When Tropics meet the North (Closed)

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Thank you very much Duchess, Princess." replies Adrean with a smile as his wife, his wife and his guards smile for the pictures by Miss Kotobuki, as well as the various other Astarians photographers working for the Silver Palace.

Once that is done, Anna looks to the troops and shouts "Thank you everyone, you cannow resume your day. We are proud of yoi, our guests, my husband and I. Dismissed!" She shouts in Astarian, as all the formations turn to their right as one man, and start walking away from the Parde Grounds.

"Now, everyone" continues the Empress as she switches back to Englis hand turns to the guests with a large smile, " if you don't mind, we shall leave you here to be taken to your quarters, so that you can rest a bit, and then we shall see each other again in an hour and a half for the gift exchange, and then for lunch."

As she says that, two dark green SUVs with tinted windows, small flagpoles flying the AHSCAians and Astarian flags at the front, approaches the group.
"The lead one is for you, Duchess and Princess." explains Pavel Morozov, the Personal Guard Commander of Adrean. "The second one is for you three." he adds to Asuna, Sayaka and Asuka.

[AHSCA]

Asuna looked to Marcella a moment and Marcella nodded "Yes, Milady." Asuna agreed to the arrangement

"All right then, all aboard we go." The women assembled to their respective vehicles "oh the little flags are so cute!" Gisella admired the little UIS flags

[Astares Amauricanum]

"All right then, see you later." replies Adrean as he waves goodbye to the guests, before his group and him start walking back towards the Palace.

Meanwhile, the two SUV drivers, wearing a Jarningur, drive the guests to their destination without a word. Going East, they pass behind the Palace, allowing Marcella, Gisella and their followers to admire the gardens, where the centenarian trees live along the well-trimmed lawn and flowers, all in bloom in this July 2020.

After a few minutes, the two vehicles arrive at destination. Before them, a three story building, painted in yellow, with white marble blocks framing the walls, the roof covered in red tiles. All in all, a sharp contrast to the Silver Palace standing a hundred meters away to the left, all in silver-grey and black.
Leading from the driving path to the double doors of the building, a small walking path covered in red pavement, with on each side, peony bushes in bloom, as well as various other flowers, such as pansies.
And standing at the start of the path, two persons. The first one is a man in his fifties, his black hair having a few streaks of grey here and there, his brown eyes reflecting a sincere kindness in them. Like most staff members of the Silver Palace, he is wearing a Jarningur, although his consists of dark blue pants with a shirt of the same color, and a violet sleeveless vest over it. His boots are brown.
The second person, a bit smaller than him, around 1,75m high, is a young, blonde woman with blue eyes, apparently in her middle twenties. She's currently wearing a beige skirt, with a white blouse and black sleeveless vest top, her slender legs not being covered, except by a pair of leather sandals at her feet.
One thing to note, would be some similarities in those two faces, suggesting they are maybe related in some way.

As the two SUVs finally come to a stop, allowing their drivers to get out and open the back doors for the guests, the two persons step forward to greet them.
"Good morning Your Royal Highnesses, Duchess, Princess, and Miladies," starts the man with a large smile and a deep bow, a move reflected by the young woman at his side. "My name is Ethan Funger, and this is my daughter Dorothy. We'll have the pleasure, with our staff, to host you at the Peonos Quarters, or Peony Quarters in English." he adds as he gestures to the building behind him.

[AHSCA]

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Funger and Dorothy" Marcella greeted them back "The place looks lovely, I'm sure it's gonna be a fine place to stay."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Then please follow us inside, your luggage have already been brought inside." replies Ethan with his large smile before starting to walk towards the double doors, his daughter inviting the Duchess and her group to follow them.

As Ethan pushes the doors open, he reveals to the guest's eyes a small entry hall, tessalated to look like peony flowers of various colors, the walls being decorated with various paintings of other plants, some of them endemic to the Imperium.
On the other side of the hall, two opened doors, flanked by stairs leading to the upper floors, reveal a small patio with a pool inside.
"Given you're only five, we have only prepared the rooms of the left wing front floor, or the Ocean's Quarters. If you'll please follow me." says Dorothy, her voice firm but timid, as she turns to the left, opening a door.

The first room she steps in is a receiving room, with nice sofas and chairs lying around, a small cupboard/dressing on the side allowing someone to put their shoes and coats.
In the Imperium, it is customary to take one's shoes off when entering a house, and that's what Dorothy and her father do, inviting the AHSCAians to do the same.

