't install them in the Epsilon Blade?"

"Yes," replied Yayoi, Kohran, and Noah simultaneously.

After a moment, Leda asked, "And the reason is...?"

All three sighed. "Leda, can you keep a secret?"

"Of course I can, Noah."

"So can we," Kohran replied.

"You're not going to tell me?"

"We can't tell you. I'm sorry." Yayoi actually bowed to Leda.

"All right. I won't pry. For now."

Noah sighed with relief. "Thank you, darling. So, what are we going to do with these?"

After a moment, Leda said, "Our little girl's going to need a ship of her own, eventually."

"There's a thought. And we can use the ship here until she's old enough to pilot it herself. It'll need a name, of course. Let's see... delta, epsilon, zeta..."

"Delta, epsilon, digamma, zeta. Just because almost nobody uses the sixth letter of the Greek alphabet doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

Kohran grinned. "And of course you know the Greek alphabet better than we do, Leda. What's the second word in the ship's name? There's no pattern there: Delta Flyer, Epsilon Blade, Digamma... Function?"

"That's a bit odd, even for Fen," Yayoi complained. "Digamma Harmonic?"

"There's no guarantee our daughter's going to be a math geek, ladies. Hmmmmm... Digamma Village?" Everyone looked at Noah. "Well, it is number six..."

"Shut up, darling," Leda interrupted sweetly. "Digamma Darter?"

"You'd give our daughter something with the initials DD?" Noah asked. "Especially if she takes after you, physically?"

Leda grimaced. "Right. Bad idea."

Yayoi smiled. "Digamma Thunderbolt, perhaps? That recalls the speed of the flyer and the force of the blade, and it invokes nature like the Magnificent Midnight does."

The others looked at each other and smiled. "We have a winner," Noah agreed. "So, what else are we building into the Digamma Thunderbolt?"
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

[Black Aeronaut]

*Chuckles* I can just see this scene now... Benjamin doing routine maintenance on the Digamma Thunderbolt while an interested certain someone looks on.

"Geeze Uncle Ben. How can you work on these things?  I get sick just thinking about it."

"Well, it's pretty simple, really," came Ben's voice, echoing weirdly from within the crystalline matrices of the focusing manifold. "Your old Uncle Ben's a true blue mad genius."

"You don't seem like it."

"Of course not. Unlike people such as The Professor, I manage to keep a pretty solid filter on it. Hand me that electrospanner spanner over there, would you? That's a girl. You know, it's kinda funny. I gave these very engines to your pops thinking he'd use them to upgrade the old 'Blade. Instead he used them on your ship. Not that I'm offended, it just kinda surprised me."

"Really? I wonder why he wouldn't."

"I've asked him myself, but he politely dodged the question. I didn't push him since I know we've all got our secrets up here. Usually it has to do with some special quirk that's either debilitating or outlandishly embarrassing. Handwavium's like that you know. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if you had your own to keep. Don't tell me, they're not really for me to know, you know? Anyhow, if you're curious enough, your Dad'll probably tell you. If not, then he probably feels you're not ready to know. OKAY THEN! That does it for the starboard side. Onto the port side!"

[Foxboy]

Dunno if this would be suitable here or in the meta thread, but I found a good theme song for Leda's Buttkicking flashbacks or scenes from during the war:


''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''

-- James Nicoll

[robkelk]

But Leda doesn't like kicking butt...

Back to the wedding preparations: Neither Leda nor Noah would be nasty enough to force their friends to buy outfits that they couldn't wear elsewhere. Thus, the bridesmaids' dresses really can be worn to other fancy-dress events... Get out your copy of Nanoha StrikerS episode 7 and look somewhere around time index 5:30-5:50 - Hayate's dress is close enough to what I was picturing that I'm declaring it the basic design for the bridesmaids' dresses. Each bridesmaid has a different colour accent, though - Kohran's is emerald-green, Patty's is vermilion-red, Mikuru's is charcoal-black, and Sora's is sky-blue. Jewelry is optional, but should be understated if it's worn. (I expect Sora will wear her rather-expensive pendant.)
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

[robkelk]

And who knows what else might happen...?

Well, this might... and it does!

Main Concourse
Stellvia
11:17 GMT 14 March 2014

"I just thought of something."

Yayoi turned to Kohran. "Oh?"

