Chairwoman Oomiya's Birthday Gala [Closed RP]

by **Socialist Macronesia** » Fri Oct 16, 2020 10:42 am

Ross, meanwhile, was shooting glances at Ari every five seconds. He didn't know what he could tell her, much less if he could tell her at all. So Ross sat, smoking his cigarettes, puffs of white smoke pluming up to the sky.

Who can I trust?

Ross eventually decided to keep it to himself.

Actually, no, he needed answers first.

"Ari!" He sprinted up to her troupe of misfits.

"What? Oh, goddamn it, Ross. What happened to Patyu?"

Patyu did not understand the more complex aspects of Nate, such as his firearms training, but he did understand the word "knife" and "fighting" when they were in the same sentence.

That was a fun thirty minutes.

by **Kiu Ghesik** » Fri Oct 16, 2020 12:39 pm

Western Fardelshufflestein wrote:Alastair ducked and covered his ears as the uproar of the crowd surged, Oomiya's name on their lips. Scarlet banners fluttered around him like crazed rectangular butterflies. He whimpered, his weakened body shaken with fatigue, and stumbled into one of his guards. He caught and steadied Alastair with what seemed to be a thinly veiled expression of exasperation.

He remained in this position for several minutes until the nausea abated and the crowed dispersed. Once he could stand upright, he pulled away from his guards with intense chagrin. He was still behaving like a child, nay, an infant, and he was too ill to be here. Never should he have accepted this invitation. Marie could have gone instead, because at least she was a competent ruler, whilst he...he had spent most of his time here getting roaring drunk or lying in bed.

I thought they gave me something for depression? Is't not in my medical file? No, no, this was not depression, was it? It was simply the fact that he was a drunkard and a failure.

Alastair looked up and spied the young nomadic leader on the other side of the bridge. Ari, her name was. Yes. He remembered her name while sober. He was sober, wasn't he? His mind was deceptively clear, his senses were not dulled. And he was not....

He frowned deeply. A fragment of a memory resurfaced, a recent one. Of him sticking out his tongue and...'Sblood, licking Ari. Had he actually done that? Lost so much control that he had licked another person? Alastair was the representative of his entire nation, and he was going around guzzling alcohol and licking foreign leaders.

He nervously made his way toward her and her entourage. From a distance, he could tell she was panicking over something. Possibly over being near him. Now he had to ask if he had actually licked her, which would be strange and humiliating one way or another, because he either had embarrassed or was about to embarrass himself. Likely both. And he was embarrassed by himself, embarrassed by what he had allowed his life to become.

Unfortunately, he was too deep in his reverie to notice where he was going. He knocked into the nomadic woman, halted, blinked several times to orient himself. "Apologies," he sputtered. "I was not looking where I was going."

She was clinging to an ancient package of sorts. As though it was her lifeline, or her demise. Nothing suspicious, unless it had come from Ross.

His palms were clammy, and he was breaking out in a nervous sweat. Anyone paying close enough attention to him would see that his breathing was slightly labored. He suddenly recalled how he had weighed himself this morning, how he had gaped at the number for a lengthy period of time before getting dressed for the day. 106.25, it had read. 106.25 kilograms. A few months ago, he had been at 97.

He mustered the courage to ask Ari his question and forced himself to meet her eye. Hopefully, this was not a grave offense where she came from. "May I ask you an odd question?" he began in a tremulous voice. He sounded so weak and not at all the way a national sovereign should. "Did I...lick you a couple of nights ago?"

The fat fluffy fellow was asking her about last night, now. Of course he was. Because things such as discretion and not bringing up certain memories were totally unknown to him. Well, he remembered them just as well as she did. They had both been in the same place. They had seen the same things.

Ugh, the things... the one, specific thing, the person. Goddammit. Ross. Well, no use offending the drunk teddy fluffy king grandpa man. Or would telling him the truth offend him? Oh, well. Honesty was never remiss, was it?

"Yes, you did. Do not think on it. You were not thinking clearly. I think your claiming that I was made of rum is evidence enough of that." She looked down at one wrist. "I'm not even... rum-colored. More of a burnt orange-yellow sort of tan, if I say so myself." Unsurprisingly, she found her eyes being drawn to this massive figure in front of her. "But I suppose that that compared to yourself I might look it." Indeed, she did- he was pale. Very pale. Not-having-seen-the-sun-in-weeks pale. Belly-of-a-fish pale. Pale as the whitest of clouds. Did he never get out, the poor man?

He seemed very disconcerted at the unfortunate confirmation he'd indeed liiiiiicked the Caller. Well, that was a good sign. He had some dignity after all. Or perhaps he simply always looked like that- with the fluffy man, it was hard to tell.

Alastair. His name was Alastair, she had been told.

She was about to reassure him once more that he wasn't responsible for what he had done, or rather reassure the both of them= after all, she'd done certain things she wasn't proud of as well- when she saw the object of her discomfort over his shoulder. Ross.

He roughly pushed his way past the king and placed himself between the two of them. Rude- couldn't he see they had been talking? But the question he posed- where was Patyughin, indeed- was a good one.

"I don't know. Speaking of which- where's your war-boy, anyways? The one who, uh, looked over you- us- last night. Nate. And... what's up with you, anyways? You look terrible."

That made three of them, then.

27 November 2022

Hearing the confirmation that he had indeed liiiiiicked Ari, Alastair felt sick. With his hands stuffed into the pockets of his slacks and his head bowed, he swayed back and forth, silenced by humiliation.

Suddenly, he was knocked to the side. He stumbled forward a bit before catching himself and flicked his eyes upward. John Ross had wedged himself between Alastair and Ari; he looked very battered, Alastair observed, and less than sober. The rank odor of cigarette smoke wafted from him and made Alastair cough a bit, prompting one of his guards to pat him on the back until he stopped.

He felt awful. Not as physically unwell as he had the day before, but still dreadful. His failures were more stark than ever in the light of sobriety, and he had begun to realize that he really was a major letdown. In his ignorant attempt to escape his shortcomings, he had exacerbated them and developed new ones.

His guards must have noticed that he looked dejected. One of them put an arm around his shoulders and gently guided him to a nearby bench, and two or three of them helped him take a seat.

Alastair was unwilling to meet their eyes as they pressed him about how he was doing and inquired if he needed to return to the hospital. He occasionally mumbled a few words to satisfy their questions and buried his face into his hands. His body trembled slightly, and he tasted the beginnings of a headache, and now he was drawing unneeded attention to himself because his guards were requesting he be taken to a bedroom so he could rest.

His Majesty had a rough night last night; he really should be lying down.

He went to th' emergency room and had to have his liver regrown. At one point, they almost lost him.

Alastair lifted his head slightly. There was someone with a hand on his shoulder, a guard, and at least one foreign leader was staring at him. Must he make a scene wherever he went? Yes, of course, because he was a worthless drunkard pretending to be King while his guards scrambled to restrain him. He was disgusting, he was a vagrant, his suit was uncomfortably snug because he had gained so much body mass, he was fatigued. What little energy he'd had had been sapped when he was rushed to the hospital and forced to undergo major surgery.

