NationStates Jolt Archive

It was a beautiful spring morning in Gothicum. The sun was still hiding behind the mountains. In a bedroom in Lacuna Coil two pair of skillfull hands finished packing a heavy backpack.

Zaek, dressed in teal-coloured cotton, put on a sturdy pair of gloves while Rothana put round her cape. They lifted the backpacks and strapped them on as they made their way down to the small airfield not far from the Coil to meet their old friends.

They had planned a camping trip. A retreat as friends, to let go of matters of state for a week and enjoy the beauty of Gothicum's wildlife.

The duo arrived at the airstrip where also a pack of Wolves was readied to carry everyone to the campsite. They set their backpacks down as they waited for their old friends.

A chopper, its hull colored with the burgundy and blacks of Pantera sweeps across the dark skies of Gothicum before settling onto the airstrip easily.

Soon the doors open and two people emerge. One towering and shining with steel and silver, his shining golden hair pulled into two twin braids that swing merrily as he ascends the steps. His companion, tiny next to the seven foot Reaver, is just as stunning. Her flame-tinted hair blowing wildly, she is clad in the same shining silver chainmail as her husband.

Richenda's laugh is shrill as she breaks from her husbands side and rushes forward to embrace her twin fiercely.

Dayne the Evenstar, Lord Reaver of ThirdEye and Lord of the Resin Marches makes his way towards Zaek and Rothana, his smile splitting his bearded face as he pulls his wife from her sisters arms. Indigo-colored eyes flash brilliantly in the faint light as he leans forward, placing a small kiss on Rothana's cheek,"My Lady, too long have we kept ourselves from your side. I refuse to share Richenda, and it swells my soul to know that I have not claimed all the beauty in the world."

Turning, he offers a hand to Zaek, muscles straining at the chainmail stretched taught over his forearm,"My brother. It does me well to see you again, Zaek. It has been too long since we drank and spoke of times long gone, eh? I hope to fix that on this little..."

Shaking his great head, he asks,"What are we doing, if I may ask?"

The scene at the Ministry of International Affairs was one of immense confusion. "What the hell is this?" demanded Lord Grodenby, "Do we even know these people?"

One of the minor beurocrats that kept the Ministry moving spoke up, "They must know us somehow, otherwise we wouldn't have recieved the invitation."

Grodenby thumped the table, "All right! Which one of you has been to um... Gothicum it says here."

The surrounding ambassadors were silent.

"Well someone must have, surely."

An elderly voice called from the back of the room, "Excuse me?" All heads turned to look. Lord Tarenbrook, an old, careful ambassador stood forwards, "Wasn't it that fellow... what was his name?... Walters?"

The whole room erupted with groans, thumps and various expressions of "Oh God, not him."

Grodenby threw the invitation down on the table, "It was wasn't it? Oh Christ! Is he still alive? I thought we had him shot or somesuch."

"As I remember," Tarenbrook replied, "We had him arrested after the whole mess with Gothicum, Trinexua and Haraki. We were going to have him shot but we've always been short-handed and it's a big help having him down in the cells, doing the paperwork. He always was good with the paperwork, even if he does keep attatching those "Help Help I'm Trapped In A Cell In The Government Buildings!" yellow sticky notes to everything he does. To tell the truth, I think he rather enjoys the peace and quiet."

"So he's still alive?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Bugger."

"Indeed."

Silver Siren sighed and almost yelled, " Marcus for goodness sakes hurry up!"

" I'm coming! Just giving the twins a last minute check!"

Queen Siren told the guards to get the backpacks into the limo. She was dressed in faded blue denims and a warm grey cotton top. Marcus came down the stairs dressed in a similar laid back fashion.

"Ok Angel, I am ready to go." Marcus kissed Siren deeply and smiled his boyish grin, " Now what was the surprise you were going to tell me about?"

Siren wound her arms around her husbands waist and looked deeply into his eyes, "I invited someone along, I thought they might enjoy the incredible scenery and the dense forests of Gothicum.."

