The Mountains Meet The Sea and the Desert (Closed, WA only)

[Ernestria]

Earlier that evening

Princess Yulia stared…at something. It was not her reflection in the mirror, it was not the room behind her, it was not anything. It was the distant, vacant stare of the mother of a small child.

A face appeared before her. It looked not at her but at her hair. Viorel Gherman, Bodendorf’s premier hairdresser, pursed his lips. “No,” he said, “After a moment, it needs something more.” He moved a blonde curl mere fractions of an inch to one side.

“There,” he said straightening himself; a look of supreme triumph on his face, “What do you think?”

Yulia was not so vain as to realise that having servants did not ease the burden of motherhood. But just because she had less to do did not mean that she was any less tired from the things she did do. She blinked. “Oh,” she said after a moment, “It’s lovely.”

“Pah,” replied Gherman, “It is more than lovely. It is nothing short of a masterpiece your highness.” Yulia wasn’t so sure about that but she had already felt guilty about pestering Agizul to hire the hairdresser for the occasion. An extragravence, she realised, when Cyretopolitania was not unqualified when it came to style and sophistication.

Her PeacockPhone buzzed on the dressing table in front of her. She frowned. “Who can be texting me now?” she asked out loud. Gherman, who was packing away his things and muttering to himself at how underappreciated he was, did not hear.

She picked it up. It could not have been ‘the usual suspects’. Agizul was getting ready or already downstairs. If he had wanted her he would have come himself. Nor would it have been her parents. They had been invited but her father’s sudden position as Prince Regent prevented him attending, and if Papa could not come then Mama would not come without him.

She unlocked the phone. AUNT MARIE. Her heart sank slightly.

“What time is thing”. For all that her Aunt was effusive in person (i.e. she never shut up) her texts were the epitome of conciseness.

Yulia thought for a moment. She had invited her Aunt out of a sense of kindness; to get her away from everything that was happening with Uncle Gussie. She was not sure this necessarily meant she wanted her to come.

“Soon,” typed out Yulia, “Who is coming? I will need to tell the Master of Ceremonies.” She paused for a moment. “You never said you were definitely coming.” She thought for a moment and then deleted that last bit. “I wasn’t sure if you said you were coming.” This seemed more neutral and less likely to cause an argument. She pressed send.

With Gherman now gone Yulia moved her curl back to the original position. She gave an approving nod to her reflection in the mirror. The phone buzzed.

“Me and Boggy. Didn’t say we weren’t coming. Will be another hour.”

Yulia sighed. She replied to her aunt with a simple ‘thumbs up’ and then went to go and find her husband to tell him about the late arrivals.

Later that evening

Well she had enjoyed herself so much she had forgot how tired she was. Yulia stood in an emerald dress enjoying the conversation, the laughter, the occasional dance if it looked like Agizul wouldn’t mind. The Providencians were…in keeping with their usual behaviour. All in all things couldn’t be going better until a footman approached and whispered that her relatives had arrived. She tried to maintain her smile as best she could whilst extracating herself from conversation and finding her husband.

“Agizul,” she whispered when she found him, “Agizul Aunt Mar…I mean, Her Majesty the Queen has arrived together with her younger brother, Prince Bogislaus, Duke of Löwenstadt.” She leaned in further. “Try to be nice.”

[Pantocratoria]

Aron gave a good natured smile. “Well, you did enter with the Excalbian Crown Princess. So, it wasn’t an unreasonable guess, was it?”

He gave a nod in reply to her question. “Yes,” he said, “my grandfather is a Duke and the Royal Chamberlain. I think that’s how I ended up on the guest list.” He smiled. “And I am glad that I was,” he added before showing off some well-practiced dance moves.

"No, quite reasonable, I should think." Marie-Jeanne answered. "I hope you are not unduly disappointed."

In response to his reply to her question about his nationality, Marie-Jeanne smiled broadly but hesitated to give any similar biographic details. A grandson of a duke might be a count, in Pantocratoria anyway, depending on whether he was the first son of the first son. Maybe he'd be impressed that her grandfather was an Emperor. She preferred not to explain why a grandddaughter of an emperor was not a princess, though. Maybe a count would hesitate about dancing with a bastard, whatever her father's rank. Or maybe not. She hoped not. He was a good dancer. He seemed better practiced than she, in fact, but Marie-Jeanne was naturally agile and athletic, and she endeavoured to match his showing off as best she could within the bounds of what seemed reasonable for the music. Immediately she worried that she was trying too hard and that he and anybody watching would notice that she was trying too hard, and self-consciously reined herself in a little.

[Excalbia]

Burchard looked over to see who the Baroness was. Yes, she looked almost as scary as Alexandra.

“She looks like an Amish”, he said, cheekily. “But she shouldn’t worry, I can teach her surfing too. I bet even sharks wouldn’t dare to bother her!”

Elizabeth laughed. “Sharks recognize their own, don’t they?” She smiled. “But if you can get Baroness Inga on a surfboard, I’ll be quite impressed!”

The two danced in silence for a moment, then, she added, “I will have to ask my friend, MJ to stay, too. You can show all of us how to surf!”

[Cyretopolitania]

Alexandra did not hide her distaste for discussing Joshua’s “condition”, and she gave Safiya a murderous gaze when the Dowager Queen pointed out her contradiction. She got distracted, though, when her friend mentioned James of Excalbia.

“Laodice for James?”, she asked, surprised. “The Ernestrians were practically begging us to match her with Georg, but that silly boy prefers island girls. You should be thankful that your grandchildren have married so well. Look at our King, or Teimuraz’ sons, or the Mayaguans! Their lines are dying out and they don’t care. But I saw Fernando and Letizia getting quite close today, so there’s some hope, after all.”

