The Prince's Ball (IC)

[Folaisia]

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
Shortly after Dad and I had finished up with Fürst Alrich, who was now off to have a short chat with Miss Cróimiam and Mister Gadhair, who represented the Free Lands, we were approached by another man.
Or rather, I was.
Dad watched with clear bemusement as the man came almost swagging towards us. Nonchalance and sophistication, a little grin forming... he was quite a self-confident person, greeted me (which amused Dad to no end as he was almost ignored) and asked for the next dance.
That was a nice coincidence as I still had the next one free.
However...
"Generally, yes, though, one question...", I smiled and took out my dance card - well, when in Teressien, do as the Teressians do. "...who's asking?"

"Don't mind if I do, Your Highness," Ruairi answered.

He then looked towards another man many years older than the Princess, which prompted him to bow.

"Salutations, Father of the Princess," he then greeted as he bowed again, "You must proud of having such a bonnie daughter as her."

After his greeting was made, Ruairi grabbed a pen and wrote his name on the card. When he was done, he handed it back to Aurealia.

"As for myself, Ruairi Forrest Buchan, Esquire of the Order of the Hospital of Saint Ludan," he introduced himself, "But, I would prefer if you both just call me Ruairi," he then shot another grin.

[Shikonjima]

Heda, Prinzessin von Dorch.
I nodded with a sigh. "Oh, yes, the jagged knifes, as Vin and I call them.", I replied, "Another thing we need to work on one of these days - but when inspiration strikes you at a certain spot, you need to act on it before it is gone and that is then going to take a bit... like with that ravine base, which I built. Imagine this: A ravine, bog-standard, but close to the ocean. So, I go and open a part of it up to the ocean so that it floods in a bit like a waterfall, then fill up the ground a bit with water to a certain level and then build a base on it, hanging between the the two sides of the ravine, the different parts connected by walkways. It looks awesome!"
I was grinning by that point.

Aaltje Schreyg.
Gerulf smiled, bowed his head lightly.
"Thank you very much, Your Highness.", he said and rose again. "I hope, that I will not disappoint. Granted, it has been a while since my last Kyrenaian Polka and that was not with me in the lead..." He shrugged. "My daughter Alwina is very interested in Kyrenaian Culture, she even studies there."
I nodded. "How is she doing anyway?"
"Very good. Just passed her exams for this segment of her studies.", he said, "Luckily, she studies in Megido..."

Jirou grinned back.
"That's surely a good plan, too!" - he said. "Well, what I did was terraforming in a quite ... explosive way. I made a few stacks of TNT and simply threw it on them from above, until it looked like some moonscape. Then modified the ugliest parts by hand, removing stones that didn't fit in, then took masses of dirt and put it over it. So in the end, I head a nice cliff coast. Then, I built a wooden promenade next to it. That looked nice, too!"
He let a beat pass.
"I'd probably even have simply left it with that, but it was very close to the island I was planning to establish a sandstone city inspired by Sindria on, for it was perfect, and I wanted to have a nice view from there - and vice versa. Lesson learned - explore more. Nowadays, I can easily use fully enchanted Elytra and a few stacks of rockets and explore large parts of the world in no time. It's a good method to find new places to build stuff on. The disadvantage is, that one needs to travel larger distances to find new biomes, though ..."

Shiko nodded.
"Don't worry about disappointing, von Sykane-san!" - she said. "I'm not particularly experienced when it comes to Kyrenaian Polka, either, so all I can do is bringing my current experience in and hoping, that nothing goes wrong." She grinned. "But indeed, Kyrenaia has an interesting culture, and should there be any opportunity for us to see it, I surely won't mind coming along - even if I need to get used to the climate a lot, I think. It's quite different from all places I've been to so far - including Shamsiyya, the Lands of the Sun, which many people often throw into one bowl with Kyrenaia, probably due to their language sounding somewhat similar."
She shrugged. Being thrown into one bowl with other people was something Shikonjimanese had quite a bit of experience with as well ...
"Be it as it may" - she continued, "studying abroad is always a good opportunity to learn about different cultures - and also to get an awareness of one's own, for that matter. Jirou has spent a school exchange year in Lillorainen, and Kyouko's and my own exchange back then went to the Sharulsi Khanate, where our family has some roots." Since this detail was obviously rarely heard of abroad, she decided to add it. "I can only recommend it to everyone. It's an experience that enriches one's entire life."

[AHSCA]

Kiah Findehoof.
I nodded, grinned.
"Sounds a like a lot of fun.", I said and then added: "It also sounds a lot like the festivals I've been to, both here and in the Free Lands. Taking a girl for a spin, I mean..." I smiled at a memory. "...though the First Dance is always something big, for every girl in either country. Both the first dance of the year and the first dance ever. A friend of mine's daughter just had her first one... although it was more rhythmic stumbling, to be honest, but that's not the point. He was apparently strawberry-red during the whole order and she was not much better!"
I giggled.
"They looked so adorable together - a bit like you two, only differently.", I added.

"sounds quite romantic!" Pacifica cooed at the thought

"Very much so. Anyone catch your eyes, Kiah? Someone you might consider as more than a simple dance partner and someone to romance? Maybe it was your first dance partner?"

[Rivienland]

Herzogin Alvina von Raycbucht.
I smiled a bit at the question, although it was lopsided.
"No, sadly not much dancing.", I said and took a sip, "My date for the evening sprained his ankle this morning, meaning, that most of dances fell through. So I catch up with a few friends and acquaintances, mostly." I nodded. "It's fun, but it's also fun to make new acquaintances." I smiled a bit more evenly. "So, Your Royal Highness, tell me a bit about you?"
I leaned over slightly.
"I promise to respond in kind.", I told him.

Rena, Prinzessin von Wißenthen.
I nodded.
"Let's.", I said, then moved towards the nearest glass door. "We're looking for a young man, around our age, short red-orange hair, sapphire-blue eyes. Well-dressed, looking natural enough in it to presume, that he was born in suit and tie. He's most likely accompanied by a brown-haired man with similar eyes and glasses." I stopped at the door, looked at Maria. "His name is Raik. And, among us two, he's the most sought-after bachelor in Teressien of our age group, and the second-most-sought-after in total, right behind our Fürst... although that is another matter for itself..."

Prince Philippe
The Prince chuckled, “Very well. As I mentioned before, I am from Rivienland, a tiny nation that is quite isolated, and that my family, House of Van Riviendorp, has ruled for generations. Our people devout and hard-working that seek pleasure in their labors. But, I guess you asked to know more about me. I am like many other nobles my age who spend their time dealing with bureaucratic affairs, and helping their country whenever they can,” Philippe said as he took a sip of lemonade. “Otherwise, I enjoy relaxing in my garden most days reading a good book or two.”

The Prince took a breath, hoping he said enough, and smiled at Alvina. “Now, you tell me more about yourself.”

Princess Maria
“He sounds like quite the looker,” Maria remarked. He did not sound like her type, but Rena seemed quite besmitten by him. While the Princess herself was not looking for any dates, she still understood the complexities of courtship among the nobility. Several times her siblings had their hearts broken because of a last-minute change, or a surprise announcement.

The Princess glanced around the ballroom looking for the handsome man. “I do not see him. Perhaps we should walk around more?”

[The Scarlet Eagle]

Khalid Faris.
I smiled in bemusement, waiting until a Hausmädchen had replaced Agathe's glass, then told her: "She's a businesswoman, so guess what she's after." I shrugged. "It's not filling her dance card, that's for sure."
I let a beat pass.
"Provided she even has one...", I added and wondered for a moment, "Didn't see her preparing one..."

Wilrun, Baronin von Port Monee.
"No offense to you, Colonel, but I much rather talk about Teressien then ask about the Empire.", I said, "We have such a lovely conversation going on, after all... speaking of which, the violin and other string instruments are used in many different kinds of music, from classical dances and ballads and symphonies to more modern styles. There's even a subgenre of Schnitzelrock, which makes heavy use of strings. Heda should be around here somewhere, she can tell more..."
I let a beat pass before smiling a bit sheepish.
"My apologies.", I added, "Heda Streech is one of Teressien's most well-known violinists."

Dowager Empress Anna Blachkov
"Well, I don't doubt she has things prepared thouroughly, as you can expect from a woman like her.
So, speaking of dances, would you mind maybe taking this old lady for a spin ? she asks with a smile as she shows her dress with her left hand, her right hand holding her glass. If you're available for a dance and haven't been requested by others, that is."

Imperial Guard Colonel Bradley Myers
"I see, replies Bradley with a nod. Still, don't mind if I throw a piece or twp of information in the conversation, so that the exchange goes both ways.
That said, I would be glad to meet Miss Streech. Who knows, maybe she would be available for a dance?
Anyway, we've talked about your Domain, culture of the Principalty, but I've yet to hear the story behind the angel I'm talking to," finishes the Colonel with a simple, yet charming smile.

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Princess Fara bint-Dardan.
I wanted to reply something, I don't know what, but I was prevented from that, when I saw someone move from the corner of my eye, heard whistling, then soft singing.
It was a girl and she did not sound too happy... as the song was in English, it was rather hard to make out, where the person singing was from, but I did not recognize the voice, which excluded quite a few people.
I raised a hand for Aceus, so that he knew, that the conversation's continuation was postponed, not forgotten.
"Good evening, Miss.", I said into the half-darkness of early night, "Can we help you a bit?"
I had no idea as to who it was... and if I had known, I would have reacted differently.
After all, Erika Byrnes was Aceus' illegitimate and misbegotten child.

Adil Btryrik.
"We have a bit until the dancing starts again.", I said with a small smile, "Well, allow me to start then... we buried one very young member of our community a few weeks back, she died in the Al'Arz Attack. The thirteen year old."
I shook my head.
"A terrible tragedy.", I added, "Princess Aurelia was there with her father, Prince Damir, and she spoke with the girl's parents. Alya, that's the girl's name, was a big fan of the Horsearchery Team of the HGA and even joined it during her short time at the HGA." I smiled slightly. "We think highly of her because of that, despite her... leanings, shall we say?"

Ida Findehoof.
I smiled and nodded when he asked me to relay his congratulations and then Berengar retold of his family: Parents were together even if his Mother was slightly sick, one of his sisters was helping out in a soup kitchen, one soon attending Medical School (Kiah would maybe like to meet him, after all, she studied Sports Medicine), his mother was holding back the other sister from joining the military...
...and Erika was apparently counted as part of the family, only by attachment to her godfather, who was apparently in some place called Kerbala, whereever that was - sounded Kyrenaian, but I was not sure, if there was such a place in Kyrenaia. Unless of course her Father took her home with him.
Anyway, I nodded.
"Sounds like quite an eventful time.", I said, "Though don't worry about your Mother and your Sister. Mothers always worry about their children... my Mama is hardly different. First thing I always do when I travel somewhere is to call her to tell her, that I arrived safely."

Erika whirled around, and resisted the urge to panic.
She had mixed emotions about Fara bint-Damir, which wasn't exactly fair, since she hadn't met her before. Still, she had no idea how she would react if she knew who she was-with scorn and contempt? Dismissal? Rage? Or would she pretend that she wasn't there?
To be honest, all of the above were preferable to someone who acted nice, but was secretly planning to put a (figurative or literal) knife in your back when they could.
After taking a second or two to get herself under control, she adopted a 'poker face' and approached the woman.
"No, but thank you, Princess bint-Damir...if I am bothering you or your companion, I'll take my leave..."
Her message to Aceus was, hopefully, clear. She was attempting to avoid confrontation and contact with Fara until they were somewhere where speaking their minds wouldn't cause a scandal.

---

Berengar frowned. “...I don’t know. Mother might be right this time. On land you can run. At sea you can swim. In the air...you can only trust your chaff and flares, and hope that the missiles don’t lock.” He rubbed his neck and sighed. “Adelheid always wanted to be a pilot. Kept watching those old movies, Dambusters and the like...but now that she’s about to actually become one...”

[Lux Pulchrae]

Jolene Gudfrey - In conversation with Roderique

As Jolene walked with Roderique, arms hooked-in, towards his table, he made small talk - appologising for not asking her to dance sooner, explaining that it was merely an act of habit, as all of his business partners from before were men. Jolene knew this to be true - the business world was still very much dominated by the male gender, accross majority of the planet.

When the duo arrived at the table, Roderique pulled out a chair for her, whilst the two older seated gentleman rose from their seats in greeting. Jolene shook the extended hands of the gentleman and offered an additional soft bow in gesture before continuing to sit down on the pulled out chair. She was pleased that this grouping indeed adhered to common social protocal and etiquette.

She thanked Roderique for offering the chair, and listened to his introductions of the older gentleman. Lord Alessandre Massimo, son of Rome was an apparant noble of his country of birth and a advisor to their king. Jolene giggled softly at Roderique's joke of him being the 'king's left foot'. Lord Luis Constanza was apparantly the Duke of Toccamare, and their old Portmaster, which he still is but in a more unofficial capacity. This intrigued her as she knew the importance of a Portmaster and the honor it brought. Before Port Ember privatised their ports, this was one the most prestigious political positions in the country. After the port was privatised, the position still affords much respect and wealth - just no longer any political connotations. Jolene owned a large part of Komodo Bay Port in Port Ember Megalopolis, and her employed Portmaster was a man who she considered as part of her inner circle.

