NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This takes place about a year afterwards. Rice forgot everything she might have done otherwise. :)
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Kremlin Palace

Czar Alexei sent out his invitation to the President of Formal Dances. Everything at the Kremlin was set up already. There was an SUV at RAMC Airport for the awaiting plane, and the F35 Fighters were waiting for the order to escort.

Meanawhile, the Czar sat in his office, going over the usual bullcrap a head of state had to deal with. He had a headache, and had large circles under his eyes. He turned up the boombox that was playing Within Temptation. He'd need some sleep before Kathrine's arrival, but that could be managed.

He hoped.

OOC: Not a great post, but we can run with it.

OOC: Don't worry! I'll make up for it! giggles.

President Katherine Rice received the invitation. When she opened it and read it, she called for her aide.

"Yes madam President."

"I have received a personal invite to Derscon. I have Dancer one loaded and have my usual escorts ready."

"Yes ma'am. It can be done in an hour."

"Good! That gives me enough time to change."

When her aide left, she used the second door that was in her office that lead directly to her suite. She entered her bedroom and rummaged through her closet. She pulled out a very lovely blue semi-formal (I may love formalwear but comeon, she does have a plane ride) and changes into it.

She looked at herself in the mirror and applied a touch of makeup and puts on a diamond neckless. When she finished, she nodded to herself. At that moment, her aide knocked on the door.

When she entered, she smiled. "Lovely Madam President."

"Thanks. Is everything set?"

"Everything will be inplace when you arrive at the Capitol Air Base." (Home of Dancer 1)"

"Good. Lets be off then."

They walked out of her suite and proceeded down the stairs and out the door to her waiting limo. The limo and escorts left the capitol grounds and headed for the Air Base. They arrived 15 minutes later and she was escorted up into the plane. After she and her aide and the rest of the usual suspects got settled in, the plane taxied and took off.

After several hours and a nap, the plane arrived over Derscon.

This is Dancer 1 to Dersconi Traffic Control. We are hear with our escorts (6 F-22s) at the invite of the Czar. We are requesting landing instructions

OOC: :D
========
Fighters, redirect to Moscow Luftwaffe Base, north-north west. Formal One, Runway seven is cleared. You will find it as the runway with the large white "FD" on it. Runway seven is your private runway, Ma'am.

The F-35s joined up with Formal One and led it down to Runway Seven. The fighters did not land, though. They tagged along with the Formal Dances Rapier fighters to Moscow Air Force.

On the ground, the armoured SUV pulled up to the stairway, and three of the twenty PRaetorian Guards came out and whisked her in, and they drove off to Kremlin Palace.


The SUV pulled up into the front section of the Palace. A massive fountain was in the middle. The SUV parked in front of the stairway (still outside), and Kathrine plus the guards exited the vehicle and went up the stairs into the new addition. The new addition to the front was just to give it a better look, along with improve security.

Kathrine was immediately brought up to the Imperial Hall, and after a long walk through the marble columns -- one per Royal House -- they arrived at the oak/gold door, leading into the secretary's office. Upon entrance, the door into the Star Office was open, and Alexei could be seen in the background. He smiled when she came in.

"Kathrine! Good to see you again." He came around and embraced her (as is Dersconi custom), and led her to the bar after dismissing the guards.

"The office is for official functions. We will not be here." He pulled down the second tap of root beer and the bar slid away, exposing a stairway. As they walked down it, the light decreased, to almost nothing. Alexei pushed a button, shutting off all light, as it closed the bar back up, but it then opened up the wall in front of them, and they walked into the lounge. Alexei turned around and shut the door, which was actually a very large plasma screen television, along with the wall underneath. He led her to a couch in the centre of the room, and he sat opposite of her.

"So, how are things going?"

President Rice just stared around at her surroundings.

"Things are going as well as can be expected. Just trying to compromise with members of the opposite parties to get important legislation through for the betterment of the nation. How are things with you?"

President Rice just stared around at her surroundings.

"Things are going as well as can be expected. Just trying to compromise with members of the opposite parties to get important legislation through for the betterment of the nation. How are things with you?"

Alexei smirked. "I just saw some stuff in the budget and I decided to use my handy-dandy Tax Eraser--" Alexei pulled out a thing that looked like a roll of tape, but it was actually White Out. "And cut down on some government pork, saving the citizens some money." He walked up to the bar behind him and poured some Napoleon Cognac Private REserve. He turned to Rice.

"You want anything? I've got wimp-drinks....er....non-alchoholic drinks, too," he said, smiling and with a wink.

Alexei smirked. "I just saw some stuff in the budget and I decided to use my handy-dandy Tax Eraser--" Alexei pulled out a thing that looked like a roll of tape, but it was actually White Out. "And cut down on some government pork, saving the citizens some money." He walked up to the bar behind him and poured some Napoleon Cognac Private REserve. He turned to Rice.

"You want anything? I've got wimp-drinks....er....non-alchoholic drinks, too," he said, smiling and with a wink.

"I'll have a small glass of what your having please. Life has been stressful and I know it'll help me relax."

She sighed heavily. "I wish I could just take white out to help save my people money as well. I could just veto the whole budget with a note that says cut the pork but that'll get Congres very hot at me as well as the people. Anyway, let me ask you a frank question. Why the invite? Ever since I got it, I've been wondering about it." She said as she took her drink and took a small sip.

He nodded. "Excellent choice." He poured another glass and handed it to Katherine.

"What's the invite?" He took a sip. "Well, catch up, maybe become closer allies, etc, etc." The way Alexei looked at Rice, though, one could tell there was more to it.

He nodded. "Excellent choice." He poured another glass and handed it to Katherine.

"What's the invite?" He took a sip. "Well, catch up, maybe become closer allies, etc, etc." The way Alexei looked at Rice, though, one could tell there was more to it.

Rice stares back at him. "I can understand that. Maybe we can become closer allies. What would you like to do to bring that about? A military alliance or trade or cultural exchange?" Rice asked while still looking at him.