The Dowager Queen smiled at Alexandra’s brief flash of anger, then nodded at her comments. “Aksel’s children are now all squared away. Though Ilizibith’s impetuous marriage to Peter did give us some concern, it has worked out in the end. And Maryem’s children are almost set. Now that Michael is consort to the Empress of Tehua, that leaves only Hannah. And, of course Nadiya’s children: Yakobas and Virina.”

Safiya looked across the ballroom to where Hanah and Felix were dancing. “Though it seems Hannah has attracted the attention of her own Braslander.” Then her eye caught Yakobas with Manuela. “But what do you know about that Mayaguan girl with Yakobas?”

Later that evening

Well she had enjoyed herself so much spit he had forgot how tired she was. Yulia stood in an emerald dress enjoying the conversation, the laughter, the occasional dance if it looked like Agizul wouldn’t mind. The Providencians were…in keeping with their usual behaviour. All in all things couldn’t be going better until a footman approached and whispered that her relatives had arrived. She tried to maintain her smile as best she could whilst extracating herself from conversation and finding her husband.

“Agizul,” she whispered when she found him, “Agizul Aunt Mar…I mean, Her Majesty the Queen has arrived together with her younger brother, Prince Bogislaus, Duke of Löwenstadt.” She leaned in further. “Try to be nice.”

Prince Agizul struggled to hide his smile. While he fully understood the extra challenges Queen Marie, not to mention Prince Bogislaus, could present, there was something about Yulia’s skittishness about her relatives that he found cute. Adorable, in fact. He put his hands on her shoulders and gently pulled her close. “It will be fine, my love. We’ll manage dear Aunt Marie.” His smile finally broke through. “The staff here have centuries of experience managing royalty in all its flavors.”

He leaned over and kissed her. “You look exceptionally beautiful tonight, by the way,” he whispered. Then, he said, “Now, let’s go greet our dear Aunt.”

"No, quite reasonable, I should think." Marie-Jeanne answered. "I hope you are not unduly disappointed."

In response to his reply to her question about his nationality, Marie-Jeanne smiled broadly but hesitated to give any similar biographic details. A grandson of a duke might be a count, in Pantocratoria anyway, depending on whether he was the first son of the first son. Maybe he'd be impressed that her grandfather was an Emperor. She preferred not to explain why a granddaughter of an emperor was not a princess, though. Maybe a count would hesitate about dancing with a bastard, whatever her father's rank. Or maybe not. She hoped not. He was a good dancer. He seemed better practiced than she, in fact, but Marie-Jeanne was naturally agile and athletic, and she endeavoured to match his showing off as best she could within the bounds of what seemed reasonable for the music. Immediately she worried that she was trying too hard and that he and anybody watching would notice that she was trying too hard, and self-consciously reined herself in a little.

“Disappointed? Hardly,” Aron said. “Grateful to be dancing with the prettiest girl here.”

He moved with the music for a few moments. “So, how do you know the Crown Princess, if I may ask? Do you go to school together? Are you related?”

[Brasland]

Burchard looked over to see who the Baroness was. Yes, she looked almost as scary as Alexandra.

“She looks like an Amish”, he said, cheekily. “But she shouldn’t worry, I can teach her surfing too. I bet even sharks wouldn’t dare to bother her!”

Elizabeth laughed. “Sharks recognize their own, don’t they?” She smiled. “But if you can get Baroness Inga on a surfboard, I’ll be quite impressed!”

The two danced in silence for a moment, then, she added, “I will have to ask my friend, MJ to stay, too. You can show all of us how to surf!”

Burchard looked at Elizabeth, thoughtfully. Then, a mischievous smile appeared in his face.

“Let’s do the following”, he proposed. “If you convince your parents to stay longer, I’ll convince your Baroness to surf.”

He gave her a smile, wondering how the hell he would pull that off.

[Brasland]

The Dowager Queen smiled at Alexandra’s brief flash of anger, then nodded at her comments. “Aksel’s children are now all squared away. Though Ilizibith’s impetuous marriage to Peter did give us some concern, it has worked out in the end. And Maryem’s children are almost set. Now that Michael is consort to the Empress of Tehua, that leaves only Hannah. And, of course Nadiya’s children: Yakobas and Virina.”

Safiya looked across the ballroom to where Hanah and Felix were dancing. “Though it seems Hannah has attracted the attention of her own Braslander.” Then her eye caught Yakobas with Manuela. “But what do you know about that Mayaguan girl with Yakobas?”

Princess Alexandra, who had not seen Manuela that evening, almost choked when she saw the minimal dress the Mayaguan was wearing.

“That little vixen!”, she exclaimed, scandalized. “I should have known an impertinent girl like her would dress like that!”

Manuela’s appearance being too much for her, she drank another sip.

“She’s the granddaughter of Pilar of Mayagua”, explained Alexandra, agitated. “Her grandfather is the Marquis of Tierrablanca, one of the country’s main landowners. I should have warned Blanche not to mingle with that side of the family. Just look at her, she’s practically naked!”

She furiously avoided looking at Manuela. “The youth, Safiya! They will cause our doom!”

[Excalbia]

Burchard looked at Elizabeth, thoughtfully. Then, a mischievous smile appeared in his face.

“Let’s do the following”, he proposed. “If you convince your parents to stay longer, I’ll convince your Baroness to surf.”

He gave her a smile, wondering how the hell he would pull that off.

Elizabeth smiled. She was quite anxious to see what Burchard had in mind. “Deal,” she said. “I will call my parents after the ball and ask them if we can stay.” She paused and bit her lip. “I suppose I should ask the King or Queen first if I can stay longer…,” she looked around. “Or maybe I can ask Princess Ilizibith. If she says yes, I’m sure she’ll get her parents to agree.” She turned back to Burchard. “Then, I will ask my parents.”

She gave the young man a challenging look. “Then, it will be up to you to get Baroness Inga on a surfboard. If you do… I will be most impressed.”

