NationStates Jolt Archive

This is basically a spin-off of something between Rejistania and myself that happened in a different thread. I put "semi-open" because there is room for others to get involved.

Basic background to the story: Tranquillitisian laws forbid the display of foreign religious symbols, the spread of ideas of foreign religion, and basically have banned anything that isn't to do with Catholicism (although Lutherans and Anglicans get some leeway as long as they keep to themselves). These offences are capital offences, and punishable by death.

While Tranquillitis was hosting a football tournament, a necklace bearing the symbol of a Rejistani god slipped out from under the shirt of one Nihasa Rike, a young football fan who came to Tranquillitis from Rejistania to watch the tournament. She was arrested by police, and that's basically where we're up to now. Here are the posts from the other thread, to catch you up:


--meanwhile in Östköping--
a group of rejistanian fans are leaving the stadium and talk about the victory. No one really noticed the Imperial policemen, who were apparently making sure, that no chaos broke out (like in every rejistanian city at that time surely did). Nihasa Rike's shoelace loosened and so she bent down to tighten the shoelace again. She didn't realize, that her small neclace became visible, which had the symbol of Tadarekansa, the Venjuhida god of victory, on it. An Imperial policeman saw it and grabbed her: "This symbol is surely not allowed! I'll take you to the nearest police station, where we can find it out!"


Imperial Tranquil Police Officer Markus Knudsson was bored. With the Supercup being played in Tranquillitis, he thought maybe he'd get the opportunity to see some quality football, maybe even perhaps the Moose. Unfortunately for Knudsson, the Moose were drawn in a group that didn't come through Östköping, and only the miracle of the Moose topping their group, which seemed unlikely, would send the Moose to Östervallen, where Knudsson's beloved Saints proudly played and defended their Elitserien championship. Perhaps the Lord will see the Moose here, he thought to himself, staring into space at the stream of spectators coming out of the stadium.

He was assigned the duty of standing outside the stadium, watching the foreigners with close scrutiny. He was only half watching though, his Police helmet drooping slightly over his eyes. He adjusted it, and looked towards a group of young Rejistanis exiting the stadium. One bent down to tie her shoe, while from the inside of her shirt, a necklace slipped out, bearing a symbol that was quite obviously not a cross of the Faith.

He tapped his partner and headed over towards the young woman, grabbing her arm. "Vad menas med detta?" he said instinctively in Swedish. He quickly switched to accented English. "What is this?" he asked, his eyes peering at the girl. "I hope not some Rejistani religious symbol. Surely you heard the words of Empress Monique regarding banned religious symbols. You will have to come to the nearest police station."

He began walking the girl to his patrol car, while his partner followed close behind, keeping the girl's companions away. He handcuffed her and shoved her in the back of the car, while his partner quickly got in the front seat. The patrol car sped off, leaving the Rejistani girl's friends behind, confused as to why their companion was being taken away.

The girl herself in the car looked confused, as she, like many Rejistanis, spoke only fragmented English. While neither Knudsson nor the girl spoke English as a first language, Knudsson had been taught the language from a young age, while the girl did not. The patrol car sped towards the station, located in downtown Östköping.

Nihasa Rike didn't understand what happened. She just tied her shoes and then this policeman has handcuffed her and brought her in this police car. The man has said something, but the english he spoke was very accented. Perhaps it wasn't english at all. "Iln'isa xe sunjan?" she asked in rejistanian. She tried also to say it in english, but messed up the right sentence structure and her accent also didn't enhance clarity: "Ju ta~ek mi ver?"* She even tried to ask it in Minokajetian ("Ni-ja-ga-eris 'diu?") and Majuvedian ("Senede' ixe ahili?"), but of course no one outside of Northern Mintania speaks these languages. The car stopped at a building, which seemed to be some kind of police station.

* you take me where?

--meanwhile--
Kihedi Xa stared blankly as the car moved off, what did happen now? He knew, that soccer fans tend to get arrested after victories, but normally you need to climb on street lamps and wave an Orange-Blue flag or to jump into fountains. Nihasa didn't even have the time to do such things and wouldn't have done them here in Tranquilitis. Anyhow. this trip was organised by the Orange-Blue-Fan-Club and so he called them and told them what happened.

Imperial Tranquil Police Chief for Östköping and the Surrounding Suburbs Peter Sjellsson had already been informed of the discretion. He waited now in his office, having cancelled all appointments for this time, for the arrival of Officers Knudsson and Forsberg, with the young Rejistani woman who had apparently broken the law that was held most sacred in Tranquillitis: she had violated the foreign religion ban.

Sjellsson was a very devout Christian. He went to his church everyday, always donated his free time to Church activities, and followed the Bible and Church to every rule humanly possible. He was a man of faith and good deeds, a model of the Catholic Church in Tranquillitis and the affect it had on its citizens. He stood by the rules first set in place by Emperor Erik I, and an avid supporter of the law forbidding the spread of foreign religion, which included bearing symbols.

His personal assistant buzzed his office. "Knudsson och Forsberg är här," said the pleasant female voice. Knudsson and Forsberg are here. "Sänd dem hit," he responded. Send them in.

Knudsson and Forsberg entered the large office with their prisoner, a young woman of no more than 23 years of age. She looked confused and scared of her current situation and surroundings, and Sjellsson felt a pang of guilt for a brief moment. Shaking his head away at his weakness, he motioned for the two officers to bring the girl to his desk. She was shoved forward, and sat in one of the two chairs. Knudsson started to lift her out of it, but Sjellsson motioned for him to let her sit.

"Vad skedde?" he asked. What happened?

"As this woman bent down to tie her shoes," Knudsson began, "her necklace slipped out from underneath her shirt. We saw what suspiciously looked like a heretical symbol." He handed the necklace over to Sjellsson.

Sjellsson studied it. "Thank you, officers, please wait outside," he said without looking up. Knudsson and Forsberg left the office, closing the door behind them."

"Now," he said, looking directly at the scared girl across from him, speaking in Scandinavian-accented English. "What is this?"

The girl said nothing, apparently not understanding him. "Is this some kind of religious symbol, a symbol of some god or something of that nature?" he tried, holding up the necklace.

Suddently Nihasa saw what was the point. This sign on her necklace. She thought it would be enough to keep the sign of Tadarakansa invisible. Unfortunatly the policeman has seen it and so The Great God of Victory has brought her into trouble, even if his sign is normally worn to avoid trouble. Han-hi-len-ly! She aswered in her not-really-good-english: "It is sy-jin, is from KaMaRi midjit. I know not what the sy-jin is."

Sjellsson's face grew angry. "Ljugande flicka! Jag och du känner vad det är!" He stopped for a moment, trying to regain his composure. "I know what this is, girl. I have been to Rejistania before. I saw this symbol everywhere when I went there to watch football. It is the symbol of your god of victory."

He turned and faced the window. "I tried to get you to admit it, perhaps you might have been able to salvage something from this. I have to turn you over to the federal authorities." He turned back towards the door. "Knudsson! Forsberg! Kom hit!"

Knudsson and Forsberg burst through the door, looking scared as though they thought they were in trouble. "This girl is going to Eriksberg. Make the arrangements."

Knudsson and Forsberg took the girl by the arms and led her out of the office.

--------------------------

An unmarked black vehicle, belonging to the Imperial Tranquil Police, National Division was waiting downstairs. Forsberg and Knudsson brought Nihasa to the car, and put her in the back, before closing the door and letting the driver make the 2 and a half hour drive to Eriksberg.

Nihasa was brought to this car, that reminded her in a very unpleasant way of a hearse. She didn't know, what they thought, she said. Debts! It is impossible to say anything in a sensible way if you are arrested by the strictest police, Nihasa could imagine. It is far more impossible to say anything sensible in a language, you just learned several weeks before by a simple language-guide. Suddently Nihasa remebered, that she had the book 'English for Away Games' in her pocket. Perhaps there are some phrases she could use. She tried to reach her pocket, but didn't succeed. The man, that was with her in the back of the car, said something to her. He wanted to know what she was trying, as Nihasa guessed. Nihasa pointed at the pocket and said: "Ra.", then she also remembered the english word and added it: "There."She wasn't quite sure if the last e was sounded and hoped, that she had made no error by not pronouncing it. The man said something to the others in the front of the car a short discusion began, then the first opened her handcuffs. She rubbed her hurting wrists, she searched in her pocket, didn't find the guide and after a shock second remembered, that it was in the other pocket. She grabbed it and showed it the official. He looked at it, but then she remembered, that rejistanian symbols are known only in Rejis and the 'for Away Games' books are surely not known in Tranquilitis too. She browsed until she found the right page. Then she pointed at her wrists and (while looking at the right pronounciation, she said: "Thank you!")

That is where we are up to. Some basic stuff about Tranquillitis in case anyone is interested in joining: It is a Swedish speaking nation officially, although 95% of the citizens speak at least passable English.

If you want to get involved, you'll probably hear a lot from Sir Niclas Alexandersson, Tranquillitis' Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Cardinal Mikael Enqvist, Tranquillitis' Minister of the Church and Holy Affairs. These are the two who should receive some complaints. IFKV Director, Daniel Jacobsson, might also be interested in hearing what people have to say.

Imperial Tranquil Investigation Agency (IFKV) Agent Björn Sedin looked quizzically upon the Rejistani citizen. She was attempting to speak English, but it didn't sound right at all. He managed to pick up the word "there". It appeared that she wanted something. Something that required he take off the handcuffs.