Alexei shruged. "I'm up for a...cultural exchange." A slight smile formed on his face, barely noticable. He swirled his drink around a little, whether to appear comfortable....then again, he might be comfortable with these situations. Who knew?

Alexei shruged. "I'm up for a...cultural exchange." A slight smile formed on his face, barely noticable. He swirled his drink around a little, whether to appear comfortable....then again, he might be comfortable with these situations. Who knew?

"A culture exchange it will be then." Rice stated as she sees the little smile forming on Alexei's face. "When would you like to hammer out such a treaty?"

"A culture exchange it will be then." Rice stated as she sees the little smile forming on Alexei's face. "When would you like to hammer out such a treaty?"

"Oh," he began, knowing that Rice saw the smile. "How about over dinner? There's a decent place here in RAMC, and the Sands Hotel in Moscow is a very nice place." Alexei wondered if Katherine was good at connecting the dots. if she was, she'd probably already know what was going to happen. After all, Alexei and Katherine have known each other personally for about year and a half, now.

"Oh," he began, knowing that Rice saw the smile. "How about over dinner? There's a decent place here in RAMC, and the Sands Hotel in Moscow is a very nice place." Alexei wondered if Katherine was good at connecting the dots. if she was, she'd probably already know what was going to happen. After all, Alexei and Katherine have known each other personally for about year and a half, now.

"A dinner sounds good." she replied. "I think I would rather have dinner though at the Sands Hotel. I don't like eating dinneron military bases." she stated matter of factly.

"A dinner sounds good." she replied. "I think I would rather have dinner though at the Sands Hotel. I don't like eating dinneron military bases." she stated matter of factly.

Alexei smiled, but shook his head. "The Murmansk Naval Base Officer's Club has some of the best food in the nation, but that's too far away. The Sands Hotel it is, then." He checked his pocket for an item, nodded to himself, and stood up after looking at his watch.

"I'm hungry, and this is when I normally have dinner. How about we go?" A guard already called the Sands for their table, so reservations were not needed to be worried about.

Alexei smiled, but shook his head. "The Murmansk Naval Base Officer's Club has some of the best food in the nation, but that's too far away. The Sands Hotel it is, then." He checked his pocket for an item, nodded to himself, and stood up after looking at his watch.

"I'm hungry, and this is when I normally have dinner. How about we go?" A guard already called the Sands for their table, so reservations were not needed to be worried about.

"What now?" she asked! "Am I properly dressed or do I have to have something more formal on?"

"What now?" she asked! "Am I properly dressed or do I have to have something more formal on?"

Alexei laughed. "Nah. You're fine. We Dersconi don't have too many formal functions." He put out his hand, helping Katherine up, and walked her to his custom-designed Cadillac Cien (not released to the public), worth about four and a half million dollars. Alexei opened the passenger door for Katherine, and when she entered, he got in his own side. Alexei turned to Katherine.

"You ready? Oh, don't forget your seatbelt. Don't mind the speed, either. There are no speed limits on the autobahn."

Alexei laughed. "Nah. You're fine. We Dersconi don't have too many formal functions." He put out his hand, helping Katherine up, and walked her to his custom-designed Cadillac Cien (not released to the public), worth about four and a half million dollars. Alexei opened the passenger door for Katherine, and when she entered, he got in his own side. Alexei turned to Katherine.

"You ready? Oh, don't forget your seatbelt. Don't mind the speed, either. There are no speed limits on the autobahn."

"Yes I'm ready." she said as she puts her purse next to her. She then buckles up and prepares for a ride.

Alexei nods and drives out of RAMC. When he exits the final gate, he drives through the roads in the woods. The sunlight was coming through the tops of the trees, and a few deer could be seen inside. It was almost as if the animals knew the prominence of the people inside, and stayed aside to show respect.

Or they were scared of a car going fifty down a windy road, one or the other.

They finally got out of the woods five minutes later, and got onto the ramp to the autobahn, heading north-north-west, according to the one computer monitor, to Moscow. Alexei smirked.

"I haven't driven this thing in awhile. Let's see what she can do." He winked at Katherine when he started accelerating.

50...75...100...125...150...175...200...

Alexei wasn't watching the speedometer, he was more concerned with the HUD on the monitor. It gave the driver a warning if he was not a safe enough distance away from a rear-end collision with a car, without ample time to slow down. (It varied according to his speed.)

Katherine, on the other hand, was watching the speedometre, currently reading two-fifty.

Alexei looked over at Katherine, had a very sly grin on his face, flipped up a red switch, and pressed a button, injecting nitros into the engine.

Zoom.

Alexei and Katherine were pushed back in their seats as the car topped over 500 mph. THe monitor was flashing red with a siren inside the car.

WARNING! OVERHEAT! WARNING! OVERHEAT!

Alexei hit the emergency cool button, and slowed his speed down to fifty, pulling over into the far-right lane. When the gauge for engine temperature went back down to normal, Alexei started laughing. He finally collected himself and grinned at Katherine.

"Well, I now know not to do that again! Anyways, we should be at the Sands in about three minutes." The first off-ramp into Moscow was the direct south exit, taking Sobornaya Ploshad Road, and following it into the Sands parking lot.

He drove up and parked his own car, as he preffered, and escorted Katherine to the door, positioning her towards the building, as called for in the codes of Chivalry, some of which was preserved in Derscon.

The entred the foyer, and the greeter noticed them immediately, considering the Czar was in his semi-formal attire. The greeter bowed low, and Alexei returned it.

"God's Blessing, Czar Andropov, President Rice. Your table awaits." He took two menus and led Alexei and Katherine to their reserved table, in their "VIP" room. Frank Sinatra (who is alive and young, in Derscon :)) was due on stage in a few minutes.

"I hope you enjoy whatever you might order. Do call a waiter when you are ready." With that the greeter bowed and left.

