Post by Hayle on Jul 1, 2023 1:17:05 GMT -5
{Spoiler}
The time had come. Mint's recovery was complete, and Ticoga knew the time was now. It had come time to challenge Mint for the Throne of the Empire. The place of their battle had been decided - the Crystal Moon. It was the most public place in the Arcose sector, which meant that all the Empire would bear witness to this coming battle.
The only thing left, was address why it had come to this. And so, Ticoga stood upon a vast arena in his True Form, holorecording drones buzzing all around, ready to make his address.
"Citizens of the Empire... Denizens of Arcose... I am Ticoga." he begins, his voice carefully modulated; calm and precise. "More than one year ago, the throne of the Empire was being contested nigh constantly. Rulers rose and fell. When Azoth chose to invade the Planet Plant, the battle with the Saiyans ended in his death. Soon after, General Blizzard made a bid for power that was not his to claim."
Ticoga pauses.
"Blizzard was opposed by three - those we now call the Triumvirate. Empress Ise. Emperor Brumal. Emperor Mint." he continues. "Each powerful in their own right, each bringing their own views. Since its inception, the Triumvirate, formed in response to the sudden death of Emperor Azoth and in opposition to Blizzard, has worked to stabilize the Empire. And so it has been. But events have come to pass that cannot be ignored any longer."
Ticoga pauses again.
"The Triumvirate has been irrevocably damaged." he announces. "After the death of General Hibernal, Empress Ise retreated to mourn his loss. But her disappearance spans now many months. Ise has left her seat vacated, and no communication attempts have been successful. We hope to find her in good health, if not in good spirit. But her duty to the Empire has been ignored too long."
"Emperor Brumal has now also likewise gone missing." Ticoga says, his expression serious. "But this, without explanation. There is no proof of foul play - only that after the Imperial Open concluded, Emperor Brumal vanished without a trace. Attempts to locate Emperor Brumal have failed. Which leaves only Emperor Mint."
Ticoga pauses, looking into the recording drones.
"The Triumvirate can no longer serve its role as a unified leadership, and therefore must be dissolved." Ticoga announces. "I bring you NO accusations, no declarations of vengeance. I bring no call for arms - I bring a call for change. The Triumvirate was a temporary resolution, and now the time has come to settle for a single, strong leader."
Ticoga pauses once more.
"It was determined that the Throne shall pass ONLY to the individual that proves that they possess the necessary cunning, and power, to claim it. Emperor Mint has agreed to step down, ONLY if defeated here today." Ticoga announces. "I, Ticoga, have stepped up to place that challenge! If Mint defeats me, he shall reign unopposed as the Emperor! If I should claim victory this day, then I shall ascend to the throne as your Emperor!"
Ticoga pauses again. He turns to the recording drones.
"I hereby CHALLENGE Emperor Mint, for the right to Rule over Arcose, and the Arcosian Empire!" Ticoga announces with every ounce of his being.
This was it.
The only thing left, was address why it had come to this. And so, Ticoga stood upon a vast arena in his True Form, holorecording drones buzzing all around, ready to make his address.
"Citizens of the Empire... Denizens of Arcose... I am Ticoga." he begins, his voice carefully modulated; calm and precise. "More than one year ago, the throne of the Empire was being contested nigh constantly. Rulers rose and fell. When Azoth chose to invade the Planet Plant, the battle with the Saiyans ended in his death. Soon after, General Blizzard made a bid for power that was not his to claim."
Ticoga pauses.
"Blizzard was opposed by three - those we now call the Triumvirate. Empress Ise. Emperor Brumal. Emperor Mint." he continues. "Each powerful in their own right, each bringing their own views. Since its inception, the Triumvirate, formed in response to the sudden death of Emperor Azoth and in opposition to Blizzard, has worked to stabilize the Empire. And so it has been. But events have come to pass that cannot be ignored any longer."
Ticoga pauses again.
"The Triumvirate has been irrevocably damaged." he announces. "After the death of General Hibernal, Empress Ise retreated to mourn his loss. But her disappearance spans now many months. Ise has left her seat vacated, and no communication attempts have been successful. We hope to find her in good health, if not in good spirit. But her duty to the Empire has been ignored too long."
"Emperor Brumal has now also likewise gone missing." Ticoga says, his expression serious. "But this, without explanation. There is no proof of foul play - only that after the Imperial Open concluded, Emperor Brumal vanished without a trace. Attempts to locate Emperor Brumal have failed. Which leaves only Emperor Mint."
Ticoga pauses, looking into the recording drones.
"The Triumvirate can no longer serve its role as a unified leadership, and therefore must be dissolved." Ticoga announces. "I bring you NO accusations, no declarations of vengeance. I bring no call for arms - I bring a call for change. The Triumvirate was a temporary resolution, and now the time has come to settle for a single, strong leader."
Ticoga pauses once more.
"It was determined that the Throne shall pass ONLY to the individual that proves that they possess the necessary cunning, and power, to claim it. Emperor Mint has agreed to step down, ONLY if defeated here today." Ticoga announces. "I, Ticoga, have stepped up to place that challenge! If Mint defeats me, he shall reign unopposed as the Emperor! If I should claim victory this day, then I shall ascend to the throne as your Emperor!"
Ticoga pauses again. He turns to the recording drones.
"I hereby CHALLENGE Emperor Mint, for the right to Rule over Arcose, and the Arcosian Empire!" Ticoga announces with every ounce of his being.
This was it.
"An interesting choice of venue." Hayle muses from her position laid upon a couch in one of many opulent break rooms about the Crystal Moon. Surrounded by her household staff, the Zumat Matriarch looks to be in her element. The recording drones made it much easier to enjoy these kinds of spectacles without needing to worry about stray blasts or flying debris. Though, she does have to wonder just how ... intense, the pair were likely to get. In matters of personal pride, things did tend to reach something of a fever pitch. Hopefully the moon wouldn't be a sacrifice to the vanity of one or the other.
A truly delicious spread has been laid out in the room. This was, after all, the ostensiable reason for her return to Arcose. She had Earth delicacies to enjoy; fine cheeses, small pastries, delectable sweet treats. All manner of wonderful things to enjoy. And, more importantly, to sell. Finalising the contracts and supply arrangements would take time, but she was confident that the quality of these particular luxuries would speak for themselves.
She holds her crystal glass up to Beyk, and the long-suffering red-feathered birdman pours a generous helping of wine for her. She then walks to the open viewing platform, looking out across the casino floor - and makes an announcement of her own.
"I, Hayle Zumat, invite any and all citizens of Arcose to come and enjoy the hospitality of my family and the finest entertainment that we are likely to see for many years. We are bearing witness to history, let us do it in style. We are not barbarians, after all."
Returning to her couch, she sips her wine and eyes the viewscreen more critically.
It was certainly an interesting announcement to open proceedings, as well. Far more forgiving and understanding of the Triumverate than she would have expected. Perhaps, then, Ticoga wasn't nearly so certain of his assured victory as he had seemed. It would leave him room to save face in the event of a failure... or for the Empire to carry on without too much turmoil if he lost his head in a more literal sense.
"Beyk. We're in a casino. Place a respectable sum on Ticoga. Not so much that we're making too bold a statement, but enough to show we're getting in the spirit of things. And that we aren't cheap."
The birdman bows.
"As you wish, My Queen."
Wordcount: 406
Thread PL: 40,000 (currently suppressed to 10,000)
Thread PL: 40,000 (currently suppressed to 10,000)