by Excalbia » Wed Dec 18, 2024 1:04 pm
by Excalbia » Wed Dec 18, 2024 1:05 pm
by Xirnium » Fri Dec 20, 2024 1:20 am
by Aerion » Sat Dec 21, 2024 1:13 am
Official name: Grand Empire of AerionCapital: Imperial CityHead Of State: HIM Pādshah Empress Ameria ArdashirTech Level: Postmodern
by Xirnium » Tue Dec 24, 2024 1:40 pm
by Excalbia » Fri Dec 27, 2024 12:16 pm
by Brasland » Fri Dec 27, 2024 12:17 pm
by Excalbia » Fri Dec 27, 2024 12:45 pm
Aerion wrote:snip
by Excalbia » Fri Dec 27, 2024 1:08 pm
Brasland wrote:A tall young man watched as the Imperial Family was announced. Next to him, an equally tall blonde girl stood elegantly.
"That's Elizabeth", said Burchard excitedly to his sister, as the Crown Princess was announced.
"I know, Burchie", replied the girl, amused at her brother's childlike excitement. "The herald just said so."
Among the ruling dynasties of the Western Atlantic, the House of Ilonburg was perhaps the least known. Their ancestral lands were nested on a small alpine valley in the south of Brasland, close to the border with Anahuac. As the youngest son of a junior Ilonburger prince, Burchard's place in the food chain was rather dubious, but he preferred it that way. He was intelligent and unassuming, and he enjoyed spending his life away from court life, close to ancient Phoenician ruins and desert tribes as an archaeology student. Viktoria, five years her brother's senior, was less shy and certainly felt more at ease than him among their cousins from the great Atlantic families. Burchard had asked her to join, aware that on this occasion he would meet Elizabeth's parents, who were... how to put it? Intimidating, to say the least.
"Come on", said Viktoria. "It's time to say hi."
Offering his arm to his sister, Burchard gulped and did his best to hide his nerves. He had just gotten a haircut and had shaved that morning. He had the colossal height for which the Ilonburg men were known, and his face (blue eyes, Roman nose, full lips) was pleasant rather than good-looking. He was using his father's suit, which was slightly bigger than his size but not too much to make him look silly. Viktoria, on the other hand, wore a light pink gown and adorned herself with her mother's diamond earrings and a simple pearl necklace. She was rather beautiful and her tendency to smile certainly struck a positive balance to her brother's awkwardness on social occasions like this. As they approached the Emperor, Burchard bowed while his sister gave a deep curtsey.
"Your Imperial Majesties", the prince stammered. "I am Prince Burchard of Ilonburg and this is my sister, Princess Viktoria."
"Your Majesties, thank you for your hospitality", added Viktoria. "We are honoured to be here."
With an involuntary movement, Burchard's gaze turned to Elizabeth, who almost made him forget about how terrified he was of meeting her parents. She looked more beautiful than ever.
by Brasland » Fri Dec 27, 2024 3:16 pm
by Excalbia » Fri Dec 27, 2024 5:49 pm
Brasland wrote:"Thank you, Sir", said Burchard, nervously. "We were looking forward to come. Elizab... I mean, the Crown Princess... told me that Christmas in Excalbia is very fun."
He gave a shy glance at the Emperor.
"She's a very fun girl", he added.
by Brasland » Fri Dec 27, 2024 6:12 pm
by Aerion » Sat Dec 28, 2024 2:50 am
Official name: Grand Empire of AerionCapital: Imperial CityHead Of State: HIM Pādshah Empress Ameria ArdashirTech Level: Postmodern
by Xirnium » Sat Dec 28, 2024 3:58 am
by Excalbia » Sat Dec 28, 2024 11:35 am
Brasland wrote:Everything had happened too fast for Burchard to be able to react. However, the implicit disapproval in the Emperor's words lingered in the air even after a while. Viktoria, shocked too, tried to comfort her brother.
"You were nervous, Burchie", she said. "He misinterpreted your words."
"I was trying to pay his daughter a compliment", Burchard said, devastated. "Now he thinks I'm a f****** loser."
"You know that's not the case", protested the princess. "I think he's just very protective of Elizabeth."
"Oh, please", said Burchard, dismissively. "He clearly hates me."
As a waiter approached, he asked for the strongest drink available.
by Excalbia » Sat Dec 28, 2024 11:42 am
Aerion wrote:Ambassador Mostafi's diplomatic instincts activated immediately at Deputy Minister Ginkel's approach. His warm brown eyes brightened with recognition.
"My dear Dr. Ginkel," the Ambassador replied with practiced warmth, his slight accent adding gravity to his words. "How delightful to see you again." He turned to include Duke Zand in the conversation with a subtle gesture. "May I present His Grace, Duke Shahriar Zand, Imperial Advisor to Her Imperial Majesty, the Padshah Empress."
Duke Zand inclined his head with careful precision, his elaborate beard catching the candlelight as he moved. His penetrating dark eyes studied each person in turn, though his expression remained warmly diplomatic. "Deputy Minister," he acknowledged, his melodious voice carrying just enough warmth to be welcoming while maintaining the gravitas of his position.
Countess Nasrin's face lit up with genuine pleasure at seeing Sally Ginkel. "My dear Sally," she said, stepping forward to air-kiss the Deputy Minister's wife's cheeks in the continental manner, her golden-embroidered court dress rustling softly. "That shade of red is absolutely stunning on you."
Ambassador Mostafi turned his attention to the Presiding Bishop, his expression showing appropriate reverence for the religious office while maintaining diplomatic protocol. "Your Eminence," he said with another careful bow, "it is indeed an honor. The Grand Empire of Aerion has the deepest respect for the Church of Excalbia." He gestured to his wife. "Countess Mostafi and I have heard much of your excellent work in interfaith dialogue."
