DISCLAIMER: Fortunately Shuumatsu no Izetta doesn't belong to me. So all rights are reserved to Ajia-do Animation Works.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: So it would seem that this little whim has attracted something more than numbers on my hit/visit counter. In all honest truth I didn't expect as much. Usually my works are not reviewed or those I commit serious intentions to. And I need to get back into writing regularly so we might be able to help each other. I'll keep plugging along with this shard of possibility and you guys keep voicing your thoughts? Sounds fair enough to me.
A word of caution however, my muse bends to no man or woman. Don't expect plays into fandom perception territory. Luckily this fandom doesn't have any right now. So pay no attention to the man behind the curtain and enjoy the story.
For want of a celebration
(Town: Clinic)
The presence of season was no more apparent then in town. Izetta watched the local children playing in a large pile of leaves as she waited for Lotte to prepare her transportation. Some months before Finé made point to send a new vehicle to aid in Izetta's getting around. The latest flavor was a rusty color sedan. Izetta had spent so much time staring at the car that she was bored of it already.
"Lady Izetta, are you ready?" Lotte asked from the other side of the glass.
Izetta thought to write something witty on the pad in her lap but instead settled for a nod. Soon after Izetta felt the sharp wind of fall upon her face and hands and shivered briefly before catching sight of bane of her existence.
The clinic had what might as well be called as a small wheelbarrow to transport visiting patients. Lotte normally brought Izetta's wheelchair but decided in this instance to leave it behind as the winds were strong and she didn't want to have to go chasing after it.
Izetta in particular didn't care for the provided 'transport' and often made her displeasure known. The part of the reason for this was that it's wheels were small and could not be rolled by hand. Thus Izetta was robbed of what freedom she did have.
Izetta looked on as Lotte maneuvered the farm implement closer and let out an exasperated sigh as Lotte began to reach for her. Lotte promptly reached inside scooping her arms under Izetta's legs and lower back. And surprisingly Lotte had spent little effort in picking up Izetta from the seat of the car and placing her in the chair.
Despite her small frame Lotte had grown quite strong in the time since the end of the war. So much so that Izetta couldn't help but blush slightly as she felt Lotte's arms pick her up. This didn't happen much anymore because when she was at home Izetta could do everything for herself save cooking. Unfortunately the counters were too high at home and this as well as more able-bodied tasks prevented Izetta from being completely independent.
Izetta could no longer contain her displeasure however and quickly scribbled a quip on her pad.
[I never thought I'd become a pumpkin.] Izetta finished and held over so Lotte could see.
"Lady Izetta, that's not nice." Lotte replied.
[I feel like one though.] Izetta responded.
"Lady Izetta, you are not a pumpkin." Lotte said as she began to roll Izetta towards the door as the chair caught it's small wheels in the cobble. This made Izetta remember attempting to cross the mountains by wagon when she was a child.
No, that was more pleasant then this Izetta thought as she and Lotte made it to the door and went inside.
(Landsbruck: main conference room)
"I must protest this! Since when has the private sector paid for any 'celebration'?" said a balding portly man before slamming his hands on the long table glaring at occupant across from him.
"If I remember correctly wasn't it the bank of Eylstadt that made it possible for a private sector in the first place? Please gentleman we need not turn this into a tirade." Finé said from across the table. A stately smile and peaceful demeanor permeated her presence.
Still, she was not to be pushed around.
"My compatriot only wishes to know why the expenses for the upcoming events are being passed onto the private sector trust." A second older, thinner and more experienced man said from not to far away.
"How gracious of you to rephrase." Finé said with detectable strain in her voice. And after the maids refilled the decanters and left the room Finé rose from her chair that was pulled from behind her on non-verbal cue. Fine's long and loose hair billowed as the chair was pulled away.
"After the end of the war, did this trust not approach the national bank for a sizable loan?" Finé stated as she began to walk around the occupied table. "If I remember correctly one such loan, which was worth nearly a quarter of our national GDP was loaned to you with a paltry interest payment." Finé finished as she continued her slow gait behind the chairs of the directors who dared not turn around.
"And we have paid back all that was owed." Another younger looking man stated.
Finé's lips curled into a small smile as she readied her pounce.
"So it would seem, so it would seem. However there was one minuscule issue if you remember correctly. Part of the contract that was signed also stipulated a royalty be paid on any merchandise that held or bared the likeness of the 'White Witch'..."
Finé's metaphoric landing on her prey was graceful and complete. The room went silent for several seconds speaking volumes to who held the power in the room and who did not.
"... so you do remember. Very good, that makes things much easier for me." Fine stated as she pivoted back towards the vacant end of the table.
"If I remember correctly after the end of the war there was a very large demand both abroad and domestic for all things having to do with the 'White Witch of Eylstadt'. So much so I remember reading a report from the customs bureau stating that several more customs agents had to be hired and trained. On expense of the Crown of course." Fine stated as she turned to face all present.
"Everything has been outlined in the record provided to the revenue bureau." The oldest man bravely offered.
"Oh? I do remember something being offered to the revenue bureau. But if I remember correctly it was 'scrap of a paper with expense figures on it.' Thus, it seems to me that either there's been a misunderstanding, or there's been a malicious plot afoot to defraud the Crown." Finé said in a somber tone.
"No fraud has been committed!" The first man shouted causing him to receive glares from the royal guard units stationed at each doorway. Someone forgot where he stood. Well, he was soon to remember.
"I wound sincerely hope not. However to make certainty of this there will be revenue bureau employees dispatched to each business of the trust bearing a judicial decree ordering the surrender of all account records and earning statements. Such a request was not difficult for me to sign. Just as it will not be difficult for you to forward your records." Finé stated as she took a slow drink of water and looked very cool and collected while doing so.
"The agents will not be dispatched until after the new year. Thus, if there were any errant funds that were not handed over to the Crown. It would be prudent if cashier checks bearing the errant funds were to somehow make it to the head bankers desk by 9 AM tomorrow, would it not?" Finé almost cooed as she looked at every other person at the table.
"It would be very prudent." The oldest man stated.
"Of course it would! I'm glad we've come to a understanding." Finé said with a warm smile.
"Very good. There has been a breakfast prepared in the main hall. Be sure to help yourselves." Finé stated as she turned towards another door, was saluted and departed though the open door.
"You're going to let her browbeat us like that?" The first man asked.
"She might have been a little girl ten years ago. But now I understand why the diplomats call her 'The Gold Lioness of Eylstadt'. Have the checks cut and delivered before the day is out. Do not delay." The elder man stated as he rose from his char.
"Where are you going." The youngest said.
"To have breakfast of course. We've been fortunate enough to be offered a meal before we are voluntarily defrocked. I expect to enjoy it." The elder man said.