He no longer had any will to participate in this gala. To be in Sanghyeok. He yearned to go home, but at home his family would try to love him when they should despise him. Everyone should despise him. And he did not want to hear Marie's assurances or be hugged by his children and told that he was cared for. He did not deserve their love; he did not deserve anyone's love. He should have been left outside the clubhouse and allowed to die.

by **Socialist Macronesia** » Fri Oct 16, 2020 9:27 pm

Ross lit another cigarette. Alastair was about to snatch it out of Ross's mouth, but then came the scent. It was a perfume-like smell, as though Ross was smoking incense, but even incense had a harsh, acrid undertone. This was different. Alastair dared to take a sniff.

And suddenly Alastair felt a little less useless, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Ross, much to the disapproval of Alastair's guards, pressed another cigarette into Alastair's mouth, and lit it. It smelled like a combination of fresh bread, coffee, and-- was that cheese?

I should not be smoking anything John Ross gives me.

A new wave of emotions flowed over Alastair, some good, some bad, most of which did not involve alcohol. Ross walked off; the cigarette burned out, leaving Alastair once more depressed, yet confused more so than sad.

What the hell? What was that?

by **Sanghyeok** » Fri Oct 16, 2020 9:57 pm

One by one, the members of each nation's delegation gathered in front of Sato, and she had to admit it looked rather funny. There were people of all bodies and backgrounds, of all different times and places coming towards her, eager to enter the Chairwoman's Residence and begin their celebration of the Chairwoman's Birthday Gala.

"Welcome, to all dear friends and guests" she said in her diplomatic as ever voice, bowing lightly towards those before her. She ran through the mental checklist, making sure that not a single person was missed- or at least, those that should be here.

The delegation from Kiu Ghesik? Yes, the tall stature, nomadic lady was there, alongside her attendant- Vhiari. The two of them were dressed in the traditional clothing of their people, a mixture of earthy and natural colours, woven in a form that was simple yet pleasing to the eye.

She also noticed that the emperor of New Goldman was there as well. He was a tall, portly man, who carried himself with an energy that she could only describe as realpolitik. This was someone who did not go on errands or foreign trips if he did not have a purpose. That was fine with Sato, since she was after all a career officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and she could appreciate practicality. Sato was surprised to see him here, however, given the situation in his home country. Given the risk to his state security, I would have expected someone like him to have returned already, she thought internally.

Next to Ari was the king from Western Fardelshufflestein, looking a little unstable. Sato wasn't surprised though, given the reports she had received a few days earlier about the king's terrible state from a few days ago. She had heard from the doctors that it was a miracle King Kehrer had survived to this state, given his history of alcohol usage. "Completely deteriorated", one nurse had said about the king's liver, and it didn't shock her at all. It's a good thing there isn't much alcohol here today, she consoled herself, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Sato recognised the woman standing behind the king as Lilith, the leader of Libertalonia. From what she knew, Lilith was a capable leader, although someone whose ideals contrasted heavily with those of the Federation. Lilith was with a man that had caused some trouble earlier, their senator Chuck, who looked angry at all times for some reason.

Finally, there were four more people standing there who were the main delegates: Ross from the country that named itself Socialist Macronesia despite not being socialist, two of the kind ladies from Shtet who were the President and her wife, Kotera from the strange place called Wuchu along with a girl Sato couldn't recognise.

Just as she was about to announce that the tour had begun, however, three more people showed up: the cultural minister from Rhim Flavezztowland named Skyes, who had ran from the front of the residence, and two delegates from Greatdux. If I am not wrong, their names are Kúrfermann and Katár. They had somewhat apologetic expressions on their faces, and had clearly come here in a hurry.

"You are just on time for the beginning of the programme," Sato said, smiling politely. "Allow me to introduce today's schedule," she continued, making eye contact with each of them so naturally it felt magical.

"Today's programme is as follows:

We will begin with a tour of the outer gardens, followed by light lunch. After lunch will be the private meetings with the Chairwoman in the Hall of Reception, before the afternoon activities of parfait making, lantern making, and pudding making. We will conclude the evening with dinner, the conclusion of the pudding and parfait contest, and finally the release of lanterns."

And with that, they followed Sato across the Bridge of Thousand Leaves. There was a soft breeze in the air, and a few autumn leaves scattered below their feet as they walked on the bridge's smooth stone surface, looking down at the running water of the moat and towards the Gate of Daybreak. Just as they were about to enter, though, they were met by a pair of officials in uniform.

"I'm Honmura Kimiko, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs" the first said, introducing herself. "Please call me Alice if you wish. I am the elder of the Honmura siblings."

"And I am Honmura Kazuhisha, also from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs" noted the second. "You may call me Alex if it is easier for you. I am the younger of the Honmura siblings."

They bowed slightly, before continuing, together.

"We are here for your protection. As you recall, weapons are not permitted inside of the Chairwoman's Residence. Please deposit any remaining weapons here," they said, pointing to a small case.

Somewhat reluctantly, the various guards placed assorted weapons into it. After this was done, the Honmura siblings checked each of them once more, and finding there to be no remaining weapons, announced:

"With that we will now begin the second stage of the security measures."

The moment Kazuhisha finished saying this, Kehrer felt a slight movement on his body, almost like cool water. Not long after, Ari also felt an almost itchy bit on her skin that spread across her body. The other leaders had started reacting too, as one by one they experienced a tingling sensation around their head and torso. And then, it was gone.

"A protective field has been cast on all of your bodies" Kimiko explained. "It will prevent any major injury on your person, should there be any incidents. We will stay by your side, for the remainder of this event."

Having completed the necessary measures, the delegates were now welcomed through the Gate of Daybreak. The New Goldman emperor was particularly interested in the architecture of the bridge and gates, as was Lilith, and the two of them started a conversation about the how they wanted to take inspiration and improve buildings back in their nation. Ari was still reluctantly moving forward, forcing her feet to take steps despite her feeling of malaise. Sykes had started talking to Kúrfermann and Katar over a shared passion for the KPOP band "Blackpink", and were busy arguing over who should have had more lines in the last album release.

As for Kotera and Yamada, they were holding hands, lost in their world of only two people and paying no attention to the gazes of everyone else. For they had all they needed in each other.

"The Hall of Reception" Sato said "was named after its purpose: to receive delegates. Located in the outer east portion of the residence, it has been used for nearly 5 years, and in fact will be where you meet Chairwoman Oomiya later this afternoon, after lunch. Any questions?"

"I've got a Q for your A," a familiar voice called out, and Sato sighed.

"Anyone but Kotera?" Kotera had asked at least 10 questions during the past 20 minutes of the tour, and they were by no means bad questions. Only related to things she had barely heard of, or wasn't familiar with.

She was greeted by deafening silence.

"Fine, what is the question."

"Why is it called the Hall of Reception, and not some fancier name? Doesn't the Chairwoman like poetry, or something?"

Thank Heavens, it's an easy question, Sato thought, praising a turn in her luck.

"It's a good question. Most halls, gates and ponds here were named after particular concepts such as benevolent governance and everlasting grace, or after natural phenomenon such as daybreak or cherry blossoms. But the Hall of Reception and Hall of Poetry and Prose remain the only halls named directly for what they do. This is because Chairwoman Oomiya believed it would be better to keep their names plain, at least for the time being."

"And what would you name it" Kotera asked, and Sato felt her heart sink. She had never been good at poetry.

"Em...the Hall of Great Friendship? Because it's for receiving foreign delegations, after all."

Kotera didn't look very impressed.

