NationStates Jolt Archive

Knnotcap, Knootoss

Ambassador Gheng boarded the first train into Groningen Province, stayed on until the nearest possible terminus to his destination, then boarded a nearly empty bus heading for the small village of Enumatil. Rolling hills soon gave way to a smattering of well-kept houses, then to the village itself, the bus stopping somewhere midway between the Reformed Church and the Reformed Elementary School. He carried little, and there was no need to look for a place to stow his few belongings before getting right to work; it was only mid-afternoon. Eyes followed him as he headed towards the church, and he felt very conscious of being a stranger, and an exotic one at that-- a feeling that he, as an Ambassador, had long since conditioned himself not to feel.

No service was in session. He entered the cheerful Christian church and looked around, admiring the artwork, though some of it-- that having to do with the Crucifixion-- distinctly disturbed him. No one appeared to be about, and he was mildly startled when a kindly-faced young man gently tapped him on the shoulder from behind.

"May I help you?" said the man.

"Oh. Yes, thank you. My name is Gheng Karhe. I'm one of the Xikuangese ambassadors to Knootoss. I'd quite like to speak to whomever is co-ordinating the Nieuw-Nederland expedition. It's rather important."

Enumatil church
The young man smiled politely; and he wore the vague smile constantly without changing it for a moment. Even if the lad seemed well intentioned it made Karhe a bit uncomfortable. With a rather soft voice he spoke: “here in our village that would be the minister, Kazemaker. He is in the back at the moment going over the lists. What is it you want of him mr.. Karhle?”

Gheng Karhe asked if he could speak with the minister himself and the lad listened politely. “Let me take you to him then…”

They walked though the old, dark church, which was lit only by the light that fell though the high windows. The shoes of both men tapped on the ground hard, echoing through the hallway. The boy – or at least he seemed like a boy, as the expressions on his face were almost childish – announced the visitor: “Minister? There is a stranger to see you.”

A man clad in dark clothes turned around and was about to introduce himself warmly, but when he saw the strangely different looking Gheng Karhe he seemed startled for a moment. But then the same forgiving smile the boy had was back; only now that smile appeared a bit condescending to the Xiukanese. “These people are different from the other Knootians I’ve met”, Karhe thought but he could not quite put his finger on it…

OOC:
-Taking mild liberties here to move things along a bit and get the point across. I hope you don’t mind. I’ll edit if there is something wrong.
- Enumatil is just one of the villages; there are many such villages and small towns were people are leaving. But if you want to speak to the big boss I can have him conveniently drop by in Enumatil that afternoon. If you want to day something in a church service that can also OOCly be arranged. ^_^

ooc: Liberties are fine, all is well. I may well wish to address the Congregations, if that's appropriate after a bit more RP, but we should talk OOC. Do you have ICQ? I have MSN and Yahoo but only ICQ works; otherwise, it'll have to be PM or TG.

ic:

"Mr. Kazemaker, I presume." Mr. Gheng stepped forward and bowed in the traditional Xikuangese style, raising his clasped hands to his forehead, then extended his right hand. "I am Gheng Kharhe, one of the ambassadors to your country from Xikuang. I ask for an audience with those co-ordinating the proposed Nieuw-Nederland colonies in Aperin. I am not certain that you have been fully appraised of the situation, and I am here to present it, and to answer insofar as I can for ourselves and for Xikuang's Aperinian and CACE allies. This meeting should take place as soon as possible, as the well-being of your communities is of the highest importance. What would you suggest?"

OOC: woah you're fast. I don't have ICQ sadly - though I do have MSN. If you want to discuss something feel free to PM or TG me. In the meantime I'll see if my brother has ICQ. (I have no idea how that works) You could of course also get on IRC, #nationstates. (The how-to is all explained in the stickies.)

IC:
"Yes, I a minister Kazemaker", the man said prounouncing his religious title slowly while shaking the ambassadors hand.

"Well, I know the people who are in charge of the operation. It is a cooperative project of churches, lobbygroups, businesses and other organisations," Kazemaker said. "And it must have been Gods will that you came to visit today for one of the people in charge is visiting my church this afternoon for a meeting. However there is not much to discuss as things are progressing slowly but steadily here. I am sure that you could meet with him then."

He paused and glanced ponderingly over the Xikuangese from tot to toe. "But there will be congregations before that where I will preach about these matters - the newly found future of our communities."

He scanned the ambassador with his eyes again "you can attend if you respect our customs", he said a bit disdainful. Obviously this had been a problem in the past...

Gheng seems unaffected by the condescending tone, his expression remaining serious and attentive. "I assure you, if an uninitiate is welcome, I would be happy to attend, and I shall respect your customs. It is indeed most serendipitous that one of the leader figures is due today. I would very much like to speak with that person, and as many as could be invited to such a meeting, the better. I fear, though, that I bring news you will not like to hear."

ooc: I have had brief introductions to IRC, but I don't understand it and would require a lot of coaching...

