Imperial Resort (all welcome) [Archive]

East Islandia

01-09-2004, 16:09

The day was a pretty one, yet another shining, brilliant morning in the Pearl Archipelago. The catamaran carrying Ming touched down near the wharves, and Princess Lithia's craft arrived nearby. The proprietor of the Resort, Jason Guang, walked to meet the guests.

Guang smiled and bowed before the Princess. "It is an honor," he said, smiling. "Most delighted to have you aboard our humble resort. I am James Guang, the proprietor, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to Islandia."

Guang was a normally quiet man; a decade and a half in teh Ghost Brigades (East Islandia's foreign service unit, sort of like the French Foreign Legion) had done that to him. But now, luckily, he was settled, for once out of the paths of bullets and in comfort. His old comrade-in-arms, Mandy Li, was also there, helping him run the place.

"Delighted to meet you," Mandy said to Ming, taking his hand and shaking it. Several porters came to help them with their baggage, and brought it up to their rooms. "Shall we proceed to our rooms? Or are tours in order?"

The check in area was a small hut that stood above the water, connected to several wharves by way of passages. Inside were several counters, a bar, a lounge, and even a small restaurant that served Polynesian cuisine.

Outside, several boats cruised around lazily, outriggers skimmed the waters, and the beaches were sparsely inhabited. No one really seemed to be doing anything in particular, and all seemed to have the infectious laziness of hte tropics upon them.

"Our country is not very industrious," Guang said with a chuckle, as they began to walk under the shaded walkways towards the check-in area. "Just lazy, some may say. But I suppose we have an excuse, since we do live in the tropics."

_Taiwan

02-09-2004, 00:03

Being unfamiliar with Islandian etiqutte, Ming does his best and improvises. He takes Mandy's hand and kisses it gently like a Frenchman.

"The honor of meeting you is all yours..er..mine. A tour would be delightful."

Hudecia

02-09-2004, 00:12

Michael MacNally desperately needed some time to relax and recouperate. He had led Hudecia's Conservative party to its greatest hights and to its lowest depths in over a decade.

Now, he was simply a private citizen, having lost his seat in Parliament.

His flight was sort of a going away gift from the party. A thanks for his many years of hard work, and an excuse to put some physical distance between him and the party he had helped revive.

He understood the reasons all too well. Sighing he leaned back in his chair and stared out the window of his flight into the Islandian archipelago. He needed the vacation anyway.

East Islandia

02-09-2004, 01:06

Mandy smiled, and led him to a catamaran, where many other tourists were also. Rather large, it was equipped with a bar, a lounge, and even a small dining area. Lifejackets were unnecessary; most of the water in Pearl Archipelago was too shallow for most boats, and one could easily walk in it for miles.

"If you'll excuse me," she said, bowing. "Mr..Ming. I believe? The blowfish need to be prepared for tonight's meal."

Waiters served refreshments aboard, and Ming was soon led to a chair. In a cue from their Hawaiian cousins, pretty girls draped leis of bluish xiu flowers on their guests. Drinks were served in hollowed out coconut shells, chilled but fresh caviar and toast doled out, and sliced fruits, sushi, sashimi, and various hors d'ouevres spread out on large plates.

http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/r/x/rxz123/rana2.jpg

A beach view

http://www.ecoafrica.com/awet/kayaka/2kayaksd.jpg

kayaking

http://www.deepimpressions.co.uk/images/reefs.jpg

a reef

http://www.charapoana.com/html-en/photo.phtml?photo=40&type=0

a neighboring lagoon

The tour guide, another pretty girl wrapped in a pareu, explains to the guests each feature, and even stops the boat to offer them to get off at a nearby sand bar.

"

******

Mandy watched from the shore as the catamaran took off, before turning to hurry towards the blowfish tanks. Luckily, these blowfish were not poisonous; they retained the same taste as their more deadly compatriots, but had been not been fed the same diet as the blowfish further north...it was a recent Japanese innovation,a nd the Imperial Resort was one of the first to put such a study to the test.

Mandy chastised the cooks gently, and had them prepare the largest specimens, and an hour later, she hurried out, just in time to greet the Hudecian visitor. She had heard he was of high rank, from their Parliament.

"Greetings," she said, with a smile. Dressed in a simple pareu and with a flower in her hair, she wasnt as pretty as some of the other girls who worked on or near the resort. A slight scar lined one side of her face, a smallish pink slash mostly covered by her hair, taken when she served in Xinjiang.

"Mister MacNally? You are from North America?" she asked.

Hudecia

02-09-2004, 02:41

"Yes, pleasure to meet you Miss," MacNally answered formally but warmly. His personality and people skills were unmatched by most of his fellow MPs, as was his attention to detail.

He had noticed the scar when he first saw the pretty young girl. He reminded himself that many of the women in Islandia had served in the military and likely that is where it was from.

Had he known that it was from Xinjiang it would have likely cut deep into his heart. Under his leadership, Hudecia had become involved in Xinjiang and had dragged its allies with it. It was a decision he was regretting now as he and the country faced the devastating effects of war.

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

General Lee was another arrival that day. He was the former leader of South Hanguk, the remnants of the ROK. He arrived with a single guest, a Korean-Hudecian.

General Lee was in a foul mood, but tried to hide it from the other guests.

East Islandia

02-09-2004, 03:57

Mandy frowned. He seemed somewhat sad..

"Would you like to check in first? Or shall I take you on a tour?" Mandy asked. It was rare that she took people on tours, particularly with her limp (taken from a bullet in Korea), but she remembered that MacNally was an important guest, and besides, he seemed somewhat troubled.

