The Importance of Eating Earnestly (IC)

[Avaerilon]

Aubrey smoothed-down his light silken cape, brushing a few strands of dust from its folds, as he looked at himself in the mirror. His curly hair was neat, his clean-shaven face even, and his golden torc glittered brilliantly in the delicate light of the dressing room. Taking his watch out of his dinner jacket's pocket, he checked the time. 'Hm, a few minutes early. Plenty of tie for a stroll.'

He left through the open dining hall French windows after proceeding down the stairs, the household staff ensuring all the silver cutlery was as gleaming as the day it was made. They all placed their right arms over their chests and bowed their heads, but quickly got back to work as he made his way onto the patio to take the summer evening air.

A nightingale sung in the trees some distance away, another echoing it afterwards. The sun hung lazily in the sky like a great apricot, very slowly making its way towards the horizon, and burning the clouds a beautiful pinky-orange at is passed downwards. It would be a good evening.

Out of habit, he checked his pocket watch again, before strolling over to the fountain, which gushed hypnotically in the crisp fresh air. Aubrey pulled out a single Aub from his pocket, and tossed it in with his thumb for good luck. He smiled as it landed with his own face upwards towards the sky, giving a clear good omen with its metallic gaze. He turned and went back into the great house, making sure he closed the windows as he entered; it was fresh enough in the house, after all.

"We're all ready for you, my liege," said Lerelys, his manservant. "I've taken the liberty of putting your sword in the stand by the front steps." "Oh, thank you, Lerelys; I forgot to polish it earlier. I was so fixed on getting that fingerprint off the crown-" "Oh, your majesty really should have allowed me to-" "no, no, you were busy enough. Anyway, what good would a king be if he couldn't polish his own crown?" "A pretty poor one, your majesty."

The grey-haired Dunmer walked briskly towards the ornate stand by the steps near the front door, and gestured to the great hand-and-half sword that lay there. Aubrey took it with ease and put it on his plain, Mithril-shod belt, which twinkled like the eyes of a cat in the lamplight. "Will you be needing anything else, your majesty?" "No, thank you, Lerelys. I think it's all down to me and my honourable government now. And Gwithenil to do the announcing, obviously. Let's just hope I'm not standing here for too long; I want to be talking and moving around with people."

"Would your majesty care for a glass of something?" "No, I'll save that for before the dance."

***

[Deleted]

A car pulls up to the building. A man with dark brown hair, graying at the top, exits the car. Inside the car, Elonadorian folk music can be heard playing. The man shuts the door of the car, and gazes upon the building. "Wow. Nice place." He thinks to himself, as he walks away from his car. The man is about 6'1, with light stubble and a lean build. The building reminds him of the time his father brought him to an old manor, back when he was just a boy.

Things were so much simpler then. None of this politics business.

Cattus waved the thought out of his head. He was representing Elonador at this event, which promised to be an enchanting evening. "Just be professional and polite, and all will be fine." He thought to himself, looking forward to the dinner ahead.

[United Democracy of Scientists]

Meanwhile, in the foyer of the ornate chateau, a rather elderly, but well defined man walked in with the brisk, yet careful pace only seen of those who have handled a level four biohazard. This man Richard Dyson was adorned in a black tie, fedora, and decorative Scientian lab coat. All fine silk. Mellowed by a small amount of local halfling pipe weed he had smoked earlier, he made his way deeper into the building, eager to enjoy the company of the fellow leaders that he has fraternized with over the years of him working in the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Perhaps on a more instinctual level, however, he may have been truly setting out in search of a taste of that fabled armagnac that the Dragonheart was famous for.

[Avaerilon]

"His Excellency, Mr. Cattus Marius of the Socialist Republioc of Elonador." "Ah, Excellency! Crosso nerna'r Haesol ad yr Īthilelīon ('welcome with the Sun and the Stars')." Aubrey extended his right arm over his chest to his shoulder, and bowed before Cattus Marius. "I welcome you to Nerīcawt Qardarglan, my home, and indeed to Avaerilon, my nation. I trust you had a pleasant journey?"

[Deleted]

As a sleek car comes to a stop, the man rises from it. The car is playing Zunkwentanian electric rock. He looks at the landscape, pondering about himself. He was reluctantly coerced into putting on a simple, no-frills, suit.
He thought about the night ahead, and how to effectively convey the diplomatic mission. "Diego?" asks the valet. "It is time to go inside," beckoned the valet.

[Deleted]

"It's an honour, King Aubrey," Cattus says, with a humbled tone. "My journey was somewhat uneventful. I drove myself here, and I must say, the scenery in your nation is beautiful. This is a lovely building, by the way." Cattus continues, speaking in awe of Avaerilon. "I am sure this dinner will be a great one."

