NationStates Jolt Archive

It was a cold, clear day over the thick, snow covered forests and hills over which the Republic Palace Tree oversaw all.

The bluish-pink of the dawn cast it's silent pall over a civilization and people that wanted dearly to stay in bed. (..do 'you' like getting up on a cold day?)

But still did the citizens of the Holy Republic jostle, and the bustle began to make renewed tracks among the many magni-rails, hover streets, and even icicle mists of flight trails from aerocraft.

But this day held a hidden sense in the air. The bustle over GANN over the past few days was unavoidable, as the word of the important diplomatic talks not only were approaching, but were here.

In one of the titanic Place Tree branches, a banch attendant, one of thousands that kept the holy duty of keeping the holy blossom flowers alive during the frozen months, as doing just such, using a simple tong like device with semi-cups on both ends with a simple fusion battery to keep a steady warmth stream, was currently working a cluster of ice-mist covered blossoms, all the while listening to a comm-freq radio device in his ear.

Another example of how unavoidable the news was.

--

GANN ~ The N.A.S.I. Debate Hall is ready, and the goverment awaits the arrivale of the delegates of all the nations involved in the Straits of Gibraltar crisis. The talks are hoped to avert a situation that is rapidly growing out of control.

Two 'days' ago, an EMP detonation was read in the Straits, though the goverment has called a black-out on any information concerning the cause. Experts though indicate an attack was made, though even they won't say whom, as to help preserve diplomatic soverengty in wake of the talks today.

The goverment though has issued a strigent stance, condeming any hostile acts, while also pushing for peace in the nature of national relations.

---

Meanwhile, the Archonis StarPort and New Aroura Science Institute were a flurry of activity. Their first major diplomatic function, and they were 'not' going to waste it.

Four aircraft approached Gaian airspace, making no motion to hide themselves as they began to transmit a message to the Gaian government.
"This is the Dostanuot Loj delegation to the Gibralter peace talks requesting permission to land. Our entorage includes one TJC-3 transport aircraft with Admiral U.Namtar II who has come to personally participate in the talks, as well as eight Rogue SpecOps soldiers who will be his personal body gaurds on this trip. As well as three YF-100 Glaive fighters to ensure the safety of the delegation. We request permission to land, and would like to express our gratitude in advance for your assistance in this matter."
The quartet of aircraft just continued to circle outside of Gaian airspace, awaiting conformation.

Deep within the Aero Traffic Command Center, the chief aero-coordinator, waiting for the first of such prononcements, watched his holoscreen with rigid interest.

As soon as the Dostanuotan transmission came in, much of the ATCC activity leveled off, as the open comm recieved the transmission.

"This is the Dostanuot Loj delegation to the Gibralter peace talks requesting permission to land. Our entorage includes one TJC-3 transport aircraft with Admiral U.Namtar II who has come to personally participate in the talks, as well as eight Rogue SpecOps soldiers who will be his personal body gaurds on this trip. As well as three YF-100 Glaive fighters to ensure the safety of the delegation. We request permission to land, and would like to express our gratitude in advance for your assistance in this matter."

The Aero-chief flicks a holobutton to comm back..

"Welcome to the Holy Republic, Dostanuot Loj delegation.

Runway 22-A1W is open, and cleared for your landing."

---

A moment later, a series of hologen runway halos glow forth, lighting the entire indicated runway, just left of seven others, with the luminated runway-dashes strobing towards the tarmac where a good sized honor guard awaits.

10 OmniMechs arrainged in 2x2 honor row formation, with Angel Gods in between each Mech, holding their Keystaffs at parade rest.

"Very well, thank you again for your hospitality in this matter."
With that, the lead YF-100 turned to the illuminated airstrip, the pilots carefully closing the thrust vector flaps on the ramjets, and with even more skill in the timing, ignighted the rockets breifly to drasticly slow the massive fighter down for landing on the runway. Such a STOL tactic for the YF-100 was rare, but amazing to watch.
Slowly, the transport came down, pulling beside the lead YF-100 at the recption, being followed by another YF-100. The final Glaive fighter circled the airfeild a few times, and when the captian was confident that no danger existed, turned and landed in the same fashion as the two other fighters before him.

