NationStates Jolt Archive

Kremlin Palace, Rekjyavich Andropov Military City

Star Office

Count Franz von Papen, the foregin Minister to the Czar, came in, and Ivan looked up from the array of papers.

"Yes?" the Czar inquired.

"Ivan," Franz responded, being one of the few people who could get away with calling the Czar by his first name. "A region known as the Temple has called and wished to open negotiations with Greater Prussia." The Czar's eyebrows went up at that.

"Tell them to come to the Kremlin immediately. Tell them to land at RAMC Airport. I shall have guards and an escort waiting for them."

"Yessir."

In the little place Princess Annastrianna kept as she waited for the negotiations to begin, Glider, her pet/companion/communicator/mode of transportation, began to beep.

"Siyo?" ((Yes?))

The Czar's message comes through on the screen. "Good. Flyer mode, if you will..."

As the glider began to shift into the crescent flying-form, Anna looked at her wardrobe. "What to wear..." Selecting a simple, but formal, outfit, she changed, then pulled back her long, crystalline white hair.

"Wind screen up, Glider...I've got a meeting to attend."

So saying, she lifted off and blazed toward the Kremlin, then started to descend at the airstrip.

"Oh, and Glider?"

*cheep?*

"A repeat of your preformance for Shogun Himura and there will be consequences."

*caw*

Setting down, she snapped twice at the glider. "Phor." The glider changed shape swiftly, and instead of choosing its raven form, wrapped itself into a coronet and latched itself around her forehead.

"Ah, and I was wondering what accessory to use."

So saying, she started walking toward the waiting escort.

An armoured limo and two SUVs and a tank waited for the Princess. An Honour Guard, standing at ten feet, with a staff fifteen feet tall, weighing about half a ton, and clearly not human, in pure white clad armour, approached the Princess.

"Greetings, Princess, and welcome to Derscon. I am Chief of Royal Security, responsible for the Czar's security and the security of his personal guests. PLease, follow me." When they got into the limo, they drove to the gates of the Inner City. Rekjyavich Andropov Military City was devided into three parts (starting from outside, going in):

The Outer City, which was the economic and military center.
The Inner City, which was the various government complexes.
Kremlin Complex, which was home to Kremlin Cathedral, Andropov Tower, Kremlin Square, and Kremlin Palace.

All were devided by large walls, towers, and large gates. The Outer City had no real shape, the Inner City was that of a pentagram, and the Kremlin Complex was that of a cross.

As they finally pulled up to Kremlin Square, about fifty Praesillei Dei soliders came out, along with three Honour Guards. The limo emptied out and the Head of Security led the Princess to the doors of Kremlin Palace. the doors looked of solid gold, and were two stories high. When the Honour Guards at the door saluted, the giant doors opened up.

When they were inside, and the doors shut, one could see the Grande Hall was a giant sphere. A massive sword seemed to float in the center of the room. Doors were scattered about in the hall, with small platforms leading out to the emptyness of the center. A giant picture of the Ressurection was on the roof. It seemed, though, one could not grasp the sword no matter where you were in the giant globe.

"STAR OFFICE!" the HoS yelled. A platform materialized in front of them, and they all got on it. It led them upwards, and upwards. Soon, it seemed like they were going to splatter all over the roof, when the pole of the globe slid out of their way, and they travelled through the hole in the roof.

When it closed, one could see they were in the Imperial Hall. Statues of former Czars were along the walls, leading up to the doors to enter the Star Office. A giant statue of Andropov the Great was behind them. Two gold doors glimmered brightly in the white marble room. The HoS escorted the Princess, the other guards staying behind, through the gold doors. There, the glamour was gone, and it seemed like a regular secretaries office for a Head of State. The secretary looked up, pressed a button, and the doors opened.

When the princess walked in -- alone, now -- the room was actually shaped like a star. The Czar walked up to her and bowed slightly.

"Hello, there, Princess. I am Czar Rekjyavich Ivan Andropov III, Czar of Derscon and Archchancellor of Greater Prussia. Come, please," he motioned to an area in the center of the room. Under them, a carpet with the Greater Prussian Seal on it guarded the marble floors from the furniture legs. Four couches formed a perfect square on the carpet, with end tables at each end, and a coffee table in the center. The Princess sat down on one couch, and the Czar sat down on the opposite couch.

"So, Princess, shall we begin?"

When the princess walked in -- alone, now -- the room was actually shaped like a star. The Czar walked up to her and bowed slightly.

"Hello, there, Princess. I am Czar Rekjyavich Ivan Andropov III, Czar of Derscon and Archchancellor of Greater Prussia.

Anna makes a small bow, spreading her hands apart, palms out.
"Gre'as'anto lu' verve dro, Czar Andropov." ((Peace and long life...a formality.))

..."So, Princess, shall we begin?"

"Very well, then."

She looks at the Czar for a moment. He would get the feeling that she was sizing him up, analysing his character, strengths, weaknesses...and with him his region.

"The Temple proposes a military and civil alliance with Greater Prussia. This will give your nations access to our region and knowledge, and vice versa, and would also establish trade agreements.
"You are an extremist region, close to the point of fanatacism to your religion. Our policies are more open to religion, and while we promote faith, and encourage our people to adopt some form of religion or another, we will not be able to agree with your region on every point. In short: In wars over religious matters, should your region initiate combat, we will not give our military aid should that be the sole reason for combat.
"Your region is also a more capitalist and right-leaning region than ours. We acknowledge this, and accept it...but what does your region think about a potential alliance with a region that is at least nominally socialist? There was trouble over that, in the past."

The Czar nodded, knowing the Princess was studying him.

The Czar contained a flash of anger in his eyes. "Fanaticism? We are only fanatics to the heathens. But Greater Prussia rarely -- if ever -- goes to war to go crusading. We will step in should our brothers in Christ be oppressed, but other than that, no." He listened to the Princess a bit more.

"I know very well that you are socialist. I do have some background knowledge of your region. Your socialism means nothing to me, personally. A very close ally of mine is a true Communist nation." The Czar sighed.

