The Lakan and Lakambini, From Sea to Shining Sea [CLOSED]

[Hintuwan]

6:08 A.M.
April 20, 2026
Port of Haijing
Viva Palmyrion y Hintuwan!

---

By dawn, long before the first Palmyrian ship was ever sighted on the horizon, the Haijing waterfront already stood in disciplined readiness beneath a pale April sky, its promenades lined with soldiers in polished blue-grey ceremonial dress and its approaches sealed with the quiet steadfastness of its long-historied berths accustomed to matters of state. Hintuwani flags moved gently in the sea breeze, joined by the colors of Palmyrion displayed in respectful prominence along the harbor district, the streets of which were already lined with adoring crowds of supporters. The atmosphere was formal, restrained, and heavily watched; behind the ceremonial calm was the unmistakable awareness that this was no ordinary arrival, but the coming of one of the most admired sovereigns by Hintuwanis today, second only to perhaps the Lakan himself.

At the head of the receiving line stood President Seferino Bantug (who looked particularly out of his element, wearing a traditional, rarely-seen cold black rayadillo outfit with a red shoulder-to-waist sash, reserved for 'special' visits by distinguished heads of state) and the Ambassador of Palmyrion to Hintuwan, flanked by the Vice President and Minister of Defense of Hintuwan, the retired General Parasligan Daclan (clad in his olive-green military uniform with a chest full of campaign medals and ribbons), the Minister of Foreign Affairs Darin Sariwa (who wore a simple black suit with a navy blue tie), senior ministers, diplomatic officials, and representatives of the Royal Household of the Lakan. Behind them were high-ranking officers of the Commonwealth Army assigned to the occasion. Every detail had been measured and adjusted in advance, from the spacing of the members of the FS CAL-armed Naval Guard of Honor clad in blue-and-white rigs with large flap collars and bell-bottom trousers, to the timing of the LV-76 patrol boat escort which would help tow the Palmyrian Royal Yacht into the bay, and the result was a reception that carried a gravity seldom extended to even the closest of Hintuwan's allies.

As Her Majesty, Jilliane I, stepped off the gangplank with the Palmyrian delegation, greetings were exchanged, salutes given, and the welcome extended in the name of the Hintuwani government and the Luntian Clan. Press photographers, positioned somewhat far from the receiving line, snapped pictures of the historic meeting as the President extended his hand to the Lakambini and spoke the first words he had ever spoken to her in person.

"Your Majesty, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Hintuwan, I warmly welcome you to Haijing. It is an honor to host you here, and a privilege to begin this visit together. I hope that you will have a most pleasant stay in our nation."

From the port, the delegation was escorted in black, bulletproof Alpas Motors cadillacs toward the Haijing Palatial Tower, the official residence of His Majesty Lakan Lontok XI. Along the route, the city had been carefully secured, with crowds held at a respectful distance and the main avenues cleared for the motorcade. Nevertheless, the cheers broke through every security measure that had been put into place—far louder than protocol alone could have planned for in advance. What had been expected to be a controlled and orderly reception instead swelled into something unmistakably warm. Lines of Hintuwanis gathered behind the barricades, waving flags of both nations, calling out greetings, and straining for even the briefest glimpse of the passing convoy.

A group of schoolchildren, hastily organized along one stretch of the avenue, their small flags with unrestrained excitement, some of them unmistakably calling out "Lakambini!" in voices that rang far above the hum of the convoy's engines. Nearby, an elderly couple stood shoulder to shoulder behind the barricade, the woman clasping her hands together as the convoy passed, her expression bright with austere pride for the occasion. Office workers paused along sidewalks, security personnel off-duty, passersby caught mid-errand watched with visible interest, their attention fixed on the procession. Even street vendors—normally more concerned with their wares than passing ceremonies—had abandoned their stalls for a moment, with curious smiles and raised phones pointed toward the Lakambini's convoy.

In a short period of time, the convoy passed the golden domes of the Bulwagang Batasan, Hintuwan's parliament, as it famously shone in the early morning light, as well as Chalet Rojo, the Presidential Palace. The convoy crossed the ancient Lakapati River, considered by some to be the birthplace of Hintuwani civilization, which ran straight through the capital, via a bridge, where suddenly the sprawling residential and commercial skyscrapers of Haijing came into view. The majestic peaks of the Hangzuishan mountains were visible far off into the distance, the fog and clouds seemingly withdrawing back to the heavens upon the orders of God, the Creator Himself, in order to welcome the distinguished Palmyrian monarch to the pearl of the Southern Sea.

Banners on a few ministry buildings welcoming the visit in both Hintuwani and Palmyrion script came into view, with statements and slogans such as Welcome, Her Royal Majesty, Lakambini Jiliane I, From Levanora to the Southern Sea — May Harmony and Peace Prevail, and Celebrating 70 Years of Palmyrion-Hintuwani Friendship: A Proud History, A Future of Unity.

The Haijing Palatial Tower itself stood in ceremonial splendor, prepared to receive the Palmyrian guests with all the dignity and amenities expected of a monarch's residence. As the gates of the 20-foot walls of the palace complex were opened by the royal footmen of the Lakan for the Lakambini and her entourage, she finally met Lakan Lontok XI himself, who ardently stepped off the palace's main steps and onto the red carpet that had been prepared for the two monarchs' meeting to greet the Lakambini personally. Instead of just the barong with a livery collar he wore on typical state occasions, for the Lakambini's visit, he wore a finely tailored ceremonial robe in a deep dark green tone, crossed with a formal sash bearing the yellow, blue, and white colors of the Commonwealth, while a gold-and-silver embroidered mantle draped behind him. Over it rested the cypher of his reign: L.R. — Lontok Rex, carefully arranged and polished along with the Coat of Arms of Hintuwan, which also served as the seal of his ceremonial authority.

Lakan Lontok extended his arms as he approached the Lakambini, revealing his crisp, white gloves and a signet ring bearing the Luntian Clan Tagugay rose embossed with the words Nemo me impune lacessit on the bottom side of its exterior band.

"Lakambini Jiliane, how long it has been! I am so delighted to see you. How long has it been since your dear late father's funeral, when we last saw each other? It feels like ages. Please, come with me inside."

The Lakan reacquainted the Lakambini with his wife, Quynh Hong of Clan Nguyễn, the Dayang of Hintuwan, his four sons: Lontok XII, Dula, Liang, and Bagtas, and his four daughters: Maganda, Ai, Maya, and Alex. The formal welcome continued with the Lakambini's signing of the State Guest Registry, a record of honor reserved for visitors of the highest distinction. After which, she and the Lakan proceeded to the palace courtyard, where the Hintuwani and Palmyrian anthems were played, and the Lakambini was personally invited to inspect the Royal Guard to the sound of a 21-gun salute fired from bamboo canon lantakas, in full view of the press, which watched as the Lakan allowed the Lakambini to walk in front of him in a rare display of respect and humility for the Palmyrian monarch's visit.

"Shall we now go to our private reception?" asked Lakan Lontok. "Let's get the last of the formalities out of the way, as I'm sure you're as excited for the state banquet later tonight as I."

[Palmyrion]

Haijing Palatial Tower
Haijing, NCG, Hintuwan
April 20, 2026 - Early Morning

Jilliane I, Her Majesty the Lakambini of the Royal Palmyrian Commonwealth, took her strides on the inspection with Lakan Lontok XI walking behind her. Palmyrian diplomatic etiquette emphasized host-guest relations: the visiting Palmyrian monarch walked behind the host head of state, and bowed/curtsied before the head of state after which the head of state replied with their own, both acts an homage to the guest paying her courteous respects to the head of state's hospitality.

