Lady Adreana's 5th Annual Charity Ball [Alithea Only] [IC]

[Union Of Autocratic Empires]

Lady Adreanna's 5th Annual Charity Ball

Castle Elina, Eastern Liyom, 20:45

"The Princess is worried about the snow. She does not mean to question your or your people's capabilities, but are you certain the guests won't have trouble making it here? We're pretty up high, and the roads being frozen over could be a problem." Princess Adranna's interpreter, Modesta Antius Celsus, asked Great Matriarch Esia of Great House Perttula, who had graciously lent her Estate at Castle Elina for the ball. "I am aware you have taken precautions, but she would feel a lot safer if she knew the specific measures."

"Certainly" the younger woman said, as she proceeded to point at the road that led up to her ancestral home. Even if it was dark already, the road itself was very well lit - almost as much as the castle grounds themselves - and several smaller lights could be seen slowly making their way through the road's length. "We requested an extra snowplower machines from the nearby town earlier this morning and repatedly had them clean a path through the road. After they were done, we spread salt across the road five times today and made sure it was in perfect conditions, not a single hole in sight, no matter how small. The ilumintaion is in pristine condition, and just in case someone's car can't make it up the mountain, I have set several patrols of my own guards to lend a hand in that case, given each a Gonfalon* with the House's colours and the brightest lamps we could get so they will easily see them from a distance. I can guarantee, without any doubt, that every single guest will make their way here, or you may call me Elisa from now on." The Great Matriarch was sharply dressed for the occasion, wearing a clear blue suit with silver cuffs and a red tie, which she completed with a white coat and pitch black gloves. She wore the suit as comfortably as someone who was used to wearing such clothes on a daily basis, and the fact the dress shirt covered her entire neck almost up to the chin - with something else very visibly resting underneath the fabric starting from the collarbone up to the very top- seemed to bother her very little, if at all. "You can tell her the guests will be safe. Where is she, come to think of it?"

"Oh, the princess is wrapping up the final preparations for the ball. That and she went to fetch a coat. It's a bit too cold for her."

"Ah, I see. You can tell her she can take some time, the guests seem like they won't show up in a while now." Just as the interpreter started moving away, however, the Liyomesse turned around. "And tell her to avoid the Western walkway. I've seen Ronja lurking around, and if she sees her, she's not going to let her get away." With a nod, the Adran woman turned around and left towards the mess hall, where house employees were preparing the last touches for the event. Apparently they had had a few issues setting up the sound system for the Princess' "speech", but considering how old the building was, it made sense there would be some issues with it.

The Matriarch then turned towards the funerary forest of Viimeinen Lepo, as she saw some of the lights of the cars making their way through the I-70 highway into Liyom divert towards the long, narrower, winding road that diverted the incoming traffic towards her house. Probably the first few guests making their way to their Estate, although they still would take a while to arrive here, having to cross the small river town of Pihtivesi. They shouldn't get lost, considering she had marked the turns they had to take in the few meters of the town they would cross, but she was aware most people usually lost some of their brainpower when going abroad. She didn't mean it as an insult, as she herself had been the victim of such a curious phenomena, but she would still keep that comment for herself. As she thought this, she turned around and made her way to the Estate's entry. It would be poor showing if she didn't receive the guests alognside young Adreanna, not to mention there would probably be quite a few interesting people arriving at her ancestral home, which piqued her curiosity.

Still though, she was a bit sad her mother wasn't around to see it. She would hate everything about it, and that thought alone brought a smile to her face.

[Urran]

A lumbering black limousine made its way through the snowy forest-scape that made up the Unionist countryside. There was something magical about winter. The blackened trunks of barren trees standing out in sharp contrast from the powdery white ground like skeletons in the frosty stillness. Sounds were muffled, absorbed and scattered by the snow. The light played with prisms of ice and the frigid precipitation, giving everything a magical sparkle, at least during the day.

It was not day, at least not completely. Twilight had begun to set in as the vehicle continued its solemn march through the forest. A pair of flags fluttered from antennae mounted on the hood, the cruciform flag of the Constitutional Republic of Urran. The beast of a vehicle was surprisingly nimble, and, for once, unescorted. The Urranese had been assured that the need for armed guards at such an event was not needed and their security had been more than provided for by members of the Union royal family. So far, that was proven to be the case, the Matriarch's personal guards were quite visible in showing the guests the way.

In typical Urranese fashion, the guests arrived precisely on time, down to the minute. Timeliness was a cultural quirk that made the island nation a very good business partner. This was less than helpful at events where being fashionably late was expected. The vehicle pulled up the drive and parked where instructed by palace staff. A group of four Secret Service agents in black suits and ties got out of the vehicle and opened the doors on the side facing the building.

Out stepped the pair making up the Constitutional Republic's contribution to the guest list. The first was a man of average height for the Urranese people, and only slightly above average wight for his age of 54. His hair was short, but still present. The jet black color had faded somewhat with age, becoming a salt and pepper color, though it gave him a strong and youthful appearance for a middle aged man. He wore a simple black suit adorned with an Urranese flag pendent and a deep purple tie. His face was lined with wrinkles and he peered out at the world over the brims of thick, black framed glasses. He looked quietly reserved, but there was a joy behind his eyes.

His wife got out from the seat across his. She was a slightly shorter woman of similar age and hair color. Her hair was shoulder length, kept that way as it did not hold the same silky texture that it once had. She was dressed in a stately black evening gown with a pair of pearl earrings and large pearl necklace, the type Urran had become world famous for. She pulled a large mink coat over her quite tightly in the chill air, taking her husband's hand.

The man turned to the security agents and said "Thank you, we will contact you when we wish to leave."

The agent nodded and the vehicle was gone.

The Urranese contingent began making its way towards the entrance at a brisk pace, but not too fast so as to appear that they were freezing to death. The man was Noriyuke Miyake, Secretary of State for Urran. A former chair of Urran Railway Group, Nori had given up a lucrative business career to play politics with Urran's previous and current Prime Minister, an honor that had occasionally put him under suspicion, but nothing had turned up nothing aside from the obvious ties to previous business partners. A natural negotiator, he had been kept once scandal after scandal had caused the previous administration to fall out of power.

His wife was a former school teacher and current Minister of Education, Dr. Chikako Miyake. She was a legend of sorts in that community, pioneering different strategies to be used for education of student's with special needs. As Urran had no first lady, the current Prime Minister being a widower who refused to entertain the possibility of remarriage, she acted as the feminine face of the country, taking over many of the functions a First Lady should hold.

The Urranese and ambassadors to the Union, both nation and organization, were absent, being called away by outside circumstances. And so there were two.....

[Anowa]

What many would assume to be a wide bodied and lengthened sedan with an unusually high clearance was anything but, anything more than a cursory glance could tell you that, with wheels that wouldn't be unusual for a utility truck, the glass in the rear compartment that was tinted almost black, and no external door handles to be seen. What truly betrayed the vehicle were the license plates indicating it's country of origin as Anowa, and both the royal seal and Anowan flag flapping off the front and rear right antennae, with both the Liyom and national Union flag on the left. It was the vehicle of a politician, and given how the gravel and salt it drove over cracked, it was a heavy vehicle.

The interior of the nine tonne armored car sat five individuals, only two of them were dressed in garb indicative of a formal event, the other three were dressed in the typical garb an Anowan special forces team would, including the driver and navigator. These were the Principle Guard, the team of five individuals hand picked by the monarch as personal bodyguards, they were close friends, confidants, and in this case, the remainder of the Queen's old infantry company from her 2 years of service with the Anowan Army, companions shaped through fires of war.

"Why's it always snowing when we go to these sort of things?" Jason Walker, an Artalian immigrant, friendly, somewhat talkative, and built like someone had bolted tree sized limbs on to a fridge. Brown hair was cropped down to a longer buzzcut, and something close to muttonchops with a handlebar mustache had grown off a box shaped head. A jawline that looked like it could chew through half a foot of concrete, lead to a duo of mildly cauliflowered ears. Brow was heavy set, bushy eyebrows sat above a duo of green eyes, and his nose was slightly aquiline. The face of a man that could probably eat a rain of fists for breakfast and still be conscious enough for a pint. In the old infantry platoon, the only person older than Jason was the 40-something year old officer, as the man was now 28. The man was dressed in a fully black suit with an ash grey undershirt and Azure blue tie, typical of any man coming to a 'black tie' event, black dress shoes partially clashed with white socks, and there was a bulk under the vest that wasn't indicative of a strong core, but rather a heavy aramid vest under it all.

"We've only been to two Jason, one here and one back in Nordland, and both are in the northern hemisphere where it's currently winter." Anowa's current Monarch, Lena V Pyrrhas Grimsdottir-Vogt, previously 'Amazon'. An Anowan native, calm, observant and very much a woman of the people. The name 'Amazon' was indicative of her build, heritage of a eugenics program had resulted in a height a little over half a foot taller than her compatriot, and a physical build indicative of the nickname. Raven black hair was set into a neat bun with a loose bundle of bangs in an asymmetric style framing the right side of her diamond shaped head. A greek nose sat at the center of her face, framed by a duo of deep blue eyes. Lightly dusted eye shadow and eyeliner with a muted navy lipstick. Dressed in a black armless sheath dress, running down to her ankles, that split near the first third of her thigh on either side. Whatever skin that was exposed below the jawline was a series of ritualistic scars engrained with darker pigments of blue and black, anyone with any understanding of Nordland's culture would know where the woman was from, and just how high of a pain tolerance she must've had.

"Yeah well... I can still complain about it right? Never got used to the cold anyways." came the Artalian's reply.

The man seated across from them spoke up, Kovac, or Clown, "You've lived in a country where most of it's landmass was above the arctic circle, and you're only complaining about it now?"

"Well I'm not usually in a fucking mountain range back home. Less insulation at this height."

Clown shook his head, "Sure, no insulation. Meanwhile Lena's wearing a fucking dress and she hasn't even shudddered."

An expectant silence fell over the cabin as everyone in it awaited Jason's answer, "... shut up. Lena's a proper mutant."

Lena chuckled as a grin formed on her face. The monarch looked out the window, tuning out the rest of the conversation as Josie joined in to verbally poke Jason's ribs. It was twilight now, and ahead was a Urranese car if the antennae flags was any indication, that too was a politicians car. A trail of cars behind them as well. It always made Lena wonder if arriving by airdrop was a possibility at these sorts of things.

