The Winter Ball (IC - FULL)

by **Astares Amauricanum** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:47 am

"Oh, I don't doubt that the Horseman Teams are good at what they do, replies Genievra with a nice smile, but as my grandson would say "They're not paid to do this 24/7 all year long." Eever since our son Kriskio died, he has been very attentive to the security measures taken by his hosts during foreign state visits.
-Yeah, continues Peter, but organizing an escort by night, with torches and all, might be a good thing to take his mind a bit off this topic. Good idea on your part Mister Safir." adds the retired Emperor with a smile. And that way, he won't be bitching about sunglasses and the Lioness Glare, thinks Peter. But on that one, I agree with him, sunlight in your eyes is never a pleasant thing

Regis and Shiho Blachkor
"Then we'll take a bit of everything, good thing we didn't ate lunch, replies SHiho with a smile and a wink to Esperanta and Allison. And don't worry about the food being spicy, it is usual for Astarian meals to be spiced up a bit.
-It is, says her husband, as he and his wife take a plate and put a bit of everything Esperanta recommended on it. Mmh, delicious! exclaims Regis as he tastes a bit of sea bass with a side of Banana bread. This is the thing!" adds the Prince in an excited tone.

Adrean and Anna Blachkor
"About education and the diferences our two nations have about it, Princess, replies the Emperor to Gisella. But I believe we had almost finished about exchanging our thoughts about it. So, aside from education, my wife and I have been wondering, but do you folklore and oral traditions have any stories about monsters that would give nightmares to children, like boogeymen or that sort of thing?"

by **New Visayan Islands** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:32 am

Allison Sanchez
Royal Palace

As the party made their picks, Allison couldn't help but notice the delegation from New Edom make theirs. After taking Esperanta's suggestions to heart, she took the sea bass spiced with Mazomba Bell Peppers along with rice; that Kuronami also included rice in their buffets was something she could relate to easily. Rice was, after all, a staple in Visayan meals.
Nodding to the New Edomite delegation as she picked a couple of mangoes, she returned to the table with her meal. It was exactly as advertised; the smile on her lips gave it away.
"This is delicious. What exactly is the secret to how you cook your bass?" she asked; the thought of trying to cook milkfish, tilapia, or grouper in a similar manner had occurred to her.

by **Rivienland** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 5:54 pm

"Thank you. I do appreciate the kind words." Glancing among the crowd, Willy was trying to think where the conversation should go next. While Willy loved to chat with guests, he always found it hard to keep a conversation going. Going through the topics in his head, he already hit the big three: job, marriage and kids. So, he reasoned, there was only one other idea that came to mind.

"Tell me, My Lady, what are the current happenings within the Imperial Court? Anything interesting recently that a visiting foreigner should be aware of?" Trying to be polite, like many men he knew back in Rivienland, he was trying to see what gossip he could learn of the Imperial Count. The Ducal Court was always a pit of gossip and information, whether you ask the aristocrats or the nobility. Some joked that gossiping was an important past time since their ancestors gathered around the fires when they were living in caves and huts. God knows that Rivienland has only embraced gossip more as she has entered into the modern age.

by **The Gristolian Imperium** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:05 pm

"Oh, how quaint. I wish I would be able to stay in Kuronami longer to get a chance to tour the country." And, in all actual fact, the Empress meant that. Even while being the Head of State, she still was tied down in Dunwall more than she preferred. Even while she loved the Isles, and Gristol, more than any place, tradition and past events, along with mountains of ceremonies and paperwork, made it impossible for the Empress to deviate from her schedule or sneak away from the Imperial Court. Just taking this trip will easily set her behind on several projects, and, even worse, insult several aristocrats for choose to socialize in a foreign court over their "popular" garden party.

"Tell me, do you travel much outside of Kuronami? Or, have you ever been to the Gristolian Imperium?"

by **New Edom** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:36 pm

Cassadia

The Queen Empress Mara and Prince Enoch each took a little wine and a pastry on a plate while they observed the company swirling around the ballroom, watching the conversations and the beautifully dressed people all around them.

“Oh look, there is Empress Relena,” said Mara. “She’s very pretty. It would be interesting to talk to her.”

“I agree. Thus far our talks have stalled due to their government’s stubbornness about security.” agreed Prince Enoch. “But sometimes we can achieve more when we actually manage these kinds of nearly accidental encounters.”

Mara winked at him, and she walked along the buffet, in pretense of looking for something tasty, and then, edging towards the monarch of Cassadia, until she looked up in seeming surprise.

“Excuse me, you are Relena von Peacecraft, Empress of Cassadia? How ironic, our governments are stuck trying to work out scheduling meetings of state, and here we simply bump into one another! Excuse me, this is my dear second cousin, Prince Enoch Tubal-Cain, our Royal Master of Offices, who is escorting me. How do you do?”

by **Cartoonia** » Fri Apr 17, 2020 10:53 pm

“Of course” Jimmy responds, taking up the Duchess’s offer, “we’d be delighted. Isn’t that right Rachel?”.

“Of course” she responds.

by **Kyrenaia** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:03 am

Prince Damir ibn-Razia.
I nodded. "You don't only marry a woman, you marry her family, too, as the Teressians say.", I agreed, taking two flutes of champagne, handing one to Yasmin, who took it with a small smile. She was not much of a drinker, but a toast never hurt anyone. "Indeed, to long and loving marriages and to many future Princes and Princesses."
We toasted, took a sip and then stood there for a moment.
"Oh, I just remembered something.", I said and indeed just remembered something: "Ilia asked me to relay to you his gratitude for the support of the Pulchraen Royal Navy during the entire thing in the Ferinan-Archipelago. Admiral Qiada, of Carrier Group 6, was not sparing with the praises."

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
We bumped into each other again, I chuckled with her.
"Seems like we found each other.", I said and gazed into her eyes lovingly, then offered her my arm to link and hoped, that we'd walk back at a more sedate pace, maybe exchange a few words in private. There was much I had to tell her aboard the Alshaahin, but... I wanted a few moments with my beloved. "You're quite busy, aren't you?"

Khana Amina bint-Karim.
"Hm...", I made, "I can give you hundreds of things in the entire Sultanate, which would occupy a lifetime to see, but seeing that you are going to visit the Khanate of Sheliak, I am quite certain, that you might want to visit the Baed Palace's Public Areas, for the amazing murals and art there. Surely worth a visit, and if only for the amazing Keep's Restaurant, is Oea Fortress, the old harbour fort. The Keep's Restaurant makes an amazing alfakihat, that is a marzipan sweet." I then added: "And maybe of interest to you in particular might be the Ahmaraas Girls' Academy, one of the Young Academies, that is true, but one with very good Fencing and Sworddancing Teams. They do public training once a week."
That she could maybe get a more private meeting with the right connections, with for example the Khana of Sheliak, went unsaid - I doubted, that I would have to say expressedly.