The table was in a back corner, facing the stage. A white laced tablecloth was on the oak table, along with a candle assembly in the shape of a cross. Menus were on both ends of the table. They didn't sit across from each other, rather the table was a semicircle, but at the top it formed half a square, which they sat at. This allowed for a better viewing of the stage.

What Katherine and Alexei (to a point) didn't know was that the Secret Service branch of the Praesillei Dei (the ones that go under cover), were situated at tables nearby, along with at the enterance to the Sands.

Czar Andropov XIV turned to President Rice. "So, here's the drink menu," he said, giving the minimenu on the table to Katherine. "I've memorized it," he said, grinning, "so I don't need it. Take a look. They have good drinks, hard and soft."

Alexei nods and drives out of RAMC. When he exits the final gate, he drives through the roads in the woods. The sunlight was coming through the tops of the trees, and a few deer could be seen inside. It was almost as if the animals knew the prominence of the people inside, and stayed aside to show respect.

Or they were scared of a car going fifty down a windy road, one or the other.

They finally got out of the woods five minutes later, and got onto the ramp to the autobahn, heading north-north-west, according to the one computer monitor, to Moscow. Alexei smirked.

"I haven't driven this thing in awhile. Let's see what she can do." He winked at Katherine when he started accelerating.

50...75...100...125...150...175...200...

Alexei wasn't watching the speedometer, he was more concerned with the HUD on the monitor. It gave the driver a warning if he was not a safe enough distance away from a rear-end collision with a car, without ample time to slow down. (It varied according to his speed.)

Katherine, on the other hand, was watching the speedometre, currently reading two-fifty.

Alexei looked over at Katherine, had a very sly grin on his face, flipped up a red switch, and pressed a button, injecting nitros into the engine.

Zoom.

Alexei and Katherine were pushed back in their seats as the car topped over 500 mph. THe monitor was flashing red with a siren inside the car.

WARNING! OVERHEAT! WARNING! OVERHEAT!

Alexei hit the emergency cool button, and slowed his speed down to fifty, pulling over into the far-right lane. When the gauge for engine temperature went back down to normal, Alexei started laughing. He finally collected himself and grinned at Katherine.

"Well, I now know not to do that again! Anyways, we should be at the Sands in about three minutes." The first off-ramp into Moscow was the direct south exit, taking Sobornaya Ploshad Road, and following it into the Sands parking lot.

He drove up and parked his own car, as he preffered, and escorted Katherine to the door, positioning her towards the building, as called for in the codes of Chivalry, some of which was preserved in Derscon.

The entred the foyer, and the greeter noticed them immediately, considering the Czar was in his semi-formal attire. The greeter bowed low, and Alexei returned it.

"God's Blessing, Czar Andropov, President Rice. Your table awaits." He took two menus and led Alexei and Katherine to their reserved table, in their "VIP" room. Frank Sinatra (who is alive and young, in Derscon :)) was due on stage in a few minutes.

"I hope you enjoy whatever you might order. Do call a waiter when you are ready." With that the greeter bowed and left.

The table was in a back corner, facing the stage. A white laced tablecloth was on the oak table, along with a candle assembly in the shape of a cross. Menus were on both ends of the table. They didn't sit across from each other, rather the table was a semicircle, but at the top it formed half a square, which they sat at. This allowed for a better viewing of the stage.

What Katherine and Alexei (to a point) didn't know was that the Secret Service branch of the Praesillei Dei (the ones that go under cover), were situated at tables nearby, along with at the enterance to the Sands.

Czar Andropov XIV turned to President Rice. "So, here's the drink menu," he said, giving the minimenu on the table to Katherine. "I've memorized it," he said, grinning, "so I don't need it. Take a look. They have good drinks, hard and soft."

Alexei nods and drives out of RAMC. When he exits the final gate, he drives through the roads in the woods. The sunlight was coming through the tops of the trees, and a few deer could be seen inside. It was almost as if the animals knew the prominence of the people inside, and stayed aside to show respect.

Or they were scared of a car going fifty down a windy road, one or the other.

They finally got out of the woods five minutes later, and got onto the ramp to the autobahn, heading north-north-west, according to the one computer monitor, to Moscow. Alexei smirked.

"I haven't driven this thing in awhile. Let's see what she can do." He winked at Katherine when he started accelerating.

50...75...100...125...150...175...200...

Alexei wasn't watching the speedometer, he was more concerned with the HUD on the monitor. It gave the driver a warning if he was not a safe enough distance away from a rear-end collision with a car, without ample time to slow down. (It varied according to his speed.)

Katherine, on the other hand, was watching the speedometre, currently reading two-fifty.

Alexei looked over at Katherine, had a very sly grin on his face, flipped up a red switch, and pressed a button, injecting nitros into the engine.

Zoom.

Alexei and Katherine were pushed back in their seats as the car topped over 500 mph. THe monitor was flashing red with a siren inside the car.

WARNING! OVERHEAT! WARNING! OVERHEAT!

Alexei hit the emergency cool button, and slowed his speed down to fifty, pulling over into the far-right lane. When the gauge for engine temperature went back down to normal, Alexei started laughing. He finally collected himself and grinned at Katherine.

"Well, I now know not to do that again! Anyways, we should be at the Sands in about three minutes." The first off-ramp into Moscow was the direct south exit, taking Sobornaya Ploshad Road, and following it into the Sands parking lot.

He drove up and parked his own car, as he preffered, and escorted Katherine to the door, positioning her towards the building, as called for in the codes of Chivalry, some of which was preserved in Derscon.

The entred the foyer, and the greeter noticed them immediately, considering the Czar was in his semi-formal attire. The greeter bowed low, and Alexei returned it.

"God's Blessing, Czar Andropov, President Rice. Your table awaits." He took two menus and led Alexei and Katherine to their reserved table, in their "VIP" room. Frank Sinatra (who is alive and young, in Derscon :)) was due on stage in a few minutes.

"I hope you enjoy whatever you might order. Do call a waiter when you are ready." With that the greeter bowed and left.

The table was in a back corner, facing the stage. A white laced tablecloth was on the oak table, along with a candle assembly in the shape of a cross. Menus were on both ends of the table. They didn't sit across from each other, rather the table was a semicircle, but at the top it formed half a square, which they sat at. This allowed for a better viewing of the stage.

What Katherine and Alexei (to a point) didn't know was that the Secret Service branch of the Praesillei Dei (the ones that go under cover), were situated at tables nearby, along with at the enterance to the Sands.

Czar Andropov XIV turned to President Rice. "So, here's the drink menu," he said, giving the minimenu on the table to Katherine. "I've memorized it," he said, grinning, "so I don't need it. Take a look. They have good drinks, hard and soft."

Alexei nods and drives out of RAMC. When he exits the final gate, he drives through the roads in the woods. The sunlight was coming through the tops of the trees, and a few deer could be seen inside. It was almost as if the animals knew the prominence of the people inside, and stayed aside to show respect.

Or they were scared of a car going fifty down a windy road, one or the other.

They finally got out of the woods five minutes later, and got onto the ramp to the autobahn, heading north-north-west, according to the one computer monitor, to Moscow. Alexei smirked.

"I haven't driven this thing in awhile. Let's see what she can do." He winked at Katherine when he started accelerating.

50...75...100...125...150...175...200...

Alexei wasn't watching the speedometer, he was more concerned with the HUD on the monitor. It gave the driver a warning if he was not a safe enough distance away from a rear-end collision with a car, without ample time to slow down. (It varied according to his speed.)

Katherine, on the other hand, was watching the speedometre, currently reading two-fifty.

Alexei looked over at Katherine, had a very sly grin on his face, flipped up a red switch, and pressed a button, injecting nitros into the engine.

Zoom.

Alexei and Katherine were pushed back in their seats as the car topped over 500 mph. THe monitor was flashing red with a siren inside the car.

WARNING! OVERHEAT! WARNING! OVERHEAT!

Alexei hit the emergency cool button, and slowed his speed down to fifty, pulling over into the far-right lane. When the gauge for engine temperature went back down to normal, Alexei started laughing. He finally collected himself and grinned at Katherine.

"Well, I now know not to do that again! Anyways, we should be at the Sands in about three minutes." The first off-ramp into Moscow was the direct south exit, taking Sobornaya Ploshad Road, and following it into the Sands parking lot.

He drove up and parked his own car, as he preffered, and escorted Katherine to the door, positioning her towards the building, as called for in the codes of Chivalry, some of which was preserved in Derscon.

The entred the foyer, and the greeter noticed them immediately, considering the Czar was in his semi-formal attire. The greeter bowed low, and Alexei returned it.

"God's Blessing, Czar Andropov, President Rice. Your table awaits." He took two menus and led Alexei and Katherine to their reserved table, in their "VIP" room. Frank Sinatra (who is alive and young, in Derscon :)) was due on stage in a few minutes.

"I hope you enjoy whatever you might order. Do call a waiter when you are ready." With that the greeter bowed and left.

The table was in a back corner, facing the stage. A white laced tablecloth was on the oak table, along with a candle assembly in the shape of a cross. Menus were on both ends of the table. They didn't sit across from each other, rather the table was a semicircle, but at the top it formed half a square, which they sat at. This allowed for a better viewing of the stage.

What Katherine and Alexei (to a point) didn't know was that the Secret Service branch of the Praesillei Dei (the ones that go under cover), were situated at tables nearby, along with at the enterance to the Sands.

Czar Andropov XIV turned to President Rice. "So, here's the drink menu," he said, giving the minimenu on the table to Katherine. "I've memorized it," he said, grinning, "so I don't need it. Take a look. They have good drinks, hard and soft."

Katherine looked over the list.

"I think I'll have a small glass of Chardenay please!"

Katherine looked over the list.

"I think I'll have a small glass of Chardenay please!"

"Good choice," Alexei said. He knew that there was a case there. He called for the roaming waiter, and he came.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I'll take a small Chardrnay for this fine lady to my right," he said, smiling and motioning to President Rice. "And a glass of Napoleon Premier -- your private stock." The waiter smirked.

"I see you frequent the VIP section often, Mr. Andropov." Alexei nodded.

"Indeed." He nodded and bowed to Rice and Andropov.

"I shall be back as soon as possible." When the waiter departed, Alexei turned back to Rice.

"So, how's the family back in FD, Katherine?"

"Good choice," Alexei said. He knew that there was a case there. He called for the roaming waiter, and he came.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I'll take a small Chardrnay for this fine lady to my right," he said, smiling and motioning to President Rice. "And a glass of Napoleon Premier -- your private stock." The waiter smirked.

"I see you frequent the VIP section often, Mr. Andropov." Alexei nodded.

"Indeed." He nodded and bowed to Rice and Andropov.

"I shall be back as soon as possible." When the waiter departed, Alexei turned back to Rice.

"So, how's the family back in FD, Katherine?"

"They are doing ok! Mom has been down lately but she always gets this way this time of year. My sister and her family are also doing well." Rice said.

"That's good," Alexei responded. Sinatra just walked on after Alexei finished. His first song was his remake of Fly Me To The Moon. Alexei's hand was shaking slightly, and he did his best to control it, finally putting it in his lap to hide it. Czar Andropov was trying to stay cool, but he was nervous about something.

Thank God, Alexei thought, when the waiter arrived with the drinks.

"A Chardonay for the Lady," he said with a thick British accent, handing the drink to Katherine. "And a House Special --" the waiter said with a wink -- "for His Majesty." Alexei took the drink and nodded.

"Thank you." THe waiter then bowed. "You are welcome. Call when you are ready for your food. We are in no rush to serve, as you can see!" he said, smiling and motioning to the half-empty room. Most of the people were up front, listening intently to Sinatra. He finally left, and Alexei sighed, taking a drink of his wine.

"Katherine, I never asked you -- what denomination of Christianity are you? I remember you stating that you believed in Jesus, but I don't believe I asked you what denomination you were."