The older gentlemen then informed her that she was welcome to order some bites as they have, but she had no intention of doing so. She had learned not to eat at such events, as the oppertunities to embarress yourself whilst eating were too numurous. Its hard for a young lady to be taken seriously when a piece of food is stuck in between her teeth! Thus she responded, "Thank you for the kind offer my Lord, yet I am not hungry. I would rather order another glass of this delicious wine when the waitress makes another turn here."

Lord Massimo mentioned that his son has left the table recently, and hoped that she understood german - implying that the men will converse in their native tounge soon. Luckily she spoke german well. Although being her third language, she was comfortable with the language as she used it a lot for commerce purposes. Lord Massimo continued asking her regarding who she was - status and family related. She was a bit surprised that these gentleman knew not her name - especially with a Portmaster in their midst, as her ships were a household brand to everyone in the industry, no matter from where. She hided her surprise well nontheless. Jolene switched over to german as she replied, "Well my lord, my father is the Minister of Trade & Industry in the Republic of Port Ember.. but that is not why I have gained admittance to this gala. I am afraid my invite was not based on any sort of worthy family lineage - but rather due to my status as a Bootstrapper*. I am the Chairman and CEO of Gudfrey Trading Company and subsidaries.."

She turned to Lord Constanza whom asked whether her name was Belgian, to which she responded - still in german, "No my lord, it is most definitely a Port Emberian name. But if one really wishes to delve, it is most probaly from my family's mixed german and french bloodline, before my ancestors arrived in Port Ember, but that is many many hundreds of years ago."

There was a small silence, maybe a bit too long, as Luis and Alessandre side glanced each other, indicating to one another that they might've been lost. They both knew German, to a negligible extent. The German-speaking son Alessandre alluded to was more for asking of the maidens than for themselves. English however, they knew better.

"Lord I hope Luis understood that woman because I didn't." Alessandre thought to himself.

Luis gave a smile and nodded, speaking in English "Ahh, of course, German and French blood, must be an interesting history." he nodded almost ignorantly "I hope you do not mind the language shift, it is much easier on us. Port Ember, I have heard of it, and your company. Quite a country I would say. It is almost like an antithesis to ours, if I were comparing the two. Quite the...capitalist paradise. Or immoral nightmare, whichever you wish to use. Though we don't get many women CEOs back home, if any at all, more power to you Madame."

"Excuse any of Luis' rude remarks. So what trick has Roderique played to have you sitting here with us?" Alessandre chimed in.

"Hey, why do I have to trick someone? I have my own charm don't I? Certainly more than you."

"I think it's safe to say we are all past our prime." Luis added with a chuckle.

"Says you old man." Roderique threw back.

Lien, Prinzessin von Byrkland.
I was a bit surprised as a young man, a few years older then me, I would guess, approached me and offered me a smoke.
I shook my head. "Thank you for the offer, Sir, but I don't smoke. I'm underage.", I said in German and put the ashtray a bit closer to him. I might come off as a little cold. "Though please don't mind me."
I looked at him for a few moments.
"I'm Lien, the Princess of Byrkland.", I introduced myself with a small bow. "Who do I have the pleasure with?"

"Constantino Innocente Massimo de Lux Pulchrae, son of Rome." bowing his head "I would say it is an honor or privilege meeting me. Pleasures you like, you don't have to like privileges. I have the privilege of driving, but I don't like driving. Much." Constantino looked around and saw the wine glass, looking back to Lien "Underage huh? You can't smoke but you can drink wine? That doesn't make sense." he questioned, taking a long drag after, then exhaling. There was no point in giving someone secondhand smoke, so he promptly put it out in the ashtray. "Not enjoying the ball? If you were you'd be inside. Or just getting some fresh air? Sorry for the inquisition, habit." he smiled as he took a sip from his wine.

[Danceria]

Aceus

---

Aceus nodded at the young lass. He knew, of course, the precarious position that Erika was in. While many in Danceria welcomed her with open arms, and the few who didn’t only bickered about her faith, foriegn culture, and occasionally tomboyish ways. The family life of Aceus and Erika were known, but not necessarily pressed on. The Dancerian King wondered how best to present the fact of his...child. Especially due to Fara’s recent injuries.

Aceus of course smiled, and gave a more cheeky remark. The best way to break the ice was to demonstrate that he and Erika were at least familiar with one another. “Come to waltz with Berengar under the stars like in Cinderella?” he japed. “Seems great minds think alike.”

Rev. Stavros

---

Already the elder was in a precarious position. “I have...heard of the attacks on Al’Arzz. You have my most sincere condolences.” he began. “We hardly know what we have, or what we will be remembered until…” The hypocrisy of terrorism was not lost on him, and he truly hoped that this would be the last incident in Kyrenaia, or the last “necessary” one. “As far as myself...the poor are finding jobs, cardboard is surprisingly comfortable, I’m not sure what exploits I should regale you in this festive hall.” he chuckled, gesturing to his own garb. “I hardly wear the vestments, not out of disrespect mind you but...I have found a calling among the destitute and downtrodden. While Christ did indeed pray and preach in the synagogues, He is more remembered for what he did...”

On the subject of actions, or rather words, it seemed that homosexuality wasn’t entirely welcome in the Kyrenaian Christian community. However, such was an assumption, and Stavros needed more than assumptions to perhaps garner an ally.

[Teressien]

Erika whirled around, and resisted the urge to panic.
She had mixed emotions about Fara bint-Damir, which wasn't exactly fair, since she hadn't met her before. Still, she had no idea how she would react if she knew who she was-with scorn and contempt? Dismissal? Rage? Or would she pretend that she wasn't there?
To be honest, all of the above were preferable to someone who acted nice, but was secretly planning to put a (figurative or literal) knife in your back when they could.
After taking a second or two to get herself under control, she adopted a 'poker face' and approached the woman.
"No, but thank you, Princess bint-Damir...if I am bothering you or your companion, I'll take my leave..."
Her message to Aceus was, hopefully, clear. She was attempting to avoid confrontation and contact with Fara until they were somewhere where speaking their minds wouldn't cause a scandal.

---

Berengar frowned. “...I don’t know. Mother might be right this time. On land you can run. At sea you can swim. In the air...you can only trust your chaff and flares, and hope that the missiles don’t lock.” He rubbed his neck and sighed. “Adelheid always wanted to be a pilot. Kept watching those old movies, Dambusters and the like...but now that she’s about to actually become one...”

Aceus

---

Aceus nodded at the young lass. He knew, of course, the precarious position that Erika was in. While many in Danceria welcomed her with open arms, and the few who didn’t only bickered about her faith, foriegn culture, and occasionally tomboyish ways. The family life of Aceus and Erika were known, but not necessarily pressed on. The Dancerian King wondered how best to present the fact of his...child. Especially due to Fara’s recent injuries.

Aceus of course smiled, and gave a more cheeky remark. The best way to break the ice was to demonstrate that he and Erika were at least familiar with one another. “Come to waltz with Berengar under the stars like in Cinderella?” he japed. “Seems great minds think alike.”

Rev. Stavros

---

Already the elder was in a precarious position. “I have...heard of the attacks on Al’Arzz. You have my most sincere condolences.” he began. “We hardly know what we have, or what we will be remembered until…” The hypocrisy of terrorism was not lost on him, and he truly hoped that this would be the last incident in Kyrenaia, or the last “necessary” one. “As far as myself...the poor are finding jobs, cardboard is surprisingly comfortable, I’m not sure what exploits I should regale you in this festive hall.” he chuckled, gesturing to his own garb. “I hardly wear the vestments, not out of disrespect mind you but...I have found a calling among the destitute and downtrodden. While Christ did indeed pray and preach in the synagogues, He is more remembered for what he did...”

On the subject of actions, or rather words, it seemed that homosexuality wasn’t entirely welcome in the Kyrenaian Christian community. However, such was an assumption, and Stavros needed more than assumptions to perhaps garner an ally.

Princess Fara bint-Dardan.
Indeed, Danceria's tabloids occasionally made Erika and her relation to Aceus as his daughter and her manners, or lack thereof, their topic. Which was, where a friend of Fadia learned about it, and thus, her...
And she gave it to Fara in the most innocent way possible:

"Oh, if you ever meet his daughter, you'll..."
"His what-now?", I asked with confusion.
It was family dinner in the Household of the Ilkhan of Megido and my parent's eyes flew to Okan. He shrugged, raised his hands. He had no bloody clue.
Fadia suddenly knew, how it was to sail into a minefield.
"He has a daughter? Illegitimate and..."
I laughed. "Fadia, what the tabloids write is not necessarily true!", I said.
"Yeah, otherwise, Mahmut would be father of four by now, I know.", she said, but shook her head, "Listen, a friend showed me some snippets of Dancerian Tabloids and when you see her, you'll be hard-pressed to deny that!"
"Then bring them here, these snippets, and we'll see.", Mama said with a kind smile, rolling her eyes as soon as Fadia had turned towards the door.
Five minutes later, when she had returned, Papa was seething with rage and Okan was silently enraged. Fadia and Mama were hugging me between them, me, who I was crying, my hand on a very certain spot on my abdomen...

There was no need for him to break the news to me. When I recognized her, the air around me might as well turned into fluid oxygen with how cold it turned.
Apparently, whichever message she had with her offer was lost on Aceus.
A moment later, a pack of tissues was flying towards her. I did not care, whether she caught it or not, as I spoke: "Wipe your face, child. You are a Princess and thus must look presentable." I might come off as a bit harsh, but that was intentional. "Or didn't your father teach you anything?"
The last was addressed at Aceus, making it very clear to him, that I knew exactly, who she was.

Adil Btryrik.
I nodded.
"I heard of that and, to be honest, I find it admirable.", I said, "I would join you, if my sheep didn't want me to lead them, so I am currently more of an over-glorified secretary, who has the role of leadership..." I shrugged. "It has its good points, too. For example, I was able to establish a lot of friendships, including with the Kyreanain-Polytheistic Clergy, the vast majority of which is shares many of our opinions on certain current political issues in Kyrenaia."
I let a beat pass.
"For example, they are against the new belt highway between Mukit and Almahafifa.", I said and shrugged, "I mean, I get, why that would be attractive, you buy a carpet in the morning and are in a place with good food for lunch, but that would only increase traffic and thus poison the land."
I hope, that he would understand or was firm enough in Kyrenaian slang to know, what was meant: The belt highway (also known as a ring) between Mukit and Almahafifa, two cities, which were hundreds of kilometers apart, was a metaphor, Mukit was famous for its carpets and Almahafifa famous for its cuisine, so eating on carpets, increased traffic... well... we are in polite company here and that would all poison the land with its immorality.
I just told him, through the flowers, that the majority of the Sultanate's Spirituality was against a change in the Marriage Law.

Ida Findehoof.
"Ever thought about suggesting to her to join an airline?", I asked with a small smile, "Or become an air racer?" I turned to the ball room slightly, pointed towards a young man in a deep red uniform, black hair and a stunning woman at his side. Or rather, he at hers. "Lieutenant Commander Karim Maghamir, Air Racer actually in service with the Royal Kyrenaian Coast Guard. He might be worth an interview, if you decide to suggest that to your sister."
I shrugged.
"He or one of the other half-dozen air racers here today.", I added.

[...]

"Constantino Innocente Massimo de Lux Pulchrae, son of Rome." bowing his head "I would say it is an honor or privilege meeting me. Pleasures you like, you don't have to like privileges. I have the privilege of driving, but I don't like driving. Much." Constantino looked around and saw the wine glass, looking back to Lien "Underage huh? You can't smoke but you can drink wine? That doesn't make sense." he questioned, taking a long drag after, then exhaling. There was no point in giving someone secondhand smoke, so he promptly put it out in the ashtray. "Not enjoying the ball? If you were you'd be inside. Or just getting some fresh air? Sorry for the inquisition, habit." he smiled as he took a sip from his wine.

Lien, Prinzessin von Byrkland.
I almost snorted in amusement at his reply, for he had a point.
But I kept a straight face.
“I'm getting fresh air.”, I said and looked into my glass. There was almost sadness in my eyes for a moment... Mama should be here, with Papa, the two of them dancing. Yet, she was not here anymore, having gone with the wind, while Papa sent me away for the next few days. Her birthday was the day after tomorrow, after all. “Though you are right, it is quite ridiculous, that I can drink as much wine and beer as I want as a sixteen year old and am not allowed to touch cigarettes until I am 21.” I shrugged. “It's the law, however. And if I don't stick to it, who will?”

"Don't mind if I do, Your Highness," Ruairi answered.

He then looked towards another man many years older than the Princess, which prompted him to bow.

"Salutations, Father of the Princess," he then greeted as he bowed again, "You must proud of having such a bonnie daughter as her."

After his greeting was made, Ruairi grabbed a pen and wrote his name on the card. When he was done, he handed it back to Aurealia.

"As for myself, Ruairi Forrest Buchan, Esquire of the Order of the Hospital of Saint Ludan," he introduced himself, "But, I would prefer if you both just call me Ruairi," he then shot another grin.

