Renaissance
11 Mar 2020Amata Lirein
"I'm not sure if I should be proud that you managed to obtain your pilot's license or be regretting it as it'll mean you'll finally leave the nest."Her mother looked down at the small sheet of plastic in her hand, rubbing her thumb over its top right corner again to activate it once more, its surface producing a small holographic display similar to those large holo-projectors in- and outside the huge station that has been the home of the Lirein family for centuries, but instead of showing an advertisement for one of the many ship manufacturers or messages from the Emperor, the Senate or the Imperial Navy this small little card only showed a small portrait of her daughter, identifiying her as a licensed starship pilot by the enigmatic Pilots' Federation.
Amata sighed, speaking up a bit as she was taking a shower right now. "Mother, you know that I dreamt of this ever since I was a child. And just because I'm going to explore what's out there for myself does not mean that I won't drop in whenever the opportunity presents itself." She stepped out of the shower, grabbed a towel from a small shelf and began to towel herself off. Being a family of clients the Lireins were one of the select few on the station who were allowed to use actual water for their showers instead of using an ultrasonic one like the regular citizens or the slaves. She knew that this might be one of the luxuries that she won't find in every starport out there once she truely started her career as a starship pilot and that those who had one availabe for pilots usually charged extra.
But it was a sacrifice she was more then willing to make if it meant flying her own ship. She threw the towel into the laundry basket, then grabbed the elegant sheer bathrobe that hung from a hook on the door and returned back to her bedroom where her mother was waiting. "And if something really important comes up I'll jump back here as fast as my ship will allow me to. That was the deal after all." She headed into the walk-in closet and browsed through her collection of clothes, wondering what to wear tonight before deciding on a short dress that was kinda fitting to celebrate the occasion, as it shared the one theme most models of starships seem to have these days: Snakes.¹ While she got dressed she continued: "And may I remind you that father made me agree that I may only leave the Imperial sphere of influence once I reached the rank of "King" within our navy?" Amata sighed. "Though I really wished they would allow us women to change it to "Queen" if we so desired. But noooooo, ever since Emperor Arissa..." - "Bask in her glory!" the two women said in unison - "decided to take up the male moniker of her title everyone else needs to follow suit." She put on some fitting high heels and walked back into her bedroom.
Her mother smirked as she saw Amata emerging from her closet. "I see you're planning to be turning heads again, even though the party's already going to be centered around you. And if it is any consolidation..." Her mother leaned in to kiss her girl's forhead while handing her back her license. "you'll always be my little queen." "Thanks, mom. And yes, I do intend to turn heads. After all: It was you who told me to flaunt it... both because you like to show off how beautiful your daughter is and as a reminder to father that I'm not the little girl he still sees in me anymore."
Her mother giggled. "Suuuuure... it has nothing to do with you enjoying the attention at all." The two women laughed, then hugged each other briefly. "Now go ahead and finish your make-up." her mother said, heading towards the door, "The first guests are arriving already."
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As this party (as usual with any event held by a member of one of the more exalted castes) quickly turned into one of those forums where the invited citizens complained about several problems and strifes towards their respective clients so they in turn can complain towards her family's patron who (of course) was invited as well, Amata stood as far away from all of this as etiquette would allow someone to leave a party given in their honor, making sure that it was near one of those paths the slaves who served as waiters tonight used so she always had something to drink or snack on. Her lack of interest and motivation towards these proceedings was one of the reasons she was able to convince her parents, especially her father, to allow her to follow her dream of becoming a pilot. Of course every single citizen needed to congratulate her on her achievement, and while she was proud of being able to gain one of those licences of which the Pilots' Federation was only allowed to issue a certain number of every year, she knew very well that these people just wanted to avoid falling from grace with her family.
So it took quite a few hours until most issues everyone had have been conveyed and the attention turned back towards the original occasion as her father motioned her to join him on the main stairway of the atrium so everyone might have a good view of both father and daughter. She walked over and took her place at his side. Once he was sure to have everyone's attention he began his speech Amata had been expecting all night. She did her best to avoid rolling her eyes. These formal gatherings have always put to much emphasis on protocol, she preferred the more relaxed parties that tend to be less predictable.
"Those of you who know me well might also know that I hoped my daughter would follow a different line of work... something closer to home. And while I still wish she would I also know that she inherited my stubbornness. Hell, I know that several of you would call me pigheaded behind my back." Amata faked a smile while the crowd responded with the courtesy laughter that was expected when the host made a joke. "But I would have been a fool if I had ever believed she will not see it through. That is why I had ordered this to be made before she left for Dromi, knowing very well that once she returned she would have a need for it." He motioned one of the slaves to walk over, holding a flat box in her hands. It took a while until Amata was able to read the case's labeling, but once she did she looked at her father in disbelief. "Only the best for my daughter." He leaned in and kissed her cheek, whispering into her ear. "I couldn't be any prouder of you." He took a step back again. "Go ahead, it's yours." Amata handed her glass to her father, looking at the box presented to her by the servant, again examining the label covering most of the lid.
