Author's notes:
Long delay. The plot for the next few chapters demanded some heavy thought process. So forgive my breaking of the usual one release average every two days. In future, this consistency might not be around. But i'll try my best.
*Rabi Ray Rana here from radio free Kyrat. Hey guys! Guess what? I'm going to the Uttar Region!... Kinda sounded like I'm going to Disneyland but hey- yeah. I just got a letter saying they've invited me to the valley of death to host as a commentator/DJ in their upcoming festival! That's right, moa has been recognized for his efforts and just got his big break. Could this be a trap you ask? Could be. But then, the letter came from Badala… that's right ladies and gentlemen. The Northern Demon loves my hits he's called for me. He even sent an armed escort, reserved inn suite, and I've been given and extra ticket to bring someone with me to the other side, the green meadows, it's time to find out what kind of stuff our badass Vice-Lord does behind the Himalayas. Wh-What?! No, Chotu. Not you! I doubt they'd let dirty bandaron through the borders, what if you pass a new goddamn disease? That's because you hardly wash, if you did we wouldn't be having this conversation. So yeah- who am I bringing then? Well that's simple, if one of you can answer five songs in a row that ticket is essentially yours! And pack your bags because it's tonight! We'll be like bunkmates in a suite partying all night and if it's a lovely lady it'll be a night to remember….Hahahaha! I kid! Why? Because I care, exclamation mark…*
Ajay turned off his jeep radio with Rabi Ray jabbering non-stop. It was too late to regret his mistake, he just felt like Rabi Ray seemed to be a way to improve the peoples' views towards him and the Army. And on the day he sent that letter, Rabi Ray Rana brags about it over the radio to announce to everyone in Kyrat about his trip that was supposed to be only said after he returned. For all they knew, the 'lucky winner' of his ticket could become an informant to the Golden Path. Ajay was going to have that plus one of his scanned from top to bottom by the King's Bridge guards and a background check before he or she came through. He thought he'd bring the monkey or whatever was under the box with him to increase the probability of Rabi Ray agreeing, that's why he gave the extra concession. Who was going to take care of Chotu then? And why was Ajay worrying about a cardboard animal?
The Royal Army had actually taken down the propaganda recordings a month ago because it wasn't effective at all. And Rabi Ray and others like him went out broadcasting their radio opinions with greater freedom and openness. But at least they weren't bad mouthing Pagan or the Royal Army anymore, with the exception of Rabi Ray. From what Ajay knew in the past, Rabi Ray has had friction with Pagan regarding the execution of his uncle. Ajay hoped to friendlily persuade him otherwise with what he could see was happening in his domain under Pagan's rule and be amazed. Rabi Ray Rana still held the most influence over the listeners throughout Kyrat. The reason; they liked his music choices better and he was a more open radio DJ. It was these small details that would make Kyrat a better place in Ajay's opinion. To him, the Golden Path were nothing more than self-entitled brats throwing a tantrum at their parent, but they sure mixed with terrible company in the form of a fat creep with glasses, he was of course referring to Willis.
He had come back from inspecting the site relegated to the S-Program. Things were proceeding as planned, with all the essential in the base and the site complex almost complete. The "Mexicans" had also arrived and begun familiarization, this was the code-name used for the highly secretive individuals that were essential to the operation. Now his mind was on the festival that was starting tonight, just a bit more work and he could enjoy the evening with the others. He had two stops to go to first, one was the Arsenal followed by a conference at Town Hall called in by the collective council committee Ajay commissioned to run the town autonomously in his absence.
Weapon production had returned back to working order right on schedule, with new additions to the indigenous weapons family. Samar's apprentices were given projects on building copies of the weapons in the handgun, shotgun and automatic weapon category by him. They fulfilled their tasks in the shortest possible time. The 1911 had been built with additional serrations to aid charging the weapon in stress of combat, and used the new polymer grip of the apprentice's design. The M133 Shotgun was refitted with a ghost ring sight and modern collapsible furniture to adjust width of shoulder. The Ultimax 100 automatic rifle was built with newer furniture and a redesigned magazine well to properly adopt the AR type magazines that were in use with the Army inventory.
These specifications were documented and applied to the production phase in their types. Samar had even figured out how to manufactured grenades. There were still weapons that didn't have replacement or sufficient ammo that the Arsenal had yet to produce but at least the standard weapons were now supplied. The rest were covered by Longinus in his arms supplies.
Things had gotten even more interesting when Longinus brought in a colleague by the name of Paul Ferenc whom also was in gun running but was also revealed to be an agent of Mossad. Somehow, A certain Jewish country had gotten an interest in the raw materials available in Kyrat which they hoped Pagan would source to them. Ajay met him a few days ago where they gave a proposition to him. Because of circumstance, Ajay's status was becoming something of a Defense Minister of the country although he was merely a patron supporting Arjun's good work. He went with Arjun and Pagan's blessing to represent.