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
By now, Dad was laughing and I was grinning.
“My apologies.”, I said as I got myself under control for a moment, then took a moment to calm down, “My apologies, Mister Buchan. It was just how you called Father, Mister Buchan.”
“Indeed.”, Dad said with a smile and a bow of his own, “My apologies as well, Mister Buchan. I have never been called 'Father of the Princess' before, hence my amused reaction. I hope, that you do not take offence.” He let a beat pass. “If you were, I would invite you for a drink, but that would be a bit weird tonight, as I would not be paying for it anyway...” He shrugged. “In any case, Prince Damir ibn-Razia, or maybe Prince Damir abu-Aurelia.”
He offered his hand and I rolled my eyes with a smile. Normally, Dad, like any Kyrenaian Royalty, would refer to himself as Son of Someone, the ibn indicating that. He just referred to himself as abu-Aurelia, Father of Aurelia, which was a bit funny.
Might be lost on non-Kyrenaians, though.
“And to answer your question, Mister Buchan...”, Dad added, “I am very proud of my daughter, the looks being the least of the reasons.”
I blushed lightly at that.

Jirou grinned back.
"That's surely a good plan, too!" - he said. "Well, what I did was terraforming in a quite ... explosive way. I made a few stacks of TNT and simply threw it on them from above, until it looked like some moonscape. Then modified the ugliest parts by hand, removing stones that didn't fit in, then took masses of dirt and put it over it. So in the end, I head a nice cliff coast. Then, I built a wooden promenade next to it. That looked nice, too!"
He let a beat pass.
"I'd probably even have simply left it with that, but it was very close to the island I was planning to establish a sandstone city inspired by Sindria on, for it was perfect, and I wanted to have a nice view from there - and vice versa. Lesson learned - explore more. Nowadays, I can easily use fully enchanted Elytra and a few stacks of rockets and explore large parts of the world in no time. It's a good method to find new places to build stuff on. The disadvantage is, that one needs to travel larger distances to find new biomes, though ..."

Shiko nodded.
"Don't worry about disappointing, von Sykane-san!" - she said. "I'm not particularly experienced when it comes to Kyrenaian Polka, either, so all I can do is bringing my current experience in and hoping, that nothing goes wrong." She grinned. "But indeed, Kyrenaia has an interesting culture, and should there be any opportunity for us to see it, I surely won't mind coming along - even if I need to get used to the climate a lot, I think. It's quite different from all places I've been to so far - including Shamsiyya, the Lands of the Sun, which many people often throw into one bowl with Kyrenaia, probably due to their language sounding somewhat similar."
She shrugged. Being thrown into one bowl with other people was something Shikonjimanese had quite a bit of experience with as well ...
"Be it as it may" - she continued, "studying abroad is always a good opportunity to learn about different cultures - and also to get an awareness of one's own, for that matter. Jirou has spent a school exchange year in Lillorainen, and Kyouko's and my own exchange back then went to the Sharulsi Khanate, where our family has some roots." Since this detail was obviously rarely heard of abroad, she decided to add it. "I can only recommend it to everyone. It's an experience that enriches one's entire life."

Heda, Prinzessin von Dorch.
“I know that problem...”, I said and nodded, “Though I still prefer exploring on foot. Or horseback. Or pigback.” The last was added with a smile. “I never bothered much with the End or the Enderdragon. The Nether was enough for me to die in and loose all the good stuff only to turn on the XP-Farm again only to find out, that the blasted thing doesn't work anymore like it used to.”
I shrugged.
“Minecraft Problems.”, I said.

Aaltje Schreyg.
Both Gerulf and I nodded.
“Words more true had rarely been spoken, Your Highness.”, he said and waved a Hausmädchen over for a new round of drinks. He distributed a fresh round of lemonades, then raised his glass. “So, Miss Schreyg, Your Highness...” There was a silly quip on my tongue, but it would stay there. “...to student exchanges.”
“Hear, hear.”, I said and raised my glass. “And to learning something while doing them.”
“Or meeting people, who one learns to hold dear for the rest of their life.”, he replied and nodded, before he explained to Shiko: “I met my wife on a student exchange.”
Then we klinked.

Kiah Findehoof.
I nodded, grinned.
"Sounds a like a lot of fun.", I said and then added: "It also sounds a lot like the festivals I've been to, both here and in the Free Lands. Taking a girl for a spin, I mean..." I smiled at a memory. "...though the First Dance is always something big, for every girl in either country. Both the first dance of the year and the first dance ever. A friend of mine's daughter just had her first one... although it was more rhythmic stumbling, to be honest, but that's not the point. He was apparently strawberry-red during the whole order and she was not much better!"
I giggled.
"They looked so adorable together - a bit like you two, only differently.", I added.

"sounds quite romantic!" Pacifica cooed at the thought

"Very much so. Anyone catch your eyes, Kiah? Someone you might consider as more than a simple dance partner and someone to romance? Maybe it was your first dance partner?"

Kiah Findehoof.
At the question, I may or may not have blushed.
“There is someone, who I like very much, but he's not here tonight... nor was he my first dance partner.”, I replied, “He's a kind and funny guy and although he sucks at dancing he is a good musician, quite the singer... and a good sportsman, although he's less into swimming and more into water polo. Our teams often train against each other, when it comes to stamina.”
I let a beat pass, now blushing in earnest.
“And, among us, he's also quite good-looking...”, I added, then sighed, “Alas, there's at the moment only space in my life for one man and he happens to be a cat, who's unwilling to share.” I shrugged. “And Pfote is quite snuggly, too.”

Prince Philippe
The Prince chuckled, “Very well. As I mentioned before, I am from Rivienland, a tiny nation that is quite isolated, and that my family, House of Van Riviendorp, has ruled for generations. Our people devout and hard-working that seek pleasure in their labors. But, I guess you asked to know more about me. I am like many other nobles my age who spend their time dealing with bureaucratic affairs, and helping their country whenever they can,” Philippe said as he took a sip of lemonade. “Otherwise, I enjoy relaxing in my garden most days reading a good book or two.”

The Prince took a breath, hoping he said enough, and smiled at Alvina. “Now, you tell me more about yourself.”

Princess Maria
“He sounds like quite the looker,” Maria remarked. He did not sound like her type, but Rena seemed quite besmitten by him. While the Princess herself was not looking for any dates, she still understood the complexities of courtship among the nobility. Several times her siblings had their hearts broken because of a last-minute change, or a surprise announcement.

The Princess glanced around the ballroom looking for the handsome man. “I do not see him. Perhaps we should walk around more?”

Herzogin Alvina von Raycbucht.
I nodded – that had been our deal.
“I am Alvina. I am the Herzogin, Duchess, of Raycbuch, which means something along the lines of Rich Bay in English.”, I explained, “Rich, in this case, means rich in fishing grounds off shore, but also rich in pasture for livestock, which my Duchy is quite famous for.”, I said, “But between the two of us, sheep are cute to look at, but when you meet them, they're vicious... at least when I meet them. Animals in general somehow hate me.”
I shrugged. That was even true for the pets of friends, who hated coming near me...
“As a way to spent free time, I actually play the cello, but I am more of a dancer. My music teacher said, that I had no talent for either, but the tenacity to make it work either way.”, I said with a grin, as it had worked. “I have three siblings, an older brother, who abstained in favour of a career with the military, and a younger brother and a younger sister, who are holding down the fort in Raycbucht.”

Rena, Prinzessin von Wißenthen.
I looked around as well.
“No, I don't see him either.”, I said... dang, in the movies, this always looked so easy: Girl comes back in, sees boy immediately, goes to him, asks for the dance, music plays, gets dragged to the floor, screws up the first steps, but manages regardless and he decides to take the next one as well, bugger prior commitments, and kiss and happily ever after. Stupid movies. Screwing with how such things work in the minds of innocent and not-so-innocent women... “Let's look around a bit.”
We made our way deeper into the fray, avoiding a few of the conversation groups, towards the refreshments table.
“He's a guy.”, I reasoned to Marie and for my own benefit. “Guys are always hungry, so to successfully win a guy's heart, you need to bake something for him. As I can't do that right now, I have to do the next best thing: Intercept him at the place they all come to eat at.”
...voicing it made it sound a bit dodgy.
“You should put away the teen magazines, if that is your conclusion from reading them.”, a young man's voice said and I froze... oh, please, yes... I mean, no, I mean, nes... GAH!!! He stood there. In all of his good-looking, handsome glory, red-orange hair flaming on his head, although brushed still looking wild, his sapphire-blue eyes sparkling with bemusement. He wore, of course, tailcoat and starched shirt, waistcoat and bow tie. And, Spirits, he looked good in them, like he was some sort of model, actor or something, who wore such clothing like a second skin. Raik, Prinz von Bucktend was really the man every boy in Teressien wanted to be and couldn't understand because many pretty girls would liberally kiss the ground he walked on, yet he was single. “That being said, I do like strawberry cake, Renny.”
Did I mention, that he and I went way back and that he still had this image of me as a little girl in his head? Pigtails, cute dresses and everything? Yeah... forgot about that...
In any case, Rena.exe, for the time being, stopped working.

Dowager Empress Anna Blachkov
"Well, I don't doubt she has things prepared thouroughly, as you can expect from a woman like her.
So, speaking of dances, would you mind maybe taking this old lady for a spin ? she asks with a smile as she shows her dress with her left hand, her right hand holding her glass. If you're available for a dance and haven't been requested by others, that is."

Imperial Guard Colonel Bradley Myers
"I see, replies Bradley with a nod. Still, don't mind if I throw a piece or twp of information in the conversation, so that the exchange goes both ways.
That said, I would be glad to meet Miss Streech. Who knows, maybe she would be available for a dance?
Anyway, we've talked about your Domain, culture of the Principalty, but I've yet to hear the story behind the angel I'm talking to," finishes the Colonel with a simple, yet charming smile.

Khalid Faris.
...wait. What.
What.
Say what?!
Let's be honest here, I appreciate the sentiment, the 'old lady' showing off her her dress (and thus the body inside of the dress), let there be no doubt about that, but... what? That woman was old enough to be my Mother!
Okay. I can work with that. I don't know how, but I can.
I bowed my head lightly. “I would be delighted, Madame.”, I said and smiled, blaming my momentary confusion on something else, “Though I must harshly rebuke you. You are not an, I quote, 'old lady', Madame, but a handsome doe, not a fawn anymore, that is true, but not ripe for the dinner table either.”
Lioness above, please let that one work...

Wilrun, Baronin von Port Monee.
If that was supposed to be a pickup-line, he really should work on them a bit more...
I smiled anyway. It was almost cute.
“There's not much to tell.”, I said and shrugged, “Born in 1990, my Mama was actually my Father's second wife, my Father dying of a stroke in 1991. I 'ruled' my barony, but a regency council appointed by Fürst Raik VI. did until I came of age in 2009, with my training beginning in 2006. In 2011, I took over the Reederei Lerna, formed the Port Monee Merchant Navy Company, bringing the company upwards on the side in slow and measured steps. Meanwhile, I got to know as a holder for soirees, where many different guests come to, from Teressien nobility and celebreties to international ones.” I smiled. “Crown Prince Ilia is an infrequent guest, so is Nora Cathlong and a many others. I bring people together.”
I let a beat pass.
“And as such, allow me to give you a recommendation: Next dance you want a partner for, ask Naya Findehoof.”, I told him with a wink, “She's older then you, yes, but a very good dancer and to my knowledge, she still has spots free on her dance card.”

[Shikonjima]

Heda, Prinzessin von Dorch.
“I know that problem...”, I said and nodded, “Though I still prefer exploring on foot. Or horseback. Or pigback.” The last was added with a smile. “I never bothered much with the End or the Enderdragon. The Nether was enough for me to die in and loose all the good stuff only to turn on the XP-Farm again only to find out, that the blasted thing doesn't work anymore like it used to.”
I shrugged.
“Minecraft Problems.”, I said.

Aaltje Schreyg.
Both Gerulf and I nodded.
“Words more true had rarely been spoken, Your Highness.”, he said and waved a Hausmädchen over for a new round of drinks. He distributed a fresh round of lemonades, then raised his glass. “So, Miss Schreyg, Your Highness...” There was a silly quip on my tongue, but it would stay there. “...to student exchanges.”
“Hear, hear.”, I said and raised my glass. “And to learning something while doing them.”
“Or meeting people, who one learns to hold dear for the rest of their life.”, he replied and nodded, before he explained to Shiko: “I met my wife on a student exchange.”
Then we klinked.

"Oh yes, exploring the world on horseback or pigback is quite fun, too!" - Jirou agreed. "And it has been the common way for a long time. As for the End, yeah, I pretty much only use it as a source for the few things I can really need - I'm quite trained when it comes to the Nether, though. Just avoid hitting a zombie pigman, and get yourself a properly enchanted armor and bow, and you'll be fine with the Ghasts, too. Of course, you should avoid the lava, too."
"Yeah, avoiding lava is totally easy in the Nether" - Shiruko said in a sarcastic tone.
"Difficult, sure, but not impossible" - Jirou said. "There are many places in there which are nicely far away from the lava, and one can easily get a lot of quartz there. Being careful, however, is still a good plan, of course."

