We were discussing Søren's coronation when an associate from the independent systems of democracy came to see us. We called for a system wide vote. The result had him ripping his hair out. Ralph made it clear they will sue anyone who is here change our way of life. He left knowing his efforts was a waste. We arranged our annual ball. I wore a dark emerald silk dress with a laced shoulder, neckline and sleeves with black embroidery. The gold crown was brought out. I wore a ring carved from a single amethyst. I danced with younger members of my family. We spoke about everything as we swirled around. The crown princes and queens of the other nations were also dancing. I paid them no attention. One of the crown princes stepped forward. I didn't like his expression so my dance partner didn't let him cut in.
The next morning I wore tyrian purple robe with gold threading. I wore the crown and also I was holding a bouquet of white roses. The others stared with jealousy. I paid them no attention. We spoke about the trade embargo on certain items after they were discovered to be a health hazard. I spoke about the alternatives. Some weren't pleased since they were losing business. So I asked if they could try a different direction. For example hotel and casino. There are a million options but they need to have the willpower to do it. One of the crown princes asked me if I was getting married soon. I explained, "I have been married for three hundred years." He paused for a second and asked if my siblings would consider it. I grimaced, "I had a brother but he dead. He died over nine hundred years ago. Now the citizens of this planet are my siblings. They are my uncles, aunts, sisters and brothers." The queen of Izmeer asked me, "What other options is there that is profitable?" I gave her a list and she promised to think about it.
They left a week and I was happy to have some peace. I saw the tour guides were smiling as I walked by. Since the tourists would bring weird devices. We would make sure they couldn't being them inside. One was complaining when a guy pulled out a knife and tried to stab my sister. I took off my shoes and I ran superspeed. I got her out of the way and the guy stabbed the wall instead. The guards surrounded him. He was taken to the dungeons. In the crowd was a foreign advocate and he tried to get him out. But to his dismay the man was punished. The punishment is eaten alive. He was eaten a month after his trial was over. Oleg and I finished our duties I happily ran and accidentally turned myself into a white wolf. Oleg stroked my fur and I shrunk to the size of a puppy. He happily carried me upstairs to have fun. Miranda pat me on the head as I slowly changed back.
We attended a funeral at Malachi and the audience stared at us most of the time. I saw Hazel placed on the funeral pyre. I watched her son lower a lot torch. She smouldered as she caught fire. I lowered my head for losing a friend. He came over and introduced himself Kae. I spoke to him somberly, "Your mother was a dear friend. I will miss her. She is in a better place. Please accept my sincere condolences" he sadly nod his head till she was just ashes. We all slowly walked back to the palace. We stayed a day to mourn her death and then a trip back home. Our flag was lowered to half mast. The tourists were curious since their nations don't do this. We all wore black to mourn the loss of a friend. One of the tourists asked why we didn't do anything. Søren asked him to be specific.
He replied, "Why didn't you just make her immortal. Then she would still be alive." Søren didn't have to answer since the others yelled at him for his unkind words." He apologised for his immoral point of view as he was escorted away. Eliot and Elizabeth were preparing the suit for Søren's coronation. Søren was feeling uncomfortable. He wanted a black suit with white lapels. He wanted high collar. I asked him not to look like an angel as he sits on the throne. He agreed as he changed the colour to azure and gray lapel. He and Julian began to attend the Senate meetings so they can the grip on the situation. They talked to each about who was their friend and who was their enemy. They would be discussing what improvements could be made in the next Senate session. I also encouraged them to mingle. They were taught to observe so they will not find themselves hip deep in trouble.
The queen of Izmeer came to ask if Søren if he would join her for dinner. I warned him to bring his wife because she is out to get him in trouble. She loves to create a scandal. He promised to watch out for anything. I showed him the different types of ways she might make his night really miserable. He attended with his wife and she kept him honest the entire night. Izmeer queen was furious as she attended the Sky opera house on the planet Aethelgard. I was laughing as the man of the hour walked in. He walked slowly and gave me pat on the shoulder as he sat down with his wife. Oleg was so bored he asked me to remember my childhood. The trampoline incident. I asked him to enjoy this since we are having a moment. Oleg fought to keep himself awake as the event continued. I was enjoying it as I broadcasted the event mentally to everyone.
