Day of Kings (IC/Signup first)

[Kyrenaia]

"My apologies, but thank you for offering to carry on this gift to the Sultan, that is greatly appreciated, I hope our relations will be prosperous in the future." (Its Janice, not Jennifer btw.)

OOC: My apologies.

Damir smiled, bowing his head again.
"It will be a great honour, Your Highness.", he stated and it was true - it was a great honour. "I am quite sure, that the Sultana will be very pleased by this gift and what it stands for: The beginning friendship between the realms You hail from and Kyrenaia."
He made to extend his hand to the handle of the gun, before stopping quite a bit away from it, looking to the guards. After all, he was grabbing an offered weapon in front of their charge, so better safe then sorry.
"You are not going to maul me, when I take it, right?", he asked half-jokingly, looking from one guard to the other.
Aurelia, at the side, supressed an amused snort.

Fara gave a small smile, bowing her head in return to the small person - really, really small person, who apparently was not a child, but a grown man. She knew of medical phenomena, which caused such shortness, but from the term 'up-worldler', she assumed, that there was no medical and a more technical reason for his size.
Regardless, Fara returned the bow with a bow of her head, showing the same respect, before she extended her hand. The compliment was appreciated.
"Fara bint-Dardan, Princess of Ilkhanate of Megido, which is in the up-worldly land of Kyrenaia.", she said and motioned to the seat by her side, "It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sir Corporal. Care to join me for a drink?"
Of course, her drink would stay non-alcoholic, what Corporal Han would drink, or if he joined her at all, was up to him, of course, but Fara's smile was both inviting and exotic, especially from someone from beneath the surface.

At the mention of her title he raises an eyebrow in surprise.
"Well a Princess of Royal Blood, a slice of the Divine walking among among us" he takes her hand a gently kisses the back of her hand. "I am most honoured. However please do call me Han, I am off duty and Corporal is merely a rank. I would be most delighted to join you" he sips his beer.
"I must say you do not appear to be as heavily armed and defensive as those of you up-worlders..." he pauses "I must apologise if my terminology offends as we have been until recently a very insular nation and have only just begun to open our borders, though as 99% of our realm is underground I am not sure borders would be the correct word, tunnels, rat runs, tubes ? " he pulls a mock confused face. " However I digress. So tell me O vision of wonder, of your nation"

"No offense is taken, Sir Han.", Fara assured him, by now very much appreciating the compliments - after all, even she was allowed the odd bit of vanity every now and then. The hand-kiss was an added bonus, as not many people knew proper manners anymore these days.
She smiled as he took a seat by her side and first told her about his country, or caves, as the case appeared to be, then asked about what Kyrenaia was like. Being called an 'up-worldler' made much more sense now.
She sighed and leaned back. "How to describe Kyrenaia, the Lands of the Five Deserts...?", she asked herself and her listener, "It depends on the perspective, really. If one looks at a map, it's a large island under the Subtropical Ridge, almost an entire continent dominated by the Five Deserts, Utica, Sarepta, Kyrene, Megido and Fenchu. There's sun the whole year around, it's hot and dry, but there's enough water as well." She made a small pause. "One could assume, that there's nothing but hot and dry deserts in those lands. But if one comes closer, sees into the cities and towns and villages..." By now, there was a certain passion developing in her voice. "...one sees far more then that. Life. On the streets and in the buildings, busy and slow, chatting the day away with friends at the market, children playing in the streets, people working, the smells of fresh food, of shay freshly cooked, visiting the Hammam in the evening... one has to visit to see, smell, hear everything the Five Deserts have to offer!"
She smiled, then took a sip of her juice.
"My apologies.", Fara said, "I let my emotions get the better of myself."

[Semparia]

The guards laugh, "No." Janice then says "As for where we hail from, I am Queen Janice Spencer of The Incorporated States of Semparia, or just Semparia, for those who don't want their throats dry, while my country is much smaller than yours, I hope we can have a fruitful relationship."