Duke Zand, who had been quietly observing the exchange, chose this moment to join in, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Indeed, Your Eminence. We in Aerion follow your efforts with great interest." His words carried the weight of someone who might be speaking for more than just himself, though his tone remained perfectly cordial.
The Countess turned her warm amber-brown eyes to Catherine Nilson, taking in the modest dress with apparent appreciation. "What lovely holiday colors, Mrs. Nilson. The combination of green and red lace is quite festive." Her genuine warmth helped soften the formal tableau created by the men's careful diplomatic positioning.
by Cyretopolitania » Sat Dec 28, 2024 11:43 am
Xirnium wrote:Élisabeth clapped her opera gloved hands, jangling her multi-chain bracelets of alternating circular and polylobed gold motifs, set with diamonds and pearls.
“Oh, hi, Yakobas! I’m so pleased you made it!” she said, giggling, as she greeted the men with kisses on each cheek, following the custom of the Eternal Republic.
While she did so, Pénélope took a careful sip of her mimosa, eyeing Ernesto through half-lowered sootblack lashes. Élisabeth turned to her and said: “Pénélope is the XXIII Viscountess zy Valtâriel.”
“Happy to know you,” said Pénélope, leaning in to exchange kisses as well. The notes of her perfume lingered in the air—centifolia rose, saffron, cedarwood, olibanum, and amber. “And my friend is the XIV Baroness Alatêgiel.”
Élisabeth then turned to the younger woman. “And this is Léopoldina, Princess of Athväryäna,” she said.
Léopoldina beamed. “So nice to meet you,” she said. Rising slightly onto her toes, she too exchanged kisses with each man, her semi-sheer mesh sandals with stiletto heels visible briefly beneath the hem of her dress.
“You two look very handsome this evening!” said Élisabeth with a playful grin. She glanced at the other girls, who giggled in agreement.
by Brasland » Sat Dec 28, 2024 2:48 pm
Excalbia wrote:A few minutes later, Elizabeth excused herself from her parents and made her way over to Burchard and Viktoria.
“Hey, Indy,” she said with a smile, as she slipped her arm around his. “I hope my Father didn’t upset you too much. He specializes in terrorizing any boy with the temerity to show interest in me. She shrugged. “I think he imagines I’m still a child in need of protection.”
She turned to look Burchard in the eye. “But I’m not.”
by Excalbia » Sat Dec 28, 2024 6:27 pm
Brasland wrote:Burchard sighed with relief as Viktoria excused herself, pretending she wanted to talk to Yakobas and Ernesto, whom the Ilonburgs knew quite well. Turning to Elizabeth, he discreetly squeezed her hand, although only after making sure that her father was not looking.
“I’ve missed you so much, Lizzie”, he said. “Cyretopolitania is not the same without you.”
He had dropped the nickname ‘Daredevil’ long ago, no longer feeling the need to keep a friendly distance between the two. Burchard sighed, the Emperor’s words still hanging over his head.
“To be honest I don’t know why I came”, the prince said suddenly, with a slight gloom in his tone. “Nothing has changed between us. I only know that I’m in love with you, but you don’t want something serious.”
by Brasland » Sat Dec 28, 2024 6:54 pm
by Xirnium » Sat Dec 28, 2024 11:01 pm
by Excalbia » Sun Dec 29, 2024 2:20 pm
Brasland wrote:Burchard smiled and kissed Elizabeth again, this time longer.
“That’s all I want, Lizzie”, he said, holding her hands. “I’m not ready for marriage either, but there’s no one else I want to be… but you.”
He leaned again towards the princess.
“I love you so much”, he said, beaming with joy.
Then he kissed her again… and then once more.
by Cyretopolitania » Sun Dec 29, 2024 2:33 pm
Xirnium wrote:Léopoldina smiled cautiously. "My friends call me Polly," she offered warmly.
The girls giggled at Ernesto’s compliment, as well as his description of the Eternal Republic as exotic.
“Élisabeth and I did a year of foreign exchange here at the Imperial College in MMMDCCC,” said Pénélope, in the Committee of Safety’s Reckoning. “But we’ve returned to Excalbia many times since then. We’ve always had such a nice time here.”
“I have some family here,” Léopoldina added. In fact, she and the Alsgoods were distant kin.
“And do you often visit the Citadel, Don Ernesto?” asked Pénélope, tilting her bleached blonde head just slightly. Her gloved fingers, in black silk lace, toyed with the alternating platinum links and white pearls of her necklace.
Élisabeth, meanwhile, seemed thoroughly entertained by Yakobas’s nearness. Her lips curled into a playful grin. “Is that so, Yakki?” she teased. She twirled a strand of her bright brown hair between her gloved fingers. “Well, it took me many more hours to prepare for this. The makeup, the hair, the nails,” she said, holding up her hand and wiggling her fingers for him. “Oh, but you can’t even see them!” she said with a silly giggle.
by Brasland » Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:20 pm
Excalbia wrote:Elizabeth was content to spend several minutes in Burchard’s arms. Eventually, the Imperial Army band transitioned from instrumental Christmas carols to a mix of music conducive to dancing - it was a ball after all! - and Elizabeth urged Burchard to join her for a dance.
After several dances, Elizabeth felt someone approaching and turned to see her father.
“Elizabeth,” Joseph said. “Burchard. I see you’re enjoying the Ball. Together. In fact, you two have attracted quite a bit of attention.”
Elizabeth bit her lip and smiled. “We are… having fun, Father.”
“Yes,” the Emperor said, “of course.”
by Excalbia » Sun Dec 29, 2024 5:03 pm
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