How to make friends in four days (CLOSED)

[Kyrenaia]

Callista IV of Mervay
"Shame then." I said sighing before smiling. "I guess that will be for another day." Either riding with the Princess or my own horse were out of the question for another time, then again, I would need to be dressed in something else for that.
Soon enough I looked at the Captain of the Horseman Team giving commands with the voice of an captain leading his soldiers into battle with that voice of his that was followed by four horns sounding out that made me shiver even further after the commands given by Captain Afata.
That was followed by the flags of both nations being unrolled.
The Convoy then moved after that, and all I could think was that this was quite the welcome and I didn't know it would get even better after this!

I looked at Aurelia who talked with me in regards to the noise as she motioned to the station's forecourt and the buildings surrounding it, all with that rich, official, stately feeling alongside that beauty shown. I smiled happily at her with an excited tingle in my eyes.

"Don't worry about it, if you saw how we make events back at Mervay you might say I'm used to it." I spoke for experience due to the fact that for my inaugaration and other events such as the fleet's rewiew or festivals like the Port De Devienne one we had the costume of doing gun salutes, I was sure they would do it sooner or later, but as long as it wasn't like the 100 Gun Salute for my coronation then I would be good, and no I'm not kidding. "Besides, one loves to have a warm welcome aren't we?" As soon as I said that and looked into the Main Street of the Old Town, a place that was breath taking due it's beauty if being honest; the next thing would surprise me and make completely speechless.

We were greeted by the cheers of the people as we passed by, little flags of our nations in their hands as they welcomed us from their windows due to the virus. I was shocked by such welcome and it was heartwarming, that feeling of welcome made me smile radiantly like the sun as I saluted them all with decorum and grace.

If I was to bet the reactions of the Chancellor, Her Husband and so of Lady Athena and Treasurer Vanderbilt. I was to make a guess they also smiled politely, perhaps Athena letting out a bit of that mischievous self with an excited expression on her face; I know her well enough that she's able of that and that she knows I'm able as well to salute more excitedly were it not for protocol.

"If I'm honest. I think I'll take this as the highlight of the welcome so far!! No offense to the carriages nor the escort!!" I yelled that to Aurelia so she could hear it in middle of the noise.

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
I smiled at Callista and yelled back: "Don't worry, the lads would be more offended, if you called their dancing skills lacking!"
I smiled and upon hearing some chearing for me, I waved into the crowd. No matter who standed how on the issue of homosexual marriage, I was not only famous, but also quite well-liked. There were enoug opponents, who freely said, that they liked me, if not by my movement, then by my other political activities or sportive achievements... or due to me being quite good looking.
"As for the lassies...", I continued, "...they would be more offended if you called their riding skills lacking!"
That was true, too.
We rode along the Old Town's Main Street towards the huge rock, on which the Palace was situated. To be honest, this would be the loudest part, there were no fly-bys or gun salutes planned, both quite unusual for us.
The actual reception in the Azure Hall would be a very calm affair.
"But of course, there are more important things to worry about then either.", I added at volume, "For instance, and I am serious, did you apply sun screen?"
It was nasty to get sun burns.
Upon something or the other a bit further down the line, the cheering behind us increased for a moment.

[Mervay]

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
I smiled at Callista and yelled back: "Don't worry, the lads would be more offended, if you called their dancing skills lacking!"
I smiled and upon hearing some chearing for me, I waved into the crowd. No matter who standed how on the issue of homosexual marriage, I was not only famous, but also quite well-liked. There were enoug opponents, who freely said, that they liked me, if not by my movement, then by my other political activities or sportive achievements... or due to me being quite good looking.
"As for the lassies...", I continued, "...they would be more offended if you called their riding skills lacking!"
That was true, too.
We rode along the Old Town's Main Street towards the huge rock, on which the Palace was situated. To be honest, this would be the loudest part, there were no fly-bys or gun salutes planned, both quite unusual for us.
The actual reception in the Azure Hall would be a very calm affair.
"But of course, there are more important things to worry about then either.", I added at volume, "For instance, and I am serious, did you apply sun screen?"
It was nasty to get sun burns.
Upon something or the other a bit further down the line, the cheering behind us increased for a moment.

