The World Assembly Strangers' Bar

[Cool Egg Sandwich]

"Well, it was more the gunshots I was worried about," said Mr. Darke as the Ambassadors walked back into the bar. "Are you both alright?"

Mr. Darke produced his satchel, removing a special cigar for each of the Ambassadors, "Smoke?" offered Mr. Darke, with a devilish look on his face.

[Lokemburg]

"Well, it was more the gunshots I was worried about," said Mr. Darke as the Ambassadors walked back into the bar. "Are you both alright?"

Mr. Darke produced his satchel, removing a special cigar for each of the Ambassadors, "Smoke?" offered Mr. Darke, with a devilish look on his face.

Thomas had his thumbs stuck under his bullet resistant vest again as he walked inside. He was met with a delegate and barkeep giving them weird looks. "Guess so" he answered Steavens before shaking his head to the offer of a cigar. "Don't smoke" he said simply as he started back to the table that he was sitting at before. Sitting down he took off his fedora and tossed it onto the table and leaned back in the chair. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.

[East Klent]

"Well, it was more the gunshots I was worried about," said Mr. Darke as the Ambassadors walked back into the bar. "Are you both alright?"

Mr. Darke produced his satchel, removing a special cigar for each of the Ambassadors, "Smoke?" offered Mr. Darke, with a devilish look on his face.

"More or less, I won't mind a smoke. Thanks." Stevens accepted the cigar from Mr. Darke, and pulled out his lighter. He took a deep breathe, "Sure has been a while since I had one of these. Supposedly they're bad for your health, but I'm not buying it." he commented to the cigar enthusiast of a delegate.

Stevens walked over to the Lokemburgian Delegate and sat down in front of him, making sure to stamp out the cigar in the ash tray. He turned to Thomas, "Now, mind telling me what that was all about?"

[Lokemburg]

"Well, it was more the gunshots I was worried about," said Mr. Darke as the Ambassadors walked back into the bar. "Are you both alright?"

Mr. Darke produced his satchel, removing a special cigar for each of the Ambassadors, "Smoke?" offered Mr. Darke, with a devilish look on his face.

"More or less, I won't mind a smoke. Thanks." Steavens accepted the cigar from Mr. Darke, and pulled out his lighter. He took a deep breathe, "Sure has been a while since I had one of these. Supposedly they're bad for your health, but I'm not buying it." he commented to the cigar enthusiast of a delegate.

Steavens walked over to the Lokemburgian Delegate and sat down in front of him, making sure to stamp out the cigar in the ash tray. He turned to Thomas, "Now, mind telling me what that was all about?"

Thomas nodded and leaned forward in his chair and set his elbows on the table and his hands, which were inteclasped, set on the table as well.

"Right. Well. As I've told you, we just got out of a civil war. Before the civil war we were ruled by a Dictator. The Dictator was harsh. You could be arrested for no reason... than executed. Well, we had enough and nothing to lose. The revolt was quick and decisive with the population winning. The Dictator was hung from the roof of his Palace." he took a deep breath, "We all had different ideas of government, however. Over time the single group broke up into seperate factions. Than the 'Ending Death' happened. One faction assassinated another factions leader and they went to war. Over time the other factions were somehow dragged into it, causing the 'Great Civil War'. Many people died. One faction came out on top, which was my faciton. My faction supported the free rights of governement and organized the Allied States. The leadership of the Allied States is a council that consists of members of different factions of our nation. Well.... some still don't agree with the government, especially the socialists. That's why I say that Lokemburg is a nation where you have to watch your back constantly" he finished and sat back in his seat, awaiting the man's response.

[Jankenjin]

"Just Kaoriki will be fine; our people find human honorifics a little awkward in translation," the creature replied, hop-stepping back towards its partner's table. As they approached, the black-feathered being gestured to the blond one and said, "Mepa, we have a guest. This is Nathan Detroit, the ambassador from that rather musical sounding delegation we spotted earlier, remember?"

