NationStates Jolt Archive

The Karelan Democracy of Rejistania,
Nanti simu,
The city of KaMaRi kali,
An expensive and spacious hotel room

Jules Blanc spread raspberry jam across his toast, took a bite, and then sipped of his tea (black, sweetened with kluntjes and flavored with cream), staring distrustfully at the Rejistanian elements of the brunch before him. Blanc was a fairly typical bourgeoisie North Amestrian, five foot five inches, fair skin, black hair, brown eyes, and, having grown up along the rainy northern coast, obviously uncomfortable in the Rejistanian tropical climate. The drapes were drawn and the air conditioner was on, making the room fairly chilled and dim. Mr. Blanc spoke English with a rather thick accent.

Across the breakfast table sat Neiaju I Syku of the Nunavut JSK consulting firm. Mr. Blanc took another sip of his tea and, having already concluded introductions, got straight to business.

“Now Ms. Syku, as you already know zose I represenz wish zo open up several dozen high end cuisine bourgeoise restaurants zhroughouz KaMaRi kali and ze zourisz centers of nanti kansu zargeting ze upper middle class and elite niche markezs for high quality foreign cuisine. Some have also expressed interesz in opening up several high quality chocolate shops. We feel zhaz zese ventures would be quite successful buz as ze Rejistanian markez is notoriously complex we will need your firms expertise in order zo avoid costly blunders.”

Blanc took another sip of his tea.

“We will also require your firms’ assistance in insuring zhaz we are in compliance with all rejistani legislation, particularly in regards zo animal cruelty…and of course, ze choosing of a proper name zhaz could be zranslated inzo all 15 officially recognized Rejistanian alphabets.”

Amestrians were no strangers to cultural laws and regulations, although the intents of each nation’s laws could not have been more different. In Amestria lingual regulation and Promotion De la Grandeur D'Amestria had first been undertaken by the Ancien Régime, and later by the Central governments, in order to destroy regional and ethnic differences, promoting further unification (and more recently protect regional cultural variation from foreign encroachment). In Amestria there was only one official language, Amestrian, the makeup of which was regulated by the Ministry of Culture, and which one had to learn in order to be a citizen. Multiculturalism was an alien concept.

Neiaju I Syku was in her late 40ies, her skin was black and had first wrinkles around her brown eyes, She was neither really tall nor really small, her 162 cm was slightly above rejistanian average. She was used to desperate tasks. She was relieved that this new one was not that much a problem as she expected. First of all, Blanc'he did not come and expected golden mountains. He did have some basic ideas about Rejistania and did not expect the impossible. She found it slightly discomforting to converse in English because her English is not quite well, but hearing his thick French accent helped her to cope with her embarrassment.
Soon Nunavut was working on ideas to enter the markets successfully. Several names were considered for the restaurants until eventually tests of possible names left the simple "Amesteria'ra" (in Amestria). Soon the first "Amesteria'ra"-restaurants opened in test markets like Hanin kalesa, KaMaRi kali and Jasasali~n kalesa, Na~ovi kali.

OOC: it is Amesteria because there is no way to write or pronounce a "str" sound. "Tani Amesteria" is the official name of Amestria in rejistanian.

Soon Nunavut was working on ideas to enter the markets successfully. Several names were considered for the restaurants until eventually tests of possible names left the simple "Amesteria'ra" (in Amestria). Soon the first "Amesteria'ra"-restaurants opened in test markets like Hanin kalesa, KaMaRi kali and Jasasali~n kalesa, Na~ovi kali.

With the assistance of the Nunavut JSK consulting firm a targeted advertising and publicity campaign preceded the opening of each "Amesteria'ra" (in Amestria)-restaurant. In Hanin kalesa, Jasasali~n kalesa, and other test markets advertisements were strategically placed in local middle and upper class media. Select famous and influential Rejistanian residents of Hanin kalesa and Jasasali~n kalesa (actors, actresses, sports stars, business leaders, politicians, and food critics) were all invited to attend the Grand Opening of each restaurant free of charge (as was Neiaju I Syku as part of a special treat, a bonus for her efforts).