He leaned forward, in the gap between the passenger and driver's seats. "She wants something from her pocket. Should I just take off the handcuffs?"

The passenger, Agent Andersson, looked suspicious. "It might be some sort of weapon. We shouldn't take the chance."

The driver, Agent Engdahl, scoffed. "She was searched when she was arrested. Just take them off, she looks harmless anyways."

Sedin reached into his pocket and took out the key. He slowly unlocked the handcuffs, and she quickly searched her pockets, until she brought out a pocket-sized book. The symbols were completely foreign to him, and her attempts to show him what it was were futile. She flipped through some pages, before looking up and pointing to her wrist. "Thank you," she said in very accented English, the accent so strong that the words were barely understandable.

Sedin nodded. "It's a phrase book, guys," he said to the two agents in the front. They said nothing in return, although Andersson stole a quick glance back at the girl, who looked rather scared and pitiful to Sedin. Well, Andersson was always paranoid, Sedin thought to himself, as he began to read the Tranquillitis Dagblad, the country's national newspaper. Eriksberg was still approximately 90 minutes away, and the girl wasn't going anywhere.

----------------------------

[1 hour, 45 minutes later]

The car pulled up to the IFKV building, heading to the entrance where criminals were brought in, so as to avoid public gawking and the media, who, despite being controlled by the church, were always around to pick up some kind of story. Sedin, Andersson, and Nihasa got out, while Engdahl parked the IFKV vehicle, getting into his own, as he was finished for the day.

The trio walked into the building, and headed up to the large desk at the front. "Hon är den rejistaniska flicka," Sedin told the desk clerk. She is the Rejistani girl. The clerk nodded. "Rum 3."

Sedin and Andersson flanked Nihasa as she was brought into Interrogation Room 3, for preliminary questioning. She sat down in a chair, while Andersson and Sedin went outside to discuss what to do next. The room was quite bare, with only a table, a few chairs, and the obvious 2-way mirror on one of the walls. A large window was to the left of the door, facing into the hallway. The two agents locked the door on the way out.

"She speaks basically no English at all," Sedin said, looking through the window at the girl seated at the table. "Interrogation is going to be frightfully difficult."

Andersson nodded, also looking at the girl. "I wish we could just bypass the whole trial, and just be done with the mess," he said. "It's going to be a nightmare trying to get a Rejistanian who speaks Swedish, or even English for that matter."

Sedin continued staring. "We should head up to the director's office to get this sorted out. The sooner the better, I say."

The pair motioned for two uniformed ITP officers to stand watch over the room, while they headed for the 6th floor, the top floor, of the IFKV building, to the director's office.

--------------------------
----------------------------
Öppna Överföring

Åt: Rejistania Government
Frän: Daniel Jacobsson, Director, Imperium Finstämd Kriminalundersökning Verk

As you are no doubt aware, on the 16th of December, in the city of Östköping, the Imperial Tranquil Police placed under arrest one Nihasa Rike, a citizen of Rejistania, for violation of the religious laws in Tranquillitis. The official charge will be registered as one count of displaying illegal religious symbols in Tranquillitis, which is a capital offence. The girl has since been turned over to the IFKV, federal authorities in Tranquillitis, who will take over the investigation of the case.

The Empress and her citizens will show Ms. Rike the same freedoms given to citizens of the Sanctus Imperium: she will be given a fair trial, and full access to counsel. However, there is a problem in communication. Ms. Rike speaks little to no Swedish, and little to no English, while IFKV agents do not speak Rejistani.

In order for the due process to begin, it is required that a translator be sent to represent Ms. Rike at future questionings and procedings. The individual sent must be able to speak either Swedish or English in almost complete fluency. Swedish is preferred, as that is the language in which our procedings are conducted in, but, if this is impossible, an exception can be made for this particular trial.

Please respond as soon as possible, as we cannot keep Ms. Rike in custody forever. If the offer is refused, she will be punished as described in the Tranquillitis Charter of Law, Section 3: Offences of Religion.

Respectfully,
Sir Daniel Jacobsson
Director, Imperium Finstämd Kriminalundersökning Verk, Tranquillitis

As the letter reached the Rejistanian government, hectic action started: The officials tried to find out information about citizen Nihasa Rike to find out her native language and at the same time, to find a translator, who speaks as well swedish and a north-mintanian language (her name sounded very north-mintanian, but there are several ethnical groups in north mintania). They found out, that Nihasa Rike is Minokajetian from Jinhes kali. They search their databases for a translator, who speaks both minokajetian and swediah and had only one match: Esda Kalim, a 50 year old Majuvedian. He worked for a small translation bureau in KaMaRi and already helped the KaMaRian city court with translations before. They contacted him and asked him to do the job. Kallim agreed.

Soon, Esda Kalim was in a plane to Tranquillitis. He read a book about the christian religion, just to be sure that he would not get into trouble there. It was quite interesting how many different types of chrisitanity exist and how much they differ. In this book, even a rejistanian-lutheran church was mentioned. A church founded by european colonists, who apodted the symbols of rejistanian gods to give the church acceptance.

Without the Inikresaistic symbols he normally wears, he felt somehow naked. He hoped, that the gods of Minokaje would still protect him, even without the symbols of them.
After the flight had reached Eriksberg, Tranquillitis (which is from the rejistanian perspective on the other side of the world) Esda Kalim found his way to the IFKV.

The Dominion of The Captain supports Tranquillitis' position on non-Catholic icons.

Whereas those extreme of measures are not taken in our land, we approve of the general policy.

At the offices of Amnesty Worldwide, in Ceyce, Effrenata, Gil Stirnik picked up a call.

Nyala Quillan, a regional coordinator for AW, was on the other end, sounding excited and upset.

"...and they'll KILL her! Even though she was making an effort NOT to show the symbol, by wearing it under her shirt. These religious nuts will try her and hand her over to some Inquisition and execute her! We have to make sure that Tranquillitis is called to account for this in the court of international public opinion! Get Nev Hyirdal on this for press coverage..."

Stirnik tried to stem the flow. "Whoa, whoa, hold on there... Nyala? Where the heck ARE you? Tranquillitis? What are you doing THERE?"

"I came for the football tournament, but that's not the point, Gil. The point is that I was standing right near by when the Tranky storm troopers hauled away this innocent Rejistani girl because she accidentally let some kind of amulet slip out from under her shirt. You know how they are here."

Gil was not pleased to have what sounded like a very unpleasant, ambivalent incident indeed coming up just at the juncture when AW was hoping for a big grant from Effrenata's Ermetyne Foundation, but it did sound serious.

"OK, Nyala, have you got other witnesses?"

"Yes! Yes, of course. There were some other Rejistani football fans nearby, and some Effrenati, and we even talked to a Tranky. She's the one who made it clear just what was going on. But she won't talk to anyone official. Wouldn't even give her name. I think she's afraid. This place is a snake pit, Gil."

"Everyone knows that, Nyala. Their country, their rules. It's not like they hide it. They post it at every port of entry, they give all the travel services brochures to hand out to tourists, it's in every directory and information source on Tranquillitis. I don't think we can do anything with this. She's in their country, under their laws it's perfectly legal."

"And frankly, the world doesn't seem to care. We've tried to make an issue of this in the past. So has the International Purple Star. And the World Human Rights League. No traction."

Nyala was impatient. "Yes, but you didn't let me get to the good part. The girl speaks not a word of Svenski or English, only Rejistani dialects. And I very much doubt that any of the Tranky storm troopers speak her language."

Gil was stern. "Stop that, Nyala. Stop calling them "Trankies." You know that's pejorative, and that's not how we work. And if she was arrested by the police, say so. Last I heard, Tranquillitis wasn't allowing military units to undertake domestic peace officer assignments."

She sighed. "Okay, okay. You're right, Gil. I just let my outrage get away with me. But these bloodthirsty bigots-in-the-supposed-name-of-Christ yank my chain."

Gil recalled that Nyala professed Sebenborgianism, a very small, very pacifist, very metaphysical Christian sect. Christians were SO weird... One so-called religion, hundreds of sects and sub-sects, and sub-sub-sects, and they all seemed to hate one another as much as (if not more than) the 'heretics and infidels' of other faiths. If Nyala's religion button was pushed, the main thing was to get her out of there, before she shot her mouth off and got herself into trouble, to the discredit of Amnesty Worldwide.

"I understand, Nyala. Capital punishment is bad enough for violent offenses. But we've never had much traction on that, either, not even here in Effrenata -- though they're more enlightened than most, that way. I sometimes wonder why we have our World Headquarters here, instead of one of the no-death-penalty nations, even if the Vordrik Endowment pays the expenses."

"Anyway. Let's talk about what we need to do next. Did you get names and call info. from the witnesses?"

"Yes, of course. And I've already written up a text summary, it should be in your in box. Do you want me to file the official protest?"

"Not yet. I'm going to send an Action Team out to meet you. We have a couple of Schminkalan delegates here for the Media Awareness training. I'll send them along. In the mean time, see what press contacts you can make--- DISCREETLY--- on the local end. But whatever you do, don't make any official complaints, and don't get yourself in trouble. We may need your testimony at some point, and if it's tainted because you're a lawbreaker, too, we'll be that much less effective. Got it?"

He certainly hoped she'd gotten it. Nyala's background from a wealthy and influential Ceyce family sometimes made her think the rules didn't apply to her.

"Yes, of course, Gil. I'll wait for the Schminkalans. I'm at the Ostkoping Plaza hotel. The contact information is in the summary I sent you."

