Gala of the Forgotten Soldiers (Meillur Only)

[Colfico]

It is a time of great change within the Commonwealth of Colfico, with a recent decentralization, and demilitarization of the government, and the founding of a parliamentary body, the National Assembly, things had become almost peaceful within Colfico, with the former protestors becoming almost entirely silent. With the danger seemingly having passed for the moment, the new National Assembly made a decision, one of the first official decisions of the new legislative body of the nation. It would work to help the old warriors of Colfico find their way within the country, and decided to do so in a way that fit the world that the Commonwealth found itself in. A gala would be held, with those of wealth and standing in the nation being offered invitations, with spots also being left open for foreign attendees as well.

The location chosen was an aging, but well maintained government villa located on the banks of the Great Colfico River, it was beautiful by Colficoan standards, built of marble and limestone. However, it had not held a private owner since the end of the Time of Despair, having been the residence of an old governmental official before and during that conflict.



This is where Commander Feliks Skotnicki found himself now, overseeing the proceedings, and the security of the proceedings. He was a relatively young officer for his rank, and was easily the youngest to currently hold a position of command. He wore his dark green dress uniform, a outfit unique to the elite mountaineer units of the National Colficoan Army, soldiers heavily trained for combat in high altitude mountainous terrain, and often born and raised in the very environment that they were trained to fight in, Feliks more so than others, as he was part of a unique group of individuals from a village in the nations northwestern corner, a settlement which had served as a religious sanctuary for millennia, a religious order of monks that he himself was a member of, a religious order that he knew his Queen would have no approval of, however he refused to compromise on his beliefs, even if he did so quietly, and without much complaint.

He checked his watch, the King and Queen had not arrived yet, and it was not even certain if the latter would even make an appearance, it was no secret that she did not approve of the creation of the National Assembly, however the Kings appearance was more guaranteed. The commander checked his uniform over one more time, making sure that everything was in order, and where it was supposed to be.

[Kingdom of Derita]

It was a great honor for Adriana to play witness to the change sweeping across Colfico in the wake of the King compromising with the United Colfico Movement and the formation of the new National Assembly. Lady Adriana Godey herself had been friends with King Sebastian before the protestors rose up against his absolutist governance, and thought she hadn’t agreed with some of what they said, she couldn’t help but find their ideologies aligned. For better or for worse, Colfico had started to become her home, and even without that emotional attachment to the nation, she on principle stood with democratization.

Adriana was humbled to have played any part in the process and she hoped to see it develop further into a healthy organ of governance in Colfico. She knew from experience that democratization was not always a easy or simple thing, and at times could exist purely as de jure institutions, but she had high hopes. Thus far the new legislative body, the National Assembly seemed to be working on good intentions, and she thought their desire to help the many soldiers who’d served the country admirable. Adriana, while never having the chance to serve in the military of the Celestial Empire, came from a long line of soldiers who had, and thus she greatly respect those who served their flag.

She only been more flattered when she had been invited to attend. It came as a bit of a reprieve. Adriana had only just learned of the developing situation in the Celestial Empire, where her grandfather had become prime minister. Only he’d done so as great expense and lost of life, not out of any desire of his, she was sure, but to satisfy the bloodthirsty of the Emperor. Adriana didn’t approve of the massacre of the Hollande Family, or the new banishment that she and her friends now suffered, but she was sure her grandfather had tried to hold back the Emperor as much as she could. The few upside was that she no longer needed to worry of Amagorha agents attempting to kidnap her, and her finances were no longer frozen.

Not that Lady Adriana herself had much in the way of finances. Her father, as Count of Godey had an annual income of a quarter-a-million dérrals annually, minuscule compared to the dukes, royals, Imperials and government officials in whose circles they frequented, and that had only been over the course of the last six years. That 250,000 sum then had to divided up into the many expenses of being an aristocrat, a thing that many forgot able, certainly the royals, whose fortunes were often to vast to everyday up. Only some 62,500 was available for Adriana to have access to, and that had to take into account her other siblings and their educations. And even after all that, she had to ask permission for that from her parents.

