Daybreak:Volume 2 Chapter 2 - Revision history

Aorii at 13:31, 24 June 2023

2023-06-24T13:31:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:31, 24 June 2023
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	Kaede couldn't help but make a wry smile. Certainly, for a political realist, the ideological mud slinging that had replaced traditional diplomacy was toxic. Gone were the days of Habsburg Chancellor Metternich and American Secretary of State Kissinger, when statesmen conducted themselves with rational calculation behind professional courtesy. It was what allowed the Cold War to stay 'cold', while the United States and Soviet Union continued to work together on issues that benefited everyone, such as the non-militarization of space.		Kaede couldn't help but make a wry smile. Certainly, for a political realist, the ideological mud slinging that had replaced traditional diplomacy was toxic. Gone were the days of Habsburg Chancellor Metternich and American Secretary of State Kissinger, when statesmen conducted themselves with rational calculation behind professional courtesy. It was what allowed the Cold War to stay 'cold', while the United States and Soviet Union continued to work together on issues that benefited everyone, such as the non-militarization of space.

	Yet today, this rationalism has given away to the oversimplified rhetoric of "we're good, they're evil", even in the realm of statecraft. Now, even diplomats would tout propaganda slogans like "all non-democratic nations are evil dictatorships" at summits, just like how Church priests once told sermons of "all non-Christian peoples are evil pagans" to their parishioners ~~-- repeated enough times until it became engraved into their subconscious as conditioning~~.		Yet today, this rationalism has given away to the oversimplified rhetoric of "we're good, they're evil", even in the realm of statecraft. Now, even diplomats would tout propaganda slogans like "all non-democratic nations are evil dictatorships" at summits, just like how Church priests once told sermons of "all non-Christian peoples are evil pagans" to their parishioners.

	''The real problem with humanity is that we have paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and god-like technology.'' Kaede sighed as he thought of the famous quote.		''The real problem with humanity is that we have paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and god-like technology.'' Kaede sighed as he thought of the famous quote.

	Nevertheless, Kaede simply didn't have the time for a debate over ~~political~~ philosophy before school to open this broader topic.		Nevertheless, Kaede simply didn't have the time for a debate over philosophy before school to open this broader topic.

	"I doubt 'diplomatic' is in their current president's vocabulary." He opted for a casual shrug in an attempt to downplay the events, which prompted a snort from his father instead.		"I doubt 'diplomatic' is in their current president's vocabulary." He opted for a casual shrug in an attempt to downplay the events, which prompted a snort from his father instead.

Aorii at 19:55, 11 March 2023

2023-03-11T19:55:23Z

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Aorii at 18:15, 4 September 2022

2022-09-04T18:15:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:15, 4 September 2022
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	The father turned to look upon his son with a gruff but proud smile.		The father turned to look upon his son with a gruff but proud smile.

	"Yes. But in decline or not, America is still the dominant power of the world, and will likely remain so for another quarter century. They should at least pretend to be diplomatic, and not like gleeful bandits overjoyed by the arsonist's crimes," Konstantin explained as he stirred the hot bowl of Shchi cabbage soup that he preferred in the morning. "Still, the virus has made its landfall in America. We'll soon see if they retain the right to call themselves 'world leader', or if their politicians only know how to bullshit."		"Yes. But in decline or not, America is still the dominant power of the world, and will likely remain so for another quarter century. They should at least ''pretend'' to be diplomatic, and not like gleeful bandits overjoyed by the arsonist's crimes," Konstantin explained as he stirred the hot bowl of Shchi cabbage soup that he preferred in the morning. "Still, the virus has made its landfall in America. We'll soon see if they retain the right to call themselves 'world leader', or if their politicians only know how to bullshit."

	"I doubt 'diplomatic' is in their current president's vocabulary." Kaede gave an amused shrug, which prompted a snort from his father.		"I doubt 'diplomatic' is in their current president's vocabulary." Kaede gave an amused shrug, which prompted a snort from his father.

