The First Encounter (Closed / Soyuznoye)

[Unicario]

April 20, 2160
Yoishuto, Ginkaigan

"Your Majesties?" The door to the Empress' quarters opened, as a young Household Maid, dressed in the standard black-white European-inspired uniform, arrived to deliver the Empress' wake-up call. Checking her watch, the young maid sighed and called out again, "Your Majesties, it is time to get up!"

There was minor shifting under the covers as Empress Ranko XXI of the Tentai Clan, slowly poked her head out from underneath the covers. The Empress' red hair was a tremendous mess and she looked blearily at her maid. "What time is it?"

"It is 5:30, Your Majesty. I am here to give you your wake-up call as you requested to me yesterday."

The Empress scrunched her face up and finally nodded, slowly pulling herself up to a sitting position. Blinking away the sleep, she then began the process of crawling and climbing over one of the other slumbering figures. Mariko Hisawa, one of her two Imperial consorts, slyly pinched the Empress' arse, causing the young woman to stumble and fall out of bed. Huffing, the Empress glared at her wife. "Mariko, that's not funny!"

Mariko gently opened her eyes and grinned, "Sorry, I couldn't resist."

Ranko rolled her eyes and was helped off of the floor by her maid.

She then smiled, "Good morning Linzi. Did you sleep well last night?"

Linzi, her maid, brightened considerably, "Yes ma'am, I did!"

The young teenage girl did the typical submissive bow to the Empress, who sighed, "I told you, Linzi. When you're in the Residence part of the Palace, you need not do that. I'm not so rooted in particular traditions as my mother and grandmother were. You and I have a history as friends, hence why I chose you to be the Head Maid of the Imperial Household. Along for other reasons. I don’t want you too far away from me, so do away with the Imperial formalities when not in public."

Linzi had the good graces to blush at the Empress’ expression, and drew out a sheet of paper from her side-pouch. She began to read, "Ranko, you’ve got a morning breakfast meeting with Chairman Yuri Ivchenko at 08.45; and a meeting with the Governor of Hybrasil over European attempts to buy logging rights in the Great Rainforest."

Ranko nodded and waved her hands dismissively, “I want to get ready for the day before I worry about the matters of state.” Linzi’s eyes brightened and she nodded, “Oh yes, absolutely!”

Linzi shouted in Midori language for one of her underlings; a number of maids entered the room, carrying a large towel, a satin robe, and the Empress’ wash basket. Linzi and the Empress exited the bedroom and walked down the hall to the furo.

Ranko opened the door and the maid attending to the furo stood up and bowed. “Your Majesty! Good Morning! Your furo is prepared exactly as you like.” Ranko smiled and bowed back. “Thank you very much, Aiko.” She looked at the number of maids that were in her attendance. She gave a small smile, “Thank you all for being so… kind.”

Linzi grinned, “Your Majesty, these girls applied to be your maids; I mean, the Imperial Household does pay us a significant amount for our services; both domestic and… in other capacities.”

Ranko flashed Linzi a grin, and drew herself up into a regal manner. She thanked Aiko and the other girls, and had them leave. Ranko and Linzi remained behind, alone, in the furo. Ranko sighed and began to take off her chemise.

Standing stark naked, the 18 year old Empress of Ginkaigan entered into the furo and started bathing for the morning. Linzi patiently stood near the door to the furo for a minute before stripping down as well, and joining the Empress in the furo, giggling as she went through the threshold, closing it behind her.

---

6:03AM

“I’m telling you; that particularly fringe is fine! You’re worrying too much, Mariko-chan.” Akane Matsuoka smirked at her fellow Consort. Both women were seated at their vanities styling their hair and preparing for their day of official state duties as Imperial Consorts.

Mariko pouted and fussed some more with her dark hair, and said, “I regret cutting all my hair off – your long hair is so beautiful.”

Akane grinned at her, before the door opened and the Empress, wearing her satin robe and her hair put up into a towel, entered the room, followed shortly behind by Head Maid Linzi, who was a little disoriented, but had a silly grin on her face. She was also wearing a satin robe and had her hair up in a turban.

