A Coronation
Guest such as celebrities, musicians and Meshikan statesmen all gathered, arriving by forms of helicopters, the elevator and even those who wanted to take their time took the ancient, hardly used stairs. These arrivals were hardly Nelli's concern however, as with her supposed sleek charisma, Huemoc had trusted her as the best to recieve essential foreign dignitaries. As the CrownPrince approached, Nelli partially extended her hand, mid way shake realizing it isn't custom in Selecuid to shake the hand's of women.
She apologized, "I am sorry. I know it isn't your tradition but Meshika has no set tradition on how to greet someone." she said, with the bow of her head. "It would be most appropriate for you to present your gift to the Tlatoani-elect when you come across him. He plans to give many audience today." Nalli's translator stood to the side, she politiely conveyed each word. "But I am sorry, I have not properly introduced myself. I am Nelli, a top advisor to his Tlatoani-elect and I am honored with the task of acquainting you to our cultural ceremony. We are all awaiting for the Tlatoani-elect to make his entrance with his future spouse, until then, I'm sure some of the servant's could take you to your own tables." Nelli motioned for the table servants.
Traditional Meshikan dress would perhaps seem liberal to some, Nelli herself had an exposed belly, legs and arms with gold rings around her wrist and other extravagant jewellery around her body, with a light see-through blouse and skirt. Most other Meshikans were dressed similarly, some women were in light dresses, others dressed liberally, men had robes, suits, skirts and even were shirtless in the unbearable humidity of Meshika. The weather in lower Meshika was generally always hot and humid, formal dress may have even seemed casual in comparison. Meshikans were not modest dressers, by any means, at least the top tier Meshikans. Commoners are dressed more usual and more conservative, but this was no common ceremony.
Nelli soon turned to accommodate the next arriving delegation, she bowed this time, as Akiyama and Aki approached. "Welcome Princess and Prince, it is an honor to meet some of our closest neighbors." Nelli said. "I'm Nelii, and I have been assigned the honor of accommodating you this evening." she motioned and whistled for the table servants, and they came in strict fashion, whisking them away to their private table on the patio with the rest. As the sun continued to set, more foreigners steadily arrived, and Nelli's eye was immediately caught by what she assumed was 'cat-people' walking in. She looked at her pamphlet and there it was, she was going to guide the 'cat-people', or wolf, she wasn't entirely sure.
When they spoke the exotic language, Nelli was taken back, they then repeated in more common tongue the translator persisted with ease. "Ah, welcome." she said. "You are indeed our first ever guest, let alone a diplomatic envoy, from what we know as 'The Tribes up North'. I hope your travels were well, I'm Nelli and I'll be your guide for toight." she said, motioning once again for the table servants. Nelli then saw Geun-hye, though she had briefly confused him for a Ryokutonese. "Welcome." she said, droning on the same introduction she gave the rest, as Geun0hye was shown to her table along with the rest. Suddenly Nelli turned and was being yelled at by an elf. She jumped a little seeing the guards surround Marr. "Well hello, we have been expecting you." Nelli said, calling for them to be shown to a table as a traditional ceremony was about to begin.
"Good evening everyone." she said, to all the foreign tables who were close to eachother. You can find small pamplets on the schedule here. Right now we're about to see an opening to the festitivities." she smiled, sitting alongside them with her own Meshikan table. Suddenly, as the lights dimmed, a spotlight shot down on several dancers in traditional dress. The drums boomed through the halls and shook everyone's chest, they came out in the hundreds with high energy performing something akin to the The Fire Dance. It was a ceremonial and religious dance, as they were paying the dance as tribute to Tlopoc, the Sun God of Meshika, with the large cauldron of fire in the centre, representing the eternal flame.
As the display abruptly ended, the drums beat in slow succession in the background, until they began a sudden rise in a rapid arpeggio. The drums pulsed in intervals, of quietness then a steady, rising climax. Fire, suddenly shot from two pillars, acting as an entrance to the top of the Pyramid from the patio. The Tlatoani's Guardsmen, came running out in formation keeping pace with the drums, forming massive colorful formations with their differently colored head-dresses. Huemoc blocked some of the bright lights, but still couldn't see the crowd which had erupted in cheers and clapping when he walked out, flanked by two Guardsmen in full military gear with a Jaguar pattern, they wore the heads of real Jaguars atop their heads with a decorative mask covering their face. A man stood out, holding up his rifle screaming, "All bend the knee! All bend the knee! For the Tlatoani elect! Huemoc-tzin Zolin!"