At least the latter was followed in the initial courtesies, but the former? That one had to be specifically requested. Even for a monarch who had shown adaptability and flexibility in her daily proceedings, protocol was protocol, and luckily for both, Jilliane was cool with that change in (precisely-drilled) protocol. Dressed in a toned-down regalia of state - a traje de mestiza with a pastel-white blouse and an earthly-brown skirt, adorned by a panuelo and a tapis of deep indigo azure with gold thread embroidery, her head adorned with a coronet bejeweled with golden pearls harvested from Pinctada palmyrensis oysters, a signet ring on her right ring finger atop white gloves that extended to her elbows - the Lakambini took her regal strides as she and the Lakan approached each other.

"Lakambini Jiliane, how long it has been! I am so delighted to see you. How long has it been since your dear late father's funeral, when we last saw each other? It feels like ages. Please, come with me inside."
the Hintuwani Lakan greeted Jilliane warmly, much like a tito to a niece. If memory served her well, Lontok XI personally attended her father's funeral, never missing out on the parade down the Royal Mile leading to the Citadel Propylaeum, the missing man formation flights, and the booming 21-gun salute for a man whose legacy was as divisive as it was unitive. The Hintuwani Lakan even gave the Lakambini, at the time still grieving freshly of her father's parting and unsure of what lay ahead as her nation recovered from the fires of strife, a pep talk: sagacious words of advice, from an older monarch to a younger one.

Reacquaintance with the rest of the Luntian clan followed: the Dayang, Quynh Hong of the Nguyen Clan; the sons, Lontok XII (the heir apparent), Dula, Liang, and Bagtas; and finally the daughters, Maganda, Ai, Maya, and Alex. Certainly she'd have acquainted them with her own family back in January 2025: she and her siblings, nieces, nephews, and her own mother Agatha, as well as her child Amelia at the time. Perhaps she'd return the favor later, when she could acquaint them with family members she brought along with her: her husband Jason, and their children Amelia (2 y.o.) and Alicia (6 mo.). Agatha preferred staying at home with Elizabeth, and Mavis was busy in her day job as a civil engineer (and she had been overseeing reconstruction projects in the hinterlands, projects that the firm she was working for had been hired as designer); Maxwell was on the CSG en route to Hintuwan (he had been reassigned to a different vessel, after his old one got mission-killed and had to be brought back to drydock for repairs), and Gerard got a more peaceful posting in the Holy Roman Empire's Batajnica AB, part of the Palmyro-HRE joint basing and visiting forces agreement (if one can call a station close to the tense border between the HRE and the Tatar Khanate a peaceful posting). One of these days, when Lontok XI decides to hop by and visit Palmyrion, she could hope to give him a full house with everyone in.

"Shall we now go to our private reception?" asked Lakan Lontok. "Let's get the last of the formalities out of the way, as I'm sure you're as excited for the state banquet later tonight as I."

Jilliane replied with a nod. "Certainly. Please, do lead the way. I'd like to be shown around." she replied, in a tone less uptight and polished - if one could call the occasion that - than what one would think warranted for a state occasion, as if in the tone of a visitor - albeit a more polished one - looking forward to being shown around someone's crib like it were a house tour.

---

RCN Mirabelle Chan (DDG-037)
Carrier Strike Group Osborne x DESRON-10
Waters around Hintuwan
April 20, 2026 - Early Morning
[Eminem - Houdini]

Jilliane could NOT have brought a WORSE royal to bring along with her...than Maxwell.

Hey, Em, it's Paul
Uh, I was listening to the album
Good fucking luck, you're on your own

Eminem's Houdini played on Maxwell's smartphone - audible to the rest of the gym, itself loud and proud with the sounds of music from both the gym PA system and the gymgoers - as he ran on the destroyer gym's treadmill like a caffeinated gremlin uncaring that, anytime now, he could be called to shore to rendezvous with his sister Jilliane, who was already on dry land meeting with Lakan Lontok XI. While his sister Jill was already on dry land at the very hour they would expect the royal family to finish bathing after 30 minutes of calisthenics and exercise (the current Roseguard generation were fans of HIIT), here he was on the first leg of his 30-minute gym adventure: weights followed the treadmill, before topping off with cooldowns and a shower.

My transgender cat's Siamese (why?)
Identifies as Black, but acts Chinese

'Bro, if everyone heard that back in Haijing or Alex, you'd be cancelled for one whole year, Roseguard." a fellow officer coming in to the gym remarked, to which Maxwell replied between breaths: "I've said worse shit on Warframe streams - and at least it's Eminem's Houdini, not KSI being in the Thick of It."

Can't cancel this motherfucker, Maxwell the evergreen goblin of the royal family thought. Many times his Warframe stream shenanigans had teetered on the line between amusing and cancellable: aiming down to zoom on the "cakes" of Ember heirloom and Wisp gemini; calling Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the "Great Devourer of RAM" on stream during a chat discussion that veered into RAM prices in 2025; and even calling his own sister and commander-in-chief Jilliane "my sister jilli pepper" [sic] on region text chat for all to see.

But this was different. A Warframe stream where he appeared as his gremlin persona Maxotic was a different league from a state visit, one where he was supposed to be in his best Maxwell behavior and persona. The most formal he'd been in a state occasion - that was publicly broadcasted for all to see at the very least - was when he called a bejeweled chalice of gold and silver gifted by the Allaneans as "absolutely based", and the Allaneans took it amusingly well.

"Better be on your best behavior then." the officer remarked as he occupied the next treadmill to Maxwell's right, topping it off with an exhortation.

"Cook well out there, Roseguard. You'll need it tonight."

[Hintuwan]

"Certainly. Please, do lead the way. I'd like to be shown around." she replied, in a tone less uptight and polished - if one could call the occasion that - than what one would think warranted for a state occasion, as if in the tone of a visitor - albeit a more polished one - looking forward to being shown around someone's crib like it were a house tour.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Lakan Lontok said, turning with an ease that contrasted the rigidity of the ceremony they had just concluded. "We would be honored to show you what we can of it while you're here. You are still staying here, with your family, right? When I heard that you wanted to bring your children, I was so delighted that I personally insisted that the Foreign Ministry not put you up in some stuffy hotel."

With a measured gesture, he indicated the adjoining corridor, where attendants had already taken their positions. The transition from the grand entrance into the inner passages of the Haijing Palatial Tower was subtle; the high ceilings and formal symmetry of the public chambers gave way to quieter, more intimate spaces—still opulent, but softened by warmer lighting, carved woodwork, and the subtle presence of ceremonial items and artworks which pointed to its lived-in history. The faint scent of acacia lingered through the halls of the palace, subtle yet persistent beneath the more polished aromas of waxed wood, polished stone, and fresh floral arrangements prepared for the state visit. It drifted softly through the corridors and drawing rooms, carried along by the movement of attendants and the slow circulation of air within the palace complex.

"Much of what you will see has been preserved as it was, though some additions have been made over the years—quietly, and with care," Lontok continued, his tone shifting naturally into that of a host.

"Generations of Lakans long before my time have resided here. Before the establishment of the Commonwealth—and even prior to the colonial period when we were under Pordhes, followed by Dormill and Stiura—we practiced what was known as the Kesampuhan system. It was, in essence, a power-sharing arrangement among the surviving Datu following the devastation of the Mok Wars. Every three harvest seasons, they would convene to elect a paramount leader from among themselves to govern the realm. The assemblies themselves were held in the city of Aklatan, but the Pinuno they elected would rule from this very place. Each Pinuno would bring his household, and upon the selection of a new paramount leader, the predecessor would vacate the residence with his family in an orderly transition of authority."

"...That is why the residence has long been equipped with every amenity and appurtenance necessary for the upbringing of children. While certain facilities have, of course, been modernized over time, some rooms are quite literally hundreds of years old. I hope Amelia, Alicia, and you will find it comfortable here; we've prepared an entire tower for you to stay in, not too far from where I myself reside. We'll show you immediately after we're done with our talks."