"Okay. Take care, Nyala."

"I will. Thanks, Gil."

After she broke the contact, Gil looked over at Meldal Forlinden, the AW Coordinator from the Lessminnat Principality who served as HQ Media Advisor.

"What do you think? Can we get any traction with the language-barrier thing?"

Forlinden shrugged. "I think it's worth a try. There are a number of atheist, anti-theist, and even just religiously liberal countries het up about civil rights just now. Some of them even play football... In fact..." Forlinden's face grew dreamy for a moment.

"What?"

The Lessminner's eyes snapped back to meet Gil's. "We might go for the football angle. If we can get the international leagues and authorities cranked up about fan safety, we might be able to leverage participation sanctions against Tranquil teams..."

Stirnik's eyes widened. "Whoa! You think? Wouldn't that be a pisser for them...." His eyes got a little dewy with longing, too, for a moment. Then he shook his head. "I don't know. It's awfully hard to get the sanctioning bodies jizzed up about anything that isn't strictly game-related."

Forlinden's smile was thin and cold. "Perhaps. Unless, of course, we look at the ones headquartered in 'heretic' countries...."

Stirnik shook his head firmly. "No. Absolutely not. It's bad enough that Tranquillitis' narrow-mindedness generates such human rights tragedies. Amnesty Worldwide cannot stir up inter-religious hatreds to achieve our ends. Our whole point is to be above that sort of thing.

Forlinden's eyes narrowed. "We've never seen eye-to-eye on this, have we, Gil? Well, you're the General Secretary. We'll play it your way. But don't be surprised if it doesn't end up as a religious issue, no matter how carefully we play it."

Stirnik frowned. "I'm not sure we should play it at all. I'm only sending Brenga and TarHannikat to Ostkoping to keep Nyala out of trouble, at this point. I expect the Rejistani government will deal with the matter through official diplomatic channels."

Forlinden shrugged. "We may not have a choice. Do we have much of a membership in Rejistania?"

Stirnik shook his head. "I don't know. We have members in just about every country that pretends to have any civil rights at all for its population... I'll have Pouli check on the Rejistanian enrollment."

(OOC: Info. on Effrenata here--> http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=113835&highlight=)

(OOC: Effrenata, is the AW part of your government, or a seperate entity? And I won't have the Tranquillitis govt respond officially to you until you file the formal protest, but I will use the citizen you referred to in your post, the Tranky you talked to :p )

The IFKV Agent working the front visitors desk of the Eriksson Building, where the IFKV was located, was visibly bored. While he was a fully trained agent, his young age and the fact that he was only an agent for two months conspired to place him at desk duty, one of the most, if not THE most, boring jobs possible for an IFKV Agent.

Despite the usual school groups, the traffic of the day had been relatively normal; which meant things were going slow. There were always school groups, the Agent remembered his trip to this same building when he was about 8 or 9 years old. Looking back on them now, he realized that they were designed to scare the children, and to make them turn away from a possible life of crime, and for the most part, it was successful. The crime rate in Tranquillitis had been steadily decreasing over the past few years, and it was the school outing to this building that first interested him in becoming an agent.

Outside, there was a flurry of activity, which caused the agent to quickly put his magazine away and sit up straight. Through the doors came an aging gentleman, quite obviously not a Tranquillitis citizen. He was dressed quite sharply, and was flanked by four IPT Officers from the Eriksberg division.

"Welcome, Mr. Kalim," a strong voice said behind him, in Swedish. The young agent wheeled his chair around to see IFKV Director Daniel Jacobsson move towards the man. He extended his hand, which Kalim shook, and Jacobsson turned to the agent, looking at his name tag.

"Agent Naslund, would you please tell us which room Nihasa Rike is being held in?" he asked.

Naslund fumbled around, quickly hitting the keys on his keyboard. "Um, she's in Int Room 3, sir."

"Thank you," Jacobsson said, quickly turning and escorting Kalim away. The police officers returned to their cars, which were parked outside.

"This is quite a rare development, Mr. Kalim," the Director said, as the two men walked down the hallway towards the isolated interrogation rooms. "We haven't dealt with a foreign citizen who committs a capital offence, at least in my time as Director. The problem has pretty much gone away, I think foreign missionaries have pretty much given up here," he said with a laugh. "However, this is the first time in our history that we have dealt with a case like this. Add in the fact that she speaks a dialect that even some people in her own country aren't familiar with, and we have a big mess on our hands."

The pair reached the room, and met Agents Sedin and Andersson outside the door. The Director said his goodbyes and told Kalim to contact him if there were any trouble. Sedin and Andersson opened the door.

"Please, this way, Mr. Kalim," Sedin said. "We will allow you to talk with your citizen in private. We will be in the room behind that mirror over there, should you need us."

---------------------------------------

Annika Nordstrom sat in the living room of her small apartment on the outskirts of Östköping, trying to enjoy her favourite television talk show. She was worried about the events she had seen earlier that day. In her 21 years of existence, she had never seen anyone get arrested, except, of course, for the few drunks that were picked up outside the university bar nearby. It was a popular hangout for the students of Östköping University, and sometimes things got a bit too out of hand. Nordstrom had been thankful many times that she was not one to drink alcohol.

The girl looked to be close to her own age, and Annika felt sorry for her. While she was not a student of the law, she knew the laws as well as most citizens of Tranquillitis do, as one must be extremely careful in this country. She had guessed that it was some sort of crime against the Church, and the news story she saw later that day confirmed her suspicions.

What worried her most was the woman who talked to her about it afterwards. Annika answered as many of the questions as best she could, but was concerned about giving out her name. The Church would be all over this case, as no one had broke any of the Laws Concerning the Church in many, many years. Annika was worried that she would be targeted by the Chruch as a traitor, but the more and more she thought about it, her conscience ate away at her mind. I have to doSOMETHING, she thought. She decided that she would seek out this woman who asked the questions, as she seemed like some sort of foreign reporter

(OOC: AW is an international non-governmental organization (think Amnesty International) that happens to have its headquarters in Effrenata's capital, Ceyce. Members all over the world, much clout with international press thanks to shrewd leadership picking issues carefully. Not associated with official Effrenata gov't but many Effrenati in leadership positions.)

M'demba Brenga and Couli-nan TarHannikat got out of the taxi at the entrance to the Ostkoping Plaza and looked around curiously. Neither of them had ever been to Tranquillitis before, but they both spoke excellent English and had had no trouble making their way from the airport to the hotel.

They had attracted no little attention in doing so, however. Members of rival tribes in the small nation of Schminkala, they had been part of the team that finally settled a bloody, tragic, twenty-year civil war in their native land. Each had started as a warrior. Each had ended as a fervent proponent of peace and human rights, having witnessed first hand the inhumanity of humans to one another.

Neither wore the colorful traditional dress of their tribes, but their height (Brenga was easily 215 cm., and TarHannikat nearly as tall,) almost purple-black skin, close-clipped black hair shaved in decorative patterns, and the prominent facial scars of each were eye-poppingly exotic here. They'd been bemused by the polite but insistent questioning at customs about the nature of their hair patterns and scars. It had taken some effort to assure the officials that none represented any kind of religious significance-- the truth, as they were associated with clan and warrior society membership, not with any form of religious observance.

The customs official had seemed dubious, and had warned them that they might have to answer such questions again. But the immense presence and dignity of the two men had carried the issue, and the customs official had been very polite throughout.

They both wore neat business attire and carried small valises.

By now accustomed to the response from the Tranquillitsians they encountered, they smiled soothingly at the desk clerk.

"We have reservations. My name is..." Brenga began.

"Je... I mean, oh, yes." The clerk was a bit flustered, started out in Swedish and quickly changed to English. "Mr. Brenga and Mr. TarHannikat?"

They nodded. The clerk checked them in, and they made their way to the room.

Fifteen minutes later, they were in the living room of Nyala's suite, sipping fruit juice.

"I think someone from Rejistania arrived today to meet with her. Her name is Nihasa Rike. She’s from some upcountry area of Rejistania… I’m not too clear on the geography. But anyway, some kind of Rejistanian official arrived today and went to IFKV headquarters in Eriksberg. Not much of a stretch to guess that’s where they’re holding her.”

TarHannikat was surprised. “K’tanga zhon!” he exclaimed. “How did you get all this information, Nyala? Surely they’re not releasing that kind of information generally?”

“ummmm…..” She rolled her eyes. “Never mind, okay? Somebody in Tranest Corporation owed me a favor. I got a Peeping Tommy cell from them and had… ummm…. someone… place it in Eriksberg, outside IFKV headquarters.”

Brenga and TarHannikat exchanged glances. Stirnik had been right. Nyala’s money was an asset to AW, but it made her something of a liability, at times.

“Merciful rain, Friv Quillan. Do you know how dangerous that is? If the Tranquillitisian security forces found that PT cell… Or whoever placed it for you…”

Nyala squirmed a little. She knew they’d react like this, but… “It’s alright, don’t worry. The PT had a self-destruct mechanism, and I tripped it right after the Rejistanian arrived. It looked like things might get hairy. I’m not a fool, you know. And the Tranest operative who placed it is already out of the country.” She looked annoyed. “Are we going to discuss Nihasa Rike, or my indiscretions?”

Brenga nodded. “Yes, we should discuss this young woman’s case. If the Rejistanian government has already sent a representative, that means they’re already taking official notice of the matter. It’s not really appropriate for us to do anything at this stage unless we either learn that the conditions of her imprisonment are in violation of basic human rights conventions, or unless the Rejistanian members of AW bring it up to headquarters officially.”

