A Convocation of Crowns - MT - IC - MTO Primarily

[Lux Pulchrae]

The knocking would be answered with a glass of water, spritzed with some lemon, and the bartender snickering. "Yeah...Ace ain't much fer extravagance. If he can't impress 'em with words or deeds, they ain't worth his time. Tha's just 'ow most Dancerians roll." the barkeep would note. " 'E grew up as a diplomat, so tha's just what he does. 'E'd rather spend the night shootin' the breeze with the common worker ta' figure out how laws are affectin' the Kingdoms rather than listen to some aristocrat's drama or gossip. 'E and Chancellor Villiers are both like tha'." he would smile fondly. "Aceus ain't much of a king, but he's a damn fine leader...an' not a slouch when it comes ta' debates neither."

Cleone glanced at the glass half surprised, the knocking was a superstitious habit among the faithful, so it being answered with a glass of water amused him a bit, putting a smile on his face, it was either that or the alcohol doing the smiling . "Listening to the people is almost like listening to fools, there is a reason we don't practice democracy, the people cannot lead themselves, they do not know what is good for them. And I don't go by aristocratic gossip either, so spare me that too. You render unto Caesar's what is his. " he sipped a bit of water before continuing "And frankly, this whole laid back, Americani surfer attitude 'most Dancerians roll with' says a lot. Nothing to you but.." he shrugged "Capisci? Understand? Forget it, don't expect a bar man to know or care much for politics. No disrespect to you."

[Danceria]

Though now with the festivities winding down, Aceus gradually gained the attention of group and began his speech:
“The time of greatness has come; Danceria is awoken! Already, victory has been achieved abroad, with Danceria no longer fearing the opportunistic neighbors of the past, but now can join with these lords and ladies, as equals, to stand on her own two feet! I know for a fact, esteemed peers and friends, that I have been abroad for too long. Yet has it also not been for too long that Dancerians plead to the nations of the world, again and again, “respect us! We desire naught but friendship!”? It was asked again and again, when will change come? That change and appeal has been made by my honoured Grandfather, Lord Aramer, and his son, Araden, and that legacy has passed to me. Once more must the appeal be made, once more must there be sowing before reaping, and once more shall there be a great harvest in Danceria.”

“What great harvests they have been! Who could have thought, that in a mere forty years that the divided and smouldering husk left to us by the decrepit Telcontars and his socialist cohorts would ever be considered a nation, a united people again? It was dreamed for generations that the meager offers of food and safety, to live free and well, the dream and desire of every strong-hearted man, woman, and child! Through great sacrifice and the coming together of a great many Dancerians, all who are here now, be it seated among us, or from Valinor Above, gaze upon the White Tree." he would gesture boldly to the banner of a white tree upon a black background, with fourteen stars blazing out from the dark banner as well, four above and four beneath.

This symbol, which represents life and regrowth, shall continue to unite Dancerians of all classes, be they the nobles of auspicious households, or the common laborer this day, or the generations unborn tomorrow. They are all Dancerian! And to be Dancerian, is to be prized! Never forget, that the most precious possession to have in this world is your own family, and your own people. No longer must we consider ourselves meager individuals toiling through mediocrity, nor slacken in the face of prosperity. Let us become like individual sparks that burst into a roaring flame! For no other time in history than this, has Danceria been so united and so blessed. Not for these blessings I fight, not for mere prosperity or wealth or prestige, but for the Dancerian I fight and stand before you now! For our people, and for the sake of our people to continue, I vow to continue to struggle as if the Partisans were still in power! As if Danceria could fall at any moment! For I know though my name be forgotten, a footnote in the passing of the bygone Wars that so many have lost their lives into the brilliant future that Danceria is destined for, I know that I must never slacken...Never tire...Never lose courage...and never lose faith in the Dancerian people and our ability to triumph over any odds!”

Aceus had to pause, as his passionate outcry was rewarded with a gentle applause. He beamed across the nobles, before continuing, nodding to the foreign dignitaries gathered here.

