National Day Celebrations in Horasia (IC/Applied only)

[Horasia]

Kingsstead, Horasian Empire, December 8, 2024 - 6:00 PM

As the sun dipped below the crimson-hued horizon on this early winter evening, the air turned crisp and the sky cleared, enveloping the capital city of the Horasian Empire in a refreshing embrace. Yet, tranquility was not to be found on this particular evening. This special anniversary brought forth the people of Horasia onto the streets, for it was their day to celebrate! 383 years ago, on December 8, 1641, the noble Fraija Järvinen was crowned the first Empress of Horasia, thus establishing the empire, which has since maintained its form, albeit evolving in its appearance. The entire day was marked by concerts, festivities, markets, lectures, and other celebratory events commemorating the founding in every corner of the realm.

As the evening unfolds, galas and parties abound, hosted both publicly and privately. However, in the capital city, a special celebration unfolds annually. A celebration not open to all, yet one that captures the attention of the public eye. At the heart of Kingsstead, the Imperial Palace gleams in its baroque splendor. Here, the National Day Celebrations of Empress Sofijaa Gyldana take place. A soirée that rivals the pomp and circumstance of any in the realm of kings and emperors. Heads of state, diplomats, local politicians, business elites, and celebrities are the exclusive guests of this state affair.

Miles away from the palace gates, a crowd of Horasians and foreign guests gathers, peering behind barriers and police protection to catch a glimpse of the cleared streets awaiting the arrival of the limousines en route to the imperial residence. Inside these vehicles, dispatched by the Empress herself to fetch the guests from their hotels, passengers behold a tapestry of sights and sounds. The Libertarian Diva, as Horasia is often jestingly referred to abroad, showcases the capital through its stunning, baroque, and colorful old town, captivating many in its own unique way. The crowds adorn themselves in vibrant, eye-catching attire, each seemingly a paradise bird of their own. Most cheer the limousines on, waving Horasian flags and warmly welcoming the guests. Yet, sporadic protesters can also be seen, expressing dissent against the exorbitant costs and elitism, while others grapple with the notion of lavish hospitality extended to guests from authoritarian and totalitarian regimes.

The limousines arrive at the palace courtyard, greeted by a burst of fireworks illuminating the sky. Guests are welcomed by pages who guide them into the castle. Today, the values of the Horasian Empire are celebrated. Decadence, individuality, hedonism, and freedom echo within the marble and plaster walls. Today, anyone can become a libertarian diva.

[Sumahtera]

Motorcade, Kingsstead, December 8 2024 - 6:30 PM

As the King of Sumahtera, King Amarathina navigated the age-old streets of Horasia, his mind buzzed with the familiar blend of anticipation and apprehension. In the dimly lit interior of his motorcade, he leaned back against the plush upholstery, his gaze fixed on the passing tableau outside.The streets of Horasia pulsed with life, patriots dressed in vibrant apparel waving flags of the empire. His keen eyes took in the sights – the grandur and detail of the old town made a stunning contrast too the rapid urban landscapes of Oritrea and the Terus River back home.

Amidst the throngs of revelers, he caught glimpses of faces both jubilant and somber, each bearing their own story, their own struggles. A young couple strolled arm in arm, laughter dancing on their lips as they reveled in the spirit of the festivities. Yet, just a few paces away, activists and protesters something the king had yet to see personally. The King felt a pang of empathy stir within him as he observed the young activist, her placard reading "By Virtue and by example", crossed out in black spray paint. As his convoy wound its way through the labyrinthine streets. He felt uneasy. People were mad about luxury parties for authoratarian governments. He tried to blame the people for dissent and treason but without a barrier between him and his population which he was used too, he couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow for his fellow human beings.

And as the King's motorcade drew closer to its destination, he could see the immensity of the Imperial palace despite its small size and similarity to the buildings around it. His driver slowed, down the approaching street to the palace, lined with police, protesters and patriots alike. To him parties like this are what make nations communicate. Fireworks light up the dimming sky and suited bodyguards with glocks and rifles are replaced by palace guards with swords and drums. Playing the national anthem of Horasia. The kings lavish and luxury motorcade halts and he exits in his signature red, gold lined robe. Entering the building the noise of crowds cease.

[Sumahtera]

Imperial Palace, Kingsstead, December 2024 - 7:00 PM

The Imperial Palace Grand Reception Hall stood as a testament to the grandeur and majesty of Horasia. Its towering columns and intricately carved archways bore witness to centuries of history, the walls covered in intricate marble and limestone. Deep red carpets covering the floor. While not as disorienting as the Phaningi Palace it surely was close. The King was greeted by two young page boys in black vests and white shirts. Being his usual self the king asked "Who are these two", "They look like their on a date". His personal guard joined the conversation "Pehaps they local nobles". The king sighed and said "Do nobles dress like estate agents, no". The pair brushed of the insult and continued as if nothing had happened "Follow me your majesty". His eyes swept across the hallway, taking in the kaleidoscope of colors and textures that adorned the space from exotic artwork on the walls to chandeliers on the ceiling.

They reached two huge wood doors. The pair of boys opened them and bowed "Enjoy" he said. A room with classical music the likes of which he had never heared before and a standing crowd not silenced before him. Even his visit to the United nations was more welcoming than this. He thought. "Lets go mingle" he said sarcastically. A huge painting of Fraija Jarvinen taking half a wall stands right infront of him. "We need this back home" He said to the person closest to him "Of me .. I mean".After the formalities of the reception had concluded, the King was ushered into the Main Dining Room, where a sumptuous feast awaited. The room was ablaze with light, the flickering candles casting dancing shadows upon the polished marble floors.

