08-12-2015, 02:12 PM
As the ship travels I kill time by surfing the Dataverse. I’m surprised to find an email from Mickey. It seems both he and Blues are safe. I’m glad.
The reason I’ve come to Camelot is to establish a connection with the leader of the Kingdom. King Aragorn. My alliance has been a long time coming but it was Adam that finally made the push. In truth it’s not something I would be able to do myself. I’m a soldier, not a general. Adam, on the other hand, is perfect for the task. And I’ve kept him caged up too long. Selfishly.
The boredom is real. I’ve flown thousands of light years before, so I’m used to it. Used to the long periods of loneliness. But as I get older I find myself less at ease with it. Something creeps at the back of my mind. I don’t know what it is. I’m sure I’m doing the right thing.
I read to pass the time. Kitsch stories of love and adventure. Nothing like the reality of being a soldier, but that’s exactly their appeal. Friends surrounded by allies, enemies that make their falsehoods true. Vindication. Justice. Perhaps one day that’s what MESH will become.
Some hours later, as the sky turns orange and then black, I reach my destination. Minas Tirith is a shadow, a black outline lit dimly by torchlight. I park my ship some way away and begin my walk.
As I make my way towards the massive entrance to the city, I realise that with my current appearance I may cause serious alarm to the guards and citizens. Everything that I’ve learned about the Kingdom leaves me unsure as to how the locals will truly react. Some call Camelot a welcoming place, others xenophobic. As most of the opinions come from outside of Camelot, it’s difficult to truly say. The only locals I met in my last visit were the sky-knights whom with I fought the Rathalos. They weren’t overly surprised by my appearance, but then I wasn’t the only outsider in attendance, and it was hardly a tea party. Now that I’m truly entering this alien world — not as a bounty hunter, but as a representative — my stomach coils and twists. I have no idea how to talk to a King. He’s supposedly one of the very strongest primes in the Omniverse. If I say something to offend, will I be banished? Captured and put to torture in the very darkest depths of their dungeons? No, they are humane. So I’ve been told.
But I still feel as though I should try not to stand out. And so, as a measure of good faith, I disapparate my suit. I feel very naked without it. But it wouldn’t be the first time. In its place I begin to summon something more appropriate. Fuck a dress; I’m not going to a ball. I summon something plain, leather armour of the like that I’ve seen in medieval fiction. A simple shirt tunic that tied with string at the collar, covered with a brown leather coat and matching pants. A cloak to go over it all and a feathered cap to hide my face. It feels incredibly uncomfortable and unwieldy. I just hope that I can be quick to whip it off if I need to summon my suit.
Finally I make my way to the gate. Four guards stand watch, with more above. I introduce myself as a prime.
“I was hoping for an audience with the King. I come as a representative of a new organisation called MESH.”
The guards look unsure. The senior one seems in his sixties, with grey hair and weathered eyes, and he speaks for the group. “King Aragorn don’t see just any prime. But you’re welcome to try. In the morning.”
As much I expected. But I hope that my reputation may precede me when I choose to reveal myself. I nod. “Would I be able to get accommodations for the night?”
“You’re welcome to try one of the inns. You seem respectful enough, so I’m letting you in, but don’t cause any trouble.”
I nod and enter through the gate.
Most of the city sleeps but there is yet night activity. I pass a drunk sleeping in an alley and recall that there are some constants wherever you go to. With haste I make my way to something approaching a nice-looking inn and lock down for the night. The bed is cold and itchy, and I summon something more familiar to sleep on. With every voice, every bump I find the muscles in my body tensed up, ready to fight. I’ve always been a vigilant person but I don’t think I will ever fully recover from the events of Dante’s Abyss. It has changed me and my sleep is restless. Whenever I begin to fall asleep I find myself snap awake, my cannon appearing on my arm in a flash. But every time, there is nothing.
Finally dawn arrives and I leave early. The palace may not yet be open but I feel safer on the move. I purchase some cheese from an early stand and nibble it beneath the shadow of a church. The bell tolls. Five. Six. Seven. And light shines at last on the palace, at the peak of the city. For a moment its magnificence makes me forget where I am for a moment and simply appreciate its majesty. Like a beacon. I feel inexplicably drawn towards it.
Once again I am gated by guards, their spears crossed. Their armour differs and they seem different somehow; as though bolstered by some inhuman confidence. Even I, despite a voice of dismissive disdain within myself, feel slightly intimidated. But I steel myself.