Vizier Azad Safir.
I was aware of the fact, that their son had died during a foreign visit, when the host had failed to properly protect him, but I smiled at the compliment, bowing my head lightly.
It was not as if, if someone wanted to kill him, he would find a way to try regardless.
Anyway, I said: "The Lioness' Gaze might be harsh and blinding, but Manat is the one, who weaves the Great Tapestry." I shrugged. "While the Lioness looks at almost everyone like a Mother, Manat's gaze is... unfaltering and adamant." I let a beat pass. "If I were your Grandson, I would request to maybe see some of the holy sites and temples during the visit, maybe a Temple of Hers."

by **Kuronami** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:17 pm

Esperanta

Taking a dish of bass for herself adding a zest of both lemon and lime that one of the young maids handed her. "Splendid, glad you are wanting to try so much. I have noticed you haven't touched any of the alcohol, don't touch the stuff? I'm only asking. Oh everyone has their own style of cooking. Given Mazomba is made up of many islands there's a little bit of different between them all. The big island which is where I'm from, they like to slow broil and squeeze lemon and lime onto it along with a little dash of black pepper. Some like to soak it in milk and roast it, some just eat it raw but add some native roots for seasoning."

Gisella

"oh want to hear old legends huh? Well pretty much all islands have their spooks and specters that roam or haunt. Like Animalpolis has or had a legend of the shadow men that started sometime a decade or so ago. Well I guess that would be you folks for that They also have the ruins of the Old Temple which is said to be a spiritual passage of some sort. Only well trained Priestesses who can properly channel with spirits can enter the grounds much less walk through them. . On Aurora there's the old stories of a creature of barnacles rising from the ocean to turn villages upside down looking for something to take to the sea with him. There's a well...." She blushed at this "More erotic story about Maidens from the Early Nanao Period encountering a massive sea beast that would do uhh well....THINGS to them." She couldn't bring herself to say it. "There's a common held belief in all the islands that singing or dancing or anything jovial like that while at sea will summon a mighty storm that will surely sink you if you don't have a good captain and ship to see you through. Most ships won't travel without a Priestess for that very reason is to keep the worst of the weather at bay as best they can."

"I'm not sure there's all THAT much interesting going on. Kuronami is probably considerably more tame in this modern era compared to centuries past. For the current affairs, it was Last Winter that Her Majesty's older brother was named the Duke of the Domain of their namesake. As for Her Majesty herself, you noticed the nice pretty red head hanging on her arm as you entered. It's Her Majesty's girlfriend. A common woman she's smitten with. I suspect it's a short amount of time before Her Majesty throws tradition to the wind and marries her for good. It's not illegal here, it's not even that taboo anymore. Just if her Majesty doesn't have an Heir by name or birthright it means again the Throne is up for grabs when she dies or if she abdicates or is dethroned. It happened with our previous Monarch, Emperor Hermaan which is how Her Majesty came to take the throne. It's all very civil of course hardly a blood bath like I imagine it would have been three centuries ago. Speaking more of our Previous Monarch, he left no heir because he was in love with his younger sister. He couldn't bring himself to marry anyone else so they did but they obviously wouldn't bear children. Wouldn't matter she was barren till the day she died anyway."

"I wish you could see more of the country too! Maybe you will one day! And sadly I've not been able to travel much beyond our country. I would like to sometime though, especially before I take my father's place as head of our Domain. Maybe I can talk Her Majesty into taking me on one of her excursions. She's very sociable you know."

"Splendid. Until then..." Fine noted another change in the music, this one another slow waltz. "Please excuse us."

Izetta curtsied again as Fine escorted her to the dance floor.

Marcella

"Boy don't I know it" She let out a bit of an exasperated sigh of fatigue but still a hint of satisfaction for getting as much done as she had in such a short time.

"With so many friends of the UIS here on top of you, I really do have my hands full. Of course you're all worth it in the end." she took her hand. "Very worth it." The music slowed into a waltz. "Milady?" She beckoned Aurelia to join her on the dance floor.

So now among the couples enjoying a slow dance included the Empress and her girlfriend and no doubt soon to be the Duchess and her girlfriend.

Amaterasu

"I'll very much keep every place you noted in mind. I think we can make a three-week excursion to see a good amount of everything you suggested."

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 3:07 pm

"Oh why thank you, Commander Massera reports of Kyrenaia's hospitality as well. Unfortunately it almost ended just as it started. Fortunately no one on our end got hurt, although I wish I could say the same for others."

"What 'appened?" Cecile asked.

"Nothing, just keeping a watchful eye over a fellow nation. I did manage to keep a back and forth with the Princess. But" he shrugged "as tensions calmed, what necessity did we have. I just wanted to use the navy for something other than guarding ships, you know, get their sea legs as they say in english. And thank you by the way, to your people, for allowing us to stay at your port."

In a quick moment, Cecile pulled him in to whisper in his ear "De nombreux princes et princesses eh?"

Blushing greatly, Cleone dismissed her with a playful "Basta." and took a sip of his glass "So Prince Damir, how's the Sultana? You any closer to the throne? No disrespect of course."

by **Polish Prussian Commonwealth** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:53 pm

I laughed. "Adalrich raises a fair point here. It's undoubtedly you. I was never exposed to dance that much...Pap never really approved 'o formal dancing much at all, to be honest, and he avoids balls like the plague. Mum had to teach me."

What Ida did not pick up, perhaps...was the fact that even if I was willing to do it if she was, it still felt somewhat wrong on some level. A 'proper' dance(which included everything from the waltz to the swing) was, in Prussia-Poland, a declaration of love, whether familial or romantic. During the previous ball at the Schloss Zyng, my dance of the Polonaise, for example, with Lady Byrnes, was in recognition of her odd status of 'sort-of-family'-apparently her foster father was especially tight with my father back in the day, although what the relation was, my father refused to clarify.
As for Ida...It would be a bit of an exaggeration to say that I had fallen head-over-heels for her when I first saw her. But only a little.

But regardless, Ida was from Terissen, and if learning to tolerate(if not accept) the conventions of that nation was the price of her heart and hand...I was more than willing to pay that.

