Tersanctus
13-09-2008, 10:10
Alexandria, Drakonian Imperium
Royal Arms Hotel, Suite 1005
0612 Hours
She rose from her slumber in a dim dawn lighting. She looked around the room in shock. Where on earth was she? Then the memories of the last few weeks came flooding back. The Movie, the premieres, the television interviews.
The intrusive ring of the telephone reminded her what had woken her. She fumbled with the receiver, before managing to bring it to her ear.
"Hello?" she slurred.
"Callista!" came the woman's voice from the other end.
"'Morning, Meredith...why are you calling me so early?"
"Did you hear about Alex?" her Agents voice came through excitedly.
"Alex? Alex, who?" she said rubbing her eye with one hand.
"Alex, Alex. Alex Dantes. Dreamboat Tersanctan Officer Alex, love-of-your-life-guy-you-swear-you're-going-marry-that-you-won't-shut-up-about Alex!!" Meredith said excitedly.
"Oh. Right, right. What about him? Is he okay?" Callista's tone was still groggy.
"He's better then okay! Haven't you been watching the news?"
"Meredith, I've been in hotels touring for 'Golden Mean' for the last six weeks. I haven't been watching any television, Ive been on it. What happened?" she said craving a cup of coffee now.
"Turn on ENN, and hold onto your hat! It's incredible!"
"Okay, okay, just let me get some coffee, and please dont call me this early anymore, Meredith. Its six thirteen in the morning in Drakonia, right now."
"Oh. Right. Sorry! Its three in the afternoon here, just turn the tv on!"
"I'm hanging up now!" Callista said loudly into the receiver, doing so, and then picking it back up, ordering a light breakfast and some coffee.
Being the newest starlet in Drakonia, she received her order in minutes. She sat in her bed wearing just a shirt and underwear, and picked up the remote, and the television blared to life as she took a bite of her toast.
"--er Dantes, being received home as a National Hero after the events of Nova Castra, stunned Nusquam Esse today with his swearing-in ceremony of the Office of the Executor. After four years of the Kotomari administration, our neighbors to the west, the Republic of Tersanctus, have the Dantes dynasty restored! Already popular for his hands-on defense of their colony, Alexander Dantes has an incredible ninety-eight percent approval rating, as his native country welcomes a Dantes back into power with open arms..."
She watched, stunned. Alex? The new Executor? She knew he was related to Edmund Dantes, the former executor...but this? She picked up the phone again...
Drakonian Imperium, Undisclosed Location
0657 hours
"A Dantes has claimed the Throne. Edmunds cousin, Alexander. Your second cousin technically." Said a red haired woman with intense eyes.
A bald child, no more then four, painted on a piece of paper at his playdesk. The picture was a work that even the greatest renaissance masters would have sold thier souls to produce.
"That's wonderful news, Mother. The time to speak to him will come soon." the child said in a voice that was not a child's, and barely human.
She lowered her eyes, she tried to hide the pain mixed with love. "You...don't have to call me that, Xao. I..understand."
The child looked up with eyes that were most definitely not human. "Alyssa, I'm sorry for your burden. You are my mother, in a sense."
"In a sense." she agreed with a sad smile.
Tersanctus, Lucera Province
Sanctus Capitol, Office of the Executor
0947 hours
Shijin Kotomari had a glass of Ionican Wine with his new leader. Despite the early morning hours, they were celebrating. A mere forty eight hours prior, Shijin was the National Leader. But he was a patriot, he was an honorable man. All that he had done, he had done for Tersanctus. Maintaining a careful position within the Government, he had kept the Office of the Executor a powerful one, without abusing it. He was in short, a political genius. A few months ago, he had assigned Alex Dantes to the Governor-General of Nova Castra. After the Wehrmacht invasion, that was neither a total success, nor total defeat for either side, Alex had returned home a hero, finally awoken to his destiny. A Dantes must rule Tersanctus. It was literally in their blood.
Alex took a swig, and puffed on a Cigar. He looked at his friend, and gave a smile.
"Normally, Executors wait a year or two after taking office before going on Vacation."
"Your Excellency, considering the circumstances, I think you've earned it. I'll be happy to run things for a few more weeks, you have the rest of your life to run things. I've done this rather well for four years, I would think."
"You have...you truly have, Shijin. You've gone above and beyond the call of duty. This nation owes you a debt it can never truly repay. And...while I understand the importance of titles, you have earned the right to call me Alex. In private matters at least."
Shijin smiled. "All right, Alex."
"Because once I get back, I'm going to be calling you, Mister Secretary."
Shijin looked quizzically at the New Executor.
"Shijin, I'm reinstateing the Federal Executive Council, and I simply could not run things as smoothly if you weren't running the Diplomatic Ministry. You've been a hell of a Diplomat. The ambassadors, the foreign leaders, they know you. They trust you. You've developed relationships that would take me years to make."