Seated at the head of the table, the Emperor of Horasia presided over the proceedings with an air of regal elegance. Two seats to her left sat the King of Sumahtera, his expression a mixture of curiosity and anticipation as he surveyed the array of culinary delights laid out before him. His confusion could be seen throught the room almost as if he had never seen food before. Sat to his right was a well suited man with greasy oiled hair. He knew he was a business type and stared at him for about ten seconds. "Can i help you?" he said in an unmistakable american accent. Joey Glade a shareholder in the TeranCo oil company. The largest south asian energy company. The pair chatted as the ceremonies continued. Plate after plate of food was served. As the evening wore on and the wine flowed freely, the conversation turned to matters of state and diplomacy. The King listened intently as the Emperor spoke of the challenges and triumphs of governance. While the king agreed that governing is hard he disagreed with almost everything she said

And amidst the laughter and camaraderie that filled the room, the King couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with his foreign aristocracy. For in that moment, as they dined together in the hallowed halls of power, they were not just monarchs and rulers – they were comrades..

[Xerofel]

As the celebrations started in horasia a small black car would arrive at the palace and with a quick movement sowit atendoriak and three other men would come out, sowit atendoriak would look at his surroundings seeing the people from horasia and their lifestyle very different than that of the xerofelian people and thinking of this sowit laughed. ¡How could a society like that mantain itself?! He then took a seat alongside the other three men that accompanied him and started talking in a low voice with them.

There was a lot to learn from outsiders.

[Arevala]

Anabel and Crisanto
Entrance to the castle

The streets of Kingsstead were abuzz with people coming out to celebrate the national day. But right in the middle of them, a parallel celebration was taking place ‒ one that was far more exclusive, and by invitation only. It was a fancy evening ball, attended by the likes of royalty, nobility, industrialists and other high-society figures, both Horasian and foreign. This exclusivity was enforced via the use of barricades and police roadblocks, keeping out those deemed not worthy enough to attend, and ensuring a clear path for the arriving guests and their vehicles. Some were evidently not happy to see their tax money used like that, as seen by the handful of demonstrating protesters. For the most part, however, the atmosphere was a joyful and jubilant one, with brightly dressed locals young and old eagerly gathering along the route, hoping to get a good look at the glitz and glamor passing by.

Standing out as unusual among the line of limousines, was an elegant and regal carriage, like those in fairy tales. It was pulled by two brown horses, each one adorned with red and gold bows and ribbons (the colors of the Arevalan royal banner). The carriage stopped outside the palace courtyard gates, and the two occupants exited: Queen Anabel of Arevala, in a sleek green dress with her jet-black hair in a bun and accessorized with a necklace and clip-on earrings made of pearls, and Crisanto Flores, Captain of the Royal Guard, decked out in his full ceremonial uniform with the red cuirass, gold epaulettes and an assortment of medals. Such a stuffy high-society gathering was not Anabel's usual cup of tea ‒ the young Queen would've preferred to be back home, soaring through the Arevalan skies on the back of a dragon, or helping out her friend Farrigo and his daughters at the Happy Herald tavern.

But the Horasians seemed welcoming enough, and the two cultures were sufficiently alike, such that both kingdoms could benefit and prosper from closer relations and trade, which the Queen hoped to secure during her visit, though of course this would primarily be a friendly social occasion. However, this didn't prepare her for some major culture shocks upon setting foot in the capital, such as the fact that motor cars were everywhere (in Arevala, steam-powered "horseless carriages" were thought of as little more than gimmicks and novelty items), and there were several times that she almost got hit, since traffic lights were a completely foreign concept to her. It didn't help, that this country depended a lot on written signs and directions, all of them in foreign languages that she couldn't read. Good thing she could count on Crisanto, who was more worldly aware thanks to the many foreign lands he visited during his time in the navy, to translate for her.

As they exited the carriage, Anabel and Crisanto marveled at the magnificent architecture of the Imperial Palace and the extravagant displays of wealth and patriotism. Together they made their way to the entrance, and were welcomed inside ...

[Rusexico]

KINGSSTEAD, EMPIRE OF HORASIA

[L-R] Czarina Ekaterina III; Countess Elsa Von Blankendorf; Vladislav Menin

The convoys of the international guests begin to arrive one by one. A black BMW X5 pulls up to the front of the imperial palace. Behind it is a white Mercedes-Benz G Class limo carrying members of the delegation from the Czardom of Russia. The Mercedes's rear door opens and two passengers step out; a young red haired girl and an older taller blonde haired woman. The girl is Ekaterina Vasilevna Romanova A.K.A. Czarina Ekaterina III, and the woman is Countess Elsa Von Blankendorf, the Czarina's chief of staff and a former intelligence agent and army officer. Katya and Elsa walk in together. The Czarina dazzles in a glittering white ballet tutu and leggings; the Countess looks sharp in her black blazer and pantyhose. A third car pulls up; it is another black BMW X5. A male passenger steps out; he has on a Hugo Boss suit and Patek Philippe wristwatch. This is Vladislav Menin, C.E.O. of Poseidon Motors. His startup company founded in 2018 builds custom armored luxury vehicles for high profile clients including billionaires and heads of state. This kind of aristocratic soiree is exactly his jam; these guests are just the right clientele for his special cars. Menin is confident that before he leaves tonight he will have at least a few sales.

[Horasia]

OCC: After the special sections for individual characters here there is a sections for all characters. Just keep that in mind

King Amarathina - Imperial Palace, December 8th, 2024
The exceedingly luxurious convoy, now pulling up to the palace gates, certainly attracted attention, albeit more for its stylistic peculiarity than the degree of opulence. As King Amarathina stepped out of his car, he was greeted by a young man. Clad in a red, cinched justaucorps and attire reminiscent of the 18th century, he sported short blond hair, blue eyes, and a solemn, narrow poker face. Approaching the King, he bowed and spoke in English, "Good evening, Your Royal Majesty! I have the extraordinary honor of welcoming you to Her Majesty and Excellency Empress Sofijaa Gyldana's palace on her behalf. I am tasked with the privilege of escorting you to the ballroom. Will you follow me?"

