NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This is taking place a few months before the current Homeworld RP.

IC:

The massive doors of the Imperial Palace open and Emperor Roland Meridius walks in. Apparently tired from his trip, he was happy to be back in New Berlin though...Capital of the Empire.

As the Imperial Guards stop following Roland and place themselves at the doorway, Roland walks to the Main Hall and pours himself a glass of Elarian Ale.

"Natalya , Adalia , Sven....fathers home."

"Hey, daddy!" Princess Adalia Meridius bounded down the stairs two at a time. Looking almost exactly like her mother (http://home.iprimus.com.au/quincyw/natalia.jpg), but with a light purple skin and dark purple hair, she was chased by anxious aides and (she hated the word) servants. In a shockingly brief shirt and shorts, she sported orange tinted sunglasses and had earphones in her ear, blasting out some loud music.

With a quick kiss on his cheek, she bounded off again in the direction of the kitchens, humming happily and knocking over a priceless vase (which an aide rapidly dives to save, a move that would've made any footballer proud) in the process.

"Glad to see you're home, Roland. Welcome back." Natalia Harrington-Meridius smiled thinly. She looked barely older than her file photo, except there were now fine lines around her lips and eyes. "You surely remember your daughter who just galloped off to who knows where, don't you?"

Roland was shocked...his daughter, an Imperial Princess just ran by in something he ...well...would have liked had it not been his daughter.

"Natalya...why...why is she wearing those brightly colored washcloths?" "She looks like nothing more than a pinksk...a human teenager." "Where are those fine Gnomarian Silk gowns I bought for her?"

"Well, in case you forgot, our little girl is fifteen now. She grew out of those silks years ago. She's a teenager. Bit wilder than standard Elarian stock, but then again, Elara's changing."

*tag*
*grabs some popcorn and waits for some good soap drama*

Roland's face grew cold,...where was his once loving wife...not even a hug or kiss when he got home.

"Changing?" "I think not, I think Elara is about to find its true roots and go back to the way it once was in the Old Empire." "I will not let it just turn into some sort of Terran-like nation, I will not let my people lose themselves." "And no matter how you might like it to change to something resembling Adejaani and the other Human nations it is not and it will not."

"Well, Roland, I agree with you. Elarian culture is great. But let that challenge be to you. Convert your daughter back to your ways... If you can." Natalia smirked slightly and strode off.

Roland walked into the Kitchen where daughter was and smiled as he grabbed onto her and hugged her tightly before putting her back down on the ground.

"I missed you my Princess!" "Howve you been?" "Look at you, my young girl all growing up into quite the beautiful Lady."

Roland brushed Adalia's hair off of hair face and behind her ear as he beamed a smile.

"Sweetheart, I know you like these clothes...to be honest I had a hard time not wearing the Human fashions in the 80s and early 90s." "But Princess, remember your an Elarian heir, we have a rich and vibrant culture." "Couldnt you try, just for Daddy to wear some of the Elarian styles?" "After all thats your culture my daughter."

"I get enough of your constant pampering and culture by a small army of stuffy and dull people who try and teach me 'manners'. It's not that I mind, but I thought you were a warrior culture. But with all this pampering, Princess sounds about right. I'm a person, daddy."

Roland's smile faded..

"We are a Warrior race..I wanted to teach you the way of the blade but your mother wouldnt allow it." "I even wanted to take you onto the last Colonial War with me." "Do not speak to me as if I am nothing broodling!" "Do you know how many Elarian Warriors died , how many Id known for millenia, how many enemies I had to kill to protect you and your mother?" "I treat you well because I love you, thats right Warriors can love." "We've spoiled you, yes we are a Warrior Race but we are also noble , honorable and respectful." "I ask you to do one thing to make your father proud, and you act like a pinkskin." "When I could have had you sent to the Valkyries or the Order of the Rose."

Roland unstraps his Elarian Sword and throws it on the table as he sits down and holds his head angrily in his hands.

"Well I'm only fifteen. I'm not exactly of age just yet, daddy." Adalia picked up the sword and stepped forward, wielding it expertly. "Besides, you've made an assumption. That's bad." She flicked the sword about, swapping hands and even throwing it into the air, spinning it around and embedding it into the thick granite tabletop without shattering the blade. "You're also assuming that I'm fully human. That's your other mistake, daddy."

Roland sighed and looked into Adalia's eyes deeply, clearly unamused.

"I never made that assumption, if youd been listening to me youd remember I said the Elarian Culture was your culture." "You dont want to be pampered, you want to live as a true Elarian?" "Fine, Ill take away the Servants you can cook , clean , and do everything for yourself." "And Ill talk to the Order soon for you."

"Daddy... Can you answer something? Honestly?" Adalia paused and picked up a sandwich she'd made by herself earlier.

Roland took the sandwhich out of Adalias hand and cut it in half with his sword handing her back one half and taking a bite out of the other.

"Ask..."

"Why is it so, that you hate the humans? Or, as you call them, Pinkskins? Why then would you marry mom, if she was one?"

"Well, Humans havent treated Elarians well in the passed my child." "And I suppose Elarians can sometimes think they are superior to Humans,...but then again we did get a much earlier start than humanity." "What effects me most is that Humans try to convert our Culture , our ways , they think everything must be like them or else it is wrong." "You must understand, Ive tried to keep our culture , our people the same as it was on our Homeworld instead of having them conform with the wants of Humanity." "We've changed our architecture to suit Earth, but nothing else has changed." "I only hope one day we can get back to everything and I can show you the glorious statues and buildings of the old Empire."

Roland put the sandwhich down on the marble, granite and metalic table with intricate engravings and symbols. His face turned sad.

"In the interest of politics and easing tensions between our Human neighbors the Adejaani I married your mother, daughter of their former leader." "She was somehow different...the way she moved, the way she talked, her wonderful aroma, that sweet voice...humans call it the voice of an Angel." "I fell in love with her the first time I saw her....which was in blue paint." Roland said with a slight snicker...still very sad. "Your mother tried to change Elara though...just like all other Humans she wanted Elara to become like Humanity." "She tried to get me to think of the ways of a Republic, and to forget our old customs and bring in Human beliefs... He touched Adalia's shirt for a moment and put his hand back on the table. ...and styles." "I only wish to keep Elara's culture, traditions...spirit alive." "I dont hate Humans my daughter, I just get...irritated sometimes." "Why, your mother doesnt even kiss me...she doesnt say she loves me...I cant even rememer the last time she touched me at all...I dont have a wife anymore...just a Human Woman they call Empress living in this Palace."

"She loves you, daddy. She understands that you, as Emperor, must make sacrifices and lead our people into war. On the other hand, when was the last time you stayed? Talked to the people? You're an Emperor, daddy, but have you ever made the people happy? That they're fine?

"This is probably why the humans frighten you so. Because we're different. But you know what the best strength about humans is, above all others? Our ability to adapt to change. Maybe we are arrogant, but maybe, the last time we looked, we're probably the dominant species on the planet. Excepting, of course, the Elves and the Orcs.

"I've read the exploits of you and our people, daddy. Great warriors, we are. And we win. But the humans are also great warriors. Not as fierce, powerful or proud, but we still win. Why? Because we change. If something doesn't work, we do it differently.

"We're not trying to cripple Elara. We aren't. But you shouldn't blindly ignore progress. I did read what you originally decreed. You chose mom because you thought she could bring understanding and compassion. She also brought back to her country an even fiercer sense of pride. Before, the people of Adejaani were called moralistic cowards. Now we're moralistic warriors, dedicated to doing what's right, instead of hiding behind our strong words and rhetoric.

"We look to the Elarians as the model of warrior essence. We are adapting our culture to bring together the best of both. We have kept our heritage and our background intac...

"We use your passion and fire in our lives to become better people." Adalia finished quietly.

"We?..Your?" "You speak as though you are a full blooded Adejaani my child." "We progress, but in our own way, in our own cultural difference." "We will not change to be a Human culture, I wont let our spirit , our culture die." "Yes I thought your mother would bring compassion, but not whilst trying to change our people and traditions as well." "If we begin to change and become like Humans then eventually we'll start wearing their fashions , our own styles will disappear... Elarian Swords wont be allowed to be carried around with their owners." "They will bring their corporations, their unmoralistic corrupt life styles and polute the heads of the young Elarians." "Soon the very things we value the most, honor, loyalty, respect...it will disappear." "That started in the Civil War...when I began to let my people in on Humanity...communism came , half of the people raised up against me , valuing that human way, praise be to the gods that I had still half that valued our traiditions and honorable lifestyles." "So many dead to that war,...ophilia..."

A small tear rolls down Rolands blue face though he wipes it away quickly and hides it.

