Post by Cato on Jul 7, 2023 14:39:54 GMT -5
GOODBYE AND GOODNIGHT
| Cato's PL: 110,000 |
| Cato's PL: 110,000 |
It had been quite a while since Cato had come to the citadel. The last time she was here, it was because she came in for a rough landing and had to be bailed out manually by an intervening Ise. Back then, Cato was weak and Ise was Empress. Now, neither were true.
Arcose was alight with the news that Ticoga had ascended to the throne. It had only been a few short weeks since her fateful confrontation with Ticoga over the icy sea, and since then, things had gone more or less her way. She had a squadron of her own soldiers nominally outside of the Shredder Corps, she had rekindled her friendship with Vocado, and she helped someone who she felt was a suitable ruler come to power atop one of the mightiest empires in the stars.
It was a time of celebration for Arcose, as well. Months of uncertainty after the subsequent disappearances of Ise and then Brumal had left the whole place in a state of uncertainty. Mint had held the reins for a time, but a lone Triumvir commands less respect than the whole. In the absence of him seizing complete power himself, things were never going to quite feel settled.
Now, only a day after Ticoga had won the right to ascend the throne, cities and towns were in high swing. It wasn't every-day there was a chance to celebrate a new Emperor, much less a chance to celebrate a new Emperor without having to mourn the death of their predecessor. The live feed had provided the population with a good idea of what had happened, but there were still questions to be answered--what would Ticoga's role look like, and what would Mint's role in the new regime be?
Those questions would only be answered with time.
For now, there were parties to plan, ceremonies to hold, and a whole lot of champagne to import. Cato found herself hardly challenged as she made her way through the citadel's halls. The riches on display were a clear sign of the Empire's wealth and its expanse, with treasures from every corner of the quadrant. It stood to impress most, though Cato didn't count herself among them. Old history she could appreciate, but gold and jewels and the crowns of Kings and Queens turned vassals--it was all a little gaudy to her.
She much preferred the more spartan appeal of the Saiyan capital. It meant there was less to replace in the inevitable event of some sort of violent palace intrigue or outside attack. But, she wasn't here to judge decor. There were plenty of people doing that already, with bureaucrats and the odd stationed soldier rushing in every which direction to test different designs on new tapestries, moving exhibits from one hall to the next, and trying to find some unified design to herald the reign of a new Emperor.
Cato doubted very much Ticoga had ordered any of it. But, palace staff had likely become accustomed to the panic of a change in rule, and the last thing they wanted to do was fail to impress an incoming Emperor.
Cato eventually pushed open the door to a large meeting hall, probably the site of some war council or another in ages past. She sat near the head of the table, and lidded her eyes. She could sense energy now, and it was an odd experience--and all her senses told her was that Arcose was alight with power. She wondered if she would feel the same on Plant. She doubted she would feel the same on Earth.
One of the palace guards poked their head in to see who had disturbed the council, but they backed away upon spotting Cato. Her newfound fame from the challenge, and perhaps the visible effect her attack had on Mint, had earned her breathing room on Arcose. People knew her, and for once, it wasn't for the wrong reasons.
Now, she waited. She had no intention of making her stay on Arcose a long one with Plant still so unstable, but she couldn't leave without at least meeting with the newly crowned Emperor.
Arcose was alight with the news that Ticoga had ascended to the throne. It had only been a few short weeks since her fateful confrontation with Ticoga over the icy sea, and since then, things had gone more or less her way. She had a squadron of her own soldiers nominally outside of the Shredder Corps, she had rekindled her friendship with Vocado, and she helped someone who she felt was a suitable ruler come to power atop one of the mightiest empires in the stars.
It was a time of celebration for Arcose, as well. Months of uncertainty after the subsequent disappearances of Ise and then Brumal had left the whole place in a state of uncertainty. Mint had held the reins for a time, but a lone Triumvir commands less respect than the whole. In the absence of him seizing complete power himself, things were never going to quite feel settled.
Now, only a day after Ticoga had won the right to ascend the throne, cities and towns were in high swing. It wasn't every-day there was a chance to celebrate a new Emperor, much less a chance to celebrate a new Emperor without having to mourn the death of their predecessor. The live feed had provided the population with a good idea of what had happened, but there were still questions to be answered--what would Ticoga's role look like, and what would Mint's role in the new regime be?
Those questions would only be answered with time.
For now, there were parties to plan, ceremonies to hold, and a whole lot of champagne to import. Cato found herself hardly challenged as she made her way through the citadel's halls. The riches on display were a clear sign of the Empire's wealth and its expanse, with treasures from every corner of the quadrant. It stood to impress most, though Cato didn't count herself among them. Old history she could appreciate, but gold and jewels and the crowns of Kings and Queens turned vassals--it was all a little gaudy to her.
She much preferred the more spartan appeal of the Saiyan capital. It meant there was less to replace in the inevitable event of some sort of violent palace intrigue or outside attack. But, she wasn't here to judge decor. There were plenty of people doing that already, with bureaucrats and the odd stationed soldier rushing in every which direction to test different designs on new tapestries, moving exhibits from one hall to the next, and trying to find some unified design to herald the reign of a new Emperor.
Cato doubted very much Ticoga had ordered any of it. But, palace staff had likely become accustomed to the panic of a change in rule, and the last thing they wanted to do was fail to impress an incoming Emperor.
Cato eventually pushed open the door to a large meeting hall, probably the site of some war council or another in ages past. She sat near the head of the table, and lidded her eyes. She could sense energy now, and it was an odd experience--and all her senses told her was that Arcose was alight with power. She wondered if she would feel the same on Plant. She doubted she would feel the same on Earth.
One of the palace guards poked their head in to see who had disturbed the council, but they backed away upon spotting Cato. Her newfound fame from the challenge, and perhaps the visible effect her attack had on Mint, had earned her breathing room on Arcose. People knew her, and for once, it wasn't for the wrong reasons.
Now, she waited. She had no intention of making her stay on Arcose a long one with Plant still so unstable, but she couldn't leave without at least meeting with the newly crowned Emperor.
TWC: 702