I sighed and shook me head. "Let me rephrase. How do you get around the fact that other nations can produce things for stupidly cheap prices?"

by **New Visayan Islands** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:54 pm

Allison Sanchez
Royal Palace

"Well, I don't drink alcohol at all; I abide by a sect that prohibits it." Allison didn't explain further; she was all too aware that the modern world was rife with people who saw the Children of Abraham--Jew, Christian, and Muslim alike--with the kind of contempt the annals of history associated with Blacks in Jim Crow-era America or Jews in Tsarist Russia, and the Iglesia ni Cristo was a Christian denomination.
"Also, eating fish raw with roots for seasoning? Sounds almost like kinilaw to me," she added with a grin. "Do you also use vinegar or citrus juices in making the dish in question?"

by **Rivienland** » Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:18 pm

"Her Majesty's girlfriend?" Taking a moment to glace over at the couple again, Willy was surprised, even impressed, that she would involve her girlfriend in the Imperial Court in such a manner. While Rivienland did not openly accept those types of relationships in open society, many Rivienlanders on the other hand did not seek to persecute anyone. His brother, who clearly did not hide any of his sexual preferences, would still, he hoped, never attempt to openly court a man. It was simply due to the fact that traditions seldom changed within the small Grand Duchy. Still, in even a modern world, the thought of the Empress having a girlfriend, who was even a commoner, was a new subject.

"I must agree, Lady Sylvia,on your possible predictions on marriage between the two. I am not sure if Kuronami is like Rivienland, but to introduce a girlfriend to the Imperial Court and other foreign dignitaries is a sure sign that they are taking their relationship seriously. But even if Kuronami is lax about the relationship, is the public not questioning how the Empress might cause another succession crisis? I mean, if Emperor Hermaan would have ruled Rivienland and attempted to pursue his younger sister the aristocracy and public would riot!" Stopping for a moment, he was reminded of the scandals that surrounded his father, the Grand Duke. Even the fact that Willy's father hesitated by several years to pursue marriage nearly stopped him from inheriting the throne. Even while an absolute monarchy, scandal, more than ever, could spell the destruction of the monarchy.

"I mean, what is known about this girlfriend, besides the fact that she is a commoner? Would she have any favorable qualities to make her a good Queen Consort?"

by **Kyrenaia** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 2:15 am

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
I smiled, touched to my core by Marcella's declaration: I was worth it.
I did not think, that she could imagine, how much those words meant to me. She knew, how much they would mean to me.
"Of course.", I whispered and followed her onto the dance floor, for the slow, closely danced waltz. And we danced it very close, two women doing this.
Back home, there were still enough people, who would get active against such a couple on the floor, but it was now... well, fine might be the wrong term, but accepted. The Sultana literally changing court protocol to allow dances between two men or two women, not only because of me and Marcella, played a considerable part in it.
It all began almost three years ago, when I was 16 and just had my feelings thrown into a rollercoaster by a wonderful woman, who was now in my arms.
"I'm soon starting my Service.", I whispered to her.

Khana Amina bint-Karim.
I nodded.
"It would be the pride and pleasure of the Khanate to welcome you and your sisters with open arms.", I said - her, and, if the visit went well, the influx of tourists that might bring. We did live from that, after all, these days. "Though, don't forget to pack a swimsuit."
The last was accompanied by a wink.

Prince Damir ibn-Razia.
I bowed my head lightly at Cleone's words about his officers and men having enjoyed the hospitality at the Shajarat Alnakhil and wanted to add, that both Admiral Saefa and Ilia would be glad to welcome ships from Lux Pulchrae again, but this time under much better circumstances then last time.
But Cecile preempted me with a question and then we switched to...
"Mother is fine and splendid as usual.", I said with a smile, not offended in any way. "She and I are looking forward to Grandmother is turning 100 this year and as she is still going strong, we are preparing for a party with all of the family, who can make it. It'll be shortly after our wedding, too."
Yasmin nodded. "Both the Sultana and Jida are quite the role models to look up to.", she said and smiled.

Ida Findehoof.
I indeed was unaware, but, I was sure, I would learn soon enough.
Berengar was an interesting young man and one I was interested in - I was not yet sure, how much, but friendship for sure. And if it was more or not, I would learn about his country and his culture, too.
Adalrich smiled and nodded. "I can sure relate, though for me, it was my Mother, who avoided dancing. She had all reason to, too, as she had, what we call 'Magnetic Feet'.", he explained, "Meaning, that her feet attracted the feet of the dance partner like a magnet."
Wilrun and I giggled. The bad luck of Nela von Ehrenback when it came to dancing was still known to this day.
There were worse things to be known for, even in Teressien.
The music in the background changed to a slow waltz and I saw a glint in Wilrun's eyes as she looked at me and Berengar.
"I'm sure, that the two of you have a lot to catch up to.", she said and smiled at Berengar, moving her eyes in my direction, as if to tell him, that it was now the time. "Ida, I hope you don't mind me kidnapping this piece of lumber..." She linked arms with Adalrich, who was a bit surprised by this turn of events. "...while you two have fun."
"Sure, go ahead.", I replied and smiled, "Onkel Adalrich, see you later."
"Yes, of course.", he said and adopted to the situation rather quickly, nodded to Berengar. "Berengar, it was a pleasure. I hope, to meet you more often in the future."
Wilrun bowed her head with a mischievous smile and dragged him off, all while the dancing couples were arranging for a slow waltz - and I was alone with Berengar.
I smiled at him, my hand finding his and squeezing it lightly.

Wilrun, Baronin von Port Monee.
Oh, little Ida got herself a nice lad.
I would be sure to tell both her father and her sisters, that he was a good man, this Berengar. It would certainly be something, which would help him.
And, with Adalrich on my arm and Ida and Berengar hopefully on their way to the dance floor, slow waltzes were slow and hard to mess up, we departed their company, leaving the merry couple to their own devices.
One could see, that Oda raised her husband well, for he did not ask any questions - just let the women do their thing, might have been his thoughts.
And then, I spotted a little girl, maybe fourteen at most, with what looked like her parent - and I recognized the parent: Queen-Consort Katie of Krainin. And that would make the girl Princess Annie of Krainin.
I smiled and nudged Adalrich into their direction - and of the buffet.
He took it up. Oda really raised him well.
"Queen-Consort.", I greeted the other woman with a small bow, then offered my hand, "I am Wilrun, the Baronin of Port Monee." I motioned to the man. "This is Adalrich von Ehrenback, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Teressien."
"It is a great pleasure to meet you, Milady.", he said and bowed his head, then offered his hand for her to put his hand into so that he could kiss it. He glanced towards the girl. "And the same goes for you, young lady."

by **Astares Amauricanum** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 3:53 am

Esperanta

Taking a dish of bass for herself adding a zest of both lemon and lime that one of the young maids handed her. "Splendid, glad you are wanting to try so much. I have noticed you haven't touched any of the alcohol, don't touch the stuff? I'm only asking. Oh everyone has their own style of cooking. Given Mazomba is made up of many islands there's a little bit of different between them all. The big island which is where I'm from, they like to slow broil and squeeze lemon and lime onto it along with a little dash of black pepper. Some like to soak it in milk and roast it, some just eat it raw but add some native roots for seasoning."

