Daybreak:Volume 2 Chapter 9 - Revision history

Aorii at 17:12, 4 July 2021

2021-07-04T17:12:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:12, 4 July 2021
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	"Lindsay, please arrange and prepare the stone ring for Sylv's departure. I'd rather she not use her own magic -- she has a long day ahead of her."		"Lindsay, please arrange and prepare the stone ring for Sylv's departure. I'd rather she not use her own magic -- she has a long day ahead of her."

	"Yes, Your Majesty," replied Colonel Lindsay, commander the Highland Guard. Her dignified poise and bearing could easily pass for a Countess.		"Yes, Your Majesty," replied Colonel Lindsay, commander of the Highland Guard. Her dignified poise and bearing could easily pass for a Countess.

Aorii at 17:47, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T17:47:06Z

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Aorii at 12:19, 2 November 2015

2015-11-02T12:19:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:19, 2 November 2015
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	"<u>You just experienced your first real battle and your first... well, couple dozen kills. That reaction is natural and nothing to feel ashamed about,</u>" he reassured. "<u>Try to go back to sleep. Healing magic might close wounds quickly, but it still takes time for muscle tissues to properly recover.</u>"		"<u>You just experienced your first real battle and your first... well, couple dozen kills. That reaction is natural and nothing to feel ashamed about,</u>" he reassured. "<u>Try to go back to sleep. Healing magic might close wounds quickly, but it still takes time for muscle tissues to properly recover.</u>"

	Memories began to return as Pascal spoke. Kaede had been knocked out by a massive explosion, and woke up after the battle on Parzifal's ~~wild~~ tofu for the second time. She had only a few brief words with Pascal and others before Parzifal had sent her off to rest and sleep.		Memories began to return as Pascal spoke. Kaede had been knocked out by a massive explosion, and woke up after the battle on Parzifal's tamed tofu for the second time. She had only a few brief words with Pascal and others before Parzifal had sent her off to rest and sleep.

	Flipping the thick comforter off her, Kaede stretched her stockinged legs off the fleece bedsheet. Her left thigh still ached a little, but walking wouldn't be a problem.		Flipping the thick comforter off her, Kaede stretched her stockinged legs off the fleece bedsheet. Her left thigh still ached a little, but walking wouldn't be a problem.
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	Although it still didn't stop some of them from ogling her.		Although it still didn't stop some of them from ogling her.

	"I did not kill a ''hundred''," Kaede tried to ~~snarled~~ back, as soft as her voice was.		"I did not kill a ''hundred''," Kaede tried to snarl back, as soft as her voice was.

	"That's what Captain von Gottschall had been saying," Gerd answered with a wide open grin, completely misreading her expression. "And you are a hero, even if not everyone thinks that way."		"That's what Captain von Gottschall had been saying," Gerd answered with a wide open grin, completely misreading her expression. "And you are a hero, even if not everyone thinks that way."
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	''Besides, Cecylia did rate him in a similar manner.''		''Besides, Cecylia did rate him in a similar manner.''

	"I don't know," Reynald gave a half-hearted shrug of his own. "Gerd's attitude offended plenty of ladies at the academy before he stopped talking about it. Even Ariadne lost her patience once at how commoners only see women as ~~housewives~~... I bet none of them would feel comfortable sitting here."		"I don't know," Reynald gave a half-hearted shrug of his own. "Gerd's attitude offended plenty of ladies at the academy before he stopped talking about it. Even Ariadne lost her patience once at how commoners only see women as some household commodity... I bet none of them would feel comfortable sitting here."

	''Wait wait... Nobles!? As the more liberal, progressive, forward-thinking social class!?''		''Wait wait... Nobles!? As the more liberal, progressive, forward-thinking social class!?''
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	"Okay, please do explain. Why do the commoners have that cultural view while nobles often don't?"		"Okay, please do explain. Why do the commoners have that cultural view while nobles often don't?"

	"~~Because~~ even apart from how valuable casters are to the economy and military, mages live long enough to juggle both a career and family," a rough voice ~~answered~~ from behind ~~her~~. "The commoners' short lives ~~restricts them~~ quite a bit. Many of my own childhood friends are already married and with kids. So of course the wives, being better caretakers but less suited for ~~physical endurance~~, are expected to housekeep and raise them. For a yeoman like myself or the Lieutenant, it all depends on the community we grew up in."		"Well..." the redhead crossed his eyes as he grasped for an answer in unfamiliar ground. "For one, women of noble birth are subject to the Writ of Universal Conscription. So... when both sides are equally called upon for the most dangerous job of them all, it's pretty darn hard for men to uphold the belief that you girls are somehow weaker or need us for protection by being kept at home."