Upon raising his head, he maintained his serious poker face, yet the King could discern a scrutinizing glance directed his way. It was not entirely clear to him why the Empress had decided this year to extend invitations to heads of states that appeared to contravene the values of the Horasian Empire. It marked the first significant political uproar the Empress had faced, previously being universally adored. Sumathera was a Unitary Theocratic Absolute Monarchy, so why would it be invited by a federal, secular, liberal democratic monarchy? The young man seemed perplexed by the decision.

Sowit Atendoriak - Imperial Palace, December 8th, 2024

As Sowit Atendoriak arrived at the palace in his small black car, he seemed to attract more attention than the ostentatious vehicles of the others, which, however, blended better into the surroundings. At the entrance gate to the palace, the cars gradually formed a small queue, each being guided into the palace by a page. When it was Sowit's turn and he stepped out, he was greeted by a young man with hair as black as his car and strikingly yellow eyes, which protruded like amber stones from his soft face.

The young man bowed before the three other men with a smug smile, "A splendid evening, gentlemen, and to you in particular, Great Arbiter of Xerofel. I welcome you to the palace of the illustrious Empress Sofijaa Gyldana and have the honor of escorting you to the ballroom. Please follow me."

His speech was clear and lofty, almost self-assured, as if despite his role as a page, he still felt himself in a privileged position.

Anabel and Crisanto - Imperial Palace, December 8th, 2024

As Anabel and Crisanto arrived at the palace gates and were disembarked from the carriage, they spotted a young lady standing before the carriage. She wore a red justaucorps and other attire from the 18th century. Her black, shoulder-length hair cascaded down her shoulders, and a pair of glasses adorned her nose. However, what was particularly noticeable was her dropped jaw when she caught sight of the royal carriage. That was certainly unexpected. While monarchs in this realm occasionally traveled in grand carriages as a symbol of tradition, amidst all the cars, it seemed rather remarkable.

As Anabel and Crisanto stepped out, the young lady cleared her throat and straightened her attire before approaching them. She awkwardly bowed and spoke in a language understandable to the two of them, "Um... a splendid evening, Your Royal Highness of Arevala... and..." She briefly scrutinized Crisanto, unable to place him, as if she hadn't received a memo. "... and the gentleman. I would like to welcome you on behalf of Her Imperial Majesty Sofijaa Gyldana... to her imperial palace. I have the honor of escorting you as a page to the ballroom." She straightened up and now smiled warmly. "Would you please follow me?"

Czarina Ekaterina III and Countess Elsa von Blankendorf - Imperial Palace, December 8th 2024

Horasia may have been a familiar land in the Tsarist Russia, and one that likely conjured up certain stereotypes. The prevalent stereotypes about the Horasians as worldly, hedonistic, sexually promiscuous eccentrics seemed to be confirmed thus far. However, on a political level, the relationship between the two empires remained open and was certainly influenced by various agreements.

As the carriage of the Tsarina arrived in the palace courtyard and came to a halt before the door, they were greeted upon disembarking by a young, blonde woman. She wore her hair pulled back tightly into a ponytail and attire reminiscent of late 18th-century men's clothing. Her green eyes immediately fixed on the Tsarina, and although she tried not to show it, the two Russians could sense her fascination.

Approaching the Tsarina and the Countess, she bowed and spoke in German, aware of the significance of this language among the educated nobility in the Tsarist realm (albeit with a strong Finnish accent): "Good evening, Your Imperial Majesty, and good evening, Your Gracious Excellency. I welcome you to the palace on behalf of Her Imperial Majesty Sofijaa Gyldana. It is my honor to serve as your page and to escort you to the ballroom."

Vladislav Menin - Imperial Palace, December 8th 2024

Horasia presented a remarkable opportunity for Vladislav, the CEO of the young start-up. The empire was not only known for its extravagant feasts and affinity for luxury but also served as a prime example of a free-market economy. Low taxes, minimal regulation, and a great openness to the private sector made the country essentially a paradise for businessmen like Vladislav.

As a car arrived at the imperial palace and he stepped out, Vladislav caught sight of the Tsarina of his country entering the palace. Before him stood a young man with long, blonde hair tied back and green eyes, with a slender face. He wore very traditional clothing reminiscent of the 18th century. As Vladislav disembarked, this young man greeted him in Russian with a Finnish accent: "Good evening, Mr. Menin. I welcome you on behalf of the Horasians in our empire and in the name of the Empress herself to her palace. I have been tasked with escorting you to the ballroom. Therefore, I kindly ask you to follow me."

Everybody - Imperial Palace, December 8th, 2024

Upon arrival, all attendees are escorted by pages into the palace and directed to the grand ballroom. Inside the halls of the imperial residence, vibrant marble walls adorned with artworks and frescoes depicting scenes from Norse mythology and the history of the empire greet the eye. As guests enter the foyer, their attention is immediately drawn to an ensemble of sculptures crafted in the Greco-Roman style.

To the right stands a large statue of a woman with flowing, unbound hair, draped in loose attire revealing a prominent bosom, and holding a spear in her right hand. At her feet, a depiction of a cat nestles close. To the left, a similarly large statue portrays a woman with her hair tied back, adorned in a Greek toga, and holding a jug in her left hand. The outstretched hands of both statues lead to a third, smaller statue. This one bears a striking resemblance to the reigning Empress Sofijaa Gyldana but depicted as a young girl.

The guests were further guided into the ballroom, which was festively adorned in the national colors. Above the entrance doors, engravings showcased the national motto "With Virtue and Example" in all three official languages: Finnish (Hyveellä ja esimerkillä), Icelandic (Með dyggð og fordæmi), and Irish (De bhua agus sampla).

Inside the ballroom, guests had already gathered, their voices nearly drowning out the musicians playing serene classical music on violins and piano. Positioned to the right from the entrance, a massive table was arranged, adorned with glasses of various wines and champagne, alongside a buffet boasting an array of appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

In the midst of the crowd, the distinction between Horasian and foreign guests was evident, with most individuals donning distinguished attire. The room was engulfed in a whirlwind of scents, ranging from intense perfumes to the aroma of food and other unidentified fragrances. With the arrival of the guests, the party could now commence.