"I know what we can do for you. What can you do for Greater Prussia?"

What The Temple can do for you is determined mainly on just how much your region interacts with its allies.

As far as a military alliance is concerned, our different nations are capable of helping in different ways.
Kaymiril's navy alone consists of better than two thousand warships.
Ina's airforce is a fighting force of almost a million men at present, and it has military satellites capable of reconnasiance as well as offensive and defensive abilites as far as combat. Orion's standing army is the largest in the region, standing at about two million men, but can be enlarged to almost ten million, if I remember correctly. Isaac has mobile suit technology similar to that of Pschycotic Pschycos, and Rowen and Iruven do pretty much as they please. Our militaries are specialized because our region is highly unified. An enemy of our region would find that all the Temple would rally at an attack on any...once we were very fortunate that only Kaymirili troops were lost.

As far as a civil alliance would go...we could offer neutral intermediaries to disputes within your region, and gather intelligence on regions or nations your region needed information on.
Trade would happen on a nation-by-nation basis, and all I am able to speak for in this instance is my own country.
Our medics are highly skilled. It is said without exaggeration that so long as a man's heart is beating they can bring him back to a full life. And as far as technology goes, we have little of your "advanced" technology. Our technologies are a mix of tech and magic...for instance...
*she taps the center of the coronet, and it comes off* This is no mere piece of jewelry. It can change to an intelligence gathering and tracking device...*it changes into screen mode* and can be used for communications purposes. There is yet to be anyone who can tap into these and intercept a transmission. There are also war models...this one doesn't happen to be an official combat model, but it has some military features...flame throwers, and a nice little blade that can spring out at the front for in-flight decapitation *as she's talking, the glider transforms to show these features*...it is also a mode of transportation, and in its resting form *the glider turns into a raven and perches on her shoulder* can be used as a "watchdog" or...I'd almost say "pet"...but not quite.
*To the glider* As you were. *It changes back into a coronet, and she slips it back on*
We have other devices that you would find interesting, as well...but we can discuss those more later.

Now...you may know what Greater Prussia can do for us...but I do not. Perhaps you would care to enlighten me?

The Czar was clearly fascinated by the raven.

"That thing looks fairly interesting." When the Princess inquired at what Greater Prussia could do for the Temple the Czar smiled.

"Well, the Dersconi standing army is around ten million men. Five million in First Corps, Three in Second, and Two in First. Actually, Third Corps would be like the 'National Guard' of sorts. Military technology battlefield-wise is some of the best on the planet, I feel. Granted, there may be a bit of bias here, but I have yet to see otherwise." He stared off into space and thought a bit.

"As you can easily see, though, capitalism brings money. Greater Prussia is clearly economically superior to you. I say that's something we can offer."

"Anything else you need cleared up?" he said, still eyeing the raven.

On the bridge of P.P.S. Archangel...

"Shogun, it appears that the meeting between Annastriana and Czar Rekjyavich Ivan Andropov has already started," said an officer.

"Ah crap. We're always late. PICK UP THE SPEED, NOW!!" he shouted. "Get Count Franz von Papen on the line. Tell him that we're coming in. Oh, and also, ask him where a 345m X 345m ship can park. I really don't want to land in front of another Minimart again, that was rather embarrasing."

"Aye, aye, Sir!" replied the officer.

"At least this time, they won't have a naval escort to show us up."

Anna notices the Czar's fascination with the raven.

"I could have a model sent over here, if you like...not quite as rowdy as this one...Glider, phor."

It comes back out of its coronet form and shakes itself out.

"Go sit on the Czar's shoulder a bit...no, I'm pretty sure it's ok --"

It interrupts her.

"What?"

Changing into its screen form, it shows the approach of the Archangel.

"Well...it looks like Shogun Himura will be joining us. Now, do what you were told."

Changing back into of its raven form, Glider takes a perch on Czar Andropov's shoulder. It starts to peck at some of the gold embroidery on his shirt, but sits still at a look from its owner.

"Economic superiority is an advantage, I will grant.
"Let me be honest with you, Czar Andropov. My mother thinks that the open policy I wish to adopt is a mistake. However, she realizes that I will be taking the throne soon, and knows that my plan to give our region a more active part in the world will go up in flames if I try to do it after I take over. She supports it for my sake...our people trust my mother, she has led them well and long."

The Czar nodded.

"I have assumed that open-door policy would be unwanted. After all, many a socialist nation deem us as immoral, regardless of the fact we are a virtual theocracy. Not quite, though." He thought for a minute, as the raven pecked at the gold-laced crown on his eppaulets (butchered spelling).

"In fact, I suppose you deem us totalitarian as we only allow the Christian religion, do you not?" When the image of the PP ship came up, the Czar smiled and called in Imperial Admiral Marko Herkjyavich, CinC of the Imperial Navy. "Excuse me for a minute. Marko!"

"Yes, sir?"

"Tell them to land at Loire Valley Port."

"Yessir. Then what?" The czar eyed him.

"The only safe and fast way to get them here, of course," the Czar said, implying that he was not about to let out a national secret in front of a foreign diplomat.

"Yessir." Herkjyavich saluted and left. The Czar turned back to the Princess.

"Sorry about that." When the raven started pecking at his ear, Ivan clamped the raven's beak shut and glared at him.

"Shogun, we've been instructed to dock at Loire Valley Port." shouted the comm. officer.

"Allright, let's go." he replied.

Minutes later...

"Sir, we are within eyesight of the port," shouted the helmsman.

"Good, let's stir them up a bit! Helmsman, 10* up bubble!" shouted Kenshin.

"Aye, 10* up bubble!"

As they approached the port, the ship rose off of the water, and began sailing through the air.

"Let's see them find an escort to match that!! Take us in, Captain, the ship is yours again."

The ship entered the port in the air.

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OOC: Take over from here, buddy!

Loire Valley Port, Derscon

The Marine looked up and shook his head. Wow. When it landed, the Shogun was greeted by a few Praesillei Dei officers who shuttled over and two Honour Guards.