Following the tour, it was lunchtime, and they were sitting in the garden just opposite the Gate of Daybreak where they had come in from as Sato and the two Honmura siblings brought them their lunches.

by **Libertalonia** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 8:02 am

"I'd go for A really, I like chicken" Lilith said to kimiko. she looked at the Goldman emperor, She smiled a bit at him as she showed a notebook with sketches of the architecture. "I'm likely commissioning this as the new offices for me and my government.

chuck, karen and jovie however were secretly busy eavesdropping on the other leaders while looking busy with looking at the area, Bonnie looked and attempted to signal them to stop, They don't and keep being snoops.

Lisa sat next to Lilith, She started to ask her things, "are you doing well?'. She nods back and simply tells Lisa that she's relaxed and has nothing to worry about, from her perspective, everything is coming up wonderful.

by **New Goldman** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 5:37 pm

"Gimme A" Norton said as he motioned to the waiter. "I like anything fried."

He turned to Lilith and the notebook she was holding. He observed the sketches of the bridge and the different architectures of the Chairwoman's residence. She was reasonably a talented drawer. Norton slightly felt embarassed as he couldn't draw anything detailed other than a stickman. He smiled back.

"Beautiful drawings" He said, motioning to the pages of the notebook. "I really wanna commission these too for my own palace back home."

by **Kiu Ghesik** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 6:28 pm

Sanghyeok wrote:One by one, the members of each nation's delegation gathered in front of Sato, and she had to admit it looked rather funny. There were people of all bodies and backgrounds, of all different times and places coming towards her, eager to enter the Chairwoman's Residence and begin their celebration of the Chairwoman's Birthday Gala.

"Welcome, to all dear friends and guests" she said in her diplomatic as ever voice, bowing lightly towards those before her. She ran through the mental checklist, making sure that not a single person was missed- or at least, those that should be here.

The delegation from Kiu Ghesik? Yes, the tall stature, nomadic lady was there, alongside her attendant- Vhiari. The two of them were dressed in the traditional clothing of their people, a mixture of earthy and natural colours, woven in a form that was simple yet pleasing to the eye.

She also noticed that the emperor of New Goldman was there as well. He was a tall, portly man, who carried himself with an energy that she could only describe as realpolitik. This was someone who did not go on errands or foreign trips if he did not have a purpose. That was fine with Sato, since she was after all a career officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and she could appreciate practicality. Sato was surprised to see him here, however, given the situation in his home country. Given the risk to his state security, I would have expected someone like him to have returned already, she thought internally.

Next to Ari was the king from Western Fardelshufflestein, looking a little unstable. Sato wasn't surprised though, given the reports she had received a few days earlier about the king's terrible state from a few days ago. She had heard from the doctors that it was a miracle King Kehrer had survived to this state, given his history of alcohol usage. "Completely deteriorated", one nurse had said about the king's liver, and it didn't shock her at all. It's a good thing there isn't much alcohol here today, she consoled herself, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Sato recognised the woman standing behind the king as Lilith, the leader of Libertalonia. From what she knew, Lilith was a capable leader, although someone whose ideals contrasted heavily with those of the Federation. Lilith was with a man that had caused some trouble earlier, their senator Chuck, who looked angry at all times for some reason.

Finally, there were four more people standing there who were the main delegates: Ross from the country that named itself Socialist Macronesia despite not being socialist, two of the kind ladies from Shtet who were the President and her wife, Kotera from the strange place called Wuchu along with a girl Sato couldn't recognise.

Just as she was about to announce that the tour had begun, however, three more people showed up: the cultural minister from Rhim Flavezztowland named Skyes, who had ran from the front of the residence, and two delegates from Greatdux. If I am not wrong, their names are Kúrfermann and Katár. They had somewhat apologetic expressions on their faces, and had clearly come here in a hurry.

"You are just on time for the beginning of the programme," Sato said, smiling politely. "Allow me to introduce today's schedule," she continued, making eye contact with each of them so naturally it felt magical.

"Today's programme is as follows:

We will begin with a tour of the outer gardens, followed by light lunch. After lunch will be the private meetings with the Chairwoman in the Hall of Reception, before the afternoon activities of parfait making, lantern making, and pudding making. We will conclude the evening with dinner, the conclusion of the pudding and parfait contest, and finally the release of lanterns."

And with that, they followed Sato across the Bridge of Thousand Leaves. There was a soft breeze in the air, and a few autumn leaves scattered below their feet as they walked on the bridge's smooth stone surface, looking down at the running water of the moat and towards the Gate of Daybreak. Just as they were about to enter, though, they were met by a pair of officials in uniform.

"I'm Honmura Kimiko, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs" the first said, introducing herself. "Please call me Alice if you wish. I am the elder of the Honmura siblings."

"And I am Honmura Kazuhisha, also from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs" noted the second. "You may call me Alex if it is easier for you. I am the younger of the Honmura siblings."

They bowed slightly, before continuing, together.

"We are here for your protection. As you recall, weapons are not permitted inside of the Chairwoman's Residence. Please deposit any remaining weapons here," they said, pointing to a small case.

Somewhat reluctantly, the various guards placed assorted weapons into it. After this was done, the Honmura siblings checked each of them once more, and finding there to be no remaining weapons, announced:

"With that we will now begin the second stage of the security measures."

The moment Kazuhisha finished saying this, Kehrer felt a slight movement on his body, almost like cool water. Not long after, Ari also felt an almost itchy bit on her skin that spread across her body. The other leaders had started reacting too, as one by one they experienced a tingling sensation around their head and torso. And then, it was gone.

"A protective field has been cast on all of your bodies" Kimiko explained. "It will prevent any major injury on your person, should there be any incidents. We will stay by your side, for the remainder of this event."

Having completed the necessary measures, the delegates were now welcomed through the Gate of Daybreak. The New Goldman emperor was particularly interested in the architecture of the bridge and gates, as was Lilith, and the two of them started a conversation about the how they wanted to take inspiration and improve buildings back in their nation. Ari was still reluctantly moving forward, forcing her feet to take steps despite her feeling of malaise. Sykes had started talking to Kúrfermann and Katar over a shared passion for the KPOP band "Blackpink", and were busy arguing over who should have had more lines in the last album release.

As for Kotera and Yamada, they were holding hands, lost in their world of only two people and paying no attention to the gazes of everyone else. For they had all they needed in each other.

"The Hall of Reception" Sato said "was named after its purpose: to receive delegates. Located in the outer east portion of the residence, it has been used for nearly 5 years, and in fact will be where you meet Chairwoman Oomiya later this afternoon, after lunch. Any questions?"

"I've got a Q for your A," a familiar voice called out, and Sato sighed.

"Anyone but Kotera?" Kotera had asked at least 10 questions during the past 20 minutes of the tour, and they were by no means bad questions. Only related to things she had barely heard of, or wasn't familiar with.

She was greeted by deafening silence.

"Fine, what is the question."

"Why is it called the Hall of Reception, and not some fancier name? Doesn't the Chairwoman like poetry, or something?"

Thank Heavens, it's an easy question, Sato thought, praising a turn in her luck.

"It's a good question. Most halls, gates and ponds here were named after particular concepts such as benevolent governance and everlasting grace, or after natural phenomenon such as daybreak or cherry blossoms. But the Hall of Reception and Hall of Poetry and Prose remain the only halls named directly for what they do. This is because Chairwoman Oomiya believed it would be better to keep their names plain, at least for the time being."

"And what would you name it" Kotera asked, and Sato felt her heart sink. She had never been good at poetry.