	"You're not wrong about that!" His father loudly agreed with a twisted smirk. "Whatever else you can say about Trump, he's at least frank about the Americans' daydreams. They've always sought to strut the globe and enrich themselves at the world's expense, only to turn around and claim it's 'freedom'. Maybe the Clintons should pay a visit to the markets of bombed-out ~~Libya~~ and tell the enslaved African migrants how ''free'' they ought to be feeling!"		"You're not wrong about that!" His father loudly agreed with a twisted smirk. "Whatever else you can say about Trump, he's at least frank about the Americans' daydreams. They've always sought to strut the globe and enrich themselves at the world's expense, only to turn around and claim it's 'freedom'. Maybe the Clintons should pay a visit to the markets of Libya which they bombed out and tell the enslaved African migrants there how ''free'' they ought to be feeling!"

	A scowl stretched across Konstantin's lips as he leaned in to drink a spoonful of soup. There was nothing that riled him up as quickly as the topic of American Imperialism.		A scowl stretched across Konstantin's lips as he leaned in to drink a spoonful of soup. There was nothing that riled him up as quickly as the topic of American Imperialism.

	~~Therefore~~ Kaede decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:		''Though to be fair, it wasn't 'always' the case.'' Kaede thought.

			There was a time when America actually practiced the values it espoused, back when Roosevelt's 'Good Neighbor Policy' and Marshall's 'European Recovery Program' truly turned America into a beacon for the world. However since then, America has slowly evolved an ego-centric superpower that constantly violated the international laws it claimed to enforce.

			Clearly, the saying that 'power corrupts' also applied to nation-states.

			Nevertheless, Kaede wasn't about to start a debate over state philosophy over breakfast. So she decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:

	"So, have you liberated your rear of its 'Freedom Gas' today?" He referred to recent news of Americans naming their natural gas 'Molecules of Freedom' and trying to force Europe to buy them.		"So, have you liberated your rear of its 'Freedom Gas' today?" He referred to recent news of Americans naming their natural gas 'Molecules of Freedom' and trying to force Europe to buy them.

Aorii at 23:12, 12 April 2022

2022-04-12T23:12:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:12, 12 April 2022
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	"Meanwhile what do the Americans do?" Konstantin continued. "They politicize every technical mistake the Chinese make, even going as far as making the World Health Organization their whipping post! Anyone with half a brain should know that 'discovery' is a process of trial-and-error. It would be more surprising if the Chinese did ''not'' make major blunders when they're the first to encounter the virus."		"Meanwhile what do the Americans do?" Konstantin continued. "They politicize every technical mistake the Chinese make, even going as far as making the World Health Organization their whipping post! Anyone with half a brain should know that 'discovery' is a process of trial-and-error. It would be more surprising if the Chinese did ''not'' make major blunders when they're the first to encounter the virus."

	"Is it any surprise though?" Kaede thought aloud. "''Thucycides' Trap'' -- a declining hegemon is always fearful of a rising power. Isn't that what you've taught me?"		"Is it any surprise though?" Kaede thought aloud. "''Thucycides' Trap'' -- a declining hegemon is always fearful of a rising power. Isn't that what you've taught me?" She referred to the term popularized by the American applied historian Graham Allison.

	The father turned to look upon his son with a gruff but proud smile.		The father turned to look upon his son with a gruff but proud smile.
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	It was actually something he was proud of. It showed that he could often grasp and even represent another culture's viewpoint.		It was actually something he was proud of. It showed that he could often grasp and even represent another culture's viewpoint.

	"''The US doesn't need allies, only vassals'' -- Putin could not have said truer words," Konstantin declared with an annoyed sigh. "I admit that their media is right about one thing: Putin is an ambitious tyrant surrounded by kleptocrats, and we all know it. But ~~he's also~~ the ~~most competent leader Russia has seen since Catherine~~ the ~~Great. Only an imbecile can think that just because he's gone, someone better would take his place~~."		"''The US doesn't need allies, only vassals'' -- Putin could not have said truer words," Konstantin declared with an annoyed sigh. "I admit that their media is right about one thing: Putin is an ambitious tyrant surrounded by kleptocrats, and we all know it. But apart from him, whom else do we have? All the others are either incompetent or asskissers of the West."

