2023-08-20: The Wrong Words
- Cutscene: 2023-08-20: The Wrong Words
- Cast: Emilia Eschonbach
- Where: Nagoya, Area 11
- Date: 18 August, 0097
- Summary: Hearing her cousin's speech broadcast across the world, Emilia focuses on the wrong part- and deafens herself to the miracle.
There was a TV in the back room of the Cabaret club, usually on while things were quiet or the hostesses were getting ready. And while Emilia's main job at the club was bartender, one of her other duties was helping out with makeup.
The news droned in the background as Emmy worked on one hostess, while those who didn't need or want her help did their own in the background. She hadn't paid much mind to it, until a familiar voice cut through the broadcast.
'Greetings, people of Earth, space, and all those who dwell in the Earth Sphere. I am Mineva Lao Zabi. I ask your forgiveness for addressing you all in this manner, but I had no other choice.'
Emilia's eyes went wide, and she dropped her makeup brush in shock, barely catching it before it landed on the hostess' dress. She turned to face the screen, shocked.
"M-Mineva...?"
"Hey, what gives? I was watching that!" One of the other hostesses called out angrily, and moved to grab the remote-
Only for the same broadcast to be on every channel.
As the speech went on, however, the chatter died down- or maybe Emilia simply didn't hear it. Her focus was purely on the TV- on her cousin, in full regalia. She'd only seen Mineva like this in the portraits in the museum...
But Emilia didn't understand what it was about. The Federation was built on a lie? New species? Newtypes? What did super aces have to do with anything?
'In a few short years, the nation of Zeon will disappear, and the myth of the Newtype will be buried with it in the shadows of history, but that is not why I am here today. I do not intend to pursue the matter of this lost article with the Federation, nor do I desire a resurgence of Zeon. If anyone should corrupt my words to take up arms for the cause of the 'Newtype' or 'Neo-Zeon' then know that I shall oppose you myself, with a desire only for peace within my heart.'
Zeon will disappear. Those words hit like a truck.
Their family's legacy- for good and ill- gone.
And Mineva... didn't want it back?
Emmy felt something twist in her chest. Zeon. The legacy she had never known, never gotten to touch. The cause Emilia's father had fought and died for- that Mineva's birth father had fought and died for...
...and that Mineva's adoptive father had killed their family to destroy.
The rest of the speech was drowned out by the sound of her heartbeat in her ears.
Zeon had been the cause that so many spacenoids had rallied behind. She knew it wasn't clean. There had been atrocities committed in the name of spacenoid independence. Her lessons with Professor Martel had taught her that.
But... it was still a part of her. She didn't want it to disappear. Even though Captain Zinnerman had told her it was a cause she shouldn't fight for. Even though Zeon had never tried to find her...
She had to believe her father had died for something worthwhile. Something that had meaning. Something that was worth leaving her alone in the world for. If she didn't...
She noticed the tears rolling down her face a moment later.
Emilia stood up. "E-Excuse me..." She said quietly, and walked out into the alley behind the club. Mineva would stand against her, would she? ...It only made sense.
Emilia had already sworn to kill the man who Mineva called father, after all. What's one more reason to hate her?
She leaned against the painted brick of the alley wall and sobbed, a vile mix of fear, anger and sadness overwhelming her.
Inside, the speech continued.
'Ninety seven years ago, Ricardo Marcenas said: 'There is no need to worry about the script others write. Just look at the future that is about to begin with the god called 'possibility' in your heart.' To all hearing this broadcast, please see the truth with your own eyes. And then just as the people did a century ago, I'd like to usher in the next century with that goodwill within your hearts.'
'Please, believe in the god called 'possibility' that sleeps within us all.'
Emilia wasn't there to hear that heartfelt plea.