NationStates Jolt Archive

An Open Invitation from Elegantiae Arbiter
Honored Friends:
It is the pleasure of our nation to be blessed with a thriving and beautiful artistic community, filled with talent of all sorts. Most importantly to our culture, though, is the art of theatre, especially in the Grecian style.

The very finest theatre company in the nation is preforming Euripides, "The Trojan Women", and it would please our nation very much to extend our welcome to representatives from your country to attend the show and the reception afterward.

The Arbiter Julian Beauxhomme and his wife and council will also be attending, and it is our hope that our nations can use this event to strengthen already existing ties and make new ones.

Lord Daniel Armand, Domestic Minister and Advisor to the Arbiter.


----

It was a beautiful theatre and a beautiful stage, and, undoubtedly, the actress who was currently wailing upon it was a beautiful woman, but her face was concealed by a mask.

It was the traditional Greek tragedy mask, and, justly, it was a Greek tragedy. Euripides, in fact.

She wailed, gnashed her teeth and pulled at her hair, leaping into an elaborately done monologue, “Ah, woe is me! This surely is the last, the utmost limit this, of all my sorrows; forth from my land I go; my city is ablaze with flame. Yet, thou aged foot, make one painful struggle to hasten, that I may say a farewell to this wretched town. O Troy, that erst hadst such a grand career amongst barbarian towns, soon wilt thou be reft of that splendid name. Lo! they are burning thee, and leading us e'en now from our land to slavery. Great gods! Yet why call on the gods? They did not hearken e'en aforetime to our call. Come, let us rush into the flames, for to die with my country in its blazing ruin were a noble death for me.”

The lord Monroe always figured that the Queen of Troy wouldn’t refer her to beloved country as a ‘barbarian town’ and always found that intensely amusing during the entire speech. Typical Greeks, he thought, and it was almost fond – not a usual emotion when considering a fabulously ancient civilization.

Lady Isabella, who was seated beside him, gracefully dabbed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and wondered why Monroe was grinning so widely.

The actress, playing Hecuba, Queen of Troy, fell to her knees one final time.

There was no curtain, but most of those in attendance had seen or read this show countless times and so the clapping began at its proper time and place.

Lord Monroe de Cours, foreign minister of Elegantiae Arbiter rose and offered the Lady Isabella Castile his arm, which she gracefully took.

Her fan fluttered gently in front of her face, almost concealing her slow murmur.

“What did you find so amusing?” she asked.

He grinned wider and whispered back, “The fact that we invite foreign dignitaries to a play about the destruction of a great city.”

Isabella wrinkled her nose at him gently, “The Government of Elegantiae Arbiter does not effect the artistic choices of its citizens and the time was scheduled, not the event. Further, don’t be silly. You know the play better than that.”

An eyebrow quirked up, “Yes, yes, m’lady. It is about the negative effects of war on those other than the warriers, not about Troy. Hecuba, not Troy.”

She smiled enigmatically.

“Indeed.”

They reached the lobby, where extensive refreshments were displayed to attract dignitaries and all the important members of Elegantiae Arbiter were present.

Honored Friends:
It is the pleasure of our nation to be blessed with a thriving and beautiful artistic community, filled with talent of all sorts. Most importantly to our culture, though, is the art of theatre, especially in the Grecian style.

The very finest theatre company in the nation is preforming Euripides, "The Trojan Women", and it would please our nation very much to extend our welcome to representatives from your country to attend the show and the reception afterward.

The Arbiter Julian Beauxhomme and his wife and council will also be attending, and it is our hope that our nations can use this event to strengthen already existing ties and make new ones.

Lord Daniel Armand, Domestic Minister and Advisor to the Arbiter.

To the Honorable Lord Daniel Armand,

After the last festival, I have been most anxiously awaiting another chance to visit your country. I personally am an admirer of theater, and while the Grecial style is virtually unknown to Krioval, I find the chance to broaden my horizens refreshing. I would very much like to bring Kiv along with me again, as he very much enjoyed your hospitality last time. Also, perhaps my mother and children could come. My mother first introduced me to theater when I was only twelve, and I try to invite her and the rest of the family whenever I will be attending a production. Please let me know as soon as you are able. Also, give my best regards to the Lord Arbiter and his lovely wife.

