Orous was a mess.
It had always been. There was a reason the Humans of Orous had expanded as far as they had. Overpopulation, over-development, and the introduction of complete immortality had done little for the planet of Orous as a whole. Too much power had been given to the Glorious Generation, too many Houses had essentially become their own governing bodies that only tangentially placed some of their efforts into the original society that had birthed them…
Seraphi had spent a lot of time of her last years here, attempting to change the actual laws she had reaped the benefits of.
Jupiter feels… Not nostalgic. Not quite. She was not Seraphi no matter how much she remembered of her life. There was always a certain discontent to her emotions for those memories. Never quite feeling her own, despite the fact they shared a soul and genetic sequence. But something in her, something that is the most like Seraphi is looking across the crowded ugly center of where Humanity truly came from and felt a wistfulness. Like many conquering bodies, the Orousians had not left their planet in malicious, nor with the thought of greed. Only glory. Only exploration. Only discovery.
But so many things had gotten tangled along the way. Jupiter only knows what she knows about that period through hacked sheeves, as Seraphi had been young when the expansion had begun. She had been young when Regen-X had been discovered, and it had been her House that many argued, had perfected the formula and procedure. One that Jupiter still could recall, perfectly and with sickening detail. It had been Seraphi's parents who had died for that formula and procedure, and subsequently so had their daughter.
And maybe I will die because of it too.
Orous in front of her had birthed Seraphi. Orous in front of her had killed her.
"Pending arrival within two minutes, Your Majesty," Grey's voice was warm, high, and precise.
Something fluttered in Jupiter's chest. Fear and uncertainty. But Grey was a familiar next to her, undisguised, unrepentant of who they were. They were dressed in fiery red, sunburst orange, canary yellow, long robes that covered them, golden stitchwork that was honeycomb inspired. Something to tie them all together. An inside joke that had caused them to meet each other, and for the importance of what a little bee could do. What they represented. Industrious, strong in numbers, for the good of the survival of the hive. One for all, all for one.
"Thanks, Grey," she smiled gently.
Grey gave them their smile, curious and still almost like a snarl, despite all the time they had spent together.
"Your Mother and Grandfather will forgive you," Grey said, as gently as possible.
Jupiter swallowed thickly.
"It's going to be a long time before I can see them," she said simply.
A few years, on the generous guess.
Decades on the more reality-based guess. They had instructions to reach the fountains on the Earth if they wanted to use them, and how to… But all that would be left up to her Mother and Grandfather. She knew they wouldn't tell anyone. It wasn't in their natures to speak out, and Stinger had left his own message stressing how dangerous it could be for them to try and speak out to anyone. How much it would not only put themselves in danger but her… Jupiter would be sending them recorded messages, her thoughts, her actions… But it would be a long time before she would be able to see them. She knew it had been a cruel decision to leave her Mother and Grandfather without talking to them… But it was a decision made out of cowardness and the gut turning thought they wouldn't let her go.
"They love you. They will be scared. They will be angry. But they will forgive you."
Jupiter sighed.
"I hope so."
Grey pressed their hands on Jupiter's shoulders, and despite nearly being the same height, was able to reach over and hug her. Jupiter, mindful of her dress and hair, nonetheless sagged into her first friend. Grey hummed. Sweet and gentle. Through her new universal translator, Jupiter was able to understand that each dip and weave of their voice was a word unto itself. She knew because Grey had told her before of the special way the Keepers talked. But hearing it was something else.
And the words of reassurance, hope, and determination weaved around her, settling like a weight of comfort.
"Majesty," came Stinger over the speakers, "Destination reached. An Advocate is ready for you in the Opening Hall."
Jupiter slipped out of Grey's arms with a gentle squeeze.
"I am but the Wind," Jupiter said, in perfect Oruos.
And made her way to her Ascension.
Stinger, Kiza, and Grey with her.
It was, as always, a mess of Orous hierarchy and bureaucracy. Horrible backpedaling and contradictory paperwork. Bless Advocate Bob for his patience, and thank goodness for Kiza's knack for paperwork and getting most of it done for her. A few hours later, her wrist was aglow with her ownership.
So she Ascended as Queen Jupiter Jones of House Abrasax, first of her name, the Reoccurrence of Seraphi Abrasax, the new Sovereign of a House of the Glorious Generation.
She blew across like a hurricane, her gales tearing the tentative peace of near two-hundred years, across the Verse, three Entitleds had their inheritance torn asunder.
And Queen Jupiter could only smile.
AN:
Balem: 'WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCHFHA- NO MOMMY NO!' *Mommy Issues Explosion*
Kalique: 'Welp, this is happening. I NEED MORE SWOONING SOFAS OWL MAN' *Dramatic faint into owl man's arms*
Titus: *In a jail cell, whistling obviously*
Caine: 'Dang… I am SOOO bored right now. Wish someone would introduce me into the plot already.'
Probably everyone's reactions.
Probably.
But, not really. We'll see them in the next couple of chapters, lol. Balem and Kalique are next week, and GET READY FOR ANGEL WOLF BOOOOOOOOOOOOI AFTER THAT!
Chapter 100, my lovelies! Thank you all for sticking with me! You guys are the best, really.
~Be Safe, Be Well,
Moon Witch '96
SORRY FOR ALL OF YOU HERE ON FANFICTION, I HADN'T REALIZED I DIDN'T PUBLISH THIS!