Cielonia
04-04-2005, 04:56
They knew the world probably wouldn't care, but they came out anyway.
A crowd of government officials stood upon the broad, palm-lined stairs leading up to the arched entrance of the Duca Palatia at the heart of the city of Cielon. Most of the hundred Barons and Baronesses of the Grand Council, each newly elected to his or her respective honorific rank, stood in neat lines along the white stone steps, each garbed in the typical formal attire of Cielonians - an odd cross between a formal suit and casual wear, with long and breezy trousers, short-sleeved coats and white shirts, and no ties - merely a pendant about the neck of each Baron, silver with a small emerald inset. The group was an odd mix of Eastern Asians and Western Europeans - perhaps suggestive of a colony of settlers integrated among the locals.
At the foot of the stairwell, a sturdy wooden podium had been erected; it was this podium and its occupant that were the focus of the shot, the various Barons merely a backdrop. The man at the podium was not a physically imposing figure, standing five foot six and built so slimly as to appear fragile, breakable perhaps by a good gust of wind. His graying hair still showed signs of auburn here and there, neatly combed back down his scalp with an errant lock occasionally straying across his forehead. Silver-rimmed spectacles seemed to magnify his already large hazel eyes, their gaze calm and intelligent. As did his colleagues he wore the short-sleeved suit so amicable to Cielonia's lush climate, though his was unique in its khaki-brown color; also unique was the gold of his pendant, set with a diamond.
"My fellow Cielonians," begins the bespectacled man, "fellow citizens of the region of Asia, and of the world at large. I offer greetings and a fond welcome on behalf of the government and people of the Grand Duchy of Cielonia. My name is Francis St. Marie, and I am privileged to have been elected to the position of Grand Duke by the Cielonian people."
"Let it be known that from this day forth the Grand Duchy of Cielonia will stand as a free and sovereign nation, decidated to strength in liberty and prosperity in freedom. We are a peace-loving nation and seek no conflict with any of our brothers in this global village, yet in that same token we will not hesitate to defend our freedoms against those who would seek to deny them. The primary goal of the Grand Duchy of Cielonia is to prosper peacefully, in harmony with the earth and with those who inhabit it."
"In the spirit of brotherhood I extend a hand of friendship to those freedom-loving peoples who would accept it. I also hereby extend an invitation to friendly nations to engage in trade with us. Furthermore, our borders are open to tourists from all nations who respect our freedom and our sovereignty. Mother Earth has blessed our islands with a lush natural landscape, one we are eager to share with those willing to appreciate the beauty of the earth's gifts."
"On behalf of the Cielonian people I bid all of you goodwill and wish prosperity upon all. Thank you."
And with that reporters begin to rush the podium, babbling questions as the image fades to darkness.
A crowd of government officials stood upon the broad, palm-lined stairs leading up to the arched entrance of the Duca Palatia at the heart of the city of Cielon. Most of the hundred Barons and Baronesses of the Grand Council, each newly elected to his or her respective honorific rank, stood in neat lines along the white stone steps, each garbed in the typical formal attire of Cielonians - an odd cross between a formal suit and casual wear, with long and breezy trousers, short-sleeved coats and white shirts, and no ties - merely a pendant about the neck of each Baron, silver with a small emerald inset. The group was an odd mix of Eastern Asians and Western Europeans - perhaps suggestive of a colony of settlers integrated among the locals.
At the foot of the stairwell, a sturdy wooden podium had been erected; it was this podium and its occupant that were the focus of the shot, the various Barons merely a backdrop. The man at the podium was not a physically imposing figure, standing five foot six and built so slimly as to appear fragile, breakable perhaps by a good gust of wind. His graying hair still showed signs of auburn here and there, neatly combed back down his scalp with an errant lock occasionally straying across his forehead. Silver-rimmed spectacles seemed to magnify his already large hazel eyes, their gaze calm and intelligent. As did his colleagues he wore the short-sleeved suit so amicable to Cielonia's lush climate, though his was unique in its khaki-brown color; also unique was the gold of his pendant, set with a diamond.
"My fellow Cielonians," begins the bespectacled man, "fellow citizens of the region of Asia, and of the world at large. I offer greetings and a fond welcome on behalf of the government and people of the Grand Duchy of Cielonia. My name is Francis St. Marie, and I am privileged to have been elected to the position of Grand Duke by the Cielonian people."
"Let it be known that from this day forth the Grand Duchy of Cielonia will stand as a free and sovereign nation, decidated to strength in liberty and prosperity in freedom. We are a peace-loving nation and seek no conflict with any of our brothers in this global village, yet in that same token we will not hesitate to defend our freedoms against those who would seek to deny them. The primary goal of the Grand Duchy of Cielonia is to prosper peacefully, in harmony with the earth and with those who inhabit it."
"In the spirit of brotherhood I extend a hand of friendship to those freedom-loving peoples who would accept it. I also hereby extend an invitation to friendly nations to engage in trade with us. Furthermore, our borders are open to tourists from all nations who respect our freedom and our sovereignty. Mother Earth has blessed our islands with a lush natural landscape, one we are eager to share with those willing to appreciate the beauty of the earth's gifts."
"On behalf of the Cielonian people I bid all of you goodwill and wish prosperity upon all. Thank you."
And with that reporters begin to rush the podium, babbling questions as the image fades to darkness.