The White Room
Melodia Lapseus and the Branch Families discuss future actions within the territory.
“You can’t possibly understand what the three of us went through!” Melodia assaulted the taller, slim, but similarly pale and fair featured figure across the table from her.
The woman was Theadora Thespia, an up and coming scientist from one of the stronger branch families. Despite Melodia’s current tone with the young woman, the noblewoman did actually quite enjoy Thea’s presence.
“I’m not saying that I do, or that I could ever imagine to— If what you’re saying about the spatial magic anomaly is true, I’m glad that I didn’t decide to go. I shall continue to press the question though. Will you let me open you and Rhythmia up under the surgical lamp? You’ve seemed healthier than ever these past few weeks. And I think there’s knowledge to be gathered. You both will heal up in no time.”Melodia snapped an empty tin cup from atop the wooden table, clutching it and consciously aiming the item at Thea. Though it wouldn’t release, instead she just grunted out loud and slammed the tin back down causing a loud
ting to echo within the room. Her red sights seethed directly into Thea, whereas the other woman simply stood calm and collected— staring carelessly back.
“I wish Vati were here to freak out over someone asking to cut me open. It would’ve lifted my spirits a bit— with all this sickening energy in the air. What’s your thoughts on the southern endeavors? Hold your thoughts on Kothlin’s antics for another time.” Melodia raised a white eyebrow as she pried an inquiry from the calculated Thea.
The taller woman’s posture relaxed as she leaned into the table and allowed her elbows to rest upon the white-painted wood. Her hands came together beneath her chin before she spoke.
“You’re right in thinking that we have no reason to worry. The operations along the Southern Border as well as my little project in Kascadia in the north make sure of that. I’m more concerned with our neighbors to the West, they’ll be running short on supplies— but I’m sure you won’t let them starve.”Melodia nodded along to Thea’s words, her lips flat and her expression a straightened concentration. The noblewoman’s sights sifted to a large clock mounted to a wall near the door as Thea continued on.
“As for the houses themselves. They’ll begin mobilizing within the next few months, maybe sooner depending on— Regardless, it’s probably a good idea to coordinate with Rhythmia when it comes to that topic.” Thea lifted her hands from the table into a shrug and brushed some hair from her face as she awaited the noblewoman’s response.
Melodia smiled softly, eyes still glued to the timekeeper as if to avoid making eye contact with something else in the room. Something that wasn’t a friendly scientist whom she sometimes disagreed with. In the opposite corner of the room, decidedly not sitting at the table was a pale man with dyed black hair— his clothes were incredibly old-fashioned, frills, long stripes along tapestry leggings, and even a black top hat. He looked like a human checkerboard, a jester of the times long since past.
“Don’t wish wish ta’ hear my thoughts e’guess, little dol’e?” The man’s voice creaked out in pain, but he stood up tall and his step still had a spring to it. By the vibrations that exhumed from his maw, one might assume he was wounded, sickly, or dying, but seeing him in action gave the opposite impression.
“Were I able to let you live in peace tucked in your own corner of the abyss never to speak to me again, I would cousin. But alas, tradition is a long-lived thing. I’ll not cast my eyes upon your cursed, broken, body— but I guess I could hear you out, cousin.” Melodia’s words held some withdrawn tact, they wished to draw a line rather than wound Cian Mortimarx.
“Tha’ south house e’ Pachel is ‘n chaos. Ample opportuna’ ta’ get our fingers an’ influen’ in there befora’ts gone?” Cian’s broken language was another relic of an older time, or perhaps it was just a result of his broken body... but he maintained his relaxed posture and kept his sights on Melodia.
“If I may? I think that mobilizing forces into the south is a bad move. Should any of their southern allies catch wind of the notion, the entire plan goes up in flames and we find a newly painted target on our back.” Thea quickly exclaimed her thoughts and shifted in her seat at the idea of war reaching their doorstep.
“I’ll consider it cousin, but you also need to consider the repercussions of unchecked ambition. You and I both know quite well how that comes back around to bite you back in the ass.” Melodia’s eyes closed as the clock struck twelve’o’clock and she stood from her big white chair.
“But this meeting shall be postponed for the time being. I’ve got more important matters to tend to.” A brief dip of her head was offered to both parties in the room, and then she quickly clacked her way over to the door’s exit.
Gohetia Public Forum
The whole squad from the Harrow’s Tower incident have gathered for a public statement to the people.
