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A Palace of Music

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Achkaerin:
A Whole New Level

Whirlwind... that was the word to describe the days since the coronation, briefings, meetings, decisions needing to be made. All the seemingly innocuous things that made the Marble Palace tick were now things that were being dealt with. For Serenity it had been a busy time, mainly signing off on the legislative backlog including agreements with Mktvartvelo, the latest bloc of GETA, various other laws and then there were the preparations for the Covenant Address and all of this was in amongst the various other things that were going on. Presently Serenity was sat on the sofa in the Palace's study, her daughter Astrid asleep next to her, head on Serenity's lap. Then the group of family and advisors that were generally involved in advising her descended for the daily run through of things that needed attention. "Ok what have we got Kumiko?" Serenity asked looking at the Royal Family Chief of Staff Kumiko Arkwright
"A few things." Kumiko said "Housekeeping first, appointments."
"Specifically?" Serenity asked
"Royal Liaison Officer and there's an ambassadorial thing." Kumiko said
"Ok RLO what are you thinking?" Serenity said
"Here." Nettie Taylor said handing Serenity a sheet of paper "That's a short list of candidates."
"Got a preference?" Serenity asked looking at the list "This is good selection of names."
"We think Phoebe Fleming." Kumiko said "Ambassador background, knows the Senate, knows the procedure. Easy confirmation in the Senate."
"Vet her. If she clears we nominate." Serenity said "Ambassadorial thing?"
"Charterlands." Nettie said "Given the unique nature of the country we'd like to suggest an envoy rather than a conventional ambassador."
"So similar to what we've done before." Serenity said "Ok get me a short list and we'll go from there. Next?"
"Abertone situation." Nettie said "The Republican Front claimed responsibility for a series of coordinated car bombs across the city of Lafiagi. One hundred and three dead, ninety two injured likely those numbers will shift."
"Celine?" Serenity asked
"It's the latest flash point in the situation, it could get worse, it probably will get worse." Celine Tyler the defence advisor said
"It's terrorism, I don't doubt that some take issue with how those in power do things but the minute you start this you lose any argument you ever had and it's why terrorism has a total failure rate." Serenity said "And why it always will. Recommendations?"
"Travel advisory to the eastern half of Abertone." Nettie said "Monitor the situation and if it goes to hell in a handcart."
"We've got the ability to do something." Simon said
"Travel advisory goes public." Serenity said "Keep contingencies in the back pocket."

"Moving on." Kumiko said "Slavery."
"Tell me about Attica." Serenity said
"Going by what Scotia is telling us." Sakura, Serenity's cousin, said "Slavery is legal in Attica by virtue of Imperial Law, if it was up to Arpine Saroyen it wouldn't exist but she's on a sticky wicket. Declining number of Catholics, brain drain and no heir. Abbas gave her power in 2016 he can take it away if he's ever so inclined but he needs her at least for now."
"Why?" Simon asked
"Because continuity, Abbas had her family arrested, charged, tried, convicted and executed for treason." Nettie said "Arpine holds power because if she doesn't the odds are that the perception of Attica changes, the population still has elements that remember the annexation and there's the diaspora abroad as well."
"Window of memory closes and the Saroyen's are expendable." Simon said nodding "I see."
"Where are we on her?" Serenity asked
"Figuring out an opportunity to make appropriate contact." Mark Sharpe, the national security advisor said
"And the smoking gun?" Serenity asked
"We're looking into 1958 and 2016." Mark said "If we can find something that suggests the annexation isn't what Tamora claimed it to be or if we find something awry in 2016 then we've got something she can shout about and something that maybe can get her support."
"Ok let's assume we get that." Simon said "What happens next?"
"In all likelihood Tamora declares it a rebellion and cracks down on it." Mark said "Arpine most certainly replaced, she's likely killed along with anyone involved."
"Which is why we get our ducks in a row first." Serenity said "We all know that Abbas's reaction will be that, so if we were to get to the point of Attica declaring independence it would need to be able to hold Tamora's military off at least short term until help gets there." she paused "Regime change isn't going to happen successfully, but gaining a foothold isn't impossible. But none of this happens without Arpine."
"Think we'll get her onboard?" Sakura asked
"I'm confident." Serenity said "We can help her get what she wants and in so doing we get significantly closer to what we want, we need a meeting of some sort, find an excuse. Lining it all up means we need a way to be ready without anyone we don't want knowing knowing that something's up. Find it. Next?"
"What Asuna asked for." Nettie said
"We're going for it as you and Euphy spending some time at Commonwealth House with the girls, we'll find a way to get Asuna and Eijiro there without drawing attention." Kumiko said "You'll need to lay down the law a bit though."
"I know." Serenity said "No changes to the position."
"And when that's handled we need to get back to looking closer to home." Sakura said "There's a few more nations we should be talking to."
"And we will." Serenity said "Ok dismissed."