That country was in dire need of Titanium which was found untouched within one of the mines in Ajay's territories. The country sent a representative accompanied by Mr. Ferenc to negotiate with him, where they agreed to provide technical expertise and access to certain hardware blueprints and construction techniques which were essential in the future growth of the country for an indefinite supply of titanium. At the moment, titanium wasn't much use to Kyrat as there wasn't any advance materials facility to harness it, they were just assets lying about. So Ajay made the executive decision to trade it for more sought after resources the other country could provide him.
As a sign of good faith, they had sent old tooling equipment for weapons that dated back to the October War which was supplied to them by a US airlift and brought it over as a deposit for their deal. Ajay sent it over to Yuma and had a few senior employees go over to set up shop for the second Arsenal in Yuma's territory.
This was quite simple, from the people's point of view the Arsenal was a place that provided employment. But now that Ajay's arsenal was more a less full there was less opportunity to find work in the town, although this was not true. When word came out that a similar factory was built in Yuma's territory, the same reaction would take place there as it did in Ajay's Valley of Death.
Curiously, troops under Yuma still bore the name Royal Guards and Snow Guards because of the special nature of their operations that Yuma sent them on. Ajay was quite aware what they were and Arjun never questioned the retaining of the name Royal Guard so they were simply called Yuma's Royal Guard to distinguish them.
"Hopefully the second Arsenal will turn out better than the trip with the first." Samar expressed his hopes to Ajay.
"I wish that too but realistically speaking, that's Yuma's domain so they're subjected to her rules. It shouldn't be difficult, we've worked out all the bugs in the First one. Plus, we're sending the senior crew to get things working."
"Ajay, why are you giving Mistress Yuma the tooling? If you brought it here, it could have increased the potential to our output capacities."
"Two reasons, one is that Yuma holds two regiments under her patronage that report to her exclusively. They often do work which require a lot of refitting and refilling of weapons and ammo, she can't afford to have shortage in her sanctioned ops. The second is that I owe her for the things she's done for me. Maya's help is included as her help and she is responsible for bringing up the town to its current status from Valley of Death. Giving her that Arsenal doesn't even cover what she's done for me."
"Mistress Yuma is quite kind despite how she portrays herself then."
"Are you kidding, she still hates me as much as the day mom met Pagan!" Ajay laughed as if he held a cruel joke.
"But if anything matters more to her it's the opinion and interest of Maya and Pagan. For her adoptive family, she'll burn the world. Even if she shouts at Pagan like he's an idiot, she still loves him dearly. She helps me only because Pagan seems to brighten up when things turn out nicely between us. The moment Pagan leaves, it'll be a different story."
"…."
Then Ajay thought about their past.
"Say Samar, were you around during Pagan's ascension to the throne?"
"Why, yes. Though I was merely a corporal then in the old Royal Guard, I did serve alongside Paresh Kadayat and Arjun Roka." Ajay heard a familiar surname.
"Paresh Kadayat? You mean Maya and Bipin's father?" This was the first time hearing a family member of Maya involved with Pagan.
"If Paresh was still alive he would've been the Captain of the Royal Guard instead of old Hamal like he deserved but unfortunately he died in an assassination by Mohan's elite force that went all the way behind enemy lines to burn his house. It was a military tragedy but fortune favors them as both his children are safe and held in high regard in the military." Samar chuckled sadly at the cruel fate they endured for their loyalty.
Ajay recalled Bipin mentioning a fire by Golden Path rebels but this was the first time hearing that their family was quite prominent in Pagan's early retinue. The diary logs he found about Kyrat never mentioned them, only that Pagan employed mercenaries heavily and then double-crossed them, so he remained ignorant to this.
But if their family had died because of their loyalty and belief in Pagan, then they deserved all the good fortune that him and Pagan could afford to give to Maya and Bipin, their legacies.
Ajay's destination was the recently constructed town hall. For some time since the construction of the town Ajay realized he couldn't manage everything concerning the growing populous so he decided to give some autonomous reign to nominated individuals. These individuals formed was known by the townsfolk as the council members or simply councilors. There were five seats of membership given to the surrounding villages that totaled to four and one tribal settlement that isolated itself in the mountaintops away from the Kyrati populations. There was also one each for the merchants' guild, the Sherpas town association representative, the Arsenal's Employee Union representative, the workers' guild and a final seat that was up for election by the people in the town under the title Town Welfare Representative. Elder Aadinath, who was made the Nadi Village councilor by Ajay had been very helpful to him in establishing contact with the four surrounding village elders and heads to grant them this appointment. He was having trouble in getting hold of the local mountain tribe though, so he reserved that seat for them in the event the came into contact. Ajay dispatched a few letters to invite them to come over and discuss. From what he heard from Aadinath was that they had been a warrior tribe since the conception of the Kyrati Monarchy. They've had a few clashes with several Monarchs who tried to subjugate them over the years and failed miserably.