Gerulf wholeheartedly agreed with Shiko, and as it turned out, for a damn good reason. He had a Hausmädchen get a round of drinks, obviously not having noticed, that Shiko still had some wine left, for she was keeping it slow. But of course, she politely played along, her glass meeting Aaltje's and Gerulf's ones with a loud pling! sound.
After taking a sip, she said, "There are surely interesting people to meet abroad. Granted, I didn't find a potential husband over there, but there was quite a number of occasions to realize, that the Sharulsi Khanate is full of lovely and hearty lads and lassies - and once they finally get used to you being a Princess, whose Big Sis is running an entire country, they will let it all out. I had an awesome time over there, and not only because I speak their language, but also because I met a wonderful bunch of people I'm still in touch with."
She let a beat pass.
"So, where have you been to?" - she asked Gerulf. "Seems to be a nice place to meet one's future wife in."

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Princess Fara bint-Dardan.
Indeed, Danceria's tabloids occasionally made Erika and her relation to Aceus as his daughter and her manners, or lack thereof, their topic. Which was, where a friend of Fadia learned about it, and thus, her...
And she gave it to Fara in the most innocent way possible:

"Oh, if you ever meet his daughter, you'll..."
"His what-now?", I asked with confusion.
It was family dinner in the Household of the Ilkhan of Megido and my parent's eyes flew to Okan. He shrugged, raised his hands. He had no bloody clue.
Fadia suddenly knew, how it was to sail into a minefield.
"He has a daughter? Illegitimate and..."
I laughed. "Fadia, what the tabloids write is not necessarily true!", I said.
"Yeah, otherwise, Mahmut would be father of four by now, I know.", she said, but shook her head, "Listen, a friend showed me some snippets of Dancerian Tabloids and when you see her, you'll be hard-pressed to deny that!"
"Then bring them here, these snippets, and we'll see.", Mama said with a kind smile, rolling her eyes as soon as Fadia had turned towards the door.
Five minutes later, when she had returned, Papa was seething with rage and Okan was silently enraged. Fadia and Mama were hugging me between them, me, who I was crying, my hand on a very certain spot on my abdomen...

There was no need for him to break the news to me. When I recognized her, the air around me might as well turned into fluid oxygen with how cold it turned.
Apparently, whichever message she had with her offer was lost on Aceus.
A moment later, a pack of tissues was flying towards her. I did not care, whether she caught it or not, as I spoke: "Wipe your face, child. You are a Princess and thus must look presentable." I might come off as a bit harsh, but that was intentional. "Or didn't your father teach you anything?"
The last was addressed at Aceus, making it very clear to him, that I knew exactly, who she was.

Ida Findehoof.
"Ever thought about suggesting to her to join an airline?", I asked with a small smile, "Or become an air racer?" I turned to the ball room slightly, pointed towards a young man in a deep red uniform, black hair and a stunning woman at his side. Or rather, he at hers. "Lieutenant Commander Karim Maghamir, Air Racer actually in service with the Royal Kyrenaian Coast Guard. He might be worth an interview, if you decide to suggest that to your sister."
I shrugged.
"He or one of the other half-dozen air racers here today.", I added.

---

Berengar raised an eyebrow when Ida mentioned the option of becoming an airline pilot or an air racer.
"Hm." He thought about it for a short while.
"I'll consider bringing it up with her...probably will be air racing, since I do believe that, in her case, flying an airline is tantamount to suicide by boredom. But in any case, thank you, Ida, thank you very much."

---

Erika caught the tissues as they flew. "Thank you." she replied, before opening it and wiping away the one or two tears that still stained her face. She then turned to Aceus. "Unfortunately, Prince Berengar is...indisposed at the moment. You'll have to wait until after the Polka."

'The greatest irony-' she thought, '-is that just days before, I was seriously considering donating an ovary to her, if it was feasible, and only decided against it when pap brought up the fact that it might lead to serious issues with inbreeding. Still, I guess my appearance has caused something of a stir, so it's understandable that she doesn't exactly enjoy my existence-in fact, to be frank, I'd be surprised if she didn't act like this.'

[Folaisia]

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
By now, Dad was laughing and I was grinning.
“My apologies.”, I said as I got myself under control for a moment, then took a moment to calm down, “My apologies, Mister Buchan. It was just how you called Father, Mister Buchan.”
“Indeed.”, Dad said with a smile and a bow of his own, “My apologies as well, Mister Buchan. I have never been called 'Father of the Princess' before, hence my amused reaction. I hope, that you do not take offence.” He let a beat pass. “If you were, I would invite you for a drink, but that would be a bit weird tonight, as I would not be paying for it anyway...” He shrugged. “In any case, Prince Damir ibn-Razia, or maybe Prince Damir abu-Aurelia.”
He offered his hand and I rolled my eyes with a smile. Normally, Dad, like any Kyrenaian Royalty, would refer to himself as Son of Someone, the ibn indicating that. He just referred to himself as abu-Aurelia, Father of Aurelia, which was a bit funny.
Might be lost on non-Kyrenaians, though.
“And to answer your question, Mister Buchan...”, Dad added, “I am very proud of my daughter, the looks being the least of the reasons.”
I blushed lightly at that.

Ruairi nodded, chuckling under his breath.

"I figured it sounded funny," he replied, "but, hey. It makes an awfy lot of sense, right?

"Anyways, I'm glad to see you both having a good time here. I know I am; besides the good food and drinks, I've gotten the chance to dance the polonaise recently with a colleague of mine, Miss Schreyg. Though I admit, I've had some issues with it, to which I thank her for the assistance. I am, nevertheless, looking forward to your nation's polka, despite the wee bit of hesitation that tells me I'm gonna embarrass myself," he chuckled again, "On top of this, could anyone of you provide me some last-minute tips as to how I'm able to dance this out properly?"

[Lux Pulchrae]

Lien, Prinzessin von Byrkland.
I almost snorted in amusement at his reply, for he had a point.
But I kept a straight face.
“I'm getting fresh air.”, I said and looked into my glass. There was almost sadness in my eyes for a moment... Mama should be here, with Papa, the two of them dancing. Yet, she was not here anymore, having gone with the wind, while Papa sent me away for the next few days. Her birthday was the day after tomorrow, after all. “Though you are right, it is quite ridiculous, that I can drink as much wine and beer as I want as a sixteen year old and am not allowed to touch cigarettes until I am 21.” I shrugged. “It's the law, however. And if I don't stick to it, who will?”

Constantino saw the a small glimpse in her eyes, he scoffed and nodded "No offense but that seems pretty backwards. At your age, the rural girls would be getting married. Some nobility too, if their fathers wanted it. Quite honorable and birght-eyed of you Prinzessin, but uuhh...laws are for the poor, if I can be callous and honest. That is, for the average person. Laws are for the whole of society, but to keep the majority, the 'poor' in order. Society will not collapse because you smoked a cigarette. But it will if everyone is drunk. Sorry if this is getting too philosophic or whatever." he sighed and shrugged, taking a sip "I don't know, I guess Germans are strange people. Up in the north there is a small enclave of them. I don't touch them, they mostly keep to themselves." A moment of silence went by, he scratched his eye "So, a sixteen year old princess, at a ball, outside and alone, drinking wine. You must be here with someone, a parent or sibling. Or are like, the people here your cousins or something?"

[Danceria]

Princess Fara bint-Dardan.
Indeed, Danceria's tabloids occasionally made Erika and her relation to Aceus as his daughter and her manners, or lack thereof, their topic. Which was, where a friend of Fadia learned about it, and thus, her...
And she gave it to Fara in the most innocent way possible:

"Oh, if you ever meet his daughter, you'll..."
"His what-now?", I asked with confusion.
It was family dinner in the Household of the Ilkhan of Megido and my parent's eyes flew to Okan. He shrugged, raised his hands. He had no bloody clue.
Fadia suddenly knew, how it was to sail into a minefield.
"He has a daughter? Illegitimate and..."
I laughed. "Fadia, what the tabloids write is not necessarily true!", I said.
"Yeah, otherwise, Mahmut would be father of four by now, I know.", she said, but shook her head, "Listen, a friend showed me some snippets of Dancerian Tabloids and when you see her, you'll be hard-pressed to deny that!"
"Then bring them here, these snippets, and we'll see.", Mama said with a kind smile, rolling her eyes as soon as Fadia had turned towards the door.
Five minutes later, when she had returned, Papa was seething with rage and Okan was silently enraged. Fadia and Mama were hugging me between them, me, who I was crying, my hand on a very certain spot on my abdomen...

There was no need for him to break the news to me. When I recognized her, the air around me might as well turned into fluid oxygen with how cold it turned.
Apparently, whichever message she had with her offer was lost on Aceus.
A moment later, a pack of tissues was flying towards her. I did not care, whether she caught it or not, as I spoke: "Wipe your face, child. You are a Princess and thus must look presentable." I might come off as a bit harsh, but that was intentional. "Or didn't your father teach you anything?"
The last was addressed at Aceus, making it very clear to him, that I knew exactly, who she was.

Adil Btryrik.
I nodded.
"I heard of that and, to be honest, I find it admirable.", I said, "I would join you, if my sheep didn't want me to lead them, so I am currently more of an over-glorified secretary, who has the role of leadership..." I shrugged. "It has its good points, too. For example, I was able to establish a lot of friendships, including with the Kyreanain-Polytheistic Clergy, the vast majority of which is shares many of our opinions on certain current political issues in Kyrenaia."
I let a beat pass.
"For example, they are against the new belt highway between Mukit and Almahafifa.", I said and shrugged, "I mean, I get, why that would be attractive, you buy a carpet in the morning and are in a place with good food for lunch, but that would only increase traffic and thus poison the land."
I hope, that he would understand or was firm enough in Kyrenaian slang to know, what was meant: The belt highway (also known as a ring) between Mukit and Almahafifa, two cities, which were hundreds of kilometers apart, was a metaphor, Mukit was famous for its carpets and Almahafifa famous for its cuisine, so eating on carpets, increased traffic... well... we are in polite company here and that would all poison the land with its immorality.
I just told him, through the flowers, that the majority of the Sultanate's Spirituality was against a change in the Marriage Law.

Aceus
The Dancerian King momentarily sent a sympathetic, and apologetic glance to Erika. There would never be an easy way to say it. “...I taught her not to flee from fear, of which she is doing an excellent job so far.” he turned to Fara. “...It seems I need not introduce one another, Fara, this is Erika Byrnes...my daughter.”

Now was the time for fate to reveal what it wove, and prayers to one’s gods be made.

Rev. Stavros
Behind the eyes, an almost knowing glint and nod glowed across the elder’s face. It was polite of course to acquaint oneself in the terms and lingo of Kyrenaia, even with such high company. “It reminds me of a similar debacle, though on a smaller scale. There’s an old church off of Hundredth street-in Yggdrasilia mind you, where a statue-making square is expanding. Of course, even the parishioners who patron the arts cannot help but see this as an...encroachment. As it is said, two pillars do not always support the same roof, both being old and important parts of the city.”

Hopefully his “contact” who arranged the meeting between himself and the good Patriarch would enlighten him on his own lingo. The “Hundredth Street Church” is a fictitious church, one that preaches doctrines contrary to the puppet “Patriarch” of Danceria, and were synonymous with firebrands and those who stood against modernism. The statue makers were of course the pagans, and the last bit meaning that while the Heiromonk acknowledged the Patriarch’s connections, he needs assuredness. “On the subject of traffic, I suppose that this means that there may be more Dancerians tramping about? Karim Risha received some books there. We may have to make way for the new royal family if Aceus keeps Princess bint-Dardan.” In spite of his poverty, he commanded no small amount of admirers, some of them rather wealthy if his eyeglasses are any demonstration. The presence (or lack thereof) of both Christian and non Christian Dancerians may allow for more smuggling of words and sermons. The last part was an admission of guilt from the Elder, as he did not know the reception of Danceria in the Sultanate, or how much support such a movement would have. Stavros would not wish for any Christian Community to be a scapegoat, or be a sacrificial lamb.

[Port Ember]

There was a small silence, maybe a bit too long, as Luis and Alessandre side glanced each other, indicating to one another that they might've been lost. They both knew German, to a negligible extent. The German-speaking son Alessandre alluded to was more for asking of the maidens than for themselves. English however, they knew better.

"Lord I hope Luis understood that woman because I didn't." Alessandre thought to himself.

Luis gave a smile and nodded, speaking in English "Ahh, of course, German and French blood, must be an interesting history." he nodded almost ignorantly "I hope you do not mind the language shift, it is much easier on us. Port Ember, I have heard of it, and your company. Quite a country I would say. It is almost like an antithesis to ours, if I were comparing the two. Quite the...capitalist paradise. Or immoral nightmare, whichever you wish to use. Though we don't get many women CEOs back home, if any at all, more power to you Madame."

"Excuse any of Luis' rude remarks. So what trick has Roderique played to have you sitting here with us?" Alessandre chimed in.

"Hey, why do I have to trick someone? I have my own charm don't I? Certainly more than you."

"I think it's safe to say we are all past our prime." Luis added with a chuckle.

"Says you old man." Roderique threw back.

