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Sunrise over the tranquil tropical islands of AHSCA as the next annual festival dawned on the faithful citizens. The long held religious traditions that had recently become a very public celebration had really become a boon for the local economy with a large uptick on tourism. While they weren't racing to build high rise hotels or multi acre golf courses anytime soon, nobody could seem to resist the semi-modern-semi-primitive world of the UIS. Where in an instant you could go from a "city" from Asia that looked like it was about two centuries old, to a dense wilderness, to a small out of the way village that you wondered if they even knew about the country they lived in, much less the outside world. Boats that seemed to be from a different era and a different world stood in the harbor. Mighty masts with billowing white sails, crafted by wood and the sweat and muscle of a few dozen people. Boats from the late turn of the 19th century that bore a singular funnel with masts for the support. Ships basically that were from an era long gone in this modern jet and space age. Each island had their own ways of celebrating and own sights to behold ahead.
AURORA ISLAND
In the Case of The Duchess Villa
Another fine morning for Marcella overlooking the crowded Aurora Square. Perched atop her overlook of her bedroom it was always a lovely sight to behold. She did her annual address to commence the festival, last night, fairly similar to what had been stated last year. This year the islands had a lot to be thankful for. Weather was so very central to how the people lived here. Perhaps more than anyone, anywhere else and the year was actually very nice for them. Only one major storm hit, over Animalpolis, which left minor destruction but no casualties. Otherwise all of them had fizzled out or missed all together. Unusual for them to not see any hurricanes. The rains were pretty moderate to average, so just enough. Most took that as a sign the rainy season to come was going to be harsh to compensate, the Black Goddess of rain, storm and night would surely want to compensate for the White Goddess' efforts. Well in the age of science Marcella looked to both prayer and science for the answers and right now it was a sort of big shrug with a 50-50 chance of either or. Well time would tell, and plenty of time to worry about that AFTER the festival.
For now it was a morning breakfast and tea with Asuna, her loyal trusted guard and also someone she'd consider a friend as well as her own handmaiden, Yoshi. Given Aurelia would certainly be wanting time with her, and vice versa, this was a good time to be with some other people she cared just as much about (outside her family anyway). She obviously spent plenty with her mother, father and sister over the last few days.
"Mmmmm, another festival is upon us ladies, exciting and wonderful isn't it?" Marcella said while sipping on her tea.
"It certainly is, Milady, a special time as always." Yoshi agreed. "More fun for you as Her Grace the Princess will be joining you yet again."
"Well that's always the big plus." Marcella agreed. "And Asuna, I imagine you have fun things planned?"
"As a matter of fact, Sayaka and I will be hanging out. Given her squeeze is still out to sea at the moment."
"Then it's off to sea for you?"
"Well given my last trip kind of went haywire so I'm just glad I got another chance at it."
"I think that's great but if something like that happens next time, please inform us right away, especially me, considering you're my personal guard and you had Noir's deputy and many citizens in caught up in that..."
"I took care of it didn't I? Don't worry! Really we'll be fine, what are the odds that we'll wander into a sudden conflict."
"You best not tempt The Dark Goddess or she might just summon the waves upon you." Yoshi cheekily responded
"Of hush, you, have another biscuit." Asuna rather forcefully stuffed a biscuit into Yoshi's mouth.
"Point still stands" Marcella flatly replied
"All right all right, IF trouble like that occurs, believe me, moment we hit port, I'll make sure to inform all the needed parties."
"Very good." Marcella set her empty cup down gently.
In the Case of Satou Fujimiya
Obviously the now renowned Kitan was busy busy as usual getting ready for their influx of guests to come, some reserved and some would likely stumble in hoping to grab a free room which usually they could manage to accommodate. Besides that for one of its former employees, Hiromi Hongo she bid farewell to the job that she enjoyed and had treated her well but she had a great ambition to now run her own little corner bakery. She had made a real name for herself as one of the cooks for the Inn but she was breaking out on her own as she secured enough money to finally open one. Here to wish her well for her inaugural opening was her former co-worker and well regarded friend, Satou. "Annnnnnd done" Hiromi chimed pulling out a freshly baked mini pie from the cooling rack. "All right you both get the first taste. The recipe is a bit experimental but I promise it'll taste great."