“As we speak, a new community is being built in the world, and it is our most beautiful goal and aim. One that shall overturn the conflicts of the oligarchs and the anarchists that plague nations far less blessed than ours. One that shall give to the destitute, the disenfranchised, those struck by famine, plague, or natural disaster. One that shall educate and show to the world, the ways of blind materialism are wrong. That individualism without acknowledging others or their part in a greater whole is a great sin of egoism! This is not mere charity, or offers of prayers or flowery commitment. This is a quest that we all must undertake. “Danceria help thyself” was the cry of the last generation, now it shall be “Danceria, help the world”! Even now, we must believe without wavering, that our meteoric rise to prosperity can be replicated throughout the world. That there is someone, somewhere, out there, who suffers through the selfsame trials and tribulations our Honoured Ancestors have. Whether now you are a noble aristocrat, a wealthy owner, a humble worker, or somewhere in the midst of a seemingly endless tide of peoples and circumstances...my people I say this: You already have the power to shake the world in your own way! Be not lead astray by those who say “Oh, must you give a lot?”, for that is the glory of giving! The giving of one’s whole being to something greater than themselves, a fulfillment of the endless cycle of chasing worldly goods...in our hands is the ability to make the world whole again! When you do this, you can walk with your head held high, and in your heart be something precious that can never fade nor be stolen. It is through unshakable belief, that Danceria be whole again. It is through the cooperative will of the Dancerians, that overwhelmed those that came so close to plundering our nation! When they so ardently combined, the belief that something shall occur, and the will to make it occur, not even the heavens can hold you back!”

“Now no longer has the struggle against the evils of plutocracy and Marxism been ours and ours only. In my travels as an unknown soldier, diplomatic attache, and even as the Grand Ambassador and Crown Prince... I weep with the world. The groans of the peoples, who in the depths of despair, in the midst of conflict and discord, beneath the grinding cycle of oppression and suppression, are not loud, but deep. Too often, have these voices gone unheard, and now is the first formal declaration of war, if it can even be called that. This war is against the very evils of the world itself, a war that many will mock to be an elaborate policing of the world, a war deliberately made unwinnable so that Danceria and her allies may plunder and divide through proxy conflicts as we ourselves have been subject to. To this criticism I denounce, that to stand idly by, while the atrocities are occurring, is unthinkable, and ought be intolerable!”

“To these criticisms, I say you are correct, that we may not have your militaries, your resources, your “tolerance”, your far-flung colonies, nor your toiling, ground masses who cry out a slogan that they know nothing else of. For that we are ever grateful! But in Danceria’s return to power, it shall not lose its identity, nor its greatest asset: Her soul, and the souls of her peoples. Can any nation, can anyone say that they truly have someone’s support? Be it through international connections, or mere trade agreements of convenience? This gathering here, is the inversion of that." He would once more smile with sincerity, to Emperor Julius, to the Grand Vizier, to King Cleone and others,
"That we sought out the just, the righteous, the lionhearted of this world, then we ask how do we help one another? Let the confidence in each other, and the confidence we have in this alliance, be so palpable and so obvious that it becomes a nuisance! Let us first and foremost judge the character and deeds of a nation, not their wealth, nor their resources. Far too many nations are entrapped into treaties with regimes of conniving rulers, who profit and hold the world by a leash through the use of its arms, its resources, and crying out about deeds and wrongs that occurred in the past...let us never aim to be like those hypocrites! Danceria shall be a harsh and strict judge on the characters of the world, so let the world judge us! We must hold true to our beliefs, improve on our weaknesses, but in the end, never back down from this great journey that we now undertake. This alliance did not fall from the skies, as many in this day and age demand things to fall into place, but has grown like our nation into a proud and mighty tree that weathered all the storms the world threw at us. I know that in each of your hearts and minds are dreams and convictions to stand with the honorable of this world, and to no longer look to yourself or to your mere surroundings, to understand the scope and glory the world is made to be! That glorious world is our own to decide, and is an ever encroaching goal that I ask of you to be a part of...”

“What shall be done for the Dancerian to uplift them, shall be done to uplift the nation, and through the nation and this alliance, we shall uplift the world!”

The last rallying statement rung out in a muffled echo, and one could hear a pin drop...before a certain green eyed blonde woman would shout out.
"Gartha-vín ennorath lain!"

It took many off guard, and many turned to find where the words came from, before crying out again.

"Gartha-vín ennorath lain!"

It was an old rallying cry, which roughly meant "keep our soil sovereign". A slogan cheered since the Kingdoms were united under the old Telcontar dynasty. It was a promise, a vow, to keep Dancerians free and their own. In saying this, one voice vowed to do their part in keeping this as well, for this was no politician's platitude. This would be her burden as much as Aceus's. Another voice echoed out, then another, until the entire room roared with the self-same oath, some raising their fists as if to pledge their invisible swords to the King's Crusade.

With that high note, and with much excitement, the nobles and dignitaries would be gradually chaperoned to the Meeting Hall, where the members of the MTO or anyone who would have business with them could discuss international treaties, trade, and other programs. Unusually, the King lingered, probably to let the newfound surge of foot-traffic thin out.