Ajay suspected this was due to the higher altitudes that they were used to and when the Kyrati folk went up they'd suffer from mountain sickness after a few days giving them the edge over the monarch's royal guards in their home ground. It was said that there were over three thousand in the mountains in his area, which was a lot.
Ajay also managed to establish a PDF in his territory, since there was no military presence in his domain. It was a mandatory exercise for males and females between the ages 18 to 25 that was provided training by Royal Army instructors. There were some benefits given to them such as allowances and their service rifle to bring home for their home protection, recommendation in finding jobs and also provided tertiary education completely covered by this program. Because the situation was such that 4 in 10 people couldn't read or write, so granting these benefits in serving in defending the territory as militia was worth it since there wasn't any real threat to the valley at all. In the event that the Golden Path ventured over the mountains like the SOCOM marines did, then Ajay would have called in the elite QRF regiments to deal with the defense and repelling of the invaders instead.
Ajay entered the town hall as he was expected to have a meeting with the town council.
"Ah- Your Lordship!" A front desk admin saw him walk in and greeted.
"I'm here for the eleven o'clock appointment with the council."
"Yes! Right this way!" The admin brought him to the conference room where the council were having a friendly chat with one another.
As they saw him they stood up and paid him compliments.
"At ease, thanks for meeting me this early I know you all have busy schedules to attend to as well so we'll keep it short shall we?"
""""Yes, Your Lordship!"""" The said in unison despite not being from military backgrounds.
Ajay noted the council members present in the room, there should be ten of them. He took a look at the seat next to him belonging to the mountain tribesman, it was empty.
"Did the hun tribe receive our message?" Ajay asked Elder Aadinath whom sat as a council member of the nadi village.
"Indeed they have, the dispatch returned and reported he had personally handed it to the tribes' shaman. Unfortunately, she says they would consider it for the time being. I humbly beg your pardon, my lord."
"It's not your fault Elder Aadinath, it just means they'll consider." Ajay passed it off casually.
"Right, let's get on to business. I know we're all looking forward to the festival that's coming tonight so we should get this sorted out soon. Is there any concerns any of the council members would like to carry across?"
"Yes, lord." The Arsenal Union representative stood up.
"Working schedule has proceeded as planned, the Union requests that his Lordship would allow the workers to take leave early today so they may be with their families and assist Lady Maya in the competition booth she has been organizing."
"Granted. When we're done, tell them they can close shop for the long weekend, they've earned it."
"Thank you, my lord!" The Union representative's face brightened up considerably and was almost in cloud nine.
"My lord if I may….." One of the village representatives stood.
"Go ahead."
"Yes. The projections you graced us…we-…. we are unable to fulfil the quota. Ah- Forgive us! Our village has a small group of occupants within the given PDF recruitment range. We do have majority above 30 and below 18. If his lordship req-"
"That's alright, councilor. You won't be required to draft those out of the age limit, but when the younger ones come of age please give them the opportunity to participate."
"Yes, lord!" He thanked him fervently before taking his seat.
"My lord, regards to tonight's event security and road traffic, Constable Vajra from the police commission informs me that there is a large traffic of visitors to the town. Word has passed around concerning tonight's event."
"Then welcome them in, this festival isn't for us exclusively." Ajay smiled.
The next agenda was concerning the upcoming plans for public utilities and postal services. The councilors discussed matters excitedly. Ajay continued to adjust the matters of the day until it an hour had passed.
"I'll end the meeting now, I wish you all an eventful tonight. May the King's light shine upon you." Ajay said to them as the councilors returned their wishes with a salute and bow.
"""May it shine on you too!""" They said with sincerity in their voices.
Ajay was glad he was able to form a benevolent figure out of Pagan.
At the top of the mountains, just as Ajay had imagined was a settlement carved entirely out of the rocks of the cliffs, akin to the unique monasteries in Tibet. This was because the Hun tribe had been here since the humble beginnings of the kingdom of Kyrat. They believed they had originally been a minority from the Xiongnu tribe chased out by the early Chinese Empire. While most of the tribes went West across the gobi desert to Europe, where the late Roman Empire experienced the Scourge of God, Attila who was a descendant of those tribesmen. A small scouting group broke away and headed in the direction of the Himalayas, and those people became the Hun tribe.