Callista IV of Mervay
Those two comments made me have a laugh due to the amusement of the situation, talk about priorities!
The air in my lungs went onto that for about a minute or so before I wiped off any tear from my joy, an quick glance to the princess soon followed with an nod from my side with an amusing smile in my visage.

"Don't worry that I won't say neither thing to them!" I let out to the princess to hear in the middle of the cheers from the crown as we kept moving, my hands waving at the crowd with a radiant smile of appreciation and some kisses thrown for better meassure to keep the show running while Aurelia had her place in the spotlight like always, Utica's Princess was really loved no matter how divisive she could be sometimes. Soon I've heard from the olive skinned woman if I applied sunscreen to my body; I would be lying if I said no, my skin was that of a frail doll, a beauty that one admired from the distance upon fearing for if a single touch would break me apart and that those who dare will touch it with the upmost of care and gentleness.
So, I smiled at the question of the Princess.

"Yes mom." I answered with an sarcastic tone to my voice before continuing. "Don't worry that I made sure to do so, but now..." I got out to the door and with care to not fall. "Anything else I should worry?" It was this or keep yelling and I wanted to not have later on a sore voice when I get to the massive rock that is the palace.

Behind meanwhile, an massive cheer was taking place to something going on; I shifted my focus to see what it was since unless it was from the carriages, I wouldn't be lucky to see with the escort and horses carrying the other carriages obstructing the wiew.

[Kyrenaia]

Callista IV of Mervay
Those two comments made me have a laugh due to the amusement of the situation, talk about priorities!
The air in my lungs went onto that for about a minute or so before I wiped off any tear from my joy, an quick glance to the princess soon followed with an nod from my side with an amusing smile in my visage.

"Don't worry that I won't say neither thing to them!" I let out to the princess to hear in the middle of the cheers from the crown as we kept moving, my hands waving at the crowd with a radiant smile of appreciation and some kisses thrown for better meassure to keep the show running while Aurelia had her place in the spotlight like always, Utica's Princess was really loved no matter how divisive she could be sometimes. Soon I've heard from the olive skinned woman if I applied sunscreen to my body; I would be lying if I said no, my skin was that of a frail doll, a beauty that one admired from the distance upon fearing for if a single touch would break me apart and that those who dare will touch it with the upmost of care and gentleness.
So, I smiled at the question of the Princess.

"Yes mom." I answered with an sarcastic tone to my voice before continuing. "Don't worry that I made sure to do so, but now..." I got out to the door and with care to not fall. "Anything else I should worry?" It was this or keep yelling and I wanted to not have later on a sore voice when I get to the massive rock that is the palace.

Behind meanwhile, an massive cheer was taking place to something going on; I shifted my focus to see what it was since unless it was from the carriages, I wouldn't be lucky to see with the escort and horses carrying the other carriages obstructing the wiew.

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
I turned my head as well, just like Callista and smiled.
Near the end, with the mounted falconers, a young woman was waving to a small group with a grin. She was blonde, with a red streak running through it, and a Kyrenaian through and through. We could now make a few notes about her equipment, including her bow and quiver, but that's another story.
No, this girl was adored by the people not because she was quite pretty, but because she was...
"Alya Rishalsar.", I told Callista, as the cheering ebbed a bit. Over the tops of the escort, one could see the top line of a sign praising her, "Must be some of her fans... she is a very good mounted falconer and quite well liked in the city. She and her Dog Leader are also mounted archers. Chances are, you're gonna meet her during the ball, her uncle is an industrial bigwig."
I smiled.
"Other then him stepping onto your toes..." I thought for a moment. "...we did organize a neutral date for you..." More thinking. "No, nothing would come to mind you'd need to worry about. Other then..." I motioned towards the Palace of the Azure Hall, which grew larger. "...you know."

