The World Assembly Strangers' Bar

[Herby]

Drane looks back and forth between the two Wallenburgian representatives, and whispers to Herby. "Okay, I'm more confused than a manatee in an aquarium. What's the deal with those two?"

Ehhhhh lessee. The guy that left is the regular guy and the guy that’s standing over there, ehhhhhh, ain’t. He comes around every Halloween I think, but this time for some reason he got stuck here. Don’t know why. Ain’t that the long and the short of it, Pinky?

[Imperial Polk County]

Drane looks back and forth between the two Wallenburgian representatives, and whispers to Herby. "Okay, I'm more confused than a manatee in an aquarium. What's the deal with those two?"

Ehhhhh lessee. The guy that left is the regular guy and the guy that’s standing over there, ehhhhhh, ain’t. He comes around every Halloween I think, but this time for some reason he got stuck here. Don’t know why. Ain’t that the long and the short of it, Pinky?

"Oh," says Drane, the look of confusion still frozen on his face.

[Herby]

Never mind, never mind ‘bout that. C’mon Q-Bert, *CLICK* hop in, time to go for a spin.

[Allied Sapients]

Paulson shakes his head. "First, I don't expect any Wallenburgian to let some strange aliens send them to an alien world, far away from friends and family. Second, for all I know, I and the people in my office are the only remaining citizens of Wallenburg. We don't have that kind of population to offer."

Ogenbond stands up. "Okay, you know what? You're batshit crazy. I'm going back to my office. My office, not yours."

“Ambassador, please. This is for the greater good,” says Olsh. “Confining a species to a single planet is a dangerous thing to do. Your people- either of your people- would greatly benefit from this. As would other people, if you were to allow us to collect those members of your species from other nations on your world.”

[Naqil]

*Nega nods in understanding* "That's how it usually goes. These movements preach liberation at all costs. Average person's not so radical as to support that immediately. But then these extremists start talking about self-respect, and how the glory of the nation is at stake, and everyone gets all riled up."

“That’s about the long and short of it, yeah. It’s all glory this, and power to the people that, and significantly exagerrated “grievances” as well.” Ixhua takes a long sip of her corn beer. “But well, we’ll win in the end. Even if we have to purge the island town by town.”

[Bruke]

"Oh! Corn beer. Reminds me of my country's honey wine."

[Imperial Polk County]

Never mind, never mind ‘bout that. C’mon Q-Bert, *CLICK* hop in, time to go for a spin.

"Really?" A boyish grin spreads across Drane's withered face as he slowly approaches the driver's side door. He opens it and peers inside. "Oh my. This... this is spectacular." He slowly runs his hand across the headrest. "Nice." he sits in the seat and puts his hands on the steering wheel. "This is amazing, classic yet comfortable. Your chassis screams nostalgic 1960s Beetle, but your interior, it's like, sixties retro meets twenty-first century techno. So I'm guessing I shouldn't touch any of these buttons, right?" He closes the door, fastens his seatbelt, and rubs his hands together in excitement. "Okay, where to, sugar?"

[Herby]

Never mind, never mind ‘bout that. C’mon Q-Bert, *CLICK* hop in, time to go for a spin.

"Really?" A boyish grin spreads across Drane's withered face as he slowly approaches the driver's side door. He opens it and peers inside. "Oh my. This... this is spectacular." He slowly runs his hand across the headrest. "Nice." he sits in the seat and puts his hands on the steering wheel. "This is amazing, classic yet comfortable. Your chassis screams nostalgic 1960s Beetle, but your interior, it's like, sixties retro meets twenty-first century techno. So I'm guessing I shouldn't touch any of these buttons, right?" He closes the door, fastens his seatbelt, and rubs his hands together in excitement. "Okay, where to, sugar?"

Dude. Dude. Dude! Don’t touch the buttons. Least not ‘til you get to know me better. Okay okay seat belt on? Aaaaand away we go!

Herby putters toward the doors at an extremely slow speed. As soon as she gets through the doors, the internal combustion engine revs and the tires squeal.

YeeeeeeeeeeHA!

[Wallenburg]

Ignoring Representative Ogenbond's protest, Ambassador Pink retrieved his 3D glasses. "Right you are. Always thought there was something off with you, waltzing in from the losing side of a civil war. '39 to '45 you say? Some years, no matter where you go..."