"This way, sir." The party was led deep underground to what looked like a train station. When a bullet train pulled up, the suspisions were confirmed.

"Hop in, Shogun. Off to the Kremlin." About thirty minutes later, they arrived at the Kremlin Station. When they got out, the place was swarming with government officials, Guards, and various other people, presumably other government workers. When they saw the Honour Guards and the Shogun, activity stopped for a brief moment, and then it bustled on as if nothing ever happened. The giant Honour Guards made a path for them to get through.

When they finally reached the surface, they were standing in the Grande Hall. The process to get to the Star Office was made for the Shogun, and when he walked in, the Czar motioned to a spot on an empty couch.

"Glad you could make it. Do sit, please. Make yourself comfortable."

When the glider started pecking at the Czar's ear, Anna glared at it.

"Vost." ((cease))

Glider looked at his owner nervously. The coldness now in her tone was rarely matched, and always meant trouble. Looking quite ashamed, he hunkered down and sat still, staying silent while the Czar dealt with the Shogun's arrival.

"My apologies. Sixty-three years have not been quite enough time to teach him manners. He almost dive-bombed the Shogun the other day. Then again, red hair and rounded ears are something of an unusual experience for him. Ahem...
"And yes...we do view your region as somewhat totalitairian. However, we are willing to look beyond that."

As the Shogun enters, Anna turns to him and nods.

"Shogun Himura, how lovely to see you again. I hope your Phoenix is working out?"

"Yes, it is working quite fine. Please excuse the burnt kimono, but it found my closet after the AI upgrades. And thank you, Czar, it is an honor to meet you again." said the Shogun, bowing to each of them in turn. "Please, don't mind me, just continue, I'll be able to pick up."

That's why we're careful of how we upgrade them...yours is not the first Phoenix to singe a garment or two.

In any event...*she turns back to the Czar* ...Do you believe that an alliance between our regions would be mutually beneficial, or should we look elsewhere?

The Czar smiled.

"Had I not thought it beneficial to Greater Prussia, I would not have invited you here. Had you not thought it beneficial to The Temple, you would not have asked.

"I say that's fairly mutual, wouldn't you agree, Shogun?"

I'd sure say so. Besides the usual alliance stuff, the paperwork and crap, each region could learn something from this. Corny as it may sound, sometimes learning is the most important. For example, our fighting techniques are by far different.

Our fighting styles are different too...but more than anything, our cultures are different. Each of the nations in the Temple alone has vastly different cultures, each from the other, but that is nothing compared to the difference in our regions. We have been taught different styles and standards of living from our earliest days, and as such, there is more to learn than mere combative styles.

Indeed. Also, though we don't realize this, there will be an even larger gain then just learning from culture. People will naturally want to learn, and what better place than at the source. Do you two realize where I am heading with this?

I believe I do...Glider, playback, timestamp 4.59.78.

The raven opened its beak, but instead of a caw was a recording of Shogun Himura's voice.

Yes, well, our region is a good place to start. Many of our members have explored and branched out greatl. And yes, I've read the documents on your navy, a fine one, I must say. The only match I currently know of is the Greater Prussian Royal Navy. tell Isaac to contact me as well, I'd like to see what he's got. And by reaching out as you are, you may just restore some of the people's ambitions. People will hear of foregin lands, and will, I don't know, take a vacation or something.

Am I correct or incorrect? Or do you speak, rather, of an exchange of ambassadors?

HAI!! Tourisim is a major industry these days, supporting whole nations. Any nation would love the chance to make a few extra bucks on unsuspecting pigeons...I mean customers.

Tourism...*a quiet laugh escapes her, and she holds out her wrist for Glider*
And just a few days ago it seemed absurd to be travelling to another region for any reason.

*Glider flaps its wings twice, taking it from the Czar's shoulder to Anna's arm.*

Again it opens its beak, but instead of the Shogun's voice, a different voice came out...a boy...a melodious voice, but ghostly...as though it were a voice that it hadn't heard in a long time and were trying to imitate anyway.

"Usstan zuch zhaunau l' tangi orn'la doer nindel udos orn'la ul'plyr doeb . Lu' Usstan ssiggrin ol orn'la tlu dos , dalninil."

A look of complete shock crosses the Princess' face, but she shakes it off.

"Enais? Possibly suggesting tourism?" asked the Shogun, who had heared and read accounts of the young Prince, his radical views, and his unfortunate death at the hands of his father's council war.

My younger brother indeed...saying that he knew our isolationism wouldn't last...and that he'd figured that I would be the one to bring us out of it. Kaymiril's shining star, he was...he invented this *indicating her glider* when he was only thirteen...I turn seventy-nine next month, and I am considered barely an adult by my own people. It is said, though, that those stars which burn brightest...must also burn out soon.

Yes, and unfortunatly, he burned out. However, cold as this may sound, he died a good death. There is honor in protecting your people with your life. Anyway, Czar, what is your input in this matter?

Anna strokes Glider for a few moments, thinking.

>>Yes...finally, at the end, the dreamer, the genius, the inventor...he understood what it meant to be a prince. I remember that war...though I was but a child, I remember it. There were no other heroes produced from that war...but I wonder...what he could have done, had he lived.<<

Glider hops from Anna's arm to the arm of the couch, then flies to perch on top of the Shogun's head.

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OOC: The little >>italics<< thing denotes thought...and I had to put Glider on Kenshin's head at some point or another...after all...that is some brilliant red hair. ^_^

Glider's fine as long as he doesn't build a nest.

I wouldn't worry...it's not part of his programming...he may try to pull out some hair, though...he's done it to me often enough.

The Czar laughed a little at the tourism joke, but he was mostly keeping himself in a state of deep thought.

Hmm, has the Shogun been going behind my back? He seems to know the Princess a bit TOO well for just getting out of a war.

He was listening to the tactics ideas. They want me to expose National Secrets?!? When the Shogun asked Ivan (OOC: BTW, you NEVER call the Czar by his first name unless you are REALLY close to him. Only the Foreign Minister, Chancellor, the GP Emperor, and the Ueberpreusse Emperor can call him by his first name) about what he thought, he allowed his face to express slight discomfort with the idea.