"I will keep our culture intact this time, we just have to wait and hold on for Admiral Hester to return with the coordinates and we'll be fine." "I talk to my people all the time Adalia...or does your mother ever allow you to watch those transmisions." "Thats where I just returned from , an event in New Dosh'la." "The people are quite happy...me on the other hand." "Adalia, your mother does not love me young one...I sense a coldness off of her when she speaks to me." "She glares at me when she looks at me now...as if she'd prefer it if I were dead." "I want so much for you Adalia,... I want a family, not a group of people in the same household at each others throats."

"I speak of both cultures as I'm both, daddy. I am neither human nor Elarian. I am a mixture. I embrace both sides of my heritage. And perhaps, daddy, you should listen to what you say. When was the last time you were at home being romantic and a lover? When was the last time you took her to dinner, or held her hand for a walk? When was the last time you gave me a hug and stayed with me and a father to me? You give me gifts and send cards and hug me on those rare occasions you're home and then you run off again to fight the enemy of the day."

Adalia reached out and held his hand.

"Daddy, you're a good emperor. No one can dispute that. I know you love us and you do care. But do you know anything about me? What's my shoe size? What's my favorite music, color, food, crush? What's my favorite subject, TV show, documentary, travel destination? This is how mom feels, daddy. She is your wife and the mother of your child. But are we truly a family? Have we ever done anything 'family'?"

"Addie, if I werent off to 'fight the enemy of the day' there wouldnt be an Elara." "Understand Elara is a major power, which also makes her a major target." "And I do check up on you, even if its through the Imperial Guards that watch over you." "But to be honest I cant remember when your mother and I have ever been romantic besides the honey moon." "She could try herself though as well...Ive invited her to come with me on what I knew would be lengthy campaigns." "I continue to do my Imperial duty, but doing so I lose being a man." "Every day I grow colder....unforgiving."

Roland rubbed Adalia's hand with his fingers. And breathed in heavily.

"You and Sven are what keeps me fighting harder, more fiercely....knowing that if I keep fighting youll always be safe." "Youve seemed to embrace Human culture....but have you embraced Elarian Culture my daughter?" "Thats what I want from you...to see you in an Elarian Ladies gown one day... to see you show the honor and nobility that comes with the Meridius name...that comes with being a Princess of the Empire." "But...I know I cant change who you are,...and I will always accept who you are because your my daughter." "But crushes?" "Still too young I think, I might have to kill the young man."

"I think you're a great man regardless. I was joking about the crushes. But perhaps it's good you're back. We might be a family again. But perhaps you should actually talk to mom once in a while. And I don't mean ask how she's doing, make her happy. And I'm sure I still have at least one dress in my size..."

Roland smiled, the words of his daughter had made him proud. He grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her over to him and hugged her.

"Your truely a Meridius, daughter." "And its good that you dont have any crushes, Id hate to have to make a young man disappear." Roland says with a slight snicker.

He stands letting go of his daughter and walks out of the room and up the winding turning massive marble stairs. As he gets to one of the halls he tracks the sound of papers being shuffled around to a little room. As Roland opens the door he sees Natalya. "So this is where your hiding..."

He walks over behind her slowly then suddenly grabs her as papers go flying out of her hand and proceeds to give her a long, sentual and passionate kiss. "...my love."

"You know, Roland, they'd pay a lot to have read those. My unauthorised biography about you, telling them what really goes on in Elara." Natalia giggled quietly. "So what brings you here?" She kissed him, pulled away and started picking up the papers.

Roland smiled as he kneelt down and began helping her pick up papers.

"And what is it these papers are really for angel?" "Writing a novel?" "Oh I know, love letters from your secret boyfriend." Says winking at Natalia.

"Actually, a missive of Elarian culture. I'm trying to introduce it to other countries. You'd be surprised how little they know about us."

"You make me very happy doing so....though the thought of Human children running around speaking Elarian in a new Elarian Language course at their schools...frightens me hehe." "You do know your the only Human aside from Sven to know the language, we've kept it secret from everyone else."

Roland stood and sat a stack of papers on the dimly lit desk. He sat down in one of the chairs next to the desk.

"Natty....tell me something..truthfully." "Are you happy?" "With your life,...with living in Elara...everything?"

"Honestly? I married you because I loved you. We have a beautiful daughter, you know. I'm forever thankful for that. I also know you've got an important job. I suppose I haven't really had time to be unhappy. Being a goodwill Ambassador between our two nations, trying to reassure both our peoples everything's okay... But I do get lonely when you're not here."