Almost as if on cue, upon hearing this, an officer of the Royal Guard approached the Lakan. They muttered out of earshot from the Lakambini, but if one did try to listen one could almost make out that the officer seemed to be saying something about how the Lakambini's yacht had been safely docked in the harbor; and that her personal luggage, as well as that of her family's (the ones she had brought on the trip), were en route to their rooms in the Palatial Tower.

"Sorry for that," the Lakan remarked, very much like a tito making sure everything has been taken care of for a niece or close relative just as Jiliane sensed. "Everything is going according to plan, or so my guard tells me," he followed, in a jocular attempt to ease any awkwardness that might have come as a result of his sudden history lesson, and to make his guest feel comfortable.

President Seferino Bantug followed just a half-step behind the two heads of state, his posture relaxing now that the public-facing side of the formalities had begun to lift, like a trained movie star who knew just when he had the opportunity to decompress and loosen his act up in order to avoid getting burnt out. It wasn't all that surprising, given that he was one. He maintained a respectful distance from his Lakan and the Lakambini, knowing better than to get between the two or worse, say something offensive by accident. Come on Sef, he thought to himself. Bite your tongue.

Dimly-lit orange lamps shaped like budding flowers lined the varnished walls, illuminating the heroic-looking portraits of Lakans and Datus from Hintuwani legend: Panginoan I Batara, Seikshwe III and IV Cerong, and of course, Lakan Lontok XI's late father, who had steered the young Commonwealth through its turbulent post-independence years, Lakan Kalahok II "the Brave" Luntian.

"Yes indeed, I know what you're thinking; the Tower has seen its share of ceremonies," Lakan Lontok remarked, glancing briefly toward the Lakambini before returning his attention forward, "but it is not often that it hosts a visit of this significance. It's not just flattery when I say the eyes of the entire nation are upon us now, watching what course we shall take the relationship between Palmyrion and Hintuwan next."

A senior chamberlain moved ahead of the group, opening a set of double doors. Aides and security personnel maintained their own respectful distance, their presence felt but unobtrusive as the principals proceeded.

"The reception hall is just ahead," Bantug added, gesturing lightly. "We've kept it small, as Your Majesties requested—just ourselves and a few advisers. Enough to speak freely."

Lakan Lontok inclined his head slightly as the doors were opened.

"After you, Your Majesty."

[Hintuwan]

The room itself was rectangular, anchored by a long central table of dark, polished wood. At its midpoint, two identical seats had been positioned directly opposite one another: one reserved for the Lakambini, the other for the President, with the Lakan seated slightly offset but still prominent, reflecting Hintuwan's dual structure of monarchy and republican government. After the President and the Lakan on the Hintuwani side, was the Vice President Parasaligan Daclan, the Foreign Minister Darin Sariwa, and Minister of Industrial Development Clarence Waylon Bustamante. The placement was intentional—no single figure dominated the space, and the sightlines ensured that all principal actors remained equally visible.

President Seferino Bantug waited until the doors had fully closed and the last of the attendants had withdrawn before speaking, allowing a brief moment of quiet to settle over the room.

"Your Majesty," he began, inclining his head slightly toward the Lakambini, "with your permission, I will briefly set forth the agenda for our discussions."

"Our first matter concerns the proposed mutual defense arrangement between our two states. This will include not only the general framework of mutual support, but also the more specific provisions relating to visiting forces, joint basing considerations, and the mechanisms by which our armed forces may coordinate in times of need. It is, I believe, the most immediate and consequential item before us."

His gaze shifted briefly along the table, acknowledging both delegations before continuing.

"Following that, we intend to take up a defense–technical memorandum of understanding. This will address cooperation between our respective defense industries and technical institutions—an area where both our nations stand to benefit from closer coordination and shared development."

He folded his hands lightly before him, maintaining a steady, composed posture.

"In connection with this, we have also prepared a broader scientific and industrial cooperation program. While related to defense, it extends beyond it—into research, production, and innovation across civilian and dual-use sectors. The intention is to establish a more enduring framework for collaboration between our scientific and industrial communities."

A brief pause followed, softer this time.

"Finally, we propose to conclude with discussions on sociocultural and academic exchange. Given the many affinities between our peoples, we believe there is considerable value in deepening these ties—through education, cultural initiatives, and institutional partnerships."

He inclined his head once more, his expression calm but attentive.

"That, Your Majesty, is the outline as we have prepared it. Of course, we remain fully open to any adjustments you may wish to make."

[Palmyrion]

Haijing Palatial Tower
Haijing, NCG, Hintuwan
April 20, 2026 - Early Morning

As the Lakambini and the Lakan toured the palace, with the Lakan showing Jilliane around, she found the Palatial Tower and the Royal Citadel as different as they were similar, in many respects. Where the Palatial Tower's interior spoke of tasteful acacia woodwork and polished masonry gracing an oriental architectural style, the Citadel back home spoke of enduring structural stonemasonry and equally-tasteful hardwood woodwork made from the Royal Commonwealth's famed hardwoods, all prized for their toughness and utility in naval construction since time immemorial. History lingered in the halls of both seats of power: the Palatial Tower served an administrative purpose as the residence of the paramount leader elected in the Kesampuhan, while the Royal Citadel started out as a precolonial Palmyrian chieftain's residence and port-garrison, initially a stockaded camp that evolved into a fortress guarded by walls of rammed earth faced with volcanic tuff, the now-Citadel positioned strategically on the mouth of Alexandria's Lualhati River.

While the Palatial Tower retained much of its original structure - seeing as the Lakan said some of its oldest rooms were centuries old - the Royal Citadel evolved, often radically: the Archinians turned the original camp, guarded by earthen ramparts faced with volcanic tuff stones, into an Italian trace fortress, and Queen Theodora (r. 1840-1894) turned it into the polygonal Neoclassical fortress that stood to this day, its keep resembling Buckingham or the White House more than it did the keeps of polygonal fortresses of the time. But she could remember one thing about the Citadel: historically, visiting nobility and royalty have often noted how the Royal Citadel was "remarkably spartan" for a royal residence: while indeed it boasted skillfully ornate woodwork and stonemasonry, and its fixtures and furnitures made of top-tier craftsmanship, it lacked the gilding typical of not a few royal residences of the time. One traveler who was lucky enough to have an audience with King Oliver (r. 1821-1840) at the time remarked: it looked less like the French Versailles or the British castles, and more like the US White House or the Greek Parthenon when it was still standing.

Heroic portraits of Lakans and Datus from Hintuwani history - sovereigns both of mythical legend and documented history, often a mixture of both - graced the walls of the Tower. Men who laid the classical and medieval foundations of the maritime nation upon its fertile volcanic soils and tough volcanic rocks, their power and might sustained and carried by the sea upon fleets of boats. Entrusted with the power of leadership, they shared power and handed it over once every three harvest seasons, knowledgeable of the perils of too much power held for too long and too tightly amidst a concert of power among the nobility.

Behind them, President Bantug walked a half-step behind, keeping a respectful distance and a solemn silence as the Lakan showed the Lakambini around. A royal guard officer approached the Lakan and conversed with him, their mutterings faintly audible but of insufficient clarity from Jilliane's ears to make anything. The Lakan turned to her after he had conversed with his guards, informing her that their accommodations have been taken care of.

"Sorry for that. Everything is going according to plan, or so my guard tells me."

She'd brought Jason and her kids with her - but as for Maxwell, his luggage (or whatever he could bring onboard a ship) was still onboard a destroyer en route to Hintuwan. Possibly a quick Navy chopper ride to the Palatial Tower complex with the guy in a suit - and his luggage attended to by Royal Safeguard Corps personnel - just an hour before the state banquet; Jilliane knew from personal experience those chopper rides aboard Navy MH.101s were less ideal for VIP transport.

