[04:13.29] <Sophie-work> *In the early hours of the morning there would be a commotion in the velkan quarter. The sun had yet to crest the sea, even from the high vantage point privledged by the college.－The morning orange melted away into a twilight purple as night became dawn. A heavy knocking would shake the door to marlenes chambers.*
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[04:15.36] <Rosalinde> there was some movement from inside the chambers and the door opened to reveal an unclothed Marlene with a frazzled mane and tired eyes. Behind her on her vast bed Coco Swirl－lay still asleep. Marlene didn't look at all happy at being woken up
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[04:22.45] <Sopha_phone> *Beyond was a ceremonial guard. Faceless beneath the intimidating metallic wyrm-like helmet. He tapped his booted hoof to the metal horn that jutted ceremonially from the－forehead of the faceplate.* "Lady Marlene. Her Majesty requests your presence in the courtyard."
[04:25.18] <Rosalinde> "Does she now" she said firmly. She then disappeared for a moment and returned with her strange necklace on with its captivating jewel, the unnerving black resin had also covered－her body revealing all its contours like a second skin. She walked along past the entourage of guards and it caused the ring in her horn to jingle.
[04:29.28] <Sophie-work> *The cerimonial guards, the three of them distinguishable as the Queens own soveriegn protectors by the addition of the horn to their helmets, turn to follow Marlene out. The court－ yard was still, and touched by the morning dew. The queen stood isolated and forlorn from a group of  gathered ponies. A Fillies  from as young as ten to late pubescence
[04:29.29] <Sophie-work> . They were all chattering to one another. Some were quiet and exhibited a discipline found in little patriots. Others seemed to exhibit an air of entitlement and pride, as if－ descended from a powerful magister family. Sophie turned when she heard the group approach and the fillies grew quiet. Sophie smiled to greet marlene, she was wearing an extr
[04:29.29] <Sophie-work> avegant and regal bit of regellia that was trimmed with gold and pink flowers.  Likely freshly picked and sown just the night before.* "Ah, my dear Marlene. Good to see you."
[04:31.11] <Rosalinde> approached the group standing tall and intimidating on her hind legs, she didn't look anywhere near as extravagant "Your Highness... this is an unusual surprise, especially at this－ hour?" she said eyeing over all the children
[04:33.34] <Sophie-work> *The fillies exhibited varying degrees of unease or respect beneath Marlenes gaze. Sophie giggled and nodded.* "Say hello filly's, this is the great hero Marlene." *The children in－ tandem, again in varying degrees of timidness and volume, greeted marlene with the appropriate bows and tidings. Sophie looked back at Marlene.* "These are the future ve
[04:33.34] <Sophie-work> lkan knights of Atheria." *She said declaritively, as if presenting a gift to the former hero. * "I felt as if this could not wait., There is much I wish to discuss with you about them."
[04:36.34] <Rosalinde> "The future Velkans, you say!" she said like she was just playing along and it was some kind of visit "Well, rise my children! I am indeed the First Velkan Knight of Atheria, one of the－ Four Heroes who saved the world. Perhaps one day you shall be learning directly from me, hm?"
[04:42.04] <Sophie-work> *The various children looked pleased. In their own respective way, a few seemed a bit off. Almost as if they were tired, a few had eyes that were glazed over.* "It is the utmost－ pleasure, Lady Marlene." *One of the older mares said, she spoke in High atherian, instantly dilineating her place within society. Sophie looked from each of them to the ne
[04:42.05] <Sophie-work> xt then back to Marlene.* "They are eager. Can I speak  for each of them. They want no more than to serve their country.  Right girls?"  *The all nodded. * "Do you have any－ questions for them Marlene before the guards take them to the cafeteria to dine?"
[04:43.26] <Sophie-work> I can speak*
[04:43.29] <Sophie-work> (typos sorry)
[04:45.49] <Rosalinde> she stood proudly with her forehooves on her large hips. It made her look larger than life which was the intended image she liked projecting "To become a Velkan Knight is the highest－honor of servitude one could offer to this great nation. It is not a decision to take lightly! You must forego everything you are and would become, all to be reborn as one of us. Are you each prepared for that－ sacrifice? That is what you must ask yourselves"
[04:46.06] * You are now known as Marlene
[04:49.39] <Sopha_phone> "Absolutely!" The very same poshly accented mare answered without hesitation. A few nodded firmly with yesses of their own and the three that seemed tired nodded slowly in－ recipocation of Marlene's question. One of them stepped forward, "We are decidacated to atheria in soul and mind!"