Built upon the cliffs was an entire city of houses dotted around, all connected by stone pavements. The Hun tribe have been content with their way of life for over a thousand years. Standing at the very top, above all other houses was the residence of the tribe chief. Larger than all others in size and could easily accommodate a dozen people comfortably.
Within the quarters reserved for the Hun tribe's spiritual leader, Shili completed a ritual upon the runes grafted into Darshan's body.
"That'll do." Darshan said as he donned his uniform.
"Always in a rush, your companions aren't leaving this world any time soon and neither are you enemies arriving as quickly." Shili sighed.
"Is this another divination?" He asked if it was another foresight.
"Call it intuition." The older women winked as she went over to brew a potion for him.
"I don't need it."
"Who said it was for you?" She snorted.
"Mmm." She packed it into his combat harness for him, opening the pouch she could see all the pre-made talismans he had diligently crafted.
"Feed it to the White Tiger. It'll help it grow stronger."
"Thanks." Shili was use to Darshan giving short answers as always, he didn't want to interact very much with others. She knew it wasn't because he didn't want company but he didn't want them to share in his grief.
"The boy has sent us an invitation to interact with them." Shili informed him as she waved the letter Ajay sent to their settlement.
"….."
"I don't see any disadvantage in taking up his offer, it could do the young ones around here some good to open their eyes to a bigger world then stare at cliffs all day!" She stated her intentions.
"That is entirely your business."
"Hmph!" Darshan threw on his combat harness and the additional potions he brewed.
A loud patter came from bare feet running across the cold granite floor, the animal hide veil was lifted and in came a beautiful young girl who wore a saddened expression.
"Leng Yue…"
"Is this true? That you have to leave again?!" The tribe's princess had always been the most clingy towards the friend of the tribe, Darshan. Darshan had been around since her infancy so she had been the most comfortable with him and as the year passed by, more than that. Although he held the most regard by the Tribe's leader and Patriarch he was still an outsider.
"Duty." Leng Yue wore an angered expression at his response, but not to him.
"It's those brats again, the spoilt princess and that arrogant boy, isn't it? Who are they to call you as and when they like?!" Leng Yue had been referring to both Maya and Ajay whom she had heard from Darshan about in his job description.
"You're even younger than them, what does that make you?" Shili chuckled.
"At least I act my age!" She shouted back. Her loud remarks woke the shadow leopard from its slumber by the fireplace of Shili's. The leopard had long been the tribe's sacred animal just as Bishal's lineage represented the companionship between Kalinag and the Shangri-lese ancestor of its.
Darshan laughed heartily and went over to pant her on the head. "Thank you for your concern, but it's duty to myself not them." Darshan smiled.
Leng Yue blushed brightly and felt awkward from receiving his gentle hand.
"Shili, Leng Yue, thank you. I'll be heading off now." He said before departing down the mountain path.
Leng Yue was reluctant to let him leave but Shaman Shili prevented her from following by restraining her hand.
"Why?"
"Darshan walks a path that others dare not imagine, it is a life of pain and suffering but he chooses it because of the solitude he receives in the end is what he yearns the most. It is not for a young one to waste her life blood on."
"I can't accept it!"
"It's not for you to decide, child. Earlier you mentioned about acting your age…. Well, I have the perfect job for you."
"What is it this time, Elder?" Leng Yue calmed herself down and asked though reluctant as she was.
"I'm sending five youngsters along with your father as envoys to discuss future interactions with the growing town populous of the valley. This is the first time a Kyrati Lord has ever bothered to establish connection with us without wanting to hunt us. From the letter, he offered us a seat to the autonomous party of councilors' membership. From what I've heard from the Sherpa and Darshan himself, this Badala is quite the governor and warrior at the same time. A decent mix between ruthless warrior and benevolent ruler."
Leng Yue held a different belief concerning Badala, Darshan used to come to their home almost every week but now he appeared far less. Badala was to blame for sending him out on missions to dirty his hands while that damn lord stayed behind the walls of his keep. She hated him with every mallow in her bones. But….
"I'll go."
"Good, it'll open your eyes to the truth if you see it for yourself."
-Go out and beat some sense into that weasel that calls himself a lord!-
The evening had arrived, Ajay wore his traditional garb as did the rest of the residence in his house. The Festival was a means to dispel all the worries that the townsfolk experienced in recent events.
"You two ready yet?"
"Just done. I was just getting tips from Noore here on how to maintain a youthful complexion like hers." Saras and Noore came out of the house where Ajay was standing waiting for them.
"But I really don't use much foundation." Noore insisted to the giggling Saras.