TarHannikat frowned. “That might happen. Gil checked the membership rosters. There are actually quite a few Rejistanian members, and it looks like they might even have a National Delegate to the AW Central Committee. Unfortunately, there are very few Tranquillitsian members, however.”

Nyala sneered. “Probably forbidden, like every other form of independent thought here.”

It was plain that both men empathized, but they were far more self-disciplined than Nyala. “We should look into the Tranquillitsian emigration policies. It might be important to know if their people have the freedom to leave the country if they so desire,” Brenga said.

“It would make a big difference if we have to take it to the formal complaint level. Freedom of movement is a Human Rights Charter provision, and if they don’t allow it to Tranquillitsian citizens, it would certainly not play well in the press,” Couli nan TarHannikat responded thoughtfully.

“Speaking of press…” Nyala said.

Both men snapped their gaze to her, apprehensive. “What?”

She made an irritated little whiffling noise through her nose. “Don’t worry. I haven’t been indiscreet there. Yet… I was just thinking that I know someone who knows someone fairly well up there in the Wombat News organization.”

“That could be useful.” M’demba Brenga said.

“But not yet, Couli added firmly, “we still need more information.”

Nyala sighed, nodded. “I know. I was kind of hoping that the Tranquillitsian girl I talked to at the football ground might decide to get in touch with me. I left my mobile number with her, and my room number here. But I can’t blame her for being scared.”

The two Schminkalans nodded. “It could be very dangerous to her, and to you.”

“Oh, pish. I can take care of myself. But you’re right about her. Anyway,” she shrugged and heaved a little sigh, “I have another Tranest operative…” she saw the two men flinch, “back in Ceyce… (sheesh, I am really not a ninny, you know….) looking into the Tranquillitsian legal and political ramifications, and into the Rejistanian political situation as well. It might be as well to have more background.”

M’demba sighed. “You’re right. And, my dear young lady, please do not take our concern as a disrespect of either your intellect or your integrity. The passion of youth is essential in the pursuit of justice,” he smiled ruefully, which produced an interesting distortion of his facial scars, “a fact the discretion of experience sometimes tends to forget. But experience, too, has its place.”

Nyala softened. “Of course. And you must be tired. Why not rest up, and we’ll have some dinner later, maybe be tourists for a while? If anything comes in from my researchers I’ll stat it to your files.”

“A bath and a rest would be most welcome. We will meet you later, then,” Couli said, as the two men rose, and left the suite.

When they were gone, Nyala went to the desk and activated her mobile unit. “Gustev?”

The slow, reassuring accents of the Estnji operative answered her. “No change, Friv Quillan. And Mirdal says she’ll have your reports for you in a couple of hours.”

“Good. Stay in position, but don’t ping me tonight. I’ll be busy. Leave a message if you have to, or go through Mirdal.”

“Je,” he assented, in his native Svaldi, and broke the connection.

Nyala sat back in the desk chair, slipped off her shoes, and wriggled her toes luxuriously. It was always well to have a backup plan.

OOC: Minokajetian is not just a dialect, but a real language, it sounds a bit like vietnamese even if the grammar has nothing to do vietnamese grammar.

IC:
Nihasa Rike was sitting on a chair and hummed the tune of a rejistanian song, which was more than inappropriate to soothe her angst. Esda Kalim entered the room. (The following conversation is in minokajetian)
Esda Kalim: Hello Nihasa Rike!
Nihasa Rike: Su?
Esda Kalim: I am Esda Kalim. The rejis government has sent me as translator for the trial.
Nihasa: Sike kali is helping me in this situation?
(Sike kali is the rejistanian capital city)
Esda: Well, not really, not oficially. The Rejis are afraid that it would encourage people to break foreign law.
Nihasa: Debts!
Esda: Yes, you have gotten into high debts*! Why in the name of Xaranokansa did you wear this necklace?
Nihasa: I thought, no one would notice. I didn't make any rituals, I didn't pray aloud. It can't be a crime to wear a sign.
Esda: We are not in Rejistania here.
Nihasa: Debts! (after a short pause, panic gets into her voice) What can we do?
Esda: Well, I haven't studied Tranki law... The only idea I have is risky like no compare.
Nihasa: Tell it, it can't get 'ny worse.
Esda: Symbols are often the same in different religions and well,... the rejis-lutheran church uses many symbols, they took from Inikresaism. Well, the symbols are Majuveda-Inikresaistic, but still...
Nihasa: Njie...
Esda: Well, it would be the only chance I could think of...
(for a time, no one said a word)

* 'debts' is used as a curse in whole Rejistania. Esda means here: 'You are in deep sh*t''

(OOC: Will have something for tomorrow. Basic background info on Tranquillitis can be found here: http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2666177#2666177 It might give some greater insight into why Tranquillitis is so strict about their religious policies)

(OOC: Rejis, is Kalim a lawyer/translator, or just a translator?)

Sedin looked through the window at the two Rejistani sitting in the bare white room. This was something new to him. At 30 years old, he was an experienced agent. Not a veteran by any means, but he had been an IFKV agent for 6 years, right out of Eriksberg Universitet, and had been involved in many federal cases throughout his tenure at the Eriksson Building.

The life of an IFKV agent was not all it was cracked up to be. Agents were usually recruited during their time in university, and began training mere days after graduating with a degree. On rare occasions, applicants to the Agency were accepted, but this was a rarity. Sedin was hoping he would be assigned to the counter-intelligence division, but his work mainly involved advising the Imperial Tranquil Police, and sometimes a rare case where a foreigner had killed a Tranquillitis citizen. Sedin had sent a few people to their deaths, but it was a fact he didn't mention to his wife, or his 2 month old son.

"She seems genuinely scared," Sedin said to the taller Andersson beside him. "Do you think she really didn't know about the laws?"

"I can't believe that she wouldn't know," Andersson replied. "It's plastered at every point of entry, in both the airports and the ship docks. Sure, there's a language problem, but I'm sure at least one of their group spoke some English or Swedish, otherwise they would've had a lot of trouble getting around. Plus, if her government didn't tell her about it beforehand, then it's them who have let her down."

Sedin was silent for a moment. "Should we get started then?"

Andersson nodded, and opened the heavy door into Interrogation Room 3. Both Rejistani looked towards the two agents entering, who took their seats opposite the two foreigners.

"We're not sure how long this is going to take," Sedin began. "It all depends on how cooperative you are, and how well you answer our questions. There is water over there," He pointed towards a corner of the room, "should you need it." He waited for Kalim to finish translating.

"Do not take us for idiots," Sedin warned. "We know a lot more about religion and religious symbols than you might think, and more often than not, we know when someone is trying to pull our leg."

Andersson asked the first question. "Firstly, did you know about the Laws Concerning Religion before you entered the country, and if so, why did you continue to wear the symbol?"

----------------------------------------------

Annika Nordstrom stared at the phone. She had the mobile number of the woman who had asked her the questions before, as well as the room number, but was rightfully scared. Interferring in a federal investigation was a crime, and although the punishment was quite minor, 6 months in a minimum security facility, she doubted that the Church would look to kindly on someone who was trying to save a religious heathen, as the Church saw her.

Meeting, at least now, with the woman was out of the question. That would be risky, and there was doubtlessly an IFKV Agent around her somewhere. She did not know for sure, but she did have a brother in the Agency, and she could always ask him about it.

She decided to call. This girl was a foreigner in a very strange land, and was now suddenly thrust into this situation that could end with her execution. Annika did not want that to happen if she could have done something to help. She fished the mobile number of Nyala Quillan out of her pocket, picked up the phone, and dialed the number, hoping that Nyala would pick up on the other end.

Sightseeing in Ostkoping with the two Schminkalans, Nyala reflected, was a bit like walking a giraffe. Although dressed in conservative business suits, their towering height, blue-black skin, and exotic hair patterns and facial scars literally drew every eye.

Most Tranquillitsians politely tried to pretend they weren't looking. A few simply stared, openly. One or two crossed themselves, surreptitiously, a gesture that amused M'demba and Couli-nan immensely, though they did not commit the rudeness of laughing.

They had booked tickets on an evening tour that was advertised to take in the highlights of the city's beautiful medieval architecture, with a sound-and-light show to end it. At many of the stops, the tourists were encouraged to walk around and view the buildings more closely.

They were at a large cathedral with world-renowned stained glass when Nyala's mobile chirped discreetly. She checked the number calling-- unfamiliar. With a shrug, she answered. "This is Nyala..."

*******************************

At the AW officed, Gil Stirnik was looking over the preliminary report from Brenga and TarHannikat. It was even worse than he'd feared. Nyala was on one of her crusades again. She'd even mentioned Wombat News.

M'demba's estimation of the situation was shrewd, and his suggestion that a little low-key behind-the-scenes work might generate some useful traction was worth considering. Couli-nan had added something and ticked it "very important:" 'If a representative is sent, very important that representative be both Catholic and Svaldi.'

Stirnik had great respect for TarHannikat's judgement. He requested the Effrenata headquarters staff list, and sat back to consider the wording of an unofficial but important request to the Tranquillitsian government.

The voice sent a chill down Annika's spine. She had felt she was prepared to be calm in this situation, but now that she was in contact with the woman, she couldn't help but feel slightly hesitant.