"Military tactics -- especially those of the Special Forces and the Crown's Army, the Praesillei Dei -- are National Security topics. You can't honestly expect me to give them out to you.

"But I have no problem with the ambassador exchange. There's about twenty lots still in the International City waiting to be built upon."

(OOC: Dora'nes would get really picky over the whole names/titles thing, but Anna doesn't care. Those closest to her call her Suru...but that's a nickname. And as to the Queen herself...Kaymiril is a title. And also: the war was fought I'm guessing roughly sixty years ago under one Shogun Yamoto Kira. Anna remembers it...remembers hating humans with everything she had...but she's bigger than that, and is now looking for alliances. So, it's not just getting out of a war. And just recently she visited Shogun H.K.)

I understand what you mean by National Security secrets...indeed, there are things we would not share with even our closest allies. Believe me, my purpose here is not to threaten your security.

Glider, ulu unsaa, nin.

*Glider, caught about to get some of the Shogun's obnoxiously red hair for his collection, squwaks and returns to Anna, and, being prevented from pecking her, changes into an armlet.*

OOC: Never called him Ivan, called him Czar, your focus is slipping again.
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Yes, and believe me, there are things about my nation that none know. In fact, only I know most of them. They have not left the Himura, for that is the true name, family since creation. The Hiten Mitsurugi style, Shinowippu, Kamia Kashiin style, GENISIS...OH SHIT!! Forget that last one, it was nothing!! Many sword techniques, and other military secrets that won't be let out until battle. And those who are witness will perish.

My friend, we were not asking for you to do so. We will never. it goes against Bushido.

((OOC: I love how Shogun H.K. just like flips out and uses profanity when he slips. I'm considering having something happen in this thread...something very greatly...of interest...
Oh...and just a pet peeve, sorry...but I've watched the entire series in Japanese, and read the manga to vol. 10 (or whichever's the most recent...my buddy keeps up with it, lol)...it's Shin-no-ippo, Hiten Mitsurgi Ryu style.))

OOC: Thank you for the correction, I could never get the spelling of Shin-no-ippo. (never saw the spelling) And I knew about the Ryu part, it just sounds better and flows better without it, like on the english show. And yes, while Shogun HK is off of a show, I've added abit of myself to him. I got into the ugly habit of swearing when something bad happens.

((OOC: ...Your HK reminds me more of Sano...))

The Czar nodded.

"That's good. Well, I think that is all, then, no?"

*Nods* I suppose, then, that I still must finalize this with the head of your region?

The Czar shook his head. "Absolutely not. Emperor Napoleon has given me full athourity to take matters into my own hands. I say yes, henceforth as a representative for the Crown, Napoleon says yes. So." The Czar stands up and walks to his desk. He pushes a button and some of the wall moves away, exposing a spiral staircase.

"Shall we depart to the lounge?"

Glider comes out of his armlet form and flies over to the Czar's desk to inspect the button. Seeing many buttons, he turns his head and goes to peck at the red one. Anna snaps at him and he makes an irritated little sound and returns to her shoulder.

She stands and nods. "Of course."

The Czar chuckles and shook his head.

"The big red button just does this." He pressed it and a pedastal with a coffee machine came out of a false tile in the floor. He shrugged and pressed it again, lowering it.

When he led them down to the lounge, the vastness was quite amazing. It was about the size of the Star Office. There was a bar on one side with regular alchoholic drinks and a soda fountain, there was a 93'' plasma screen TV over on the one wall, along with a coffee table and a few couches. Bookcases practically made the walls invisible, and the floor-to-roof windows looked out over the courtyard in the back of the palace, away from the bustling shithole that was government. The bar was stocked fully with the stuff of royalty, all supplied by the Greater Prussian Wine and Spirits Shoppe.

In the center, a coffee table in the shape of a cross was centered on a carpet depicting the Dersconi Flag, while couches surrounded it. A giant chandellier hung from the vaulted ceiling and hovered over the cross. There were four other, smaller, chandelliers that hung spaced out on the ceiling.

"It's modest for probably the richest person in the Empire," the Czar said smiling.

"Like it?"

"Not bad." Her eyes travel over the titles of some of the books. "A decent library. This reminds me a lot of my own lounge. The coffee table's shaped differently, and I'm sure the wines are different, and this...thing..." *waving her hand toward the tv and laughs* What is its purpose?

OOC: They don't have tvs. They don't need them. Not that Enais wouldn't have gotten to it...but they entertain and inform themselves differently.

The czar laughed.

"You obviously know nothing of Western Culture. This is a television. While I never bothered to care about the science of the thing, but it works. Kinda like a holograph, but it's on a 2-D screen. You can watch news broadcasts, entertainment, the latest football game, basically everything you want. I'm sorry, that explanation sucked. It's just a thing most households have in Derscon."

Ah. Holographs I get. And it's not that I know nothing of the Western world...just...we have different ways of getting information. And as to entertainment...we play games, and have theater...but mostly we train. We are...a disciplined people.

"Well, it's mandatory that all graduates serve in the army for two years, and renew their training every five years. Hell, in order to pass elementary school you have to be able to handle a submachine gun. Granted, it's only .22, since they're fifth graders, but all the same, damn good fighters. With a war-centered society, though, nothing fun gets done, and your people become robots without personalities. Not the greatest conversation starter, you know what I'm sayin?"

True. Our warriors...well, we all have our task from birth. Daughters follow mothers; sons, fathers. My mother is the Queen, and I shall be. Our mages are the descendants of mages. Our warriors have fighting in their blood...they're good at what they do, too. But our training differs greatly...we know how to use Western guns...but rather than dropping a bomb, a warrior might drop a globe of darkness...or a sphere of illusion...xsa those are mean...