"I'm the Maid of Honour, and you're the Best Person. We're going to have to dance with each other. It's traditional."

Yayoi thought for a moment. "You're right. Do you have a problem with dancing with another woman?"

Kohran shook her head. "I have preprogrammed memories of dancing with Sakura and Sumire during some of the Flower Troupe's productions. I'm worried about how your girlfriend will react. She's fully human, after all, and that includes all the negative emotions that we can supress if we have to."

"As you said, it's traditional. Ginny's okay with 'traditional'." Then Yayoi smiled impishly. "Besides, with the U.S. Navy's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, she can't complain."

"Do they still have that policy?" Kohran asked with a straight face.

"I think so..." Yayoi began, only to be interrupted by what sounded like a small explosion a few meters away. She pulled out her PDA. "Emergency desk, this is Fujisawa. There's been an incident on the Main Concourse. Engineer Li and I are investigating."

She got to the scene just as Kohran cradled a young woman in her arms. "What happened?"

The woman looked up. "Help-p-p-p-p m-m-me, A-a-a-aunt Kohr-r-r-ran..." Then she closed her eyes and gave off a few sparks.

Maintenance Bay
Old Ring, Stellvia
12:41 GMT 14 March 2014

"I got here as soon as I heard," A.C. said to Noah. "Who is she?"

Noah frowned. "She's an android. One of our androids, going by the circuit designs - she could have come from the same production run as Kohran and Yayoi, if we had built them that way. I take it you didn't build her, and I know I didn't."

"Neither did I," added Kohran.

"That much I figured out as soon as I saw her," replied A.C. "Who is she?"

"Oh. She hasn't regained consciousness since she passed out... or broke down... in the Main Concourse, and she wasn't carrying any ID. So I'm going by her appearance here. She's a meganekko, of course. Shorter than average. Twin ponytails, loosely held with bows. A honking-big harisen hidded behind her back, and Yayoi found an empty artist's case where she collapsed. And Kohran said she has a Kansai accent. I think she's Yuu Inagawa."

"That-t-t-t's ri-i-ight, Gra-a-andf-f-f-f-father."

Everybody rushed to her side. "Save your strength, Ms. Inagawa," Noah insisted. "We're going to help you."

"We are?" asked Safety from her perch on Noah's shoulder.

"Of course we are," A.C. and Noah answered together. A.C. continued, "We have to."

"She obviously has some serious physical problems," Noah added. "Not helping her would be the same as letting her die in agony. And I'm not going to let that happen to somebody who believes she's family."

"B-b-b-belie-e-eves?"

Yayoi glared at Noah, then sighed. "None of us have seen you before today, Ms. Inagawa."

"But we will help you. I promise." Noah took Yuu's hand in his own. He kept his surprise at how cold it was to himself. "I have to ask: how did you get aboard Stellvia without any identification?"

"I-I-I don't kno-o-o-o-ow. I wo-o-oke up on the Ma-a-a-ain Concour-r-r-r-rse, just-t-t befor-r-r-r-re I col-l-l-l-lapsed."

"Thank you, Yuu." A.C. turned to Noah. "Let's get out of Kohran's way."

Noah raised an eyebrow, but walked to the other end of the room with A.C. "I would have thought you'd want to help Kohran repair Yuu."

"I do, but this comes first. Why did she show up now?"

Noah nodded. "Yeah. We were ready for anything from a persistent paparazzo to a Boskonian battle fleet trying to disrupt the ceremony tomorrow. Yuu is something we couldn't expect."

"But we're still going to repair her."

"Of course we are. I made her a promise."

"Then Kohran and I had better get to work now, or we'll miss the wedding tomorrow."

"Thanks. And I'll get Takami and Kagome working on finding out who really built her."
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

[Black Aeronaut]

Bwa? Whajusappened?

[Feinan]

Hmmm. Given her appearance on the station apparently out of nowhere...? I'd take a guess that Yoriko's daughter has come home. She might possibly be
the daughter of Noah's Agatha, but my bet would be on her being Yoriko's daughter.

[Black Aeronaut]

Ah, so we got ourselves a 'daughter from the future' story arc, eh?

[robkelk]

Ah, so we got ourselves a 'daughter from the future' story arc, eh?

Maybe...

Here's a snippet I posted to Mr. Fnord Goes to Washington, with followup that doesn't belong in that story.