Suddenly, from the front, an exclamation from Damian, the driver, "Jesus Christ!" The vehicle decelerated as Clown immediately flicked the safety off his rifle. "Fucking deer, man." Clown relaxed, as Damian picked up the pace again, "Why the fuck are deer like that? Lights that are scalding my retinas, fucking engine grumbling for maybe literal kilometers, people guiding you along the clearly marked road. They just gotta cross here through. Fucking bike sized rodents man."

Lena had to agree, the lights, while welcome in limited amounts, when the sun set it'd become more a hindrance for sight thanks to the snow and the contrast with anything outside their field of illumination, "Just keep an eye out buddy, last thing we want is to detonate an animal with a nine tonne tank."

The rest of the journey to the elderly castle was silent, and as the armored door was swung open from the inside, the foot thick layering of composite armor became evident. Jason and Lena stepped out, along with the still silent royal aid, Sylwia, garbed in the traditional garb of her position, and made their way towards the entrance without much fan fare from inside the vehicle, which drove away without a word. And then there were five...

[Nauchrtenfield]

A third vehicle entered the courtyard of Castle Elina, while it had followed the Anowan car for some time, after all, they had the same destination. It's allegiance was clear to see, the Nauchrten flag flying high next to the Unions. But it stood in stark contrast to the tank it followed. For while it was about as tall, it was not sleek, nor beautiful, unless your sense of style was sorely in need to questioning. It was a special variant of the regular unarmoured light terrain vehicle of the Nachrten Armed Forces. Granted the unarmoured version was in use by more or less every department and person of the State Machinery that could get away with it, just with different paint and livery. Most were of the regular five door, four wheels verity, or the larger flatbed/module version with six wheels.

Not this one, it was after all a special variant, longer to accommodate an extra row of passenger seating, accommodating a total of four(or six, if the smaller middle reserve seats where in use) passengers that could look one another in the eye, to ease talking while in transit, as well as a separating wall between the driver and said passengers. Furthermore it sported an extra set of passenger doors, meaning that both rows of passengers could enter and exit at the same time, if such was wanted. This special variant could only be seen in the service of the Diplomatic corps, and other functions that found themselves transporting VIP's.

But all where quintessentially Nachrten, effective, simple, functional, and a reminder of the martial culture on that the nation took pride in.

Inside this lone gray car sat a total of five people. A driver and navigator in the front seats, dressed in the typical gray suits of State functionaries, regal blue ties with a tie-pin containing both the Nachrten and Host nations flag on it. A simple pair of white gloves and a peaked cap on the head of the driver completed the simple, but iconic uniform. In the passenger seats sat another two, on the surface similarly dressed people, but if one looked close there would be differences to be seen.

These were the Archbishop of the Union Chapter of the Nachrten Church, Helmut Arkenström. A purpule shirt with a white collar tap under his gray jacket and trousers, as well as a pin shaped like a cross surrounded by a dragon on his chest. Next to his medal for gallantry and taking wounds in the line of combat, formerly of the 1st Maratime Mechanised Battalion he had seen active duty as the battalion chaplin during the battle, nay, chaos of Soraught in 2017. Taking his mission of providing care for the soul to those of the front he had paid a hefty price, his dominant right arm was no longer by his side, his suit arm neatly kept in place on the front of his chest with pins.

After the rehabilitation he had continued serving in a administrative function of the church, before being offered his current posting last year. Some might see it as him being shipped to some remote place to be forgotten. But he rather saw it as a way to continue using his experience and faith to help and guide his flock of expats, natives, and whoever came thru his and his subordinates doors. He dedicated himself to his task of living to serve and ease the suffering of man. The faith was secondary, it did not matter what faith others had, he would guide them as best he could and help them in whatever way he was allowed. Even if his own faith was stronger then ever.

Next to him sat his personal assistant and secretary, with the same garments as his superior bar that his shirt was black, he likewise also did not have a medal on his chest.

Opposite them both sat the most peculiarly dressed of them all; Anna-Karin Smith, the Military Attache to the diplomatic mission to the union. She wore her a dress that looked wrong in the time, because it was. Sewn and designed like a dress from the first half of the 19th century it came with all the delicate frills and lace that one would see in the history books. But it was made to measure to each Military Attache, the reason for this peculiar uniform as hold as the office itself, dating to the time such clothing was high fashion, and now it was tradition. The Nachrteners where fond of traditions, in most cases. It was a simple dress, at least for the style, white with lime green detailing. Easier to move in then the inspiration, a concession to the modern times. Normally a blade would hang along the dress, another badge of her office. But the hosts had been strict that no weapons where allowed, so instead a empty scabbard hung from her waist.

All three also wore headdresses appropriate to the office they held, as well as long, thick, gray wool cloaks; to keep them warm in the cold winter.

The car came to a soft stop, the passengers heard the rummaging as the crew quickly exited, and opened both passenger doors on one side. "Madam Attache, Archbishop. We have arrived, please dismount. We will not wait here, contact when you wish to depart"

Anna-Karin nodded, took the hand of the driver and exited the car, followed by the other guest and his assistant. Tacked the driver and then looked around to take in the sights, sounds, and prepare to be received. She made a note as well to try and get a word with either the Princess Adreana or the Great Matriarch, she was also the bearer of the news that the Counselor for the Navy; Jokamin Quist, whom was planning to be in attendance would be delayed an undetermined amount of time. Foul weather had managed to both delay his departure from Nachrtenkapitell, as well as now hindering the plane that was carrying him to land on union soil. Such was fate, that the culture of "if you are not early, you are late" would be the most delayed of all.

Ironic

[Free Asian Ports]

An apparently normal-looking black sedan pulled up to the red carpet, bearing the flags of Yamatai and the Union deferentially above the hood of the car. The lights of the castle reflected off the polished exterior, framing the vehicle as a bold sculpture of machinery against the cold night forest. A credit to the manufacturer whose badge was displayed prominently on the grill of the car, the ride was smooth and quite serene. Despite having the styling of an automobile two decades old, it retained the technology and advanced design of modern cars. The truth was that Yamataians were sticklers for older styles, a romantic callback to the energy and industry of the nineties despite the excesses. Some things never fall out of fashion.

The driver's door opened first practically as soon as the car stopped and a young woman sprung from the driver's seat without even turning off the engine. She made to rush to the other side of the car, the side closest to the red carpet and the entrance to the castle, in order to let out the other occupants like a studious chauffeur. Like all chauffeurs worthy of the title, she was wearing a uniform. This uniform was unusual in that it was not a chauffeur's uniform, being instead a pretty typical Yamataian uniform with a few key differences. The girl was wearing a dark blue-grey double-breasted greatcoat in blue-gray covering the main part of her uniform; and though large it was nonetheless well-cut and well-pressed. She had long black leather gloves tucked into her sleeves and, notably for a dress uniform of this type, a pair of polished combat jackboots. On her head was a peaked cap, the only indication of the more elegant dress uniform underneath the coat, colored a light olive-drab with a dark leather rim.

Rounding the front of the car, the woman had almost made it to the rear passenger door before it opened of its own accord. Out of the car stepped the attendee of note, at this point a regular of Lady Adreana's ball. This was the representative of the Clan Nanasawa for the event, chosen for her history with the charity ball and her future responsibilities. She, too, wore a dark greatcoat over her uniform and a peaked cap upon her head. Seemingly impatient and energetic, she had left the car in a rush before her poor driver could make the polite formalities. This woman was soon followed by two others; one her fellow passenger in the back seat and the other coming from the front passenger seat after her door had at last been opened by the driver, both similarly dressed to the other women. The three passengers began to make their way down the red carpet and the leader turned to the driver. "Thanks for the lift, Corporal Nagumo, bring the car around to the lot and then join us. We'll be back for it at the end of the night" she directed before moving on. The driver nodded and spoke her acknowledgement before returning to the car in defeat. One can only make so much of an effort to be of service to the famous Nanasawa Dragon before she leaves one in the dust.

The three Yamataian officers ascended the red carpet, idly chatting. Now in the better light at the front entrance further details, more apparent on the officers, became visible. Both the leader and front passenger appeared to be part of the same unit, both wearing the same polished jackboots in place of more normal dress shoes that a studied observer will recall is an honor unique to combat veterans and cavalrymen within the Yamataian Armed Forces, a tradition stretching back nearly two centuries. Indeed, upon their caps were more clear signs of the unit to which they belonged. This was the badge of the Dragoons Battalion of the Nanasawa Royal Guards Infantry Regiment, the flower seal of the Nanasawa Clan to whom the Regiment owed fealty flanked by a pair of rampant horses on either side, cast in polished brass with the seal in a dark green and pearl white enamel. About their waists, different from the driver, was an olive-drab belt upon which hung swords in their scabbards. These were Katanas, the badge of the Samurai, which was a right again reserved only to the most elite and loyal members of the Samurai clans. The third officer, the other back seat passenger, was noticeably different in a surprising way. Her skin was a deep tan, and her facial features were not of a native Yamataian. This woman was Mariqi, a citizen of a subject state within the Empire who had impressively made her way into the upper echelons of Yamataian military society. She, too, had a katana but her uniform was subtly different. Instead of the iconic combat boots the cavalrywomen wore she had more typical dress shoes and a simple clan seal was displayed on her cap instead of the cavalry iconography, indicating she was not in the same unit as the others and was actually more consistent with a line infantry unit. What was her reason for being here?

Upon approaching the castle, the officers began admiring the decor while they undid their coats. "Nice place, upscale" noted the front passenger, the junior officer to the Leader of the group. "Yeah, it's the sort of thing you'd splurge on if you had money to throw around and commodities haven't been invented yet" joked the Leader in response. After undoing their sword belts and the buttons on their greatcoats, they each revealed the parade dress uniform of a member of the Royal Regiments. The uniform was the same olive-drab as the cap, a long-sleeved jacket over a dark grey shirt and navy blue tie and a pleated knee-length skirt trimmed close. On the epaulets were the rank insignia, identifying the Leader and the Mariqi as Captains and the front passenger as a Lieutenant in the First Class. Upon their left breasts were a number of ribbons and medals, unit citations and combat awards of some variety though not in large numbers. They were still young, after all. Across their waists were dark leather pistol belts held up by a strap running diagonally across their chests and looped through the epaulet. Transferring their swords from the coat belt to the pistol belt, the three officers were able to fold their coats over their arms and at last join the party.