After a few minutes on the ground, the rear hatch to the transport opened, and out came a contigent of Rogue soldiers dressed in their tell-tale armor, Admiral U.Namtar II himself, as well as 4 others. The group walked to the Gaian welecome party smiling.

As soon as the ramp extended, the Angel Gods wordlessly snapped their Keystaffs to At Arms.

Awaiting them in the brisk air is the Excellency himself, with Lady Seto and Lord Azusa flanking him.

Aleaic notes the incoming smiles with his own.

..with an extended hand. "Welcome to the Republic Lord Namtar."

Meanwhile, a Hover HQ Unit with three Hover-APCs awaited well behind the honor guard.

---

(Come on Mattiva and Loegyr, at least 'try' to join before you both plaster each other.))

"Greetings my gaian freinds!" Admiral U.Namtar II declared as he reached out his hand, taking the Gaian leaders hand and shaking it.
"Such a pleasure to see you, but I must say, I'm not used to such cold weather."
The Admiral looked around, smiling, "Quite a nice welecome party, I'm impressed. I hope these negotiations will go quite well, although i fear they may turn quickly into a surender dicsussion as now even my own nation has been dragged into physical conflict. But, let's hope this can be resolved quickly before much blood is shed."

Aleaic smiles again after Azusa shakes Namtar's hand. "Aye, the brisk weather suits me for some reason."

Aleaic then guestures to the HQ vehicle, one the size of a 20th century big rig, lined all over with comm bulb-nodes, antennas and dishes.

"Indeed we have recieved the initial reports of combat activity over the Straits. We indeed also wish this to end quickly. Loss of life is needless in any case. Already some refugees are approaching our shores for protection.

If at all possible, if the conflict can be resolved before we have to absorb too many, not too mention the sowing of hatred.

But we are not heedless that this may not work out. At the very least, we offer an option of an open door."

"Ah yes, what a shame. To my understand though, Gibralter is not very inhabated. A bonus I guess."
The Admiral turned and walked to the vehicle motioned too.
"I hope you don't mind a pair of my gaurds staying with me. The SpecOps units have gotten all paranoid with the declaration of war. The rest, I'm sure you can provide transport for them, if not I can have some brought in."
The admiral then laughed slightly, rubbing his hands together, "And what did you say the temperature was here?"
With that he stepped into the vehicle, his aids carrying his luggage, and the two Rogue gaurds that stayed by his side all times following inside.

OOC: Just out of curiosity, here are we accepting that I EMP'd the mines, and if not, why not?

OOC: Just out of curiosity, here are we accepting that I EMP'd the mines, and if not, why not?

OOC: Um.. it doesn;t really matter that you did.
A) It was the thought that counts, he wants full control of the strait, I will have nothing of it.
B) He laid more mines.

"Ah yes, what a shame. To my understand though, Gibralter is not very inhabated. A bonus I guess."
The Admiral turned and walked to the vehicle motioned too.
"I hope you don't mind a pair of my gaurds staying with me. The SpecOps units have gotten all paranoid with the declaration of war. The rest, I'm sure you can provide transport for them, if not I can have some brought in."
The admiral then laughed slightly, rubbing his hands together, "And what did you say the temperature was here?"
With that he stepped into the vehicle, his aids carrying his luggage, and the two Rogue gaurds that stayed by his side all times following inside.

"14.. which means your guards will enjoy the warmth of this fine 'limo' here, since it could transport last weeks gossip to and fro."

Azusa then quips.. "..would that be Seto's or Peorth's?"

Aleaic just ignores the whine from the pinch Seto gives her former 'gremlin'.

"Hahaha, quite good then. Shal we be off now? I'm very interested in seeing this fine countryside before I'm jammed in a room debating, as I'm sure you can understand."
The Admiral turned to a nearby pair of Gaurds and snapped his fingers.
"I had forgotten, I brought you a gift, as a token of my appreciation for these measures you have taken. Even though you are not directly affected."
The two gaurds walk into the transport, and come out carrying a dark tan box, bringing it over to Lord Aleaic and setting it down. Once the box was carefully set down, they opened it up, revealing a beautifully crafted 24 karot gold chest, cueiniform markings around thr rim of it, with the words transcribed into the Roman alphebet just above them.
"I hope it serves you well, our Ke'Tuna Territory in the Carribean has quite an abundance of gold. Another reason we are so adamant about keeping that waterway open."