Lykke Blon.
We made regular patrols around the Ball Room, delivering drinks and pastries and generally taking care of the glasses being filled and the people being happy... at least as far as we could.
Anyway, when Lone went to take a short break for a visit to the White Throne of Porcelainia, I took over her route, which included the table with the Dukes and, by now, also a young woman, who I did not recognize.
Well, she was good-looking, but I had a job to do.
I saw, that she had finished her glass and, with my tablet held high, positioned myself so that she would be hard-pressed not to see me a few metres away - the trick was to be invited by the guest, not inviting oneself.
Now, to wait.

Jolene Gudfrey

Jolene's milky soft and smooth cheeks burst out in a bright red blush - matching the attention grabbing red colour of her dress, displaying her softer and almost child like side. A side which came out on display every now and then, normally when living out her fast paced wild social life in the nightclubs of Port Ember - in contrast to her hardass, steely resolve which she puts up for business purposes.

She obviously misunderstood the statement of the older gentleman - she have thought that they meant they wish to speak in german as its their native tounge - however they actually meant Jolene should address the waitress in german as their son has left the table, who is normally their translator. In her attempt to impress the table, she embarressed herself with this idiotic play.

With her blush still clearly visibly, she let out a soft and cute giggle in her embarressed state, and finaly replied, in english offcourse, "Oh my! I clearly misunderstood your statement my Lord. I offer my humble appologies! I realise now my mistake. I prefer english as well, as its my native language, german is my third language." She decided that it was clear that the table understood the majority of her last piece of the conversation, and would not translate it to them, instead continuing with the conversation.

"Oh yes, the german and french heritage is an interesting part to my family's rich history, yet it is definitely not our defining feature. The french and german blood might be responsible for my physical features - but my personality and soul is firmly of a true blooded Port Emberian." Even though her first loyalty has always been to herself, she did consider herself as somewhat of a patriot, believing her home to be the greatest nation in the world. Her pride managed to overcome her previous embarressment, and her blush dissapeared from her cheeks.

"And indeed my lord, Port Ember is vastly different from your nation, and most probaly the brightest burning beacon for free market capitalism on the planet. But I have no qualms with any other nation whom follows other economical philosophies, in fact I have made many millions in profit by doing business with socialist hardliners. But.. this evening is not about discussing economical models now is it?"

Jolene by now fully recovered from her previous embarressment and was her old confident self. She flashed a smile. Jolene laughed at the age versus charm banter between the gentleman, feeling thouroughly entertained. She finally responded, "Oh my lord, no trick was needed. I must admit that Sir Roderique's charm still requires some.. sharpening.. I do find him good company."

Jolene noticed the waitress Lykke standing only a few meters from the table, looking straight at her, obviously standing by to assist when and if needed. She admired the professionalism of the girls working here tonight, and made a mental note to enquire about employing this lassies in future for her own events. She flashed a friendly smile and a nod at her, signalling that she required her presence at the table.

[Teressien]

"Oh yes, exploring the world on horseback or pigback is quite fun, too!" - Jirou agreed. "And it has been the common way for a long time. As for the End, yeah, I pretty much only use it as a source for the few things I can really need - I'm quite trained when it comes to the Nether, though. Just avoid hitting a zombie pigman, and get yourself a properly enchanted armor and bow, and you'll be fine with the Ghasts, too. Of course, you should avoid the lava, too."
"Yeah, avoiding lava is totally easy in the Nether" - Shiruko said in a sarcastic tone.
"Difficult, sure, but not impossible" - Jirou said. "There are many places in there which are nicely far away from the lava, and one can easily get a lot of quartz there. Being careful, however, is still a good plan, of course."

Gerulf wholeheartedly agreed with Shiko, and as it turned out, for a damn good reason. He had a Hausmädchen get a round of drinks, obviously not having noticed, that Shiko still had some wine left, for she was keeping it slow. But of course, she politely played along, her glass meeting Aaltje's and Gerulf's ones with a loud pling! sound.
After taking a sip, she said, "There are surely interesting people to meet abroad. Granted, I didn't find a potential husband over there, but there was quite a number of occasions to realize, that the Sharulsi Khanate is full of lovely and hearty lads and lassies - and once they finally get used to you being a Princess, whose Big Sis is running an entire country, they will let it all out. I had an awesome time over there, and not only because I speak their language, but also because I met a wonderful bunch of people I'm still in touch with."
She let a beat pass.
"So, where have you been to?" - she asked Gerulf. "Seems to be a nice place to meet one's future wife in."

Heda, Prinzessin von Dorch.
I nodded.
"Taking care is quite important in the Nether... it's still sucking to be blown away by a Ghast. That's why I spent hours on end on a Cobblestone Generator...", I said and shrugged, "Let's the Nether look quite ugly, that's true, but the Nether is not paid to be pretty."
I smiled.
"That one's from my brother.", I said, "He's a bit of a Redstone Engineer."

Aaltje Schreyg.
Gerulf had indeed missed Shiko still having a swig or two, but that hardly mattered as we clinked glasses.
After she told a story of her own, she asked the head of Sykane Mining where he had been to. He smiled slightly. "I spent half a year at the Madrasa in Ruspina, in Kyrenaia. An unbelievably awesome time, not only because I met Rena. She and I..."
"...were like cats and dogs at first.", a new voice suddenly said, Rena von Sykane joining us, kissing her husband on the cheek. She was a beautiful woman with violet hair and sparkling eyes... and she was a woman, where Shiko and I were merely girls. "But time got us to where we are now, no matter what tabloids try to smear."
Gerulf nodded.
"Rena, if I may introduce? Princess Shiko Yamura of Shikonjima and Miss Aaltje Schreyg.", Gerulf said and I did a small curtsy. I was not the focal point in this conversation. "Your Highness, Miss Schreyg - my wife Rena."
"It is a great honour to meet both of you... for different reasons.", Rena replied and bowed her head to Shiko. "Your Majesty."

---

Berengar raised an eyebrow when Ida mentioned the option of becoming an airline pilot or an air racer.
"Hm." He thought about it for a short while.
"I'll consider bringing it up with her...probably will be air racing, since I do believe that, in her case, flying an airline is tantamount to suicide by boredom. But in any case, thank you, Ida, thank you very much."

---

Erika caught the tissues as they flew. "Thank you." she replied, before opening it and wiping away the one or two tears that still stained her face. She then turned to Aceus. "Unfortunately, Prince Berengar is...indisposed at the moment. You'll have to wait until after the Polka."

'The greatest irony-' she thought, '-is that just days before, I was seriously considering donating an ovary to her, if it was feasible, and only decided against it when pap brought up the fact that it might lead to serious issues with inbreeding. Still, I guess my appearance has caused something of a stir, so it's understandable that she doesn't exactly enjoy my existence-in fact, to be frank, I'd be surprised if she didn't act like this.'

Aceus
The Dancerian King momentarily sent a sympathetic, and apologetic glance to Erika. There would never be an easy way to say it. “...I taught her not to flee from fear, of which she is doing an excellent job so far.” he turned to Fara. “...It seems I need not introduce one another, Fara, this is Erika Byrnes...my daughter.”

Now was the time for fate to reveal what it wove, and prayers to one’s gods be made.

Rev. Stavros
Behind the eyes, an almost knowing glint and nod glowed across the elder’s face. It was polite of course to acquaint oneself in the terms and lingo of Kyrenaia, even with such high company. “It reminds me of a similar debacle, though on a smaller scale. There’s an old church off of Hundredth street-in Yggdrasilia mind you, where a statue-making square is expanding. Of course, even the parishioners who patron the arts cannot help but see this as an...encroachment. As it is said, two pillars do not always support the same roof, both being old and important parts of the city.”

Hopefully his “contact” who arranged the meeting between himself and the good Patriarch would enlighten him on his own lingo. The “Hundredth Street Church” is a fictitious church, one that preaches doctrines contrary to the puppet “Patriarch” of Danceria, and were synonymous with firebrands and those who stood against modernism. The statue makers were of course the pagans, and the last bit meaning that while the Heiromonk acknowledged the Patriarch’s connections, he needs assuredness. “On the subject of traffic, I suppose that this means that there may be more Dancerians tramping about? Karim Risha received some books there. We may have to make way for the new royal family if Aceus keeps Princess bint-Dardan.” In spite of his poverty, he commanded no small amount of admirers, some of them rather wealthy if his eyeglasses are any demonstration. The presence (or lack thereof) of both Christian and non Christian Dancerians may allow for more smuggling of words and sermons. The last part was an admission of guilt from the Elder, as he did not know the reception of Danceria in the Sultanate, or how much support such a movement would have. Stavros would not wish for any Christian Community to be a scapegoat, or be a sacrificial lamb.

Princess Fara bint-Dardan.
At least she had common manners of thanking someone when getting handed tissues, one had to give her that. By Aceus' words, I knew, that I made her at least uncomfortable and by her own expression, I knew something similar.
Then Aceus introduced us despite there not being the need to, but formality.
"I would say, that it's a pleasure, but considering who or rather what you are, I will withhold my enthusiasm.", I said and nodded in acknowledgement and a polite gesture. One was raised well, after all. "So, Aceus... why did I find out, that you have an illegitimate child by my sister, a friend of which's stumbled across her while reading the tabloids? Why didn't you tell me before?" Don't tell me, that you didn't have the chance, because you did. "Did you forget the lesson you claim to have taught your daughter? Or did you just hope, that no one would ever find out?"
I was... one might call it 'pissed', but the cold fury I felt did not match the definition.
"Unless you needed it, of course.", I said and unconsciously put a hand onto the side of my stomach.

Adil Btryrik.
"Fara-Amira and Aceus will have to have a bit of a heart to heart soon and decide on their own how to proceed, the issues are many, but the most recent one can be summed up in two words: Erika Byrnes.", I said and sighed, "An illegitimate child... the tabloids ran their mouths, of course, including rumours of Aceus-Malik having multiple other affairs with the purpose of securing the succession in case it turns out that Fara-Amira really is... well." I made a vague gesture into the direction of my stomach, indicating towards Fara's wound. I was familiar with the term of the Hundredth Street Church and its reputation. And while some of my sheep were rather smitten, I personally loved to read the sermons out of interest and to burrow the odd snippets. "On to happier topics... say, Reverent, what would you think of visiting your cousins in faith in Kyrenaia? Of course, we would take care of all traveling expenses... I even already have a donor in mind, who would love to meet you."
I smiled at that.

Ida Findehoof.
"You're very welcome.", I replied with a small bow of my head. "I am a Big Sister as well, so... I can relate." I let a beat pass. "Quite ambitious of her to join the military, though. I must ask, however, with you a soldier, is there a sort-of tradition of military service for Royalty in the Commonwealth? Or is it just a personal preference?"
I was really curious, not intending any evil.

Ruairi nodded, chuckling under his breath.

"I figured it sounded funny," he replied, "but, hey. It makes an awfy lot of sense, right?

"Anyways, I'm glad to see you both having a good time here. I know I am; besides the good food and drinks, I've gotten the chance to dance the polonaise recently with a colleague of mine, Miss Schreyg. Though I admit, I've had some issues with it, to which I thank her for the assistance. I am, nevertheless, looking forward to your nation's polka, despite the wee bit of hesitation that tells me I'm gonna embarrass myself," he chuckled again, "On top of this, could anyone of you provide me some last-minute tips as to how I'm able to dance this out properly?"

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
"Interesting tidbit...", Dad said, "The Kyrenaian Polka is actually not Kyrenaian, but Teressian. A Teressian composer by the name of Alrich Tacksto created it taking the influences of Kyrenaian Music and creating a Fast Polka in Kyrenaian Style and other composers from Teressien thought 'Ey, I can do that better!' and there we went." He shrugged as I nodded. "There's around a dozen of those. The one they usually play is one by Alexander von Byrkland, I think, from 1899."
"That little history lesson aside, there are two ways of dancing a Kyrenaian Polka: As you would dance a 'normal' fast Polka or, I quote, 'in the Style of Kyrenaian Dancing.'", I added and shrugged, "Now the question is, which would you prefer?"

Constantino saw the a small glimpse in her eyes, he scoffed and nodded "No offense but that seems pretty backwards. At your age, the rural girls would be getting married. Some nobility too, if their fathers wanted it. Quite honorable and birght-eyed of you Prinzessin, but uuhh...laws are for the poor, if I can be callous and honest. That is, for the average person. Laws are for the whole of society, but to keep the majority, the 'poor' in order. Society will not collapse because you smoked a cigarette. But it will if everyone is drunk. Sorry if this is getting too philosophic or whatever." he sighed and shrugged, taking a sip "I don't know, I guess Germans are strange people. Up in the north there is a small enclave of them. I don't touch them, they mostly keep to themselves." A moment of silence went by, he scratched his eye "So, a sixteen year old princess, at a ball, outside and alone, drinking wine. You must be here with someone, a parent or sibling. Or are like, the people here your cousins or something?"

Lien, Prinzessin von Byrkland.
I raised an eyebrow, almost coming to metaphorical blows with the boy about philosophy of Rulership - and there were many Philosophies of Rulership. His callousness... it did not rub me in the wrong way, I only saw it as a challenge for a good discussion.
The topic was discarded, however, when he changed it to my date.
Or the absence of one.
"I am here alone tonight, in my Father's stead.", I said and twirled my glass of wine, "Sadly, he came down with a bout of summer flu, otherwise, we would be here together. It's nothing serious, but he opted to stay at home before it turned into something, that would impair his duties."
An outright lie, but one, which would find its confirmation in official press releases of Schloss Heimgeholz, if one bothered to check.