---

Office of the Commander
Old Ring, Stellvia
12:45 GMT 13 March 2014

"What do you mean, you're in deep kimchee?" Noah was not happy about the call he'd just received from Mal.

"Fine, fine. I know you can't argue with a Congressional supoena.

"Now wait just a minute. Sora isn't a US citizen. She never was. You'd better check with Consul Walker about the legality of Congress summoning an Australian citizen.

"She already has the extradition request? Damn. Maybe I can get her to stall...

"Oh. Yeah, Sora's a good girl that way. Do I need to find somebody to take your places in the wedding party?

"Thank Belldandy for small favours. You need a lawyer?

"I know Cal's a lawyer. I'll bet Cal's been summoned too, and he's good enough to know he shouldn't represent himself.

"No, he's a friend of mine from our days back at Yale; he's based in Washington and on retainer for Stellvia Corp. I'll send you his number; make up your own mind whether you want him.

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind. I'll see you tomorrow for the rehersal."

Noah buried his head in his hands. "Not now. Please, by all that's holy, not now. I'm too busy getting married..."

"What's wrong, sir?" asked Safety.

He looked straight at her and sighed deeply. "It looks like the US government is making a move against the VVS, and by extension against the rest of us Up here. I need Kohran, Yayoi, Leda, Jake, Patty, Miyuri, Takami, Kagome, Kelly, Micheline, Sergy, and Rhiannon in the boardroom at 10:00 tomorrow morning. Oliver and Shizuka too, if they're anywhere nearby. No excuses, and no telepresence - attendance in person is mandatory. Tell Kohran to bring the bug-stomper Skuld left behind. And figure out some way to keep A.C. and Greenpeace away from the meeting."

"Yes, sir," replied Safety worriedly. As far as she knew, Noah had never called the entire senior staff of Stellvia Corporation and the Nikaido Foundation together at once, and excluding their friends from the Prometheus Forge was unheard-of.

As she flew out of Noah's office, Safety noticed him taking a laptop computer she'd never seen before out of his farady-cage safe.
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

[Black Aeronaut]

Somebody's up to something! (^^)

[Ebony]

The Roadhouse:

I was working on the second set list for Noah and Leda's reception, trying to decide whether or not we would have room to fit in the Absolute Edition of
"Land of 1000 Dances,"* when the go-phone chirped. I clipped on my earpiece and tripped the receiver. "Blackstone."

"It's Buckaroo. You've got your computer off."

"It was distracting me. I needed to get this on paper."

"Turn it on." Buckaroo doesn't give orders, but sometimes he says things in a way that makes you understand that something is of extreme
importance. I reach over and flip on the flatscreen. Two reports from Blazers in D.C. are up, along with a webpage showing a Congressional press release on the
subpoena. "Crappity crap on crapcracker."

"Language, Blackstone."

"Sorry, Boss. But this isn't good. If they're going after Mal...."

"They'll be going after us soon," he finishes. "I've got a message over to Bob; he's going to offer Mal some assistance. We need to
get briefed on this, and be prepared for Kellerman's turn at us. Get the guys; I'm getting Sensei and Mrs. Johnson on the link."

"Best get Tallyho and John as well. Parliament might be considering this as well."

"Good idea."

I shuffle my set list notes together and drop them onto my bed, where I can find them later. I'm on my way out to the main Conference Room when I stop.
"Buckaroo?"

"Yeah?"

"I just had an ugly thought. What if Kellerman's being used?"

"Worth looking into. I'll have Bob get the Hounds** on it. You get the others."

"Right." And I'm out the door. The funny thing is, we just finished a fight. Now we get another one.

* - The Cavaliers' cover of which is approximately six minutes long and combines elements of the Rockapella cover and "Shake Your Tailfeathers"
by Ray Charles and the Blues Brothers Band.

** - The Banzi Institute's Internet Security specialists. Heaven help you if you choose to visit a DDOS attack on banzai-institute.org.
Ebony the Black Dragon
http://ebony14.livejournal.com

"Good night, and may the Good Lord take a Viking to you."

[robkelk]

Briefing Room
Stellvia
10:37 GMT 14 March 2014

"... and that's everything that Rashid's been able to find for us." Noah put the last of the papers his lawyer had forwarded on the table, beside the bug-stomper.

"Just who did he have to bribe to get those, boss?"