"That's good," Alexei responded. Sinatra just walked on after Alexei finished. His first song was his remake of Fly Me To The Moon. Alexei's hand was shaking slightly, and he did his best to control it, finally putting it in his lap to hide it. Czar Andropov was trying to stay cool, but he was nervous about something.

Thank God, Alexei thought, when the waiter arrived with the drinks.

"A Chardonay for the Lady," he said with a thick British accent, handing the drink to Katherine. "And a House Special --" the waiter said with a wink -- "for His Majesty." Alexei took the drink and nodded.

"Thank you." THe waiter then bowed. "You are welcome. Call when you are ready for your food. We are in no rush to serve, as you can see!" he said, smiling and motioning to the half-empty room. Most of the people were up front, listening intently to Sinatra. He finally left, and Alexei sighed, taking a drink of his wine.

"Katherine, I never asked you -- what denomination of Christianity are you? I remember you stating that you believed in Jesus, but I don't believe I asked you what denomination you were."

"Please, call me Kathy." she stated as she sipped her wine. "As for my denomination, I'm methodist."

Well, that works, Alexei thought. "Okay, then, Kathy." He took a sip of his drink.

"Methodist, eh? That's what my brother is. Kinda liberal for my liking, but you're not Catholic, so I can deal with it," he said, smirking and with a wink. Switching his attention to the stage, he heard Sinatra singing I Only Have Eyes For You. Alexei smiled to himself. He knew all the words, and in school, was the star singer and soloist in the choir and musicals. So he did what any good person would do -- sing along. It helped that his singing voice was retained.

"Are the stars out tonight, I don't know if it's cloudy or bright. I only have eyes for you, dear." He winked at Katherine.

"The moon, it may be high, but I can't see as thing in the sky. I only have eyes, for you!" He raised his glass and saluted Katherine with it. She blushed, and Alexei got close on the booth seat, making her face go even more red, and more so when Alexei tickled Kathy playfully.

"I don't know if we're in a garden, or on a crowded avenue! You are here, so am I; maybe billions of people get by. They all disappear from view! And I only have eyes for you!" When the brass went into their solo, Alexei chuckled.

"Ah, good times, back then," he said, recollecting his past in High School.

Kathy just stared at him.

"You have a very nice singing voice. Did you use to sing in a choir or something? I used to sing in my choir but I haven't sung in quite sometime.

"Now, Alexei. I know you didn't ask me out here to show off your singing voice. Infact, I know your hiding something and it isn't terms for a cultural treaty. What is it?"

Alexei shook his head. "Hmm, no sense of humour, eh? I did sing in a choir, in fact. All through my grade school years." He shruged, and then got serious, holding Katherine's hand.

"Katherine, we've known each other for about a year and a half now, no? We've also gotten to know each other quite well. But, there's something, something more to it then that." He looked down at the table, and looked directly into Katherine's eyes.

"Italian's have a phrase for it, being struck by the thunderbolt. When I first saw you, that's what happened -- the thunderbolt from heaven. There was something about you that drew me towards you. Even during the little incident --" he was reffering to the problems when Alexei signed the ban on Freemasonry -- "I still felt something for you. I know what it is now. I'm not to good with words," he said, smiling sheepishly. "But there are somethings that words just don't cut it anyways." Alexei then got on one knee, still holding Katherine's hand.

"Katherine Rice, will you marry me?" he said, pulling out the ring box from his pocket and opening it. As to his late father's advice, it wasn't superfancy, regardless of Alexei's wealth. Czar Andropov remembered his father talking about it. Don't buy a real fancy ring for engagement, or it will seem like you are trying to buy her love. Don't buy a real plain one, either, or she'll think you don't care. It's a guessing game, really, but if God wants the marriage to happen, then you'll pick the right one. Alexei hoped his father was right, and he also prayed that Katherine didn't mind his inabillity to speak very fluently, whether it be romantically or diplomatically.

In other words, he was nervous as hell.

Alexei shook his head. "Hmm, no sense of humour, eh? I did sing in a choir, in fact. All through my grade school years." He shruged, and then got serious, holding Katherine's hand.

"Katherine, we've known each other for about a year and a half now, no? We've also gotten to know each other quite well. But, there's something, something more to it then that." He looked down at the table, and looked directly into Katherine's eyes.

"Italian's have a phrase for it, being struck by the thunderbolt. When I first saw you, that's what happened -- the thunderbolt from heaven. There was something about you that drew me towards you. Even during the little incident --" he was reffering to the problems when Alexei signed the ban on Freemasonry -- "I still felt something for you. I know what it is now. I'm not to good with words," he said, smiling sheepishly. "But there are somethings that words just don't cut it anyways." Alexei then got on one knee, still holding Katherine's hand.

"Katherine Rice, will you marry me?" he said, pulling out the ring box from his pocket and opening it. As to his late father's advice, it wasn't superfancy, regardless of Alexei's wealth. Czar Andropov remembered his father talking about it. Don't buy a real fancy ring for engagement, or it will seem like you are trying to buy her love. Don't buy a real plain one, either, or she'll think you don't care. It's a guessing game, really, but if God wants the marriage to happen, then you'll pick the right one. Alexei hoped his father was right, and he also prayed that Katherine didn't mind his inabillity to speak very fluently, whether it be romantically or diplomatically.

In other words, he was nervous as hell.

Katherine Rice was very speechless. She really didn't know what to say. When the shock of what Alexei was asking her Katherine smiled very fondly.

"Alexei, I'll admit. When I first met you during that incident, I also felt something towards you. I never understood what it was. Till now.

"Alexei, I feel the same way about you."

She looked down at wonderful engagement ring and smiled at it. "You have good taste in rings my love." she replied as she continued to stare at the ring. "Alexei, yes I will marry you."

Alexei couldn't help but grin. He jumped to his feet and gave Katherine a typical Russian bear hug. It surprised her a little, but it seemed to Alexei like she didn't care. After about a minute, Alexei released her and sat back down. He picked up his drink and saluted Katherine.