As the meeting broke up Nettie stayed behind a moment "This is a little awkward..." Nettie said
"What is it?" Serenity asked
"My daughter's finished her boarding school stint" Nettie said "Eleven years old, I'd like to bring her up here."
"Of course." Serenity said "What's her name?"
"Telsia" Nettie said
"Well that's amusing." Serenity said "That means daughter of the sun in one of our more vague language dialects."
"Pick her up while we're down in Rokkenjima?" Nettie asked
"Fine by me." Serenity said

Achkaerin:
The Next Generation?

There was something of an unusual calm around the Marble Palace, that didn't mean that the regular briefings, meetings and so on weren't still happening after all this was still a cog in the machinery of state, but the personal time was being occupied with a lot of reading and decision making because the family had decided to bring back their family game night, so preparation for that was well underway. Serenity was sat on the sofa in the lounge area tablet propped up on the arm of the seat and writing on a piece of paper as she occasionally glanced at the screen to make sure what she was writing was accurate. "Busy?" it was Nettie Taylor, leaning against the door frame
"Reminding myself how to read these maps is so much fun" Serenity said looking up with a slight smile "What can I do for you?"
"Well Telsia just got here and I thought you might meet her?" Nettie said
"Of course." Serenity said
"Tels." Nettie said coaxing an eleven year old blonde haired girl into the room, this was her daughter Telsia, she practically clung to her mother "Telsia this is Serenity. Serenity this is Telsia."
"Hi." Telsia said very shyly
"Hi." Serenity said getting up and walking over to look at Telsia "Settling in ok?", Telsia nodded
"Stuff's in her room ready to unpack." Nettie said
"What were you doing?" Telsia asked
"Oh..." Serenity said "We're resuming family game night and someone had the bright idea to play something a little different."
"Blame Simon is it?" Nettie said
"Absolutely." Serenity grinned before looking back at Telsia "Want to join in? It's not difficult."
"Ok." Telsia said, she went and sat with Serenity who set about explaining things while Nettie just watched and smiled, well that was one hurdle navigated at least and more besides. She'd had a more distant relationship with Telsia over the years mainly because of her political career but now she could try and get that back. Smiling she headed upstairs to start to unpack her daughters things.

Achkaerin:
Songs of the Night

The Edelweiss Festival had undergone a great many changes in the program in recent years, most notably in the realms of Royal Family involvement from merely ceremonial functions the family had now got to the point where they were highly active participants they did three musicals per festival, a few special nights each year and of course this one, the big one, the penultimate night where one of their number did a concert, this had been something that the former Emperor had greatly enjoyed doing and it was a night that meant a lot to the family for a few reasons, it had been here on this night years earlier that Peter had proposed to Renee. Tonight the performance was Serenity's job, and she'd planned on a show very much her own style. She was wearing her black jeans with a red t-shirt and her leather jacket as she waited in the wings, she could hear the atmosphere of the packed house as they settled in ready for the show. Then the music (Small World) started and Serenity headed out onto the stage.

"I'm standing in the field, my feet lift off the ground, no one here will see me, no one will hurt me now" Serenity sang "I'm brushing off the rain, while climbing through the clouds nobody can see me no one can hurt me now." she took a breath "Goodbye, gravity" the words punctuated the silence "Goodbye, enemies I'm going up to a place where the world is small, where I can fly above it all if I don't make it, sing my song from here I'm weightless no stars are famous and the world is small... and the world is small"  Taking a breath Serenity smiled "Still rising towards the dark" she continued "Don't care what's down below, 'cause no one can see me and no one has to know." taking another breath before "The atmosphere is lonely, and beautiful I don't miss a thing I used to know...I used to know." Serenity took another breath before "Goodbye, gravity, goodbye, enemies I'm going up to a place where the world is small... where I can fly above it all if I don't make it, sing my song from here I'm weightless no stars are famous and the world is small...I feel so tall" as the music mellowed a little Serenity glanced towards the Royal Box where her family were sat a smile on her face "If there's nothing to break my fall it's okay, I've seen it all and maybe I was always small but I could fly before I crawled. If I don't make it, sing my song, from here I'm weightless no stars are famous, and the world is small...and the world is small" she smiled as the song finished followed swiftly by the cheer of the audience.

"All right all right." Serenity said "Good evening Valtheim... you all having a good time?" she paused for a moment "It's a good night for a little bit of music even though it's just the warm up for all the pomp and pageantry of the last night tomorrow. So next up... well it's something special to me On My Own" anyone who knew Serenity wasn't going to be that surprised to hear the introduction to On My Own from Les Miserables start.