Jolene Gudfrey

Jolene's milky soft and smooth cheeks burst out in a bright red blush - matching the attention grabbing red colour of her dress, displaying her softer and almost child like side. A side which came out on display every now and then, normally when living out her fast paced wild social life in the nightclubs of Port Ember - in contrast to her hardass, steely resolve which she puts up for business purposes.

She obviously misunderstood the statement of the older gentleman - she have thought that they meant they wish to speak in german as its their native tounge - however they actually meant Jolene should address the waitress in german as their son has left the table, who is normally their translator. In her attempt to impress the table, she embarressed herself with this idiotic play.

With her blush still clearly visibly, she let out a soft and cute giggle in her embarressed state, and finaly replied, in english offcourse, "Oh my! I clearly misunderstood your statement my Lord. I offer my humble appologies! I realise now my mistake. I prefer english as well, as its my native language, german is my third language." She decided that it was clear that the table understood the majority of her last piece of the conversation, and would not translate it to them, instead continuing with the conversation.

"Oh yes, the german and french heritage is an interesting part to my family's rich history, yet it is definitely not our defining feature. The french and german blood might be responsible for my physical features - but my personality and soul is firmly of a true blooded Port Emberian." Even though her first loyalty has always been to herself, she did consider herself as somewhat of a patriot, believing her home to be the greatest nation in the world. Her pride managed to overcome her previous embarressment, and her blush dissapeared from her cheeks.

"And indeed my lord, Port Ember is vastly different from your nation, and most probaly the brightest burning beacon for free market capitalism on the planet. But I have no qualms with any other nation whom follows other economical philosophies, in fact I have made many millions in profit by doing business with socialist hardliners. But.. this evening is not about discussing economical models now is it?"

Jolene by now fully recovered from her previous embarressment and was her old confident self. She flashed a smile. Jolene laughed at the age versus charm banter between the gentleman, feeling thouroughly entertained. She finally responded, "Oh my lord, no trick was needed. I must admit that Sir Roderique's charm still requires some.. sharpening.. I do find him good company."

Jolene noticed the waitress Lykke standing only a few meters from the table, looking straight at her, obviously standing by to assist when and if needed. She admired the professionalism of the girls working here tonight, and made a mental note to enquire about employing this lassies in future for her own events. She flashed a friendly smile and a nod at her, signalling that she required her presence at the table.

Lykke Blon.
I saw Gudfrey's signal and approached the table, a professional expression on my face.
While I did not know about her will to hire some of us for her own events, I knew, that we had a good reputation for professionalism and skill, much like our colleagues at Schloss Hochheyde and Schloss Kap Leuenkönig, who were our main competitors in the contest of being the best Hausmädchen in Teressien.
It was a contest fought bitterly, but with friendly competitive spirit.
Anyway, when I was at the table, I bowed down and asked Miss Gudfrey in Teressien: "Sie wünschen, meine Dame?"
Your wish, Milady? was a standard as an appelation in such a situation. My tablet was stacked high with drinks, but maybe she wanted something else?

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Princess Fara bint-Dardan.
At least she had common manners of thanking someone when getting handed tissues, one had to give her that. By Aceus' words, I knew, that I made her at least uncomfortable and by her own expression, I knew something similar.
Then Aceus introduced us despite there not being the need to, but formality.
"I would say, that it's a pleasure, but considering who or rather what you are, I will withhold my enthusiasm.", I said and nodded in acknowledgement and a polite gesture. One was raised well, after all. "So, Aceus... why did I find out, that you have an illegitimate child by my sister, a friend of which's stumbled across her while reading the tabloids? Why didn't you tell me before?" Don't tell me, that you didn't have the chance, because you did. "Did you forget the lesson you claim to have taught your daughter? Or did you just hope, that no one would ever find out?"
I was... one might call it 'pissed', but the cold fury I felt did not match the definition.
"Unless you needed it, of course.", I said and unconsciously put a hand onto the side of my stomach.
Ida Findehoof.
"You're very welcome.", I replied with a small bow of my head. "I am a Big Sister as well, so... I can relate." I let a beat pass. "Quite ambitious of her to join the military, though. I must ask, however, with you a soldier, is there a sort-of tradition of military service for Royalty in the Commonwealth? Or is it just a personal preference?"
I was really curious, not intending any evil.

There were many things Erika could tolerate pretty well. Insulting her father, openly or through implications, was not one of them.
Her hand curled into a fist, and her mind immediately ran through numerous comforting scenarios-bringing Fara down at 800 meters with her rifle, or beating her to a bloody pulp, even throwing her into a meatgrinder and laughing as she was reduced to paste.
But she knew that she couldn't bring herself to it. Never could, never would.
But she had to say something. Fara was calling her father a womanizer, a fraud, a charlatan. She couldn't just stand there like an obedient little 'princess' and let her, metaphorically, castrate Aceus.
So she glared at Fara. Hard.
"Pardon me, Princess, but I do believe that if King Aceus here wanted me gone, or to prevent knowledge of me from leaking out, he would have numerous special operations units at his fingertips, or he could have just had me continue living with Emil at Treptower Deep."

---

Berengar rubbed his chin. "Eh...sort of. My father served a few years in the army of the Bundesrepublik before he was restored in 1992, my mother's father did the same, their fathers presumably did the same."
He paused, and then sighed. "That's actually the main source of arguments between my father and mother, actually. Former's all in favor of having us see what life like was for him and mother, outside of the palace, and that includes military service. Latter is worried sick that one of us will get hurt or come home in a body bag. She accuses my father of being callous, he accuses her of trying to spoil us...at the end they just kiss and make up. That's what marriage is for, I suppose. You argue and make up so often that you get married to do it more conveniently."

[Shikonjima]

Heda, Prinzessin von Dorch.
I nodded.
"Taking care is quite important in the Nether... it's still sucking to be blown away by a Ghast. That's why I spent hours on end on a Cobblestone Generator...", I said and shrugged, "Let's the Nether look quite ugly, that's true, but the Nether is not paid to be pretty."
I smiled.
"That one's from my brother.", I said, "He's a bit of a Redstone Engineer."

Aaltje Schreyg.
Gerulf had indeed missed Shiko still having a swig or two, but that hardly mattered as we clinked glasses.
After she told a story of her own, she asked the head of Sykane Mining where he had been to. He smiled slightly. "I spent half a year at the Madrasa in Ruspina, in Kyrenaia. An unbelievably awesome time, not only because I met Rena. She and I..."
"...were like cats and dogs at first.", a new voice suddenly said, Rena von Sykane joining us, kissing her husband on the cheek. She was a beautiful woman with violet hair and sparkling eyes... and she was a woman, where Shiko and I were merely girls. "But time got us to where we are now, no matter what tabloids try to smear."
Gerulf nodded.
"Rena, if I may introduce? Princess Shiko Yamura of Shikonjima and Miss Aaltje Schreyg.", Gerulf said and I did a small curtsy. I was not the focal point in this conversation. "Your Highness, Miss Schreyg - my wife Rena."
"It is a great honour to meet both of you... for different reasons.", Rena replied and bowed her head to Shiko. "Your Majesty."

Jirou nodded, grinning.
"As am I!" - he said. "And yes, a Cobblestone Generator is surely a useful thing down there - granted, a bit more complicated to construct than in the upperworld, where all you need is water, lava, and a few pistons - the first point easily becomes moot in the Nether, where water doesn't work. Be it as it may - the Nether is functional, indeed. Looking pretty is the upper world's job."
"Are lags and framerate drops caused by your insanely large redstone constructions part of the upper world's job as well?" - Shiruko asked.
Jirou shrugged. "They work fine on my computer. Maybe consider playing on a PC and not on your toaster!" He laughed.
Shiruko grinned, then shrugged, too. "Yeah, sounds like a plan ..."

Just when Gerulf was about to tell how he had met Rena, back then in Kyrenaia, as turned out, Rena herself appeared - Shikon and Ryoukami, compared to her, Shiko really felt like some schoolgirl! She kissed her husband on his cheek, then explained, that they hadn't exactly started off well back then, and if one would believe the Yellow Press, that hadn't changed much since then. Probably nonsense, like a lot of stuff they wrote, but once rumors are in the air, have fun getting rid of them.
Gerulf introduced Shiko and Aaltje to his wife, and while Aaltje did a small curtsy according to the Teressian customs, Shiko followed the customs of her own country and bowed her head.
"The pleasure is entirely mine, Mrs. von Sykane!" - the Shikonjimanese Princess said. "As you may have heard, we were just talking about school exchanges and the people one meets there, if everything is done correctly. It appears to me, that there are more ways of ending up with each other than I could have told from my own experience."

[AHSCA]

Kiah Findehoof.
At the question, I may or may not have blushed.
“There is someone, who I like very much, but he's not here tonight... nor was he my first dance partner.”, I replied, “He's a kind and funny guy and although he sucks at dancing he is a good musician, quite the singer... and a good sportsman, although he's less into swimming and more into water polo. Our teams often train against each other, when it comes to stamina.”
I let a beat pass, now blushing in earnest.
“And, among us, he's also quite good-looking...”, I added, then sighed, “Alas, there's at the moment only space in my life for one man and he happens to be a cat, who's unwilling to share.” I shrugged. “And Pfote is quite snuggly, too.”

Both women chuckled a bit at the remark that a cat was presently one she could call her dear companion but also the romantic intrigue of a man that had her eye was quite sweet and neither could deny that. "That sounds lovely." Miela continued, "maybe it will work for you in the end if you get a chance or maybe some other special someone will come along. To be honest I don't think Pacifica or I are quite as lucky with love as I guess our goals have taken priority, well mostly considering Pacifica has also dedicated part of her time to being a mother."

"Yeah that's a bit of a long story there....Another time another place, maybe."

"Right right."

[Rivienland]

Herzogin Alvina von Raycbucht.
I nodded – that had been our deal.

“I am Alvina. I am the Herzogin, Duchess, of Raycbuch, which means something along the lines of Rich Bay in English.”, I explained, “Rich, in this case, means rich in fishing grounds off shore, but also rich in pasture for livestock, which my Duchy is quite famous for.”, I said, “But between the two of us, sheep are cute to look at, but when you meet them, they're vicious... at least when I meet them. Animals in general somehow hate me.”

I shrugged. That was even true for the pets of friends, who hated coming near me...

“As a way to spent free time, I actually play the cello, but I am more of a dancer. My music teacher said, that I had no talent for either, but the tenacity to make it work either way.”, I said with a grin, as it had worked. “I have three siblings, an older brother, who abstained in favour of a career with the military, and a younger brother and a younger sister, who are holding down the fort in Raycbucht.”

Rena, Prinzessin von Wißenthen.
I looked around as well.

“No, I don't see him either.”, I said... dang, in the movies, this always looked so easy: Girl comes back in, sees boy immediately, goes to him, asks for the dance, music plays, gets dragged to the floor, screws up the first steps, but manages regardless and he decides to take the next one as well, bugger prior commitments, and kiss and happily ever after. Stupid movies. Screwing with how such things work in the minds of innocent and not-so-innocent women... “Let's look around a bit.”

We made our way deeper into the fray, avoiding a few of the conversation groups, towards the refreshments table.

“He's a guy.”, I reasoned to Marie and for my own benefit. “Guys are always hungry, so to successfully win a guy's heart, you need to bake something for him. As I can't do that right now, I have to do the next best thing: Intercept him at the place they all come to eat at.”

...voicing it made it sound a bit dodgy.

“You should put away the teen magazines, if that is your conclusion from reading them.”, a young man's voice said and I froze... oh, please, yes... I mean, no, I mean, nes... GAH!!! He stood there. In all of his good-looking, handsome glory, red-orange hair flaming on his head, although brushed still looking wild, his sapphire-blue eyes sparkling with bemusement. He wore, of course, tailcoat and starched shirt, waistcoat and bow tie. And, Spirits, he looked good in them, like he was some sort of model, actor or something, who wore such clothing like a second skin. Raik, Prinz von Bucktend was really the man every boy in Teressien wanted to be and couldn't understand because many pretty girls would liberally kiss the ground he walked on, yet he was single. “That being said, I do like strawberry cake, Renny.”

Did I mention, that he and I went way back and that he still had this image of me as a little girl in his head? Pigtails, cute dresses and everything? Yeah... forgot about that...
In any case, Rena.exe, for the time being, stopped working.

Prince Philippe
The Prince could not help, but smirk as the Herzogin discussed her poor relation with sheep and lack of talent when playing the cello. She seemed like a nice girl and an honestly one at that. So many times, in the world of royalty and wealth, many men and women became fake to get ahead, but not Alvina.

Philippe kept thinking how much he loved hearing of Teressien, because of how its beauty seemed quite comparable to Rivienland. While possible romanticized, because of his few experiences working in the countryside, it was one of his most closely held beliefs that the sanctity and beauty of rural life held the fabric of a nation together. And, with the guidance of the nobility, that timeless belief was protected.