[Rusexico]

[snip]

As soon as the Czarina and her partner are out of their car, a blonde green eyed woman greets them and takes them into the palace. She addresses them in German which catches Von Blankendorf off guard at first; the Countess is not used to speaking it with foreigners. But as a former Ohrana [Russian secret police] agent trained in 7 languages she has no difficulty understanding; furthermore German is widely used among Russia's educated elites and academe. Elsa answers the woman back in German; her speech is somewhat formal and stiff.

Elsa [E]: Good evening to you too Fräulein. We are profoundly honored to be in the audience of Her Imperial Majesty on this auspicious day.

Vladislav Menin the businessman receives a similar welcome. They are led through a passageway to the palace's ballroom. Guests are met with a sumptuous buffet and live music. It reminds the Czarina of her own Christmas party celebration in 2020. They talk among themselves and admire their surroundings. Katya and Elsa seem genuinely interested; Vladislav only pretends to be. His only reason for coming is to make business deals and sell cars.

[Sumahtera]

Imperial Palace - 8th December, 2024

As King Amarathina Deumashanal stepped out of his car, the atmosphere crackled with curiosity and intrigue. The young man, clad in attire reminiscent of a bygone era, approached with an air of formality that matched the grandeur of the occasion. The King was significently shorter than the man who stood infront of him

"Good evening, Your Royal Majesty!" he greeted in flawless English, his solemn demeanor betraying the weight of his responsibilities. "I have the extraordinary honor of welcoming you to Her Majesty and Excellency Empress Sofijaa Gyldana's palace on her behalf." I am tasked with the privilege of escorting you to the ballroom. Will you follow me?" the King was taken through the intricate hallways of upmost extravangence. His two personal bodyguards dressed in light blue cermanonial uniform followed closely behind him. The King showed a level of arrogance to the guests. His small stature made up for by his huge ego.

Nonetheless, the King followed his escort with regal poise, his curiosity piqued by the enigmatic ambiance of the imperial residence. His confusion was noticable, he had only left Sumahtera for a non-diplomatic event once in Kerranastan. And the international community are beginning to see him and his regime as "living in luxury from the labour of the poor" so his minister of state Malich Rushmadel told him to use this event as a way to humanize himself in the international community.

Upon entering the grand ballroom, King Amarathina was greeted by a spectacle of national pride and cultural richness. The room pulsated with the chatter of distinguished guests, the strains of classical music, and the tantalizing aroma of exquisite cuisine. Amidst the opulence, the King couldn't help but ponder the significance of his presence in this illustrious setting. Despite the apparent disparities in governance and ideology between Sumahtera and Horasia, he harbored a glimmer of hope that tonight's festivities would serve as a bridge between their worlds, fostering understanding and goodwill among nations. With a gracious nod to his escort, King Amarathina immersed himself in the festivities.

[Arevala]

Anabel and Crisanto

After exiting their royal carriage, the Arevalans were served by a young palace attendant. To their surprise, she managed to say a few words in their own language ‒ which was something like a mix of Aragonese, Astur-Leonese and Galician. Although relatively easy to master, particularly if one was familiar with other Latin-based languages, Arevalan had extremely few non-native speakers due to the kingdom's isolationism, so they were quite impressed that anybody would know it.

Anabel's face lit up with a smile. "Oh thanks!" she replied, in her native tongue. "The pleasure is mine!"

The captain gave a little chuckle and saluted. "Good evening, young lady. Crisanto Flores, Captain of the Royal Guard. At her majesty's service."

With that, they were beckoned into the majestic corridors of the Imperial Palace, lined with statues and paintings that told the history of the Empire in pictures. One of those was a statue of a little girl, with an uncanny resemblance to the current Empress, which was accompanied by two women statues on either side. As they made their way toward the ballroom, they could see that the the other guests also had their own personal escorts. The Arevalans, Anabel in particular, couldn't help but ooh and ah in excitement, and marvel at the sheer opulence on display. On this occasion, all those in attendance would get a taste of that luxury for themselves, and live out their dreams of being king or queen for a night. Soon, they arrived at the magnificent grand ballroom, where carved inscriptions above the doors carried the Horasian motto in three languages. Neither Anabel nor Crisanto could read what they said, but figured they might have something to do with wealth or fortune.

Upon entering the room, they would immediately notice the elaborate buffet table which had been set up for them, with a generous assortment of dishes and treats. Anabel had no clue what most of them were, as gourmet cuisine was an entirely alien concept in Arevala. Taverns and inns were the closest thing to restaurants they had, and their servings were typically simple and working-class: bread, ham, bacon, sausages and beer. Less commonly, one could also order grilled meat, fish, cake and cheese at a tavern ‒ but that was about it. Very few had the means to experience foreign cooking, and even fewer wanted to adopt it back home. Anabel and Crisanto made their way over to the buffet. In order to not make a complete fool of herself, the queen decided to ask one of the staff what everything was, before eating any of it. She looked around, hoping to get somebody's attention.

[Xerofel]

As the page greeted all the men sowit would look at him with a strange look before muttering something to the three other men and nodding back to the page, as he followed the page to the ballroom he noticed the luxury of the palace, the mantaining of xerofel required a deliberate waste of resources usually in wars and as such even his priviliged position as great arbiter of xerofel would seem quite modest to some of these foreigners.

As soon as he reached the ballroom he noticed the luxury of it all and also about the protesters outside and muttered something to the three other men. He would then analyze the foreigners in the room aside from horasians there were other members and heads of states but with xerofel limited information of other nations including the ones in their own region he couldn't identify them and he and the other men decided to wait till further instruction from the horasians.

[Horasia]

Czarina Ekaterina III and Countess Elsa von Blankendorf - Imperial Palace, December 8th 2024

As the Czarina and the Countess scanned through the crowd, many of those present might have recognized them from reports and media coverage. For those who were briefed beforehand, the faces of leading politicians, business elites, and prominent intellectuals (artists, writers, and journalists) were familiar. Ekaterina and Elsa would also be aware that in Horasia, there was no traditional nobility. Instead, intellectuals (known as the Intelligentsia) occupied the role of the societal elite. Thus, the term "epistocracy" was used rather than "aristocracy."