	Kaede gave a noncommittal shrug ~~again~~. Once again, he wasn't sure if he'd agree with his father. Though it was certainly true that Russia hadn't seen many great rulers in the past ~~two centuries~~. Stalin was competent and knew how to get things done, however he also practiced murder on an industrial scale. Putin's policies may have grown more controversial, but he would always be remembered by older Russians for pulling the Motherland out of its post-Cold-War economic collapse. Families tended to remember the day when paychecks started flowing and food could be put on the table again.		Kaede gave a noncommittal shrug. Once again, he wasn't sure if he'd agree with his father. Though it was certainly true that Russia hadn't seen many great rulers in the past century. Stalin was competent and knew how to get things done, however he also practiced murder on an industrial scale. Putin's policies may have grown more controversial, but he would always be remembered by older Russians for pulling the Motherland out of its post-Cold-War economic collapse. Families tended to remember the day when paychecks started flowing and food could be put on the table again.

	Regardless, the young man settled on a realist answer instead: "probably why the Americans hate him so much -- the tragedy of Great Power politics."		Regardless, the young man settled on a realist answer instead: "probably why the Americans hate him so much -- the tragedy of Great Power politics."

	''If only this rivalry didn't manifest into an intense Russophobia that caricatures all Russians.'' Kaede hid his faint scowl.		''If only this rivalry didn't manifest into an intense media Russophobia that caricatures all Russians.'' Kaede hid his faint scowl.

	Meanwhile, Konstantin nodded with a smirk. His gaze was full of pride for the son who had learned so much from him.		Meanwhile, Konstantin nodded with a smirk. His gaze was full of pride for the son who had learned so much from him.

	"Of course, they'd much rather a piss drunkard like Yeltsin stay in charge, pawning off the Motherland's assets to the highest bidder and pocketing the change. Gorbachev sold us out and we learned the hard way that Russia can never coexist with NATO! We made it absolutely clear to them back in 2008 that NATO expansion into Ukraine and Georgia were red lines, yet they still treat us like idiots!"		"Of course, they'd much rather a piss drunkard like Yeltsin stay in charge, pawning off the Motherland's assets to the highest American bidder and pocketing the change! Gorbachev sold us out and we learned the hard way that Russia can never coexist with NATO! We made it absolutely clear to them back in Bucharest 2008 that NATO expansion into Ukraine and Georgia were red lines, yet they still treat us like idiots!"

	His father was still not done when his mother came to interject with gentle smile:		His father was still not done when his mother came to interject with gentle smile:

Aorii at 19:02, 27 February 2022

2022-02-27T19:02:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:02, 27 February 2022
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	"Indeed, and now the Americans are starting to bend over backwards: anything Japan wants so long as it aligns with their anti-China policy," Konstantin snorted. "Just look at what the bastards are doing. China is mobilizing its entire country to tackle this new virus. Even a centuries-old rival like Japan knows how to be a good neighbor."		"Indeed, and now the Americans are starting to bend over backwards: anything Japan wants so long as it aligns with their anti-China policy," Konstantin snorted. "Just look at what the bastards are doing. China is mobilizing its entire country to tackle this new virus. Even a centuries-old rival like Japan knows how to be a good neighbor."

	Kaede nodded in agreement. He never thought he'd see the day when a renowned Japanese troupe would sing the Chinese National Anthem --an ''anti-Japanese'' song written during the World War-- as a sign of solidarity for Wuhan. When he first showed the video to his Chinese friend, the latter almost shed tears.		Kaede nodded in agreement. He never thought he'd see the day when a renowned Japanese troupe would sing the Chinese National Anthem -- an ''anti-Japanese'' song written during the World War -- as a sign of solidarity for Wuhan. When he first showed the video to his Chinese friend, the latter almost shed tears.