Though, the Prince suddenly wondered, how much did the nobility have in ruling the country? Perhaps very little…

Finishing his glass of lemonade, Philippe replied, “That must be hard, I mean ruling Raycbuch in place of your brother. Did it take your family by surprise?”

Princess Maria
For a moment, Maria thought Rene was about to have a heart attack. Quickly, she positioned herself right by her side and stared the young prince down. He was quite the looker, the Princess thought, and understood why Rena wished to hunt him down. Still wearing her light pink ballgown, the Prince’s modern fashion quite contrasted hers. Still, Maria was not attracted to the Prince. She reasoned it was because of her mixed feelings of foreign men and their agendas.

Realizing there was too long of a pause in the conversation, Maria curtsied and said, “Greetings, Your Serenity. I am Princess Maria of Rivienland. I hope you are having a joyous evening?”

Maria prayed that Rena would recover soon as she seemed to be nearly stark red from all the blushing.

[The Scarlet Eagle]

Khalid Faris.
...wait. What.
What.
Say what?!
Let's be honest here, I appreciate the sentiment, the 'old lady' showing off her her dress (and thus the body inside of the dress), let there be no doubt about that, but... what? That woman was old enough to be my Mother!
Okay. I can work with that. I don't know how, but I can.
I bowed my head lightly. “I would be delighted, Madame.”, I said and smiled, blaming my momentary confusion on something else, “Though I must harshly rebuke you. You are not an, I quote, 'old lady', Madame, but a handsome doe, not a fawn anymore, that is true, but not ripe for the dinner table either.”
Lioness above, please let that one work...

Wilrun, Baronin von Port Monee.
If that was supposed to be a pickup-line, he really should work on them a bit more...
I smiled anyway. It was almost cute.
“There's not much to tell.”, I said and shrugged, “Born in 1990, my Mama was actually my Father's second wife, my Father dying of a stroke in 1991. I 'ruled' my barony, but a regency council appointed by Fürst Raik VI. did until I came of age in 2009, with my training beginning in 2006. In 2011, I took over the Reederei Lerna, formed the Port Monee Merchant Navy Company, bringing the company upwards on the side in slow and measured steps. Meanwhile, I got to know as a holder for soirees, where many different guests come to, from Teressien nobility and celebreties to international ones.” I smiled. “Crown Prince Ilia is an infrequent guest, so is Nora Cathlong and a many others. I bring people together.”
I let a beat pass.
“And as such, allow me to give you a recommendation: Next dance you want a partner for, ask Naya Findehoof.”, I told him with a wink, “She's older then you, yes, but a very good dancer and to my knowledge, she still has spots free on her dance card.”

Dowager Empress Agathe Blachkov
Apparently, Agathe had just managed to make the young Kyrenaian freak out a bit, possibly because he may have understood she was coming on to him. Well, let's see where this game can lead, thinks the Emperor's mother as a very small smirk tugs at the left corner of her mouth.
"Why thank you young man, she replies with a charming smile. I'll admit, it's been a while since I heard such compliments."
As she says that, she had lean slowly towards Khalid, until her mouth is next to his ear.
"Speaking of does, she whispers in his ear with just a hint of seduction in her voice, we have an ond legend in the Empire where a young boy who was hunting in a forest, as a rite of passage in adulthood, stumbled upon the most magnificent doe he ever encountered. He followed her, not wanting to kill her at first, and it is said he ended up in a place that felt like Paradise.
So, tell me Mister Khalid, would you be willing to take that challenge and let this handsome doe guide you?" she finishes as she leans back, facing him again.

Imperial Guard Colonel Bradley Myers
"That's quite the story indeed, replies the one eyed Colonel with a smile once Wilrun has finished her story. I have indeed heard of the soirees you hold from time to time, both from the mouth of Prince Damir and by bits of intel. And I was wondering if you would perhap accept that a few Imperials might join you. I'm thinking about the members of the Five Families, especially the members of Anaximander's and Anna's Personal Guards. I think it's high time they start to get known as proper nobles, and not just life guards of the Imperial Couple. And that kind of party might just be the best to start.
Concerning Admiral Findehoof, I'll take your advice and ask her for the dance after the Polka. Though I may need your help in localizing her.
Now, concerning my story, there's not much to tell. Born in 1960 in Oklahoma City, unassuming school career with good grades. I did my Service from 1979 to 1981 with the 718th Artillery Regiment of the 71st Infantry Division, and was ranked in the top 1% to join the Imperial Guard. There, I was assigned to the Third "Melnik Division, 4th Infantry Regiment, First Battalion. I stayed there until 1987, where I joined the Imperial Guard Officer School in Quantico. I then joined the Scarlet Rangers in 1991, and participated in operations in Yugoslavia, as well as Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan at the end of 2001, where I wad captured in early 2002, lost an eye during an interrogation session by the Taliban, who wanted to pressure my teammates. Out od duty for six months, then a training role, especially for the Emperor, Empress and their Alphas. Then Christian dies in 2010, and I was there for Agathe, and that's how we're here now together.
And that's my life in a nutshell, finishes Bradley with a small bow of the head. I hope I didn't bore you too much with the details."

[Folaisia]

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
"Interesting tidbit...", Dad said, "The Kyrenaian Polka is actually not Kyrenaian, but Teressian. A Teressian composer by the name of Alrich Tacksto created it taking the influences of Kyrenaian Music and creating a Fast Polka in Kyrenaian Style and other composers from Teressien thought 'Ey, I can do that better!' and there we went." He shrugged as I nodded. "There's around a dozen of those. The one they usually play is one by Alexander von Byrkland, I think, from 1899."
"That little history lesson aside, there are two ways of dancing a Kyrenaian Polka: As you would dance a 'normal' fast Polka or, I quote, 'in the Style of Kyrenaian Dancing.'", I added and shrugged, "Now the question is, which would you prefer?"

Ruairi's eyes grew as the realization hit his mind.

"Oh, I see," he replied, "I forgot that there are those kinds of music that sound like they come from a foreign country, but not authentically."

He then chuckled before continuing to listen to Aurelia and her father. From the former mentioning the two ways, he nodded, and when she asked him that question, he tilted his head and played with his hands on his back. Moments later, Ruairi gave out this answer.

"I think I'll go with the normal way," he answered, "To be honest, I just can't bring to see myself dancing in a Kyrenaian style. Not to mention that I would cringe as hard as a red sheep on a clear, sunny day if I were to attempt it in just one step," he then chuckled.

[Teressien]

There were many things Erika could tolerate pretty well. Insulting her father, openly or through implications, was not one of them.
Her hand curled into a fist, and her mind immediately ran through numerous comforting scenarios-bringing Fara down at 800 meters with her rifle, or beating her to a bloody pulp, even throwing her into a meatgrinder and laughing as she was reduced to paste.
But she knew that she couldn't bring herself to it. Never could, never would.
But she had to say something. Fara was calling her father a womanizer, a fraud, a charlatan. She couldn't just stand there like an obedient little 'princess' and let her, metaphorically, castrate Aceus.
So she glared at Fara. Hard.
"Pardon me, Princess, but I do believe that if King Aceus here wanted me gone, or to prevent knowledge of me from leaking out, he would have numerous special operations units at his fingertips, or he could have just had me continue living with Emil at Treptower Deep."

---

Berengar rubbed his chin. "Eh...sort of. My father served a few years in the army of the Bundesrepublik before he was restored in 1992, my mother's father did the same, their fathers presumably did the same."
He paused, and then sighed. "That's actually the main source of arguments between my father and mother, actually. Former's all in favor of having us see what life like was for him and mother, outside of the palace, and that includes military service. Latter is worried sick that one of us will get hurt or come home in a body bag. She accuses my father of being callous, he accuses her of trying to spoil us...at the end they just kiss and make up. That's what marriage is for, I suppose. You argue and make up so often that you get married to do it more conveniently."

Princess Fara bint-Dardan.
"Pardon me, Princess...", Erika began from the side and I saw, that the little girl was angry, "...but I do believe that if King Aceus here wanted me gone, or to prevent knowledge of me from leaking out, he would have numerous special operations units at his fingertips, or he could have just had me continue living with Emil at Treptower Deep."
I looked down at her, not only because I was taller. Her glare might as well have been a wad of cotton thrown at a Qut with how easily it bounced off my own rage.
I raised an eyebrow.
"And if he were Kyrenaian, he would have told his girlfriend, that you were a thing, that existed during the numerous times you two met. Granted, it's not first date material, but sometime during the evenings and nights we spent together would have been nice." I shrugged. "Alas, he is not, and I found out about you by my little sister telling me about you with her knowledge from a tabloid."
I let a beat pass.
"Not exactly a sign of trust, I would say.", I added, "Now, child, remember: When the adults speak, the children remain silent."

Ida Findehoof.
I giggled.
"Sounds lot like my own parents.", I said with a grin, "For my family, it's less military service but more serving as officials as a bit of a tradition. Many of my ancestors were officials in the government, some soldiers, some both..." I let a beat pass. "Public service is important and my Father stresses that."
I let a beat pass.
"My sisters and I, for example, were officers with the Younger Militias, for example.", I added.

Jirou nodded, grinning.
"As am I!" - he said. "And yes, a Cobblestone Generator is surely a useful thing down there - granted, a bit more complicated to construct than in the upperworld, where all you need is water, lava, and a few pistons - the first point easily becomes moot in the Nether, where water doesn't work. Be it as it may - the Nether is functional, indeed. Looking pretty is the upper world's job."
"Are lags and framerate drops caused by your insanely large redstone constructions part of the upper world's job as well?" - Shiruko asked.
Jirou shrugged. "They work fine on my computer. Maybe consider playing on a PC and not on your toaster!" He laughed.
Shiruko grinned, then shrugged, too. "Yeah, sounds like a plan ..."

Just when Gerulf was about to tell how he had met Rena, back then in Kyrenaia, as turned out, Rena herself appeared - Shikon and Ryoukami, compared to her, Shiko really felt like some schoolgirl! She kissed her husband on his cheek, then explained, that they hadn't exactly started off well back then, and if one would believe the Yellow Press, that hadn't changed much since then. Probably nonsense, like a lot of stuff they wrote, but once rumors are in the air, have fun getting rid of them.
Gerulf introduced Shiko and Aaltje to his wife, and while Aaltje did a small curtsy according to the Teressian customs, Shiko followed the customs of her own country and bowed her head.
"The pleasure is entirely mine, Mrs. von Sykane!" - the Shikonjimanese Princess said. "As you may have heard, we were just talking about school exchanges and the people one meets there, if everything is done correctly. It appears to me, that there are more ways of ending up with each other than I could have told from my own experience."

Heda, Prinzessin von Dorch.
I giggled.
"Vin's first computer...", I retold to comfort Shiroku a little bit, "...was not that strong either. He got it in 2003, an old machine, which could barely run its ten-years-old operating system, let alone games."
I smiled.
"Still, he swears by that machine, still sometimes writes little programs for it.", I added, "It's actually quite cute... still, since 2008, he had a new machine every three years, and so did I, although our respective focuses lie elsewhere. I am more into games, his is a machine almost solely focused on his work."

Aaltje Schreyg.
"Oh, not only when things go correctly.", Rena said and smiled, "I recently read a personal account of a Selkie-Student taking part in a school exchange to a country named Purgatio. Celina Treorai was her name. Very fascinating, though quite scary, too... and not many things on that exchange went right or correctly, but she still managed to find the love of her life there."
I smiled.
"It actually sounds quite cute.", I said and nodded. "Celina Treorai, you said, Madame?"
"Exactly, Miss Schreyg.", she confirmed with a nod, then smiled, "A very good read. Any literature recommendations from you, Your Highness?"
She turned to Shiko and so was I.

Kiah Findehoof.
At the question, I may or may not have blushed.
“There is someone, who I like very much, but he's not here tonight... nor was he my first dance partner.”, I replied, “He's a kind and funny guy and although he sucks at dancing he is a good musician, quite the singer... and a good sportsman, although he's less into swimming and more into water polo. Our teams often train against each other, when it comes to stamina.”
I let a beat pass, now blushing in earnest.
“And, among us, he's also quite good-looking...”, I added, then sighed, “Alas, there's at the moment only space in my life for one man and he happens to be a cat, who's unwilling to share.” I shrugged. “And Pfote is quite snuggly, too.”

Both women chuckled a bit at the remark that a cat was presently one she could call her dear companion but also the romantic intrigue of a man that had her eye was quite sweet and neither could deny that. "That sounds lovely." Miela continued, "maybe it will work for you in the end if you get a chance or maybe some other special someone will come along. To be honest I don't think Pacifica or I are quite as lucky with love as I guess our goals have taken priority, well mostly considering Pacifica has also dedicated part of her time to being a mother."

"Yeah that's a bit of a long story there....Another time another place, maybe."

"Right right."

Kiah Findehoof.
I was impressed by Pacifica apparently also being a mother, but when she adjourned the topic to another time, I nodded. I would not pry.
"Yes, maybe someone will come along sometime.", I said and shrugged, "Maybe he already did. I don't know." I let a beat pass. "Searc and Cion sometimes have weird ways of showing that... let's talk about something else, okay?" I thought for a moment. "Do you two have pets?"
That was a rather interesting, innocent topic.