			''A social equality that began with the equal chance of being killed,'' she mused.

			Historical truths did agree that patriarchal societies also saw men as the 'expendable' gender. After all, assuming an abundance of food, one men and ten women could potentially reproduce as fast as ten and ten. So while cowardice was often seen as cute and attractive in girls, it grew to become the most intolerable sin for men, as they were the ones called upon to fight wars and oppose disasters.

			In traditional governments where state power rested with the military, this meant it was the men who would seek 'special privileges' for their sacrifices. Furthermore, significant losses of men which resulted in skewed gender ratios would even prompt society to give them preferential treatment.

			Kaede's motherland was actually a good example of this. Despite accepting women into its combat units, the Soviet Union lost nearly three males for every female in the Great Patriotic War. The postwar gender imbalance was so great that there were widespread calls for the legalization of polygamy. It was rejected, but the need to replenish the population nevertheless encouraged the men to sleep around, while their obligations as fathers were met by social programs of the state.

			Needless to say, this was disastrous for the gender equality cause. Countless Russian men grew pampered and irresponsible, expecting women to treat them like kings while chain smoking and binge drinking themselves to an early demise.

			"I'm guessing this attitude in shared responsibility between genders runs down to other aristocratic roles as well?" she asked next, to which Reynald nodded vigorously:

			"Oh definitely! Every noble man or woman who doesn't have a respectable occupation means wasted magical resources for the nation, whether that's in military power, industrial productivity, or administrative efficiency. It is the call of Noblesse Oblige that we must harness our magical gifts for the country -- or at least here in Weichsel! No self-respecting woman of noble birth would only stay home to raise kids! Only ''commoners'' do that!"

			"And even apart from how valuable casters are to the economy and military, mages live long enough and have the financial resources to juggle both a career and family," a rough voice emerged from behind. "The commoners' short lives and lower incomes restrict their options quite a bit. Many of my own childhood friends are already married and with kids. So of course the wives, being better caretakers but less suited for labor-heavy jobs, are expected to housekeep and raise them. For a yeoman like myself or the Lieutenant, it all depends on the community we grew up in."

	Kaede and Reynald both turned about on the wooden bench. They found themselves facing a tall, broad-shouldered young man in 'late twenties' with a full mustache and gray eyes.		Kaede and Reynald both turned about on the wooden bench. They found themselves facing a tall, broad-shouldered young man in 'late twenties' with a full mustache and gray eyes.
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	"I always heard that Nordkreuz had some of the best troopers," Reynald said admiringly. "They say that not a single man ran from the 3rd company, not to mention how bravely the 1st fought. You guys are good, and your attitude proves it all the more."		"I always heard that Nordkreuz had some of the best troopers," Reynald said admiringly. "They say that not a single man ran from the 3rd company, not to mention how bravely the 1st fought. You guys are good, and your attitude proves it all the more."

	"Colonel von Hammerstein is hell of a trainer, and the Captain is a good woman herself," Eckhart nodded as he shook Reynald's offered hand. "I just hope they don't disband us. Even including the Captain and those who will be retiring, only nineteen of us survived this battle."		"Colonel von Hammerstein is one hell of a trainer, and the Captain is a good woman herself," Eckhart nodded as he shook Reynald's offered hand. "I just hope they don't disband us. Even including the Captain and those who will be retiring, only nineteen of us survived this battle."

	''Retire,'' Kaede thought as she gulped down more liquor. ''What a nice way to say that she's too crippled to fight anymore.''		''Retire,'' Kaede thought as she gulped down more liquor. ''What a nice way to say that she's too crippled to fight anymore.''

Aorii: general edit

2015-03-03T22:01:14Z

general edit

Aorii at 18:18, 18 January 2015

2015-01-18T18:18:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:18, 18 January 2015
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	There were many who claimed that he was actually a woman pretending to be a man. He certainly spent plenty of his career crossdressing, one way or another.		There were many who claimed that he was actually a woman pretending to be a man. He certainly spent plenty of his career crossdressing, one way or another.

	"The preliminary ''Farspeak'' report from Captain von Gottschall also agrees with von Lichnowsky on the recommendation," ~~Alexis~~ explained with a soft, soothing voice fit for a bard.		"The preliminary ''Farspeak'' report from Captain von Gottschall also agrees with von Lichnowsky on the recommendation," Hannes explained with a soft, soothing voice fit for a bard.