"Em...the Hall of Great Friendship? Because it's for receiving foreign delegations, after all."

Kotera didn't look very impressed.

Following the tour, it was lunchtime, and they were sitting in the garden just opposite the Gate of Daybreak where they had come in from as Sato and the two Honmura siblings brought them their lunches.

Ari and Vhiari had been led to the garden furthest from the complex' entrance and instructed to sit cross-legged on the grass, where the woman Sato and the two, er, "uniformed" siblings had brought them lunch, an admittedly quite rich and savory fish plate that Vhi had been far more enthusiastic in the consumption of than Ari. The former had at first curiously prodded at the mackerel before wholeheartedly going at the omelet and now delicately and gingerly eating the salmon. The latter, though, had found it difficult to find a reason to even eat. She'd cut the mackerel, the omelet, and the salmon into consecutively smaller and smaller pieces with the strange dull, pronged knife she'd been given, and had taken a few exploratory bites out of the omelet before a swimming in her stomach had forced her to put down the odd-looking utensil. Now Ari was reduced to staring jealously at a rather pleased Vhi, who had found much more enjoyment in these people's cuisine than she had.

She had been watching Vhi eat without a care in the world for about two minutes before the weaver noticed her. Vhiari raised an eyebrow and looked at Ari askance. Ari just sank lower onto the table they'd been seated at and put her head in her hands.

"Um... are you... okay?" Vhiari sounded legitimately concerned now as she reached out to prod Ari's shoulder.

Ari groaned. "Fine." She couldn't muster the effort to say more than that.

"No, you're not." Vhi stood and crossed the short distance that separated them, then knelt next to Ari and pulled her upright. Ari hung limp in her grip. "You haven't eaten, you were barely paying attention to the tour, you looked like a kicked dog during the Chairwoman's speech- what is wrong with you?"

"Don't want to talk about it."

"Afraid you don't have a choice in the matter." With a smile halfway between cruel and concerned, Vhi took Ari by the shoulders and shook her back and forth. "Come on! Spit it out! It's a party, Ari, you don't get to act like this. You are aware of how you look, right?"

Ari stiffened at Vhiari's words. "Yes, I am." Disinterestedly, she took another bite of omelet. "It's not bad."

"Don't change the subject. You don't go from 'cheery partygoer' to 'dead' because you had to deal with a stoner president. It isn't you."

"It's not that." Ari put down the fork and buried her head in her hands.

"Then what?"

Ari's eyes were filled with anger, now, or something else. "The Chairwoman, Vhi, did you hear her?"

"Of course. It was hard not to. They were playing her speech as loud as their speakers could." Vhiari was concerned, now. Whatever Ari was feeling, it wasn't good. There was a separation between the woman who'd two days ago worried over disappointing a little girl in a kimono and this angry, tired, drained figure before her. Vhi noticed that Ari's eyes were inflamed, red at the edges. "You still haven't said what this is all about."

"She might as well have said she saw us as obstacles to be removed on the warpath to utopia. 'We have made great things, and we will teach you all why ours are greater than yours! Why our ideals are greater than yours!'" Ari raised one arm in a mock-flourish, sending the bit of omelet impaled on the fork still in her hand flying across the grounds.

"I think you're being dramatic."

Ari crossed her arms. "No, I'm not. She said so in as many words."

"And why is that a problem when you've already earned her trust?"

"You know exactly what's wrong with it!" She gestured at the walls around them, at the neatly-manicured garden, her eyes wide. "This place, that's what's wrong with that! Do you think our way of life can survive this!?" Suddenly, she put one hand to her face and lowered her head at the outburst. Her next words were spoken through pursed lips. "We can't! And to think I trusted her..."

Vhiari shook her head. "Oomiya doesn't betray people, Ari, she's a good person. Good people aren't traitors."

"Then you don't know people."

"I know people better than you do. You need to pull your head out of your ass and look around- no one here wants to do you any harm. You have no reason to be afraid of anything. This is just- it's just childish, Ari. You're acting like a stupid, petty child." Ari sank backwards at Vhiari's words. She looked hurt by the insinuation, hurt even more than she was by the Chairwoman's words. Her mouth hung open for a moment.

Vhiari took the opportunity to grab another piece of omelet from Ari's plate and throw it into her open mouth.

Coughing, Ari fell to the ground until the egg dislodged itself from her throat and fell onto the grass. When she caught her breath and looked back at her attendant, she saw Vhiari with one hand to her mouth, stifling a laugh, a barely contained grin on her face.

Ari had to smile at that. A moment later and the two were laughing outright. It was only when they noticed the woman in an aviator's uniform at another table looking intently at them that they stopped.

Catching her breath, Vhi turned back to Ari. "So, uh, you, um, good now?"

"No." Ari frowned. "But I'm better, I suppose."

Oddly, she felt the hair rise on the back of her neck, as if a wave of static had passed over her, or she'd been caught in a strong breeze. She looked at Vhiari and saw her confusion mirrored in her face. Then Vhiari's eyes widened. "She's here." Ari turned in her seat, craning her neck to follow Vhiari's gaze.

On the edge of the garden stood a short, slim, pale figure clad in silk robes, her greenish hair cropped short to her head, stood for a moment in what seemed to be a moment of serene reflection, looking over the assembled foreign dignitaries with aged, yet joyous eyes. In that moment, as their eyes met, all Ari could feel was an unreasoning fear.

27 November 2022

He had to be supported by his guards for nearly half the tour.

At a certain point, his legs became unwilling to support his weight, and they had had to procure a wheelchair for him so he could continue. He'd spent the rest of the time in the back of the group, silent and ridden with exhaustion, forcing himself to stay awake and upright so as not to appear rude.

Come lunch, he was a little bit hungry, but he still consumed everything he was given. He took large swigs of water with the prescription pills his guards administered him and practically cleaned off the dishes of every course. He struggled with the chopsticks provided at various courses yet managed to finish off everything. It was his way of avoiding conversation, of dodging any stares of the fellow leaders. He looked like a slob; he did not care. He just wanted to get through the day without being grilled on what in the multiverse was wrong with him.

After lunch, they ordered him to sleep. He was guided to a couch and directed to lie down. Pillows were stuffed under his head, a blanket was draped over his shuddering form. Part of him sensed he was still near enough of the leaders for them to notice his sorry state. Again, he had no care in the world of what they thought of him, for everyone viewed him negatively. Why would they not? They must all know by now that he was pathetic.

by **Sanghyeok** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 10:37 pm

And then Chairwoman Oomiya turned her body, and walked away, disappearing swiftly into the Hall of Reception, where she was no doubt waiting for meetings with them.

Given the speed, Ari didn't know if she had truly seen the Chairwoman, or if she had simply gazed into an illusion of her. Yet Ari's mind was already becoming blurry and painful just from the thought.

That was her again, wasn't it? she thought. The Chairwoman was her reason for coming here, and now she was right in front of her, although Ari was no longer sure she wanted to meet with her.

But then there was a gentle voice to her right, and Ari tilted her head towards the sound. Looking at the source, she saw it was Alice with a calm expression on her face.

"You have been scheduled as the first to meet with the Chairwoman Oomiya Sakura, who is waiting in the Hall of Reception for you," she said with a practiced voice.

On hearing the words, "Chairwoman Oomiya," Ari felt herself being filled with a sense of foreboding once more, despite having just been comforted by her attendant.