Enumatil church

The afternoon service had begun and Gheng had taken a seat on one of the front row wooden church benches. When the village people of Enumatil had entered they prayed together and the sermon began. Kazemaker first held a gloomy speech about guilt and how the world had fallen to it’s sinful ways. After comparing the cities in Knootoss to Sodom and Gomorrah, he told the villagers that they, too, were sinful and that they should repent with God. After this rather obligatory part of the reformed sermon he turned to the ‘news’ and he spoke lofty words of the promised land in Aperin.

”The Blessings of the Lord are upon us in this new promised land. If we serve Him well and work hard we can live a good life there. I hope for peace and good relations with our friends and brothers in Aperin. We have a guest with us today, from the same continent. Mr. Gheng here is a Xikuangese and he speaks for his people. They have always strived for peace and justice.” Kazemaker began to read.

“ Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.

Moreover if your brother shall trespass against you,
go and tell him his fault between you and him alone: if he shall hear you, you have gained your brother.

Then came Peter to Him, and said,
Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me,
and I forgive him? till seven times?

Jesus Said to him, I Say not to you,
Until seven times: but,
"Until seventy times seven."

Now, let us pray.”

After the prayer, Kazemaker gave a curtsy nod to Gheng…

OOC: You can speak if you want and try to convince them with arguments, but you’ll have to have damned good reasons. If you do, however, I’ll play along… Also, don’t forget where you are. Doing this in the church is either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. If you want to wait for the leaders then you can do that too, just remain seated and nod back.

With a dignified gravity, Gheng nods back to Kazemaker. He had thought he might address the congregation, but one look around him told him that he would not be well received, and that was putting it lightly. In many of the eyes around him he found the same condescension he had encountered from Minister Kazemaker, in many others, indifference, and in a few, an open staring, as if he were some kind of freak. Better, he thought, to go first through the leaders. I cannot read these people.

ooc: one has to be pretty brave to be an ambassador to a WBO nation, but I think I'll hold out and talk to the leaders first, if that's cool. Sorry for the very short post.

IC:
After the service
The ambassador had had a cup of tea with Kazemaker after the service. The Pickwick tea he had been offered tasted really bad compared to the natural teas from Xikuang but Gheng politely pretended to like it. Kazemaker was a quiet man when he was not preaching and there was little conversation.

It began to rain, and outside the church the drops were ticking on the small, laid out stones of the village square. had been wandering around the church for about half an hour looking at the glass windows and several paintings depicting the life of Jesus and the crucifixion.

A knock on the door ended the waiting and a man in a long black raincoat entered the church. Gheng vaguely recognised him from television as the man who had given the speech at the inauguration of the Reinland

Minister Kazemaker greeted the man humbly, as if he was speaking to some sort of saint…

OOC: if you want you have leeway to control them to go to a backroom where you can tell your story ;) I had your man drink yucky tea after all…

ooc: one has to be pretty brave to be an ambassador to a WBO nation, but I think I'll hold out and talk to the leaders first, if that's cool. Sorry for the very short post.
OOC: naw, you don’t have to be really brave. In fact I think that Xikuangese are rather well liked in the Knootoss, particulary the jet-set in the cities. A bit like the Dalai Lama and Nepalese/Tibetan stuff. Yuppies find it delightfully charming. And the lefties (and there are a lot of lefties) sympathise with Xikuang more then any other nation. So if your ambassadors go out to events etc in Knootoss they would even be quite popular. You just happened to pick the most narrow-minded spot there is to find in Knootoss: the last deluded holdouts of Christianity.

bump

OOC: taking a few liberties; hope I'm following wit the right sort of atmosphere. I'll edit if my treatment of your guys is objectionable, of course. What's this new guy's name? I looked but couldn't find...

ic:

In the somewhat awkward silence whilst Kazemaker busied himself with post-service chores and he was left much to his own devices, Kharhe let his mind wander. Though outspoken as an ambassador must be, he was a naturally introspective man. Perhaps influenced by the spiritual flavour of the sermon he had just heard, he found himself engaged in a mental exercise in which he had often occupied his mind during the Occupation, when open study of the sacred texts with which he was familiar was strictly forbidden. Patterns began to emerge around him: in the raindrops gathering on the window glass; in a design painted on the cornice-work of the ceiling; in the powdery leaf-detritus in the dregs of his tea, and soon he had all the elements of a trigram. With ease, he recalled its associated verse:



Heaven operates like the bending of a bow
-the high it pulls down
-the low it brings up
It takes from that which has too much
And gives to that which has too little
The way of humanity is otherwise--
-he takes from that which is depleted
-and gives to that which has too much

Who can offer an abundance to the world?
One who has Tao
Such a one can give like the heavens

The sage gives
-without relying on his own effort
He completes
-without waiting for reward
He illumines
-without stepping from the shadow


Softly, he sighed. What illumination can I provide for these people without stepping from the shadow which falls over me? How can I help them to reap what they are sure they deserve of heaven without letting the way of humanity intervene? He watched with Kazemaker as the raindrops grew larger and began to fall more heavily, the sky darkening with low, dark clouds. I can bring them only truth. I must hope it is enough.