[Cyretopolitania]

Princess Alexandra, who had not seen Manuela that evening, almost choked when she saw the minimal dress the Mayaguan was wearing.

“That little vixen!”, she exclaimed, scandalized. “I should have known an impertinent girl like her would dress like that!”

Manuela’s appearance being too much for her, she drank another sip.

“She’s the granddaughter of Pilar of Mayagua”, explained Alexandra, agitated. “Her grandfather is the Count of Tierrablanca, one of the country’s main landowners. I should have warned Blanche not to mingle with that side of the family. Just look at her, she’s practically naked!”

She furiously avoided looking at Manuela. “The youth, Safiya! They will cause our doom!”

Safiya nodded gravely. “Indeed they may be.” Then she smiled. “But without them, our houses would come to an end, would they not?”

She turned and looked at Manuela and Yakobas. “She is… rather unclothed, I must say. Still, it sounds like she comes from a decent family. So, what else can you tell me about them? Do I need to send someone over to separate the two of them or might she be suitable, laying aside her lack of taste in clothes, for my Yakobas?”

[Brasland]

Elizabeth smiled. She was quite anxious to see what Burchard had in mind. “Deal,” she said. “I will call my parents after the ball and ask them if we can stay.” She paused and bit her lip. “I suppose I should ask the King or Queen first if I can stay longer…,” she looked around. “Or maybe I can ask Princess Ilizibith. If she says yes, I’m sure she’ll get her parents to agree.” She turned back to Burchard. “Then, I will ask my parents.”

She gave the young man a challenging look. “Then, it will be up to you to get Baroness Inga on a surfboard. If you do… I will be most impressed.”

Suddenly, the idea of impressing Elizabeth was most appealing, and Burchard’s mind began to work. A lightbulb turned on.

“Why don’t you go and ask Princess Ilizibith right now?”, he said. “I have a plan.”

Safiya nodded gravely. “Indeed they may be.” Then she smiled. “But without them, our houses would come to an end, would they not?”

She turned and looked at Manuela and Yakobas. “She is… rather unclothed, I must say. Still, it sounds like she comes from a decent family. So, what else can you tell me about them? Do I need to send someone over to separate the two of them or might she be suitable, laying aside her lack of taste in clothes, for my Yakobas?”

Alexandra paused for a minute. She looked at her glass, half-empty. Where were the servants?

“Well, she does come from good stock”, she said. “Princess Pilar is a great-granddaughter of Aunt Clotilde, after all. But just look at her! It’s not hard to see what she wants, and it’s not marriage! Just look at the way she’s dancing with your Yakobas!”

Just as she was about to launch another tirade about the immorality of today’s youth, she felt a hand patting her shoulder.

“Excuse me, Ma’am”, said Burchard, then greeting Safiya. “Your Majesty.”

Alexandra turned around, irritated. “What are you doing here, boy?! You should be dancing with Princess Elizabeth!”

Burchard’s face went red. “Please, Ma’am, I’m trying to be discreet”, he muttered nervously. “I need your help.”

The princess looked at Safiya. “You see what I mean? They are all useless, an entire generation!”. She then turned to Burchard. “Speak!”

Burchard leaned closer to the princess and whispered a few words. The old witch laughed hard, so much that even the wild Manuela, rubbing her body against Yakobas’, stopped dancing and looked around to see where was the animal being slaughtered.

“Do not worry, child!”, said Alexandra to the young prince, wiping her tears. The boy was useless, but funny. “I will handle it. Now be a gentleman and go back to your friend!”

As the Ilonburger prince left, Alexandra explained the whole story to Safiya. She figured out that a Cyretian queen and a Braslander princess together could very well convince even a steely Excalbian baroness. Indeed, the old princess slowly walked to Inga.

“Baroness”, she said, imperiously. “I am Alexandra of Brasland, daughter of Friedrich the Fifth, well, actually the last of the Friedrichs, unless that foolish Georg decides to name his firstborn by that name, although in the current circums… oh, where was I? Of course, Queen Safiya and I request your company immediately. There is a grave issue concerning Princess Elizabeth that we must discuss with you. You must come now, young girl, but quicker than that! I thought Excalbians were more agile!”

[Pantocratoria]

“Disappointed? Hardly,” Aron said. “Grateful to be dancing with the prettiest girl here.”

He moved with the music for a few moments. “So, how do you know the Crown Princess, if I may ask? Do you go to school together? Are you related?”

Marie-Jeanne discovered she was most susceptible to flattery from boys. Her mother had probably warned her about it but her mother wasn't on her mind at that moment. She blushed slightly and grinned back in response to the compliment.

"We do go to school together," Marie-Jeanne confirmed. "And yes, we are related. I'm her cousin. We used to be boarders together at St Columba's in Saxmere. After she became Crown Princess, she moved to Citadel Excalbia, and I followed her with the new academic year. We attend The Cathedral Academy Preparatory School now."

[Cyretopolitania]

Marie-Jeanne discovered she was most susceptible to flattery from boys. Her mother had probably warned her about it but her mother wasn't on her mind at that moment. She blushed slightly and grinned back in response to the compliment.

"We do go to school together," Marie-Jeanne confirmed. "And yes, we are related. I'm her cousin. We used to be boarders together at St Columba's in Saxmere. After she became Crown Princess, she moved to Citadel Excalbia, and I followed her with the new academic year. We attend The Cathedral Academy Preparatory School now."

Aron smiled. “Tea Caps,” he said with a laugh. “It reminds me of my school - Saint Pope Melchiades I Academy for Young Men. We call it Spam I Am.” He glanced over towards Elizabeth and Burchard. “That’s Burchard, he’s a year ahead of me, dancing with your cousin.”

He paused for a moment. “You’re quite a good dancer, Marie-Jeanne. Will you be visiting Cyretopolitania for a while or do you need to rush back to school?”