What are you nervous about? This is the entire reason we came here, is it not? Even without looking at Vhiari, Ari could tell what she was thinking and ready to tell her.

"Because of the unknowns," Ari said, replying with her answer before Vhiari had even opened her mouth, and the two of them fell into silence for a moment. That moment couldn't last forever, though, since Alice was still standing patiently, waiting for Ari to come with her on the way to meet the Chairwoman. As if to encourage her, Vhiari reached out and held her hand tightly. Ari felt the warmth inside her grip, and nodded softly, knowing what had to be done.

"Be strong, and be confident, Caller Ari," Vhiari told her as a final encouragement, and Ari stood up. She didn't look back as she strode quickly towards Alice, her emotions having mellowed again.

"Ready, Caller Ari?" asked Alice, and she gave an affirmative as strong as she could. Now was not the time she wanted to let anyone know she had been afraid, no matter who they were.

Without any further words, they walked towards the Hall of Reception. Controlling her breathing, Ari focused on the natural beauty about her: the flowers in eternal bloom despite the mid-October weather, the flowing streams that came from and went to nowhere, and the lush green that surrounded her.

Then at last, they arrived at the Hall of Reception, and Alice signaled to Ari as if to tell her something.

"Just act normally," she instructed her, and Ari resolved to so even if she was ready for anything but acting normally.

The doors to the hall swung open, and there was Chairwoman Oomiya, sitting at the end of the table calmly. She wore an expression that seemed equal parts welcoming and fierce, and Ari knew she had only one chance for this first- well, second- impression to go as planned. She knew what she had to do, but the question was: could she?

by **Sanghyeok** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 10:37 pm

Eating a bite of the tender chicken, Lilith was entranced by the juicy texture and subtle flavours. It reminded her of something, though she didn't know what, and she was filled with a sense of deja vu that permeated her body. Somewhat nostalgic, she put down her fork for a moment and took out her notebook, sharing it with the New Goldman emperor.

They were looking at Lilith's drawings for a while, before they started talking about each other's fondness for architecture. Lilith listened attentively as Norton commented on his plan's to remake New Goldman's capital city into a greener environment with some interest. She, too, wanted to take some lessons on architecture among other things from this visit to the Federation.

by **Sanghyeok** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 10:38 pm

Norton nodded along, before mentioning how he had plans to remake New Goldman's capital city into a greener environment. They would try to replicate some of the ideas from Sanghyeok: more trees, more grass, and of course a more balanced mixture of human technology and nature. Lilith listened attentively, and the two then started a discussion with each other on the topic.

A little while later, Lilith and Norton saw Ari leave for her meeting, and they realised their meetings with the Chairwoman would come quite soon as well.

"So, have you prepared any questions for her?" Lilith asked Norton.

by **Rhim Flavezztowland** » Mon Oct 19, 2020 7:12 am

October 8 - Lunchtime
"I'd like to eat Lunch Set D, please," told I (Jonathan Skyes) to the waiter. It was lunchtime at Chairwoman Oomiya's residence, and by then, I was so hungry, I could eat a horse! Knowing that the notebook Lilith (the Libertalonian delegate that was eating lunch with me and the other delegates) was holding in her hands earlier had some drawings that were most likely sketches of possible new governmental buildings for Libertalonia, I was thinking, "Oh, how rich can the Libertalonian government be to commission new governmental buildings?".

When I finally got to eat my lunch set (Lunch Set D, which was a vegan and kosher affair), I said, "Itadakimasu!" and started off my lunchtime meal-eating by drinking the miso soup in the lunch set first before eating anything else that was in my lunch set (in fact, I've never broken my promise to drink any given soup before eating anything else since I was eight years old, as I've heard that doing so can help with diluting and mixing any food I eat after drinking soup). I then ate the the grilled tofu (as well as the cherry leaves that came with it), stewed vegetables (along with the seasonal herbs), vegetable dumplings (by dipping them into the yuzu sauce before putting them into my mouth), and chestnut rice (by mixing it with the seasonings, carrots, and herbs on top of it before putting a first scoop of it into my mouth) included in my lunch set. Finally, I ate the dessert of shaved ice with strawberry sauce to finish off my meal. Damn, did my lunch set really fill my tummy!

After I finished eating all the food that my lunch set had to offer, I said, "Arigatougozaimasu!" before deciding to go and wait somewhere just outside the Hall of Reception, where my meeting with Chairwoman Oomiya was scheduled to come after her meetings with five other delegates...

by **Sanghyeok** » Tue Oct 20, 2020 9:34 pm

In his dreams, the WF king was felt himself being dragged all over: it was as if his head and feet and hands were pulled, stretched until they could stretch no further. And his chest hurt, and his head was nauseous, and everything in his body seemed simply quite off.

So this is the payment for all my sins, isn't it? Kehrer wondered. Then let my sweet emptiness come, for I shall not reject it when the time is right.

But instead, he found his eyes opening, to the interior of the coach, and the concerned gaze of two very stern guards. His guards, who had been carrying on conversation but stopped once they saw Kehrer waking up.

"Good afternoon, King Kehrer" they said, and helped him out of his flat lie down bed, struggling somewhat with his weight.

Having sat up now, Kehrer was determined to go back to rejoin the festivities, but his guards frowned.

"You weren't too stable, and a doctor came by. They said your liver was still taking to your body, so you should stay here for a while longer, King Kehrer." they told him.

And my sinning has led me to this, he thought, and sat back down, resigned to his fate. Well, at least the holo-video was all to himself, so there was that.

by **Sanghyeok** » Tue Oct 20, 2020 9:35 pm

With more than some delight, Skyes finished eating his lunch set. Still reminiscing a little bit about the flavours- especially the freshness of the ingredients and the sweet yet delicate taste of the strawberry sauce, he headed towards the Hall of Reception and checked his watch.

There was still just over an hour to his meeting. In fact, according to the schedule, Ari the Caller from the land called Kiu Ghesik was meeting with the Chairwoman Oomiya right now. He decided to return to the other delegates, and perhaps strike up a conversation with some of them. He wondered if he could start a programme of cultural exchange with any of them. After all, Rhim Flavezztowland had sent him here to learn and establish working relations with as many countries as possible, and he wanted to do his job correctly.

by **Kiu Ghesik** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 5:17 pm

Sanghyeok wrote:And then Chairwoman Oomiya turned her body, and walked away, disappearing swiftly into the Hall of Reception, where she was no doubt waiting for meetings with them.

Given the speed, Ari didn't know if she had truly seen the Chairwoman, or if she had simply gazed into an illusion of her. Yet Ari's mind was already becoming blurry and painful just from the thought.

That was her again, wasn't it? she thought. The Chairwoman was her reason for coming here, and now she was right in front of her, although Ari was no longer sure she wanted to meet with her.

But then there was a gentle voice to her right, and Ari tilted her head towards the sound. Looking at the source, she saw it was Alice with a calm expression on her face.

"You have been scheduled as the first to meet with the Chairwoman Oomiya Sakura, who is waiting in the Hall of Reception for you," she said with a practiced voice.

On hearing the words, "Chairwoman Oomiya," Ari felt herself being filled with a sense of foreboding once more, despite having just been comforted by her attendant.

What are you nervous about? This is the entire reason we came here, is it not? Even without looking at Vhiari, Ari could tell what she was thinking and ready to tell her.