	"And I'm guessing Pascal recommended his own familiar as well?" the King asked as he glanced through the second report.		"And I'm guessing Pascal recommended his own familiar as well?" the King asked as he glanced through the second report.
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	King Leopold's clear brown gaze then swept across both of them:		King Leopold's clear brown gaze then swept across both of them:

	"~~Alexis~~, Lisbeth, I want the two of you working together on this, and only your most trustworthy men. I want the investigation into Karl's death to point a finger at von Manteuffel," he spoke of the Marshal's assassination. "It doesn't have to be serious, perhaps he simply allowed a gap in the security arrangements. But I want it to look ''purposeful''."		"Hannes, Lisbeth, I want the two of you working together on this, and only your most trustworthy men. I want the investigation into Karl's death to point a finger at von Manteuffel," he spoke of the Marshal's assassination. "It doesn't have to be serious, perhaps he simply allowed a gap in the security arrangements. But I want it to look ''purposeful''."

	The Colonel smiled, or perhaps more of an eerie smirk:		The Colonel smiled, or perhaps more of an eerie smirk:
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	The King puzzled for a clueless moment before he realized why:		The King puzzled for a clueless moment before he realized why:

	"Right, if I only scold the Zimmer-Manteuffels by themselves, the General would get suspicious. Go ahead and alleviate Neithard's doubts, ~~Alexis~~. It's certainly a cheap way to buy some time."		"Right, if I only scold the Zimmer-Manteuffels by themselves, the General would get suspicious. Go ahead and alleviate Neithard's doubts, Hannes. It's certainly a cheap way to buy some time."

	After all, a direct punishment, even as light as a reprimand, usually marked an end to the incident. A superior who scolds and warns his subordinate typically sought improvement, instead of plotting the vassal's elimination.		After all, a direct punishment, even as light as a reprimand, usually marked an end to the incident. A superior who scolds and warns his subordinate typically sought improvement, instead of plotting the vassal's elimination.

Aorii at 11:36, 11 October 2014

2014-10-11T11:36:48Z

Aorii at 20:03, 24 September 2014

2014-09-24T20:03:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:03, 24 September 2014
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	The King puzzled for a clueless moment before he realized why:		The King puzzled for a clueless moment before he realized why:

	"Right, if I only scold the Zimmer-Manteuffels by themselves, ~~this~~ would ~~seem too~~ suspicious. Go ahead and alleviate Neithard's doubts, Alexis. It's certainly a cheap way to buy some time."		"Right, if I only scold the Zimmer-Manteuffels by themselves, the General would get suspicious. Go ahead and alleviate Neithard's doubts, Alexis. It's certainly a cheap way to buy some time."

			After all, a direct punishment, even as light as a reprimand, usually marked an end to the incident. A superior who scolds and warns his subordinate typically sought improvement, instead of plotting the vassal's elimination.

Aorii: Created page with "===Chapter 9 - Irrational Facade=== Fire. It was everywhere, scattered across the snowy landscape like pyres of the underworld, consuming men both alive and dead. ...Flames..."

2014-07-16T13:35:03Z

Created page with "===Chapter 9 - Irrational Facade=== Fire. It was everywhere, scattered across the snowy landscape like pyres of the underworld, consuming men both alive and dead. ...Flames..."

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← Older revision		Revision as of 22:01, 3 March 2015
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	"Of course L.T."		"Of course L.T."

	The men around ~~him~~ answered instantly, like pups obeying a recognized alpha wolf. It was the exact opposite of how the academy treated him.		The men around Gerd answered instantly, like pups obeying a recognized alpha wolf. It was the exact opposite of how the academy treated him.

	Although it still didn't stop some of them from ogling her.		Although it still didn't stop some of them from ogling her.
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	"Hey L.T.! I thought you only had eyes for one! Don't tell me you're bedding other wenches already!"		"Hey L.T.! I thought you only had eyes for one! Don't tell me you're bedding other wenches already!"

	The ~~comment was~~ good-natured enough, but Kaede still colored a little.		The comments that followed were good-natured enough, but Kaede still colored a little.

	She had forgotten how crude soldiers could be.		She had forgotten how crude soldiers could be.

	"She's my ''friend''! Next person I hear being disrespectful of the lady gets to play with me," Gerd declared to the whole table with a chuckle.		"She's my ''friend''! Next person I hear being disrespectful of the lady gets to play with my steel," Gerd declared to the whole table with a chuckle.

