Lillorainen-Huterric Union RP [Private]

[The Huterric Union]

"Can you please tell me a list of examining bodies and qualifications offices that initiate public examinations and award qualifications in Lillorainen" Dominic asks

[Lillorainen]

"Our best universities, you mean?" - Janine asks, reminding Dominic of the fact that English wasn't her mother tongue.
1. University of Lysköping
2. University of Ladenburg
3. Jillich Medical School
4. University of Marieholm
5. Polypolia State College, Ratibora
6. University of Pontrath
7. Nörishamn Medical School
8. University of Melapolis
9. University of Kronstadt am See
10. Kirajevo State College"
- she enumerates.

[The Huterric Union]

"We meant exam boards, such as our QOHU or Laclanshire Pathway. We ask that those universities do accept qualifications administered by QOHU, and we would like to emphasise QOHU's request to start operating its international HIQ (Huterric International Qualifications) in Lillorainen. As for our notable universities, the ten best performing are:

1. Lansadas Institute for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (LISTEM)
2. The University of Bankson
3. Laclanshire Technical University (Laclanshire Tech)
4. Triun, Ellescia, and Lansadas Medica School (TELMS)
5. University of Ecklin
6. Huswyae State University
7. Wyche State University
8. Dunchenoe State
9. Blanden University
10. Triun Univeristy"

[Lillorainen]

"Oh yes. Well, each state has their own examination board" - Silas says. "But they are nowadays subject to nationwide similar standards and are therefore equally recognized, so you might see them as one - for international matters, there is the LIPK, Lillorainische Internationale Prüfungskommission, the equivalent of your HIQ; their standards are entirely established on a Federal level. Of course we would accept QOHU qualifications, and HIQ can operate here without problems. Same should be with ours in Huterrica, of course."

[The Huterric Union]

"A reminder nothing that won't be reciprocated in your own or the other nation is to be suggested" Milán says gracefully.

"Anything else you want to discuss?" Milán then asks

[Lillorainen]

"What would be important for anything related to trade issues is what the exchange rate of our currencies would look like" - Silas says. "Including inflation rate and so on. What does this look like in Huterrica?"

[The Huterric Union]

"I'd like to know the US dollar to mark conversion rate. 85 US cents is 1 Terric here. Inflation is quite low too, at 2%." Milán says

[Lillorainen]

"Okay, then the Terric-Mark exchange rate is practically 1:1" - Janine says. "The yearly inflation rate usually varies between 1 and 1.5%."
"So both our currencies are stable" - Silas concludes. "This is what I wanted to know."

[The Huterric Union]

"Yes, now prepare for overly competitive Lillorainian economists arguing with overly competitive Huterric economists over which currency is more stable. I think so far in 2018 overall it may be the Terric, but honestly from statistics it changess ever so slightly all the time." Milán says. "Anything else to discuss, or shall we end these talks?"

[Lillorainen]

"We are going to leave arguing to the economists" - Janine says. "I think we're done for now, aren't we? At least there's nothing coming to my mind ..."
"Yeah, I think we've finished, too" - Silas agrees.

[The Huterric Union]

Milán turns off the camera and looks at the time. 4pm. It was beautiful. Lunch was 2pm, and Silas landed at 11am. Milán then turns to Silas and says "A warning that usually it gets super humid in the evening, then it rains quite a bit, then in the morning and day it's 27 degree heat like this with blue sunshine. I hope you packed short sleeved clothing, swimming clothes if needed, and sun cream because this will be a well earnt holiday for you my great friend. It'll be fab. A nice day where you can go out and explore, then the rainy night time calls you and everyone and gives them permission to come indoors, watch television, and relax on the sofa after for a well earnt rest. We're very much a work hard play hard country, and that shows in our happiness scores too"

Milán leads his Lillorainen friends to the top of the tower. It's not the tallest in Huterrica, but the tallest currently in Lansadas. It would soon be replaced by 10 new skyscrapers being built further in the district of Hytham, and a new one across the river for when the capital is moved to Lansadas. For now, this was the best view, and Silas, Janine, Milán, and everyone else could get the most beautiful view of one of the happiest, oldest, most culturally significant, and the fastest growing city in the world. It didn't quite invoke tears like that of the Queen of Ceyesca, but it was a welcome sight and something worth photographing and commenting on.

