Gonswanza's 1st Annual Christmas Ball [OPEN/IC]

[Gonswanza]

Being hosted in Gonswanza, this ball was meant to be like no other! Alas, the ballroom was grand, even as people were still scrambling around to set up the final bits of decor at gunpoint. Laura herself was in proper gala uniform, modified from the male gala uniform, but regardless seeming dapper and professional, with olive green pants, an olive green coat, various medals and badges on her chest, a white shirt, black tie under the coat, and golden crossed sword pins and cufflinks. Adding to this, she also had white gloves on with black dress shoes and a peaked cap which had red accents. The badge upon it was that of her rank, though as the president, it instead had a black dagger pointed down, being dug into a heart in red. With her, however, were the five horsemen also dressed in their naval gala uniforms, which was a rather fitting(?) Prussian Blue. Similar in design to Laura's army uniform, their coats used a gold accent instead, with the same golden buttons as Laura's uniform, plus black gloves rather than white. Adding to this, their ranks were on their shoulder, as Captains in the navy. Conquest however had his presidential medal, finally, which he didn't seem to mind only because he has to spend time alongside his superior. War had multiple medals and badges, most of which had been transferred over from the army. Death stood silently, carrying a suitcase by the handle in her left, which likely had a more advanced prototype of the aforementioned voicebox. Pestilence was the same he ever was, though he was standing straight for the event. Alas, he was still a pessimistic old crow in just another suit. Famine however was similar to him, both of them appearing on the verge of death, as frail figures. But he was the sharper of the two, even using a cane made from what one could assume was ivory clad in gold accents. The party was set! As officials should be trickling in along with the occasional civilian and CEO. Deals were to be had, in this safe haven meant for anyone who so wished to join. Armed guards taken from the Peacemaker would also keep watch over the party, as weapons were to be checked in at the door and held in an armory. Any attempts to assassinate the President will fail, but it will also result in a nation-wide manhunt to seek and destroy the perp, with any actual escapes only offering an excuse for a mild military incursion to stop them. Not that escaping a fortress would be easy anyways.

Drinks and food are provided at no charge to the visitors, while valet services are also provided along with secure routes from the local airport and helipad(s)... And ports. Yes, it is possible to arrive by ship or yacht, though security there may slow down one's arrival. Regardless, come well dressed and with good intentions, along with an open mind! There's no need for international incidents, after all! And welcome, one and all, to Gonswanza's-

First Annual Christmas Ball!

Note, information on Laura can be found here while you can find information on the captains of the apocalypse here and here!

[The African Emirates]

Overseer Ernest, arriving dressed in
a black tuxedo and silver-rimmed glasses

Ah, President Ortiz. Truly a pleasure to see you again. I've come quite a long way, and to be truthful with you, I am mainly here to learn from organic behavior, and also to stop any, ah, "incidents" from occurring.

However, your generals seem to be quite the entourage, so I believe you shall be safe with them.

Now, if you would excuse me Madam President, I shall greet the other attendees.

[Gonswanza]

(Image)

Overseer Ernest, arriving dressed in
a black tuxedo and silver-rimmed glasses

Ah, President Ortiz. Truly a pleasure to see you again. I've come quite a long way, and to be truthful with you, I am mainly here to learn from organic behavior, and also to stop any, ah, "incidents" from occurring.

However, your generals seem to quite the entourage, so I believe you shall be safe with them.

Now, if you would excuse me Madam President, I shall greet the other attendees.

Laura Ortiz was mildly surprised by this first visit, alas, she decide to simply address them in kind, even if she had to hold back a mild twitch. Probably just a slight urge to slug a bit of fine wine, or simply the stress of compressing her time into this event getting to her head. Alas, she keeps calm, orderly too, with a gentle and professional tone as the captains disperse into the rather empty space, even as a few other (NPC) guests join in from places as far-flung as Yugoslavia or as local as Peru.

"Oh, but of course Mister Ernest! A bit of an unexpected visit, though do excuse the others. The list it seems may be heavily outdated, hence, we've given up on the "invite-only" part. Regardless! Do enjoy your stay, sir!"