Gisella

"oh want to hear old legends huh? Well pretty much all islands have their spooks and specters that roam or haunt. Like Animalpolis has or had a legend of the shadow men that started sometime a decade or so ago. Well I guess that would be you folks for that They also have the ruins of the Old Temple which is said to be a spiritual passage of some sort. Only well trained Priestesses who can properly channel with spirits can enter the grounds much less walk through them. . On Aurora there's the old stories of a creature of barnacles rising from the ocean to turn villages upside down looking for something to take to the sea with him. There's a well...." She blushed at this "More erotic story about Maidens from the Early Nanao Period encountering a massive sea beast that would do uhh well....THINGS to them." She couldn't bring herself to say it. "There's a common held belief in all the islands that singing or dancing or anything jovial like that while at sea will summon a mighty storm that will surely sink you if you don't have a good captain and ship to see you through. Most ships won't travel without a Priestess for that very reason is to keep the worst of the weather at bay as best they can."

Allison Sanchez
Royal Palace

"Well, I don't drink alcohol at all; I abide by a sect that prohibits it." Allison didn't explain further; she was all too aware that the modern world was rife with people who saw the Children of Abraham--Jew, Christian, and Muslim alike--with the kind of contempt the annals of history associated with Blacks in Jim Crow-era America or Jews in Tsarist Russia, and the Iglesia ni Cristo was a Christian denomination.
"Also, eating fish raw with roots for seasoning? Sounds almost like kinilaw to me," she added with a grin. "Do you also use vinegar or citrus juices in making the dish in question?"

Regis and Shiho Blachkor
"Oh a sect huh? asks Regis. Well, if we haven't touched alcohol for now, he continues as he turns to Esperanta, it's because...
-As you may be aware, continues his wife, as an Asian woman, just like all members of this ethnic group, we have a mutation on the gene coding the alcohol dehydrogenase, a liver enzyme that helps metabolyzes alcohol. This mutation causes the enzyme to not metabolize as good as other ehtnic groups, such as Caucasians, and therefore causes us to have the famous Asian Flush, or a reddening of some parts of our bodies. So since I don't like this, I try to not drink much alcohol.
-As for me Miss Putino, continues Regis, I plan to maybe have a flute of champagne later, don't worry. But I've never liked to start evening or events like this straight with alcohol.
Now, continues the Prince, to come back about cooking fish, in the area of the Empire where I'm from, we like to cook trout parts previously dipped and wrapped in flour, then mixed with ginger and various herbs, before either frying it or cooking it. Served with a side of corn bread, it's very good."

Adrean and Anna Blachkor
"A spiritual passage, interesting, replies Adrean with a nod. I'll admit, this is one of the few legends we don't have where we're from, he adds to his wife.
-Indeed, replies the Empress. But a sea monster doing erotic things? Did this monster had any tentacles Princess? she asks to Gisella with a small laugh. Sorry, bad joke. But anyway, where do this legend of your people about doing anything jovial at sea might endanger them come from? In the Empire, it has rather been the opposite."

Although the Kyrenaian Vizier surely did not meant any harm with his answer, the way it is formulated makes the two Astarian a bit uncomfortable, and their faces quickly change from amiable to cautious.
"I don't mean no disrespect Mister Safir, but are you implying that your deity Manat make have ill intentions towards Adrean? asks Peter with a very serious tone. Because the way you said it makes it feel like a thinly veiled threat to me."

by **The Republic Of Cassadia** » Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:05 pm

"Business calls even during a party huh? Well it's understandable don't I know it. Well I hope you''ll still get to enjoy the evening in the meantime I'd be happy to show him around."

''Unfortunately, yes. The matters of state and government have rarely allowed me to take a day off from my duties as the Monarch of a nation of five million square kilometres nation and three hundred million people. As there is always something that requires my attention, lest I neglect the Crown-Government which I head, to be made to hang up there on autopilot.'' The Empress of Cassadia mentioned to the two women in a languid manner, her facial expression becoming more neutral by the mere mention of having to rule. Her eyes becoming fixated onto a single spot in the ground all the while her mind spaced out, though such awkward social situation was avoided, with Relena not allowing this instinct of hers to entrench itself to allow it to linger on - as fortunately, this malaise only managed to last around several seconds, enough for the two hostesses to not realize what was going on and how out-of-place Relena's conduct was. But despite this, the thoughts of memories past gone still continued to linger on in her thoughts, eating her from the inside out, as always when they were visited upon her.

I long for the days when I was not intended for the throne....so much simpler, happier times.

But such is faith and I cannot change this.

I have to do this, for Dad and Mum.

They would have been proud of me, the Kingdom stands and it continues so, as it always had against the usual enemies!

The Empress of Cassadia lifted her gaze back on the Empress and her ''friend'' as she heard and quietly scoffed at the mistake which her Prime-Secretary had committed; not only misnaming, but also mis-titling the proper rank of the people whom, while wicked, still were by protocol, his betters by blood and stock. Something which made her to cough and choke in outrage, while it was not outloud, it was just vociferous enough for her Royal Cabinet Secretary to apologize deeply to the two which Zelensky had wronged.

''I so deeply beg your forgiveness then, Miladies. I hope I have not brought severe offense to Your Persons.'' Zelenski said penitently, the expression of his puppy-eyed face dissipating with his bow, which he maintained until the Empress opposite of him accepted his repentance.

''Your Majesty, it was good to meet you."

''Indeed, it was good meeting you too Your Majesty, Your Highness. Now please allow me to excuse myself'' Relena cordially remarked to the two women as she made her way around them, walking with the grace and dignity of Roman Noblewomen of yore as she left them and Prime Secretary Voldymyr Zelenski to their own devices and machinations.

New Edom

It did not take long for the Cassadian Empress to mingle physically among those present, swirling between the servants and the foreign dignitaries, especially those of nations from the Pacific and Earth regions, places in which the Holy Kingdom Of Cassadia had the most presence in terms of economic ties, diplomatic relations and other bilateral agreements, be it in the field of cultural exchange, technology sharing, educational programs or military cooperation - be it for arms sales, combating the scourge of terrorism or joint training exercises or simply bolstering the national defense of both countries.

The specific dignitaries of nations with which Cassadia had most friendly relations with, being most deserving of the Empress' attention, those particular ones being the Syrian Arab Republic, Republic of Korea, Islamic Republic Of Iran, Kingdom of Japan, Democratic People's Republic Of Korea, People's Republic Of China and the Russian Federation. With whom Relena curtsied in respectful cordiality more than anything else, before striking up conversation about inquiring the names of the dignitaries and continuing on in a mutual conversation about each other's countries' internal happenings or those international ones confined to their region...the more popular one being about some kind of ''Coronavirus'' plague going on around and forcing authorities to basically dissolve normal public life.

