Choir of Angels (Angelii/Firemane)

[Kaida Taldir]

Angelii Citadel, New Santaissa.
Tygara.


Power came out of the barrel of her gun. This was an inescapable fact, even for those who spoke of peace and democracy. Republics, Alliances and Coalitions had expanded as far as their sword could reach, after all. Here on Tygara, Jedi were not the 'guardians of peace and justice', for neither the Eldorai nor the Tygaran natives had time for space monks and their ways. Thus, there was no temple or enclave for them, for the Eldorai Matriarchy had the Angelii.


Anyone who landed in New Santaissa was bound to see the massive tower made out of white stone that stood at the foot at the mountain and rose up high into the sky as if seeking to grasp the heavens. This was the Citadel, where the ancient order of the Wrathful and Heavenly Angels of the Great Goddess - Angelii - dwelt. Angelii did not meditate on the will of the Force, they did not debate whether it was legitimate to kill an enemy or if this was the path to darkness. They were a holy order of warriors sworn to vanquish the Queen's enemies. Less frequently mentioned was the fact that many a Queen had been toppled by her own praetorians, but those days were past.


The tower was an imposing complex built like a fortress. Heavy turrets, a shield genenator and Angelii guarded it. Inside lay barracks, training facilities, armoury, a chapel and a command centre. Since the Grand Seraph was the highest-ranking soldier in the Matriarchy, in a way it was also the military's nerve centre. One could not walk through the corridors and look upon the statues of past Angelii heroines without being connected to a tradition that stretched thousands of years, even though this Citadel was very fresh and new due to the exodus.


As she passed through one of the many Spartan corridors, Kaida's eyes fell upon a hagiographic depiction of Talon Jain Zar and Captain Alenia Yelvaris, bravely fighting a horde of Kar'zun at the Battle of Thermiscyra. Said battle had been the baptism of the Valora's Chosen Great Company. Virtually the entire unit had fought to the last drop of blood and perished. In Kaida's humble opinion, the sacrifice had not been heroic, but irresponsible. However, it was not politic to say that. Today, she commanded Valora's Chosen.


"Getting lost in the memories of past martial glory?" a voice called from behind her. Kaida turned to around to find Host Leader Vaena Askari. The raven-haired Angelii was her 2IC and as close to a friend as possible for someone as prickly the Seraph. "Thought you weren't a devotee."


"I'm not," Kaida stated flatly. "If Yelvaris was around and I had the authority, she'd be court-martialled." The Seraph's opinions tended to be ironclad and inflexible. Her tone was frosty.


Askari nodded. "With respect, I believe the Goddess preempted you in judging her. Where she is now, only Ashira knows. She was no angel, but she's been an inspiration to many of us. The order needs its idols more than ever before."


"Better not be one the next generation of officers follow too literally," Kaida's tone was gruff and she turned away, walking down the corridor, with Askari soon following her. "I see you recovered well from the skirmish with Xioquo holdouts."


The pyromancer quickly caught up with her and fell in line. She could not resist the urge to make a snarky comment. "If I recall correctly, you fell into the Lloth's nest and I had to jump in after to save you."


Kaida shot her a blank look. "I believe your perception of events is a bit inaccurate. I was not in need of rescue...but your assistance sped up the process of killing the drowspawn."


"Of course, Lady Seraph, of course." Askari was probably one of the few Angelii who could snark around the Full Ice queen and get away with it. "It was a useful experience for the new recruits. Ashira's breath, they're lacking. Many have a terribly low Sciiac potential and are undisciplined."


"They'll learn or be weeded out. A certain someone in the Ministry of War came up with the 'briliant' idea of recruiting Xioquo Sciians since we're so low on numbers since the Exodus." Her tone was chilly and broadcast disapproval.


"We suffered many casualties in the final battle and it's becoming more and more clear that Tygara cannot rely on outside protection. Our younger cousins have many Sciians in need of guidance. We can hardly leave it to their mages or the humans. They showed how tenacious they are at the battle when they served evil. They would do good with Eldorai officers and discipline."