Once that is done, they go to the next room, a living room, with on one side a large wooden table facing the garden side, while on the other side, three comfortable sofas surround a knee- high table, facing a wall-mounted plasma screen TV, while windows to the side allow to access the patio and the pool there.
From this room, a set of mahogany double doors open on a corridor, with doors on the left and right, the ones on the right leading to a small armory for bodyguards, with safes, a small table and folding chairs, as well as a small office fir a secretary or an assistant.
To the left, large bedrooms, with two beds each, with each one having their own bathrooms and toilets, allow for the lodging of bodyguards, secretaries, aides, etc.

"We have prepared this one for you, Misses Asuna and Sayaka" says Dorothy as she points to one bedroom. "The next one is for yoy Miss Kotobuki" she adds to the young journalist.
"As for your rooms, Duchess and Princess, they are a bit further away." continues Ethan as he motions a bit further in the corridor.

And indeed, at the end, two doors allow the group to enter a set of similar rooms, where one can indeed understand why this part is named the Ocean's Quarters.
On the walls, painted with wavy blue patterns, pictures and paintings of dolphins, whales, and other marine life scenes. In front of them, a large bed, a four-footed wooden frame covered in sheets of violet, pink and various shades of blue. In contrast to Kyrenaia however, there was no canopy.
On the side, a large desk with a comfy leather chair behind it, a small booklet reading instruxtions on how to hook his electronic device in the Palace's WLAN network. And on the sides, bookshelves (filled with various books, many of them of Astarian origin. Storage cabinets are aldo present.
To the back, doors leading to a bathroom, each one similar, with a large bathtub, shower, sink and toilet.
In the end, comfortable, luxurious rooms, fit for important people and their accompanying staff,

[AHSCA]

"Goodness me!" Gisella exclaimed at the sheer luxury and modernity of the rooms. "These rooms are very lovely and spacious!"

"I agree." Marcella concurred with her sister "To the point some of the smallest family huts could likely fit in here and then some. Mister Funger and Miss Funger, your hospitality and accommodations here are most generous, we thank you kindly."

Asuka bowed rather deeply "Yes, thank you so very much for the wonderful rooms you've prepared for all of us. We'll be sure to have a comfortable stay while here."

Asuna and Sayaka also gave their thank yous "It'll be good for us to get changed too. Milady Duchess, Princess, we trust you'll be fine."

"Of course, you two settle in and relax a while. I should get in touch with Noir and give her an update. You as well, Miss Kotobuki, relax a while."

"Thank you, Milady."

She nodded letting them go, "Now, kindly show us to our rooms, if you'd please, I think we're also a bit in the mood to kick back a bit."

"I could go for a long hot bath after all the traveling." Gisella agreed.

They were of course shown along the way to their rooms, just as beautiful and full and luxurious as the rooms they just seen. "Again, you have our thanks."

"Yes, these rooms are so pretty! It's amazing between the art and view and everything else included. Thank you!"

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Glad you like it Your Highnesses." replies Ethan with a kind smile. "Now, I suppose you'll want to take some rest and maybe change before you meet the Emperor and Empress again in an hour. If you need anything, my daughter and Nidia are at your service."

As he says that, behund him appear a tall woman, apparently in the end of her thirties. Her long black hair and teal eyes are only enhanced by the blue and green Jarningur she's wearing.
However, although the smile she gives to Marcella and Gisella really seems sincere, one can not help but feel as if she was hiding a bit of sadness behind it.
"Miss Nidia Flores." Introduces Ethan to the Duchess and her sister. "Former Miss Mexico at only age 18, and now in the employ of the Silver Palace.
-A pleasure to meet you Your Highnesses says Nidia in Spanish, knowing the two Villa Sisters would understand her.
-Now, if you don't mind, I shall leave you, other things need my presence elsewhere. Dorothy, Nidia, I'll leave them in your care.
-Of course Dad, see you soon." replies Dorothy with a warm smile as her father kisses her on the forehead
-Yes Mister Funger" replies Nidia on a more professional tone with a firm nod.

Qnd so, as Ethan departs, the two women stand there, waiting to see if Marcellz and Gisella would need them further or not...

[AHSCA]

"Wonderful, thank you very much." Marcella thanked him then Miss Nidia Flores introduced herself adding she was a winner of a contest "Miss Mexico" Marcella's ears perked at that a bit "Oooh" Marcella tried out a bit of her Spanish on her. "Well, i hope you could understand my Spanish fine, it's Mokan dialect mostly so it might be different from your own. Well anyway, Gisella I believed you said you were going to take a bath"

"oh yeah I was."