"Probably nobody, Jake. If there's one thing I'm sure of about Rashid Abdallah, it's that he's scrupulously honest. That's why I have him on retainer, not his firm. Is everybody up to speed on these documents?"

There was a chorus of affirmative answers around the table.

"Good," Noah continued. "The next question is what do we do about this?"

The newest member of Stellvia Corporation's senior staff cleared her throat. "With all due respect, M. Scott, you 'ave something more important to do right now."

"I assume you're talking about the wedding tomorrow, Mme. Rouleau."

"But of course. Please, let us deal with this matter."

"She's right, dad," added Kohran. "You've got to delegate more. And this is the perfect time to start."

Nobody said anything while Noah thought for a moment. "All right. Mme. Rouleau, you and your staff on Wonderland are in charge of this matter until Leda and I get back from our honeymoon. Jake, back her up if she needs anything from us."

"What about us?" Kelly asked.

"I'd appreciate it if you prepared to put contingeny plan #3 into effect." Half the people around the table reacted to that, none positively.

Jake was the first to speak. "Are you crazy, boss?"

"Dad, isn't that going too far?" Kohran followed quickly.

Yayoi stood up. "Noah... I understand why you want to do that, but is now the right time, and is this the right reason?"

"Just prepare for it, okay? Now, unless there's anything else..." Nobody said anything. "... this meeting's adjourned. Yayoi, Kohran, I think you can still make your appointment at Judy's if you hurry." Noah picked up the laptop that he hadn't let anyone else touch, and headed out the door and toward his office.

As the others left, Leda motioned to Yayoi to stay behind. "What's contingency plan #3? For that matter, what are plans 1 and 2?"

"There is no contingency plan #1. Plan #2 is a reaction to a hostile DQS, and involves massive use of Kohran's toys. Plan #3..." She leaned close and whispered in Leda's ear.

Leda grinned. "Oh, boy. I'll bet Chris Marsden hates plan #3."

"We've never told him about it. Or anyone else, including A.C. And we'd better not say anything about it to anyone for now. Let's not piss people off the day before the biggest social event since Kandor-con."

"Right. Is there a plan #4?"

"I'd rather not say. And Kohran's waiting for me."

"Sorry. Here's hoping nothing else unexpected happens."

---

Maintenance Bay
Old Ring, Stellvia
14:26 GMT 14 March 2014

"Me and my big mouth," Leda muttered. Then she continued out loud, "The rehersal's in an hour and a half, and the three of us are nowhere near Grover's Corners. Can you leave Inagawa-san yet?"

A.C. and Kohran looked up. "Is it that late already?" the former asked. "Sorry, give us... three and a half minutes."

"Who-o-o-o-o's she?" asked Yuu.

"That's Leda Swansen," Kohran replied. "Although tomorrow she'll be Leda Scott."

Yuu's eyebrows went up. "She's mar-r-r-r-r-rying grand-d-d-dfather?"

"Is there some reason she shouldn't?"

"I don't-t-t-t-t think so, n-n-no. I j-j-j-j-j-just never thought h-h-he'd ever g-g-get married-d."

A.C. smiled disarmingly. "It surprised us, too. Would you open access hatch 34-A, please?" There was the sound of a spring latch uncoupling. "Thank you, Yuu. Now I'm going to swap out one of your components. This might feel strange."

Nobody said anything for two minutes.

"There, you can close the access hatch now."

"You're finished? I don't feel any different."

Kohran and A.C. grinned. Leda smiled and said, "But you sound different now, Yuu."

"Do I? Hey, I'm not stuttering any more! Thank you, aunt Kohran, aunt A.C!"

"It was all A.C.'s doing, Yuu-san. Now we really have to leave; Kagome-san is on the way here to keep you company."

The door opened to admit the station's security chief. "I'm here! You two... sorry, you three had better get going."

"We're leaving!"

---

Shuttle Glennorth
en route between Stellvia and Grover's Corners
14:39 GMT 14 March 2014

"What did Takami find out?"

Leda turned to A.C. "Yuu's memory had been completely erased. For all intents and purposes, she was born three minutes before Kohran and Yayoi met her."

"I hope she backed up her memories somewhere," Kohran whispered.

"Even if she did, how would she know where to find them?" asked A.C. "But take a look at this." She held up an electronics module.

"That's the signal processor we took out of Yuu. What about it?" asked Kohran.