"Yes, and we also fought them to the death a few months ago. Including them into our Corps right now is just giving the radicals an invitation to learn our ways and weapons, then stab us in the back. Mixed units will cause unit cohesion to suffer, a segregated Corps of Xioquo Sciians creates its own issues. Too many of our own officers are influenced by the racist nonsense propagated by the Cadalthor's mouthpieces."


Two Angelii guards dressed in ornate crimson armour and carrying halberds saluted the Seraph when she walked by, letting her pass through a mighty stone door towards the Chapel. Today, a memorial service would be held to honour the battle sisters who'd paid the final price in blood on the field of battle.


[member="Aeda Shaytari"], [member="Elincia Alanis"], [member="Elayne Saedaris"] [member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"] (very welcome if you want in, but no pressure), [member="Charlyra Araano"], [member="Amunalora Fenariel"], open to Angelii/Firemane folks in general. [member="Valiens Nantaris"]

 

[Elincia Alanis]

Angelii Citadel,

Since Elincia didn't have a home, she was staying in the barracks, and the beds in the barracks were very comfortable. After the huge war against the Xioquo and their Goddess, Mysh... Myt.... Myst.... Hell, whatever, she was dead anyway so names weren't that important, anyway she thought they deserved some rest afterwards, and who was she kidding, she loved being all lazy. There were voices coming from the room, everyone seemed like they were in such a rush but Elincia continued laying down sleepily because why not. If it interested her she would remember anyway right? Well, her peace and quiet wasn't that long. One of the Angelii walked towards her and poked her, trying to wake her up... Constant poking was very annoying... So she opened her eyes, sighing annoyedly.

"Whaaat?" She said sleepily, to escape from the poking she took her pillow and covered her head. Sadly, the pillow wasn't enough to keep the voice out of her ears, or stop the poking.

"You know Seraph is going to give a speech in the Chapel, right?" She said, then added. "And we are already running late. Wake up!" The girl's voice was getting louder and louder at this point. So Elincia had to do something about it. Not realizing the importance of the situation since she was very sleepy, she nodded.

"I know. I will be there........" She almost lost her battle against the sleep but then she realized she was speaking with the girl. "Yeah I'll be there. You go ahead..."

"Suit yourself. We are not covering for you this time." Then she nodded to the others, and they quickly escaped the room. Their fast footsteps could be heard even from the distance...

Elincia slept, slept, slept... Whoops!

"Holy kark." She remembered the speech. "Kark I am late." Yep, yep you are. Well, if she was fast enough, she could be there before ice lady. Quickly wearing her everyday clothes, with a messy hair and sleepy face she rushed out of the barracks and ran towards the Chapel. Luckily for her, the ice lady wasn't there when she arrived. Normally she wouldn't care and be all slow because she was a rebel, but public humiliation from the ice lady wasn't her thing. When she arrived though, she realized yet again... that today was a bad day.

"Wait... today is armor day?" Everyone was in armor. And Elincia was staying there in her everyday clothes. "Welp..." It was too late to go change as being late was much worse. So, she decided to act casual. She went towards her roommates and started to talk, getting that Elincia smile ready.

"Sup? Cool day huh?"

She was great at blending in. Yep.

[member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Valiens Nantaris"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Elincia Alanis"], [member="Valiens Nantaris"]


The chapel itself was dominated by mosaics and stained glass windows that depicted heroines, saints and goddess of the Eldorai. Of course, the most prominent of them was the Great Goddess Ashira. An altar and a pulpit stood at the far end of the room. As any Angelii who sat down would discover, the pew pews were not comfortable. The joke was that this was a deliberate measure to make sure that unruly recruits did not fall asleep while sitting down.


If looks could kill, then the withering glance Askari shot Elincia would have caused the young cryomancer to spontaneously combust. "Wing Leader Alanis, why are you out of armour?" she snapped. Her voice was like the sharp crack of a whip. "Do you respect the memory of your battle sisters so little that you would dishonour this day with your lack of respect and professionalism? You shame our order."


It seemed Elincia would not escape public humiliation. It looked like every Angelii in the hall was staring at her. "Consider any and all leave cancelled for the foreseeable future. You'll be confined to the Citadel, sweep the barracks, clean the toilets and the pens of the pet Yazgid - without pay. Now go dress yourself appropriately!"