[United Democracy of Scientists]

Dyson continued to stroll through the mahogany lined halls of Aubrey's palace, his lab coat sweeping and shuffling in tandem with the movement of his legs. He eventually finds himself at a doorway to an outdoor lounge area. Opening the door, he immediately is greeted with the sight of Aubrey and Cattus exchanging greetings.

A benevolent smirk falls upon Dyson's face that he had not made in decades. A spark of long lost youth returns to the man as he finds his chance to introduce himself to his long standing contacts.

"My good sirs," Dyson exclaimed in an energetic, but refined tone. "The honor that you have bestowed upon me is great. I take it that you are enjoying the one I bestowed upon you, your most royal majesty?" 

Dyson bowed, and offered Aubrey his hand.

[Avaerilon]

"Indeed? You must tell me which route you took, perhaps in a few moments? Ah, thank you, you are too kind! Please," as a servant took Cattus's coat "make yourself comfortable in the drawing-room, and let any of the waiting staff know what you would like to drink; we have just about everything here. I can recommend the martinis- the bartender gets the gin right every time." The king shook hands with Cattus, who was then directed to the next room by an attendant.

"His Honour, Representative Richard Dyson of the United Democracy of Scientists."

"Ah, crysso vannon ī Avaerilon, ad fy hendag, ('verily welcome to Avaerilon, and my home') Representative Dyson!" Hailed Aubrey, shaking the proffered hand warmly and bowing to the gentleman who presented himself. "Allow me to welcome you this evening, sir, and say what a pleasure it is to meet you."

[Deleted]

Diego goes wandering around the palace, seeking the king. He finally finds a room. He opens the door and finds the King.

[United Democracy of Scientists]

"The pleasure is truly mine as well, my liege. Avalon, has always been the most beautiful object of my travels. The air, so fresh! So markèd by the passage of time and the building of character. Now, you said something about martinis? Let us head inside, so we may break bread, and make conversation."

Dyson then catches sight of the Zunkwentanian minister's entrance.

" Hail, Sir! Will you be joining us on our way inside?"

Dyson proceeded to offer his hand to Valquial in much the same way as he did to Aubrey.

[Avaerilon]

"His Honour Minister Diego Valquial of the Democratic Republic of Zunkwentania."

"Brendolyr, crysso īren elym nerna algas val ad īthilelīon glan ('Minister, welcome to you with a fine wind and clear stars')!"[/i]

Aubrey crossed his chest and bowed to the man, whose friendly eyes met his own when he arose.

[Deleted]

In the drawing room, Cattus continues to marvel at the beauty of the structure. He has no real yearning for drinks - he was never one for alcohol. But he was astonished at the conduct of the people - they were all so polite and mannerly. Now all he was waiting for was to meet the other attendees. Perhaps foreign diplomacy wasn't all bureaucracy and lack of progress after all.

[Avaerilon]

“I am glad you found it beautiful; Avalon is in so many ways the heart of the kingdom, and its history can be traced on near every stone, so you have observed. Indeed; I have welcomed my first three guests, as my ancestors of old did, and so I shall join you in the drawing room. I could do with something fresh and cold, myself!”

Aubrey, Diego and Dyson walked together along the wide corridor, making the left turn into the airy room.

"Marc? May I have a dry gin martini? And for you, sirs?"

[United Democracy of Scientists]

"The exact same. Stirred, not shaken of course!"

Dyson went to sit on one of the many luxurious velvet chairs present in the chamber, but not before hanging his fedora on a coat tree, making himself comfortable for the festivities to come.

[Deleted]

Diego took a bow. "It is truly an honor to meet you, King Aubrey. As I toured Minas Avalon, I saw the beauty of Avaerilon. I think that we will be able to maintain a nice diplomatic relationship."

[Anaaxes]

As the vehicle comes to a stop, President Blatchford and Foreign Affairs Secretary Pearson, make their way to the residence. The President is wearing a black ceremonial cape, while Ms. Pearson is wearing an elegant dress. When they approach the entrance, the President orders his guards to stay outside with a simple hand gesture. They both stop at the doorway, and Ms. Pearson asks, "Are you ready?" The President replies smiling, "Of course." When they enter, they are amazed at the beauty of residence. They walk around for a little bit, and ask one of the servants where the King is. Once they arrive at the room, they both take turns bowing to His Majesty, King Aubrey. President Blatchford rises and hands the King a small box, a gift, as a small token to represent the friendship and goodwill between the two nations. The President talks with the King for a few minutes, and then re-joins Ms. Pearson, who is chatting with Representative Dyson about foreign policy and quantum physics.

[Goncar]

As this occurs, a black chopper flies towards the estate carrying the leaders from the Island known as Goncar, the Executive Director and his Minister of Foreign Affairs and Embassies and good friend, Caleb Young. The chopper lands and out the two go. The Director passes a tip to the valet as they are lead into the estate.