---

The trio promptly entered a rectangular stateroom, dominated by a long central table of dark polished wood, two seats at the midpoint facing each other: one for the Lakambini and the other for the President, the Lakan seated slightly offset but still prominent. Seated on the Hintuwani side, were VP Daclan, Foreign Minister Sariwa, and Industrial Development Minister Bustamante. On the Palmyrian side came her own retinue of representatives for the trip, their respective Vice-Chancellors and heads still back home: one each from the Departments of Trade and Industry (Desmond Joliot), National Defense (Richard Paraiso), and Science and Technology (Valerie Ledesma), accompanied by the Director of the DND's Directorate-General of Armaments (Howard Fath) and the Commissioner of the National Historical Commission (Alexander Rao).

The Palmyrian delegation listened as President Bantug touched the matter of defense-technical cooperation, itself among the largest agenda items for the visit. General framework of mutual support, as well as specific provisions relating to visiting forces, joint bases, and coordination, followed by a defense-technical MOU that would facilitate cooperation between the defense industries and technical institutions of Palmyrion and Hintuwan. This would then be followed by a scientific and industrial cooperation program that extended beyond defense and into civilian and dual-use sectors, with the goal of crafting a concrete framework of collaboration. To top it off, began the discussions on sociocultural and academic exchange, the President noting the affinities and similarities between the Palmyrian and Hintuwani people and the importance of cultivating these ties through education, cultural exchange, and institutional collaboration.

The Lakambini pondered, resting her chin upon folded hands, looking down at a spot of the table immediately in front of her, prospecting about what she could say. Many things were running in her head: criminal justice for Palmyrian military personnel violating Hintuwani law (and Palmyrion had experience being in both ends of the issue); intellectual property considerations in collaborative efforts; even the prospect of Hintuwan becoming a blue water capable power further down the line and possibly galavanting its way into the expansive depths of the Levanora Vastness.

The DND representative solemnly emerged from his seat and approached the Lakambini, calling her attention in a hushed tone to whisper to her.

"Ma'am. I think we can begin with joint basing and VFA details. Such as what bases are available for use, and legal issues around Palmyrian military personnel."

"That should work."

"Thanks, ma'am."

The Lakambini promptly unfolded her hands and looked up, her eyes meeting with those of President Bantug's. She looked left and right, before looking up front again.

"With regards to visiting forces and joint basing, we could ask of two details that would be immediately pertinent: joint bases, and legal issues around Palmyrian military personnel."

The latter had even more weight than the former. She could cite precedent from similar cases: the killing of Jennifer Laude, the murder-robbery of Yoshie Sato, a murder-suicide incident in in Chatan, Okinawa, Japan, the bar fights between drunken Allanean paratroopers and the stereotypical Palmyrian siga during the July War when Allaneans set up shop on Palmyrian soil, Palmyrian soldiers caught smuggling porn into countries where they were banned, and not a few cases of civilian contractors from Palmyrian military-industrial giants hiring prostitutes and getting caught in john sweeps by host authorities.

"For instance, criminal justice around Palmyrian personnel breaking Hintuwani laws. Certainly the Royal Commonwealth would be willing to mete out punishment accordingly: make them do the time for the crime, so to speak, and such infractions could mean demotion, suspension, or even a dishonorable discharge in the Palmyrian military justice code in conjunction with Palmyrian civilian criminal law. The question being: who shall detain and mete out punishment?"

[Hintuwan]

Jesus, straight to it huh, thought President Bantug as he pondered a way to convey a straight answer for the Lakambini's question. He glanced once, briefly, toward the Lakan, as if acknowledging the weight of the matter within both the civil and royal spheres of the Commonwealth, before returning his gaze to the Lakambini.

"Your Majesty," he began, his tone even, "you have placed your finger on the most sensitive and consequential aspect of any such arrangement."

His hands remained folded before him, posture composed.

"Hintuwan's position has always been guided by two principles: the preservation of our sovereignty, and the maintenance of trust between partners. Neither can be compromised without consequence."

A slight shift followed as Foreign Minister Sariwa inclined forward, prepared to supplement if needed, though Bantug continued.

"In matters of criminal jurisdiction, our baseline is clear: offenses committed on Hintuwani soil, particularly those involving our citizens, fall under the jurisdiction of our courts. This is not merely a legal preference, but an expectation laid out in our constitution."

He paused, letting his words settle—trying not to be confrontational, but firm.

"That said, we are not unaware of the practical considerations involved in hosting foreign forces. There are established mechanisms—shared custody arrangements, coordinated investigative procedures, and agreed frameworks for the transfer or retention of jurisdiction under specific conditions—that may be negotiated in good faith."

The President's gaze shifted momentarily toward the Palmyrian defense representative, then back.

"Detention, in such cases, may be subject to initial custody by host authorities, with provisions for access and oversight by the sending state. As for adjudication, we would expect primary jurisdiction to remain with Hintuwan where our laws are violated, though we are prepared to discuss limited exceptions where appropriate and mutually agreed."

Lakan Lontok, who had been silently allowing the President to explain the Hintuwani proposal, decided to chip in at this point:

"I think what the President is trying to say is that it is not our intention to place your personnel in undue uncertainty, Your Majesty. But neither can we place our own people in a position where the law appears unevenly applied. The balance must be visible, not merely agreed upon. We would, of course, welcome your thoughts on how Palmyrion has approached this balance in past arrangements. It would be a useful starting point for crafting an agreement both sides can stand behind."

Bantug gave the Lakan a nod of approval. Meanwhile, the Vice President of Hintuwan, Parasaligan Daclan, who also served as Minister of Defense in the Hintuwani cabinet, opened the discussion for the Hintuwani side on the practical aspects of basing:

"With respect to joint basing," he began, "the Commonwealth Army is prepared to place a specific facility under consideration for the purposes of a Visiting Forces Agreement."

He reached for a slim folder before him, though he did not immediately open it.

"Camp Dasmalacat, located in Panginoan Province, very close to the capital, has been identified as a suitable candidate. It is an established military installation, home to the 44th Hintuwani Infantry Division, with existing logistical capacity, coastal access, and sufficient standoff from major civilian population centers to allow for controlled operations."

A faint pause followed as he gauged the reactions of the Palmyrian delegation.

"Its position also allows for both training and maritime coordination activities without undue disruption to commercial corridors. From our assessment, it offers a balance between operational utility and political prudence. Any access, of course, would be rotational and conditional—framed explicitly within the terms of the agreement we are now discussing. Sovereignty over the installation would remain fully with Hintuwan."

[Palmyrion]

Haijing Palatial Tower
Haijing, NCG, Hintuwan
April 20, 2026 - Early Morning

Her directness may have set the Hintuwanis aback, she thought. Her father raised her to be direct, to be unpretentious: even when she and Jason were playing poker face when Jason was making akyat ligaw back in the day, she had never thought once of throwing an excuse his way should she turn out not to like him. Everyone knows how it turned out: they're now a married couple with two children, one recently born just 6 months ago, and Jason in the capacity of a female sovereign's rock and strong stay. It was the same directness that made her raise that sensitive issue right off the bat, seeing how the Palmyrian military has had to deal with such issues across history. The Palmyrians upheld the value of the hospitality that a host gave their troops, and one ways they did it was "doing as the Romans do when in Rome" as the saying went; on foreign soil, they bound themselves to the laws and penalties of sovereign countries, for while they were there to help defend that nation, they were also there as guests, who had the responsibility of not overstaying their welcome. Many such cases ended in everything from suspension to demotions and even outright dishonorable discharge depending on the severity of the crime; furthermore, Palmyrian military personnel stayed their time in the prisons of their home country before being extradited to the Palmyrian mainland.

