RP [Tsenlan, YSE] Connections

Asarthortar Palace - Tsenlan, YSE

Ysi Conference Room
After - RP - [OPEN] The Other Side of Hope - More refugees for Yamatai

The dimly lit room with its black facades awaited. This would mark the first occasion that she had met her great nephew Esari. As until today she had only heard of his existence. Things had changed so much throughout the year and it had become clear that things would only ever continue as they had.

Donned in an all black Aest Vyrdi she walked into the Ysi Conference room. It was a welcome relief to be meeting with someone without any number of other spectators in the room. Aelya entered the room and took a moment to look around. It seemed so much larger than it usually did. She was admittedly a little nervous about this meeting, though there was no outward signs of it.

As she walked along the table towards her usual seat she ran her hand gently over the top of each seat. A soft sigh escaped her lips as the weight of everything continued to press in on her.


Esari actually spent several minutes on the foyer chatting with a member of Aelya's security team. It was not business, it was just a quiet talk about Ysi and recent events. If anyone had been observing, they would of known there and then that the new generation had very little desire to follow in the footsteps of their parents; they wanted to show that the Eitans were just people too. When the conversation was done, Esari said a few encouraging words and then headed into the conference room.

He wore his Duty Uniform, he didn't have time to synth anything else and what was supposed to be a shakedown cruise had turned into six months of combat duty. Esari wore a smile, her slightly androgynous appearance soft and bore a certain intelligence played out into his movements. "You have built a lovely home here, I am honoured to have your invitation, Aester." Unlike Nira, he awknowledged her title, her place within the scheme of things.

His eyes closed briefly after he spoke, as he conveyed the feeling of his appreciation and joy through vesper. Interacting with him through that method, likely felt a little different for Aelya - almost as if she was bonded with a highly sentient Leviathan. "I had a few minutes to do a little research before I came down, it turns out I am the first actual leader of the Imperium to visit," he stated in fact.

Aelya's expression softened a touch when she saw Esari's smile. Home felt like a strange concept to her at the moment, though she thought she understood what he had intended. "It is a place where I hope our people can find sanctuary," she said in a somber tone. "It is an honor to have you here Aestaesys." she continued. Aelya had never fathomed she would be thrust into this position, so she thought little of Nira's feelings on the matter.

She noted when Esari's eyes closed briefly, tilting her head a touch while curiously observing. It was different for Aelya. Not just how the vesper felt, but what was conveyed. Joy felt a bit foreign to her, it was the first time she had felt such things since her brother died. Her eyes closed briefly as well to try and process it all without making things obvious. Through vesper she shared her happiness at finally getting to meet him, another member of her ysi.

Aelya's eyes opened, moving to meet Esari's gaze. "Mhm," she said with a slight affirmative nod. "Though I do understand things have been quite," she paused briefly. "Eventful," she said. "How are you fairing with the weight of the responsibility you now bare?" she questioned in a gentle caring tone. He was an Aestaesys, but he was also her great nephew. That made things a little different, to her at least. Though it was certainly not the case for everyone in the ysi.

"Eventful is one way to put it, shameful really. The fact that we allowed ourselves to be tricked into a civil conflict so we would ignore the coming darkness...Honestly, our kind should be feeling the same in that," Esari said as he sat down in one of the side chairs, he had no interest in having the length of the table between them. "I won't deny the fact that, we vespans had our issues with the central government, but in retrospect maybe we should have had more scrutiny on the things that led to this. Perfect hindsight, I suppose."

Esari leaned back in the chair, and got comfortable a light sigh left hm as he looked at his aunt. "Unfortunately I do not know how I will deal with the responsibility to come. Technically, I haven't even been home to recieve coronation. The communication from Vespa, only came after we were already here." He then asked, "What about you? How are you doing being placed into leadership in Tsenlan? I have heard and read good things about the Yamatai Star Empire, but yesterday was the first opportunity I have had to observe them," He pulled his gloves off and set them on the table.

A single eyebrow raised as Aelya listened to Esari describe his perspective. She sat in one of the side chairs next to him, positioning herself so that she was facing him. For a moment she struggled with the urge to cross her legs underneat her like it was just a family chat, but this was not. So she followed the tempo he set. As Esari leaned back Aelya began to speak, "If we spent time wondering all the things that could have been done differently, we would never get anywhere."

The light sigh that left his lips as he looked towards her caused her head to tilt slightly. It was interesting having such a candid conversation with someone. The last time anyone had discussed things with her in a similar manner was the very last conversation she had with Tetsuya. Aelya watched her nephew carefully, not in the same cold manner she analyzed others, but as a concerned aunt.

Aelya smiled just a touch, "It seems that we became aware of our new found responsibilities in a very similar fashion." Carefully she adjusted in her seat to be slightly more comfortable, but not quite so that it would come across as informal. "As with anything, take new challenges as they come," she responded, not exposing her true feelings on that particular event. Aelya folded her hands across her lap. "They have done amazing things for the survivors. Our people have been welcomed with open arms, though I am interested to hear your perspective on things," she finished speaking, her gaze following Esari's hands as he removed his gloves and set them on the table.