A.C. tapped a maker's mark on the circuit board. "It's British. Specifically, it's from Beagle 2." The others looked at her blankly. "Kids these days; no sense of history. Beagle 2 was the UK's first attempt at a Mars lander. It was lost on landing."

"Obviously, somebody found it," Kohran said.

"And looted it for parts," continued Leda. "You think Yuu's from Mars?"

"It's worth a look, after the wedding."
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

[Feinan]

Hmm. Interesting. Very interesting. Can't way to see more.

And odds just jumped on Yuu being the daughter of Agatha instead of Yoriko.

[robkelk]

Another scene(let), courtsey of Cobalt...

Wedding site
Grover's Corners, Lagrange Point 3
8:03AM, Saturday 15 March 2014

The various kids living on Grover's Corners thought the coming wedding was going to be boring. Well, at least until the food came out. So the sight of A.C. Peters stalking around the site was unusual enough to get their attention.

A.C., on the other hand, was busy keeping herself occupied while she thought things through. The unexpected arrival of Yuu with evidence pointing to Mars as her source had her wringing her head for memories, and considering what contacts she had in that area. Maybe have the Stallion go past and sweep with her sensors? Unfortunately she couldn't pin Noah down right now for the talk she'd need to get things straight. Then there was the news through the grapevine that the U.S. Congress had subpoenaed Mal, with what that meant to Noah's mental state. And that was not something Noah needed today. Which was why she was resisting the urge to wave up Matt Murdock. Or Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.

So, here she was making sure everything was okay. Seating plans were sorted, wedding programs were ready to be given out, spare glasses for the wedding party (including the enhanced ones with a display and a link to a tricorder with the guest list loaded for the ushers), the camera drones were working and connected to Officer Friendly, the Tachikomas were deployed and Eddie had linked in Officer Friendly when he'd scanned Grover's Corners for unexpected surprises. She'd better ask the inhabitants if they'd checked the environmental controls to make sure it wasn't going to get too cold. Krikkit Flight was on standby on Luna, and Eddie was armed.

What else? The caterers weren't due 'til 11. The Jason wasn't due until noon to deliver the flowers. The bridal party was due 12:15 to finish getting ready, the Reverend was due 12:20 along with herself, Mal, and Sora. Jake and Yayoi would be ariving with Noah 12:30 with the first lot of guests from Stellvia. Scheduled start at 1PM.

"You're here very early."

"Well, someone's got to do it," A.C. replied, turning. "And unfortunately, Mrs. Avins, everyone else has suddenly gotten even more busy."

"Quite." Kat Avins frowned slightly, as they'd got the news yesterday via the Blue Blazers. The resultant town council had been lively.

A.C. briefly considered the fact that, of the Big Name Fen (and she was one in reality however much she hated it, even if technically she wasn't) that had business in the U.S., she was the one least likely to be called if Congress was on a witch-hunt. Mainly because most of the limb replacements available in the country were her designs, and the various victims and veterans associations would scream bloody murder. Maybe the military as well, seeing the effectiveness of cybernetics in the field.

"Well, we shouldn't worry too much. Mal's got enough backup on this one."

And I shouldn't need to pull out some of my nastier surprises, she added silently. Politics. Feh.
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

[robkelk]

Wedding site
Grover's Corners, Lagrange Point 3
1:20 PM, Saturday 15 March 2014

The members of the wedding party had been roused from where they collapsed at the end of the combined bachelor and hen party, been separated into the bride's group and the groom's group according to the customs of their homeland, and had managed to reach their appointed places at their appointed times.

The presents had been delivered to one of the caverns in Wonderland that had not yet been converted to agricultural use, nearly filling the chamber.

The cameras had started rolling, and Maico Tange had given her commentary before the ceremony began. She had been sure to complement each of the bridesmaids on their appearance, and very carefully had not asked why the bride was not wearing white, or green.

The guests had arrived and been seated by some of the most formidable people in Fenspace.

The few who attempted to attend uninvited had been ejected, if they had been unfortunate enough to get as far as the airlock.

The minstrels, Dandelions all, had played the traditional music in the traditional style, at which point all conversation in Grover's Corners (and in many rooms throughout much of Fenspace, Australia, and New Zealand) had ceased.

The bride, looking radiant as all brides do, had walked down the virgin road on the arm of her father, and met her groom at the altar.