"I should contact Noir in the meantime and get tabs on things back home then maybe nap if there's time. I don't suppose we could trouble you for some tea could we? Anything you have will be okay."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Don't worry, I understood perfectly what you said Duchess." replies Nidia with a smile. "Anyway, I'll prepare some tea. I hope Jasmine tea would be fine for you."
"In the meantime Princess, if you need anything, I'm here for you." adds Dorothy to Gisella.

[AHSCA]

"Ah that's great! And Jasmine tea sounds lovely so have it prepared and brought to our rooms when you can, we'd greatly appreciate it. In the meantime I'll leave you to do what you please Gisella."

"Okay sis, say hello to anyone for me"

"I will."

Gisella turned to Dorothy though a bit unsure what to really request of her beyond the tea order Marcella put in for them "Miss Dorothy, would you help me unpack a few things?" Gisella gently lead Dorothy along into her room. "This is really a nice room." GIsella agreed again "It's much bigger than my own, and mine is pretty spacious. " Barely thinking of the other woman in the room, Gisella already began to undress. "I hope you don't mind. I figured we're both girls anyway so it shouldn't matter. But you're also welcome to join me!" A bit teasing and a bit sincere. She wasn't trying to make her uneasy, just trying to show even her a Princess could be relaxed and friendly.

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Oh don't worry Princess Gisella, I don't mind at all." replies Dorothy with a small smile. "If I may say, I'm glad to see that the lyth of AHSCA Islanders being very youthful is true, you have a very nice body. Better than what I've been exposed to in the past." she adds as she turns her head a bit to the side, her eyes adoptikg a thousand yard stare, before she refocuses her attention to helping Gisella. "It's all in the past now. Anyway, what do you need me to unpack?" she asks to the Princess.

[AHSCA]

"Mmmmm" Gisella thought "We are here a few days so I'd say a few of the basic essentials I need for wearing obviously. Oh and I picked out a nice outfit for our first formal dinner here. So I'd like to wear that tonight."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"It shall be done Princess." replies Dorothy with a smile, before getting to work, opening some of Gisella's luggage and sorting out the different items and clothes, before starting to put them inside a nearby wardrobe.
"If I may ask Princess Gisella," asks Dorothy to Gisella, "do you have a personal handmaiden back in the UIS? And if so, do the personnel assigned to serve royalty receives a special education and training?"

[AHSCA]

"As a matter of fact, I do!" Gisella weaved between the bathroom and the main bedroom to continue the conversation while running the bath to get it ready and herself ready, "Well to be clear, she's also sis's handmaiden. Her name is Yoshi and she's really super sweet and nice and friendly to everyone she meets. Our family is still pretty small and the idea of maidens was a bit pushed away by our mother, deciding it was too reminiscent to our ancestor Tamura who kept many slaves in her possession. But mama's mind really changed when I came along and she really need a pair of hands to help care of us when papa couldn't and when she was As such today, things are much much different. Yoshi is obviously paid well with benefits and time off when she asks. Well of course that should go without saying. So she helps both of us. As for special training, I believe sis is looking into that, inspired by the way maidens in Kyrenaia are trained and prepared to work for their employers. Yoshi is the daughter of Miss Matsuri who took care of the both of us she she learned form her to become the personal maiden to us. That's the basics of it. I mean I think every head of island has their own personal attache that helps them prepare or talks to them or things. "

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Thank you very much for these explanations Princess Gisella." replies Dorothy, having ordered all of Gisella's clothes and items in the various storage lockets. Once that is done, she enters the bathroom as well,ready to help Gisella with her bath.
"It's nice to learn that your handmaidnen Yoshi is the daugher of your childhood nanny. You must feel good with her at your side. Personally, Dad and I were welcomed by their Majesties after we went through some dark times, and they offered us a job and training here after they got us back on our feet. Although the standard training for me to become a Handmaiden lasted five months, I'm still learning new things everyday.
Say Princess, this afternoon after lunch, would you be willing to try the Baniar, our Astarian public baths? Although our people have always washed frequently at home, we also have this type of collective baths, for meetings and gatherings with relatives and friends." explains Dorothy with a smile.

[AHSCA]

Gisella sloshed around a bit when her ears heard news of a public bath here. Surprising, there weren't many countries Gisella knew of that did public bathing like they did in the UIS or some of its friends. "That'd be so great, I'd love to try them! I don't know what it'd be like here so I'll count on your guidance for them, so that I mind my manners and show respect." Of course there were some places that did have large communal pools for swimming and soaking and many of those had their patrons wear a bathing suit, which of course Gisella wouldn't be opposed to either. But it would be fun.

