07-12-2021, 03:26 AM
Liberty Square, Geminus, Eiria
Thursday, July 8th, 8:32 AM
Queen Sophie of Auria silently climbed the stairs of the Senate Building, her entourage of security guards and aides surrounding her. Solar Guards in neat uniforms stood along the steps of the Capitol, looking sharp and dedicated to their posts. Why couldn't they be the ones guarding the Parliament? Sophie asked herself, mentally slapping herself a moment later. Jesus, Sophie. Talk about disrespect. They're dead, for God's sake. They gave their lives for Auria, and you disgrace their sacrifice.
The guards at the top of the stairway opened the large oak doors, revealing Chancellor William Lancaster standing just inside the entryway. Sophie noted his untucked sleeves. Fidgeting. He's nervous.
"Your Majesty, welcome to Geminus. If you'll follow me, we'll get you briefed and prepared for the Senate. I'm sorry for all of the anticipation and mystery, the Eirian bureaucracy can be an absolute nightmare sometimes. I didn't want to keep this information from you, but until now, my hands were tied. I'm still pissed that I couldn't have told you this information sooner." Lancaster spoke as fast as he moved, quickly leading Sophie and her entourage into a meeting room, where Alice Lancaster, Leah Stendē, and other members of Lancaster's staff sat around a long table.
"Well, we're grateful for any information you'll give us. We have no other sources of information, at least, none that can reach us. A number of intelligence agents remained in Auria, however they can't exactly contact us right now." The Queen said, sitting in one of the chairs closest to the door.
Lancaster thought for a few seconds, blinking a few times. "There's no easy way to say this, Your Majesty. When the first attacks in Lumiere occured, the Prime Minister's residence was one of the first places attacked. He, and his wife, were executed that same evening." Lancaster paused, then went on. "We also have unconfirmed rumors that the Deputy Prime Minister and her husband were captured and executed, although again, those are unconfirmed."
Sophie looked down at the table. Oh God. No. Wait a minute, Eve…. A tear rolled down her cheek, as she choked up, trying to maintain composure. "Eve….. she……. Eve was pregnant. They were going to announce it next week…."
Chancellor Lancaster covered his mouth, seeming to want to hurl. "....Ah." The other Eirians at the table seemed similarly horrified, and for almost a minute, no one made a sound. Sophie wiped her face and steeled her nerves, trying to do what's best for her country.
"Well, there's nothing we can do about that now. Grief isn't going to help Auria forward." She turned to the Eirians, her face hardened into a steely mask. "What can we do to convince your Senate to help us? Is there anything we can do?"
"Well, regarding the Senate, all you have to do is show up as a leader. Many Senators are already inclined to support and help you, and will vote as such. And you can humanize the issue by representing Auria, showing what impact this coup could have."
Lancaster sighed. "As for other support, the best thing you can do is stay in the spotlight. I feel awful for suggesting that, but keeping the attention on you and the rest of the Aurian Government in exile can increase your chances of international support, and can also keep the coup government on the defensive. It's very hard to appear legitimate when someone's constantly reminding the world how you came to power."
The Queen and her aides nodded. "I do plan to keep the attention of the press. Yesterday, I got a relieving call from Lauchenoiria. Prime Minister Alvarez and Laura Moore offered their support and advice. It seems that our situation is already gaining sympathy from other democratic leaders."
Lancaster raised his eyebrows. "Alvarez and Moore? Wow. That's a very good sign. Especially since they've been through a recent coup. And our coup, though slightly more distant, also provides us with the knowledge and experience to help you. Although I can't speak for the Huenyans, if they extend their support, they'll have even more advice for you. My point is, democracies everywhere are sympathetic to your cause, and support will come, no matter how unlikely it seems." He readjusted in his chair, seeming anxious. "Are you prepared to brief the Senate? Do you know what you're going to say?"
The Queen bowed her head in assent. "I believe I do."