What they hadn't yet spotted was the Empress herself. She seemed not to have arrived yet. However, amidst the crowd, they noticed a man in an unassuming dark blue suit, which made him stand out even more amidst the colorful array of attire. They recognized him as Olavi Koivisto, the Arch Curator of Horasia (Arch Curator being a political office in Horasian politics equivalent to a Prime Minister). He raised a glass of champagne and toasted to the two Russians.

Vladislav Menin - Imperial Palace, December 8th 2024

For a businessman, the ostentatious display of luxury here might seem economically imprudent. After all, every sip of champagne, every morsel of food, and every inch of the lavish surroundings were financed with taxpayer money. However, this didn't deter the local businessmen and businesswomen from indulging themselves. Vladislav recognized some faces from prominent industry magazines and Forbes covers. Wernaa Wuori, the owner of an international confectionery production company and one of the wealthiest Horasians, was currently engaged in conversation with a group of people. Lif Marasdottir, the CEO of a fashion company, stood out with her conspicuously striking attire, while Liisa Oja, the CEO of the automotive brand "Drache," a well-known Horasian automobile manufacturer, was helping herself at the buffet.

King Amarathina - Imperial Palace, December 8th, 2024
As King Amarathina entered the ballroom, the overlapping murmurs gradually transformed into an indignant whispering, mingled with astonishment and indignation. The King was aware that he was the subject of discussion and that this conversation had been ongoing for some time. The crowd was not only professionally and culturally diverse, but the gender balance also seemed equal. What certainly caught the King's attention was the absence of the Empress thus far.

People seemed to keep their distance from him, but some bowed and greeted him as they passed by. To everyone's surprise, a woman with bushy black hair, clad in a deep-cut black velvet dress and dark stockings, approached the King directly, offering him a glass of white wine and speaking to him in fluent English: "Good evening, Your Majesty. I heard of your arrival earlier. Would you perhaps be interested in a brief conversation before things get underway?"

Anabel and Crisanto - Imperial Palace, December 8th, 2024

The buffet spread before Anabel and Crisanto was all labeled, though some of the items had Finnish names with inadequate English translations underneath. This circumstance was less attributable to the laziness of the creators and more to the fact that proper nouns were often difficult to translate. The table was divided into four sections. The first section was covered with glasses containing wines, champagne, and non-alcoholic beverages. The second section consisted of appetizers in the form of soups and finger foods. Surprisingly, the third section, which was meat-heavy, featured main courses. The final section was dominated by extravagant desserts, including elaborate cakes and pastries that were pure sugar bombs.

The confusion of the Arevalans was understandable. To their disadvantage, the waiters were occupied with carrying trays and plates. Their strategy of waiting until they were noticed seemed doomed to fail, if not for a lady who was strikingly beautiful with her brown hair and piercing green eyes. She wore a long emerald-green ball gown adorned with sparkling sequins, which was open on the side, revealing her long legs. Around her neck, she wore a golden chain with green gemstones. Overall, she looked very elegant, but her eyes were sharp and attentive.

"Can I assist you, noble lady and esteemed gentleman?" she said in a surprisingly deep feminine voice and in very clear English, almost sounding like a native speaker if one didn't notice a few minor Finnish grammatical peculiarities. "I can see that you're having trouble with the labels, if I may respectfully say so. I could help you with that if you'd like. By the way, my name is Nanine Primus, but most here will call me Prima."

Sowit Atendoriak - Imperial Palace, December 8th, 2024

The page addressed the Great Arbiter: "Here is the ballroom. The castellan of the palace will soon announce the event again, and then the Empress will make her entrance. You may already help yourselves at the buffet or take drinks from the servers." He bowed and departed. The simple appearance of the head of state drew the attention of many, sparking a flurry of whispers throughout the room.


Everybody - Imperial Palace, December 8th, 2024 - 6.30 pm

A woman stepped up to the microphone on the stage from which the classical music emanated. She paused the music briefly. After a quick sound check, she spoke in English, though her accent sounded more Gaelic-Irish: "Distinguished heads of state, majesties, highnesses, and dear guests, I extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you to this grandest celebration of our Kaiserreich. My name is Cara Byrne, the castellan of this palace and a lady-in-waiting to the Empress herself. I would like to remind you all that the buffet is now open for everyone to enjoy, and I invite you to help yourselves. Another point I'd like to mention is that our esteemed hostess, Empress Sofijaa Gyldana, will be arriving in approximately half an hour to deliver her welcoming address.

Should you have any questions, feel free to approach the servers, or you may also come to me as I am the main organizer. I wish you all a delightful evening!"

After receiving applause, she stepped down from the stage, and the music resumed playing.

[Arevala]

Anabel and Crisanto

There were labels under all the buffet items with translations in English, which Crisanto could read reasonably well. But despite that, they might've as well been written in Egyptian hieroglyphics, since the concepts for many of the foods were simply non-existent for the Arevalans ‒ like trying to explain colors to a blind person, or music to a deaf person. Fortunately, the foods were divided into four groups, and they had a rough idea of what was in each group.

The first one was quite easy, as all of them were drinks. The shapes of the fancy glasses were foreign to Anabel and Crisanto, but based on the color and smell, they could tell that it was some sort of wine or beer, both of which they had back home. The second section was also easy enough to guess ‒ the soups and pub-style cuisine were a familiar sight. So was the third, which they recognized as meats and poultry. But the fourth and last section, the desserts, was where they had the most confusion. The Arevalans did have baked dishes, but those were usually very simple like bread and sponge cakes. None of these fancy culinary concoctions, which required ingredients and preparation methods that hadn't even been invented in the kingdom.