Shijin raised his glass and his brow, finishing his sip, he gave his answer.
"All right. But when you get back, I'm taking a few weeks off myself. Sumiko and I haven't had an official Honeymoon."
Alex smiled at this. "Yes. By all means. And the treasury will cover any costs, and send you anywhere you wish."
"Thanks." Shijin replied simply.
"Your Excellency?" an aide carrying a phone to the outside table said the men.
"Yes?" said Alex and Shijin at the same time.
Shijin shook his head apologetically. "Forgive me, Alex, a force of habit."
"No problem. Uh, you were referring to me, right?" Alex asked the aide, to which the aide nodded. Alex took the phone.
"Hey, Sexy. Congratulations on becoming Executor. You might let a girl know about these things, I could have shown up in something nice. I'm pretty popular right now too you know."
"Callista?!" Alex said incredulously.
Tersanctus, Rouxique
Starton International Airport
Three days later; 1346 hours
She stepped off the private plane, her dark hair wrapped in a white scarf, large dark sunglasses hiding her eyes. The stark winds flapping her dark overcoat like wings.
He stepped out of the limo, wearing a fine-cut suit, his dark hair rustling in the stark winds. His green eyes taking her in appreciatively. How long had it been? Five years?
They walked to each other, a brisk pace at first, and then a full gallop to one anothers arms. She kissed him first. He kissed back. They were great friends, in the wrong places in life, meeting at the right time. They both knew there was always something more.
They had met four years prior in Alexandria, Drakonia, he a Tersanctan Army Officer on a liaison to Drakonian Naval Command, drinking with a few other officers in that hightown bar. She was the cute girl hanging out with friends.
A conversation later they were living it up on the town all night. Three weeks later they were standing arm in arm at a military base a few yards from a military helicopter ready to take Alex home, swearing they would write each other every day.
Though that promise hardly stayed true, they stayed in contact, their affection growing over the years. There were other men and women in their lives, other loves. Yet they both had felt drawn to one another,...always. And now, in an airport, in the exact same way that they had left, they were together again.
"Callista Velina! I have missed you so much!" Alex said between kisses.
"Alexander Dantes! I should kill you for almost getting killed!" Callista said removing her sunglasses, tears showing visibly.
Tersanctus, Sanctus
Shang Shao Temple
Three Weeks Later, 1534 hours
Three Shang Shao monks stood to the left, wearing the blue of the bridal side. Three Shang Shao monks stood to the right wearing the white of the grooms side.
In the Shang Shao view of the world, the blue was the Dragon, and the calm. creative side, the subtle feminine aspect. The white was the tiger, and the ambitious, destructive side, the overt masculine aspect.
Each side had their own chants that mixed in to create a esoteric, transcendental music.
Between these two sides, a High Priest of the Shang Shaoist Temple stood at an giant altar with a depiction of Kungshao, the Dragon God. He recited his own chants, but were much less audible, while lighting incense, and asking Kungshao for his blessing in this union.
She came from the side of the bride, wearing blue robes and hooded headdress. No jewelry, no underwear, no makeup, no perfume. She offered herself as she was, so that her husband may have no illusions.
He came from the side of the groom, wearing white robes, and a hood. No jewelry, no underwear, no cologne. He offered himself as he was, so that his wife may have no illusions.
They grabbed each others hands and walked up towards the altar, and knelt before the High Priest, and asked, in unison, for the priest to bless the union.
The Priest then turned to them, holding a parchment in one hand, and thumb extended in the other, and chanted the blessings, while smearing his thumb into the parchment that was covered in ink.
He placed his thumb on their foreheads, making a simple character, that meant 'wed' in ancient Forangentan. They would leave this mark on for two days afterward. Modern Tersanctans also adopted the custom of a plain gold band as their wedding ring, these two were no exception.
Alexander and Callista Dantes stood up and smiled. They kissed deeply, though Shang Shaoist tradition did not dictate that they do after the ceremony. At this a great applause grew, as the family and friends in the back of the Temple came forward through the doors, as this was a sacrosanct private ceremony.
The reception was an incredibly lavish event, with the newly wedded couple, The Imperial Couple, still wandering around in their respective blue and white robes, as they would not remove them until sundown.
"One week! One! Then you're coming back to work!" Shijin said to Alex a bit tipsy, to which his own wife, Sumiko jabbed a finger in his side.
Far across the country and across the Shinzo Golanus Mountains, Xao Dantes watched the festivities with his mind, and with a smile.
"I truly am happy when my sires are. The one thing I truly understand about Mortals. Be happy for now, Alex and Callista. I will give you clear skies and safe waters as a wedding gift. But we must speak soon, Alex."