	"Meanwhile what do the Americans do?" Konstantin continued. "They politicize every technical mistake the Chinese make, even going as far as making the World Health Organization their whipping post! Anyone with half a brain should know that 'discovery' is a process of trial-and-error. It would be more surprising if the Chinese did ''not'' make major blunders when they're the first to encounter the virus."		"Meanwhile what do the Americans do?" Konstantin continued. "They politicize every technical mistake the Chinese make, even going as far as making the World Health Organization their whipping post! Anyone with half a brain should know that 'discovery' is a process of trial-and-error. It would be more surprising if the Chinese did ''not'' make major blunders when they're the first to encounter the virus."
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	"''The US doesn't need allies, only vassals'' -- Putin could not have said truer words," Konstantin declared with an annoyed sigh. "I admit that their media is right about one thing: Putin is an ambitious tyrant surrounded by kleptocrats, and we all know it. But he's also the most competent leader Russia has seen since Catherine the Great. Only an imbecile can think that just because he's gone, someone better would take his place."		"''The US doesn't need allies, only vassals'' -- Putin could not have said truer words," Konstantin declared with an annoyed sigh. "I admit that their media is right about one thing: Putin is an ambitious tyrant surrounded by kleptocrats, and we all know it. But he's also the most competent leader Russia has seen since Catherine the Great. Only an imbecile can think that just because he's gone, someone better would take his place."

	Kaede ~~shrugged~~ again. ~~"Probably why~~ the ~~Americans hate him so much:~~ the ~~tragedy~~ of ~~Great Power politics~~."		Kaede gave a noncommittal shrug again. Once again, he wasn't sure if he'd agree with his father. Though it was certainly true that Russia hadn't seen many great rulers in the past two centuries. Stalin was competent and knew how to get things done, however he also practiced murder on an industrial scale. Putin's policies may have grown more controversial, but he would always be remembered by older Russians for pulling the Motherland out of its post-Cold-War economic collapse. Families tended to remember the day when paychecks started flowing and food could be put on the table again.

	~~Konstantin nodded with~~ a ~~smirk. His gaze was full of pride for~~ the ~~son who had learned~~ so much ~~from him~~.		Regardless, the young man settled on a realist answer instead: "probably why the Americans hate him so much -- the tragedy of Great Power politics."

	"Of course, they'd much rather a piss drunkard like Yeltsin stay in charge, pawning off the Motherland's assets to the highest bidder and pocketing the change! Gorbachev sold us out and we learned the hard way that Russia can never coexist with NATO~~, because~~ to ~~hell if Russia is going to be some satellite of the EU or US~~, ~~good for only the extraction of our natural resources~~!"		''If only this rivalry didn't manifest into an intense Russophobia that caricatures all Russians.'' Kaede hid his faint scowl.

			Meanwhile, Konstantin nodded with a smirk. His gaze was full of pride for the son who had learned so much from him.

			"Of course, they'd much rather a piss drunkard like Yeltsin stay in charge, pawning off the Motherland's assets to the highest bidder and pocketing the change. Gorbachev sold us out and we learned the hard way that Russia can never coexist with NATO! We made it absolutely clear to them back in 2008 that NATO expansion into Ukraine and Georgia were red lines, yet they still treat us like idiots!"

	His father was still not done when his mother came to interject with gentle smile:		His father was still not done when his mother came to interject with gentle smile:
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	"Have a good day at school!" the elegant Mrs. Ho waved from the door as the two young men departed.		"Have a good day at school!" the elegant Mrs. Ho waved from the door as the two young men departed.

	Daichi was a high school boy with a classic athletic build. Round-headed with rather large eyes for an Asian, he paced at an above-average height --especially among Japanese males-- with a lean and confident stride. He might not be the best looking in their grade, but he was up there in popularity, and being the Kendo team captain certainly didn't hurt.		Daichi was a high school boy with a classic athletic build. Round-headed with rather large eyes for an Asian, he paced at an above-average height -- especially among Japanese males -- with a lean and confident stride. He might not be the best looking in their grade, but he was up there in popularity, and being the Kendo team captain certainly didn't hurt.

	"Wish Sayuri was the one picking me up every mooooooorning," he expressed through a great yawn before looking at Kaede with drooping eyes still half-asleep.		"Wish Sayuri was the one picking me up every mooooooorning," he expressed through a great yawn before looking at Kaede with drooping eyes still half-asleep.
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	"You mean you're going to stay up late playing video games again," Kaede returned another knowing look.		"You mean you're going to stay up late playing video games again," Kaede returned another knowing look.