Melodia was the last to arrive to the forum, her car pulling behind the others lined up already behind the large concrete building. The roar of people could be heard from outside, the people weren’t outraged— it just wasn’t often for public appearances like this to happen. A chorus of chaotic excitement, and it rubbed off on Melodia. There was a smile on her face as she took her cane and slowly walked to the rear entrance with a bodyguard at each of her sides.
One of the men opened the door for her, and the Lapsean noblewoman slowly walked into the preparation lobby of the forum. It was a small sitting room with nice decor, red carpet, small brown wooden tables and chairs, paintings of old Lapseus architecture, and the friendly faces that awaited her arrival occupied it. She beamed at Rhythmia and chose not to acknowledge anyone else really, at least for now.
“Rhy, is everything ready?” Melodia beamed.
Her sister looked uncomfortable, but nodded all the same. It wasn’t the same feeling Rhythmia had on the way to Harrow’s Tower - it was something jittery, anxious. Even days later it was clear that Rhythmia was bothered by the event in some way. Still, she only let it show here in the prep room, with her family.
“We worked out a game plan,” came a warm voice from the side of the room. Huston, the burly head of security smiled at Melodia as he continued,
“not much changed since the last time you were briefed, Lady Melodia, so no worries about being out of the loop. Except...”“...I am presenting,” Rhythmia followed up, her crimson eyes meeting her sister’s like a mirror.
“Yeah, usually I’d handle it but we thought it was important to have you both speak. Not every day we get dragged into a war after all!” Huston’s smile didn’t fade, but he crossed his arms over his chest when he was done. He was keeping the room’s spirits up, but there were a lot of people worried.
“Very well, if you need support— we all will be here for you.” Melodia confidently chimed in to the positivity that Hunkston ignited. Her sights warmly stared back Rhythmia, but showtime was soon upon them and she was late to the whole situation anyway.
“M’ladies what of Lady Young? Should we introduce her to the populace, or should she remain in the shadows for the time being?” Vati quickly interjected the positivity with something a little more touchy. Tina had been a
guest of the nobility, though, only a few people knew her identity in Gohetia— so an alias was given to her over the past few weeks to prevent any trouble. Vati had been her personal bodyguard, charged with showing her the more savory parts of the Lapsean capital.
“I suppose this would be a good opportunity to let the people know of the Young heir’s presence. I suppose we will need to give it a spin that’s easy to digest, however.” Melodia sifted her sights to little Tina, she had gotten as comfortable as she could with her situation.
“Even I am not fully aware of the situation that led me here! But Lapseus has its uniquities that catch my attention, and anything to be learned is fully welcome in my book!” Tina was as peppy and egg-headed as ever, simply taking full advantage of the situation. She was quite shaken up shortly after the events at the Tower, and Vati was there to keep watch until she got out of the damaged headspace. They’d bonded a little, but that pushover Vati was hard to get along with.
“Hahahaha! What a sweetheart!” Huston ruffled the girl’s hair.
Rhythmia hummed, considering Melodia’s suggestion. A “spin”? She was fairly certain that most of the populace of Lapseus would take any reason the sisters gave them. Even if the twin rulers had said ‘hey, we kidnapped this heir for leverage,’ most of the citizens would nod and go on with their lives. They were just used to that sort of thing, but...
No, Melodia was right. The long haired Lord hadn’t worked so hard over the last couple decades improving the house’s name for nothing. A positive spin, then.
“...safer in Lapseus...?”“Hm, that’s true...”“Yeah, while Kothlin does all the heavy lifting over there, poor Miss Reina is stuck in the middle. We’ve only got two Mage-pig houses nearby to worry about. One is in the middle of tearing itself apart and the other is Seler!”“Easy enough, that’s our angle.” Melodia nodded in acceptance before turning her sights to the double doors leading to the people.
“Lets get on with the show then. Shall we?” The long-haired noblewoman turned on her heels and slowly stomped towards the entrance to the stage of the venue. She pressed the smooth wooden doors open and the others fell into step behind her.
The roar of Lapsean people overpowered even the thoughts in their heads. Melodia happily waved out to the thousand-some audience and stepped up to the elevated platform where a long table with seats for each of them were placed. Only two microphones were placed upon the structure however, each one placed in front of the centermost seats which were etched with the Lapseus sigil:
two hands clasping a red dagger.