Maya and Bhadra were at the festival manning their respective stores. Bhadra had been helping out her friends in managing their food store where she was the main chef while the others were her helpers, procuring the ingredients and waitering for the potential customers. Maya had planned for a talent contest that would play a performance on stage at the centre of the festival in the town square. Everyone who heard about the prizes to be won prepared a gig to entertain the people and perhaps be nominated for at least the consolation prize. The awards came in both monetary form and prizes like a motor vehicle, there was even a weird one that said breakfast with Maya. Ajay had a gut feeling that was what many were gunning for, knowing how popular she was with men and women alike. I was akin to a meal with Royalty here.
"You going on the stage tonight, Ajay?" Saras asked as she saw the guitar case slung around his shoulders.
"I am." Ajay gave a simple answer, he had prepared slightly for it and brought an electric guitar with him.
"A Vice-lord on stage?" Noore laughed at the thought as it was beyond hilarious.
"I'm actually the side actor in this believe it or not. It'll be a performance that'll blow everyone's minds." Ajay assured her.
"I look forward to it!"
They went down the hill into town to fill their stomachs before venturing further through the lighted streets filled with people and wares. The festival had officially started and the townsfolk and travelers roamed the colorful streets browsing and partaking in the festive mood that was taking place.
The three of them opted for the eat while travelling option as there weren't many places to sit due to many others having the same idea as them in eating early.
Ajay came back with a few takeaway boxes of fried noodles with braised demon fish and local herb garnish.
"Thanks!"
"Mmmffkuu." Saras said hers with her mouth full.
"Jeez. Slow down. The food's not going anywhere." Ajay advised her. But she was more focused on slurping down the noodles. It was one of her more favorite dishes in town, the proprietress even knew Ajay was buying for her and gave her a specially made portion with additional ingredients.
"Oh. I would like to say that my application's been successful. In three days I'll be working in the new and upcoming polyclinic as the head doctor."
"That's wonderful!"
"Congratulations!"
"Thank you, both of you."
Ajay could see it from a mile, Noore was a qualified physician before she came to Kyrat. The only counterpart with matching qualifications was the Royal Physician and the other doctors that studied medicine in Nepal or India, and there were only as many doctors in Kyrat as the fingers on one's two hands. In addition, Noore was probably the most attractive Doctor to visit for appointments. He bet, he'd be receiving a lot more medical leave requests soon.
"I think Healthcare should be added to the membership of councilors soon." Ajay declared, Noore chuckle at his attempt in making accommodations for her. She had spent three whole days with him and his company, it had been the best company she'd had in years. Ajay meant what he said when declared he'd help her get through her grief. Somehow, it strangely felt like he had a clear understanding of her troubles, as if he had a predicament like hers. Did he suffer a similar tragedy before? Noore didn't dwell to long on it as it was a time to enjoy herself now.
They enjoyed the early evening venturing around the stores new and old under the lantern covered streets. Many merchants herald special one-time offers of their wares, Noore and Saras were in a clothing store trying out some garments and fabrics that were on sale. Meanwhile, Ajay took this window of opportunity to visit a stall he saw on the way into town, a shop that sold handcrafted accessories. He bought some accessories for the girls. A hairpin each for Saras and Maya, for Noore it was a pair of earrings that he thought would go with her working attire and Bhadra would get a gold necklace. They weren't showy but the craftsmanship involved in their design was exquisite so Ajay bought them.
"Thank you for your generous purchase, sir! Have a wonderful evening!" The stall owner gave a warm reception to his large purchase and handed him a paper bag with the accessories being placed in their own respective small boxes.
Ajay met them at Bhadra and the orphans stall where they were serving some sweet breads as a treat, there was a long line gathered at their table. Partly to do with Bhadra's top notch cooking and baking skills, the orphans were busy collecting purchases and handing out the foods and receipts for waiting.
"Hey Bhadra." Ajay waved from the side of the stall.
"Hi! Ah- I'll be there in a bit!" She went back to continue cooking the last batch before handing her shift over to someone else. That boy was there as well, glaring at Ajay from inside the stall.
-What was his name again? Bitag? Binag? Barage?-
When his focus returned to the cooking, the pan was on fire and he freaked out. Bhadra saved him by tossing water on the burnt food and tossed it in the bin. The boy shyly scratched his head as he received a reprimanding from Bhadra while blushing red.
It was obvious the brat liked Bhadra but from Ajay's observation he wasn't doing a good job if he wanted her affection. Only becoming a clown and in danger of being friendzoned.
"We're back, what've you got there?" Saras and Noore returned with bags holding newly bought clothing.
Ajay dug into the paper bag and retrieved their respective boxes before handing it to them.
"For us? Let's have a look shall we?"
"Is it-….. is it the wedding ring?" Saras asked anxiously.
"If it is, don't you find it strange I gave one to Noore as well?" Ajay shook his head, Saras's head was just filled with nonsense.
