When Tropics meet the North (Closed)

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Don't underestimate your value Duchess." replies Agatha as she takes a sip from her diet coke. "Besides, what you call overkill is the norm for us, no matter the rank of our guests." adds the Dowager Empress.
"As for your gallow humor, Your Highness, without disrespect, it's nothing compared to the one of my students. You've got a long way to get to their level Duchess." suddenly says a deep and rocky masculine voice.

As those words echo in the Entrance Lobby, everyone turn their heads towards the doors leading to the left, where the sound was coming from.
There, standing in the doorway, is a tall man, 2.03m in height, with a heavy set built, brown eyes and a black bandana on his head. A large scar can be seen on his face, going from the corner of his left eye all the way down his cheek to the left corner of his mouth.
For clothes, he's wearing a pair of dark grey cargo pants, ankle-hogh combat boots, a dark grey shirt with an opened black leather jacket on top of it. Strapped to his right thigh, a holster holding a Masada 57 pistol, and to his left side, a combat knife in a belt sheath.
Although this man was not making any sudden or menacing moves, an aura was seemingly emanating from him, one that clearly screamed: "VETERAN!" Whoever he was, he had clearly seen and done things that would make anyone's blood chill in their veins.

As he stands there, every Guard in the room snaps at attention, their eyes forwards, their backs straight, their rifles held by their stocks on their right side. For the rest of the Astarians present in the room, the servants and domestics straighten their backs, as well as the Secretary of State. The only ones to not react to his presence are Agatha, her companion Bradley Myers, and the Melnik Couple.

After a few seconds, the man advances towards the group, bumping fists on the way with Myers, and nodding to the others, starting with Foxter.
"Secretary." greets the man with a nod.
"Colonel." replies Foxter with a nod and a small smile too.
"Agatha." continues the stranger as he turns towards the Dowager Empress, the Duchess and her sister the Princess.
"Gabriel," replies the former with a small smirk, "I was wondering when you would show up."
"Always at the right time Your Majesty, I live to serve." replies the man, apparently named Gabriel, with a laid back tone.
"I don't doubt that, replies Agatha, before turning to Marcella and Gisella. Duchess, Princess, please let me introduce to you Colonel Gabriel T Rorke, member of the Imperial Guard Special Training Squadrons, currently serving as a Selection and Training Instructor. He was the one that trained my son, daughter in law and their Guards in the operators they are today.
-Indeed, replies Gabriel, before bowing with respect to the two AHSCAians royals. Duchess, Princess, a pleasure to make your acquaintance." says the Colonel with a smile,although his deep voice may still sound a bit intimidating. As I mentioned, don't worry about your gallow humor. You'll find plenty more coming from Adrean, Anna and their Personal Guards.
-Weren't you the one that helped them get to this level?" asks Jane from a few meters away, still standing with her husband, as well as Asuna, Sayaka and Asuka.
-Guilty as charged." answers Gabriel with a smirk, before the Astarians in the room start to laugh.

[AHSCA]

"Oho, is that so? I suppose the less I go that direction the better. It's just our mother, love her as we do, she's always been a very serious person. Well serious when it comes to being Duchess that is, you can say she was strictly business. So I suppose any kind of little joke about my position however tame it is is overly amusing to me." Their conversation cut short a moment when a new person entered and introduced himself to them. "Colonel, it's a pleasure to meet you."

[Astares Amauricanum]

" Likewise Duchess, likewise." replies Rorke with a nod. "I'm glad to finally meet you after I did with your girlfriend back in February. Just to tell you, I was in Utica last Summer, when she was targeted in the bomb attack in the Al'Arz. Ended up with some shrapnel in my back.
Anyway Ladies" continues the Colonel as he turns to the rest of the AHSCAians, " the Emperor and Empress will be ready to formally welcome you soon. So, if you need to do any last minute rearrangements or changes to your makeup, clothes or hair, now is the right time. If you need to use the bathroom, they're right over here." He finishes as he points to the right corridor.

[AHSCA]

Marcella gently shook her head, "I believe we're all fine and ready and eagerly awaiting to meet the Emperor and Empress. " She eyeballed her group but as such everyone seemed fine with nobody else speaking up for any needs. "Anything in paticular I should be aware of as I meet His Lordship and Her Lady?"