While waiting for a member of the staff, Anabel decided to get something familiar first ‒ a sandwich and a piece of ham. As she was munching on her food, a brunette woman in a green dress showed up. Her dress was a similar color as Anabel's, but much more elaborate and intricate than the Arevalan queen's simple silk one. The woman asked if they needed help reading what was on the labels. "Can I assist you, noble lady and esteemed gentleman? I can see that you're having trouble with the labels, if I may respectfully say so. I could help you with that if you'd like. By the way, my name is Nanine Primus, but most here will call me Prima."

"Ah, yes please," Crisanto replied. "That would be quite helpful, sennora Prima."

Of the two of them, the captain had the better spoken English by far, so Anabel decided to let him do all the talking. "Crisanto Flores, Captain of the Royal Guard. With me is her Majesty, Queen Anabel of Arevala. It is our pleasure to meet you," he continued.

[Rusexico]

Present at the party are notable individuals from the political, intellectual, and business worlds. Before arriving the Russians had been briefed on the country of Horasia so they know that there is no traditional aristocratic class, but one's social standing in this country is determined by academic achievements. The Czarina does not know any of the people here; she only took the throne in 2018 and the Czardom has historically kept to itself and shyed away from international politics. However being the founder of an automotive company, Vladislav Menin recognizes one of the people at the buffet. It is Liisa Oja the C.E.O. of Drache, a major automaker in Horasia. He straightens his tie and approaches. Katya and Elsa go with him; any deals would need the Czarina's approval because she is also half owner of the company.

Vladislav [V]: "Hello, good evening Madam. I am Vladislav Menin, C.E.O. of Poseidon Motors. I heard you also own a car company?"

[Sumahtera]

Ballroom, December 8th 2024

The King moved slowly through the crowds of celebraties and dignataries some bowed before him others ignored him but all were puzzled by his presense. Whispering behind his back. The king was skeptical at the equality in the room. The caste system was the very base of suman society and is a key principle in Sanctumism. How could decisions possibly be made in an egalitarian society? he thought to himself. Lost in his own thoughts he didn't realise the beauty of the Ballroom its opulence certainly wasn't lost on the King.

He settled at a spot in the front of the room close to the microphone and the door. To his suprise a woman in a deep-cut velvet dress walked toward him suprisingly confidently. He knew this type of person well - a modern civil rights activist - confident and converses like a journalist. He realised she held two glasses of nearly transparent wine and was soon standing right infront of him. She held out her glass of wine to the king with a face of little expression. "Good evening, Your Majesty. I heard of your arrival earlier. Would you perhaps be interested in a brief conversation before things get underway?" She said very quickly

"Yes that would be..great" the king stuttered, usually journalists just shove a camera in his face and ask him arbitrary questions, maybe she wasn't just another liberal person trying to end a culture built on autocracy because it doesn't treat the populous equally.

Before the conversation could start a young woman dressed in clothing that would definitley not follow Sumahtera's very strict prudism laws stepped up onto the stage from which she delivered an announcment

"Distinguished heads of state, majesties, highnesses, and dear guests, I extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you to this grandest celebration of our Kaiserreich. My name is Cara Byrne, the castellan of this palace and a lady-in-waiting to the Empress herself. I would like to remind you all that the buffet is now open for everyone to enjoy, and I invite you to help yourselves. Another point I'd like to mention is that our esteemed hostess, Empress Sofijaa Gyldana, will be arriving in approximately half an hour to deliver her welcoming address. Should you have any questions, feel free to approach the servers, or you may also come to me as I am the main organizer. I wish you all a delightful evening!"

The king looked baffled at how someone could where such clothing to an official event "How is she allowed to wear that?" the king said, almost rhetorically. Official events in Sumahtera always had a dress code for both men and women. Knee length dresses and elbows covered for women and no skin showing for men. Her clothing was definitely foreign to him and so was the wine he tasted, being so used to the spiced Keja Wine he often drank back home.

The culture shock was certainly getting to him.

[Horasia]

Anabel and Crisanto - Imperial Palace, December 8th, 2024

Prima smiled and performed a theatrical, likely ironic curtsy. "Delighted to meet you, Your Majesty," she said. "Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with your country and therefore not well-versed in its customs, but I'll do my best to help you."

She moved over to the drinks and explained the various types of wine and champagne. Many were sweet or semi-dry wines, while dry or brut options were absent. All were poured into beautifully ornate glasses. Prima pointed to a row of wine glasses with a golden-yellow white wine in them, labeled as "Horathi."

"Watch out for this one!" she said. "'Horathi' simply means 'Horasian' in Finnish; it's a late harvest wine that the rest of the world probably knows as ice wine. You'll get a sugar shock from it, trust me."

The appetizers were also straightforward. There were cheese-leek soups, sandwiches with spreads such as hummus, and small bites. In the main courses, the focus was on meats from beef and poultry: rump steaks, neck steaks from reindeer, chicken thighs, turkey, lamb, and other meats. Potatoes were a common side dish, often as fried potatoes, along with a vegetable side. Notable was that some vegetables (like peas, bell peppers, and onions) were cooked, while others (like carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes) were only available as raw vegetables. Pork seemed to be absent.

The desserts were extravagant. An almond cake stood alongside Runeberg tartsand a cake that translated from Finnish as "elephant cake." Nearby, there was a tiered tray with macarons, next to a chocolate fountain flowing with white chocolate (in Horasia, more white chocolate is consumed than dark, Prima explained). Small bowls of crème brûlée completed the spread. Everything was finely decorated and presented an extravagant overall image.

With this, Prima concluded her tour of the buffet. "So, that's a good overview of Horasian cuisine. Today, you learn that Horasians mostly live on fatty meats and sugar. Then they load their faces with creams to remove the pimples," she laughed briefly. "I hope you're not too shocked, Your Majesty."

Czarina Ekaterina III, Countess Elsa von Blankendorf and Vladislav Menin - Imperial Palace, December 8th 2024
Vladislav Menin, the CEO of a young start-up, approached Liisa Oja, CEO of the automotive company "Drache," at the buffet. He greeted her as she was preparing her plate with a rump steak. She wore a sapphire blue cocktail dress with lace, giving her an elegant and professional appearance. Her long blonde hair was tied into a ponytail.

