Military Parade Grounds (OOC: Mandatory if you wear an Abestat uniform)

[Daniel]

Just inside the main gates of the Abesat military base stood this large field, replete with ornate green bleachers and an oval track where platoons would march around as necessary, such as upon graduation from boot camp or upon returning from a successful military campaign.

In the middle stood a haze-grey reviewing stand, a speaker's podium, and the tri-colored flag of Abestat blew proudly at full mast on the right side of the podium. The flag of Alleria flew on the left side in traditional military fashion.

The base commander had sent out invitations to all the rank and file of Abestat, both military and civilian, and had given specific instructions that all current soldiers (Jade, Yarrow, Kyli, Dundridge, etc.) were to line up at parade rest in their best Class-A uniforms. Though the commander tried to keep a stern glare on his face, it was no secret that the red-haired young Quatermaster standing next to him was carrying a box of epaulets, medals, NCO stripes, and had envelopes of bank cheques good on the Abestat Greensnyre Bank.

[Fish Stick]

The Saurid, named Ssss'kon, managed to take Vincent to the Parade grounds, where the two of them would line up in their division. It seemed that most of the division Vincent was in was made up of Saurids, and elves. Ssss'kon looked to Vincent, and quickly whispered, "My name issssss Corporal Ssss'kon if you didn't already know..." He then turned his snakelike head back towards the Commander of the Abestatian Armies, whom had the quartermaster standing along side of him...

[Vincent Stefan]

Vincent stood very still in his place. He did not want to upset anyone on his first day of action. He had found out much on his way to the field, he found out the name of his commander and he found out what the people in his division looked like. Now he waited for whatever was to come next. His excitement was building with every minute. It was at this moment that Vincent remembered Shadow. The Raven was still perched on his black cloak draped over his sholder shoulder. This would not do, risking a quick glance around Vincent finally located a tree. With a slight gesture and explanation, Vincent told the bird were to go pointing his arm toward the tree. Hopping its way down his still outstretched arm the raven took off in the direction indicated. Vincent could only hope the bird had understood. Lowering his arm and returning his vision to the front, he waited to see what was going to happen.

[Daniel]

Since Vincent was the only guy to show up, the company commander walked over to him. "For your prompt attention to duty, you are hereby and henceforth promoted to Private First Class, and now outrank all other soldiers below the rank of corporal. Here is an extra 100 crown gift-certificate so as to buy your new uniforms."

The man then marched down to where the Saurid stood at attention. "All right, and since you are here as well, you are now Sergeant Ssss'kon. Here is 250 crowns and here is your extra stripe. Quartermaster, affix the stripe to his sleeve!"

[Yarrow]

Yarrow came up panting...she had just got the notice that all survivors were to attend this parade. When she found out it had been moments before it would begin...she had come running. She straightened...back tall, frown aperient and stern features present. She had gone through a lot since she had arrived in Abestat.

In the quarantine camp they (Jade, Keeva and herself) had been put in charge of running things for a time. She had been bitten by a snake... the memory was still there...

Then she had gone off for a stroll one night with Matthias and they had been attacked by bandits and she had ended up going on a magical adventure in which she fought off a whole entire army of dead things...with help of course...she still had the slash on her leg (hidden by her pants) to prove it.

Then came the orc attack...the orc attack...who could forget that? An arrow had gone through her back...she was lucky to have survived...that was the most recent trauma...no one could forget that day for as long as could be....

And I am still glad I am here to talk about it and here to smile and here to laugh at today's jokes. I am glad I came here for how would I have meet Keeva and everyone else? How would I have lived with out the knowledge I now bare? She made her way into the line...her sweat ignored and her heart returning to normal...she waited to get yelled at for how late she was.

[Daniel]

Fortunately for Yarrow, a few other stragglers came in just after her, and they got the brunt of the criticism-- the last fellow in line got 10 demerits, and the Katta female just before him ended up having to do 20 pushups. Yarrow was well enough inside the queue that she was spared any such indignities.

The base Commander marched down the line, greeting each soldier in turn. Now and then he'd ask a personal question-- he'd obviously been digging through personnel files-- and other times out would come either a medal or an award. Sadly for the Saurid standing next to Yarrow, nothing was gained at all, and next to him there was a blank space.

"Where is 'Lucky?' Mclintlock, the platoon medic?" asked the Commander of the company clerk, pointing at the obvious gap. There was no immediate reply. "Very well, put the man down as AWOL. 30 days in the brig should he resurface. An odd fellow anyway-- I heard he attempted to impersonate a staff sergeant and caused some disturbance around the dates." This last part was said sotto voce, in a low voice that only the Commander, Quartermaster and Yarrow could hear, and that only because she was next in line.

The Commander then turned to Yarrow. "Ah, Private, I heard a glowing report of your battle against the orcs. Very very good. You did Abestat proud. To that end, you are henceforth and from this point on a full non-commissed officer, with all the duties and obligations that this entails. Congratulations, Corporal Yarrow!"