	"Well damn. No thanks L.T. After seeing you send three men flying with one swipe, I ain't touching that swordstaff of yours," spoke a nearby sergeant with a rather toothy smile. "Although I hope you won't mind me telling the little miss that she's cute as a button. Samaran I'm guessing?"		"Well damn. No thanks L.T. After seeing you send three men flying with one swipe, I ain't touching that swordstaff of yours," spoke a nearby sergeant with a rather toothy smile. "Although I hope you won't mind me telling the little miss that she's cute as a button. Samaran I'm guessing?"
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	''Not sure I'll ever forget that analogy.''		''Not sure I'll ever forget that analogy.''

	Kaede rather wished she ~~didn~~'t ~~hear~~ this exchange.		Kaede rather wished she hadn't heard this exchange.

	Then it grew worse as Cecylia began to explain:		Then it grew worse as Cecylia began to explain:

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:36, 11 October 2014
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	Memories began to return as Pascal spoke. Kaede had been knocked out by a massive explosion, and woke up after the battle on Parzifal's wild tofu for the second time. She had only a few brief words with Pascal and others before Parzifal had sent her off to rest and sleep.		Memories began to return as Pascal spoke. Kaede had been knocked out by a massive explosion, and woke up after the battle on Parzifal's wild tofu for the second time. She had only a few brief words with Pascal and others before Parzifal had sent her off to rest and sleep.

	Flipping the thick comforter off her, Kaede stretched her legs off the fleece bedsheet. Her left thigh still ached a little, but walking wouldn't be a problem.		Flipping the thick comforter off her, Kaede stretched her stockinged legs off the fleece bedsheet. Her left thigh still ached a little, but walking wouldn't be a problem.

	"<u>You were injured as well. Shouldn't you be back here asleep also?</u>"		"<u>You were injured as well. Shouldn't you be back here asleep also?</u>"
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	Kaede wondered if a normal girl would ask for some company and a long, warm embrace on moments like these. But while she couldn't claim to having a ton of masculinity even before coming to Hyperion, she had nevertheless been raised to be emotionally strong and independent.		Kaede wondered if a normal girl would ask for some company and a long, warm embrace on moments like these. But while she couldn't claim to having a ton of masculinity even before coming to Hyperion, she had nevertheless been raised to be emotionally strong and independent.

	''Always trying to appear steady and in control,'' she sighed as her small hands pulled on the black pseudo-uniform around her thin shoulders.		''Always trying to appear steady and in control,'' she sighed as her small hands, clad in long charmeuse gloves that radiated a gentle warmth, pulled on the black pseudo-uniform around her thin shoulders.

	It was on moments like these when Kaede questioned that if girls really did have an easier life. Culturally speaking, people judged the masculinity of men by their successes, while femininity appealed through a girl's weakness. Though an accomplished woman had her charms, society considered it not only acceptable but even attractive for females to show vulnerability. It was expected for girls confide their troubles among close friends and family. But males? The social expectation for any fall was to walk away with apparent pride.		It was on moments like these when Kaede questioned that if girls really did have an easier life. Culturally speaking, people judged the masculinity of men by their successes, while femininity appealed through a girl's weakness. Though an accomplished woman had her charms, society considered it not only acceptable but even attractive for females to show vulnerability. It was expected for girls confide their troubles among close friends and family. But males? The social expectation for any fall was to walk away with apparent pride.
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	Kaede then shook her head and forced a wry smile back to her lips:		Kaede then shook her head and forced a wry smile back to her lips:

	"Thanks... Don't worry about it. I'm sure I'll be okay soon enough."		"Thanks... Don't worry about it. I'm sure I'll be okay, soon enough."

	Neither of others looked convinced by the slightest margin.		Neither of others looked convinced by the slightest margin.
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	"Yes... I rather agree," the dhampir nodded. "But then, everything can seem disturbing until it's adopted by culture. I mean when you think about it from a different angle, even the most religiously approved act of fornication isn't all that different from spitting down each others' throats."		"Yes... I rather agree," the dhampir nodded. "But then, everything can seem disturbing until it's adopted by culture. I mean when you think about it from a different angle, even the most religiously approved act of fornication isn't all that different from spitting down each others' throats."

	"Ew. I guess that's why males are the more promiscuous gender?" Sylviane asked, her volume dropping to a whisper as she continued: "Since they're the ones doing the... uh, spitting."		"Ew. I guess that's why males are the more promiscuous gender?" Sylviane asked, her volume dropping to a shy whisper as she continued: "Since they're the ones doing the... uh, spitting."

	''Not sure I'll ever forget that analogy.''		''Not sure I'll ever forget that analogy.''