One last detail decorated the trim uniforms, a rectangular nameplate upon their jackets bearing their last names. The Mariqi girl was Khalina and the junior officer was Murimoto, and both spent more than their fair share of time gazing about the palace in wonder since neither had been in a foreign castle so well decorated before. The leader, whose nameplate ominously bore the name Nanasawa, was only somewhat interested in the decor. She had been to Liyomesse castles before, of course, on a number of occasions including earlier charity balls. Nanasawa Kimiko, the Dragon of Sasebo, broke into a smile at the party ahead of her. A chance to drink, even if it's in uniform, was not one to be passed up. She turned to her companions with an energetic bounce. "Ladies, let's enjoy this party. These balls are always nights to remember" she said triumphantly.

[Saradena]

Eastern Liyom

Two black sedans made their way into the courtyard after driving for several hours from the border through the evening Liyomesse landscape, the stars twinkling above them, both vehicles bearing the Esgonian Flag on their hoods as they flutter through the breeze. Inside on the the vehicles were familiar faces. Erhard, slumped in his seat snoozing, was quickly awoken by his daughter, Kotori.

"We're here", she ushers her father, who instantly looks at the sight of the crowd outside their vehicle as they approach the venue, and starts rubbing his eyes and checks if he had accidentally messed up his suit during his sleep. He was about to ask the time before being interrupted by his daughter, who was essentially wearing a bare-bones variant of her dress uniform, with her rank, insignia, and other military identification marks removed. She also checked on the young woman beside her who was already anxious to exit the car. Both Erhard and Kotori were frequent visitors to the Annual Charity Ball due to business and relations-related purposes, often assisting on behalf of the Government. However, to Ahekosanka Akinojeka, the daughter of the Head of State, this was an entirely new event for her. A fresh diplomat, she was already experienced with local affairs, but found events like these a 'very alien affair' to her. She attended as a favor from her mother herself in order to 'get acquainted to foreign politics'. With Kotori being a good friend of her, she obliged.

In the other sedan, Shikota returns as the official delegate to the Union to continue cordial relations, still surprised at how cold the ride to Liyom turned out to be, taps Kuril, who had been having fun with frost forming from the windows. Her husband was supposed to be here, but like last year, due to corporate affairs, this time in Luscio, he backs out the last minute. She brings Kuril along also so that he wouldn't be bored at home, plus he was already familiar with the Ball and was more behaved than he was during the previous one. As soon as the cars stop, she puts on her coat and exits, with Kuril in tow. The occupants in the second car exit seconds later. The two parties exchange formal greetings again as Aheko shakes Shikota's hand.

"Good to see that Ranko's daughter be out here. How's your mother been?" she asks.
"Stressed out, as always. The shakeups recently have really taken a bit of her soul, if I say so myself" Aheko replies, slightly chuckling.
"Yep, that's to be expected. God what a tough year this was..Soon enough she'll look like an old fossil, like Erhard over there." Shikota says, while Erhard in the background raises his eyebrows.

"Fossil jokes aside, let's all enjoy the ball. Let's hope for a good one this year." Erhard turns to them as they start walking towards the venue and the sedans move away to find parking.

[Union Of Autocratic Empires]

Castle Elina, Eastern Liyom, 20:52

Princess Adreanna looked out at the mounting snow as Modesta relayed the Great Matriarch's reassurance. The technicians were almost finished with the audio system, so the event should be able to begin sooner rather than later. Truth be told, she was rather nervous; she had never hosted any of her events outside of Gades, nevermind the island of Adra, so tonight was as much of a new thing for her as it was for her guests. She was very thankful to Matriarch Esia, who had been incredibly accomodating for her and her entourage, having paid for their travel expenses and hosting them in the palace, but she remained unsure as to why she was being so helpful, as she wasn't someone who had ever personally (she never missed a remote donation, all things considered) these types of evenets, nor left the Matriarchy that much at all, but in truth it didn't really bother her. After all, the Matriarch had a military background, so the most likely explanation was that she felt the need to help her fellow veterans, both in and outside the Union. Still, she'd probably ask her after everyone else left.

"Something's on your mind?" she heard her brother Alexander, snapping back to the atrium. "You seem to have been a bit distracted since we got here. Is it the forest? Because it does creep the Hell out of me." Of course, the first few words out of the idiot's mouth had to be disrespectful towards their host, prompting her to lightly elbow him in the ribs. "Hey, if it was a Christian graveyard, I'd be creeped off, too. Chill." I will chill when you grab that chauvinism of yours and keep it to yourself. We're as much guests here as our actual guests are, so the least we can do is show the people who live here the respect they deserve., Princess Adranna signed to her brother. He sighed and nodded, and was going to say something when the rather large speaker by his side flared up, releasing a rather painful sound before it went back to silence. A sound technician apologised in the background, as the Adran prince spoke up again. "Okay, good, we have audio. Which brings me back to what I came here. The guests are arriving, and it seems we have the main event ready, so you might want to make your way to the entrance to greet them. The Matriarchs are wrapping up their meeting, too, so they will make their way here soon." Oh shit, that was earlier than expected. She started getting nervous again. How are the preparations? Is everything ready? Is-? her brother stopped her with a hand gesture she had memorised, through the years, to mean everything was ready. "The food is prepared, the tables are assigned, the outdoors heaters mean everyone should be comfortably warm even outside, you've seen the sound works now" he said as he tapped his left ear, which was the closest to the now working speaker, getting a chuckle from her sister and an amused smile from the trained intepreter. "and The Maid's Jukebox is already broadcasting, so everything is ready. It will be fine." Relieved at the news, Adranna nodded and continued signing.

Well that's good to know. Now, how do I look?. As a contrast to last year's bob, Adreanna had let her hair grow longer, down to shoulder length, with eye-skimming bangs and uniform sides. As for attire, she had decided to go for a suit yet again rather than the dress usually expected from someone of her position, this time out of respect for her host's traditions, which looked down on dresses and thus meant women should wear suits on formal situations. The suit itself was a rather eye catching shade of red - Chilli, specifically - with a maroon vest and tie, on top of a white dress shirt in the Liyomesse style, which meant it covered the entirety of her neck up to her head. A pin of the Adran Royal House decorated the right side of the suit's jacket, and the left side's pocket was adorned with a white handkerchief. She was particularly happy with her choice of shoes, a dark red pair of elegant yet comfortable Oxford Shoes which offered a surprising isolation to the snow. All of this covered by a grey coat, which she decided to keep open to show off her suit. Her brother looked her up and down. He usually didn't like seeing women wearing suits, but all in all, her sister actually wore it rather well. Not like he would tell her, though. "You look terrible, but it should suffice for the night." Rolling her eyes, the young Princess turned to her interpreter and before she could ask anything, she gave her a thumbs up.

Seeing as everything was ready, Lady Adreanna made her way towards the entrance, where Matriarch Esia was already waiting. "Ah, so that's the suit you've been keeping hidden all this time. It looks great on you." the older woman said with a smile, with the Adran girl thanking her for the kind words. After arriving to her position in the gate, she finally saw the first guests. None other than Noriyuke Miyake, whom she remembered from the last year in Adra. She gave him a warm smile, a gentle handsake and started signing as her interperter started talking on her behalf. "Lord Miyake, I thank you for coming join me another year. It's great to see you and your wife again. I hope the journey here wasn't too difficult." She then saw the Nauchtern envoys, whom she'd greet as soon as she was done dispatching the Urranese representatives. She also thought seeing Lady Kotori's car, but she wasn't sure.

On the other side, the owner of the castle, who had offered to help Adreanna greet the guests as they came, saw the lumbering figure of Queen Lena V and inmediately recognised her. Hard to mistake such a remarkable figure, she thought to herself, as she tended a hand to the Queen and her entourage. "Queen Lena V of Anowa, you honor me and my House with your presence here. I have been looking forwards to meet you ever since I heard your speech on your coronation. I'm Esia Perttula, and I will be your co-guest alongside Princess Adreanna. Please, make yourself at home."

[Urran]

Castle Elina, Eastern Liyom, 20:52

"We are not too early I hope...." Chikako said in a hushed voice near her husband's ear, her breath coming out as a clearly visible fog in the chill air. Even though they were out of earshot of such a low voice, she still spoke in Urranese to hide the exchange, clinging a bit tighter to Nori's arm. Liyom wasn't all that much colder than the Urranese capital this time of year, but being from a much warmer area of Urran, she had never quite gotten used to the snow.

Her husband hazarded a glance at his watch without being too obvious about it. It was, of course, rude to be looking at the time at events such as these. He hoped that no one had noticed. "We are precisely on time. Down to the minute." he replied, patting her hand. It was true that some cultures said one time and meant another, or meant to be fashionable late. The Urranese tended to look upon those cultures with complete contempt. Nori had never known the Unionists to be that way.

Right on cue, Lady Adreana appeared with her interpreter, looking rather stately as always. The Urranese approached, Noriyuke clasping the Princess's hand gently in his own. "We are most honored by your invitation Your Grace." He replied in kind to her pleasantries.

"We shall speak again soon, Your Grace." Chikako sighed.

In typical Urranese fashion, they had brought a gift for their hosts, both Lady Adreana, and the family as a whole. It was not the time or place to bestow them, however, so the couple bowed their heads and entered.

Nori looked over his shoulder. Crud....the Anowan Queen. Tonight was going to get very interesting.

[Anowa]

Hard to mistake such a remarkable figure, she thought to herself, as she tended a hand to the Queen and her entourage. "Queen Lena V of Anowa, you honor me and my House with your presence here. I have been looking forwards to meet you ever since I heard your speech on your coronation. I'm Esia Perttula, and I will be your co-guest alongside Princess Adreanna. Please, make yourself at home."

There was a moment of hesitation as Lena laid eyes on the extended hand. back in Anowa, hand shaking had barely evolved into much before a plague erased any mind of it being necessary. It just didn't happen in Anowa, her own little Nordic sub-culture never practiced to begin with, the folks who brought the tradition over were from pal-Storm back in the days of the Pyrrhic Empire. It wasn't that Lena didn't know what it was, it was just unexpected. The first impression for Lena was a well mannered and good person, perhaps with a lack of knowledge in some field.

Jason's first impression was a woman dressed as a hotel manager, or a valet. Red suits weren't too common for hosts in a situation like this, and the burly man couldn't help but raise a brow.

