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Post by aatuylva on Apr 13, 2010 0:03:19 GMT -5
Arys was glad to be getting under way, but this news of another... He knew the Governor wished to extend the hand of friendship, but how had they known they were here? He had not seen any aircraft... Then again, maybe he wouldn't have. It wouldn't have been the first strange thing he's seen, or not seen.
The book held many fascinating things...So many different peoples... The engines had started again, breaking his concentration. As they were given the all clear, the helicopter slowly began to rise, leaving foreign soil to hopefully return home in one piece.
He just hoped that it wouldn't be burning when he got back. The helicopter departed for Aatuylva, for better or for worse, he would soon find out.
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 13, 2010 0:03:54 GMT -5
Only a few hours later Guw was in the Furry Federation council hall. It was a fairly short train trip there from Shik, as it was fairly near the coast as well, just on the far side of the Prefecturian lands.
"The chair recognizes the guest of Tinis. You have unlimited time," said the chairfur.
"Thank you. Today the nation formerly known as the Kingdom of Accallia, now known as the Confederacy of Aatuylva, sent a representative to the Union of Tinis with a clear message. That their long history of isolation may be at an end. That they were to open their boarders. And that they wished to find friends in the greater world. Standing with the long established rules of engagement for contact with nations that Tinis has had little to no contact with, I made it clear that Tinis would be a friend of there's if they were to do the same to us.
"Aatuylva also wishes to extend a formal invitation to the allies of the Union. As the Furry Federation en mass represents the allies of Tinis, I have come here to carry on the message of their invitation. The text of their message is as such:
"'To the respectable leaders of Tinis and her allies, I, Provisional Governor Eric L. Dunsel, invite you to Accallia in order to discuss the terms of cultural trade and the exchange of knowledge. I feel that this dialogue will enrich both our peoples for the better. I hope this message finds you well, and I apologize for the lack of any warning. May the Gods watch over you. -Sincerely, Eric Dunsel'
"I know that some of you here will be salivating at a chance to sink your teeth into a nation that is seemingly unaware of your current status on the world stage or possibly existence. Others will continue to rest on your tails, about as isolationist in all but name as our new friends in Aatuylva. But know this, Tinis will accept their invitation. I have been authorized by the First Speaker of Tinis and the Upper Chamber of Speakers to act as envoy to Aatuylva. In preparation to a flood of visitors, I have sent with their representative a primer on the state of world affairs outside their boarders as a show of good faith. It may be apt for any visitors to Aatuylva to bring their own gifts as a sign of good will and friendship. And to begin the process of cultural exchange.
"But be warned as well. This is a nation that may seem very different from most. Isolation from the outside world does breed unusual habits in some peoples. But more often than not it leads to decay and desolation. It is possible that the reason for the open boarders is not simply the selection of a new governor, but a realization that they're met their limit on having a fully internally sustainable nation. So if those who join me find themselves amused by odd recycling habits, anachronistic cultural norms, or weeds growing in the streets, it would do you well to remember that we're diplomats. And that there's no need to point out such things in polite company.
"We hope to send a message to them soon and plan to be on our way as soon as tomorrow. Thank you."
Guw took her seat as the chamber erupted into murmurs. The sound of a gavel quieted them down.
"The guest of Tinis has yielded their time and may now take their leave," said the chair. Guw shuffled off and headed off towards the train. She had to swing by her hotel on the beach to pick up her suitcases so she could be ready to be back on duty.
And she had been looking forward to having the week off.
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 13, 2010 0:40:47 GMT -5
Accallia, Council Chambers
The council members and the assembled leaders of Aatuylva were discussing matters of great importance.
"I'm telling you, we need to tell them to calm down! The militias are antsy enough as it is, you don't want foreign dignitaries coming here seeing a bunch of scared paranoids with guns! It sends the wrong message!" Arkus hated dealing with them sometimes. As much as many of them were his friends, they were always so stubborn about the wrong things.
"And what if they lead an invasion force, hm?"
"Not like we could stop them anyway." Everyone in the room turned to Stidham, in his full dress regalia.