[Avaerilon]

"But of course!" Aubrey smiled knowingly at Dyson, and shook hands with Diego. "The honour is mine, sir, and it is a pleasure. Minas Avalon is a fine citadel, is she not? Incredible to think something so large should only have taken 15 years to build. And I am sure our relationship shall be as solid as those old stones. May I offer you a drink of some description, sir? We have everything fro spring water and lemonade to martinis and wines."

At that exact moment, the bartender bowed and presented Aubrey with a fresh martini.

"Ah, perfect, dach, Marc."

"His Grace the President of Anaaxes, Mr. Blatchford, and Her Excellency Minister Pearson."

After bowing to the most courteous Anaaxese guests, and warmly receiving the beautiful box presented as a gift, Aubrey turned as his manservant politely coughed.

"My liege? I believe the Goncaran representatives have arrived."
"Ah, excellent!"

"His Excellency, Executive Director Walls of Goncar, and His Excellency Minister Young."

[Goncar]

The valet leads The Director and the Minister into the room which is full of several of foreign ambassadors and leaders. Both men are overwhelmed by the enormity of the room and the architecture of the room.

[United Democracy of Scientists]

The bartender then proceeded to give Dyson his martini. At the first sip, Dyson was blown away by the perfect ratio of gin to vermouth within the cocktail. The royal bartenders truly had it down to a science, and he grinned at that thought.

"...but yes. quantum physics is not my field. I'm a chemist and biologist at heart, but the nature of quantum physics heavily influences some of the basic tenets of my field. The probabilistic nature of the Universe at the nanoscopic level is truly astounding."

The clamor of friendly conversation between the leaders was then subverted by the distant sound of helicopter blades and Goncaran accents.

"It seems our intelligence expert has arrived. Shall we all go to meet him?"

[Deleted]

Diego responded: "Thank you for offering a drink! I don't want to get too tipsy, so I'd like something non-alcoholic. Perhaps sparkling grape juice?

[Anaaxes]

"Why most certainly." says President Blatchford. But before they go greet the Goncaran officials, the President and Ms. Pearson quickly get some martinis from the nearest bartender, and go catch up to Mr. Dyson.

*The three of them take turns exchanging handshakes and welcoming remarks with the Goncaran officials*

"It's always a pleasure to see you Director Walls and Minister Young," the President says.

[Goncar]

Minister Young walks to the bartender and ask for a scotch, his favorite drink. The bartender hands him a glass and fills it. He looks over and shakes hands with Diego. "How do you do sir?" He asks him.

[Goncar]

"Hello President Blatchford! How are things in Anaaxes?"

[Free Newdepolderian States]

As the vehicle, a sleek Newdepolderian Dorlicht 719, pulls to a stop, Patriatch Garrett van de Polder fingers his prayer beads absent mindedly.
"Adriaan, why did you not wear your kilt? I'm going to look like a right idiot." he says to his Advisor, Adriaan Frieser.
"Because then I would've looked like an idiot too. And why do you expect me to, and not Maarten?"
"Don't get me into this." says Director-General Maarten van Rijn with a chuckle.
As the three step out of the car, they each brush themselves off. Van de Polder arranges his kilt, the dark blue Newdepolderian National Tartan he had chosen over his own Clan McCallaister tartan, then runs his hand through his thick head of dark brow hair. Frieser straightens his black tie and corrects his pockets. Van Rijn absently scratches his stubled chin.
"Right. In we go." Says the patriarch.

[United Democracy of Scientists]

Dr. Dyson watched Minister Young walk over to the bar.

"Not much of a conversationalist. Can't say I don't sympathize," Dyson professed frankly.

"But regardless, it is a true pleasure to meet you, Director."

Dyson then popped one of his martini olives into his mouth, and offered his hand to Walls.

[Anaaxes]

"Our nation is doing well. We are just in the process of improving our economy. The World Assembly recently classified our nation's economy as 'Fair.' Perhaps my nation's government can learn a thing or two from yours," the President says as he smiles and winks at Director Walls.

"Now if you'd excuse me, I'm going to find Ms. Pearson and get some hors d'oeuvres."

[Goncar]

The Director shakes the open hand of Dyson.
"Yes he actually is fairly friendly however, people in Goncar are taught that for you to speak with leaders that are higher than you, you must be invited." *Waves hand the minister*
The Minister finished his conversation with Diego and walks to the circle of foreign leaders.
"How do you all do?" He asks respectfully.

[Deleted]

Diego walks to the director. "How do you do? I'd like to know some more about Goncar. What are your plans for the SLU?" asked Diego.

[United Democracy of Scientists]

"Minister! Good to see you." Dyson goes to shake Young's hand, before setting his sights on the bar.

"I must confess, I've been excited to try some of the our dear king's royal supply. Would any of you care to join me for a small glass of the finest armagnac on the planet? I've heard that it serves as a stellar apéritif."