[Excalbia]

Suddenly, the idea of impressing Elizabeth was most appealing, and Burchard’s mind began to work. A lightbulb turned on.

“Why don’t you go and ask Princess Ilizibith right now?”, he said. “I have a plan.”

* * *

Alexandra paused for a minute. She looked at her glass, half-empty. Where were the servants?

“Well, she does come from good stock”, she said. “Princess Pilar is a great-granddaughter of Aunt Clotilde, after all. But just look at her! It’s not hard to see what she wants, and it’s not marriage! Just look at the way she’s dancing with your Yakobas!”

Just as she was about to launch another tirade about the immorality of today’s youth, she felt a hand patting her shoulder.

“Excuse me, Ma’am”, said Burchard, then greeting Safiya. “Your Majesty.”

Alexandra turned around, irritated. “What are you doing here, boy?! You should be dancing with Princess Elizabeth!”

Burchard’s face went red. “Please, Ma’am, I’m trying to be discreet”, he muttered nervously. “I need your help.”

The princess looked at Safiya. “You see what I mean? They are all useless, an entire generation!”. She then turned to Burchard. “Speak!”

Burchard leaned closer to the princess and whispered a few words. The old witch laughed hard, so much that even the wild Manuela, rubbing her body against Yakobas’, stopped dancing and looked around to see where was the animal being slaughtered.

“Do not worry, child!”, said Alexandra to the young prince, wiping her tears. The boy was useless, but funny. “I will handle it. Now be a gentleman and go back to your friend!”

As the Ilonburger prince left, Alexandra explained the whole story to Safiya. She figured out that a Cyretian queen and a Braslander princess together could very well convince even a steely Excalbian baroness. Indeed, the old princess slowly walked to Inga.

“Baroness”, she said, imperiously. “I am Alexandra of Brasland, daughter of Friedrich the Fifth, well, actually the last of the Friedrichs, unless that foolish Georg decides to name his firstborn by that name, although in the current circums… oh, where was I? Of course, Queen Safiya and I request your company immediately. There is a grave issue concerning Princess Elizabeth that we must discuss with you. You must come now, young girl, but quicker than that! I thought Excalbians were more agile!”

Elizabeth watched as Burchard walked off towards the elderly Braslander Princess and the Dowager Queen. She shook her head, then walked towards Princess Ilizibith.

* * *

“Your Highness,” Baroness Inga said with a raised eyebrow and a bow. Her brows knotted as Alexandra rambled a bit, then her eyes widened when she summoned her in the name of the Dowager Queen.

“Of course, Your Highness,” the Baroness said haltingly. She looked over at Lady Elsa Rumina and gave a wide-eyed shrug. Once Lady Elsa gave her a nod, the Baroness turned back to Alexandra. “Yes, of course, Your Highness, I’m coming.”

As Baroness Inga moved quickly to catch up with surprisingly spry Braslander, Lady Elsa repositioned herself to keep a better eye on Princess Elizabeth and the young man who was already making his way back towards her.

[Brasland]

Elizabeth watched as Burchard walked off towards the elderly Braslander Princess and the Dowager Queen. She shook her head, then walked towards Princess Ilizibith.

Burchard returned to the dance floor, looking for Elizabeth. She recognized her talking to a striking young couple, and approached them.

“Your Highness,” Baroness Inga said with a raised eyebrow and a bow. Her brows knotted as Alexandra rambled a bit, then her eyes widened when she summoned her in the name of the Dowager Queen.

“Of course, Your Highness,” the Baroness said haltingly. She looked over at Lady Elsa Rumina and gave a wide-eyed shrug. Once Lady Elsa gave her a nod, the Baroness turned back to Alexandra. “Yes, of course, Your Highness, I’m coming.”

As Baroness Inga moved quickly to catch up with surprisingly spry Braslander, Lady Elsa repositioned herself to keep a better eye on Princess Elizabeth and the young man who was already making his way back towards her.

Princess Alexandra gracefully (yes, she could be graceful sometimes) returned to her seat, giving a significant look to Safiya before facing the Excalbian courtier.

“Baroness, I’ll be quick”, she announced. “We need you to learn surfing.”

She said nothing else, and finished off her drink before grabbing another glass from a passing waiter.

[Kartlis]

"Late, as usual..." the thin one muttered to the thick one. The two men were recognizably Kartlian at first glance; dark of hair, somewhat brooding and mysterious, and with facial hair that made them look both much older than their actual ages (twenty three, the both of them) and faintly ridiculous, as if they were trying a bit too hard to fit into some kind of stereotype about what a man should look like. The two young men were also very different from one another: one was thin, athletic in the way a runner is, with hair brushed back and what would eventually become an impressive mustache on his upper lip. The other was thick and broad, with long black hair parted in the middle and something like a Van Dyke on his chin and lips; this one looked a bit like Franz Liszt, if he had played rugby instead of piano. But, a close look at the eyes, the corners of the mouth, the shapes of the ears, and the way both young men smiled would show their clear family affinity - two brothers.

"I'm not the one who spends an hour trimming his mustache," the big brother responded.

The thin one was introduced as Mikheil, Prince of Sabaratiano, and the thick one as the Baron Aleksandre Orbeliani. Those who kept up with Kartlian nobility (but who would?) might know that these two were fraternal twins, and were all the rage in the style magazines. Mikheil was, improbably at his age, now the head of the house of Orbeliani, inheriting his late father's title after the latter's death in a tragic hunting accident when the sons were only 18. Now out of college at 22 and making their debuts in high society, the two were a constant pair, constantly at all the best parties, and also constantly unattached... or so the tabloids claimed.