The blond creature stood, and, brushing back the stiff-feathered frill on its head, said, "An honor. I'm Yasushipa Toruhayashipa, Ambassador Plenipotentiary of the Triune Republic of Jankenjin. I see you've already met my oki, er 'husband'." Gesturing to the large red-feathered creature occupying the other chair around the table, the creature added, "And this is Shigegu Nobunorigu, my megu, er, 'wife'."

The red creature nodded and said simply, "Pleased to meet you."

Nathan took his hat off, and slightly bowed to shigegu, and said “pleased to meet you”, and asked “may I sit?”

Without waiting for an answer Ambassabor Detroit sat in the empty chair, put his hat on the table, took out his hankerchief and wiped his brow and said.

“Your Husband seems to be an excellent judge of human behavior, which I find surprising on that it seems you have such different kinds of relationships from where you come from. For example In our world only the one called “charlie sheen” has 2 partners from what seems to be different species. Is this a trait in your … your … ummm peoples?”

The ambassador pauses “peoples would seem to be the wrong word, but it would be the word I would use if you were humans”

Yasushipa hmm'd for a second, and said, "Well, our people are known as Jankenjin. But 'people' would do, they mean the same. And yes, it's quite normal for us. Expected, really. Our species is ambisexual, you see--either 'male' or 'female', depending on which partner we're with. That's why we marry in threes--I needed an oki" she nodded, gesturing to Kaoriki, "for whom I can be megawa to, and a megu," this time nodding to Shigegu, "to be ogawa to."

"It works for all three of our sexes, actually," Kaoriki added, "although Shigegu there is my ogu, and I'm her meki."

Shigegu, who had been sitting there watching Nathan, grinned and said, "Need a scorecard by now?"

[Mediterreania]

"Hello." Ambassador-Elect di Volo walked into the Strangers' Bar, not recognizing any of the others.

[East Klent]

"More or less, I won't mind a smoke. Thanks." Stevens accepted the cigar from Mr. Darke, and pulled out his lighter. He took a deep breathe, "Sure has been a while since I had one of these. Supposedly they're bad for your health, but I'm not buying it." he commented to the cigar enthusiast of a delegate.

Stevens walked over to the Lokemburgian Delegate and sat down in front of him, making sure to stamp out the cigar in the ash tray. He turned to Thomas, "Now, mind telling me what that was all about?"

Thomas nodded and leaned forward in his chair and set his elbows on the table and his hands, which were inteclasped, set on the table as well.

"Right. Well. As I've told you, we just got out of a civil war. Before the civil war we were ruled by a Dictator. The Dictator was harsh. You could be arrested for no reason... than executed. Well, we had enough and nothing to lose. The revolt was quick and decisive with the population winning. The Dictator was hung from the roof of his Palace." he took a deep breath, "We all had different ideas of government, however. Over time the single group broke up into seperate factions. Than the 'Ending Death' happened. One faction assassinated another factions leader and they went to war. Over time the other factions were somehow dragged into it, causing the 'Great Civil War'. Many people died. One faction came out on top, which was my faciton. My faction supported the free rights of governement and organized the Allied States. The leadership of the Allied States is a council that consists of members of different factions of our nation. Well.... some still don't agree with the government, especially the socialists. That's why I say that Lokemburg is a nation where you have to watch your back constantly" he finished and sat back in his seat, awaiting the man's response.

Stevens noticed another newcomer arrive at the bar. He then turned towards the patiently waiting delegate in front of him. He mudled over his response in his mind, for he wanted to word it carefully. Finally, after a few minutes had passed he had decided to reply.

"I understand what you nation's going through, after all, Klent went through similiar instances twice in our history. And just as with your nation, when the Democrats, Republicans and Unionists came to power, the Socialists and Facsists weren't too happy about it, but the government permitted them to disagree and invited them to deliberate the issues facing East Klent's future. My people share a common belief that if you protect a group's freedom of speech and listen to what they have to say, you'll be able to solve any conflict peacfuly. Now, I'm not an expert on Lokemburgian history, so tell me, has your government ever considered this course of action?"