But that was history. The past 25 years have seen such cases wane in importance as the Royal Commonwealth turned its guns inwards, as reform and change opened a can of worms that assailed the Royal Commonwealth's foundations and shook them to the core, the Emergency setting the house on fire from 2010 to 2025 as the Royal Commonwealth faced a slew of insurgency and organized criminal warlordism. Now, in the post-Emergency status quo and with the threat of the Association of New Empires breathing down the Royal Commonwealth's neck, the Royal Commonwealth suddenly found itself having to revive long-lost muscle memory and create new protocols for Palmyrian soldiers violating the laws of host nations.

One such example was the SOFA they brokered with the Holy Roman Empire last December 2025, with Chancellor Evelyn Sta. Ana visiting the HRE to inaugurate the Palmyro-HRE mutual collaboration treaty and the Sovereign Allied Treaty (and its associated organization). The Lakambini was informed that the HRE would take jurisdiction over crimes not related to military actions, while crimes related to military action would see the offending personnel court-martialed in Palmyrion's military justice system. Of particular note was the legal conundrum faced by Palmyrian LGBT military personnel, seeing that many jurisdictions in the HRE banned homosexuality, transgenderism, crossdressing, and a litany of other crimes globally known to disproportionately affect LGBT people: local authorities had jurisdiction with the offender meted the punishment as per local law, and the Palmyrian military most often punished them with a suspension. In just the first week of Palmyrian military personnel landing in Batajnica AB, just north of Belgrade, Romylia, a number of Palmyrian LGBT personnel ran afoul of local sodomy and crossdressing laws, which certainly caused a headache for the commanders of the Palmyrian Visiting Forces to the HRE, and had the Departments of State Affairs and National Defense negotiating with the Romylian MInistries of Foreign Affairs and National Defence for the extradition of the offending personnel. Last she heard - at least from her brother Gerard picking on the grapevine - they got suspensions and reassignments.

"Primary jurisdiction falling into Hintuwani hands would be a fair given for the status of Palmyrian forces, in particular for crimes not related to military operational duty. They shall be detained locally in Hintuwani prisons and jails." Richard Paraiso, representing the Palmyrian Department of National Defense as its envoy duly appointed by the Vice-Chancellor of National Defense, agreed. They were in Rome, so they had to do as the Romans did, as the saying went. "As for crimes committed during military operations, the Royal Commonwealth would prosecute them pursuant to the Royal Commonwealth's Uniform Code of Military Justice." he added further, laying out the groundwork for shared jurisdiction.

But how would one define "crimes not related to military action and duty" in this framework? A man or woman in uniform could murder, rape, steal, carjack, kidnap in both peacetime and war. Perhaps it was best left to the courts to figure out, but they had an idea of what a "crime committed during military operations" could be: wartime looting, murders, rape, fratricide against Hintuwani military personnel, the works. Crimes done during military operations and on duty.

"In either case military court martial would remain an option, with the crimes treated as violations of military law and conduct, as does extradition to Palmyrion for them to serve their sentence in a military prison, pursuant to the Palmyrian military justice code. For instance, were a Palmyrian soldier to murder a Hintuwani, they would be brought back to Palmyrion and placed in death row."

Part of him knew what that entailed: were a Palmyrian to murder a Hintuwani, that would mean they would be brought to Palmyrion and placed in death row. Were rape to be the crime, that would mean a life sentence in the Royal Commonwealth, as well as reclusion perpetua entailing civil interdiction for life and perpetual absolute disqualification from, say, holding public office, entering civil service, or voting.

The Lakambini spoke next.

"There is one instance that I know of that has tested similar agreements set forth by the Royal Commonwealth with other nations: Palmyrian visiting forces to the Holy Roman Empire." Jilliane began, speaking in part from objective facts presented to her by the Department of National Defense and from grapevine news told to her by Gerard, her brother who was posted to the HRE with his fighter wing.

"Many jurisdictions in the Holy Roman Empire - and its constituent states - have sodomy and crossdressing laws, and among the visiting forces we sent were LGBT personnel. One could easily guess how that would end."

She set down a suspenseful pause to underline her point, both delegations clearly understanding the implied ending.

"Lo and behold: on the first week of Palmyrian airmen arriving on Batajnica Air Base just north of Belgrade, Romylia, some Palmyrian soldiers found themselves running afoul of such laws. Suspension, sent back home, reassigned."

The process was mundane, almost inelegant, possibly mind-numbingly bureaucratic. But it provided an example for such cases, albeit a "mild" one when they were talking about more heinous crimes like murder, sexual assault, arson, robbery, burglary, unaggravated assault, the works. They could cite more, with Palmyrian military and civilian case law filled with precedent dating back to the 1800s when Palmyrian Navy sailors found themselves in criminal trouble in the ports of, say, Marquesan, Amador, Allanea, and Holy Marsh.

But so much for the yapping. It was time to summarize what had thus far been initially discussed and agreed.

"All-in-all, Hintuwan will retain legal jurisdiction over crimes committed by Palmyrian troops stationed in Hintuwan. They shall have initial custody, with legal representation and assistance from their branch's Judge Advocate General Corps and the Hintuwani legal system, and with diplomats and authorized military officers given visitation access to the detainee; deportation to the Royal Commonwealth shall be open as an option, whereby they shall be transferred to Palmyrian custody and jurisdiction. Criminal justice under the status of forces agreement shall also stipulate coordinated investigative and litigatory procedures between our states. In any case, offending Palmyrian soldiers will also be punishable under the Palmyrian Uniform Code of Military Justice, and shall be court-martialed accordingly. We shall look forward to finalizing the details and the framework in future discussions" the representative for the Department of National Defense capped off with a summarizing statement.

It was time to move on to better things.

Such as the facility they would be willing to (initially) offer as a joint basing facility, hosting visiting Palmyrian forces on Hintuwani soil.

VP Daclan offered Camp Dasmalacat, a base close to the capital while at the same time sufficiently far away from civilization to allow for controlled operations. Strategically positioned such that operations would not cause undue disruption to commercial corridors. Rotational and conditional access, with sovereignty over the installation remaining fully with Hintuwan. And they got friends and neighbors too: the 44th Infantry Division, of which the legendary 113rd Infantry Battalion was a part of. An airfield allowing for both aerial and naval resupply.

"I wonder what are the rules for setting up shop down there." the Palmyrian Ambassador to Hintuwan pondered, with Paraiso replying almost on cue.

"That one would have to be coordinated with the Hintuwanis. And this is where you come in, ambassador." Paraiso replied.

"We could feasibly park some fighters, transports, tankers, AWACS, and - if the Hintuwanis give us the nod - bombers in Dasmalacat, possibly an infantry division and a strike missile regiment." Desmond Joliot, representing the Department of Trade and Industry as an envoy duly appointed by the Vice-Chancellor of Trade and Industry, said. Far be it from him, a trade and industry minister, to comment on joint basing matters, but his thinking lay in industrial logistics befitting a seapower state whose strategic identity was maritime, talking to another seapower state whose strategic identity was also maritime. Were Hintuwan to become a node of Palmyrian maritime strategy in the region, the geography and infrastructure - and legal accommodations - would have to be accordingly suitable. Camp Dasmalacat remained fully within Hintuwani sovereignty, and thus it meant that if they were to ever erect any building in there it would have to go through Hintuwani authorities. Then, VP Daclan didn't say anything about Dasmalacat having a seaport or even deep water access capability, only that it had coastal access.

"Mr. Vice President. I have a question." Joliot asked, turning to VP Daclan. "It is about the construction of new facilities in Camp Dasmalacat; it being under Hintuwani sovereignty would mean it is Hintuwan that shall approve any new construction, correct?"

"We shall be willing to coordinate with Hintuwan, if it ever came down to that." Paraiso added.