((Ascendancy Maps (http://www.freewebs.com/gaianknight/nationmapimages.htm)

Just for reference to work with in the following posts heading to the Palace...))
-----

As the HQ Vehicle lifted via mag-lift, along with the escort, the gift imparted gets a decent 'ohhh' (or 'ahhh') in suprise. "Impressive work of craft."

Lady Seto then quips.. "It'd suit well with the gold plated lavatory you enjoy.."

Aleaic suddenly turns beet red, with frazzled hair. "Did you 'have' to bring that up Lady?"

Seto just rolls her eyes behind her open bento fan. "It was a suggestion."

Aleaic grumbles, then coughs back into composure.

--

Meanwhile, they finally depart Archonia StarPort, beginning an hour journey through the central landmass to the homeland mass in a southeast direction.

The begin to move through a nearly untainted whitescape of snow, and resultantly, the snowdusk blinders tint the windows to prevent snowblindness.

With the still early sunrise, there can be discerned through some heavy mounds, artificial structures. Within are many hydroponic farms, with artifical sunlight aiding the natural adjoining. The snow however covers most of the many acres of the garden-domes.

There are also some hover-haulers moving along a commerceway adjoining the primaryway. here and there a OmniMech patrols afar with an ocassional sighting of either a Battlesuit or Angel God Star.

20 minutes later, they pass both a major deep penetration mine, and then Ismuths Crossing. Here can be seen the Two Gulfs, the cold making great ice sheets amid both.

Here they enter the homeland mass..

..and still some 50km away, the Palace Tree begins to gain detail. (that which the morning haze allows that is...)

---

((OOC- More next post.. =^^= ))

"Such a beautiful countryside," The Admiral commented as they drove accross it, towards the Gaian palace, "and a much impressive military I see there."
Turning to Aleaic and smiling yet again, "So far this trip has been most enjoyable Lord Aleaic, when this is over, we must discuss a mutual tourism agreement. My people would surely love to experiance this culture and climate of yours."
The Admiral turned back to the window, enjoying the scenery, different from what he was used to in the tropics.

Lady Seto then speaks up again. "Thank Lady Washu, Admiral, whom you'll meet soon enough. The spiky red hair will be a giveaway."

"As is her 'inqusitive' nature." Aleaic seeths out with a passion. Azusa chuckles again. "Someone has to do the annual physical on us."

Meanwhile, they begin to pass through Archonis Oracalii, with the large marble-superscrapers chiseling out through the icy mists. The primary way is clear at this moment, as the escort moves through. Main traffic is diverted to the Overage Trafficway temporarily.

When they pass the tropolis, the sight of the Palace Tree dominates most of the sky.

Which could be enough, if not for the sight of a pair of Warhawk OmniMechs guarding a major gatepoint, as they primaryway breaks off to the east.

":: Passing Clan Angel Galaxy Base.. ::" ..the pilot informs.

Off the left window as they drive, comes kilometer upon kilometer of the Tourman Center. here, the snow is completely gone, even from the roofs of the numerous structures.

..and many OmniMechs form up in patrol formation for the day, as well as for training and testing.

In one particular area of intrest, is a large group of Mechs, surrounding two others.. Aleaic notes. "Looks like the 5th Seraphim is having a Greviance problem today."

A particular bright flare of laser fire denotes the obvious. "Not for long.." Azusa comments.

Aleaic then takes the wierd note to detail.. "Aye Admiral, the prospect for tourisim is welcome."

One of the Mechs, just as they pass from sight, falls over in a heavy thud. Again the Palace dominates the view..

Once they pass the base, it's essentially a straight shot to the capital. The Primaryway is still quiet, but the commerce and secondary ways are starting to become heavy with hover traffic.

But the more they close up on the capital, the more divergent the hover mainways become, spliting off in many directiing, including up and down. Some of them run deep underground as they merge into the detail of large root structures.