[Lokemburg]

Thomas nodded, "The council has looked at every possible view. However, we have banned racist remarks from being voice din public as to try to help our nation come together as one" Thomas sighed, "In hindsight, that probably wasn't the smartest of ideas..."

[East Klent]

Thomas nodded, "The council has looked at every possible view. However, we have banned racist remarks from being voice din public as to try to help our nation come together as one" Thomas sighed, "In hindsight, that probably wasn't the smartest of ideas..."

"Probably not." Stevens chuckled in agreement. He motioned for the waitress to come over to their table, "I'll have scotch on th rocks." he dictated to her.

The waitress turned to Thomas, "What would you like to drink this afternoon?" she asked him.

[Cool Egg Sandwich]

"Hello." Ambassador-Elect di Volo walked into the Strangers' Bar, not recognizing any of the others.

*Mr. Darke slowly looked up from his newspaper and peered toward the door; Observing the Ambassador who had just arrived, Mickey set down his newspaper, lifted his right hand, and gently waved at the suspicious looking Ambassador. The Eggian Ambassador had somewhat of an affinity for anything dark or suspicious. Noticing he had the Ambassador's attention, Mr. Darke calmly spoke....*

"Your first time here? Have one of my special cigars; they're absolutely to die for..."

*Before the words had even left his mouth, Mr. Darke reached into his jacket and produced a thin, finely-rolled cigar with greenish-orange shrubbery protruding from the end. Holding the 'cigar' up like a trophy before the Ambassador, Mickey beckoned him to come sit down. As Ambassador di Volo approached Mr. Darke's isolated table, the somewhat awkward silence was broken when the Eggian Ambassador stood to formally welcome the newcomer....*

"You'll make friends quickly, Ambassador," Mr. Darke declared with a sense of authority, "Just smoke this. I can guarantee it will make you feel more comfortable."

*As Mr. Darke took a long drag of his own 'cigar', he philosophized on the current predicament.....*

"You know what they say, a friend with weed is a friend indeed."

[Lokemburg]

Buckler shook his head. "I don't think me having a drink is a good thing" he said, smirking. The waitress seemed confused but nodded and left to go get the other delegate's drink.

[East Klent]

Buckler shook his head. "I don't think me having a drink is a good thing" he said, smirking. The waitress seemed confused but nodded and left to go get the other delegate's drink.

Stevens raised his eyebrow at his fellow delegate's answer, "Problems in the past I assume?" he questioned Buckler.

[Lokemburg]

"That, and the fact that I carry a sidearm" he said as he looked around the bar. He than looked back at Steavans, "What's your nation's story? I told you mine"

[East Klent]

"That, and the fact that I carry a sidearm" he said as he looked around the bar. He than looked back at Steavans, "What's your nation's story? I told you mine"

Stevens let out a long breath of air, "Well, that kind of depends. Do you want the basic story, starting about thirty years ago, or the long story, dating back to circa 1491?" he gave Thomas the decision.

[Lokemburg]

"That, and the fact that I carry a sidearm" he said as he looked around the bar. He than looked back at Steavans, "What's your nation's story? I told you mine"

Steavens let out a long breath of air, "Well, that kind of depends. Do you want the basic story, starting about thirty years ago, or the long story, dating back to circa 1491?" he gave Thomas the decision.

"Basic please"

[East Klent]

Stevens let out a long breath of air, "Well, that kind of depends. Do you want the basic story, starting about thirty years ago, or the long story, dating back to circa 1491?" he gave Thomas the decision.

"Basic please"

Stevens grinned, "I had a feeling you were going to say that. Well, back in 1977, the island of Klent had been ruled by the ruthless Badinian Monarchy for just over four hundred years with cruelties and injustices, not that unlike yours, committed against the people daily. In the following year, 1978, a general in the Royal Army decided to take a stand and defend his fellow Klentians. That man was named Morris Luke Williams, who would later becom to first President of a Klentian Republic. The First Klentian Revolution, as our historians called it, lasted only two years, ending in 1980 with the full surrender of Royal forces and the creation of the Republic.

