After a questionable Proposal by Hard Line, at the Council meeting, Posada worries about not only about Hard Line´s future in the Party, but about the Party and its Course itself.
Posada was on top of the world. The peaceful revolution of Hippogriffia was successful, Queen Novo abdicated. The former crown princess of Hippogriffia, Skystar, her cousin Silverstream, as well as Posada´s old reactionary friend Crack Lightning, joined the Revolutionary Workers Party and with her reforms starting to bear fruit, the World Revolution seemed closer than ever.
But soon after, at an official council meeting, comrade Hard Line proposed something questionable, to find and end the former Queen, ending the bourgeoisie and any risk of a possible counter-revolution. The majority of the council protested and a rift in the party seemed to have fromed. Tricking Hard Line into quoting the fascist Beakolini, Posada quickly shut down his proposal and humiliated her overzealous comrade, before warning him, that this rhetoric wont be allowed on the council.
Initially proud of her actions, days later doubts have started creeping into her mind. Was she too lenient on her former enemies? Was Hard Line correct to be cautious? Was her humiliation of him justified or the right thing to do to a friend and comrade? Full of doubt, Posada starts to question the stability and purity of the Party, as well as Hard Line´s place in it. Fearing that her revolutionary state will fall, like so many have before it due to infighting, Posada spends hours wasting away in her office. However a trusted friend may give Posada the courage and compassion to confront her doubts.
This Story takes place in the Equestria at war Universe, a mod for Hearts of Iron 4
The Cover Image is a combination of Posada´s and Hard Line´s Portraits created by the wonderful Artists: Neither (Posada) and cadillac-dynamite aka Egil (Hard Line).
This story is more of less the product of my criticism of how Hard Line and Starry Eyes have a very minor role in Posada´s path and and their unclear relationship with Posada. Its better explained here:Her One Weakness : equestriaatwar (reddit.com)
The goal of this story is to give a little bit more character to those two and to act as an inconsequential filler arc.
I am not the creator or writer of these characters in the Equestria at war mod, so i will probably mischaracterize them.
Nonetheless I hope you enjoy my story and criticizes it fairly.
Mount Aris was busy these Days even at 10pm. The modern world had truly reached Hippogriffia, the streets were still brightly lit during these late hours blocking out the light of the stars but lighting up up the blue star banner, found on so many posters and the flagpoles of the royal palace. All of this seemed impossible, when looking back. Just five years ago the Storm King sacked Hippogriffia, looted Mount Aris and defaced the royal palace. Just six months ago, first the red banner then the blue banner had been hoist over the palace, signaling the beginning of a new era. And just two days ago it may have already reached its final days.
The royal palace, now the "House of the Revolution", was the centre of the new government until a suitable replacement was found and the palace could be turned into a museum. The Darkness hid most of its imposing sight, only the guards patrolling the roof and the balconies gave glimpses of its real size. The entrance was still fully lid and guarded at this late hour, creatures were coming and going at a rather low rate. Most of its Windows had closed blinds, hiding the darkness inside from the darkness outside. It was hard to imagine that this was the place where a brighter future was to be created.
But through the armored blinds of a former guestroom light was trickling outside, the office of the general secretary was still brightly lid. Sitting on an ebony chair at an expensive ebony desk, the red Hippogriff scribbled some words onto a paper only to cross them out seconds later.
Dear Comrade Hard Line you are hereby invited to... "No, that is too high and mighty, too distant and inappropriate for a founding member of the party and it sounds like a verdict"
Hard Line, I want to invite you to... "No, that sounds more like I want to take him to a party or go out on a date with him. I just want to have a private talk with him."
Posada sighed her eyes wandering to the clock on the wall of her office, ten past ten, 22:10. Her Cap was resting on the desk, while she wore her uniform casual and open, yet still tight enough to hide her old scars behind the fabric. Her yellow Eyes however were betraying her, occasionally tearing up from exhaustion, while the bags under her eyes were only growing. She was frustrated and tired. The last two hours were wasted away trying and failing to write a letter.
Posada looked back into the almost empty guestroom she called her office. Only two chairs, a desk, a radio, a telephone, a clock and an armchair remained of the luxury of the guestroom. The bed, wardrobe, all the portraits and other furniture were either stored for the museum, sold to rich collectors or taken into exile by Novo. The only new furniture was a map of north zebrica and the Blue Flag of the Revolutionary North Zebrica, both of them hanging from the wall behind the armchair. At least the Bathroom remained complete, minus the expensive products which were stolen during the revolution. The room had no portraits or mirrors, Posada felt uncomfortable by their gaze, as if she was being spied on. She even had the mirrors and walls of the palace checked for hidden rooms, thankfully the former royalty had some decency. Failing to get any inspiration from the furniture, Posada buried her face in her claws in defeat and remembered the reason for writing her letter.
Two days had passed since Hard Line wanted to find and execute the former Queen Novo, mother of comrade commissar and already dear friend Skystar. Initially Posada was proud of how quickly and effective she shut down his proposal, but then she started to doubt herself. Not if she was right to defend Skystar, but if she treated Hard Line fairly by humiliating him.
Fearing that the unity and purity of the party and council was at stake, Posada was conflicted on what to do. She did not want to throw Hard Line out of the Party or the council. Especially considering she just invited, former princess Silverstream and her old friend, former fascist Crack Lightning to form their own wings of the party and gave both of them a seat on the council despite their questionable believe in the cause. Purging him from the Party seemed harsh, Hard Line was after all not just a founding member of the Revolutionary Workers Party but also her comrade and her friend.
Frustrated by this dilemma and her own indecisiveness Posada reached into one of her drawers to pull out a bottle of aquilian wine, generously left in the wine cellar by the former Royalty and an ordinary glass. Maybe she should take Hard Line to a bar in Seaquestria. A knock on the door ended that thought.
"Comrade general secretary Posada, comrade Starry Eyes wants to have a word with you." One of her personal guards, Cyanterra, asked from the other side of the door.
Quickly composing herself and putting away the alcohol, Posada answered : "Of course send her in and please you don´t need to address by my title."
"Understood, Comrade Posada" The Guard replied.
Walking in with her signature small smile, Starry friendly teased : "So what are we celebrating? We heard you putting away the glass and the bottle." Posada blushed in embarrassment, becoming even more red than she already was, before Starry walked around the desk and quickly embraced her.