[Hintuwan]

Vice President Daclan listened without interruption, his expression steady as the Palmyrian side laid out both their legal position and practical considerations. When the floor returned to the Hintuwani side, he inclined his head slightly toward the Lakambini and her delegation before responding.

"Your Majesty, Your Excellencies," he began, "I believe it is worth noting at the outset that many of the concerns we are addressing—while necessary to formalize—may, in practice, prove less contentious than they appear on paper."

The Vice President folded his hands. President Bantug gave a small, approving nod as Daclan continued, his expression outwardly composed and affirming but quietly resenting that his constitutional subordinate was taking the steering wheel of the conversation away from him.

"Hintuwani and Palmyrian legal traditions are, in many respects, closely aligned. Our criminal statutes, our standards of conduct, and even our expectations of military discipline share more similarities than differences. It is our view that this underlying compatibility will reduce the likelihood of serious legal friction to begin with."

A brief pause followed, as Daclan allowed the point to settle.

"That said, we fully agree that clarity must precede assumption. The framework we have discussed—host jurisdiction, coordinated procedures, and parallel military accountability—provides a solid basis for ensuring both justice and predictability."

At the mention of Camp Dasmalacat, Daclan turned his attention to Joliot's question.

"To your point regarding construction and the establishment of additional facilities," he continued, "yes—that authority would rest with the Commonwealth of Hintuwan."

His tone remained even, but firm.

"Camp Dasmalacat, as proposed, would remain a Hintuwani installation at all times. Any use by Palmyrian forces would be by invitation and under agreed terms. In that sense, your personnel would not be establishing an independent base, but rather operating within a Hintuwani facility made available for joint use."

Foreign Minister Sariwa gave a small nod of agreement, while Daclan continued.

"Accordingly, any construction, expansion, or modification of infrastructure—whether for operational, logistical, or support purposes—would require prior coordination and approval through the appropriate Hintuwani authorities. This is not intended as a restriction, but as a means of ensuring coherence with our national planning, regulatory standards, and security considerations."

He allowed a faint, almost diplomatic softness to enter his expression.

"We would, of course, approach such requests in a spirit of cooperation. Where there is mutual benefit, we see no reason such developments could not proceed efficiently."

Daclan concluded his point.

"In essence, Your Excellencies, Camp Dasmalacat would remain unmistakably Hintuwani in sovereignty and administration—while serving, through our agreement, as a shared platform for cooperation. Your forces would be received not as tenants of separate ground, but as partners—and, if I may put it simply, as guests within our house."

[Palmyrion]

Haijing Palatial Tower
Haijing, NCG, Hintuwan
April 20, 2026 - Early Morning

"I believe it is worth noting at the outset that many of the concerns we are addressing—while necessary to formalize—may, in practice, prove less contentious than they appear on paper. Hintuwani and Palmyrian legal traditions are, in many respects, closely aligned. Our criminal statutes, our standards of conduct, and even our expectations of military discipline share more similarities than differences. It is our view that this underlying compatibility will reduce the likelihood of serious legal friction to begin with."

Such were the words of VP Daclan on the issues of coordination of criminal justice: for all the yapping the Palmyrians did, particularly the Lakambini who decided to chew everyone's ears off with a story on how Palmyrians violated sodomy statutes in Romylia on their very first week on station, at least the Hintuwani VP was able to put it down concisely.

Joliot had a slight disagreement, one he kept to himself as he pondered: while VP Daclan mentioned how Palmyrian and Hintuwani criminal statues, codes of conduct, and military disciplinary expectations were more similar than different, he thought of them being as similar as they were different. He was nonetheless looking forward to crafting a coordination framework on the matter, just as they did with the Holy Roman Empire. Clarity indeed must precede assumption - but at that point the shiny details were best left over to the wordsmiths of legalese, and he was holding a feeling he'd have to get dragged into it himself as one of the guys who was in the room when the discussion happened. The same went for authorization of construction, expansion, or modification of infrastructure in Camp Dasmalacat. Perhaps it could be rolled into a wider status of forces agreement? After all, as Daclan mentioned, clarity must precede assumption, and good faith clarity in coordination - driven by mutual benefit - was a vital keystone of the international alliance system. That slight disagreement of his was just that: slight, trivial even. Many others probably had their own takes, but they generally found no major issue between the legal and diplomatic traditions of both nations.

Besides, he was representing the DTI and not the DND; he'd find himself more at home with prospective talks of defense-technical cooperation and scientific-industrial collaboration that he would with this current legalese talk of status of forces. In short, an ultracrepidarian quickly realizing he'd wait this one out.

"Your Majesties, and Your Excellencies." Paraiso began, after clearing his throat.

"We look forward to including these as part of a broader collaboration framework in any prospective visiting forces agreement. As Vice President Daclan said: clarity must precede assumption, and hence we shall work with you on ensuring concrete clarity in this matter." he added, confident that negotiations that would come in the future would go swimmingly, with no major issues.

And the Lakambini, who had been listening keenly on the conversation, decided it was her turn.

What could she talk about? ISR fusion? The nitty-gritties of interforce liaison, something she had to do back in her days as a Navy officer with Allanean, Marquesienne, and Amadorian allies?

Maybe, how this would fit within the KTO framework? Invite Hintuwan to join the Sovereign Allied Treaty Organization, which Palmyrion founded with the Holy Roman Empire last December 2025?

"I wish to raise the fact that both Hintuwan and Palmyrion are members of the Kalisight Treaty Organization." the Lakambini began.

"Granted, that KTO has lately languished, and a KTO member, Anagonia, is engaged in a defensive war - but seeing that both of us are in an alliance of mutual defense, we could treat this - a mutual defense agreement with visiting forces - as an extension of the KTO mutual defense mandate." she added further.

She held back mention of the fact that Palmyrion and the HRE were both founders of SATO, and it was hot talk within diplomatic circles that Palmyrion founded SATO as a hedge and fallback for when KTO, having suffered a leadership fracture and already in a state of languish at the time of SATO's inauguration last December 2025, eventually dissolved, going with a whimper as it wasted away into lethargy. Perhaps that hedge and fallback was not as necessary as it looked, as KTO was regaining its footing once more.

[Hintuwan]

President Bantug exchanged a measured glance with Foreign Minister Sariwa before responding, his tone thoughtful rather than immediately affirmative.

"Your Majesty raises a timely and, I would say, necessary point," he began. "The Kalisight Treaty Organization, for all its recent difficulties, remains a standing expression of our shared commitments. The problems that it currently faces are symptoms of the broadness of its mandate, and the fact that, in many cases, the KTO does not possess the authority to intervene beyond what is prudent for any other international organization like the World Assembly to do. It would be neither improper nor unprecedented to view our present discussions as reinforcing that framework—particularly in practical terms such as interoperability, basing access, and coordinated response. Indeed, it is our firm intention to invigorate the alliance by making specific bilateral agreements with fellow member-states such as Palmyrion."

"At the same time, we would be inclined to ensure that any bilateral arrangement we conclude retains its own clarity and independence of structure. The strength of such an agreement lies in its precision, something that broader multilateral frameworks do not always afford."

Sariwa inclined his head faintly in agreement, while Bantug continued.

"In that sense, Your Majesty, we would see this less as a substitution or workaround for the KTO, and more as a complementary mechanism—one that strengthens our readiness within it, should the need arise."

The President's expression remained composed, but there was a subtle firmness beneath it—Hintuwan was willing to align, but not to be subsumed.

"If the KTO is to regain its footing, it will do so through the strength of its members' bilateral and regional ties as much as through its central institutions. What we are building here may well contribute to that. We would be open to exploring how these arrangements may be harmonized with KTO obligation, but we would prefer to do so deliberately, and without assuming equivalence where it has not yet been formally established."