"They simply have more resources. Even if we had the most sophisticated technology in the world, which I sincerely doubt, all they'd have to do is engage a war of attrition. We'd starve to death. And having a bunch of civvies clutching rifles is extremely likely to spark off an incident like that. I say go with Dunsel's idea, hold a grand parade. If they see us parading around the foreigners, they'll have to accept them. And while we're chauffeuring them around, we have a little more time to clean up the place."
He did have a point there...
A young gray fox rushed in, interrupting the meeting.
"Sirs! Sorry to interrupt, but we have received radio transmissions from Arbitor Arys!"
"Well, out with it!"
"He shall be arriving noon tomorrow. He apologizes for the lateness, but there were some problems with the heli that had to be fixed, and he was forced to land. The rest has been transcribed." He presents a scroll to the leaders of Aatuylva, and they huddled around it.
Dunsel was of course, overjoyed. Until he found out that it is quite possible that the other nations may be arriving before hand, and that one knew of their heli before it even arrived.
All was near chaos, as preparations were made, orders were given, and the Confederacy of Aatuylva sought to put on its best face for the first visitors in many years.
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 14, 2010 15:57:48 GMT -5
Staging ground outside HaveriggWira stood on the lookout point, gazing into the forest as it lit up at various points. Various skirmishes here and there. Everywhere it seemed, these groups were causing trouble, as if their spirits were rejuvenated. It was a new sound for her. This noise, in the background. This death crescendo that they called war. It was nothing like the tribal conflicts of her home, or the relative peace of Majiin. But that no longer mattered. She had to make sure that the Primary Corridor stayed open. Her gunships would escort the visitors in, and beeline straight for Accallia, and her InSec Officers were ridding the woods of any threats to them. It was so different, being this close. She almost wished Stidham were here, but then again, that would've left her with the job of providing security there. She shook her head, clearing these thoughts from her head, and the noises from her perception. Perhaps, the fighting will finally stop. Accallia, Governor's ResidencePrefect Archard stood outside the Governor's house, waiting. It seemed as if the idiot was going to take forever, deciding what to wear. Suited him just fine, made it easier for him to do what he came here to do. He slipped in close, to that sickly car of his, and promptly let out the air in all of tires, and disabled the engine. The biggest moment in this nation's history, and as his had boss put it: "No sense in letting Dunsel screw it up."
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 15, 2010 0:58:57 GMT -5
Guw was of course not going alone to the Confederacy. Jaz, a sort of ox type fellow was to be her main aid, and Nudafa was to be the secondary. Then of course there was Solivan, the 'watcher' as the state department folks liked to call them. A person trained by the intel community to be very good at observing and noticing details that might be missed by most diplomats. Then there were the three escorts. Valime, Hugususa, and Tom. The long range helicopter of course made the most sense as the visitors had come in with such. So landing facilities should be plentiful. All the same, the pilot and the escorts, military furs each, didn't want to fly to low. There were records of flights passing through Aatuylva accidentally being fired upon with potentially very deadly weaponry.
"This is Tinis Special Flight 0-0-2 coming in for a landing. Please provide landing instructions to the helipad or landing strip," said the pilot from a script. Everyone else present was at least partially versed in the language at least. Other than Guw, Solivan was the most competent. Jaz and Valime were pretty good too. Someone would have to translate the instructions to the pilot when the radioed back.
"I'm pretty sure I saw some fires on the horizon over there," commented Nudafa in Tinisian.
-----
The helicopter was soon on the ground in Accallia.
"Here we go folks. Remember your training," said Guw. "If there's any problems, defer to me. Got that? Even you Solivan. And no sneaking around. If they just had a revolution I don't want you giving them a reason to charge you with treason or spying or just up and shooting you. Got that?"
Everyone nodded except the escorts. Those three were supposed to follow the ambassador and the two actual aids.
"Good!"
Tom opened the side of the helicopter and was the first to hop out, followed by the rest in short order.