Ogenbond raises his eyebrow. "What? Losing side? Who are you, anyway, and why are you wearing such ridiculous eyewear?"

Paulson shakes his head. "First, I don't expect any Wallenburgian to let some strange aliens send them to an alien world, far away from friends and family. Second, for all I know, I and the people in my office are the only remaining citizens of Wallenburg. We don't have that kind of population to offer."

Ogenbond stands up. "Okay, you know what? You're batshit crazy. I'm going back to my office. My office, not yours."

“Ambassador, please. This is for the greater good,” says Olsh. “Confining a species to a single planet is a dangerous thing to do. Your people- either of your people- would greatly benefit from this. As would other people, if you were to allow us to collect those members of your species from other nations on your world.”

"Ambassador, please understand, you--" Paulson stops, confused. "Wait, what? As in abducting foreigners? You do know that Wallenburg has no jurisdiction over the inhabitants of foreign countries, right? Even if Wallenburgian law gave me a green light to take foreigners and give them to you, it would be outside my power to do so. I can't allow you to take foreigners, because neither I nor my government holds that power to grant you."

Paulson orders a glass of water and continues. "On another note, we aren't 'confining' anyone. It's not like we are actively discouraging interplanetary exploration. Heck, several nations of the Confederation have entered into negotiations with the City of Arabus to plan early recolonization efforts of Indev. We're advancing quite well all on our own, and I don't see the interference of another civilization as a benefit to us."

[Whovian Tardisia]

Ignoring Representative Ogenbond's protest, Ambassador Pink retrieved his 3D glasses. "Right you are. Always thought there was something off with you, waltzing in from the losing side of a civil war. '39 to '45 you say? Some years, no matter where you go..."

Ogenbond raises his eyebrow. "What? Losing side? Who are you, anyway, and why are you wearing such ridiculous eyewear?"

"Oh, of course, you weren't here. Ambassador Rupert Pink, Whovian Tardisia." He begins, extending his hand. "I know, I don't look the same, perk of my biology. All I have to do to cheat death is have a makeover!" He glances at the pile of Cheetos still covering the floor. "And make a little mess... anyways, the glasses. Temporal Disturbance Clarifiers. I'm usually aware of weird, timey-wimey problems, but certain things are more subtle." He added, putting the glasses away. "For instance, you two." He continues, now addressing both Wallenburgians. "Two different people from the same nation at different points in its history. Usually there's only one timeline running parallel to WAHQ per nation to avoid scrambling things too badly, but not this time. A slightly turbulent, but fairly normal past, and a completely paranormal future, running in tandem. But how? So far as I know, you lot haven't been messing with time travel. Have you?"

I could have sworn Ogenbond was from West Wallenburg. Was he not? If so, apologies.

[Imperial Polk County]

Herby putters toward the doors at an extremely slow speed.

Drane excitedly peers out the window as they creep toward the exit. Slowly, he comes to realize the possibility that Herby has duped him; What, am I only getting a ride across the room? Drane snickers a bit and shakes his head, trying not to seem too disappointed. "Well. This is--"

As soon as she gets through the doors, the internal combustion engine revs and the tires squeal.

YeeeeeeeeeeHA!

Drane jerks back in the seat and hangs on tightly as they zoom out of the bar and down the hall.

[Wallenburg]

Ogenbond raises his eyebrow. "What? Losing side? Who are you, anyway, and why are you wearing such ridiculous eyewear?"

"Oh, of course, you weren't here. Ambassador Rupert Pink, Whovian Tardisia." He begins, extending his hand.

Ogenbond raises his eyebrow even higher. "Pink? You expect me to believe you are Rupert Pink?"

"I know, I don't look the same, perk of my biology. All I have to do to cheat death is have a makeover!" He glances at the pile of Cheetos still covering the floor. "And make a little mess... anyways, the glasses. Temporal Disturbance Clarifiers. I'm usually aware of weird, timey-wimey problems, but certain things are more subtle." He added, putting the glasses away. "For instance, you two." He continues, now addressing both Wallenburgians. "Two different people from the same nation at different points in its history. Usually there's only one timeline running parallel to WAHQ per nation to avoid scrambling things too badly, but not this time. A slightly turbulent, but fairly normal past, and a completely paranormal future, running in tandem. But how? So far as I know, you lot haven't been messing with time travel. Have you?"