":: Six kilometers milord... ::"

Aleaic just nods to no one in particular.

..mentioning the mainways, they begin to merge with some 'very' large root structures.

The Palace Tree is totally dominating to the sight, but not because it's simply a gawd awful huge tree..

..it's more a forest that begins to rise from the ground as like a mountain rather than a tree. The inital roots were actually passed just before the Clan Core Base some fifteen kilometers back.

..closer in, the mini-tropolises began to merge more and more with the rising roots, as the very trees were offshoots of the immense roots. Much of the detail is covered with snow, but other detail takes it's place.

..ever larger structures of white marble and peralescent material rise in rounded units, both tall as they are wide. Off much of these stark structures rise numerousl antennas and dishes, many with blinking led strobes atop. The growing shadow from the Tree canopy makes more of the strobes easily aglow.

The structures, as well as the mainways don't intrude upon the tree. Indeed, here symbiosis is in treaty between human made and the natural wonder. The white seems to meld artisticly with the deep, earthen brown roots, and even closer in, immense trunk and arcing branches. The green and multi-color of the branches offerings to the sight crown a veil that's hidden much by ice mist and snow.

There's no real noticable wind this day, but still, the simple act of gravity makes the snow atop the canopy flake off, causing a light 'second' snowfall upon the Palace City. It seems to have it's own magic when it floats past the HQ vehicle's panes.

"The locals call it blossom-snow, named because it seems to snow off the blossoms that never stop blooming upon the Palace Tree. They say it's the work of angels that grace the Tree, constantly assuring it keeps it's natural beauty.

..I like the story personally speaking." Aleaic infers, actually enjoyng the 'common-place' sight.

As for the structures, the closer the Trunk comes into detail, the more even larger groupings of 'metropolises' are seen. The mainways are ordered, but 'numerous', with multiple layers that run between the 'metropolis units'. But all that seems to hold some in place are, strangely, thin air.

But the mainways don't occlude the sight of the Trunk, more it is set in a way to accentuate detail of it.

But then and there, the tour reaches it's inital end, as the HQ vehicle suddenly slows down.

":: Coming up on the Palace Archway milord. ::"

Aleaic just looks at Admiral Namtar II with a smile. "Ready for the second part of the tour?"

"That's a mighty big tree.." The Admiral said as he peered out the window to the tree. "I wonder how old it is? It's gotta be a few thousand years old at least."

Smiling, he turned back to Aleaic "Second part of the tour you say? I'm afraid if you're going to tell me something can beat this first part of the tour, I'd have to call you a liar." The Admiral laughed at this little joke for a moment.
"But yes, I'd be happy to continue onto the second part of the tour. I may have to buy some souvenirs for my daughter before I leave."
The Admiral relaxed back as he looked back to the window.
"But I still can't understand how people can stand this cold weather Lord Aleaic, it's simply mind boggeling to me. Oh well, it does make for some beautiful sights."

((OC- I wonder if the Straits War will keep going...))
-------

Aleaic chuckles.. "Would you believe.. um.. that it's only twenty years old?"

Just then, the HQ vehicle halts. "Besides, I've gotten used to the cold over the years." ..just then, the hatch opens again, and the cold air takes it's note on once more.

As Azusa and Seto rise, Aleaic re-guestures once more.. "After you Admiral."

The Mattvian plane touched down at the airport. The door opened and four armed guards came out the door, then behind them came Crown Prince Arther, he walked down and meet the arriving party.

OOC: I dunno, but I don't think Loegyr's been on for a few days. We'll wait and see.

IC:
The Admiral got up, looking to the door before he did his coat back up.
"Aleaic," he said as he began to exist the vehicle, "Yours is one strange nation."
The Admiral coughed a moment, still not used to the climate, as he looked around, then took a small bottle of water from his coat pocket and took a drink.
"Aleaic my freind, lead the way." He said, motioning to Lord Aleaic.

((OC- Hope so, the Earth-VI needs to liven up again. ))
------

Aleaic lead the way, followed by the Admiral's party, and then Lady Seto and Lord Azusa. The Angel Gods guards that had accompanied them floated off, as the delegation emerged.