Esari listened to what Aelya had to say, he followed not just her words but the expressions on her face. He was quiet for a moment when she finished speaking, as he once more went over everything that had happened the day before as well as the things his mother had told both him and his sister. "I think that the Yamatai Star Empire has shown their humanitarian spirit through their efforts to accomodate the people that call this place home," he said, then continued, "I think that there is some context that may be missing in it all, perhaps that is just my worry that they see us as weak.," he paused thoughtfully. once more and adjusted his posture slightly, each movement was oddly graceful. "It is up to us to fix that missing context, we've been allies with them for a long time; but I believe it could benefit from better communication and partnership." He had more opinions than just his own, unlike most Norians he didn't need a filter to understand the song of the Leviathans. "Don't take that as critizing my grandfather, or those that came before him. If anything Tsenlan is proof that our culture and theirs can be compatible."

The new leader had obviously put a lot of focus and thought into what his goals were when it came to future relations. "Despite our war with the Craethel, we intend to still do our part in assisting with theirs. At the same time, Lorenz and Vespa are carrying Noria's burdens. We don't have the fortune of room like you have here, at least not yet." He took a deep breath, he didn't want to drag the topic on, but he did have something else to say. "There is an undertaking ahead, that involves much more than the liberation of Aetlantia and Noria. I think we often put so much focus on our core worlds, that we sometimes forget just how vast our territory remains. We're looking at rapid colonization, but that is hard to do with the Craethel looming over us." He then said in conclusion, "What I am getting to is that they need to know the context in which our people live, they need to know what we are up against and we've done a very poor job at communicating that. I intend for that to change. I wish to see that partnership grow"

Aelya listened patiently, silently observing Esari's body language as he continued. She had her own feelings on the matters he addressed, but to voice them so publicly with him would not be a wise idea. Even if he was her great nephew, he was also United Norian Imperium's soon to be Aestaesys. As such, she had to choose her words carefully and curate her actions accordingly. Each moment she silently cursed that she had been thrust into the position she now found herself in. It wasn't something she had ever wanted. Aelya's face was expressionless as she nodded slighty in the affirmative to his statement on criticism. Though she wondered if he truly understood what all those that came before them had to face. Let alone that there might have been very good reasons why the communication between Yamatai and the Norians had been as it was until this point.

Carefully paying attention to each word Esari said, Aelya began to form her own opinions of things. It was a fine line to walk in the conversation between ysi and the responsibilities that came with their titles. She hated it, she hated every minute of it. It made her continually marvel at how her brother Tetsuya had managed things as long as he did, or anyone else in her ysi that held the position for that matter. As Esari concluded, Aelya was pleased that this last part in common. Though how open about the sentiment she was willing to be with him remained to be seen. "Do they need to know? Yes. Though what do you intend to do if it is communicated, but not understood? There is a risk that what we have experienced, the things we have faced as a people are not readily acceptable or easy to understand. I think it will take a great deal of patience and understanding on the part of all parties involved. Though potential growth in a strengthened partnership would be worth it."

Esari didn't have to consider his response much to her question, "Those is the risks of diplomacy, we take them every time we have contact with another nation." He couldn't help but call upon the wisdom of his mother's teachings in this case. Much like Aelya, she was thrust into a position of power suddenly and unexpectedly. "Failures in diplomacy happen all the time, so long as they don't end in war - there is always another chance. Our situation won't change regardless of the opinions on another side of the table, As long as we remain honest with good intentions," he looked her in the eyes and said then clearly, "Morg'gho isn't going to stop. This war will go on so long as he is alive. He will not negotiate and the only thing he communicates now is his propaganda" He then sat up into a more rigid position.

He then motioned to the room around them, "Tsenlan is proof, and a bridge showing the partnership between our people. You may be surprised to know this, but Vespa is in a very similar situation...well more the reverse." He wasn't sure what she knew or didn't when it came to their core worlds, "When this conflict started, Laeyra allied with us. There is now a population of them on our world. It has served as a bridge to find common ground, so I believe in Tsenlan's position in all this." He took just a moment to breathe and then added, "We have to trust in our abilities, and ensure that there is no misunderstanding. I have faith in the already established friendship with Yamatai and that is what I will have in mind when I finally get to speak with them." He hoped that she understood, and that he was not attempting to challenge her.

Good intentions only ever went so far in the grand scheme of things, she thought. Her mind mulled over all those in the past leadership that had good intentions, look where that got them. Aelya remained expressionless, simply listening and absorbing information on what perspective Esari chose to share with her. When he looked her in the eyes she held his gaze, unwavering. "With Morg'gho we can assume nothing." she stated flatly, refusing to elaborate further. She straightened up into a more rigid position as well, her gaze following his motion around the room before finding its way back to him.

Aelya listened intently as Esari continued to speak. She had heard little whispers about the situation in Vespa, but kept her mouth shut. When he finished she looked upon him like a proud aunt though she did not necessarily agree with everything he had to say, "I understand and I agree with you on that front. Your faith is well placed in that regard." she said with a slight smile.