Raijin Dekker

(OOC: I'll work on the "after the play" interactions a little later or in the morning, if that's all right)

Official Response from Elegantiae Arbiter

Most Respected Raijin Dekker:

It pleases us to hear from you and you are most welcome at our event. Further, your mother and family are invited with delight, and we await eagerly to meet them and to show them our island.

Our theatre troup looks forward to entertaining your family and educating you in the fine style of the Greeks.

Arbiter Beauxhomme returns his own regards and is happy to hear from you; he has every intention of expression such emotions in person at the event.

Lord Daniel Armand, Domestic Minister and Personal Advisor to the Arbiter

Bump

Bump

OOC: I feel bad responding without anyone else having answered your invitation, but I'd feel worse if I let this die without an effort. I'll make a substantial post this afternoon after I'm done with work.

IC:

The Kriovalians arrived about an hour before the performance and made their way to the performance area. They must have looked strange to the local populace; more than once they were mistaken for actors. The funniest comment had come when Kiv and Raijin, exhausted from their travel, had been walkin with arms around each other's shoulders, provoking a quick "Wow! You two really seem to have the Greek warrior culture down cold! I mean two soldiers embracing! That's exactly how they would have looked."

Alice Dekker, for "all" of her nine years, found the comparison so hilarious that she collapsed in fits of giggles and only prodding from her brother Alexei and the Lady Kriov were sufficient to get Alice moving again. Kiv and Raijin sighed, as if this comparison were commonplace to them, and they made their way to their seats.

OOC: Thank you so much for responding, don't feel bad in the slightest!


Meanwhile, before the play…


The Lord Armand was smoking a cigarillo, held between two fingers. He had large, white hands, and if they ever held still long enough, they could be seen to be carefully manicured.

In his other hand was a glass of fine red wine.

His pearly white skin and faintly rouged cheeks, combined with the bright white of all the other Elegantiaen’s attire and his own black waist-coat gave him a striking, unique air.

He carried the attention of those watching him with ease, taking a long drag of the cigarillo and discarding it.

For a long moment, he held the Lord Arbiter’s glance and his face shifted into a half smile. If one looked closely, there was a little warmth behind his eyes.

Letting the man return to his guests, Daniel Armand took another sip of redwine.

He was seated next to the Kriovals, and before he sat, he gave them a deep bow.

“Madame, Monsieurs and the Belle Mademoiselle,” he said, sending a sly little look to Alice, “I welcome you once again to our island. I believe we met the previous occasion?”

Kiv moved to introduce the crowd, but Raijin was faster.

"Lord Arbiter," he bowed almost imperceptibly. "My Lady." Raijin dipped a bit further in recognition of the Arbiter's wife. "Allow me to introduce my ever-growing family. Kiv you've already met."

The Commander gestured to his mother, who, except for a few wrinkles, betrayed no sign of her advancing years. "My mother, the Lady Adele Kriov," he paused, as if considering whether to add something. A small smile crept across his face. "The last Princess of Krioval," he added, barely stifling a giggle. The withering gaze Adele threw, full force, onto Raijin left no doubt in anybody's mind where he got his spirit from. But her wrath was short lived, as she turned and greeted her hosts.

"It is a pleasure to meet you both," she said. Leaning forward, she whispered, but loud enough for everybody nearby to hear, "I wouldn't put much stock in some of what comes out of his mouth sometimes." Having scored a point of her own, Adele seized the advantage. "And these are my grandchildren, Alice and Alexei."

Alice, who had been openly smiling at the "beautiful mademoiselle" comment strutted confidently up to the Arbiter, and in a matter-of-fact tone, said "Hello. It's really nice to meet you. I'm Alice. Actually, I'm only Raijin's, because," she looked around and lowered her voice, as if she were about to reveal some grand conspiracy, "two guys can't have a baby by themselves. There needs to be a woman. Anyway..."