This was a good thing: they were just about the only members of the Kartlian glitterati that were the right age to be fawned over; the Kartlian Prince's children were all too old, lived too quietly, had no kids. The others were all too young, and owing to old-fashioned press laws could not legally be the subject of media attention until they turned 20. So, the Orbeliani brothers were It for now.

Having arrived late they also looked slightly uncomfortable, but tried to be polite and look effortlessly at ease. They weren't quite pulling it off.

[Providencia y San Andres]

"Late, as usual..." the thin one muttered to the thick one. The two men were recognizably Kartlian at first glance; dark of hair, somewhat brooding and mysterious, and with facial hair that made them look both much older than their actual ages (twenty three, the both of them) and faintly ridiculous, as if they were trying a bit too hard to fit into some kind of stereotype about what a man should look like. The two young men were also very different from one another: one was thin, athletic in the way a runner is, with hair brushed back and what would eventually become an impressive mustache on his upper lip. The other was thick and broad, with long black hair parted in the middle and something like a Van Dyke on his chin and lips; this one looked a bit like Franz Liszt, if he had played rugby instead of piano. But, a close look at the eyes, the corners of the mouth, the shapes of the ears, and the way both young men smiled would show their clear family affinity - two brothers.

"I'm not the one who spends an hour trimming his mustache," the big brother responded.

The thin one was introduced as Mikheil, Prince of Sabaratiano, and the thick one as the Baron Aleksandre Orbeliani. Those who kept up with Kartlian nobility (but who would?) might know that these two were fraternal twins, and were all the rage in the style magazines. Mikheil was, improbably at his age, now the head of the house of Orbeliani, inheriting his late father's title after the latter's death in a tragic hunting accident when the sons were only 18. Now out of college at 22 and making their debuts in high society, the two were a constant pair, constantly at all the best parties, and also constantly unattached... or so the tabloids claimed.

This was a good thing: they were just about the only members of the Kartlian glitterati that were the right age to be fawned over; the Kartlian Prince's children were all too old, lived too quietly, had no kids. The others were all too young, and owing to old-fashioned press laws could not legally be the subject of media attention until they turned 20. So, the Orbeliani brothers were It for now.

Having arrived late they also looked slightly uncomfortable, but tried to be polite and look effortlessly at ease. They weren't quite pulling it off.

OOCS: Joint post with Cyretopolitania and Jrawa.

Doña Elena Anna Sofia de Habsburg y Mukhrani watched the two Kartlians enter. She turned to Contessa Virina Meziani and Princess Alexandra Trabelsi, with whom she had been chatting, and nodded in the direction of Prince Mikheil and Baron Aleksandre. “They’re distant relatives; I’m not sure how distant. From Kartlis.” She smiled. “At least we are not made to memorize our family trees as the Braslanders do.”

Princess Alexandra gave a wry laugh. “Lucky. Sometimes that seems to be all grandfather cares about. Being able to ‘prove’ that we’re descended from the great kings of the past…”

“They look… interesting,”Contessa Virini said.

“The Kartlian style,” Elena said. “It is truly a thing unto itself.”

“Should we go say hello?” Alexandra said. “Everyone else seems to be chatting or dancing.” She gave a sympathetic look. As the granddaughter of a throneless king and a royal of Jewish descent among a sea of Christian monarchies, she knew what it was to be on the outside looking in.

“Sure,” Virini agreed.

“Alright,” Elena said, as she led the others over to the two Kartlians.

Doña Elena, the daughter of the Duke of La Costa del Sur and Constantina of Mukhrani, was a curvy, petite 20-year old with a deep island tan and raven hair. She was dressed in a dark blue open-back dress that fell just above her knees. It was not the most modest dress at the ball, but far more modest than some. To her right, Contessa Virina, a niece of King Aksel IX, was also petite but with an athletic build and a dark Cyretian complexion. She wore a flattering coral sheath dress. And to Elena’s left, Princess Alexandra was tall and curvaceous with luxurious russet waves of hair, and was dressed in pale red satin.

“Mikheil, Aleksandre,” Elena said as she approached. “It has been a long time, has it not? Surely you remember me.” She smiled. “These are my friends - Princess Alexandra of the House of Trabelsi and Contessa Virina of Abbat.”

The two young women smiled and nodded.

[Excalbia]

Elizabeth watched as Burchard walked off towards the elderly Braslander Princess and the Dowager Queen. She shook her head, then walked towards Princess Ilizibith.

Burchard returned to the dance floor, looking for Elizabeth. She recognized her talking to a striking young couple, and approached them.

* * *

Princess Alexandra gracefully (yes, she could be graceful sometimes) returned to her seat, giving a significant look to Safiya before facing the Excalbian courtier.

“Baroness, I’ll be quick”, she announced. “We need you to learn surfing.”

She said nothing else, and finished off her drink before grabbing another glass from a passing waiter.

(OOC: Join post with Cyretopolitania )

Elizabeth turned as Burchard approached. “Oh, Burchard,” she said, “do you know Princess Ilizibith and Prince Peter?”

The Cyretian princess smiled and nodded. ‘Burchard,” she said.

“Ilizibith was just saying that she thinks it’d be a wonderful idea for MJ and I to stay for a few days,” Elizabeth said.

“Yes,” Ilizibith agreed. “They are welcome to stay here.” She gave a knowing smile. “And Elizabeth has said you have promised to teach her surfing. And MJ, of course.”

* * *

Baroness Inga looked at the ancient Braslander Princess blankly. “Excuse me, Your Highness,” she muttered.

Queen Safiya smiled and let the Excalbian blink into the silence for several beats. Finally, she said, “I believe that your charge, the young Crown Princess, is even now asking my granddaughter to remain here for a few days. The young man she has been dancing with, a boy of good breeding I am assured, has offered to teach her how to surf.”

She let her words hang for a moment, then asked, “How do you propose to fulfill your duty to keep watch over the girl if you stay on the beach while she is in the ocean?”