[04:51.31] <Sophie-work> dedicated*
[04:52.41] <Marlene> she leant down while keeping her hooves on her hips, it still made her look very intimidating. "I'd expect nothing less. Atheria is the future, and the Velkans embody that more than－ anything else." she then rose up again standing tall and looked them over
[04:57.16] <Sophie-work> *They weren't necessarily a rag tag group, but they were certainly pulled from all walks of unicorn life. From powerful military houses, to lowborn likely unable to pass the college－ entrance exams. They were from all across atheria, as their many accents indicated. Trotstead, Elysium, Sophia, and maybe even some from Camelu. They were, despite thei
[04:57.16] <Sophie-work> r any differences, the cream of atheria's people simply by magical birthright. Sophie looked them over, appearing almost as a proud mother would. Before nodding.* "Very good! All－ of you, now, the cerimonials will accompany you to the cafeteria where you will be catered.to.:" *They all filed into place, each nodding their respectful goodbye to Marle
[04:57.17] <Sophie-work> ne as they departed. The dozen or so fillies soon were gone and sophie looked at Marlene with a subtler smile than the playful grin she had donned. She looked cruel.* "Aren't they－ wonderful prospects?"
[04:59.31] <Marlene> once they had left Marlene dropped the act and eyed Sophie with much more concern "... what is this about, prospects?"
[05:01.20] <Sophie-work> "They! The girls. They are wonderful prospects. Each prospective velkans hm?" *She giggles. * "There is great need for more velkans, our empire is outgrowing our meager number－ more and more everyday. With Rachna's survival I believe that it is time we begin to investigate created velkans from stock that is less than prime. Less than wholly compatib
[05:01.21] <Sophie-work> le. These fillies, are but the first of many."
[05:05.28] <Marlene> "You didn't think it proper to inform me about this beforehand? I needn't remind you of the first group in the Velkan Programme. Despite our advances this poses a heavy risk, what if－ there are a number of fatalities? The magisters will certainly not be within your favour"
[05:13.32] <Sophie-work> "Hoof." *She says pettily. She gestures dismissively before placing a cold booted hoof on the powerful back of her velkan companion.* "My sweet marlene, do not worry. This－ initiative on my part was intended to be quick. I leveraged the resources of internal security to find suitable candidates both willing.... and not.  These are patriots and disse
[05:13.33] <Sophie-work> nters. The educated and the reeducated. Their families believe them somewhere else. They believe themselves the next velkans.... Unfortunately, I cannot promise you that those－ visions are anything but delusions... they are subjects. I doubt even a single one will become a  future daughter of yours. They are mere groundwork, we have learned so much
[05:13.33] <Sophie-work> from those first forty. The magisters.... are not your concern."\
[05:17.26] <Marlene> she stared toward where the children had departed to. She spoke in a cold and cruel way "We have been running the same ritual for it's safety for a while now, it has been many years－ since it was experimented with. The information from this could prove useful. I can see the logic in your decision"
[05:25.33] <Sophie-work> *Sophie smiles and steps away from Marlene. Pacing slowly as she speaks, like a ghost lost in its forlorn purposes.* "Corinthea, in her insubordination, did have more than a few－ valid points of concern... she has earned my respect yet again, even as her removal from power approaches. There is need for more than just soldiers. Velkans are the embodi
[05:25.33] <Sophie-work> ment of my will upon this world. Dozens, hundreds may  need be sacrificed so that one can rise from the mold of their failures. Internal security will sculpt the minds of a thousand－ young mares if need be. We stand at a curciul point in history, where velkans as the vanguard of atheria are  more important than they've ever been. Alexandria is still
[05:25.34] <Sophie-work>  too young to be useful to us.... so in the interum, we will make the neccesary sacrifices."
[05:26.12] <Sophie-work> crucial*
[05:27.25] <Marlene> she folded her forehooves and watched Sophie as she moved around. She didn't protest what the Queen suggested but one thing certainly caught her attention "Corinthia's removal...?－ This is the first i've heard of this"
[05:30.48] <Sophie-work> *Sophie nodded gravely, as she came to an abrupt halt.* "Yes. She has allowed herself to show weakness. Her ties to equestria influence her decisions. She would be reluctant to－ use the greatest of our options against them, need be. She spoke to my king, behind me back.... to leverage him agianst me to postpone the war with the north. I need obedian
[05:30.48] <Sophie-work> ce, I need ponies who will see through the ultimate ends of my vision. Who will achieve my vision, not postpone it."
[05:34.58] <Marlene> "She's also earned her place as your greatest military advisor. The bush conflict, the Fringe, Cervidas. How do you think those victories were achieved? Granted she and I have never－seen eye to eye, but I respect her knowledge and experience" she eyed Sophie intently "It wouldn't be wise to dismiss a tool that still proves useful to you, just because it disagrees with you. Perhaps you－ should just remind her of her place"
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[05:40.41] <Sophie-work> *Sophie is silent. She does not look at Marlene, but she is clearly thinking something over. Her lips grow thin in thought, before she finally speaks again.* "Perhaps you should－ remind her of her place. The magisters already think you my dog."
[05:41.31] <Marlene> she folded her forehooves again "What would you have me do?"
