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Post by Moshel-Generał on Apr 8, 2022 13:44:28 GMT -5
The city of Hikablum traced its history back millennium, and it all started due to the building of a small castle. Through the ages the castle grew and became an expansive palace. And now that entire palace was bustling as servants ran around setting up tables, cleaning, and more. Standing at the top of the stairs was the Lady of the House. Silvu was frowning at the paper as her butler spoke with her.
"My Lady we can't just change the menu on a whim! The chefs have been planning this for months!" the butler implored.
"But things are different now," Silvu said with a frown. "We have far more important guests than previously. Both Galra and Seleucidenia have sent important nobility and even the Gaelians are coming." She handed off the paper, which one could see was a menu, to the butler. "We need to completely revamp the menu. We can keep the ingredients but the style needs to change." The current issue was understandable, usually the Yearly Midnight Ball took inspiration from other states for the meal, however this year that could cause some issues if some attendees felt slighted. "Why did they have to pick now to start their pissing match?" She rubbed her forehead and descended the stairs as the butler ran to the kitchen.
"Silvu! Good to see you!" Silvu looked up and noticed the small figure standing at a large stack of crates, it was Master Smith Iva from Geum.
"Iva, it has been to long, how's your father doing?"
"Stubborn as ever, I just finished dropping off the furniture for the Ball." Iva smiled and tapped the clipboard she was holding with the back of her hand. "Needed to make sure they were delivered in person."
"Sorry for the extra work."
"Oh don't be, you are our best customer this time of year."
"Well would you like a light drink and snack?"
"If you're offering."
The two made their way to a small side room where they sat and servants came to deliver their drinks, a red wine for Silvu and a dark beer for Iva. Time ticked by slowly as the hour at hand approached. Soon the Yearly Midnight Ball would begin.
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Post by Greywall on Apr 9, 2022 18:29:31 GMT -5
Ambassador Scofield would be on his way, wearing a ceremonial Kilt and modern attire showing he was a man of upper societal standing within the UKUG. He brought two members of his staff with him who also wore kilt attire, the rest of his team were hard at work to get trade flowing between the UKUG and the Free Cities. As they arrived, they would await to be instructed on where to go.
"Take a look around you, some of these buildings are older than the first kingdom. Our people were still nomads when they were built." Scofield had spent quite some time between his meeting in Hikablum. He had been told by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make a good impression of the Gaelian people and he intended to do so.
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Post by Moshel-Generał on Apr 9, 2022 23:36:29 GMT -5
As the Ambassador showed his invitation to the ball he would likely begin to truly realize the size of the Palace. As they entered the gate they would enter what can only be described as another city. For their convience they were offered a carriage which would take them to the Grand Hall. As they rode they would be able to see the palace servants going about their lives, the area feeling like its own medieval city. They would finally arrive at the pure white walls of the central keep, the home of the Hikablums. As they exited they would be greeted by a butler who would lead them to the Grand Hall where he would announce them.
"Now entering the Honorable Representative of Ulster-Gaelia Ambassador Scofield."
The hall was filled with important people from all over: Ambassadors from other states, minor nobles, great merchants, even smiths from Geum and artificers from Hallas. It was the place to be for making connections. Lining the sides of the hall was a large variety of food and drink and the center of the room was clear for anyone who wished to dance to the band who was playing.
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Post by Greywall on Apr 10, 2022 19:28:51 GMT -5
Scofield took in the scenery, no Gaelian had officially come this far. Maybe some adventurers from years past, but he represented the crown and realm. He decided to make his way to the drinks. "A good stiff glass should ease this anxiety." he whispered to himself, he of course told his staff to help themselves and to behave.
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Post by aimway921 on Apr 16, 2022 16:22:53 GMT -5
Shortly after the arrival of the Gaelians, the Ashigawan representatives have arrived. Dressed in traditional Ashigawan outfits, the lead fox was armed with a ceremonial ornamented katana sword. This was Koshaku (Duchess) Toyoda Kirari, head of the Toyoda noble family. While not owning any land fiefs, they have made their fortune by being one of the Zaibatsu - noble families cooperating with each other in growing Ashigawa's industry. Accompanying her was a close friend, Koshaku Honda Tadashi - also head of a Zaibatsu noble family, and rumored by some to be in a secret affair with Koshaku Toyoda. Unlike Toyoda, however, he was not carrying any sword. Behind them were two men dressed in less ornate outfits, though still traditional Ashigawan clothes, just more plain. They carried packs on their backs - these were obviously servants of the two nobles walking ahead of them.
All four of them were preoccupied looking in amazement all around them. After all, this was the farthest an Ashigawan has ever stepped outside of Ashigawa.