Adele had been the first to recover from the shock, and in a swift, yet somehow delicate manner, she pulled Alice backward while practically shoving Alexei into the same place, finishing off the move with a barely audible "Polite and civilized" hissed into the boy's ear. It had the intended effect.

"And I am Alexei. I am honored to have been invited, Lord Arbiter. I have considered auditioning for a theatrical performance back home. Raijin and Kiv offered to let me come to your island as part of my sixteenth birthday celebration." The boy bowed far more deeply than normal for a Kriovalian, a testament to his awe at the beauty of the theater. "Perhaps you could tell me more about the history of this play?"

Raijin exhaled for the first time in almost two minutes. Adele had the look of someone who has seen the apocalypse, but through deft maneuvering, prevented, or at least delayed it. Kiv had managed to keep his composure throughout the whole thing, and finally said, "Yes, please, Lord Arbiter. We would all like to hear more about it, and the reasons you have decided on this performance for your guests."

Kids. It's always one or the other, ya know? Raijin couldn't stop the stray thought from surfacing, which of course lead straight to Kiv's response.

That was pretty clever of her, though. I mean, she's barely nine years old, and...

No more multitasking. I'm here on vacation. And with that, Raijin silenced telepathy and leaned ever so slightly toward the Arbiter to listen to his explanations.

The Lord Armand stepped back a few steps as the Arbiter took their greetings gracefully. His bright white teeth and dark skin provided a startling contrast, especially with the wideness of his grin.

“M’lady, I welcome you,” he said, and it seemed like it had a note of ritual too it.

“Madmoiselle, I welcome you,” he said with a small nod to her.

“Monsieur, I welcome you,” he told Alexai, “And I wish you a very successful birthday.”

Moving his eyes back to the Commander and his lover, his smile deepened, “And welcome once again to my island. Further, the children need not call me the Lord Arbiter. Against appearances, this is still just a democracy and I am not a hereditary ruler. Julian is sufficient.”

The Lady Andrea curtsied again, and spoke, “I’m terribly sorry, but I must greet some more guests. I do hope you’ll have a pleasant time.” She smiled, voice regretful, and shifted away from the clump in order to greet a familiar dignitary off to the side.

The Lord Armand remained beside him, off to the right and ever so slightly behind. It fell to him to answer the boy’s question.

“Have you heard the story of the Trojan War?” he said, voice soft and almost velvet. He had a gentle voice and a composed face, the warmth that shifted into both gone when he looked away from the Arbiter Julian.

Yet, earlier, at the girls comment, it was only he who displayed any reaction at all. A half smile grew across his face and he sent her a wink. He liked Alice. The others pretended not to hear whatever the Kriovalians didn’t want them too, but Armand knew what they didn’t.

The Elegantians didn’t care about their partnership. It was common among them, although they tended to have wives as well. It was something they got from the Greeks.

((Bump))

The Lord Armand stepped back a few steps as the Arbiter took their greetings gracefully. His bright white teeth and dark skin provided a startling contrast, especially with the wideness of his grin.

“M’lady, I welcome you,” he said, and it seemed like it had a note of ritual too it.

“Madmoiselle, I welcome you,” he said with a small nod to her.

“Monsieur, I welcome you,” he told Alexai, “And I wish you a very successful birthday.”

Moving his eyes back to the Commander and his lover, his smile deepened, “And welcome once again to my island. Further, the children need not call me the Lord Arbiter. Against appearances, this is still just a democracy and I am not a hereditary ruler. Julian is sufficient.”

The Lady Andrea curtsied again, and spoke, “I’m terribly sorry, but I must greet some more guests. I do hope you’ll have a pleasant time.” She smiled, voice regretful, and shifted away from the clump in order to greet a familiar dignitary off to the side.

The Lord Armand remained beside him, off to the right and ever so slightly behind. It fell to him to answer the boy’s question.

“Have you heard the story of the Trojan War?” he said, voice soft and almost velvet. He had a gentle voice and a composed face, the warmth that shifted into both gone when he looked away from the Arbiter Julian.