His thoughts were turning melancholy when the silence was interrupted by a knock on the door, and Kazemaker rushed to greet the new arrival. Kharhe noted Kazemaker's simpering form of address and exaggerated deference with a highly mixed emotion well before he recognised the man from the television. Brief introductions were made, in which Kharhe-- nearly a head shorter than the imposing new arrival-- felt himself to be more than literally looked-down-upon, though he evidenced no reaction to this aspect of the meeting, or even any indication that he noticed. The introduction and small-talk complete, he took a more serious tone.

"Gentlemen." he said. "I am very grateful that you will receive me today. There is information I must share with you that I hope will save a considerable amount of trouble to yourselves and to the good people you represent. Perhaps if we might retire to more appropriate chambers?"

"Of course." Kazemaker replied quickly. "My office is just by the Vestry, if that will serve."

"Admirably, thank you." Kharhe says, bowing his head respectfully. To his regret, Kazemaker requests of the kind-faced young man who had originally greeted the Xikuangese ambassador that more tea be brought to the office-- they could at least put a little butter in it, it's so dry-- and leads his guests into his office.

The guest of honour takes the host's seat behind the imposing desk, Kazemaker pulling a chair up beside him, while Kharhe takes the rather uncomfortable seat directly opposite. Though the setting is more reminiscent of a schoolboy addressing his principal than of an ambassador addressing important nationals, Gheng Kharhe remains as calm as if they were in a conference hall.

"Gentlemen. I thank you for your kind hospitality, and Minister Kazemaker, for your invitation to attend your service. It was indeed most interesting, and I shall be looking forward to learning more of your faith. However it is not matters of theological discussion that bring me here. I fear I come as a bearer of unwelcome news, but I hope that I can save you and your congregations hardship your people simply do not deserve."

He pauses briefly, raising his teacup, but he sets it down again without drinking. "As you well know, the continent of Aperin is overwhelmingly dominated by CACE nations. The matter of the establishment o a Knootoss-bound colony has been considered by the CACE membership, and it was determined that no such thing could be countenanced, given Knootoss's membership in WBO/SATO. Let there be no uncertainty about it: the creation of any Knootoss-controlled or affiliated colony in Aperin will be met with stern opposition. It simply will not happen.

"Let me be perfectly clear. It is not you or your people we do not welcome: it is the creation, in territories in our very heart, of an outpost for a government belonging to an organisation openly hostile to the CACE, and we hope you will understand that. Your congregations are welcome to emigrate to any if many Aperinian naions. You would be free to maintain your church and your communities. You would, as emigrant citizens, be afforded every protection CACE nations afford our own citizens. Your people, I stress, are welcome. It is the Knootian government that is not."

OOC:
I already had a reply outlined for this, including bowing to your superior writing skillz on this post, but now Xikuang broke off relations which leaves me with the question:
-Do you want to continue this thing regardless?
-Do you want to continue this thing, "as if it was happening before relations were broken off"
-Do you want to stop this thing because the ambassador is urgently recalled?
-Do you want to stop this thing because you simply do not want to RP (with me) aymore?
Well... you get the point. :wink: Just say what you want and I'll accomodate.

bump

ooc: regarding this particular topic, I'm willing to leave it in nebulous time before relations were broken off, so I'd be glad to see what you had outlined for me.

bump

ooc: Knoot, you mentioned something was forthcoming here? I'll be away for the weekend, but might get on tomorrow morning; things are moving fast, so just wanted to let you know.

OOC: I'm really sorry. I have been busy with the wargames RP. Strategy and stuff. And it's escalating (Clarification: the speed of the RP that is, not as in "into war".) I actually have the "words" ready but I have to type it out. So it'll come.

ooc: Quite understandable and allright by me; I've been very busy with stuff as well. Whenever you're ready.

ooc: Don't you dare back out of this now.

Actually, I was busy conducting negotiations with Skargarden. And they have been finished now, kinda making this RP moot. :?

Knootoss establishes Christian colony on Skargarden Island (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2058987#2058987)

Wait just a minute here. This is very unfair. This has yet to be finished, it is in the nebulous past and very much neglected though not by me, and bear in mind that you are not the only person talking to Skargarden. That deal is far from agreed as far as I, or, indeed, Skargarden knows. Here'ss something you say quite a lot, so I hope you'll accept it from me: there'ss quite a lot going on, so make no assumptions, and please, do not jump the gun on this one. We won't accept this as a de facto action before we are completely assured by Skargarden that it's happened, and we have not, so please retract that post for now. I will ignore it until Skargarden has had a chance to comment, IC, on the forums, not in some closed chat room.