[05:41.53] <Sophie-work> "Whatever you must." *She says gravely.*
[05:42.57] <Marlene> "I will remind her that her place is to advise you, not make decisions for you" she said sternly and without an ounce of emotion
[05:43.22] <Sophie-work> "I suppose then, that is your place?" *She looks at marlene with a quirked brow.*
[05:44.47] <Marlene> "My place has always been to further the goals of Atheria"
[05:46.59] <Sophie-work> *Sophie smiles.* "Do not be so tact, I am not on a witch-hunt, I merely play. I will trust your judgement on this matter" *She giggles innocently.* "Perhaps, you should go get a－ feel for the new recruits. On the off chance that one does indeed pass the test."
[05:50.23] <Marlene> "Heh..." she rubbed her chin "I have something in mind for that, a shift in responsibility. I too had a feeling we would need more Velkans in the near future. That with the recent influx of Rachna and Viktoria, Claudia's youth and Stephanie's spirit, I feel that it would be wise to appoint one of my existing Velkans as a kind of... teacher. One who could help nuture them, especially the younger－ ones if we will get some younger than Claudia was"
[05:52.11] <Nether> (I would like to say, you two really know how to rp a nice political-esque thriller)
[05:52.26] <Marlene> (haha thanks)
[05:52.50] <Sophie-work> "An interesting proposal." *She says, hoofing at the grass with her metal boot. Watching as the morning due glistened upon the silver.* "I imagine you already have a velkan in－ mind for the roll? Angelika, if I had to guess."
[05:54.50] <Marlene> "No, actually. Not for the younger ones at least. Also for the same reasons I won't volunteer myself. We would both be far more useful assets on the frontline. I am actually considering－ Gabriele for the role. She has the most... instinct for it, i'd say"
[05:58.39] <Sophie-work> "I see." *Sophie cocks her head slowly.* "You do not think that she would send... the wrong message? She is typically regarded as the most restrained, she is foil to Nicole for a－ reason I must say. Perhaps you should consider keeping the two of them together, whenever possible."
[06:00.29] <Marlene> "Well... there is another reason I think she'd be more suited for... candidates of this age range" she said looking at the entrance, then back at Sophie with a knowing smile "But of course  I shouldn't keep you. Perhaps now is a good time to head back" she said quite cryptically
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[06:03.56] <Sophie-work> *Sophie at Marlene.* "Of course, my dear Marlene. The Absent Sisters bless you." *She summons her nearby guards with a swish  of her hoof and sets off.*
[06:04.38] <Sophie-work> Sophie stares at marlene*
[06:05.19] <Marlene> as Sophie left and came to the bridge beyond the entrance, either but sheer coincidence or from Marlene's brilliant sense of timing, Gabriele was there facing away from her. She had her  neat Velkan uniform on with tis tight cloth strappings and heavy hoofboots. She also had the thin wooden box slung over her shoulder. Her mane was in a tight bun. She was on her hind legs talking down to
[06:05.46] <Marlene> a colt in a smart Young Patriots uniform. Said colt immediately said in a shocked voice "I-its the Queen! The queen!" and pointed
[06:05.46] <Sophie-work> down to*
[06:08.32] <Sophie-work> *As sophie passed, she met the eyes of the colt and offered a soft smile. It was eerily motherly, her facade was erected as quickly as it was washed away. The guards that flanked－ her were like stalwart and mighty shields, eyes cast forward they marched mechanically.* "Good Morning, my dear. Keep up the wonderful work." *She said in passing.*
[06:10.25] * RachnAFK is now known as Rachna
[06:11.36] <Marlene> Gabriele lowered her head to the Queen, she gave an angered cough which caused the colt to stiffen up immediately. He then lowered his head down so his horn touched the ground.－She spoke in her refined and disciplined accent, with each command very sharp and distinct. Though it was strange that she'd be talking to a random colt like she was "Much better. That is how to correctly－ greet your Queen Magister. Do not rise until she passes. Do not speak. Very good"
[06:12.13] <Sophie-work> Very cutoff)
[06:12.18] <Marlene> Very good."
[06:13.17] <Sophie-work> *Sophie watched carefully as she passed. She didn't say a word as she did so, but as she passed by and beyond she watched in appraising silence.*
[06:15.31] <Marlene> she was staring down at the uniformed colt when Sophie looked back. She raised a hoof which made him stand up again. The last thing Sophie would hear was Gabriele saying－ something about the colts father
[06:17.14] * Sophie-work (Sophie-wor@64.106.pp.zq) Quit (Quit: http://www.kiwiirc.com/ - A hand crafted IRC client)
[06:20.00] <%ForAllBooks> [What all did I miss?]
[06:20.22] <Marlene> (sophie talking to marlene, you want a log of it?)
[06:22.02] <%ForAllBooks> (Sure!)