---
The loud voices of deliberation were amplified by the large ceiling of the Senate Chamber, announcing every whisper like an architectural microphone. Discussion was mostly informal, with every Senator awaiting the briefing and speeches on the Aurian situation. Lira Nerala, the Minister of Justice and Speaker of the Senate, took her position on the podium, causing all discussion to fade to whispers. "The Senate Chair cedes the floor over to Queen Sophie Laurent, of Cape Auria." She backed up from the front of the podium, allowing Sophie a grand entrance.
The Queen wore a simple dress of Laurent Purple, her hair pulled back in a neat bun. "Thank you, Minister. First, I must thank all of you for your time and consideration. You have no idea how much your support means to me, and to the rest of our delegation. So, thank you."
She looked down at the lectern, considering her next words. "Just over a week ago, a number of key government buildings in Lumiere were placed under siege. These buildings include the Parliament Complex, the Prime Minister's residence, and the Treasury Building. Violent mobs stormed these buildings, killing any guard and police officer who got in their way. Our Prime Minister was killed, and our government was forced to flee the city. We were forced down the coast, eventually fleeing with the help of our loyal navy."
"But where can we go? We've been forced out of our home, our nation, by traitors and mobs. Some of our own Olympians are still here, in Eiria, afraid to go home. And who can blame them? They saw former government members being rounded up in Lumiere, captured or executed, and they made the choice to stay somewhere safe."
"The Auria we once knew is under attack by violent opportunists, using revolutionary groups as a smokescreen as they seize power. Although these individuals have yet to show their faces, one way or another, they will eventually. They have to, in order to keep their stolen power. And when they do, they'll claim that they are the rightful rulers of Auria. Despite not being elected, or appointed, or having any checks and balances. They have no claim to Auria, and they have no obligation to the Aurian people."
"These violent groups serve as an incredible danger to Auria and the region. I refuse to stand by and leave millions of Aurians to uncertain fates when countries around the world have the power to step in and set things right. The fates of millions of Aurians, both here and back home, are in your hands. I pray you can find it in your minds and hearts to grant us aid. Thank you."
Thursday, July 8th, 8:32 AM
Queen Sophie of Auria silently climbed the stairs of the Senate Building, her entourage of security guards and aides surrounding her. Solar Guards in neat uniforms stood along the steps of the Capitol, looking sharp and dedicated to their posts. Why couldn't they be the ones guarding the Parliament? Sophie asked herself, mentally slapping herself a moment later. Jesus, Sophie. Talk about disrespect. They're dead, for God's sake. They gave their lives for Auria, and you disgrace their sacrifice.
The guards at the top of the stairway opened the large oak doors, revealing Chancellor William Lancaster standing just inside the entryway. Sophie noted his untucked sleeves. Fidgeting. He's nervous.
"Your Majesty, welcome to Geminus. If you'll follow me, we'll get you briefed and prepared for the Senate. I'm sorry for all of the anticipation and mystery, the Eirian bureaucracy can be an absolute nightmare sometimes. I didn't want to keep this information from you, but until now, my hands were tied. I'm still pissed that I couldn't have told you this information sooner." Lancaster spoke as fast as he moved, quickly leading Sophie and her entourage into a meeting room, where Alice Lancaster, Leah Stendē, and other members of Lancaster's staff sat around a long table.
"Well, we're grateful for any information you'll give us. We have no other sources of information, at least, none that can reach us. A number of intelligence agents remained in Auria, however they can't exactly contact us right now." The Queen said, sitting in one of the chairs closest to the door.
Lancaster thought for a few seconds, blinking a few times. "There's no easy way to say this, Your Majesty. When the first attacks in Lumiere occured, the Prime Minister's residence was one of the first places attacked. He, and his wife, were executed that same evening." Lancaster paused, then went on. "We also have unconfirmed rumors that the Deputy Prime Minister and her husband were captured and executed, although again, those are unconfirmed."
Sophie looked down at the table. Oh God. No. Wait a minute, Eve…. A tear rolled down her cheek, as she choked up, trying to maintain composure. "Eve….. she……. Eve was pregnant. They were going to announce it next week…."