"Hä..hällå..." she stammered, speaking instincively and not thinking about languages. "Jag heter Annika..." She was silent for a moment while she pulled herself together. "My name is Annika Nordstrom. We met outside Östervallen after that girl was arrested." She paused for the answer. "I would like to help you in whatever you are doing to help that girl. I'm not a law expert, but the law is covered in great detail in secondary school and I may be able to help you a bit."

Nyala halted in her tracks. The Schminkalans turned, curiously, but she waved them on, then started walking again as she talked. She scanned the area around her carefully.

"I am glad to hear from you, Annika. I worried about your safety, and I wanted to thank you, again, for explaining to me what went on there, where Nihasa Rike was arrested."

"I'm very afraid for Nihasa's safety, Annika, but I don't want to endanger you at all. Please, if you feel at any time as though talking to me puts you in danger, stop immediately."

"I don't know much about your legal code. Perhaps you could tell me one thing, though. I know that the law forbids the display of heretical religious symbols-- but does it also forbid the possession of such symbols, if they are not displayed?"

Nyala tried to look as though she was having a casual conversation-- nodding, smiling a little from time to time. She let herself lag behind the Schminkalans, then walked quickly to catch up.

OOC: Esda Kalim is a translator, no lawyer. I introduce a lawyer in this posting.

Kalim translated it. Nihasas voice trembled as she aswered. Kalim asked about an a bit strange grammatical structure she had used, a small inconsitency of which Kalim was not sure ho to translate it and Nihasa answered with one word. Then he translated it into swedish: "Well, I knew that there are laws against religions. I somehow don't realise that I still wore the sign. I thought I had put it off."

---
At the same time in Jinhes kali, Rejistania:
Mendik: Hejida, you are Siha Rike?
Siha: Yes. Who are you?
Mendik: My name is Medik Tadi. I work for the rejistanian government.
(Siha's face turns white)
Siha: You are not from the revenue office, I hope!
Mendik: No. The news I have to tell you are much more serious than a tax fraud.
Siha: Nihasa?
Mendik: Yes, it's about her. Nihasa Rike was arrested in Tranquillitis tani, Östköping kali after the match.
Siha: (is totally shocked) That can't be! No!
Mendik: Unfortunatly it is.
(Mendik explains Siha what happened and what will perhaps happen. This takes a while.)

On the next day, Siha Rike and her husband Elix contact the rejistanian lawyer Hedas Sherik, specialised for very difficult cases and fan crimes (international games and league finals have often a certain amount of violence, so in this cases a lawyer is needed).

Sedin nodded. "Why did you bring the necklace into the country in the first place? You knew there were laws against it, and there are places at customs where you can drop off all foreign religious symbols so you can pick them up on your way home. Why was the necklace brought in?"

The door opened and another agent entered and whispered something to Sedin. He nodded, and the agent left. He whispered over to Andersson, who got up and left the room.

"Ms. Rike, I have just been informed that your parents have been contacted by your government. They have contacted a lawyer, so you do not have to answer any questions now, but we will have to put you in holding until the lawyer arrives. Our facilities here at the IFKV building are of the highest quality, and you will feel more comfortable here than you would in any standard hotel. The room is provided with a television and reading material, although you will probably not be able to understand since they are in Swedish and English. The only difference to a hotel visit is the door will be locked and you will be unable to leave the room. Your parents have also been extended an invitation to come to the country at our government's expense, and you will be able to meet with them when they arrive." He waited for the translation before getting up to escort Nihasa to her room. "You can stay with her if you like, Mr. Kalim, or you can take a tour of the city, with one of our junior agents. The choice is yours."

-------------------------------

Annika's breathing began to return to its normal pace. "I do not think I'll be in any danger, yet. If your agency has not launched a protest yet, the IFKV will not be watching you very closely, if at all. Journalists are free to enter and leave as they wish. Once you are identified as an AW person, though, it will be quite dangerous. I would like to meet and answer as many questions as I can before that happens.

"To answer your other question, technically, yes, possession of foreign religious symbols is a crime. If no one sees it, though, you won't be charged, and random checks aren't done for that sort of thing. It's like stealing. If no one sees you steal, and there's no evidence for it, you'll get away with it. I guess that girl was just unlucky to be caught with it visible.

"Anyways, is there a place I can meet you? I'm free for the rest of the day and tomorrow. Perhaps at your hotel?"

Nyala thought quickly. Heavens, this girl was naive. If Nyala came to the attention of the IFKV, there was no way they wouldn't know who had had contact with her at the hotel. Tranquillitis was pretty smooth about it, but it was still a police state. A church state, anyway. Not a lot of difference, really.

"Annike, I would like to have breakfast tomorrow at the Happy Eggs Cafe. I have heard that it is one of the best places in Ostkoping to get real old-fashioned pancakes with lingonberry syrup. Would you like to meet me there tomorrow, say, at eight-thirty?"

She'd chosen the Happy Eggs because it was undoubtedly the most popular (and crowded) place in town, not really a tourist place but often visited by tourists. Neither of them would stand out, there, and they could meet apparently by accident, especially in the big rush after early Mass at the neighboring church.

((OOC: Edited for doubling.... frickin'frackin' forum....))

BBC NEWSFLASH

We interupt your viewing of when "Necrobestiphillia goes wrong" to bring you news of an arrest of a Rejistanian Citizen in Tranquillitis. It is unkown what the citizen has been charged under but a BBC source has informed us that the Rejistanian could recieve the death penlty. We'll bring you updates as the story as it unfolds, but now back to shedualed programming.

Esda Kalim preferred to stay with Nihasa. He simply didn't felt good by leaving this girl alone. Nihasa also preferred the fact that someone was there, that made her stop thinking about the hideous things that could happen. Esda had bought the new 'Hetrika' (english translation: hat trick) at the KaMaRian airport and so they spend time to talk about SyLy, Xese and the fact that the second Jinhes team again lost against Lirika. A rejistanian proverb says: "Use the remaining time for joy, especially if it isn't much."

---
Hedas Sherik was in different countries before, but Tranquillitis was different because it was the exact opposite of Rejis. While in Rejistania religion was free and the discrimination because of religion was outlawed, the tranquillitis government seemed to be entirely based on one religion. It wasn't even one religion, it was one special sort of one religion, catholic christianity. Qhile rejistanian are very superstitious and symbols, signs and calligraphies are very important. During the flight, he thought about the way to help Nihasa. He imagined how the Taderi*-sign looks and tried to find a way to understand it differently. He knew that the majuvedian signs are also used by the rejistanian christs (it would be impossible for christs to exist in Rejistania if they don't have a huge number of symbols), but the minokajetian version of Taderi differs slightly.

The Rikes were sitting in front of him and he saw that they held their hands. They were surely scared and prayed to the gods they worship.

---
At the same time, the fan club mamged to inform its members. Since many Rejistanians are either in the fan club or travelling together with fan club members, they began all together to leave Tranquillitis and return to Rejistania.

* He is from the other side of Minokaje, so Tadere becomes Taderi in his dialect.

#tag#

WN

Gjalmir Hilgisin knocked on the door frame of Gil's office.

The General Secretary of Amnesty Worldwide looked up, and his worried look broke up into a smile. "Hilgi! How are you!"

The Effrenati grinned back. "Oh, I stay busy." The weatherbeaten face of the Dallarni sea captain bore out his statement-- windburned from exposure to the North Meral storms, deeply lined at the corners of the eyes--

"So whatcha got, then, Gil? Vindri said you wanted me for something. More Lessminner fishermen?"

Hilgisin had organized a Meral-wide fishing boycott of the Lessminnat Principalities' maritime provinces to protest the government's abrogation of fishing treaty rights accorded to indiginous Lessminner tribes. It had been very effective. He couldn't believe the Lessminner Princes would be dumb enough to try that again.

Stirnik shook his head. "Nothing like that, Hilgi. In fact, it's not even really official, at this point. I just want to send you to Tranquillitis for some informal discussions with their bureacracy on the Nihasa Rike situation."

The Dallarni shook his head. "Don't know it. What situation?"

Stirnik filled him in on the basics, adding, "And so we've got Nyala trundling around there on one of her loose-cannon crusades. And I've heard from someone in the Wombat News organization that they've tagged the situation-- which means the media pressure might be on any time. We have to act before the Tranquillitsian government feels its being pressured."

Hilgisin looked doubtful. "I don't know what you expect me to do... I agree their law is terrible from a human rights standpoint, but they've kind of backed themselves into a corner on this one, haven't they?"

Gill shook his head. "Not necessarily. If we get a chance to talk to them before all hell breaks loose, we might be able to help them see some beneficial alternatives... I mean, look at the international traction they could get by simply deporting the woman with a warning, rather than applying the full weight of the law on a foreign national."

"They know they're dicey on the human rights side, and I don't think they like it. They don't see themselves that way, in fact they think they're the good guys. You know how it is, Hilgi..."

"Je." Gjalmar chuckled. "Catholics, we think we got the answer to everything. But you may have a point. The Church worldwide has been trying to act on the side of encouragin human rights and religious tolerance. Not that they have any missionary intent or anything, that would be facilitated by such tolerance. But yes, there may be some room for discussion. When do you want me to go?"

Stirnik said "The sooner the better, Hilgi. This thing could spin out of control any time. I've got Pouli checking who in the Tranquillitsian government would be the correct starting point to communicate with about your visit. And I've already booked a seat for tomorrow afternoon's flight, if you can make it that fast."

"You don't waste any time. OK, I'll call my guys and tell them to head out without me. I can meet them next week in Ornli when they stop to refuel."

"Thanks, Hilgi."