If their ranks had not been so thinned, Kaida would have suspended her from duty or outright booted her. She glanced towards Askari. As different as both women were, they had similar ideas about discipline. "A few years ago this would've earned a flogging. I rue the day command abolished corporal punishment. If the Queen ever orders us to recruit inscrutable Xioquo, I'll insist on old standards of discipline," she muttered quietly.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Elincia Alanis"]

Cuirass.

“The four chapters are gathered, Grand Seraph.”
A nod.

Greaves.

“We have reports that there are some Xioquo agitators living in the tunnels. They’ve killed several ‘collaborators’ so far. Talon Faedi requests permission to conduct a thorough search and prosecution.”
“She does not require permission. It is her duty.”

Gauntlets.

“The Iron Mountain fortifications are proceeding to schedule, but there are complaints about Archon Telleq’s harshness and pushing for deadlines. Reports indicate she is cutting corners to be on time.”
“Send an independent team. Verify. I will not allow shoddy work. I will not allow wastefulness.”

Cape.

“The plans for the Khajwar Expedition is shaping up well. They still need a commander, and a guide.”
“The Queen has ordered Lady Tarai to be the diplomat. Seraph Taldir will command the escort and the Qadiri Sahal will guide them.”

Helmet.

As the ornate helmet closed over her head Aeda felt herself somehow liberated. She wore a mask anyway, so why not the one of the order where she had been so linked to.
She checked herself over in the mirror, not for vanity, but to make sure everything was in place. She nodded to the attendants and they left.

Turning to her aide the blank helmet stared. “Is there anything else?”
“No, Lady. There appears to be a commotion in the hall though. One of the Angelii are not dressed appropriately.”
A premonition or merely guess based on previous form. “Wing Leader Alanis?”
“Yes, Lady.”
“Tell Seraph Taldir to get her appropriately dressed immediately. She will go on the expedition too as Countess Tarai’s servant. This will teach her the value of obeying orders.”
She headed for the door as the aide hurried off to get things organised.

The Angelii were waiting for her to give her memorial address, and she would not disappoint. Once the rogue Eldorai was dressed properly they could begin.

 

[Elincia Alanis]

The moment of truth... As both ice and fire lady entered the chapel, she was the one to be noticed immediately. It was a stupid decision, what did she expect? Gulping, her eyes met Askari's for a brief second and even in that brief second she felt like her eyes would burn her entire body. Which was funny because she was a pyromancer... She couldn't laugh, it would piss her off more. But it was funny. Anyway, she had to think... something.

"I kinda... forgot?" Good job Elincia. Very good job. It will probably save you from whatever they had in mind. She forced out a smile, using every tactic she had in mind to get out of this in one piece and trying to look strong, as if it isn't very embarassing already they had to tell her name and publicly humiliate her, which was the last thing she wanted. Everyone was looking at her like she was a criminal. What the kark? She wanted to laugh just to let out some tension, but stopped herself yet again. In the time she had been around the Angelii she learned not to piss the authority off so much. Yet of course, Elincia was Elincia so that seemed impossible. "I overslept so I had to rush... It isn’t like I am naked, you know.” That would be fun though, just to see a reaction. It was a bad time to be rebel... A very bad time. Well, the response didn't take long, as the ice lady started to talk with her icy tone. Again, power puns. Those never got old! The things ice lady said, didn’t amuse Elincia that much though.

“Holy...? Are you karking serious?” She said, her voice was low but of course, elf ears. Sweep the entire barracks and the toilets? Feed the pets? NO VACATION?! Of course she was serious, when did she ever joke? All for because she forgot to wear her armor? Well, at least it wasn’t that bad. She could’ve thrown her to tigers... With everyone’s eyes still on her, she scoffed and turned to her roommates. “That could be worse. She could’ve asked me to clean her toilet. That would be a lot of bullchit to clean.” With that, she grinned. She was still the comedian after all, also she didn’t want to look weak as they had a huge audience, making her friends facepalm so hard. Well, no matter how she didn’t like this punishment at all and was being all funny about it, it was still happening. Yep. She was in too deep already. So she sighed afterwards, turning back to the Seraph and Host Leader.