Yes, same in my nation. Passing elementary schools means that you know how to wield a sword, effectively, and how to shoot a gun. While military is optional, it gets a lot of attention. Also of difference, all assasinations in our history have been commited with a sword. Most of the ones I carried out were actually done in broad daylight. *His violet eyes start taking a yellowish hue for a moment, but returns to violet quickly*

If you want a real example of television, vist the streets of downtown Honimishu sometime. (Like Tokyo) The buildings have massive TVs on their sides. For advertising, or for news.

Though families usually follow similar tasics, some change. However, the samurai lifestyle, the bushido, and the way of the sword have been passed down for generations.

OOC: I know. That's mostly because when I enjected my personallity into him, Sano got in there because I could be described as the resulting character if the two fused. Sano just comes out more mostly than Kenshin.

"Kind of disturbing that a man born to rule would be used as an assassin..."

Glider had gone over to look out the window, pretty much unnoticed. On the inside of one of his wings, a little light began to flash. A program that had been imbedded long ago was coming to fruition.

"I believe I will visit your nations to get an in depth look at your cultures. More of this "tourism" notion...Either of you may come and see mine at any time, should you wish it. Well...come to think of it, anyone from your region may feel free to visit mine, now."

Over by the window, Glider begins to change shape...while still looking out the window, the figure was no longer a bird. It was...a boy. To the human eye, he would be in his mid-teens. The only thing differing him from an ordinary boy were the fact that his ears were oddly pointed, from his reflection, his facial features were extremely sharp, like those of the Princess, and his entire form was the same silver color used in the Princess' glider. He looked thoughtfully down at the courtyard beneath.

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OOC: I decided to just go with it. It's going to be confusing, which will make it fun.

The Two Praetorian Guards in the room immedately jumped on it and detained it on the ground. Four more guards surrounded it, weapons ready.

The Czar turned to look at the commotion, and shook his head.

"Stupid raven."
=======================
OOC: My guards are paranoid. Pull something like that, the raven will die.

The Czar shook it off and turned back.

"Tourism is not a big business in Derscon. Most of the time, the borders are closed. Those that do make it in are required to be implanted with a chip for tracking perposes. Security is a big thing here -- outsiders are not usually welcome in Derscon."

Czar Reijchevich, for further reference, technology from The Temple has the unfortunate habit of transforming at the most unlikely, and inappropriate time. Just a head's up you might want.

The only reason I was an assasin was the fact that I was separtated form my family, learned the sword, and supported the government in stopping a coup. It was the line of work I was cut out for.

*His cell phone rang* "Hold on, please."----"Uh-huh, yea, damnit. Okay. Bye"

Sorry for that. We are currently engaged in a conflict, and we've lost two EB-52s to enemy fire. 12 men total. Anyhoo, Annastriana, Derscon is a very protective nation. Don't blame them, they take duty to its highest and most honerable level.
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OOC: Derscon, If you could, can we borrow GTA and your Xbox wed.? And we should probably found EA then too.

"Unlikely and inconvienient is right...but as far as I knew, Glider wasn't programmed to pull off this particular transformation..." Kaymiril's crown princess stood in the room, looking perfectly composed. Truth be told, if she were one of the fairer races, she would have gone pale.

The boy struggled against the two guards that held him.

"Ori'gato uns'aa alu!
Gi...
Anna, natha lotha xxizz ghil?"

A -- "Vel'uss ph' dos? Ele zhal'la Usstan?"

"Usstan shlu'ta bihurr...drill xuat dos u'thet dosst ehmtu dalninuk?"

A -- "Dorn plynn dos a dosst xan'ss whol l' klew'ar...naut riluss gumash inbau wund Glider saph nindel. Telanth wun l' rivvin ooble' d' rivven."

((Translation -- "Let me go! Oh...Anna, a little help here?" "Who are you? Why should I?" "I can explain...but don't you know your own brother?" "For now I will take you at your word...not just anyone could get into Glider like that. Speak in the common human tongue."))

A -- Czar Andropov of Derson...Shogun Himura of Pschycotic Pschycos...may I introduce my younger brother...who has somehow joined us...Qu'ess Enais d' Maril. ((Qu'ess = Prince))

E -- Gre'as'anto lu' verve dro. Ummm...*to the guards* Yeah, I don't bite. So, could you let me go now? I mean, it's odd enough coming to to find myself in some foreign country having just come out of my sister's flying device, and the last thing I remember was thinking that that laser was going to hurt.
*He looks around the room* Anna, look! Look at the size of that thing! And it looks like the screen is plasma-based...I wondered if it could be done. The old vacuum tube was kind of fallible, you know?

________________________
OOC: Your jumping on him wasn't unexpected. And the raven's hardier than to be taken down by a couple of bullets. ;)

Leaning over to the Czar ever so slightly..."I had nothing to do with this."

If you don't mind me being so blunt, what did it feel like, I mean, the laser?

*Cell phone rings again* "What now? WHAT!!?? Blow them to hell, NOW!" *flips phone closed, then crushes it*

I apologize again, but Honimishu suffered an attack. Doesn't matter now, the Scales of Justice are deciding as we speak. Enais, I am pleased to meet you, and I aplogize for my father's attack. However, in a few minutes, you'll be able to see what you saved your country from.

E -- I'm sorry about your capitol...I don't really remember what it felt like...we forget what it feels like to live when we die. I'm still trying to remember what I was doing inside Glider. And why I came out during a meeting is beyond me.

Anna's eyes close briefly, apparently searching her mind for something.
"I see...Shogun Himura, if you wish help in your battle, all you have to do is ask."

_________________
OOC: PP, http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=385315&page=5&pp=15
The last post you might find of interest.

Domo.

(Jap. for thank you.)

OOC: High-explosive armour piercing rounds will take it down, though, and the katanas they carry could rid of the human. PLus, the Honour Guards' staffs cut through concrete.

And PP, maybe.
------------------------------
The Czar nodded. "Correct, plasma TV." He looked over to the princess. "You could learn a lot from this kid." He nodded to the Praetorian Guards.

"Let him go." They lifted their shields that were pinning him to the floor and went back to their positions. Ivan looked at the new arrival sternly.