Finishing the hug and sitting down on the armchair beneath the blue banner rather than the chair opposite of Posada, Starry began talking: "I was gonna retire for the night and saw that you were still working. Maybe I can help, so whats been bothering you?"
"Its Hard Line, after his "proposal" on the council, I started to question his place in the party and honestly, the state of the party itself. I.. I don´t want to throw a comrade and a friend out of the party and I do worry that we are maybe losing sight of our vision. I don´t want to repeat the same Mistakes Skynavia or Stalliongrad made and lose sight of our vision or have our nations crippled by disunity and infighting." Posada answered frustrated, with a hint of sadness.
Starry Eyes waited patiently until the end of Posada´s cry for help, before talking in an empathetic almost motherly tone : "Posada you told me conflicts and disagreements are part of a healthy revolution, how is this situation different than an anarchist trying to get us to abolish our nation as a concept or Crack´s, frankly concerning, proposal to introduce a creature score system to determine who deserves equality. This is why we have a council and you as our gen-sec, to guide us into a better future. Right now we are trying to find a path towards that future, and each of us tries to find a role in that future, helping to create it and molding it according to their own views."
"Yes, but I hoped our future was not hunting down and executing pardoned royals." Posada frustrated but teasingly interjected before continuing in a serious tone : "What if he wants to imprison the former princesses, our new comrades or something even worse?"
"That is why you need to talk to him, steer him away from his hate and remind him of our cause. I know that his proposal was a terrible first impression of the council on Skystar and I know that is one of the reason you are so worked up about this. Try to remind him that we want to built a world for everyone, regardless of their past, built among other things, on justice not vengeance. But it has to be you that reminds and guides him. He wont listen to most of us, he won´t listen to me. He is not hostile towards me, but he sees me as a hopeless idealist. But you are our leader and he still looks up to you for the most part." Starry encouragingly replied.
Posada took a moment of silence to think about Starry´s words. She was right, just how Marks´s words guided her to create a better future, Posada needed to guide Hard Line to abandon his hate and vengeance. But how? Maybe Posada needed to reassure him that his fears were unfounded. Hard Line feared most, not the reactionaries from outside the party, but the revisionist within the party, which is why he started attacking everyone that wasn´t following Marks´s work by the book.
"I was hoping he would have calmed down with his fear and hate of "revisionism" and of the monarchy after we achieved our victory, especially after Skystar became a member of the party. But he is still awaiting a counter-revolution or thinking that Skystar is whispering words into my ears, using me to crown herself queen, undoing everything we achieved and destroying the revolution from within. As If I would just gonna let that happen and become her mindless puppet." Posada said frustrated with a hint of anger.
"And that is the reason why he proposed his idea, he is concerned about the unity and purity of the party and if we are maybe losing sight of our vision. Reminds me of someone I know." Starry explained to Posada before teasing her, making Posada flinch in embarrassment.
Now in a serious and but still empathetic tone, Starry continued: "We both know what happened to him and his father because of his mother. I still remember when he told us his story, he was bursting into tears half way through. He blames Novo for his mother´s mistakes, after all she was the head of the nobility and continued this unjust system. When Novo abdicated and you were busy building a new cabinet, Hard Line, me and some other comrades, were celebrating in Seaquestria. I remember seeing him smile and being actually happy for the first time. That is why I know he can move past his hate, but at the same time we cant expect him to move past 30 years of hate and shame immediately, we have to take it one step at a time. Think about it like this, if the Storm King had peacefully surrendered could you just forgive him or would you want to hunt him down and end him, for what one of his underlings did to you?" Starry asked carefully.
I WOULD END HIM!
A voice shouted inside Posada´s mind, it was her own. She was in shock about how quickly and how willing she was to end the life of a, admittedly horrible, but defeated and most likely defenseless creature. Posada had to admit to herself that the voice in her head was right. Was it even possible for her to show any mercy for the Storm King, the bringer of pain to so many creatures, the reason for her capture and torture and the leader of her tormentor?
Starry´s smile faded during Posada´s hesitance. Posada grasped at her scars through her uniform which had begun to itch unbearably, before answering slowly : "I.. I do not know,... maybe I would,... but it would be for justice, for all the creatures that suffered under him, not my personal vengeance." Posada quickly composed herself, unsure if she was telling the truth.
Brushing aside this moment, Posada asked Starry : "But how will I get through to him? Right now I am failing to even write an invitation to him, maybe I should just invite him personally to a bar in Seaquestria and have a drink with him." before showing Starry her attempts.
Starry´s smile returned while reading her attempts before advising her : "Talk to him, just how we are talking right now, a respectful and friendly conversation between comrades. Alcohol would be too informal, it would seem like you do not take the situation seriously and would come across as desperate, not to mention how would he even react under influence? I dont think we could control him and he would probably say some questionable stuff, which could just further humiliate him and us if we were in public." "The Letter on the other claw seems to impersonal to address a fellow comrade and friend and would look like just a formality before you purge him from the party. Hard Line wants to hold a seminar on revisionism in three days in one of the royal halls here in the palace. Allow him to do it under the conditions that you two will have a talk before the seminar starts and simply talk to him like a friend. However you should brace yourself he did storm out of the council with quiet the anger after the speaker closed the council."
Posada gave her a nod, accepting her idea. "Good, then I will propose this to Hard Line" Starry said before standing up and preparing to make her leave. The Clock showed the time being 10 to 11, 22:50. Starry herself was also starting to get tired.
"Wait." Spoke Posada before getting up from her chair and pulling Starry into a hug: "Thank you Starry, for helping me and being a good friend."
"What are Comrades for" answered Starry, surprised by Posada´s sudden embrace, before breaking it and walking to the door. "Posada please, try to get some sleep and you really shouldn't drink at this late hour. You need a clear and sober head for the next days." Starry finished before wishing both Posada and her guards a good nights rest and making her way towards the sleeping quarters.
Starry Eyes waited patiently at the entrance to the palace. Normally she would only start working from 10am. onwards, like most members of the party, but she had to deliver Posada´s offer to Hard Line and he always started work at 8am., something about discipline he said when asked about it. True to his words he arrived just on time. After Hard Line passed the Changeling detectors and guards, he noticed Starry. His expression shifted from his usual stern facade, to surprise, then shock and finally anger, before returning to his stern look to keep up the facade. He started walking straight towards Starry, seemingly becoming angrier with every step he took. Starry decided to met him in the middle and tried to calm him down by giving him a reassuring look.