Melodia found her seat on the left, pulling the chair out from beneath the white table and planting herself comfortably within it. Naturally, Rhythmia sat herself into the right chair. Around them, the rest of the group settled in. Melodia’s hand reached out to pull the metallic device closer to her face before calmly speaking into it.
“Thank you, everyone for gathering today at the Gohetia Amphitheater. As you know, the nobility and some of our closest were requested at Harrow’s Tower a few weeks ago. It was a conference to discuss laws and grievances between the North and the South.” As the word
South left Melodia’s lips the crowd began to frenzy into angered shouts and boos.
“Now as some of you may be aware, there was a catastrophe at the tower. An unknown party utilized a weapon of magical origin to not only destroy the tower, but trap all the innocents in the area. Countless lives were lost, Northerners, Southerners, even some of our own.” Melodia’s words were once again met with hostility not aimed at her, but at a specific demographic within her speech. The crowd jeered until the short-haired twin leaned forward briefly as if to speak. She didn’t though, merely looked out over the people gathered before sitting back with her arms crossed, nodding for Melodia to continue.
“Lapseus is stronger than ever, and the time has come for us to rise above the rest of the world. I’m asking each and every one of you to help in this effort. Double your work forces, send your sons and daughters to our academies, give us your strong to protect our borders, give us your brilliant to uncover more scientific mysteries. We of the noble house of which your very land is named after shall of course double our efforts as well!” Melodia’s sights turned to her side of the table with Vati and Tina.
“Tina Young, Heir of neighbors to the west has joined us to aid in our scientific efforts. She is sharp in her youth, and a growing mind that will surely be put to use in our wonderful city. Which she shall be staying within, for her safety, until further notice— I ask of you all to treat her as one of our own.” Melodia then peeled her sights back to Rhythmia, nodding to her as the topic of safety had now been introduced. She hesitated for just a moment before standing beside her sister.
“...like Melodia said, Lapseus is strong,” Rhythmia began, her head tilted slightly downward as she spoke, eyes pointed toward the crowds but focusing on no one in particular.
“Our lowlands protect us... our only Southern neighbor is in disarray... and our Naval forces... are more than enough to deal with any threat by sea...”She trailed off, staying quiet for a few seconds before she collected herself again, glancing to Melodia as if to absorb her twin’s way with words.
“...but more than anything... the Lapsean people are what make us strong. Anything you give makes us stronger. Livestock, crops, people, children... and in return, we... will see to it that all of our families prosper,” she said,
“we always do.”The last forty years were proof of that, and the crowd called out in agreement. They jostled each other, shouted their support for the twin lords, and generally raised their voices high. In the midst of the noise, Rhythmia continued.
“Generals will be visiting the outer cities... send those who want to give us their bodies to them. Here in Gohetia, come to the estate... What we need immediately are scientists, technicians, and sailors... or anyone willing... to become one.
...Lapseus will prevail,” the short haired lord clenched her fists lightly on the table, and at a loss of what else to add, she glanced at Huston who flashed her a quick reassuring smile.
“Well said, sister.” Melodia happily punctuated, beaming happily to her sole blood relative and nodding in appreciation.
“With that! I shall now be taking five representatives of the familia that reside outside the capital.” The long-haired noblewoman did not prepare this section with the others, it was an idea that blossomed after the talks with the branch houses. Those seated at the table with her looked over in surprise. The head of the Lapseus house was ever a spontaneous one.
Lapseus Estate Dining Room
The twin Lapsean nobles sit at their big extravagant dinner table to discuss their future plans.
The evening dinner was one befitting their status: lobster, truffle cheese, marinated duck, lamb chops, and much more. What was different though is that usually these meals would be shared by staff, friends, and others on the property- but Melodia specifically asked for privacy tonight.
“So— I know you’ve been a little shaken up since we’ve gotten home. But your loony sister has a proposition for ya’!” Melodia reached out her hand towards the spread of food, grabbing the plate of lobster and snapping off a claw while reaching for a crabcracker with her other hand to break the shell. Across the table, her sister cut into the bird and peeled slices of the meat away, placing them delicately on both of their plates.
“Hm?” Rhythmia hummed, eyes moving away from the task she’d given herself. It was true, she’d been feeling off, but she’d be back to her normal self soon - at least, she hoped.