On her shoulder was tattoo of a flaming fist and a white wraith, emblazoned with a one in the background; the insignia of the First Ghost Brigade.

"Perhaps a massage session?" she suggested. "Or parasailing, or waterskiing? The possibilities are endless."

******
General Lee was welcomed by a pretty girl, who bowed to him and his guest, and draped leis over their shoulders.

"Welcome to Imperial Lagoon and Resort," she said in English. "The check in is that hut there; tours depart from this wharf every twenty minutes, and activities are available 12/7."

East Islandia

02-09-2004, 04:43

Several Years ago
LAX airport, USA

When Mandy had arrived at the airport, eager to rid herself of her past life forever, she had encountered James, son of her father's old friend. She had changed her clothes now, and wore more conservative clothing (shorts and bellbottoms), rather than the skimpy tank top and tight leather pants she had sported that morning.

On first sight, James didnt seem very extraordinary. He was of middle height, and although he seemed a little older than he actually was, his sleek glasses and close cropped hair, along with white tshirt, baggy shorts, and flipflops could have made him any teen living in Southern California at that time.

When he noticed her, he quickly pulled out a photo, and consulted with it. When he was sure it was her, he walked up to her and raised his hand.

"You're James," Mandy said to him, without even turning around. She had been observing him through the reflection of the glass pane. "James Guo, was it?"

"Guang," James replied with a smile, thrusting out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Wu. Can i call you Mandy?"

Mandy took his hand wearily. "Sure," she replied, noncommittal. "This here is Yumi, but I guess you already know that. Do you have our passports?"

James nodded. "My uncle's an expert forger," he said. "Primarily cause he actually works for an immigration agency, so here."

He gave her two passports, one for Yumi and another for Mandy. Their first names were the same, but their surnames had been changed.

Mandy raised an eyebrow. "are you sure that it's a smart idea?" she asked. "Leaving the first but changing the last only?"

James nodded. "They're foolproof," he said. "Trust me." What he didnt reveal was that his uncle also worked for Islandian intelligence as a counterfeiter.

Mandy sighed. "Do you have the tickets?"

James frowned. "Shouldnt you be doing something also?" he asked. "Why am I-"

Mandy sidled up to him, her temper barely in check. "You're doing it cause I said so," she growled softly. "And if you knew why I'm leaving, then you wouldnt be complaining right now, would you?"

"I'm guessing it's something bad," James said. He had taken a step back, involuntarily, when Mandy began to stare him down. He sighed, and rubbed his head.

"You're right," he said. "I'm sorry. Didnt mean to piss you off within several minutes of meeting you."

Mandy nodded, satisfied for now, and took a step back. Her defiant demeanor didnt fade, but she nodded towards the ticket counter.

James sighed and turned towards the ticket counter, dragging the cart laden with their luggage with him. He spoke with the lady for several minutes before coming back and giving everyone their respective tickets.

"Here," he said. He locked eyes with the shy Yumi, and smiled gently.

"Dont get any ideas," Mandy said from behind him. "Now can we get some food? I'm hungry."

"Who's paying?" James asked, following them.

"You," Mandy said, without turning around. "You have to apologize."

"For what?!" James asked.

"For being yourself," Mandy replied. "Yumi gets to pick..."

"But I dont want to," Yumi said timidly, speaking up. "I dont wnt to waste James' money."

"Nonsense," Mandy said. She quickly eyed the most expensive place, and pointed at it. "There," she said.

James rolled his eyes. "What if I say I dont have enough money?" he asked.

"Then you're lying, cause I have your wallet," Mandy said, lifting his wallet up. "And you're stupid enough to not notice it when I pickpocket you."

James grumbled. "Fine," he said. "Though I have a feeling you're going to be the death of me."

"Good boy," Mandy said, patting him on the head as if he were a subservient dog. "Table for three please," she said to the host sweetly.

"Watch the hair!" James yelled. "And dont call me that!"

"Good bitch then," Mandy said, grinding her palm into his head.

James sighed as they were led to the table. "Can we go back to boy?" he asked.

"No," Mandy said, sitting down. "Just for that, I'm getting the caviar."

"It's very hard to like you," James said as they ate. "I'm finding myself annoyed."

"I'm finding myself irritated," Mandy growled back. "And just what is so annoying about me?"

"Everything about you!" James exclaimed. "I've met you for an hour already, and you hate my guts."

"Well excuse me," Mandy retorted. "I've met YOU for an hour, and you're a sensitive little f*ck. Anything else?"

"You suck!" James yelled, for lack of anything better to say.

"You swallow!" Mandy yelled back.

They sat there and glared at each other.

"You better watch yourself on the plane," Mandy snarled.

"Oh, I'm so scared," James said, feigning fright. "Spare me, spa-"

He was cut off as Mandy seized him by the collar and dragged him to an alcove where no one was watching. She proceeded to punch him in the face and throw him against the wall.

"Oh, and shut up," she said. "We cant draw attention to ourselves."

Hudecia

02-09-2004, 04:58

MacNally forced a smile for the pretty girl, and scanned her quickly with his eyes as they walked together. Her limp and her tattoo clearly visible, MacNally began analyzing everything in his normal, calculating fashion. Clearly, the girl was a soldier, but where did she get her limp. Praying silently he asked a probably fatal question.

"I've hear parasailing is fairly dangerous... you can hurt your legs pretty bad in an accident."