[Kyrenaia]

Though now with the festivities winding down, Aceus gradually gained the attention of group and began his speech:
“The time of greatness has come; Danceria is awoken! Already, victory has been achieved abroad, with Danceria no longer fearing the opportunistic neighbors of the past, but now can join with these lords and ladies, as equals, to stand on her own two feet! I know for a fact, esteemed peers and friends, that I have been abroad for too long. Yet has it also not been for too long that Dancerians plead to the nations of the world, again and again, “respect us! We desire naught but friendship!”? It was asked again and again, when will change come? That change and appeal has been made by my honoured Grandfather, Lord Aramer, and his son, Araden, and that legacy has passed to me. Once more must the appeal be made, once more must there be sowing before reaping, and once more shall there be a great harvest in Danceria.”

“What great harvests they have been! Who could have thought, that in a mere forty years that the divided and smouldering husk left to us by the decrepit Telcontars and his socialist cohorts would ever be considered a nation, a united people again? It was dreamed for generations that the meager offers of food and safety, to live free and well, the dream and desire of every strong-hearted man, woman, and child! Through great sacrifice and the coming together of a great many Dancerians, all who are here now, be it seated among us, or from Valinor Above, gaze upon the White Tree." he would gesture boldly to the banner of a white tree upon a black background, with fourteen stars blazing out from the dark banner as well, four above and four beneath.

This symbol, which represents life and regrowth, shall continue to unite Dancerians of all classes, be they the nobles of auspicious households, or the common laborer this day, or the generations unborn tomorrow. They are all Dancerian! And to be Dancerian, is to be prized! Never forget, that the most precious possession to have in this world is your own family, and your own people. No longer must we consider ourselves meager individuals toiling through mediocrity, nor slacken in the face of prosperity. Let us become like individual sparks that burst into a roaring flame! For no other time in history than this, has Danceria been so united and so blessed. Not for these blessings I fight, not for mere prosperity or wealth or prestige, but for the Dancerian I fight and stand before you now! For our people, and for the sake of our people to continue, I vow to continue to struggle as if the Partisans were still in power! As if Danceria could fall at any moment! For I know though my name be forgotten, a footnote in the passing of the bygone Wars that so many have lost their lives into the brilliant future that Danceria is destined for, I know that I must never slacken...Never tire...Never lose courage...and never lose faith in the Dancerian people and our ability to triumph over any odds!”

Aceus had to pause, as his passionate outcry was rewarded with a gentle applause. He beamed across the nobles, before continuing, nodding to the foreign dignitaries gathered here.

“As we speak, a new community is being built in the world, and it is our most beautiful goal and aim. One that shall overturn the conflicts of the oligarchs and the anarchists that plague nations far less blessed than ours. One that shall give to the destitute, the disenfranchised, those struck by famine, plague, or natural disaster. One that shall educate and show to the world, the ways of blind materialism are wrong. That individualism without acknowledging others or their part in a greater whole is a great sin of egoism! This is not mere charity, or offers of prayers or flowery commitment. This is a quest that we all must undertake. “Danceria help thyself” was the cry of the last generation, now it shall be “Danceria, help the world”! Even now, we must believe without wavering, that our meteoric rise to prosperity can be replicated throughout the world. That there is someone, somewhere, out there, who suffers through the selfsame trials and tribulations our Honoured Ancestors have. Whether now you are a noble aristocrat, a wealthy owner, a humble worker, or somewhere in the midst of a seemingly endless tide of peoples and circumstances...my people I say this: You already have the power to shake the world in your own way! Be not lead astray by those who say “Oh, must you give a lot?”, for that is the glory of giving! The giving of one’s whole being to something greater than themselves, a fulfillment of the endless cycle of chasing worldly goods...in our hands is the ability to make the world whole again! When you do this, you can walk with your head held high, and in your heart be something precious that can never fade nor be stolen. It is through unshakable belief, that Danceria be whole again. It is through the cooperative will of the Dancerians, that overwhelmed those that came so close to plundering our nation! When they so ardently combined, the belief that something shall occur, and the will to make it occur, not even the heavens can hold you back!”

“Now no longer has the struggle against the evils of plutocracy and Marxism been ours and ours only. In my travels as an unknown soldier, diplomatic attache, and even as the Grand Ambassador and Crown Prince... I weep with the world. The groans of the peoples, who in the depths of despair, in the midst of conflict and discord, beneath the grinding cycle of oppression and suppression, are not loud, but deep. Too often, have these voices gone unheard, and now is the first formal declaration of war, if it can even be called that. This war is against the very evils of the world itself, a war that many will mock to be an elaborate policing of the world, a war deliberately made unwinnable so that Danceria and her allies may plunder and divide through proxy conflicts as we ourselves have been subject to. To this criticism I denounce, that to stand idly by, while the atrocities are occurring, is unthinkable, and ought be intolerable!”