“Sir Mortimarx thinks it may be a good idea to send a small operation down into Pachel territory. I think you’d be the best person to lead such a thing— now I know what you’re thinking. We just got back, things are still a little chaotic, but I assure you that I can manage on my own.” The long-haired sister continued before chomping down on some lobster meat happily.
The short haired twin watched Melodia for a few moments before she nodded, to herself and her sister. She was right, of course. She usually was. Melodia was a strong woman in a lot of ways, and even if her physical health wasn’t one of them she had ways to protect herself - especially here in the capital. Not to mention she had the rest of the staff too. Vati was a man who could be trusted to look after her even if he was busy watching over Tina for now. There was also Huston, too, whose devotion to the family was second to the sisters themselves.
Rhythmia took a few bites of her own meal, tilting her head from side to side in consideration.
“...not a bad idea...” she settled on.
“Surprising... that you agreed with Morti.” She gave Melodia a small smile, slightly teasing, a way to let her sister know that she was recovering all right from the whole ordeal at Harrow’s.
“We can see who is... in line to lead the house. Support them... or...” Destroy them was left unsaid.
“That branch of the family has always been— weird, even by our standard. But he’s ancient just like us, and with age comes wisdom. I didn’t look at him a single time during our meeting though.” Melodia snapped another claw of lobster, interrupting herself on cue before saying,
“I’m getting off topic! The reason for the privacy this evening, is because nobody— not even Huston can know about this.”Rhythmia raised a brow at her sister’s words, but kept silent as Melodia went quiet herself, pushing away the crustacean and reaching for a beautifully crafted knife, an ebony handle, Damascus Steel, small pearls around the fastened around the bands that held it together. Then the long-haired Lapsean sister stabbed it down into their table, rage burning in her crimson eyes.
“We have a traitor in our midst. So our circle of trust shrinks once again, until we find the insect and flay— and display them outside the estate.”Ah. Rhythmia figured she’d say that.
The Lapsean leaned back in her chair, clicking the fingers of her metallic hand onto the seat’s armrests.
“I can find them, but it... takes time. And... with all the preparations...” she trailed off, lifting her gaze to the ceiling. There were many times she wished she was closer to a normal human being, but sometimes she also wished she was far more a monster than she already was. Multiple limbs, frightening speed - but then, what person didn’t wish for that from have time to time?
“...if... you have an suspects, send them with me,” Rhythmia suggested, eyes falling back toward her sister,
“if you don’t... is there... any able to sniff them out...?”“I have a feeling it’s someone in the capital that’s in arms length, but I don’t want to go pointing fingers yet- I’ve got some ideas on how to bait them out. As for who to take with you, I’ll let you choose! No more than ten, no less than five, if you can manage that.” Melodia quickly responded, the blade planted into the table wood being twisted to bore a small hole in the table.
Once again Rhythmia found herself surprised at her sister’s words, but soon enough her expression melted into a dopey smile. It was a look reserved exclusively for Melodia - different from the small feelings she usually let through.
“Worried?” she asked of the other Lord. Rhythmia’s strength was easily equal to five or ten men - probably more. That’d Melodia would suggest a detachment of up to ten was much larger than normal.
“I’m fine... promise. Need to take some generals with me... sweep down the shore and drop them off... I’ll get some... recommendations from them.”A pause.
“...Mel, are you... sure you don’t want Huston’s help...?” The man was serious about treachery, he’d happily rip any traitor apart limb from limb, though it’s true he wasn’t exactly the most subtle person in the world.
“Once we’ve found the scum I’ll have Huston take care of the rest. I just don’t know if it’s someone inside his circle, so the fewer people I need holding their tongues— the less guarded this individual will be.” Melodia happily smiled back to her sister, continuing to bore the hole as withheld anger coursed through her veins.
Of course, that made sense. Rhythmia nodded once more, slowing unfolding herself from the back of the chair and going back to the wonderful dinner. Lapsean chefs were talented indeed.
“Mel,” she said, and looked from her sister’s face to the knife she was twisting between her hands.
“Punishment for the traitor... not the table...” she could understand Melodia’s anger. It had been some time since anyone close to them attempted to betray them, but it needed to be a focused anger, until they found the culprit.
“Yes-yes-yes, I’m sorry. The carpenters worked very hard on our furnishing!” Melodia huffed to herself, tossing the knife to the side and grabbing a slice of duck with a fork.