Inga looked from Safiya to Alexandra and back. “I… I don’t really know what to say,” she said pleadingly.

[Brasland]

Elizabeth turned as Burchard approached. “Oh, Burchard,” she said, “do you know Princess Ilizibith and Prince Peter?”

The Cyretian princess smiled and nodded. ‘Burchard,” she said.

“Ilizibith was just saying that she thinks it’d be a wonderful idea for MJ and I to stay for a few days,” Elizabeth said.

“Yes,” Ilizibith agreed. “They are welcome to stay here.” She gave a knowing smile. “And Elizabeth has said you have promised to teach her surfing. And MJ, of course.”

Burchard kissed Princess Ilizibith’s hand. “Your Highness”, he said, then glancing at the Braslander prince. “Oh Peter, I thought that was you. I forgot you married a Cyretian.”

Of course, the two Braslanders were distant cousins. Burchard then said to Elizabeth, quite cryptically. “I believe your Baroness is receiving a double dose of encouragement from two veterans.”

Baroness Inga looked at the ancient Braslander Princess blankly. “Excuse me, Your Highness,” she muttered.

Queen Safiya smiled and let the Excalbian blink into the silence for several beats. Finally, she said, “I believe that your charge, the young Crown Princess, is even now asking my granddaughter to remain here for a few days. The young man she has been dancing with, a boy of good breeding I am assured, has offered to teach her how to surf.”

She let her words hang for a moment, then asked, “How do you propose to fulfill your duty to keep watch over the girl if you stay on the beach while she is in the ocean?”

Inga looked from Safiya to Alexandra and back. “I… I don’t really know what to say,” she said pleadingly.

Princess Alexandra, evidently not as patient as Queen Safiya, expressed her irritation at the Baroness' hesitation.

“You don’t know what to say?”, she repeated, tensely. “In my days, courtiers did as they were told! They were dutiful, loyal and willing to do things that were uncomfortable. Where’s your sense of duty, Baroness Krumins? You seem athletic, can’t you endure a few days riding the waves? I would do it in your stead, but I’m hardly in prime condition. Unless you want to tell my nephew, the Emperor, that you let his old aunt to do your job!”

Satisfied with this wildly over-the-top blackmailing attempt, Alexandra felt she deserved a prize, so she sipped from her glass.

[Excalbia]

Burchard kissed Princess Ilizibith’s hand. “Your Highness”, he said, then glancing at the Braslander prince. “Oh Peter, I thought that was you. I forgot you married a Cyretian.”

Of course, the two Braslanders were distant cousins. Burchard then said to Elizabeth, quite cryptically. “I believe your Baroness is receiving a double dose of encouragement from two veterans.”

***

Princess Alexandra, evidently not as patient as Queen Safiya, expressed her irritation at the Baroness' hesitation expressed hesitation.

“You don’t know what to say?”, she repeated, tensely. “In my days, courtiers did as they were told. They were dutiful, loyal and willing to do things that were uncomfortable. Where’s your sense of duty, Baroness Krumins? You seem athletic, can’t you endure a few days riding the waves? I would do it in your stead, but I’m hardly in prime condition. Unless you want to tell my nephew, the Emperor, that you let his old aunt to do your job!”

Satisfied with this wildly over-the-top blackmailing attempt, Alexandra felt she deserved a prize, so she sipped from her glass.

(OOC: Joint post with Cyretopolitania. )

Elizabeth gave Burchard a confused look.

Ilizibith glanced over at her grandmother and Princess Alexandra and chuckled. “I almost feel sorry for your Baroness, Elizabeth,” she said.

***

Baroness Inga raised an eyebrow. “No need, Your Highness,” she said. “I understand perfectly.” She gave a quick curtsy and retreated from the two elderly royals.

She made her way to Lady Elsa. “I’m not sure,” she said as softly as she could over the music, “but I believe we’re about to get orders that the Crown Princess will be staying here a few days longer.”

The younger woman blinked, then looked back towards the Dowager Queen and the elderly Braslander Princess. “Of course,” she said slowly. “Should I alert the team?”

“No, we’ll wait for confirmation from the Citadel first.”

Lady Elsa nodded, then moved back to a position to watch the Crown Princess.

[Brasland]

(OOC: Joint post with Cyretopolitania. )

Elizabeth gave Burchard a confused look.

Ilizibith glanced over at her grandmother and Princess Alexandra and chuckled. “I almost feel sorry for your Baroness, Elizabeth,” she said.

***

Baroness Inga raised an eyebrow. “No need, Your Highness,” she said. “I understand perfectly.” She gave a quick curtsy and retreated from the two elderly royals.

She made her way to Lady Elsa. “I’m not sure,” she said as softly as she could over the music, “but I believe we’re about to get orders that the Crown Princess will be staying here a few days longer.”

The younger woman blinked, then looked back towards the Dowager Queen and the elderly Braslander Princess. “Of course,” she said slowly. “Should I alert the team?”

“No, we’ll wait for confirmation from the Citadel first.”

Lady Elsa nodded, then moved back to a position to watch the Crown Princess.

Burchard watched as the Baroness curtseyed and left. He caught eyes with Alexandra, who made a discreet OK gesture with her hand. The prince smiled and winked at her.

“Veni, vidi, vici”, he whispered to Elizabeth, hoping her Latin was good. The, he turned to Peter and Ilizibith. “I think your grandmother and your great aunt just made history.”

[Kartlis]

OOCS: Joint post with Cyretopolitania and Jrawa.

Doña Elena Anna Sofia de Habsburg y Mukhrani watched the two Kartlians enter. She turned to Contessa Virina Meziani and Princess Alexandra Trabelsi, with whom she had been chatting, and nodded in the direction of Prince Mikheil and Baron Aleksandre. “They’re distant relatives; I’m not sure how distant. From Kartlis.” She smiled. “At least we are not made to memorize our family trees as the Braslanders do.”