“To these criticisms, I say you are correct, that we may not have your militaries, your resources, your “tolerance”, your far-flung colonies, nor your toiling, ground masses who cry out a slogan that they know nothing else of. For that we are ever grateful! But in Danceria’s return to power, it shall not lose its identity, nor its greatest asset: Her soul, and the souls of her peoples. Can any nation, can anyone say that they truly have someone’s support? Be it through international connections, or mere trade agreements of convenience? This gathering here, is the inversion of that." He would once more smile with sincerity, to Emperor Julius, to the Grand Vizier, to King Cleone and others,
"That we sought out the just, the righteous, the lionhearted of this world, then we ask how do we help one another? Let the confidence in each other, and the confidence we have in this alliance, be so palpable and so obvious that it becomes a nuisance! Let us first and foremost judge the character and deeds of a nation, not their wealth, nor their resources. Far too many nations are entrapped into treaties with regimes of conniving rulers, who profit and hold the world by a leash through the use of its arms, its resources, and crying out about deeds and wrongs that occurred in the past...let us never aim to be like those hypocrites! Danceria shall be a harsh and strict judge on the characters of the world, so let the world judge us! We must hold true to our beliefs, improve on our weaknesses, but in the end, never back down from this great journey that we now undertake. This alliance did not fall from the skies, as many in this day and age demand things to fall into place, but has grown like our nation into a proud and mighty tree that weathered all the storms the world threw at us. I know that in each of your hearts and minds are dreams and convictions to stand with the honorable of this world, and to no longer look to yourself or to your mere surroundings, to understand the scope and glory the world is made to be! That glorious world is our own to decide, and is an ever encroaching goal that I ask of you to be a part of...”

“What shall be done for the Dancerian to uplift them, shall be done to uplift the nation, and through the nation and this alliance, we shall uplift the world!”

The last rallying statement rung out in a muffled echo, and one could hear a pin drop...before a certain green eyed blonde woman would shout out.
"Gartha-vín ennorath lain!"

It took many off guard, and many turned to find where the words came from, before crying out again.

"Gartha-vín ennorath lain!"

It was an old rallying cry, which roughly meant "keep our soil sovereign". A slogan cheered since the Kingdoms were united under the old Telcontar dynasty. It was a promise, a vow, to keep Dancerians free and their own. In saying this, one voice vowed to do their part in keeping this as well, for this was no politician's platitude. This would be her burden as much as Aceus's. Another voice echoed out, then another, until the entire room roared with the self-same oath, some raising their fists as if to pledge their invisible swords to the King's Crusade.

With that high note, and with much excitement, the nobles and dignitaries would be gradually chaperoned to the Meeting Hall, where the members of the MTO or anyone who would have business with them could discuss international treaties, trade, and other programs. Unusually, the King lingered, probably to let the newfound surge of foot-traffic thin out.

The four Kyrenaians listened to the speech with great interest - and applauded politely at the end.
The greatest question for Kyrenaia was still whether or not to join the MTO. What advantages would Kyrenaia have from joining them? What advantages would others have from Kyrenaia joining them? What would be the long-term impact of it on the allies and friends of Kyrenaia, like the Empire of the Scarlet Eagle, the UIS or the Free Lands?
At the end of the day, Aceus answered the questions, in a way... but mostly didn't.
The problem was, that he mostly spoke of Danceria's present glory and past mistakes. While that was understandable, he was still speaking to a mostly Dancerian audience, it also spoke of something else: The MTO, according to him, was there to, in his words, "uplift the world", and if al-Zahir had to bet, it was not by development programmes.
Kyrenaia did not barter with the lifes of its sons and daughters, that was a fact.
The question was: How much was this publicity-gag, in how far did that reflect the opinions of the leadership of the MTO in and of itself? In how far was the speech to pander to the audience? And what measure to achieve its goal did the MTO have in mind?
At the end of the day, there was only one way to find out: By speaking with them. Which was what ben Sahid and al-Zahir wanted to. And what al-Zahir was going to do.
That all being said, Aceus was a very good speaker.
As the delegates were ushered out, the four Kyrenaians came together, Karim bidding his farewell to Rikku for the moment.
Dschamilla fixed the tie on the old Grand Vizier, who was handing out what one might call orders: "Dschamilla and I will attend the actual summit, as usual.", he began without preamble, earning nods, "Karim, Fara, you two are the envoys of Kyrenaia here, or whereever you find yourself. Remember that you are not only representing Kyrenaia's youth and next generation, but also the Sultanate itself."
Both nodded, which earned a satisfied smile from the Grand Vizier, Dschamilla making a step back. She nodded, stating, that he was ready.
"Make us proud, kids.", the old man said, leaning onto his cane.
"You as well, Grand Vizier.", Fara spoke for the two of them.
Smiling slightly, the old man joined the caravan, Dschamilla at his side.