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Then please follow me, I'll explain along the way." says Agatha, the Dowager Empress, as she beckons the AHSCAians to follow her.
And so, the group, led by Agatha and Gabriel, with also Constantin, Jane and Michael, now guides the guests in the corridor that faces the entrance. The walls are, just like in the entrance, are made of grey-white stone and stucco, with some others wood engravings, and on pedestals, some mannequins dressed in chainmail armors, clearly ressembling the ones that Marcella and co saw depicted on the ceiling wood mosaic.

"So," starts the Dowager Empress, "concerning what you need to know before greeting my son and daughter in law, there's first the question of either kneeling or bowing. You see, by tradition, Astarians kneel in front of their Emperor and Empress, because in our culture, it shows that you pledge allegiance to them. Foreign guests and other similar persons are rather instructed to just bow deeply."
-But since this latter point sometimes conflict with others traditions as well, where they would kneel to pay respects to their hosts and such, "continues Jane Melnik, " we more and more let guests and other foreign persons bow or kneel, at their convenience. So, either kneel or bow according to what you feel better with, but remember. Do not rise again as long as they haven't give you the permission to do so."

As Jane finishes her explanation, the group now exits the corridor and finds itself in a large rotunda, underneath a high dome. As the guests will surely deduce, there are currently standing under the Silver Dome, which they had seen from afar.
Over them, the Dome rises high, with large windows near the top allowing the sunlight to enter and bathe the room in a natural light.
On the floor, one can see an intricate design of wood mosaics, representing many coat of arms surrounding one main coat of arms.
"These coats of arms are the ones of the Noble Families of the Imperium, who surround the Imperial Family." explains Constantin as he points to the floor.

All around the dome, columns are rising, with arcs at their tops. And at the top of these columns, twelve grey marble statues are standing, representing the Gods and Godesses of the Astarian Star Polytheism. These are:

• Njörd/Gaol, Star of Weather and Wind; represented in the form of a young woman in a simple dress, her long hair flowing to the side.
• Melima, Star of Healing and Medicine; represented by a young woman in a tunic and pants, holding a bag of medicial herbs in one hand and a small blade in the other.
• Aranesh, Star of Agriculture and Harvest; represented by a bearded man wearing a tunic, pants and simple boots, holding a scythe in his right hand and leading a cow, pig and horse by a rope in his other hand.
• Freyja, Star of Love; represented as a tall woman in priests robes, her hood pulled back, her arms open. Below her, a smaller couple of a man and a woman, holding hands and kissing, celebrating their newly found love.
• Etheria, Star of the Sky and Space; represented as a woman with a dress seemingly made of clouds, and a telescope in her hands.
• Hava, Star of the Sea, Rivers and Travel; represented as a woman with long hair, reseembling a waterfall, a row in her right hand and a rope tightened into various naval knots in her left hand.
• Vanga, Star of Intelligence, Science and Culture; represented as a tall woman, wearing a simple dress, holding a stack of books under her left arm and a small bag apparently holding a compas and other geometrical tools in her right hand.
• Molcovin Star of Commerce; represented as a clean-shaven man, wearing a rich tunic, pants and shoes, holding a bag of coins in his left hand, his right hand in the process of shaking with another man's hand, this man holding a small box in his left hand.
• Athanasen, Star of Arts, Crafts and Music; represented like a drifter of sorts, a guitar strapped to his back, tools such as a hammer, scissors and a saw strapped to a utility belt, and some paint and paint brushes in his hands.
• Hyrcine, Star of Nature and Hunting; represented as a muscled man, wearing only a pair of fur boots and pants, his muslced torso naked. The main striking detail though, is like unlike any of the precedent statues, he does not have a human head, but a deer head instead. In his right hand, a spear, and his left hand, a large hunting knife. Strapped to his back, a crossbow and a bolt quiver, and at his feet, some Astarian Wolfs, seemingly ready to accompany their master on a hunt.
• Astartes, The star of War and Strength; represented as a bearded man in chainmail armor, a claymore sword in his hands, ready to strike at his opponents. Strapped to his belt, a straight sword in its sheath, along with a round shield and various knives and daggers.