East Islandia

02-09-2004, 05:11

Mandy smiled sadly. "I didnt get it from parasailing," she replied. "I was a soldier in 11 Commando, First Ghost Brigade. The limp I have is from a bullet I took from a Drapoel rifle in Korea, and the scar...the scar's from an ambush from the desert."

Her eyes grew distant. "But all of us soldiers have stories to tell, eh?" she asked, snapping back to the future. She smiled again, this time regretfully. "I'm sorry. Didnt mean to wander off...Have you ever been a soldier?"

By now, they were in the dining hall of the check in area, and Mandy had ordered sushi and some caviar, which was quickly placed before them, accompanied by glistening lemonades.

"Would you like to talk about your troubles?" she ventured timidly.

Lessr Tsurani

02-09-2004, 09:15

OOC LOL, She is not a princess, she is a Priestess Sorry about the confusion.

IC Lithia looked slowly at the man. "Just see my room thanks, I will show my self around."
A seaving girl came to her and smiled, and Lithia felt a pang at the fact she had lost her sister, who looked so much like this girl here. She sighed and flowed the girl to her room, and smiled. THis would be nice, no Temple fueds, no clanwars, Arkyla had agreed she was not to be distured unless the nation was almost destroied. She got changed into a thin green Tsurani Gauze and left the room and fell off the nearest part of the warf into the water.

Hudecia

02-09-2004, 22:16

MacNally stumbled a little when he heard her admit that she was a soldier in both Korea AND Xinjiang. MacNally had pushed for Hudecian involvement in both wars.

"Politicians are soldiers too, only we fight wars of a different kind," MacNally commented. "But my nephew was a soldier.... he served in Urumqi during the Xinjiang Crisis...."

MacNally was the open kind of person, and he opened up to Mandy to tell her a tragic story that had affected him deeply.

*FLASHBACK* (one year previously - before the deployment of Hudecian troops to Xinjiang)

"Naturally we can't have such a high-value target placed on the front lines..," General Wang was trying his best to pacify MacNally. "You understand what I mean..."

MacNally refused to be, slamming his fist down on the solid oak table.

"I WILL NOT ALLOW MY FAMILY TO BE GIVEN PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT IN THE ARMY!" MacNally bellowed, his voice echoing throughout the house. MacNally's face was beat red.

"We're not talking about preferential treatment... we're talking about reassigning him to a place where we can protect him better," Wang smiled weakly, hoping it would calm MacNally. "There are many that would go to great lengths to kidnap the nephew of a high ranking official and we can't allow you to be blackmailed."

MacNally sat back down more silent this time, and his face returning to its natural shade. He stared for a moment at his half full teacup. "What would he be doing?"

"He'd be my chauffeur ... (MacNally scoffs)... I need the best protection available and your nephew is the best shot in the IIIrd Army Group," Wang continued despite MacNally. "I'm doing this as much for me as it is for him.."

*PRESENT*

MacNally looked at Mandy.

"You may think that I wanted my nephew on the front because I'm a politician and could benefit from it," MacNally turned away and looked at the sea. "I love my nephew, but if I cannot be fair and objective when so many lives are at stake then what kind of a man am I?"

*FLASHBACK* (in Urumqi, a few months ago)

Wang shuffled out of the Hudecian HQ and down to his Humvee. Giles MacNally waited patiently in the driver's seat as he entered the vehicle.

"Take me to the airport, and step on it!" Wang ordered, slamming his door shut. "I can't be late for General Yang's reception in 15 minutes."

Giles nodded his head understandingly and stepped on the gas, sending the Humvee flying down the street. In the back seat, Wang read over his speech notes.

An anti-tank missile streamed towards the car from one of the rooftops, the assasin screaming 'FOR SINO!'. Giles' lightning reflexes could not move the vehicle out of its path, His face contorted with fear as he watched the missile enter the vehicle realizing that there was no way he would survive this.

A few moments later, the only thing left of Giles and Wang was a burning Humvee.

*PRESENT*

MacNally stared at his dish, his appetite gone, but his stomach empty.

"They had offered to give him a desk job, something completely safe. But I refused to let them do it... I didn't want people to think I was helping my family avoid the war..." MacNally kept complete control of himself but inside he was torn apart.

_Taiwan

03-09-2004, 00:11

"Life is like that unfortunately. You just have to take the bad with the good."

Ming took a bite of his food and swallowed, thinking back to the note pinned to his front door before he had gone to the travel agent. If only he had never laid eyes on Leanne in the casino. He thought back to the note on his front door, the door which led to his now violated and pillaged home.

You are behind on your payments by three months. More negligence on your part will result in more serious action

**White Tiger**

OOC: Do you mind if White Tiger (a criminal boss) sends someone to the island?

East Islandia

03-09-2004, 00:34

OOC
go ahead Taiwan. o btw, i'm leaving tmrw and i'll be bak three days afterwards, on monday nite...after that, skool starts, so this RP may be stalled (hopefully not cancelled though) for a while.

stupid skool. Wish i w as a character on NS.

******
Mandy listened carefully, spooning some caviar onto a piece of toast. Whenever one of her comrades died, whenever someone fell, she would always eat carefully, and reflect. It was her way of dealing with things, and she found that it helped to distract her.

She grimaced, and set the toast down on his plate. "I find that dealing with sadness is best through distraction," she said, motioning for him to try the food. "I am sorry to have brought up the topic. But eat up and take a drink first, and if you're interested, I'll tell you about how I feel."

Mandy pushed a drink towards him, and took a sip of her own lemonade. She waited for him to start eating before she began her tale.

"You need not be so worried about intervention, nor feel so guilty," Mandy said. "You are, after all, a politician; the people chose you because they have faith in you, and you are chosen to make tough decisions. I dont blame you for doing what you thought was right, and I certainly dont have any regrets about my wounds.

"I had arrived in Xinjiang immediately after the assassination of General Wang, and we had set about looking for the perpetrators. As I told you, I was in the First Ghost Brigade's commando unit, and we had set off after receiving a tip about a suspected provocateur, possibly an American who had been supplying the locals with weapons. We pulled up at the safe house at about 2 in the morning, and set up a perimeter. Getting the man was the easy part; getting out was anything but. To make a long tale short, my squad got ambushed on the way out, men died, and we had our asses saved by some LRR guys."

She laughed. "They're always saving us," she said. "So we always give them sushi and Tiger beer."

She paused, and put some unagi (eel) on his plate. "Try it," she said. "It's always conductive to the appetite. But in any case, what I really mean to say is that you shouldnt be angry at yourself, or regretful. Certainly, the actions cost lives, but war kills. Your nephew must have known that when he joined Hudecia's armed forces. I knew that when I joined the Ghost Brigade. What really matters is that, unlike the rest, you lobbied to give your nephew something besides preferential treatment; you understood that to support an action is to support it whole-heartedly, particularly if it means putting your loved ones in danger. I doubt I could have made that choice if I was faced with having my children in the line of fire."

Mandy sipped at her drink. "In Korea I remember assuming command of one of our companies," she said. "They were so chewed up they had about forty guys out of a hundred, and their officers were dead. I was just a specialist then, but the only others who were left were privates, and clueless. So I had them try and flank the enemy."

Mandy's eyes grew sad, and she sighed carefully. "Not a single one came back," she concluded. "I should have died with them, but for James; him and his unit came rushing up, the entire Allied air forces behind him, and pummeled the Dra-poel to dust.

"But that didnt matter. All that counted was that I killed the company, as sure as if I had shot them dead; if I hadnt sent them on a flanking manuever with only light vehicles, small arms, and spitballs, they'd be here today. But they're not."

Mandy drank again, and looked carefully at MacNally. "War's a dirty business," she said. "You did the right thing, though. Soldiers everywhere renounce their freedoms over themselves when they take the oath and jump headfirst into the selection process."

Hudecia

03-09-2004, 02:00

MacNally began to slowly and deliberately eat his food. More out of respect for his host than actual hunger.

"As politicians, we fight wars within ourselves to decide what is right and just," MacNally said sorrowfully. "And often we pray each night hoping that our decisions were right. History will judge us."

Suddenly, MacNally chuckled.

"Parasailing sounds a lot less dangerous all of a sudden," he commented trying to smile. "I actually have waterskiied before. My home town is Vancouver, we have a lot of ocean to play with and we love to play with it."

MacNally thought fondly of his hometown. The beaches, the playful cries of children as they tossed in the surf, picnic baskets, the sun, the waves... it was all so perfect and beautiful. He looked up and around at the tropical setting; it seemed so much like home. Except for the rain.... but he could do without Vancouver weather.

Lessr Tsurani

03-09-2004, 13:45

Lithia floated on her back for a while, then pulled herself up a small ladder that stoped before it reached the water. She felt good she could still lift herself up with only her arms. She got back up and went to the restrant, not getting changed into something more modest. She entered with the regal grace that comes from being a leader, her head tall, her back straight, an affect slightly ruined by the fact she was wet, still dripping. She walked to the table next to McNally and Mandy where sitting at and took unusually large healping of eel. She looked back at the two sitting there and smiled, small lines going across her face. Se looked young, and hid the fact she was 190 years old well, looking no older then 26.
"So, who are you two? If I am prying tell me, I am just not in the mood for a silent dinner." She smiled, and seemed to be waiting for something.

Hudecia

03-09-2004, 16:04

"My name is Michael MacNally, I'm from Hudecia. Pleasure to meet you, have a seat," MacNally eyed the new guest, curious as to her background.

Another guest entered the room cautiously. Looking around not seeing the lady that came with him ex-General Lee let out a sigh of relief. Spotting MacNally he walked over casually to the three and grabbed himself a seat.

"Long time no see MacNally..." the Korean general sneered a little bit.

"Lee, and here I thought you'd be too busy plotting a way to get back into power to come and meet me," MacNally was equally harsh in his words.

"Isn't that what you are here to do too?" Lee spat out. "Or did your people send you here to get you out of the way, like me."

MacNally paused for a second to chew his food thoroughly. Lee leaned back in his chair satisfied for the moment.

"Lee, if I was still in power, you wouldn't be able to whine anymore," MacNally's eyes flared for a moment. "But since I'm not, why don't you enjoy the eel, its very tastey."

_Taiwan

04-09-2004, 10:36

"I'm Ming Guang Chen, or Charles for short. I'm a..."

He hesitated, then spoke confidently to the new guest.

"Businessman with interests in the er, gambling industry. I'm not bragging, but no one can beat me at poker."

Lessr Tsurani

04-09-2004, 14:42

Lithia looked at them both. "Charles and Michael. Good names. They sound Southern human." She looked at their confused faces. "Never mind, anyway, I am Lithia, Retired, I used to be Empress Of Lessr Tsurani, as well as High Priestess, but they grew to much, So I handed it to my most able adviser."She moved, her gauze fitting skin tight. Her brown eyes looked at Lee. "And Lee, that is the worst name I have heard. So short, sharp, nothing nice about it. And udging from the sneer on your face you are......" She paused, thinking hard, she had stdied most langueges, but English had never been one of her best. "Vleulu as well. Now, sit down and be a good boy, or I will have to hurt you." She smiled sweetly, she loved being an Alethrian.

OOC Just a warining, unless your guy has had EXTENSICVE Close combat training don't get into a fight with her.

Hudecia

05-09-2004, 01:43

"Another has-been, I suppose you expect us to believe that you voluntarily retired?" Lee smirked as he sat down.

MacNally glared fiercely at Lee. Lee simply looked in Charles' direction.

"What are you doing here Charles?" Lee's voice was more calm and friendly now. "You seem out of place in this group of ex-world leaders... or are you not as out of place as you seem?"

OOC: Lee is an ex-General, he got his rank not for being able to file papers properly if you know what I mean.

Hmm... White Tiger... a group of ex-leaders with nothing to lose... a gambler with a gang problem.. sounds like a good mix.. LOL. This could be very interesting =)

Lessr Tsurani

05-09-2004, 03:04

Lithia looked at the man with a cold gaze, She slowly streached, then pulled the pin out of her hair. Then, very quickly, she Put the weapon at Lee's *Ahem*, ot of sight from anyone but the people at the table.
"Don't call me a has-been, and don't insulte me by saying I did not do it by choice. If yo Ever become Emperor of the twelve Cities, tell me how you like dogging assasians every day, then the normal polatics, THEN Tsurani polotics. Then, add all the temple duts on top of that. It is very hard, and I am wondering how Arkyla enjoys the stuff. Still, the one I am waiting for is his son, Now Arkina will be an interestng ruler." She took the pin away, and then slightly jabed him in the arm, drawing blood. She then patted himon the head. "Good boy"

_Taiwan

05-09-2004, 03:47

Ming, with his well-honed casino instincts picked up the whisper. He looked across to Michael and then looked back. Trying to defuse the tension, he takes a pack of cards from his pocket and places them on the table.

"Blackjack anyone?"

Hudecia

05-09-2004, 16:23

MacNally smiled thinly, "why not try our luck at poker?"

"Why not," Lee asked. "I have a few million stashed away and MacNally here used to run Hudecian Industries, I'm sure he has a lot hidden too."

"Where did you get that money?" MacNally glared at Lee.

"You didn't think I wouldn't be prepared for just such an occurance as this?" Lee laughed. "Being deposed was the first thing I prepared for."

MacNally glared angrily for a second, then laughed. "You aren't getting the rest of my money though."

"Is that a fact?"

"Deal the cards Charles"

_Taiwan

06-09-2004, 00:02

OOC: I have no idea how to play Poker :(

Ming looked very happy. He felt right at home with the cards and beer and the gambling. He took a look at his deck and moved into a transive state, like a monk.

Hudecia

06-09-2004, 00:24

OOC: LOL.... its a fun game.. try and learn it sometime.. haha... maybe I'll explain as we go along.

Do you know the ranking system? Like, Royal Flush beats straight flush, straight flush beats four of a kind, etc...

IC:

MacNally stared at his 1 pair hand. Slightly peturbed by his bad luck so soon off the draw he decided to fold once Lee had raised his bet to $1000. Even though he had bet $500 initially, since he knew he would lose, he decided to cut his losses this round.

Lee sat stoically with his 5 cards neatly organized on the table face down. He stared at Charles to see if he would raise, match or fold.

Lessr Tsurani

06-09-2004, 10:06

Lithia looked at her hand, her face revealing nothing. She had never liked cards, prefereing chess or something that required stratergy rather then luck. Still, she was willing to try it. She had something, but she was not sure what. She had all the numbersd from one to 10 all the same colours. She leaned over and showed McNally her cards.
"what have I got? Is it good?" She asked in a normal voice.

OOc Sorry if that one is good, I have no idea how to play poker, might have to do with the fact I am 14.

Hudecia

06-09-2004, 14:19

MacNally stared at the girl for a second (you only get 5 cards but heck I'll overlook it), that is very good.

_Taiwan

06-09-2004, 23:59

"I'll raise you another $500."

Ming took out a pack of Taiwanese bills and placed them on the table, without showing a hint of emotion.

Hudecia

07-09-2004, 02:34

Lee silently put another $500 in the pot. Inwardly he was a little worried by his inability to read Charles, and the girl... well.. she just looked confused.

MacNally watched the movements of the two players. So stoic, he thought, almost as if there was more at stake than the $4000 odd dollars.

Lessr Tsurani

07-09-2004, 06:59

Lithia looked at him and smiled. "So what do I do then? What do I say? Do I show them or do I wait or sometrhing? Sorry, but I am not used to playing card games. I prefere games that require stratergy." She smiled and sctrachted her shoulder.

_Taiwan

07-09-2004, 09:41

Charles was worried. His hand wasn't the best - it was only good and Lee seemed very experienced at his game. He wondered if he should bluff or use reverse psychology.

"I'll raise you another $500."

Leaning forward, he places $500 into the pot and gives off his trademark 'confident' look.

Hudecia

07-09-2004, 22:22

"As they put more money into the pot, match the amount that they put in" MacNally smiled. "When everyone thinks they have bet enough they will stop. If you know you will lose, then you stop betting early to save your money, but then you 'fold' and automatically lose."

"Poker is not about strategy so much as it is about personality," Lee stared at his two pairs, a bad hand to be sure but he didn't know this Charles' personality. He added another $500 to the pot. "I'll hold here, don't want to embarass you too badly the first round."