The food served was exceptional haute cuisine, elaborately prepared and quite rich, incorporating generous amounts of butter and heavy creams. A mere sampling of the dishes offered included Canard au sang (pressed duck), Baguette de tradition (Amestrian bread prepared by pre-modern methods), blanquette de veau (a stew of veal, onions and mushrooms in a thick white sauce), Coq au Vin (a stew of rooster cooked with wine and blood), Oysters, Pot-au-feu (a stew of beef, carrots, turnips, leeks, celery, and onions, bouquet garni, salt, black pepper and cloves), Steak au poivre (pepper steak), and various Soufflés. The deserts were extraordinary, cakes, chocolates, pastries, tarts, Baba au rhum, Chocolate Mousse, Mille-feuille…est. And of course everything was served along with an exquisite selection of fine wines, brandies, and liquors.

To help the customers feel comfortable the translated menus were very detailed in their descriptions of the various dishes/courses and included pictures. At the advice of the Nunavut JSK consulting firm all waiters had been trained in sign language.

The Cuisine Bourgoise was something new in a part of Rejistania, which enjoys novelties. The cuisine is very different from what rejistanis normally eat and this high difference caused interest. Nunavut and its employee Neiaju I Syku did its best and used some uncommon plots. Like ensuring sign language was understood by the waiters. Since there is a above-average number of deaf people, sign language is not seldom. Since also the deaf author Hekure I Iknel was invited at the opening and wrote in her weblog about the restaurant, this fact became known and improved the image of Amesteria'ra'ny at the very beginning. Some issues of course were unforseen: like how much rejistanis see alcohol as low-standard. Due to these feelings, Neiaju I Syku recommended to add teas to the list of beverages. With the (despite that) gaining popularity of the Amesteria'ra'ny in the test markets, other markets could be entered. First of all, different parts KaMaRi of course. As well as Sike kali and Najajara kali. The plans of Neiaju I Syku were high, but it seemed certain parts of the nation did accept them.

There had been some nonalcoholic beverages served, but they had been more of an afterthought. At Neiaju I Syku’s advice a significant amount of nonalcoholic beverages were added to the menu and the beverage list was separated into an alcoholic and a nonalcoholic section (two separate menus). The nonalcoholic beverage list included different varieties of Amestrian black tea, various Xirniumite teas, Azazian style teas, traditional Rejistanian teas, high quality coffees, and fruit juices.

Jules Blanc and those represented by him, thrilled at the success of "Amesteria'ra" (in Amestria) and its increasing popularity, readily agree to Neiaju I Syku’s expansion plans, but at the same time warn her to be cautious and avoid overextension.

"Iz shure, we will no overextend, but look the big picture: You want extendinh into Rejistania. This is we do, and look at it, 2 spots in a nation big enough to have 88 teams in the first 2 leagues. This is why slowly and steadily, we eshpand into other markets." For the rejistani consultant, it was clear, now that the test in the markets in Hanin and Jasasali~n had good results, she planned to establish Amesteria'ra in similar markets. Especially after the "Update" reported about different restaurants in KaMaRi and Amesteria'ra was listed as well (of course, this was due to 'efficiency', but for Neiaju I Syku 'efficiency' is legitimate since she expected all other restaurants listed used it as well), Amesteria'ra was known. It seemed to be starting well and growing in numbers as well as in style, as I Syku'he would have said.

OOC: efficiency is as you guessed rejistanian slang for bribes.

"Iz shure, we will no overextend, but look the big picture: You want extendinh into Rejistania. This is we do, and look at it, 2 spots in a nation big enough to have 88 teams in the first 2 leagues. This is why slowly and steadily, we eshpand into other markets." For the rejistani consultant, it was clear, now that the test in the markets in Hanin and Jasasali~n had good results, she planned to establish Amesteria'ra in similar markets.

Jules Blanc took a sip of his tea and nodded, reassured.

“Carry ouz your plans Ms. Syku, we have full confidence in you and your firm.”