Meeting in the middle, Starry extended a claw towards her comrade and friend, but Hard Line pushed it firmly aside, before seemingly exploding at her : "So it has come to this, they send you, didn´t they? Couldn´t even look me in the eyes as they destroyed everything we, I fought for. So what, are you here to take my uniform, my party membership, my hopes and dreams? Know this, they can take it from my cold dead claws. Or are you trying to led me into some sort of trap, to put me in the royal dungeon. Crack is behind it right or was it that witch Skystar whispering words into Posada´s ears."
"No Hard Line, I have good news for you." Starry interjected while he was catching his breath. His rant made quiet the scene even despite the fact that most party members and guards were familiar with Hard Line´s paranoia and zeal. Starry signaled to the watching guards that everything was under control, before continuing: "Your Request to hold a seminar on revisionism has been granted."
"How did you know I requested..?" Hard Line asked surprised.
"I am an organiser, its my job to know these things. But your seminar can only happen under one condition, you have to talk to Posada before the seminar, she sanctioned it after all." Starry answered.
Hard Line hesitated and thought to himself. Maybe Posada wasn´t gone. Maybe he could bring her back, make her see the light, even if it failed he would get to hold his seminar. In the end, he would either win big or small. He answered with renewed determination: "I accept, I will sent you the details in a letter later. And I.. eh... I´m sorry about..."
"Its okay, you are concerned about the party, I understand. Posada is also concerned about it. I hope to see you in 4 days at the council meeting." Starry replied, before shaking his claw in goodbye and making her ways towards the break room for breakfast and a small nap.
11th May 1009 ALB
Waiting in front of her Office, Posada was starring at the nearby clock counting the minutes and seconds. Hard Line originally wanted to hold his seminar at 9:00 but even he realised that most of the party wasn´t in the palace until after 10:00, so he decided to talk to Posada at 10:00 and have his seminar at 13:00. The general secretary had been busy as well, installing a sound cushioning to her office walls and door, for sound privacy. A panic button beneath her desk, connected to a lamp outside her office, if the guards didn´t hear her and some personal preferences to her office, like a hat-stand and an inflatable pool, her water tank was too big for the door and too heavy for the floor when filled and the bathtub and shower weren´t comfortable enough to relax in when she was in her seapony form.
Posada wasn´t sure if he would show up, but tried to remain calm. After all he gave his word and he was, for most of the time, a seapony of his word. But eventually the pressure got to her and she decided to just lean against her office door, flanked by her guards, Guard Cyanterra to her left and Guardsmare Azurmar to her right, impatiently awiting Hard Line. Just as the clock struck 10 o´clock, Hard Line appeared from around a corner and give a nod to the general secretary.
"Hard Line, its good to see you" the gen-sec said extending a claw, which the zealot took, before both of them entered the office, the guards simply observing them.
Closing the door behind them, Posada gestured him to sit, which he did on the chair opposite of her´s, unlike Starry who took the armchair.
"So how was your week so far?" she began after sitting down.
"Lets cut to the important part." he said having none of the formalities or any small talk.
She just nodded and pulled out an amulet from a drawer of her desk. She spend the last two days searching and trading for it, a treasure left by the former royalty.
"This is a magical sound nullifier, it lets sound in but doesn´t let it out, it effects a space around the size of this room. Some unicorns can cast a spell that achieves a similar effect. I got it so we can talk freely and truthfully." Posada explained before pressing the button on the amulet and laying it on the desk.
Hard Line felt a small wave of magic go through his feathers before making an observation: "You still trust me enough to not be concerned about your safety right now. Or is this some kind of trick you are pulling on me, to record a confession?" His paranoia got the best of him again.
"Then allow me to show you my trust." she replied
"GUARDS, GUARDS, HE´S TRYING TO KILL ME, HELP!"
Posada screamed at the top of her lungs, breaking Hard Line´s stoic expression and possible his ear drums. After a moment of silence, Hard Line stood up with a dazed expression, walked towards the door, opened it and looked into the corridor. Nothing, no commotion, just the guards giving him perplexed looks. Closing the door and returning to his seat Hard Line breathed a sigh of relief, all the while Posada was smirking at him.
"So lets start talking about why were here, its obviously about your proposal and your future in the party, a future I want you to have." she explained.
"Yes but what future would that be? What future does the party have, we are being infiltrated by fascist and bourgeoisie. But we still have a chance to come back from this and achieve the world revolution." He replied with his usual zeal, making Posada roll her eyes.
"Hard Line for the last time, Im trying to built a better world for every creature, regardless of their past, built on equality, compassion and justice not vengeance." Posada answered annoyed, but using Starry´s words tried to get through to him.
"Exactly Posada, but the way we are going about it has led us to lose the purity of the party. How many of these newcomers believe in the cause or even understand basic concepts like the material conditions? Do you really believe your old friend Crack Lightning believes in equality for all creatures? If this continues those newcomers will outnumber us in our own party and then what? We will either be destroyed from the inside or we will be unable to make decisions and split apart into ineffectual parties, just like what happened in Stalliongrad or Skynavia, decades wasted with nothing to show." Hard Line spoke with such enthusiasm, it even surprised Posada.
He continued appealing to Posada with a never seen before compassion and in an almost begging voice spoke: "Posada, I too believe in a world for every creature, but its a world where every creature has to be behind the one cause, our cause. We cannot lose our identity or lose sight of our cause, like we have thus far, like so many have before us. There can be no compromise when it comes to justice, equality or the world revolution."
Posada closed her eyes and thought about his words. He wasn´t lying when talking about his believe or his perception of the state of the party. She even had to admit that he was right on some topics. But he was dreaming, dreaming about a dream that was built atop everyone who couldn´t immediately see or join the cause, his cause, leading to their exclusion in this new world. A dream only built on his ideas of the future, not on the ideas of everyone else and now it was time to wake him up.
"And who decides what the cause is? What happens to those who´s mind have been clouded or those who disagree with the methods. No method works for in every situation every time, what if for example Starry disagrees with liberating the workers of Equestria by force. And finally what if the people reject our cause." Posada fired back a line of questions, she knew Hard Line would either respond badly to or which would prove his hypocrisy.