And finally, Ymir: Star of Life and the Creation, but also of Death and Afterlife. Represented a tall, young woman, wearing a nearly translucent dress, her long hair reaching near her thighs, a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes in her arms, while at her feet, various small plants, animals and humans all look up to her.
This last statue, the largest among all, is directly situated above another pair of wooden double doors, with gold engravings representing the First Imperial Couple, Adrean Blachkor the First, clad in his chainmail armor, and his wife Columbia, which gave her name to the capital, clad in a simple, yet elegant dress.
Just in front of the door, four Imperial Guards in Dress Uniforms stand, ready to push them open.

"Well, Duchess, Princess, Ladies, it is time." simply says Agatha as she straightens her back and checks her clothes and appearance one last time, as the group prepares to enther the Throne Room.

[AHSCA]

"Really, they expect my sister to bow or kneel before them?" Gisella questioned "But sis is a Duchess, another sitting monarch who should be allowed to greet them as their equals."

"Gisella, don't worry, it's fine." Marcella brushed away her concerns "If that's the custom they desire, than I shall oblige."

"Mmmm that's mother's submissiveness in you." Gisella muttered to Marcella.

"It's fine, really. Anyway, I understand the proper greetings are in store and wowee!" Marcella found herself again entranced by more sights to behold here as they were pointed out the lovely Coats of Arms. This place was like an art museum in some places. "It's truly beautiful, a sight to behold."

Asuka snapped a few pictures as well then tucked her camera away for the moment so that she may be ready to show her proper respect to the Monarchs. She'd switch to her journalist mode shortly after.

Marcella nodded with a smile when announced it was time for them to enter. At long last the great moment of anticipation had come. Marcella was to meet the royal family of A.A. and what an exciting time.

[Astares Amauricanum]

When Gisella exclaims loudly about her finding strange that her sister should either bow or kneel, all the Astarians look at her with raised eyebrows, and then at each other with a look that says Is she serious? Rorke, who had furrowed his brows at this point, takes in air to say something, only to be cut by Constantin giving him a dark look and shaking his head. The Colonel, after a few seconds, merely nods with a grunt, before straightening his back like the rest of the group.

Once all that is done, Agatha nods to the four Imperial Guards, who nod back before pushing the doors open. Once this is done, the Dowager Empress starts to walk, the rest of the Astarians falling in line behind her.

As they walk, the AHSCAian guests would first see that the floor was composed of an intricate mosaic of grey marble and woods, depicting various animals endemic to the Imperium, from the Silver Eagle to the Astarian Wolf to the Plania Buffalo. Some pillars were also present, their silver tones reaching high, towards the vaulted ceiling.
Said ceiling was divided in twelve wood mosaic frames, each one representing a value of the Astrum Lex, the Astarian Code of Honor.
The first one, just above the entrance, representing Styrke, Strength, showed a man holding another one by the hand to stop him from falling off a cliff to his death. The faces of the two men clearly show the efforts they are doing to get out of the situation.
The second one, representing Fraterskap, Brotherhood, showed a large group of people, men and women, both young and elderly, helping each other as they pass buckets of water to put off a fire, while others try to heal the wounded.
The third one, representing Hedera, Honor, showed a knight putting down his sword, as he stops himself from killing a man whose family is beside him, begging the night for mercy.
The fourth one, representing Vaerdighet, Dignity, shows a noble offering clothes, food and shelter to a woman with two children, the rags she's wearing showing her poverty.
The fifth one, representing Fortittague, Courage, shows some a few soldiers, facing a larger group of enemies, apparently better armed and equipped than them, but showing not a single trace of fear in their eyes, their jaws clenched.
The sixth one, representing Intelligensia, Intelligence, showed a group of men and women around a large table, parchments and other documents opened, thinking of the best way to resolve a problem.
The seventh one, representing Libertas, Freedom, showed a street decorated for a party, vendors of all sorts offering food and wares to sell, as people of various social ranks mingle together and enjoy the festivities.
The eighth one, representing Votumio, Hope, showed a man and a woman, kneeling in prayer side by side, as they look up towards the stars.
The ninth one, representing Sanraque, Empathy, showed a woman holding a crying man in her arms, lightly stroking his hair and understanding the pain of the tragic event he was going through.
The tenth one, representing Glasdiera, Swordsmanship, showed an old man, teaching a group of young men and women, all with a sword in hand, learning when to draw or not draw it depending on the situation.
The eleventh one, representing Retvissa, Justice, showed a woman sitting on a stage, with two groups of people at the foot of the stage, both parties seemingly nodding to the judgment enacted by the woman.
And the last one, Probitat, Honesty, showed a man and a woman, apparently two merchants, their fists to their hearts as they bow their heads to each other.
All of these ceiling mosaics were clearly ancient, shown by the clothes of the characters depicted on the images.