“Do I have permission to go change to my armor at least?” At least it would stop the eyes looking at her. If permission was granted, she would probably catch up before ice lady started her speech. Also, all the people who were in this room were written in her blacklist. Their rooms were so going to get toilet papered.



[member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Valiens Nantaris"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Nima Tann"], [member="Aeda Shaytari"], [member="Valiens Nantaris"]


Corporal punishment might have been outlawed, but grabbing Elincia and pulling her very sensitive ears did not fall under this law. At least Kaida decided it did not. Elf ears were quite sensitive, to say the least. This was useful because it enhanced their hearing. It also meant that all sensations related to them were amplified. Incidentally, this meant that ear ripping had been a popular torture technique in the past. Obviously the Seraph would not do that.


Suffice to say pulling her ear was very painful for a Space Elf. Moreover, Kaida's fingers just happened to be rather cold. "Yes, I am serious. Thank the heavens that we're not allowed to flog unruly soldiers anymore. Now go and change into your armour. If you're tardy, I'll increase your penalty. I expect you to be in your place before the Grand Seraph begins the memorial service," she said coldly, then released the poor, trollish Angelii.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Elincia Alanis"] [member="Kaida Taldir"]

If there was one attribute which combined all the various branches of the Eldorai and their cousins it was a sometimes stomach churning propensity for violence and cruelty. Fortunately for Elincia the days of decimations, flogging and ear cutting were long past.

As the little issue of an undressed battle sister was being resolved in the very best tradition of soldiers everywhere; by yelling, Aeda took the stage.

There was no cheering, just solemn silence. Not all 10,000 Angelii were here. That would have been impossible, but some from every company were here to represent.
“Sisters, we are assembled here to pay reverence and respect to those who have fallen in the wars to assure the safety of our people. They all fought with womanly courage, faces to the foe, never backing down and never surrendering. Every one of them is a heroine who will sit at Ashira’s side in Asur.”

A screen sprung to life behind her listing the names and ranks of those who had fallen in the wars with the Xioquo, pirates, bandits and anyone else who had troubled Tygara.

“Let us pray now to the Great Goddess that their passing into paradise will be swift and easy, and implore Her to forgive any transgressions when alive. To give one’s life for your people is noble, but to give it for one’s sisters is a sacred trust and vow. I pray that all of us will, in due time, meet again in Asur and be able to thank these noble heroines for their sacrifice.”

Aeda sounded just a fraction more animated than usual. A hundred and eight names were listed on the honour roll behind them as having fallen fighting the Xioquo. A further forty-five were listed as having fallen in various other actions.
Attrition was becoming a problem as the veteran sisters passed on or retired, making the Angelii turn to recruits in a way they had not had to since the dark days of the Kar’zun wars.

 

[Elincia Alanis]

"Owowow alright alright!" She said as the ice lady gave her one last humiliation before she left, by pulling her ear. It, obviously, hurt like hell because elf ears were very sensitive and ice lady wasn't known for her mercy. Also her fingers were quite cold so her overly sensitive ear would be both freezing and feeling the pain at the same time, if it was even possible. The fact that hurt the most was she had no funny comment coming to her mind because of the pain so she kind of accepted the defeat... Then, ice lady decided it was enough pain for the girl, so Elincia sighed out of being released from the immense pain and holding her ear gently, she left the Chapel immediately running to her room. Of course, one had to beep out some of the words because Elincia was pretty pissed off, meanwhile talking to herself all the way back to her room. Obviously she didn't want a round two. Quickly wearing her armor, now she had to run back. It was a good morning exercise, but one that she would do without. Especially, running in armor was pretty difficult.

Maybe a minute or so later, she was at the door of the Chapel. Out of breath because she ran all the way, she placed an Elincia smile before going in and returned to her seat near her roommates, not before giving a look to ice lady of course, and then a nodding to the Host Leader and lastly smiling to the Grand Seraph. Some of the people still looked at her and all, but now that she was one with the society eyes were less disturbing as well... Ice lady would pay for that, soon... Maybe... Ugh... Anyway, luckily she was there before the Grand Seraph started her speech, so she wasn't in more trouble. When she started to talk, this time she decided to shut up and listen for a change. Besides she was too out of breath to do stuff anyway. Condolences, religious stuff, more condolences, more religious stuff... She wished that she wasn't that tired now...

