First Annual Blue Horizons Gala (IFC/INVITE ONLY)

[Aviran]

Welcome to the Evelay, the finest hotel the city of Prostings has to offer. The United Kingdom of Aviran, the Prime Minister's government, and the Director of the I.F.C Humanitarian Guard thank and welcome you to this; the first annual Blue Horizons Gala!

Welmigton Ballroom, Evelay Hotel-Aviran

Madelyn Astor, Gala Master of Ceremonies,
Director of the I.F.C Humanitarian Guard

Throughout the night entertainment from some of the finest symphonies across Aviran will play for your entertainment. The Evelay's Michellin Chef-Androu Malique will also cater to your dining needs, as a four course meal timed per the hour and feel of the guests here tonight, tantalize your taste buds.

Upon entry you were handed a bidding form, and we invite you to participate in the silent auction portion of the night. All pieces are certified Aviranian Antiques from both private and publicly liquidated collections of the Branton Auction House.

Again, we thank you. The money we raise tonight, will fully benefit the Blue Cross Humanitarian Guard of the International Freedom Coalition, and thus-countries across the globe.

S'il vous plaît avoir du plaisir et profiter de cette nuit magique!

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OFFICIAL FORM FOR SUBMISSION OF BID
Please use only after silent auction is officially announced

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Code: Select all

[hr][/hr][b]NAME OF BIDDER:
ID CODE OF LOT:
AMOUNT BIDDING:
DEDICATION (IF ANY):
BIDDER COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:[/b]
[hr][/hr]

[Novo Wagondia]

The Evelay Hotel, Prostings
United Kingdom of Aviran

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Delighted to escape the drone of imperial politics and indulge for once his great passion for history as well as philanthropy, the Emperor of Wagondia was in an even more jovial mood than usual, fueled in equal part by the company of good friends and a wonderful Aviranian cabaret he had seen just hours earlier. He found Prostings to be a fascinating city, and promised himself to explore it later in his reign, perhaps on a state visit to the emerging strong ally he saw in the UKA. For now, his mission was decidedly humanitarian, as he prepared to sign away part of his personal account to support not just his fellow humans across all seas and cultures, but the history and art that bound them together as a common yet beautifully diverse people. Accompanying the Emperor, aside from the handful of aides and guards necessitated by his travel, was the brilliant Gabriela Santillian, Wagondia's foremost general historian and chair of His Majesty's Academy for the Humanities. Her side job was being the chief curator for the Rondon Institute in Santa Catalina, one of the largest and most revered museums in the country. She too had come armed with great expectations and a considerable purse, and was thrilled to spend a night supporting such a great cause with the leader of the Wagain Commonwealth. The pair had enjoyed a lengthy and unusually lively discussion about colonial era sculpture in the car, though had to table to debate upon arriving at the majestic Evelay. As aides opened their respective doors, revealing to them the grandeur of the city's opulent district, Edward straightened his bowtie and helped madame Santillian up the curb, before the two walked through the entrance and sought out the Welmington ballroom and their seats.

[Aigeantir]

OOC: I swear I will NOT destroy the gala

Prostings,
United Kingdom of Aviran

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Carroll Caomh checked her watch, 20 minutes, good, the plane had landed, but there had been some delay trying to open the luggage compartment. The crew of the government-marked Citation X thought they could fix the problem without the help of the Aviran maintenance crews, but that decision could have made her late had it not been for the Aviran crews noticing. The compartment's heater had stopped working, and the condensation within the door frame had frozen the compartment shut, but the ground crew made short work of it, and now Carroll was only 20 minutes behind schedule.

She hated being late. Not just for this event, any event. Virtually anything. She was the kind of person that preferred to stay busy, but unfortunately her travelling companion was not of the same mind. She still didn't know how it all fell into place. Perhaps it had been the drinks, perhaps she got caught up herself a little in the "Iron Lady" mania, but somehow she had allowed herself to extend an invitation to Lady Siofra Sheertir, who could be described as being Carroll's polar opposite. Where Carroll was humble and often much more quiet and reserved, Lady Sheertir was an outgoing egomaniac, with a bit of a problem of saying the wrong thing in diplomatic situations. In fact, the country was still dealing with some of the affects of his Nihonese-inspired photo shoot, and with the way she flirted, Carroll had been careful to ensure that Sheertir was forced to be on her best behaviour, by forcing the woman to share the same hotel room with her.