[Lillorainen]

"This looks even more awesome that from the plane!" Janine says, amazed.
"Oh yes!" - Silas agrees.
"Why couldn't we have built Lillamala like this?" - she asks.
"Because if we had, you'd spend the entire day looking out of the window and I could try to fine someone else doing your work?" Silas laughs. He takes his camera out. "Time to make our fellow officials jealous as shit - looking forward to see their faces!"

[The Huterric Union]

"Thing is, if Lillamala was like this it'd be totally normal. No appeal to it for us. Just our largest city. Do you get why Lansadas is cultural, financial, and diplomatic world capital now?" Milán says.

[Lillorainen]

"Yeah, I think we get it" - Janine says. "Actually, we even built it because of this - just to be different from others, but still somewhat normal. You know, our largest city is Pontrath, our former capital was Lysköping; back then before and after the war - speaking for the Rathland -, it was first Kerkenich, which you still can get it from, and now Jillich as state capital. They all have their raison d'etre, but there hasn't been that one city uniting us - this is why we built our new one. It's not bad, but doesn't have this tradition and this growth either."
"They could all also be our capital" - Silas says. "But Lillamala is something new. Which, as you can see, does have its pros and cons."

[The Huterric Union]

"I see more pros with Lillamala than cons. Of course, it can't be the millennia old settlement Lansadas is. This city's been important almost since civilisation decided cities were a good idea. That's where it got its name. In that ancient Huterric language, what we generally refer to as Huswyaen, 'das' meant city, so Lansadas literally means 'The city on the river Lansa'. Then we got a lot of Germanic settlement, and our language started reflecting that rising to what we have today, but the name Lansadas stuck. No desire to call it Lansastadt or Lansastat or anything of the like. When we take you to old town and some museums you'll understand why the south coast of the Huterric Union is so attractive to live in" Milán states, hoping to spark interest

[Lillorainen]

"Well, there's no doubt we did the right thing with Lillamala" - Janine says.
Silas nods. "Though, it's interesting you lads have never considered changing the name within all these centuries. Well, sure, our places are not millenia old - at least not that we knew. It hasn't even been one millenium ago that actually someone decided to settle down in Lillorainen might be a good idea. And as we have a quite long history of trying to reinvent ourselves, it's only logical we raise something new to call our capital. Also, Lillamala sounds way better than, like, 'Lillorainen-Stadt' would. And for non-German-speaking foreigners it's way easier to pronounce than Lysköping or Kerkenich."
"I'm already looking forward to seeing the old town of Lansadas" - says Janine.

[The Huterric Union]

"Oh yes. Let's go." Milán says. He leads everyone down, and then as they walk to Old Town, they pass under the H12. One would expect an ugly viaduct to carry the dual-6 lane highway, but instead one is met with a massive wall with lots of art and graffiti. It wasn't even ugly either. it was quite beautiful to be very honest. Milán then says "There is an interior to this. Yes there is. We don't like making our highways look ugly, but instead we blend them in. As we go under you'll see an archway directly beneath where the central reserve is. You bet inside these walls we built a marketplace. Quite a hipster one too. It runs the entire length of the H12 in 'Central' Lansadas whereas in more suburban areas the H12 ain't elevated"

They saw archways on both sides of the road with huge signs reading "Libertas Market". It was incredibly intriguing how Huterrics thought of this. The shops on either side could be massive, and could easily be multi storey. It was more striking that the only major chain operating was Hayward's, a supermarket chain which is present in each block of the market offering snacks and drinks. There was a sign showing in which block (blocks separated by roads going under H12) which shops one could visit. It was plain obvious that the purpose built malls in Lansadas were only there for the main big stores, whereas this was the perfect place if you wanted to start your own business. The fact a market under what is literally one of the world's busiest highways proved the stereotype of Huterrics thinking outside the bx almost instantly.

[Lillorainen]

"Boah wat is dat geil!" - Silas exclaimed. "Actually we could easily have done the same with our elevated urban highway sections."
"Technically we still could" - Janine says. "When the last missing sections of the A59 in Theede and the A49 in Ladenburg are being finished. There will be elevated sections, after all. And by the way, we even do have something similar. The subterranean rest zones in the A4 underseas tunnel. We could even still extend them."
"Hm yeah, you're right. Oh and by the way" - he said to Milán, "we don't remove good graffitis either. Street art is quite common in Lillorainen."