[Vionna-Frankenlisch]

Major Elias Horke

Major Horke stood and took Princess Gwendolyn's arm, a hard task considering her height but one that Horke managed anyway, not being known for his own height. They walked from the building, chatting and laughing out into the grounds, sneaking past a closed gate into the unlit half of the Palace Gardens, an area of the grounds not open to visitors. A small wooden gazebo, remarkable for being enclosed rather than open to the world, thin double glazed windows were covered by draped woollen curtains. The inside of the gazebo was essentially covered with a large sofa with cushions, throws and unlit candles. Such designs were quite common in the stately homes and 'pleasure houses' of Gestoria and Southern Vionna and Horke was familiar with it, remarking, "I know of these designs, there's one in the gardens of Rindborough Castle." Before leading the Princess towards it and sitting down inside.

"Are you quite well, Your Grace?" Horke asked, "You look cold. And what of this 'tale of seduction'?"

[Kyrenaia]

The guards laugh, "No." Janice then says "As for where we hail from, I am Queen Janice Spencer of The Incorporated States of Semparia, or just Semparia, for those who don't want their throats dry, while my country is much smaller than yours, I hope we can have a fruitful relationship."

Damir smiled and bowed his head.
"It's a great honour to meet you, Janice-Schahbanou.", he said with a smile, "Here's to hoping for a long and fruitful relationship between Semparia and Kyrenaia." He took the weapon, unloaded it with safe, easy steps speaking of someone, who was trained in handling firearms by a professional and trained others the same way, before he turned it in his hands, looking at the decorations and engravings. "A beautiful piece. I can assure you, that it will get a place of honour in the Grand Armoury of the Citadel on the Mountain."
He put the gun away, the magazine stored in the other pocket of his pants - he would never admit it, but he had felt more comfortable in the past. It reminded him of his own service as a young man.
"Now, how can we make this relationship fruitful?", Damir asked and put an arm around his daughter's shoulder, who raised an eyebrow at her father, much to his amusement. "You see, my daughter, like a few other Princes and Princesses of Kyrenaian origin, are singles..."
"Don't you dare.", his daughter said, which made Damir only smile wider as he was able to pay back a few things, with interest, to his daughter.
"...amongst them, my beloved own child, Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.", he finished the sentence, introducing the young woman, "She might say, that she doesn't have the time for a relationship..."
"Father..."
"...but I believe, she is just shy.", Damir finished with a wide grin, "So, by any chance, do you know a charming young man of a good family in Semparia, who might be able to shake this shyness off of my beloved daughter? Or at least make her see, that boys do not have cooties?"
By now, Aurelia was beet-red, much to her father's amusement - but as much as he was joking, he was also serious, his eyes said: He wanted the best for his daughter. That did not necessarily mean marrying her off before she graduated from the HGA, but it meant, that she needed experience with the opposite gender, both from home and abroad, to prepare her for her future. While he did not expect her to jump whoever Queen Janice could have in mind (and if he was honest, he didn't want her to), it was a good way to start more informal relations between two ruling houses, if the two would become friends... something very important in Kyrenaian Foreign Politics, these personal ties.

[Xiaxal Xarn]

"No offense is taken, Sir Han.", Fara assured him, by now very much appreciating the compliments - after all, even she was allowed the odd bit of vanity every now and then. The hand-kiss was an added bonus, as not many people knew proper manners anymore these days.
She smiled as he took a seat by her side and first told her about his country, or caves, as the case appeared to be, then asked about what Kyrenaia was like. Being called an 'up-worldler' made much more sense now.
She sighed and leaned back. "How to describe Kyrenaia, the Lands of the Five Deserts...?", she asked herself and her listener, "It depends on the perspective, really. If one looks at a map, it's a large island under the Subtropical Ridge, almost an entire continent dominated by the Five Deserts, Utica, Sarepta, Kyrene, Megido and Fenchu. There's sun the whole year around, it's hot and dry, but there's enough water as well." She made a small pause. "One could assume, that there's nothing but hot and dry deserts in those lands. But if one comes closer, sees into the cities and towns and villages..." By now, there was a certain passion developing in her voice. "...one sees far more then that. Life. On the streets and in the buildings, busy and slow, chatting the day away with friends at the market, children playing in the streets, people working, the smells of fresh food, of shay freshly cooked, visiting the Hammam in the evening... one has to visit to see, smell, hear everything the Five Deserts have to offer!"
She smiled, then took a sip of her juice.
"My apologies.", Fara said, "I let my emotions get the better of myself."

