Subhaivenn: DianaUlrichAppreciation

Post: First public appearance on the Ricky Tremble show! Who's tuning in?

Comments:

Oh me and my sock are waiting!

Can't believe she took this long to make an appearance

Reply: Fr, I was beginning to think she was just a boring police drone. [Deleted by Mods]

What do you think she'll say?

She's just a police ad, prolly gonna shill them for some new recruits. [Deleted by Mods]

Maybe she's going to announce her dad running for mayor?

Reply: Dumbass, elections are paused cus of the Swarm, don't want to change leadership while your city's being invaded.

Hopefully that she's single.

I'm hoping she actually says something worthwhile.

Reply: Like her Sigil ID Number?

Lowkey, kinda smart she took her time to make an appearance, we've all been waiting and now there's hype.

I definitely have, I've been closely following all of her cases. Did you see the one in the Fourth Precinct?

Reply: Yeah, heard she uncovered some bad police officers, she's def one of the good ones.

Reply: Saw that she went with a male coworker, think they fucked?

Reply: If I was the guy… I'd certainly be investigating her.

Fiending for her.

Reply: Fr, would simp.

October 23rd

7:30 PM

Diana live-on-air at The Ricky Tremble Talk-show!

"Goooood evening, New California!" Ricky Tremble put on a charming grin. Childhood gene therapy and a healthy surplus of cosmetic mutations lent him a smile that would make anybody reciprocate. "Welcome to the Ricky Tremble Show, hosted by none other than yours truly. Tonight, I'm delighted to host an upcoming star for our Free City, meet the silver-haired beauty with a heart of Gold — Diana Ulrich! Silvereeyyee!"

I strolled onto the stage, using all six months of my actress training to put on a fake smile and follow the instructions I was told: angle to the light, don't be in a hurry, smile, and hug the host but not too tightly so they don't think you're promiscuous.

I was perfectly fine with the last one. He held on for a brief second before adjusting back into his seat as I did the same on a couch next to his desk. More than a few million people would watch live from Net-casters, and the more influential were seated in the dark ahead of me. I waited for the clapping to stop before speaking, my voice coming through speakers with a gentle spark. "I'm glad to be here. Thank you for hosting me, Ricky."

"The pleasure is mine," Ricky said firmly, before leaning in. "Now… before we start… there's a question everyone is dying to know. Are you single?"

I held back my sigh, instead turning to the cameras around and winking as a part of me died inside while reading the text projected to my eyes. "Let's just say I'm ready to mingle."

Ricky leaned back in his chair, putting a shocked face as he lifted his hands to the side of his head, and the audience laughed, whistled, and clapped. "Well, consider that a Ricky Tremble exclusive! You heard it here first… Alright, alright, I won't pester you about your dating life for too long! After all, you're a First Rank Investigator! What an inspiration, the daughter of Brian Ulrich… none other than the Corporate Advisor of this government, taking the fight onto the streets!"

"Well…" I leaned in. "I think I'd rather say I'm trying to take the fight out from the streets. As for being an inspiration… I'm merely following in the footsteps of those that have guided me here."

"Aw, I think you're discrediting yourself! After all… you've taken some high-profile cases. Tell me, which one are you most proud of?"

"Most proud of? Let's see… it might not actually be one of my recent ones. This one was earlier in my career. Before my name came out to the public… as my father's daughter."

"Oh, another exclusive." Ricky turned a curious eye to the audience. "Please, we'd love to know."

I batted my eyes to the camera, turning away slightly to add some of that 'shy' flair. "It was… a case between me and a dear friend. Fresh police recruits at the time. We were stationed at a park where this child got separated from his mother… we spent hours searching for them. I remember it getting really late outside, so we had to treat the kid to some ice cream when he was getting worried. Thankfully, his mother popped up by the precinct in time, and they were reunited happily. It was the small things like seeing that kid so relieved which… keep me fighting."

The case was real. The sequence of events was not, the kid had been told by his mother to go play out a park while she went to get drugs from a nearby alley. Apparently, she couldn't even wait as she spent hours high out of her mind while we were looking for her. In the end, the kid was returned, but there was a frown on his face as he left me and Yvette.

"Aw, it's definitely stories like that which show what's important to a person." Tremble smirked. "Out of all the people in this City, I think all of us are immensely glad that someone like you ended up with a Gold SIM. At least you're not going around chasing pigeons!"