"Oh, you're Pink all right. So you almost died? Damn, I would not have expected that. Usually the nullifiers protect against that kind of stuff. Well then, Ambassador Pink, I can guarantee that I have not been messing with time. I have neither the means nor the interest to do so. But if he's from the future, then..."

He turns to Paulson, thinks for a moment, and then smiles. "Excellent. This is absolutely excellent. You know how history unfolds, which means you have all sorts of information to protect Wallenburg and her interests. And better yet, if you are any fan of kripsball, you know who wins the 1940 national tournament. What do you say we place a few bets on the winner?"

Paulson screws his face into a confused expression. "I thought gambling was illegal back in your time."

"That isn't the point. Think about it, you and I could be heroes. Rich heroes."

I could have sworn Ogenbond was from West Wallenburg. Was he not? If so, apologies.

Nope, he's from East Wallenburg. He led campaigns against West Wallenburg, and now serves as the WA representative from both the East and West.

[Whovian Tardisia]

"I just got back from some travelling, the near-death experience happened elsewhere." Pink explained, before it suddenly occurred to him that he had not yet changed out of his blood-stained clothes. "One moment." He interjected, quickly entering the box under the TV. After a short while, he reemerged, neatly dressed in his usual diplomatic uniform of black trousers, a black shirt, a blue jacket, and a silver tie. He had, however, added a black bowler hat to his outfit. "I've always wanted to try out a hat." He mused, half to himself. "I think it suits this face..." He stopped in his tracks, remembering the second half of Ogenbond's comments.

"Uur... Before you get any ideas, Representative, you'll each be returning to your own timelines once this is figured out. I would tread carefully around any talk of Wallenburg's future, too. One stray sentence could prevent something very important, good or bad. At any rate, Mr. Paulson is the one who is out of sync with WAHQ, so we had better start with him." Pink cautioned, before returning to Paulson. "You've been here before, from my perspective, after similar, but less dire circumstances if I recall correctly. But you've never run into each other before..." Ambassador Pink began absentmindedly pacing between the two Wallenburgians. "It doesn't make sense. WAHQ managed to resolve the issue before, but why..." Pink's head sprung upright, and with oddly convenient timing, the lantern on top of the Police Box began to flash. "Of course! Schrodinger paradox! The portal! Where's your office?" He asked excitedly, not caring who he addressed at this point.

[Ferret Civilization]

Since last time having been in the bar was not so pleasant, Furettium had holed himself away in his office after dealing with the effects of a hangover himself for some time. Though the experience was worth it, other than that it was the dead horse beating of reading what the World Assembly turned out. This time however the main and only Ferret around this wild ride of a place, the kind one never got off, he was joined by his ambassadorial partner as well as another face. Making for a three's a company.

"And this is the Stranger's Bar, though I try not to be a stranger here with all the strangeness to be had and what not. An endless choice of drinks and food from anywhere and everywhere with usually something going on here. Perfect place to blow off that duty we have forever and somehow still be in the loop of what is going on..." Furettium looked around the bar, "Right now it just happens to be like the one time that it is quiet, what a coincidence. Octavian you had nothing to be worried about, find a booth and I will get something to drink." He broke off from there to go get his usual order of milk.

"Well this seems like a nice place, this really the usual routine though?" Octavian nodded at the question. "Terrible, just terrible."

"Oh come on now this is not an all bad situation, it has worked out well so far. Not like the World Assembly makes any promises that it will be a friendly festering snake pit. And it provides a lot of amusement, and politicking skills, just have to sit around and watch as there is always something going on. Besides, this visit was not for business, it is a celebration. Not since your position was created was the entire ambassador staff outside our homeland been together. Also with your retirement you should not be worried about this stuff anymore, go home and enjoy your life." Furettium paused to take a drink of milk, "Though first you have to try this stuff." He slid over a glass across the table to his friend.

"Milk? We have this at home." Furettium stopped him, "Trust me, this stuff is better." With the three of them having a glass of milk, "To retirement."

"To retirement." The other two agreed. And such was their quick little celebration.

[New Vragoltinus]

Wild muffled laughing echoes into the bar before the door is kicked open, nearly off the hinges as a large, broad shouldered man wearing a dark cape with red velvet on the inside and a general's suit marches in with his head held high and with the stance similar to that of a peacock, his whole face is obscured by a WW2 gas mask and he looks to be wearing a German style WW2 helmet. He proceeds to extend his arms out like a bird about to take flight before making a loud muffled yell as if yelling out "I HAVE ARRIVED!", announcing his presence in the least subtle way possible.