Yet, earlier, at the girls comment, it was only he who displayed any reaction at all. A half smile grew across his face and he sent her a wink. He liked Alice. The others pretended not to hear whatever the Kriovalians didn’t want them too, but Armand knew what they didn’t.

The Elegantians didn’t care about their partnership. It was common among them, although they tended to have wives as well. It was something they got from the Greeks.

Alexei was the first to respond to Armand's question. "I don't know all that much about it. I know more about Krioval's legendary wars - Valarok, Kirestovar, the ambush in Bralos, and," he turned to face Raijin, "the fields of Torokara. That was the one where Raijin killed the traitor High Priest with his bare hands!" The boy's eyes practically glowed with admiration at that, the implication being that the Trojan war probably didn't involve traitors with their bare hands, and thus must be a lesser struggle than Raijin's.

"Alexei," Raijin cut in. "You did ask the Lords Julian and Daniel to tell their story. It's impolite to change the subject like that." He nodded at the Elegantians. "We would like to hear about it, of course. It should make the performance more entertaining."

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

Meanwhile, Alice was prodding Adele to take her anywhere. "I live with two soldiers and a soldier wannabe!" she complained. "I can't stand talking about wars and fighting when I'm on vacation too!"

"Very well. Battle isn't my favorite subject either. Let's walk around the grounds for a few minutes. The performance should be starting soon, and I don't want to miss it."

Adele worried for a minute of what could come of leaving the male Kriovalians alone with the Arbiter. They can make so much trouble. Then she thought better of it. Screw it. I'm a diplomat pretty much every other damn day of the year. It's my vacation too.

"Will we go then, Alice?" The two stood and strolled the grounds, silently hoping that the performance would end at least the more gruesome of the war talk.

“Bare hands, m’lord?” Daniel said, with intense amusement, “Why, that’s astonishing.”

He paused and took a sip of his wine.

“But, you see. My story involves the most beautiful woman in the world and the man that a goddess gave her too. The tricky bit is, that she was already married.”

“There are a lot of pleasent stories in the world, but this isn’t one of them. This is a sad story, a story of the downfall of a great people. Three goddesses got in an argument over who was the most beautiful, and to judge, they had the youngest Prince of Troy, Paris, preside over them. Athena bribed him with wisdom, Hera with power, but Aphrodite was the wisest. Aphrodite promised him love and beauty. She promised him the hand of Helen, daughter of Zeus, who was already married to King Menelaus, a most powerful Greek king. So, when Paris was visiting the Greek Isle where he reigned, he stole her away in the night.

“However, when Helen married her king, there had been many suitors come to court her. Her father was wise, and to prevent a war over her, made all of them swear to fight anyone who dared take her away from the groom he chose for her.

“When Paris took her away, the promise still stood.”
He paused, letting the back story sink in.

“All the kings of Greece came to fight – Odysseus, Ajax, Agamemnon. But the most heroic and feared of all was Achilles, a warrior outrageously young for his vast skill. And when he left, his mother, a minor goddess, told him he was never going to go home.

“And he didn’t. The Illiad, Homer’s poem where all this was written, opens by informing the reader that the story is about the rage of Achilles, and such is true. For Achilles was the only one who could match the Trojan’s fierce warrior, Hector, and early in the long, hard war, Agamemnon offended the young man. And so, Achilles and his “lions” sat out for the fight, watching the Trojans and the Greeks destroy each other.

“Yet, Achilles had a lover by the name of Patroklos, which means ‘Glory of the Fathers’ who wasn’t content to watch the battle. And so, he stole Achilles’ armor and led the lions into battle, where he was killed.

“Achilles was devastated. He vowed that he would kill Hector and destroy the Trojans for that, and so he did. He killed Hector and violated his body, dragging it around behind his chariot.

“It wasn’t honorable, but Achilles wasn’t sane. Soon after in the long war, he too died and his mothers words were proved true.

“The Greeks were powerful, but the Trojans held out for years, the courage of Priam and his queen, Hecuba holding them together against all odds. They begged Helen to go, pleaded with her, but she refused.