Hmm, very strange..and alarming...Will have to hold a meeting with the Secretary of Health and top virologists when I get back. Learn what risk, this poses for the Kingdom

With that business out of the way, Relena continued on with her quest to find one of the Co-Monarchs of a particular country, which eventually brought her to the buffet, going in one direction along the edges of the huge table, that displayed delicacies and dishes, many of which the Empress of Cassadia did found foreign. Justifiably knowing so, having been to many banquets and balls at which were served exotic foods, by a team of foreign chefs of French, Italian and Japanese nationality, hired by her father, Charles (VII) Von Peacecraft which she had retained when first ascending to the throne.

By some unknown luck, she never knew she had. Relena found herself at a particular section where more or less, all the food were of the sweet variety, with various type of sweets, pastries and cakes were put on for tasting. All of this made Relena uncomfortable as she stared at the sweet lineup of sugary, hydrocarbon goodness, resisting the temptation to take a bite from some of the sweet goodness before her.

Just one bite

But I will spoil my figure

And I'll get fat

Relena's eyes started slightly filled with water, as she remembered those days at ballet practice, and everything related to it, outside those ballet practice sessions. All having to do intimately, with her diet and weight. Her mother, the late Empress Marianne, serious in everything as always, ordered the foods served to her, for a while, at every breakfast and supper and dinner, being carefully regulated in accordance with the amount of calories prescribed by the strict matronly ballet instructor. Which besides heavily shaping her slim, thin figure, nevertheless caused Relena to remember the times when she argued with her mother, begging her to allow her a more relaxed food regime, and even having to stealthily sneak food from behind her mother's back, on one occasion even bringing on herself, Marianne's slap across the face for having sneaked out with several chocolate waffles and a piece of cake.

Nonsense, I am the Empress, noone can tell me what to eat.

Turning back and scanning the masses of guests swirling and mingling with each other, she scanned with her eye a servant girl, whom the Empress of Cassadia ordered to come over to her and undress the cloak and put it away for safekeeping until the Empress requested it back.

Gracefully shedding off her cloak, to reveal her shapely figure, especially in the area if her bosom which was enhanced by her bra. With the additional fact that her long, lower-knee dress was sleeveless was complimented by her elbow-long silk gloves, it was an overall a good, beautiful and graceful fashion choice.

Having liberated herself from one of her piece-of-fabric articles. She took a plate and surfed through the choices before her, not realizing that a particular someone, the Queen-Empress of New Edom, was approaching her, though it was as a result of a lack of basic peripheral vision than anything else, on the part of Relena.

“Excuse me...

''YEEK'' Snapped cutely in surprise, but also dropping her plate, causing it to fall to the ground, the china smashing to pieces, all this caused by the seeming shocking surprise of Relena, to the fact that the monarch she tried to find, was the who found her, not to mention the surprising appearance the Queen-Empress pulled of...at least in the point of view of Relena.

Reacting quickly, a pair of servants jogged to the scene and swept up the pieces, getting the sorry sight of smashed chinaware out of the picture.

''O Боже моi'' Began in Cassadian, Empress Relena, giving herself a light facepalm, before richly chuckling because of all the commotion she had accidently caused. Switching surprisingly in French, the official language of the Cassadian Court.

''Excusez-moi, Votre Majesté ! Je ne t'ai pas vu m'approcher, aussi désolé pour la façon dont nous avons dû nous rencontrer.'' Relena said the words out of her mouth rapidly like a machine-gun, before giving a deep respectful curtsy, cheeks slightly flushed red with shame, because of the way things had to happen.

''You are Relena von Peacecraft, Empress of Cassadia? How ironic, our governments are stuck trying to work out scheduling meetings of state, and here we simply bump into one another!''

''Yes, I am, also I find the way we have met to be nothing short of a miracle, you can say. And as to what you said about that issue, it is unfortunate so, if ''ironic'' as you said, but security protocols dictate everything, especially one's surrounding environment and movements if one's figure of such high-rank, be it Ambassadors, senior Crown-Government officials, or My person. As such rigid security measures have been devised and put in place for the reason of safety. Whether it is for the sake of My Person and senior figures in government or the security institutions. Which while unfortunate in your view, is well-justified. The reason being, we have had, the Abolitionist Army, over these last fifty years; kidnap for ransom, take hostage or assassinate government, military or law-enforcement officials, bomb Crown-Government buildings and even plotting attempts on many of the lives of my Family, which thankfully the Royal Guard has made sure the kind of conspiracies cannot be hidden, by taking precautions I simply cannot list in their entirety.''

''I would also like to apologize from my heart, for what my Kingdom's embassy security did on the streets of your Capital, out of all places! Extremely unbecoming and against all civilized behavior. The security company, which my government hired to provide security for the embassy of my country had a record that was impeccable until not. Because of a previous contract with the same company, Weber Security Concerns Group - was hired to provide security for one of our consulates in the Hesja Empire. Long story, made short; a jihadist group by name of Tahir Al-Hesja attempted to stage an attack on our consulate in Khoreb. Numbering around a battalion in strength, with a Kalashnikovs, RPGs and several mortars, attempted a hostile takeover of my nation's consulate with the intent to take in the consulate personnel hostage for ransom or for their typical beheading execution videos. The company that provided the small security detail for the embassy in comparison, numbered only seven men and only had at their disposal a machine gun and six assault rifles. But miraculously, against all odds, managed to ward off the attack, long-enough for all the consulate staff to be safely evacuated.''

''My government thought that giving this contract to Weber Security Concerns Group, would not cause problems, as we have come to know their people quite well over the last ten years. But as a result of what happened, things turned out the other way.''

''Excuse me, this is my dear second cousin, Prince Enoch Tubal-Cain, our Royal Master of Offices, who is escorting me.''

''Excuse me as well, Also it is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. To your surprise I've also brought myself an escort, over there, by our two wonderful hosts, is the man heading my Royal Cabinet and Crown-Government and also my cavalier for the night - Royal Prime-Secretary Volodymyr Zelenski, whom in the past, used to be my History tutor when I was little. A sweet, nice, pleasant man of good character in my humble opinion - very cordial as well, if a little reserved.''

''How do you do?''

''I feel fine Your Majesty, though you could say I can be doing better...Say, how is your husband doing? I hope that he is doing better and is in good hands. It saddens me beyond belief how this affliction of your husband, mimics that in which my father was in. The difference being, he suffered a massive heart attack, that struck him without warning as he did not have any history of heart problems to speak of...and it happened all so fast that by the time doctors laid their hands on him at the operating table, it was already too late.'' Said Relena with great sadness in her voice, the mere mention of her father causing her eyes to fill with watery tears.

