IC:
Presentation is Power.
An ignorant person might call the Lomengo family the second most powerful family in Mokastana, but that was by design. The truth was, the Lomengos were the guiding hand over Mokastana ever since they first landed in Pierda Bay and built their home, Castle Stone. It was from this Bay that the first southern settlements thrived under Lomengo guidance, and it was through these gates that the original great houses of Mokastana first set foot on Mokan soil. Castille, Cortez, Montana: nearly every powerful southern family could trace their lineage back to a ship in Pierda Bay. While other powerful families rose and fell, House Lomengo remained eternal. A Lomengo knew it was their duty was to guide Mokastana through the turbulent waves of history. They cared not for the spotlight, for the real work was done behind the scenes. It was a tough job, but one they did graciously. Which is why Arianna sat with the two older generations of Lomengo women, to ensure her decision was the right one.
The sweet salty air blew in from the Sea of Moka, leaving the three women on the stone balcony with a reminder of their roots, along with their tea. Arianna sipped hers quietly, for she was in the Lion's den. If she planned to take over this den herself someday, she had to be fearless. Breaking the silence was a much older woman whose once silk complexion had turned to leather thanks to decades of the salty sea air. This was Lady Guadalupe, Matriarch of House Lomengo:
“He is going to be trouble, he has no skill in diplomacy, a confrontational attitude, and hates the Mokan climate. He's a terrible choice if you plan on ruling the family.”
Next to Lady Guadalupe sat her daughter, Eva Lomengo. Pushing 60, Eva maintained her youth through sheer force of will and an unlimited budget for skin care and personal trainers. Far more skilled at tact and spin than her mother, it was a necessary skill when one in the Vice President of Public Relations for what was effectively the largest legal drug Cartel in Greater Diesntad.
“We are just concerned that he might cause issues for the family in the future, I heard he has doubts about raising your kids here. I don't want you to have a husband who fights you on your dreams.”
Arianna’s gauze shifted from her grandmother to her mother, they were concerned, but she needed their, if not blessing, then their trust to move forward. Her mother's condescending concern grated on Arianna's nerves, but she picked her battles carefully.
“Abuela, madre, the world is changing, growing. We no longer have to fight to be the guiding force behind Mokastana. We fight to ensure Mokastana guides the world around it. I could have married some local of noble birth or wealth, but that wouldn't spread our influence. I could have married into a wealthy family in the Golden Throne, but we already have strong influence in their markets. They are as open to us as long as we stay open to them. The Timocratic Republic has control of extremely unique resources, and is weary of foreign influence. A marriage to a influential figure like Mr. Wayne makes control of importing those resources a Lomengo affair. Yes, he's not entirely sold on my plans regarding children yet, but the current benefits outweigh the potential risks.”
Lady Guadalupe chuckled before addressing her granddaughter: “The risks my dear? You'll be giving birth to the future of House Lomengo, once you marry, I will abdicate my place as Matriarch to your mother. Making you the heir by right. Your children need to be Mokan raised or else every cousin and stray branch of this family will be gunning for Castle Stone. Now that decades of hard work are finally paying off, the branches in Themis have started to cry about their ‘rightful place’. I suggested a hole in the ground, but they may become bolder.”
“I am aware, Abuela, Wayne will eventually come around to my plan. He has too.”
Eva, continuing her tone of concern, spoke up: “Even if he does, can you trust him to be a diplomat for the family?”
Arianna felt the annoyance bubble up, but pushed it back down.
“For the Timocratic Republic, he will do splendidly. He spends most of his time at sea or managing his people. He will have very little time to be in Mokastana affecting family business.”
Arianna’s rebuttal was cut short by a sharp comment from her grandmother, Lady Guadalupe: “He'll make a mess when he does, and he's already made it clear you'll be cleaning those up. You and I both know Mericans care very little about the people around them”
“Abuela, do you not expect your casual racism to cause problems for the family as well?” It was a jab for jab, Arianna knew the counter didn't further her goal, but this was a fight, after all. Lady Guadalupe countered quickly.
“What we say in private rarely matches what we present in public, if anyone knows that mi hija, it's you. Now drop the act. We know you love him, faults and all. Stop trying to sell us on your business justification and admit it. My Granddaughter has fallen for a sailor. I swear sailors are the bane of our existence. Mother married an Admiral to further the war goals of her time and the rest of us have continued to make that same mistake. Love is the only reason why you would be willing to risk your future Matriarchy.”