"Pull something like that again, you won't make it out alive. You're quite lucky the Guard didn't kill you right then and there."

OOC: A) He isn't human. He's drow. B) Glider has become Enais, at least temporarily.
__________________________

Enais sits up, rubbing his head.

"I figured that. But it's not like I really chose for the concealment program to expire during a meeting. I didn't figure she'd reach out for another...ummm..."*does some quick calculations* "Ten years. And she's the mage in the family. Dora's the warrior...and I was the oddball. Anyway..." *He stands up.* "Where are we?"

A - "A nation called Derscon. Just north of Pschycotic Pschycos."

E - "Derscon...Dersco -- Ah. Yeah, now I know where we are."

OOC: Either way, my point is he'd die. :)
=========================
The Czar nodded. "I'd hope you know who we are -- this city was built before you founded your nation!"

Anna nods to the Shogun ((OOC: I knew what domo meant.))

E -- "Over a million nations have come and gone since the beginning of time. Surely we cannot all be expected to know of all of them? I mainly know where we are because of Glider's locative and informative abilities. Ummmm...how would you put it nowadays...GPS with intel."

A -- "You cheeky little fa'la zatoast. How long have you been in there?"

E -- "Since I died? I'm not here forever...just forty-seven hours and fifty-three minutes. This program was only designed to run in case I met a sudden violent death. I wanted the chance to say good bye. Why it took sixty-ish years to activate is not my fault."

_______________________
OOC: How do you kill that which is already dead? ^_^ I love semantics.

OOC: He's dead? Oh, whatever, then I'd kill that raven, which I'm not fully trusting. Also, I didn't pay any attention to your war, so I don't exactly know what is between you two and the events that occured.
===============================
The Czar eyed everything with suspision. What the hell is going on? He glanced at a few of the honor guards located in the room, basically signalling to be ready for anything. Ivan didn't like that raven one bit, and had this not been a diplomatic conference, it would have been destroyed already.

He sat quietly in thought. Why the fucking reunion in my palace?

*Leaning over to the Czar* It doesn't usually do this, I assure you, and mine has never done this. Their technology is a little loopy sometimes.

"They better fix it. I'm about to destroy that little bird."

Forgot to give ya this, it's a stress doll. Look how the eyes and ears pop out when you squeeze it.

If you feel the need to take your anger out with a sword, tell me, and we can duell.

Forgot to give ya this, it's a stress doll. Look how the eyes and ears pop out when you squeeze it.

If you feel the need to take your anger out with a sword, tell me, and we can duell.

"That reminds me, did I ever show you the Dragon Sword?"

As a matter of fact, you didn't.

If you want to let those two have their reunion, you could show it to me, with them in tow under guard, or you could duell me.

"Good idea with the reunion." He shook his head when the Shogun mentioned duelling.

"If we duelled, I would probably end up killing you. The Dragon Sword is not a normal sword. When you pick it up, it senses battle, and it overtakes its owner. It is an odd sensation, but a thrilling one -- something you couldn't dream of, exhillerating, but something you never want to feel again. Almost...." his voice trailed off as he tried to find the right word. "Almost as if you can't stop unless you can taste blood. But I digress. Let us see it, shall we?" The Czar took him to the Grand Hall and got on a platform to the frontal passage, connecting to the front doors.

Ivan walked up to the bright beam of light in the center. It was pure white -- it hurt to look at. The czar shouted something in ancient Dersconi -- a long dead language -- and the beam went away. Floating there was the Dragon Sword.

Only when the Czar picked it up and held it did the Shogun really grasp the magnificance of the sword. It was exactly six and two thirds feet long, with the handle making up about one fifth of the whole sword. The blade's width peaked at one and a half feet wide at the bottom as it curved up on each end, and at its second curvature outward and in, it was one foot, then one half foot, then finally it made its point. An even-barred cross was inscribed on the blade sides, with four dragons around it, making an ancient swastika (NOT the nazi one, mind you -- the one showing balance of the elements and of good and evil). For its size, it was odd that the Czar could hold it in one hand.

"Light as a feather. Ivan the Great -- founder of this nation -- found this sword in the ninth plane of Hell. Eventually, some one thousand plus years later, Rekjyavich the First had it blessed in order so he could use it, yet he couldn't. Only a full-blooded Andropov can weld this sword, otherwise its too heavy, and the dragons at the hilt will bite you." He pointed to the dragon heads at the three places on the handle.

"Legend has it that the Devil himself dragged Ivan back to the ninth plane to be imprisoned there until he could get the sword. Ivan's son hid it in a pyramid, though, along with all of the other Andropov treasures -- which, by the way, are priceless. I only recently found this pyramid, and immediately had it reburied. Some of the things in that tomb could literally shock the world over, and probably open the gates of Hell, in which case....well, I'm sure you read Revelations."

E to A -- Wow...seems like he's really the paranoid type...and we're -- well, you're -- here for peace. And I...am still not entirely sure why I'm here, now. Not to mention that if you'd wanted any of them dead, they'd be long since so.

A -- Hold still a moment...I still need Glider, and you're too bright a silver to look at for too long.

*She puts her hands together, the second joints of the middle, ring, and little fingers touching, her index fingers pointing upwards, and her thumbs pointing at herself. Focusing, she calls into existance a strand of her brother's hair, and brings apart her hands. From the strand of hair, she creates a figure of her brother, exactly as he had been the last time she'd seen him. A form...soul less...but the heart beat, and it breathed.*

E -- Anna, you aren't going to, are you? That takes way too much energy, unless you're Gray Master...Anna, Anna, don't...