	"Hey what can I say, the world isn't going to conquer itself," Daichi shrugged as the bus pulled in and the doors opened. Then, with a final pat on his friend's shoulders. "Get 'em at the tournament, Tiger. Show 'em what we ~~halves~~ are made of."		"Hey what can I say, the world isn't going to conquer itself," Daichi shrugged as the bus pulled in and the doors opened. Then, with a final pat on his friend's shoulders. "Get 'em at the tournament, Tiger. Show 'em what we ''Hafu'' are made of."

	"Will do!" Kaede grinned back with appreciation.		"Will do!" Kaede grinned back with appreciation.
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	''Have I really become a girl?'' She thought.		''Have I really become a girl?'' She thought.

	Her behavior last night --not just comforting Pascal on the roof but even letting him hold her while she slept-- was simply not usual for any male in a non-romantic relationship. Men, especially ''Russian'' men, tended to keep a certain distance when sharing their worst troubles and deepest emotions.		Her behavior last night -- not just comforting Pascal on the roof but even letting him hold her while she slept -- was simply not usual for any male in a non-romantic relationship. Men, especially ''Russian'' men, tended to keep a certain distance when sharing their worst troubles and deepest emotions.

	Kaede remembered how her mother often complained of her father pushing people away whenever he was in a poor mood. It had taken her years to wean him off alcohol as an emotional management tool, but he still had trouble connecting with others whenever he was depressed or angry or frustrated... which was often, thanks to his political views.		Kaede remembered how her mother often complained of her father pushing people away whenever he was in a poor mood. It had taken her years to wean him off alcohol as an emotional management tool, but he still had trouble connecting with others whenever he was depressed or angry or frustrated... which was often, thanks to his political views.

Aorii at 18:44, 1 July 2021

2021-07-01T18:44:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:44, 1 July 2021
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	It was actually something he was proud of. It showed that he could often grasp and even represent another culture's viewpoint.		It was actually something he was proud of. It showed that he could often grasp and even represent another culture's viewpoint.

	"''The US doesn't need allies, only vassals'' -- Putin could not have said truer words," Konstantin declared with an annoyed sigh. "I admit that their media is right about one thing: Putin is an ambitious tyrant, and we all know it. But he's also the most competent leader Russia has seen since Catherine the Great. Only an imbecile can think that just because he's gone, someone better would take his place."		"''The US doesn't need allies, only vassals'' -- Putin could not have said truer words," Konstantin declared with an annoyed sigh. "I admit that their media is right about one thing: Putin is an ambitious tyrant surrounded by kleptocrats, and we all know it. But he's also the most competent leader Russia has seen since Catherine the Great. Only an imbecile can think that just because he's gone, someone better would take his place."

	Kaede shrugged again. "Probably why the Americans hate him so much: the tragedy of Great Power politics."		Kaede shrugged again. "Probably why the Americans hate him so much: the tragedy of Great Power politics."
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	Her uniform-like white jacket came last. She straightened its black lines and pink ribbons before buckling the narrow belt around her thin waist.		Her uniform-like white jacket came last. She straightened its black lines and pink ribbons before buckling the narrow belt around her thin waist.

	The entire experience had a certain... out-of-body quality to it. It felt like her body was going through the motions without any conscious thought to it. Her mind ~~had been~~ stuck in a turmoil of emotions. Her recollection of last night intermixed with that of her 'dream', memories of the day before she had been summoned.		The entire experience had a certain... out-of-body quality to it. It wasn't new, as every time Kaede looked upon the mirror since coming to this world, she always had this weird feeling that she was in the wrong body, that it wasn't hers. Yet now, as she finally began to accept her life here for what it was, it felt like her new body was going through the motions without any conscious thought to it.

			Her mind was stuck in a turmoil of emotions. Her recollection of last night intermixed with that of her 'dream', memories of the day before she had been summoned.

	''Have I really become a girl?'' She thought.		''Have I really become a girl?'' She thought.