"Pigeons?" I said, confused. A crowd laughed at something I apparently wasn't very online for.

"Oh, don't tell me you didn't see it on Hotgram! A clip's going viral of Dreadwire going around catching pigeons. You'd think someone like him would be using his power for more nefarious means." A clip showed in my view, of Ripley doing complicated maneuvers to… catch a pigeon in his grasp.

"That's… certainly an odd choice." I laughed. "Well, what can I say except not everyone uses their powers for the right things. I think it's merited that when you come into great potential, you have to hold yourself to a responsibility to make right with it."

"Oh wow, you're just full of inspirational quotes today."

"I'm just trying to be what I want those around me to act like." I turned to the cameras. "After all, who doesn't love being around people who will stand up for what they believe in?"

"Couldn't agree more, Silvereye! And speaking of that name, is it just because of your eye color?" Ricky had a curious glint.

"I suppose you could say that was the main inspiration, but it's a name I actually chose for myself. I'm glad it stuck, they say that silver is the color of truth and I want to keep my eye out to always uncover it. It's also what they used back in the day for mirrors, but that's something my dad told me — he'd say I spent too many hours looking at everything I did wrong."

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

My dad did, in fact, say that to me. My actual dad. Yorrick Jones.

"Oh wow, that's a little family history for us. Now, I understand that your identity was kept hidden for the first few years of your career. How does it feel to be open about it now?"

"Well…" This was the part of the script that my feed highlighted. "It's been a change, moving to the public sphere. I guess you could say I sort of wanted to avoid it for a while, but now more than ever… it's important to make your voice have a difference in the world. If I can be… that voice… I'll shine light upon the issues others don't want to speak up against."

"Oh, so would you call yourself an activist?"

"I suppose I am." I scratched my cheek. "I try not to be annoying about it, but I'm very passionate about some causes… in fact, so is my dad."

Now was the part where he spent money.

"Part of the reason why I agreed to come and talk today was because I'm excited to announce that my father and I have created The Silver Heart Foundation. It was just as a surprise to me as it is to anyone watching. With it, we plan to aid in rehabilitating many of our homeless and less fortunate, to give those struggling a chance to acquire some security as we move forward into the Fifth Swarm."

Ricky turned a very slight moment of confusion, but as the presenter he was, he perfectly improvised a reaction. "Oh, oh wow! I'm so glad to see that the power duo of father-daughter is doing everything they can to brighten this city up!"

"What can I say? He has an eye for the bigger picture, while I'll work my way through the trenches." I turned my gaze deep into the cameras, knowing he was watching.

———

Backstage, I breathed a sigh of relief as my nerves finally cooled down. This was too much public attention, hell, they'd even asked me about it. I gave some bogus improv about it being a change and that I was still the same Diana as before, but the truth is I was far from who I used to be.

I couldn't tell if I hated this or… maybe even liked it. I hated the fact that it could have been the second.

"Gotta say, Diana, you're a natural at this." Ricky smiled, strolling into my room. "That bit where you showed your powers, lifting and zapping the air. Oh cinema-gold, I'm telling you. And pun intended."

"Thank you, Ricky." I was eager to end this day now. No more acting for at least a few days. "Now, I think I'll-"

"So," he interrupted me, "this is your first time coming here, but normally after the shows we have a little bar celebration. Just some place where we talk business or gossip, and it's invite only, so no plebs to ruin our fun. You got any preferences?"

"Preferences?"

"In chems, people? Plain alcohol and regular VIPs or something more, the entertainers here are top-notch. Holowood talent at its finest!" Ricky leaned against my table, a hopeful smile on his face.

"I think I'm good." I wasn't that interested in celebrity gossip.

"Just sayin' plenty of people who want to get to know The Silvereye. Good place to make connections." He pushed forward.

"Yeah, I- I just have a day job to worry about." I collected my coat and bag, pulling out some shades and putting them on my face.

"Ah, don't do that." He pointed to my shades.

"My shades, why?"

"There'll be a whole lot of papparrazi when you leave." He sighed. "No point in getting pics of Silvereye if you're not going to see her silver eyes. Though, you could take shelter here — I'd accommodate you any day."

Biting my lips in frustration, I pulled them off. "Alright… thanks for the tip."

I began walking to the exit, but Ricky held my arm lightly. "You're seriously leaving?"