Aside from the mosaics, large windows would allow the sunlight to enter the throne room,bathing it in a natural light.
At the end of the throne room, on a stage dominated by the gigantic statue of a Silver Eagle, its wings covering the entirety of the stage, two thrones of dark wood and gold stand, and sitted on them, the Emperor and Empress of the Federalis Imperium of Astares Amauricanum.
On the right throne, Adrean, his shoulder-length black hair not attached, his steel-blue eyes detailing every move of the group led by his mother as they approach, is dressed in a Fer-Jarningur, the formal version of the traditional clothes of the Imperium, the Jarningur. His consits of a dark green long sleeved shirt, with pants of a similar color, with a silver-grey sleeveless vest on top and a scarlet cravat around his neck.Completing that, black knee-high boots, a dark green cape drapped around his shoulders with some fur and Silver Eagle feathers sewn to the top. And finally, on top of his head, a silver crown, consisting of two wavy patterns crossing each other up and down, with golden stars positioned all around at said crossings.
On the left throne, Anna, her long unattached hair reaching to the middle of her back, wears the same outfit as her husband, but her shirt is blood-red instead of dark green, and she has an ankle-length skirt instead of pants. Bu otherwise, the rest of her outfit, including the crown, is the same as Adrean.
And finally, let's not forget a set of military ribbons and badges over their left breasts.

At the base of the stage, on each side of the central alley of the throne room, stands the Personal Guards of the Emperor and Empress. According to the information that was mailed to Marcella, these Guards are also the main heirs and heiress to the Noble Families of the Empire. They, too, wear Fer-Jarningurs in various colors, with also military awards and badges visible on their chests.
One thing that may seem out of place though, is that everyone of them is armed, a Masada 35 pistol clearly visible on the right side of their belts, including for the Emperor and Empress, as well as a sword on the left side.

A the group led by Agatha reaches the base of the stage, the Dowager Empress, along with Constantin, Jane, Michael and Gabriel kneel, their eyes looking down.
"Praise be the Stars," says Agatha in a loud voice, silencing the Throne Room. "Praise be to Hava, Etheria and Ymir, for they saw the safe arrival of our guests in our lands. Keisaer Adrean Blachkor The Third, Son of the Imperium, Master of the Appalachia, Conqueror of the Rockyes, Lord of the Plains and Tamer of the Frost, and Keisaerine Anna Blachkor, Daughter of the Empire, Highest Servant of the Stars, we present to you Duchess Marcella of the United Island States of AHSCA, her sister Princess Gisella Villa, as well as their Guards Asuna and Sayaka, and Miss Asuna Kotobuki, Press Agent of the UNICIM."
And now, with the words of the Dowager Empress still resonating in the room, it was time for the AHSCAians guests to play their part, as the eyes of the two sitting monarchs, shift from the Astarians to Marcella and her compatriots...

[AHSCA]

"Gisella, follow my lead personally. Asuna, Sayaka you two know already. And Miss Kotobuki."

"Of course, Milady." Asuka nodded knowing full well how to properly oblige a Monarch. They were allowed to enter the throne room where they were introduced by their escorts.

Marcella nodded to her sister acknowledging her to follow as the sisters knelt down one knee. Asuna and Sayaka followed suit on both knees and finally Asuka she got down on all fours in a deep low bow for their hosts. Proper custom in the islands, a fellow monarch greets in a position that is respectful but shows they are of an equal stature, the personal guards obviously have to keep their eyes on their subject so they follow their custom but on both knees given they are her protection and not nobility and of course a citizen will show the most proper respect by giving a deep bow. Gisella honestly didn't like having to kneel before another Monarch, to her it showed the UIS was still their submissive selves, that was wrong in her mind, they earned their place in the world now through bloodshed but didn't speak up, despite her outburst earlier, remaining composed and quiet and keeping her sister's example in mind.