"To us, for a happy future marriage before God," he said, chuckling and pointing to the cross-shaped candle holder on the table.

Alexei couldn't help but grin. He jumped to his feet and gave Katherine a typical Russian bear hug. It surprised her a little, but it seemed to Alexei like she didn't care. After about a minute, Alexei released her and sat back down. He picked up his drink and saluted Katherine.

"To us, for a happy future marriage before God," he said, chuckling and pointing to the cross-shaped candle holder on the table.

Kathy picked up her drink and saluted back. "To a happy future my beloved. May God bless our union and have us prosper." she said back and gives Alexei a romantic kiss.

Alexei slauted right back and polished off his glass. He set it down and afterwards, returned Katherine's "gesture." Alexei was clearly a lot more relaxed. He looked over at the menus and did a comical gasp -- forced and fake, of course.

"Well, looks like we forgot about these," he said. He handed the food menu to Katherine. "Now that all the dragons -- they defintely weren't butterflies -- are out of my stomach, let's eat." He glanced over the menu, pretty sure he knew what he wanted. He did.

Alexei slauted right back and polished off his glass. He set it down and afterwards, returned Katherine's "gesture." Alexei was clearly a lot more relaxed. He looked over at the menus and did a comical gasp -- forced and fake, of course.

"Well, looks like we forgot about these," he said. He handed the food menu to Katherine. "Now that all the dragons -- they defintely weren't butterflies -- are out of my stomach, let's eat." He glanced over the menu, pretty sure he knew what he wanted. He did.

"I agree that they weren't butterflies sweetie." Kathy said. "I had a feeling you were nervous about something." She looked over the menu. "I think I'll try whatever it is your going to have."

Alexei shruged. "Okay." He called for the waiter, and thirty seconds later, he came bowing.

"Greetings, Your Majesty and Her Majesty." The waiter winked. "Congradulations. Your order is on the house." Alexei smirked.

"I'll have everything on the menu, then." The waiter lost his smile, but Alexei just winked. "Just kidding." A definite look of relief came over the waiter as he smiled again.

"I'll have...hm...Ah! I'll have the lobster, defintely. Don't take the claws off of them, either, please. And one for my lady here, too," he said, winking at Katherine. The waiter bowed.

"Certainly. Two lobsters from the Ivanov Sea, fresh as possible. I will have them out as soon as they're done." The waiter left as Dean Martin (OOC: who also is alive and well in Derscon :)) came on the stage. Alexei and Katherine were watching and listening as Dean and Frank were doing a comical number on stage.

About twenty minutes later, the waiter returned with the lobsters.

"The lobsters, Your Highnesses," he said, placing the plates in front of the Czar and soon-to-be Czarina. He left, and Alexei and Katherine dug in. Czar Andropov had a definite look of satisfaction on his face.

"Best lobster I've had in years."

Alexei shruged. "Okay." He called for the waiter, and thirty seconds later, he came bowing.

"Greetings, Your Majesty and Her Majesty." The waiter winked. "Congradulations. Your order is on the house." Alexei smirked.

"I'll have everything on the menu, then." The waiter lost his smile, but Alexei just winked. "Just kidding." A definite look of relief came over the waiter as he smiled again.

"I'll have...hm...Ah! I'll have the lobster, defintely. Don't take the claws off of them, either, please. And one for my lady here, too," he said, winking at Katherine. The waiter bowed.

"Certainly. Two lobsters from the Ivanov Sea, fresh as possible. I will have them out as soon as they're done." The waiter left as Dean Martin (OOC: who also is alive and well in Derscon :)) came on the stage. Alexei and Katherine were watching and listening as Dean and Frank were doing a comical number on stage.

About twenty minutes later, the waiter returned with the lobsters.

"The lobsters, Your Highnesses," he said, placing the plates in front of the Czar and soon-to-be Czarina. He left, and Alexei and Katherine dug in. Czar Andropov had a definite look of satisfaction on his face.

"Best lobster I've had in years."

Kathy turned to Alexei. "You notified them that you were doing this didn't you?" she said with a smile.

She slid her seat closer to her fiance to watch Dean Martin. When the lobster came, she put a napkin around her neck and began to eat.

"Your right. This is very good Lobster. This is the best lobster I ever had."

Alexei shook his head. "No, I didn't. They must have been watching." He shruged. "That's why I have RAMC. Oh well." He continued eating the lobster and Katherine kept talking. He smiled.

"Best lobster you've ever had? Not me. My dad and I used to go fishing out by the Imperial Retreat Castle Neuschwanstein in the Yellow Sea. It's not actually called the Yellow Sea, but those that fish there call it that because of it's multitudes of lobster." Katherine looked a little confused, and Alexei grinned.

"Yellow for the color of butter. Boil the water and make it butter. The largest lobster batch in the world!"

Alexei shook his head. "No, I didn't. They must have been watching." He shruged. "That's why I have RAMC. Oh well." He continued eating the lobster and Katherine kept talking. He smiled.

"Best lobster you've ever had? Not me. My dad and I used to go fishing out by the Imperial Retreat Castle Neuschwanstein in the Yellow Sea. It's not actually called the Yellow Sea, but those that fish there call it that because of it's multitudes of lobster." Katherine looked a little confused, and Alexei grinned.

"Yellow for the color of butter. Boil the water and make it butter. The largest lobster batch in the world!"

"Oh. I just thought you might've. Yep, they probably were watching us." she said as she smiled at her soon to be husband.

"Ah I understand now. That's pretty clever." she stated as she continued to eat. "Hopefully, you can take me there and you can show me." She said with a smile. "I think I could become better at it then you."

She then laughed. "Wait till I tell my aide that you and I are engaged. She's going to freak. Heck, I don't know what my mom's reaction is going to be."

Alexei froze when Katherine mentioned her mom.

"Crap, I forgot about her. You see, it is Dersconi custom and a general sign of respect for the possible husband to ask the parent's permission for their daughter's hand in marriage before marrying." He dropped his fork, suddenly losing his appetite. "And I forgot."