"However, eleven years later, in 1992 the last year of President Williams' final term, the nation of Western cuba decided to rain down on or little parade. When the first wave of Cuban troops landed on our northern shores, we learned just how long we had been isolated from the world. Their technology and weapons were far more advanced than ours. Klentian troops were slaughtered on the front lines in what would become one of the bloodiest wars ever to be fought on Klentian soil."

"President Williams was assassinated by a Cuban sniper in 1993, as was his immeadiate successor, Andrew Terris just three months later. This left General of the Army Henry McCurter in power. He continued the struggle for freedom throughout the remainder of '93 and in to the first half of '94, but by July of that year, Cuban forces managed to surround the Executive House. McCurter was left no choice but to sign and adhere to the Articles of Protection, officially making Klent a protectorate of Western Cuba."

The waitress put Stevens' drink down in front of him, he nodded his thanks and took a sip before continueing.

"To our suprise, after the agreement, the Cubans pretty much left us alone. We could act as an autonomous nation, all we had to do was abide by Cuban law. This era saw the prosperity brought to Klent by the McCurter Administration, making him an equally important and popular President as Williams. Sadly, our arrangement was not to last, as the nation of Mostrov decided to annex Klent for themselves, and by force in 2002."

"Hoping to either gain freedom or retain the arrangement with the Cubans, President McCurter deployed al Klentian armed forces to protect key Klentian cities. We were holding our ground for the first year or so, before the nations of Nazi Centauri and Noravea decided to intervene on Mostrov's part. For the next two years, it was all down hill. We were forced into the exact same corner that we were forced into bay the Cubans."

"This time, President McCurter had to sign the Charter of Annexation, wich split Klent into three sections in 2005. To the west, Centaurian West Klent, which was recognized as the soverign soil of Centauri. On the east coast, the port city of Williamsburg was annexed by Noravea, and henced renamed Norvean Williamsburg. The majority of the land, in between the other two claims, became what was called the Mostrovite Vassal of East Klent. That's where we get our current short name from."

"The status quo lasted this way until the 2008 Presidential election. East Klentian independence became a hot button issue in the campaigns. Incumbant President McCurter knew he had to act fast before he had a civil war on his hands. All three Houses of Congress unanimously voted to postpone the elections, and almost immediatly declared war on Mostrov."

A smirk started to form on Stevens' face.

"This time, we were ready. Our troops were supplied with state-of-the-art weaponry and advanced traing from throughout the world. We also gained greater international assisstance and alliances than Mostrov did. One of our allies, suprisngly enough, was Western Cuba!"

"By late 2009, we had the high ground, but not without a price, for we lost President McCurter in a firefight in 2008. Unionist Party Presidential Candidate, Ramon Jupoi, assumed the office of President and vowed to continue President McCurtuer's fight for freedom. In 2010, Mostrovite forces surrendered and calls for peace talks echoed throughout the nation."

"Granted the Peace Talks were a bit shaky, we ended up with the Treaty of Williamsburg, wich granted East Klent full independence from Mostrov and denoted the recognizing nations of East Klent's independence. Soon, we took off as a nation. Our economy skyrocketed like never before, the standard of living increased ten fold, and poverty was nearly eradicated."

"In 2011, we had or first free elections since gaining independence. During the campaigns, West Klent and Williamsburg were given back to East Klent, unifying the island once again. The Democratic Party's candidate was retired Army Colonel Cash Willows, the youngest at age thirty-five, who would go on to win the election, and is currently the President-Elect until his inauguration on the Twentieth of January, this year. The Republican candidate was Senator William Jones, and the Unionist candidate was Incumbent President Jupoi. During the campaigns, West Klent and Williamsburg were given back to East Klent, unifying the island once again."

Stevens finished off his drinked and looked to his listener, "And here endeth the lesson. So, what do you think?" he asked him.

[Lokemburg]

Thomas smirked. He had been listening intently.

"Very colorful history." he said as he leaned forward and sighed a bit.

"What ya'll do around here?"

[Ethel mermania]

Nathan took his hat off, and slightly bowed to shigegu, and said “pleased to meet you”, and asked “may I sit?”