Satou took her first bites "It is very good!"
"Oh I'm so happy! I hope it'll sell well. But failing that, I got plenty of the other regular stuff I can make." Hiromi replied. "I'm so excited, my first festival as a business owner."
CORONA ISLAND
In the Case of Ayla
True to its namesake, yesterday gave a sight for early arrivals. A rainy morning followed by the optical phenomenon. Now the sun was out and skies blue and the perfect day for festival goers to begin celebrations. Aurora and Tsubaki Animalpolis were certainly more bustling ports that drew the tourists, while Kino being a smaller port was usually as a stop over at best or a passing by of tourists on their way to Tsubaki. Oh well, it is what it is, Coronan people were generally more reserved compared to their neighbors. Well not to say unwelcoming or unfriendly but considerably more into the "primitive" ideal. Kino wasn't lacking in amenities obviously just it wasn't as bustling or built up. Huts of various materials still lined the streets, people weren't as dolled up in kimonos or the like. It wasn't uncommon to see a row of small rice farms just down the road from the harbor. There wasn't a looming stone palace or temple down the center, just another large hut, the hut of the Island's Chief.
The "temple" was rather similar, just marginally bigger but did have some stone support. If there is one thing the people do value here above all else it is their faith. And of course little inns for people to stay were present as well, I mean it's not like NOBODY ever came to the islands, it just wasn't the biggest draw for tourists. In the port's center was a rather large statue of the current and former Chief, her late husband, Kino, the namesake of this port.
The War made Kino a hero for fighting and working to create this new nation of the UIS, having to lose his life for it but allowing his wife to escape to continue the needs of creating the UIS union, if they'd survive long enough to do that anyway. A quick basic, "You are in command now" its what is often been told and assumed and yeah that's how it went. Most looked favorably on this, some still regarded Ayla as a coward for not also giving up instead fleeing but most saw the need for her to continue the work of formation. Three of the leaders had already been captured and feared killed, though Duchess Shino Nanao made it out alive but not without some trauma left over but trauma quelled by her lovely two daughters and doting husband.
Anyway, back on Kino today, today it's a port like the others, celebrating the blessings of their Holy Mothers above, ready to welcome a batch of anyone seeking a place to stay. Chief Ayla was the same, she'd been wondering if a certain someone she met during a party back in December would be here. She did open her home to welcome him if he so desired. It was enough to get the attention of her friends, family and colleagues for certain.
"Weeeeelllll?" The high pitched teasing voice of Miela, whom really is responsible for all this when you really think of it.
"Well, what?" Ayla pushed her back as if pushing off an annoying little sibling getting up close in her personal space.
"Come on, is he here?"
"How should I know? If you forgot we don't exactly have phones here."
"Haha you know what I mean, mia amiko. You met at a party, shared a dance, invited him here did you not? Who is to say he won't be coming to see you? The tall busty dark skinned beautiful chief of all Corona, hero to the people, founder of the nation! Come on he'd be crazy to give you the cold shoulder."
"Speaking of, why aren't you with Pacifica?"
"Aha in time in time, don't change the subject, Ayla! Come on the Ladies blessed us with the quietest storm season in recent memory, there is truly the heavens at work here."
"It is...A long trip from there to here. so maybe."
"seeee that's the spirit! I tell you things can go very well if you play your cards right. Duchess Nanao betrothed a man who came to the festival did she not? Who is to say you won't do the same?"
"Miela I think you're jumping ahead here! Not to mention the age differences."
"What's a few years between true love? You were 14 when betrothed to Chief Kino."
"He was 16 then, hardly the same."
"Well he knows you're 35 right? Right?"
"I never told him my age or anything."
"Ohoho shy are we? I mean you still look like you could pass for 17 in my humble opinion and were I already not madly in love with Pacifica I'd ask you to be my date for this Festival"
"Huuuummm" Ayla couldn't help but blush at that, flattered to be adorned by all, considering she always felt more long and awkward given she was 1.85 meters tall, taller than most islanders. "Maybe I'll stroll around the village square a while. Go meet with Pacifica already." She ordered
"Fine, fine."