"And now I'm all along again, nowhere to turn, no one to go to. Without a home, without a friend without a face to say hello to
and now the night is here, now I can make believe he's here." Serenity sang "Sometimes I walk alone at night when everybody else is sleeping I think of him and then I'm happy with the company I'm keeping, the city goes to bed and I can live inside my head." she took a deep breath as a familiar feeling ran through her body, there was more than one reason this song was special to her "On my own, pretending he's beside me all alone I walk with him 'til morning. Without him I feel his arms around me and when I lose my way I close my eyes, and he has found me" Serenity had a smile on her face as her mind as it had done before conjured up her deceased husband Isaac for her to see standing in the aisle "In the rain the pavement shines like silver, all the lights are misty in the river, in the darkness the trees are full of starlight and all I see is him and me forever and forever." she took another breath and then upped the power of her voice  "And I know it's only in my mind, that I'm talking to myself and not to him, and although I know that he is blind still I say, there's a way for us." Serenity half smiled as she took another breath "I love him, but when the night is over, he is gone
the river's just a river, without him, the world around me changes, the trees are bare and everywhere the streets are full of strangers. I love him, but every day I'm learning all my life, I've only been pretending. Without me his world will go on turning, a world that's full of happiness that I have never known." Serenity smiled again "I love him, I love him, I love him, but only on my own."

Serenity took a swig from her water bottle as the audience clapped, she was enjoying herself she always did when she did one of these. "I'm not in the habit of doing dedications but tonight I'm making a few exceptions to that rule." she half giggled "So this one's for my daughters" she glanced behind her at the orchestra and gave the nod and they started to play the next piece, Serenity glanced up at where her girls - Astrid and Lisa were watching and smiled

"Your little hands wrapped around my finger and it's so quiet in the world tonight. Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming, so I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light." Serenity sang softly looking around the audience as she did so "To you everything's funny, you've got nothing to regret, I'd give all I have honey if you could stay like that." she smiled "Oh darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up, just stay this little. Oh darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple. I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart, and no one will desert you. Just try to never grow up," she swayed a little as the music continued  "You're in the car on the way to the movies, and you're mortified your mom is dropping you off. At fourteen there is just so much you can't do and you can't wait to move out someday and call your own shots. But don't make her drop you off around the block, remember that she's getting older too." she almost laughed as she went into the next line because she could remember actually doing it "Don't lose the way that you dance around in your pj's getting ready for school. Oh darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up, just stay this little. Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple. And no one's ever burned you, nothing's ever left you scarred and even though you want to, just try to never grow up." Serenity raised her eyes looking directly at her girls now "Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room... Memorize what it sounded like, when your dad gets home" she let the line hang for a moment before continuing "Remember the footsteps, remember the words said and all of your little sister's favorite songs...I just realized everything I have is one day gonna be gone" she grinned "Oh darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up, just stay this little. Oh darling, don't you ever grow up don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple. I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart, and no one will desert you just try to never grow up, don't you ever grow up...don't you ever grow up."

As the audience applauded Serenity blew her daughters a kiss which was reciprocated, taking a breath and another few gulps of water the Empress took a moment to think, she was about halfway through her set list for the evening, which meant here came the real fun from her point of view "So I want to say this is a little known fact, but I'm told it's done the social media rounds, I have been known to do a little singing down at a science fiction themed club it's a bit of fun to mix in original songs on that theme with song parodies and have a good time. So here we go..." with a signal the next piece started and there were a few raised eyebrows and puzzled looks because it wasn't a recognised tune but it was easy going enough. Serenity was not hiding the giggly grin as she glanced up at where Euphy was sat as if to say don't look so shocked

"Don't tell me the rules;" Serenity sang  "Bowties are cool and I know it's my turn to die, now is the time for the clock to chime, and everything will be alright. A different face, a different voice, but even if I had the choice I'd make it gladly, so my dear, don't shed a tear, because you know I'll still be here." Serenity actually giggled as Euphy got there, yep this was a Doctor Who song, fortunately she stopped just in time to continue "Clara, I know this was not the way that you'd envisioned spending Christmas Day, please look into my eyes, I apologise for everything I've done, and that I'll keep on doing, until this endless battle's won." she took a breath before the chorus kicked in again "Don't tell me the rules; bowties are cool and I know it's my turn to die, now is the time for the clock to chime, and everything will be alright. a different face, a different voice, but even if I had the choice I'd make it gladly, so my dear, don't shed a tear, because you know I'll still be here." another breath and then "Obviously this hadn't been my plan, but here on Trenzelore I'll make a stand, there's no need to pretend, everything has an end, and this looks to be mine, so I will sit here waiting, slowly running out of time... Don't tell me the rules; bowties are cool and I know it's my turn to die, now is the time for the clock to chime, and everything will be alright. A different face, a different voice, but even if I had the choice I'd make it gladly, so my dear, don't shed a tear, because you know I'll still be here."