While never impoverished, Adriana had grown up what some might call genteel poor, but as a lady to the Princess Imperial, almost all her expenses had disappeared. But with the now Duchess of Hyrea’d funds cut off, and her only now set to return to Colfico with her new wealthy husband, Adriana found herself to have grown a bit soft and discomforted by her poor state.

Nonetheless Adriana was a survivor. Knowing that her presence angered the young Queen Philippa, Adriana had scraped together enough funds from her parents and selling her jewelry and her most elaborate dresses and veils to put herself up in a hotel room for a few weeks, give herself basic supplies and be able to make a donation to veterans at the gala. It was now, with her long black hair pulled back into a ponytail that cascaded as curled down her back, and in a pink-red lace gown that was striking against her dark brown skin that Lady Adriana found herself making her way into the gorgeous building that would host the gala.

[Colfico]

Feliks watched attentively, but with a genuinely warm and kind aura to his being, with a small smile seemingly held constantly on his face. He approached the deritan, whom had become a surprising figure in Colficoan affairs. He gave her a slight bow, however it was not the kind that one would give a royal or a noble, instead a simple bow of respect, a standard greeting in his culture.

"Hello my lady, and welcome, I hope that your journey here was pleasant, I know that not everyone is used to traveling the river, and it can be rough in places, even for those who are used to traveling its waters."

His skin was tanned, but not darkly so, a natural trait of people originating where he did, however his mountainous origins affected more than his physical appearance, as one would note from his longer, steadier breaths, the result of a higher concentration of red blood cells, an adaptation that helped making living in thinner air easier. Now he was in thicker, more oxygen rich territory, it was almost as if he was perfectly relaxed, taking in even more oxygen than a normal person would at the same altitude, a fact that gave multiple advantages, especially to a soldier.

[Kingdom of Derita]

Adriana returned the man’s smile and bow. Bowing was the preferred method of greeting someone in the Celestial Empire, even when not greeting an imperial. An aspect of culture she found seemed to be rare in other parts of the continent. It pleased her a great deal to be greeted in such a way.

“Thank you sir,” said Adriana as she rose from her small bow. “I am so happy to be here. It is such a wonderful cause that you all are bringing to light here. I hope to help as I can. As for the journey here, I admit that I have still trying to get used to it, though my river legs are a bit wobbly. But I think the river, it is growing on me. Oh do forgive me, I don’t believe I caught your name.” She put a hand to her chest. “I’m Adriana.”

[Colfico]

He smiled and said "Everyone starts out that way, Colficoans just have the benefit of a head start, the rest of us just have to catch up as we can. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Adriana, I am Commander Feliks."

There was a small necklace hanging from his neck, a circle with two halves, one light, and one dark, seemingly representing a larger whole.

"Those that know me personally just call me Feliks, mainly because most cannot pronounce my last name." He then said "It is a valiant cause indeed, after all, you would be hard pressed to find a part of Colfico that has not been shaped by its soldiers, and it is a great disservice and shame to see so many find themselves in poverty after having served their country through two recent wars."

[Kingdom of Derita]

Adriana nodded solemnly as she listened to Feliks. It made her heart heavy to know that such a fate had befallen such a number of the Colficoans soldiers.

“It is truly a shame. Of the soldiers I have had the honor to meet, they are a loyal force and deserve to be treated with respect. While I think that this event is well intention, I hope that it will serve to show the new National Assembly that policies will need to be put in place to make sure that such events like this are not needed in the future.”

Adriana noticed the necklace around Feliks neck, but not knowing if it was of any significance, merely took to admiring it.

“I hope I may learn how to say your full name, I understand how one can feel when your peers have difficulty learning how to say your name. The Celestial Empire has many languages and Adriana is but the simplified phonetic translation of my name. Akaliana isn’t exactly the easiest of name to pronounce.”

[Colfico]

He nodded "That is the idea, however a bit of patience is required as well, the National Assembly has much work to do, and it will likely take generations to get it all done , if it can even all be done at all."

"Colfico has a similar problem, especially for those from lesser known, smaller tribes and cultures with their own, lesser known languages, the Northwestern Mountains are home to several such cultures which are older, much older, than Colfico itself."