Han laughs with delight.
"Oh such perfectly passionate descriptive s, from a delightful princess. You stir my desire to see such a land, to see the sun and feel the warm wind on my skin, to hear the chatter of families and to try the food from a street vendor. Ah such a spell your words cast on me. Perhaps I shall ask Gwendolyn to travel to your nation, she has a wanderlust, well a lust for a lot of things really."
He laughs quietly.
"She is one of the few to travel out of Xarn, one of the few has no fear of the Sky, many of the others are not comfortable without rock above their heads.Though too my home has beauty, their are caves that hold pools of water so clear you can see the diamonds among the gravel. In deeper levels the rock itself seems almost alive, though to see the great migration of the cave spiders is a sight to see, millions of them descending to the levels not yet found, a wonder." He shrugs "perhaps I will see my home again, but now can I get you another drink?"

[Xiaxal Xarn]

Major Elias Horke

Major Horke stood and took Princess Gwendolyn's arm, a hard task considering her height but one that Horke managed anyway, not being known for his own height. They walked from the building, chatting and laughing out into the grounds, sneaking past a closed gate into the unlit half of the Palace Gardens, an area of the grounds not open to visitors. A small wooden gazebo, remarkable for being enclosed rather than open to the world, thin double glazed windows were covered by draped woollen curtains. The inside of the gazebo was essentially covered with a large sofa with cushions, throws and unlit candles. Such designs were quite common in the stately homes and 'pleasure houses' of Gestoria and Southern Vionna and Horke was familiar with it, remarking, "I know of these designs, there's one in the gardens of Rindborough Castle." Before leading the Princess towards it and sitting down inside.

"Are you quite well, Your Grace?" Horke asked, "You look cold. And what of this 'tale of seduction'?"

Gwendolyn looks around, taking in the decor.
"In Xarn we have carved rooms in the living stone for privacy, but no wood" she runs her fingers over the grain. "In Xarn we cannot grow trees and as a closed nation few even among us has wooden panelling or floors, oh the luxury of feeling the wood on bare feet. So cold, yes, but a new cold the wind, underground there is no wind. Ah which tale of seduction would you wish? One old tale long passed or".. she closes the door behind her and loosens her dress so it slides down to pool around her feet "or a tale we can write ourselves, so will you charm me, or shall i charm you?" She walks towards him...

[Semparia]

The guards laugh, "No." Janice then says "As for where we hail from, I am Queen Janice Spencer of The Incorporated States of Semparia, or just Semparia, for those who don't want their throats dry, while my country is much smaller than yours, I hope we can have a fruitful relationship."

Damir smiled and bowed his head.
"It's a great honour to meet you, Janice-Schahbanou.", he said with a smile, "Here's to hoping for a long and fruitful relationship between Semparia and Kyrenaia." He took the weapon, unloaded it with safe, easy steps speaking of someone, who was trained in handling firearms by a professional and trained others the same way, before he turned it in his hands, looking at the decorations and engravings. "A beautiful piece. I can assure you, that it will get a place of honour in the Grand Armoury of the Citadel on the Mountain."
He put the gun away, the magazine stored in the other pocket of his pants - he would never admit it, but he had felt more comfortable in the past. It reminded him of his own service as a young man.
"Now, how can we make this relationship fruitful?", Damir asked and put an arm around his daughter's shoulder, who raised an eyebrow at her father, much to his amusement. "You see, my daughter, like a few other Princes and Princesses of Kyrenaian origin, are singles..."
"Don't you dare.", his daughter said, which made Damir only smile wider as he was able to pay back a few things, with interest, to his daughter.
"...amongst them, my beloved own child, Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.", he finished the sentence, introducing the young woman, "She might say, that she doesn't have the time for a relationship..."
"Father..."
"...but I believe, she is just shy.", Damir finished with a wide grin, "So, by any chance, do you know a charming young man of a good family in Semparia, who might be able to shake this shyness off of my beloved daughter? Or at least make her see, that boys do not have cooties?"
By now, Aurelia was beet-red, much to her father's amusement - but as much as he was joking, he was also serious, his eyes said: He wanted the best for his daughter. That did not necessarily mean marrying her off before she graduated from the HGA, but it meant, that she needed experience with the opposite gender, both from home and abroad, to prepare her for her future. While he did not expect her to jump whoever Queen Janice could have in mind (and if he was honest, he didn't want her to), it was a good way to start more informal relations between two ruling houses, if the two would become friends... something very important in Kyrenaian Foreign Politics, these personal ties.