...

Talking...

Still talking...

Yawn.........

[member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Aeda Shaytari"] [member="Valiens Nantaris"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Elincia Alanis"], [member="Aeda Shaytari"]


Kaida looked unusually solemn when Aeda gave her speech. Common adjectives associated with the Seraph were 'cold', 'harsh', 'unyielding', 'prickly' or, more blunter, 'that ice queen you don't want to mess with'. However, contrary to popular belief, she did care. Many of the Angelii who'd died had been comrades of hers. Battle sisters she'd trained, been trained by or served alongside with. Thus the losses hurt. What mattered was that though these losses affected her, she had the discipline to stay the course. A soldier's lot was to do her duty. This required sacrifices. War was hell; a cruelty that could not be refined.


Vaena Askari stood alongside her superior, looking similarly solemn. She made a V sign with her fingers, not unlike the sign of the cross on a planet far, far away called earth. Unlike her battle sister, she could find solace in the belief that their dead sisters-in-arms were now with the Goddess, for she was a true believer. To her, they sat at Ashira's side and received the rewards due to martyrs. Prayers left the lips of the assembled Angelii, then silence descended upon the chapel.


Suddenly Kaida stepped forward and left the crowd. She came to a halt and turned to face the throng. Clearly it was time for an inspiring speech that would be remembered for generations to come! "Our sisters did their duty. They died. We avenged them. They won't be forgotten." Brevity, thy name is Kaida. "We'll follow their example when it's our turn."

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Elincia Alanis"]

Behind her impassive and cold helmet, Aeda offered a grim smile. Kaida would have given the most laconic of Spartans pause with her brevity. One could imagine her answering a message declaring that ‘If we reach Tygara we will raze it to the ground’ with the simple reply ‘If’.

Still, this was a ceremony and there were strict rules and customs to be carried out.
“Sisters, we face the new challenges together and we will conquer. All enemies of the Queen and the Goddess will be destroyed. All glory to Ashira and Queen!” she called, and it was echoed throughout the room.

And so next was one of those strange ceremonies which accumulated around ancient organisations. Nobody quite understood who had started it, why it was done or what it meant, but it was done because it was tradition. And for the Eldorai one did not question tradition; over time it had built up the strength of holy law.

Rivalries between the Great Companies were common, and so a tradition had grown up of going to a Battle Sister outside of one’s own unit and sharing a small cup of sweet wine to settle the potential quarrel then clasping hands. There was then promises of loyalty and trust and then they went on to mingle with others. It was well that the wine was quite watered down because no one wanted a bunch of drunk Angelii!

Aeda watched as the tight formations broke up and the Eldorai started to mingle and share the communion wine. She did not take part, which was just as well since drinking with a helmet on was quite hard!

 

[Elincia Alanis]

After the Grand Seraph, then ice lady started her speech. Not surprisingly, it was quite short because ice lady didn't like to talk much. Elincia appreciated it, because they could proceed with more entertaining stuff as she was already in sleep mode after a slide show of several names quickly passing and Grand Seraph being all religious. And then, as all the speeches were done, it was the time to apply the strange tradition of sharing wine with each other, for some reason. She didn't quite understand how this little tradition was appropriate when they were mourning their dead sisters, but of course tradition was tradition so she didn't say anything about it because she didn't want to get in more trouble. "Well.." She said, then started to search for someone to share her wine. She found one still waiting around and went towards the girl. She didn't know which unit she was but she didn't look like she was on her unit.