Princess Alexandra gave a wry laugh. “Lucky. Sometimes that seems to be all grandfather cares about. Being able to ‘prove’ that we’re descended from the great kings of the past…”

“They look… interesting,”Contessa Virini said.

“The Kartlian style,” Elena said. “It is truly a thing unto itself.”

“Should we go say hello?” Alexandra said. “Everyone else seems to be chatting or dancing.” She gave a sympathetic look. As the granddaughter of a throneless king and a royal of Jewish descent among a sea of Christian monarchies, she knew what it was to be on the outside looking in.

“Sure,” Virini agreed.

“Alright,” Elena said, as she led the others over to the two Kartlians.

Doña Elena, the daughter of the Duke of La Costa del Sur and Constantina of Mukhrani, was a curvy, petite 20-year old with a deep island tan and raven hair. She was dressed in a dark blue open-back dress that fell just above her knees. It was not the most modest dress at the ball, but far more modest than some. To her right, Contessa Virina, a niece of King Aksel IX, was also petite but with an athletic build and a dark Cyretian complexion. She wore a flattering coral sheath dress. And to Elena’s left, Princess Alexandra was tall and curvaceous with luxurious russet waves of hair, and was dressed in pale red satin.

“Mikheil, Aleksandre,” Elena said as she approached. “It has been a long time, has it not? Surely you remember me.” She smiled. “These are my friends - Princess Alexandra of the House of Trabelsi and Contessa Virina of Abbat.”

The two young women smiled and nodded.

"Elena," Mikheil said with a smile and a bow. "And ladies. Enchantée."

"Naturally we remember you." Aleksandre said, with a good-natured smile at Alexandra and Virina. "Dad was still alive the last time you were at court, though? Mikheil is a Prince now, can you believe that? And they made me a Baron. Whatever that is."

"Don't be an idiot, you know exactly what it is." Mikheil grimaced. "Well, this is some kind of party, eh?" he said, trying to come off relaxed. "What's that really old movie, about the Old West gunfighters? "Young Guns," isn't that what this is? All the cream of aristocracy?"

"What do you two do?" Aleksandre asked Alexandra and Virina, again good-naturedly, brushing his hair back and smiling broadly. Mikheil was inwardly screaming at his brother's dumb lack of decorum. Couldn't he be suave at least?

[Excalbia]

Burchard watched as the Baroness curtseyed and left. He caught eyes with Alexandra, who made a discreet OK gesture with her hand. The prince smiled and winked at her.

“Veni, vidi, vici”, he whispered to Elizabeth, hoping her Latin was good. The, he turned to Peter and Ilizibith. “I think your grandmother and your great aunt just made history.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Now, I just have to persuade my parents.” She paused. “And tell MJ.” She looked around the dance floor until she spotted her friend dancing with a Cyretian-looking boy. “I think she might be happy to stay a few extra days.”

[Jrawa]

"Elena," Mikheil said with a smile and a bow. "And ladies. Enchantée."

"Naturally we remember you." Aleksandre said, with a good-natured smile at Alexandra and Virina. "Dad was still alive the last time you were at court, though? Mikheil is a Prince now, can you believe that? And they made me a Baron. Whatever that is."

"Don't be an idiot, you know exactly what it is." Mikheil grimaced. "Well, this is some kind of party, eh?" he said, trying to come off relaxed. "What's that really old movie, about the Old West gunfighters? "Young Guns," isn't that what this is? All the cream of aristocracy?"

"What do you two do?" Aleksandre asked Alexandra and Virina, again good-naturedly, brushing his hair back and smiling broadly. Mikheil was inwardly screaming at his brother's dumb lack of decorum. Couldn't he be suave at least?

(OOC: Joint post with Providencia and Cyretopolitania.)

“Yes, he was,” Elena said with a brief sad look. Then, a moment later, she said, “Yes, quite a party. But you missed the fireworks… Princess Gisela broke her engagement to my cousin, Felipe, the Principe… or Crown Prince, you might say. It was quite dramatic.”

Alexandra and Virina shared a brief smile at Aleksandre’s question. Then, the Princess spoke first. “Well,” she said smiling, “when I’m not attending balls and waiting to be asked to dance, I attend the university. In Caldas. I’m in my third year, so I have one more to go.”

Virina suppressed a giggle. “I must confess that I do not ‘do’ much. I graduated the university earlier this year, but… I do not really need to work. I do support several charities…,” she smiled, “and attend balls.”

[Brasland]

(OOC: Joint post with Providencia and Cyretopolitania.)

“Yes, he was,” Elena said with a brief sad look. Then, a moment later, she said, “Yes, quite a party. But you missed the fireworks… Princess Gisela broke her engagement to my cousin, Felipe, the Principe… or Crown Prince, you might say. It was quite dramatic.”

Alexandra and Virina shared a brief smile at Aleksandre’s question. Then, the Princess spoke first. “Well,” she said smiling, “when I’m not attending balls and waiting to be asked to dance, I attend the university. In Caldas. I’m in my third year, so I have one more to go.”

Virina suppressed a giggle. “I must confess that I do not ‘do’ much. I graduated the university earlier this year, but… I do not really need to work. I do support several charities…,” she smiled, “and attend balls.”

(Joint post with Synessia)

Alfred of Kerlich looked around the courtyard. He saw some familiar faces, like Peter and Gisela of Brasland, his distant cousins, but the rest of the room was unknown. Of course, he knew Princess Alexandra well, she was his grandfather’s first cousin, but he would never make the mistake of approaching that woman. Instead, he approached another guy around his age who was drinking wine alone.

“Hi, I’m Alfred”, he said. “I think I’ve seen you somewhere. You’re not Braslander, right?”