[Hintuwan]

Lakan Lontok XI allowed the discussion to settle naturally before speaking once more, his tone calm and measured, though noticeably lighter now that the most delicate portion of the talks had concluded.

"I believe we have established a productive foundation so far," he said, glancing briefly between the Palmyrian and Hintuwani delegations alike. "The finer points may be left to our ministers, diplomats, and staff to work out, unless Her Majesty would like to discuss anything else."

A faint smile crossed his expression.

"But for now, I think we have more than earned a break from all the legalese. Let's approach all this with a fresh mind tomorrow."

Several quiet chuckles and restrained smiles moved around the table, easing the atmosphere without fully abandoning its formality.

The Lakan rose from his seat, attendants immediately and silently repositioning themselves near the chamber doors.

"Your Majesty," he continued, turning toward the Lakambini, "if it pleases you, members of the Royal Household will now escort you to your suite within the Mahakuttah Tower so that you may rest and prepare for this evening's state banquet."

President Bantug gave a small nod of agreement.

"We shall reconvene later tonight," the Lakan added. "And on behalf of the Commonwealth once again, allow me to say that we are honored by your presence here in Haijing."

With that, the meeting was brought to a close for the afternoon. Palace attendants stepped forward to guide the visiting sovereign, while staff and officials remained behind to gather notes, exchange subdued remarks, and begin the less glamorous work of turning broad understandings into a formal agreement.

[Palmyrion]

Haijing Palatial Tower
Haijing, NCG, Hintuwan
April 20, 2026 - Early Morning

And thus the discussion ended early.

The Lakambini wished to continue with the defense-technical memorandum after discussing the implications of KTO co-membership. But then, she was of the opinion it was better left to the legalese wordsmiths to sort out.

"But for now, I think we have more than earned a break from all the legalese. Let's approach all this with a fresh mind tomorrow."

Lakan Lontok XI quipped, afterwards rising from his seat with attendants repositioning themselves near the doors as if on cue.

"Your Majesty," he continued, turning toward the Lakambini, "if it pleases you, members of the Royal Household will now escort you to your suite within the Mahakuttah Tower so that you may rest and prepare for this evening's state banquet."

President Bantug gave a small nod of agreement.

"We shall reconvene later tonight," the Lakan added. "And on behalf of the Commonwealth once again, allow me to say that we are honored by your presence here in Haijing."

The Lakambini gave a warm smile and a nod of affirmation, an expression of mutual hospitality between the two sovereigns. Frankly, she had let her ministers and entourage do much of the talking; in other words, she let them cook, while she led her part of the kitchen as the chef. Much had been talked about, particularly the most delicate points; the biggest elephants in the room had been addressed, and now it was up to their officials to address the smaller ones.

"And, Your Majesty - on behalf of the Royal Commonwealth, we thank you for the Hintuwani nation's warm hospitality and gracious reception of our visit.

She took a quick pause, quickly gathering her words before continuing on.

"I shall look forward to the state banquet tonight."

She just hoped that her children would be on their best behavior, knowing how rambunctiously mischievous they can be; even her husband Jason, built like the burly, muscular, walking tank that he was, had trouble keeping the children in check, for such a gentle giant like him had only two pairs of hands and feet to take care of two absolutely makulit daughters. And for Maxwell, whose unit and fleet was probably already within the Centinela Bay?*

That gremlin better behave. He better not unleash his Gen Z brainrot vocabulary tonight.

[Hintuwan]

7:03 P.M.

---

As evening descended upon Haijing, the Haijing Palatial Tower had taken on an entirely different character. The palace's grand banquet hall blazed with light. Crystal chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings adorned with royal insignia and intricate motifs drawn from 18th-19th century Pordhesian neo-Rolanian tradition. Catholic saints and legendary Pordhesian crusaders were portrayed almost like pagan Poridii gods and conquering heroes triumphantly marching into heaven with swords and lances. Long arrangements of acacia blossoms and native flowers ran the length of the hall, their subtle fragrance mingling with the aromas of the evening's carefully prepared courses. The flags of Palmyrion and Hintuwan stood prominently behind the high table, flanked by the royal standard of the Lakan and the standard of the President.

The guest list reflected the significance of the occasion. Members of the Royal Household, senior ministers, military officers, diplomats, governors, legislators, academics, artists, representatives of civil society, and even some movie stars had gathered to welcome the Lakambini. The atmosphere was dignified but notably warm; unlike many state banquets where guests merely observed protocol, there was a genuine sense that those present regarded the visit as a historic occasion.

Outside the palace grounds, large crowds had gathered in designated public areas where giant screens broadcast portions of the arrival ceremonies and the evening festivities. Earlier enthusiasm for the Lakambini's arrival had not diminished with the setting sun. Across Haijing, restaurants, cafés, and homes carried coverage of the visit.

As guests took their seats, a royal herald announced the arrival of the evening's principal hosts and guest of honor.

His Majesty Lakan Lontok XI entered first, dressed in full state regalia. Beside him walked President Seferino Bantug, accompanied by senior members of the Commonwealth government. Moments later, all eyes turned toward the entrance reserved for the visiting sovereign as Her Majesty the Lakambini Jilliane was announced.

The hall rose as one.

For a few moments, the only sounds were the rustling of formal attire, the distant notes of the palace orchestra (which played a variation of the traditional folk hymn Bahay Kubo, which was surely as well-known in Hintuwan as it was in Palmyrion), and the applause that followed.

Only once the principals had taken their seats did the banquet formally begin. Servants in formal palace livery moved gracefully between the tables, placing before each guest a chilled seafood starter drawn from the waters of the Hintuwan Sea. Delicate slices of yellowfin tuna, red snapper, and reef fish had been prepared in a style inspired by coastal Hintuwani traditions, dressed lightly with calamansi, native herbs, and a touch of coconut vinegar. Accompanying the dish were thin crisps made from root crops and a small arrangement of pickled vegetables sourced from the fertile valleys of Panginoan.

At the center of it all sat the Lakambini, the Lakan, and the President—three figures whose conversations that afternoon had focused on alliances, law, and strategy, but who now found themselves participating in something equally important: the public celebration of a friendship between two nations whose histories, institutions, and peoples had grown increasingly intertwined over seven decades.

[Palmyrion]

Banquet Hall, Haijing Palatial Tower
Haijing, NCG, Hintuwan
April 20, 2026 - 7:00 PM onwards

Among the table sat Jason and Maxwell, seated next to each other within the dining hall, with other officials and guests from Palmyrion and Hintuwan: ministers, corporate representatives, big names with equally-huge wigs and correspondingly-deep pockets. Jilliane herself was seated with Lakan Lontok XI and President Bantug, at the principal seating positions of the banquet hall.

The Lakambini sunk her fork into slices of fish starter, munching upon them with the practiced regality of a monarch - and, if one looked closely, the smoothed edges of a (former) Navy officer and sailor. Every slice tasted of yellowfin tuna and red snapper, as well as a variety of fish she could tell were rockfish. The dressing had the luscious tang of calamansi, the spice of native herbs, and the savory sourness of coconut vinegar.

Looking at Jason and Maxwell - the former seated to the latter's left - she could see Jason munch on his own dish with a grace he was inculcated into more than he was raised in.

Born to a family of humbler origins, Jason was reared into a life of urban poverty himself: his family was kicked out of their Alexandria apartment when he was a mere 4 years old, surviving on the streets for a year - and on the kindness of religious, secular, and royal charities and the state-run public healthcare and education systems - before moving back to his fatherside hometown, where he would live tilling the land, herding the livestock, and fishing the seas with his fatherside clan. His entry into RCMA Cavite had him encounter Jilliane, then a princess with no prospect of ever inheriting the throne, and they entered into an on-off relationship defined by inter-class differences. The lovestory went as well it should go. Reunited in 2018, after 2 years of ghosting (if she could call it that). Married in 2022; had Amelia by 2023 and Alicia by 2025. And in the four years he was with the Palmyrian royal family he had been trained and inculcated in royal protocol, which he had taken well into.