[Danceria]

-snipe-

With practiced professionalism, the local Dancerian security would work their way through the crowd and silently sand near enough to the delegates to be seen, while still allowing comfortable space for them to maneuver. Dowager Elurion too, seemed to be escorted along, chatting every now and again with various nobles and reporters, as well as the ambassadors. She smiled especially at Karim and the Grand Vizier.

If Fara were to linger by the ballroom, remembering Nana's words, she would be rewarded with a delightfully vacant ballroom. Vacant, save for the King of Danceria. A strange, wistful smile would form across his lips, though he approached her with an energetic nut disciplined stride. Aceus bowed when he came comfortably close to the Kyrenaian Princess. "May I have the honour of this final dance?" he would inquire.

[Kyrenaia]

-snipe-

With practiced professionalism, the local Dancerian security would work their way through the crowd and silently sand near enough to the delegates to be seen, while still allowing comfortable space for them to maneuver. Dowager Elurion too, seemed to be escorted along, chatting every now and again with various nobles and reporters, as well as the ambassadors. She smiled especially at Karim and the Grand Vizier.

If Fara were to linger by the ballroom, remembering Nana's words, she would be rewarded with a delightfully vacant ballroom. Vacant, save for the King of Danceria. A strange, wistful smile would form across his lips, though he approached her with an energetic nut disciplined stride. Aceus bowed when he came comfortably close to the Kyrenaian Princess. "May I have the honour of this final dance?" he would inquire.

The Kyrenaians left the ball room, the Grand Vizier and Dschamilla towards the summit itself, the latter as the former's attendant, while Karim rejoined Rikku, offering her an arm to link.
He and Fara would not participate in the diplomatic talks themselves. She didn't want to disturb the young luck as well, so she lingered a bit...
Luckily, as it turned out, because as the Ballroom was empty, one became acutely aware of the scale of everything. And of Aceus approaching her with an energetic stride.
As he asked her for a dance, she let a beat pass, smiling.
"It would be my pleasure.", she answered his question, prepared to be taken away.

[Danceria]

With practiced professionalism, the local Dancerian security would work their way through the crowd and silently sand near enough to the delegates to be seen, while still allowing comfortable space for them to maneuver. Dowager Elurion too, seemed to be escorted along, chatting every now and again with various nobles and reporters, as well as the ambassadors. She smiled especially at Karim and the Grand Vizier.

If Fara were to linger by the ballroom, remembering Nana's words, she would be rewarded with a delightfully vacant ballroom. Vacant, save for the King of Danceria. A strange, wistful smile would form across his lips, though he approached her with an energetic nut disciplined stride. Aceus bowed when he came comfortably close to the Kyrenaian Princess. "May I have the honour of this final dance?" he would inquire.

The Kyrenaians left the ball room, the Grand Vizier and Dschamilla towards the summit itself, the latter as the former's attendant, while Karim rejoined Rikku, offering her an arm to link.
He and Fara would not participate in the diplomatic talks themselves. She didn't want to disturb the young luck as well, so she lingered a bit...
Luckily, as it turned out, because as the Ballroom was empty, one became acutely aware of the scale of everything. And of Aceus approaching her with an energetic stride.
As he asked her for a dance, she let a beat pass, smiling.
"It would be my pleasure.", she answered his question, prepared to be taken away.

"Ah, one more thing before I forget." Rikku smiled before she slipped a piece of paper to the young Prince. "It's...my number. Well," she fumbled once more, trying to get the intent right before it seemed so...upfront. "I figured since Aceus was going to let me be your guide...and we were friends anyhow we'd...we'd get acquainted, y'know?"

The ballroom was empty, every step initially rang out against the floor. This was replaced by a more intimate dance, hand on waist and close enough to be enjoyable without being claustrophobic. For as long as the two were willing and able, there was no one to disturb them. A man and a woman danced before their duty would call them off yet again, so the King decided to make it unforgettable