soldier_blade | *closed to glowygreendeath

The second war against the Netherrealm was less than a week ago, but so far, very few had time to relax. Outworld finally agreed to assist Earthrealm against the impending invasion, but only after a tense stand off and some smooth talking for the recently promoted Jacqueline Briggs. When it was over, Sonya thought she'd be able to break away and spend time with her family-as it turned out, Outworld had other plans. After the defeat of Shinnok, the Outworld Emperor had begun to think: while the realms would remain un-merged, it couldn't be denied that they were stronger as allies then when they stood alone.

And the sad thing was, Sonya found herself agreeing. Much as she hated to admit it, against other realm forces, they were stronger when they fought together.

That still didn't make this any less surreal. The emperor wasn't just proposing an alliance, but marriage-a political marriage, with her; one that would bind their armies and realms as allies. At fifty-one years old, and having already been married once, Sonya had stopped seeing marriage as pure romance, and if she were honest, the thought of one less enemy for Earth realm was too tempting not to take up.

Which was what lead them all here, a party/conference room in a high scale Japanese restaurant, their party consisting of Secretary Blake and other high military leaders, while the Outworld party was of Ermac and others on Kotal Kahn's council. There was no denying that they all wanted some stability between the two realms, especially after so much conflict, but Outworld did threaten Earth. There had to be negotiations, compensations and assurances.

Dressed in her army dress greens, Sonya toyed with a piece of tuna with her chopsticks. In the near thirty years of military service, her years battling against Outworld, she never thought she'd live to see something like this. However way this meeting went, Sonya knew her own life would be changed: the implications killing whatever appetite she had left.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He nodded. "Common, yes, but not without medical history of either patients. If a person has the wrong blood type or a blood borne disease, then transfusion isn't possible."

Sonya used the excuse of eating to cover any eye rolling she might've done. They were not having this conversation now.

"Would it be possible for a book or some reference material on Outworld law, to read before the wedding?" If she was going to play the diplomat, she'd rather go prepared. "It could be delivered along with the ornamentation you'd said I'd need, while we'll had over plans for an Earthrealm embassy?"

She figured that for the wedding, the important guests would be housed within the palace. Still, for others, an embassy would be a place of security. "..Just..how long would the celebrations last, anyway? Most in this country only last a day, but..some cultures have them last several days?"

Guests especially would need to know how long they'd be expected to stay. With the differences in how time measured between realms, it wasn't like they could suddenly go back home for an overnight bag.

"We will ask our Kahn to provide a sample for testing, if you wish."

Given how many people's blood Sonya had been exposed to over the years, Ermac couldn't help but wonder why they would be so concerned now.

"We will gladly provide translations when we send the ornamentation."

He didn't expect her to understand any of Outworld's written languages yet. Fortunately, Ermac housed a few Earthrealm souls, and had been able to act as a translator when Earthrealm texts were brought into Outworld. Translating to English would be no problem.

"Three days. One before the ceremony, to celebrate and confirm that the wedding will, indeed, go through. One for the ceremony and to celebrate the union. The third day is for the families to bond and 'tie up any loose ends,' as you say."

In theory, anyway. He was aware that festivities from the second day often spilled over into the third. And sometimes a fourth day. And a fifth. Outworlders didn't often have much to celebrate, so they tended to take full advantage of any possible occasion. A royal wedding would likely see parties lasting an entire week.

"There's no need." She answered. For one, she wasn't about to give them the chance to experiment, and two. "After the first netherrealm war, I think my blood's tough enough."

Really, if there was any sort of blood to fear contamination from. Sonya didn't feel anything else should be of a concern.

A smirk crossed her face when he went over the 'itinerary' of the wedding, though that was mostly because everyone's expressions seemed to light up at the mention. With everything that's been going on, a celebration lasting several days sounded like a vacation.

"We'll have to assign a skeleton crew for security then." Because anything involving soldiers and alcohol was bound to get ugly.

"We will provide security, as well."

If nothing else, it would help to prevent rumors that this wedding was an Earthrealm takeover, and it would make dealing with unruly Outworld guests much easier. Ferra and Torr were idiots, but even Ermac had to admit that they were excellent as guards and bouncers.