Aorii at 17:35, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T17:35:13Z

Aorii at 15:05, 19 December 2020

2020-12-19T15:05:33Z

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Aorii: REDUX PROJECT START, FULL RESET OF CONTENTS

2020-12-19T15:04:46Z

REDUX PROJECT START, FULL RESET OF CONTENTS

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Aorii at 15:04, 19 December 2020

2020-12-19T15:04:25Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 17:35, 10 April 2021
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	His mother offered a bright smile before turning back to the kitchen counter. Her long ponytail swayed behind her as she chopped vegetables to prepare lunch at a quick beat.		His mother offered a bright smile before turning back to the kitchen counter. Her long ponytail swayed behind her as she chopped vegetables to prepare lunch at a quick beat.

	Honoka was petite and slight of build, with a height even shorter than ~~even~~ the average Japanese woman. Although technically she was of Ainu ethnicity, a fact that the more pretentious and xenophobic local residents never allowed her to forget, even up here in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido.		Honoka was petite and slight of build, with a height even shorter than the average Japanese woman. Although technically she was of Ainu ethnicity, a fact that the more pretentious and xenophobic local residents never allowed her to forget, even up here in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido.

	"No practice this morning, Ma," Kaede explained in Russian as he stepped up to the two pieces of honey-covered french toast his mother set on the kitchen bar.		"No practice this morning, Ma," Kaede explained in Russian as he stepped up to the two pieces of honey-covered french toast his mother set on the kitchen bar.
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	"Oh please! Who taught you all that--" his father spun around the chair as he began to retort, only to halt as the mother cleared her throat aloud. "--Well, at least half that culture?"		"Oh please! Who taught you all that--" his father spun around the chair as he began to retort, only to halt as the mother cleared her throat aloud. "--Well, at least half that culture?"

	Kaede shrugged back, still grinning as stuffed cheeks grounded down the sweet breakfast with haste.		Kaede shrugged back, still grinning as his stuffed cheeks grounded down the sweet breakfast with haste.

	Konstantin was a Russian of mostly Komi ethnicity. He had bright, slate-gray eyes, sharp eyebrows, and a straight nose, all well-centered upon a somewhat rectangular face. The thin, brown hair above his surprisingly-smooth forehead was graying steadily, which gave a respectable professor look alongside the large spectacles that adorned his image.		Konstantin was a Russian of mostly Komi ethnicity. He had bright, slate-gray eyes, sharp eyebrows, and a straight nose, all well-centered upon a somewhat rectangular face. The thin, brown hair above his surprisingly-smooth forehead was graying steadily, which gave a respectable professor look alongside the large spectacles that adorned his image.
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	Kaede shrugged again. "Probably why the Americans hate him so much: the tragedy of Great Power politics."		Kaede shrugged again. "Probably why the Americans hate him so much: the tragedy of Great Power politics."

	Konstantin nodded with a smirk~~, his~~ gaze full of pride for the son who had learned so much from him.		Konstantin nodded with a smirk. His gaze was full of pride for the son who had learned so much from him.

	"Of course, they'd much rather a piss drunkard like Yeltsin stay in charge, pawning off the Motherland's assets to the highest bidder and pocketing the change! Gorbachev sold us out and we learned the hard way that Russia can never coexist with NATO, because to hell if Russia is going to be some satellite of the EU or US, good for only the extraction of our natural resources!"		"Of course, they'd much rather a piss drunkard like Yeltsin stay in charge, pawning off the Motherland's assets to the highest bidder and pocketing the change! Gorbachev sold us out and we learned the hard way that Russia can never coexist with NATO, because to hell if Russia is going to be some satellite of the EU or US, good for only the extraction of our natural resources!"
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	"Thank you so much for coming here every day, Kaede."		"Thank you so much for coming here every day, Kaede."

	Kaede rushed to reply with an even lower bow.		"No not at all, Aunty." Kaede rushed to reply with an even lower bow. It always made him uncomfortable when people a generation above him showed that much courtesy.

	~~"No not at all, Aunty."~~

	It always made him uncomfortable when people a generation above him showed that much courtesy.