When Vladislav spoke to her, she responded with a bubblegum smile, "Good evening, Mr. Menin. Yes, I am the CEO of Drache Motor Company. We produce cars for both domestic and international markets. I'm sure you've heard of us. In any case, I've certainly heard of your company."

She spoke in English with a typical business-like cadence and a Finnish accent. She also greeted Ekatarina and Elsa with a nod, acknowledging their presence and inviting them to join the conversation.

King Amarathina - Imperial Palace, December 8th, 2024

In contrast to the spicy Keja wine, the golden-gleaming white wine that King Amarathina had received from the lady was very different. It was sweet, exceptionally so—almost unbearably sweet. One might question whether it contained any alcohol at all, if not for the subtle aftertaste that confirmed its presence.

The king's open reaction to Cara Byrne did not go unnoticed. Some nearby whispered among themselves, and there was a hint of indignation in the air. The king could see that many women identifiable as Horasian were dressed provocatively, revealing much skin. Cara Byrne herself was perhaps the most affected.

"Well, I see you don't mince your words, Your Majesty," the dark-haired woman remarked. "Is it not customary to wear such attire where you come from?"

[Arevala]

"Looks very good!" Anabel replied, though the "very" sounded more like "berry", due to the lack of a V sound in her own language. "Very fancy! You eat like this every day?"

Crisanto was impressed too ‒ not only by the ingredients themselves, but also by their elaborate presentation. In Arevala, eating was not usually considered a social affair, and their dishes were usually made to be simple and filling, rather than visual works of art like the multi-level desserts tray and the flowing fountain of liquid white chocolate.

Anabel was particularly mesmerized with the chocolate fountain, like a moth drawn to a candle flame. She'd never seen anything like that back home, in fact even regular chocolate was hard to come by. "Chocolate? What's that?" she asked with a bit of a puzzled expression. "Is it milk?"

Fortunately, Crisanto had a better knowledge of foreign foodstuffs thanks to his travels abroad, and thus the woman was spared from having to explain to Anabel what chocolate was. "Chocolate is a sweet stuff made by crushing beans into powder," the captain spoke in Arevalan. "Like how flour is made from wheat. There are many types of chocolate. Usually it's brown and hard, but it can also be white, and sometimes you don't eat it but drink it, like this one here."

"Ah, so that's what it is," Anabel answered in her native tongue as well. "Well, I have to try it." Not familiar with Horasian or international dining customs, she made a guess as for which container to use, and grabbed one of the clear wine glasses. Filling it up with chocolate from the fountain, she took a small curious sip of the white stuff. It was rich, creamy and sweet, a little overwhelmingly so, but it tasted quite good and she began to drink the rest of it, when her hand slipped a little and some of the drink splashed onto the front of her own dress.

"Oops!" she laughed and wiped it with a handkerchief. There was still a stain where the chocolate had spilled, but Anabel didn't seem to mind her dress getting dirty, since it wasn't a fancy or expensive one. "I'll just wash it later, haha." She finished the cup of chocolate and started on a piece of cake.

[Sumahtera]

Ballroom, December 8th 2024

"Well, I see you don't mince your words, Your Majesty," the dark-haired woman remarked. King Amarathina tasted the wine as she spoke, trying not to squint with the unbearable sweetness, barley hearing what the woman said only thinking about how many blocks of sugar someone put in the wine. "Is it not customary to wear such attire where you come from?" The King swallowed the rest of the wine while trying to keep a straight facial expression.

King Amarathina began with a clearly forced genial smile, "In Sumahtera, our attire is a reflection of our traditions. We value modesty and decorum, which is why our traditional attire tends to be more......conservative." He paused, pondering his next response, the woman visibly taken aback by the calmness of his speaking, before he continued again, "That being said, there are times when the line between self-expression and cultural sensitivity can become blurred. As leaders, absolute or otherwise, it's our responsibility to strike a balance between celebrating individuality and upholding the values that are dear to our society." He said with a hint of frustration.

With a diplomatic nod, King Amarathina concluded, "So while I may respect the boldness of your attire, that doesn't mean i like it." His words carried a touch of honesty, Yet, underlying his candid remark was a genuine effort to bridge the gap between differing perspectives. Despite his diplomatic speech and seemingly friendly attitude his actual thoughts and views were yet to be expelled and hopefully never will.

He is going to have a field day with Minister Rushmadel when he gets home.

[Rusexico]

The businesswoman is getting herself a steak from the buffet when Vlad greets her; he gets himself the reindeer meat and offers some to Katya and Elsa. They all find it quite delicious and go back for more. Liisa comments that she has heard of Vlad's company, Poseidon Motors.

V: Oh you have? That is awesome! Have you seen the cars we make?

Vlad opens the gallery on his phone and swipes through the photos. The first set shows a regular looking Mercedes-Benz Sprinter passenger van but the inside has been made extremely luxurious.

V: To start off this is our most conventional model; the Traveler. From outside it looks just like a Mercedes van. But this is how the inside looks, and it's bulletproof to VR7 level for customers needing protection.

The second set of photos is a custom military style truck. It is hard to measure size from just the photos, but this is a very large vehicle twice as long as a standard SUV. And it also has a premium luxury interior.

V: And for those who need even more luxury and security, here's our latest model that we completely made ourselves; the Cybertank. This monster machine is engineered to survive an apocalypse and do it in style. It is armored and rated to VR10 level.

V: And it's powered by 100% biofuel; soon there will be a fully electric model too. Best of all it's Russian made. It used to be you had to buy British or German if you wanted a luxury car. But now we have our own brand we can be proud of. I am sure the ladies agree.

Vlad chuckles and looks at Katya and Elsa.

Katya [K]: Oh yes I drive one of these and it's the best car ever!

Elsa [E]: I prefer to go with something more understated like my VW. But I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I kind of want one myself.