The monarch extended her own hand, realizing the very momentary pause had made things awkward enough. Though the hand shake was simultaneously overly rigid, and noodly at the same time, as if the Lena had never actually done a proper handshake before. Jason followed after with a proper display, having been born in a country where such a greeting was common. Sylwia, who was wearing a dress with actual silver thread, simply gave a slight bow. With an eye obscuring mask, and holding a bulky looking briefcase that a particularly perceptive individual could track a black chain running from it's frame, under midline of her dress, and was likely attached to her at the waist, most likely drew a few eyes. Given the presence of her company, there were a few conclusions to be drawn.

Lena however did respond to the middle aged woman, "The honor is mine Matriarch. It's not every day an individual of your position opens their home to strangers, after all." Lena elected to avoid the discussion of her coronation speech, as it's rather hostile nature in some aspects wasn't befitting such an occasion, although the woman did cast a glance at a group she recognized as Urranese public servants. The topic of 'making herself at home' was also passed over, Lena simply assuming it was something the Matriarch would say to everyone.

The Monarch noticed a line forming to a degree behind her, as well as Sylwia's poor attempt to hide her shivering, "I suppose we should get inside however, Matriarch. I shall leave you to it, perhaps we shall talk later?"

With that, the statuesque woman gave a slight bow and headed inside with her compatriots.

Jason lagged behind for a moment, before giving a low whisper to the Matriarch, "Anowans don't really do handshakes, just for future reference. What with the black plague a few hundred years ago." The man gave a curt nod before catching up.

When out of ear shot the tallest among the trio spoke, "Well, that was" a pregnant pause, as the woman looked for the right word, "A little awkward."

Sylwia spoke, "I believe there's a washroom around to-"

Lena vehemently shook her head as they continued, "No, not like that. I'm sure she washes her hands like any other person. I've just never shaken anyone's hand before."

Jason gave a hum, "It's a practice thing. You're too old to get into that habit now, so best not to stress about it."

Lena simply sighed, sincerely hoping they weren't locking the bar behind being born in 1999 this year.

[Union Of Autocratic Empires]

Jason lagged behind for a moment, before giving a low whisper to the Matriarch, "Anowans don't really do handshakes, just for future reference. What with the black plague a few hundred years ago." The man gave a curt nod before catching up.

Hiding her great embarrasment with the skill only a public figure like her could do, Esia greeted her guests into her home. What a way to start the night, she thought. Still, the night was young, so she turned to the next guests and decided to go for a small bow this time around. Just in case, and to save herself more embarrasment, she decided to greet people with a respectful salute from now on. She turned around and adressed the next batch of guests, this time being a Yamataian entourage. It had been quite a surprise for her when she saw these guest's names in the list; had someone told her none other than the Dragon of Sasebo, Kimiko Nanasawa, would ever visit her home, she probably would've had trouble believing it. And yet, here she was.

"Greetings, and welcone to Castle Elina" she said, putting her right hand on her chest and bowing respectfully towards the next batch of guests. "It's always good to see our cousins from beyond the mountains grace us with their presence, nevermind someone of a reputation such as yours, Lady Kimiko. I hope my humble house isn't too much of a disappointment for someone whose house is such a famous landmark in their home country."

As the Liyomesse woman was busy welcoming the Nanasawa family's envoy and her colleagues, Adreanna turned her attention to the Nauchternfield envoys. She inmediately recognised Archbishop Helmut, with whom she'd talked before in a few occasions; never really deep conversations, mostly being superficial exchanges of pleasantries. She also saw the religious man's assistant and who she supposed was the Nauchtern military attache, Lady Smith. Strange, though, there was supposed to be one more guest, and the Nauchterns are usualy rather puntual people. She bowed respectfully and started signing, with her interpreter relaying her message as masterfuly as usual.

"Greetings, Archbishop Arkenström. Lady Smith, it's good to have you here. I am glad you could take some time from your very busy schedules to join us today. Hopefully the travel was not too hard on you. After all, this place is a bit more far off than the usual places we host our gatherings here, and I do apologise if you had any issue making your way here. Please come in, and if there's something I can do to make your stay more pleasant, don't hesitate to ask away."

As both hosts were welcoming the guests, a new vehicle stopped by the parking; while not particularly flashy, the car was rather eye catching due to it being styled after an old Abulan model from the 40s, making one think it had come straight from the past. Inmediately after the vehicle's lights were switched off, two figures covered by warm looking longcoats and one of them sporting what looked like a military style cap. One of the figures, a man, going by the voice, pointed at the Nauchtern vehicle and wondered aloud if they were being invaded, only for the man with the cap to chastise him for pointing, calling it "rude for someone of your supposed stature." After raising his arms with an apologetic attitude, both men walked up to the entry. They were both almost the living stereotype of the Abulan ethnicity; dark skinned, with clear eyes and hair and fair features; basically, what most people who had never seen an ethnic Abulan said they looked like. They approached the people closest to the parking - the Esgonians - and the man in the hat hailed them politely hailed them. While a raised collar and the hat's visor somewhat obscured the man's face beyond his basic features, it could easily be seen that he had a rather well groomed, blonde chevron mustache.

"Excuse me, good people. Greetings. I beg your pardon, but would you mind telling us if we're late? We had a bit of a, uh, scare with a deer a bit down the road."

"We almost hit the railing. Because someone didn't want to scare the deer." the other man said as he approached the group, greeting them more casually with a wave of the hand, which caused his companion to show some obvious shame. "Did you see it too? I think it's doing it on purpose, the deer. They don't usually live this high." he joked, flaring a giant, disarming smile at the Esgonians in an attempt to break the ice.

"Stop it, Heinrich, you're coming across like a child. Act like the nobleman you're supposed to be. Please, forgive him, he's just not used to coming to events of this magnitude."

[Empire of Donner land]

On the way to Castle Elina, Eastern Liyom, Haryen Gleikehg

---

The snow flurried past, white specks at speed. Some were caught on the window, slipping off as the vehicle turned, accelerated, broke. In the distance was Castle Elina, it's walls and positioning spoke defense and utilitarianism, yet here it was being used as a display of wealth and power, nothing more or less. At the very least, if the walls could speak, they could say they were at the very least serving a good cause of some sort with the balls held here even if it sat there, a retired tool of the aristocrat. Haryen's thoughts were negative, but he was a pessimistic person, what could he expect from even himself? Even if he knew that it'd do no good to insult the walls he would be a guest in, it was a force of habit to speak his mind.

It's a mistake to go here, he thought, a mistake to send him, but this is what he gets for being elected to the Council. It wasn't terribly uncommon among Donnish to dislike Royalty and extravagance, but everyone had their reasons, and not everyone was unreasonable. For Haryen, it all seemed so wasteful, walls that only serve a symbolic purpose, all to say that they are important. He breathed in and out deeply to calm himself as the white sedan, fluttering the Military Republic Flag of Donner Land, drove it's way up calmly to the ball.

"I feel as though we're late, Arlehn" Haryen spoke stoically, he watched the Castle from the car's passenger seat as it grew bigger.

His driver, also his plus one, snickered. "Fashionably, perhaps?" Arlehn put on a mock Edenic accent, as best a Donnish speaking common could. The moan of the windshield wipers scraping across were the only thing heard, besides the engine.

"No, rudely. I don't really see the point of this besides making us look like sorry children." Haryen griped, snipping not at Arlehn, but more at the Government that decided he should come here.

"You're one of the few Veterans in the Council, and the youngest Vet at that to be elected. Of course they'd choose you, Hary, you were in Soraught after all." Arlehn explained, one hand on the steering wheel, another checking his beard by touch. "It's all up your alley."

"It's bullshit, is what it is. An Ambassador with a blank check for drinks would do better than me with this symbolic shittery." He complained, leaning an elbow with his head in hand against the door. "The war was not our fault collectively, it was Voy's, and Voy's alone. They must understand that. What do you think the Foreign Policy experts expect to do by sending me?"

Arlehn shrugged with both hands on the wheel, "It'd look bad if we didn't send anyone, better to try than an empty gesture, no?"

"We fought everyone who is at this Ball, Arlehn. It may be a Charity event, but I think everyone expects something from me there. What do they want? An apology? Reparations? It is beyond awkward, it's some kind of punishment. You say it'd look bad, but would trying to guilt trip an entire country into submission not look worse for us?" Haryen went on a calm tirade of sorts, gesticulating pointedly with his hands as he made his points.

Arlehn sighed, the first time he's shown any negativity this entire ride. "Between the Anowans, the AP, and the Vale. We're taking it hard."

The Sedan approached the destination, going through the gate after a short process, showing their passports and IDs, and heading on to the front entrance. Haryen rubbed his eyes with a leather gloved hand, and put on his Officer Cap. "They may look at us as if we're a caged beaten show animal, but I'll be damned if we aren't the scariest fucking animal in Helsa and Ashai. I'll be sure to remind them of that."

Arlehn nodded as he put the Sedan into park, "just remember, be polite, be tactful, but be assertive, right?" he spoke as Haryen began to get out of the car. "I'll park this where it needs to go, I'll be with you in there soon."

Haryen nodded, and closed the car door. Their entrance wasn't the fanciest, but the Donnish Foreign Policy people that briefed him wanted it that way. They wanted to show that the Donnish were self-sufficient, egalitarian, not needing entrances or flair, could stand alone. He liked it, it wasn't wasteful, it did what it had to. Now, the old Officers Uniform of his they had asked him to wear was much more... not to his liking. The blue pants combined with white shirt, and the medals as well as ribbons, made him stand out somewhat. They wanted to make it obvious as to who he was, but at the same time, he would've just preferred a normal suit and tie.

More so, and this had nothing to do with the brief, he felt naked. Even a year or so after the 2nd Helsan War, he was still getting used to not wearing bulky body armor, a full helmet, tens of pounds of gear. He felt as though one shot, one look, he'd be dead, no chance, but he calmed himself. This wasn't the streets of Soraught, and this wasn't hunting loyalists to Voy in the valleys of mountains. He was protected by the fact that nothing could or should happen here, or so he constantly reminded himself.

The white sedan drove away, and now he was to "relax and have fun," even if he knew exactly why he was here. It would appear they weren't that late, as some arrivals were still making their way in. He wasn't sure who was what, or where to go, just that inside was better than the cold of outside. So he made his way towards the door.

[Nauchrtenfield]

As the Liyomesse woman was busy welcoming the Nanasawa family's envoy and her colleagues, Adreanna turned her attention to the Nauchternfield envoys. She inmediately recognised Archbishop Helmut, with whom she'd talked before in a few occasions; never really deep conversations, mostly being superficial exchanges of pleasantries. She also saw the religious man's assistant and who she supposed was the Nauchtern military attache, Lady Smith. Strange, though, there was supposed to be one more guest, and the Nauchterns are usualy rather puntual people. She bowed respectfully and started signing, with her interpreter relaying her message as masterfuly as usual.