(OOC: If you want a governmental contact, there are a few ways you can go. The easiest would probably be Sir Niclas Alexandersson, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. You could also try Cardinal Olosson, the current head of the Tranquillitis Church, or Prime Minister Anna Wilhelmsson directly, although the latter two routes would be much more difficult.

If you would require a meeting, though, it's best to do it through official channels, although the talks don't have to be publicized at all. Otherwise you would end up with the Deputy Minister, and he would not be able to handle the situation very effectively.)

"Yes, I know that cafe quite well," Annika replied. "Everything that you have heard about the food there is true. I'll be there at 8:30, then. Goodbye for now."

Annika pressed the "END" button on her cordless phone, and put it back down on the small table beside her couch. She sat in silence, not paying attention to the television which was still on in the background. She contemplated what she had just done. I know it is not treason, she thought to herself. The Church may have a different opinion, though. They will be outraged that something like this has happened. Cardinal Olosson was reluctant to allow this football tournament to happen in the first place. He will use it to isolate Tranquillitis, and I do not want to let that happen, if I can somehow help put a stop to it.

Now reassured, she went back to her television program, feeling as though she was doing the right thing. She still felt a tinge of fear. The IFKV were so thoroughly experienced at following foreigners around that they would be able to easily fit into a crowd. She hoped that Nyala had not drawn too much attention to herself while in Östköping.

OOC: I didn't have time to finish my last RP. I finish it now.

The plane arrived at Eriksberg Internationell airport. Siha and Elix Rike as well as Hedas Sherik left the plane. Elix nearly fell over his own feet during this. Everyone could see, that he was not just a bit nervous. Siha seemed to be totally absent minded. Elix held her hand and they both followed Sherik. Only Sherik had a real suitcase, the Rike's had departed in a hurry and had only the most important things in a backpack. Among the buusinessmen who also travelled to Tranquillitis, they attracted attention. Two men in suits, who didn't look like businessmen (perhaps because they were not in a hurry) approached them.

Amnesty Worldwide
International Headquarters
10, Gottrocks Place, Ceyce, Effrenata



TO: The Hon. Sir Niclas Alexandersson
Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Sanctus Imperium of Tranquillitis

FROM: Gilroan Stirnik
Secretary-General
Amnesty Worldwide


Dear Minister--

Amnesty Worldwide has recently become aware of a developing foreign affairs matter in Tranquillitis, in connection with a foreign national under detainment by the IFKV.

We wonder if you would mind sharing an unofficial briefing on the matter with one of our staffers, Mr. Gjalmir Hilgisin from the Region of Dallarni in Effrenata. Mr. Hilgisin is discreet, levelheaded, and open-minded.

Our priority at this time is in gathering information and, if possible, assisting the Tranquillitsian government to resolve this matter in a manner that will present your nation in the most favorable light possible to world opinion.

We understand that elements of the press are already taking an interest in this matter, and I want to reiterate that it is not our intention at this time to make any official statement on this matter or to escalate this situation in any way.

We simply wish to have an opportunity to gather information and discuss the matter in a private context. I think you will find Frir Hilgisin a very helpful and positive individual.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Gil Stirnik

Hemligt Överföring

Åt: Gilroan Stirnik, Secretary-General, Amnesty International
Frän: Sir Niclas Alexandersson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sanctus Imperium of Tranquillitis

Secretary-General,

If you would like information on the current situation, we would be more than happy to accept your staffer.

At your staffer's earliest convienience, we ask that he fly to Eriksberg Internationell Airport in Eriksberg. Please let us know of the travel plans before hand, so we can greet your representative with the respect he deserves. From there, he will be accomidated in the Magnusson Hotel, Eriksberg's finest. The tab will be covered by our government.

We look forward to Mr. Hilgisin's arrival.

Respectfully,
Sir Niclas Alexandersson
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Sanctus Imperium of Tranquillitis

"There they are, Mikael," the first Agent said to the other.

"Right," Mikael replied to the junior agent with him. "Just follow my lead, I'll do the talking."

Agent Mikael Tarnstrom did not like this assignment. While IFKV Agents were always a presence, watching suspected foreigners, which in Tranquillitis, meant about every foreigner, Tarnstrom was one of the best. And as one of the top Agents, he was assigned a double task. Watch this girl's parents and the lawyer, and train this junior agent, Sven Telqvist. Great fun.

The two agents approached the Rejistani citizens. Both agents looked similar; blond hair which was quite short, although Tarnstrom's hair was growing in a bit, giving his hair its more natural dirty blond look. Both had piercing blue eyes, and looked positively Nordic. Telqvist was slightly taller, but both looked like they could handle themselves. Telqvist wore a suit, feeling that it made him look like a big-time secret agent, while Tarnstrom wore comfortable khaki-coloured cotton pants, with a crimson red dress shirt.

"Welcome to Eriksberg," Tarnstrom began, speaking in English and hoping that these people would understand. "My name is Agent Mikael Tarnstrom, and this is Agent Sven Telqvist. We are here to make sure that you can find your way around Eriksberg, and to assist you around town."

He pointed down a hallway. "We are going to get you straight past customs, and take you directly to your daughter, as I am sure you are anxious to see her." He nodded to the lawyer. "Everyone, please follow me."

Ten minutes later, they were bundled into an official government car, black in colour, and quickly drove off towards the Eriksson Building in downtown Eriksberg.

<tag>

<tag>

Nyala took a taxi to the church, and attended the 7:30 AM Mass. She sat respectfully at the back, blending in as far as possible, standing, sitting, kneeling, etc., when others did and trying to keep up with the service. (Though of course she remained kneeling in the pew when communion time came around.) When they passed a plate around, she made a generous contribution.

Boy, one thing you could say for these Tranquillitsian Catholics, they sure went all out for the Bells & Smells.... the whole enchilada. No New Vatican wishy-washy vernacular 'modernized' Masses here. ((OOC: I'm assuming here... tell me if I'm wrong & I'll edit.) Mozart himself would have approved of the full musical program, and Bob Mackie couldn't have done a better job of costuming everyone.

Although Nyala's Sedenborgian Christianity was an austere, non-ritualized faith, she had a deep appreciation for the art and culture that had resulted from the more florid versions of Christianity over the centuries, and tried to experience them in person whenever she had the chance. And the Trankies really did it up right.

Feeling more charitable toward her hosts than she had in a couple of days, she made her way out of the church with the dispersing crowd, and found her way to the Happy Eggs. Without seeming to do so, she scanned the crowds around her carefully. At least five had that just-perfect blend of casual non-interest and abstracted concentration on something else that might indicate security force agents.

Carefully, she positioned herself at a small corner table screened from the rest of the room by a six-top occupied by two women with four children under the ages of five, between them. They were eating with the untidy exuberance one might expect.

As an added security, Nyala reached into her purse to trip the switch on a little gadget that a friend at the Tranest Corporation had gotten for her. It was an inaudible white-noise generator that would unobtrusively render the transmissions of any listening or recording devices garbled and unintelligible, as though the devices were malfunctioning.

As the waitress, already looking a bit tired and frazzled (she was serving the six-top, too,) approached, Nyala smiled. "Coffee, please?"

The waitress nodded with relief and circled away from the table, not noticing the small syrup-soaked chunk of pancake that was adhering to the back of her once-crisp uniform. Nyala suppressed her grin, and began looking around, the perfect people-watching, appreciative tourist.

Gjalmir Hilgisin looked around curiously as he got off the plane in Eriksberg. Clean. Everything was so clean. And tidy. He liked that. It reminded him of home, among the Svaldi tribal Regions in Effrenata.

The signs, too, were interesting. He found he could almost-read the Swedish. It was close to Svaldi, although there were important differences.

Except for his obviously foreign (though conservatively cut) suit, Captain Hilgisin could have passed for a Tranquillitsian. His fair Dallarni skin and blue eyes, and the grizzling blond hair, could have been any Swedish-descended Tranquillitsian's, although the rugged, weatherbeaten sea captain's face was unusual in a cosmopolitan setting.

He hoped that the Tranquillitsians had not been offended by Gil Stirnik's insistence that Amnesty Worldwide pay all of his accommodation and travel expenses. They should understand that an organization like AW had to maintain the most strict independence in every way. Gill had been very appreciative of the offer and phrased the refusal most diplomatically, when he had sent Hilgisin's flight schedule to the Tranquillitsian Foreign Affairs office.

Straightening his suit jacket, he looked around for the government representative who was meeting him.

(OOC: No, the Church services are very conservative. Nice description :p)

Annika looked around nervously. The Gladt Äggen Cafe was a large, busy cafe, especially the morning after Sunday Mass. Elderly couples came for coffee, while parents, already exhausted after trying to get their children to sit still during the Church services, did not feel like making breakfast, choosing instead to bring their children to this popular spot.

The Cafe was two tiered. While the main counter and kitchen were located on the lower level, there was seating on the second level as well, creating a stairs-like effect for the cafe. The roof was glass covered, and customers on the bottom floor had an unobstructed view outside to the usually blue skies, although the coastal position of Östköping created many cloudy, rainy days. Today was not one of those dreary days, and the sun shone, intermittently covered up by the sparse cloud cover.

Dit. Annika spotted Nyala, sitting behind a group of six, with two women, trying desperately to keep the four young children under control. Annika smiled briefly, and then headed over to Nyala's table.

"Hi, I'm Annika," she said, extending her hand, trying her best to look like an ordinary friendly Tranquillitisian greeting an obvious foreigner.