Prince Philippe
The Prince could not help, but smirk as the Herzogin discussed her poor relation with sheep and lack of talent when playing the cello. She seemed like a nice girl and an honestly one at that. So many times, in the world of royalty and wealth, many men and women became fake to get ahead, but not Alvina.

Philippe kept thinking how much he loved hearing of Teressien, because of how its beauty seemed quite comparable to Rivienland. While possible romanticized, because of his few experiences working in the countryside, it was one of his most closely held beliefs that the sanctity and beauty of rural life held the fabric of a nation together. And, with the guidance of the nobility, that timeless belief was protected.

Though, the Prince suddenly wondered, how much did the nobility have in ruling the country? Perhaps very little…

Finishing his glass of lemonade, Philippe replied, “That must be hard, I mean ruling Raycbuch in place of your brother. Did it take your family by surprise?”

Princess Maria
For a moment, Maria thought Rene was about to have a heart attack. Quickly, she positioned herself right by her side and stared the young prince down. He was quite the looker, the Princess thought, and understood why Rena wished to hunt him down. Still wearing her light pink ballgown, the Prince’s modern fashion quite contrasted hers. Still, Maria was not attracted to the Prince. She reasoned it was because of her mixed feelings of foreign men and their agendas.

Realizing there was too long of a pause in the conversation, Maria curtsied and said, “Greetings, Your Serenity. I am Princess Maria of Rivienland. I hope you are having a joyous evening?”

Maria prayed that Rena would recover soon as she seemed to be nearly stark red from all the blushing.

Herzogin Alvina von Raycbucht.
I thought for a moment.
"No, not really.", I replied, "It's not as if he told us that at the morning of his coronation or something, but rather he made that clear quite early. He always said, that Papa's job seemed too boring."
I giggled as I remembered one particular occassion, when he told Papa that.
"So, quite early, all of the training and duties fell onto me and to be honest, while there are some slow days, the majority of the time it's a very nice job.", I added, "It's not as if we were purely representative, but our words holds weight."

Rena, Prinzessin von Wißenthen.
It was a bit as if watching a movie as the silence stretched on and on, before Maria introduced herself.
Of course, Raik replied with a small bow. "It is a great pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Royal Highness. I am Prince Raik of Bucktend.", he said and offered his hand. Once he had his in hers, he would softly kiss the back of it, while holding eye contact. "Indeed, it is a very lovely evening."
Rena.exe responded at that.
"Is that so?", I asked with a smirk, "What does make this evening so nice, in your mind, then?"
"The food.", he said with a nonchalance and charme, which made lesser girls faint. "And, of course, the current company." He smiled. "May I invite you two for a bite?"

Dowager Empress Agathe Blachkov
Apparently, Agathe had just managed to make the young Kyrenaian freak out a bit, possibly because he may have understood she was coming on to him. Well, let's see where this game can lead, thinks the Emperor's mother as a very small smirk tugs at the left corner of her mouth.
"Why thank you young man, she replies with a charming smile. I'll admit, it's been a while since I heard such compliments."
As she says that, she had lean slowly towards Khalid, until her mouth is next to his ear.
"Speaking of does, she whispers in his ear with just a hint of seduction in her voice, we have an ond legend in the Empire where a young boy who was hunting in a forest, as a rite of passage in adulthood, stumbled upon the most magnificent doe he ever encountered. He followed her, not wanting to kill her at first, and it is said he ended up in a place that felt like Paradise.
So, tell me Mister Khalid, would you be willing to take that challenge and let this handsome doe guide you?" she finishes as she leans back, facing him again.

Imperial Guard Colonel Bradley Myers
"That's quite the story indeed, replies the one eyed Colonel with a smile once Wilrun has finished her story. I have indeed heard of the soirees you hold from time to time, both from the mouth of Prince Damir and by bits of intel. And I was wondering if you would perhap accept that a few Imperials might join you. I'm thinking about the members of the Five Families, especially the members of Anaximander's and Anna's Personal Guards. I think it's high time they start to get known as proper nobles, and not just life guards of the Imperial Couple. And that kind of party might just be the best to start.
Concerning Admiral Findehoof, I'll take your advice and ask her for the dance after the Polka. Though I may need your help in localizing her.
Now, concerning my story, there's not much to tell. Born in 1960 in Oklahoma City, unassuming school career with good grades. I did my Service from 1979 to 1981 with the 718th Artillery Regiment of the 71st Infantry Division, and was ranked in the top 1% to join the Imperial Guard. There, I was assigned to the Third "Melnik Division, 4th Infantry Regiment, First Battalion. I stayed there until 1987, where I joined the Imperial Guard Officer School in Quantico. I then joined the Scarlet Rangers in 1991, and participated in operations in Yugoslavia, as well as Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan at the end of 2001, where I wad captured in early 2002, lost an eye during an interrogation session by the Taliban, who wanted to pressure my teammates. Out od duty for six months, then a training role, especially for the Emperor, Empress and their Alphas. Then Christian dies in 2010, and I was there for Agathe, and that's how we're here now together.
And that's my life in a nutshell, finishes Bradley with a small bow of the head. I hope I didn't bore you too much with the details."

Khalid Faris.
Oh, this was getting interesting.
Her whispering into my ear had caused quite an interesting feeling... she did have a certain allure, one had to give her that, of a mature woman.
"I would be honoured, oh, great doe.", I said with a smile and a small bow. "Though I do hope, that you, too, will find a piece of paradise." I offered my arm to link and smiled at her. "Please call me Khalid, Your Imperial Majesty."

Wilrun, Baronin von Port Monee.
I shook my head.
"No, it was quite an interesting story.", I said and then went back a bit to a previous topic, "As for one of the Alphas or several to attend one of my soirees, if they are ever around Port Monee, when I hold one, I would be happy to have them." I let a beat pass. "Though I do ask for a call ahead, not that they stand on the doorstep one day and I have to say 'Sorry, but no luck today. Wanna have a cup of coffee?'" I raised a hand to prevent any objections. "Don't worry, all happened before. Quite embarassing for either side, let me tell you..."

Ruairi's eyes grew as the realization hit his mind.

"Oh, I see," he replied, "I forgot that there are those kinds of music that sound like they come from a foreign country, but not authentically."

He then chuckled before continuing to listen to Aurelia and her father. From the former mentioning the two ways, he nodded, and when she asked him that question, he tilted his head and played with his hands on his back. Moments later, Ruairi gave out this answer.

"I think I'll go with the normal way," he answered, "To be honest, I just can't bring to see myself dancing in a Kyrenaian style. Not to mention that I would cringe as hard as a red sheep on a clear, sunny day if I were to attempt it in just one step," he then chuckled.

Princess Aurelia bint-Damir.
I nodded - wise decision.
"So be it, then, a normal fast polka.", I said and smiled, "Though, if we ever meet in a less public place, with less spectators, I insist on teaching you dancing a Kyrenaian Polka Kyrenaian Style."
I threw him a wink.
Dad rolled his eyes. "Now, Mister Buchan...", he said now that those arrangements were finished, "If I may ask, what do you do occupation-wise?"

[Shikonjima]

Heda, Prinzessin von Dorch.
I giggled.
"Vin's first computer...", I retold to comfort Shiroku a little bit, "...was not that strong either. He got it in 2003, an old machine, which could barely run its ten-years-old operating system, let alone games."
I smiled.
"Still, he swears by that machine, still sometimes writes little programs for it.", I added, "It's actually quite cute... still, since 2008, he had a new machine every three years, and so did I, although our respective focuses lie elsewhere. I am more into games, his is a machine almost solely focused on his work."

Aaltje Schreyg.
"Oh, not only when things go correctly.", Rena said and smiled, "I recently read a personal account of a Selkie-Student taking part in a school exchange to a country named Purgatio. Celina Treorai was her name. Very fascinating, though quite scary, too... and not many things on that exchange went right or correctly, but she still managed to find the love of her life there."
I smiled.
"It actually sounds quite cute.", I said and nodded. "Celina Treorai, you said, Madame?"
"Exactly, Miss Schreyg.", she confirmed with a nod, then smiled, "A very good read. Any literature recommendations from you, Your Highness?"
She turned to Shiko and so was I.

Jirou smiled back.
"These old machines with their old operating systems aren't always bad" - he said, "quite on the contrary - they are usually less vulnerable and liable to mistakes and attacks than many modern machines, also due to their relatively simple code structure. There is a reason why some space agencies still use them for certain control operations, at least for those that can get quite hairy for human lives - and for the national budget, of course, for you don't want have your space ship, which to construct and launch may have cost about 50 million Ryous or even more, to get blown up or to vaporize in the atmosphere, as it has already happened. Besides, of course, they are quite useful for programming, too - as I said, their code structure is way less sophisticated than those of modern machines. They're pretty reliable."
"Which still doesn't deny the fact, that a gamer needs, in ideal case, the best and newest system currently available on the market - provided that it's also within their budget" - Shiruko added, grinning. "Games like Age of Empires may run wonderfully on a computer as old as the game, or even older, but won't be capable of bearing the lagfests Jirou's redstone constructions may cause."
"And we're speaking of a relatively simple-structured game, even though it has become a bit more sophisticated over the years, not to mention the practically endless opportunities to run mod packs, texture packs and shaders on it" - Jirou noted.

Shiko had raised her eyebrows, as Purgatio was mentioned - she hadn't heard a lot about that place, but what she knew, was that it was a very ... special place, to say the least, or 'not exactly in harmony with the Four Souls', as a Shikonjimanese would say. The Principality did not have a lot of relations there, probably because that country had been less open to foreigners for a long time, anyways. However, the name Celina Treorai was not even unknown to her, but rather in the context of Bicíní Industries, which she had worked as a model for. She was sure to have heard, that she was in a relationship with a lad from Lillorainen, but Shiko tended to mix up all these somewhat-similar-sounding Rhenish names pretty often, so his name wouldn't come into her mind right now - but she took a note in her mind to look out for her travelogue, for it would surely be an interesting read.
She was asked for her own literature recommendations along these lines, and Shiko thought for a moment.
Then she said, "Indeed, there are quite a few pieces of literature telling about school exchanges" - she said. "The one I enjoyed most was written by a 17-year-old Shikonjimanese girl named Setsuko Furuyashi, the title being Of Parrots, Jaguars and Crowned Eagles - A Dragon-Girl Lost In the Jungle. She describes the one year of school exchange she spent in Inilani, Kelaina - which, as you may know, used to be part of the Shikonjimanese Empire and nowadays belongs to the United Confederacy. Keoke enjoyed it as well, for obvious reasons, especially getting an impression as to what this place is perceived like by someone who has not grown up there. She describes the local, in many aspects still very tribal culture, the relics of Shikonjimanese Colonial Rule, and how they perceived her. The difference between the perspectives of the common history we share are pointed out as well - especially under the aspects of the changes since Kelaina's independence, and especially since the Revolution and the U.C.'s founding. While it was surely not as horrible as going to Purgatio, there were still vast differences and culture shocks."
She let a beat pass.
"I could name a number of further examples, but this was the one I enjoyed the most. And I'm sure, that there will be a few other very good ones underway soon as well."
Indeed, it would - soon she would be able to read yet another one, this time about Shikonjima from a foreign perspective; another travelogue, written by a 15-year-old girl named Yelda Altanereg, would be released at the end of next month, in Sharulsi Mongolian - Shikonjimanese and English translations would probably be out yet another month later.

[Polish Prussian Commonwealth]

Princess Fara bint-Dardan.
"Pardon me, Princess...", Erika began from the side and I saw, that the little girl was angry, "...but I do believe that if King Aceus here wanted me gone, or to prevent knowledge of me from leaking out, he would have numerous special operations units at his fingertips, or he could have just had me continue living with Emil at Treptower Deep."
I looked down at her, not only because I was taller. Her glare might as well have been a wad of cotton thrown at a Qut with how easily it bounced off my own rage.
I raised an eyebrow.
"And if he were Kyrenaian, he would have told his girlfriend, that you were a thing, that existed during the numerous times you two met. Granted, it's not first date material, but sometime during the evenings and nights we spent together would have been nice." I shrugged. "Alas, he is not, and I found out about you by my little sister telling me about you with her knowledge from a tabloid."
I let a beat pass.
"Not exactly a sign of trust, I would say.", I added, "Now, child, remember: When the adults speak, the children remain silent."

Ida Findehoof.
I giggled.
"Sounds lot like my own parents.", I said with a grin, "For my family, it's less military service but more serving as officials as a bit of a tradition. Many of my ancestors were officials in the government, some soldiers, some both..." I let a beat pass. "Public service is important and my Father stresses that."
I let a beat pass.
"My sisters and I, for example, were officers with the Younger Militias, for example.", I added.

Erika maintained her glare, refusing to back down. After a long silence, she turned to Aceus.
"Father, could you please give us 5 minutes? I need to talk with her for a little while."

---

Berengar seemed intrested. "Huh...fascinating. So are the Younger Militias your version of the Boy/Girl Scouts, or are they something else?"
He decided not to mention his father's disdain for any of his children going into the civil service.

OOC: I know, not my best, but it's the best I can do while half-awake.