Vlad swipes to the third and last set of photos; these are actual military vehicles.

[Top-bottom] Poseidon Ocelot; Poseidon Berserker; Poseidon Goliath.

V: And these are our vehicles for military and defense. Starting with the smallest model; the Ocelot which is perfect as a troop transport, ambulance, or bank truck. And if more capacity is needed we have larger models; the Berserker and Goliath. That is our current model lineup.

[Horasia]

Anabel and Crisanto - Imperial Palace, December 8th, 2024
"Well, we don't always eat it so elegantly arranged and presented," Prima began. "But this is essentially the cuisine of the realm."

When Anabel expressed surprise at the chocolate, Prima seemed astonished. "Is there no chocolate where you come from? How unfortunate. Chocolate and coffee are life's essentials." She laughed, and just as Anabel got some chocolate on herself and turned towards the cake, people began to whisper about the queen's clumsiness. Prima, however, turned her attention to Crisanto. "I see your country is quite modest. If my dress were stained, I would be beside myself. It's refreshing that you don't seem to possess the Horasian vanity. Can you tell me more about your kingdom?"

Prima then looked at Anabel and said, "Well, I think you should clean that up before the Empress arrives in the room."


King Amarathina - Imperial Palace, December 8th, 2024

"Now, as the castellan, Ms. Byrne is not an official politician but more of a house administrator. But as you've probably been informed beforehand, our empire values individuality very highly, and while some might say it takes on unusual forms, it is nonetheless the value of the Horasians."

The woman took a small sip of the wine. "I should not keep you in the dark any longer, Your Majesty. My name is Hannele Leikkuri, and I am the political editor-in-chief of the Maailman newspaper." Those who know the publication: Maailman is often described as populist and closely aligned with the Libertarian Freedom Party (LFP).

Hannele continued, "Many people in this empire have wondered why the Empress is inviting heads of state to her rather controversial celebration that doesn't quite align with our values. Were you warned beforehand, or did the Empress mention why she specifically invited you?"

Czarina Ekaterina III, Countess Elsa von Blankendorf and Vladislav Menin - Imperial Palace, December 8th 2024

Liisa looked intrigued by the selection Vlad presented. Only the first one was familiar to her; the others seemed new.

"Well, I see you've chosen a unique style for your car designs. I think for the Horasian market, this style might be a bit too bulky. The safety aspect seems to be a big value for you, but here, nobody is really fearing the apocalypse."

She also took out her smartphone and showed Vlad some cars.

"This is the Drache 220, a car series we introduced to the market a few years ago. It has become a bestseller because it meets the needs of the Horasians exactly. It's luxurious, comfortable, fast, and a bit over the top. And it's no secret that speed is especially important here." It's widely known that the highways in Horasia (which are all privatized tollways) mostly have no speed limits. Liisa was alluding to this.

"This car, however, is more suited for the upper class and the middle class. In Horasia, we also have a strong and influential class of intelligentsia. They often have a very classic, extravagant style but want to be environmentally conscious and modern at the same time. That's why we designed the Drache Epistos, which resembles cars from the 1950s in terms of aesthetics but is equipped with the latest technology, fuel-efficient hydrogen engines, and filters."

[Rusexico]

V: Granted these are not your mass market production cars; in Russia we have Fords, Chevys, Toyotas too like everywhere else. The Poseidon Cybertank is a handbuilt low volume model like Ferraris and Rolls Royces; we make less than 50 a year and our customers are invite only.

K: Yeah you can't just go to a dealership and buy this car. We only give these away to people we know well and can trust.

E: We do a deep background check on all potential clients before we let them have the keys. We look at everything about their personal and financial connections; if they've been involved in organized crime or shady business activities.

Vlad and Katya listen to Liisa's description and look at the photos she shows them.

V: In terms of speed the Cybertank isn't too bad either. With a turbodiesel V8 engine giving 475 horsepower and 1400 N-m torque, this truck can hit 100 KPH in less than 10 seconds even with armor.

K: Top speed is 150. Not that you'll ever need it though. If the bad guys are chasing you, you don't have to run away, just push them off the road heh.

V: Because this thing weighs 5.5 tonnes; that's almost twice as heavy as an Escalade. But you don't feel it when driving; the brakes and steering on the Cybertank are tuned for easy and responsive handling like you're in a much smaller car. And the magnetic suspension helps reduce bumps in the road; the ride is not like a big truck at all.

Vlad opens a map of Saint Petersburg on his phone and zooms into a street view of the Poseidon Motors headquarters and showroom. Behind the building is a large former racetrack that is now used by the company to test its cars.

V: If you ever come to Russia I invite you to visit us and check out our vehicles; here is the address. You can even test drive a Cybertank on the track if you want. There are many more cool things about this car that you can only experience by actually driving it yourself, and I am sure you will be blown away by all the features.

[Arevala]

"So for you, chocolate is the nectar of the gods," Anabel replied, laughing as well. "After having a taste of it, I have to agree. Crisanto said you have to grow it from a special kind of bean. Where can I get beans like that? I really want my kingdom to have chocolate too." She wiped the chocolate stain on her dress with the handkerchief some more.

Meanwhile, as Anabel continued cleaning herself up, the woman was curious to know more about her country and its culture. "Ah yes, the Kingdom of Arevala," Crisanto began. "The best way to describe it, would be like a kingdom in a classic fairytale. We still live and do things in ways that you might think of as old-fashioned. But a simple life is a happy one, without the pressure of mechanical automation and ugly metal contraptions pumping out smoke and steam, as I've seen in some other kingdoms that I've been to."

"We also don't worship Christ or Jehovah," he continued, "but our own traditional gods, like Flora, the Goddess of Nature. In addition, our gods often like to show themselves and make their presence known to us, by doing things that traditional science can't explain. Magic, spells, or supernatural events would be the best way to put it, I guess. In any case, this divine force can be quite powerful when used properly, like allowing the user to travel between lands or worlds. But in the wrong hands it can be quite dangerous, which is why only a few trained individuals are given these powers."