--------------------------------

Ragnar Jacobsen of the IFKV looked up from his newspapers at the latest group of arrivals at Eriksberg Internationell. Scanning through a group, he could usually pick out the foreigner that he was supposed to watch, but he looked a couple of times before he spotted his mark for this assignment. The man fit right in with the usual Tranquillitis business men; blond hair, blue eyes, conservatively cut suit. Only his curious lookarounds gave him away to Jacobsen.

This guy stands out even less than I would, Jacobsen thought. Jacobsen's parents were immigrants of Danish origin, and moved to Tranquillitis with Ragnar when he was only 5. His hair was not blond like the majority of the people in Tranquillitis, yet a dark brown. He still had the piercing blue eyes of a Nordic.

He folded the newspaper back up, stood and straightened his suit, and headed towards the mark. "Mr. Hilgisin?"

His head turned, so Jacobsen went on. "Hello, I'm Henrik Ragnarsson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I was sent by Sir Alexandersson to get you acquainted with the country, and take you to your hotel. Allow me to take your bags."

Siha looked at the grey city through which they were driving, well, it wasn't even grey but it looked dreary and utterly strange to her. She couldn't understand swedish and her english was not good, even if it was far better than Nihasa's. In the car was a tense silence. Siha shivered of fear and cold. Siha realized that most of the people here seemed to be pale white and blond. In Rejistania whites are a small minority. Most of the population is melanesian and that means, that they have a dark skin color. She said in english: "Nihasa, will it be long until we see?"

"Hello, Annike," Nyala said. "Sit down, and join me for breakfast, please. I have just been to Mass at the Church..." she gestures in the direction of that edifice. "I was so very impressed with how beautiful everything was."

As she spoke, she unobtrusively looked over the crowds behind Annike (what she could see of them.) Of the five possibilities she had marked earlier, two were gone, one had been joined by a spouse and children, and the other two had been served their food. But there were at least two new possibilities. Fortunately they were at some distance.

As the Tranquillitsian girl seated herself, the waitress returned with Nyala's coffee, and looked expectantly at Annike.

************************************

Captain Gjalmir Hilgisin, who spent so much of his time scanning the North Meral Sea, could at times have a peculiarly piercing gaze. He looked Mr. Ragnarsson over, and his steely-blue eyes seemed to look right inside the man. But the smile on his face was pleasant, deepening the well-worn creases in his lean cheeks.

"Godag, Sir. Thank you for your courtesy. This is my first visit to Tranquillitis. My flight was pleasant, but I would like a chance to refresh myself before meeting with Sir Alexandersson."

The bag Hilgisin was carrying did look substantial, but he shook his head. "It is nothing to carry, and I have no other luggage." He chuckled. "I am a sea captain, Mr. Ragnarsson. We learn quickly to travel light."

Tarnstrom turned to face the two concerned parents and the lawyer who accompanied them. Telqvist was swirving in and out of traffic, something which must not have helped the frightened foreigners in a strange land. Many IFKV agents learn to empathize with the foreigners who they were tagged to mark, even more so when there was direct contact and not simple surveillance. Telqvist was not up to that experience level yet, and still was suspicious of many foreigners as possible espionage agents, or of trying to subvert the authority of the Church and its government. He'll learn, Tarnstrom thought.

"We will be at the building shortly, Ms. Rike," Tarnstrom explained, trying to sound as compassionate as he could. "We'll take you straight to her."

Soon after, the car arrived, and Tarnstrom and Telqvist led the parents and lawyer through the standard security checks and up to the room where Nihasa was temporarily being held.

(OOC: I don't think I've explained this before, but the IFKV is similar to the British MI5 or American FBI, yet a lot more strict on the control issues. The Trankie equivilent of the CIA or MI6 isn't involved in this, unless it goes foreign.)

Annika looked up at the waitress. "Just a coffee, please," she said, and the waitress quickly scurried off.

She turned to Nyala. "Yes, the Church services are quite beautiful. I personally think it is one of the reasons why so many people stay true to the Faith. It is uplifting to see that humans are capable of something so wonderful and beautiful."

The waitress arrived with her coffee, and Annika stirred it while looking into the cup at the rippling liquid. "Forgive me if I seem a bit nervous, but I am afraid that the government will misunderstand my intentions. I do not wish to betray the Church or my country, but if I do what I think is right, it will help Tranquillitis, not hurt it. Plus," she said, looking up with her eyes but not moving her head, "the IFKV is everywhere. I would bet a large amount of money that they're here now." She now looked directly up at Nyala. "You haven't been stirring anything up, have you?"

----------------------------------------

"Ragnarsson" laughed. "Yes, I've spent many months at sea during my time in the navy. Travelling light is one of the first tips I learned."

Jacobsen searched the man's face for any kind of expression. Like any political official, from a government, or in this case, an international agency, he was typically suspicious of this ministry employee. His face was all smiles, and his eyes remained steady. Still, Jacobsen was cautious, and it was something that helped move him up in the IFKV hierarchy.

"We're in luck, since the plan was to take you right to the Magnusson before your meeting with Sir Alexandersson. If you'll just follow me, we'll take you straight through customs and to the hotel. It is close by, so we should be there in about 30 minutes tops. There's no need for the standard customs checks, we're all Catholics here," he said with a wink.

Nyala kept her facial expression pleasant, inconsequential, eager-- but her voice was serious and the brown eyes that met Annike's were grave. As she talked, Nyala kept the coffee cup in her hand, with her elbow resting on the table and her forearm lifted, so that the coffee cup floated next to her face-- conveniently blocking any possible lip-reading observers. From time to time she sipped. She looked like any interested, enthusiastic tourist.

Annike's back was mostly to the room (a position Nyala had ensured when she selected her seat,) so she was not too worried about someone observing the Tranquillitsian girl's face or lips.

"Annike, I have certainly tried not to stir anything up. But you might know, even better than I, how easily a simple attempt to learn more information could be misinterpreted by the IFKV. Please listen to me carefully, and from time to time, nod, or laugh, or say a couple of words-- it does not matter what.

"I think I have prevented our conversation from being monitored. But of course, I could not prevent anyone who wished to look, from seeing you with a foreigner.

"I agree with you that helping Nihasa Rike will be good for Tranquillitis. I do not know how much factual information your government allows you to have about other nations, other cultures. Or, if the information is factual, whether the government presents it in a way designed to influence Tranquillitsian citizens' feelings and perceptions about it. It is often true that in a nation that tries to control its citizens' beliefs, people are given... incomplete... or 'colored' information about other places, and discouraged from finding things out on their own.

"I am not Catholic, Annike, but I am not anti-Catholic, I do not dislike or despise or distrust Catholics. There are many Catholics in Effrenata, and I have Catholic relatives. But if your government puts Nihasa Rike to death, a great many other nations in the world will regard your religion as cruel and your country as barbaric. I don't want that, and I don't want Nihasa to die. She has broken a law, certainly-- but her offense is not deserving of death. Yes, I was particularly impressed with the quality of the choral singing."

She has seen the waitress approaching to take their order, and smiles at the woman, putting down her coffee cup so that it can be refilled. All waitresses seem carry a full coffee pot around with them whenever they are not delivering loaded plates. Nyala has been amazed at the Trankie consumption of coffee-- but it is very good coffee.

"I would like the pancakes-- the large order-- with lingonberry syrup. And the shirred eggs, please." The waitress nods, and looks at Annike.

*************************************

((OOC: Hilgisin's eyes don't shift around. His gaze is steady, and penetrating, even while he smiles. And he's not from a ministry, or even from the Effrenata government at all, but from AW.))

Hilgisin smiled. "You are very courteous. But I would like to observe your customs procedures, if you do not mind? May we proceed there as is usually done with visitors?"

He wanted to see just how clearly it might be conveyed to a non-English speaking foreigner that they must not possess or display non-Catholic religious symbols in Tranquillitis. And his native caution, as well as a standard Amnesty Worldwide procedure, dictated that a Customs examination should establish from the outset that he carried no contraband.

Not that he expected the Tranquillitsians to sink to the dirty expedient of planting something in his luggage-- far from it-- they had no reason. But it was standard procedure, and Gjalmir had respect for standard procedures. They had saved his life more than once.

(OOC: I know he isn't from the government, but it's still a foreign international agency, and Tranquillitis is naturally suspicious of everyone.

I edited the eyes thing as well, I'll get an actual post up here before the weekend is out. Sorry for the delay).

"I'll have the same," Annika said, still staring at her coffee cup, the contents of which she had been stirring for the past few minutes. The waitress left after writing down the order.

"The IFKV isn't that ruthless," Annika responded. "They get a very bad reputation internationally for many reasons, many of them deserving, but they are very protective of Tranquillitis citizens. My older brother worked there until he was injured on assignment, and even though he doesn't work for them anymore, they continue to support him, even though he's fully recovered. There's many more stories like that. They're just trying to protect the country.

"This is an isolated incident. Nothing like this has happened in my lifetime. I see tourists all the time here, they come and go as they like. Citizens are allowed to come and go as they like, we aren't forced to stay here. Many of us stay because of our faith, or because we have our roots here and we do not want to just get up and leave."

The waitress then arrived, surprisingly quick with the order. The cafe was very efficient, as it has learned to handle large influxes of customers every day, especially Sundays. Annika didn't touch her food for awhile, but her hunger got the better of her.

"We get lots of information about other places, but people in Tranquillitis tend to see other countries as somewhat.....barbaric, I guess you could say," she continued, mouth half full. "We've grown up with Catholicism, and we see non-Catholics as misguided, I guess. They give us the information and we are taught to form our own opinions on it. Our opinions usually are more or less the same as the government's opinions, and the government doesn't much care for the rest of the world."