He thought for a moment before saying "Skotnicki, Feliks Skotnicki."

[Kingdom of Derita]

“ Skotnicki,” said Adriana, trying her best to say it. She ended up pronouncing it like (Scot-Nick-E) and felt a twinge of embarrassment. “I shall work on it.”

Embarrassment quickly turned to avast frustration at Feliks bleak outlook on the future of the state of veterans in Colfico at the hands of a slow moving National Assembly. That was one of the fears Adriana had swallowed when she’d turned to Colfico to help. Democracy was, in general, preferable for people to live in, at least in her opinion, but it could also find itself lumbering beneath its own weight.

“I certainly hope the National Assembly can find itself moving a bit faster than that. I know things take time, but if by the time they come around to it, it is your grandchildren who are concerned about this, they will have failed thousands of others.”

[Colfico]

He gave a smile at her failed attempt to pronounce his last name, seemingly finding it amusing rather than an insult or an annoyance.

"It isnt necessarily that the national assembly isnt moving, it is a fledgling government that still has much to lay down and establish in the present, let alone actually running the country, it is unrealistic to expect the powers that be to be able to get everything done, for example, the constitution that is currently in the works must be laid down before the government can even really begin its work, it is simply something that they will get to once they can, they simply have mountains of work on their plate that has to come first, however, in this case, the military can move independently in some areas, so it will help expedite the creation of a solution."

He then said "All I can do for now is care for the men under my command, and those around them, as best as I can, it is the duty of any commander, even if there are those elsewhere that do not recognize that a commander has a duty to his soldiers." He then said "And that is a duty that only comes second to our duty as soldiers."

[Kingdom of Derita]

Adriana nodded her head as she listened to Feliks. He made a fair point. The National Assembly was not even a year old, how could she honestly expect them to have fixed every problem in the country. The Celestial Empire was millennia old and it still had its glaring inequalities and unfair parts.

“Well, I hope that once the constitution is finally and carefully crafted it shall be able to kickstart the ease in which the people can have their voices heard and the speed at which the government came move to appease those voices.”

Adriana continued, “It is certainly the upstanding thing to do. Brothers amongst arms as the saying goes. It is quite admirable to do what you can to help those who serve under you, and though a single person can’t do everything, they can do a great deal, and which others follow suit, then great change can be completed. I hope others of the military can share in your gregarious attitude, Commander.”

[Colfico]

He nodded "It is being very carefully considered, and will likely go through multiple drafts before finally being finished, but such is a necessity, rushing the matter would end poorly."

He nodded, however his own beliefs contributed to the mindset as much as comradery, even if he did agree that it certainly was needed on the battlefield.

"I endeavor to spread the mindset wherever I can, by teaching the officers under me to use it." He then said "And you would be surprised how prevalent it actually is through out the military. It is to be expected, after all, Colfico does not field an army of conscripts, all of the soldiers who wear its uniform are volunteers."

Felicks said "And, if you will allow it, I would like to Volunteer to be your escort tonight, if you will allow it, im sure our conversation would be more pleasant enjoying the gala than standing in the entrance."

[Kingdom of Derita]

Adriana felt a grin touch at her lips at Feliks offer. She smoothed her dress and straightened slightly. She was not surprised that the drafts of the constitution were in a state of formation. And re-formation, she would have expected nothing less. And it was something of a bit of a relief to know that Feliks was not entirely alone in the mindset of helping out those under him, as well as teaching them to have the same values.

“I would honored to have you as my escort, Commander. It is a truth I assure you universally known that a lady is never more in need of stimulating conversation than when she is at a gala.”

[Colfico]

He smiled and said "Then I will hope that I can live up to your expectations of stimulating conversation."

He offered her his arm, he was not the most aware of royal and noble etiquette, however, he had done some homework on the matter, after all he was expecting to interact with at least a few members of nobility.

"We do actually have the opportunity to spread our mindset in Imarati, while the decision has not been made yet, there are many among the army who wish to go into Imarati, and take a stand against the spread of religious zealotry which seems to be taking hold there. The situation there is a reminder of that which Colfico went through itself, with a notable exception, Colfico has a chance to help bring a less bloody end to the conflict in a positive manner, a kind of help we would have welcomed ourselves during the Time of Despair."