"They?" He looked confused for a moment then he said, " Oh Angel you didn't.."

" Why not? They are friends of mine and i think Zaek and Rothana would love to meet them.. "

Two large wolves approach the palace and sit near the limo wating, the Black wolf turns to the Silver one and licks her muzzle, then the Silver wolf returns the affection.

Queen Siren smiles as she saw the wolves take their place beside the limo. Then she turned back to Marcus, " They are going to be fine love, This is going to be fun we have not been on a vacation in years!" She then kissed him lightly and flitted off to the limo as a guard opened the door for her. Marcus groaned softly and followed giving the large wolves a cheeky smile. The Capitain of the guard waited patiently as the two Wolves entered the car. Then with a tap on the hood he stepped back and watched as they sped off toward the Royal Airport where a small private plane waited to take them all to Gothicum.

alhana catherine sat silently at the back of the small jet, her eyes guarded and her arms folded tightly. she looked out at the growing view of the airport, and bit her lip.

"it has been so long..." she whispered.

the finely built man beside her stole a concerned look before hesitatingly putting a hand on her shoulder.

"it will be alright al- m'lady. you need this after being shut away in your palace for the last year and a half. the... ministers insist."

"i fear leaving the nation after all that's happened. i'm more concerned about the state of the lands than these trivialities, andrei."

andrei slid his arm down and around alhana catherine's waist.

"no one but luca knows where you have gone, if they are aware of your absence at all. you will be safe."

the radio crackled and the captain's voice was heard.

"we are landing in a few minutes, m'lady."

"... we're going camping, Dayne. I've found us a quiet little spot near a brook in the east. About an hour's ride on wolfback. Plan is to just relax and get away from it all. Maybe something easier to do when not clad in chainmail. Oh, and so you know, it's completely back to basics, no rations stocked, no bottled water, no weapons , just clothes and an axe to make a shelter..."

Zaek turned to Richenda.

"Ah the illustrious Richenda, I still remember what a fool I made of myself when I mistook you for your sister. I see it was an honest mistake, because no man could dream of there being two such shining ruby's in the world's crown."

Zaek took Richenda's hand and placed a gentleman's kiss on it.

alhana catherine, dressed in tight, dark leather pants and a white tank top walked towards the group, wide-eyed.

"...we won't have provisions? zaek, do you mean for us to hunt and and find clean water ourselves?" her face was stricken with panic, and she pouted when she heard them respond with laughter.

"so much for relaxing on this trip," she muttered under her breath.

A Haraki plane touched down nearby, and Prime Minister Jaime Walf stepped out, grinning at the small assembled group. He stepped towards them, dismissing the plane, which taxied away to prepare for takeoff again.

The small Slutbum Wallah plane screeched as the landing gear hit the tarmac, trailing clouds of smoke and steam as the brakes kicked in slowing the plane's reckless speed. After a minute of grinding the plane pulled to a halt and a stair was brought forwards to assist in leaving the transport.

Unexpectedly, two security troopers left the aircraft first, taking up station at the foot of the stairwell. Then came Walters, he stumbled out from the aircraft and almost tripped down the stairs, as if someone had pushed him in an attempt to get him out of the plane. He was closely followed by a second man dressed in casual clothes, carrying a backpack of camping gear in each hand.

Once they reached the bottom, the two troopers almost sprinted up the steps, taking them two at a time. Walters heard a muffled cry of "Go! Go! Go!" from inside as the plane's engine started up again. The second man dropped the backpacsk on the tarmac and turned to look around. "How the hell did I get landed with this job"

Walters reached down and heaved his pack onto his shoulders, "Did you annoy anyone high up?"

"Either that or God has a sick sense of humor." He shouldered his pack as well, "C'mon, lets find the rest of them."

The SilverCities royal jet touched down in Gothicum and after coming to a smooth stop, opened its doors to unload the passengers. The Royal Couple stepped out first and Siren squealed and rushed toward her sisters heedless of anything else. Right in that moment she felt she was a child again and went to them both in turn hugging and kissing them on their cheeks.