The thousands Meshikans at the ceremony bowed, quietly, as Huemoc walked out holding the hand of Etal, both putting on a show to come across as politically correct in the Meshikan sense. Huemoc lifted his hand, and the crowds quietly stood, taking their seats. A Fire Priest then made his entrance, with the drums turning to a more devilish sound. As Priest Kono circled Huemoc, who stood at the center between all the tables, he recited several passages from the Holy Book of Tlopoc. After a pause, he then turned a row of seat with several hundred political figured such as senators and royalty, yelling “Do you accept this man? Huemoc-tzin Zolin as Tlatoani-KingEmperor of Meshika!” there was another long pause, as each of them hesitated to take a stand against Huemoc, a man most politicians believed dangerous to the survivability of the Confederation.
One finally stood, “On behalf of the Confederacy and it’s people! Yes!” he said, in full support. Kono then turned, slightly grinning at Huemoc. “Bow, KingEmperor.” he commanded Huemoc, and he did so. Kono then took a blade to his hand, cutting just enough to draw blood. “Then I, the High Tlenamacac, inaugurate you as the Tlatoani, the KingEmperor and supreme deity to rule over Meshika in the name of Tlopoc and the people’s Confederation.” he rubbed his blooded hand down Huemoc’s face, forming a selection of Meshikan ancient scribble. “May your rule be long, and just.” a loud roar followed, trembling the crowd a bit as a large Meshika Jaguar was walked out into the center plan where Huemoc knelt, he shook in terror slightly but for the most part, kept his composure. The Jaguar hailed to Kono’s gestures, “In the name of Tlopoc!” he announced. “This fearsome animal is tribute to the KingEmperor!” Kono said, suddenly slicing his blade across the vulnerable part of the beast neck and holding it, while the animal roared and thrashed for life.
Huemoc bowed before the animal, and Kono began skinning the animal quickly, as professional as them come, the drums continued to pulse. Taking the fresh pelt off, with several others helping him, they dressed the pelt and a multi-colored headdress on Huemoc. The lights shut off, revealing the many stars in the sky. It wasn’t too long before all the city lights shut off in accordance and the moon was the little light provided to the scene. Below, on the city streets, you could hear “Huemoc! Huemoc! Huemoc! Huemoc!” being chanted overwhelmingly. A fire was lit, and held before Kono’s hands in a metallic bowl, grasped by the way of thick cloth. He bowed as Huemoc stood, and took the bowl of fire and retreated back into the Pyramid, followed by his guards. Spotlights shot up suddenly, from the top of the (Palace of) Tlatoani’s Pyramid, where the eternal fire burned. Huemoc slowly rose from a stage elevator, with the chanting of his name growing louder and the drums beating harder.
Many perhaps couldn’t even notice, but Huemoc shook in excitement and fright. The feeling was overwhelming, emotional, and tears began flooding down his cheeks. It was perhaps one of the only times in life he felt a true bond with his humanity. Still, he remained stoic, cold, emotionless, beside his tears, as he dumped the bowl into the huge fire before him and it went aflame dozens of fit in the air in pink, the color’s of his family. For a moment, Huemoc’s atheistic beliefs were taken away by a sense of religious community, with all 80+ million in his country. But now realizing he was the sole ruler, he digressed, and became the cold hard strategist, once again. He was lowered, and by the time the lights turned back on the scene at the centre stage was cleaned up and the Jaguar was taken to the side to be butchered and served among the crowd, raw. Selections of it were passed, out, even to the foreign delegations. It was ceremonial to eat a piece of the animal, as it was considered sacred. It could perhaps be the closest thing to tangible meat that evening though, as Meshikan diet is largely vegetarian.
The wedding was to take place later in the night, when the moon reached the ‘center’ of the sky shining light right down on the complex. Until then however, Huemoc took center stage at the long, decorative table with an array of food. Waiters, passed out more and small areas were reserved for buffet style feasting. This was the leisure, feasting period of the celebration, as an array of Meshikan food was served. Everything from exotic insects, grilled fruits, fish, followed by bounds of endless vegetables such as corn, all spiced to perfection, hot and mild. Huemoc only invited few to his table, to feast with him as the commoners in the city shot off fireworks, high into the sky, he was now the legitimate Tlatoani after all. “Please, sit.” Huemoc stood, with a smiling gesture of show to the foreign delegations as they were showed to their seats at his feasting table.
They sat among important Meshikans, celebrities, artist and politicians. “I would like to welcome everyone that has come from different countries.” he began. “Now, let’s feast! And converse!” he said, holding Etal’s hand as he sat down, kissing his future husband. Those at the table began presenting their gifts to the Tlatoani now, with him graciously accepting. Though the Tlatoani held no true power outside of the city of Mekipan, the capital, Huemoc held true to garnering the support of outside powers so that this transition of power would go over easy, he already had the support of the people, he just needed a tight grasp on the market.