Remlok - Exclusive Line
The most expensive brand of flightsuits on the market. Each of them made-to-measure, those who own one claim it fits so well that you may even forget you wear one. Her hands shaking slighty she lifted the lid, only to reveal a bright white flightsuit, the Imperial crest engraved on either shoulderpad. She carefully grabbed it and lifted it out of the box, letting it unfold. One could easily see that it was meant to fit a female form as its waist was clearly smaller then the suit's bust or hips. She held the suit in front of her, it wasn't hard to see that while it was fully functional it would also make her look drop-dead gorgeous. She looked at her father smiling, this time not faking it at all, then hugged him. "Thanks, dad." He smiled. "Go ahead, try it on. I know you cannot wait to see if it really fits." He winked at her as she rushed up the stairs as quickly as she could while still keeping the appearance of a proper lady.
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A few more hours later the party was finally winding down, most citizens and the patron having left already, leaving mostly the true friends of the family in attendance who were also starting to take their leave. Amata was feeling a bit tired as once she came down the flight of stairs again, this time wearing her pilot suit, every single guest need to congratulate her yet again, this time for recieving such a fine piece of equipment. She had to admit though: This suit fit like a glove. And it really did make her more advantageous features stand out quite nicely. She had no doubt that she will have no troubles to turn heads at the docks she's going to visit in the future just by wearing this suit. As she looked down at herself again, taking in all the small little details of the suit she heard a familiar voice behind her. "Well, I be damned, you really did manage to win our little bet."
Amata turned around, obviously surprised to see her former classmate. "Alysha, how nice to see you again. I didn't imagine that you might be here tonight!" The two young women hugged each other. "After all, Fach is not around the corner. Was brings you to our end of the Empire?" Alysha smirked. "Well, I came here to repay my debt. It is part of Imperial culture after all. And as I just mentioned: I lost that bet of ours and noone should be able to say that the Caravalho, a family of patrons, don't pay back on their debts." The two girls each have a big grin on their faces. "Alysha, that was years ago when we were still teenagers... stupid highschool kids. You don't have to see it through." The caramel-skinned girl just tilts her head and walks around Amata, hugging her from behind, wrapping her arms around her former classmate's waist. "I know. Yet I stand by it. I'd bet you would not be able to convince your father to let you become a pilot. Yet here you stand, wearing your very own Remlok suit. And a very nice looking one at that. So, as I promised, I will take your advice at not adhering as strictly to those social norms we got teached at our school and finally share a bed with you. But I have one condition. Or make it two." Amata looked over her shoulder, the old longing between the two girl awakening again in their loving embrace. "And what would that be?" Alysha smiled mischievously. "Well, I also have a little fantasy that I shared with nobody yet: I always wanted to have a pilot as a lover. Soooo..." The girl nibbled on Amata's earlobe. "I want to be the first who will have the priviledge to peel you out of that flight suit and whenever you're near Nortes you'll stop by and visit me... let me be that girl you have in that port." Amata giggled. "I think that can be arranged." "It's settled then." Alysha made Amata spin around and then kissed her passionately before grabbing her hand and leading her upstairs. "Now, where was your room again?" Amata smirked and thought to herself: Well, guess this party just became a lot wilder then I thought it would be.
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Thank the Emperor that coffee exists! Amata mumbled to herself while taking another big sip from her cup. Oh, and note to self: Do not enter the docks with a hangover. She frowned as yet another huge clank somewhere in the docks made her headache even worse. She emptied her cup and was just about to go for another refill as the public slave finally showed up again. "Commander Lirein, your ship has been made ready and is waiting for you at pad 24." She thanked the old man as she signed the necessary paperwork and headed towards the hangar linked to said pad. Cannot wait to get spaceborn again and leave this noise behind. She entered her ship, placed her cup onto the nearby panel, happy again that she bought one with a magnetic base that keeps it in place and then recalled the events of the night once more, smiling impishly. Oh, don't you worry, Alysha, I will make sure I'll stop in Nortes whenever I can.
"Stephens Enterprise Flight Control, this is Cobra AL-002 Hedone, requesting permission to launch." - "Hedone, this is flight control, request granted. Please maintain a reasonable speed until clear of the dock and watch out for other traffic." - "Hedone, roger, maintain reasonable speed 'til clear of dock and watch out for other traffic." She flipped the switch releasing the magnetic clamps of the landing gear and ignited the vertical thrusters, having the ship seperate from the pad underneath. Well, guess it's time to finally see what's out there for myself. Amata rotated her Cobra around so it was heading for the airlock, then pushed the thrust lever forward.
Time to start a new life!
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ooc:
¹ Careful, link might be considered NSFW!