She laughs, "Unfortunately for you and fortunately for her, i'm currently the only member of the royal family of Semparia, and since we don't really have any nobles outside of the royal family, I doubt I could find someone, however, if you have any suggestions for me, go ahead. "

[Kyrenaia]

"No offense is taken, Sir Han.", Fara assured him, by now very much appreciating the compliments - after all, even she was allowed the odd bit of vanity every now and then. The hand-kiss was an added bonus, as not many people knew proper manners anymore these days.
She smiled as he took a seat by her side and first told her about his country, or caves, as the case appeared to be, then asked about what Kyrenaia was like. Being called an 'up-worldler' made much more sense now.
She sighed and leaned back. "How to describe Kyrenaia, the Lands of the Five Deserts...?", she asked herself and her listener, "It depends on the perspective, really. If one looks at a map, it's a large island under the Subtropical Ridge, almost an entire continent dominated by the Five Deserts, Utica, Sarepta, Kyrene, Megido and Fenchu. There's sun the whole year around, it's hot and dry, but there's enough water as well." She made a small pause. "One could assume, that there's nothing but hot and dry deserts in those lands. But if one comes closer, sees into the cities and towns and villages..." By now, there was a certain passion developing in her voice. "...one sees far more then that. Life. On the streets and in the buildings, busy and slow, chatting the day away with friends at the market, children playing in the streets, people working, the smells of fresh food, of shay freshly cooked, visiting the Hammam in the evening... one has to visit to see, smell, hear everything the Five Deserts have to offer!"
She smiled, then took a sip of her juice.
"My apologies.", Fara said, "I let my emotions get the better of myself."

Han laughs with delight.
"Oh such perfectly passionate descriptive s, from a delightful princess. You stir my desire to see such a land, to see the sun and feel the warm wind on my skin, to hear the chatter of families and to try the food from a street vendor. Ah such a spell your words cast on me. Perhaps I shall ask Gwendolyn to travel to your nation, she has a wanderlust, well a lust for a lot of things really."
He laughs quietly.
"She is one of the few to travel out of Xarn, one of the few has no fear of the Sky, many of the others are not comfortable without rock above their heads.Though too my home has beauty, their are caves that hold pools of water so clear you can see the diamonds among the gravel. In deeper levels the rock itself seems almost alive, though to see the great migration of the cave spiders is a sight to see, millions of them descending to the levels not yet found, a wonder." He shrugs "perhaps I will see my home again, but now can I get you another drink?"

Fara nodded at the offer for a drink, a small smile on her face.
"Something non-alcoholic, please.", she asked politely, before she turned back to the Corporal, "I believe, that every home has beauty in it, especially one as you describe it. I see, that I'll have to speak with my Father and Vizier ben Sahid about a possible visit... if we want it to be official, that is." She smiled and let a beat pass. "I would love to welcome Princess Gwendolyn to Kyrenaia, though. I'll show her around as well!"
Fara leaned a bit to the side as they waited for their drinks, a position, which gave a nice view of her 'argumentation amplifiers', so to speak, teasing a bit, but showing nothing inappropriate. Resting her cheek on her hand, she looked to Han.
"Now, Mister Han, we spoke about our homes... why don't we speak about ourselves?", she suggested.