Outside was a second honor guard of primarily Angel Gods, though two Dire Wolf Assault OmniMechs flanked the Palace entrance. It was a large 'arch' hewn naturally with the tree's 'permission', with a mass of Pearlaescent Ivory and White Diamond, carved to look like it was part of the Trunk, with large leaf patterns also carved in. The Arch lined a pair of large stained-glass slide doors, ones that were carved to also be naturally patterned with the Arch and Trunk..

..the sight of it being 100 meters large, wide and 150 meters tall made it even more impressive. The grounds here were a simply ferro-crete layout some 1 kilometer in square size. The Trunk split from the point of the Arch, ran from here, well out from the Tree, with all the details shown before.

Aleaic quips as he exits. "To be strange is our uniqueness."

One Angel God comes up, and it's obvious this one is beyond unique from the others. "Welcome back Excellency."

"Lady Ifurita." Aleaic nods and turns back to introduce. "This is Ifurita Mizuhara, one of my Tactical Advisors." The platinum long maned Lady bows.

"Welcome to the Ascendancy Admiral Namtar." Ifurita welcomes...

Ifurita the turns to Aleaic. "Your Lady Excellencies have already departed to greet the Mattvians Milord."

Aleaic nods. "Very good.."

Aleaic then walks in stride with his guests. "I'm quite sure you'll find the interior more than comfortable. Do you wish to tour the Palace, or be shown to your quarters for the duration? Either way the diplomatic function will be held later this evening after a banquet."

---

*Archonia StarPort*

Meanwhile, the Second Gaian delegation had already arrived to greet the Mattvian delegation, using a quick aero route from the Palace.

Greeting Crown Prince Auther were Lady's Excellencies Tsunami Kerensky and Arashi Kerensky, Foreign Advisor Peorth and BloodHouse Advisor Tenchi Masaki.

Lady Tsunami steps up and bows. "Welcome to the Holy Republic, Crown Prince."

"Thank you, pleasure to be here" the Crown Prince was dressed in old 1912 military dress with his medals and his crown and his sword by his side.
He steeps over to Tsunami Kerensky "nice and cold, just how I like it".

Tsunami smiles. "We hope you enjoy more than just that."

Meanwhile, next to Arashi, Tenchi was less comfortable..

..Peorth, lacking usual foresight for the weather conditions, in her semi-kimpy wear of course.. "..I.. I.. I. sure.. s.. s.. s.. am.. m.. m.. m.. m... not.. t.. t.. t.."

Tenchi rolls his eyes. "We warned you."

If Peorth had a snowball in her hand at that moment, Tenchi would have had it upside his melon.

Tsunami then guestures the same to a similar HQ vehicle like the one that transported Admiral Namtar's and Excellency Aleaic's party. "If you would follow us please Crown Prince."

--

*Palace*

The Arch Gate starts to slide open... the interior however isn't difficult to see into. It's easily illuminated within. The interior however does not look very much like a tree trunk interior.

"Thank you, I must bring my guards, you can never be unprotected, anyway these are our crack troops the BW, cold as ice, aren't you" he nudged the one of the men.
"Ja, Mein Prince" the man said.
"Only speak German, well most of them, you see in Mattvia, even though we have no German holdings, we all have to speak it, isn't that weird!"

Arashi after drawing next to Tsunami. Tsunami quips first.. "Do please bring your guards. We have quarters prepared for your entire party."

Arashi answers the next part.. "Actually it's not unusual. The Ascendancy has education programs for five different languages."

Soon after seating in the HQ vehicle.

Their journey is about the same as the one for the Dostanuot Lojan delegation.

-----

*later that evening...*

The sun sinks early beyond the horizon. There's a deep blue, clear sky for anyone that looks out..

..course that'd expose ya to the -12 degree air outside. Already a fog is begging to form at the base of the tree..

..that's for those looking down from about 65 - 70 floors up.

The talks are being held on Floor 100, two floors below the Council Chamber. There the talks are to be coronated with a semi-ball, before the talks later that evening.

He leaned over and said "Well, you should come to Mattvia one time, great place."

