[Voice, locked to residents] --EMERGENCY--EMERGENCY--EMERGENCY--EMERGENCY--

[malnosso]

[At 2:15AM, the journals suddenly blare out an alarm, followed by this message.]

EMERGENCY. EMERGENCY. This is an emergency.

The following occupants of the Luceti enclosure must report to the teleporters in twenty minutes. You are required as reinforcements in Region 13. Bring all necessary armaments with you. You will be teleported directly into combat.

Anyone who fails to comply will be forcibly escorted to the teleporters by droids.

This is not a drill. I repeat: this is not a drill. You have twenty minutes.

[The message repeats twice more, the alarm continuing until the twenty minutes has elapsed. No questions will be answered.]

Comments

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

[This isn't the first time Richard has been awakened in the middle of the night to a draft announcement, but that does nothing to make the experience less jarring. He jolts upright in bed as if struck by lightning, eyes darting around the room in search of his journal out of habit even though he can't see it. Again?

The last time they'd been summoned at this hour was... well, Vaskoth, and he has no fond memories of that experience. If this is anything like that was...

He reaches over to grope for his bedmate's shoulder, though there's little chance Isamu slept through something that loud. With any luck, either all three of them will be sent together, or none of them at all, but he'll need Isamu to check the list for him.

Once he and Asbel have gotten their equipment together, the two of them will head to the teleporters wearing matching grim expressions.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

Who is it? Where is it? How do I kill it?

[Isamu's been in Luceti long enough that such things no longer cause him to wake up in a blind panic. Instead, he's pulling his pillow over his head and mumbling barely distinguishable words of displeasure.

The seriousness of the situation may take a few moments to sink in.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

It's another draft announcement.

[There's no humor to Richard's voice this time, none of his usual teasing. He's very quiet and very calm and that's probably more than a little unnerving coming from him, because that's a tone he rarely employs unless the situation is serious.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

A draft?

[He does sit up now, rubbing at his eyes and frowning.]

Do you have to go? ... Do I?

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

I don't know.

[He pauses, debating on how best to word this. Admitting to any sort of weakness has never been one of Richard's strong points.]

Could you read it for me?

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

[Isamu frowns, then pulls out his journal to look at it.]

... We really need to look into getting you glasses.

[A pause.]

... You're on it. I'm not.

[Why always Richard?]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

[Strangely enough, Richard actually smiles when he hears that news. Not because he's glad that he's going, but because he's glad that Isamu isn't. If either of them had to wind up being sent into battle, he would rather it be him.]

I'm glad.

[Then:]

And Asbel?

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

... Yeah, he's on it too.

[He doesn't like that Richard's pleased, but he still feels bad that this will douse that somewhat.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

[As Isamu predicted, his smile does fade slightly upon receiving that news.]

He would be disappointed if he were left behind. You'd never hear the end of it while the two of you were waiting here.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

Heh... Thank goodness I don't have to deal with that.

[It's a failed attempt to lighten the mood.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

Will you look after Tiger Festival for us while we're gone?

[Not that he really needs to ask, and he knows this, but it's a distraction from thinking about the upcoming battle.]

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[musubi]

Yeah. Sure.

Guess if you're gonna insist on keeping the furball I'll have to make sure nothing happens to it.

[Action, Graces House to the teleporters]

[ledbythewind]

Unless you want her to shed all over every piece of clothing you own, that is.

[Which, given that Isamu owns a lot of black clothing and Tiger is a grey cat, would probably be a disaster.

Speaking of clothing, Richard is already up and making his way over to the closet to dig out his combat-suitable regalia.]

At least they're being kind enough to allow us to bring our own weapons this time.

[Teleporters!]

[lostinmyway]

[Grune isn't on the list of draftees, but she shows up at the teleporters anyway, to wave goodbye and make certain everyone will see a smile before they leave.

When she notices Richard and Asbel, that smile grows.]

Oh, Richard, Asbel! Good luck!

[Teleporters!]

[ledbythewind]

[Due to his inability to read the list for himself, Richard has no idea whether Grune has been drafted or not. Her presence here at the teleporters makes him a little nervous that she will in fact be going-- after Vaskoth, he really doesn't want someone as sweet and innocent as Grune being sent into the midst of that.]

Thank you, Grune. Are you going as well?

[He keeps his tone light to hide his concern.]

[Teleporters!]

[lostinmyway]

[His concern is well hidden; she doesn't notice.]

Oh, no. I'm here to cheer everyone on and say "Good luck."

[Which she's already done.]

[Teleporters!]

[ledbythewind]

[That's a definite relief, and he relaxes slightly.]

That's very kind of you. I'm sure everyone here will appreciate the support in such tense circumstances.

[Teleporters!]

[lostinmyway]

Thank you, Richard! I hope I'll be able to help everyone go off to do their important work with a smile.

[And it looks as though she's already well on her way with Richard! How lovely!]

[Teleporters!]

[ledbythewind]

Can you also help look after the people who are still here in the village while we're gone? No doubt they'll be worried about everyone who is off fighting. They could use your cheerfulness to help lift their spirits.

[Teleporters!]

[lostinmyway]

[She beams. What an important job to have!]

Okay! I promise I'll do my best!

[Teleporters!]

[ledbythewind]

[More important than she'll likely realize, but Richard knows quite well just how critical something like that can be for keeping morale up.]

Thank you-- I knew I could count on you.

[Teleporters!]

[lostinmyway]

[Somehow, her smile grows. Now it's even more important than she does her best, because Richard is counting on her.]

I'm going to bake a cake for everyone when they come back. What kind would you like to eat?

[Teleporters!]

[ledbythewind]

I would be happy with whatever you made. It's hard to be picky where cake is concerned.

[Teleporters!]

[lostinmyway]

Yes, isn't it? They're all so good.

[Teleporters!]

[ledbythewind]

They are indeed, which is why you should choose whatever flavor you want to make.