The young man looked at Alfred somewhat impassively.

“Do I look Braslander?”, he asked, sarcastically. He was dark-haired, his skin tanned by the sun and his eyes as black as olives. “My name is Louis Nasi, I’m from Synessia, right next door to Cyretopolitania.”

“Oh, I see”, said Alfred, ignoring the sarcasm. “Do you know anyone around here? It’s such an international crowd.”

“Oh yes, I’m a cousin of the Cyretian royal family. If you want, you can join me to greet some guests. What’s your name by the way?”

“I’m Alfred, the Hereditary Duke of Kerlich”, said the Braslander, somewhat embarrassed by his long title.

“That’s an unusual name”, said Louis, somewhat amused. “But Braslanders are quite… let’s say… old-fashioned. Come on, follow me.”

The Synessian and the Braslander approached the two Kartlian twins and their three friends.

“Excuse me”, said Louis, hawking. “Sorry to intrude, we just wanted to introduce ourselves. I’m Louis Nasi and he’s my friend Alfred of Kerlich.”

Clearly shyer than Louis, Alfred smiled sheepishly. “Hi, nice to meet you all.”

Both young men being too polite to drop names, they omitted to mention that Louis was the grandson of the Synessian Duke of Nossos, while Alfred was the heir of Brasland’s premier (and richest) nobleman, the Duke of Kerlich.

[Cyretopolitania]

(Joint post with Synessia)

Alfred of Kerlich looked around the courtyard. He saw some familiar faces, like Peter and Gisela of Brasland, his distant cousins, but the rest of the room was unknown. Of course, he knew Princess Alexandra well, she was his grandfather’s first cousin, but he would never make the mistake of approaching that woman. Instead, he approached another guy around his age who was drinking wine alone.

“Hi, I’m Alfred”, he said. “I think I’ve seen you somewhere. You’re not Braslander, right?”

The young man looked at Alfred somewhat impassively.

“Do I look Braslander?”, he asked, sarcastically. He was dark-haired, his skin tanned by the sun and his eyes as black as olives. “My name is Louis Nasi, I’m from Synessia, right next door to Cyretopolitania.”

“Oh, I see”, said Alfred, ignoring the sarcasm. “Do you know anyone around here? It’s such an international crowd.”

“Oh yes, I’m a cousin of the Cyretian royal family. If you want, you can join me to greet some guests. What’s your name by the way?”

“I’m Alfred, the Hereditary Duke of Kerlich”, said the Braslander, somewhat embarrassed by his long title.

“That’s an unusual name”, said Louis, somewhat amused. “But Braslanders are quite… let’s say… old-fashioned. Come on, follow me.”

The Synessian and the Braslander approached the two Kartlian twins and their three friends.

“Excuse me”, said Louis, hawking. “Sorry to intrude, we just wanted to introduce ourselves. I’m Louis Nasi and he’s my friend Alfred of Kerlich.”

Clearly shyer than Louis, Alfred smiled sheepishly. “Hi, nice to meet you all.”

Both young men being too polite to drop names, they omitted to mention that Louis was the grandson of the Synessian Duke of Nossos, while Alfred was the heir of Brasland’s premier (and richest) nobleman, the Duke of Kerlich.

(OOC: Joint post with Jrawa and Providencia.)

Contessa Virina turned to face the newcomers and smiled. “Oh, Louis,” she said after a moment, “I remember you. You attended Agizul’s wedding, did you not?” She turned to Alfred and extended her hand. “A pleasure to meet you Alfred.” She paused. “Are you related to the Duke of Kerlich?” Then, she gestured to the other young women. “These are my friends, Her Royal Highness, Princess Alexandra of the House of Trabelsi…”

“Louis,” Alexandra said with a smile, “I think we have also met before.” Both houses, she thought, were tied to the Cyretian Royal Family. It was a fairly small circle, even smaller than the circle of Western Atlantic royalty in general. “But it is good to see you again. And nice to meet you, Albert,” she said.

“And,” Virina continued, “Doña Elena Anna Sofia de Habsburg y Mukhrani of La Costa del Sur in Providencia.”

Elena smiled and nodded, extending her hand. “Louis. Alfred. A pleasure to meet you both.”

[Brasland]

(OOC: Joint post with Jrawa and Providencia.)

Contessa Virina turned to face the newcomers and smiled. “Oh, Louis,” she said after a moment, “I remember you. You attended Agizul’s wedding, did you not?” She turned to Alfred and extended her hand. “A pleasure to meet you Alfred.” She paused. “Are you related to the Duke of Kerlich?” Then, she gestured to the other young women. “These are my friends, Her Royal Highness, Princess Alexandra of the House of Trabelsi…”

“Louis,” Alexandra said with a smile, “I think we have also met before.” Both houses, she thought, were tied to the Cyretian Royal Family. It was a fairly small circle, even smaller than the circle of Western Atlantic royalty in general. “But it is good to see you again. And nice to meet you, Albert,” she said.

“And,” Virina continued, “Doña Elena Anna Sofia de Habsburg y Mukhrani of La Costa del Sur in Providencia.”

Elena smiled and nodded, extending her hand. “Louis. Alfred. A pleasure to meet you both.”

Louis smiled to Virina. “Yes, my whole family was invited. My great-grandmother was Cyretian, after all.”

Then it was Alfred’s turn, and he kissed Virina’s hand. “The pleasure is mine. The Duke of Kerlich is my father, I’m from Brasland.”

The two young men then greeted Princess Alexandra. “Yes, I do recall meeting you", said Louis. "Maybe at Albert’s birthday party? The Count of Oran is my great uncle.”

Although Alfred had not met Virina or Alexandra before, he recalled seeing Elena somewhere. “I think I saw you at the Residenz, in Markund, a few years ago. Your grandmother is Princess Maria Olimpia, isn’t she?”