Alexei froze when Katherine mentioned her mom.

"Crap, I forgot about her. You see, it is Dersconi custom and a general sign of respect for the possible husband to ask the parent's permission for their daughter's hand in marriage before marrying." He dropped his fork, suddenly losing his appetite. "And I forgot."

Kathy cringed when Alexei said this. "For us, it is the same."

She sighed and then thought it over. "Hold on a sec."

She picked up her purse and opened it up. She looked into it then pulled out her cell phone. It was off for obvious reasons.

"Will this help?" she said with a grin.

Alexei smiled. "Yes." He searched through her directory and dialed her mom.

(OOC: Liberties approved previously)

MOM: Hello?

ALEXEI: Mrs. Rice, this is Czar Alexei Alexandrovich Andropov, Czar of Derscon
and Arch-Chancellor of Greater Prussia.

MOM: Oh! I'm sorry, not exactly usual for you to call. How are you doing?

ALEXEI: Well, actually, I have a question.

MOM: Yes?

ALEXEI: I would like to take your daughter's hand in marriage. I ask with the
grace of God for your blessing.

Alexei smiled. "Yes." He searched through her directory and dialed her mom.

(OOC: Liberties approved previously)

MOM: Hello?

ALEXEI: Mrs. Rice, this is Czar Alexei Alexandrovich Andropov, Czar of Derscon
and Arch-Chancellor of Greater Prussia.

MOM: Oh! I'm sorry, not exactly usual for you to call. How are you doing?

ALEXEI: Well, actually, I have a question.

MOM: Yes?

ALEXEI: I would like to take your daughter's hand in marriage. I ask with the
grace of God for your blessing.

Lauren, her mother, stared into the phone. "You want to marry my daughter?" she asked.

Alexei bit his lip a bit. "Yes, ma'am, I would."

Alexei bit his lip a bit. "Yes, ma'am, I would."

"You know how I feel about monarchies. However, I don't want to risk my daughter's wrath. I will give my permission to your union."

Alexei's face lit up. "I understand your feelings toward monarchies. Not all of them are bad. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your blessing. God bless, Mrs. Rice." Alexei didn't hang up, though, as he wanted to make sure Katherine's mother was finished.

Alexei's face lit up. "I understand your feelings toward monarchies. Not all of them are bad. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your blessing. God bless, Mrs. Rice." Alexei didn't hang up, though, as he wanted to make sure Katherine's mother was finished.

"I know. I am entrusting you with my daughter. Please take good care of her. She is all that I have left. May God bless you both."

Alexei smiled. "Only Jesus and yourself could take care of her better, Mrs. Rice. God Bless, and good night to you." He pressed the Call End button and handed the phone back to Katherine.

"I'm sure you know what the results were."

Alexei smiled. "Only Jesus and yourself could take care of her better, Mrs. Rice. God Bless, and good night to you." He pressed the Call End button and handed the phone back to Katherine.

"I'm sure you know what the results were."

She takes the phone and puts it back in her purse. "Yes I do judging by your face and your last few words. I love you very much Alexei." She said and leans in and kisses him.

Alexei smiled and kissed her back. He slid over a little, holding her close, and put his arm around her. Dean and Frank were singing Just the Two of Us, probably being tipped off by the waiter.

Alexei sighed, but it was a relieved and happy sigh. I wish dad were here to see this. The continuous thought of his father and how happy he'd be almost brought tears to his eyes, but over years of training, he'd learned to suppress them. The only time he really ever cried was when his father died, and cried harder because of the circumstances. That was probably the largest cover-up on the face of the planet. It needs to stay that way. Some things the world doesn't need to know.

Czar Andropov pushed the sad and angry thoughts aside as he embraced and kissed his future Czarina.

Alexei smiled and kissed her back. He slid over a little, holding her close, and put his arm around her. Dean and Frank were singing Just the Two of Us, probably being tipped off by the waiter.

Alexei sighed, but it was a relieved and happy sigh. I wish dad were here to see this. The continuous thought of his father and how happy he'd be almost brought tears to his eyes, but over years of training, he'd learned to suppress them. The only time he really ever cried was when his father died, and cried harder because of the circumstances. That was probably the largest cover-up on the face of the planet. It needs to stay that way. Some things the world doesn't need to know.

Czar Andropov pushed the sad and angry thoughts aside as he embraced and kissed his future Czarina.

Kathy just snuggled under her fiance's arms. Dad, I love you but my heart is with him! Please forgive me she thought. She embraced her future husband and kissed him back.

Alexei smiled back at her, more thoughts running through his mind, taking away from the moment.

Hmm...what about the legal aspects? Have to marry in a church. Kremlin Kathedral. Okay. Hmm....

Oh, right. I can't officially marry her until she's no longer in another government service. Forgot about that little part. I'm sure we can arrange something, though. Alexei turned back to Rice, admiring her, feather-stroking her cheek and neck with his hand.

God has blessed us. Alexei didn't feel like talking, for it would ruin the moment. Frank left the stage, and Dean Martin did his rendition of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World -- again, probably being tipped off by the waiter. Alexei's suspicions were confirmed when Dean took his drink that he always has and did a small, very insignificant-looking salute over towards the Czar and Rice. Alexei picked his drink up and salured back, and Dean nodded on stage, to acknowledge it. The general public didn't pick up on it, thankfully.

It really was a wonderful world, if you knew where to look. Thankfully, Alexei knew that the only place he needed to see was right beside him.

Rice was in another world. She knew what she was feeling and she liked it. She sighed contently and stared into her fiance's eyes.

I am a very lucky girl to have found such a caring guy. The future will be bright for us both. Vacations to Tiara City. Raising a family together. I may have to resign as President but I don't mind. It was becoming stressful.

She looked up at her love again and smiles.

When Dean and Frank were done, the band played the closing, Ring-a-Ding Ding, as they walked off. Alexei turned to Katherine.