"Greetings, Archbishop Arkenström. Lady Smith, it's good to have you here. I am glad you could take some time from your very busy schedules to join us today. Hopefully the travel was not too hard on you. After all, this place is a bit more far off than the usual places we host our gatherings here, and I do apologise if you had any issue making your way here. Please come in, and if there's something I can do to make your stay more pleasant, don't hesitate to ask away.".

As Lady Adreanna bowed to the two Nauchtern guests they both snapped to a crisp and synchronised salute. Arkenström with his left in contrast to the madam attache, but then again, presenting with his right hand would present a troublesome prospect. Standing behind his master, Arkenström's assistant also presented a salute. But already he was harder to notice then one might expect for a man closing the two meter mark in height. He was a servant, and he knew well the skill of hiding in plain sight, ready and able to serve, two steps ahead. Skills picked up from a lifetime in personal service, especially in his case, as he was one of those few that had started the career at the councillor palace as a hall boy and later a footman.

Anna-Karin was the one to speak; "Princess Adreanna, It is we that are glad to be allowed here. The roads are well, and the population and servants of these lands are, as always, warm and friendly to strangers and allies alike. Your apologies are wasted on us, for it is I whom have to apologize on behalf of the Nauchtern state, and the Council that I serve; The Councillor for the Navy that was supposed to arrive with us has been delayed due to foul weather preventing a landing." she said. adding "But I shall keep you no longer, we may at your privilege speak more later" before they all three again snapped to a short salute and left the receiving area and entered the location proper. Anna-Karin for one was looking forward to that prospect, She was not yet fully comfortable speaking to nobles and the such, it demanded a different kind of courtesy then what she was used to with titles, nor was she a fan of the cold and snow, yet she was a born Nauchrtener, raised with short cool summers and biting cold for much of the year.

At least the thick wool cloak kept her body and arms warm, the heavy, grey wool garment was to her a comfort both from the snow and cold, but also to a childhood and youth spent with similar items around. Huddled around a campfire after a skiing trip with friends and family, drinking hot brewages and grilling food.

[Saradena]

"Well this is interesting.." Shikota suddenly speaks as they begin approaching the venue. Erhard then spots, among the crowd of guests, a woman that was exceedingly taller than anyone inside, and immediately recognizes her as the Anowan Monarch. "The hell are they doing here?" he asks, Shikota replies with a subtle shrug "Beats me. But if she's here, then it must be something important." Aheko looked at her in awe and felt really anxious, considering that she had not met any foreign dignitaries, especially of this position and size. "You must be excited, Aheko, this being your first time in this field." Kotori says, clearly seeing how intimidated she was. Before she can reply, they are interrupted by someone approaching them, waving his hand at them. He asked if they were late.

Erhard, wanting to impress the Abulan man, and to 'show off' some of his German to his daughter, replied to him as they approached, in a heavily accented German to the point it sounded like a tourist speaking it. "Apparently not, sir. From the looks of the guests that are currently coming in, it seems that we're on time." Erhard greets the nobleman. Kotori just reels in at how he had butchered some of the pronunciations, while Ahekko and Shikota just stood there in amusement.

"As for the deer, I believe we had not encountered any deer on our way here." Erhard looks back at Kotori and asks her softly in native Esgonian.

"We...didn't encounter any deer, right?"
"No."

He then looks back and confirms. After a second of silence, he starts breaking the ice, "Oh yes, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Erhard Brunshelm, with my daughter Kotori, and Ahekosanka Akinojeka." Both also greet the Abulans with a friendly nod. Shikota then also introduces herself as the Esgonian foreign dignitary, and introduces her son as well.

A well off start to the Ball, I guess' Kotori says in her head as she tugs her coat tightly, already feeling the cold.

[Free Asian Ports]

As the Great Matriarch introduced herself to the Yamataians, Kimiko's companions were frozen with awe at being personally greeted by the hostess herself. Kimiko was fairly used to meeting leaders of state by this point so she had no problems accepting Esia's welcome, replying with a deep and respectful bow. "There are many houses of great reputation in the world" said Kimiko as she straightened back from her bow "and I am always so honored to be a guest of one from this country". With a sly smile she turned aside and extended her arm towards her companions "Allow me to introduce my comrades, Lieutenant Murimoto Ayame, my First Lieutenant, and Captain Anyah Khalina of the Regimental Survey Corps". Suddenly aware they had been formally introduced, the two turned red in the face and overcame their starstruck awe to bow even deeper than Kimiko did.

Kimiko respectfully ignored the humor and turned back to Esia. "They are esteemed Samurai of my clan, so please treat them well" she said, hoping to soften the mood for them. At the very least, while her escort was distracted with formalities Kimiko took the opportunity to scope out the castle. With all the frills of nobility and duty of diplomacy, she'd have to find a drink eventually... but for now, more of Princess Kimiko. Unlike the last few occasions she'd been able to show up to Lady Adreana's annual ball, she was actually on the clock to represent the Nanasawa Clan. From the mold came this marble statue of a respectable Lady Samurai, one who was responsible for more than just her liver. That was the Kimiko the world needed right now. Hopefully, she'd be rewarded with something fun for her service.

[Union Of Autocratic Empires]

Erhard, wanting to impress the Abulan man, and to 'show off' some of his German to his daughter, replied to him as they approached, in a heavily accented German to the point it sounded like a tourist speaking it. "Apparently not, sir. From the looks of the guests that are currently coming in, it seems that we're on time." Erhard greets the nobleman. Kotori just reels in at how he had butchered some of the pronunciations, while Ahekko and Shikota just stood there in amusement.

"As for the deer, I believe we had not encountered any deer on our way here." Erhard looks back at Kotori and asks her softly in native Esgonian.

"We...didn't encounter any deer, right?"
"No."

He then looks back and confirms. After a second of silence, he starts breaking the ice, "Oh yes, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Erhard Brunshelm, with my daughter Kotori, and Ahekosanka Akinojeka." Both also greet the Abulans with a friendly nod. Shikota then also introduces herself as the Esgonian foreign dignitary, and introduces her son as well.

Relieved at the fact they hadn't arrived unreasonably late, the mustached man allowed himself to relax somewhat for a second. After the Esgonian introduced himself with an accent that was very common of the man's countrymen, the Abulan recognised some of the names. The man was an important Esgonian politician - ex-president, he seemed to remember. The foreign dignatary, Shikota, he had seen on an occasion or two in the news, and the Brunshelm daughter seemed familiar. He had a faint idea of having personally seen her, when it dawned on him he had, in fact, seen her in the Abulan Palace once or twice. If memory server right, she had worked with the - back then - Abulan princess Historia, but he was unsure of the nature of their relationship. A teacher? An aide? Maybe just a personal acquintance? At any case, he had to introduce him to the kind older man, so he respectfully lowered his head in salute.

"Thank you, Herr Ernhard. I'm Baron Herman Kapp-Grosskopf von Abula, but please, do call me Hermann. And this is my husband, Heinrich Gruber-Feistel." Heinrich politely waved at the Esgonians. However, as Herman prepared polite small talk to get to know better the Esgonians, he was called by the Matriarch to the steps. "Huh, it seems we'll have to continue this conversation later. Well met." Having said that and with a touch of his cap, the man walked towards the hosting Matriarch, who welcomed him with a firm handsake and a warm smile - maybe warmer than the kind of smile a host would show a guest.

And like her Liyomesse counterpart, Lady Adreanna greeted the Esgonians to the Ball. As she started signing and her interpreter started translating it was hard to not notice she was pretty visibly happy about the presence of the Esgonian delegation. "Mr. Erhard! Mrs. Shikota! Welcome! It's great to see you here. How are you doing? It's been a while since we last saw eachother, I've been terribly busy with work back on the island. With some luck, in the coming months we should get back to working together with the Esgonian administration to push forwards improved Adran-Esgonian relations. But we can talk about business later. Please, come in and enjoy yourselves. If there is something else I can help you with, please, feel free to ask. I'm here to help." After saying this, she turned towards Ahekosanja, the rookie diplomat. "I look forward to working with you, Lady Ahekosanka. Welcome to the Union."

---

Meanwhile, out in the courtyard, kept warm by the heaters, the bar is open for business. It looked as if it was going to be a long, productive night, too, as there were already several patrons; a somewhat old Liyomesse mand that seemed to follow Anowan Odinisn, as he was wearing an Ushanka with a human skull in it; a rather timid young Kruchauan man, judging by his accent, apparently an inventor; An Abulan priest, and a young man with a very young girl sitting besides him, currently being distracted by a chocolate milkshake, both of them looking obviously Liyomesse.

The surprise, however, was in the tables that had been set in the now snow-free covered part of the courtyard. Surrounded by no less than four members of the Valkyrian Guard, none other than Kaisar Karl himself, donning what looked like some antiquated dressing blues and being in the company of a fellow Abulan, a woman. Noticeably, both had the same kind of bright, rather penetrating blue eyes. As he looked up, he saw the Anowan monarch approaching and, with a gesture of his head, one of his bodyguards moved the chair opposite. "Hail, Lena V Isadorer Astarte Tepes Karnstein Grimsdottir Pyrrhas-Vogt af Grimring, Queen of Anowa." the Kaisar said, standing up and giving her a respectful nod. "It's nice to finally meet you. Would you join me for a drink? I don't think I've had the pleasure to have any kind of conversation with you yet, and I'd like to change that. If you don't mind, of course. I'm as much of a guest here as you are." the Kaisar said, his eyes and upper face being the only exposed part of his face. His face didn't play well with the cold. "Your compatriots are free to join us, should they desire."

Many other tables were free, too, and the bar was positioned to be the first thing for the guests to see upon access to the fortress, wether it would be in the counter itself or the tables around. It made sense, considering the place was put there on orders of the host as a rendezvous point for guests to gather and start talking among eachother before the main event itself started, as a way to encourage a festive ambiance. Wether it would work, though, remained unseen.

[Urran]

The interior of the castle was every bit as comfortable and grand as they had remembered. Better yet, it was every bit as heated as the Urranese delegation's memory served them. They each gave soft smiles and inclined their heads as staffers releaved them of their coats. They would not need them in the climate controlled, snow free sanctuary.