Saras and Noore opened their boxes lids revealing the embroidered hairpin and earrings. Their eyes sparkled at the gift he gave and turned over to him with a smile.
"Very thoughtful of you Ajay."
"Thank you, Ajay." Saras went to the extent of expressing her thanks by kissing him on the forehead so quickly he couldn't prevent it, she knew his reactions best after all.
Soon Bhadra came over after being relieved and Ajay handed her the box that contained hers, needless to say she was surprised by his gift. Saras helped put it on her as Ajay held up the box. They took Bhadra out to have her dinner and traveled through the ever growing crowd that was becoming almost difficult to walk ten metres in front of them.
But they managed to squeeze through and arrive at their destination for the rest of the night. That was the grounds which were reserved for the competition, occupying almost 4 acres at the edge of the town square and the outside perimeter. There were tables with chairs for people to sit and enjoy the performances up on the stage.
*Heeeelllo! Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls to the Valley festival. I'm your host Rabi Ray Rana and welcome to the Festival competition, Kyrat's first talent competition! Organised by Lady Maya- thank you Milady!-….* Rabi Ray appeared on the centre of the stage in a white suit still wearing his signature sunglasses and his gelled up hair announcing the beginning of the event that everyone had been waiting for.
"Looks like my boy's already here, eager to have a go?" Ajay turned around the nostalgic voice.
"Pagan, you're here early." His lead vocal for their performance was here. Pagan was dressed in a suit reminiscent of a lounge music singer. Yuma was accompanying him, she wore a light traditional gown that gave off the feeling like she was his wife. Most people had spared a short glance and asked themselves where had they seen him before but couldn't put a finger on it even though they see him every day on their currency.
"Your Royal Highness?! And you?" Saras was just as surprised as the performance Ajay was giving involved the biggest star in Kyrat.
"Pagan, you're performing?!" Bhadra made no attempt to hide hers as well.
"Of course my dear! When Yuma told me about the little competition her girl was hosting I simply couldn't resist! And you know how I am with competition am I right, my dear? I'm pretty good at it too, just as my boy to attest for me!"
"We've had a decent amount practice over the week. I'd love to indulge but I think I'll leave it for his singing to speak for itself."
"Quite right!" Pagan agreed with his statement as he warmed up his voice. Yuma walked up to Ajay as she hadn't said a word just now when Pagan spoke.
"I received your gunsmiths and tooling for the factory…. You have my thanks." She said with little emotion, but the fact that she said it to him meant something.
"Not worries, you've done a lot of me too, even without me requesting help. You'll still have my eternal gratitude." Ajay said with an honest smile that caused Yuma to have conflicting inner thoughts.
"So, how's your progress going with Pagan?" Ajay changed the subject into something that was rather personal.
"That's entirely none of your concern, boy!" She said with a glare. Ajay took it without ill will.
"I'll leave a hint for you, find something or someone that both of you can share interest in." Ajay said with a smile. Yuma's eyebrows cocked to the side when he offered his advice, something she least expected given her treatment towards him.
She responded before walking off to look for Maya. "I'll take it into consideration…."
From Ajay's point of view he seemed to do well for being able to break ice with Yuma, though he did force his way through.
He had actually not expected to find any means to link Yuma and Pagan together initially. But then, he returned with the wolf's bane plant from Hajura' Amako Hatama he found both of them in a contrasting conversation or atmosphere. The reason for this was Bhadra.
Ajay noted that Pagan and Yuma's attitudes always caused conflict when they met with one another, much like how Maya and himself in that regard. Were they following their surrogate parents in attitude? It was because she didn't like the choices Pagan made with his life so far and he didn't respect anybody who showed that kind of behavior to him. But with Bhadra, they could find no fault in her nor complaint. Bhadra was a good natured girl who didn't judge people based on their looks or hearsay. She only saw them based on her personal interaction with them. Whenever Ajay saw Bhadra with Pagan it was as if she had become his long lost child. Bhadra lost her parents when she was a child and perhaps saw Pagan as a father figure like himself. How Yuma took a liking to Bhadra, he didn't know. But it turned out better than he had hoped for. Because Yuma liked Bhadra as much as Pagan did, they had common ground to share their joys. This was the first step she could take in restoring her relation with Pagan and beyond.
During their rehersal, Pagan had been talking a rather lot about Maya as well. Did he had some sort of daughter complex that he started seeing younger girls as his children and start adopting them like a certain couple? Perhaps Pagan saw Maya as what Lakshmana would have become as she was around her age if she was alive. Pagan wasn't the only one who thought that, Ajay did too.
From the very beginning, Ajay had imagined Maya was his long dead half-sister and treated her like he would have to Lakshmana. A selfish fantasy of his for the phantom sibling that barely lived more than a year, he wanted to know what it was like to have a sibling.