[Mervay]

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
I turned my head as well, just like Callista and smiled.
Near the end, with the mounted falconers, a young woman was waving to a small group with a grin. She was blonde, with a red streak running through it, and a Kyrenaian through and through. We could now make a few notes about her equipment, including her bow and quiver, but that's another story.
No, this girl was adored by the people not because she was quite pretty, but because she was...
"Alya Rishalsar.", I told Callista, as the cheering ebbed a bit. Over the tops of the escort, one could see the top line of a sign praising her, "Must be some of her fans... she is a very good mounted falconer and quite well liked in the city. She and her Dog Leader are also mounted archers. Chances are, you're gonna meet her during the ball, her uncle is an industrial bigwig."
I smiled.
"Other then him stepping onto your toes..." I thought for a moment. "...we did organize a neutral date for you..." More thinking. "No, nothing would come to mind you'd need to worry about. Other then..." I motioned towards the Palace of the Azure Hall, which grew larger. "...you know."

Callista IV of Mervay
I've raised my head to see the signs praising the girl the princess said, then back to where the girl and noticed her, huh; a big sensation in the city, falconer and daughter of an important industrialist; even without the latter I was sure I would be seeing her at the ball, but it was a nice tidbit to keep. I've looked back to Lady Aurelia and smiled in appreciation of the favour before she continued.
So the neutral date was arranged, it was impressively quick and I nodded to the problem in regard to the toes; a consideration when dressing for the night, then she motioned towards the Palace of the Azure Hall, finally closing in to the massive structure. Looking back at the princess, I've nodded.

"I may thank you for both advices, one for the night if I decide to wear heels and; well..." I've pointed a finger to the palace. "To be ready for the rest of the welcoming committee." With an quick smile at her, I turned my cheek to my purse and took my PDA to send a quick message; Be ready.

[Kyrenaia]

Callista IV of Mervay
I've raised my head to see the signs praising the girl the princess said, then back to where the girl and noticed her, huh; a big sensation in the city, falconer and daughter of an important industrialist; even without the latter I was sure I would be seeing her at the ball, but it was a nice tidbit to keep. I've looked back to Lady Aurelia and smiled in appreciation of the favour before she continued.
So the neutral date was arranged, it was impressively quick and I nodded to the problem in regard to the toes; a consideration when dressing for the night, then she motioned towards the Palace of the Azure Hall, finally closing in to the massive structure. Looking back at the princess, I've nodded.

"I may thank you for both advices, one for the night if I decide to wear heels and; well..." I've pointed a finger to the palace. "To be ready for the rest of the welcoming committee." With an quick smile at her, I turned my cheek to my purse and took my PDA to send a quick message; Be ready.

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
"Steel caps.", I advised, "We have that in all shoes we were to balls."
That was, when we swung in onto the Fore Square of the Palace of the Azure Hall. On usual days, this was a market square with all sorts of trinkets, a true tourist trap, but today, the place was lined by crowds.
Usually, for state visits, we would swing onto the road leading up on to the Palace Rock.
In front of the fences holding the crowd back, four platoons stood lined up as a parade formation, the Army, the Navy, the Coast Guard and the Tabardariyya. Police officers secured the perimeter.
Under a canopy, held by four men of the Tabardariyya, the Sultana sat on a throne, accompanied by a few courtiers. I saw my Father, among others.
This was unusual.
A master of ceremonies guided our horseman escort to the side, in their own parade formation, but out of the way. The carriages were directed to line up in front of the canopy, with Callista of course in the front.
A stablehand took my horse's reins as I was stopped, I dismounted in one fluid motion, and directed to the Sultana's side.
Butlers opened the doors to the carriages once they stood, offered hands to the passengers.
I bowed to my Grandmother, who nodded, then joined my Father's side.
My look must have said it all, because he whispered to me: "Apparently, Mother wanted to mix things up a little." I nodded. "Not that I mind. Queen Callista is cute."
I glared at him. "You're married."
"I get appetite outside and eat at home.", he replied, the cheeky git. I giggled.
Meanwhile, the Sultana rose in anticipation of the Queen of Mervay.