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 1:43 am

Kyrenaia wrote:
Prince Damir ibn-Razia.
I bowed my head lightly at Cleone's words about his officers and men having enjoyed the hospitality at the Shajarat Alnakhil and wanted to add, that both Admiral Saefa and Ilia would be glad to welcome ships from Lux Pulchrae again, but this time under much better circumstances then last time.
But Cecile preempted me with a question and then we switched to...
"Mother is fine and splendid as usual.", I said with a smile, not offended in any way. "She and I are looking forward to Grandmother is turning 100 this year and as she is still going strong, we are preparing for a party with all of the family, who can make it. It'll be shortly after our wedding, too."
Yasmin nodded. "Both the Sultana and Jida are quite the role models to look up to.", she said and smiled.

"100? Thanks be, that is quite a long time. My father's father, Cleone II, he died about...fifty-five years ago. My grandmother is still alive, in her nineties though. My mother's parents are still very alive." He asked

"Oh and when is it? Your wedding? God willing ours will be in August. It's when we were engaged. Traditionally in Lux Pulchrae one gets married a year after engagement. But if someone want it earlier, nothing can stop them." she stressed, moving her eyes to indicate Cleone.

Oblivious to what she was doing, Cleone agreed "That is true, who's to stop you short of a bishop? When you're ready you're ready."

by **Kyrenaia** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 2:15 am

Vizier Azad Safir.
I couldn't help myself, but I laughed at the question.
"My apologies.", I said once I had stopped, Tamina smiling behind her gloved hand as well. "As you may guess by the absence of priestly garbs, I am no priests, so speaking for the Gods is not my job. In fact, at least far as the Ihmiset are concerned, it would be Tamina's Mother's job." I smiled at her and she nodded. "But in all seriousness, I doubt, that Manat would see your grandson as Her responsibility, unless he tempted Her. I was merely trying to give you a tip for something he could prompt for his visit to Kyrenaia, the Temple of Manat in Mawqieadas is always worth a visit, even as 'only' a tourist."
I let a beat pass, listened for the music and recognized a slow waltz.
I smiled.
"Well, if you would now excuse us?", I said and linked arms with Tamina, "I am going to take this dance with my wife. Have a good evening!"
Tamina bowed her head lightly. "Bye, bye.", she said and led me off.

Prince Damir ibn-Razia.
"Indeed.", Yasmin said and nodded, "Although, for the two of us, it is a Priest of Ishat and Tammuz. We're Polytheists, after all." The latter was also for Cecile's benefit. "As for the date, it's the 30th of June."
I nodded. "We return to Motya on the 28th, board the train and race up to Munjam on the 29th and on the next day, I bring her in front of the Priest for the marriage and the feast.", I said with a small smile, "Though, I'm afraid, that it is a small, private festivity, not a huge, diplomatic occasion. Yasmin and I didn't want to make a huge fuzz."
Yasmin nodded with an apologetic smile.

by **Kuronami** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 10:46 am

Marcella

The world melted away with Aurelia in her embrace. Nothing mattered at this very moment other than getting to dance with the woman she loved. They'd come a long way thus far, they may have a long ways to go but it was a fight they were ready for. Aurelia whispered to her about starting her service "Ho?" Her ears perked curious about what it could be "Then tell me all about it, tonight. oh...." she did remeber something important she had to say, well important in matters of state. "I just remembered that I need to tell you that Adrean and Anna send their best to you and everyone else." Well she didn't remember if everyone else was brought up but it wouldn't hurt either way.

Amaterasu

"Oh duly noted on the swimsuit part." She giggled a little.

Astares Amauricanum wrote:Regis and Shiho Blachkor
"Oh a sect huh? asks Regis. Well, if we haven't touched alcohol for now, he continues as he turns to Esperanta, it's because...
-As you may be aware, continues his wife, as an Asian woman, just like all members of this ethnic group, we have a mutation on the gene coding the alcohol dehydrogenase, a liver enzyme that helps metabolyzes alcohol. This mutation causes the enzyme to not metabolize as good as other ehtnic groups, such as Caucasians, and therefore causes us to have the famous Asian Flush, or a reddening of some parts of our bodies. So since I don't like this, I try to not drink much alcohol.
-As for me Miss Putino, continues Regis, I plan to maybe have a flute of champagne later, don't worry. But I've never liked to start evening or events like this straight with alcohol.
Now, continues the Prince, to come back about cooking fish, in the area of the Empire where I'm from, we like to cook trout parts previously dipped and wrapped in flour, then mixed with ginger and various herbs, before either frying it or cooking it. Served with a side of corn bread, it's very good."

Adrean and Anna Blachkor
"A spiritual passage, interesting, replies Adrean with a nod. I'll admit, this is one of the few legends we don't have where we're from, he adds to his wife.
-Indeed, replies the Empress. But a sea monster doing erotic things? Did this monster had any tentacles Princess? she asks to Gisella with a small laugh. Sorry, bad joke. But anyway, where do this legend of your people about doing anything jovial at sea might endanger them come from? In the Empire, it has rather been the opposite."

Esperanta

"That's understandable. And not a bad way to go about things is to not get too heavy into the booze too early. I'm not a big drinker myself, except at parties I suppose. Well it is all on the Royal's Kronor so I suppose I might as well live it up a little. Well not to worry we have plenty of fine beverages of the non-alcoholic variety."

Gisella

Gisella bit her lip rather not getting into this dirty little legend at such an important gala, especially in the grace of a foreign court.

"The Seas are the domain of the Dark Goddess. You show your respect for her by just doing what you do at sea. Well again, it's more old superstition than strictly scripture. But then again our seas are known to be just that much more intense for the passing sailor."

[spoiler=Rivienland]

Rivienland wrote:"Her Majesty's girlfriend?" Taking a moment to glace over at the couple again, Willy was surprised, even impressed, that she would involve her girlfriend in the Imperial Court in such a manner. While Rivienland did not openly accept those types of relationships in open society, many Rivienlanders on the other hand did not seek to persecute anyone. His brother, who clearly did not hide any of his sexual preferences, would still, he hoped, never attempt to openly court a man. It was simply due to the fact that traditions seldom changed within the small Grand Duchy. Still, in even a modern world, the thought of the Empress having a girlfriend, who was even a commoner, was a new subject.

"I must agree, Lady Sylvia,on your possible predictions on marriage between the two. I am not sure if Kuronami is like Rivienland, but to introduce a girlfriend to the Imperial Court and other foreign dignitaries is a sure sign that they are taking their relationship seriously. But even if Kuronami is lax about the relationship, is the public not questioning how the Empress might cause another succession crisis? I mean, if Emperor Hermaan would have ruled Rivienland and attempted to pursue his younger sister the aristocracy and public would riot!" Stopping for a moment, he was reminded of the scandals that surrounded his father, the Grand Duke. Even the fact that Willy's father hesitated by several years to pursue marriage nearly stopped him from inheriting the throne. Even while an absolute monarchy, scandal, more than ever, could spell the destruction of the monarchy.