Now came a little instrumental as Serenity swayed a little, getting her breath back for the high notes to come and she was still smiling "It's time to break the science,
it's time to break the law," Serenity sang "Because now this rebel Time Lord is rebelling once more, from an old man in a tower saving Christmas, fixing toys, to a new-found youthful power, love from Gallifrey, boys!" She took a quick breath grinning widely "The clock's struck twelve so watch yourselves, you want me to die, but if you want my life, come and get it! come and get it but don't tell me the rules!... Don't tell me the rules; bowties are cool and I know it's my turn to die, now is the time for the clock to chime, and everything will be alright. A different face, a different voice, but even if I had the choice I'd make it gladly, so my dear, don't shed a tear, because you know I'll still be here."

Serenity took another drink from her water bottle, it wasn't like there had ever been a remote chance of her getting through this whole thing without delving into the science fiction stuff at some point smiling she looked around she was almost there two songs left to go taking a moment to stretch she looked up "If you liked that then you'll like this one." she said "A number of things." the music started up again.

“Long ago the clock struck one,” Serenity sang, “He stole his box and he started to run, from what? Where to? But no one knows wherever, whenever he goes. A little boy ran to the edge of the sky, adventure on his mind, and the stars in his eyes to everyone he met he smiled and said, ah, the universe is full of a number of things I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.” she paused before continuing “Tick tock goes the clock.” that was the bridging line of the song “Long ago the clock struck nine,” Serenity continued, the spotlight now on her “Marking the last of the Lords over Time, lonely – or angry – but no one knows wherever, whenever he goes.” she held the note a little before. “A soldier man ran to the end of the sky, escape on his mind, with such heartsick old eyes, to everyone he met he sighed and said, ah, the universe is full of a number of things, why can’t we all be as happy as kings?” she paused again “Tick tock goes the clock.” she looked up at the Royal Box, she hadn't said it, but this was for the man lying in a hospital, this one was for her dad “Long ago the clock struck thirteen for the old man so tired after all that he’d seen, Doctor — well, who? — but no one knows wherever, whenever he goes.” she took a breath “The lonely god sits at the end of the sky, fate on his mind and whole worlds in his eyes, too many friends I have left behind, I am sure I have said too many goodbyes…” there were a few smaller spot lights that started to circle around where Serenity was standing “But a new voice breaks out from the edge of the sky” Serenity sang, her hands spreading wide “as the clock strikes again, anew, redefined, and the traveller now to herself gently chides,” she smiled “Ah, the universe is full of a number of things, time marches on and we run like thieves, stealing what happiness we can find, making memories for when we do say goodbye.” one final pause “The universe is full of a number of things, and no one need be as lonely as they think.”

As the crowd cheered that one Serenity held up her hand showing just her index finger indicating there was just one number left "You're all going to think you know it..." she teased "Do sing along when you've picked it up." she giggled as the very familiar introductory notes played to the final number of the night played, it was telling just off of Serenity's grin that something was up this wasn't going to be what was expected "The starship flies over Earth tonight, full of new technology." Serenity sang "There's talk of assimilation by a different kind of Queen, and now I'm here on board and we've been occupied, they adapt too fast staying's suicide."  she took a quick breath "But there's a chance, the crew agrees fix the timeline help him hit warp speed, the answer's clear, we have to go, but you say "No."" Serenity was grinning as she held up her hand as if to say wait for it "Make it so," yep this was a Star Trek parody of the Disney song "Make it so, say the words that you're famous for. Make it so, make it so you're not here to start a war, I don't care if your crew obeys... we both know you're wrong... and I will stand up to you any day." the amount of giggling, laughter and general enjoyment was telling as Serenity waited for the note and then "It's funny you're resistant when you claim you're logical... well Jean-Luc you could have fooled me I'm not seeing that at all. No one knows them as well as you, I don't know what they put you through, you say it's for humanity... I disagree." she danced back a little bit "Make it so, make it so say the words lose the Enterprise, make it so, make it so there's no place for compromise. It's your command it's the only way or the Borg rage on."

Serenity was really enjoying herself now taking another breath she giggled again "I saw your face when you shot on the holodeck." she sang "I did not mean to interrupt you on your little quest, just one thing comes to mind I understand at last... they hurt you once, Ahab you're going to hurt them back!" she hit the first of the high notes "Make it so, make it so realise your revenge is wrong, make it so, make it so or the world you know is gone. It's your command, but now you say "the line must be drawn"" she held the final high note and had her hand up again saying wait for it "You'll just get another ship anyway."

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