“My name is Samus Aran,” I say. “I’m here to see King Aragorn.”
The reason I’ve come to Camelot is to establish a connection with the leader of the Kingdom. King Aragorn. My alliance has been a long time coming but it was Adam that finally made the push. In truth it’s not something I would be able to do myself. I’m a soldier, not a general. Adam, on the other hand, is perfect for the task. And I’ve kept him caged up too long. Selfishly.
The boredom is real. I’ve flown thousands of light years before, so I’m used to it. Used to the long periods of loneliness. But as I get older I find myself less at ease with it. Something creeps at the back of my mind. I don’t know what it is. I’m sure I’m doing the right thing.
I read to pass the time. Kitsch stories of love and adventure. Nothing like the reality of being a soldier, but that’s exactly their appeal. Friends surrounded by allies, enemies that make their falsehoods true. Vindication. Justice. Perhaps one day that’s what MESH will become.
Some hours later, as the sky turns orange and then black, I reach my destination. Minas Tirith is a shadow, a black outline lit dimly by torchlight. I park my ship some way away and begin my walk.
As I make my way towards the massive entrance to the city, I realise that with my current appearance I may cause serious alarm to the guards and citizens. Everything that I’ve learned about the Kingdom leaves me unsure as to how the locals will truly react. Some call Camelot a welcoming place, others xenophobic. As most of the opinions come from outside of Camelot, it’s difficult to truly say. The only locals I met in my last visit were the sky-knights whom with I fought the Rathalos. They weren’t overly surprised by my appearance, but then I wasn’t the only outsider in attendance, and it was hardly a tea party. Now that I’m truly entering this alien world — not as a bounty hunter, but as a representative — my stomach coils and twists. I have no idea how to talk to a King. He’s supposedly one of the very strongest primes in the Omniverse. If I say something to offend, will I be banished? Captured and put to torture in the very darkest depths of their dungeons? No, they are humane. So I’ve been told.
But I still feel as though I should try not to stand out. And so, as a measure of good faith, I disapparate my suit. I feel very naked without it. But it wouldn’t be the first time. In its place I begin to summon something more appropriate. Fuck a dress; I’m not going to a ball. I summon something plain, leather armour of the like that I’ve seen in medieval fiction. A simple shirt tunic that tied with string at the collar, covered with a brown leather coat and matching pants. A cloak to go over it all and a feathered cap to hide my face. It feels incredibly uncomfortable and unwieldy. I just hope that I can be quick to whip it off if I need to summon my suit.
Finally I make my way to the gate. Four guards stand watch, with more above. I introduce myself as a prime.
“I was hoping for an audience with the King. I come as a representative of a new organisation called MESH.”
The guards look unsure. The senior one seems in his sixties, with grey hair and weathered eyes, and he speaks for the group. “King Aragorn don’t see just any prime. But you’re welcome to try. In the morning.”
As much I expected. But I hope that my reputation may precede me when I choose to reveal myself. I nod. “Would I be able to get accommodations for the night?”
“You’re welcome to try one of the inns. You seem respectful enough, so I’m letting you in, but don’t cause any trouble.”
I nod and enter through the gate.
Most of the city sleeps but there is yet night activity. I pass a drunk sleeping in an alley and recall that there are some constants wherever you go to. With haste I make my way to something approaching a nice-looking inn and lock down for the night. The bed is cold and itchy, and I summon something more familiar to sleep on. With every voice, every bump I find the muscles in my body tensed up, ready to fight. I’ve always been a vigilant person but I don’t think I will ever fully recover from the events of Dante’s Abyss. It has changed me and my sleep is restless. Whenever I begin to fall asleep I find myself snap awake, my cannon appearing on my arm in a flash. But every time, there is nothing.
Finally dawn arrives and I leave early. The palace may not yet be open but I feel safer on the move. I purchase some cheese from an early stand and nibble it beneath the shadow of a church. The bell tolls. Five. Six. Seven. And light shines at last on the palace, at the peak of the city. For a moment its magnificence makes me forget where I am for a moment and simply appreciate its majesty. Like a beacon. I feel inexplicably drawn towards it.
Once again I am gated by guards, their spears crossed. Their armour differs and they seem different somehow; as though bolstered by some inhuman confidence. Even I, despite a voice of dismissive disdain within myself, feel slightly intimidated. But I steel myself.
“My name is Samus Aran,” I say. “I’m here to see King Aragorn.”
![[Image: 0bwAI3j.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/0bwAI3j.jpg)