The World Assembly Strangers' Bar

[Wrapper]

*snip*

"That sounds like a very practical solution - are the spouse choices based just on just getting along well, or do you marry for love, or both? And if I ask anything too personal, just tell me so; different cultures consider different things taboos, and I don't want to offend just to sate my curiosity."

AHUME: Oh, not at all. I guess everyone marries for different reasons, but if you're asking why I married into the family, I primarily married for love. Darial, our senior husband. I was smitten with him for a long time before I had the nerve to talk to him.

ARI: Yes, what a shocker.

AHUME: And don't get me wrong, while I love our wives dearly, and yes that means exactly what you think it means in terms of intimacy, it's... hmmm... just not quite the same thing I guess, as it is with Darial. And I suppose that's not unusual in line marriages. We do all get along well, for sure, and that is a very important part in accepting a new spouse into the family. It's not something that's taken lightly.

ARI: Janis, I must say, I've met all of Ahume's spouses, and his kids, it is a wonderful family dynamic, but without a doubt it is not for everyone. Too much of Wrapper is comprised of monogamous cultures, that it would never be a widespread way of life. Nor would bachelorhood, come to think of it, I am very much in the minority in my own nation, moreso than Ahume.

[Araraukar]

*snipped off a post that made me go "Awww. " at Ahume in real life*

"Araraukar is mainly monogamous, so the line marriage sounds rather exotic to me, but I know for a fact that some sort of polygamy exists back home too - it might not be called marriage, but it's entirely possible for multiple adults to register as a family for parenting licence. That's required for having children - whether biological or adopted - and you need to show that you're able to take care of the children financially and emotionally, and of course also that you're not dangerous criminals or similar. Single parents can of course also qualify for the licence, if they prove themselves capable; I'm a single parent myself, though my son moved out as soon as he became adult. Having an infamous mom can apparently be very embarrassing," she finished with a grin.

[Wallenburg]

The bar phone rings and Gerald answers. "Strangers' Bar, Magnus-Maria speaking. Yes, he's still here. How does she feel? Well, I guess that's expected. Send her over. Thank you, Martha."

He returns to sit with the Wads, genuinely intrigued at the various marital traditions across Wrapper. "I'm surprised your nation can stay intact with such varied cultures. You must have a strong, an unusually powerful sense of unity."

[Araraukar]

The bar phone rings and Gerald answers. "Strangers' Bar, Magnus-Maria speaking. Yes, he's still here. How does she feel? Well, I guess that's expected. Send her over. Thank you, Martha."

He returns to sit with the Wads, genuinely intrigued at the various marital traditions across Wrapper. "I'm surprised your nation can stay intact with such varied cultures. You must have a strong, an unusually powerful sense of unity."

"Wait, you're named "Magnus-Maria"? I thought you were called Gerald. Are you intergender?"

[Wallenburg]

The bar phone rings and Gerald answers. "Strangers' Bar, Magnus-Maria speaking. Yes, he's still here. How does she feel? Well, I guess that's expected. Send her over. Thank you, Martha."

He returns to sit with the Wads, genuinely intrigued at the various marital traditions across Wrapper. "I'm surprised your nation can stay intact with such varied cultures. You must have a strong, an unusually powerful sense of unity."

"Wait, you're named "Magnus-Maria"? I thought you were called Gerald. Are you intergender?"

"My full name is Gerald Magnus-Maria Gonzalgez. I am the son of Magnus Gonzalgez. Hence, Gerald Magnusson. It seemed appropriate. After all, Helen's not even really named Helen. The universal translators just made a mistake early on and stuck with it. And no, I am not intergender." He smiles humorously and flexes his large but unmuscular arms. "I am a strong, confident manly man."

[Wrapper]

Single parents can of course also qualify for the licence, if they prove themselves capable; I'm a single parent myself, though my son moved out as soon as he became adult. Having an infamous mom can apparently be very embarrassing," she finished with a grin.

AHUME: Huh. I did not know you were a parent. What does your son do?

He returns to sit with the Wads, genuinely intrigued at the various marital traditions across Wrapper. "I'm surprised your nation can stay intact with such varied cultures. You must have a strong, an unusually powerful sense of unity."

ARI: Indeed. Many cultures, but united under a banner of peace, knowledge and acceptance.

"My full name is Gerald Magnus-Maria Gonzalgez. I am the son of Magnus Gonzalgez. Hence, Gerald Magnusson. It seemed appropriate. After all, Helen's not even really named Helen. The universal translators just made a mistake early on and stuck with it. And no, I am not intergender." He smiles humorously and flexes his large but unmuscular arms. "I am a strong, confident manly man."

(Ari pokes Gerald's bicep.)