	"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Daichi finally rushed into view, pulled on his shoes, and swirled right around his mother to dart out the door. "See ya later Ma!"		"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Daichi finally rushed into view, pulled on his shoes, and swirled right around his mother to dart out the door. "See ya later Ma!"
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	The half-Russian had burst into uncontrolled laughter in that very moment, unable to suppress it even after receiving several annoyed stares.		The half-Russian had burst into uncontrolled laughter in that very moment, unable to suppress it even after receiving several annoyed stares.

	The two of them became best friends almost immediately. It certainly helped that they both showed an interest in archaic martial arts -- swords for Daichi and bows for Kaede~~; not to mention that~~ Daichi was half-Chinese and therefore half-fascinated in history and politics by blood.		The two of them became best friends almost immediately. It certainly helped that they both showed an interest in archaic martial arts: swords for Daichi and bows for Kaede. Furthermore, Daichi was half-Chinese and therefore half-fascinated in history and politics by blood.

	"How come you know where Sayuri lives anyway?" Daichi returned to the topic once more.		"How come you know where Sayuri lives anyway?" Daichi returned to the topic once more.
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	"I'll never let Sayuri see me and only think 'oh hey, it's Daichi'. I want her heart to skip a beat every time she rounds the corner and sees me!"		"I'll never let Sayuri see me and only think 'oh hey, it's Daichi'. I want her heart to skip a beat every time she rounds the corner and sees me!"

	"She's not about to round that corner ahead, you know that right?"		"She's not about to round that corner ahead, you know that right?" Kaede joked it off to pull Daichi out of his silly posture before defending his own lifestyle:

	Kaede joked it off to pull Daichi out of his silly posture before defending his own lifestyle:

	"Besides, what's wrong with being friends with girls? I want a love that grows out of friendship. Because in years from now, when that youthful spark of passion gradually wanes, it's companionship and trust that keeps couples together and happy."		"Besides, what's wrong with being friends with girls? I want a love that grows out of friendship. Because in years from now, when that youthful spark of passion gradually wanes, it's companionship and trust that keeps couples together and happy."
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	''Ashibumi'', ''Dozukuri'', ''Torikake'', ''Tenouchi'', and now -- as Kaede turned his eyes to face the target once more -- ''Monomi''.		''Ashibumi'', ''Dozukuri'', ''Torikake'', ''Tenouchi'', and now -- as Kaede turned his eyes to face the target once more -- ''Monomi''.

	A cold, Spring breeze swept through the archery range where he stood. However Kaede hardly even felt the chill as his mind zoned out everything else in the world. He raised the greatbow above his head, paused, then pulled it back down~~, drawing~~ away the string while pushing his bow forward at the same time.		A cold, Spring breeze swept through the archery range where he stood. However Kaede hardly even felt the chill as his mind zoned out everything else in the world. He raised the greatbow above his head, paused, then pulled it back down. His hands drew away the string while pushing his bow forward at the same time.

	His posture reached ''Kai'' -- the full draw. His mind melded into the arrowhead to form one entity. His eyes saw nothing but the target itself. His thumb and fingers then released the string, hurling the arrow out through the open air.		His posture reached ''Kai'' -- the full draw. His mind melded into the arrowhead to form one entity. His eyes saw nothing but the target itself. His thumb and fingers then released the string, hurling the arrow out through the open air.
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	Her uniform-like white jacket came last. She straightened its black lines and pink ribbons before buckling the narrow belt around her thin waist.		Her uniform-like white jacket came last. She straightened its black lines and pink ribbons before buckling the narrow belt around her thin waist.

	The entire experience had a certain... out-of-body quality to it. It felt like her body was going through the motions without any conscious thought to it. Her mind had been stuck in a turmoil of emotions~~, her~~ recollection of last night intermixed with that of her 'dream' -- memories of the day before she had been summoned.		The entire experience had a certain... out-of-body quality to it. It felt like her body was going through the motions without any conscious thought to it. Her mind had been stuck in a turmoil of emotions. Her recollection of last night intermixed with that of her 'dream', memories of the day before she had been summoned.