The Quartermaster stepped forward and pinned her new stripe on Yarrow's arm, then handed her a small bag with her new sleeve patches, NCO key, (no longer would Yarrow have to suffer another gate peon) and other accoutrements of rank.

The brass were about to move onwards down the line when the company clerk coughed, and politely indicated a small graphic of a purple heart next to Yarrow's name. The commander nodded, and raised his hand to make sure he had everyone's attention. "For bravery shown in the Battle of Hazbone's bluff, Corporal Yarrow is hereby awarded the Abestat Distinguished Service Star, and for being wounded in combat, . . . well, it is my pleasure and honor to award Corporal Yarrow. . . Abestat's first Purple Heart."

The Commander then raised his hands and clapped, signaling a round of applause for the new corporal.

OOC: The Star looks like a small version of a sheriff's badge, though on a tri-colored ribbon; the Heart is a small purple charm on another Abestat tri-colored ribbon. The corresponding chest medals are a band of black/silver/gold, and a band of red/purple/red.

[Vincent Stefan]

OOC: What! I just don't know what to say, I would like to thank the academy and all the little peaple who made this possible.

IC: Vincent was shocked when the company commander walked towards him. He almost fainted when he was promoted. Eyeing the patch for his new position Vincent did't evan notice the other people showing up.

Vincent intently listened as a private Yarrow was promited and honored with Abestat's first Purple Heart. She had fought bravely for her home and in doing so was wounded. Vincent only hoped he would get a chace to to do that, hopefully without the injury. Raising his hands Vincent joined in as all present began to applaud the new corporal.

[Fish Stick]

Ssss'kon smiled as he was so generously promoted to being a Sargeant. He let his eyes wander off to see Yarrow scurrying in, along with the rest of the Abestatian Army. Then his eyes took note that Lucky was not there. That idiot! he thought to himself, but he kept himself contained, and let his scaley hands come together as the applause for Yarrow went up. Ssss'kon was one of the few sargeants, but was happy with his position. He let his eyes glance over to Vincent, and then turned his eyes back to the Commander, in wait of orders...

[Kyli Bronwen]

Upon joining the militia, Kyli had been issued two uniforms. One was a normal, everyday one that had been used quite frequently to the point that it was beginning to get frayed on the ends. Well worn in was the best term to describe it, and she found her uniform quit comfortable to be in. But this wasn't like every other day. This occasion called for her formal uniform, which was also issued to her to when she was enlisted. This uniform was rarely, if ever used by the elf, so it was in pristine condition. Though not as comfortable as the informal uniform, Kyli felt like she was sufficiently dressed up for such an occasion. Not sure what to expect, however, she managed to tame her curly hair best she could (which still wasn't much, considering the large mass of fly away parts that strayed from its intended mold).

Kyli's blue eyes sparkled in anticipation as she curiously thought of what it was that they could have been called here for. Nothing like this had happened to her and she wasn't familiar with this type of ritual. It wasn't too hard to follow suit of the rest of the masses, however. Most of military meetings were quite similar. You stand in a line or rank until you are told to move and you listen to what was going on with a keen ear.

The last military meeting she had been to had not turned out to be quite what she was expecting. What had turned out to be a speech given by the Thane which quickly turned into a heated debate which then snowballed into a all out brawl that ended with some casualties. Kyli was convinced that somehow Blecklefoot was behind the whole thing, for she thought she had seen someone fleeing from the scene that resembled him. The thought brought a deep chill to her heart as she unconsciously touched the long locket that was placed beneath her uniform over the breast. It was some sort of token from that amazing night. Without it and the brand on her ankle she would have been sure that it had only been in her mind. It seemed so surreal and too unbelievable to be true.

Shaking off the memories that seemed to haunt everything she did, Kyli turned her attentions back towards the meeting, just in time to see Yarrow, a woman Kyli had met in training, receive a star-shaped metal. The elf felt onrushing feelings of admiration for this woman who had fought so bravely for their city when the Orcs had invaded. Kyli felt slightly embarrassed and upset at herself that she had not been there to fight along with her fellow militiamen. She wasn't one to go looking for a fight, but she did feel it was her duty to fight alongside with the other devoted people of Abestat, or at least help in any way she could. She couldn't go about beating herself up about it, however, though she still felt a pang of regret.

Still feeling a bit guilty, Kyli waited for her turn, watching the others in front of her as they received their awards and promotions. Certain that she would not receive anything, for truly she doubted she had done anything of real worth, or at least nothing that would have helped the city of Abestat. She was a simple Private that did her job as best she could, and claimed nothing more. A simple pat on the back and a "Good job!" would have pleased her enough and made her as proud as the richest king.