"Because of the unknowns," Ari said, replying with her answer before Vhiari had even opened her mouth, and the two of them fell into silence for a moment. That moment couldn't last forever, though, since Alice was still standing patiently, waiting for Ari to come with her on the way to meet the Chairwoman. As if to encourage her, Vhiari reached out and held her hand tightly. Ari felt the warmth inside her grip, and nodded softly, knowing what had to be done.

"Be strong, and be confident, Caller Ari," Vhiari told her as a final encouragement, and Ari stood up. She didn't look back as she strode quickly towards Alice, her emotions having mellowed again.

"Ready, Caller Ari?" asked Alice, and she gave an affirmative as strong as she could. Now was not the time she wanted to let anyone know she had been afraid, no matter who they were.

Without any further words, they walked towards the Hall of Reception. Controlling her breathing, Ari focused on the natural beauty about her: the flowers in eternal bloom despite the mid-October weather, the flowing streams that came from and went to nowhere, and the lush green that surrounded her.

Then at last, they arrived at the Hall of Reception, and Alice signaled to Ari as if to tell her something.

"Just act normally," she instructed her, and Ari resolved to so even if she was ready for anything but acting normally.

The doors to the hall swung open, and there was Chairwoman Oomiya, sitting at the end of the table calmly. She wore an expression that seemed equal parts welcoming and fierce, and Ari knew she had only one chance for this first- well, second- impression to go as planned. She knew what she had to do, but the question was: could she?

Be calm. Take deep breaths. Do something. Anything but just stand here.

Ari proceeded to stand there, like some dumbfounded statue, for at least half of a second before she felt an urge to move forward. One step forward , then another, more confidently this time. It was like she was being pushed forward by some giant, unseen hand. She looked at the Chairwoman, seated at the end of the massive table dominating the room. Or was it a regular table? It seemed massive, at least to her. Or perhaps it was just the figure seated at it she found imposing? She was smiling now, a subtle grin pulling at her lips. It was most likely intended to be comforting. At least, it would have been, if Ari wasn't beyond comfort.

Shakily, she dragged the nearest chair out of its place, wincing at the slight screech it made as it slid across the smooth stone tile, and took a seat.

Her first thought was that the chair was remarkably warm, for what looked like hardwood, and contoured perfectly to the shape of her back. It felt like sitting in a sleeve, somehow. It didn't do much to still her heart.

Alright. You've moved. Now say something.

She looked down the table at the Chairwoman. Yeah, she was... she was still there. It was... just her, but that was more intimidating, somehow. The only immediate thing Ari noticed was that she'd changed her hair. It was shorter now. Still green, though.

Odd.

Ari sighed and opened her mouth to speak- a greeting, a request, something, anything. But she couldn't force the words to come. Again, she tried, and again, she failed. She shifted awkwardly in her chair, then brushed a wayward strand of hair off her face. The silence of this hall was deafeningly loud, it seemed.

At last, she managed a cough.

And then, somehow, she managed to get out a word, then another. She felt again that strange static, like she was being pushed to speak. It felt different this time, surrounding rather than prodding her, like a blanket draped over her shoulders on a cold night.

"Um... good morning, and, ah, happy birthday." She inclined her head towards Oomiya ever-so-slightly.

At least that was something.

by **Libertalonia** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 7:51 pm

"I do hope you got a clue what you want to ask the chairwoman," Lilith said to Norton
Most of her entourage agreed except chuck for obvious reasons.

Bonnie adjusted her shirt, Unbeknownst to everyone, she had a camera in there. Lilith however, was distracting everyone else by Starting her own little monologue.

"Leaders are called leaders for a reason, I've heard of sad and broken men who led nations. Anyways, Suppose that you were sitting down at a table. The napkins are in front of you, which napkin would you take? The one on your ‘left’? Or the one on your ‘right’? The one on your left side? Or the one on your right side? Usually, you would take the one on your left side. That is ‘correct’ too. But in a larger sense of society, that is wrong. Perhaps I could even substitute ‘society’ with the ‘Universe’. The correct answer is that ‘It is determined by the one who takes his or her own napkin first.’ …Yes? If the first one takes the napkin to their right, then there’s no choice but for others to also take the ‘right’ napkin. The same goes for the left. Everyone else will take the napkin to their left because they have no other option. This is ‘society’… Who are the ones that determine the price of land first? There must have been someone who determined the value of money, first. The size of the rails on a train track? The magnitude of electricity? Laws and Regulations? Who was the first to determine these things? Did we all do it, because this is a Republic? Or was it Arbitrary? NO! The one who took the napkin first determined all of these things! The rules of this world are determined by that same principle of ‘right or left?’! In a Society like this table, a state of equilibrium, once one makes the first move, everyone must follow! In every era, this World has been operating by this napkin principle. And the one who ‘takes the napkin first’ must be someone who is respected by all. It’s not that anyone can fulfill this role… Those that are despotic or unworthy will be scorned. And those are the ‘losers’. In the case of this table, the ‘eldest’ or the ‘Master of the party’ will take the napkin first… Because everyone ‘respects’ those individuals."

by **Sanghyeok** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 9:37 pm

Kiu Ghesik wrote:Be calm. Take deep breaths. Do something. Anything but just stand here.

Ari proceeded to stand there, like some dumbfounded statue, for at least half of a second before she felt an urge to move forward. One step forward , then another, more confidently this time. It was like she was being pushed forward by some giant, unseen hand. She looked at the Chairwoman, seated at the end of the massive table dominating the room. Or was it a regular table? It seemed massive, at least to her. Or perhaps it was just the figure seated at it she found imposing? She was smiling now, a subtle grin pulling at her lips. It was most likely intended to be comforting. At least, it would have been, if Ari wasn't beyond comfort.

Shakily, she dragged the nearest chair out of its place, wincing at the slight screech it made as it slid across the smooth stone tile, and took a seat.

Her first thought was that the chair was remarkably warm, for what looked like hardwood, and contoured perfectly to the shape of her back. It felt like sitting in a sleeve, somehow. It didn't do much to still her heart.

Alright. You've moved. Now say something.

She looked down the table at the Chairwoman. Yeah, she was... she was still there. It was... just her, but that was more intimidating, somehow. The only immediate thing Ari noticed was that she'd changed her hair. It was shorter now. Still green, though.

Odd.

Ari sighed and opened her mouth to speak- a greeting, a request, something, anything. But she couldn't force the words to come. Again, she tried, and again, she failed. She shifted awkwardly in her chair, then brushed a wayward strand of hair off her face. The silence of this hall was deafeningly loud, it seemed.

At last, she managed a cough.

And then, somehow, she managed to get out a word, then another. She felt again that strange static, like she was being pushed to speak. It felt different this time, surrounding rather than prodding her, like a blanket draped over her shoulders on a cold night.

"Um... good morning, and, ah, happy birthday." She inclined her head towards Oomiya ever-so-slightly.

At least that was something.

Oomiya saw Ari enter with hesitant, almost unwilling steps, as if she had been pushed from the rear by some unseen force. But she managed to sit down, somewhat naturally, and opened her mouth to speak.

And then closed her mouth promptly, before leaving it in a half-open, half-closed state. Her expression reminded Oomiya of the face one makes when they are simply unsure of what to say, yet know the consequences of not speaking or speaking incorrectly. And so, the two of them sat in that silence for a while, even as Ari was so desperately trying to break it with her voice.

"Um... good morning, and, ah, happy birthday," Ari finally managed to say as she bowed gently, though not too obviously. It was more like a few drops of rain than anything meaningful, but it was something, or so she thought.

