Lamoni had been a key Marsite ally for many decades, and long centuries before then had seen the growth of Marshim in fitful bursts to help establish that. It was a strong nation and Marshites respected strength. Lamoni's belligerence may not have been to the feverish pitch that Marshites would naturally swear fealty to, but there was no doubt about where Lamoni stood in the power scale of the world. They had proven themselves as good, stable friends of Marshism for aeons and would continue to be so for many more. Their ties were manyfold and increasing. A quarter of the nation professed the Marshite faith and their military alliance had lasted decades.
It was high time for an Arch-Bishop to visit. Two had visited before, but not Lainika. Not out of disunity with her ally or dislike, but Lainika didn't care about diplomatic visits or taking a moment away from the grind of her work. Luboski valued the commitments to Marshite allies and the outreach necessary a little more. So she chose Lamoni for a visit and it didn't take long for the necessary steps to be taken, and she was off to visit the land that Freedom Beloved.
As they flew in closer to their landing in Nephi, she couldn't help but compare and contrast despite the stormy skies. Both nations featured megacities with dozens, hundreds of millions of inhabitants. The Theocracy's cities were ancient and old, with the new built on top of but never truly replacing the old. Baroque, ancient metropolises were high technology melded with the ancient ways. In Lamoni the cities, while certainly aged in their own ways, were more modern looking. The skylines reflected modernity and forward progress and in their halls and streets buzzed a nation's citizenry. Imperfect as they all were of course, but truly wonderful people to call friends.
When the plane finally did land, lashed by heavy rains as it was, it did so at Government Air Force Base Nephi. the Arch-Bishop, in heavy white furs and coat, was led out by several guards onto the tarmac, being met by the Lamonian delegation and her local affiliates. Ambassador Trudacan, Second-Claw of the Non-Human Shrine and a formidable candidate himself for Arch-Bishop. led the Marshite locality. The real joy, however, was President Stinson. It was rare to meet a man elected to his position who maintained the sort of respect he had in a region that so often found greatness outside of such a system. She approached warmly despite the weather. "President Stinson, a pleasure to meet you on a day so well blessed by the elements," she said in good humor as a fierce gust of wind threatened to throw the assembled to the ground.
