NationStates Jolt Archive

The legendary Treetop restaurant was abuzz with recent news that Baron Ramak Oktarb of the Holy Empire of Dreaded Shrike and Empress Asuiko of The Grand Empire of Maransune would be dining there tonight. Considering her recent broadcast concerning the interest in suitors few doubted the nature of the occasion. However many wondered why the Empress would dine with a relatively small Empire like Dreaded Shrike, especially one shrouded in mystery.

Baron Ramak Oktarb had just arrived and secluded himself in a private room until Empress Asuiko arrived. Even now the Treetop attendants were preparing the lower tree terrace for her ships arrival. Many of the newer patrons noted the complete lack of paparazzi, though none doubted that much of the date would be recorded and cast across the galaxy, you had to appreciate the subtlety involved.

New Tokeyo, Maransune


Asuiko walked out of the Imperial Palace, accompied by the Prime Minister, Takara Hiramashi, and a number of others. "Now remember Empress to at least keep an open mind about this. Remember you must marry some one of standing in the world before your 24th birthday"

Asuiko stopped and spun around on her heel "Keep an open mind?! Are you space bonky?! You are forcing me to date this guy against my will Hiramashi! I swear if I still had my old authority I will cut you up in so many ways with a katana, personally!"

If the threat affected the Prime Minister in any way he failed to show it. "I know Empress but I am sure you will like dating once you try it" he smiled to try lighten Asuiko up.

It did not work. "Perhaps in time you pompus Democratic rat" The Empress spat out "But until then you are still on my list of people to get of" with that Asuiko turned and walked into her limosuine, accompyied by 4 members of the Imperial Marine Corps.



Kakaharma

Asuiko looked out the windows of her limosuine, watching the great crowds that had come out to celebrate her arrival. Asuiko waved a little at the crowds before turning to one of her Marine protectors

"So I suspect that guarding the Empress is the highest honor a Marine can get correct?"

The Marine gulped nervously and nodded "Yes My Empress" (another gulp) "guard-- guuarding your beaut-- I mean guarding your Imperial Majesty is our highest honor"

Asuiko grinned and shook her head, this Marine was obivous nervous around her, she deiceded not to probe. A few moments later the Limo stopped and the Marine got out, joining his fellows in protect formation. Asuiko then climbed out herself and the small group marched towards the landing pad set aside for the Dreaded Shrike space ship amidst heavy cheering and prying eyes.

Baron Ramak Oktarb watched the vid screens in his private chamber. Images of a regal if young Empress pressed every channel. If you flipped thru the channels at the right speed it became like a picture book, playing a jerky cartoonish rendision of her journey. All the channel feeding the same seriees of images over and over. Ramak was surprisingly amused and a glint on irritation he caught in Asuiko's eye. It was quickly replaced by his purpose here tonight. These flismy ruse and marriage was an annoyance. An Annoyance that seemed far below his station.

As he gazed at the vids, sipping his sake the fiery visions the Shrike left him with. Worlds and Nations burning, people screaming into the night. These visions played forward and backward, and always Ramak stood dressed in rags. In the end Ramak could never tell whether he was aiding the destruction or fighting against it. He new one think somehow Asuiko was involved. The Shrike like to play games, but this all seemed to convienant. Dreams of Asuiko and then suddenly she goes public with this marriage thing.

Baron Ramak always new the leaders of the Nations were pawns, but once you meet one of the Masters being a pawn takes on a whole new light.

Kakaharma


Soon engouth the space ship arrived and Asuiko climbed aboard, as they walked up to the thing the Empress wispered into the ear the Marine commander "Once I find my room commander I do not want to be disturbed until we arrive at Hyperion. If I get disturbed it will cost you dearly, understood" The Marine commander nodded "Crystal my Empress" with that the small group went into the ship.


After boarding the ship and finding her room Asuiko turned to her pair Marine guards, to whom she shook a finely manicured finger at. "Now remember no disruptions until we arrive or it will be on your heads" The two Marines nodded and stood at attention as Asuiko passed. Walking into her room she plopped down on the bed ((OOC: there is a bed right? If not I will rewrite that)) and let out a small moan.

"Why did this happen?" she wispered "Just last year at this time I was the autocrat of all Maransune, now because of those blasted Communists I am reduced to puppet and forced to take orders from a blasted Democrat!" The Empress let out a sigh "Well at least I still have the love of Maransune's youth, and they will be the next generation of rulers, so maybe things will improve" shaking her head Asuiko took a deep breath and tried to prepare for what was to come....