This was his first rodeo overseas, accompanying Jilliane in a foreign state visit - and he was doing well.

Maxwell, on the other hand, was a less-refined gremlin who roughened royal protocol to its roughest skeletal bits. Although raised in royal protocol since birth just like she was, Maxwell was visibly rougher than Jason, a man who had to be inculcated in it as an adult for the past 4 years. While he followed royal etiquette, his choice of words in conversation were...more questionable.

As questionable as those of his older brother Gerard - and another of her younger brothers - when cameras were not rolling.

"Mmm. Absolutely based. What is in this grub, I love it..."

She could make Maxwell outright complement the food as such, though she wished he picked better words, and absolutely not expose everyone in the room - a bunch of Gen Xers and Boomers, possibly the odd old end of the Millennials - to Gen Z and Gen Alpha brainrot.

[Hintuwan]

Hintuwani officials were seated in more or less alternating positions with their Palmyrian counterparts, arranged from the back of the room to its front where a stage had been set up, in order of importance. Nearest to the stage were, of course, the Lakan and the Lakambini, accompanied by their youngest children and flanked by their most senior cabinet ministers.

The Hintuwani and Palmyrian officials were engaged in polite conversation between courses when Maxwell's remark floated just far enough to be overheard by a few nearby guests. Their reaction was not one of offense so much as momentary confusion.

Industrial Development Minister Bustamante blinked once, fork suspended halfway to his mouth. Across from him, Foreign Minister Sariwa quietly leaned toward his seatmate and murmured, "Based on what?" earning a similarly puzzled shrug in return.

A younger undersecretary from the protocol department seated several tables down nearly choked on her drink as she realized what Maxwell meant, quickly disguising the resulting cough behind a napkin. Beside her, a Hintuwani MP fought visibly to maintain a diplomatic expression.

President Bantug himself had not heard the full comment, though the faint ripple of amusement that traveled through one corner of the banquet hall did not escape his attention. He cast a brief glance in that direction before returning his attention to the conversation at the high table.

Lakan Lontok XI, in contrast, possessed the remarkable hearing of a man who had spent decades navigating rooms full of politicians, courtiers, and relatives. The corner of his mouth twitched, not enough to be called a smile. Certainly not enough for the cameras to notice but enough.

He took another sip from his glass before leaning slightly toward the Lakambini.

"I presume," he said in a voice low enough for only the principal table to hear, "that 'based' is intended as a compliment."

There was a beat. "Or at least my grandchildren assure me it is."

President Bantug allowed himself a small laugh, meeting eyes with Vice President Daclan, who simply darted him a silent shrug.

"If so, Your Majesties, I shall inform the chef that the first course has received royal approval," the President nervously joked.

---

As the first course gave way to the next, and then the next, the banquet hall gradually shifted its attention toward the evening's cultural program.

The opening performance was a court dance dating back to the kesampuhan era, performed by dancers clad in richly embroidered garments adorned with gold thread and intricate beadwork. Their movements were deliberate and graceful, emphasizing posture, balance, and symbolic gestures once used to convey status, diplomacy, and royal favor in the courts of the ancient Datu.

This was followed by a musical interlude featuring traditional stringed instruments, bamboo flutes, and hand percussion. The piece began softly before building into a lively arrangement accompanied by a spoken word poem inspired by maritime themes, evoking the voyages, trade routes, and seafaring heritage that had long connected the islands of Hintuwan to the wider world.

One particular line stuck out for its chorus-like repetition throughout the arrangement: "Noong sinauna'y binaybay ng ating mga ninuno ang Kalawakang Levanora..." (In those days when our ancestors crossed the Levanora Vastness...)

Later in the evening, a choir composed of students from different prestigious universities and conservatories performed a selection of patriotic compositions, ending with the CAFH Hymn "in honor of the fallen airmen of Operation Southern Sentinel" (that conflict ruthlessly dubbed by the media as the Van Hoorn Crisis, though of course the government would never admit it ever was one).

[Palmyrion]

Banquet Hall, Haijing Palatial Tower
Haijing, NCG, Hintuwan
April 20, 2026 - 7:00 PM onwards

"Jusko, Maxwell..."

Jilliane could only mutter herself, sinking her face into her right hand as equal parts embarrassment and amusement filled the room.

"Max, you know there's a better choice of words for that?"

Jason, seated beside Maxwell, told hi, exasperated about his brother-in-law's seeming lack of decorum in a formal state banquet. Why, this could probably be the first international incident Maxwell was involved in that didn't involve getting fired at by anti-ship missiles or being swarmed by fast attackers.

Then Lakan Lontok XI, puzzled about what Maxwell meant, leaned towards the Lakambini. "I presume, that 'based is intended as a compliment." the Lakan inquired in a hushed tone. "Or at least my grandchildren assure it is." he furthered, after a beat.

"If so, Your Majesties, I shall inform the chef that the first course has received royal approval." a nervous President Bantug said.

The Lakambini, born at the late tapering end of the Millennial Generation, knew enough Gen Z and Gen A vocabulary - from her younger siblings Gerard, Mavis, and Maxwell, and soon from her niblings and her own children - to understand what Maxwell meant. Of the term 'based' she was familiar of, and had used that in casual conversational register among family members. Maxwell had even called a diplomatic gift to him, given by the Allaneans last August 2025, as "absolutely based" on livestreamed proceedings - and much to equal parts confusion and amusement.

Right, how do you explain 'based' as a word of our day...Jilliane thought. She had seen its initial use to express approval for unpopular yet respectable opinions, particularly those of defiant, antiestablishment, and conservative bents. It has since grown beyond its aforementioned initial use, and into being a contemporary general expression of approval.

"It's a compliment, Your Majesty. Calling something based is an expression of approval. Especially popular among my generation, and particularly that of Maxwell's."

It was better to leave it at that.

---

Meal courses came and went as the banquet went on, with both nations relishing in a shared culinary experience defined by similarities in tradition and innovation.

Then on went the cultural shows. An opener consisting of a court dance dating back to their own oligarchic confederation, with movements that exhibited posture, balance, and symbolic gestures - gestures of status, diplomacy, and royal favor - of a most deliberate and graceful manner. A musical interlude of stringed instruments, bamboo flutes, and hand percussion. A spoken word poem inspired by maritime themes: voyage, trade, seafaring, with Hintuwani ancestors even going as far out as the Levanora Vastness. This was followed by a choir of students performing patriotic compositions, ending with the Hintuwani Air Force hymn that honored the fallen of the Van Hoorn Crisis.

It reminded the Palmyrians of the same epics of theirs: maritime voyage, conquest, monster hunts, trade expeditions to mystical lands. Forbidden romances between poor and rich, noble and common, deity and mortal, that ended in tragedy, and a world forever changed; these romances became legends and myths that explained the seasons, the monsoons, the typhoons, the rivers, the seas, the mountains, the hills, and the fields of Palmyrion. During the Oliverian Renaissance, many Palmyrian oral epic chants were transcribed onto mass-produced poetic literature and Western-notated sheet music printed and published en masse by publishing houses then equipped with steam-powered printing presses, many times with a Neoclassical-Romantic reframing. Theater and drama boomed with musical performances by theater houses that competed to out-bombast each other, with the wealthiest outfits even featuring mechanized props and backdrops. Theatrical orchestras initially did not include traditional indigenous instruments, though they were eventually incorporated later on.

Perhaps, Palmyrion and Hintuwan were as similar as they were different: ethnolinguistically and culturally heterogeneous seapower nations whose national lives were tied to the seas, and in recent years the skies as humanity took upon itself wings of metal and roaring fire.