A -- *ignoring Enais* Tupora quortek ulu elghinyrr khel, tlu ol 'zil Usstan telanth.

~~~There is a blinding flash, and when anyone watching recovers, the raven is perched back on Anna's shoulder, and the boy, newly given flesh and blood, is looking around. Anna herself is drawing energy from around her, and shortly she opens her eyes.~~~

E -- Has magic changed so much over the past few decades?

A -- No, it has not. However, this is a temporary body...not requiring the same energy as a permanent one would be. From here, we might be able to have Mith give you a new body...but I doubt it. "They that died well should not have to be given the chance to mess up a different death."

E -- True. Wow...not bad, sister...it's just like living.

A -- It is. For two days.

The Honour Guards in the lounge saw the human form, and they switched to thermal display. Human. Living, breathing human. Then, other thoughts came in to their heads.

Unauthorized access to the Kremlin. Uninvited. Enemy. Czar warned us. Detain immediately.

The seven Honour Guards immediately detained the two people and the raven, and forced them onto a couch.

The one honour Guard started to speak, showing that he was definately NOT human, in case one couldn't tell by the massive body and the fact he was eight feet tall.

"You are being detained for unauthorized access into the Kremlin. You are to wait here until His Majesty returns, in which you will be dealt with accordingly."


OOC: Honour Guards are strong as hell, and there's plenty of reinforcements -- there's no way you can escape. By the way, if reinforcements come, think of that as strike two. If you piss them off, they'll open fire and kill all of you -- think of that as strike three ;). Don't worry, just don't piss them off and the Czar will give them a scolding. Granted, he'll give you one also, but hell, it'll be in a nice fashion. :)

*shakes his head* Ya warned 'em. People just don't learn these days. I understand what you meant about the sword, though. The ancient Muramasa blades were the same, but worse. They were more powerful, but had a blood lust so consuming, that it turned the weilder against himself. All owners on recorded history...have killed themselves with his swords. You don't have a regular sword with wich to fight?

The two drow ((not human, for the LAST TIME)) sit, and Anna makes the raven sit still.

E -- Natha leza tahta, nau?

A -- Vel'xundussa. Gi al.

E -- Usieva nind xuat zhaun faer vel'drav nind kyorl ol.

A -- Nau selg'tarn. Fridj ser suust...nindol zhah jal ves jivvin, llaar.

((A bit jumpy, no?

Security. Oh well.

Guess they don't know magic when they see it.

No matter. Just keep quiet...this is all very amusing, really.))

OOC: Ever heard of teleportation? It's a skill Anna has long since mastered.

OOC: Good luck getting out of the Palace. Andropov II could teleport, too, and he reinforced the walls so no one could teleport out of a room. Of course, this backfired when he was killed in the very room you sit in. :)

And sorry about the human thing...
==========================================
The Czar and the Shogun walked back to the lounge after the Czar put the sword back.

"No, I'm afraid not. I do have a Muramasa, by the way, but i never use it. The main difference is that you can control the Sword. Anyways..." the Czar trailed off as the door opened. He saw the two Kamyrilian delegates detained on the couch by Honour Guards.

"What the hell is going on here?!?" The Czar exclaimed.

"Life apear out of nowhere -- possible threat to Your Majesty. We protect you." The Czar nodded.

"Thanks for doing your job, but they are not a threat. Let them go." The guards did as they say, and the Praetorian now surrounding the Czar and the Shogun came out of formation and went back to their positions.

"I told you, don't pull anything. Just because you can use magic gives you no right to pull shit in the palace. I can use magic too -- it runs in my blood. I never use it, of course, as that would go against the principles of the Bible, but I can all the same. I'm also telekinetic, as are all of the Rekjyavich family. (The Andropovs are the sorcerers)" The Czar shrugged.

"I think you underestimate me, as you probably think I have underestimated you. But now," he nodded to a Praetorian Guard, who came with a tray of three wine glasses and a bottle of Napoleon Premier. The Czar poured it in the glasses and picked one up for himself.

"This stuff is the Prussian delecacy. Technically, there's only a hundred cases of the stuff left, but I kept a few thousand before they stopped making it. Stuff runs on the regular market for about a hundred grand a case."

A small smile turns the corners of Anna's mouth up. "I can't tell you just how amusing I find it to be told off by someone a fraction of my age...and if your guards were watching, they'd note that what I cast was of no threat."

E -- You're a mage? And yet you don't use the ability...if you don't use the ability, how can you then be a mage? Talent unused is the same as talent nonexistant.

A -- Enais...

E -- *catching his sister's warning tone, shuts up.*

A -- My apologies for my brothers...uncouthness. *She puts her hand on top of his head* He never really learned what it meant to be a Prince in manners while alive.

E -- *shrugs*
________________________
There are windows in this room, so you've said. You can get to where you can see...and from there, to anywhere you know. In Kaymiril's palace, there are about seven people who can teleport in to, out of, and between rooms...very very sophisticated spellwork. And magick is part of their culture...it's just how they are.

The czar nodded.

"Yes, I am a mage, and yes, I know it goes away with time, and yes, I want it to go away. Telekenetics is just fine for me."

A -- And we can respect such a decision. Not all nations choose to develop their magical potential, as not all choose to develop their technological potential. Without both sorts of nations, how could there be balance? There could not...therefore, difference is the best course.

E -- Do you have any idea just how much you sound like a diplomat...like a rivvil diplomat, nonetheless.

A -- I will speak with you later, dalninuk.

OOC: Personally, I like Anna well enough, esp. if you ever start arguing with her, but I prefer her twin sister's methods. I doubt you'll meet Dora'nes, though.

OOC: Personally, I like Anna well enough, esp. if you ever start arguing with her, but I prefer her twin sister's methods. I doubt you'll meet Dora'nes, though.


The Czar chuckled at Enais' comment.

"Cut her a break, she said she need the practice at diplomatic bullshit." he looked around and his face lit up.

"Someday, I must invite all of you to my flat down in southern Derscon. It's a wooded area, but on the one side near the sea (think the Carribean) is quite a nice view. The whole area is privately owned by me, and not the government, so we don't have to worry about too much crap."
==========================