Ajay and the rest sat enjoying a meal together while the performance rolled out, contestant came one after another to be judged for their talents by the three Judges sitting amongst the audience. They were Sharma Salsa, ex-pornstar and manager of Kyrati Films Society. Mumu Chiffon, top fashion designer for Kyrati High Society. Maya Kadayat, informally known as the "lady of the town" and the organizer for the event. A particular group of people cheered only for her, likely some fan club Ajay had never heard of. After Rabi Ray introduced them to the crowd he began by letting the first contestant onto the stage. The first one was a talent act involving a man who ate flames and blew them without aid of a torch. The score was 2/6/4 respectively, which was a fail. The poor man didn't take it well and ran out crying. The second performance was a little better, a little girl who could dance to the beat of the music while swinging her streamer about to match the calming music. 4/8/9 Was a decent score where they needed 15 in total to get past the elimination.
There were several good performances over the period that the three judges rated. As the night grew longer, so did the crowd who were shopping and eating come to the grounds where the competition was held. There were over fifteen thousand people as audience in the booth which was a feat not achieved since in a long time.
At some point, the remaining band members of Ajay and Pagan's group had arrived and were spotted by Ajay heading to the back of the stage.
"I think it's time for us to prepare." Ajay said as he got up from his seat. Bhadra had eaten and that was the reason he sat waiting.
"Agreed! Wish us luck!" Pagan got up as well.
"Good Luck!"
"You'll have our support, your highness!" Both Saras and Bhadra were cheering for them, Yuma had seated herself next to Maya at some point. Nobody questioned her behavior as they were clear who she was and most had a clear understanding of the relationship between Maya and Yuma.
"Mmmm. Thank you." Pagan responded before catching up with Ajay to the back stage where the rest of the band they'd been practicing with for a week were.
Yuma returned to the table that Saras and Bhadra sat at after she had a conversation with Maya.
"It's been a while, Bhadra. Has everything been alright with you, has Badala been taking care of you?" Yuma placed her hands on hers, she was rewarded with a sweet smile from Bhadra.
"I'm fine Yuma. If anything, he's been spoiling me rotten. Even though I'm a dependent of his house." Bhadra fiddled around with the gold chain necklace which Ajay had given her just recently.
"…" Yuma hated to admit it but Ajay was turning out in a way she admired in a person, if she wasn't so caught in her hatred for Ishwari that eventually switched to him she might have taken him in to become her pupil.
"Revenge is such an ugly thing…." Yuma murmured softly to herself.
The contest was decided by the most popular group which entertained the crowd the most, due to the sheer number of contestants they would only get one shot to earn the crowds' favor.
*And now, for the last contestant group for the day. In a way, to end the contestants with a bang. You've seen him on TV, you've seen him on your dollar bill-…*
Behind the curtains, Ajay, Pagan and his band had assembled. The instruments were laid out and ready, their band consisted of a drummer, a sax player, a trumpet, a keyboard pianist for extra grove, a back-up guitarist and Ajay as the lead guitarist. Pagan was the star of their small group, the lead vocalist.
"Right, just like practice."
"You nervous?"
"Heck no! If I can't do it then I shouldn't have come to embarrass myself tonight!"
"Ok."
"And you said I killed that show host's relative, you sure he won't just whip out a gun and blast at me?"
-What that what he was worried about?-
"Rabi Ray wouldn't even hurt a fly, that guy'll faint if he ever saw blood. If he does then you can just leave it to my quickdraw." Ajay tapped the holstered 1911 on his persons. Although he thought it was highly unlikely that Rabi Ray would do such a thing, he had already told him beforehand he'd meet with Pagan just back stage. The chances he knew Pagan was coming today were almost non-existent.
*….-Contestant group 31! The vice-lord and King himself-….. Badala and Pagan Min!*
The curtains rolled away revealing the band to the audience. There was much inner conversations amongst the audience as expected. Not every day a king comes out to perform just for the sake of performing. Would he do well or would they be subjected to a torturous performance and possibly afterhours torture in the prison? But then, Lord Badala was with him. Did it mean he was really good?
The audience silenced itself before him to pay close attention to his performance. Pagan walked up and accepted the mic from Rabi Ray with little difficulty, perhaps he had a different view now.
*Friends and Family. I thought I'd give you a little surprise. Tonight I'll be playing for you Ain't No Sunshine written by Bill Withers.*
Pagan turned to his band. *Hit it!*
Ajay and the drummer started off with Ajay playing legato with his guitar, surprising the audience of his competence in playing the electric guitar.