"We would like to speak with Cassie before the ceremony, as well. There is much that she needs to know."

And a lot that needed to be sorted out beforehand, such as who her tutor would be.

Sonya didn't have to remind minds to know his logic (nevermind she probably couldn't with him even if she could). Outworld security would put the people at ease more than Earthrealm military.

Though she inwardly groaned at thinking of all the men that might get drunk after the third day. She wouldn't have them under her command at the time or course, but that didn't mean she didn't feel bad for the officers that would.

"I would need to speak speak with her first." There was no 'like to'. If Cassie were to hear of this from anyone, it would have to be her. "It's true, Outworld will need an heir, and I'm honored that the Emperor would have Cassie for the role, but I also confess, I'm not sure she'd see it the same way. She's worked hard to get where she is within the army..would this mean having to give it up."

Sonya never wanted Cassie to enter the military in the first place, didn't want her to be exposed to the constant stress and danger it required. Yet to go from commissioned officer to princess of Outworld, Sonya wasn't sure that was any better.

"Outworld royalty leads their armies into battle."

He could see to it that Cassie was given a high rank, if need be. While charging into battle was risky, it inspired confidence and trust in Outworld's people. Their leaders risked their very lives to preserve the kingdom or to increase its power; the least civilians could do was repay that with their loyalty.

"However, she will still need a tutor. Military experience is inadequate for ruling an empire."

"I'm aware." Sonya looked to the other generals, most of them seeming aware that this was between her and Ermac. "But it's as you said of experience, and leading armies is a big difference from leading a small squad."

This was why not all NCOs became commissioned officers. Even as a lieutenant, the rank was still a junior one and in terms of experience Cassie was still green.

"Let me guess, you'd propose to be said tutor." Seeing as how many souls were within Ermac, to say nothing of him being the 'longest serving' member of Outworld's court, he'd have experience and then some. Between him and Cassie, Sonya wasn't sure who she should feel sorry for more. "Once again though, I can't force her, and even if she agrees, she won't be happy."

She couldn't make any calls on how the conversation would go, but all signs pointed to it being messy.

A relieved sign came when Blake took over. "Inhertance issues aside, I think it's safe to assume that this marriage will go on?"

Sonya watched as a majority of the table agreed, herself included. Her own reservations about marrying again were just those: this arrangement would benefit both of their realms, and she'd be lying if she said Kotal Kahn wasn't agreeable.

All she had to do was convince Cassie.

He doesn't even flinch at the suggestion that he be Cassie's tutor.

"Only if our masters wish it."

Which, if he knew his Kahn at all, they would despite Ermac's personal history with Earthrealm's champions and their descendants.

"Indeed. Our Emperor will be pleased with this news."

Sonya recalled the rare times she was able to attend parent-teacher conferences at Cassie's school. The general consensuses was that her daughter was good in her school work, but had a difficult time controlling herself around other students. Basic and the military helped rear that tendency in, but even Sonya knew it was still there.

She still didn't know how Cassie would take this news at all. There was the chance that whoever ended up as a tutor would have to stock up on headache medicine.

Looking around, she noticed a visible sigh of relief from Secretary Blake. This whole arrangement was going to be tricky, and no one was sure how it would play out, but atleast there was a plan and they were all in agreement. Sonya would worry about the rest when it came to it.

"I propose a toast." Blake raised his cup. "To General Blade and Emperor Kotal, and to finally settling the conflicts between Earthrealm and outworld."

Sonya raised her glass along with the others. Whatever her reservations were, the bigger picture still had her wanting this to work out.

He nods and raises his own glass, relieved to have some good news to bring home. The marriage would be good not just for his Emperor, but for Outworld as well. They needed some real stability to consolidate their resources and prepare for the next inevitable war. The Netherrealm was a constant threat, after all, and there were still factions within Outworld that threatened to upset the precarious balance of power.

And if it all failed, well, he'd already helped unseat one ruler.

*closed to glowygreendeath

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject