NationStates Jolt Archive

Graham Deleric, head of the Human council of Clangerland, left the official government train, and with him the myriad of officials who were his company on the assignment.
He ducked through the various tunnels, slowly leading his group towards the surface. He cursed as he occasionally hit his head on the low tunnel ceilings, and hoped that the Clangers with him couldn’t understand that much English.
'Cute though they may be'; Graham thought, 'they don't make it easy to get about underground. There may not be many humans down here, but it must be worth the effort making sure they don't get concussed before getting anywhere.'
He stopped the group in the alcove just before the entrance to the surface. Perfectly crafted, ornate and a nice place to be if you have the advantage of being a meter high. As often as he would complain about the architecture, Graham saved special ire for the Foreign Office.
"One last time before we get to the top. Were none of you given a list of who to expect once we get to the dignitaries complex?"
A series of whistles indicating the negative.
"Is there anyone in that useless Foreign Ministry of yours who knows what they're doing?", he half joked.
"I'd like to think I'm getting the hang of it after the last century." chuckled a newcomer from the outside. Tall and regal, and above all elven, the Duke Kalladhel was a bit imposing, and you could never imagine him hitting his head on the roof of a cave.
As one of the highest ranking beings in the nation, it was quite unlikely that anyone of higher rank than the Leader of Clangese Humanity would just walk in, and very annoying when it happened. It made Cabinet meetings a bit of a bother.
"Foreign Minister!", Graham intoned. "Glad to see there's someone about who should know what their doing. Come on, everyone, we had best be going."
"Not yet, if you would" asserted the head of elvendom in Clangerland (a position he had maintained for 547 years). He addressed the assembled Clangers, and a few Soupdragons -
"Now, there is a chance that some of you will never have been aboveground before. Don't worry, it's usually a great experience. Unless... Graham, you wouldn't mind popping out for a moment?" He loved bossing the human around, if only because he knew it was incredibly annoying for Deleric.
Graham grumbled, went out, an came back in. "Was there a point to that?"
"Is it raining?" was the Duke's simple response.
"Not a drop." Deciding to take it out on the assembled Clangers, Graham continued - "But the Minister is right to warn you about the weather. You've never experienced it, so I'd better tell you, it can be vicious. Hailstones as big as your head flying about at the drop of a hat."
His work done, Graham added "Right, off we go. Unless you have anything to add?"
“Just remember everybody, don’t be nervous. You’ll be dealing with Dignitaries, Ambassadors and some important people, so remember, you are representing your nation. Some of these people may seem strange, with odd customs and languages, but as long as you have your personal translators, you can cope.”
The group check their translation devices, and are led into the aboveground.
Specifically the Whistling Waters Spa Complex, the most luxurious and exclusive patches of land in the nation, and the chosen location for the greeting of any dignitary who may wish to respond to the Clangerland Governments invitation.

Anyone who turns up will find themselves in a large circular hall with a high glass dome. At the centre of the room is an immense fountain, and scattered about is verdant greenery common to the Clangerland wilderness. Clangers ferry drinks about to those who request them.

OOC – I would provide an itinerary of sorts, but I’m not planning on letting the reception last long enough to follow one.
The thread may be used to introduce Ambassadors and dignitaries to Clangerland, and if necessary characters can launch into exposition about Clangerland if requested.
Anyone involved will eventually be caught up in the development of this thread (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=152338), but nobody should get hurt.

The congregation makes the journey from the subterranean passageways to the central hall, through the discretely guarded ancient pathways marking the significance this place held long before any Clangers arrived. But this didn't bother the group, who were merely hungry.
The Clangerland delegation entered the hall, prepared to extend the welcome of Clangerland to any and all who may be within.

There was, and is, nobody there to receive this welcome.
Rather disappointing reception, all told.

From an area overlooking a scenic point, the sounds of hushed rumblings and whisperings can be heard. From the looks of it, a large brown bipedal reptile in a cape and a tanned human with a buzz-cut and a brown uniform are holding quiet discourse. If one approaches closer, the tinny sound of a translator in action can be heard.

"Yes, it does look like a nice spot for a long bask, Krees. This isn't the time for it, however." More rumbling comes from the reptile, and then it translates. "There is always time for basking." Then it seems to cut short as the Sakkran turns, its tail moving with the motion.

A yellowish eye regards the human and the elf before him, a distance away. "Ah. We are joined. it seems." The human turns, and cocks an eyebrow. "Ah, greetings. I am Liaison Daniel Khottier, and with me is Ambassador Krees. We were admiring the view here, which is quite splendid. Thank you for having us."

The Clangerland dignitaries disperse, mostly in the direction of the drinks table.
Meanwhile, the English speakers move to gree the Sakkran delegation.
"Welcome to Clangerland", replies the elf. "It's an honour to have you here. Duke Kalladhel Nilquenti, Clangerland Minister for International Relations, at your service."
"Hi. Lord Graham Deleric, Head Human, glad somebody made it here. How are you for refreshments?"