	''Have I really become a girl?'' She thought.		''Have I really become a girl?'' She thought.
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	Kaede had read that Wayfarers were mages who specialized in teleportation magic. They could transport up to a dozen people and take them to a beacon as far as a hundred kilopaces away. This meant that a network of Wayfarers who stationed themselves in various towns and cities effectively functioned as Hyperion's 'shuttle service'. They often kept to a schedule but also allowed people to reserve appointments, which allowed travellers to plan their trips in advance.		Kaede had read that Wayfarers were mages who specialized in teleportation magic. They could transport up to a dozen people and take them to a beacon as far as a hundred kilopaces away. This meant that a network of Wayfarers who stationed themselves in various towns and cities effectively functioned as Hyperion's 'shuttle service'. They often kept to a schedule but also allowed people to reserve appointments, which allowed travellers to plan their trips in advance.

	Prominent figures -- such as rich patricians, upper nobility, and certainly most royalty -- also hired their own, personal Wayfarers. It was easily one of the most highly demanded services in this world. Many mages, particularly those of yeomen birth, became Wayfarers for its guaranteed employment opportunities.		Prominent figures, such as rich patricians, upper nobility, and certainly most royalty, also hired their own, personal Wayfarers. It was easily one of the most highly demanded services in this world. Many mages, particularly those of yeomen birth, became Wayfarers for its guaranteed employment opportunities.

	''Though I doubt that's Reynaud's reason,'' Kaede thought.		''Though I doubt that's Reynaud's reason,'' Kaede thought.
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	She didn't even have to ask before Pascal volunteered that information:		She didn't even have to ask before Pascal volunteered that information:

	"Sylviane, thanks to ~~his~~ upbringing, is overly serious and pressured by her role as the Crown Princess. Be courteous, look cute, and stay on your best behavior. I am certain she will warm up to you given time, but best you tread carefully at the start."		"Sylviane, thanks to her upbringing, is overly serious and pressured by her role as the Crown Princess. Be courteous, look cute, and stay on your best behavior. I am certain she will warm up to you given time, but best you tread carefully at the start."

	His advice didn't make her feel any better, nor the hints of worry in his own voice. Kaede simply couldn't shake the feeling that she was like a mistress about to be introduced to the official wife. It made her wonder...		His advice didn't make her feel any better, nor the hints of worry in his own voice. Kaede simply couldn't shake the feeling that she was like a mistress about to be introduced to the official wife. It made her wonder...
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	''Wouldn't 'look cute' just aggravate her?''		''Wouldn't 'look cute' just aggravate her?''

	With one finger under her chin, Pascal brought her eyes back to his ~~focused,~~ turquoise gaze. He waved his hand and its glowing ring over her face. The usual ''Refreshen'' spell soon brightened her appearance.		With one finger under her chin, Pascal brought her eyes back to his turquoise gaze. He waved his hand and its glowing ring over her face. The usual ''Refreshen'' spell soon brightened her appearance.

	His usual demeanor finally made Kaede realize that she was being awkward by herself.		His usual demeanor finally made Kaede realize that she was being awkward by herself.

	Sure, his expressions were different. His attitude was unusual. But that was expected for any normal person who just lost their parents. The key point however, was that he treated her the exact same way as before.		Sure, his expressions were different. His attitude was unusual. But that was expected for any normal person who just lost their parents. The key point however, was that he treated her the exact same way as before. Meanwhile she was trying to keep more distance, reneging upon the very words she said to him on the rooftop last night. If she kept this up, she would unintentionally harm him during a time he needed support the most.

	Meanwhile she was trying to keep more distance, reneging upon the very words she said to him on the rooftop last night. If she kept this up, she would unintentionally harm him during a time he needed support the most.

	"Well... would you prefer I address you as Milord, Sir, or ''Master'' then while we're in public?" She forced out her words, half-jokingly as she sought familiar ground in the atmosphere between the two of them.		"Well... would you prefer I address you as Milord, Sir, or ''Master'' then while we're in public?" She forced out her words, half-jokingly as she sought familiar ground in the atmosphere between the two of them.