The Nuclear Reign of Strottimar [Part 1]

Chapter 21; A Call to Order

Hansen sat in his chair, beaten and tired from today's work as he let out an airy sigh, calling me in quietly. He laid his head back to meet my eyes as I knew the routine. I made him his cup of tea and massaged his tight shoulders, grooming out his wings and tying his hair back. We spoke briefly, not words of importance, but small talk as I knew he would not be in the mood for discussion.

I prodded carefully, noticing his right hand was all bruised and swollen when I talked. "What's that, sir?" I nodded at his hand as he sighed again, this time with a groan. "My father had me and some set up patrol chase out what was left of the flates up here. I really didn't want to, and I got in a fight. I left after that. I'm really not one for all of his bullcrap lately." he turned his head while I began bandaging his hand carefully with soft reeds. "I'd usually be honored to serve him, but not this time. Today was so stupid, it makes me so angry. It hurt to do my job today and I'm just- ugh-" he threw his head in his other hand and rubbed his forehead. "I can somewhat see why he'd exile the flates like this, Ida, the safety of us- but this disease is nobody's fault. It's unfair. I had to separate families today, Solstice. I hated it. I've been sitting in here since noon. I don't want to go back out there, but I hear there's another meeting tonight for the high council."

The exhausted lander leaned back in his chair and mumbled. "I need to talk to Mark, he was saying something about meeting up with Porter to maybe sneak some supplies out to the flates, assuming they're headed to Tebanthia. That'd be safest, I think. I could fund it and he'd find the supplies. I direct the messengers anyway, even if it's my fathers job. We'll work something out."

I let out a faint smile, finishing wrapping his hand with a nod. "I think that'd be a very good idea, sir." Standing back, I began grooming out his wings as he twitched. "It would be best for me anyways to form a positive connection with Mark, he's going to be chair doctor anyway when I lead. We will have to be on the same page. He's about my age, isn't he?"

"A little younger, I think, sir." If anything, I thought, by only a handful of seasons. Maybe Lavence's age. Though, watching him mature so quickly made my heart race a little less when I found myself around the prey bird now. He'd grounded himself now, as was just finding his footing. Though, it would still take me a rather long time to start to genuinely like the doctor.

"I best be going soon then," Hansen sighed as he straightened himself when I finished tidying his feathers. "Sir, it's awful late. It's such a strange time to hold a meeting, don't you think?" I spoke gently as he stretched. "I know, but it's Alfanza's orders. I better go."

"Alright, sir." I couldn't questions Alfanza's orders now, as bizarre as they'd been getting, we'd still been following them. I helped his jacket on and buttoned the cuffs on his sleeves after he straightened his jabot necktie. He wore slim high rise pants and an off white undershirt which he'd lazily thrown on under the signature red jacket with gold hem and buttons to complement his teal eyes that shimmered tiredly in the candlelight. "You may accompany me if you'd like." he tilted his head as I brushed off his shoulders.

I let out a sigh and shrugged. "I suppose I'll stay for a bit, just to see what's going on. But I'm very tired. And I best get to cleaning my own loft while the cat's out."

"Oh, yes, where is Ryu? I haven't seen him since the ceremony this morning, he left with Mark-" he trailed off, his eyes straying as we wriggled out the entrance of the loft, tucking in his golden wings. "He's off on his own for now, he said he just wanted some time to himself while we sort this whole thing out." I explained as the sir seemed offset. "Lucky cat, I wish I could do the same." he scoffed. "Personally sir, I don't think you'd survive a day on your own out there."

"Oh, don't like Xander be right about such things!" he gritted his teeth and straightened his coat as we began maneuvering our way swiftly through the branches of the canopy, as we had before, to a tucked away little nest just below the hollow. The lights were dim here, unlike up in the hollow where it was always lit by torches and all sorts of luminescent things.