She'd then proceed to call over a waiter, dismissing herself promptly, just to cool her nerves with a gin-and-tonic. A simple drink, impossible to goof up, easy to take down.

While that goes on, the crowd does seem to be quite thin... Even as the space was revealed to have tables, holographic displays, wifi, and as needed AI aides working alongside human waiters, a gentle dance of machine and man to work to a common cause. Then the music kicks in, finally, breaking the odd silence with the soft taps of shoes on hardwood. A slow, calm orchestra performing Clair de Lune, as if to help set the mood in spite of armed and armored guards. But such was Gonswanza, even if outside it seemed less like a small gem of paradise and more akin to an ugly bunker reaching high into the sky as some sort of court.

[Gonswanza]

The party goes on, like usual, even if it seems to have gone quiet for a short few... Hours? Yes. Hours. Though hours would turn into days as the party was closed down due to a mild crisis of security, then started back up as if nothing had occurred. Alas, the guests were accommodated accordingly, in spite of some mild protests that were forcefully shut down in other locations far beyond the location of the ball. And so, the party goes on!

-Even with Laura Ortiz relying on a remote presence to maintain order in the office, acting as a shadow of a president.

[Kyrgyzstan Empire]

A man surrounded by a dozen (unarmed) soldiers enters the ball. He sits up, revealing a wrinkling face and a head of white hair.

"I have heard of this Christmas Ball from my grand empire, and I thought that I must at once go to Gonswana to see what it is about! And now that I have seen it with my own eyes, I realize that I must applaud! You're sure showing all the filthy worthless peasants aren't you? I bet you didn't think about that a great leader like me would show up! But that's not where it ends! I am going to give you the opportunity to get away from this horrid location and into the heart of Kyrgyzstan Empire for your little ball!"

"It's a great deal and I wouldn't offer it to just any nation! In return, all I ask is that you consider allying yourself with me, and helping me squash a measly little rebellion going on in my nation by convincing Meretica to hand them over! Oh, uh, and if you refuse, or something bad happens to me, my general is listening in on this conversation and has a button that, will, how do I say this? Make your Christmas Ball a "blast" with some happy-flappy WMDs!"

[Gonswanza]

A man surrounded by a dozen (unarmed) soldiers enters the ball. He sits up, revealing a wrinkling face and a head of white hair.

"I have heard of this Christmas Ball from my grand empire, and I thought that I must at once go to Gonswana to see what it is about! And now that I have seen it with my own eyes, I realize that I must applaud! You're sure showing all the filthy worthless peasants aren't you? I bet you didn't think about that a great leader like me would show up! But that's not where it ends! I am going to give you the opportunity to get away from this horrid location and into the heart of Kyrgyzstan Empire for your little ball!"

"It's a great deal and I wouldn't offer it to just any nation! In return, all I ask is that you consider allying yourself with me, and helping me squash a measly little rebellion going on in my nation by convincing Meretica to hand them over! Oh, uh, and if you refuse, or something bad happens to me, my general is listening in on this conversation and has a button that, will, how do I say this? Make your Christmas Ball a "blast" with some happy-flappy WMDs!"

The response was a solid "No" from Miss Ortiz, though it would be at that point where several dozen weapons are pointed to the rather boisterous politician, gesturing for him to kindly leave or at least attempt to save face, given Gonswanzan missile defense systems were (and have been) active long before he had arrived. To merely threaten to destroy a nation over a simple ball not only was petty but revealed just how childish his government was, in spite of the attempt to make himself appear friendly and welcoming... Regardless, the Gonswanzans won't shoot him, but they'd rather not have to deal with a flat-out nuclear exchange because Laura Ortiz feels far safer in her own nation. Not only that, but this would be the first and last time such stupidity on an international level would be tolerated, further incidents such as this one would instead see a swift and sharp rejection from the ball, a travel ban from Gonswanza, and even tariffs placed upon their country of origin's goods... Given that war was never an option.

OOC: tldr, are you really that braindead? Seriously? Dude... It's just a party... No need to hold a small nation hostage.

[The African Emirates]

Ernest, while drinking a martini and observing the party, sees the Kyrgyzstani entourage join the party, and immediately goes on alert. His avatar's Anti-Bosonic Shield activates, unnoticed to the rest of the partygoers. Stepping between the two leaders, he turns to face the aging man with a menacing smile.

