Chapter 7 - rsvp

Odessa. Ted. Father. Why are you here? Gee, you guys sure look happy to see me. Getting worried. Huh? Go towards the light? I don't think so. Nice try, Soul Eater.

"Young master! Young master, wake up!"

McDohl's eyes snapped open to find Gremio hovering above him, his face wrought with concern. Ever since his fainting spell a few days ago, his servant had been constantly at his side, watching over him like a guardian angel and fussing like an overprotective grandmother. McDohl grabbed onto Gremio's arm and held on as tightly as if he were drowning.

"Forgive me for waking you, but you seemed like you were having a dreadful nightmare."

McDohl fell back on his pillows and drew the covers up to his chin. He looked up at Gremio with horror-filled eyes. "I see dead people," he said in a quaking whisper.

Gremio tucked in the blankets just as he'd done when McDohl was a small child. He smiled reassuringly down at his ward. "There, there, it's all right. You've just been under too much pressure lately. Don't worry, young master. Apple is taking care of everything for you."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

. . . . .

Creak of doors. Armor chinking. "General Kasumi is here with a report from General Rosman."

Apple sat alone in the presidential office, at McDohl's desk no less. She swiveled her expropriated chair around to face the captain of the guard. "Thank you, Grenseal. Send her in."

The pink-clad ninja girl entered, and seemed a bit puzzled and extremely disappointed to see Apple. "Um, where's President McDohl?"

"He's resting. Soul Eater's been acting up lately, and I'm afraid he's just not up to the stress of running the country right now. The best doctors in the republic are looking after him, so there's no need to worry." Apple's voice dripped assuasiveness. "So, what news do you have to report?"

"Oh. Um, General Rosman has captured L'Renoulle, as well as the towns of Kyaro and Sajah. Highland is ours."

"Excellent."

"He encountered little resistance."

"Yes, I've always gotten the impression that the populace of Highland really doesn't give a shit who's ruling."

". . . . ."

"Kasumi, I have an assignment for you. You will deliver a message to Jowston. Tell Shu that the Toran Republic has no intention of encroaching on Jowston territory, and this was a precautionary measure on their behalf. Rest assured that we will deal with Harmonia if problems arise."

"Kay. Bye-ee!"

Apple reclined comfortably back in her seat and put her yellow boots up on the desk.

"Okay, Kage, it's safe to come out now. She's gone."

A shadowy figure appeared at her side as if from thin air.

"Where did I leave off in my message to Harmonia?"

The ninja's voice was as cold and serious as death itself. "I believe it was - and the horse you rode in on."

"Ah. Right. So, in conclusion, Highland is ours and there's nothing you pansies can do about it. Neener neener neener."

". . . . You want me to say 'neener neener neener'?"

"Yes, just like that. Feel free to emphasize with insulting gestures."

"I see."

As the exorbitantly expensive messenger departed to fulfill his task, Apple went back to balancing a pencil on her nose.

The problem with Harmonia is that ever since this country became a republic, their official diplomatic policy was that it had fallen off the face of the earth. They would have nothing to do with President McDohl or his administration. Only the bearer of the Sovereign rune was recognized as having legitimate authority. And Emperor Barbarosa had taken it with him when he splattered himself on the cobblestones of Gregminster at the culmination of the Gate Rune War. Ick. But, to say that Harmonia was a little elitist was like saying that Milich Oppenheimer was a little flamboyant.

She imagined how the high priest's face would look on receiving her declaration of war, and smirked gleefully.