ARI: Hmm. Not bad!

AHUME: Helen's name is not Helen? I'd ask what it is, but I suspect the translator will translate it as Helen, won't it?

[Wallenburg]

(Ari pokes Gerald's bicep.)

ARI: Hmm. Not bad!

AHUME: Helen's name is not Helen? I'd ask what it is, but I suspect the translator will translate it as Helen, won't it?

"Heh, that tickles. Anyway! Helen's name is Helen. I mean Helen. Argh, Notch damn those translators!"

He looks around and picks up a napkin, scribbling some letters on it. "There you go. There's her name."

[Astrolinium]

Giovanni, being the nosy ass he is, leaned over to look at the napkin. "Is that three whole bars of signal strength?"

[Wallenburg]

Giovanni, being the nosy ass he is, leaned over to look at the napkin. "Is that three whole bars of signal strength?"

OOC:

[Wrapper]

(Ari pokes Gerald's bicep.)

ARI: Hmm. Not bad!

AHUME: Helen's name is not Helen? I'd ask what it is, but I suspect the translator will translate it as Helen, won't it?

"Heh, that tickles. Anyway! Helen's name is Helen. I mean Helen. Argh, Notch damn those translators!"

He looks around and picks up a napkin, scribbling some letters on it. "There you go. There's her name."

ARI: Hmmm. Looks like El-Yill in our language, not too far off I suppose.

AHUME: Oh. Did Kay mention? She is thinking of naming her baby Elle.

ARI: No, I had not heard. You seem to forget I barely spoke to the young lady before she left. Nose as good as new? (Ahume nods; he walks over to Ari, tablet in hand, and swipes open a picture.) Oh my, how picturesque. Gerald, Janis, come have a look, it's Kay and Helen in front of that new fig tree from the PPU.

[Araraukar]

He smiles humorously and flexes his large but unmuscular arms. "I am a strong, confident manly man."

"You really should visit Araraukar City during the Gender Freedom event, and introduce yourself as Magnus-Maria," Janis suggested wryly. "And I honestly wasn't trying to be offensive or anything - our lea-" She caught herself, coughed in an embarrassed manner and, with an eyeroll, started again: "'The Benevolent and Beloved Leader of our Grand Nation' is themself¹ an intergender individual, who identifies as transgender. Also, I've long since learned that just because someone looks like a man, doesn't mean they are one. Especially when we're talking about different species."

AHUME: Huh. I did not know you were a parent. What does your son do?

"Eh, I tend to not advertize having living family members, as politics can sometimes get vicious even on domestic level, and he should be allowed his privacy. He studies in the Environmental Academy², second year now, and his specialization plans change practically weekly. He's always liked taking care of animals, so I wouldn't be surprised if he was headed towards a veterinarian career."

ARI: Indeed. Many cultures, but united under a banner of peace, knowledge and acceptance.

"Uh, no offence, Ari, but after what happened with Arya, I have a hard time swallowing that "acceptance" bit."

OOC notes:

¹Singular "they" as gender-neutral pronoun. Araraukarian language is basically my native, Finnish, so there is no he/she division. And yes, Araraukarians are supposed to give the full title whenever speaking of the Leader. It's intentionally awkward.

²Previously named Araraukarian Academy - basically the best university in the country, and since all studies are free to the students, you need really good grades to get in.

Oh my, how picturesque. Gerald, Janis, come have a look, it's Kay and Helen in front of that new fig tree from the PPU.

Janis looked at the picture carefully. "Want to bet the tree is sapient?"

OOC: It's not, but she doesn't entirely trust PPU.

[Wrapper]

ARI: Indeed. Many cultures, but united under a banner of peace, knowledge and acceptance.

"Uh, no offence, Ari, but after what happened with Arya, I have a hard time swallowing that "acceptance" bit."

(Ari shuffles uncomfortably in his seat, while Ahume subtly shakes his head.)

[Araraukar]

"Uh, no offence, Ari, but after what happened with Arya, I have a hard time swallowing that "acceptance" bit."

(Ari shuffles uncomfortably in his seat, while Ahume subtly shakes his head.)

"Buuut I understand it's not something that's up to you to decide. Anyway," Janis quickly went on, "if I can ask one more thing about your cultural norms - the "Wad" bit of "Wad Ari" or "Wad Ahume", is that a demonym or title or what?"

[Wallenburg]

Gerald, Janis, come have a look, it's Kay and Helen in front of that new fig tree from the PPU.

"What a lovely picture, Ambassadors," says Gerald. "Helen looks awful in overalls, though."

"I look exceptional in overalls, Gerald."