----------------------------------------

Jacobsen smiled. "Sure, that's an excellent idea." Smart guy, Jacobsen thought. Still, we have nothing to hide. He led Hilgisin into the customs line, where a customs official handed out pamphlets describing the laws of religion in Tranquillitis, printed in English, French, and Swedish.

After a brief wait, the pair reached the customs desk, where a customs official waited for them.

"Welcome to Tranquillitis," he said in English, also in a rather bored voice, as he began the speech he gave to every traveller who approached his desk. "Please be reminded that possession of foreign religious symbols is strictly prohibited, and fully enforced by the government of Tranquillitis..."

Jacobsen leaned over to Hilgisin. "It's not really dilligently enforced," he whispered. "But if something is seen by some zealous police officer...." He let the thought trail off.

"....and you will be subject to all laws and procedures therein. If you are still unclear, here is a simple pictoral diagram in case you do not clearly understand English."

He passed over a diagram, which had a number of non-Catholic symbols on it.

"These are forbidden in Tranquillitis, as well as any other symbol believed to be non-Catholic in origin," the officer continued, shaking his head in the process so anyone not understanding all the words he was speaking would understand the universal body language. "If you possess any of these symbols, you can leave them here, along with your name, and they will be returned upon your departure from Tranquillitis, after you provide photo identification.

"Please state your name and business in Tranquillitis."

Jacobsen flashed his pass, and the officer turned to Hilgisin.

"Nihasa!" shouted Siha as she saw her daughter who still wore a T-Shirt stating "Orange-Blue forever!" in rejistanian. Nihasa needed a second to realize that the persons who entered the room are really her parents, then she got up and started hugging them both at once. Esda Kalim and Hedas Sherik pretended not to notice and looked in another direction in a very obvious way. After a while, Siha said: "What in Sajateras name did you do after this match, you scared us like no-compare?" She didn't sound reproachfull but deeply worried. "Ha, I didn't know how this happened. When I arrived in the hotel I spotted the Taderekansa necklace, you know, the 'kaletri' one, deep down in my suitcase. I couldn't remember to packed them into the suitcase." Hedas Sharik interfered: "And you took it to the match?"-"Not for the first. But there the Orange-Blues only drew, they didn't ... win." She used a certain word in Minokajetian for win, which comes from the word 'Tadere'. The lawyer makes an audible sigh. He is atheist and opposes the superstitious Inikresaists strongly. "You know that this makes it incredible hard for you to come out here alive?" This now sounded reproachfull. Nihasa didn't aswer, her hands made some signs of embarrasment. After a while she said: "I guess, I wasn't thinking. I thought no one would notice."Elix murmured something like "debts!" Normally Siha would have told him not to use such offensive words, but currently, even Siha considered this the accurate description of the situation.

After a while, the lawyer raised the word again: "Nihasa, the Trankillitian police will ask you soon about your motives, you answer how?" "Like I should, say the truth." said Nihasa, surprised by this question. "Well, sometimes, truth needs to be adjusted a bit. I don't want to encourage you to lie, but sometimes you must...." here he searched for the right word, Elix tried to help him: "Ikirjaxtati?", a word that means 'be indirect and not say it straight'. "Yes, that's what I mean. It will be extremly harmful for you, if they think you are a devout Inikresaist." Esda Kalim interefered: "That means lying, I guess." Sherik made a vague gesture and said: "Aren't the Inikresa gods regional to the village you're in?" Nihasa smiled slightly: "The minor are, not the major ones. but I can't do that. It is lying, purely and simply!"

Nyala smiled. "It is reassuring to hear that you have some positive contacts with the IFKV. And that they are well-thought of by Tranquillitsians.

"But most reassuring of all," Nyala paused to tuck into her pancakes, liberally covered with the rich lingonberry syrup, and closed her eyes briefly in ecstasy. "Bochemwa!" she murmured through the mouthful, reaching into the more colorful Maccadol dialects for an approbatory exclamation. She opened her eyes and chuckled.

"Good!" she said, when she had swallowed the mouthful.

"Anyway, most reassuring of all is that this situation is unusual. If your government is not accustomed to dealing with such situations, they might be inclined to consider more options, especially knowing how many eyes are on Tranquillitis just now, with the tournament."

"Tell me, if you can," she sipped her coffee, and nodded reassuringly at Annike, "is there any political reason you can think of for them to be particularly harsh about this? Any controversies about liberalizing the laws, or politicians looking for a law-and-order point to make?"

***********************************

Captain Hilgisin was both amused by the way the customs official managed to deliver his information with the same bored, done-this-a-million-times manner of customs officials everywhere, and impressed by the care that had clearly gone into the briefing.

"Captain Gjalmir Olv Hilgisin. I am visiting Tranquillitis to meet with members of your government on behalf of Amnesty Worldwide." He smiled pleasantly.

The signs, to his experienced evaluation, were fascinatingly mixed. So much Northern good manners and thorough care for correctness, and yet such an archaic, paranoid fixation on the protection of Catholicism. He was baffled by the extent to which the Tranquillitsian Church seemed yet to be living in the era of the Reformist persecutions.

One of the things that made Hilgisin so uniquely suited for this mission was his own Catholic background. He might now be a simple fishing-boat captain, but it was his second career. In his youth he had studied at the great Seminary of St. Danestar, in Orado, and although he'd had no vocation for the priesthood or religious life, he had taken an advanced degree in theology from the Jesuit Institute attached to the Seminary, and remained as a teacher for nearly fifteen years. At length, homesickness for the North Meral had overcome him, and he'd returned to his family's fleet.

But he had spent time in Rome, and even participated as a lay theologian in the Papal Commission on Sentience.

The Tranquillitsian version of Catholicism was thoroughly doctrinally orthodox, he had verified that. But this peculiar governmental obsession with denying all contact with other religions? He wondered what his friend Cardinal Hume, the President of the Pontifical Council for InterReligious Dialogue, would make of it.

Bemusedly, he waited for the Customs official to validate his passport.

((OOC: Tranq., have you seen the thread on the Papal Conclave? Might be interesting to have a Trankie involved :wink: ))

Annika thought for a moment. "Recently, there has been some talk about liberalizing the government. Not a sudden change, but a gradual process, giving more rights to citizens. As far as the Church goes, the current head of the Tranquillitis Church, Cardinal Olosson, is very old. The younger generation of Cardinals is looking to open up the Church a bit more, and this is probably where that pressure on the government is coming from. It looks like his replacement, Archbishop Sjodin, wants to expand the country to accepting other forms of Christianity, except for the radical versions. Other religions would still be forbidden though."

-----------------------------

The custom official's eyes perked up slightly at the mention of the words 'Captain', 'government', and 'Amnesty International', but he decided not to ask and just stamped the book. Jacobsen led Hilgisin past the customs desk, as the official returned to his mundane job.

"There's a car waiting outside to take you to the hotel," 'Ragnarsson' told his guest. "It's late afternoon, so talks will begin tomorrow, 9am, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A driver will be at the Magnusson at 8:15am, and from there it's a short 15 minute drive to the building. The hotel is in the middle of the governmental area of Eriksberg, so traffic won't be too bad," he said with a chuckle.

The pair reached the automatic sliding doors at the front of the airport, and walked through towards the black government vehicle. Jacobsen held the door for Hilgisin, and then followed him into the car, which drove away as soon as Jacobsen shut the door.

"What kind of work do you do for Amnesty International?" Jacobsen asked. "Are you solely a representative, or do you do other kinds of work as well?"

Nyala chewed thoughtfully as she listened to Annika. If there was a power struggle going on between a rigid 'Old Guard' and a liberalizing younger front, that could explain the governmental paranoia. But perhaps it could also be useful.

"Do you think the government is determined to prove that nothing will be allowed to change? Or is it possible that this is a test case that will give those who wish to liberalize things a wedge to influence public opinion?"

The waitress stopped by to refill their coffee cups, and ask how everything was. Nyala rolled her eyes in ecstasy. "Good! Wonderful!" The waitress chuckled, and stopped to drop the check off at the nearby table, where all the children were done eating and busily playing with the sugar packets, the jelly spoons, the cutlery, etc.

*********************************

Hilgisin chuckled. "Actually, I do not so much work for Amnesty Worldwide as consult to them, occasionally. Most of the time I just run my family's fishing fleet in the North Meral."

"But some years ago I became involved with a case for Amnesty. Some Maccadol tribesmen from a neighboring country, whose ancestors had negotiated subsistence treaties with the government nearly a century ago, were being denied their rights under those treaties. Because I knew a great deal about the fishing conditions in that part of the Meral, I was called in as an expert."

With a rather rueful grin, he said, "And they got to the do-gooder in me. The more I learned about their work, the more interested I became. So from time to time, when they need someone who knows the right languages, or the right history, or whatever, and I happen to fit the bill, they ask me to volunteer. I am one of many, I know. I get asked a lot, I think, because I am right in Effrenata, where the international headquarters is, although few of the staff of AW are actually Effrenati."

He pondered asking 'Ragnarsson' how long he'd been in intelligence work, but knew that would be needlessly tactless. The thought made the laugh lines at the corners of his eyes deepen momentarily. He settled for something safely uncontroversial. "This is my first visit to Tranquillitis. I don't know if I'll have time to do any sight-seeing, but if I do, what can you recommend?"