"Marks and the people decide the cause through their and her wisdom, those that cant see that are obstacles in out path. They shall have no power in our future or place in our party. If the people resist our cause, then they have to be dragged into the future like children, and when we show them our works, they will realise how wrong they were. If Starry decides to be like those communalist in Skynavia, then she has no place in the party and is just another obstacle in our path, a party member with no use. Sure it would be painful to see her leave, but it would be necessary for the cause." Hard Line answered coldly.
"Then I have to say farewell Hard Line, following your own advice, your disagreement with not only the party but the people leave no place for you here. You destabilise the party with your hostile behavior towards fellow party members, causing strive in our nation and are hurting our international reputation with your constant unpopular request. Simply put, you are an obstacle, a party member with no use, pushing us towards infighting and wasted decades. While the real enemy is still out there you are fighting your comrades. But Im sure the people will understand and even admire you for all you did and for sticking to your ideals, even when they are against you. Its gonna be painful sure but we will cope, after all it is necessary for the cause." Posada said mimicking Hard Lines coldness and words.
"But that is not the future I want for you, I wa..." She continued, trying to get him to understand, before being interrupted.
"So that is it then, you used me, my words, my zeal, my influence, my passion for the cause, my sacrifices and now that you have your little birdie or your fascist roommate, your abandoning your true comrades like garbage. Just like HER." Hard Line said with ever growing anger, referring to his mother while slightly tearing up.
"Hard Line that is not what I meant..." She tried calming him down.
"Shut up! All I wanted was to ensure the revolution would triumph once and for all time. I wanted to bring Novo to justice to prevent a counter-revolution. Do you not remember what happened in Aquilia twenty years ago? The exiled royalty returned and restarted their reign of terror. Do you remember what Novo´s last order was going to be, do you remember what one of her former guards revealed and your little birdie confirmed. She was gonna massacre us, because her subjects had the audacity to strive for freedom. And you humiliated me for trying to achieve justice." His rant became so angry, at the thought of her betray, that his body started crying uncontrollably.
Posadas claw was hovering beneath her panic button. Just one press and no more Hard Line in her life. Posada was tempted and was starting to becoming just as furious as Hard Line by his continuous screaming and some of his baseless assertions of her.
"I wanted equality for every creature, not just most, like those pony princesses who abandoned the Thestrals for over a thousand years. But you invited those harmonist into our party, into our future and for what. To impress Skystar so you can become queen by marriage? Or is it to impress you fascist friend who only wants equality for his kind. You know the Changelings want to fed all of their kind too and they do this by enslaving other creatures, so maybe you and you friend Crack should join Comrade Chrysalis" He repeated some of the words she used against him at the council, back at her.
"Kelp Strand that is enough, I will never betray the revolution or myself by doing that." She replied desperately, calling him by his hated birth name.
He however, was still ranting: " Or better yet, join Comrade Storm King! He spread his revolution all of over.."
Posada slammed her claw onto the desk, hard enough to break him out of his mad rant and to crack pieces of her desk off. Using the same movement to push herself to her hooves, Posada clawed at her uniform, tearing her collar open and a couple of buttons off, while her cap flew off her head. She revealed with her torn uniform aside, her most prominent scar, on the right side of her neck, all while starring down Hard Line with pure hate.
Hard Line had only caught glimpses of the old scar in the past, but now it was on full display, while its owner was starring down at him in a way he never imagined possible. Seeing the scar Hard Line realised how little of physical pain he knew and how terrified he was at the pain she had received. Disgusted at the scar, but more importantly at himself, he averted her gaze and starred apathetically at his hooves and the carpet of the room.
Posada sat down again, but it was Hard Line who broke the silence: "You were right, I betrayed the people, I turned on my dear comrades, on you and called poor Starry useless. I am the obstacle, I should just get out of the way and leave." He stood up, continuing to avoiding her gaze and walked towards the door.
Before he could open it, a claw grabbed him from behind.
"I never wanted to throw you out of the party, I just wanted you to be a part of our future society, for you to give me a chance to proof you wrong, to pave a way into the future and for you to let go of your hate and start anew, just like this nation. I always want to help every creature, leave no one behind, neither former royalty nor fascist. The stalliongradian revolutionary memorial has a motto written on it, that I will always remember: "No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten", and while it does refer to the dead revolutionary, I think it applies to all living creatures and past events." Posada said with tears in her eyes. He turned and saw the gen-sec in a broken shape, her uniform was torn, her hair messed up and her face was full of sadness, before she embraced him and he hugged her back.
Minutes later they broke the hug and sat back down.
"I promise that I will no longer stand in the way of the party, I may disagree sometimes but I will no longer cause tension or doubt the will of the people. You are right there are bigger problems out there and as long as you lead, I will know the party is in good claws or fins." Hard Line said with a new zeal.
"I appreciate that, but I need to ask you for a favor. At the upcoming council meeting I want you to say something similar to the party. Of course with more pride and dignity, and less sadness. It will show your real strength, to accept your own mistakes and to overcome them for the good of the people, the party and our future, and at the same time amend the rifts in the party." She said putting her claw trustingly over his claw and looking him in the eyes.
"I promise to do that, but you have to stop humiliating me in front of the party" He answered and she agreed with a nod. The tension had vanished from the room, Posada looked at the clock, 10 past 11, 11:10.
"Good, now I know you have a seminar in two hours and some of it might be a bit outdated now, how about you run it by me and we will improve it together? You know my talent for convincing rhetoric." Posada asked him with a smile.
"I love to" Hard line replied in a friendly tone, and they started working.
One and a half hours later they were done, Hard Line with new gained confidence in his own worth and Posada relieved of her fear of the party breaking apart. She was wearing her cap again and she changed into her spare uniform, which she kept in the bathroom, when she opened a drawer and pulled out the unopened aquilian wine and two normal glasses.
"How about we drink to the future and our place in it." She proclaimed. Hard line giving an approving nod but insisted on pouring for himself. However after Posada poured for herself, he grabbed the cork, closed the bottle and pocketed it.
"You really should take better care of yourself, drinking isnt healthy for your mind or body, but don´t worry I will redistribute this wine accordingly". He said smugly, before deactivating the almost forgotten sound amulet and making his leave. Before opening the door he stopped and said: "Thank you Posada, for not giving up on me."and then started running off, hoping he still had enough time to set up the seminar, leaving a flabbergasted but smiling Posada behind.