She laughs, "Unfortunately for you and fortunately for her, i'm currently the only member of the royal family of Semparia, and since we don't really have any nobles outside of the royal family, I doubt I could find someone, however, if you have any suggestions for me, go ahead. "

"Hm...", Damir made and looked to his daughter if she had any suggestions.
"Uncle Ilia.", she said after a moment, a small smile on her lips - she was extremely grateful to Queen Janice, for her Father had nothing to rib her with. To the Queen, she explained: "My father's eldest brother, the Crown Prince and Lord-Commander of the Navy. A really nice guy, once he let's his hair down, loves the sea and travelling by it, but also strict... and a strict non-smoker."
"Must be the Navy...", Damir said from the side with a small smile, "Indeed, my brother is single. If you want, Janice-Schahbanou, I can introduce you, when your ways lead you to Kyrenaia."

[Semparia]

"Very well, I see nothing wrong with that, I would be greatefull if we were introduced."

[Xiaxal Xarn]

Fara nodded at the offer for a drink, a small smile on her face.
"Something non-alcoholic, please.", she asked politely, before she turned back to the Corporal, "I believe, that every home has beauty in it, especially one as you describe it. I see, that I'll have to speak with my Father and Vizier ben Sahid about a possible visit... if we want it to be official, that is." She smiled and let a beat pass. "I would love to welcome Princess Gwendolyn to Kyrenaia, though. I'll show her around as well!"
Fara leaned a bit to the side as they waited for their drinks, a position, which gave a nice view of her 'argumentation amplifiers', so to speak, teasing a bit, but showing nothing inappropriate. Resting her cheek on her hand, she looked to Han.
"Now, Mister Han, we spoke about our homes... why don't we speak about ourselves?", she suggested.

Han orders another small beer and a Pineapple juice. At her words of Gwendolyn he laughs quietly, but does not miss the pause in her words about visiting.
"Well a visit would be nice. So about me, well I was born on level five, to a large family group. I am Han, son of Har, and Helen. I have many other siblings, we never marry and there is no taboo on sex, children born are cared for by the family group, I believe you could call it a tribe. I served as a caver, exploring and marking out caverns for settlement, before joining Gwendolyns guard. I proved my worth defending against other royals, after all no-one fights harder than family. I rose through the ranks to corporal, and was considered suitable for interview. I passed and was then Life-Sworn to become Gwendolyns bodyguard, in effect if she dies then so do i. I enjoy the occasional beer and collecting ... 2"he pauses "artwork. so that is me.. what about yourself?

[Kyrenaia]

"Very well, I see nothing wrong with that, I would be greatefull if we were introduced."

Damir gave a small smile.
"Then so shall it be.", he said with a smile to his daughter, who grinned back. "I do hope, that Vizier ben Sahid allows you to visit and that we might have the luck of him being at home. Lord-Commander is a stressful position, after all..." He clapped his hands, once. "Now, we're well resolved and finished with business, I'd say, unless there's something you'd discuss, Aurelia?"
His daughter shook her head with a smile.
"Perfect.", Damir turned back to Janice, "Now, then Janice-Schahbanou..." He extended a hand with a charming, rougish smile and a glint in his golden eyes. "May I ask for this dance?"

Fara nodded at the offer for a drink, a small smile on her face.
"Something non-alcoholic, please.", she asked politely, before she turned back to the Corporal, "I believe, that every home has beauty in it, especially one as you describe it. I see, that I'll have to speak with my Father and Vizier ben Sahid about a possible visit... if we want it to be official, that is." She smiled and let a beat pass. "I would love to welcome Princess Gwendolyn to Kyrenaia, though. I'll show her around as well!"
Fara leaned a bit to the side as they waited for their drinks, a position, which gave a nice view of her 'argumentation amplifiers', so to speak, teasing a bit, but showing nothing inappropriate. Resting her cheek on her hand, she looked to Han.
"Now, Mister Han, we spoke about our homes... why don't we speak about ourselves?", she suggested.

Han orders another small beer and a Pineapple juice. At her words of Gwendolyn he laughs quietly, but does not miss the pause in her words about visiting.
"Well a visit would be nice. So about me, well I was born on level five, to a large family group. I am Han, son of Har, and Helen. I have many other siblings, we never marry and there is no taboo on sex, children born are cared for by the family group, I believe you could call it a tribe. I served as a caver, exploring and marking out caverns for settlement, before joining Gwendolyns guard. I proved my worth defending against other royals, after all no-one fights harder than family. I rose through the ranks to corporal, and was considered suitable for interview. I passed and was then Life-Sworn to become Gwendolyns bodyguard, in effect if she dies then so do i. I enjoy the occasional beer and collecting ... 2"he pauses "artwork. so that is me.. what about yourself?