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 15, 2010 1:08:48 GMT -5
The Ambassador's entourage is met by Michael Stidham, who stands to attention in his dress suit as his companies, also dressed in black, with the brightly colored(patriotic colors of course) armoured divisions, present arms. The band begins to play a rather martial and jarring tune.
Stidham smiles as he sees the escorts, and walks up to Guw, offering his hand.
"Addex laglugilbil Guw. Kunutizel ilag Aatuylva." It sounds rather clipped, and forced in places, before he switches to his native tongue.
"I practiced all day on that. Still sounded horrid didn't it? Well, no matter. I welcome you to my humble home. These men will be in charge of your protection. I apologize on behalf of Governor Dunsel, he had some unexpected automobile trouble, and will be late. Something about neighborhood hoodlums. I am Lord Commander Michael Stidham, Defense Minister."
He walks over to one of the AFVs, this one has been done up in brighter colors.
"As part of precautionary measures, we will be traveling in my personal vehicle. No worries though, you'll still be able to see the sights of the city. In fact, how about a tour before we head to the council hall?"
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 15, 2010 1:21:40 GMT -5
Guw nodded. "That would be lovely Lord Commander." The introductions of her own group were rather brief of course. She left out that Solivan was different from the two aids but instead referred to the three civilians as her assistants.
As they began to walk, Guw said, "You really have pulled out all the stops it would seem. A band, soldiers, and even learning a little Tinisian to say hello. You have honored us and we are grateful for your pleasant welcome. It wasn't to bad. Perhaps myself or one of our escorts will be able to help you work on your pronunciation a bit during the down times." Guw rubbed under her chin. "I hope you don't mind that our pilot will be remaining with our craft for now. She would be rather lost as she doesn't speak your language and needs to do post flight work on the helicopter."
Guw smiled and admired the military display. "I suspect we're the first of course. Other than Cal, I suspect most folks were rather surprised by our message to the Furry Federation. I have no clue who else might be flying in.
"Now Lord Commander Stidham, how fares your good land these days?"
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 15, 2010 1:30:23 GMT -5
"Better than most days. It's been quiet across the board, so to speak. As for your pilot, that is most understandable. I can leave a pack of tankettes to help keep her safe..."
He pauses for a moment.
“Before we go on, I must say one thing…”
He takes a breath, steeling himself for something.
"If ever you get a feeling...that you want to play in the forest at night. Don't. There's no sense in you joining the Lost. You'll say 'I won't get lost.' And you'd be right. But I didn't say you'd get lost. If you get lost, you can get unlost. You can get found. But when you join the Lost... That's another thing.”
He leans in closer, his eyes taking on a haunted look, and his voice gets lower.
“Whispers in the dark there are, places where the dead still fight the battles of old. Places where blood has been shed so many times that the ground runs red. Why do you think we all use trains, or helis? No one wants to travel the roads at night. Alone.”
He turns around, his skin pale.
“Deep places, in the forest. Dark places where even insects won't go. Where dead trees spring up like weeds, where electronics don't work. And if you were to go. You would feel a deep...unsettling cold. And it wouldn't matter then. We could burn down every single tree. But you'd still be in the Forest."
He shakes it off suddenly, turning around, grinning with an almost feral smile.
"Such are our bedtime stories, to keep children in the houses at night. But there are very real dangers in the woods. Bandits, kidnappers. People who want to do unspeakable things to you for money and pleasure. So, if ever I should tell you to do something, do it. It is for your protection."
He steps inside the AFV, offering his hand to help Guw up.
"Shall we be going then?"
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 15, 2010 23:09:47 GMT -5
"I think being on our way would be ideal," answered Guw getting into the AFV.
The others were quick to follow. Guw had noticed right off the bat this place smelled different from any she had visited before. The ghost story, the presentation of arms, the odd architecture, the worries of her compatriots were nothing compared to the weird feeling her nose had been giving her.