[Kingdom of Derita]

Adriana accepted Feliks’ arm, lopping her own around his, and placing a hand on his arm. Adriana’s family may not be the wealthiest or the highest of ranks, but she was well breed enough to have been paired with a number of lords, counts and even the occasional Duke in the events at the Celestial Court. And while the commander may not have been so ennobled, his gesture was certainly polite and acceptable.

“I’m sure you will, you have thus far,” said Adriana with a smile. Her smile however was not quite as bright as the commander spoke of events in Imarati. “That is certainly a stance. And I have no desire to see fanatics take control there. ButI ponder the consequences of such an action. After all, there will be those in Imarati who will not see such a campaign as a way to peace, but as invaders looking to prop up a puppet government. And even more of an issue Imarati’s neighbors.”

Adriana looked off into the distance as she thought about her brief stay in Patuania when she had followed the Duchess of Hyrea in their flight. “I was in Patuania not too long ago, they will not make light of intervention in Imarati.”

[Colfico]

Feliks nodded "No doubt that they did not take kindly to his majesty throwing the negotiations the way that he did, and there is no doubt that it will not be an easy task, and needs to be handled carefully, which is why direct intervention is only on the table, and not yet being implemented, instead the national assembly wishes to try indirect support first, providing arms and advisors, and possibly air support where needed."

He walked with her, thinking nothing particularly of the difference in birth right between the two, such a notion was alien to him, the culture of his people had never had need for such concerns, and thus they had never taken shape in the first place.

"I know that if a deployment is called for, me and my men will likely be among the first to be sent, as the soldiers of the 32nd are specialized in the kind of fighting that will be prevalent in Imarati, so weather the decision is made or not, so long as it is a possibility, I must keep making the necessary preparations to ensure that they, and myself, are ready for the task at hand should we be called upon to do our duty."

[Kingdom of Derita]

Adriana nodded along with Feliks’ words as he spoke, considering the situation. She had no experience in foreign policy, and why she couldn’t claim to have a professional capacity to speak on the topic, but she could easily give her own opinion and take on the topic. After all, was that not part of what made a democracy a democracy?

“I would be remised to see you have to leave only so soon after we’ve met, Commander. That is to say that I don’t think that direct intervention will be the best solution, and I have my doubts in it resulting in a quick fix as many have in mind when they think of it.”

[Colfico]

He nodded "Especially not given the kind of warfare we are speaking of, it would likely be hard fought, and quite brutal, especially when you throw in the fact that the primary opponent would be religious zealots, there would almost certainly be casualties, and it may be necessary to, as some would say, take the gloves off, in the face of such an enemy, the Army would certainly have its hands full." He then raised an eyebrow to the first part of her sentence, and said "Are you suggesting that you would miss me if I had to go to war?" There was no slight in his voice, instead, there was genuine curiosity.

[Kingdom of Derita]

Adriana let out a small, mocking laugh, though how mocking it actually was up to debate.

“I merely saying I would miss having interesting conversation, and you just so happen to be the other half of it.” Adriana shrugged her shoulders. “I’ll admit that I find myself tugged in many directions here, and alone it can be difficult to handle. Most of the people I’ve met here are either eager to turn me into a lobbyist or tell me to go back to my country.”

Adriana waved the comment away. “Though I suppose more importantly, objectively, I don’t wish to see more lives lost if they don’t have to be. My grandfather spent his prime years trying to police the world for the greater good of democracy and freedoms of the individual. But it is hard to put out fires everywhere at once, and more often than it lights back up behind you.”

[Colfico]

He smirked, and in a joking tone, said "And i thought i might have a secret admirer." He then said "But believe me, there's no one that is actually in the military that wants to go to war, especially after having fought one of our own so recently, unless a good reason is given, direct intervention will likely stay on the table, after all, no sane politician would send their voters off to war unnecessarily, especially since it is not unlikely that some of those soldiers might become politicians themselves after wards, and have the merits of their service to back up their campaign."