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Oh don't worry, it's very simple." replies Dorothy as she leans against the bathroom's door. "When it was first implemented centuries ago, the Baniars had from the start both a washing and meeting purpose. To give you a general idea, first you wash yourself, either by shower today or in tubs before that, and then you have different pools, hot rooms, etc, where you can swim or relax with others. In the Baniar, you are usually naked, but if you don't want to, you can wear a swimsuit." explains the young woman, before she spots in the corner of her vision Nidia, with a tray in her hands holding a tea pot and some cups.
"Ah, seems like Nidia made her tea. Would you like some Princess while you take your bath?" asks Dorothy to Gisella with a smile.

[AHSCA]

"Communal bathing and public nudity are actually pretty common where i'm from." Gisella responded with a smile "In fact there's actually parts of the island where it's mandatory by local custom so it's not as though I'm a stranger to it. I'll do what makes others feel at ease, given my status I could see it make some others unnerved but I hope folks will realize my title is a title and I'm still a person. Oh some tea? That'd be great!"

[Astares Amauricanum]

Oh, don")'t worry about other's people looks," replies Dorothy as she gestures to Nidia to come closer. "As a guest of state, you'll be in the Baniar with their Imperial Majesties and other high-ranking people, most likely the nobles of their Personal Guards." explains the young woman as she takes a cup from the tray, before handing it to Gisella. "Thank you Nidia" she says to the older woman.
"I'll go and give the Duchess her own cup. Have a nice bath Your Highness." replies the dark- haired woman as she smiles to Gisella, before bowing her head and turning around, leaving the bathroom.
"Now Princess," asks Dorothy, "do you wish to be left alone for your bath?"

Meanwhile, Nidia is now standing in front of Marcella's door.
"Your Royal Highness?" she calls ad she knocks three times on the door. "It's me, Nidia. I have your tea with me, can I come in?" she asks through the door.

[AHSCA]

Gisella gladly took some of the tea. And thanked Nidia for the tea "Thank you kindly. Well Miss Dorothy, I wouldn't mind a bit of quiet time. I might even take a bit of a nap, I'm kind of worn from the day. So I'd appreciate some time to myself a bit. After that I wouldn't mind chatting with you some more!"

---

Marcella called for her to enter. She was wrapping up her call with Noir "Yes, all taken care of then. Good to hear, I'll speak with you again, I'm gonna go now."

"Happy travels, Milady and enjoy your time there. My regards to The Princess"

Marcella hung up the phone "Oh tea, just what I need right now! Thank you so much."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Okay then, I shall come back and wake you up in about an hour and a half for the gift exchange ceremony. Have a nice bath and a quiet nap Princess Gisella." repes Dorothy, before bowing a little and turning aroynd, closing the bathroo door behind her.

---

"You are welcome Duchess Marcella." replies Nidia with a smile as she enters the room and pits the tray on atable, before handing the cup to Marcella. "Jasmine Tea as you requested it. I hope you like it, I infused it a bit longer than usual, my mother taught me that it helps develop the aromas and flavors more." she adds with a smile.

[AHSCA]

"Thank you kindly!" Gisella relaxed a while in the hot water then exited dressed in something simple to sleep in and laid down to rest a while.

---

"Oh no trouble at all! My calls home took a while anyway so your timing was perfect. The tea smells great, I'm sure it's gonna be as good." She took her first sips gently "Yup, delicious. Well come, sit sit, have some with me. Tea is better with company."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Well, thank you very much Duchess for letying me joining you" replies Nidia with a bow of her head, before pouring herself another cup, and sitting in an armchair on the other side of the coffee table facing Marcella.
As she sits, Dorothy appears at the door.
"Your sister is going to take a bath and take a small nap Duchess." says the blonde woman to Marcella. "Do you mind if I join you two?"

[AHSCA]

"Ah please, the more the merrier!" Marcella shifted over a spot to allow her chair to Dorothy. "Jasmine tea, one of my favorites and this is some really good tea."

[Astares Amauricanum]

"Thank you very much Duchess." replies Dorothy with a large smile before sitting next to Marcella, as Nidia hands her another cup, to which the young woman thanks her with a "Thank you" in Astarian.
"Indeed, Jasmine Tea is a real good tea." continues Dorothy. "Although in the Imperium, before it was introduced, our two main drinks for gatherings like this were mead, or hot fruit juices. And they are still to this day." explains the young woman.