The Empress sat down at her vanity, and Linzi began to style the Empress’ hair in her preferred style – she didn’t like up-do hairstyles very often; she liked her hair to be loose mostly. After about 15 minutes of fussing with it, the Empress’ hair was proclaimed “done” and she stood up, and Linzi helped her into her corset and then her standard attire – a yellow-and-white floral dress. After that, the Empress finished up by doing her makeup by herself; taking great care to highlight her lips and her blue eyes.

At 6:30, the Empress, Consort Mariko, Consort Akane, and Linzi, who acted as both Head Maid and Personal Aide to the Empress, descended into the main room of the Residence. Mariko and Akane were wearing formal qipao dresses. Akane's long blonde hair was done up in twin buns, kept in place by bands with flowers affixed to them. Her qipao was a rich purple shade. Mariko simply had a flower affixed to her hair, and was wearing a rich red-shade qipao. Linzi was wearing a simple black blouse with a white bow-tie, and black trousers. The Empress chatted with her ladies for a few minutes, before heading to her office – at 6:33, she gave each of them a kiss, and departed.

Entering her office at 6:35, she sat down at her desk and turned her computer on. The beige-box machine roared the life, the screen coming on and giving a bunch of diagnostic information. After a good 15 seconds, her desktop loaded, and she began to check her emails. A few minutes later, Linzi came in, carrying a large thermos of coffee, and apologized for the delay.

Ranko waved off her apology, “Don’t apologize, Linzi. You’re so cute when you get all flustered and apologetic but you must stop doing that.”
Linzi smiled, and Ranko gave her a peck on the cheek and told her to go enjoy her day – she didn’t need anything right now, with the meetings with the Imperial Cabinet and the Bojikamians.

Linzi smiled and nodded, and went back upstairs to spend time with Mariko and Akane.

Ranko settled in and fired up her computer’s second monitor. She began to settle into her work as the Head of State.

At 08.42, her Outer Office Secretary, a 63-year old middle-aged woman named Ingrid, paged her and announced, “Your Majesty, the representatives from Bojikami have arrived.”

Ranko smiled, “Alright, Ingrid. Send them in, please.”

[Bojikami]

April 20th, 2160

In waiting outside, Yuri was rather surprised by his surroundings. A nation, an entire land populated entirely by women seemed alien to him, he himself had many questions... which he decided to keep to himself.

"Man, is this place interesting..." Andrei Sokolov, Minister of Defense began. Andrei was a younger man, at 34 years of age he was the youngest person to ever hold his current position. He had a career as a high-ranking military officer who fought for the Bojikamiian Spetsnaz in various counter-terrorist operations. His most noticeable feature was that of a scar which stretched from his temple to his cheekbone.

"I mean, an entire country, just full of cute girls? Man, Yuri you have got to take me on more of these visits!"

Yuri closed his eyes and chuckled. He looked up to see a secretary woman glaring at them "I apologize, on my friends behalf. You must understand that I do not often make a habit of taking him along on visits."

Andrei sighed. "Oh, come on Yuri. I didn't mean anything by it, it is all in good fun." He looked back at the woman, who was focused on her computer work. He looked around at the other leaders of the Bojikamiian government "Right, guys?"

"Andrei, I recommend remaining quiet for the duration of this summit to prevent making a further ass of yourself and of Bojikami." Olga Volikov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs retorted. Olga was a 29 year old woman, her work in resolving various diplomatic disputes for Bojikami and her unofficial counsel to Yuri and the previous Minister of Foreign Affairs saw her be Yuri's number one choice for the then vacant position. She had long, black hair and pale skin. She was an attractive woman, but she preferred to have her work speak more than her looks.

While the banter between the two would resume for several minutes, it would be broken when Ingrid announced "Her Majesty will see you now."

Yuri stood up and whispered to Andrei "With all of the arguing you two do, I am surprised you don't date." Andrei glared at him and Yuri smiled.

Yuri entered the Empress' office, followed in by Andrei Sokolov, Olga Volikov, and President of the Supreme Soviet of Bojikami, Baasan Taragai. Yuri Ivchenko himself was an older man, aged at 65. He wore a plain black and white suit, with a small Communist Party pin on his chest, depicting Antonij Regovishki, the father of the Bojikamiian Revolution, imposed on a waving red flag.