"Once everyone holds or stops betting more then the round ends and we all show our hands. Whoever has the best hand wins all the money in the centre." MacNally finished quickly.

East Islandia

07-09-2004, 22:30

Having no idea of how to play poker, Mandy looked on blankly as the rest of the bunch dealt hands, squabbled, and argued. She shrugged, and called for more drinks.

"What are you doing?" James asked from behind her.

"Entertaining our guests," she said with a devilish grin. "Or would you rather that I entertain you?"

James glanced at her pareu, and laughed. "Dont take it too far," he said, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I have business to attend to."

_Taiwan

08-09-2004, 00:01

Charles decides to hold. His four of a kind was only marginal.

"Well then, shall we?"

Hudecia

08-09-2004, 01:53

Lee glanced at Lithia, "how about you go first?"

Sino

08-09-2004, 06:49

TAG

OOC: Looks like some general/admiral from Sino needs a holiday.

Lessr Tsurani

08-09-2004, 08:48

OOC What do I do to go first?

Hudecia

08-09-2004, 21:28

OOC: You show what cards are in your hand.. in this case you have 5 cards in numerical order of the same suit (ie 2,3,4,5,6 all in hearts), which is called a straight flush.

Lessr Tsurani

09-09-2004, 14:21

Lithia showed them her cards. "I have this, I am not quite sure what it is, but the man next to me said it was a straight flush. So, who wants to Jous uns'aa ninta cards?" She asked, not even aware she had skiped into Alethrian

Hudecia

10-09-2004, 00:38

Lee threw his cards face down dramatically.

"That beats what I had," he said simply. Turning he looked at Charles.

_Taiwan

10-09-2004, 11:04

Charles calmly placed his hand on the table without any emotion, revealing his four-of-a-kind.

East Islandia

11-09-2004, 19:06

Can Taiwan explain more about his character? he sounds interesting....

East Islandia

11-09-2004, 22:10

Jungle Warfare Training Center
East Islandia
Years ago

Mandy panted as she ran, a sling over her shoulder with two water-filled buckets on either end. She didnt pause to wipe the sweat off her brow or even look back.

All around her, instructors fired simunitions at the trainees. Mandy saw one of them fall down, slamming her head against a tree, and passing out. Another one tangled herself in a root, and tripped, spilling water all over the place.

Mandy snickered; they would have to do it all over again, she knew. She reached the checkpoint now, and put down her buckets of water, and grabbed an assault rifle, threw on an assault vest, and slapped a clip into the weapon.

She entered the first obstacle course and moved as quickly and quietly as she could. However, next to her, a branch snapped, and immediately, instructors opened up on them with their fire.

Mandy dived for cover behind a tree as the trainee who had made the noise fell back, several simunitions slamming into her torso. Mandy fired back quickly, in burst mode, at the source of the fire, and began to crawl through the foliage, until the firing calmed down.

Then, she got up and ran, as fast as she could, sliding off a nearby platform and falling three meters to the ground. She cursed as she hit the ground, stumbling, but was glad she had jumped; the other two climbing down were quickly hit and fell off the ladders. She slipped out the spent clip, slammed in another one, and began to run, until she reached a stretch of river, about four hundred meters long.

Next, Mandy quickly slung her rifle and began to swim, keeping her pack above her. Simunitions pinged all around her, and she dived, swimming faster underwater, and quickly slid out several hundred meters later-

-and right into an ambush. A simunition pinged off her leg, but she rolled to one side, and unslung her rifle. She fired quickly at her ambushers, and moved through the woods.

An instructor popped up in front of her, rifle at the ready, but she merely sidestepped him and slammed her rifle butt into his back.

Then, she was knocked roughly to one side. Mandy frowned, and pulled back her arm to punch her attacker-

-when suddenly a barrage of bullets sliced through the air where she had just been. Mandy looked carefully at her attacker, recognized him through the camouflage facepaint and soaked clothing, and grinned, the first time in a while.

James pulled her up, and patted her on the back. "Just one more obstacle," he said to her. "Then we can make it."

She nodded, and reloaded her weapon.

"You stay behind and shoot," James said. "I have worse aim. Now let's go!"

the two dashed towards the barricade, ducking behind trees and triggering off their rifles in order to keep the defenders' heads down. James kept running, and Mandy stayed behind, firing at anyone who popped up. James threw himself over the barricade, shot or punched whoever was there, and signaled to Mandy.

She ran, leapt over hte barricade, and found herself in the open, having finished the final part of their qualification course. She smiled at James, who grinned back.

"Couldnt have done it without you," she said.

James quickly bent towards her and gave her a brief kiss. He tasted camouflage paint, and grimaced.

"I'm not a bad kisser!" Mandy protested, although in truth, that was the first time the girl from South Central had ever been kissed.

James grinned. "No, but camo paint tastes funny," he said. He put his arm around her shoulder. "Let's go."

*****
The decision to join the Ghost Brigade was not an easy one. For one, it meant leaving Yumi at home, by herself, and Mandy was worried about her, afraid that she would attempt to commit suicide after all she had been through.

But Yumi surprised them all, especially when she began working at the orphanage. Oddly enough, she had begun to recover, and she began to talk, to smile, to laugh again.

She had even begun to take after Mandy and hit and abuse James, although she was a lot gentler than her friend.

Nonetheless, none of them were skilled enough to bring in a steady income. As a result, they opted for the only real option lower class youngsters had-the military. More specifically, the East Islandian foreign service units-

the Ghost Brigades.

*********
The night they graduated, Mandy and James went to dinner. For that occasion, they showered, probably the first time in a while (ever since they entered training) and met at a middle-tier restaurant that served spicy Polynesian food. Afterwards, of course, the two went to James' lodging (vacant, since all his bunkmates were out celebrating) and made love, the first time for either of them.

They were soldiers now, and jubilant too. Of course, neither of them realized that the fight had just begun....

East Islandia

11-09-2004, 22:31

Mandy stirred slowly, conscious of the sunlight that splashed across her prone figure. Her eyes shot open, and she suddenly bolted upright.

Sunlight. That probably meant-

She frowned. Wait, she thought. yesterday, she had passed the Q-course...so that meant-

She was off-duty today!

She smiled, and revelled in the warm feeling of the sunlight on her bare skin. The memory of last night flushed her skin a light red, and she blushed as she noticed her state of undress.

"Awake?" James asked from behind her. He stood, holding two plates of food in his hand. "I thought you might be hungry."

She nodded, and went to the bathroom quickly to wash up. When she came back, she took took James' fork and put it down.

"Later," she said, winking at him, and pushed him to the bed.

********
Korea
the First Drapol offensive

Mandy watched through the holes in the IFV as her squad approached the incoming checkpoint. She quickly nodded to the tank crewman, who kicked down the hatch, and the squad filed into the open.

"Where's the company?" she yelled to a nearby soldier, above the roar of air planes overhead.

The soldier stared back blankly at her. "What?" he yelled back.

He was obviously in shock. All around him, several men lay on the barricades, and burning vehicles and corpses littered the area.

Mandy repeated her question.

The soldier laughed bitterly. "We are the company," he replied. "Everyone else is dead."

Bonstock

12-09-2004, 01:44

Lord Harald's office

The phone rang on and on. Harald grabbed it each time.

"Ja?... What the hell do I care!"

Again.

"Ja?... Well shoot him dammit I have better things to worry about... Hold on."

The phone was ringing again.

"What do I care about pensions! Can't the Riksdag handle this? One second."

The second phone rang.

"Ja?... Don't I have people out there filtering you god damn telemarketers I don't give one f---in' damn about some god for-f---in'-saken Islandian resort. Now get the hell off my phone or I'll have you in a god damn gulag before you can say..."

The one on the first phone said something. "Have Axelssen handle it!" He hung up. Finally, he just hang the second one up too. He slunked back in his chair. A though struck his brain. What was that guy offering?
Some resort thingy, and something about some... He realized his mistake. He picked up the phone and hit callback. "Hello, East Islandian resort?... No! I don't care about pensions! I told... Ergh!"

He picked up the other phone, and pressed call back. "Hello?... Yes, I'd very much like to meet the Islandian leader at that resort... Thank you." He hung up, without telling when he'd go. The phone rang again. "GOD DAMMIT!" He pulled the phone cords out, and silence filled the room.

"Ah... that's better!"

_Taiwan

12-09-2004, 02:30

OOC: Alright EI, here's a bit of an explanation.

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

Some seedy casino in Taiwan a year ago
The room was filled with smoke. Charles Ming and eight others were at the table. Dozens of other men lined the walls, most of them carrying a concealed weapon. This could only be one thing.

An illegal casino operating in the basement of some abandoned building. Sound-proofing had been hastily erected on the walls, with a lookout stationed above to notify if the police were coming.

Opposite Charles sat Leanne Chen. A woman of extraordinary beauty and intelligience. She had introduced him here of course and had fallen out with him publicly later, but things weren't what they seemed.

Leanne threw a bundle of cash into the centre.
"I'll raise four hundred grand."
She glared at Charles agressively, creating an atmosphere of tension between all the players. Both of them could see some of them were already becoming nervous.
"Somebody match her. I bet she's bluffing." Charles said.
Four of others nodded at him, both throwing in a total of eight hundred grand. There were literally millions at stake here.

Charles matched her, and watched four of the other players fold. Bad decks. He would easily win this. The nerves were too much. The other players agreed to match.

Charles and Leanne placed their cards on the table. Leanne had clearly won. A few of the other players threw accussing glances at Charles, blaming him for their losses.

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

After the game
"That was brilliant." Leanne said, and imitating Charles' dialogue said 'She's bluffing."
Charles was also happy. They had more that quadrupled their money inside an hour.

From a distance, one of the losers watched them and listened.

East Islandia

12-09-2004, 22:57

OOC
ahh cheating in a card game.. hmmm

**************
Imperial Lagoon Resort

Kim Eun-jin stepped off the catamaran, followed by Yuki. The two were dressed in pareus, typical Islandian wear, and Yuki sported a flower in her hair.

Around them, several muscular bodyguards stood, chatting casually with some of the Resort's employees and dressed in tourist attire.

James saluted Kim as she came in sight, and she returned the salute.

"Good to see you again, Madame," James said, bowing. He grinned. "Although you're a Premier now."

Kim smiled. "Yes, James," she said, slurring the James a little. "Last time was...a bit more frantic than this. But I am glad to see you are doing well. How is Mandy?"

"She's her usual feisty self," James said with a rueful grin. "In any case, I have made the arrangements you requested, and you now have the entire Northern suite."

The Northern suite of the resort was actually an island on itself; with two large conference rooms, five large buildings, three beaches, nearly twenty huts in a crystal clear bay, and about five minutes to reach by boat from the main quarters (fifteen minutes by swimming or walking through the lagoon's shallow waters), the place was easily guarded, and ringed with security measures. The Northern Suite was often used for government meetings, and as such, was usually set aside.