[Yarrow]

ooc: Justice...your pm box is filled so I'll just answer your question here. I haven't gotten anything from the military as pay. I can't remember what they promised me...sorry. And another question...where can I find my "new rooms"? If I am not to stay in the military base...thanks.

ic: Yarrow was too surprised to say anything for a moment and then she bowed her head accepted both honors. Once the clapping had ceased she had found her voice to speak. Thank you sir...I would just like to point out though...that it was Private Keeva who pulled me out of the mess during the battle...Sir. She gave a salute...her first salute as an offical corporal.

[Keeva Kaldres]

Keeva was not exactly sure what was going on, but, like the others, she had arrived at the designated location, dressed in her smartest uniform, which, quite obviously, was the formal one. Her other uniform had been through too much hardship, and more then a few awkward situations, to be worn for an event such as this.

She managed to line up with the others just in time to see her long time friend in the army, Private Yarrow, be awarded the Purple Heart, and the title of Corporal. As she watched, with a mystified expreeion plastered on her face, Keeva felt an overwhelming sensation of pride surge through her body. They had been through so much together; the quarantine camp, their first, highly eventful patrol, and that terrifying battle against the orcs who had tried to force their way into the city. On top of that, they had also trained together, and Keeva saw Yarrow as her closest friend among the military personnel.

On hearing Yarrow inform the Commander that Keeva had helped her when she had been shot in the back with an arrow, the dark haired private felt she could do nothing but smile rather sheepishly. It had only just begun to dawn on her that the bow had been aimed at her, not her friend, who had inadvertantly acted like a human shield in her stead. A pang of guilt struck her then. Yarrow really did deserve the Purple Heart and rank of Corporal.

Continuing to watch with rueful grey eyes, Keeva could only wait to see what would happen next.

[Daniel]

OOC: This is for everyone. If you're in the military, and have a rank above buck private, you have 'quarters,' just like on Star Trek or JAG or whatever. Privates all bunk in the BEQ, usually in a set of bunk beds all placed next to each other on two sides of a middle strip, with footlockers placed by each bunk bed. Corporal s and Sergeants get a room with only two bunk-beds in it, hence the term 'quarters.' You can give yourself 3 NPC roomies or decide another PC of the same rank is with you, but in the case it would be "Keeva's half of the room" thread followed by "Yarrow's half of the room thread." In either case, these go in the Military Base sub-forum as opposed to the Domicilium, but you can describe your quarters much as you would your original 3-room house, save of course that it's more like a college dorm room.

IC:
The base Commander paused in the awards ceremony to announce that the Abestat marching band would be performing that old favorite standby "Abestat the Beautiful." He put his hand over his heart to show the civilians what to do, then saluted to show the military what to do. Most natives no doubt knew this protocol, but Abestat was a trading city and therefore had people from all over the Empire-- perhaps the world-- in attendance.

[Daniel]

Kyli

OOC: I have no idea what you guys did, so I'm just going by what your PCs are thinking in your memories.

IC: The new base Commander walked up and down the ranks after the band was finished, and he continued to hand out awards and medals and so forth. Once he got to Kyli, he had the Quartermaster pull out her file. "Hmm... says here you helped out when the public rioted during the Thane's speech. That's quite good. You get a platoon "E" award, for company excellence and for acting in a way that reflects well on Abestat! Attagirl!"

The "E" award was worth a 100-crown bonus, and so Kyli was given a bank-note of that denomination good at either the bank or base commisary.

[Daniel]

The Base Commander paused when he got to Keeva. There was a space on one side for Jade Ashald, and the Commander gave a short speech in her memory. "A good soldier, she fought valiantly for Abestat. She would have earned an officer's commision and some other rewards, but sadly the orcs snuffed out this oh-so-valiant life, and she is no more." The base Vizier had divined that Jade had been operating under a curse, and a spell had been prepared to cure her, but sadly that was not to be.

The Commander then got to Keeva. "There are several letters in your file from grateful citizens. Apparently you did a handful of good deeds in the Quarantine Camp, such as helping out a lady with some snake infestation and using your bow to good advantage. This, in addition to your outstanding performance with the patrols and in addition to your heroic effort to repel the orcs has earned you the title of Lance Corporal, a good conduct award, and a silver star. Congratulations, Corporal Keeva, and to all of you for a job well done!"

Keeva was given a bonus of 250 crowns in addition to her basic pay.

[Vincent Stefan]

OOC: Were then would a private first class end up, in regards to living space? According to what you said it looks like I have a bunk, but I just want to make shore.

IC: Vincent had never listened to the song “Abestat the Beautiful.” It was a rather inspiring tune.

As it was playing Vincent had noticed that some military personnel were still showing up. To his surprise none of them were being reprimanded. Though honestly that was a good thing.

As the ceremony continued Vincent began to wonder just how many people there was in this base and how many of them had not shown up yet. The thought widened the smile already on his face.