"It is good to meet you, at last, your majesty." He began. "My hope is that our two nations can come out of this meeting as close friends."

[Unicario]

Empress Ranko gave a bright dazzling smile and gave a nod. "My grandmother's time as Tennō saw the blossoming of the relationship between the Empire and the Revolutionary Peoples of Bojikami, despite our fundamental governmental incompatibilities," She stood up and stated, "And it is my pleasure to welcome each of you to the Greater Empire of Ginkaigan. While we have not yet had the chance to meet until now, I have learned much of you from State Television."

She came out from around her desk, standing at an impressive 6'6", towering over the Bojikamian representatives; not counting her short yellow heels that gave her another inch, upping her to 6'7". She gently shook Yuri's hand and smiled, "I am glad to finally meat you, Ivchenko-san. My grandmother spoke very highly of you and Bojikami; and considering our shared ancestry, we can only give hope towards better relations under my time as Empress."

She moved down another person, this time shaking hands with Andrei Sokolov. She noticed Andrei's eyes wandering to some of her Secretaries dashing in and out of the room to pick up and deliver documents. One young secretary, Izumi Itakama, came up to the Empress, bowed deeply in deference, and offered a clipboard to her. The Empress turned, pulled a pen out of her side-bag, and scribbled her signature down on the document. She watched Andrei as Izumi left the room and smiled. "Ah, Sokolov-san; I can understand your predicament. It is sometimes difficult to work in an office with dozens of cute girls running around you."

She chuckled, "But I don't think you're quite there type, if you know what I mean, Comrade Sokolov." the Empress added quietly, before winking and moving down the line to Olga Volikov. Her grin became even larger, and she shook Olga's hand. "It is a pleasure to meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I assume you and I shall be having many productive conversations in the months and years to come; along with my Foreign Minister. However, she is indisposed at the moment, leaving me alone to conduct matters of state; with the State President. She should be arriving shortly in the Dining Room."

She moved down to the last man. She clasped the hand of Baasan Taragai. "And welcome, honorable Comrade President of the Supreme Soviet. You and your nation are strong, passionate, and great historical allies in the Final Fight against the German menace in the early 22nd century; and together, we overcame the darkest struggles. Thank you."

Ranko smiled and looked at the assembled Bojikamian group. "Now, let us attend to the breakfast. President Solberg and Chancellor Knežević of the Parliament will be in attendance also; as will my wives, Akane Matsuoka and Mariko Hisawa; who will be assisted by our Imperial Staff." She escorted them out of the office, stopping for a brief moment at Ingrid's desk.

"Ingrid, I will be indisposed for the next few hours. Take this time to do your own personal matters, as you so wish." She smiled, and escorted the Bojikamian representatives to the Residence. Upon entrance, they were greeted by Consorts Akane and Mariko; along with Concubine Linzi. Ranko smiled and said, "Madame, and Gentlemen; I introduce you to the loves of my life. Akane, Mariko and Linzi. They are our hostesses this morning, as they have coordinated our breakfast plans." She gestured towards the door to the kitchen. "This way to the dining room."

As they entered, the Empress sat down at the table and invited the Bojikamians to sit as well. Smoothing the lower half of her dress down, removing creases, she smiled, and waited for breakfast to be served. A few minutes later, President Solberg and Chancellor Knežević entered the room, taking seats at the table.

Before they began talking, the Consorts and Linzi served the breakfast; a traditional Ginkaigan breakfast of Roasted Hi-jū; a spicy, yet nutritious cooked breakfast meat. The sides on the dish was a standard serving of rice, along with Amaikuki, a traditional Ginkaigan dish, which consisted of a primary vegetable, the Amaikuki, which had a sweet aromatic scent and flavor to it. The multi-shade crispy leaves were often cut up into smaller pieces, and served in a small edible bread bowl with a light sprinkle of herbs and spices over it.

The plates were dished out to the various groups, and chopsticks were placed on the table, along-side the traditional European fork/knife option. The Empress smiled and said, "Do any of you have a drink preference?"