[The Huterric Union]

Milán decides, seeing as the talks went ahead of time, that they could afford to go into the market. "We'll fuck me sideways Silas, but don't I'm aroace, a shortcut to old town traverses this market."

A huge sign read "DRUGERY - DROGERIE - DRUGERRÏ", and across another read "APOTHECARY - APOTHEKE - APOTEKERRÏ". Milán felt it important that he explain the difference. "An apothecary is a pharmacy and offers health related drugs. A drugery sells stuff like weed and 'legal highs' and heroin." He says. He is aware he asked Silas to make sure Lillorainen did not export dugs to Huterrica, and for it to be checked for in bags. Milán then clarifies the Huterric drug law. "All drugs are legal, but only drugs produced in the Huterric Union. Importing drugs, bar stuff like alcohol and caffeine etc, is highly illegal. We don't condone that."

All stores bar Hayward's are multi-storey, many reaching to the highest they could before the structure had to give room for the H12. It isn't quite believable that underneath one of the busiest highways in the world one could buy cannabis or a new shirt or medicine or a new laptop or even eat lunch. Milán then says "Oh, and I should say this market doesn't stop when it reaches the river Lansa. You can still shop underneath the river too in a tunnel underwater. Of course, the pillars of the Liberty's Light Suspension Bridge rest on top of the tunnel to ensure the market perfectly follows the H12. Huterric planning is quite unbelievable."

[Lillorainen]

"In Lillorainen, we actually don't make that difference a lot - though, an Apotheke is more focussed on these medical items than a Drogerie" - Silas says. "All drugs are legal there, also imported ones, but of course, we're not gonna export drugs to you guys."
Both Silas and Janine are still amazed when going through the passage. That idea of a giant underground mall is still fascinating them.

[The Huterric Union]

"Libertas Market comes from the name of the elevated H12 above" Marc starts to say, emphasising that only the section of the market under the Libertas Market was underground, and the rest was on ground, just merely under H12. "The elevated section of H12 in Lansadas is called the Freiheitautobahn. It's German because all official documents pertaining to our highway system are written in German. Therefore when we name highways like we do streets they're always named in German. The elevated section of H12 in Laclan is called the Vielfaltautobahn, and in Ecklin it's the Gleichheitautobahn. So Laclan to Ecklin is Liberty, Diversity, Equality. From Lansadas to Bankson, if we take the English names for the elevated H12 sections, then you drive through the 6 pillars of Huterric Life: Liberty, Diversity, Equality, Fraternity, Aspiration, and Bravery. Oh I am sidetracked by the etymology of this beautiful nation. Basically, Libertas is both Latin and Huterric for Freiheit. Hence Libertas Market." Marc was quite clearly the languages connoisseur here.

"Just imagine that you guys. On your way to the tower you were driving just above some of this. Oh, and when there's an exit for the H12 the market uses that as a prime place to place a toilets. If you see a toilet, a slip road has started above us. The Libertas Market was built in the 1960s after Lansadas Federal District Council agreed the viaduct was hideous. Ideas were submitted and the idea of a market under the H12, with graffiti filled walls to show the artistic side of Lansadas would be perfect. The viaduct was slowly demolished in sections to allow for the market to be built. In February 1992 the market was closed for asbestos removal when law states it is only for use in prisons. Interchanges between the H12 and single digit highway routes are food courts in this market. There is a minority pride shop between Lillanash Street and Lorraine Terrace, and between Wichita Road and Wyche boulevard all shops bar Hayward's tend to a specific holiday. This market is so diverse and the fact it's underneath such a busy highway and full of graffiti on each side makes it a tourist trap." Milán says.

Dominic's turn to pitch into the conversation "This is also culturally important. At least, if pop culture counts. You can't sing a song about Lansadas without mentioning Libertas Market anymore. There is a whole song called 'Fahren H!2' in German with an entire verse on this place. Movies are shot here. It's one of our most famous assets. Thank god the passageway is wide, right?"