Some things were different in Rejistania, like the fact that non-alcoholic beverages were more asked-for than wines and liquor (with the exception of the day, when H3SR team Jasasali~n Kamex was relegated). The rejistani had a hard time explaining some things to the Amestrians, but since they listened and learned, most errors were avoided. Like the fact that at certain times, the restaurants had to close, point. This was not defined by any legislation, but only by the H1SR and H2SR schedule. However these apparently little weird things made it possible to succeed in the difficult rejistanian market. Also the new branches in different cities in Rejistania did quite well. Okay, Neiaju I Syku was a bit too carefull in these markets at least in the beginning.

The expansion within KaMaRi however had an unexpected problem: TAHAI! Where did these H3SR upstarts come from and why was the opening day of the new Amesteria'ra, which was not far away from the stadium (there is no place in any city qualifying to be far away from the next stadium) on a day when the TAHAI!ans improved their performance so much that the entire kalesa celebrated their victory and the chaos reigned in the streets once again. This made nearly everyone forget that there was something besides soccer and the opening day a catastrophe. I Syku'he was desperate. Then she had the idea of making a TAHAI! day where every TAHAI! fan club member could eat for a reduced price. However, a new problem was arising: The rejistanian IRS-equivalent was checking the Amesteria'ra'ny due to some hints to balance fraud and corruption. Of course, the Amestrians were doing the balances with respect to the laws, but the corruption part... well, this is Rejistania and all that I Syku'he can claim is not to be worse than others.

Also the new branches in different cities in Rejistania did quite well.

Much to the pleasure of Amesteria'ra’s Amestrian owners and investors…

I Syku'he was desperate. Then she had the idea of making a TAHAI! day where every TAHAI! fan club member could eat for a reduced price.

Jules Blanc sighed as he spoke to Neiaju I Syku over the phone. “Jusz zemporarily close zhaz particular KaMaRi expansion Ms. Syku and have a new grand opening once zhings in zhaz kalesa quite down. From now on lez us attempz zo open Amesteria'ra on quite days, days when we will have ze public’s attention.”

The rejistanian IRS-equivalent was checking the Amesteria'ra'ny due to some hints to balance fraud and corruption. Of course, the Amestrians were doing the balances with respect to the laws, but the corruption part... well, this is Rejistania and all that I Syku'he can claim is not to be worse than others.

“Now Ms. Syku, zere is ze more pressing matter of zhis investigation by ze Rejistanian Governmenz in zo possible balance fraud and corruption. Concerning ze matter of Amesteria'ra’s balances, our lawyers have informed us zhaz ze books are sound and zhaz we are in compliance with all relevanz Rejistanian financial laws. Concerning ze allegations of corruption, our company never agreed, encouraged, or consented zo engagemenz in criminal conducz. We find zese accusations musz zroubling, buz zey are noz our problem, iz is ze exclusive problem of whoever broke ze law. We are going zo cooperate fully with ze governmenz’s investigation.”

Blanc paused. “Ms Syku, do you have any idea who is behind zhis investigation of our company and why?”

I Syku'he looked at the foreigner with an unclear expression. "You see that I have a private life, let's say the husband of someone I dated found out about it and well, about what I do for Amesteria'ra. He called the corruption line. That's a hotline of the revenue service and the police against corruption. This is mostly hot air, but not quite... it might be solved with cooperation and efficiency or with cooperation and long waiting, but I leave this up to you. It's not that I am Najajaran, I just improved the chances for permits a bit, you see."

OOC: Yes, I Syku'he is bisexual and had a relation with a married woman

"You see that I have a private life, let's say the husband of someone I dated found out about it and well, about what I do for Amesteria'ra.”

Mr. Blanc let out an exasperated sigh. “Aggressives passifs foutus, Je les déteste…* Well Ms. Syku, is zere anything painful, and preferably legal, zhaz we can do zo zhis person who has caused us so much zrouble?”

(*OOC: “Fucking passive aggressives, I hate them…”)

He called the corruption line. That's a hotline of the revenue service and the police against corruption. This is mostly hot air, but not quite... it might be solved with cooperation and efficiency or with cooperation and long waiting, but I leave this up to you.”

“Ms. Syku, whaz are ze benefits and risks of each option? If we choose zo cooperate will zhey close down our restaurants, and if so, for how long? Whaz are ze chances zhey will find anything offensive zhaz would reflecz poorly on Amesteria'ra? Concerning ze option of solving ze problem with cooperation and efficiency…how much and whaz is ze risk of being caughz?”

