NationStates Jolt Archive

The Emperor’s private office was high in the building, and Ilene Vashon tapped her foot impatiently as the elevator came to a stop. The doors opened, revealing another set an inch away, double doors, oaken, with a leaf pattern, and an inscription ran across, at about the height of her waist, “Emperor Mephet’ran I, Lord of All Duat.”

The diversity of the nation meant that there was only one language it was customary to write ceremonial titles in was the hieratic script {the one more people could read} of the necrontyr, cuneiform like script, reminiscent of Babylonian or Assyrian letters. She opened the door, and walked through it, there were several distinctive features of the office, slight gaps in the floor, just visible with her enhanced eyesight the most minor of them. ‘Something below each of them no doubt,’ she thought, and turned her gaze, ignoring the other doors leading into the large room, to the great six inch thick window of some strange transparent material, and its spectacular view of the city from beyond the palace. It was breathtaking at first, but one could become accustomed to it. She knew from experience that the window could be commanded to display other views as well, if the user wished it to.

Behind a great old wooden desk the emperor sat, long dark hair pinned back, his more grandiose dress toned down to a fairly simple white suit, with golden inlay upon it. He seemed to be writing at the moment. He looked up, and smiled, “Ah, Ilene,” she bowed, “Come, sit.”

He gestured toward a large couch-like thing, easily large enough to lie back on, and smiled. She sat, and watched as he put away what he was working on for a moment to look at her, “I just thought it would be important that you should know that for a while you’ll be replacing Elash, on my next trip.”

“Sir?” she asked, confused, knowing of his next intended state visits, vaguely.

“I don’t think a necrontyr would go down too well at one of my intended destinations, and thus you’re coming instead,” he said, by way of explanation, and she nodded, rising. The cherry blonde woman left, and the Emperor pondered gifts for those he was planning on visiting.

By the pen of Ilene Vashon, Adjutant of the Emperor, Imperial Year B200,406, the 15th day of the 6th month. To, Her Majesty Empress Aurora of The Teutonic Empire of Lavenrunz, or appropriate officer thereof.

Greetings to you your majesty, It is my hope that this missive finds you in excellent health. I am writing to request, on behalf of the Emperor of the Necrontyr Empire, a personal audience. It has been some years since the Emperor last visited your nation, but it has been found, in the fullness of time, and upon reflection upon the matter of the previous visit, that that visit may have given a distorted view of both the nation and its leaders, and it is therefore the Emperor’s desire to once more visit Lavenrunz, in the hope of gaining a deeper understanding of the nation, its people and its leaders.

During such a visit, if it could be permitted, the Emperor desires a personal audience with yourself, and if possible, persons of lesser rank, perhaps the chancellor, though such meetings are deemed of lesser value than your illustrious self in learning of the nation and its people.

Respectfully Yours,
Ilene Vashon, Officer of the Emperor.

The Emperor sighed a little, and quietly approved the first of the letters, tagging it for immediate dispatch, and moved onto the second, this one written by himself, and far less obsequious or formal. He paused a moment to caress a strange but beautiful plant, something called Niphredil, on his desk, carefully exposed to light from the window, and therefore not particularly noticeable at the moment, and looked at the other letter.

To: Dread Lady Nathicana, The Dominion.
From: Emperor Mephet’ran, The C’tan Empire.

Greetings, I’m uncertain if you’ve ever heard of me before, though I for my part have heard much of yourself. Therefore, curiosity brings me to send this request to pay you a private visit at some point in the near future, as I will be, in the general area on other business. Your reputation precedes you, and as I’ve had several near misses with regards to actually meeting you in the past, I want to bite the proverbial bullet, and visit you directly. Therefore, if you wouldn’t mind sending a reply with details of an appropriate time and place, I shall try to meet your schedule.

Yours,
Mephet’ran.

He smiled a little, and marked this for the same, and both messages were duly dispatched with all haste, using whatever means of delivery were deemed most appropriate.

