In Huck's Hands

The Sky Is Falling! / What The Rebellion?!; Part 1

"MMM-MMM! This fig-tart is divine!" Dennis consumed the last morsel of the light snack he was provided during the rehearsal. The light from the Buriti sun was already baking deep into the Mauve Palace's chipping paint. "I would die to have another bite of those! What do you think of them?" He turned to face his fiance, Aiko.

She did not respond, instead, Aiko fitted a loaded magazine into the back of her black combat boots. The rehearsal for the meeting of the Old Gaurd and the Crimson Lineage would go as it always did, in her mind; Uneventful and a showy display of the riches raked in from the countryside.

"What is the matter? Do you not want to dine on the fine fruits of the Fall Harvest?" Dennis tried to speak in a concerned tone but the questions were too flat even to his liking. He watched as she eyed the small area of assembly that was built over the old Buritian capitol.

The stadium itself was exquisite, a marvel of both Tahul and Buritian craftsmanship with its small tiles and arching roof that kissed the sky. The ability to wick away the heat with its cone shape was one of the many things not provided to those outside its shield, Aiko looked past the balcony overlooking the orange-stone building to the densely packed slums her people mulled in. "Nothing, Dennis...I was just wondering when the Old Guard would arrive--The troops have been anxious since losing the main airport last month."

Dennis thought little of her military jargon, cocking his head to the side before speaking. "Bah--You worry of things that your father and my uncle have cared far too long over! With Huck gone, it will be only a few short hours before I am crowned the Crimson Monarch," He flared his hands to the sky.

The light from the balcony was momentarily blocked by the passing of 2 large planes above, silver of their chassis glinted against the burning mid-day sky. "See, they are arriving now. You can only worry so much Y'know. Gustav says that--" Dennis caught himself. He already had received a fresh slapping the last time he had mentioned the driver of their vehicle to Aiko.

"Oh, What does Gustav say? I am...DYING to find out the revelation that Svet-born machine jockey has blessed you with now--Did you hear that he may be in line to be the Red Bride as well!" Aiko's sarcasm was not amusing to the Regent Dennis. He quickly checked their surroundings for anyone who may have heard what she had said.

Dennis thought of something to say, then thought better of it. He picked up a spyglass from the left belt loop of his pants with slight annoyance. "It would seem that they have arrived, no airport needed. Go and handle their coming--Or would you like to insult the future king of Vasca-Minor some more?" Dennis thought he did well responding to his future wife openly refuting his relationship with his driver as being just friendly, to say the least.

As Aiko made her way down to meet with the Old Gaurd, She thought of the last time they had visited Buriti-Vasca; 7 long years had passed with much changing in the palace but many things cruelly staying the same. With the exile of Prince HuckleBerry and the confinement of Princess Kasiha, there was no room for her to make any changes herself.

The descent down the long stairs was slow, her footfalls finding precision instead of speed. Dennis was only showing out for the moment. It was a pleasant thought for her, but she knew it was untrue. There was no possibility that his upgrade from spoiled Regent to vapid Crimson Monarch would bring nothing but complacency or death to the nation she held so dear.

The entrance to the lush hanging gardens passed her quickly. Memories of her time there with her friends passed for seconds without any hook to her core. Aiko had no time to care for them anymore, she needed to find a way to bring the kingdom back from its brink. "Fucking Vascan's" Aiko muttered to herself, pushing the brown dense curls from her face.