“It's not that I am Najajaran, I just improved the chances for permits a bit, you see."

“Yes…Ms. Syku, after ze currenz problem is solved, we would like you zo keep your efficiency legal from now on.”

OOC: Yes, I Syku'he is bisexual and had a relation with a married woman

OOC: And one of Amestria's leading Presidential candidates is a lesbian and it is a public secret she has an ongoing relationship with her sister, who is 15 years her junior, she being 45/46 and her sister being 30. I Syku'he's personal affairs would not faze or offend Blanc, they annoy him, but he is not fazed or offended.

The rejistanian was not amused. She made a clicking sound and paused before she replied: "Blanc'he, as sorry I am to say this, but I want to inform you that the I in my name is a part of the last name, so it is I Syku instead of Syku." She paused a bit before she continued.

"Legal? Jie... I would have done some... interesting... things but I assumed it was below my standard... Wether they are legal, that is another thing... There is not much legal we can do... suing for ... libel, I think the term is, would not work or take far too long. It's not that this somehow hurts the image of the restaurants much. I mean, after the mayor of Jinhes was found guilty to use city finances to efficiently get match tickets, the only consequence was that next election the number of candidates tripled."

"Well, about the two options: they will not exactly close down, just cause lots of fuss, lots of trouble and cost lots of time. They will only close down if things are really illegal and then it can be circumvented efficiently. Efficiency just means there is far less fuss, lost time, trouble and all that. A few hundred-thousands or millions of lil'kansu'ny will surely be used... but we would save money like that considering all the worktime, we'd lose. All I want to reach is a higher priority and maybe some less checks in all restaurants than normally."

"Keep efficiency legal? Efficiency means illegal-ish deals on a small scale. Nothing to make impossible things possible, but to make the possible things easier and quicker. You need to see, this nation is not Amestria, this is Rejistania and here, efficiency is not really bad. We would have an unfair disadvantage if we would not use it."

OOC: the lil'kansu is not exactly a strong currency so the money is not as high as you might think.

The rejistanian was not amused. She made a clicking sound and paused before she replied: "Blanc'he, as sorry I am to say this, but I want to inform you that the I in my name is a part of the last name, so it is I Syku instead of Syku."

I have been saying her name wrong all this time?!

“I’m very sorry Ms…I Syku,” Blanc stammered, obviously embarrassed. “I zhoughz ze I was a middle name or initial… I am so sorry… Why did you noz mention zhis zo me earlier?”

"Legal? Jie... I would have done some... interesting... things but I assumed it was below my standard... Wether they are legal, that is another thing... There is not much legal we can do... suing for ... libel, I think the term is, would not work or take far too long. It's not that this somehow hurts the image of the restaurants much. I mean, after the mayor of Jinhes was found guilty to use city finances to efficiently get match tickets, the only consequence was that next election the number of candidates tripled."

“Never mind zhen, I was jusz venting.”

"Well, about the two options: they will not exactly close down, just cause lots of fuss, lots of trouble and cost lots of time. They will only close down if things are really illegal and then it can be circumvented efficiently. Efficiency just means there is far less fuss, lost time, trouble and all that. A few hundred-thousands or millions of lil'kansu'ny will surely be used... but we would save money like that considering all the worktime, we'd lose. All I want to reach is a higher priority and maybe some less checks in all restaurants than normally."

"Keep efficiency legal? Efficiency means illegal-ish deals on a small scale. Nothing to make impossible things possible, but to make the possible things easier and quicker. You need to see, this nation is not Amestria, this is Rejistania and here, efficiency is not really bad. We would have an unfair disadvantage if we would not use it."

“Efficiency is noz a concepz entirely alien zo Amestria, during ze Ancien Régime iz was zraditional for Ministers zo expecz zo be paid for ze State duties zhey preformed, although whether zhose can properly be called "bribes" is open zo debate. However, such practices were all buz stamped ouz by ze increasingly professionalized Amestrian bureaucracy during ze early 19th century and ze later Governmenz of Leader King Bradley. Now days whaz you call efficiency is very illegal and severely punished.”