"My Lord, My Lady," Marcella spoke out on behalf of my land, The United Island States of AHSCA, I am honored to be here in your country today. And for the kind hospitality and for the lovely sky tour you allowed us to take before coming to be here before you. Let me again introduce you to our press agent, Miss Asuka Kotobuki." Asuka rose when called but still knelt at the side of her Duchess. "Quite graciously she's been allowed to document our entire trip and given we are know meeting you, I would like her to be able to rise to continue her photo documentation. Miss Kotobuki if you'll please."

"As you so wish, Milady."

Asuka carefully stood to photograph the Duchess and Princess.

"And my younger sister and I are grateful to be here to meet you today."


Gisella silently nodded in agreement, again that was proper protocale to allow her elder sister to speak but soon enough Marcella nodded to her to go ahead and speak, "Blessings upon your lands, Milord and Milady." Gisella spoke up. "From our Divinity to your own we expect great minglings."

[Astares Amauricanum]

As Marcella speaks, Adrean and Anna listen with attention and detail every move of their guests, nodding in answer at the Duchess's request of Miss Kotobuki be allowed to rise.

Once the young journalist has taken a few photos, Anna straightens herself in her throne, before speaking with a smile.
"Praise be the Stars for they saw your safe travel through the skies and beyond to our humble country." says he Empress with a tone very similar to what a Priestess would sound if she was saying a sermon. "We thank you for the blessings bestowed by you, Princess Gisella Villa." she continues as she turns her gaze to Gisella. "In return, please allow Us to bestow the blessings of Njörd, Star of Weather and Wind, and Aranesh, Star of Agriculture and Harvest upon the UIS. May the harvests be plentiful and the weather kind with your citizens."
"And on behalf of the Federalis Imperium of Astares Amauricanum and its citizens, we are honored to have you among Us, Duchess Marcella, Princess Gisella and Miladies Asuna, Sayaka and Kotobuki." continues the Emperor with a deep voice, reaching every corner of the throne room without him having the need to shout to make himself heard. "And We thank you for your appreciation of the aerial tour. Please, rise." says Adrean, as he rises from his throne himself, along with his wife.

As he does that, the Dowager Empress and the ones that welcomed the AHSCAians first rise as well, inviting the guests to do so.
Meanwhile, Adrean and Anna slowly go down the stairs of the stage, and finally arriving in front of Marcella and Gisella, looking downwards to them with a smile.
(After all, let's not forget the difference in height, 2.01m for Adrean and 1.92m for Anna, compared to Marcella's 1.58m).
"It's good to finally have you among us," says Adrean with a warmer and more informal tone. "But before everything else, I'd like to adress the concerns you just had Princess." Continues the Emperor as he focuses on Gisella.
"I understand that you may feel that kneeling or bowing may appear submissive and most likely reminds you of your Islands dark past, but I assure you, that everyone in this room and beyond will not see anything in you but an equal. Right?" He asks as he turns his gaze around to his and his wife's Personal Guards, who are also their closest friends.
"RAH! shouts the 42-strong group of men and women as one, their voices powerful and unwavering.
"That aside," continues Anna, "according to the information we've got, you knelt without difficulty in front of the Sultana of Kyrenaia when you and your sister visited her in November 2017. And I would like to remark that when we will visit the UIS in return, my husband and I shall kneel before your sister as well.
-Indeed." agrees Adrean with a nod. "I think that's enough, we've made our point.
Now, Miss Asuna and Sayaka," continues the Emperor as he turns his gaze towards the two Royal Guards standing behind, "if I may say, those uniforms really suit the both of you. You look really sharp like this. So thank you for having kept them on to meet with us. And Miss Kotobuki, you look really nice as well in this kimono." Finishes the Emperor as he smiles to Asuka.

