Peaceful. Not quite 'safe' – never
safe – but peaceful enough. That was the state of play so far as Articuno was concerned.
In one corner of the room, their phonograph played a tinny recording of traditional Taleska music, the shellac record slowly revolving like the world on its axis. The planet turned. Life went on. Economic activity continued without so much as an interruption. For all that Forlas had come terribly close to utter ruin, the hydra had not even disturbed the lives of millions, let alone billions of 'mon. Yet, had the plan failed...
The thought itself was corrosive. A lesser mind would cast it out, or repress it – deep, deep down.
For their own part, Articuno found solace in habit. They watered their plants in sequence and with careful measure. They took tea, and said the same prayers they had said in Akkairos of old. They ate barley sourdough with poached egg and smoked fish. This was consistent, familiar, and therefore comforting.
As usual, Julius knocked politely at their door for his evening report, and Articuno willed the door to open for the Lopunny. He entered, bowed lightly, and gestured to a light sheaf of papers under one arm.
"Good evening, sir," he said, primly.
"Good evening, Julius. Do we have time for a game tonight?"
The rabbit's eyes moved to consider the Tsainanese Chess set to one side of Articuno's office, then back.
"Perhaps, sir. The report?"
"Please."
"Very well. I have completed the paperwork to admit the Wayfarers and appoint them to appropriate departments, with a particular focus on—"
He paused mid-sentence as if he'd forgotten the name of the department. Articuno shifted, sensing something else...
Julius' eyes drifted up, his eyelids flickered, and the way he held himself
shifted subtly. His usual stiff-backed rigidity gave way to a more relaxed posture, more confident. He looked up at Articuno and smiled broadly, as if recognising them for the first time.
"Articuno!" he said, with a sort of grand fondness. "How
are you, my dear fellow?"
"Quite well, sir," replied Articuno, smoothly. "Should I have been expecting a call?"
"No, no, not at all! Don't you fret. No – I just thought I'd
pop in and check on you, given that you were involved in that nasty business up in Malantau. Terrible, terrible."
"I'm perfectly alright, sir, and entirely my usual self. Work continues as normal. I don't wish to overstate my involvement, it was really the Wayfarers who had the largest hand in the incident, being uniquely well-positioned to involve themselves effectively."
Julius nodded, leaning forward with interest.
"Yes, well, it's really them who I'm calling about, actually! I knew you'd be the same as ever, of course. Dependable. But these Wayfarers, well, they're quite something, aren't they?"
Articuno nodded placidly, giving nothing away. They never did. (Not without it being calculatedly deliberate.)
"Indeed they are. Might you be arriving at a point, sir?"
"Ha! Businesslike as ever. Yes – there's going to be a roundtable in Magna. First of Frost. Can you get them here by then? I'd like to invite them, I think it would be a
splendid introduction for them, and good for morale all-round besides. I mean, just think how things were after we got that young lad back in '78. Imagine the mood when
several bright-and-shinings show up, no?"
"I recognise your vision, sir. I'll see that it's done."
"Marvellous. Marvellous. Much appreciated, Articuno – ah, hm. Am I interrupting anything much, or do we have time for chess?"
Articuno smiled thinly.
"I wish I could spare the time, sir. Alas, work keeps me."
"Of course. Of course, your diligence does you credit as always. Well, I'll let you get back to it. I'll see you soon enough – until then, my lord! May your way here be well-lit, and your travels untroubled."
"Thank you, sir. See you soon."
Julius' eyes went unfocused again, and he stumbled slightly, having to catch the sheaf of papers under his arm. Articuno gave him a moment to collect himself. He adjusted his tie, cleared his throat, stretched out the muscles of his face as if he'd been holding an unfamiliar expression for too long.
"Mm. An unexpected call, I take it?"
"You needn't worry about it, Julius. Still, I apologise for the lack of notice."
"Thank you, sir. Was I out long? Shall I continue my report?"
"That's alright, Julius. I think tonight I would place greater value on a game of chess with you after all, than on a full report. Leave the documents with me, and take a half-day off tomorrow. You've more than earned it."
Julius gave his usual, actual smile – restrained, acerbic, knowing – and nodded. "If you insist, lord."
The lopunny placed the stack of papers on Articuno's desk, and went to take a seat at the chess table.
"Your colour, sir?"
Articuno considered it, one wingtip pressed to their lower beak.
"I am making a bold move, Julius. White for me. This can be your turn to play the reactive party, for once."
"I shall do my best. And if I may say so, sir – good luck in Magna, come Frost."
Articuno nodded gratefully. They never made a plan that depended on good fortune, but now more than ever, they felt sure they'd need some.
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