"Wanna share wines and all that traditional stuff?" She said, holding her glass to her side. "Well well, here's our little troublemaker. Elincia, was it?" Elincia didn't like the tone. She knew that other units and hers didn't get along that well but still, she didn't need to be such a queen about it. "That's me, yep." She said, keeping her cool. It was quite surprising though. "We enjoyed the little show..." Then she laughed. Elincia was pissed off, but she laughed as well, she wasn't going to take the mocking and just shut up, besides she already tried her best to stay away from the trouble. "Me too, ice lady and I have some quite history together, you know, we joke around a lot. She loves to tease me sometimes." If ice lady heard those, she would be in trouble. But luckily there were a lot of voices going around so it would be quite difficult to hear her specifically. "You know what is funnier though? I am in her unit and everyone knows my name, good or bad. You are just a no one in the Unit who the kark cares. I would say I am sad for you, but I am too “cool” to care." She winked, not sad at all, then extended the glass to her to complete the tradition with a grin on her face. The girl took the glass and furiously extended hers. After this part of the tradition was done, the time had come to clasping hands. She reached out to her ear and whispered as they held each other's hand with quite a tension.

“Enjoy your room while it’s still clean.” Then, she let go of her hand and continued the tradition.

[member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Aeda Shaytari"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"], [member="Elincia Alanis"]


Tradition was everything for the Eldorai. To question it was unthinkable. Over time, it had become ironclad, holy law. The sweeping changes that had taken place in their lives had the side-effect that many space elves clung to it even more rigidly than before. Every Angelii was assigned to a Great Company. Though they were indoctrinated to consider every fellow Angelii their battle sister, the strongest bonds were obviously forged between those who served in the same unit. Rivalries were a common occurence. Wine was passed out, and Kaida ended up face to face with a certain Captain Shiala Myraris, the commander of the Ashira's Blade.


For reasons no one could explain in a satisfactory manner, the Valora's Chosen and the Blade had a strong rivalry. No one knew the cause, but both great companies had a long list of grievances. This made interactions rather awkward because both belonged to the Angels of Wrath Legion.


In any event, it was Shiala who initiated conversation. "Sister Kaida."


"Sister Shiala," Kaida was trying to look slightly less stone-faced. It did not quite work.


"The Chosen fought bravely in the Underealm. Sister Shiros was a credit to our race." On such occasions, it tended to be tradition to name and acknowledge the valour of a fallen Angelii from the others' unit.


"She was," Kaida spoke laconically. There was a pause, then the Seraph seemed to realise she was expected to converse more. Shiala had a rather expectant look on her face. "Sister Avesir covered our flank well. She'll be missed."


"No, not missed, Sister. Honoured. Her spirit lives on in us, and she's with Ashira now."


"Yes. The Chosen will be acknowledging her valour." It would probably be considered insulting to name a pet warg after her, so she'd think of something more appropriate to avoid drama.


"I'd like to apologise for certain...disparaging remarks some of our sisters made about Lady [member="Coryth Elaris"]. They were uttered in the heat of the moment, but no less insulting for a great friend of the Eldorai. Angelii hold themselves to higher standards."


There was a beat. Kaida wondered how sincere the apology was. The incident Shiala referred to had led to one of the very few occasions of the Seraph being disciplined. But then she'd punched a fellow Angelii's teeth out. "The apology should go to her, not me," she said a bit tersely. She could see Askari's look of supreme disapproval even though the Host Leader was busy socialising elsewhere. "But I appreciate it. For my part, I...apologise for remarks I made questioning your leadership abilities. They were uncalled for."


"Thank you," their glasses clinked together and they clasped hands. "Perhaps we should celebrate our new amity through training duels between select members of our units. It could be a good way to clear the air."

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Elincia Alanis"] [member="Kaida Taldir"]

When at last the ceremony was completed and everyone was just a little buzzed, Aeda called the Angelii to order.

“Sisters. We have one final act to perform this night. We will take this opportunity to make the yearly vow to the Queen and the Goddess, and you will receive your donatives.”
The Angelii were not monks like the Jedi who owned nothing; they were skilled warriors and when they retired they would receive a sizeable payout. It was also customary for a yearly bonus to be paid to each battle sister, a practice from centuries ago when the Angelii made and unmade Star Queens with reckless abandon.

Aeda stepped forward and held up her hand, clenched it into a fist then put it over her heart.
“Great Goddess Ashira, creator and mother to us all, look down on Your children and witness this pledge. I swear to be loyal and faithful, to follow Your teachings and tenants in all matters, to obey and not suffer heresy and error. I promise to nobly and most strongly fight for Your glory. I swear to obey the lawful and just orders of Queen Tirathana VII, your chosen and anointed daughter. I swear and promise to uphold the laws of the Queen, to defend all that is right and to throw down and destroy evil and wickedness wherever it lies. If I fail to uphold this oath may my punishment be the most severe.”

