Immediately after the Coronation
Saint Auguste's Cathedral
Ville du Saint, Sawyer
Saint-AugusteThe Saint-Augustine procession out of the cathedral was almost as regal as its entrance. When the newly crowned Princess glided past the Demesetelian delegation each member performed a traditional bow. The sultan's bow was restrained, showing respect of equal status to the Princess, with his right foot only leaving the ground enough to be barely seen poking out from under his robes. The other members performed full bows. Arms crossed, each man bowed to a waist height while kicking their right foot fully behind them. The Saint Auguste royal guard stood at the end of their pew was unprepared for such a showing, and as such caught Bacaan's full kick in the thigh. Red faced and staring straight ahead, the guard said nothing as Bacaan profusely apologized. Ignoring the commotion going on behind him, the sultan continued to watch as the Royal Family passed by, followed by many Bishops and government officials dressed to the nines in brightly coloured and starched outfits. After them, the guests began to empty their seats. Instead of joining the throng, Caane sat back down, and the rest of his delegation followed. "No reason to get caught up in all that. We'll all get outta here around the same time anyway."
"Actually, sir, I was thinking I would head out with the Batavian delegation." Injected Adeel, while flashing a charming smile at the young Batavian girl sat behind him, who turned quite the shade of scarlet and adverted her eyes.
The sultan let out a slight chuckle and leans in to whisper in Adeel's ear. "I had seen you throwing glances her way the whole coronation. Keep it classy, my friend." Throwing Adeel a wink, Caane then turns to Queen Wilhelmina stood behind him. "Are we all still getting together for the address tonight, Wilhelmina?" With a smile, she replies. "Of course, Caane. Going to be quite the party! I hope you're ready to be drunk under the table, I almost had you last time!" Sensing a gap in the crowd, she leaves him with a playful punch on the arm and their delegation begins to file out, the younger members seemingly glued to their pPads.
"I was planning on heading out as well, my Sultan." Announced Arsalan. "I have a lunch planned with some old business partners."
"Sure, sure." Replied Caane, with a wave of his hand. "I'm about to head out anyway, the crowds are thinning. Bacaan, are you riding back to the house with us, or do you have other plans as well?"
"Actually, I have been invited to an event nearby, I will meet you at the chateau later, if that is ok?"
"Of course, we're all enjoying this trip aren't we." Caane replies with a smile.
After exiting the cathedral, Caane and Caleb found their car sitting in the line of other
delegates waiting to find their way through the gridlock on the streets. As they approached the vehicle, the valet attendant exited and held the door for Caane. After slipping a bundle of large Franc notes into the jacket pocket of the attendant, Caane and Caleb settled in for the long drive back to the Chateau. Caane had flown his daily driver in, and was at home behind the wheel of his B6+ rated bulletproof Rolls Royce Phantom. Slate Grey exterior with a Racing Orange interior, this Rolls had been both elongated and widened to account for the armor and to provide extra room for its many amenities. To further support its security, Caane had rifle mounts bolted to its extra wide B pillars after the attack. After a few minutes of driving, Caleb spoke up. "What in the world are we listening to?" "Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture." Replies Caane excitedly. "The Saint Augustine anthem reminded me of his work. The cannons are coming up, my favorite!" Caane turned the radio volume to almost its max. "Cannons!!" Yelled Caleb, with a very confused look on his face. The music began to swell, and then BAM. Caleb jumped with each cannon blast, the car's surround sound system making them sound as if grenades were exploding under the car. "Haha I love it!" Yells Caane, straining to be heard over the horns and cannon fire. Even with the yelling, Caleb had his hands pressed against his ears, so he did not hear. Both their ears would ring for the rest of the car ride home, but Caane thoroughly enjoyed blasting classical music the whole way.
Grand Ball for the Princess
Day after the coronation
Hotel de Paris
Ville du Saint, Sawyer
Saint-AugusteStepping out of their limo to the shouting and camera flashes typical with such a high ticket event, the Demesetelian delegation was dressed in formal attire, with the Sultan forgoing his typical robes for a black Brioni Vanquish II suit. Climbing the steps into the Hotel, each member broke off to go thoroughly enjoy the massive party. Caleb stuck with Caane, and the two of them made their way towards the large bar to the side of the main ballroom. "Two whisky Cokes and a Stoli and Redbull." Ordered Caane, taking a seat at the bar.
"Your whisky of choice, sir?" Replies the barman.
"Pappy Van Winkle, and leave the Redbull can for my brother here."
"Pappy Van Winkle? I'm sorry sir we don't carry that."
"Fine. Blanton's will do."
"I'm so very sorry, we do not carry Blanton's either."
"You don't carry Pap or Blanton's? I didn't know Saint Augustine would be so primitive with their Bourbon choice."
"The only Bourbon we carry is Four Roses single batch, would you like that sir?"
"Four Roses! Jesus all you have is Four Roses? Yeah, I guess it will do..."
As the barman turned his back to prepare the drinks, Caane turned to Caleb. "All they have is Four Roses?! Ill have to talk to the hotel owner sometime that is just unacceptable. An establishment like this should know that their clients with refined palates would thoroughly enjoy a good Bourbon." Caleb was not paying much attention to Caane, as his eyes were tracking a group of scantily clad socialites walking past the bar. "Eyes forward Caleb!" Said Caane with a playful elbow to Caleb's side. "Hila would not be happy with your wandering eyes."
"Ha, every man looks at the goods, a good married man does not touch! They obviously want to be seen, why else would they wear such dress. Look at the one in yellow! Her outfit is practically lace over a jeweled bikini. And besides, my eyes will soon be the least of your worries. Did you really need two drinks?"
"I only had 3 on the ride here! This event is a 5 drink pregame for sure." Interrupting their ogling, the barman sets their drinks down on the counter. "Start a tab for us, put everything anyone with the last name Demesetelis orders on it." The barman nods and walks off to serve other patrons. Sipping his first drink with a grimace, Caane says, "Damn Four Roses! It'll have to do. What are your plans for the evening Caleb?"
"Ill keep an eye out on you, but ill stay back. You have lots of boring small talk ahead of you, none of which I want to be a part of." Replied Caleb with a chuckle.
"Make sure you are enjoying yourself. I can handle my own you know." Caane finishes off his first drink with a large gulp, and begins on his second. "Who should I meet up with first? You see anyone interesting milling about?
"Anyone interesting? Everyone is interesting. You have the celebrities, various delegates and heads of state, some of those religious nuts from Sanguinem, even..."
Caane cuts him off, "Oh god not those religious guys. I can't imagine we would have much to talk about. We are practically polar opposites!"
"Being polar opposites to religion does not sound too good..."
"Oh, you know what I mean! Religion has no place in my government, I can't imagine a whole country ran by it! No, I wont start there. And no celebrities either, they are always trying to one up everyone else." Caleb looks at Caane's $55,000 suit and $600,000 Rolex with one eyebrow raised. Not noticing his look, Caane continues. "Someone I can actually talk to. Do you see Pierre? Or maybe Wilhelmina?"
"No, but I do see Princess Stephanie. Dancing with the Kherkovian Crown Prince Adolphus."
"Adolphus? Slimy one he is, watch out for him."
"He seems pretty charming to me."
"Ehh, its something about his eyes. Always looks like he's plotting. Very observant." Caane finishes his second drink, whereas Caleb is still sipping his first. "I'm going to find a waiter with some of those crab cakes I saw waking in. Want me to grab you one?"
"Nah, Ill keep on people watching. You go do your thing."
With that the sultan left the bar in search of delicious crab cake.