Looking around, The Admiral smiled, as he usually did, before turning back to Aleaic.
"All of a sudden, Lord Aleaic, I'm famished. Would there be food nearby? Or do you have something in mind for that later? I'd be more then happy to wait if the latter is the case."

Again, the Admiral looked around, his gaurds as well eyeing the surrounding area, "I do so enjoy this, um, tree. Quite a different sight then the sandstone and brownish concrete motif of government buildings in Sumer, or the large granite government buildings of Ke'Tuna."
After a slight pause to breath a moment, the Admiral finished, "It is nice to get out of the house sometimes, don't you think?" a slight laugh following.

((I've moved things forward just in case there's confusion..))
-------

*In the palace itself*

Tsunami leans back with.. "I'll relay that to our husband." ..put with a diplomatic smile.

"Shall we prepare for the festivities Sister?" Arashi says to Tsunami. The later nods then turns back to the Prince. "The aides here will show you to your quarters. The event will begin when you are ready milord.."

Tenchi stands with a couple BloodHouse aides as the offered escort, nearby. Tsunami and Arashi then bow and excuse themselves to prepare.

----

Aleaic is meanwhile still with the Admiral. "I take whatever chance I get to go to the Colonies, one of which I spent a part of my childhood.

..hopefully soon, we'll add a few more colonies. We're growing fast you know."

The floors within the tree that they walk, a mix of white and blue marble, meld with the branches of the Upper Tree. The walls do the same, with many tapestries about them, many colors and standards.

The 'roof' is translucent, showing the stars of the darkening sky above. Much of it are occluded by other branches, reflecting the interior lighting, mainly from large holo-lamps on the walls, directing light through articulate slits in all directions. The hallway they are in has many pathways to other hallways, as well as large archways to offices, conference rooms, and other reduntant functionaries.

The air is tinged by soft music from unseen speakers, echoing about the hallways. (take your pick.. soft jazz, classical, even soft rock..)

The air is nice and warm, a distinct change from the frigid air outside.

A small meal await you in your room Admiral, though a larger at the banquet and ball awaits as well. It's your choice of when and how you wish to arrive. As for me, I should slip into something.."

"...chosen by your wives..."

Aleaic looks back at Azusa and Seto. He then looks back at the Admiral. "You have some room in a gulag for these two?"

Seto eggs.. "Just asking for a coup milord?"

The Admiral laughs for a moment at Aleaic's comment.
"But alas, my wife would surely imprison me in gulag if I had any for such a purpose. Prisons are scarce for the same reason", ending the last comment with a laugh the Admiral offers his hand to Aleaic.
"Lord Aleaic, if you will excuse me, I'll take my leave to my quarters and have a snack. I shal meet you in the ball."
Still smiling, the Admiral walked off slowly, in the direction he assumed his room was, accomponied by his gaurds.

The Crown Prince and his guards were waiting in the entrance of the Palace. "Well, nice place, did any of you see that strange looking tree." They all nodded.
"I haven't seen any of the other delegations." The guards just nodded again.
"But, I hear my lord that the delegation from Dostanuot Loj is here." One of the guards said.
"Good, good" the Crown Prince said.

Both the Dostanuot Loj and Mattvian quarters were meticulously sized 'exactly the same.

Both of course were the size of the inside of small stadiums. Gaian art works and other tapestries and such adorned each, flavoring the walls, the same that melded into yet more enlarged branch sections.

There were also large, round, bulby air ducts along the surface of the floor edge and upper wall. They were part of the immense air circulation system that funneled and controlled the atmosphere within the Tree. The Tree actually created an 'atmosphere' within itself, one that had to be controlled to prevent levels of chloriphic compounds the Tree naturally made to sustain itself, from being toxic to it's shared mates.

The two delegations found attendants waiting for them, as well as a good meal for each (guards included.)

----

*Not too long after.*

"Why do I have to? It's stuffy.."

"Quiet you.." Two female voices take charge.

Aleaic grumbles.. "At least my mother isn't dressing me..

..but do YOU two have to!?"

Tsui and Arashi suddenly glower all to close. "It's either with or without the gag again if you don't settle down." "Yeah, so can it king-boy." ..respectively threatened.

Al just looks neutral... "Like you won't use it later tonight huh..."