Royal Arms Hotel, Suite 1005
0612 Hours
She rose from her slumber in a dim dawn lighting. She looked around the room in shock. Where on earth was she? Then the memories of the last few weeks came flooding back. The Movie, the premieres, the television interviews.
The intrusive ring of the telephone reminded her what had woken her. She fumbled with the receiver, before managing to bring it to her ear.
"Hello?" she slurred.
"Callista!" came the woman's voice from the other end.
"'Morning, Meredith...why are you calling me so early?"
"Did you hear about Alex?" her Agents voice came through excitedly.
"Alex? Alex, who?" she said rubbing her eye with one hand.
"Alex, Alex. Alex Dantes. Dreamboat Tersanctan Officer Alex, love-of-your-life-guy-you-swear-you're-going-marry-that-you-won't-shut-up-about Alex!!" Meredith said excitedly.
"Oh. Right, right. What about him? Is he okay?" Callista's tone was still groggy.
"He's better then okay! Haven't you been watching the news?"
"Meredith, I've been in hotels touring for 'Golden Mean' for the last six weeks. I haven't been watching any television, Ive been on it. What happened?" she said craving a cup of coffee now.
"Turn on ENN, and hold onto your hat! It's incredible!"
"Okay, okay, just let me get some coffee, and please dont call me this early anymore, Meredith. Its six thirteen in the morning in Drakonia, right now."
"Oh. Right. Sorry! Its three in the afternoon here, just turn the tv on!"
"I'm hanging up now!" Callista said loudly into the receiver, doing so, and then picking it back up, ordering a light breakfast and some coffee.
Being the newest starlet in Drakonia, she received her order in minutes. She sat in her bed wearing just a shirt and underwear, and picked up the remote, and the television blared to life as she took a bite of her toast.
"--er Dantes, being received home as a National Hero after the events of Nova Castra, stunned Nusquam Esse today with his swearing-in ceremony of the Office of the Executor. After four years of the Kotomari administration, our neighbors to the west, the Republic of Tersanctus, have the Dantes dynasty restored! Already popular for his hands-on defense of their colony, Alexander Dantes has an incredible ninety-eight percent approval rating, as his native country welcomes a Dantes back into power with open arms..."
She watched, stunned. Alex? The new Executor? She knew he was related to Edmund Dantes, the former executor...but this? She picked up the phone again...
Drakonian Imperium, Undisclosed Location
0657 hours
"A Dantes has claimed the Throne. Edmunds cousin, Alexander. Your second cousin technically." Said a red haired woman with intense eyes.
A bald child, no more then four, painted on a piece of paper at his playdesk. The picture was a work that even the greatest renaissance masters would have sold thier souls to produce.
"That's wonderful news, Mother. The time to speak to him will come soon." the child said in a voice that was not a child's, and barely human.
She lowered her eyes, she tried to hide the pain mixed with love. "You...don't have to call me that, Xao. I..understand."
The child looked up with eyes that were most definitely not human. "Alyssa, I'm sorry for your burden. You are my mother, in a sense."
"In a sense." she agreed with a sad smile.
Tersanctus, Lucera Province
Sanctus Capitol, Office of the Executor
0947 hours
Shijin Kotomari had a glass of Ionican Wine with his new leader. Despite the early morning hours, they were celebrating. A mere forty eight hours prior, Shijin was the National Leader. But he was a patriot, he was an honorable man. All that he had done, he had done for Tersanctus. Maintaining a careful position within the Government, he had kept the Office of the Executor a powerful one, without abusing it. He was in short, a political genius. A few months ago, he had assigned Alex Dantes to the Governor-General of Nova Castra. After the Wehrmacht invasion, that was neither a total success, nor total defeat for either side, Alex had returned home a hero, finally awoken to his destiny. A Dantes must rule Tersanctus. It was literally in their blood.
Alex took a swig, and puffed on a Cigar. He looked at his friend, and gave a smile.
"Normally, Executors wait a year or two after taking office before going on Vacation."
"Your Excellency, considering the circumstances, I think you've earned it. I'll be happy to run things for a few more weeks, you have the rest of your life to run things. I've done this rather well for four years, I would think."
"You have...you truly have, Shijin. You've gone above and beyond the call of duty. This nation owes you a debt it can never truly repay. And...while I understand the importance of titles, you have earned the right to call me Alex. In private matters at least."
Shijin smiled. "All right, Alex."
"Because once I get back, I'm going to be calling you, Mister Secretary."
Shijin looked quizzically at the New Executor.
"Shijin, I'm reinstateing the Federal Executive Council, and I simply could not run things as smoothly if you weren't running the Diplomatic Ministry. You've been a hell of a Diplomat. The ambassadors, the foreign leaders, they know you. They trust you. You've developed relationships that would take me years to make."