[AHSCA]

Wow was Gisella that easy to read about her thoughts, they seemed to echo exactly what she was thinking and her attitudes about the thing. Her cheeks flushed, a bit embarrassed. But Marcella spoke out on her behalf, "Gisella's finest quality is her pride, she's got strong spirit. Of course she knows her court manners and thus always will be approachable. She's bright, spirited and does great but she still is young and has much to learn about being a Duchess." Of course Marcella (or Gisella for that matter) could go on how much of a nervous wreck Marcella was when she had to do her first foreign meeting and party, even worse if she had to be in a room of all of their regional neighbors.

Asuka spoke "Thank you for the compliment, Milord and Milady. It's handwoven! Traditions never cease."

Asuna and Sayaka bowed their heads in a gracious acknowledgement of the praise they were given for their uniforms and appearing in dress for the occasion.

[Astares Amauricanum]

"And that's a quality she should never lose," replies Anna to Marcella's about her sister's pride. "Always be proud of where you come from, whether it is a humble archipelago like the UIS or an Imperium spanning the entire northern half of a continent." continues the Empress as she turns to Gisella with a smile.

"Indeed Miss Kotobuki, your compatriots can be very proud of your handcrafting." says Adrean to Asuka as he puts his hand behind his back, before his hand reappears on the front holding a hunting knife by the blade, allowing the journalist to see that the handle has some intricate patters carved into the wood. "This knife was bought by two of our friends here with us during the last Festival in September. Your people really know how to make fine things." adds the Emperor as he puts the knife back in its back sheath.

"Well, Duchess, I think we will take our leave and leave you in my son and daughter in law hands." says Agatha, the Dowager Empress to Marcella, as she and the rest of her group (aka Constantin, Jane, Gabriel and Michael) bow their heads lightly and turn on their heels. "See you later." she says to her son and the guests."
"See you later Mom." replies Adrean with a wave of his hand.

Once the small group has departed, leaving the AHSCAian guests with the Emperor, Empress and their Guards, Adrean speaks again.
"So, Duchess, Princess, before we go on with the rest of the day's activities, I would like to ask: what do you think of these?" he asks as he points to the ceiling and the various wood mosaics depicting the various vertues of the Astrum Lex.

[AHSCA]

Gisella gave out a rather bashful smile, again it seemed her sister managed to swing things in her favor again, but she was right as rain.

"A quality I'm sure she'll keep." Marcella agreed.

Asuka also got a chance to thank the Lord and Lady for compliments "Thank you, Majesties. We do take a lot of pride, especially my folks who are crafters. Mother a weaver and father who does work with metals. A sister who works on ship construction and --- uuh forgive me, for your guests are The Duchess and Princess not me."

Marcella gave a little laugh "Well I for one do want to hear of the accomplishments of all my citizens. You must tell me more later over tea, Miss Kotobuki. Of course, thank you again for greeting us and getting us here safely and for your information on the city. Thank you again." Marcella bid farewell to those who parted their company. "I must say, I'm very impressed by the woodwork for such fine art. It's something to be very proud of indeed. A real national treasure."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"I'm sure she'll keep it too." replies Anna with a nod to Marcella, before turning back to Gisella. "Just to finish about this story Princess, " continues the Empress, "don't go thinking that we are pqychics or something like that because we knew what you were thinking. Thanks to what the world calls a radio, we have heard everything that was said on your way here. My mother Jane had her smartphone hooked up on a frequency we heard on our earpieces."

As she says that, the Empress pulls a strand of hair behind her left ear, revealing indeed an earpiece connected by a small cable going down towards her back. She also pulls her cravat down a bit, revealing a throat microphone underneath.
The Duchess and the rest of her group would be able to see that the Emperor and their friends were similarly equipped.

"Thank you very much Duchess, you honor a thousand years of history with your kind words." replies Adrean to Marcella about the ceiling wood mosaics. "That's right, these are a thousand years old, a thousand and ten to be precise. They were originally crafted between 1009 and 1011 AD, to be displayed in the First Imperial Palace. When the Europeans invaded our lands, we managed to preserve them, but the Palace was destroyed. So when the plans were laid for this actual Palace in the second half of the 17th century, it was decided that they would be displayed in the throne room, where we are standing now.
One thing to remember, is that every piece composing them is carefully numbered and noted down in a register. Every ten to fifteen years, we dissassemble them piece by piece, and we polish qnd varnish every piece with an ancestral ointment, that helps both preserve the wood, and also give it some fire retardant properties. This is how to this day, these woods mosaics appear to us in nearly the same state as they were at the start of the Imperium." Finishes the Emperor with a smile.

