Greetings,
Her Most Faithful Majesty, Queen Antoinette Monica D'nellee, cordially invites you to the Festival of Pearlelei, a merry event celebrating the birth of the beautiful Dragon Goddess herself. May Her blessed light brighten the world!
Her Majesty deeply encourages that leaders and/or ambassadors from other nations to gather in peace for this celebration, so that all may leave with a more positive outlook on our fair, usually isolated land (and others too, should socialization lead you to such). Pacifism is a top priority on the list of Giovenith's concerns, and it is our hope that by allowing others to participate in one of the most joyous pieces of our culture, this can be further achieved.
The celebration shall take place in the capital city of Jensinhai, and shall include a parade, fair rides, games, snack booths, and for the special guests, a small gathering party at the castle itself.
Anyone wishing to attend must first make their arrival known via confirmation to the Security Council, so that we may know who you are, and treat you such. Thank you.
We hope to see you, and Hesian Tigoth!
It was a beautiful, picturesque, serene summer day as the bright festival banners fluttered in the warm, gentle breeze. The pastel-colored tapestries depicted all sorts of things, ranging from flowers to oak trees, beaming suns to glittering moons, animals to happy-looking caricatures. But the most common design was that of a twisting, magnificent, dragon, representing the Goddess to whom the lovely day was dedicated to.
Nearby, a young man in official-looking uniform trotted down the cheerful streets, clipboard in hand. Despite the gay air about him, his expression was grim. He soon turning a corner and headed into a little bakery shop, ignoring the children that ran out after him, sparkling pinwheels in hand.
“Soldier Radiance, your attention please,” he addressed a red-haired man who sat at the counter among much technical equipment.
“What’s up Cosmic?” he asked with a blissful smile, “Oh! Hey, the old lady that runs this place just made a whole new batch of those cupcake-things I was telling you about. Want so-“
“I haven’t the time for petty sweets, Soldier Radiance.” The first man stole a moment to look at his clipboard, “Did you prepare the first station like I asked?”
“‘Why yes brother dearest, I would absolutely love a cupcake. Thank you for asking. I love you. Happy Pearlelei-Day, by the way!’“ Radiance mimicked Cosmic’s voice.
“Did you prepare the first station like I asked?” repeated Cosmic, voice a little more impatient.
Radiance stretched his arms in a dramatic fashion toward all the equipment set up around the bakery. “Nooo, I just left all this in their boxes.”
“Cut the slacker-talk, Soldier,” snapped Cosmic, “There is much do in a very little time, and absolutely nothing can go wrong. Do you hear me? The reputation of our nation rests on how well all this…” he gestured to the equipment, “… does its job. And good technology cannot do a good job, if okay-Soldiers can’t.”
“Ouch.”
Cosmic sniffed, and began to inspect the machinery while writing notes. Apparently Radiance had not caught the message the first time however, because after a few minutes of watching the younger man scrutinizing his work, a small smile played on his lips. Quietly, he picked up a cupcake from a nearby tray, and began to sneak over toward Cosmic, who was groaning at the sight of two mismatched wires.
“Soldier, how hard is it to realize red goes to red and blue goes to blue? Had the machine turned on with this faulty wiring…”
“Happy Pearlelei-Day!”
Radiance smashed the cupcake into his brother’s face with a smile, making sure to quickly smear the frosting on as much skin as possible before he began to fight back.
“ You…” squealed Cosmic menacingly, hands poised for a good strangle.
“Look at you,” chirped Radiance teasingly, “You’re like some old man who hates fun. Lighten up.”
“Lighten up?! Look at me! Now I have to wash up again just to look presentable!”
Snatching a napkin from a nearby table, Cosmic began to rubs the worst of the frosting off as Radiance rolled his eyes and began to sit back down in his original seat.
“What’s the big deal?” he asked, exasperated.
Cosmic glared.
“Okay, alright, fine, the cupcake was an ass move. I’ll own up to that. But seriously Cosmic, it’s just Pearlelei Fest! We have it every year, what’s got you so worked up over it this time?”
Cosmic set down the napkin and narrowed his eyes at his brother, “Didn’t you read the pamphlet that was given out to all of the court?”
“… I skimmed it.”
“Ugh,” Cosmic rested his frosted head in his hands for a moment, before regaining composure and speaking again. “This festival is different, because Her Most Faithful Majesty has sent out invitation to politicians from all over the world.”
He dropped the napkin into a waste basket and headed to a nearby men’s room, Radiance behind him. Squeaking on the faucet and dunking his head in the cool running water, he continued with his explanation.
“Giovenith has long been slightly isolated by the mountainous location facing most of our neighbors, so we’ve never really been too involved in international affairs. Her Majesty, however, has oft spoken of her desire to change that, and this year’s Pearlelei Festival will be the day that happens.”
“Oh really?” asked Radiance skeptically, “Not to insult my country or anything, but what makes you think anyone would be interested in us? Compared to many other nations we are quite, how shall I say… quaint.”
“We’ve already gained confirmation that a few will be arriving,” Cosmic turned to faucet off, and began to dry his hands. “In honor of a non-aggression pact the Queen recently signed with them. As for others, we’ll simply have to see.”
Radiance puckered his lips, “And…?”
“And no foreign leader is going to want to come to a country where the very idea of their very safety on the streets is questionable!” snapped Cosmic, whirling around to point accusingly at his brother.
“Oh yes! Because I’m sure everyone’s going to be so scared of balloons and ice cream!”
“No,” agreed Cosmic, “But they might be a bit disturbed by the dragons.”
“Oh, Giovenithian dragons are harmless! Everyone knows that!”
“They’re not so harmless when people provoke them.”
“Pfft, we’ve never had one incident with Junie the Dragon, and she’s bombarded with two-year-olds every year.”
“First of all, Junie the Dragon was put down last month for rabies.”
Radiance squeaked in shock.
“Second of all, those are our orders, and we must follow them word-for-word. So sayeth the Queen.”
Despite heaving a sigh and rolling his eyes, the red-haired guard finally nodded in understandment. Things were going to have to be done correctly, or they could all wind up in hot water.
