NationStates Jolt Archive

Drayaa completed her reading of the document and set it aside. Curious that Raahmid had given her charge of initial contact – a sign of confidence, or another test?

She had already taken pains to satisfy the Noviet consulate – her brother would be the first diplomat to Nova Hope once the diplomatic accords were fixed upon. And each had found their own way around, to see what Drayaa wanted them to see.

Except for that troublemaker… but that was not a great difficulty.

At first, she considered having this minister placed in the Sultan’s Palace, as most dignitaries would be assigned there; instead, an idea came upon her, one which would allow this “Violet Harris” a bit more experience of what Vastiva was like.

***

To : Violet Harris, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dominion of Silverrock

Ab-shalom and greetings;

It is my most pleasant duty to extend to you a formal invitation to come and visit Vastiva, particularly the capital city of Sisu Vaari. Your transport may set down at Gardemeister Aeroport, where I personally shall meet with you to discuss diplomacy and trade.

We are curious as to the sum and balance of an “aid against terrorists” package, but will be happy to discuss such, with the understanding we do expect inequality at this time; We are more then willing to wait with patience until your nation can give more fully to such a cause in material support.

If it is to your liking, I have arranged for your quarters to be in one of our temporary embassies which will afford you privacy and comfort, and perhaps acquaint you with the workings of the Weyker dome, a staple of our national architecture. Transportation to wherever you like will be made available at all times.

Finally, a small note. The word "namaste" is much like "good bye" in most cultures. A good translation would be "the sacred in me honors the sacred in you", though this is not exact; it may also be helpful to note that "namaste" is often used as the Hawaiian "Aloha", both as an informal greeting and a standard closure. I mention this only to clarify, and do apologise if my manner or words seem overmuch.

Go in Peace,

Namaste,
Drayaa Kiilgalen
Office of the Grand Vizier,
Humble Servant of His Magnificence, the Sultan of Vastiva

Violet Harris stood just outside the airport.

Help.

That thought would not leave her mind. While she looked the consummate professional, down to the power suit and the mandatory briefcase, inside she wanted to run.

What am I doing here?

The Prime Minister (no, Frank... no, Rock, his friends.. well, the people he liked... well, certain people he allowed around him, called him Rock... stop it Vi, think Prime Minister.) had sent her here to do a job. Her job, like it or not.

And let's be honest, Vi, she thought, this is what you would want to be doing.

She wiped the slight sheen of perspiration off her forehead, unused to the warmer air in Vastiva. Unused to everything in Vastiva, when it came to that. She glanced around the airport and nervously fingered her documents. She hadn't had any problems with the immigration officers, and that was a relief. How, she thought, would I have answered if they'd questioned me?

"Of course you've never seen it before, I had to MAKE one before I left!!"

Her imagination shyed away from how THAT particular conversation would pan out.

Violet shook her head, trying to clear it, trying to remember what she was trying to accomplish by this, her first real negotiation with another sovereign nation, and what she had to make sure didn't happen.

"Don't offend them, find out about the terrorist group, see if they're open to limited trade, and don't offend them. Also, no pressure." Those were the instuctions she'd been given, followed by that damn grin which made everything seem like it would be alright.

Well, you're not standing in an airport, sweating and feeling like you're so far out of your depth you should be in orbit, you basta- whups, that's me.

She noticed a rather tall man holding a sign bearing the name 'Silverrock'. She walked towards him, squaring her shoulders.

"Namaste," she said, "and greetings from The Dominion of Silverrock. Here are my formal documents, I request you take me to... um," she shuffled through some notes, feeling the beginnings of a blush forming and hoping for a severe case of sunstroke to hide it, "... ah, Draaya Kiilgalen, Servant of the Sultan."

Without speaking the imposing figure opened the door and gestured inside.

"Ah, sorry, but I was told I'd be met by...," Miss?, Mrs.?, Ms.?... for that matter, Mr?... I want to go home, "Drayaa Kiilgalen, Office of the Grand Vizierd. Um, namaste?" She added hopefully. (Optimistically, really, as she noticed that the man may have been made of granite for all the emotion he was showing.) Her scattered thoughts were thrown into greater confusion when she heard a throaty chuckle from inside the car.

"Forgive Haroun his reticence, he has been mute since birth. But a more trustworthy and loyal servant one could not hope for this side of heaven. I am Drayaa Kiilgalen, Humble Servant of His Magnificence, the Sultan of Vastiva, and I greet you Violet Harris, Ambassador of The Dominion of Silverrock and through you, give greetings and humble thanks to The Dominion of Silverrock for agreeing to this invitation and add my profound hopes that it will lead to a greater understanding, friendship, and mutual gain for both our great nations."