“It was Odysseus the cunning who finally defeated them, disguising their doom in the form of a peace offering.”

It had been a long story, and Daniel took a sip. He sent a lop-sided smile to the people, charmingly.

“I’m sorry for going on so long, but it was a 10 year long war that this play follows. This is the story of the Trojan women, of Hecuba and her daughters as they prepare to be sold into slavery by the Greeks. It’s a story of destroyed glory and forgotten might. It isn’t a happy tale, but it is a beautiful one.”

“Bare hands, m’lord?” Daniel said, with intense amusement, “Why, that’s astonishing.”

He paused and took a sip of his wine.

"Yeah," gushed Alexei. "Actually, he did it by ripping..."

"Alexei, we do not discuss that," Kiv said, his imperious gaze practically daring the boy to challenge it. And then his attention shifted back to the Elegantian. "Please do continue," he said softly.

“But, you see. My story involves the most beautiful woman in the world and the man that a goddess gave her too. The tricky bit is, that she was already married.”

(snip)

“I’m sorry for going on so long, but it was a 10 year long war that this play follows. This is the story of the Trojan women, of Hecuba and her daughters as they prepare to be sold into slavery by the Greeks. It’s a story of destroyed glory and forgotten might. It isn’t a happy tale, but it is a beautiful one.”

"Not a unique one either," added Raijin.

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

The Kriovalian women, on the other hand, had found a secluded space to sit down, and thus the gossipping began in earnest.

"You be careful near strange men, Alice."

"Oh, grandma, they're all safe."

"I saw the way the Arbiter looked at you."

"Oh please. He looked at me for like three seconds." She paused. "Besides, I think he's a little old for me."

"Twelve is too old for you."

"Besides, Julian is more interested in Daniel than me anyway." Alice's incisive comment managed to startle the otherwise unflappable Kriov matriarch.

"Oh, really," Adele managed. "And how does little miss know-everything know that?"

"They keep giving each other those looks."

"Looks?"

"Yeah, the Raijin-and-Kiv-I-want-you-right-now looks. You didn't notice?"

"Of course I did. But it's none of my business," the older woman said, which was a strange comment to make in the middle of a gossip session. Then again, discussing the sexual preferences of a foreign head of state in said person's home had crossed the boundary separating a normal "girly" conversation from something far more dangerous, politically speaking. "Now come with me. We are going back to sit with the others."

Alice stood up, but had a defiant look on her face, at least until Adele continued with "And don't you dare make faces behind my back or stick your tongue out at me. You are a young lady and will act like one in my presence."

Adele's precognition had clearly won the day as the girl walked alongside the Lady Kriov in stunned silence.

Daniel smiled at the boy, "I'd love to hear your stories, but if your guardian objects, than I'll hold by his decision."

Glancing up through long-lashed eyes at the other man, he grinned, "Modesty is an admirable trait, after all. Rare enough, especially in a society such as ours. The Greeks lived and died by their kleos or fame, and some of us hold

At the man's comment about the Trojan War, Julian stepped in to reply. Daniel had a paticular affinity for that tale and might get unduly defensive.

"It has been told for many thousands of years," he said smoothly, "and from that, has lent many features to many other stories. But no story is truely unique, in actuality, and that is what make art so beautiful. It is the adaptation of known elements in unpredictable ways. Aesthetics, in my opinion, is manipulation of the highest and most noble sort.

"But I digress. Have you ever seen a play in the ancient Greek style before?"

---

The Lady Andrea Armand, Daniel's wife, was quietly chatting with the Lady Euralie Beauxhomme, Julian's wife. They were close friends and frequently were in each others company while their husbands were off on diplomatic business or they were on diplomacy missions instead.

Andrea caught sight of the two woman heading back to wear the men were discussing and gently touched her friends arm.

"Let us join our husbands and their guests, m'lady?" she said, pulling the woolen shawl around her shoulders.

"Indeed, let's."

They walked over, their skirts making soft hissing noises.

Andrea curtsied and Euralie nodded to them, both smiling sweetly.

"Hello, my friends," Andrea said, "I do believe you already know the Lady Euralie Beauxhomme and I am Lady Andrea Armand."