"I mean, what is known about this girlfriend, besides the fact that she is a commoner? Would she have any favorable qualities to make her a good Queen Consort?"

"I would hardly call it a crisis, more like a long headache. We have a system in place to deal with the lack of an heir. To make it brief and quick, lacking a viable Heir it becomes an election of sorts. Every domain puts up a candidate who will get chosen by every Domain Assembly and the National Assembly. Of course it's usually the highest Domain Leaders who get offered up first but it theoretically could be anybody. Either way it's a system that works all right enough, it's how Her Majesty became the Empress you see now. That is the big concern isn't it, how will she deal with foreign courts, maybe why she hasn't raced to it but a woman's heart only waits for so long."

"If I knew the magic secret, Madam, I would likely not be in politics as such it's what works for us and consistently has for decades. We have other goods we can offer the world if our manufacturing only works for us in the end and that's how we go about it. Other nations might produce goods cheaper but we produce them with quality."

by **Astares Amauricanum** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:54 pm

"Apology accepted, simply replies Genievra with a nod. We'll be sure to relay this tip to Adrean and Anna. Have a good evening too! finishes the retired Empress with a smile as the two Kyrenaians walk away.
-Well, he could have really chosen his words better, says her husband with a small grunt.
-Don't think too much about it sweeheart, it's in the past now, replies Genievra. So how about we take this dance too, to change our minds.
-Gladly Milady, replies Peter, with a small smirk, before grabbing his wife's hand and guiding her to the dance floor.

Regis and Shiho Blachkor
"Yeah, the night is still young, so we've still got plenty of time to test the alcohol, replies the Prince with a smile, before taking another bite of his sea bass. Excuse me, he continues as he stops a passing maid, can you please get us two flutes of sparkling wine, if you have any? This is one of my favourite type of drinks." he adds to Esperanta and Allison.

Adrean and Anna Blachkor
"Oh, so you don't want to be jovial at sea because it would go against the principles of Tamura? asks Anna with a raised eyebrow. I understand.
-Speaking of intense, I hope the last monsoon season hasn't been too harsh for te UIS, continues Adrean. I remember having seen reports of the workers assigned to the Islas Malditas that it apparently was intense in December."

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 5:16 pm

Kyrenaia wrote:Prince Damir ibn-Razia.
"Indeed.", Yasmin said and nodded, "Although, for the two of us, it is a Priest of Ishat and Tammuz. We're Polytheists, after all." The latter was also for Cecile's benefit. "As for the date, it's the 30th of June."
I nodded. "We return to Motya on the 28th, board the train and race up to Munjam on the 29th and on the next day, I bring her in front of the Priest for the marriage and the feast.", I said with a small smile, "Though, I'm afraid, that it is a small, private festivity, not a huge, diplomatic occasion. Yasmin and I didn't want to make a huge fuzz."
Yasmin nodded with an apologetic smile.

"Oh don't worry Prince, Princess, we understand. We're not going to make it an international event either. There's just no need to. While I have made some friends abroad recently, yours most appreciated, something as personal and sacred as our wedding doesn't need an worldly audience. They just wouldn't care. We might broadcast it for the people, but other than that.." he shrugged as if to say "what else could be done?"

"Oh oui, c'est vrai. Very true, I much prefer a closed wedding. A mess of foreign strangers to the biggest moment of my life? Non merci. No thank you."

"Yeah, just family. Angeli, de los Lagos, Elise, Bourbon, the dukes, the bishops, the free nobles-"

"Uh, I thought it was just family."

"That is family, in a way."

by **Polish Prussian Commonwealth** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 7:31 pm

Berengar
"Magnetic feet, eh?" I mused. "Never had to deal with that. Not too many balls back home...Regardless, See you soon, Adalrich, and Wilrun."
With that, I turned back to Ida with a nervous smile. The squeeze of her hand was reassuring, but...
"I haven't danced in months." I said. "So...uh, I'm a bit rusty. But regardless...you ready?"

Actually, that wasn't the complete truth. After I came back, the platoon made me dance with a broom, and I happened to have the video on a little flash drive right now, on the same string as my dogtags.
It was good fun.

by **New Visayan Islands** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 9:05 pm

Allison Sanchez
Royal Palace

"That's great to hear," Allison replied. "While we're at it," she added, turning to the passing maid, "I would like some more lemonade, please." Turning back to the rest of the party, she explained that it was her preferred drink of choice before going back to the sea bass.

by **Krainin** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:59 pm

Katie notices two people coming over, a man and a woman. She stands up to greet them.

After they introduce themselves, Katie bows as well. "Thank you. It's a pleasure meeting you too." Katie notices both of them holding their hands out. "Oh, umm." Katie nervously laughs and then kisses both of their hands. "Sorry for the awkwardness, but kissing the hand isn't really a thing that happens in The Isles. Anyway," Katie coughs. "I'm Katie Monticroix, Queen Consort of The Krainin Isles." She points at Annie, who nervously waves. "This is my adopted daughter, Annie." Katie motions Annie to respond. She steps forward and bows.

"Greetings, Wilrun and Adalrich von Ehrenback. Pleasure to meet you both. I hope you two are enjoying you're time here." She steps back and stands slightly behind her mother.

by **Kyrenaia** » Wed Apr 22, 2020 2:44 am

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
"Thank you.", I said and nodded, acknowledging the greetings she sent me, then continued: "Every person in Kyrenaia, who is able-bodied, needs to make a mandatory Service of two years, including royalty, either with the Army, the Navy, the Coast Guard, the Police or the Civil Services. My only advantage as Royalty is, that I can choose, where I can make that service... my options also include the government."
I took a deep breath.
"Yasmin made an offer..."