Arianna froze, she had been caught. Everyone here knew that emotional investment in outsiders was always a risk. Family first, always, but what was marriage but investing in new family to add? His addition would help House Lomengo. It had too. Regardless, grandmother continued:
“We can't logic you out of a decision you didn't logic your way into. As such, the family will have to weather this storm with you. It will be a fight, mi hija. Your great grandfather lost his House and life because he chose foreign comfort over Mokan duty. When the wolves come, they will accuse you of the same. Wayne will be your only true ally. Are you prepared to fight that fight?”
Arianna took a sip of her tea, abuela was right and she knew it. Somehow, even in losing the fight, Abuela found a way to come out on top. Taking a second to set the tea cup down, Arianna let loose her frustration in the only way she knew how... a straighfoward, calculated, direct, answer.
“I am Arianna de Lomengo-Gasteiz y Perez-Tasso, I built up the western division of Montana Incorporated from nada, into the second largest revenue stream to date. I've overthrown an entire government for daring to nationalize my investments. A few pesky, distant, cousins... who have never set foot in Mokastana, biting my ankles, will barely be worth the time it takes to grind them into the dirt. Am I marrying for love? Yes, yes I am, because I can. Let them come for me. I'll be Matriarch once dear mother gets bored with it and anyone who challenges my claim will learn quickly why I'm the most dangerous in the family and deserving of the title. I'll rule over the Lomengo family with a fair hand, from Castle Stone. No one will take that from me.”
Lady Guadalupe couldn't help but laugh out loud at the display. Taking a second to compose herself she smiled: “That is the passion you need, mi hija, you'll make an excellent Matriarch in your time. The other branches will always be circling, looking for weakness, maybe it's best to cut them down early. Come now ladies, we have a wedding to plan.”
********
Castle Stone was the seat of Lomengo power in the Federation, positioned on the opposite side of Pierda Bay from the City of Caracaz. Although it was called a Castle, the truth was that the actual Castle structure was only a small part of the entire complex. If one was not careful, it was possible to mistake Castle Stone for a military airbase, with its large runways and strong PMC presence. The family had hundreds of armed soldiers on guard duty, complete with IFVs and even a couple of tanks. Of course, with soldiers came their families, and a small town had grown on the property. Shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and even a local police/ emergency services existed on the Lomengo owned land, keeping the “help” happy with the pleasantries of life. Of course, given the nature of the town, it too was under guard, requiring inspections and invitations to even be allowed on the property.
Just outside the small town, the old Castle and docks made up a small industrial sector. Long ago they had been converted to a shipyard, originally building warships for the various governments of Mokastana throughout history. Today, the Lomengo shipyards maintained Cruise ships for tours of the Mokan Sea, with a few family yachts and vessels hidden away in private pens.
The most secure location on the property was of course, the family home. At first, glance looked straight out of a fantasy novel. Tall stone buildings and a large wall surrounding the nearly 2 square Kilometers of the property. There was even a moat to capture the aesthetic. From above, one could see within the walls two separate baileys, one with the family keep at the center, and the other with offices and homes for important staff.
The modern amenities could be explained because this castle had only been built in the 1970s, when the Lomengo family retook their ancestral home from the communists. While it had been built to be beautiful, it was also designed with modern threats in mind. A close eye could see the rifle slits in the towers for snipers, and spot very logical places for a machine gun to go in case of siege. Rumors of anti-aircraft weapons and heavy artillery circulated, but no one was willing to confirm or deny.
It was here, within the secure stone walls of the Lomengo family home, that Arianna Lomengo-Gasteiz Perez-Tasso, was to be married to Morgan Wayne. The courtyard for the event was rather small, only about two futbol fields in size, with half of it paved for dancing and special events. And the other grass for picnics or performances. Flowers from across the region decorated the walls and centerpieces of the courtyard, regardless of if they were in season. For heads of state and diplomats, their tables would have their respective nations flora, plus a few additions for preference and beauty. Staff and security were dressed in traditional 18th-century garb, with patterns that matched the Lomengo's blue and white color scheme. Picture perfect banners and flags hung across the complex of the family crest of House Lomengo: A white outline of a wooden corvette sailing ship, on a blue background, with the words “Guiamos las Olas” underneath the vessel. A small orchestra of approximately 20 classical musicians performed on the secondary stage, playing slow and peaceful music for the guests to enjoy.
Guests could be flown in directly to the Lomengo airport, then enjoy a ride in heavily tinted Limos to the castle via the family's private roads. Every ten minutes, a convoy of limos left the airport for the castle, as the guest's planes took off for storage at Caracaz International. Accommodations were made for those who wished to stay the night, for the Lomengo Castle was anything but short on rooms for guests to stay in. The ceremony was expected to be a religious one, going back to the family's roots as Stevidian Catholics, although outside of customs, very little of Mokan Catholicism matched the older beliefs.
Once everyone had arrived, the wedding would commence shortly.