Chancellor Lancaster covered his mouth, seeming to want to hurl. "....Ah." The other Eirians at the table seemed similarly horrified, and for almost a minute, no one made a sound. Sophie wiped her face and steeled her nerves, trying to do what's best for her country.
"Well, there's nothing we can do about that now. Grief isn't going to help Auria forward." She turned to the Eirians, her face hardened into a steely mask. "What can we do to convince your Senate to help us? Is there anything we can do?"
"Well, regarding the Senate, all you have to do is show up as a leader. Many Senators are already inclined to support and help you, and will vote as such. And you can humanize the issue by representing Auria, showing what impact this coup could have."
Lancaster sighed. "As for other support, the best thing you can do is stay in the spotlight. I feel awful for suggesting that, but keeping the attention on you and the rest of the Aurian Government in exile can increase your chances of international support, and can also keep the coup government on the defensive. It's very hard to appear legitimate when someone's constantly reminding the world how you came to power."
The Queen and her aides nodded. "I do plan to keep the attention of the press. Yesterday, I got a relieving call from Lauchenoiria. Prime Minister Alvarez and Laura Moore offered their support and advice. It seems that our situation is already gaining sympathy from other democratic leaders."
Lancaster raised his eyebrows. "Alvarez and Moore? Wow. That's a very good sign. Especially since they've been through a recent coup. And our coup, though slightly more distant, also provides us with the knowledge and experience to help you. Although I can't speak for the Huenyans, if they extend their support, they'll have even more advice for you. My point is, democracies everywhere are sympathetic to your cause, and support will come, no matter how unlikely it seems." He readjusted in his chair, seeming anxious. "Are you prepared to brief the Senate? Do you know what you're going to say?"
The Queen bowed her head in assent. "I believe I do."
---
The loud voices of deliberation were amplified by the large ceiling of the Senate Chamber, announcing every whisper like an architectural microphone. Discussion was mostly informal, with every Senator awaiting the briefing and speeches on the Aurian situation. Lira Nerala, the Minister of Justice and Speaker of the Senate, took her position on the podium, causing all discussion to fade to whispers. "The Senate Chair cedes the floor over to Queen Sophie Laurent, of Cape Auria." She backed up from the front of the podium, allowing Sophie a grand entrance.
The Queen wore a simple dress of Laurent Purple, her hair pulled back in a neat bun. "Thank you, Minister. First, I must thank all of you for your time and consideration. You have no idea how much your support means to me, and to the rest of our delegation. So, thank you."
She looked down at the lectern, considering her next words. "Just over a week ago, a number of key government buildings in Lumiere were placed under siege. These buildings include the Parliament Complex, the Prime Minister's residence, and the Treasury Building. Violent mobs stormed these buildings, killing any guard and police officer who got in their way. Our Prime Minister was killed, and our government was forced to flee the city. We were forced down the coast, eventually fleeing with the help of our loyal navy."
"But where can we go? We've been forced out of our home, our nation, by traitors and mobs. Some of our own Olympians are still here, in Eiria, afraid to go home. And who can blame them? They saw former government members being rounded up in Lumiere, captured or executed, and they made the choice to stay somewhere safe."
"The Auria we once knew is under attack by violent opportunists, using revolutionary groups as a smokescreen as they seize power. Although these individuals have yet to show their faces, one way or another, they will eventually. They have to, in order to keep their stolen power. And when they do, they'll claim that they are the rightful rulers of Auria. Despite not being elected, or appointed, or having any checks and balances. They have no claim to Auria, and they have no obligation to the Aurian people."
"These violent groups serve as an incredible danger to Auria and the region. I refuse to stand by and leave millions of Aurians to uncertain fates when countries around the world have the power to step in and set things right. The fates of millions of Aurians, both here and back home, are in your hands. I pray you can find it in your minds and hearts to grant us aid. Thank you."
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