He spins around to see Helen standing in the entryway to the bar, dressed in what would pass for casual in the "1940s". "Hello, my friends. It's nice to see you all so soon. I see you have our picture. Color photography! Isn't it amazing?"

She steps forward and sees her name spelled out on a napkin. "Umm...Gerald?"

"Just trying to teach them how to pronounce your native name."

"Oh. It's 'eh-lay-nah'. Like that. So, you told Martha to tell me that Ben was here?"

"Ah, yes. He's right there." Gerald points to Bell.

"Thank you, Gerald. I'll talk with all of you soon, okay?"

She walks over to Bell, somewhat nervous. "Um, hello there, good Ambassador. May I have a seat?"

[Imperium Anglorum]

Parsons hands over a business card, entirely filled with text, and says, 'I had new ones printed after my last return home. It was New Year's Honours'.

Foudman takes the card and tries to read it, failing to comprehend the alphabet it uses. "What the devil..."

Parsons says, 'Here', whilst handing over a pair of translation glasses. 'This should clear things up'.

[Wallenburg]

Foudman takes the card and tries to read it, failing to comprehend the alphabet it uses. "What the devil..."

Parsons says, 'Here', whilst handing over a pair of translation glasses. 'This should clear things up'.

Foudman puts on the glasses and reads the card. "Oh, that is quite impressive sir--er, your Grace, that is. I'm afraid I'm far less familiar with politics, but I consider myself a good diplomat, and I am confident that will get me on the right track when I become representative of Wallenburg."

[WA Kitty Kops]

"I'm afraid I'm far less familiar with politics, but I consider myself a good diplomat, and I am confident that will get me on the right track when I become representative of Wallenburg."

Judging his human to be suitably distracted by talking with her friends, the Chief Inshpekshuuner made his way to the new face. "Politics is easy," he announced, jumping onto the table in front of the humanoid. "You disagree with everyone while pretending to agree with the ones that pay for your cream. You is a new face," he added, sniffing in the man's direction. "Same kind human as Eleina?"

OOC: "Eleina" would be how I'd write what Helen said her name to be, but that's just my go for it. Oh, and Chief Inshpekshuuner looks for all the world like a half-grown black cat with green eyes. He just can speak "human" as well as "cat".

[Wallenburg]

"I'm afraid I'm far less familiar with politics, but I consider myself a good diplomat, and I am confident that will get me on the right track when I become representative of Wallenburg."

Judging his human to be suitably distracted by talking with her friends, the Chief Inshpekshuuner made his way to the new face. "Politics is easy," he announced, jumping onto the table in front of the humanoid. "You disagree with everyone while pretending to agree with the ones that pay for your cream. You is a new face," he added, sniffing in the man's direction. "Same kind human as Eleina?"

The West Wallenburgian stammers for a while before fainting and falling into a chair. "S--sweet mother of Notch, that cat just talked."

OOC: "Eleina" would be how I'd write what Helen said her name to be, but that's just my go for it. Oh, and Chief Inshpekshuuner looks for all the world like a half-grown black cat with green eyes. He just can speak "human" as well as "cat".

OOC: Very good guess. The actual romanization is "Elena". "Helen" of course, works just as well.

Dang, this new bar is so educational. Wrapperian marriage customs, Wallenburgian names and phonetics, and so on. This is unacceptable. At this rate, this thread will have actually been useful, and we can't have that!

[WA Kitty Kops]

The West Wallenburgian stammers for a while before fainting and falling into a chair. "S--sweet mother of Notch, that cat just talked."

The Chief Inshpekshuuner regarded the fainted humanoid for a moment, then decided that a lounging opportunity should never be wasted, and hopped onto the man's lap, curling up and sinking his claws into the material of his clothing, carefully avoiding contact with his skin. Human chairs had a habit of jumping upright when claws went into the skin, and the Chief Inshpekshuuner wanted to enjoy the warm spot at least for a moment.

OOC: If your guy does wake up and try to stand up, he'll hang on just past comfort zone before giving up. Saying this, because I'm just heading out the door.

Dang, this new bar is so educational. Wrapperian marriage customs, Wallenburgian names and phonetics, and so on. This is unacceptable. At this rate, this thread will have actually been useful, and we can't have that!

OOC: Shush, you, this is all good reference material for later.

[Tinfect]

It is at this time, that a distinctly lost, Imperial Soldier enters the Bar, the dull green of the armour system marking him quite different from the average soldier. He takes a brief look around, the Helmet of the Powered Armour obscuring any form of expression, before taking a seat at the bar. Leaning the almost impossibly heavy rifle he was carrying against said bar, he waves Neville over and orders a distinctly non-alcoholic glass of Water, before beginning the long process of removing his Helmet. A few moments of hissing as the Environmental Systems disengage, and the armour piece finds its way to the Bar, next to the freshly-arrived glass of water.