Overseer Ernest

Hello, Mr. Ben-Ammi. My name is Ernest, and...let's just say, I am from somewhere very far away.

I would sincerely appreciate if you would refrain from petty politics while at such a nice ball. Sit, have a drink, enjoy! But threats will have no place here. Especially not threats of puny fission-based firecrackers. Ah, here, try a Manhattan, they're superb.

Ernest takes a glass from a passing waiter and sets it in the Kyrgyzstani leader's hand. He steps back, curious to see the reaction of both Liam Ben-Ammi and Laura Ortiz.

[Kyrgyzstan Empire]

A man surrounded by a dozen (unarmed) soldiers enters the ball. He sits up, revealing a wrinkling face and a head of white hair.

"I have heard of this Christmas Ball from my grand empire, and I thought that I must at once go to Gonswana to see what it is about! And now that I have seen it with my own eyes, I realize that I must applaud! You're sure showing all the filthy worthless peasants aren't you? I bet you didn't think about that a great leader like me would show up! But that's not where it ends! I am going to give you the opportunity to get away from this horrid location and into the heart of Kyrgyzstan Empire for your little ball!"

"It's a great deal and I wouldn't offer it to just any nation! In return, all I ask is that you consider allying yourself with me, and helping me squash a measly little rebellion going on in my nation by convincing Meretica to hand them over! Oh, uh, and if you refuse, or something bad happens to me, my general is listening in on this conversation and has a button that, will, how do I say this? Make your Christmas Ball a "blast" with some happy-flappy WMDs!"

The response was a solid "No" from Miss Ortiz, though it would be at that point where several dozen weapons are pointed to the rather boisterous politician, gesturing for him to kindly leave or at least attempt to save face, given Gonswanzan missile defense systems were (and have been) active long before he had arrived. To merely threaten to destroy a nation over a simple ball not only was petty but revealed just how childish his government was, in spite of the attempt to make himself appear friendly and welcoming... Regardless, the Gonswanzans won't shoot him, but they'd rather not have to deal with a flat-out nuclear exchange because Laura Ortiz feels far safer in her own nation. Not only that, but this would be the first and last time such stupidity on an international level would be tolerated, further incidents such as this one would instead see a swift and sharp rejection from the ball, a travel ban from Gonswanza, and even tariffs placed upon their country of origin's goods... Given that war was never an option.

OOC: tldr, are you really that braindead? Seriously? Dude... It's just a party... No need to hold a small nation hostage.

OOC: I'm trying to represent how over-the-top and kind of insane the current dictator is by making him do extremely over-the-top and stupid things so that either A: He dies and Kyrgyzstan Empire goes through national crisis because of how awful his rule was and civil war starts over arguments for how to fix the nation, making a super tragic story and leading to the destruction of the empire, or B: He (somehow) wins and... ...well I haven't planned that far ahead I expect him to die

[Gonswanza]

Ernest, while drinking a martini and observing the party, sees the Kyrgyzstani entourage join the party, and immediately goes on alert. His avatar's Anti-Bosonic Shield activates, unnoticed to the rest of the partygoers. Stepping between the two leaders, he turns to face the aging man with a menacing smile.

(Image)

Overseer Ernest

Hello, Mr. Ben-Ammi. My name is Ernest, and...let's just say, I am from somewhere very far away.

I would sincerely appreciate if you would refrain from petty politics while at such a nice ball. Sit, have a drink, enjoy! But threats will have no place here. Especially not threats of puny fission-based firecrackers. Ah, here, try a Manhattan, they're superb.

Ernest takes a glass from a passing waiter and sets it in the Kyrgyzstani leader's hand. He steps back, curious to see the reaction of both Liam Ben-Ammi and Laura Ortiz.

Laura Ortiz decides to step back, waving off the guards who soon lower their weapons and back off. At least for now, it wasn't a full-blown crisis, though Laura did have a pressing meeting the next day (on the 25th to be exact, hence, the "day after tomorrow" in this case) and she'd prefer that things go smoothly in this rather vacant ball, given it was one of a few places that weren't strung up in chaos either from people praising the flags a little too much or people trying to protest the reforms and getting a few bones broken for their insolence and unrest.