"Rothana! Oh how wonderful you look. Zaek has been keeping you happy I see.... Oh Richenda! You too look incredible, I think I am jealous of your figures.." Siren laughed and then turned to smile at her brothers-in- law."You have both made admirable husbands for them. Speaking of.." she looks around to see Marcus coming up behind her with their gear and the pair of large Wolves following. " I hope you don't mind I brought some friends with me," Siren gestured to the silver and black wolf," This is Silver and Hans. The only known Werewolves in my Queendom and good friends of mine.."

Smiling at Zaek, the Evenstar shakes his head,"My mail is feather-light, friend. It shall not trouble me, but if we canna take our own provisions, I shall bring my bow." Turning, he gestures to a servant who rushes back to the Panteran chooper. Emerging finally, he carries a great dragonbone longbow, a large quiver of arrows, and a curved hunting knife almost the length of a shortsword.

Slinging the bow around his neck and thrusting the knife through his belt, he turns and smiles to Siren his laughter rich and friendly, though his mirth fades as she continues to speak.

Dayne eyed the werewolves thoughtfully a moment, grunting softly and allowing a lip to curl disdainfully before turning once more and slipping an arm about Richenda's slender waist and leaning close to whisper to her as she bites playfully at his neck. Aside form an occasional glance of distaste toward the werewolves, Dayne seems careless of his surroundings, seemingly content to hold his wife, and await thier departure.

{{{Edited because I forgot my quiver...}}}

The two men began to slow down as they approached the group of wolves, humans and variations thereof. The bodyguard leaned over to Walters, speaking out of the side of his mouth, "Is that them?"

Walters kept walking, a worried frown constantly stapled to his face, "Yes. You brought you're rifle right?"

"Yep."

"Any silver bullets?"

"Not one."

"This isn't going to go well."

Hans looks around at the people around him and shifts to his human form he is 5'6" tall stocky build and his green eyes seem to look into your soul

"hello I'm Hans, this trip sounds like it will be fun thank you for bringing us Siren"

The silver wolf's eyes gleam silver for a moment as she shifts into her woman-form. She is tall, about 5'9 with shoulder length black hair and dusky brown skin. Her eyes are deep brown and friendly, and her curves are full and lush. She places a hand into her Mate's and smiles at everyone, but notes the tension in a few people and sighs lightly. " I hope we are not intruding, but Siren said the forests here are legendary and we couldn't pass up the invitation."

Siren just smiled and nodded," Don't believe everything you hear or read about Werewolves everyone. I have mever met a nicer couple then these two..." she turns to them," I was glad to invite you and I am sure once everyone gets to know you they will like you as well.." she then lays her head on Marcus' shoulder and waits to see what the next move will be.

"My dear Catherine, the Gothicum forest is lush with fruits. One could easily make a vegetarian meal from the berries and roots. You won't have to look far for food."

"Gothicum houses stranger beings then werewolves Siren, I'm sure there will be no problems."

Upon seeing Walters and his companion Zaek smiled. He remembered the adventures Walters had caused in the past. And he knew this camping trip wouldn't be boring with him here. Upon seeing the rifle Zaek squinted his eyes.

"Excuse me, sir. But I'd prefer no firearms on this trip. It's unnecessary and it takes the fun away from the hunt. Besides firearms only bring misfortune."

"So has anyone heard from Nathi, is she comming? Jaime, do you know anything about her? Is she comming, I haven't hear of her yet."

***BUMP***

Time to get this show back on the road

The two men began to slow down as they approached the group of wolves, humans and variations thereof. The bodyguard leaned over to Walters, speaking out of the side of his mouth, "Is that them?"

Walters kept walking, a worried frown constantly stapled to his face, "Yes. You brought you're rifle right?"

"Yep."

"Any silver bullets?"

"Not one."

"This isn't going to go well."

Hans walks over to the two approching men his eyes glowing faintly red

"Do not worry you have nothing to fear from us we mean you and yours no harm"

He extends his hand to the men.