Nathicana reads over the letter, one brow arched curiously. C’tan … now where have I … Ah. Winter Ball. And I believe I’ve heard reports involving Mars, and that ridiculous planet-moving fiasco with Eniqcir and Wazzu. Kopinski, I think it was, at the ball … and what was the name of the woman at those accords? The one who’s over our former territories there …

She lays down the missive, and jacks in, going immediately to a quick referencing of her intel resources, sorting swiftly through files and bits of information.

Kopinski and Mephet’ran are the same … interesting change of name. And the woman, Samara Neja – a striking choice to watch over Sentinel II. They’ve been rather busy, it seems. Now why I’d have caught his interest … that’s another question entirely.

Jacking back out, she ponders the situation thoughtfully for a while, taking slow sips from her ever present ice water. Coming to a decision, she nods, taking out a sheet of her private stationary and a black fountain pen.

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” she murmurs, setting pen to paper and writing with her usual bold, flowing script.


To Emperor Mephet’ran of the Ctan Empire:

I admit I am both surprised and I think, flattered that my quiet dealings seem to have caught your eye. One can only hope this reputation you speak of is one worthy of the attention. I recall seeing you in Lavenrunz at that lovely Winter Ball that ended on such an unfortunate note. I regret we missed the opportunity to speak on account.

I of course would be honored to welcome you to the Dominion, and look forward to your visit. I’m certain I can clear sufficient time at any point of the first two weeks of this coming month. If other arrangements are necessary, please do not hesitate to contact me so that we can work towards a more accommodating timeframe.

Sincerely,
--Nathicana D’Aquisto


Blowing on the thick paper softly as she reads back over it, she presses a button on the phoneset.

“Antonio, I’ll need to speak with you regarding security. We’ve an Emperor planning a visit.”

Hearing confirmation from Pellegrino, she nods, and calls in Else to have the letter sent via similarly returned route.

He read Nathicana's reply with a little satisfaction, and promptly, returning the gesture, and hand writing it, his own script slanted, in black ink, the paper subtly watermarked with the more common, minimalist version of the national symbol. He made a point of adopting her style.

To Nathicana D'Aquisto of The Dominion:

Well, your dealings, as you so modestly call them, aren't exactly eye-catching, to be certain, but they are worthy of note and attention. In any case, I too regret the misfortune of that occasion, and look forward to meeting you, under more comfortable circumstances. The time you propose is of course, quite agreeable to me, and I don't foresee any major problems with the timing. I shall be certain to have an exact time forwarded in advance, and other such arrangements.

Sincerely,
--Mephet’ran.

Quietly adding it to the pile for dispatch, he took another sheet, and started to work on his response to that Knootian Trade Treaty proposal...

Her Teutonic Majesty Aurora the First sat in an inflated pool chair sipping a virgin dacquiri and reading her male. Thirty Camelias waded in the shallows, looking thoughtful. Not far off, Archduchess Raven was reading two books at the same time for some reason.
Unbeknownst to her, a paparazzi caught a photo of her in her peach colored bathing suit, looking almost naked in her floating chair, her beautiful fair hair flowing damply against her shoulders. The fellow managed to push send and have the photo go off to his editor in Der Angst before several Jaegers descended upon him like the wrath of God. There was a swift inquiry and investigation into how the hell he had gotten there in the first place, before an unhappy Count Chemnitz and Colonel von Paderborn.
"Ehrfurt, take a letter!" she called to her Equerry.
"Majesty." the handsome young Baron replied.
"Dear Emperor Mephet C'tan."
He began to write in response.
"Thanks for the letter."
"It is with great pleasure that I received your Majesty's communication..." wrote Ehrfurt.