"Hate to ruin it, but we need to run back to the Kremlin so we're not caught up in this crowd." Alexei and Katherine got up and snuck out before the rest of the people got out, and when Alexei stepped outside, he saw two things.

One, there was an SUV in front of him.

Two, his Cien was gone.

Any questions were answered when Alexei's brother, Archbishop Prince John came from around the corner.

"You're car was taken back. I figured that you didn't want to drive," John said with a wink. He bowed to Katherine. "Good day to you, Your Majesty, and congradulations on your soon-to-be marriage. Treat my brother nicely, he's a soft man," he said with a wink, a grin, and a shot to Alexei's ribs with his elbow. John jumped in the driver's seat, while a Secret Serviceman disguised as the doorman opened the...well...door to the Cadillac Escalade for the Czar and Czarina.

With that, it was a long and fairly uneventful trip back to the Kremlin. On the way, though, Alexei couldn't help but asking.

"John, how the ---"

"How did I know?" John inturrupted, not taking his eyes off the road. "You skipped out to the Sands with a nice girl that has been taking one too many trips to Derscon, and the Sands just happened to be hosting Sinatra and Martin, and you forgot to burn the reciept for the ring." Alexei gave a sigh of surrender.

"Fine." John smiled, as he pulled up to the Kremlin.

"Well, here we are. I have some executive bullcrap to handle back at the offices across the plaza, so I'll see you two lovebirds later." John rolled his window back up and drove off to the Kremlin Kathedral, while Alexei and Katherine made their way up to the Star Office.

Upon entering the office, Alexei took his usual seat of power, with Rice sitting opposite the desk.

"There's some simple legal aspects to cover, first, though. You're a Christian, so the first hurdle is jumped. The second one is that you may not be a member of any government. You are the President of Formal Dances, so I cannot technically marry you. You'll either have to wait until the next election and not run or you'll have to resign. Your choice. Sorry to be blunt, but that's Derscon for ya. We don't sugar coat."

"Don't worry about him. I'll take good care of him." she stated in the car.

On the way back, Kathy was trying hard not to laugh at the exchange between John and Alexei.

"Alexei, ask a silly question, be prepared for an answer." she stated jokingly.

When they arrived back at the Kremlin and walked up the steps, Kathy was taking everything in. Then they entered the Star Office and Alexi took his seat and she sat across from him.

She listened to what he say then sighed. "The same thought occured to me too Alexei. I think the best thing for me to do is resign. Waiting for the next election will be two years yet and that's almost unbearable. Besides that, I didn't think I was cut out to be president. I was just at the right place and used it to propel myself there. My Vice President can do the job better than I ever could. The only thing I'm worried about is how the press is going to react to this."

She listened to what he say then sighed. "The same thought occured to me too Alexei. I think the best thing for me to do is resign. Waiting for the next election will be two years yet and that's almost unbearable. Besides that, I didn't think I was cut out to be president. I was just at the right place and used it to propel myself there. My Vice President can do the job better than I ever could. The only thing I'm worried about is how the press is going to react to this."

Alexei snorted. "You're not gonna be in a political system where we give a crap about the press. You don't need to worry about it. You resign, and the press takes it in. If the press decides to harrass you, a few SS officers might pay them a visit. The press is a minor problem that can be dealt with and handled. There is nothing to worry about."

Alexei snorted. "You're not gonna be in a political system where we give a crap about the press. You don't need to worry about it. You resign, and the press takes it in. If the press decides to harrass you, a few SS officers might pay them a visit. The press is a minor problem that can be dealt with and handled. There is nothing to worry about."

"I can tell you that my people won't tolerate the SS wrecking havoc with the press." she stated. "In reality, I don't care what the press says. They have been criticizing me since the day I took office. I do know that the rumors will fly though when they get wind of the ring that I am wearing now. That is why I think it best to resign. Some may call me weak but I think I'll be stronger for it. Besides, my experience in office will help me in our lives together."

Alexei nodded.

"Okay then, I believe we have this resolved." He stood up, as did Katherine. Alexei kissed her one more time, and stepped away.

"I think it is best that you return to Formal Dances and make arrangements. I can have a car waiting for you to take you to the airport."

Alexei nodded.

"Okay then, I believe we have this resolved." He stood up, as did Katherine. Alexei kissed her one more time, and stepped away.

"I think it is best that you return to Formal Dances and make arrangements. I can have a car waiting for you to take you to the airport."

"I think that might be a good idea hun. Its going to have to be planned cautiously. I don't want to disrupt the government as much as my resignation is going to do. My aide is probably wondering what is going on anyway. Its unusual for her to be kept out of the loop.

"The arraingements will be made. You'll be able to see it on television. It'll cause a stir my resignation but I'm glad that I'm leaving the office. Even though I will no longer be President of Formal Dances, anytime we are there, they'll still call me madam president. And thanks for the car hun. The faster I get back, the faster we can be together."

With that, she kissed him one more time.

Alexei nodded and embraced her.

"Of course. Good luck to you." With that, Katherine left for the airport, flying back to Formal Dances. Alexei walked back to his desk and sat down, admiring the whole day, and then fell asleep in the chair.

On the plane, Melissa continued to press Katherine for details of her visit.

"Come on Madam President. Tell me what you and Alexei discussed.

"We discussed the future between our two peoples." she said noncommital as she stares out the window. She looks down at the sheet of paper in her hands and the pen.

"Now Melissa, please don't press me for details. All will be explained in due time."

"Yes Ma'am." was all she said as she left her alone in her private office. President Rice began to write words down on paper knowing full well that this will be the most important speech of her young life.

A few hours later, the plane arrived over Formal Dances. She puts her speech away in her briefcase and deplanes. She was escorted to her limo and on the road back to the Presidential Manson, began to twirl the ring on her finger smiling softly as she does. Her aide shakes her head but says nothing.

Upon arrival, she immediately goes to her room and locks the door to finish writing her speech and to contact her Vice President.