2023-09-09: Long Dream
- Cutscene: Long Dream
- Cast: Yue Rohay (posing Xue Rohay)
- Where: Laila Belle
- Date: 9th September 2023
- Summary: Xue receives the news of her mother's passing.
3:42 PM, Laila Belle. The great, domed masterpiece of the Veruni, nestled within the mountains in the centre of the continent of Elru. A testament to urban planning and efficient infrastructure; the skyscrapers rise one after another, casting the city in a soft blue hue amidst the web of lights and signs.
Xue Rohay quietly stares at the cityscape below, witness to an advertisement for Nightburn Acklund telling the implicit impressionable, youthful viewer to put faith in themselves and find a high-spec Golem and make it theirs today. A second later, the screen is occupied by a decidedly curvaceous young woman recommending the viewer to not miss the latest Death Match, if they know what's good for them!
She lives in comfort now. The penthouse is lavishly appointed, with a designer living room, kitchen and bedrooms; the order of the day is marble, plush carpet and indirect light sculptures that Xue finds a bit odd in taste. The air in the penthouse is purified to many decimal points of microns, and she breathes easily, without worry of the VR Factor outside. She's dressed in fine silks, a small dress fit for her figure, and her brown hair has been done in attractive ringlets. They took away her Black Mage costume, and what remains of her enviro-suit.
It's a hellish existence, in a few short words.
An attendant bows at a perfect 45-degrees behind her, behind the singular chair she's dragged to face the long-paned window facing the cityscape.
"I regret to inform you that what Mistress Shijie spoke of before has come to pass," he advises, carefully cultivating each syllable at a comfortable pace.
"... I see. And Yue?"
"Prisoner CR-S01 has been detained on-site and is being brought back here in a secure transport as we speak."
The little Veruni puffs a breath out. She can't help but feel a pang of relief, that they're going to be reunited. But she didn't really want to be reunited like this.
"Do I need to sign anything?"
"No, Young Mistress, everything will be taken care of. You need not worry about a thing."
Xue's eyebrows furrow in turn, her eyes half-lidded as the advertisement goes back on a loop. Nightburn's face is becoming rote at this point. Laila Belle's evening commute is starting, and the streets are congested. It looks rather... interesting, as she imagines herself being down there, waiting at a crossing for the green light...
"By the way... I never asked you what would happen if I abdicated control of the agency. Of this estate."
The attendant remains perfectly still for three seconds, still maintaining perfect posture.
"I have been instructed to inform you that if you choose to follow such an action, that the late Mistress Shijie has placed additional triggers that would make such a course... inadvisable."
"Please tell me plainly."
The attendant's eyebrow raises.
"There are nine individual enforcers who have been well-compensated and compelled through both stick and carrot who will terminate you and Prisoner CR-S01, should you not follow the spirit of your late Mistress' will."
"That's the first time you've sounded honest with me," Xue observes.
"I am here to serve, after all," the attendant responds.
"Very well," she sighs. "You're dismissed."
Blissful silence. Xue quietly rises from her chair, stepping closer to the glass pane, until she can see her reflection upon it.
"Fine. I know well the game you want to play, Mother. I know why you're doing this. And it may very well be so that you've broken Yue's spirit in turn."
She quietly balls her fist, and bops it against the glass.
"I'll become the worst daughter you can ever imagine!"