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Post by Moshel-Generał on Apr 16, 2022 16:57:27 GMT -5
As Scofield went for his drink he would see a variety available, including many from his own nation. He would also catch some words mutter in conversation. He might also notice the merchant he had talked to earlier appearing to be engaged in conversation to a Galran noble who was in attendance. However before he could think to long a well dressed Drowf approached him. "Welcome Ambassador, I heard a rumor that you might be interested in visiting Geum later."
After the Ashigawans entered they had many options of what to do, mostly involving food. Their servants would be directed to a side room, as it wouldn't do to have them in the important conversations taking place. While they wouldn't be approached really by many people eventually a servant would approach them and gesture them towards a side room, informing them they had received an invitation from the Ṇachyi̊.
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Post by Greywall on Apr 16, 2022 17:28:10 GMT -5
Scofield glanced for a moment at the Galran noble and the merchant, but he would respond to the Drowf, "yes actually was going to be a matter of business I tended to after this. The realm is looking to expand its trade network." He would recognize some Northern Alban Scotch whiskey and poured it into glass with a large ice cube.
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Post by aimway921 on Apr 16, 2022 18:08:52 GMT -5
Before the servants could be hushed away, Honda took a small wooden box from one of their packs. Walking through the great hall, the two foxes looked over with excitement over the vast assortment of food from many different, foreign to them, cultures. They found some that most closely resembled Ashigawan food - fish and rice, and gave it a taste, before the local servant called them into a room. Entering, they would bow a polite greeting to the person waiting for them.
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Post by Moshel-Generał on Apr 24, 2022 16:49:18 GMT -5
The Drowf would drink what appeared to mead from a glass before speaking. "Well we look forward to having you come and visit. Though I must ask, do you have an issue with heights?"
Lounged on a cushion was a large, loosely dressed, leopard-like person. He spoke through a translator, his own language a combination of "meow"-like sounds. "It is good to meet you. I wanted to speak with you because you are different from a majority of these continental folks and I thought you would enjoy meeting someone else who is different."
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Post by Greywall on Apr 24, 2022 18:13:18 GMT -5
Scofield paused slightly as he drank his scotch, "beg your pardon?".
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Post by Moshel-Generał on Apr 24, 2022 19:25:53 GMT -5
"Geum is a mountain top city. Lots of our walkways and such are over a large heights." The Drowf would sip from the glass. "So if you have an issue of heights you may not enjoy your stay in the city."
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Post by Greywall on Apr 24, 2022 19:33:24 GMT -5
"I suppose not, I am a professional and shall make do in your city."
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Post by aimway921 on Apr 24, 2022 20:20:42 GMT -5
Lounged on a cushion was a large, loosely dressed, leopard-like person. He spoke through a translator, his own language a combination of "meow"-like sounds. "It is good to meet you. I wanted to speak with you because you are different from a majority of these continental folks and I thought you would enjoy meeting someone else who is different." Toyoda glanced at Honda - who gave her a light nod, before facing the leopard again. "We are indeed. Ashigawa, we call home. An island chain just off Touli, we count ourselves among the proud Toulians of the Far South-West. My name is Toyoda Kirari, and my companion - Honda Tadashi. We both are nobles back home. And may we know, who are we speaking to?" |
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Post by Moshel-Generał on Apr 27, 2022 21:46:15 GMT -5
"I suppose not, I am a professional and shall make do in your city." "I look forward to treating you then," the Drowf said laughing heartily. "You will probably get to meet several of our smiths, and I look forward to showing you around. You might even get a custom made item." Toyoda glanced at Honda - who gave her a light nod, before facing the leopard again. "We are indeed. Ashigawa, we call home. An island chain just off Touli, we count ourselves among the proud Toulians of the Far South-West. My name is Toyoda Kirari, and my companion - Honda Tadashi. We both are nobles back home. And may we know, who are we speaking to?" "You are speaking with Ṇachyi̊ Ṇèir̀i̊, representative of the protected tribes." The leopard's tail would flick slightly before he'd speak up again after being introduced. "I hope you enjoy fish, it is a rare delicacy here due to our lack of water. So I enjoy it as a meal whenever I get the chance." |
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Post by Greywall on Apr 27, 2022 22:40:09 GMT -5
Scofield would finish his scotch before responding, "yes, actually it's your smiths we're interested in meeting. See, our foundries in Ulster-Gaelia churn out materials for just about anything. But there's a delicate project and we need fine hands for it to be done, that's where our interest in the Free Cities comes in. Always stories that you can get about anything here, and just so happens the Royal Air Force has a project they're pushing...but." He turned back to the table of various drinks and began pouring more scotch, "the project is a...oh how would you say, black. off the record, we're looking to tip the scale of naval warfare with air power." He took another drink looking around the room noticing the Ashigawans and noting his friend and college was just assigned to their country.
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