Nori looked about. The Anowans had been engaged by the Kaisar. That was a bit of a relief. The Urranese were wary of the new queen, but she could not be avoided forever. Still, he did not want to state the night off with an awkward conversation.

He and his wife moved to the side of the room. Different research groups had done a series of cultural experiments to see how different nationalities or people groups behaved in international or inter cultural settings. The Urranese tended to walk quickly, be the first to arrive for meetings, but seldom made the first move or cued up first for drinks at a party, lest they be seen as greedy or pushy. They tended to watch, sense the mood, and refrain from speaking if they found the situation left little room to please all parties involved. The Miyakes were no exception, however, they represented an exceptional economic and naval power, so cultural quirks had to be set aside in situations such as these. Still, being first in line for drinks was rude. Lady Kimiko was here, the younger woman could break the ice at the bar.

As they tried to get a feel for the atmosphere, Chikako spotted one of the Donnish delegation. He looked out of place, like a square peg in a round hole, a soldier in a sea of civilians. Her eyes scanned the rest of the room. Most of the other patrons seemed to be engaged.

Nori's gaze followed hers. His wife looked at him. "Rescue him." She whispered in their native tongue, moving away.

"Of course." He replied with a nod of his head. "Go make sure the Yamatians don't get up to anything that would embarrass the entire continent."

"I am already engaged in that mission." She answered, making her way elegantly in that direction, heals making a soft clack on the floor.

The older Urranese soon intercepted the Donnish delegate, bending slightly at the waist and inclining his head in a bow of respect to an equal. "Mr. Gleikehg I presume? Please accept my sincerest of apologies, I do not know your official title." He began in the common speech. His accent was evident, but refined and easily understandable. "I am Noriyuke Miyake, Urranese Secretary of State. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Was your trip routine?" he asked. Perhaps the word routine had been an imprecise choice, a mark of someone who had not grown up speaking a language and was versed enough to hold an academic conversation, but needed a bit more polish when it came to precise word choice.

[Empire of Donner land]

The older Urranese soon intercepted the Donnish delegate, bending slightly at the waist and inclining his head in a bow of respect to an equal. "Mr. Gleikehg I presume? Please accept my sincerest of apologies, I do not know your official title." He began in the common speech. His accent was evident, but refined and easily understandable. "I am Noriyuke Miyake, Urranese Secretary of State. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Was your trip routine?" he asked. Perhaps the word routine had been an imprecise choice, a mark of someone who had not grown up speaking a language and was versed enough to hold an academic conversation, but needed a bit more polish when it came to precise word choice.

The uniformed Man looked to his left and right, making sure that he wasn't being mistaken for anyone else, then turned to awkwardly return the bow that this Urranese character had introduced himself with shortly after. If this hadn't shown he wasn't a diplomat, he wasn't sure what would. Haryen kept steady eye contact with the man as he took a moment to consciously switch himself back to speaking Grey Sea Common. "The ride was routine, yes. Uhm, I was a Captain, retired, currently a Councilor, so take your pick of titles I suppose. Please, call me Hary, it's a pleasure to meet you... Secretary Miyake," Hary spoke awkwardly in an accent, nearly mispronouncing his new acquaintance's name. He was a little intimidated that the man knew his name but he didn't know Miyake's, saved only by them introducing themselves. They were in a whole other league than he was, only cementing upon his feeling of not belonging here. "Is there anything you wanted, or just chatting?" he asked, his eyes breaking contact to check around him briefly every once and a while.

[Anowa]

The surprise, however, was in the tables that had been set in the now snow-free covered part of the courtyard. Surrounded by no less than four members of the Valkyrian Guard, none other than Kaisar Karl himself, donning what looked like some antiquated dressing blues and being in the company of a fellow Abulan, a woman. Noticeably, both had the same kind of bright, rather penetrating blue eyes. As he looked up, he saw the Anowan monarch approaching and, with a gesture of his head, one of his bodyguards moved the chair opposite. "Hail, Lena V Isadorer Astarte Tepes Karnstein Grimsdottir Pyrrhas-Vogt af Grimring, Queen of Anowa." the Kaisar said, standing up and giving her a respectful nod. "It's nice to finally meet you. Would you join me for a drink? I don't think I've had the pleasure to have any kind of conversation with you yet, and I'd like to change that. If you don't mind, of course. I'm as much of a guest here as you are." the Kaisar said, his eyes and upper face being the only exposed part of his face. His face didn't play well with the cold. "Your compatriots are free to join us, should they desire."

It was hard not to notice the blue uniforms of the guard surrounding a duo of individuals. Given what Lena herself knew from simple deduction, and the fact that he had memorized her whole name and claimed they haven't spoken yet, Lena was faced with the daunting task of actually interacting with another head of state. Funny, she had lived through three separate battles that killed hundreds if not thousands, yet talking with someone simply inviting them for a drink was pressing down on her soul heavier than shooting a man dead in a war torn street. Lena wasn't sure what that said about her.

Lena approached, with her own nod, as did Walker and Sylwia. The monarch returned a greeting, "I'd be glad to, Herr Kaisar, and please, Lena will do just as well. Gods know how stale a conversation gets when the majority of it is names and titles. This is Master Corporal Jason Walker, a good friend of mine, and Silwia Brzęczyszczykiewicz, my personal aide." Sylwia simply gave a sleight smile and a curtsey.

Jason's response was verbal, "An honor, your majesty."

Jason sat down to Lena's left, the chair the man sat in barely holding his concrete busting bulk within it's arms, Jason's gaze swiftly scanned those of the Valkyrean Guard around him. No doubt trying to garner any degree of intent from any of their no doubt stone cold facades. As Sylwia sat down to Lena's right, she set the briefcase down on the floor between her legs, with a noted clunk and jingle of chain link, especially given how softly it was lowered. Indicating either a very fatigued individual, or a very heavy case. Although what was visible of the aide's lower face did flash with a sign of mild recognition for an instant, upon gazing at the Kaisar's female companion, it flashed away just as quickly returning back to the unwavering, yet still pleasant expression.

Lena spoke again, this time pointedly at the Kaisar's companion, "My apologies, but I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage Miss?"

[Urran]

The uniformed Man looked to his left and right, making sure that he wasn't being mistaken for anyone else, then turned to awkwardly return the bow that this Urranese character had introduced himself with shortly after. If this hadn't shown he wasn't a diplomat, he wasn't sure what would. Haryen kept steady eye contact with the man as he took a moment to consciously switch himself back to speaking Grey Sea Common. "The ride was routine, yes. Uhm, I was a Captain, retired, currently a Councilor, so take your pick of titles I suppose. Please, call me Hary, it's a pleasure to meet you... Secretary Miyake," Hary spoke awkwardly in an accent, nearly mispronouncing his new acquaintance's name. He was a little intimidated that the man knew his name but he didn't know Miyake's, saved only by them introducing themselves. They were in a whole other league than he was, only cementing upon his feeling of not belonging here. "Is there anything you wanted, or just chatting?" he asked, his eyes breaking contact to check around him briefly every once and a while.

Nori's eyes seemed to measure the Donnish councilor for a few moments. He was calm and collected with a kind face, but there seemed to be hard steel behind that gaze. He was a veteran of a different sort of battlefield, the eternal dance of politics. Mentally, Nori shook his head, Hary was new to this, that much was clear. He also seemed to have a lot weighing on his shoulders and he was in over his head, or at least he was in his own head. The older Urranese would just have to be a life ring for him.

"Yes, but I wished to know which title you prefer." He began addressing Hary's concerns in order. He had caught the near mispronunciation of his name. "I understand that Urranese names can be difficult for foreigners to pronounce. You may call me Nori if it eases you." he said, inclining his head to the councilor. There was a pause. "I wanted nothing in particular." Nori said, "I want to speak with all of the guests eventually and you did not seem to be engaged." He explained." Unless I interrupted an errand?"

[Empire of Donner land]

Nori's eyes seemed to measure the Donnish councilor for a few moments. He was calm and collected with a kind face, but there seemed to be hard steel behind that gaze. He was a veteran of a different sort of battlefield, the eternal dance of politics. Mentally, Nori shook his head, Hary was new to this, that much was clear. He also seemed to have a lot weighing on his shoulders and he was in over his head, or at least he was in his own head. The older Urranese would just have to be a life ring for him.

"Yes, but I wished to know which title you prefer." He began addressing Hary's concerns in order. He had caught the near mispronunciation of his name. "I understand that Urranese names can be difficult for foreigners to pronounce. You may call me Nori if it eases you." he said, inclining his head to the councilor. There was a pause. "I wanted nothing in particular." Nori said, "I want to speak with all of the guests eventually and you did not seem to be engaged." He explained." Unless I interrupted an errand?"

Hary nodded politely, but somewhat rushedly as if making it a point that he understood. His eyebrows furrowed, a slight annoyance at the man's need to assign him a title of some sort. In truth, Hary had no preference, he'd rather be called by his name and only his name or a nickname if possible, anything but the incessant chimes of "Sir", "Madam", "Miss", "Lord", and all the others that he had heard around him only a short time into staying here. They weren't in a battlefield, he had grown tired of hearing names and ranks being thrown around. This frustration, however, was never made physically present on Hary's face. As he was complaining in his head about all of this in the span of less than a second, he was still giving Nori the same pleasant if not un-emotional stare.

Hary's grievances were given life in reality with only four words, "just call me Hary", he said somewhat exasperated while trying to catch up on the conversation. "Please, just... call me Hary, Nori," he repeated, as if for emphasis, keeping a polite smile on his face. "You haven't interrupted anything, I assure you. If it wasn't already obvious, I'm not exactly one cut out for these affairs," he admitted self-consciously, knowing full well that someone maybe around thirty years his senior had already read him like a book. "And, to be honest with you Nori, I'm not exactly here to make friends either, no offense. Given my nationality, it's... really quite obvious I think."

[Union Of Autocratic Empires]

Lena spoke again, this time pointedly at the Kaisar's companion, "My apologies, but I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage Miss?"

While the Kaisar politely nodded at the Anowan's companions, and one of his bodyguards tilted her hat as a polite salute to the man who was apparently examining her, his companion gave a nod and a smile. She had left her blonde hair loose, which reached her shoulders, and was wearing what seemed to be a dress uniform of the Unionist Navy. The most noticeable thing about here were probably her clear blue eyes, which were rather penetrating. There was something about those eyes that, like the Kaisar's, that made their gaze rather intense, except hers' looked less "tired", if it made sense.

"Hail, Queen Lena. I am Griseia Raiss-Kuvera von Abula, Duchess of Abula and sister to this man everyone calls Kaisar. Please, call me Griseia." The woman put her arms on the table and relaxed on them, leaning forwards slightly. "I have heard a lot about you. That speech of yours was very impressive, if you don't mind me saying. I like people with strong convictions."

"Griseia, please, leave Lena some breathing room. She just got here."

"My apologies, my lady. I'm a bit... rusty when it comes to interacting with my peers."

As she was saying this, an impeccably dressed waiter approached the table, taking his fist to his chest and bowing slightly. "I beg your pardon, Ladies and Lords, but can I interest you in something to drink?" In response the Kaisar politely rejected the offer with a wave of his hand and a "thank you", while Griseia asked for some water. The waiter then turned to the Anowans as the Kaisar adressed to the Anowan monarch while the former wrote down their orders - and, somewhat less noticeably, the Abulan woman's 0gaze turned to Sylwia, with a smile that was a mixture of politeness - and amusement. Or at least, something very similar.

"Now, Lena, I take this is the first time you come to the Union. What do you think of it so far? Is it anything like you expected? From what I've heard, this place is somewhat similar to your homeland."

---

"Alright, is everything set to go on air? For real, this time?"

"Hey, it's not my fault. We haven't ever gone live this high before."

"That's a lie in both a literal and metaphorical level, and we both know it." Rolling his eyes at being reminded of a very early monent in their career he wasn't that fond of, Milan Borisavljevi, producer and technical had of the Adran radio show The Maid's Jukebox turned to a local technician, who gave him a thumbs up. Checking the last few things in the room next side, where all the technical infrastructure for the show had been installed, he could confirm that yes, they were online, both in the radio waves and the pod cast. Good thing Lady Adreanna had found the one castle in the sky that had hosted a military radio in the past, because otherwise they wouldn't have been able to pull this off. Giving a nod to Sabina, the host of the channel, through the glass separating the recording and technical rooms, he put on his headphones and centered his focus to the task at hand.

On her side, the veteran radio host put her own pair of headphones and tapped the table. She usually exhuded confidence, but this night she was a bit more nervous; partly because of how important the guests - and prospective interviewees - and partly because one of the promised rewards to people who donated enoug money to the different veteran associations they were collaborating with them through her website was a video recording of the show. Admittedly, her being somewhat nervous was not something that would show; she had done this for 7 years by now, and she was naturally a very confident person, so unless people knew her personally they wouldn't notice, but it was still a throwback to her rookie early years. Still, it was the first time she had to go through makeup in years, dying the edges of her very dark black hair dark blue and changing her thick rim glasses for a thinner frame, not to mention the many smaller touches that came with working with a makeup artist. Had to iron the old uniform, too, but she liked ironing clothes, so she had left it to the very end of the preparation stages to calm herself a bit. Reminded her of the old times, when she was an actual maid rather than using her old profession as part of her DJ persona.

"We're live in 5..."

Well, it was now or never. Drinking a last glass of water and going over her laptop one last time to give the script a final touch, she gazed at the camera which was recording her, most of the table, the studio walls and the empty chair where she was hoping at least a guest would sit down with her for an interview. She wondered who would go first?

"On the air in 4..."

Maybe it would be Lady Adreanna again. No, she probably would be too busy being a host.

"3..."

Wait, had she fed her cat? She couldn't remember. Tehmujin would never forgive her if she hadn't.

"2..."

Oh yeah, she had asked her ex to look after him. How could she have forgotten? It was probably the nerves.

"and..."

Show time.

"We're on air!"

"Greetings, my little lords and ladies, and welcome to The Maid's Jukebox. This is Sabina, your very own radio maid, and today is a very special day, for we're broadcasting from the Eternal Fortress of Castle Elina, in the Matriarchy of Liyom, for the first show we've ever held in the continent. Now, some of you who may not be caught up in your news for whatever reason, wether personal or professional, may wonder what we're doing here. Well, I'm glad you asked! You see, Lady Adreanna contacted us a few months ago and asked us if we would like to collaborate with her anual charity ball in a more direct way this year, and as a humble radio maid, how could I say no to our very own beloved princess?

"But Sabina, how could you help? You're only a maid who keeps the radio waves clean and orderly. Surely, the currently guests in the ball have more resources to actually do a difference here.", I hear you ask, my hypothetical and - I must say - very polite listener. Well, you're absolutely right. I myself have no more political, economical and social weight than the average guest, but what I do have is you. For the first time since the Ball was created by our most famous interviewee, I have been asked to do the closest thing to have you become a guest of this event. Through the night, we will be covering the event itself, taking calls from you, the audience, and if possible, intervew the guests with questions sent by none other than you yourselves. " After carefully curating them by our moderation team, of course, the woman thought to herself. She was genuinely proud of her audience, but there's less than stellar people everywhere. She wasn't about to risk offending a head of state by asking the wrong question. "It will be as if you were here.

"That's great, Sabina, but surely you aren't doing this for free. There must be something you want from us." Yes, my imaginary lady, but it's nothing that isn't asked of the people who are already here; your solidarity. This year, the host seeks to help the many brave men and women who put on their uniform every day and face the horrors of war. Wether it's people who fought in Donner Land, our own countrymen who fought and suffered in what is now called the Federation, the unfortunate victims of the Vale unstability, or all of the above, we have teamed with veteran associations across the globe to help them acquire the critical founding they need to help the people who fight to defend their loved ones. If you could donate to the public donation channel, which you can reach by our website, in a link at our podcast, or a by calling to our station, we will be able to help thousands of people - in exchange of some perks and gifts from our show to personally thank our generosity, of course, which you will be able to see at the donation places I just mentioned.

Now, having said all that, I welcome - again - to the Maid's Jukebox. I'm looking forward to spend the night with you."

[Urran]

Hary nodded politely, but somewhat rushedly as if making it a point that he understood. His eyebrows furrowed, a slight annoyance at the man's need to assign him a title of some sort. In truth, Hary had no preference, he'd rather be called by his name and only his name or a nickname if possible, anything but the incessant chimes of "Sir", "Madam", "Miss", "Lord", and all the others that he had heard around him only a short time into staying here. They weren't in a battlefield, he had grown tired of hearing names and ranks being thrown around. This frustration, however, was never made physically present on Hary's face. As he was complaining in his head about all of this in the span of less than a second, he was still giving Nori the same pleasant if not un-emotional stare.

Hary's grievances were given life in reality with only four words, "just call me Hary", he said somewhat exasperated while trying to catch up on the conversation. "Please, just... call me Hary, Nori," he repeated, as if for emphasis, keeping a polite smile on his face. "You haven't interrupted anything, I assure you. If it wasn't already obvious, I'm not exactly one cut out for these affairs," he admitted self-consciously, knowing full well that someone maybe around thirty years his senior had already read him like a book. "And, to be honest with you Nori, I'm not exactly here to make friends either, no offense. Given my nationality, it's... really quite obvious I think."

The Urranese were a polite, yet quiet and reserved people. Some thought them cold or unfeeling. Others thought them to be culturally arrogant with a clear superiority complex. In truth, they were mostly misunderstood. Whether Harry knew it or not, his poker face played right into the Urranese cultural quirk of not being emotional around new acquaintances or in certain social settings. Unfortunately, that made Nori believe at first that the young man knew more about the cultural intricacies than he likely did.

However, that began to fade as Harry confessed his true feelings. No, he likely had no idea. Nori's first assessment had been correct. Harry thought himself to be way over his head, but the demons were only in his mind. The wolves, on the other hand, were quite real. Politics could be every bit as cut throat as a real battlefield and Harry needed a battle buddy. It was time to talk the new recruit off the ledge.

Nori bowed in apology to the Donnish man. "My apologies." He said every bit as stoically as the look on Harry's face. "I meant no offense, Harry." He continued, trying out the name without an attached honorific. Urranese culture was big on honorifics, using just the name felt...strange. "I understand that these things can be an adjustment." He straightened back up to his full height, face going steely. "Friends are not the same as allies. Lesson one: you owe no one here anything. Allowing yourself to be weighed down with such a burden will make you a target." He explained. "You represent your people here, do not forget that."

[Union Of Autocratic Empires]

"And with that , I hereby declare this meeting has come to an end. A digital copy of today's interventions will be sent to every participant in this event so they can more easily review and consider the conclussions the Council reached on... this year's Research and Develoment budget, how to face the waining but still ongoing Azen refugee crisis, and Great Matriarch Historia's new position in the government of the region of the Keltaiset Kentät region. For the next quarterly meeting, we will adress the military budget and the permanent integration of the Liyomesse Navy into the Unionist Navy, but for now, you're all free to go."

"Finally. All those numbers were about to pop one of my blood vessels. Or several, really." Great Matriarch Ronja told to the recently ascended Great Matriarch Historia, who had just been sworn in her title a few hours ago as the first order of the day. "So, how was your first meeting as one of the big shots of the Matriarchy? Is it anything like people do in Abula? Completely different? Maybe a mixture?"

"It's... considerably more casual than back home, truth be told." the young woman said as she stood up and grabbed her cane, preparing herself to join the Ball taking place in the floor bellow theirs. Or at least, she hoped she could. She was painfully aware why Great Matriarch Ronja was commonly known as being a "loose tongue."

"Oh yes, I imagine. Then again, almost everyone here is related. There's a reason we call eachother "cousins", even if we're not literal cousins, well, our ancestores were. Which is why intermarrying between our families is frowned upon. How does it work on Abula? Is it a taboo too? Is nobility also as related? I heard you have a fiance, are you somewhat related? I'd love to meet him. He's probably a nice person, I don't know why I feel that way, but I'm a good judge of character. Tell me a bit about him."

Historia could barely keep up with the woman's well intentioned, yet somewhat invading, barrage of questions, and was almost visibly relieved when Ronja's aide put a hand on his liege's shoulder and whispered something to her. The Matriarch's face lit up and, rather excitedly, started making way for the room's exit, mentioning how she had something to say to Lady Adreanna. Something about an unfinished conversation. Excusing herself politely, the woman left, as Princess Historia and her entourage had to contain a sigh of relief. Their savior, a middle aged man with silver hair and not a hair in his face, touched his cap as a salute to the new Great Matriarch, while she returned the greeting with a nod that all but screamed "thank you."