He looks around the place as he makes his way to the bar,taking a seat and casually kicking his feet up. He continues looking around seemingly without a care in the world.

[Whovian Tardisia]

Ambassador Pink tipped his hat to the Ferrets as they came in. He admired how little time they spent in the bar; it gave him the impression that they actually did their jobs more than some of the folks that hung around here. He heard them mention retirement, and was going to comment, but:

He looks around the place as he makes his way to the bar,taking a seat and casually kicking his feet up. He continues looking around seemingly without a care in the world.

As the newcomer's feet went up, Pink looked at him disapprovingly. "I'd keep my feet off the bar if I were you. The barmen spend an awful lot of time keeping it clean."

[New Vragoltinus]

Ambassador Pink tipped his hat to the Ferrets as they came in. He admired how little time they spent in the bar; it gave him the impression that they actually did their jobs more than some of the folks that hung around here. He heard them mention retirement, and was going to comment, but:

He looks around the place as he makes his way to the bar,taking a seat and casually kicking his feet up. He continues looking around seemingly without a care in the world.

As the newcomer's feet went up, Pink looked at him disapprovingly. "I'd keep my feet off the bar if I were you. The barmen spend an awful lot of time keeping it clean."

He looked over at him, staring for a second before making a muffled chuckle and shrugging as if to say: "Whatever you say". He then lifts his feet off the bar and dusts it off.

He turned to Pink before making a bunch of incoherent muffled noises that sound like speech, after that he sits, as if waiting a response.

[Whovian Tardisia]

He looked over at him, staring for a second before making a muffled chuckle and shrugging as if to say: "Whatever you say". He then lifts his feet off the bar and dusts it off.

He turned to Pink before making a bunch of incoherent muffled noises that sound like speech, after that he sits, as if waiting a response.

"Sorry, I didn't quite catch that." Pink answered, reading the newcomer's body language. "Perhaps it's the mask. There's no need for it, I assure you, the air in here is suitable for anything that's come in so far, and you are hardly the most unusual life form I've seen in here."

[New Vragoltinus]

He looked over at him, staring for a second before making a muffled chuckle and shrugging as if to say: "Whatever you say". He then lifts his feet off the bar and dusts it off.

He turned to Pink before making a bunch of incoherent muffled noises that sound like speech, after that he sits, as if waiting a response.

"Sorry, I didn't quite catch that." Pink answered, reading the newcomer's body language. "Perhaps it's the mask. There's no need for it, I assure you, the air in here is suitable for anything that's come in so far, and you are hardly the most unusual life form I've seen in here."

He stares again, before showing realization and adjusting a knob on the side of his mask for a minute, he then clears his throat

"My apologies, I don't speak English, just had to adjust some things. Also about the mask... I... Don't exactly... Know how to remove it... But besides that, I was just introducing myself, Vernard Brigant."

He extended out a gloved hand

[Whovian Tardisia]

He stares again, before showing realization and adjusting a knob on the side of his mask for a minute, he then clears his throat

"My apologies, I don't speak English, just had to adjust some things. Also about the mask... I... Don't exactly... Know how to remove it... But besides that, I was just introducing myself, Vernard Brigant."

He extended out a gloved hand

Extending his own hand and shaking, the Ambassador replied. "Rupert Pink. Don't be too concerned about language, the building's systems tend to take care of that." He said, gesturing towards a small white box on the ceiling. "What brings you to this establishment then, Mr. Brigant?" Realizing his lack of courtesy, he quickly adds: "Assuming, of course, you are male... It can be hard to tell these days."

[New Vragoltinus]

He stares again, before showing realization and adjusting a knob on the side of his mask for a minute, he then clears his throat

"My apologies, I don't speak English, just had to adjust some things. Also about the mask... I... Don't exactly... Know how to remove it... But besides that, I was just introducing myself, Vernard Brigant."

He extended out a gloved hand

Extending his own hand and shaking, the Ambassador replied. "Rupert Pink. Don't be too concerned about language, the building's systems tend to take care of that." He said, gesturing towards a small white box on the ceiling. "What brings you to this establishment then, Mr. Brigant?" Realizing his lack of courtesy, he quickly adds: "Assuming, of course, you are male... It can be hard to tell these days."

