But what they got was a single figure on a floating disk coming from the Citadel.
The individual came out to the crowds waiting on the shore and floated before them, clad in a single robe of a shimmering material that went between intense blue and violet which managed to be shapeless, yet dignified. On the front was the same sort of crest that the herald had worn, and the figure gave off a feeling of responsibility and dignity.
And then the hood was pushed back to show a delicately made face that while looking young, also seemed to be mature and confident.
"We welcome those who have come to greet our arrival, or merely observe it," the woman told those watching, "With this arrival will begin the events that will lead up to the wedding of our Prince. All those who have entered will have a chance to become our Princess, and in the end, that will happen.
"However, on this day, we shall not be beginning the contest. Instead, we will give those of you who wish it, a way of knowing what we are about. We would have no secrets about our intentions, and will be as open as we can be so that we might prevent any misunderstandings from occurring.
"As such, we shall allow a small group of your information seekers, your 'press' to land on Citadel Kirby for a guided tour, so that we may show them, and through them, those they speak to, what we are like, and what we are about," she told them.
A murmur went through the ground based news crews, as they realised what was being offered. The visitors were telling them that they would be able to go into the newcomers' Citadel, and would be able to get the story that could make their careers. No reporter worth anything would give up a chance to be the one to report on that sort of story.
"So, who will be going?" she asked idly.
"What do you think of this development?" asked a news anchor in the NTV studio as she turned to the figure sitting on her left. "With your years of experience, how do you think this new action should be taken?"
The senior commentator pulled himself up and tried to frown thoughtfully. "This is obviously an attempt to prevent any further conflicts from misunderstanding from arising. After all, their last attempt at arriving did not go so well, so this time they are likely taking it more cautiously. Now, I'm sure that some might believe that this is being used to lull us into a sense of security, but I think that while that is true in some regards, it's only because they want to have normal relations without the danger of conflict arising."
"So you think that these people mean us no harm."
"Of course. They are not like some politicians in this country and others who attempt to hide their misdeeds and refuse to allow someone to look into thier workings. Obviously if government officials did not try to sweep their mistakes under the rug so to speak, then we would never have to worry about such things. But since they do, scandals break out constantly, and public faith in the political system is undercut. Part of what should be done is taking responsibility for their actions, and not trying to hide them. Hopefully this will show those officials that this sort of thing is possible."
"Thank you once more for your insightful commentary," the anchor told him.
"You're welcome."
Hiroshi turned from the television he had been watching to his best buddy and frowned. "What does that have to do with the visitors?"
"Who knows?" Daisuke replied, "It sounded good."
"True..."
"Besides, I'd rather wonder if they'll show that babe in the robes again."
"Oh... Me too. She sure was hot."
"Uh-huh."
With the crews chosen, several helicopters flew out to the Citadel where the woman waited on the platform where they would land. Not a few of the hearts were beating fast, and minds were wondering what those crews would find. But all knew that all their questions would soon have answers, or some of them would at least.
So, everyone present, and at home watched as the choppers headed over to the Citadel while:
(Posted Wed, 25 Feb 2004 04:20)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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