The old oath had once concluded with stomach churning descriptions of the punishments handed out to oathbreakers, but the Eldorai didn’t do that anymore.

With the oath repeated each Eldorai went forward to their commander to receive their donation, equal to 1/10th more their regular pay. Poor Elincia would have to try and convince Kaida to give her what was owed…as a commander could withhold it as punishment!

 

[Elincia Alanis]

As the hand clasping ceremony ended too eventless, more or less, if you don't count several threats Elincia made towards the members of other units since they didn't keep their mouth shut, Grand Seraph took the stage once more and announced the last phase of the tradition. "There are more?..." Elincia sighed, rolling her eyes as she was already in sleep mode from all the exhaustion. Luckily, it didn't require to do any more activities with the other units and just repeat after me kind of one. And she liked receiving donatives, so that phase of the tradition would be her favorite. But she was forgetting something. Moments ago ice lady said she wasn't going to get paid for a time as a punishment. Yet Elincia had a plan and she knew what to do exactly! Or was it her overconfident self speaking? Who knows!

"Ashira, what she said." Also, if you could help me get my credits I would very much appreciate it. And maybe if you can, can you quickly drop a lightning on ice lady or something? Thanks! She repeated Grand Seraph's words with her own unique style. No chance she was going to remember all those words! Trying to stop a laugh for a second as the jokes occupied her mind, it was the time to get the credits! With hope, she joined the queue of her own unit and started to wait. One, two, three, four... Everyone with a smile on their faces left the queue, taking their credits. Her turn was coming... coming... the last one and it was here. She looked at her, expecting nothing but a cold gaze.

"Uhh..." Think, think, think... "It's tradition! You know, that would be pretty disrespectful to it if I didn't get some credits..." She knew ice lady valued Angelii tradition, so she tried. It was going to work!... hopefully.

[member="Aeda Shaytari"] [member="Kaida Taldir"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Elincia Alanis"], [member="Aeda Shaytari"]

Verily, donatives were an old, hallowed tradition of the Angelii. They were the best soldiers of the Star Queen...which meant it was smart to ensure their loyalty. Back in the old days, it had not been uncommon for the avenging angels to topple and install Star Queens with reckless abandon.


Indeed, there'd been a dark time when a noblewoman had been able to buy the throne in an auction. Times had changed since then. Today, the corps was smaller, discipline was tighter and whatever might be said about Aeda, her loyalty was above reproach. But the practice remained in force.


Kaida shot the trollish Angelii a cold glare. The Seraph glowered at people a lot and tended to look stone-faced rather frequently, so she was quite good at it. At this point, she'd perfected the cold, withering glare of judgement. "Your entire behaviour has been disrespectful, Wing Leader. Now get out of my sight. You have duties to attend to," she snapped icily and turned away.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Elincia Alanis"]

Elincia was lucky that she was living in such liberal times where namby-pamby rule makers wouldn’t allow the beating of the disobedient with rods of iron. Kaida would probably have hated the ‘good old days’ for the most part with its stultifying conformism and piety, but there had been perks….

Regardless, the event was soon over, and Seraph Taldir would receive a message bidding her to come to the presence of the Grand Seraph for new orders.

Meanwhile Elincia would have no rest but would be set to work cleaning up the hall after the party. A somewhat tyrannical officer, a Seraph in charge of training named Laenia, was overseeing the cleanup.
“Pick up your feet, Alanis!” she demanded irritably. “Mop the floor and get the glass fragments swept up. I can see why your Seraph set you to work, you’re idle! Like all the young Angelii these days,” she grumbled in that grandparent way.

 

[Elincia Alanis]

It was an epic fail...

Her plans didn't work out that well like in her head. Instead, ice lady's looks were still freezing and Elincia didn't get any credits at all. So yeah, it was quite a fail. She sighed, as she was quite pissed off as always, meanwhile mumbling to herself. "I have suffered through all your bullchit tradition just to get another scolding..." Then added, her voice was higher this time. Tone of hers was the classical whiny Elincia, probably Kaida was used to it by now. "Fine. It isn't like I need money to live..." It was, of course, a sarcastic comment. Before she could react more though, she was suddenly startled by a very high, almost piercing sound of another Seraph who she saw here and there before.