Once a little more settled. "Now Lord Commander. Are you one prone to trying to use ghost stories to try to intimidate your subordinates as well or are just wanting us to stay where we can be kept safe?" Guw was using the unusual question to try to take a measure of Stidham. He may be just someone whom likes to tell spooky stories. Or perhaps it was an attempt to spook the delegation a bit so that they'd be in a known state of mind when pressed for something. Or was it a coded warning that just didn't translate well. Were the 'Lost' political prisoners, those kidnapped during the night and taken into the woods? Guw hoped her host was more a ghost story fan.
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 15, 2010 23:17:47 GMT -5
Stidham's smile didn't lessen as he talked.
"Lady Ambassador, I would prefer that you stay with me. It is very dangerous in the forests. As for ghost stories...well, I am fond of them...In fact, you could say I have a vested interest in them."
He turns, opening a compartment in the floor.
"Do you drink wine, Ambassador? I have a lovely bottle here...I can't say that I will have the refined tastes of a nobleman, but I know from.."
He pops the cork, and pulls out several glasses.
"...personal experience that this one is rather good."
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 15, 2010 23:29:59 GMT -5
It was an interesting answer to her question. And did demonstrate perhaps a little about how the military might be influencing the locals. But a vested interest... perhaps some sort of rebel group whom be looking to ally with foreigners? Tinis wasn't much into that sort of thing in general as it lead to unnecessarily poor relations when diplomatic pressure could be used to encourage change in uncouth neighbors, but all the same, interesting if true. On the other hand, perhaps his vested interest is not loosing his job. Foreign dignitaries getting kidnapped under his watch would look bad.
As for the wine, it was proper and sometimes necessary for new delegations to drink a little with the foreigners. Showed some mutual respect, made it clear that you didn't think they were trying to poison you, and had the added benefit of getting conversations going.
"I drink some. Though one glass should be sufficient for the moment. Don't wish to be stumbling before we reach our destination."
The Tinisian escorts declined, as did Solivan. But the rest did take glasses each and after Guw had a light sip, the others joined.
"So, should I call you Lord Commander forever or will Michael do?"
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 15, 2010 23:36:29 GMT -5
"Oh, it would be fine, except I do not know your given name, Ambassador Guw."
He slams the side of the wall three times, and the engines start as the AFV begins to move. Panels slide up, revealing former gun ports that have been converted into reinforced observation windows. The architecture of Accallia held both old and new. Citadels and old fortresses alongside block housing and newer buildings. Most of the activity of the streets have been replaced by military escorts, though people will stop and stare at the procession. Stidham takes a sip from his glass, admiring the view.
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 15, 2010 23:51:44 GMT -5
"You can call me Guw as it is my only name. My parents were named Hola and Dreshkenzari, so if you wanted to be formal you could call me Ambassador kot Tinis Guw kot Hola 'ken Dreshkenzari. But I suspect that would be a bit much." She took another sip of her wine while inspecting the outside.
Solivan pipped up. "Some old fortresses around here. They still in use or are they more historical preservation buildings?"
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Post by aatuylva on Apr 15, 2010 23:56:43 GMT -5
He blinks for a minute, processing the name.
"Guw it is then...Some of them are in use. Mainly as ammo bunkers, or as shelters for the civilian populace. We try to keep the violent types in the forest."
There is a knock coming from the front of the vehicle, and a small panel opens up, with Stidham talking with who was probably the driver.
"No no no. You know very well what's being repaired....fine."
He turns, smiling.
"It seems we will be picking up the Governor at the train station. Try not to be alarmed, most of our transit systems are...bolstered, to prevent hijacking. We shall be taking only a minor detour, should only be a minute or two."
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Post by The Union of Tinis on Apr 16, 2010 0:23:00 GMT -5
Guw had images of armed guards in mad max style crows nest atop the trains. "From what I understand the Governor who the person whom sparked off the events that resulted in our being here. I would be delighted to meet this esteemed person."
"I should note," said Jaz. "Governor has different meaning in Tinis. They are..." Jaz began fumbling over a word.
"Executive administrators," suggested Guw.
"Uh... yeah... over small parts of the country. There's fifty seven now I think in Tinis. First Speaker is head of state in Tinis," finished Jaz. "We represent him here. He may visit for later visit. He is very busy right now."
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