The Nuclear Reign of Strottimar [Part 1]

Chapter 19; An Induction Worth Forgetting

 Dawn was dim but harsh on my eyes as I awoke slowly, my head pulsing with soreness as I sat up, aching. My body felt weak and my wings were heavy, I remembered yesterday. I shook myself off any grief and set my feet on the ground. I found myself in my old clothes and immediately felt the need to wash but something in me told myself there wasn't time. I gathered my balance quickly and shook the cat awake gently. "Ryu, get up!" I whispered as he growled and pawed my hand off his side.

"We should get there early, I'm sure they're going to need help setting up the ceremony, I didn't even think about it! Come on!" I stressed, speaking as I quickly changed into fresh clothes and setting my hair so it looked as right as I could get it before throwing his own set of pants at the cat. He hissed, but changed hastefully, understanding my hurry and shaking himself awake.

We exited the loft just as the sun creeped its way fully over the horizon line and met Hansen outside, following him to the hollow and stopping to neaten ourselves individually before eventering. The large space was still a mess from yesterday, as there was still blood splatter across the floor and the fallen leaves from the previous day had not been swept away yet.

From across the hollow, Alfanza sat in his carved chair, sulked over with his head resting on his fist and his eyes were closed, still half asleep while a small handful of what looked to be like doctors argued with him angrily. "You set this up! Why wouldn't you inform anyone else about this!" one female said to him as I narrowed my eyes and turned to the Sir, his face still red and his feathers ruffled. "Do you know what's going on here?" I said softly but he shook his head. "I know just as much as you." He met my eyes, his still dry and red from grieving as he brushed the surprisingly neatened hair from his brow.

A few more landers and flates piled into the hollow slowly, I assumed they were here to help set up as well, from the higher class, and of their own basic thoughtfulness. A ceremony to celebrate the life of an elder was a large one, and one that had to be prepared with speed. Alfanza seemed to be eyeing the flates here with a dirty stare. I shook myself and greeted them with a nod as I made eye contact. We were met with a slew of kind apologies before Hansen asked the lingering question. "Thank you, yes, but do you perhaps know what all these doctors are doing here?"

One of the flates shook her head. "No, sir, I haven't heard anything." She gazed over at the bustle from across the hollow. "But, doesn't it feel odd that Porter isn't here? Maybe something is the matter with him..." she trailed as Hansen's face scrunched. "I don't like the sound of that-"

Just then, a low growl bubbled up from Ryu's thought as he narrowed his eyes, staring sharp at another entrance across from where we stood in the hollow. Another handful of doctors entered, slowly this time, and more collected, as though the faces parted, Mark Greyson stood, dressed partly in lavish robes as if he was not quite yet finished getting ready for some big event, and flustered about it to say the least. Maria stood off to his right beside him, looking tall and cloaked in almost as fine clothes that suited her perfectly, a dimmed shining blue silk tied tightly around her waist followed by a light cape about her neck and shoulders, worn more as a scarf than anything, while Mark was cloaked in a lavender purple dress with a tie. His cape was bulky and heavy, and his sleeves were oversized, heaping over his hands as a tailor prodded behind him, trying to fix up his attire even as he moved. He locked eyes with me before lowering his gaze.

Hansen ran over to this crowd, startled and surprised. "Greyson? What's going on here? Why are you dressed like this?" he demanded but the doctor kept his head down shyly. "I see, so nobody was informed."

I'd never heard him speak so softly before, his ears were flaming red and his silken wings had begun to puff out in anxiousness before the prince. "What?" Hansen whipped to Maria as if to catch a clearer response. "What's happened? Where's Porter? I'd like to speak with him immediately."