She linked her arm with her husband, smilling for a brief moment. He smiled back, raising an eyebrow.

They made a very attractive pair.

"But I digress. Have you ever seen a play in the ancient Greek style before?"

It was all Raijin and Alexei could do not to giggle. Through whatever quirk of fate, the only time they had heard the phrase "ancient Greek style" involved nudity, and the sudden use of the phrase had blindsided both of them. Thus it was up to the Kriovalian General to salvage the situation.

"I am afraid not," came the smooth response. "What exactly does it entail?"

Kiv tried desperately to keep the attention of his hosts while simultaneously shooting daggers out of his eyes at the boy and the Commander. Of course, both Raijin and Alexei were desperately trying not to make eye contact, lest their resolve crumble and laughter come forth. Did Kiv just ask what it entails? they both wondered.

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

Salvation arrived for the two when the women returned to the assemblage. Upon the two Elegantian ladies' introduction, Adele jumped in.

"I am Adele Kriov. My son, Raijin Dekker. His husband, Kiv Andros, and their children, Alice and Alexei." She didn't realize that she had used the word "husband" until her spiel was over, but she mentally shrugged it off. If she and Alice were correct, it should barely make a ripple. And if it did, well, Adele had always wondered what a horribly mismanaged diplomatic situation looked like.

{{OOC: " And if it did, well, Adele had always wondered what a horribly mismanaged diplomatic situation looked like." *gush* What a lovely sentence!}}

Again, Julian acted as if there was no reaction. If this meeting was to be taken as absolute truth, one might suppose that he had no sense of humor.

Daniel just seemed confused. He didn't catch the humor.

Julian answered the Commanders question, "Well, it is highly stylized. There are masks and only one costume for all the actors. Something uniquely Greek is the existance of the chorus, a group of people who seem to be telling the story the rests of the actors are living."

----

Andrea's eyebrow raised sharply at the introduction.

"Husband? That is an interesting custom. Is it common, in your land?" she said, politely.

It wasn't scandalized or offended, but there was a faint note of confusion in the back of her voice. Elegantiaens considered marriage having only two true purporses; appeasing the priests and making any children legitimate. They didn't see the bond as particularly binding and love-matches were common, but still for the purpose of children.

Since they had children, she understood that much, but she couldn't figure out how.

"Well, it is highly stylized. There are masks and only one costume for all the actors. Something uniquely Greek is the existance of the chorus, a group of people who seem to be telling the story the rests of the actors are living."

Raijin sobered immediately. "Ah. That sounds most interesting."

Alexei wasn't quite so skillful. The statement "only one costume for all the actors" simply reinforced his earlier thoughts, and being sixteen and male, the dirty mind effect was practically instantaneous. The boy exploded into gales of laughter. Both the men swiveled to look at him, wondering at the cause of Alexei's sudden fit of hysterics. Recognition lit up the Commander's eyes.

"I don't he meant like that, Alexei," came Raijin's response. Apparently the dirty mind effect was still strong in the older male, albeit a bit slower for his thirty-six years. Kiv rolled his eyes as he finally got it - being forty-one had its advantages, he realized.

The arrival and introduction of the women had put an end to the embarrassment, until the word "husband" flew out of the Lady Kriov's mouth. At least the response was curiosity, rather than shock or outrage.

"Husband? That is an interesting custom. Is it common, in your land?" she said, politely.

"It's not uncommon for two men or two women to marry in Krioval." Raijin was on top of this question, having answered it about a million times in his life. "Kriovalian genetics are..." he fumbled for the best word before settling on "...complicated. Somewhere between ten and twenty percent of Kriovalians are either homosexual or bisexual. Even our faith approves of it. Several of our Gods and Goddesses formed similar bonds among themselves. Surely Elegantia must have some way to deal with the issue of same-sex relationships."

Raijin was many things, naive being one of them, but completely dense not. Even he had figured out that something was going on, and his instincts led him to his last question. Ultimately, he decided, it didn't really matter what their response was. He could just ask Alice when they got home.