Without waiting for an answer Ambassabor Detroit sat in the empty chair, put his hat on the table, took out his hankerchief and wiped his brow and said.

“Your Husband seems to be an excellent judge of human behavior, which I find surprising on that it seems you have such different kinds of relationships from where you come from. For example In our world only the one called “charlie sheen” has 2 partners from what seems to be different species. Is this a trait in your … your … ummm peoples?”

The ambassador pauses “peoples would seem to be the wrong word, but it would be the word I would use if you were humans”

Yasushipa hmm'd for a second, and said, "Well, our people are known as Jankenjin. But 'people' would do, they mean the same. And yes, it's quite normal for us. Expected, really. Our species is ambisexual, you see--either 'male' or 'female', depending on which partner we're with. That's why we marry in threes--I needed an oki" she nodded, gesturing to Kaoriki, "for whom I can be megawa to, and a megu," this time nodding to Shigegu, "to be ogawa to."

"It works for all three of our sexes, actually," Kaoriki added, "although Shigegu there is my ogu, and I'm her meki."

Shigegu, who had been sitting there watching Nathan, grinned and said, "Need a scorecard by now?"

As Kaoriki spoke Nathan took out a little book and started to scribble furiously in it, making marks in pencil and looking up and scratching them out, this continued until Shigegu said

“Need a scorecard by now”

Nathan looked up at Shigegu with a little sweat on his brow and said

“You said it brother, or is it sister? ”

“ok”, Nathan said looking at his book lets see if I got this straight, you three are husband and wife to each other much like a game of Rock Paper Scissors is played.” Two questions

1. So what is yasushipa to Shigegu?
2. ,Where do you all sleep?”

Ooc: can you answer without checking your notes?

[Jankenjin]

As Kaoriki spoke Nathan took out a little book and started to scribble furiously in it, making marks in pencil and looking up and scratching them out, this continued until Shigegu said

“Need a scorecard by now”

Nathan looked up at Shigegu with a little sweat on his brow and said

“You said it brother, or is it sister? ”

“ok”, Nathan said looking at his book lets see if I got this straight, you three are husband and wife to each other much like a game of Rock Paper Scissors is played.” Two questions

1. So what is yasushipa to Shigegu?
2. ,Where do you all sleep?”

"Umm, 'sister', I think..." Shigegu said, turning it Kaoriki and adding, "Which is it? I keep getting all these human terms mixed up."

"Sister will do," Kaoriki replied. To Nathan, she stated, "The Triune Republic Foreign Affairs Ministry had a lot of problems with that in the past, so they punted the question over to an experts committee from our various universities. The committee came back and said that, since human languages don't have the right pronouns to describe our genders, Jankenjin should all just be referred to as 'she', regardless of our actual gender."

"And as for Shigegu and I," Yasushipa added, "She's my megu, umm, 'wife', and I'm her opa: 'husband'."

Realizing that Nathan had asked a two-part question, the yellow-feathered creature blushed--well, her body language suggested she was blushing, at least--and she continued, "And as for that, well, we sleep in our bedroom, of course!"

A moment later, and she added, more to herself than to the others, "Which reminds me, I need to speak with the gnomes. Our Ambassadorial living quarters need remodeling--the bedroom is far too small; you can't fit a decent size bed in it at all."

[East Klent]

Thomas smirked. He had been listening intently.

"Very colorful history." he said as he leaned forward and sighed a bit.

"What ya'll do around here?"

"Oh, we do lots of things..." Stevens answered, distracted by a Breaking News telecast. "You should probably have a look at this; it would appear Lokemburg is in the midst of a rebellion." he informed the other delegate, concernedly.

[Lokemburg]

Thomas turned around in his seat fast. Sure enough their were news reels of skrimishes against the rebels. Than his twin gave the speech to the people of Lokemburg, issuing a state of emergency. "They finally did it..." Thomas whispered to himself.

He sighed and looked back at the other delegate. "I should probably go" he said concernedly.

