January 14, 2019
The Chrinthani Convention Center, a newly-minted, multi-purpose convention center, was located to the west of the central business district just a kilometer or so from the halls of Chrinthani government just outside of Tumbalong Park and the Darling Harbour leisure complex, to the south of Darling Harbour itself and home to many of Sydney's attractions. The contemporary structure gave its visitors striking views of the nearby downtown as well as the amount of revitalization which had taken place in the complex's new neighborhood. Shops, restaurants, hotels, and even apartments nearby lent themselves to the feel of a twenty-first-century setting without giving the visitors the feel of futurism. A grand ballroom in the convention center had a spectacular 270-degree view of Darling Harbour and the central business district. It boasted 35,000 square meters of convention space. It housed an 8,000-seat plenary with a 180 square meter high definition screen viewable from its three tiers. It was here that the delegates would be introduced and given time to speak to the whole assembly. Modern connectivity via the building's integrated, high-speed wi-fi gave foreign dignitaries the ability to communicate with their home base instantaneously without fear of their communications being intercepted due to the highly-advanced encrypted and secured servers. Should the delegates find themselves wishing to stroll outside, there would be ample room in the 5,000 square meter outdoor meeting area that overlooked the city itself. When the time came to pair off and make deals, 70 rooms awaited those present to make any deal with any partner without fear of privacy breaches.
Within the confines of Brightmore Palace, Nathaniel busied himself preparing for the evening's festivities. In spite of his non-political position, when the world's leaders and their representatives were invited to Chrinthania for its turn to host the Global Economic and Trade Summit, he was considered the ultimate welcome wagon. It was at the request of The Lodge, home of the Chrinthani Prime Minister, that the Emperor himself host a black-tie state dinner to welcome the world to Chrinthania's largest and most recognized city. It was not something Nathaniel was interested in hosting due to the fact that his mind was set on his upcoming nuptials with one Shane Jennings. Still, Nathaniel was nothing else if he wasn't a great host and dedicated to his station in life, thus he would be debonair and polite, witty but yet understated, and flying solo as, per request of the Prime Minister, Shane not be present at a state dinner until he was officially married to the Emperor and ennobled as Prince-consort of Chrinthania (among other titles).
As the guests began arriving, the white walls of Brightmore Palace and it's iron and gold gates complete with a lion on one side and kangaroo on the other awaited. Guards in simple military uniforms of camouflage stood guard ensuring no unauthorized entry. Once inside, the palace itself revealed itself. The palace itself, built in 1850, wasn't like a Versailles. It was not opulent or ornate from its exterior. In fact, its current resident often commented about how it was "laid back, like any good Chrinnie bloke." It evoked Romanesque features like columns above its three main entrances with the central entrance being extended outward and slightly wider than the two on the far ends of the South facade. It was a typical square palace with a central courtyard. Behind the palace was an extension towards the waterfront which contained the offices of those who worked solely in making Nathaniel's life easier ranging from his butler and the private housekeepers to spare apartments for his brothers, mother, and other guests which he saw fit to invite--not to mention Nathaniel's own private apartment. At the end of the waterfront extension was a half-circle with columns that overlooked the waterfront itself. It was here where the private pool, gym, game room, and other entertainment rooms were located. Guests would be forbidden to enter this extension without personal escort of the Emperor or those with permission to bring back guests.
The Great Banquet Room was in the West wing. Boasting space to host up to 200 people without anyone fighting for elbow room, the Great Banquet Room was decked out for the event. fresh-cut flowers adorned the table in vases made of gold. Candelabras were positioned just so along the tables to give ample atmosphere to the dinner. The tables themselves were arranged in a flat u-shape with the Emperor seated dead center of the base of the U and the seating to his left and right organized by the Emperor's Private Secretary. No detail was left to a subordinate when it came to state dinners. The flowers, their colors, the lighting, and even the entire meal down to the smallest ingredient was personally approved by Emperor Nathaniel IV. The only things that would differ would be those with specific dietary requirements that would require a different meal than what was on offer--something which Nathaniel always insisted was readily available to guests invite but must be confirmed prior to their arrival to allow the kitchen to whip it up. Nathaniel's own appearance was scrutinized the most by himself. Those hoping to see Nathaniel wear glasses would be disappointed. The day called for contacts. Pearly whites given a cleaning to ensure there wasn't even the fainted hint of off-white on his teeth. As with the amount of detail he insisted he place into the meal and the banquet setting, he put equally as much effort into his attire. One could swear they could see themselves in his well-manicured fingernails.
Worn from his left shoulder and fastened down to the right waist was a yellow sash with green trim, the Chrinthani Colours, It would have three Orders pinned upon it (worn with the most recent order on top): the Order of the Triple Star, the Grand Order of the Golden Wattle, and the Most Noble Order of the Boomerang. And it would be his esteemed duty to welcome the visitors personally as they arrived. Mainly, a photo op as per usual.
And so it began.