Nathicana bit her lip, looking over the invitation. So nice to go back and visit the friends who had first welcomed her with open arms ... and so difficult to manage in these troubled times.

What to do?

She was certain Jaime would be there ... and she had promised a trip. A vacation away from it all. And Gothicum would be a fabulous place for it, to be sure. The timing couldn't have been better for the invitation in that respect. But there were other responsibilities as well. Some of them having nothing to do with the rule of her nation.

She pondered her options. Cell phone ... laptop ... plenty of batterypaks ... Surely that would allow her to keep in contact. Abandoning Devon for a week while she went off and played ... She grimaced, remembering all too well the harsh words, well deserved.

So much for the understanding and supportiveness that way. I was fooling myself to think otherwise. Gods, how am I going to balance this?

The party on the Kantharos had done wonders for her nerves, if not her head - she'd payed for that the next day, to be certain. Perhaps ... just perhaps, so long as she kept in touch with her ministers and Dev ... perhaps this would be alright? She owed it to Jaime at the very least.

The very least. She still felt sick at heart remembering their talk in the room at Lambda. And there was nothing to do but go forward. For now, he'd said ... for now.

Make do with what I've got.

She makes the neccessary calls and arrangements, putting no small amount of faith in Ministers Ravanelli, Pellegrino, and del Veccio, respectively. Marik, of course, was left in charge, albeit quietly as usual.

Gathering all the things she needs, she chooses a mix of warm and cool weather clothing, for the nights if need be, all terribly casual, and loads them into the pack she used for the safari. Thinking, she takes the survival gear she did then too, including her compact sleeping back and tent - just big enough for two to snuggle up in. Adding some creature comforts like coffee and tea essentials, she changes into cutoffs, hiking boots, light cotton tank, and a comfortable flannel shirt. Pulling her hair back in a long ponytail, she pulls a faded denim cap onto her head, shrugs on the pack, and heads out through the back ways to the waiting car.

The ride to the airport is uneventful, and she anxiously boards The Tempest, her shuttle, for the flight to Gothicum. Jacking in, she revels as always at the sensation of becoming one with the ship through the interlinking controls. Flying there gives her time to think, compose her emotions. And when she finally touches down, shuts down the system and jacks back out, it is with a smile.

She straps her pack back on and exits down the ramp, waving to the others ... and going straight to Jaime, looking up at him with a smile, though her eyes seem slightly worried.

"Shall we, mi amore?" Nathi reaches out tentatively to embrace him, her face tilted up for a kiss.

He leaned down, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, and kissing her. "Yes, my dear. Let's go see our friends. It's been a while. Too long."

His other hand reached down, grabbing his pack by one of its straps and pulling it up onto his shoulder.

Glad she's here ... Don't know if I could handle this trip without her.

She kisses him back, relaxing, nearly breathing a sigh of relief.

All will be well ... all will be well ...

Nathi smiles up at him, and nods, not really having the words just yet. She slips her hand around his, giving it a reassuring squeeze, and walks with him over to the rest of the group, smiling warmly, her eyes bright with the emotions running through her.

It's been too long for many things. Gods I've missed these folk.

Zaek walked upto Nathi and kissed her on both cheeks.

"It's so glad to have you all here, my old friends. Long was the time since we all were together and I felt the need to organise this, so we could catch up, personally. So we can clear our heads from ruling a country and be amongst friends, true friends, a scarce resource in the world of politics."

He hoisted the pack of spare clothes on his back.
"So are we all here and ready to go? Let's not tally any longer."

Nathi returns the greeting warmly, smiling at Zaek.

"It's been far too long, my dear. Far too long. And ... scarce resource indeed, becoming moreso I'm afraid as the days pass on. This trip will be a welcome relief, I won't lie to you. Thank you for your gracious invitation."

Looking around, and smiling up at Jaime, she nods. "I believe we're set at least. Lead on, Zaek."

ooc: 5 days and no action. I'm marking this one dead. Ah well.