Esari considered in that moment showing her what had been discovered, he decided instead just to tell her. "I don't mean to bring you nightmares, my dear aunt." he let out a deep breath, "We're not the only ones outfitting ships for this universe. We have suspicions that Morg'gho has and is outfitting several vessels. So, one thing we can assume is that Morg'gho will continue to pursue power in as many places as he can." He looked a little stressed when he said it, but it did come out. "I'm not the one to make predictions and assumptions, we have people like Katara for that. We owe are thanks to those who have taken in our people, as Vespa and Lorenz have taken in so many already." He looked her in the eyes and said, "That population of Laeyrians? I guess I should have said something more adequate to the situation..." he closed his eyes for a moment and said, "All of them that are left...Laeyra is gone. It seems the vile shadows remember their betrayal at the end of the war and sought his brand of justice." He opened his eyes then, and gave a slightly affirming nod.

He figured that it was time to change the subject, "My mother sends her good wishes to you, and apologized that she was unable to here. I am sure there will be plenty of chances though, as time goes on for Ysi to reach to Ysi even across borders."


>Pause

Outside - Alley​

The narrow, shadowed alley where the four travelers reunited was steeped in a somber silence, the weight of the day's events palpable in the air. Cae glanced at his companions, each bearing the marks of the day’s toil, their expressions a mix of fatigue and resolve. "How are you all feeling?" he inquired, his voice low, as he noticed the lingering dust on Tea's scholarly robe.

"I am sore, but we helped a lot of people. It was hard to see..." Tea admitted, her hands brushing at the dirt that seemed to cling stubbornly to her fabric, emblematic of the day's grit and turmoil. Her eyes held a haunted reflection of the refugees they had aided.

Sorle adjusted his stance slightly, his medical coat slightly disheveled from the relentless pace in the makeshift clinics. "I went a little off plan, but they needed another doctor, and they were overwhelmed. I couldn't just not get involved," he explained, his voice firm with the conviction of his oath as a healer.

Tea offered him a small, weary smile, her voice soft with pride. "Sorle, you did what you were born to do. None of us question that." Sorle acknowledged her words with a modest nod, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly.

Cae's gaze shifted among the group, the late afternoon light casting long shadows that merged with the dimness of the alley. "From tents to escorting refugees to their new housing in the city, I think I did my share. Did anyone recognize any of you?" he asked, a hint of concern threading through his words.

"A child, obviously one that recently started school. I gave him a little gift and he disappeared into the crowd. I am sure it's fine; he was only a young boy," Cae remarked, trying to reassure himself as much as his companions. After a pause, he drew a deep breath, the weight of leadership settling on his shoulders. "Are we ready?"

"Let's get this over with," Tea responded with a determined nod, and she and Sorle simultaneously knelt, lifting the sleeves of their left arms. The faint whirr of their armbands activating filled the alley as Cae and Tea joined them in a mirrored gesture. "This is going to hurt..." Tea murmured, a hint of trepidation in her tone.

The blue feather emblem at the center of each armband began to pulse, emitting a soft, rhythmic chime that gradually quickened. The sound seemed to echo off the graffiti-marked walls of the alley, a countdown to their imminent departure. To any passersby outside the alley, a sudden bright flash would obscure the scene, followed by the rustling of a discarded refugee poster fluttering into the space they had occupied. When the light dissipated, the alley was empty, save for the ghost of their presence and the fluttering paper caught against the old brickwork.

Aelya's head tilted curiously for a moment, then she remembered he barely knew her. So she found the caution he took in that moment rather endearing. If he this was not a diplomatic event she might have found him rather attractive. However, it was and so she did not see him in that light in the slightest. "That's not assuming, that is analysis based in fact. We know he power is not the only thing he will be going after," she said with a haunted look entering her eyes as the memories of Unya's vesper flooded back to the forefront of her mind.

Swiftly she shook it off to resume a caring expression as Esari continued. "You, your people, and any else who seek refuge with no ill intentions are welcome in Tsenlan. As long as they need, for as long as we have the ability to do so. However long a time that may be, for what its worth." she said softly when he looked her in the eyes. Once more she held his gaze as he looked her in the eyes, continuing with his altrue statement. Aelya found that Esari closing his eyes was a rather peculiar instance, she looked at her nephew for a moment wondering what all went through his mind.

Though she wondered, she knew some things swimming through his mind were far beyond her comprehension. Hopefully he had not noticed that haunted look in her eyes before. For she found his change in topic a pleasant switch up. "Tell my niece that I send her good wishes as well. The duties of Rys'Aester must keep her very busy, as I'm sure your duties will. With me, there is never a need to apologize for such things." Aelya nodded affirmatively as she paused. "Ysi is very important to me, it is why I..." she trailed off a moment changing subjects. "No matter where they might find themselves Ysi is always on my mind. That includes those that I have not met. When time permits I am sure our Ysi will gather," she said softly. "Was there anything else on your mind that you want to discuss?"