...and it is with further delight that I am able to offer your Majesty hospitality. During the spring in our country you will be able to see the beauty of our parks, and share in the joy of the people as the time of renewal arrives. Please have the officers of your court arrange with Count Chemnitz, my Chamberlain, your itinerary. It will be an honour to receive you.
Most Affectionately,
Aurora von Sachshausen
Empress of Lavenrunz

“Sir, the latest updates on Lavenrunz,” said the young looking woman, extending her hand, containing an ‘a4’ sized folder, leather bound, black with a scarlet trim. The emperor, took it without turning, and laid the folder out on the smooth, ivory white windowsill. As much as he liked the views of the city, he actually preferred this room somewhat to the others as he found that watching the sea was often calming. He opened it and leafed through the first few pages,

“So,” he commented after a while, “I was correct in that at least. We didn’t need to interfere in their business, for now at least, things seem stable there. Interesting how discrete she can be, they’ve not even noticed it…”

“Sir?” asked Vashon.

“Oh, never mind that. Prattling away harmlessly I suppose.”

She nodded silently, knowing full well that she’d just been brushed off, he rarely said anything without meaning. He plucked the letter from the file, and read over it. Conveniently, there was more paper and an appropriate pen tucked into the back of the file too. He leaned forward a little, and wrote a reply.


Dear Empress Aurora,

It is with my own considerable pleasure that I receive your reply. I look forward to arrival even now, and I shall direct an appropriate person to contact Count Chemnitz immediately. Until such time as I arrive however, may I send you my warmest regards and best wishes.

Yours Affectionately,
Mephet’ran.

He passed the letter to Ilene, and reflected on his inconvenient lack of a family name. He sighed a little, mentally at least, and splayed his fingers wide, and leaned forward onto the windowsill, “Leave me,” he commanded, mitigated with a “please.”

She nodded, and turned to leave.

He yawned a little, a human mannerism he’d picked up somewhere, and slothfully sipped his drink, glancing out of the window again. ‘Lavenrunz first,’ he thought, ‘this will be… interesting.’

“Ilene dear, try to stop glancing out of the window every two seconds, we’ll arrive when we arrive.”

She pouted, actually pouted, at him, “So? Why couldn’t you find a shuttle?”

He smiled, “A chartered airliner is better than a military dropship, and my usual shuttle had that little accident. Remember?”

She shook her head and looked away. ‘She’s just like a child sometimes. Honestly,’ he thought, and went back to his drink, ‘mercifully only sometimes.’

After an, uneventful trip ((As AFAIK Lavenrunz no longer plays)) the Emperr was off once more, this time to a place known as "The Dominion," or in some circles "The Dominion of Dread Lady Nathicana." He did find that a rather curious and somewhat threatening, or at least apparently intended to be, title. He'd been observing this one's... activities... as best was possible without actively dedicating resources to it for a long time.

The sleek arrowhead hull of the shuttle, the usual one once more, gleamed black with the reflected light of the dawn as it coasted on toward the Dominion.

#tag#

He was expected, and as such, those ships and forces watching over the Dominion scanned for any possible problems or unwanted visitors who might wish to cause an ‘incident’. The skies were clear, however, and the Imperatore’s shuttle was directed to the proper secured landing area of the Devras Airport. Waiting patiently in her Bentley is the Dread Lady, having received ample notification at the office. She steps gracefully out of the car, wearing a simple black business suit, the skirt going just past the knees, slit at both sides, a red silk shirt worn underneath. The only jewelry she wears is a simple slender band holding an equally small single diamond.

Well, this should be interesting. Never did have a chance to speak at that ball … I wonder. What is he looking for?

She watched the shuttle arrive, putting on one of her more charming smiles.

I suppose I’m about to find out – or at least have fun trying to wheedle it out of him. We know next to nothing about the C’tan, after all. What possible interest the Dominion could have for them is beyond me. I suppose it may be an effort to get to know Siri’s allies – last I heard, they and Menelmacar amicable enough relations, I think. I don’t believe they’ve been bad neighbors on Mars, and they –have- taken over our old territory there ... Perhaps looking to get info on the elves? Perhaps just a neighborly visit with that land being the catalyst? We shall see.

http://home.mchsi.com/~ketri/wsb/links/blackbiz.jpg

The Emperor’s shuttle settled on the landing pad with a slight breeze of disturbed air, several almost insectile landing legs extending from its undercarriage. An elongated dagger shape with a wingspan greater than a commercial aeroplane it was modified from a conventional drop-ship in order to permit it to mount a military specification drive system, in addition to its countless creature comforts.