Three months prior, shortly after the State Visit to Astares Amauricanum.
Qasrjabal, Munjam, Khanate of Tanin, Ilkhanate of Utica, Sultanate of Kyrenaia, Private Quarters of Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
We had returned to Motya two days ago from the state visit to Astares Amauricanum, yesterday went to Utica to give the necessary reports on everything we had seen and heard and done to the Sultana, to Mister Safir, to Mister ben Sahid and to Commander Jamkiya.
That had been more exhausting then the actual state visit, let me tell ya...
And then, during the night, we departed again via train to the North, to the Khanate of Tanin, where my future stepmom lived. Yasmin and I, in those days, were still warming up to each other, but she understood, that I just needed a few minutes, hours to myself to order my brain and to just do nothing for a moment or two.
Or to lie on my bed, covered by nothing more then a blanket, snuggled up to Aldhiyb. My loyal Sand Wolf was with me again and after he had almost gone crazy with happiness of seeing me again, he was now much calmer, letting me snuggle up to his large frame and letting me pet him.
It was almost like meditation...
I thought back to the last time I had been with Marcella, sharing a bed with her and Aldhiyb in the little cabin of the

during the last festival... I hoped very much, that I would be able to make it this year again and maybe... well, I had a plan, but more on that later.
For now, at least, I was dozing, caught in a memory...
...until someone knocked.
I was stirred out of my dozing, looked to the door, which opened a small bit.
"Aurelia?", Yasmin asked, "Mind if I were to come in?"
I was tempted to reply with something to the effect of "Do I have a choice?", but in the end, I said: "No. Just be aware, that I am naked."
Yasmin did not seem to be deterred as she entered, I could see her smile in the pale moonlight - that, and the silken negligé, which dressed her, but left little to the imagination. I watched her, my eyes widening as she reached up to her shoulders and stepped out of the little silken piece, which had pooled by her ankles.
"I'll have to remind you, that I have a girlfriend and that you are going to marry my Father.", I said, but I could not help but thinking, that Dad had taste. I'll not go into too many details, don't worry. Yasmin giggled as she stepped to my bed and lifted the cover. "What?"
As she snuggled up to Aldhiyb's other side, wrapping an arm around both of us, she explained: "Well, I am aware of both facts - you are going to be my stepdaughter, Aurelia. We are just seven years apart... yet, I know so little about you. I don't want to be a step-dragon and spent my time with you nagging at you and you nagging back. We both love Damir, both of us in our way, and I think, that we'd hurt him very much, if we were to end up like that."
I was silent.
"That needs two people, though.", she added, looked into my eyes imploringly.
I did not meet her.
Silence.
Yasmin exhaled with disappointment and shifted, but stopped a moment later as my arm wrapped around her shoulder. I saw her little smile as she settled back.
"Aldhiyb is the winner of this.", I whispered.
Yasmin snorted with amusement and agreed: "Yeah, he is, where many men want to be."
Silence, this time a bit more comfortable, as both of us petted the large Sand Wolf.
"Aurelia.", Yasmin began and had my attention immediately, "I want to offer you something... I know, that you'll soon graduate and begin your Service. I know, that you are undecided where to go, but leaning towards either the Armoured Forces or the Coast Guard." I nodded. I had the feeling, that I'd like it with the tanks. "You know, that you can also join the administration, if there is a spot free." I nodded, this time more slowly. "As it happens, the Princess-Regent of a little Khanate needs capable and dependable help, preferably someone, who has a bit of experience in the Government-Drag." She looked at me. "So?"
"That's Dad's idea, isn't it?", I asked, not offended, but wanting information.
"I had it and he agreed, that I should make you the offer.", Yasmin replied, "I really need someone, Aurelia. Someone, who I can trust. And, preferably, someone, who has a use for it." She sighed, her shoulders slumped. "It does not look as if Father will ever be able to take on his duties as a Khan again."
I nodded, slowly. "Tell me more."

I finished my tale with a smile.
"I am going to join the Administration of the Khanate of Tanin for my Service. I already have the confirmation from the corresponding offices.", I told Marcella, "My main areas of responsibility will be traffic, tourism, the environment and energy - not directly as a minister, but as an advisor to the Princess-Regent." I suppressed the urge to shrug. "It might not be driving a 58 ton MTB through the dunes, but I feel, that I can do more there then with the Armoured Forces... plus, I have both regular work hours and entitlement to holidays..."
The last I gave Marcella with a wink.

Khana Amina bint-Karim.
I smiled as well - what can I say, Sheliak was a famous destination for bathing! There were no two ways about it.
"Alright.", I said and noted, that Amaterasu had a cute giggle. "With that settled, Milady, what would you recommend to see in your domain?"

Prince Damir ibn-Razia.
I grinned and Yasmin said: "That sounds familiar..."
I then explained: "You see, on our guest list are two Ilkhans, eight Khans, twenty-two Princes and Princesses and a whole lot of other people, who we both know and who we wouldn't want to miss on that day - plus, their significant others, in some cases their kids and so on... plus, of course, the Sultana. Plus Handmaidens in many cases." I shrugged. "The feast's going to be large."
"Oh, yes.", Yasmin agreed with a smile.

Ida Findehoof.
I smiled and nodded.
"Ready when you are.", I told him. It was a slow waltz, so there would be little one could do wrong, even if one was rusty. Besides, I could lead, too. And if everything else failed, we could always sway back and forth in lieu of dancing. "Don't worry. One step after the other."
And with that, I let him lead me to the dance floor.

Wilrun, Baronin von Port Monee.
Oh, my dear... you were too nervous, it was almost precious.
That is not a bad thing, per se, but... it showed. And Annie was just too precious!
Though, one should add, it was more common for the man to kiss the woman's hand, where we come from, not the other way around, but that was irrelevant.
Adalrich smiled slightly fatherly, if not grandfatherly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you both.", he said and looked at Annie specifically, "No need to be afraid, young lady. I'm not going to bite."
"And neither will I.", I said and smiled, crouching down a bit to be on eye level with the little girl. "There's no need to be nervous. I know, there are a lot of tall people with long and unpronounceable names, but most are actually quite nice. And those who aren't..." I shrugged. "...you are at the ideal height to either kick them in the shins or to punch them in the Crown Jewels."
Adalrich blanched a bit at that.

by **Kuronami** » Wed Apr 22, 2020 8:27 am

Gisella

"Hey? My Ancestor Tamura?" She was a bit confused but then another question came up "Oh! Actually the season was probably about average. So no big problems on our ends. For your little outpost it could have been much different though, I really can't say. Which ya know, it makes a whole lotta folks feel pretty good to know we got another looking out for us."

Esperanta

The maid grabbed the hem of her dress and curtsied to the guests "Of course madam, be right back with a fresh pitcher of lemonade and some sparkling wine.0 How about you Milady, need anything?" she asked of Esperanta

"I'm just fine, thank you."

Marcella

Marcella hung on every word, she did expect Aurelia would tell her when they were alone later but oh well, no time like the present. Sounded similar enough to AHSCA and Kuronami's own policies of giving service to your country so everything was pretty relatable. "I see. It sounds like you got great and important work ahead of you. I know you'll do great with it and if we can squeeze in time together that's all the better." She giggled.

Amaterasu

"Huh..." She pondered the question "Well I'll give you the best digest I can. If you find your mind clouded it wouldn't hurt to go to the Shinzo Mountains just outside Sonomi and the onsens up there. They're ran by clerics like my mother so they also have meditation there. If you want fun and entertainment, plenty of that in Sonomi and it's other suburban cities. Coastal towns along the south are always great around their town occasions and festivals if you want to avoid summer crowds in the larger areas."

The Winter Ball (IC - FULL)

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