*You ever want something
that you know you shouldn't have
The more you know you shouldn't have it,
The more you want it
And then one day…. you get it,
It's so good too…
But it's just like my girl
When she's around me
I just feel soooo good, so good
But right now I just feel cold, so cold
Right down to my bones
'Cause ooh... heeeeii
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's awaaay…..!*
The audience were left in disbelief at Pagan who could actually sing so well, and they thought the main star was Ajay. They thought wrong.
Ajay was supporting Pagan.
"H-He can actually sing?!" Saras wasn't expecting Pagan to carry the group as MVP. It was like witnessing pigs fly in the regard for stupor.
"….." Yuma knew.
Nobody knew the King could sing because he never had, but Pagan did. He had a karaoke machine he played with sometimes to entertain himself when he couldn't sleep which was quite often, he was sometimes accompanied by Gary, most of the times with Ajay and some staff in his retinue. So his actual talents were only noted within the Palace.
When Pagan said he'd like to participate just for fun, Ajay seconded his idea. It was also a way to let the people feel more at ease with their sovereign and let them know that the Civil War that was raging on was under control because if it weren't Pagan wouldn't be having fun.
*Oh-I know, know, I know, I know,
I know, know- know- know- know,
I know, I knooow,
-Hey!... I ought to leave
I ought to leave her alone
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone.*
The audience started to move to his beat and clapped to the rhythm as well.
*Sing it!-* Pagan pointed the mic towards the crowd who seem to know the lyrics quite well despite their favor for local music choices.
""""Ain't no sunshine when she's goone, Only darkness every day…!""" The crowd sang the chorus as the band halted their playing to let their voices do the singing.
*Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes awaaAaaaaaaaaaay…..*
Pagan played with the ending with an extended note. When he ended his song, the surroundings were quiet for a second or so before the crowd burst into a cheer at the amazing performance they received from the King personally.
It was a night not to be forgotten, a night where the Lords of Kyrat entertained the common people.
When the cheers ended, the judges gave their appraisal. 8/10/10. Both Mumu and Maya were astounded by his performance greatly. Sharma thought the performance was sensational but in her opinion it lacked, in her words "Explosiveness!" Whatever that meant, still that was the highest she had given anybody. Mumu rated him based mostly on attire and found his choice of clothing to match the evening, therefore giving full marks. Maya had not expected the King to do this well and was thoroughly satisfied, the same could be said for the crowd who felt the same way as her.
The highest scoring contestants were weighed out with the top ten that remained were subjected to audience votes. But it was clear who was the likely winner of the competition running for first place. To think he did it without forcefully attaining it gave Pagan great satisfaction. Whatever prize he received he'd mount it on a wall with his animal trophies.
Ajay and Pagan came off the stage via the back and left the group to their own devices while they returned to the table which held Bhadra, Saras, Noore, Yuma and Maya who was out for a break.
"There they are, so this competition was already within your grasp before it even began, eh?"
"Quite, Captain Saraswati! I'm sure you all thought this was going to end in a rather poor note didn't you?" Pagan said with a smirk.
"You've got me there, your highness!" Saras laughed a little. "And you, weren't lying when you said you weren't the main attraction weren't you?" Saras said to Ajay who answered with a wry smile.
"That was awesome, Pagan!" Bhadra said with fascination towards Pagan's hidden talent, Pagan couldn't help but scratch his head at her honesty.
"It was good, it reminded me of a better time." Said Noore with some meaning behind her words.
"It did for me too." Pagan responded. "Noore…I- No. I know you'll never forgive me for the things I did to you, my boy has made it clear to me since he came back. And I've been avoiding it for a rather long time even when you helped nurse him back when he was gravely wounded. You have my thanks for that. But as it was tonight, I hope to change that….. would you be willing to give this foolish cruel bastard an opportunity to make amends?" Pagan held out a hand as he wore a sad smile while staring into her eyes.
Noore gazed at him with fire in her eyes for a while and then sighed.
"You're a cruel man, you know that… but not as cruel as Ajay who forced me to live when my meaning of life no longer exists. I've waited for so long to come up to this moment where you stand right in front of me and I could take that life from you. But as he said, it won't bring my family back. Nor will it give me solace. I'll make you pay a hefty fee if you want to continue to have that head upon those shoulders." She held out her hand, Pagan couldn't believe what he was seeing. She was actually willing to tolerate him, Pagan couldn't help but release a bitten smile but he changed his expression to one with liveliness and caught her hand, shaking it.
"That trust you give in me. I'll be sure to give my all to earn it!"
Yuma watched the flames return to Pagan's eyes, the determination that drove him, the one that she admired about him for so long….
Had returned.
Author's Notes:
If you're wondering why Pagan can sing well, it's quite simple.
Pagan's voice actor in real life, Troy Baker can so it's clear he should too. He had a couple of solo albums himself too.