I'm pretty sure namaste isn't going to cover this, thought Violet. The blush began an assault on her forehead.

"Ah, I see our climate is warmer than you are used to." said Draaya diplomatically, "Please, come, we will get you settled in your accomodations. If you have any special requests, you have but to ask. Haroun. Her bags."

"I bring greeting and humble thanks from our Prime Minister to the Sultan of Vastiva, and our hopes-", Violets' carefully rehearsed speech was gently interrupted.

"For now, let us say that all diplomatic niceties have been observed, shall we?" Draaya smiled. "We will have enough time to speak in the more formal language of diplomacy. Let me get you to your suite and settled in. Then a good nights sleep. Tomorrow, I will show you the sights of Vastiva and you will make suitably awed remarks. The day after, or possibly the day after that, we will begin the dance of diplomatic relations."

Violet was eased by the comforting tone and warm smile Draaya gave her... and then saw the glint in her eyes. As Haroun closed the door and the welcome wash of the air-conditioning flowed over her, she was both excited and nervous. Bracing herself, she turned to the formidable woman beside her. Seeing the steel in the diplomats' eyes, she became uncomfortably aware that her goosebumps were not all due to the cooler air in the car.

"Please, tell me more of your nation. I am woefully uninformed." That was true enough, and, if the woman thought her stupid rather than just ignorant, so much the better. And she was interested in knowing more about this country that, through some strange connotations, was extending their hand in friendship.

Also, if I screw this up, she thought, Rock'll post me to garbage collection. She glanced once more at the smiling woman next to her and gulped. Maybe that wouldn't be to bad...

OOC: Edits needed

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=366388&highlight=Vaari

and

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=7428854&postcount=112

for lots of information on my nation.


Violet Harris stood just outside the airport.

Well, its very cold. And no one but maintenance would stand outside the airport in less then military thermals unless they had a death wish.

Most people stay inside. Its that whole “arctic region” thing.


Help.


Appropriate (see above) *grins*


That thought would not leave her mind. While she looked the consummate professional, down to the power suit and the mandatory briefcase, inside she wanted to run.

What am I doing here?

Good question, but you really don’t have time to answer at that temperature…


The Prime Minister (no, Frank... no, Rock, his friends.. well, the people he liked... well, certain people he allowed around him, called him Rock... stop it Vi, think Prime Minister.) had sent her here to do a job. Her job, like it or not.

And let's be honest, Vi, she thought, this is what you would want to be doing.

She wiped the slight sheen of perspiration off her forehead, unused to the warmer air in Vastiva.

It’s the frostbite speaking, right? ;)


Unused to everything in Vastiva, when it came to that. She glanced around the airport and nervously fingered her documents. She hadn't had any problems with the immigration officers, and that was a relief. How, she thought, would I have answered if they'd questioned me?

"Of course you've never seen it before, I had to MAKE one before I left!!"

Her imagination shyed away from how THAT particular conversation would pan out.


(very OOC here – the immigration officer would have looked at them again and said “Ah, a very nice job, Emissary!”.)



Violet shook her head, trying to clear it, trying to remember what she was trying to accomplish by this, her first real negotiation with another sovereign nation, and what she had to make sure didn't happen.

"Don't offend them, find out about the terrorist group, see if they're open to limited trade, and don't offend them. Also, no pressure." Those were the instuctions she'd been given, followed by that damn grin which made everything seem like it would be alright.

Well, you're not standing in an airport, sweating and feeling like you're so far out of your depth you should be in orbit, you basta- whups, that's me.

She noticed a rather tall man holding a sign bearing the name 'Silverrock'. She walked towards him, squaring her shoulders.

"Namaste," she said, "and greetings from The Dominion of Silverrock. Here are my formal documents, I request you take me to... um," she shuffled through some notes, feeling the beginnings of a blush forming and hoping for a severe case of sunstroke to hide it, "... ah, Draaya Kiilgalen, Servant of the Sultan."

Without speaking the imposing figure opened the door and gestured inside.

"Ah, sorry, but I was told I'd be met by...," Miss?, Mrs.?, Ms.?... for that matter, Mr?... I want to go home, "Drayaa Kiilgalen, Office of the Grand Vizierd. Um, namaste?" She added hopefully. (Optimistically, really, as she noticed that the man may have been made of granite for all the emotion he was showing.) Her scattered thoughts were thrown into greater confusion when she heard a throaty chuckle from inside the car.