Back out on the village center folks had been already gathering to shop, see friends and neighbors some working to sell whatever they had didn't matter what, even full livestock could be sold, though not likely many tourists picking that up as they might smaller things like fresh picked fruits or flowers to give to a special someone. Sunflowers are certainly a big one it wasn't uncommon to see little children or grown women selling them anywhere. They kind of just grew everywhere. Young Priestesses worked to do their daily errands, gathering gifts from local vendors to offer in their own Temple to any visitors as well as returning some owed money for their goods in the past.
Hoshino Island
Hoshino was like Aurora in many ways but far smaller and a little more quaint. Villages were certainly a little more compact compared to Aurora it was still a mix and match of Corona and Aurora styles of building needs. Tabby's Point the large mountain named for a citizen who had spotted the first ships of the blockade against the Aurora Duchy which ultimately lead to the war was the tallest point. Port Aya was named in honor of the former Vicerine Aya Hoshino, also one of the co-founders of this nation. Survived the war only to lose her life in a monster hurricane a few years later. What happened to her husband, Mako? Nobody was entirely certain, he survived the storm but the loss of his wife seemed to hurt him badly that leading the island became a series of ill decisions and bad choices until finally he was removed by The Duchess and in his place his brother, Shinya was given his title. Despite being a member of the Hoshino line who had been the first appointed Viceroys of the island, he adopted a new name after his marriage to a "foreign" girl named Ya-Xi, whom was royalty on a small then unrecognized island, an island lost to nature so thought when a large volcano erupted. Since then it's likely it's been settled as Islas Malditas by the folks from Astares Amauricanum. Well maybe, honestly she couldn't be sure because her island was a spec not important enough to be noted on a map by anyone else, to find it again would be remembering the approximate location, a dangerous trip over stormy seas. Any remnants of her old home had been wiped away anyway so the past was in the past, it really didn't matter anymore.
Ya-Xi especially loved the festival, she loved the commotion it brought, people from around the islands at at home and abroad. She was as giddy as a little school girl to be honest. Running about the village square, her poor husband hardly keeping up. People would recognize her and greet her warmly and she would in return. "Good day Lady Vicerine."
"Good day! My what lovely arrangement of flowers you have!"
"Ya----" Shinya panted "Xi."
"Oh there you are!"
"Goodness I forget how fast you are."
"I figure your military training would have made you faster." She giggled
"Good day, Viceroy" The lady vendor greeted him
"Oh good day." He panted back.
"Seems like a lot of people are coming in for the festival, Milord. Exciting isn't it?"
"Oooooh I sure hope so!" Ya-Xi said "I feel like most go to Aurora or Animalpolis. I mean I get Tsubaki and Aurora have so much to see and offer as our two biggest cities but still, wish some folks would see the beauty of Hoshino."
"I'm sure they will, Milady. They only need you to bring them here with how cute you are!"
"Aahaha come now, you flatter me!"
"I think she's hoping you'll just buy out the whole stand again..." Shinya muttered a bit annoyed.
"Well Milord it is also nice to be able to compliment the Lady and Lord because I want too not because I have too."
"You're not implying --"
"Aha of course not . Just my little one is so in love with history lessons in school right now. She's telling me of everything, everything I never knew. 35 years of being on this little island, seen it all but that I didn't know much."
"Well history is important." Ya-Xi nodded, reaching into her clothing for her Credits Purse. Biting her lip from saying further about the lost legacy of her family and home she called before arriving in AHSCA. "Good to know what life was like. But I promise as long as I live and as long as the two of us rule here, every citizen will not have to be submissive."
"Kind of you, Milady. Please enjoy the Festival and all it has to offer."
In the Case of Kaori
Ships from all around pulled into shore and others still crossed the rolling seas to make it. Hoshino Island was home to the cute as buttons Kaori. Yet again she sat on her home island watching the boats roll in, watching the blue sky with the puffy white clouds moving through. Lost in her thoughts. Again with her puppet companion. It honestly made her nervous seeing so many strange faces so many strange people. Of course they meant her no harm but still it was a bit unnerving. "Huuuuum"
"What ya thinkin' about, Kaori?" Kaori parroted her puppets "thoughts"
"Just how many people are coming from all over the place."
"Maybe you should talk to some of them?"