After all the commotion the last two days were a blessing for Posada, she finally had a good night sleep by not being kept up by her doubts and fears. During this time she familiarized herself with the topics of the up-coming council meeting. At the same time she and Starry Eyes supported Hard Line, giving him ideas on what to say in front of the council, how to amend any rifts and prove his place in the party.
The council hall was once the old royal theater and cinema, it already was perfect for it´s new role having a stage for the speaker and a large number of seats and box seats. It mostly stayed intact with only the royal insignia being covered up by the blue banner.
Instead of using the back entrance of the council hall to quickly reach her box seat, Posada decided to use the side entrance. It was normally reserved for reporters, tour groups, party members that weren't elected members of the council as well as guest speaker, who would go behind the stage after entering the hall. The last two being the category which Starry Eyes fell into, although she normally sat next to Posada as her personal guest, a role that was filled out today by Skystar.
Hard Line was here too, away from his box seat that he received as a founding member of the party. He had been given the chance to have the first words of the day after the opening speech finished, due to Posada pulling some strings and quietly making a deal with the speaker through Starry.
As she entered the side lobby, she saw a mass of different creatures. Many lower RWP party members as well some SLPA party members and the rare anarchist were present. Most of them were zebras from Zumidia, while the rest were Hippogriffs with the occasional pony and griffon in between. Most of them were either talking to each other or reading the topics of today´s council meeting, which were written on flyers made by Starry herself.
Further back she saw a griffon tour guide, himself a member of her party. He was preparing a college class from Ain Trotgourait for the council meeting, explaining the rules and the hierarchy of the council.
At the side of the lobby where the cloakroom was located, Posada saw her reasons for coming here, Hard Line, Starry Eyes and even Salina Blue, leader of the SLPA, were standing in front of the cloakroom. They were being asked questions by a small group of reporters, most of them were local, however Posada did see the logo of "Equestria daily" on the hat of a unicorn reporter.
Salina Blue was here because she proposed the first topic on the agenda. She would be speaking about a proposal for nature preservation, after Hard Line was finished. Salina looked somewhat stressed due to the sudden attention, Starry on the other claw looked calm and collected and gave her signature smile towards the reporters. Hard Line however was annoyed at them, showing signs of anger towards the reporters.
Seconds later, she was spotted and surrounded by party members who were surprised to see the general secretary in their lower circles. Posada´s guards were keeping them at a comfortable distance, while she greeted them all and thanked them for joining the cause, before answering some of their question. Maybe she should do this more often, Posada thought, it would strengthen the connection between the higher and lower party members. At the same time she thought to investigate the party for species bias, due to the amount of zebras in the lower ranks, and their absent in the higher ones. Perhabs she should even investigate the party for internal class conflict, Posada agreed with a party hierarchy, but she didnt want two classes of party member to exist, which could lead to some kind of internal class conflict, that would go against everything she was fighting for.
Making her way towards the cloakroom, the college class and the tour guide were approaching her. She saw many young faces looking in awe at their young leader, despite the fact that she was only 10 years older than some of them. Posada quickly thanked them for coming the long way here and for their Interest in politics. After that she tried to inspire the young minds with the progress they made so far and the future they all could help create, before wishing to see them again in a couple of days when she was visiting Ain Trotgourait on official business and saying goodbye.
The last obstacle were the reporters. Posada declined to any interview request, before reminding them that this was a council meeting and that they would probably have more important things to report about than her boring personality. Instructing her guards to give her some privacy, she finally reached her three comrades.
Hard Line and Salina were giving each other disrespectful looks, while Starry was happy to see Posada, embracing her when she reached them. While still being hugged, Posada extended both of her claws towards the other two comrades, which they both took. Breaking the hug, Posada turned towards Salina:
"Its good to see you Salina, I hope your proposal today gets approved." to which Selina responded with a simple nod. They didnt see eye to eye on many things, yet they still respected each other immensely, fighting for a similar goal in different parties.
"Now please excuse us, I need to talk to my two lovely comrades in private and don´t be concerned if a small wave of magic washes over you." Posada continued before grabbing both of her comrades and entering the cloakroom, leaving a somewhat confused Salina behind.
At the far wall of the Cloakroom, Posada stopped and activated her sound nullifying amulet. "So, are you ready Hard Line?" Posada started.
"As much as one can be when admitting to being a failure in front of the nation." Hard Line sighed, still being unsure about this.
"Stop that, you are simply..., correcting yourself and showing what and how you meant it. Shine a different light on your statement, show the things from your perspective and that you are strong enough to admit that you may have made a mistake. I have been trying to encourage him for the last hour and give him advise on how to formulate his thoughts." Starry interjected, trying to build him up and then getting Posada up to speed.
Posada reaffirmed Starry and tried to encourage Hard Line : "She is right you know and we know you can do this, you already did it for both of us, now do it with pride for the future. In there we will try to help you as best as we can, but you have to take the first step, otherwise it would seem like we are forcing you or that you are just our puppet."
"Alright, but you two have to treat me better from now on, no more tricking me or talking down to me. You both know my history of being abandoned and of being made fun of. Just try to understand my position, even if you disagree with it. Can you two promise me that." Hard Line pleadingly made a last second demand, which both of them accepted.
"Every Council member and member of the audience, please take your seed in the council, it will begin shortly." The speaker of the council spoke through the intercom.
Hard Line sighed: "Let the show trial begin." he said sarcastically, in a nervous voice.
"You can do this Hard Line", Starry Eyes spoke before giving him a peck on his cheek. "For luck." Starry then strolled towards the entrance, leaving the two blushing Hippogriffs confused behind.
"Come, we cant stand here all day. And remember no matter what happens next, both of us know the true you and we wont give up on you, no matter how unpopular you are. Just do this for us... and yourself." Posada concluded and switched off her amulet, before both of them joined their comrades in the Council.
10 Minutes later
Posada was sitting in her seat overlooking the council, the former crown princess Skystar sitting right next to her, while the Speaker was opening the council. Quickly looking toward the audience booth, she found Starry surrounded by the college class. Posada hoped that the council and Skystar were at least a little bit forgiving and accepting of his apologie, although she wouldn´t fault Skystar if she didn´t, he wanted to kill her mother after all. But this was about the party and the future, rather than trying to make Skystar befriend Hard Line or vise versa.