"And good day to you, Caller Ari," Oomiya said. "I do thank you for your well wishes, of course." Her voice was still that same intonation and pitch, still filled with contradictions: it sounded both ancient yet modern, both high class and also ordinary as any of her citizens.

"And...about our nations..." Ari tried to say something else, but her words were cut off midway. A single facial movement- not even a word was said- and Ari somehow knew what it meant.

"There is no need to rush, as the angle of the sun remains high still," Oomiya said, brushing a strand of her hair aside from her face.

"I trust that you and your delegation have found the past few days enjoyable?" Oomiya continued. She wore a more curious expression on her face now, as if she already knew the answer before Ari spoke.

by **New Goldman** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 3:16 am

"Nothing for now." Norton said as he bitten a part of the chicken that was served up to him. "Besides, my most important ones are for the Chairwoman herself."

27 November 2022

Alastair sank back into the couch and once again lay down, curling almost into a ball with his knees drawn into his chest. His head slumped sideways into the pillows. He shut his eyes and shielded his face with his arms as more nausea circulated through him; he did not feel the urge to vomit, just intense dizziness and fathomless shame.

He deserved this. He deserved to die abandoned somewhere far from home with nothing to protect him from the elements. He'd lie in some narrow alleyway as the bitter wind sliced through him and drained his body of its internal heat, so deep in a drunken stupor that he'd be unconscious. His skin would pale as his extremities purpled, then blued, as puffs of his frosted breath became few and far between. In the harsh gusts, his alcohol-stained coat would flutter, and his hair would trap itself in a snare of ruffled tangles.

Someone would find him beside an empty bottle the next morning, or within a few days, frozen stiff and unmoving. They'd know as soon as they laid eyes on him that he was dead. And when they identified him as a king, they would empathize with the people of his country for having to have lived under his rule.

His family would be crushed by grief that would soon be snatched up by guilt and anger. They would finally see that he was a gormless drunkard. When they buried him, they would love him, but soon they would grow to hate him for abandoning them like he had.

But he was not dead of exposure, not now. Alastair was very much alive, judging by the pain he was in, and his guards were covering him with a blanket. He clung to it like a child as muffled sobs lurched from his chest, because he really should not have been allowed to live. If his liver was truly failing, why had they saved him? Why had the doctors not just let him perish? He did not earn the saving grace of their futuristic treatments. He had earned nothing.

by **Kiu Ghesik** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 4:21 pm

Ari thought about that for a moment. Things had... things had been, well, at the time enjoyable, but... regrettable. Particularly Ross. Just... everything involving Ross, really. Ari wanted nothing more than to forget those. She shook her head, trying to clear the thought of him from its quite prominent place in her mind, and found the task rather more difficult than imagined. At least, until she noticed Oomiya's knowing and frankly unsettling gaze.

Ross and his very, er, rugged visage took a backseat rather quickly after that.

She coughed and nodded in the Chairwoman's direction. "Fine, it was, uh, fine. Not much, uh, happened, really." Ah, yes, that wasn't suspicious at all. "The tour was very nice." Not that I went on it. "Thank you." She bowed again, not enough to make herself seem submissive, she thought, but still respectful.

Oomiya's smile didn't seem to leave her face. Ari realized then that in all likelihood she knew everything Ari was trying to hide. Without a doubt she did- she knew about everything in this world, and most likely certain things outside it as well. That was why she was as successful as she was. One did not live to be 861 years old without learning far more than any human ever could about life.

If Ari had her doubts about Oomiya, they had to be brought up now. There was no point in hiding that which could not be hidden. More than that, it was dishonest- Oomiya surely expected Ari not to deceive her, if such a thing was possible. That was what the compact of friendship demanded. And if they were equals, then it followed that Ari would be expected to withhold nothing. And besides, the Chairwoman was understanding, right? She wouldn't mind. Hopefully. Ari needed to at least ask.

Well, hopefully she wouldn't have to describe the... thing.. with Ross, but the point still stood.

It would be a grave betrayal to do otherwise. She held up a hand, almost like she was asking for permission to speak, permission that did not need to be given. "If I, um... I have something I need to say. I-"

The smile still on her face, Oomiya closed her eyes, and raised a single finger. Ari fell still, from equal parts fear and deference. And then the Chairwoman spoke, her voice measured and refined. Ari was unsure if her mouth had moved at all.

by **Wuchu** » Thu Oct 22, 2020 9:20 pm

We were all sitting at one table - the staff being so generous to place us all together.

However, they weren't generous enough to give us another chair; Yamada sat on my lap, eating my tofu, and the stewed veggies Hannah and Esther shared with her.

"I just don't see how nuclear power can be a viable transitional phase," I said to Esther. She was arguing for Shtet's adoption of nuclear power, as part of a worldwide effort to move towards renewable energy. "You'd have to build power plants at an unprecedented rate - and, well, you would need to get the resources to construct the power plants from somewhere. Sort of defeats the point of it being environmentally friendly, no?"

"I see your point," she said. "But for much of the developed world, it will be the only way. You yourself pointed that out: there aren't many reliable alternatives, and nuclear power is still the least overall harmful."

"Relatively speaking," I said.

"Relatively, of course," she said. "But not everyone is so willing to... what is it you say?"

"Return to monke," Yamada spoke up, holding the last of the dumplings with a pair of chopsticks.

Esther nodded, chuckling a bit. "Yes, 'return to monkey.' It's not a good strategy."

Hannah was quiet from the moment we arrived at the mansion. She was enjoying her vegan miso soup, occasionally turning to get a little spoonful of spiced rice.
Her head perked up, suddenly. Noticing the change in her posture, Yamada's head turned, in the direction of the corridor connected to the dining hall. Her mouth went agape.

"I-is.." she stuttered. "Is- was that the Chairwoma-"

"Yes, I believe it was," Hannah spoke for the first time. "I think the Chairwoman is going to be seeing us soon."

An attendant of the gala walked up to one of the tables across the room, where Ari and her friend were sat. The barbarian stood up, and was escorted out of the room.

"Uh-oh," I giggled slightly. "Someone's in trouble~" I said in a sing-song tone.

Yamada slapped me gently across the back of my head.

"Shush! It's the Chairwoman! That delegate should feel very honoured to meet with her first!"

I rolled my eyes. Esther laughed quietly, turning to Hannah.

"Do you like your soup, yekirati?"

Hannah nodded, once again taking up her vow of silence, or something.

by **Sanghyeok** » Sat Oct 24, 2020 8:42 pm

Wuchu wrote:WUCHU, shared with Yamada: Meal Set C (Vegetarian, Kosher):
1st dish: Grilled tofu with cherry leaves
2nd dish: Sweet omelet with seaweed and sesame seed
3rd dish: Fried vegetable dumplings with sweet yuzu sauce
Rice: Fried rice with egg
Soup: Miso soup with fried tofu
Dessert: Strawberry parfait

SHTET: Meal Set D (Vegan, Kosher):
1st dish: Grilled tofu with cherry leaves
2nd dish: Fresh stewed vegetables with seasonal herbs
3rd dish: Fried vegetable dumplings with sweet yuzu sauce
Rice: Chestnut rice with seasoning, carrots, and herbs
Soup: Miso soup with seaweed and artificial fish cake
Dessert: Shaved ice with strawberry sauce

We were all sitting at one table - the staff being so generous to place us all together.