"Forgive Haroun his reticence, he has been mute since birth. But a more trustworthy and loyal servant one could not hope for this side of heaven. I am Drayaa Kiilgalen, Humble Servant of His Magnificence, the Sultan of Vastiva, and I greet you Violet Harris, Ambassador of The Dominion of Silverrock and through you, give greetings and humble thanks to The Dominion of Silverrock for agreeing to this invitation and add my profound hopes that it will lead to a greater understanding, friendship, and mutual gain for both our great nations."

Sounds good enough. And there’s an RP reason she wouldn’t be in the airport.



I'm pretty sure namaste isn't going to cover this, thought Violet. The blush began an assault on her forehead.

"Ah, I see our climate is warmer than you are used to." said Draaya diplomatically, "Please, come, we will get you settled in your accomodations. If you have any special requests, you have but to ask. Haroun. Her bags."

Cold. REALLY cold. We’re coming up on Summer, but not yet.



"I bring greeting and humble thanks from our Prime Minister to the Sultan of Vastiva, and our hopes-", Violets' carefully rehearsed speech was gently interrupted.

"For now, let us say that all diplomatic niceties have been observed, shall we?" Draaya smiled. "We will have enough time to speak in the more formal language of diplomacy. Let me get you to your suite and settled in. Then a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow, I will show you the sights of Vastiva

Good up to here, though she’s getting an entire embassy to herself…


And you will make suitably awed remarks. The day after, or possibly the day after that, we will begin the dance of diplomatic relations."

GAK! The bolded comment. Vastivan’s have polite down as a science. Not pretentious – if anything “overhospitable”.



Violet was eased by the comforting tone and warm smile Draaya gave her... and then saw the glint in her eyes. As Haroun closed the door and the welcome wash of the air-conditioning flowed over her, she was both excited and nervous.

Heat.

Bracing herself, she turned to the formidable woman beside her. Seeing the steel in the diplomats' eyes, she became uncomfortably aware that her goosebumps were not all due to the cooler air in the car.

Steel? Drayaa?
Ever seen a sheep?
“Fluffy” would be a better description. Overhelpful.


"Please, tell me more of your nation. I am woefully uninformed." That was true enough, and, if the woman thought her stupid rather than just ignorant, so much the better. And she was interested in knowing more about this country that, through some strange connotations, was extending their hand in friendship.

Also, if I screw this up, she thought, Rock'll post me to garbage collection. She glanced once more at the smiling woman next to her and gulped. Maybe that wouldn't be to bad...

(Ok, you can edit, I’ll continue on from this point)

***

IC:
Drayaa blushes slightly, inadequately covering it with a bow of the head. “Many apologies, it was not our intention to mislead you. Here.” She brings a book out of her carryall. “Here is a short treatise on our history, and some cultural information. You may, of course, retain it as long as you wish.”

She smiles gently. “If you wish to give your welcoming speech now, to me, you may, or you may practice it upon me if you wish. Our Sultan will meet with you later in our visit. For now, my presence is to make your way easier within our country. Please, if anything can be done to make your stay easier, do mention it.” She pauses. “I did note your outerwear and cases are a bit small for clothing to resist this formidable season – summer may almost be upon us, but not just yet. Would you like to choose a wardrobe for your stay here? There is a bazaar on the way, and our Sultan has directed you are to be made as comfortable as possible; he will certainly consider it an honor to outfit you for survival in our environment… that is,” she pauses, uncertain, “unless you would prefer to be chauffeured about? Certainly, our PolarBears can manage to keep you well warmed. And truly warm clothing would not be needed in most indoor locales.”

This merits a moment of consideration. “Your staff will, of course, modify the conditions within the Weyker dome to any you prefer. Currently, it is set for a somewhat tropical clime. The former residents were an island state, and after their civil war and collapse, they remained on for a time. The pond is completely stocked, and there is a swimming pool in the back. Our Sultan has also directed for one of his personal chefs, Johann Lazaroff, who studied under Fujio Shito, Hiroyuki Sakai, and Mario Batali – to serve you during your stay; it is hoped you find him an acceptable addition to your staff.”

She smiles again, and waits.



OOC: Book contains all information in the links above.

To: Office of the Prime Minister, Silverrock

Ab-shalom and greetings;

We confirm the arrival of your emissary and hope this opens new vistas of trade and diplomacy between our nations.

Go in Peace,

Namaste,
Drayaa Kiilgalen
Office of the Grand Vizier,
Humble Servant of His Magnificence, the Sultan of Vastiva

(OOC:Subtle bump)