Fara listened to the things he told her and sipped her pineapple juice, enjoying the taste.
She thought her own thing about what he told her, noting differences and similarities between her own people and his - not putting one above the other, just comparing. She had to ask herself, what kind of artwork he collected...
"...so that is me.. what about yourself?", he finished.
Fara took a moment, sipping her pineapple juice. "Fara bint-Dardan, the second of three children of Ilkhan Dardan of Megido, with an older brother, Okan, and a younger sister, Fadia. I study at the moment, Politics quite appropriately, served for four years in the Armies of the Five Deserts as a Sergeant of a Mechanized Platoon, as it is appropriate as well, was a pupil at the Haram Girls Academy in Utica... and did so until I was 19." She made a small pause, before she smiled. "I own a Kyrenaian Caracal named Kalak, a wonderful guy, who cuddles and protects me most of the time, but sometimes simply can't come along, like tonight. I am a passionate swimmer, even compete in it, was even Captain of the HGA's Swimmer Team, am now a Lieutenant at University, I also enjoy equestrian sports, but not as much as swimming... I love the sea." She smiled. "I simply love it."
She turned to Han.
"How about you?", she asked, "I don't want to be rude, but do your people learn swimming?"

[Xiaxal Xarn]

Fara listened to the things he told her and sipped her pineapple juice, enjoying the taste.
She thought her own thing about what he told her, noting differences and similarities between her own people and his - not putting one above the other, just comparing. She had to ask herself, what kind of artwork he collected...
"...so that is me.. what about yourself?", he finished.
Fara took a moment, sipping her pineapple juice. "Fara bint-Dardan, the second of three children of Ilkhan Dardan of Megido, with an older brother, Okan, and a younger sister, Fadia. I study at the moment, Politics quite appropriately, served for four years in the Armies of the Five Deserts as a Sergeant of a Mechanized Platoon, as it is appropriate as well, was a pupil at the Haram Girls Academy in Utica... and did so until I was 19." She made a small pause, before she smiled. "I own a Kyrenaian Caracal named Kalak, a wonderful guy, who cuddles and protects me most of the time, but sometimes simply can't come along, like tonight. I am a passionate swimmer, even compete in it, was even Captain of the HGA's Swimmer Team, am now a Lieutenant at University, I also enjoy equestrian sports, but not as much as swimming... I love the sea." She smiled. "I simply love it."
She turned to Han.
"How about you?", she asked, "I don't want to be rude, but do your people learn swimming?"

Han laughs and smacks himself on the forehead in mock horror.
"Oh a Sergeant & now a Lieutenant, beaten in Rank as well as in Status and beauty. Politics , I wonder if your nation is the snake-pit of treachery & shifting alliances that mine is." at her 19 comment he raises an eyebrow "Ah therein hangs a tale I would wager, mayhap a tale for later in the evening. So you own a Caracal, what is a Caracal? Ah a sea, yes I can swim though I do not have the passion that you have, though I have swum in the dark sea. On an unnumbered level outside of the city of Xarn is a cavern holding the dark sea , black deep waters, never touched by the kiss of the sun, the water moths that fly across the surface the cavern lit by a blue luminescent fungus that grows in clusters, and deep in the sea are.. ah wonders. No light is allowed you swim in the dark better to see the beauty beneath. Though to swim in a surface ocean would indeed be a pleasure."
He grins
"So later this evening should music be played, would you honour me with a dance?"