Tsui looks at her 'Sister'.. "You think we do that too much?"

Arashi looks anime thoughtful... "Um.. could be...

..why stop though?"

Aleaic teardrops.. "I'm gonna die one day. It's the stereo. Tell me it's the stereo you're both after."

His two wives roll their eyes. "It's the jewels we're after." "Yeah.."

Al looks kinda pale.. the two see this and.. "NOT 'those' jewels!!"

Tsui though adds.. "..right now that is." ..slyly.. Arashi giggles. Aleaic mumbles. "Maybe I can make our delegations start a war with us to distract me for awhile."

A double-painful headlock from the Lady's Excellency's makes for nice glossy photos. (T/A) - "Don't even think it!"

---

Somehow the trio is dressed in good fashion within the hour.

The guards were laughing and eating there meal, the Crown Prince was in his rung talking to his father.
"Yes, father I am here..... what? no, no, no northing's happened......I don't think so.....look I'm ok, I'll phone you tommrow... yes.... goodbye" the Crown Prince put the phone down.

In his usual manner of things, the Admiral just started poking at random things in his quarters that he didn't understand, carrying around small portions of snacks that he was eating while he did so. Needless to say he made frequent trips back to the snack table.
Finally, after some breif exploration, the Admiral got himself cleaned and dressed and headed for where the others would be, with the banquet and all.
Leaving his room, accompanied by his two close personal gaurds, as they rarely leave his side, and dressed in his black dress uniform from his days as commander of the Dostanuot Loj Special Operations division, no insignea except name, rank, and postsion noticible on the flat black uniform.

At some point shortly before the vall would commence, the music in the hallways began to be replaced by actual ochestral sonnets. The sound would carry easily with a hollow-echo effect through the air duct system. (...an interesting side effect...)

The Excellency party quietly made their way to the Ball Room.

The Ball Room chamber was places almost 'center' amid the immense Tree branches, with a octogonal bowl shape of five leveled dance floor terraces of marble and glass upon each 'angle', were held up by large tree branches, easily supporting their weight. Glasssteel staircases weaved like whisps of steam, to and fro unto the terraces.

The Branches themselves were adorned with countless silk tapestries, deliberately made to float in the gentle breeze that circulated from the air ducts that were well hidden in the chamber.

The main floor had eight pathways of marble, overlain with blue and silver carpets. Small blue colored light orifices were melded into the edge of the pathways, and ran all along the 300 meters of these paths. The center was also marble, but with a 500 meter sized octagon or triple layered crystal, with a scratch resistant glasssteel overlay. Lights were carefully positioned to point into the layers, and down into the tree branches far below. To look down was to see a muted blue light deep into the center.

High above, a unique chandelier of a spiral 'galaxy' pattern was adopted, three dimensional no less. The lighting effect was 'realistic' to that of one in the heavens. The colors ran from a green-white at the edges to a deep blue midway, into a brilliant blue-white at the center. The glow it cast played the same colors upon all the surfaces.

The sight to the eye wasn't dusk however, as more carefully prepared light-sets made sure no corner was shadowed. In fact, not even under the tables, as hundreds of glass tables with the Gaian Seal overlay of a 'galaxy', was etched into the surfaces of each. Chairs were of simple velvet cushions of white, blue, light-blue, and green.

Probably the most interesting of all, the three highest terraces had both arches into the hallways, and overlook arches to the outside. They were 'quite' open to the air, but the temperature was held in check by barely noticable static fields that blunted the air temps on both sides. The overlooks had commanding views of the Ascendancy landscape outside, which was accented by the snows and crisp air, with some moonlight.

All about, many guests of the Gaian landsdrad flitted about. Hover-mini bots and servants tended to the guests, and the Council Family is at the (obviously) closest table to the floor.

The two delegation's tables were seperate, but triangular arrayed from the Gaian host's table. The music was 'found' being played on high of the highest platform terrace. to the 'northern' side, the Gaian's 'luck' side of their beliefs.

The Crown Prince made himself down the room, with only three of his guards, the guards were dressed in parade uniforms, and the Crown Prince was dressed in his General Field Marshall uniform.