The ship yard was already preparing the Imperial Vanguard. It was being prepped so Søren can travel the galaxy instyle. I told Julian to have a steed ready for his turn. When I step down he will sit on the council in Søren's place. He also needs to make a seal. The Pretorian guards were smiling as I guided him. The others asked him not to be like Abe, Link and Sam. Werewolves are given an opportunity to be good. We shouldn't let this go into our head. He was atiquette lessons so he won't embarrass himself. The vampires were kinder and I was felt sincerity as everyone worked together. On the next parade I saw both of them leading the guys. I was careful when I introduced Julian. He is next in line and I didn't want people hurting him or making him a bad person. He was grinning as I thought of scenarios and everyone taught how to counter.
Søren happily mentioned to Julian the day I introduced him to the coven as the son of their queen. He was tested but he preserved. I watched as my family got ready for the regime change. Søren got an official seal which he will start using once he is in office. I got permission from Kirigan and Kaz to visit their planet for a break. I will still be linked to my family but Søren will be holding the reins. This is not a means to monitor their life. This is so they are informed and know who they can trust. And vise versa. Everyone agreed. Julian was sent as an emissary so he can learn diplomacy. Cain watched the entire scene with enthusiasm. This was so he can learn to stay cool under pressure. There are those who enjoy pushing people's buttons. Triggering rage is something that gives them pleasure. He kept his cool as he handled the event. I felt like a proud mom.
We arrived at the ball on the planet Isley. The humans there were dressed mostly in peach and desert sand colours. The newly elected president was still wet behind the ears. He made the mistake of insulting my family. He called them all a bunch of brutes and horrors. So as per local traditions dictate he has fight for his honour. When he stepped out to the arena he faced me. He was amused till I used superspeed to punch him. I didn't pull my punches. He coughed up blood. He was on the floor for a second. Then he got up and I asked him if he learned his lesson because he is leaving this place when I get an apology that is deemed satisfactory. He spat out blood and tried to swing but he kept missing. I swept my feet and he fell face first and hit the concrete wall. His nose cracked. He asked me if I was tired. I grinned, "I can do this all day." Søren asked me not boast about my stamina as it bruises people's fragile egos.
I tried an interrogation technique where I bombarded him with silly questions. I suddenly asked him if he really wanted to throw in the towel. Immediately he admitted defeat. It took him a moment to register what just happened. He was furious but the fight was over. An old adjudicator came with a knife. I was ordered to slash his face. He had to bare the mark of shame. He apologised. The entire time he looked like I did when I swallowed bitter tasting medicine. I still remember the days I used to have those. It is my most vivid memory. It is easier to forget my name. I asked my family if they were satisfied with his words. I heard their satisfaction and I nod my head. The adjudicator cut off one of the president's fingers and threw it into a basin of fire. We took a moment and he gave us the permission to leave the arena. The old man began to yell at the president for his ungentlemanly conduct. He wasn't even paying attention. If looks could kill I would be dead.
My family entire family unanimously agreed to avenge me if he hurts me. We came to back to the hotel and the hotel concierge was grinning. He explained how the president had rigged the vote to get in since very few people had gone out to vote. I asked him to go to parliament and have a vote of no confidence. He was grinning as he asked the medical unit to come treat me. I asked them to go home as I went to the bathroom. I took off the mask and licked the dried blood on my knuckles. I reviewed the memories and saw one where they were planning to give the werewolves their own planet so they can instigate us into war. They love bloodshed. They like to watch worlds burn. I wish there was a way we could make a video of this memory and present this as evidence to stop them on their tracks. Once I reviewed all of his past. I cleaned myself up and sat down to relax. The concierge came with someone from the medical centre.
He watched as a guard cut his hand and poured blood into a chalice. I drank it all and my bruised knuckles healed. The medic stared in shock. Oleg asked him to have a wonderful day. I know we weren't the only one who were different. There are cannibal planets. There are planets where the residents were plants. The list is endless. I did quick review of the donor so I can learn what the memory could teach me. It is humbling moment. I felt my family's amusement. The rest of the stay was relatively quiet. We left the planet and travel to á-sà. We stopped to refuel and went home. Our next stop was the Bjorn in the deadly Fjords system. The residents were all soldiers and they appreciated our lifestyle. They promised to help us if we go to war. They were interested in mental health since a few soldiers had chosen to end their life. We offered them gave them the locations of our health retreats. So their soldiers can rejuvenated themselves. They got to have a person to person therapy sessions with my own family who had personal experience as a peacekeeper.