The preacher had asked whether anyone present knew of any reason why the ceremony should not proceed.

The incognito members of Section Six who were present had ensured none of the Humourists in attendance answered that question.

And the union had been blessed.

There were two things left to exchange. The first was the vows.

"I, Noah, take you, Leda, to be my wife, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. In the presence of our families, our friends and comrades, and whatever gods may be watching, I vow to be your faithful and loving partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you, and cherish you, and always hold you in the highest regard, today and all the days of our life."

"I, Leda, take you, Noah, to be my husband. I owe you my life; today I give my life to you in marriage. With our families, our friends and comrades, and the gods as witness, I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, to comfort you in times of pain or heartbreak, and to be your faithful and loving partner, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow, today and all the days of our life."

And the second was the kiss.
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

[robkelk]

OOC: We all know what weddings are like; I hope this was a sufficiently entertaining way to gloss over the less-interesting (from a storytelling point of view)
part of the Big Day.

And now it's time for the receiving line. We all know what they're like, too. Don't wait for me to put words into your characters' mouths; go
ahead and add your posts...
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

[robkelk]

Since nobody appears interested to say anything in the receiving line, I'm closing the story here. See the "story only" post for some bridging
scenes...
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

[Ebony]

Well, I was working on something. Life being what it is, I cannot write as quickly as some of you.
Ebony the Black Dragon
http://ebony14.livejournal.com

"Good night, and may the Good Lord take a Viking to you."

[Foxboy]

{ooc}What he said. >< Dad's been kinda spotty lately.
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''

-- James Nicoll

[robkelk]

Ah, well. I suppose we could do a "reception of the millenium" side-story...
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

[Ebony]

Resurrecting this briefly, because I found this scene on my thumb drive and wanted to put it up....
---------------------------------------

Before a wedding, there are the greetings. People drawn together by the event meeting outside, reminiscing and introducing new friends to older friends. Groomsmen and bridesmaids rushing about, stopping briefly to greet attendees, and trying to keep their respective charges from melting down. Real life intruding (as it does), problems being defused or put on hold, and all of the hustle and the bustle that occurs in those last few manic moments before any important ceremony.

 After a wedding, however, everything is much more relaxed. The ceremony is over, the wedding party is off taking care of photos and other inconveniences, and the attendees are all circulating, catching up with each other, and telling stories about the groom and bride. Drinks were served; food was forthcoming.

 It has been a lovely ceremony, thought Blackstone, seated at the table reserved for the Hong Kong Cavaliers. The tattered remains of one of the Jason’s oranges lay on the plate in front of him. Nothing unusual, just a good, old-fashioned California navel orange. Sometimes, it was the simple things that were the most impressive. Like the wedding. Nothing overly ostentatious, no grand pomp and circumstance, just a simple ceremony, with a simple pair of vows, and a simple kiss.

 Blackstone considered the last segment of his orange and looked across the table at Kaos. “Simplicity is best.”

 Kaos, dressed rather incongruously in a suit and his new ‘Bama baseball cap (the old one having given its life in a particularly ugly melee during OBJ), sipped at his Dublin Dr. Pepper, and nodded. Then, he said, “Except when it isn’t.”

“Absolutely,” replied Blackstone. He bit into the orange segment and chewed, relishing the tart sweetness. Then, he methodically wiped stray juice off his hands and face and stood, saying, “Time to complicate things.”

The tables at the reception had been set with votive candles. Blackstone carefully retrieved the one from the center of the Cavaliers’ table, and then, excusing himself, retrieved the votives from the tables on either side. Holding the candles in their holders cautiously, he walked back over to his table. “Nez,” he said, “would you play the part of a beautiful assistant and hand me my hat?”

Nezumi looked up from the conversation she was having with a nine-year-old sitting next to her, and said, “I’m talking to Zoe. What if I don’t want to play the part of a beautiful assistant?”

“Then you can play the part of a filthy assistant and hand me my hat before I shoot you with my bowel disruptor.”

“You don’t have a bowel disruptor, Blackstone. Kaos has the bowel disruptor.”

Blackstone sighed. “Foiled by elementary logic.” Turning to the girl sitting next to Nezumi, he said, “Zoe, sweetheart, would you please hand me my hat? Your father’s being a bitch.”