"I am… I have responsibilities."

"You're kiddin'," he blew from his lips, "you actually believe the stuff you say up there?"

"I have to," I pulled my arm free and began walking down to the exit, then I pulled my shades back up. True to his words, there was a storm of paparazzi waiting down below, their eyes modified and bulky as lights on their forehead flashed in my direction to capture all my angles.

Unsure, I just walked through, guards and bouncers on my side blocking any over eager fans from getting near me… and some of the things they were saying…

"What was it like going undercover and staying under Simon Jugosla?"

"Is it true you went to Little Requiem?"

"What's your relation to Dreadwire?"

"Which sexual preference do you have?"

"Were you and Anthony Grazhe dating?"

"Can you take off your glasses for a shot?"

…were insensitive. I stopped in the middle of the carpet, my glasses floating off my head with a thin spark. "I only have one thing to say."

Now better than ever, these were all reporters for minor news agencies who sold their headlines to the big media outlets controlled by corporations. But some, some would keep a hold of any juicy gossip they could get and regurgitate it through the Net.

Electricity tangled through my hair, lifting it to the autumn wind as my voice and soul burned into those onlookers. "Men like Simon Jugosla thought lightning was chance. I am the reminder its judgment. I've struck once. I'll strike twice. Strike until silence breaks — and the thunder you hear will be this city waking up."

They could get all their camera flashes for now. I felt pretty badass, I couldn't lie. My glasses zapped back to my eyes as a car rolled in for my exit.

———

Seated in front of me was none other than Executive Investigator Keagan, the man who helped Anthony find out where I was when Soul Killer kidnapped me. He sat opposite me in the lavish car. It was too eerily reminiscent of the vehicle that had stolen me away. "Your father would like to commend you on a job well done."

"He can tell me that in person." I looked through the blacked-out windows. There were still people following me to the hotel I was staying tonight.

Keagan sighed before clicking a button to his left. Light spilled next to him, forming a replica of the man I hated.

Brian Ulrich looked at me with a wise grin. I had been hoping for a scowl. "Quite the spectacle you can create. A little firecracker, aren't you? That was quite the exciting line. You're very marketable."

I rubbed the bridge of my nose. This was the last thing I wanted right now. "And here I wanted to piss you off."

"Oh, by the whole Silver Heart Foundation?" He barked a laugh. "Ah, quite the contrary, really pulled your name up on the charts. I'll get my men to handle it, a quick… two million…"

"Four million." I said with steel. "Four million Shardyne, to shelters and orphanages of my choosing, the Foundation's under my name after all. I want rehabilitation for those who were involved with the earthquake and its effects, any veterans who've suffered over a century of being forgotten, children who are being exploited… all of it."

"Y'know, people in those positions are the best type for the Swarm." He picked up a drink from the air.

"What type?"

"Desperate. Disposable." He gulped it down. "Provides a buffer for our real operations, otherwise we end up losing too many Bronzes, Silvers… Golds. We'll let them win medals of honor and join back into civilization, and those who end up developing further than we expect will end up having their Implants taken once their duty is over, but they should be glad to have made a difference. It's thanks to them, we thrive."

"This is why I fucking hate you." I pounded on the car door, but it didn't even rattle.

"You hate me, yet you relish everything you get from me. You can't deny that, your security, your life… It's all capable of being so much more than what you let it be." Brian put his drink down. "Still thinkin' of going after Soul Killer?"

"How about I don't tell you what I'm thinking?"

"Tch, stubborn, aren't you?" He said nonchalantly. "You'll be glad to know then that we've received… news."

"News?" I perked forward.

"Just a little rumor that the Revenant has more enemies than we thought. I'm not saying this to get you chasin' these mysterious allies down, but rather… that the police might not need to do much after all."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't worry about it for now. I'll tell you more once a deal is finalized." Brain smiled, and then he vanished.

I looked at Keagan, lightning spitting from my hand. "Do you know anything about that?"

Keagan remained entirely still. "All I know is that everything will be handled if you play your part."

I gritted. After everything I've been through… I really needed to punch something. Thankfully, I'd be taking the fight to Soul Killer soon… speaking of, did Ripley update me yet?

In fact, he did.

[So… I have a lead on the Infected Implant, only issue is that we need to visit a guy called Quartz. As in, both of us. You free tomorrow? Also, he wants to see the Revenant Serum.]

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