At the back of the vessel a door opened and a ramp slid down, its placement carefully behind the powerful main engines, a design feature intended to allow an operator to incinerate anyone attempting to board the vessel in its engine wash. As it was however, such unpleasantness was quite far from anyone’s mind, and the solitary figure stalking his way down the ramp seemed far from hostile.

In his most commonly assumed form the Emperor was a tall, but not freakishly so, human male. At this exact moment he was wearing the long dark hair, which he had grown specifically to better interact with the elves Nathicana was thinking of, tied behind his head. His own dress was more toned down than it usually was too, and it merely consisted of a black Nehru suit, with a white shirt largely hidden under the jacket.

He smiled warmly as he walked over, extending his hand for the, if not universal, common gesture of peaceful greeting.

Nathi stepped forward to meet him, taking his hand and shaking it with a professional but definitely ladylike manner.

“Welcome to the Dominion, Imperatore,” she said with a smile, studying him long enough to fall short of rudely staring, taking his measure quietly, though this meant looking up. She after all, at 152cm plus a little, did not stand terribly tall – not that you’d know it to look at how she carried herself. “I trust your journey was a pleasant one?”

“I admit, your visit, while welcome, has me decidedly curious. It would seem we have somehow managed to just miss each other at different events we have attended. I trust your stay will help remedy that.” She gestured to the waiting vehicle. “If you care to accompany me, your Majesty, our ride awaits, as does some small refreshment after your flight.”

He smiled back at her politely, contemplating kissing her hand, but deciding not to get too affectionate. He had the suspicion that even beings of great power akin to himself who became attached to this woman would live to regret it. Insight such as this would be hard for him to put into words, and for this reason he never did so.

“It is an honour to be here,” he said. He didn’t mind her taking stock of him, as long as the measure found favour in him. That at least, remained to be seen. “Absolutely so,” he said, “superb in fact.” Walking to the car he smiled, “Yes indeed, it’s proven quite frustrating, so I decided to rectify the problem by paying you a visit, and as I’m going to be here in a few days for the coronation, I decided that it would do as well to drop by a few days in advance – incidentally you have my apologies if I’m diverting your time from more important matters – and learn about yourself, and with any luck, your people.

“Oh, and there is most certainly to need to address me so – my own people very rarely do so, I don’t expect anyone else to. “Mephet” is the usual name, though I imagine you know one or two others,” he finished with a little smile as they entered the vehicle. He was hardly lacking in assumed personae after all.

"You're no trouble at all, Mephet," she assured him, settling in then opening the mini bar to offer him a drink. "I'm glad your trip was a pleasant one, and am pleased you chose to visit. Consider yourself fashionably early. You'll have a chance to get a better feel for the place before the others arrive."

She chuckled at the mention of other names, and nodded. "Kopinski is a name I seem to remember from the Winter Ball. And you've changed somewhat since then, unless I'm completely mistaken. So tell me... now that you're here, what can I do for you, and how can I help make your stay a pleasant one?"

Not bad ... not bad at all. Pleasant enough to be around, not hard to look at at all ... a welcome diversion from all the fuss and planning, not to mention a wonderful direct contact.

... at which point the Emperor was offered a suite at the Pallazzo, Nathicana busied herself with preparations, whatever wandering and sightseeing was done, and the Coronation (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=358706&page=1&pp=40) business was taken care of, going off remarkably well, much to her relief. While having been an interesting introduction, no more had really been learned of the man, or his nation, but then that sometimes was the way of things unfortunately.

Given upcoming events, it wasn't as though the days were empty at any rate, and attention was soon turned to addressing those preparations as well, with the hopes that all the various visitors had enjoyed their stay, and had a safe journey to wherever they were going once they departed.