Zoe grinned. Reaching under the table, she pulled out a traditional top hat. Standing up on the chair, she placed it on Blackstone’s head. “Here you go, Uncle B. Break a leg.”

“Thanks, kiddo.” Blackstone walked out towards the risers at the front of the room. The Cavaliers’ instruments had been set up there, and he walked to the baby grand that had been flown to Grover’s Corners especially. (He planned on leaving it here; PS 238 could use it for choir practice, and he had another one at Clark Stadium.) The crowd, seeing him approach the stage, quieted.

Setting the three votives on the top of the piano, he removed the hat and checked the interior. After removing a pair of roses, half a tuna sandwich, and 17 handkerchiefs (all knotted together), he held it up to the room, indicating that it was, in fact, empty. Holding the hat in one hand, he dropped each lit votive into its open brim, one by one, and then, with a small flourish, he pulled a lit triple-pronged candelabrum out. Bowing his head slightly at the applause, he set the candelabrum on the top of the baby grand, stowed the hat underneath the piano, and sat down.

Grinning an overly toothy grin, he looked about the room, leaned forward to his microphone, and says, “I wish my brother George was here….” Only a few people laughed, causing him to shake his head, smiling ruefully. Then, with a brief moment of contemplation, he placed his hands on the keys, and began to play.

The tune, in characteristic Blackstone style, was one that most people in the room knew, but few would expect to be the first tune played at a wedding reception. He had agonized over what the first song was going to be, and no others that had come to mind had been appropriate. This one had a simple universality to it, and it was hard to go wrong with a ballad from the Piano Man.

She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
She's got a way of pleasin'
I don't know why it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason anywhere.

Blackstone’s voice had been described by a Rolling Stone critic as “abysmally normal,” but that negative critique had been drowned out by any number of positive reviews in the blogosphere that said that he managed to sound like everyone wanted to sound, sincere and without pretense. Joel’s words rolled out across the room, filling the spaces and almost providing an appetizer for the ears (an amuse orielle, as it were), promising songs to come and setting a general tone.

As the song ended, there was a brief round of applause. “Thank you,” said Blackstone. “My name is Blackstone … but you probably know that. If you don’t know it, then the Feynmann bar mitzvah is three doors down on the left, and you’re in the wrong room.” He paused for the few laughs, and continued, “We’re here to celebrate the wedding of our friends, Noah and Leda … but you probably know that as well. If you don’t … well … as I said, three doors down on the left.” That got a few more laughs, especially as he peered towards the back of the room, as if someone were hurrying out to make sure they got to the fictional bar mitzvah.

“Anyway,” Blackstone continued, “as part of our gift to the happy couple, the boys and girls in the band and I offered to do what we do. The wedding party’s getting done with the photos right now, so we’re gonna get things started a little early, and when they’re ready, we’ll give them the floor.”

“But first,” he said, cracking knuckles and turning to the keyboard, “I need to do a roll call….” With a flick of the switch, he turned on the synthesizer mounted next to the piano and started the echoing, electronic tune that everyone in the room knew that he was going to play from the moment he stepped up onto the stage.

As Blackstone’s fingers flew across the keyboard, the other members of the Hong Kong Cavaliers rose from their places among the wedding guests and took position on the stage. First, Kaos, shrugging out of his coat, slipped in behind the drums and took over for the synthesized drum machine beat that Blackstone switched off just as his sticks first hit the snare. Then, Nezumi, bending to give her daughter a quick kiss, hopped up on stage, plugging in her black-and-chrome Rickenbacker and laying down the rapid-fire harmony. Finally, J. sauntered up to the stage, pausing to finish his drink, before picking up his axe and adding his voice to the quartet. By the time that Blackstone reached the end of the march, what had begun as an synthesized tune in the very style of the movie soundtrack had become a living and breathing rock march, and the four musicians were in unison on the final fanfares.

As the music died away, J. said into the microphone, “All present and accounted for, Blackstone.”

“Excelente, my brother,” replied the keyboardist. “Let’s get this thing grooving, then.”
---------------------------
Ebony the Black Dragon
http://ebony14.livejournal.com

"Good night, and may the Good Lord take a Viking to you."

[robkelk]

Resurrecting this briefly, because I found this scene on my thumb drive and wanted to put it up....

Okay, Ebony has started the Reception of the Millennium sidestory (which really needs a better name). Anyone else want to play?
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012