OOC: Personally, I like Anna well enough, esp. if you ever start arguing with her, but I prefer her twin sister's methods. I doubt you'll meet Dora'nes, though.

OOC: Wha?

OOC: Dora'nes, Dora for short. She is Anna's older twin sister, but was chosen to not ascend the throne due to her volatile nature, so Anna was named Crown Princess at age 10. She is very much against Anna's open policy, and if she got the chance, she would take her revenge upon Pschycotic Pschycos. While Anna decided to forgive (after about thirty years), Dora's hatred of humankind (oh, the drow word for human is rivvil) has not diminished. Anna's powerful enough to keep her sister in line, however, not to mention their mother still lives.

________________________________________

E -- You have to understand, Czar...she's my sister. I can't "cut her a break" for anything. Besides...she stuttered until she was fifteen, so to have her speaking...and attempting eloquency...I can't tell you how funny it is.

Anna puts her hand on Enais' shoulder, and immediately the young Prince's hair stands on end.

E -- That's not funny.

A -- Yes it is.

Anna nods slightly at the Czar's mention of the area. "I'm familiar with that ocean...very lovely."

She takes one of the wine glasses ((since I'm guessing that there's one for the Czar, one for the Shogun, and one for the Princess...Enais is under age :P))

"H'mm...it is different from some of our wines...sweeter, and of a slightly different texture. A good wine, nonetheless. I can see why you reserved some."

OOC: Oohkee.
================
The Czar cocked his head in a confused amusement when Enais' hair went up on end. The Czar shrugged it off and perked up at the mention of the ocean.

"Ocean? Bah. It's only perpose is to keep people away and sink enemy ships in it. The Sea, though, is where the beauty lies." He took a sip of the Napoleon Premier.

"Reserved?" The Czar chuckled. "I had it confiscated before it was destroyed."

A -- I see.

E -- *At the Czar's confusion* Static electricity. Just enough to give a warning and do the things static does.

The Czar laughs.

"Ah, what a shocking idea, no?"

E -- Indeed, indeed. *He smooths his hair down with his hand*

A sly smile comes across the Czar's face as he gets up to refill his glass. The Princess could see small electrical bolts travel across his hands and arms. When Ivan meets the Princesses eyes, he winks and places his hands on Enais' shoulders.

"You know, you'll grow up to be a good leader, but there's one thing you have to learn -- don't show weaknesses of any sort. In this case," the Czar said, as Enais' hair was standing up. "It provides amusement, but sometimes it could mean the difference between a good deal or a rip off."

*Anna's doubled over with her hand over her mouth, doing her best not to laugh openly at the sight of it all.*

E -- Maybe so. However, last time I checked, humans were not immune to static, either. *He raises his hand so that the back of his knuckle touches the Czar's sleeve, and a current of static runs back to the Czar.* And I believe you've misunderstood...this is a temporary body...I'm here - "alive" - for two days, then this...was made from the dust floating in your lounge here...and it will return to that same dust. I died before you were born. *He casts a small reflective spell in front of him -- double sided, so the Czar has the pleasure of seeing himself with his hair standing on end* Ah, what the heck. It doesn't look bad.

The Czar laughed.

"Nice try, but you forgot -- I have my beret on." He takes his hands off Enias's shoulders and taps the red beret with the Andropov coat of arms sewen on it. The Czar, although seventy years old, actually looked thirty, due to some freak accident during Andropov the Third's reign. It mutated the DNA so they aged slower.

"Hmm, looks like I'll have to dust this room then. So much dust to create a living thing? Lord, I might have to fire the roomkeeper." The Czar smiled when a guard came in.

"Sir, guests are starting to arrive at your flat." The Czar thanked him and dismissed him.

"I have invited all of my allies to my flat down south. Now that you're an ally, I say you can come, no?"

E -- Ah. *Shrugs* Oh well. And I doubt that it was "so much dust..." but I'll let her explain that. I'm just the tekkie.

A -- From the entire room, there was only about enough dust total to fill your cupped hands...dust likes to accumulate in and around books, in particular. The only two elements you find common anywhere in the world are dust and water...and had I been creating something that wasn't alive, I wouldn't have needed anything. Living beings are more complex...therefore require some sort of cornerstone.

***Guard scene***

A -- I would love to attend, but at the very least I have to make sure he gets home. I wouldn't miss my mother's and sister's reactions to him showing up for the world. Besides...I doubt anyone would really appreciate a noisy metal raven flying around making a mess. I'll join you and your guests shortly...I'll either be on a Gul ((ghost)) class glider or a rug. I never really understood your kind's obsession with wheeled boxes.

*She inclines her head in a semi-bow* I thank you for your hospitality this afternoon. Glider!

*The raven flutters over to her, landing on her wrist*

Communicate with Aza, will you?

*Knowing what Aza meant, Glider transformed into a site to site transportation device ((think Star Trek transporters in a replicator box)) as well as a communicator.*

A -- Aza, uss d' Maril's Drital.

*A bottle of wine appears inside Glider, and the Princess removes it. Glider comes of his form and shakes, indicating that he does not prefer that task.*

A -- My people say to "give gifts appropriately." This is an excellent wine from the year of my mother's coronation. There are only five hundred cases left in existance...officially, only twenty-five..the rest are in the Royal Store. It has a bit more...snap to it, I guess you could say...but I think you'll enjoy it, nonetheless.

The Czar takes the bottle and smiles.

"Thank you, I will enjoy this." He bows to both of them and nods to the guards.

"The Praetorian will show you to the airport."

Anna dips her head again, and her brother makes a neat bow, and they leave.

***Airport***

Glider, standing room for two.

*The raven transforms, and the Prince and Princess step on, and blaze back toward their home country*

Dang it, forgot to tell her that I could permentaly revive her brother. I've got nothing better to do, so if you don't mind, I'll join you. You remember our conversation on human transmutation, don't you? It's illegal in PP, but I doubt such laws exist here...

"Wrong," the Czar said as they were heading to the airport. "There are laws preventing any sort of thing that is not medically sanctioned. It is not God's Will for humans to be messing with His creation. Anyways, there's what we need." Kremlin One -- the "luxury" Blackhawk was starting up its rotors as they approached.

"Hop in, and we'll be off."

Here's the new thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=7992615#post7992615post7992615)