"Please, just settle down? This isn't the World Assembly or the UN. Granted, the latter is quite useless, even as it ensures that other countries can't actively destroy our existence for the sake of it without facing dire consequences on a global scale. I'd go so far as to call it a form of insurance, really. But if you so desire to wish for a world without Gonswanza, you are free to leave and go back home. Or force yourself into a coma, somehow. Both methods would achieve the same effect, though the latter would see you being delivered back to your home country as quickly as possible to be treated there given you presumably threw yourself down a flight of stairs or smashed your own head in with a brick. The choice is yours. But I'd personally suggest taking the drink, calming down, and ceasing these childish antics."

[Kyrgyzstan Empire]

Ernest, while drinking a martini and observing the party, sees the Kyrgyzstani entourage join the party, and immediately goes on alert. His avatar's Anti-Bosonic Shield activates, unnoticed to the rest of the partygoers. Stepping between the two leaders, he turns to face the aging man with a menacing smile.

(Image)

Overseer Ernest

Hello, Mr. Ben-Ammi. My name is Ernest, and...let's just say, I am from somewhere very far away.

I would sincerely appreciate if you would refrain from petty politics while at such a nice ball. Sit, have a drink, enjoy! But threats will have no place here. Especially not threats of puny fission-based firecrackers. Ah, here, try a Manhattan, they're superb.

Ernest takes a glass from a passing waiter and sets it in the Kyrgyzstani leader's hand. He steps back, curious to see the reaction of both Liam Ben-Ammi and Laura Ortiz.

Laura Ortiz decides to step back, waving off the guards who soon lower their weapons and back off. At least for now, it wasn't a full-blown crisis, though Laura did have a pressing meeting the next day (on the 25th to be exact, hence, the "day after tomorrow" in this case) and she'd prefer that things go smoothly in this rather vacant ball, given it was one of a few places that weren't strung up in chaos either from people praising the flags a little too much or people trying to protest the reforms and getting a few bones broken for their insolence and unrest.

"Please, just settle down? This isn't the World Assembly or the UN. Granted, the latter is quite useless, even as it ensures that other countries can't actively destroy our existence for the sake of it without facing dire consequences on a global scale. I'd go so far as to call it a form of insurance, really. But if you so desire to wish for a world without Gonswanza, you are free to leave and go back home. Or force yourself into a coma, somehow. Both methods would achieve the same effect, though the latter would see you being delivered back to your home country as quickly as possible to be treated there given you presumably threw yourself down a flight of stairs or smashed your own head in with a brick. The choice is yours. But I'd personally suggest taking the drink, calming down, and ceasing these childish antics."

"Huh? Sorry I'm deaf in my right ear, and I've spent too much on my military to afford a hearing aid. Oh well I think you said yes to my proposal, see you in three days or so! General Salem, call off the covert soldiers." Liam Ben-Ammi, acting drunk even though he hadn't touched the drink, left. You then realize that a bunch of people disguised as everyday objects (around half of the objects in the room turned out to be soldiers) are leaving to go to New Bishkek, as well as a couple guests, and a tenth of your soldiers that are trying to ask Liam where their money is. For the time being, Kyrgyzstan Empire has stopped their outrageous attempt to get you to give them their rebels that escaped to Sicily, but you must act fast before Liam's unarmed soldiers tell him what you said.

[Gonswanza]

She had no qualms with him, letting him go with his circus of infantry, though she does actively consider setting up an embargo against them... Before realizing that Gonswanza never traded with them anyways. The guests that did leave would later come back, noting a minor protest at the airport, but that was of little concern for Laura Ortiz herself. Not that it mattered anyway as a minor road bump that was, once again, dealt with in a rather swift and silent fashion. She truly didn't care, but she knew full well that the cards were in her favor if they should decide to strike against Gonswanza merely out of spite, given her words had no true ill intent, as a mild suggestion with a heavy hint of sarcasm.

All in all, a rather eventful day, as the next day would probably offer some more mild surprises, but for now, it was still December 22nd.