Kim shook her head. "Amazing how simple soldiers like us happen to gain these things," she remarked. "Well, since the leader isnt here yet, I suppose we'll go visit everything and see how the main island is. Do you mind, James?"

"Not at all," James replied, with a smile. He extended his arm. "Shall we?"

Kim took his arm, and the entourage walked subtly onto land, off the wharf.
*******
Mandy reddened as she saw Kim Eun-jin hanging off James' arm.

How dare he! Mandy thought. She was more annoyed than anything, and more than alittle jealous, especially since James seemed to almost always escort the famous, FEMALE celebrities that were guests to the resort.

James quickly saw her, and pulled Kim over.

"Mandy, you remember Eun-jin," he said. "Dont you?"

Mandy nodded, trying not to let her irritation show through. She was certaint hat her face was the color of her pareu now....

Kim embraced Mandy quickly. "Good to see you again," Kim said, warmly. "I'm glad that James has been taking care of you, and that most of your scars are gone now."

Mandy smiled slightly, allowing herself to relax a bit. James was not the most sensitive of people, and undoubtedly did not think anything of escorting Kim on his arm...probably nothing more than a trifle.

Yuki walked up to them now, her husband, a fashion designer, in tow. "What a beautiful place!" she exclaimed. "Let me introduce my husband; this is Vincent Guo...."

Yuki's voice trailed off as she noticed the sushi bar. "Sushi!" she exclaimed. She dragged her husband behind her as she walked to the bar. She then returned and dragged everyone else to the bar.

Yuki had the attention span of a goldfish when not working.

"Any idea when Harald will arrive?" James asked Kim.

"Sometime within the next two days," Kim said. "Besides, I can use a vacation anyway...but if he doesnt show up after five days, he doesnt have to show up at all; we'll be leaving afterwards."

_Taiwan

13-09-2004, 00:11

"Good game, good game," Charles said. Inwardly, he was rather annoyed at his losing streak. It seemed like he wasn't much of a player by himself.

Suddenly his mobile phone sang a tune. He looked down to check what it was.

Hudecia

13-09-2004, 01:59

Lee and MacNally were both transfixed by the news on the radio. It reported that only hours ago Drapol troops had invaded the south yet again and were hitting allied defences.

Lessr Tsurani

13-09-2004, 09:41

OOC Everyone seems to be putting post in on them remembering, so I might as well.

Lithia smiled. She was not sure what had happened, so she got up and went to the fish. There was a lobster sitting in a tank, and her hand dipped into the tank, grabed the lobster still alive, then, crushed the sheel in her hands. She smiled, Being an Alethrian had its uses, the main ones being able to eat most foods, inclusing raw meat, as well as better strength, of corse, being one of the only reasonble ones in over three million years put a strain on her, s everyone expected her to be a savage. She sighed, remembering Her sisters death.

The two girls talked in the Imperial suit. Lithia had just found that, unlike most of her race, she would not be going to be a slave. She felt strange about that, because it ws rare for her race to be allowed to live normaly. Not only that, she would be the Empress, the firstg Alethrian ruler, and that felt strange. While she sat, her sister stood guard at the door. Lithia was thinking, and took no notice of the searving man, to who her back was turned. Her sister did, and imidiatly drew a dagger and ramed it into the back of the rebal, who had nearly killed her. What happened next Lithia would never forget. The Creature, later Identified as a Insane Shvian who had lost its conection to the hive mind, turned, made a strange gutteral sound, then oplunged the dagger right into Lithias sister before falling. As it fell, the creature was giggiling, before it let out a loud laugh before it stoped moving. Her sister layed next to it, her hand still cleanched around the dagger in the creatures body. It was then Lithia screamed, before falling unconsious, the small damge the posioned dagger had done to much for her body.

Lithia pulled herself out of the Memory, and found her eyes moist. She wiped them and walked back to the table, the raw lobster with its crushed shell on the plate before her.

Hudecia

14-09-2004, 03:25

General Lee had his head placed on the table. His arms at his sides. For a moment it may have looked like he was dead but the slight twitching of back showed that although his spirit may be dead, his body was still alive.

MacNally sat with a glass of tea in his hand, his face long and thoughtful. When Lilithia returned he turned and looked her in the eyes for a long moment before he spoke.

"Korea is under attack by the hordes of Drapol.... God help them..."

East Islandia

16-09-2004, 21:10

Later that night

Mandy stood at the balcony of her hut, dressed in a thin, wispy spidersilk gown. She felt the cool, salty breeze washing over her skin, and felt James's arms slip around her from behind.

"Did you hear the news?" he asked, his voice a whisper.

Mandy nodded. "We lost our youth there, fighting the North Koreans," she said. "Now it's all over."

"At least they are one nation again," James said quietly, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Although I dont imagine that General Lee is too happy about this."

Mandy laughed bitterly. "I doubt Specialist Lee is either," she said, referring to her old friend from another unit. Specialist Lee had been shot by a Norht Korean shortly before they invaded the South, and she was killed in the resulting offensive. "I wish she was still alive."

James sighed. "I wish there was less war," he said. "do you know that two submarines were sunk lately? One of them presumably by Marimaia, in an accident, which I doubt very much. Our officers have it a lot tougher than officers in other nations, and that could not have happened so easily."

Mandy nodded. She turned around, and took James' hand, leading him to a seat.

"The world is a sad place these days," Mandy said, handing James a fizzy cup of flower water, an Islandian alcohol. She leaned closer, spilling some of the drink over herself. "What say we cheer each other up?" she asked.

James laughed. "Of course," he said.

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