Shijin raised his glass and his brow, finishing his sip, he gave his answer.
"All right. But when you get back, I'm taking a few weeks off myself. Sumiko and I haven't had an official Honeymoon."
Alex smiled at this. "Yes. By all means. And the treasury will cover any costs, and send you anywhere you wish."
"Thanks." Shijin replied simply.
"Your Excellency?" an aide carrying a phone to the outside table said the men.
"Yes?" said Alex and Shijin at the same time.
Shijin shook his head apologetically. "Forgive me, Alex, a force of habit."
"No problem. Uh, you were referring to me, right?" Alex asked the aide, to which the aide nodded. Alex took the phone.
"Hey, Sexy. Congratulations on becoming Executor. You might let a girl know about these things, I could have shown up in something nice. I'm pretty popular right now too you know."
"Callista?!" Alex said incredulously.
Tersanctus, Rouxique
Starton International Airport
Three days later; 1346 hours
She stepped off the private plane, her dark hair wrapped in a white scarf, large dark sunglasses hiding her eyes. The stark winds flapping her dark overcoat like wings.
He stepped out of the limo, wearing a fine-cut suit, his dark hair rustling in the stark winds. His green eyes taking her in appreciatively. How long had it been? Five years?
They walked to each other, a brisk pace at first, and then a full gallop to one anothers arms. She kissed him first. He kissed back. They were great friends, in the wrong places in life, meeting at the right time. They both knew there was always something more.
They had met four years prior in Alexandria, Drakonia, he a Tersanctan Army Officer on a liaison to Drakonian Naval Command, drinking with a few other officers in that hightown bar. She was the cute girl hanging out with friends.
A conversation later they were living it up on the town all night. Three weeks later they were standing arm in arm at a military base a few yards from a military helicopter ready to take Alex home, swearing they would write each other every day.
Though that promise hardly stayed true, they stayed in contact, their affection growing over the years. There were other men and women in their lives, other loves. Yet they both had felt drawn to one another,...always. And now, in an airport, in the exact same way that they had left, they were together again.
"Callista Velina! I have missed you so much!" Alex said between kisses.
"Alexander Dantes! I should kill you for almost getting killed!" Callista said removing her sunglasses, tears showing visibly.
Tersanctus, Sanctus
Shang Shao Temple
Three Weeks Later, 1534 hours
Three Shang Shao monks stood to the left, wearing the blue of the bridal side. Three Shang Shao monks stood to the right wearing the white of the grooms side.
In the Shang Shao view of the world, the blue was the Dragon, and the calm. creative side, the subtle feminine aspect. The white was the tiger, and the ambitious, destructive side, the overt masculine aspect.
Each side had their own chants that mixed in to create a esoteric, transcendental music.
Between these two sides, a High Priest of the Shang Shaoist Temple stood at an giant altar with a depiction of Kungshao, the Dragon God. He recited his own chants, but were much less audible, while lighting incense, and asking Kungshao for his blessing in this union.
She came from the side of the bride, wearing blue robes and hooded headdress. No jewelry, no underwear, no makeup, no perfume. She offered herself as she was, so that her husband may have no illusions.
He came from the side of the groom, wearing white robes, and a hood. No jewelry, no underwear, no cologne. He offered himself as he was, so that his wife may have no illusions.
They grabbed each others hands and walked up towards the altar, and knelt before the High Priest, and asked, in unison, for the priest to bless the union.
The Priest then turned to them, holding a parchment in one hand, and thumb extended in the other, and chanted the blessings, while smearing his thumb into the parchment that was covered in ink.
He placed his thumb on their foreheads, making a simple character, that meant 'wed' in ancient Forangentan. They would leave this mark on for two days afterward. Modern Tersanctans also adopted the custom of a plain gold band as their wedding ring, these two were no exception.
Alexander and Callista Dantes stood up and smiled. They kissed deeply, though Shang Shaoist tradition did not dictate that they do after the ceremony. At this a great applause grew, as the family and friends in the back of the Temple came forward through the doors, as this was a sacrosanct private ceremony.
The reception was an incredibly lavish event, with the newly wedded couple, The Imperial Couple, still wandering around in their respective blue and white robes, as they would not remove them until sundown.
"One week! One! Then you're coming back to work!" Shijin said to Alex a bit tipsy, to which his own wife, Sumiko jabbed a finger in his side.
Far across the country and across the Shinzo Golanus Mountains, Xao Dantes watched the festivities with his mind, and with a smile.
"I truly am happy when my sires are. The one thing I truly understand about Mortals. Be happy for now, Alex and Callista. I will give you clear skies and safe waters as a wedding gift. But we must speak soon, Alex."