[Kyrenaia]

Fara listened to the things he told her and sipped her pineapple juice, enjoying the taste.
She thought her own thing about what he told her, noting differences and similarities between her own people and his - not putting one above the other, just comparing. She had to ask herself, what kind of artwork he collected...
"...so that is me.. what about yourself?", he finished.
Fara took a moment, sipping her pineapple juice. "Fara bint-Dardan, the second of three children of Ilkhan Dardan of Megido, with an older brother, Okan, and a younger sister, Fadia. I study at the moment, Politics quite appropriately, served for four years in the Armies of the Five Deserts as a Sergeant of a Mechanized Platoon, as it is appropriate as well, was a pupil at the Haram Girls Academy in Utica... and did so until I was 19." She made a small pause, before she smiled. "I own a Kyrenaian Caracal named Kalak, a wonderful guy, who cuddles and protects me most of the time, but sometimes simply can't come along, like tonight. I am a passionate swimmer, even compete in it, was even Captain of the HGA's Swimmer Team, am now a Lieutenant at University, I also enjoy equestrian sports, but not as much as swimming... I love the sea." She smiled. "I simply love it."
She turned to Han.
"How about you?", she asked, "I don't want to be rude, but do your people learn swimming?"

Han laughs and smacks himself on the forehead in mock horror.
"Oh a Sergeant & now a Lieutenant, beaten in Rank as well as in Status and beauty. Politics , I wonder if your nation is the snake-pit of treachery & shifting alliances that mine is." at her 19 comment he raises an eyebrow "Ah therein hangs a tale I would wager, mayhap a tale for later in the evening. So you own a Caracal, what is a Caracal? Ah a sea, yes I can swim though I do not have the passion that you have, though I have swum in the dark sea. On an unnumbered level outside of the city of Xarn is a cavern holding the dark sea , black deep waters, never touched by the kiss of the sun, the water moths that fly across the surface the cavern lit by a blue luminescent fungus that grows in clusters, and deep in the sea are.. ah wonders. No light is allowed you swim in the dark better to see the beauty beneath. Though to swim in a surface ocean would indeed be a pleasure."
He grins
"So later this evening should music be played, would you honour me with a dance?"

"After the dances I have to take, namely with Prince Damir... sure, why not?", Fara replied with a nod, smiling a bit, then turned to her pineapple juice, "Now, you asked, what a Caracal is... a wild cat. And a rather large one, too. Kalak is fifty centimetres tall at his shoulders, slender in built. Territorial, nocturnal, carnivore - with a sweet tooth for birds and small mammals - and a bit fluffy, especially around the ears. Kalak only accepts strokes from a very few certain people."
She smiled at an old memory.
"A farmer gave him to me, as he had no use for all the kittens he had and we were passing through with the Brigade. I don't think, that he ever realized, that I was his Ilkhan's daughter..." She giggled at that. "He most likely just saw a pretty and polite Sergeant and that he had too many for too few tasks. He doesn't like water, though, so he always sits by the poolside when I'm training with the team or swimming on my own, but he's fine on ships."

[Semparia]

"Very well, I see nothing wrong with that, I would be greatefull if we were introduced."

Damir gave a small smile.
"Then so shall it be.", he said with a smile to his daughter, who grinned back. "I do hope, that Vizier ben Sahid allows you to visit and that we might have the luck of him being at home. Lord-Commander is a stressful position, after all..." He clapped his hands, once. "Now, we're well resolved and finished with business, I'd say, unless there's something you'd discuss, Aurelia?"
His daughter shook her head with a smile.
"Perfect.", Damir turned back to Janice, "Now, then Janice-Schahbanou..." He extended a hand with a charming, rougish smile and a glint in his golden eyes. "May I ask for this dance?"

"Of course, it would be my pleasure."

[Vionna-Frankenlisch]

Major Elias Horke

"You- Your Grace..." Horke stammered, "This... Well, this is certainly unexpected." He sat down, the Princess essentially barring all exit. "Umm..." He mumbled, "What did you have in mind?"

[The Thryllasian Gatekeeper]

After having eaten a sufficient amount of food, the Gatekeeper took a disposable paper napkin from the table & wiped his mask. Unfortunately though, he had failed to remember that his mask was a spiky affair, & as such, the napkin caught on the spikes & the paper of it now adorned his face like some sort of elephant whose tusks had hanging decorative jewelry of sorts. "Whoops," he said to himself as he took out a more resistant napkin that he successfully wiped his face with without any issues.