"Oh don't worry, I'm definitely a man. But the reason I came here is mainly due to the fact that running a country out on a rocky asteroid field gets rather boring. So I decided to spice it up by checking this place out, and I'll tell you getting here was not easy.
Turns out flying a ship through an asteroid field is harder than it sounds, plus the amount of traffic on the way here was crazy!
I even saw a car with a guy not even holding the steering wheel and seemingly talking to himself drive past me."

[Essu Beti]

Iksana comes bursting into the Bar, a box in his arms, a bandage on his left ear, and a silver butterfly fluttering around that same ear. Every so often, his other ear would twitch as if sympathetic to its poor bandaged and immobile brother.

He stomps over to the nearest mostly-empty table and slams the box down on it. “We just got a charity shipment in from Creatan,” he says, sliding a claw along the center seam of the box to split the tape holding it together. “A school held an event where students can send in whatever they think we need in our little swampy shithole. Who wants to see what kind of common sense Creatian schoolkids have?”

[Imperial Polk County]

Drane, wearing a red puffball hat and a knitted green sweater with white snowflakes, enters the bar. "Greetings, Mister Chamberlain! The holidays are nearly upon us, would you be offering something festive this coming week, like eggnog or perhaps hot buttered rum?" He takes a seat and as he looks around, his cheerful smile dissipates. "Hmm. I suppose they don't have Christmas everywhere, do they?"

[Essu Beti]

Drane, wearing a red puffball hat and a knitted green sweater with white snowflakes, enters the bar. "Greetings, Mister Chamberlain! The holidays are nearly upon us, would you be offering something festive this coming week, like eggnog or perhaps hot buttered rum?" He takes a seat and as he looks around, his cheerful smile dissipates. "Hmm. I suppose they don't have Christmas everywhere, do they?"

Being colorblind, Iksana doesn’t register the clashing holiday colors. It’s all brown to him. “I haven’t a clue what Christmas is, so I’m gonna assume not,” he says, prying open the box and retrieving the first item, a DVD in a rental case. “Some festival or whatever?”

[Wallenburg]

"I just got back from some travelling, the near-death experience happened elsewhere." Pink explained, before it suddenly occurred to him that he had not yet changed out of his blood-stained clothes. "One moment." He interjected, quickly entering the box under the TV. After a short while, he reemerged, neatly dressed in his usual diplomatic uniform of black trousers, a black shirt, a blue jacket, and a silver tie. He had, however, added a black bowler hat to his outfit. "I've always wanted to try out a hat." He mused, half to himself. "I think it suits this face..." He stopped in his tracks, remembering the second half of Ogenbond's comments.

"Hmm, nice look," Ogenbond compliments Pink.

"You look like one of those pimple-faced blokes who thinks too highly of himself, in my opinion," disagrees Paulson.

"Uur... Before you get any ideas, Representative, you'll each be returning to your own timelines once this is figured out. I would tread carefully around any talk of Wallenburg's future, too. One stray sentence could prevent something very important, good or bad.

"Damn straight!" exclaims Paulson, giving a harsh glare at Ogenbond. "I don't want to cease to exist or something! Is that how time works? I don't know, I'm not a scientist, but I'm not taking any chances with my life!"

At any rate, Mr. Paulson is the one who is out of sync with WAHQ, so we had better start with him." Pink cautioned, before returning to Paulson. "You've been here before, from my perspective, after similar, but less dire circumstances if I recall correctly. But you've never run into each other before..." Ambassador Pink began absentmindedly pacing between the two Wallenburgians. "It doesn't make sense. WAHQ managed to resolve the issue before, but why..." Pink's head sprung upright, and with oddly convenient timing, the lantern on top of the Police Box began to flash. "Of course! Schrodinger paradox! The portal! Where's your office?" He asked excitedly, not caring who he addressed at this point.

Paulson rises to his feet. "Again, Ambassador, I must stress that I am not opening that portal under any circumstances. Invasion forces could enter as soon as a link is established with its partner in Arabus."

"Um, Mr. Paulson, you forget a very crucial factor," says Ogenbond. "The portal is not closed. You're in our time, not yours. There is no invasion force. Whatever mess Wallenburg got itself into in your time is nowhere near happening now. Ambassador, come with me, the office is the sixth one to the left on the second floor."