Not that long after, the three women found themselves in the stairs that led to the hall where Matriarch Eshia had placed the bar and main gathering point of the event. It was spacious, but the amount of aristocrats, their aides, bodyguards and, in one case, hoisted wheelchair, made the stairs feel rather small and cramped.

"You did great. I'm proud of you." the Kaisarine told her daughter in Grey Sea Common. Historia smiled as response to the compliment as she kept walking down the stairs, using the stone (she wasn't sure what it was, but it surely wasn't marble) handrail and her cane to not lose her balance as she walked down. "You conducted yourself with dignity and grace, and I am glad of having been able to see it." Unlike her usual, more militarised attire, the matriarch of house Väisänen had opted for a less military-like attire, which consisted of a double breasted black long coat and a fur hat she was currently carrying below her arm. Under the coat, one could easily see a dress shirt, a vest and a black tie. It was strange for Historia to see her mother outside of something resembling an uniform, but she had heard it was a common occurrence ever since came back home from Donner Land.

"Thank you, mother. I appreciate you coming with me. Truth be told, I was expecting a few strange looks, but it seems the Matriarchs are a more welcoming group than I thought." In truth, Historia had expected to get a few nasty looks - and words - due to her not being "fully" Liyomesse and because of her limp and blind eye, but her fellow Liyomesse aristocracy had been nothing but welcoming. Then again, women like Miia Eskola or poor Tuovi barely merited a look, so they were most likely used to physical deformities.

"As much as they have a reputation for being aloof, the Great Matriarchs are usually rather welcoming to most of their fellows. After all, we're all Daughters of the Allmother, and all of them know that fact is one of the cornerstones of our culture." Selma Joutsen, Historia's bodyguard, assistant and cultural aide interjected. It was true the young Liyomesse-Abulan woman had a rather good knowledge of Liyomesse culture, but there was some intrincancies that even natives had trouble with, so the council had designated her to the position. On her part, she couldn't be any more proud at her new position. "Well, at least, most of them do." She didn't mention any names, but it was fairly obvious who she was talking about.

"Well, no matter, we should relax now. After all, these events might be as much part of our obligation as the meeting we just came from, but they should also be enjoyed."

"Besides, your father has missed you so much. He came here just to see you."

"I really appreciate it, but-" she said, before one of the Matriarchs shoved her and passed by. While not a strong push, it was strong enough as to hurt her being physically painful, considering her injuries, and it required her mother to hold her as to prevent her from losing her from falling. Ignoring the glares of the former Abulan princess' entourage's glares - and, besides them, those of Great Matriarchs Saeko and Suvi. After a few seconds trying to regain her balance, Historia sighed and, deciding to be the better woman, ignored it and continued what she was saying. "I've only been away for half a year, and we speak every week. I don't think dad should really be this affected."

"Well, you know how your father is. He's very emotional, and his "little girl" leaving the nest was obviously going to upset him."

Just as they were saying this, they reached the end of the stairs - the latest ones in the group - and prepared to enter the main room. Selma opened the doors and the group entered the room, which had gotten much more crowded with the arrival of the Liyomesse heads of government. Historia looked and saw her father talking to a rather imposing woman. She did not recognise her from the back, so she decided to look around the room. There were Urranese, what seemed to be a Donnish, Nauchterns, Kimiko and her entourage and... no way. Kotori Brunshelm was here? She had expected Kimikto, but the second half of the iconic duo was not someone she expected to see her. It had been so long, too. At least two years since the last time they met.

With a smile, Historia approached her friend and her father alongside her companions, and upon coming close to them, she spoke up, audibly happy.

"Kotori, my friend! It's been too long!" she said with a smile, opening her arms as she greeted her old acquintance. "How have you been?"

---

Meanwhile, two of the newly arrived Matriarchs arrived and approached the Nauchtern delegation. They both were dressed in the Liyomesse dress uniform for armored units, but the most noticeable one was rather eye catching, as she was completely missing her nose, with only two holes where it would've been.

"Excuse me, but my friend was wondering, do you happen to be Archbishop Helmut Arkenström?" the noseless woman asked, pointing at the Bishop. "I'm Great Matriarch Miia, and this is Great Matriarch Tuovi. Honored to meet you."

[Free Asian Ports]

He and his wife moved to the side of the room. Different research groups had done a series of cultural experiments to see how different nationalities or people groups behaved in international or inter cultural settings. The Urranese tended to walk quickly, be the first to arrive for meetings, but seldom made the first move or cued up first for drinks at a party, lest they be seen as greedy or pushy. They tended to watch, sense the mood, and refrain from speaking if they found the situation left little room to please all parties involved. The Miyakes were no exception, however, they represented an exceptional economic and naval power, so cultural quirks had to be set aside in situations such as these. Still, being first in line for drinks was rude. Lady Kimiko was here, the younger woman could break the ice at the bar.

As they tried to get a feel for the atmosphere, Chikako spotted one of the Donnish delegation. He looked out of place, like a square peg in a round hole, a soldier in a sea of civilians. Her eyes scanned the rest of the room. Most of the other patrons seemed to be engaged.

Nori's gaze followed hers. His wife looked at him. "Rescue him." She whispered in their native tongue, moving away.

"Of course." He replied with a nod of his head. "Go make sure the Yamatians don't get up to anything that would embarrass the entire continent."

"I am already engaged in that mission." She answered, making her way elegantly in that direction, heals making a soft clack on the floor.

Finally inside the castle, Kimiko and her entourage were finally able to engage the party. Ayame and Anyah were still trying to shake off the stardust of meeting a head of state while Kimiko was planning her next moves among the guests. One doesn't come to these events without an objective or a plan, what with the machinations of nobles and statesmen infecting the air with a thick musk of intrigue. Intrigue, Kimiko's least favorite game. She was a killer at heart and her nature was little but the application of violence. She'd been the captain of her school's boxing team and preferred the charge more than any other order during her time with the Marines. The point of this excursion was to develop her social gymnastics, after all, so she couldn't call upon her sister to stand in like last time.

As tempting as drinks were right now, Kimiko needed to have her head in a conspiratorial frame of mind. Anyah was supposed to assist with this brief navigation of diplomatic high life, but it seems she is just as new to the espionage business as Kimiko was. She wassn't noticing the approaching Urranese guest - whose name she couldn't recall at the moment, which was something to improve on - and the implicit challenge of the night. Kimiko had spent more than enough time managing squad leaders and enemy forces through her peripheral vision to buy herself some time to recognize the situation before the diplomat could, but it didn't change too much about the situation. The battle was joined, and Kimiko already had to adopt a defensive strategy. This was not in her style.

Outwardly, Nanasawa Kimiko was a simple woman. Brutal, gregarious, and lackadaisical as the tabloids say. A heavy drinker with loose lips, though which lips change depending on who you ask. She was a noble, sure, but the only effort she seemed to make to support the title was with an impressive military record. Her biography is typical of a Samurai's daughter, with a running theme of aggression and physically demanding sports. Good education, moderate intelligence which goes unused, and work experience exclusively limited to the officer corps. This is the marble statue of Nanasawa Kimiko. It was this costume she would adopt for the play. It was familiar, but Kimiko was only trying out her act. Hopefully her companions caught on...

Kimiko gave a show of "noticing" the approaching Chikako and put on her best impression of an over-enthusiastic smile with a hint of polite formal greeting. "Ah, well if it isn't Miss... Miyake-sama. I'm delighted to see our friends in Urran have come to... share in the joy of the evening with us tonight. It should be a fun night, yes?" she tried in her best impression of Urranese. The language was close enough to Yamataian that something like this could be attempted, but she wasn't really fluent anyways. The surprise greeting seemed to take Ayama and Anyah off guard but they recovered quickly and wisely decided to let Kimiko lead for now.

[Urran]

There is an old adage, "you can pick your friends, but you cannot pick your family. There are some family members that one loves dearly and truly treasures, even if one often dislikes or disagrees with them. Siblings, for example, even twins, may look alike, speak alike, or dress alike, but under that superficial surface, they could be quite different. That was Urran and the other members of what some called "the Ashai Trio", Yamatai and Esgonia. The countries shared much history, had similar languages, shared large portions of culture, and were similar ethnically, but the nuances were at times more distinct than any of them found comfortable.

The Yamatians and Esgonians had reputations for being the "fun" ones of the three, much looser and open in their interactions with each other and with others. The Urranese were seen as the shut ins or the grumpy old man of the region, stern, but polite and commanding of respect. Ties between the former two had remained strong with each other, but their ties with the latter occasionally shifted by a few degrees every so often. The Hanajima administration had left ice in an already cooling room. Still, one has to be polite at family reunions....

Chikako Miyake. Dr. Chikako Miyake actually, delicately grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing server, daintily taking a sip of the bubbling fluid before making her way deliberately, but not too obviously towards Nanasawa Kimiko. The Yamatians pretended not to notice at first, but they both knew this was not exactly the younger woman's game.

Dr. Miyake was elegant, polite, very well educated, calm and collected, a true lady by all accounts, the feminine face of an Urran without a first lady or female PM. In short, everything Kimiko had to pretend to be, though the older woman knew better. She still could not figure out why the Yamatians always sent her to such important events when they had so much better to offer. Perhaps they wanted to continue to project the militaristic front of a samurai nation. Perhaps the child demanded it. Either way, She certainly would not have been Urran's first choice.

The Yamatians spoke first as the stately Urranese envoy came to great them, Kimiko trying her best impression to pretend to be surprised, as if she had not seen Chikako coming, though they both knew she had. The dumb girl look did not look good on her, neither did the near butchery of the Urranese language.

Chikako gazed knowingly at her for a moment, stern eyes boring into the noblewoman like a schoolmaster assessing the meddle of a new student, the cold intensity of someone who knew their station and wondered where you fell on that social ladder. It was not that Chikako didn't like Kimiko, not at all. In fact, she thought her a very accomplished young....woman. Still, Ashai and the Union member states had to keep up appearances and Kimiko was just....Kimiko. She should stick to killing, not everyone had her talent, just like not everyone was cut out for politics.

A polite but stern smile graced Chikako's lips and she bowed to each of the Yamatians in turn, starting with Kimiko. It was a slight bow, one given to those of equal or lower stations. "Nanasawa-san, a pleasure to meet you in person." She said calmly, but politely and in near perfect Yamatian. She straightened back up, swirling her champagne a bit before taking another graceful sip, giving each of the three girls a measuring look. "Yes, I am glad that my country has finally decided to grace the halls of the Union after our....absence. I am looking forward to the festivities. Have you any specific plans?"