Milán then suggested that everyone meets outside the drugery if people want to shop. Despite this, the group more or less follow one another, bar Dominic who is arranging for his husband Danilo to meet them in the market. "Between Eleanor Street and Flemming Boulevard, yes." He says on call. Everyone else is browsing the shops in the market between Eleanor Street and Flemming Boulevard

[Lillorainen]

"Hang on" - Silas says. "You have a Flemming Boulevard?"
Janine is still looking around. It was not hard for her to imagine how this all influences Huterric pop culture. "Same with our pop culture" - she says. "There is a number of songs and films about our highways. Hell - composer Dragan Rebić even made a military march called Autoput. It is played every time a unit departs from one base on another using military vehicles. It has even become an anthem played to wish travellers a good journey - also among civilians."

[The Huterric Union]

"Calm down Silas it has fuck all to do with you. It's called Flemming Boulevard as it is the southern section of the Lansadas-Flemmingstone road which terminated at Marceston Beach, which we're visiting tomorrow. FLemmingstone Boulevard never caught on the same way Flemming Boulevard did. Of course, now the boulevard is only important within the city of Lansadas. The H6 is now the Lansadas-Flemmingstone highway, terminating on the H12 about 5km east of here. Felmmingstone isn't marked on the official map by the government, and so the terminus of H6 (forming the eastern boundary of Zone 5) appears to end abruptly. This is because we only wanted our 11 largest cities on the map, and Flemmingstone falls 13th so isn't included. However, it is worth the H6 as Flemmingstone is an important city. Bankson is known for its world class university, hi-tech and history blend (despite most cities having this), and friendly people. It's also a huge research and innovation hub. Now, imagine that, but smaller, in the north, and you have Flemmingstone. Important city really." Dominic says, being the Lansadas expert.

Marc chimes in with Janine's comment. "Try having a whole QOHU HBS2 English Literature poetry anthology cluster full of 15 poems about the highways, and making students analyse them for their exams. Of course, there are multiple clusters to choose from. The Highways one, named Distance in the Huterric Union, is one of the more popular as there's a lot to write about. Students are taught the techniques to analyse the poems, and then the students pick their anthology cluster themselves, with schools endorsing one to use but allowing for choice. The most famous is The Heart's Eye Tears Into Mine. It's easy to Analyse. You may have noticed instead of using the English alphabet when naming highways such as H12 or H6, I use the Huterric one. Well, 2 is 'zai', pronounced like 'Tsei' in German, so the title is a nice pun as H2 sounds like 'Heart's Eye'. Basically the poem is about lovers on different ends of an incomplete H2, and how the closing of the gap in the H2 will mean that they can be together easier, and how their love will never be separated despite the distance, and how their distance apart tears into the writer's heart, hence the title 'The Heart's Eye Tears Into Mine', mine referencing Hearts. There is an anthology cluster called the Crossover Cluster, where many poems overlap themes covered in the different sections. One from there, called Dassan Daydreaming, has a whole stanza on the H12, and blends in with the Homosexual Love cluster and the Distance in the Huterric Union cluster. It's a masterpiece."

Milán has heard and spoken of the H12 so many times he jokingly says to Silas "Have you guessed our most important highway yet?" Before chuckling, then getting distracted by a nice shirt that had the asexual flag, then ASEKSUALITAS written on the back. He decided to buy it because he needs a shirt to wear at Lansadas Pride Festival in a few weeks.

[Lillorainen]

"I've already guessed it has nothing to do with me" - Silas says. "Flemming is a quite frequent name, after all. I just think it's a funny conincidence."
Janine has to laugh about the 'Heart's Eye' pun. "I think I need to buy that anthology" - she says. "It could be a very nice read."
Silas just wants to answer to Milán's question when Milán spots that ASEKSUALITAS t-shirt.
Janine notices this too, asking Silas, "hey, wouldn't that be a t-shirt for you too? It seems fitting a lot." She laughs.

[The Huterric Union]

"Shit, you're s fellow asexual? Wahey bro." Milán says. He loves meeting fellow Asexuals and he makes sure they all feel loved by him.

"You can buy a printed copy off of QOHU for 10 Terrics, or essentially 10 Marks, seeing as our currency is so similar. The file is distributed free to everyone who requests it." Milán then says as he responds to Janine. It was a world famous fact that the HB exams were all done via technology. All exams are typed using a laptop without internet connection, and each laptop is assigned an examiner by the exam board to mark the work. Students are assigned the same laptop throughout, and thus the same examiner. The poetry exam, like the 15th century novel and 19th century play, is open book, whereas the exam on the prose is not. All work is typed up in class in preparation. This means paper is not so extensively used and the Huterric Union contributes little to deforestation