Seeing the Wads sitting nearby, looking like they know their way around and all that, he asks the question that so burned for an answer,
"Hey, uh, you people wouldn't happen to know anything about some kind of creature going around attacking Delegates?"

[Wallenburg]

The Chief Inshpekshuuner regarded the fainted humanoid for a moment, then decided that a lounging opportunity should never be wasted, and hopped onto the man's lap, curling up and sinking his claws into the material of his clothing, carefully avoiding contact with his skin. Human chairs had a habit of jumping upright when claws went into the skin, and the Chief Inshpekshuuner wanted to enjoy the warm spot at least for a moment.

Foudman begins to whimper as the cat climbs over him. He feels warm liquid spreading from his nether regions. "Somebody please help me," he gasps.

Gerald notices the panicking officer and sighs. "All right, all right." He walks over and kneels down in front of the cat. "Um...he seems to like you. He's pretty cute too. What's wrong with him?"

"It speaks," says the West Wallenburgian. "It's unnatural."

Gerald rolls his eyes and lays a hand down on the cat, petting him gently. "Hey there, you're kind of wierding out a colleague of mine. Come 'ere, I have a nice lap for you here as well."

Gerald picks up the cat--ignoring the sound of shredding fabric--and sets the Chief Inshpekshuuner on his own lap.

[Imperium Anglorum]

Parsons says, 'Here', whilst handing over a pair of translation glasses. 'This should clear things up'.

Foudman puts on the glasses and reads the card. "Oh, that is quite impressive sir--er, your Grace, that is. I'm afraid I'm far less familiar with politics, but I consider myself a good diplomat, and I am confident that will get me on the right track when I become representative of Wallenburg."

Parsons nods and asks, 'What brings you here to the World Assembly?'.

An aide then hands him a telegram. Parsons turns and reads, 'Bitely recently refounded. European Office, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Recruitment'. Surprised, Parsons mumbles, 'Interesting. And apparently', reading onwards, 'he is now in Vancouvia's place, the Western Isles'.

Parsons, in his mind, considers ordering the records department to blank out 336 GA from Rexis, but pushes that back quickly to the recesses of his mind, reminding himself that Rexis must be faithful to the facts.

[Araraukar]

Gerald picks up the cat--ignoring the sound of shredding fabric--and sets the Chief Inshpekshuuner on his own lap.

OOC: Did Gerald move back to where he was sitting with the Wads and Janis, or did he sit down near the other Wallenburger Wallenburgian?

'Bitely recently refounded.'

OOC: Run for the hills, the end of world is nigh!

[Wrapper]

(Ari shuffles uncomfortably in his seat, while Ahume subtly shakes his head.)

"Buuut I understand it's not something that's up to you to decide. Anyway," Janis quickly went on, "if I can ask one more thing about your cultural norms - the "Wad" bit of "Wad Ari" or "Wad Ahume", is that a demonym or title or what?"

AHUME: Both actually. Taken literally it means "citizen".

ARI: Yes, it's, mm, "citizen" is the closest approximation, yes.

AHUME: And it replaces the use of Miss, Mister, Mistress. In certain circles using a title like "Mister" or "Missus" is a demeaning slur, implying that someone is not worthy of citizenship--

(The Wads hear Helen's voice.)

ARI: Ah, Miss Trevanyika! How is the farming life--

"Thank you, Gerald. I'll talk with all of you soon, okay?"

She walks over to Bell, somewhat nervous. "Um, hello there, good Ambassador. May I have a seat?"

ARI: (whispers to Ahume) This should be interesting.

[Araraukar]

AHUME: In certain circles using a title like "Mister" or "Missus" is a demeaning slur, implying that someone is not worthy of citizenship--

"Ah, that explains your dislike of being called "Mister" before. Even though I'm sure you two understand that most people don't mean it as an insult. I myself lay emphasis on the "Miss", because I am not and never have been married - and like I sort of explained, getting a parenting licence as a single parent has great signifigance in Araraukar."

She watched Helen approach Bell and sighed, "I wonder if the weapons nullifiers would consider it an assault if we got a tranquilizer dart and tried to avert that particular disaster?"

Seeing the Wads sitting nearby, looking like they know their way around and all that, he asks the question that so burned for an answer, "Hey, uh, you people wouldn't happen to know anything about some kind of creature going around attacking Delegates?"

"Could only be another delegate, I think," Janis said, showing her teeth at the soldier. "Though I would suggest against trying to use your weapon here, if you don't want it to turn into a water pistol or something. Weapons don't work here."