[AHSCA]

"Such care put into it. Keep that. The Islands have a few old treasures but it's been difficult. Wars, conquests and natural disasters have made things a little difficult to preserve everything but I've been able to uncover my ancestor Tamura's documents. Her old maps of the islands, her charts for sailing and more. As much of a reputation for a brute she has, she did quite a bit to first chain our islands together which would sew the seeds for where we are today. But that's only from our island, every island has something we treasure like this."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Don't worry, we'll keep them,just like you keep and cherish your own." Replies the Empress with a smile. "Now, before we continue with the rest of the day, there's something that needs to be done, something that has waited long enough."

As she says that, Anna waves her arm, causing a few of her female Guards to come forward. The five young women arrive in front of the guests, before bowing their heads lightly.
"Duchess, says the one leading the group. I am Lieutenant Colonel, and Grand Duchess, Ophelia Doppler. My squad and I were the ones that led the black operation in Amurabe, Animalpolis, in 2010 to capture a war criminal. For the ruckus we caused back then, please accept our sincerest apologies." Says the blonde woman with a sincere apologetic tone.

Note: the five women are the members of Spectre Squad, visible on this factbook

[AHSCA]

"I see. Your apology is appreciated but the ones to really apologize too would be my mother as well as those of the village your raided back then. It was before my time as Duchess and when I was still young. As such I personally don't hold a grudge for it, it was a long time ago now but that's that. Thank you very much." She bowed her head in a grateful nod.

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Concerning the apology to the villagers of Amurabe, we already took care of that during the last Festival of the Holy Light." Replies a blonde woman with a smile. "Arving Magnam Stohersisia, or Heir Grand Duchess Catherine Smetov," says Catherine as she nods to Marcella, her sister and th rest of her group. "Patricia and I had a talk with the former sheriff there, she understood why we did it." She adds as she points to her colleague.

"They were also the ones that got us knives and some very nice arr from your lands Duchess," continues the Empress with a smile and her arms crossed. "However, what we clearly didn't expect in our small group, would be that they would come back... with the deed of a brothel." says Anna with a deadpan look and tone. " You heard me right, a brothel. History will remember that the first Astarian investment in the UIS was a brothel. Not that we judge it's a bad thing, far from it. Just that it's a highly unusual one.
-Maybe, maybe not." Replies Adrean. "What's done is done now. Anyway Duchess, "continues the Emperor as he turns to Marcella, "before we move on with the rest of our day, there's a small test I would like you to partake in. Would you be willing to try?" He asks with a smile.

[AHSCA]

"Oh my" Marcella was rather surprised "I must ask later then what made you want to invest in a local brothel?" Her attention was quickly turned away, time for that later now she was asked to be tested "A test? What kind of test?"

[Astares Amauricanum]

"A test of trust, and mental strength." Replies Adrean. "As you already know, our Guards, my wife and I also work as soldiers on the side. The level of which we do that will be revealed later to you during the visit.
As such, when we finished our training, one of the things we performed to show our trust in each other was to perform a trust shot. In other words, one of us would be wearing a plate carrier, and another one would shoot at said plate carrier. It's a common act practiced by various counter terrorists units in the world, to strengthen their bonds and trust between each other."

As he says that, he takes out his black Masada 35 pistol with an underbarrel lamp and laser from its right thigh holster, detaches the cordon linking the pistol to the holster, and finally spins it around before presenting it to Marcella grip first by the barrel.

"I would like to see how deep I can trust you, Duchess Marcella. So take my gun, and shoot me in the chest. Don't worry, my sleeveless vest is lined with silicium carbide and kevlar. Zero penetration, but just a bit painful."

With that said, the Emperor places his gun in the Duchess's hand, before taking a step back, and straightening himself, observing Marcella with intense eyes to see what she would do next...

