Thread: Noblesse Obligé [Ghostwolf and Thaedael]

Out of all the guests that had surrounded them time and time again, there were none that could match the beauty and hospitality of the two women that stood before Ilya Garin and Victoria Mays. Each of the nobles and their extended families basked in the reflected glory of the homecoming, and around distinguished soldiers did many gather. This was made more clear by the masses of swirling fabrics as more nobles came and went around the seven renown heroes, the crowd hitting a critical mass of bodies that pressed up against one another in an effort to see them. It was even more true when the daughter of the planetary governor took interest in one particular hero. It just gets old after a while. I know Im one of very few to share that opinion. But you understand what I mean, dont you?, she said, lips catching glimmers of light from the low-hanging chandelier above. To Ilya, it was clear as day exactly what she meant, and to his relief he was glad to feel that someone on the side opposite of the veterans was feeling much the same. He had returned from duty under much fanfare, to much the same songs and crowds and traditions. A sincere smile begun to form at the side of his face, a sliver of the man below the facade. He cleared his throat gently, ready to speak, before the attention of the collected crowd was drawn to Iactus, his laughter stirring up the crowd as people responded with the turning of heads and hushed whispers. Victoria shook her head side to side, annoyed at the situation, a nervous tick at the corner of her eye as she closed them, furrows on her forehead forming. She was an Intelligence Officer to the Imperial Navy, attached to the Storm Troopers, she was trained to always be in the know, to be hyper aware of her situation and her surroundings so that combat could be better co-ordinateed with support from other units under her command. Rubbing at her forehead with her hand, she begun to ease up, remembering that the whole reason for being here was to allow the nobles to have their fun, and for the soldiers to appreciate the return home. She just wish she didn't know what was going on, despite being on the other side of the room. Pardon me my ladies, there is a small matter I must attend to. I need to remind my subordinates that while we are indeed here to have fun, we are not inclined to allow them to sully the reputation of the Imperial Navy. I beg your pardon, I will return shortly She gave a small nod to each before parting the crowd about her, making a bee-line towards the center of the trouble spot. It's that damn sleeping bag story again. she muttered under her breath. The laughter finally begun to ease up, the climax of the story just beginning. Iactus was finally able to regain composure and bring his booming laughter down. The gathered nobles and veterans were clearly amused, the after-glow of laughter present on many of their faces, redness from laughing and smiles from ear to ear. Vince once more begun, circling around Zach as he told the story with grandiose gestures, as if performing on stage to the finest of aristocrats. At this point... he says, still trying to regain his own composure, laughter still fresh in his voice, tears from laughing so hard forming at the corner of his eyes. I thought the idiot went off and got himself killed in the middle of the night. he continues to walk in a semi circle, playing it up to the crowd around him, Zach sitting in the center of attention, redder than the Trukks of an Evil Sunz Waaagh. How was I to know the guy would get himself kidnapped. Unlike the rest of us that slept in cover, in rubble, or in holes, he slept in the middle of the open train station, completely open to all. I am telling you, I must have rolled down from the ledge in my sleep Zach says, adamant in defense of his actions. Regardless, the man get's himself kidnapped. Now, you already heard a bit about what he had to say, but let me continue... Vince saw Victoria making a bee line for them, and thought quick on his feet, using the crowd to his advantage. ... by introducing you to Victoria Mays, the wonderful lady who found and saved our hopeless hero over here. He bowed down to her, dramatically, shifting the center of attention to her. All around her people looked at her expectantly, begging her to continue the story. Come on, just put me out of my misery, break it up already. The victim of the story pleaded to her in hushed tones, trying to get Victoria to end it. Remember when you ate my celebration rations on the ship? she asked gently, making sure only Vince, Zach and herself could hear. Zach looked up at her, red in the face, and full of terror, the look of one about to get executed by a commissar for failing in his duties. I get this message coming in from Ilya Garin she said, pointing with one gloved finger to the hero on the other side of the room. He tells me one of his subordinates has gone missing, and that he fears the compromise of the mission is going to happen. The cultist of this planet are in possession of the most torturous methods of extracting information from mankind' Vince backs up, wrapping an arm around Zach, and gently rocking him side to side, a shit-eating grin from ear to ear as he takes pleasure in his public humiliation. What they say about Vorlancian aggression is every bit as true in the field as it is said here tonight. Imagine the look upon my face, when I come to meet Storm Troopers from your world for the first time. She turned looking at the crowd. She held herself well, but she was out of her element. He is battered, bloodied, and with chipped teeth. He is face down atop of one of the last cultist, his body constricted by a sleeping bag... head-butting the man all the while, even though the idiot knocked himself out doing it Your breastplate is a fine piece of craftsmanship Sir, but forgive me, I do not recognise the Saint? Im afraid I was one to neglect my lessons as her child The question snapped Ilya back to the two ladies that had remained at his side. He looked at Elizabeth, before turning to Clara, noticing the way she had looked at Victoria as she walked away, mistaking it for disappointment. One minute my lady he responds to Elizabeth, before turning to address Clara. I do sincerely apologize Mrs. Lucero, Officer Mays has never been one to sit still and exchange pleasantries. For the majority of us, mingling with the nobles is to be expected, and we are at ease with it He had lied, and he knew it, but his face did little to show this betrayal of their confidence in him. The majority of the returning soldiers had been trained on the planet, and were at some point or another exposed to the nobles. While it did not necessarily make them at ease with the nobles, they had at least some exposure to the process. All but Victoria. She was from a different system all together, a hive world rife with crime and hatred. However, Officer Mays is not from Vorlancia, and is prone to forgetting her mannerisms. She does not slight you, for she is making sure that specialist Gallant doesn't get too out of hand. After all, it wouldn't be good hearing the true exploits of our finest soldiers in such a light now, would it? He had a warm smile on his face. You would do best to chase her down, and corner her somewhere more quiet. That is the best way in dealing with her. He spoke with experience before once more turning around to face Elizabeth. She was the woman whom had been looking him up and down since arriving, and whom showed an interest in him. He knew it was what he stood for, and not he himself, but of all those he held an audience with, it was her and her alone that seemed to have any sincerity to her. My lady, it does not surprise me in the least that such a saint has gone unrecognized by you. He has gone unrecognized by all whom laid eyes upon him tonight. The breast plate was as much an honor as it was a burden of conscious to him. To be likened to the saint after whom he was named was a mixed blessing, for he was remembered for good and bad. He was a saint of little renown beyond our own world, and one often pushed to the edges of idolization. He was the Imperial Saint Iyla Laurent Garin, the People's Shepard. he paused, tracing along the face of the saint as he spoke, an action he had done many times since receiving the piece. He was known for saving the lives of the citizens of the Imperium, no matter the cost.