"But they probably don't speak Hoshine or Auroran. I can't speak much Common. Plus I still can't talk to many strangers. No matter how much Matron or teacher works with me." She conversed with her little hand puppet. "Mama worries. I know she does. That's why she's working at the Temple with Matron. Maybe the Goddesses will help me."
It wasn't just that Kaori was shy, that was part of it yes, but she also just well didn't function like everyone else. In a country really lacking the understanding of how various mental conditions work, it was interpreted as anything from just wallflower syndrome to being cursed to just not being right in the head. Well considering she did foolishly flee to a seaside cave in a hurricane a years back, thankfully saved with the combined help of a Dancerian Prince and the Matron, it wasn't surprising some regarded her as crazy. Now she was banned from there, despite it being one of her favorite spots. "Kaori, maybe put on your kimono?"
"I will later. I wanna walk around the port a bit."
"But stay away from the harbor, don't want to get in people's way"
"Mhm." Just then a sudden unlucky breeze lifted her straw sunhat from her little head and now she was having to chase after it. "Wait, Mister Hat, come back!"
ANIMALPOLIS
An island so named for it's population of Anthromimi people, generally people with a few animal characteristics and human characteristics, though some had significantly more features the vast majority were people with a pair of ears, a tail, maybe some more innate features that came out at certain times but otherwise human. It started as a sort of distant refuge some centuries back now became the most populous and largest islands both in terms of it's natural geography and population. Tsubaki had now surpassed Aurora to become the largest "city" again city in a rather dated sense because like Aurora it looked like a city from about two-centuries ago but I think you get the idea now. Anyway crowded and filled with folks eager for another great festival like any island in the chain. Millhiore Firianno Biscotti, (a silly name she chose for herself as a child) the island's Premier, was of course going to be enjoying the festivities with her husband, a great time to enjoy it with her beloved! Like the Duchess she also issued a State Address to her citizens, anyone who wished to listen could gather in the town square to hear it and once that was done she and Cinque took to roaming the streets to see some of the sights and take in the various activities people were putting on. Who knows whom they'd bump into but for now it was just a lot of wandering and chatting. It was nice, last year Cinque was away so she was by herself. Besides the lovely couple, Noir VinoCacao, AHSCA's foreign minister and a close friend of the pair was along for the walking through Tsubaki's crowded winding districts. No sign of a couple of their other friends who were present at their wedding, likely on their home of Hoshino.
"Millihi?" Cinque asked.
"Mmm?"
"Oh did Her Grace ever reply to your offer?" He asked about a dinner invite for Her Majesty. It was the case every year, every leader of every island gave an offer for the Duchess to dine with them if she wished.
"Oh as a matter of fact, she did. She wasn't certain, given she's already been offered by everyone else and obviously she has a guest of her own to entertain. But my offer still is good. And well...I'd really hope she'd consider bringing the Sultanate's Princess with her."
Noir nodded in agreement, "Well I'm sure she'd be glad to oblige if she can - wait, you're not still upset about that whole thing?"
Milli had chatted with guests from a close ally of the UIS, one of the closest to form since the end of the war. Maybe it was nothing but Millihi had kind of embarrassed herself and came off looking like a bit of a ditzy fool. Enough to maybe leave some questioning, they let HER be in charge? Well maybe, maybe not but still made her feel embarrassed. Sure, Millihi was a little silly and dreamy as far as leaders go but her heart was as big as her spirit. She loved her home, she loved her subjects, she loved talking and making friends with people.
"Noir I thought you sorted this thing out?" Cinque questioned.
"I told her, it's not as big of a thing as she's making it. She's being sensitive is all." Noir replied.
"It's not about me. If they want to think I'm a dork then let them. Well I'd rather they not but - I mean- It's about all of us. The islands, about The Duchess. What we all do as leaders of these islands comes back to her."
"A bit broad don't you think, love?" Cinque asked. "I mean is every leader held to that same?"
"I don't know, but I know history sides with the wise. Duchess Villa is wise and deserves respect most of all. So I would like to show that I too can be a respectable leader."
"I think most already know that. After all she hasn't fired you yet." Noir teased
"What?!"
"That's a joke, Millihi! I'm sure you'll be fine really. I'm sure Her Grace and the UIS is also fine in the eyes of the Sultanate. Last I checked, things were still good."