[The Wolf Guardians]

Wolfgang unfroze, momentarily confused as to how everyone had instantly moved around until his brain had processed the time dilation. Damn the Office of R & D, he thought, requesting a new drink to replace his extremely outdated one. He pulled out his 'newspaper' again to see what he'd missed, curiously noting the incident where several bar patrons were apparently being observed via CCTV whilst outside the bar, seemingly for entertainment value. "Fair enough." He shrugged and knocked back a whiskey.

[Ethel mermania]

As Kaoriki spoke Nathan took out a little book and started to scribble furiously in it, making marks in pencil and looking up and scratching them out, this continued until Shigegu said

“Need a scorecard by now”

Nathan looked up at Shigegu with a little sweat on his brow and said

“You said it brother, or is it sister? ”

“ok”, Nathan said looking at his book lets see if I got this straight, you three are husband and wife to each other much like a game of Rock Paper Scissors is played.” Two questions

1. So what is yasushipa to Shigegu?
2. ,Where do you all sleep?”

"Umm, 'sister', I think..." Shigegu said, turning it Kaoriki and adding, "Which is it? I keep getting all these human terms mixed up."

"Sister will do," Kaoriki replied. To Nathan, she stated, "The Triune Republic Foreign Affairs Ministry had a lot of problems with that in the past, so they punted the question over to an experts committee from our various universities. The committee came back and said that, since human languages don't have the right pronouns to describe our genders, Jankenjin should all just be referred to as 'she', regardless of our actual gender."

"And as for Shigegu and I," Yasushipa added, "She's my megu, umm, 'wife', and I'm her opa: 'husband'."

Realizing that Nathan had asked a two-part question, the yellow-feathered creature blushed--well, her body language suggested she was blushing, at least--and she continued, "And as for that, well, we sleep in our bedroom, of course!"

A moment later, and she added, more to herself than to the others, "Which reminds me, I need to speak with the gnomes. Our Ambassadorial living quarters need remodeling--the bedroom is far too small; you can't fit a decent size bed in it at all."

“Tip the bartender well, Neville I hear he’s connected to the gnomes, and with a little grease, fix your contractor ‘problem’.

I’d keep it quiet though the rest of these nubs get jealous. They’d all be wantin a biger bedroom.”

[Jankenjin]

"Umm, 'sister', I think..." Shigegu said, turning it Kaoriki and adding, "Which is it? I keep getting all these human terms mixed up."

"Sister will do," Kaoriki replied. To Nathan, she stated, "The Triune Republic Foreign Affairs Ministry had a lot of problems with that in the past, so they punted the question over to an experts committee from our various universities. The committee came back and said that, since human languages don't have the right pronouns to describe our genders, Jankenjin should all just be referred to as 'she', regardless of our actual gender."

"And as for Shigegu and I," Yasushipa added, "She's my megu, umm, 'wife', and I'm her opa: 'husband'."

Realizing that Nathan had asked a two-part question, the yellow-feathered creature blushed--well, her body language suggested she was blushing, at least--and she continued, "And as for that, well, we sleep in our bedroom, of course!"

A moment later, and she added, more to herself than to the others, "Which reminds me, I need to speak with the gnomes. Our Ambassadorial living quarters need remodeling--the bedroom is far too small; you can't fit a decent size bed in it at all."

“Tip the bartender well, Neville I hear he’s connected to the gnomes, and with a little grease, fix your contractor ‘problem’.

I’d keep it quiet though the rest of these nubs get jealous. They’d all be wantin a biger bedroom.”

"I'll keep that in mind, thanks," Yasushipa said. "Though I think the poor gnomes are in a quandary trying to implement two contradictory WA resolutions in our nation at the moment." The blond-feathered creature looked over the bar, where a pair of large-screen TVs had been showing the antics of some of the patrons outside. "Curious sort of entertainment they have here. So, what do most of the representatives here do for fun? Outside of the obvious, of course," she added, raising her glass.

[The Palentine]

Empress Jhessan looked up at the represenatives of Jankenjin and said,
"Actually you might want to offer some inducements, financial or in goods to the WA Building management. IPAA upgraded their security personel , and they in turn did a great job building our office to our specifications. They even set up the dolphin tank in the foyer."