"I suppose I should go & check up on my lizard," he said to himself as he began to walk towards the entrance, probably passing by almost everyone else in the area while walking there from the dinner table. In his right hand — which was the hand that was not holding his staff — a light blue light was radiating forth from it, of which seemed to be some sort of pacifying spell at the ready. After all, his demonic appearance was most likely going to startle someone in the area.

[Semparia]

I just remembered you were here, just, everyone being civil and modern tech, then BAM, freaky high tech dude with a lizard

[Kyrenaia]

"Of course, it would be my pleasure."

Damir took the Queen's hand in his own, nodding to the guards.
Their charge was now under his protection and come hell or high water, he would protect her by his honour as a Prince of Utica - they had his word. Leading her to the dance floor, he began, a good dancer, definately not the best out there, but a good one, with a slow dance to allow them to get a feel for each others abilities.
It promised to be a nice evening.
His daughter, meanwhile, took her leave, nodding to the two guards as well, before she approached the bar, letting the tall demonic man pass with a small bow of her head and a smile, before she decided something.
With a quick course change, she went to his side (she had to nearly run, quite a feat in her heels, to keep up) and greeted: "Good evening, Sir. If I may ask, how are you on this evening?"

[Semparia]

She was, if not a good dancer, enough to do her end of the work, it is quite easy to tell that the politics of her homeland are less dances, more strength, but also cunning. Her dog follows her around loyally, but doesn't get in anyone's way

[Kyrenaia]

She was, if not a good dancer, enough to do her end of the work, it is quite easy to tell that the politics of her homeland are less dances, more strength, but also cunning. Her dog follows her around loyally, but doesn't get in anyone's way

The dog made Damir smile - after all, his daughter had a Sand Wolf herself, Aldhiyb, a wonderful lad and her companion whenever there were time and place for it. He also had to note, that Janice was not a bad dancer at all, but sadly only adequate for station and occassion.
Apparently, her homeland did not put much value on the fine arts to achieve their objective, but that was just fine by him. Instead, they most likely used other arts to go where they wanted to go, but to each their own.
"Your companion is rather close to you, it seems to me.", he whispered to Janice with a smile, joking. "Are you sure, that I should introduce you to Ilia?"

[Semparia]

She laughs and says "Yes, I don't think he will get too jealous, anyways, you said Ilia was lord-commander of the navy? I could use those skills, the problem I'm facing at the moment millitarily is getting my planes and ground forces from one place to another, the Semparian city states never had any real need for a navy until my father united the whole mess."

[Kyrenaia]

She laughs and says "Yes, I don't think he will get too jealous, anyways, you said Ilia was lord-commander of the navy? I could use those skills, the problem I'm facing at the moment millitarily is getting my planes and ground forces from one place to another, the Semparian city states never had any real need for a navy until my father united the whole mess."

"Ah, so you need Naval Expertise.", Damir said with a nod, smiling to himself an enigmatic smile, "I would not have guessed... indeed, my elder brother is Lord-Commander of the Navy - and quite proud of it as well. I can see, if he and the Sultana would be willing to have Semparian Naval Officers attend the Staff Colleges and the Naval Academy, but you'll have to butter them up a bit." He leaned in to tell her a secret. "My brother is not a fan of jewels or gewgaw, but he both appreciates the sea and chocolade. You don't have that from me!"

[Semparia]

"That would be very much appreciated, and of course I'll butter them up, assuming they don't butter up themselves."

[Kyrenaia]

"That would be very much appreciated, and of course I'll butter them up, assuming they don't butter up themselves."

"I'll see, what I can do.", Damir promised with a smile, nodding - the big advantage of diplomacy was, that despite giving something, one could gain something as well, but all that in due time. It was highly unlikely, that one of the two of them would butter oneself up, though... He changed the dance to a slightly quicker one. "In the meantime, tell me a bit about Semparia, though not things I can find on the net, but..." He smiled a charming smile. "...but those small things that make a country alive. You know, what I mean?"

[Semparia]

She smiles "Of course, well, we don't really clean up graffiti, unless it is vulgar or gang related or the such, so all over the the place there is street art, which I think gives it a special charm, we also are quite eco friendly, which isn't that hard to figure out, but there are animals all over the place, granted, far less animals in cities, excluding pets, but still a fair amount more than most countries I'd imagine."