"Where were you? I almost didn´t get into the council as your guest." Skystar asked in a slight worrying tone.
"A couple of comrades really needed my help and it couldn´t wait. I hope today´s council meeting will be better than the last one and give you a better impression of us." Posada said, hiding her actions from Skystar.
"Oh last time wasn´t so bad, sure it got emotional, but I still laugh thinking about his stupid face when you tricked him." Skystar chuckled, "And to be honest, this event gave me a much more practical insight into politics than just spending hours debating, not that it isn´t important, but when people get emotional it shows what they care about." Skystar finished.
"Yeah... I see your point." Posada answered in a slow tone.
"You know, I dont blame you for what Hard Line said, I know that is the reason why you have been so distant during the last week." Skystar responded in a caring tone.
"Thank you for saying that. You are right, I was worried about his statement. But lets look forward to todays council meeting" Posada replied, continuing to hide her involvement in what was about to happen.
".. and so I welcome you again comrades, to our weekly council meeting today." The speaker was finishing the opening speech. "Our first topic of the day is natural preservation by Comrade Salina Blue, but before we start with our program, I want to invite a Comrade onto the stage, someone who has concerns over the unity of the party and wants to repair the rifts he may have caused in our party. Please welcome onto the stage, our Comrade Hard Line"
The crowds reaction was less than stellar, barely any party member clapped on the higher ranks but many boos were heard, Crack Lightning even made fun of Hard Line, which caused his side of the council too explode in laughter. The lower audience members however clapped surprisingly energetic, the college class seemed to celebrate Hard Line, even suppressing some of the boos of the higher rank with their applauding. Starry was surprised as well, normally being the only creature to clap for unpopular guest speaker. Posada herself was trying to be formal, clapping out of respect for the council and secretly her friend. Skystar however was completely silent. Posada didn´t dare to look at her.
Hard Line however was trying to blend all of this out and gazed towards the microphone, never looking at the crowd. For him, there were only 3 people in the room, Starry, Posada and himself and he was not letting them down today.
Hard Line finally reached the speaker´s microphone after what seemed an eternity, while the clapping stopped, the heckling seemingly only began, it was reaching the point that the speaker, the guards and Posada herself were about to make a move, when Hard Line began his speech, with his eyes closed:
"Comrades... I wish to confess." Just as Hard Lines words flew through the hall it fell silent, nobody believed that they would ever hear these words from Hard Line of all griffs.
"A week ago, I made a terrible mistake. I let my personal judgement and fears overcome me, disrupted the unity of the party and almost damaged the party in the process." Hard Line began his speech and opened his eyes.
"When I spoke of hunting down Novo and bringing her to justice, my fears and personal vengeance was speaking out of me. I was afraid, afraid that what happened to the griffons, both the Herzland republic and the Aquillian republic, would happen to us too and that history would repeat itself. The griffons managed to cast off the chains of oppression. An era of freedom, solidarity and equality lay before them, they thought, only for the monarchy to return, reclaim their blood throne and restart their reign of terror.
I do disagree with how these republics were lead, but I started seeing similarities between us them. Why should it be impossible for the counter-revolution to happen here? What makes us different? The last order of the former queen was echoing in me, everyone in here should know what it was. To open fire on us, to spill the blood of the oppressed for daring to rise up, for wanting equality, wanting freedom. Some in here still hold her in high regards despite her actions, actions of someone who clearly does not deserve worship, who should not have power over others.
But Novo decided against it. She abdicated and gave her power to us, seeing the impossibility of stopping us and possibly trying to save her own skin.
I took me a long time to understand why she did it, I believed she was just playing the long game with Skystar as her betting chip. But I was wrong. She did it because she or someone close to her had decency, morals and believed in something greater than the monarchy, something that is worth more.
I dont know what it was, but it proved to me something. That she wasn´t a Grover or a Discrets. But a Novo, a different creature. I judged her based on how I judge emperor Grover the second or King Moriset Discret, nothing but oppressors, warmonger and mass murderers. I let my personal experience led me to a false conclusions and falsely blamed her for many injustices that have happend to me.
I will never stop hating the monarchy for its oppression, but I will from this day forward judge them accordingly, based on their action and seek justice not vengeance. I wont judge, Grover the sixth, Flurry Heart or the beloved Zamni, wherever he is, based on the actions of their parents or of any other monarchs. I will judge them based on their actions, based on their thoughts, based on the orders they gave.
In fact, I hope for a better future, were they and I stand side by side fighting for our sacred cause, together as comrades. Standing together with former fascist, harmonist, bandits or other creatures who have lost their way and are trying to find it again.
That is what I am fighting for and what I think, we should fight for. A future of equality, of justice not vengeance, where no creature, no matter if it has horns, wings, stripes, chitin or scales, will be left behind or forgotten. A world where every creature will be united in our cause and for our cause, and were nothing and nobody will be left behind or forgotten." Hard Line finished.
First silence, then the audience started a thunderous applause, while the elected council members remained silent. None of them knew what to make of this. Posada turned towards Skystar who wasn´t sure if she should say anything, Both Hard Line and Posada looked through the room, while the applause was coming down. Again silence, then whispers.
"Is he for real?" "He is just trying to save his own skin." "What a joke." "I bet he will call for blood again, next week." "Typical delusional Seapony and look the Zeebs are supporting him." Crack said "So this is what you were doing during the last week?" whispered Skystar towards Posada.
Still standing on stage, Hard Line was getting a bit uncomfortable and some of the whispers filled him with hate. He poured his heart out, humiliated himself in front of them again and that is the thanks he got. At least some creatures in this hall knew he was right, but maybe it was time for a purge, Hard Line thought with ever increasing anger.
Posada seeing this, quickly tried to put a stop to it. Using her microphone she spoke: "I thank you for your inspiring words Comrade Hard Line. Is there any creature in this room who wants to add something to his speech." Some of the council members were raising their claws and beginning to whisper again, worrying her. But many in the audience were also raising their hooves or claws, including Starry.
"Seeing that many members of the council lack common decency, I would like to give the word to the members of the audience." Posada proposed. The Speaker of the council agreed with her and allowed the use of the microphone inside the audience section. However the microphone was first passed to some of the college kids, who also wanted to comment, leading to Starry having to wait for her turn to speak.