"Wha-" Her sentence was cut short by the flying mop coming towards her quite fast. Luckily she had the reflexes or it would hit her in the face. It was very fast to process, but this woman wanted her to mop the floor? "Excuse-" Her sentence was cut short once again by the pissed off Seraph, who apparently didn't like young Angelii that much. Oh well, this day was getting better and better. "Alanis, stop talking and start mopping the floor. We don't have all day!" The woman's voice was getting louder and louder with every word. The remaining Angelii leaving the Chapel one by one, she saw all of them looking at her before going out. Of course, this little distraction didn't go unnoticed by the Seraph who angrily hit the ground with her feet. Understanding the message and since there was nowhere else to go, Elincia sighed and started mopping the floor angrily. "I am going to mop the floor. I am going to mop the floor with your stupid face." She said mumbling. "Did you say something?" The Seraph asked. "Nothing." She answered, continuing her neverending rant in her mind.

[member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Aeda Shaytari"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Elincia Alanis"], [member="Aeda Shaytari"]


As Kaida departed, Elincia might have felt a very unpleasant, telekinetic pressure in her sensitive ears. She was probably just as used to it as the Seraph was to her complaining. While the poor Wing Leader was busy mopping the floor after the celebrations, Kaida had been summoned.


Unsurprisingly, the Seraph was extremely punctual. Guards stepped out of her way when she approached the Eldorai Grandmistress' office and entered after knocking on the door. Predictably, the room was remarkably Spartan, which suited both women just fine. Kaida saluted in the traditional Eldorai way, right hand above her heart.


"You summoned me, Grand Seraph," she said simply. Neither of them were the sort to indulge in small talk. Nor was Aeda the type to make her orders sound like polite suggestions. This was something Kaida could appreciate. Too much familiarity bred nepotism, sloppiness and workplace inefficiency. They were not a lovey-dovey Jedi club.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Elincia Alanis"] [member="Kaida Taldir"]

As a military order, the Angelii did not have any problems with hierarchy, obedience or inconvenient issues with fighting.

Aeda nodded. “I did.” That was about all the small talk she had available.

“We are sending a diplomatic mission to Khajwar, the eastern Qadiri lands. This mission is to both impress the natives with our technology and strength, and to form an accommodation with them. The Queen does not want to fight them, but if provoked you may defend yourself freely. Limit collateral damage.”

“You will be commanding the escort. You will protect the diplomat being dispatched to negotiate. You will have a Qadiri guide, the one known as ‘Sahal’. She is loyal and can assist. You will choose a dozen of your finest Battle Sisters to be your escort. You will depart in three days. Do you have any questions?”

XXX

Meanwhile, once Elincia completed mopping the floor there was the unending fun of…stacking chairs!

Of course, the Seraph was still there to micromanage everything.
“You can carry more than six at once! Put your back into it, girl!” she ordered.

It would be tragic if a chair ‘accidentally’ flew across the room and hit her, or similar. Both for the Seraph and Elincia!

 

[Elincia Alanis]

"Alright alright I am doing it..." She said sighing and proceeded to take even more chairs. Not only that she was tired from all running and stuff today, mopping the floors and all this kark added one could say it was a pretty bad day for her. Stacking the chairs one by one until it created some kind of a mountain, she stopped for a second to take a breath. Doing this all in armor was even more tiring. Of course, the Seraph immediately noticed this and moved towards her with an angry face. "There are still chairs for you to carry, Alanis. Don't stop now. Come on." Giving a look to the Seraph, which was not a nice look at all, she reluctantly moved towards the chairs once again. If only she wasn't in so much trouble right now, this little chair mountain would have been so much fun. And Seraph was standing right where all the chairs could land. Oh well...

The rest of this event passed without any more trouble. If you don't count the several mental breakdowns and even more times where she just wanted to say "Kark it." and proceed to do what she wanted to do.

[member="Aeda Shaytari"] [member="Kaida Taldir"]