He then said "Well if anyone says you arent welcome, then you are always welcome to me, Colfico has never been a one people nation, and it never will be, especially since its king is not a river dweller himself." He then said "And you are always welcome in the temples of my village if you need a place to take shelter."

[Kingdom of Derita]

“Oh,” Adriana with no small amount of surprise. “I shall consider taking you up on that offer. I admit that I am still learning about the culture of your country. But events as of late had not left me the most capable of having a fair amount of study. I didn’t realize that Sebastian, er, I mean, His Majesty was not a river dweller.” Adriana bit her lip hoping that she didn’t sound as if she were name dropping Sebastian. The two were friends, but that didn’t mean she wished to beat others, especially in Colfico, over the head with that information.

“His Majesty speaks so highly and with such love of the Great Colfico River, I would have thought the man born in if not beside it. Are you, as you say, a river dweller or are your people from a different group in the country?”

[Colfico]

"I am technically not from a specific people, while the village goes by the name of Vusani, it is not considered a separate group in its own right, although those of us from there call ourselves Visari. It is as much a religious order as it is a village, where people of the same faith have come together in a place that, while harsh to live, is peaceful and protected from those that have wished to do us harm, in a more remote section of the northwestern mountains, while the Kings tribe and my own are similar, they are not the same, his tribe are more.....war like, where as the order is focused on peaceful coexistence where possible, although it does train its own defenders and peacekeepers as needed." He then lifted the necklace that he wore "I am a member of the order, and one of its peacekeepers, it is why I have given my time in the army."

[Kingdom of Derita]

"I think that should be a preferred profession for pacifists," said Adriana as she listened to Feliks' explanation. She found it fascinating. The lines between groups, religious, ethnic, or otherwise were often blurred and hard to distinguished. They were never quite as neat as the great categorizers of the world liked to think that they were. "I have nothing against those who excel at fighting, it has a place in the world, a necessary evil if you will, one that was very much necessary in the past, but I find they tend to like it a bit too much. The King's dramatic actions in the hours leading up to the Southern War are a sign of that." Adriana shrugged her shoulders. "It is better for the military to be willing but hesitant to go to war."

[Colfico]

He gave a nod, he had participated somewhat, having been deployed to Vizerman as part of the detachment to defend the island.

"Yes, however the tactic did ultimately work, even if it weren't the most subtle or clean of methods.

However, for me, being a peacekeeper is less a profession, and more of a way of life, or even a purpose in life if you would like to interpret it that way. I am tasked with retaining peace and order, and violence simply comes with the territory on occasion. However, a true master of the art does so without so much as raising a finger. To that extent, I believe many have missed the true nature his majesty, look at the events of the protests for example, doesn't it seem odd thay a formerly loyal ajd peaceful populace suddenly, and out of nowhere rose up so blatently, and the kig not only never so much as raised a finger, but without much argument or protest, compromised with them? They may seem like coincidence to someone else, however, look at things in the past, such as the Southern war, at what point has the King ever so willingly backed down on an issue?"

[Kingdom of Derita]

Adriana tilted her head at this. She thought about what she knew of Sebastian and his responses. Feliks was right. From the first moment that she’d met him, he’d been belligerent and stubborn. Even in the most subtle of ways. It had been damned annoying in fact. And that stubborn is had carried well on into his foreign policies, and from what she’d seen even into his marriage. So yes. Taken with a wider lens, yes, it was quite odd.

“One would argue that His Majesty didn’t back down, as he was never opposed to it. At least not the general idea of it. It was Her Majesty, your little queen who is said to have opposed it. Though she never did so publicly.” Adriana waved that last comment aside. “But you seem to imply something else if I catch your meaning.”

[Colfico]

He shrugged "I am not implying anything, I am simply seeing the evidence and making a conclusion based upon it, as it is supposed to be. There is a light and a dark to everything, as the balance of tins should be, the light is not inherently good, just as the darkness is not inherently evil."

"While some would argue that such an action is deceitful, and to an extent it is, however at the same time, one cannot deny the possibility that it has brought about a positive change, and done so without so much as a drop of blood spilled."