[AHSCA]

"I....I must say....This is very unorthodox and I'd really rather not have to fire a weapon at you. First rule of military training teaches you never fire a weapon at anything you don't wish to hurt. Granted you are certainly wearing a vest as you said but still. I really don't like the idea of this as a trust exercise."

"Most trust exercises just as someone to close their eyes and fall backward." Gisella quipped.

"Quite. I must say i feel you can have trust without me having to fire a weapon at you."

[Astares Amauricanum]

Adrean, after having listened to Marcella, simply nods before taking back his pistol from the Duchess's hands, and putting it back in its holster on his right thigh.

"I understand your point of view, and partly share it." Says the Emperor. "But as you already know Duchess, as a monarch, I am pretty unorthodox myself, with the soldiering and all. Now Princess, " he continues as he turns to Gisella., "I would have gladly done the exercise where I fall and you sister catches me, but given I'm 2.05 m tall for a weight of 83 kilograms, and your sister is 1.58 meter, this would most likely end up with the both of us on the ground.
So Duchess, that's okay if you don't want to fire a weapon at me. Instead though, I want you to show me what you've got in your fists."
As he says that, he hits his abs with his right fist.

"Imagine you're your ancestor Tamura and I'm a Catholic Priest. Or something you hate very mucj. And hit me like you mean it!" He exclaims with an encouraging and daring tone. Although the look in his eyes clearly tell he would not accept any excuse for Marcella not to do it.

[AHSCA]

Marcella sighed a bit "If I must then I must. Very well if you wish me to emulate my ancestor I shall. Asuna, your sword if you'll please."

"Yes, Milady." Asuna handed over her sword. Ceremonial it may be, it was still plenty sharp. "Well Miss Kotobuki, be sure you get this as well." Unsheathing it slowly and carefully but then drew it to a fighting stance. "My lands believe in the two Goddesses. If you value your life, you shall leave now! So you have chosen death, then prepare to be with your god!" With her extreme might she thrusted it at him with as much force as she could muster.

[Astares Amauricanum]

Although it was not exactly what he had in mind when he asked this to Marcella, (he did not meqn it literally), Adrean nods to the Duchess and straightens his back as she readies herself.

As she thrusts her sword, the tip touches the Emperor's abdomen, seems to penetrate the vest a bit but does not goes straight through it, indeed proving the armor capabilities of the silicium carbide lining.
After a few seconds, Adrean looks to the sword, then back at Marcella, his face serious but with a slight spark of mischeviousness in his eyes.
"You refuse the faith of Jesus Christ," starts the Emperor in a loud voice, "then we shall make you accept it! We shall crusade through your pagan lands and establish a new Jerusalem! For the Grace for the Might of our Lord!" He shouts as he unsheathes his own sword!
"DEUS VULT!" shout the Empress and their Guards as well as they also unsheathes their swords.

[AHSCA]

"Than a fight shall be!"

The sight of everyone else unsheating their swords certainly made Sayaka and Asuna flinch a little but Marcella's calm demeanor seemed to indicate this was apart of the act. this was an act, right?

"By the Grace of our Goddesses, may the Deluge come down upon you all! Black Goddess Homura answer our prayers and vanquish our enemies." Marcella held the sword aloft as if to call down the thunder and lightning. An old legend again about Tamura who did just that, though likely just one of her exploits but it helped secure the idea she was divine. And Marcella made her jab, not holding back. Well he'd want her to shoot him surely he'd have no issue if she attempted to stab.

[Astares Amauricanum]

As Marcella stabs, Adrean does not flinch, letting a few beats pass in silence.
After a few seconds, he sighs, then sheathes his sword, causing the others, including his wife Anna, to do the same.
"If only we had welcomed the Europeans centuries ago with such words, and not by just refusing lightly with words and no actions first, then maybe we would not have suffered a century of conquest, war and destruction of our lands." Speaks the Emperor with a serious yet tranquil tone, referring to the Colonial Wars where the Imperium had suffered attacks by the British, French and Spanish in the 16th and 17th centuries
"Remind me to never invoke your wrath, Duchess." He continues as he extends his gloved right hand to Marcella. "I hope that starting today, there will be a good friendship between us and our people."