Blanc put the phone on speaker and went to pour himself a glass of brandy. “You know more abouz ze Rejistanian markez zhen I Ms. I Syku.”

Blanc filled his glass and took a sip. “Go abouz zhis situation with ze governmenz investigation in ze manner you feel mosz appropriate. I have full confidence in your abilities and I will noz second guess you.”

Blanc took another sip.

“However,” he added, “I and zhose I represenz know of nothing illegal.”

(OOC: Presently 2.05 lil’kansu equals 1 USD while 1 Gold Hobbes, Amestria’s currency, equals 1.23 USD.)

(OOC: Presently 2.05 lil’kansu equals 1 USD while 1 Gold Hobbes, Amestria’s currency, equals 1.23 USD.)

OOC: If you use a calculator like NSeconomy - which I doesn't. I say something about 1 USD is 1100 RJLK

"You know, Mr Blanc, I was fearing to be impolite, this is why I did not correct you in this mistake."

"Efficiency is okay in Rejistania as long, as it is not... " she pauses for a moment in order to translate a term "not against some basic rules of decency. I do understand that you also prefer not to wait for years and prefer a quicker solution... this can be arranged..."

OOC: maybe I am too tired but I thought Blanc was okay with it.

I Syku'he started using her efficient connections to get some information about who was handling the case and how Kansu I La~e, which was his name, be handled most easily. Of course, an outward bribe was too inelegant and could get her in trouble. A nicely and efficiently executed transaction however... The image became more clear: I La~e'he was a fan of a H3SR team no one heard of before, no really interesting hobbies with the exception of Keiri... So later, Kansu I La~e received (in an apparently misaddressed envelope) some tickets for a Keiri festival in Matix kali which are very hard to get due to the low number. The letter which was in the envelope with the tickets was a letter to a 'friend'. Those who have a slight knowledge of Rejistania however know what it means: An invitation for a very efficient solution of the current problem. Now it would be her task to be patient and either wait until the situation is resolved or the misaddressing was complained about.

OOC: Keiri is a traditional dance

OOC: maybe I am too tired but I thought Blanc was okay with it.

OOC: He okay with it.

"You know, Mr Blanc, I was fearing to be impolite, this is why I did not correct you in this mistake."

“In Amestria Ms. I Syku iz is noz considered impolite zo correcz someone when zhey say ones name wrong… I assumed I was saying your name correctly zhis whole zime...”

"Efficiency is okay in Rejistania as long, as it is not..." she pauses for a moment in order to translate a term "not against some basic rules of decency. I do understand that you also prefer not to wait for years and prefer a quicker solution...

“Yes…”

…this can be arranged..."

“Good…”

Blanc set his unfinished glass of brandy on the counter, picked the phone back up, and sat down on the nice leather couch that came with his spacious hotel room.

“So… Whaz else is up?” he asked. “How are you doing?”

Now it would be her task to be patient and either wait until the situation is resolved or the misaddressing was complained about.

As I Syku worked towards an “efficient solution” to the government investigation the Amesteria'ra restaurant chain continued to serve it’s customers and draft further plans for expansion.

"In Amestria Ms. I Syku iz is noz considered impolite zo correcz someone when zhey say ones name wrong… I assumed I was saying your name correctly zhis whole zime..."


The rejistanian smiled slightly* as she replied: "A critical comment can easily be considered a personal insult, this is why I was very much hesitating to say this. You see, it is difficult to react correctly if the cultures are very different."


"So… Whaz else is up?" he asked. "How are you doing?"


"Oh, I am doing fine" she said a bit puzzled: "even though Sike isn't doing well this season**. How about you?"

OOC:
*even though it might not be visible, it surely is audible. At least in callcenters this is learned.
**Sike is here referring to a soccer club in Sike kali. What she means is something like: "I don't want to bother you with the fact that it is not really okay"

I do not RP further on how the efficiency is going on because the talk continues and it has less synchronisation problems this way.

The rejistanian smiled slightly* as she replied: "A critical comment can easily be considered a personal insult, this is why I was very much hesitating to say this. You see, it is difficult to react correctly if the cultures are very different."