Carroll would have taken someone, anyone, over Siofra, but with the death of Conchobar II, the Royal Family was indisposed, and few of the monarchs wanted to leave the country should they begin a vote for the next High King. The Prime Minister and much of the country's leadership were now dealing with the logistics and management around the wake and the lying in state ceremonies, so as the IFC representative and outgoing Prime Minister of the IFC, she had to go to this event. It would look bad to cancel now. She had hoped someone like Rowan would have been available. The Prince was a huge advocate for humanitarian aid, and Carroll had to admit that she often got a bit excited in his presence, though he was married. Unfortunately, with the death of his father, this meant she had to make new plans, and was surprised when Siofra contacted her about attending the Gala. Apparently the woman had been tipped off by Rowan. She knew he was probably laughing about it now. Likely a sad laugh, given the recent state of affairs.

As the ramp descended, Lady Sheertir moved towards the ramp first. The two of them hadn't spoken much during the flight, but Carroll knew that Siofra might have received the message, when the two women met at Artio International before departing. Carroll had taken one look at the approaching Lady Sheertir, a look of horror on her face, as Lady Sheertir's choice of dress, if you could call it a dress, hugged the line of inappropriate, and then took a leap further off of it. Carroll could only stand there, her jaw dropping, wondering how this woman could dress in what was little more than a night gown, and get away with it. Carroll eventually made a comment about Siofra being able to change on the plane, but the woman only laughed it off, and spent the rest of the flight doing things to get on Carroll's nerves, whether it was asking Carroll what colour of underwear the Emperor of Wagondia preferred, or whether Madelyn Astor would be down for a friendly drinking competition with proceeds going to the Blue Cross. Every time Siofra opened her mouth Carroll grew crosser, but somehow she kept her anger in check. As Siofra Sheertir descended the ramp, and Carroll realized that Siofra was at least wearing underwear, Carroll still groaned inwardly over the profuse apologies she would have to make later for Siofra's antics.

They got into the car, as their staff moved the luggage from the plane to the trunk of the car. Siofra arched her back, taking in a stretch before the next part of their journey. Carroll admitted to herself that she'd like to stretch too, but at least she wasn't in danger of having a wardrobe malfunction like Siofra. However, just on principle, she didn't stretch, because she wouldn't want anything to be taken as a sign that she condoned Siofra's actions. Instead, she adjusted her cloak, and ensured her dress was not rising too high as she stepped into the car. The two women sat in silence for the first five minutes of the car ride, but Siofra eventually broke the silence. "Sooo.... this should be fun!..." Carroll didn't answer. "I'm so glad that allowed me to come with you, to this gala. There's nothing more I like than raising money for causes, oh, and buying antiques, especially weapons, but you probably already know that...." Again Carroll said nothing. Siofra looked at Carroll, but Carroll just kept staring out the window on the opposite side of the car from Siofra Sheertir. Carroll saw a smile spread across Siofra's face, but tried to ignore it. Siofra bit her lip teasingly, before purring "So, did you sleep with Seward before or after you got elected, or did Rowan put in a good word for some of your favours?" Carroll's face flushed red with anger, and she turned towards Siofra, slapping her across the face faster than Siofra could react.

"How dare you make such false assumptions! Preston Seward was a great man, and my success was through my own merit, and not by sleeping my way to the top! Rowan has nothing to do with how I got to where I am, he'd never do something like that anyways!" Carroll was as surprised by her reaction as Siofra, but Siofra Sheertir had finally found the line that she could not cross with Carroll, and Carroll noticed a sudden change in her as she tried to apologize to Carroll.

"Yeah, sorry, that was wrong of me to say.... that was.... rude. It's just that I'm not used to strong women who haven't sold favours to get ahead, so I sorta assumed you'd be the same.... Maybe we should start over. I'll buy you a drink, and we'll get to know each other while finding new and ingenious ways to blow the crown's money!" Carroll looked away and said nothing. It was another awkward five minutes of silence and tension before they arrived at the gala. Carroll barely waited for the car to stop before she opened the door and got out. She started walking quickly towards the entrance, fighting back tears, and hoping her eyes didn't look too red or watery by the time she got inside. The comment hit much too close to home. Though she'd never thought to do anything with Rowan, she'd always been tempted. Yes there was more than a decade of age difference, but they got along well, and he was like the older brother she never had. In her peripheral she could see Siofra Sheertir hurrying after her. Carroll gave her no thought, but moved forward into Evelay Hotel, with Siofra Sheertir at her heels.