Ambassador Krees lowers his neck slightly while keeping his scaley head level. A small bow. "Good cycle to you, Duke Nilquenti. Good cycle to you, Lord Deleric." He raises up again, and looks about. "Speaking for myself, I am situated for beverage. However, if you have a bit of port around, it would be lovely."

Daniel rolls his eyes a bit. "Excuse him, but the translation makes the speech sound almost banal. We felt it would be good to meet our hosts before we dive in to the banquet. But some port does sound nice. Is there a place we could sit and hold discourse over a couple of glasses?"

While various Clangers scurry aroud fulfilling drinks orders, The group ffind an empty alcove, from where one can not only sit, but sit and view a vista of unspoilt Clangerland rainforest.

"I suppose it may be a bit dissaponting for you to come all the way to Clangerland to be met by a plain old human. We made a decision that it would probaly be best greeting people in a manner they might have a chance of understanding. On that note..."

Graham took two small earpieces from his pocket, and offered them to the Liason and Ambassador.

"These are the best we have to offer for translation while in Clangerland.", explained Kalladhel. "If they are working properly, they should allow near instant translation from Clangese to English. It's not a perfect system, but it's better than the days when every important Clanger had to be followed arround by a translator. I imagine you once had similar problems."

Kottier afixes his earpiece to his ear, and tests it for functionality. Seemingly satisfied, he swirls a glass of port while looking out over the rainforest. "I'm sure that there was once a problem with it. But since the last Emperor was in power, multi-lingual studies have become a staple of their education system. Of course, some of the die-hards...." A poiting motion is made towards Krees. "....seem to have a hard time assimilating new languages."

"Having no lips puts one at a disadvantage for languages, Daniel." Krees manages to fix his ear-piece onto the ridge surrounding his earhole. He listens for a moment, then seems satisfied. "I remember back in the days before the current Emperor. There was a time of adjustment during the immigration of humans, elves, nekoites and such. The young have taken far more easily to the various languages than the elder among us." The glass of port is swirled around a bit, and a small sip is taken.

"Very nice. Fragrant, but not pungent." The yellowish eyes look about a bit, observing the pink beings milling about. We were once subterranean peoples, and isolationist. When we decided to make our presence known, it was tumultuous for us, but we adjusted. As the Clangers seem to be in a similar state, has it been turbulent for you all as well?"

OOC: I'm interested in this definitely. I'm at work now, but when I'm done, I'll post some IC story.

OOC: I'm interested in this definitely. I'm at work now, but when I'm done, I'll post some IC story.

OOC - Fantastic. I look forward to it. Anyway -

IC
Deleric takes a quick gulp of his whisky, and smiles.
"Well, for the past month, everything has been great. The government moved back out of isolation, and the reception from the international community has been brilliant. Not that you could tell from the turnout here. Bit of a problem (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=152338) with some of the more cautious Clangers over in the Parliaments, but they should be sorting that out now.

"But as for the first emergence of the Clangers that would be classed as ancient history. I'd best defer to someone who was actually there."
The human turns to the elf, and smiles again.

"Well, if I must, I'll start from the very beginning", intoned Kalladhel. He cleared his throat, and took on a scholarly tone.
"The Clangers, and indeed the Soupdragons, first arrived on Earth some 600 years ago (OOC - adjust depending on whatever year your nation thinks it is). Nobody is entirely sure how, but suddenly, they were here, and here they stayed. It was fairly hard not to notice them, and so various nations sent teams out to study the little things. And ever since I was sent here, I haven't regretted deciding to stay.

"Once we all understood what the other was saying, everyone got on fantastically. You might expect that there would be some trouble, but the Clangers had it pretty easy. More recent history, however, was a bit different. We went into isolation for a reason, but now I only regret we didn't re-emerge sooner."

Krees nods his head sagely. "It has been shown from the Tomes of the past to the present day, that most things happen in a timely fashion. It may not be apparent right away, but it becomes clear as things progress." His tail swishes a bit, then it wraps around his waist after realizing that it could, in theory, trip someone up.

Daniel shifts in his seat a bit, and orders a bottle of fine port. "You say you've been having troubles recently. Surely it's something you can handle, right? No consortium of tin-pot dictatorships with dreams of empire-building and such?" He smirks a bit at that. "The Sakkrans had a few problems with that when they decided to re-emerge, if the history books are accurate. Nothing that a few demoralizing tactics couldn't solve."

Krees lets out a sharp laugh, sounding much like a WHIFF coming from his nostrils. "Yes. Demoralizing. A gentle way of putting it."

[tag] (I've been catching up with my other threads, so bare with me)