"Hello? Good day, my name is Zamni Chargesteel, yes named after the former king and my father´s job as a smith and a charger in the army. Im here today with a college class from Zumidia. When we first heard of the toppling of Queen Novo, we were happy to regain our independence under King Zamni. But after the proclaiming of the RNZ we were terrified that something similar to the Storm King´s invasion would happen again and after Zamni went into hiding, we were expecting the worst from our hippogriff overlords. Instead many government programs improved our lives and gave myself and many others the chance to be more than just farmers or smiths, which is why I decided to go to college. Yet it all still seemed like a gilded cage, Hippogriffia was still better off than Zumidia. Only after hearing the story of the general secretary, of her pain and of her compassion for every creature did my class decided to come to Aris to find out the truth. When we met the general secretary a couple of minutes ago, we hoped that we could be a part of this fair and equal future, the one Hard Line spoke of, but when we stepped into this hall and saw that the zebra party members were just here to visit, while the elected council members were almost all Hippogriffs, it all seemed like a lie. But after the speaker announced someone who was trying to amend his mistakes and then hearing Comrade Hard Line´s speech, I can truly say, I believe in the cause, in a future for everyone. I know many zebras who worked with the Stormking´s forces to survive and now think that they dont deserve to have a future. Comrade Hard Line made me believe that they do have a future and when I see them again, I will tell them that and hope that they will join our cause." The Zebra finished before handing it other to their classmates who continued with aspiring words.
And so it went on, till the microphone was given to Starry, who gave the microphone over to the next zebra, without saying a word. After each of the students finished, Hard Line gave them a nod of appreciation. The council was shunned into silence, the council members no longer wanted to comment or whisper about Hard Line.
When The microphone came back, Starry took it to add some final words: "Comrades, I hope none of you will forget Hard Lines bravery today. Admitting a mistake is never easy but using it to teach a lesson and inspire those around you, is something truly wonderful. If any of you are ever in a position like Hard Line, I hope you will remember his example or show compassion to those in similar situations."
"Alright... That was something which wont be forgotten so easily, but we still have work to do for today. Thank you Comrade Hard Line for these inspiring words, you may leave the stage." Said the Speaker of the council, which Hard Line promptly did. He went behind the stage, to the stage exit of the hall and unbeknown to all, left the council. He needed a break from all of this and left the palace.
"Now, if you remembered after all that, our first point on the agenda is natural preservation, Comrade Salina Blue please come up her." The Speaker finished and Salina climbed the stage.
"Thank you Comrade Speaker. Years ago, days before we liberated our homeland, I met Fluttershy in seaquestria, who is the bearer of the element of kindness, and a part of the elements of harmony. She taught me......"
Posada´s thoughts were droning out the noise. Hard Line made it. Skystar besides her started taking notes, but earlier when the college kids were speaking, she saw how her anger towards Hard Line had melted and how the words of the kids brought her to tears, their vision, Posada´s vision for the future truly hit her soft spot. However Hard Line´s insistence on "his sacred cause" sounded strange after a while, she knew he didn´t stop being a zealot, but he did improve somewhat and seemed to be willing to give creatures a second chance. Maybe one day he will be more open towards compromises between different ideologies with similar goals.
"isn´t this right Comrade general secretary?" Salina asked
Starry really helped her this week, hopefully they could continue to help Hard Line become a better person. Posada wanted to invite both of them to a bar to celebrate their successful maneuver. Maybe she could even.... , Posada´s thoughts ended abruptly.
"Comrade General secretary Posada are you all right?" Salina asked. Every Council member was looking at her
"Sure, I was just thinking about the protection of coral reefs" Posada lied.
"We were talking about Dolphins and I asked your opinion on them." Salina easily caught her lie.
"I admit, I was a bit too deep in thought, but coral reefs are a vital part of the ecosystem, providing housing to so many organisms and as a great revolutionary once said : "Admitting a mistake is never easy but using it to teach a lesson and inspire those around you, is something truly wonderful, If any of you ever are in a position like this, I hope you remember this example or show compassion to those in similar situations." Posada replied, quoting Starry from 15 minutes ago.
The new Aris-express raced down the mountain towards the south, following the train tracks towards Wingarden, it be would there in 2 hours at 11pm (23:00). Posada was sitting in one of the passenger wagons, reflecting on all that had happened today. After the council was over Posada, Starry and Skystar had a talk, explaining to Skystar what happend and how they were not just trying to make her feel better but how they were also trying to help Hard Line. Skystar was a bit upset that both of them somewhat forced Hard Line into this position, but then admitted that they did the right thing and manage to do it in a way which was impossible for anyone else to achieve. The three then said goodbye to each other and continued their work in the palace.
Posada wanted to talk to Hard Line, give him a debrief or simply talk to him about everything and the world. She couldn't find him, even her guards returned empty clawed. Starry apparently ran into him, as he was preparing to take a flight towards Zumidia, but he did not want to share any information about his plans. This worried Posada, she hoped he wouldn´t do anything stupid and was simply taking a vacation.
Arriving in Wingarden, Posada and her guards left the port city just as quickly. Taking a ship to the surface platforms of Seaquestria, her home. Posada was giddy at the thought of finally returning to her own home, even just thinking about swimming in the ocean made her excited, the ponds of Aris werent much to her liking and the inflatable pool or her big water tank were good enough to relax in, but too small to enjoy swimming in. However for now she had 2 hours of sleeping ahead of her. She fell into the bed just after she entered her private cabin on the ship, her body demanded that she would rest for now.
Arriving on the surface of Seaquestria at 1:30, the guards woke Posada up. The surface platforms were basically the cargo- and passenger port of Seaquestria, used for trade and tourism. They were located on top of one of the biggest and most stable coral reef and were basically fancy looking oil platforms. Sitting on the outskirts of Seaquestria to avoid sinking debris hitting the underwater city. The biggest platform had a lighthouse, that together with many Buoys, prevented a ship from accidentally driving over seaquestria, to futher prevent sinking debris or to protect any unlucky surfacing seapony from being run over.
Transforming using their shards of the pearl of transformation and then swimming down towards her home, Posada and her guards were soon welcomed by the local police force, which were carrying tridents. They were tasked with securing the home of the general secretary and herself if she came to visit like today. Entering her home, Posada´s guards collapsed onto her couch from exhaustion, they haven´t slept in 21 hours and their job was done for today, they could leave the security of their leader in the fins of the police. Posada smiled at her guards, before using her own bed to sleep the remaining night away.