Blanc smiled as well. “Lez us zhen jusz chalk up ze misunderstanding zo cultural difference.”

"Oh, I am doing fine" she said a bit puzzled:

“Good.”

"even though Sike isn't doing well this season.”

“Really, zhaz’s zoo bad.”

“How about you?"

“Zhings have been okay. I’ve become accustomed zo ze food but I have yez zo adjusz zo ze climate or ze daytime heaz. I’ve zaken zo napping during ze afternoon so I can spend more zime awake during ze cool evenings. Iz been lonely zhough, ze Rejistanian and Amestian zime zones are so completely differenz zhaz I can’z zalk zo my son or daughter, buz I make do.”

Blanc paused briefly.

“So, are you with anyone now?”

(OOC Note: I Syku has never seen Blanc ever wear a wedding ring in any of their previous meetings.)

Blanc smiled as well. "Lez us zhen jusz chalk up ze misunderstanding zo cultural difference."

"Yes, the mistake was on no side." she replied.

"Really, zhaz's zoo bad."

"Yeah! they were first on the first matchday... and now?" she then realized this might be inadequate and asked "Do you follow soccer?" Neiaju I Syku asked. She felt a bit strange doing it and it might be audible through the telephone line. For a rejistanian, it is like asking: "Did you go to school?". In Rejistania, it is normal to follow soccer, only a minority does not.

"Zhings have been okay. I've become accustomed zo ze food but I have yez zo adjusz zo ze climate or ze daytime heaz. I've zaken zo napping during ze afternoon so I can spend more zime awake during ze cool evenings. Iz been lonely zhough, ze Rejistanian and Amestian zime zones are so completely differenz zhaz I can'z zalk zo my son or daughter, buz I make do."

Blanc paused briefly.

"So, are you with anyone now?"

Okay... they did talk about her affair but does that mean this is a topic to converse about? For Neiaju, this would never be asked in a business meeting. Before she replied in a inadequate way however, she was reminded that cultures differ much.

"It is difficult to uphold a relationship if work is one's partner..." she said diplomatically.

"Yeah! they were first on the first matchday... and now?" she then realized this might be inadequate and asked "Do you follow soccer?" Neiaju I Syku asked. She felt a bit strange doing it and it might be audible through the telephone line.

“Noz international soccer… Amestrian soccer, which is called le football, is noz professionally organized, zere are no official leagues or national associations with ze exception of ze Military’s zeams. Games zend zo occur either as parz of local festivities or zo mark and celebrate famous regional disputes. Iz’s somewhaz spontaneous and noz very organized, so we don’z compete internationally.”

Blanc paused.

“For example, in my home city of Troyes zere was recently a game againsz ze neighboring city of Mézières in celebration of ze anniversary of Ze 1527 Dispute of Vitry, when Troyes, after successfully petitioning ze Sovereign for permission, proceeded zo diverz ze Vitry River, causing much hardship and resentmenz in Mézières.”

“Troyes was victorious,” Blanc added triumphantly. “Nexz week ze Université de Troyes will play againsz ze junior Université de Troyes Antibes zo mark ze infamous1648 scuffle between studenzs of ze rival schools who differed so strongly in zheir respective opinions regarding ze worth of ze philosophical works of Descartes zhaz zhey came zo blows. Unfortunately zhis hotel does noz have access zo Amestrian cable or satellite stations, so I will have zo gez ze outcome of ze match from Le Troyes*.”

(*OOC: An Amestrian daily newspaper published in Troyes. Blanc has either a special subscription, in which it is mailed to him whenever he is out of the country, or has an online subscription.)

"It is difficult to uphold a relationship if work is one's partner..." she said diplomatically.

“I zake iz zhaz means no… Would you care zo have dinner with me?”

"I zake iz zhaz means no… Would you care zo have dinner with me?"


If someone all of a sudden threw a brick through Neiaju I Syku's window, she could not be more surprised. She paused for a second, evaluating what would be Hadi or Vani in such a situation, then thought 'sod it' and said: "Ve, it would be nice if it was possible." While she in her job normally was rather conservative in her actions, her private life was more risky. She has the spirit of a gambler and if she agreed, it was out of a fascination by the alien.