However, they weren't generous enough to give us another chair; Yamada sat on my lap, eating my tofu, and the stewed veggies Hannah and Esther shared with her.

"I just don't see how nuclear power can be a viable transitional phase," I said to Esther. She was arguing for Shtet's adoption of nuclear power, as part of a worldwide effort to move towards renewable energy. "You'd have to build power plants at an unprecedented rate - and, well, you would need to get the resources to construct the power plants from somewhere. Sort of defeats the point of it being environmentally friendly, no?"

"I see your point," she said. "But for much of the developed world, it will be the only way. You yourself pointed that out: there aren't many reliable alternatives, and nuclear power is still the least overall harmful."

"Relatively speaking," I said.

"Relatively, of course," she said. "But not everyone is so willing to... what is it you say?"

"Return to monke," Yamada spoke up, holding the last of the dumplings with a pair of chopsticks.

Esther nodded, chuckling a bit. "Yes, 'return to monkey.' It's not a good strategy."

Hannah was quiet from the moment we arrived at the mansion. She was enjoying her vegan miso soup, occasionally turning to get a little spoonful of spiced rice.
Her head perked up, suddenly. Noticing the change in her posture, Yamada's head turned, in the direction of the corridor connected to the dining hall. Her mouth went agape.

"I-is.." she stuttered. "Is- was that the Chairwoma-"

"Yes, I believe it was," Hannah spoke for the first time. "I think the Chairwoman is going to be seeing us soon."

An attendant of the gala walked up to one of the tables across the room, where Ari and her friend were sat. The barbarian stood up, and was escorted out of the room.

"Uh-oh," I giggled slightly. "Someone's in trouble~" I said in a sing-song tone.

Yamada slapped me gently across the back of my head.

"Shush! It's the Chairwoman! That delegate should feel very honoured to meet with her first!"

I rolled my eyes. Esther laughed quietly, turning to Hannah.

"Do you like your soup, yekirati?"

Hannah nodded, once again taking up her vow of silence, or something.

Yamada was still staring in the direction where the Chairwoman had been and Ari had departed when she received a sharp jab on the side of her cheek.

"Hey, what was that for?" she said, pouting at Kotera.

"If you keep starting at where the O-chair's gone, my meal's going to get cold." Kotera replied.

"Our meal."

Kotera didn't refute that.

"Kotera-kun, can you help me?"

"With what?"

"I can't seem to reach this piece of sweet omelet. Can you feed me?"

Kotera obliged without even thinking twice. Damn, have I gotten used to this? Magic is really screwing up my brain harder than--

"Ah~" Yamada said, opening up her mouth.

The piece of sweet omelet was placed in, and she chewed thoroughly.

"Now it's your turn," Yamada told Kotera.

"Ah~" Kotera made the same sound Yamada had, even though he felt like Yamada was enjoying this more she should have.

It was at this moment that they remembered they were not alone, and they turned around to see Esther and Weil looking on with intrigued expressions.

"Sorry....." Yamada's apology disappeared as her voice became quiet.

"Ah, don't worry, it's great to see my grandson finally show some interest in people for once. If you hurry up, this old one might even get to see her great-grandchild!" Weil was practically daydreaming now, and her tone was longing.

"Oh, how I would love to hold my great-grandchild in my own hands while I am still on this world. You know, I was talking with Hannah about how we were worried you might never settle down, but it seems my fears have been abolished," Esther added, her voice joyful.

Kotera almost spat out his spoonful of miso soup, while a light shade of red was spreading across Yamada's cheeks.

Grandparents, they're no different no matter where they're from, Yamada thought.

by **Sanghyeok** » Sat Oct 24, 2020 8:43 pm

Norton heard Lilith's speech with great interest, although he was also entranced just as much by the food before him.

"Then what do you think is the meaning of respect?" Norton asked her as she sat down following her announcement to the whole table.

"Respect?" she asked. "As in how to gain it, or....?"

"More than that, what do you really think about respect as it pertains to us as leaders? You talked the importance of respect, and why leaders must have it, but what does it mean to be respected, and how can we as leaders gain and maintain it?" he asked, swallowing a spoonful of rice as he finished talking. The flavour is really fresh and delightful, he thought.

Lilith nodded as she considered how to answer Norton, before answering:

by **Sanghyeok** » Sat Oct 24, 2020 8:43 pm

Kiu Ghesik wrote:Ari thought about that for a moment. Things had... things had been, well, at the time enjoyable, but... regrettable. Particularly Ross. Just... everything involving Ross, really. Ari wanted nothing more than to forget those. She shook her head, trying to clear the thought of him from its quite prominent place in her mind, and found the task rather more difficult than imagined. At least, until she noticed Oomiya's knowing and frankly unsettling gaze.

Ross and his very, er, rugged visage took a backseat rather quickly after that.

She coughed and nodded in the Chairwoman's direction. "Fine, it was, uh, fine. Not much, uh, happened, really." Ah, yes, that wasn't suspicious at all. "The tour was very nice." Not that I went on it. "Thank you." She bowed again, not enough to make herself seem submissive, she thought, but still respectful.

Oomiya's smile didn't seem to leave her face. Ari realized then that in all likelihood she knew everything Ari was trying to hide. Without a doubt she did- she knew about everything in this world, and most likely certain things outside it as well. That was why she was as successful as she was. One did not live to be 861 years old without learning far more than any human ever could about life.

If Ari had her doubts about Oomiya, they had to be brought up now. There was no point in hiding that which could not be hidden. More than that, it was dishonest- Oomiya surely expected Ari not to deceive her, if such a thing was possible. That was what the compact of friendship demanded. And if they were equals, then it followed that Ari would be expected to withhold nothing. And besides, the Chairwoman was understanding, right? She wouldn't mind. Hopefully. Ari needed to at least ask.

Well, hopefully she wouldn't have to describe the... thing.. with Ross, but the point still stood.

It would be a grave betrayal to do otherwise. She held up a hand, almost like she was asking for permission to speak, permission that did not need to be given. "If I, um... I have something I need to say. I-"

The smile still on her face, Oomiya closed her eyes, and raised a single finger. Ari fell still, from equal parts fear and deference. And then the Chairwoman spoke, her voice measured and refined. Ari was unsure if her mouth had moved at all.

Oomiya was still smiling when she spoke.

"One's actions in certain circumstances do not define us, though we must of course attempt to improve ourselves by learning lessons from those incidents," she said, her voice an odd mixture of confident and delicate. Though she spoke softly, Ari could hear her every word closely.

"I am sure you know which incidents I am referring to- those that occurred both both in our realm and those from the other realms you have visited previously."

Oomiya's expression and tone hadn't changed one bit since she had started speaking, and Ari wasn't sure how she should react. It wasn't unexpected for everything to be have been found out, but to be seen through so completely was something else entirely.

"You will learn, I hope?" Oomiya asked. Even in asking, she spoke like making a statement.

Ari nodded again, perhaps a bit too eager to agree with the Chairwoman before her.

"Then there is nothing else that we must discuss regarding this topic," Oomiya told her. "There are many other things we may converse in, and I am sure you did not wish for us to meet simply to discuss your own failings. So, what do you wish to ask?"

Seeing the Caller had recovered somewhat and was about to speak, Oomiya transferred her gaze back to the Ari.

Chairwoman Oomiya's Birthday Gala [Closed RP]

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