14th May 1009 ALB
Awaking underwater always felt strange for the first time or after a long time on the surface, instead of sand or dirt, you had plankton in your eyes, there were no birds singing in the distance given that fish aren´t known to produce loud noises and sometimes some sleeper would float up to the ceiling or around the room during the sleep, causing quiet the shook when they woke up.
Posada didn´t mind any of that, she was born in it and lived through most of her life with it. After waking up and dressing herself, she looked at the nearby clock, 10:23am. A bit late but nothing too serious, she then gazed at the her calendar. It still showed February, was she away that long? No matter, she was finally home, even if just for two days before she had to continue towards the Mainland. Adjusting her calendar to the current day, the 14th of may, she realized something.
Today was her 29th Birthday.
All the commotion and stress made her somewhat ignore the date of each day. Starry and Skystar were probably gonna call her on the telephone to congratulate her. It now dawned on her why her work plan was scheduled to have a day of vacation and another day off official business in Seaquestria. Swimming out of her bedroom and into her living room, she saw that both of her guards were already awake and playing cards on her table. They had changed into their casual wear, away were the uniforms and bits of armor.
"Good morning Cyanterra, Good morning Azurmar." Posada greeted them and as she swam into the living room the lights turned off for a couple of seconds before coming back on again.
"Happy birthday Posada" Said an entire group of her most trusted friends, all of them wearing party hats. Her guards, Skystar, Starry Eyes and even Hard Line and Crack Lightning were here, both males being a good distance away from each other. Nonetheless Posada was more than surprised and just looked at the group with a big smile on her face, before being tackled and embraced by Skystar. And so the celebration started.
Starry presented the cake she baked, Hard Line the rum that he brought with him and explained that he and Starry were trying to sober Posada up for today´s big party, hence why he took her wine. Meanwhile Skystar made music and Crack was talking to the guards, trying to remain calm in his disliked Seapony form. Posada never understood his reasons, especially given that swimming was similar to flying minus the risk of hitting the ground too hard and he loved flying.
During the calmer moments Posada decided to chat with her comrades, asking how they felt about last week.
Skystar was conflicted. On one fin the secrecy of Posada, especially to help out someone that just tried to have her mother killed, seemed like a betrayal. On the other fin she was trying to help out a friend and get him back on the right path. Since everything worked out in the end, Skystar forgave Posada and started felling much more comfortable in the RWP, especially now that she didn´t have to fear for her mother´s or her own life.
Crack was a little bit out of the loop and simply advised Posada to be more strict with Hard Line next time, she was his boss after all. Posada however disagreed and strictly told him to stop his blatant hatred towards other creatures, saying that she was his boss after all, before both of them started laughing, just like they did so many times before the revolution, when both of them had just gotten into politics.
Starry was more than happy that everything worked out, promising to continue to try to calm Hard Line´s zeal down. When asked about giving him a peck on the cheek, she clarified that she was trying to break his nervousness and that it worked but that there was nothing deeper behind that.
Hard Line quietly thanked Posada and once again proclaimed his loyalty towards her, yet questioned Crack Lightning´s presence once again. After that they talked a lot about the future and soon enough found out that they both still disagreed heavily on the methods to achieve the world revolution.
Later during the day, the guests presented their gifts to Posada The guards both gave her a rare sea plant that could survive on the surface, to decorate her office and to always have a bit of home close to her. Crack gave her a signed copy of Altidiya Revoltsova biography "The Forging of the red Nation", the author being the former leader of Stalliongrad, who at the time was already on her deathbed. He flew to Stalliongrad just to get it. Skystar gifted her a fin-made shell and pearl bracelet. Starry presented her with a painting which showed the triumphant revolution, with Posada beneath the blue banner, it was made by a famous seapony artist, another object to breath life into her empty office.
Hard Line however left them all in the dust with his gift, a sword. Hard line presented the sword and held the sword hilt towards Posada, who stuck her fin into its hoof grip, that was beside the traditional grip, and pulled out the sword. It was made of steel from the social blast furnace of Aris, had an ornament of pearls, collected from the labor pearl farms of Seaquestria and, was forged and reinforced via alchemy by some of the finest zebra smiths in Zumidia, a combination of the three labor cultures of the nation. At the base of the hilt were two names engraved into each side, Hard Line and Posada, while the cross guard had a blue star ornament. Hard Line then swore to Posada: " As long as you hold this sword in the name of the revolution, I will always follow you."
Posada saw that her name and the blue star were made very recently, something Hard Line would later admit to being the reason for his flight to Zumidia the day before and that the sword was supposed to be his. Posada´s actions over the last week however led him to change his mind and make some quick adjustments for Posada´s new sword. Should she however retire or stop being a revolutionary, he would want the sword back.
The Party lasted till the early evening ending with everygriff making a group picture, one that would be framed and stand on Posada´s desk, a memory of the good times made to look at and remember in darker times, when darkness and hate seemed to rule the world.
It was night. Posada was floating at the surface of the ocean, stargazing as she had been doing since she was small, only being surrounded by her two guards. Her mind went towards the future, A united world, with creatures reaching towards the stars.
Suddenly a fog horn sounded in the distance and the search beam of the lighthouse hit Posada, causing her to start flailing around in the water. Her guards quickly rushed to her and tried calming her down. Posada remembered how she got captured by the Storm Kings forces, stargazing then being spotted and hunted, followed by a searchlight and a fog horn, which were mounted on one of their airships, before she got caught. She opened her eyes in shock, hyperventilating and being held in place by her two guards, before calming down.
After assuring her guards that she was fine, Posada looked towards the zebrican coast and once again thought of the future. The closed off nation of Chiropterra was already marching on Tobuck. Their slave raids and the disappearances close to their border painted a bad picture and from what the rare escaped slave or even rarer defector said, it was a pure nightmare. Torture, experimentation on the living, forced labor and even more unspeakable horrors. They were just as bad as the Storm King, maybe even worse, her scars from her torture were starting to itch again.
Posada made a silent promise to the slaves and the oppressed of Chiropterra, both the living and the deceased. They would have their justice, no matter what happend, she would make sure of it. Posada pressed Hard Line´s sword, still in its scabbard, against her body and looked towards the coast where this nightmare lived, with righteous furry.