She paused for a second, evaluating what would be Hadi or Vani in such a situation, then thought 'sod it' and said: "Ve, it would be nice if it was possible."

Blanc smiled audibly. “I assure you iz is very possible,” he replied warmly. “Jusz choose ze mosz convenienz zime and place. My only requesz is zhaz whatever restauranz you choose serve mild dishes like Huma Kala~nxeja, Huma H~semez, and Zaehi Nyjar… Being an Amestrian I am noz used zo ze liberal amounzs of hoz spice readily used in mosz Rejistanian cuisine.”

I Syku'he pondered proposing the Star of Oceania as location... it would be a place, which Blanc'he would have liked due to its flair. However she rememberred the away-advantage and home-strength of certain rejistanian teams and then decides to propose a restaurant which would be better, not only due to the Huma. "How about the La~ntara? I always wanted to go to that ehila~oan restaurant. Colleagues from Nunavut really liked the Huma'ny." She also proposed a date and a time, rather late for amestrian standards, but of course the different temperature in the evenings changes the sense of the appropriate time.

Neiaju I Syku was however not only active in being charming towards Jules Blanc, also she discreetly sent XTSR tickets and other appropriate favors to different persons in different positions in the rejistanian equivalent of the IRS. This was successful - since certain sources did not want to give the impression that efficiency was used, minor accounting issues were found and fined (50 lil'kansu were not booked correctly in one branch elsewhere there was apparently a loan listed as short-term despite still being in the rather-short-term range). The fines for these problems were low compared to the damage a full-scale investigation would have caused - especially since there was "no evidence" for any efficient solutions.

OOC: in case you do not know: a~n is a nasal a, a~o is the same sound as in soul.

"How about the La~ntara? I always wanted to go to that ehila~oan restaurant. Colleagues from Nunavut really liked the Huma'ny."

“Ze La~ntara would be absolutely delightful.”

She also proposed a date and a time, rather late for Amestrian standards, but of course the different temperature in the evenings changes the sense of the appropriate time.

Blanc had long since abandoned Amestrian standards of time in the face of Rejistanias intense afternoon heat. He found the time and date proposed by I Syku most agreeable.

“I look forward zo seeing you.”

Neiaju I Syku was however not only active in being charming towards Jules Blanc, also she discreetly sent XTSR tickets and other appropriate favors to different persons in different positions in the rejistanian equivalent of the IRS. This was successful - since certain sources did not want to give the impression that efficiency was used, minor accounting issues were found and fined (50 lil'kansu were not booked correctly in one branch elsewhere there was apparently a loan listed as short-term despite still being in the rather-short-term range). The fines for these problems were low compared to the damage a full-scale investigation would have caused - especially since there was "no evidence" for any efficient solutions.

Those Jules Blanc represented were very pleased with Ms. I Syku’s performance, particularly, through her efforts, Amesteria'ra having dodged a serious and potentially damaging investigation by the Rejistanian Internal Revenue Service (in his report Blanc failed to mention that the whole affair was caused by spillover from Ms. I Syku’s private life, i.e., an attempt at petty vengeance from the passive aggressive husband of someone she had previously dated). For her efforts Neiaju received a rather nice bonus in the mail.

The yjik Hank~hila Sede is in a hidden part of the city of Na~ovi kali. The La~ntara in this street is also not easily recognisable. only the colorful painted arch leading into the space of what normally would be the community-place if this was a normal community. When Neiaju I Syku got out of the taxi, she had to look around before finding it. The arch had a painting of a trek of ehila~oan traders and the text La~ntara was written on it in the ehila~oan alphabet. From her understanding, Latara means shelter. She first thought of wearing a beige suit, which has a certain glamorous appearance in contrast to the traditional looks, but then decided for a colorful dress, which looks very hitoni even though it not exactly is hitoni. She peered into the restaurant: It appears dark since the walls are covered by dark wood with lighter symbols on it. The light comes from lantern-ish lights, which might have a bulb in them but it does not appear like it. She feels a bit uncomfortable while waiting here since she realizes that this is not her Rejistania. She is no ehila~o just as Blanc is no ehila~o. Taking this into account it really is a position which gives no home advantage neither for him nor for her.