NationStates Jolt Archive

[OOC note: This thread is a invite only RP between me and Pacitalia. If you'd like to post something like a congratulations message, you may. If you want to do something else, please TG me. Note that I will not accept any attacks.

Also, please don't tag or bump this thread. If you'd like to read it, feel free to use Thread Tools ---> Subscribe. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this RP, please TG me.]

"Mike, you're going to be late!"

First Partner Jay Tyler was impatient as it seemingly took President Mike Sarzo hours to get ready for a flight aboard Sarzonia One. Senior Vice President for Internal Affairs Nicole Lewis was already aboard and Marcus Patinkin, the recently retired Admiral of the Navy, was en route.

Tyler finally got tired of waiting and walked into the bathroom to find Sarzo fussing with his hair.

"I can't get my hair to stop standing up," Sarzo said with a grimace. "I let it get too damn long."

Tyler said nothing and grabbed a bag in which he carried some hair care products.

"I always say long hair is a good thing," he said with a grin. Sarzo laughed.

"I don't think the rockstar look is going to go over well in Timiocato," Sarzo said. "For me, at least." He glanced into Tyler's eyes for a good six seconds. He then walked toward the terminal where Sarzonia One was set to take off.

"Hey Nicole," Sarzo said as he got into the plane.

"Hi Mike," she said.

"Hey Jaden," Sarzo said when he saw Nicole's son sitting next to her.

"Uncle Mike! What's up? I haven't seen you in a minute!"

"Where's the admiral?"

"Traffic jam on Isselmere."

"Shit. Oh wait, I see him."

Patinkin came running in with his suitcase rolling behind him. He ambled aboard the plane, still looking in military shape despite his retirement.

"Sorry I'm late. There was a four car accident on Isselmere."

"So we heard. Got everything?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, we're ready," Sarzo said at last. The pilot readied the plane and soon, the rumble of the jet engines pierced the quiet morning as the jet zoomed into the sky.

Patinkin pulled out a map from his suitcase and looked at it. Unlike Sarzo and Tyler, he had never been to Timiocato and he wanted to make sure he knew how to get where he needed. Even though Lewis had been to Pacitalia several times on vacation, she had also never set foot in the country's capital, but she was as bad with directions as Sarzo himself was. Thankfully, with Pacitalian limousine drivers, she wouldn't have to worry about it. She was more worried about giving a speech in front of an international audience.

Timiocato was literally the City of Dreams. A city where politics, economic strength and social unity came together under a roof housing twenty-four million people. Timiocato was the economic and political capital of the country, a beautiful city with a mass of tall buildings, freeways, flowering trees and oceanfront views, complemented by wide straits of blue water and clumps of palm trees and wild pineapple growths.

Despite its population, the smog level in the city was virtually non-existent. The warm westerly prevailing winds carried any pollution off and dispersed it, making life in this enormous city at least bearable to those who couldn't handle the size. Timiocato was a swarm of transportation; with three enormous airports, 54 freeways and over 200 major arteries, numerous ferry crossings along the delta the city was situated on and to the nearby province of Sephalusia.

At night, the city sparkled; its variously-coloured lights from the modern skyline to the historic government and religious buildings along Via Constituccione lit up and created a venerable and vibrant rainbow reflected so daringly but agreeably by the clear waters of the Pacific. It was a city shrouded in the occasional evening thundershower, but also shrouded in fantasy, exploration, modernity, love and, above all, history.

It was a bright, sunny morning with only one cloud in the sky when Prime Minister Ell received the call that four time zones ahead, President Sarzo, SVP-I Nicole Lewis and ex-Admiral of the Navy Marcus Patinkin were boarding Sarzonia One, on their seven-hour, luxuries-provided flight to Timiocato's main diplomatic airport, Isolamunicipa, on a large island two kilometres off the west shore of Timiocato.

Ell knew that Sarzo had been to Timiocato; Lewis had been to Pacitalia numerous times, as this was her favourite vacation spot, but never to Timiocato. However, he had been told by Sarzo earlier in the week that for the distinguished Patinkin, this would be his first trip to Pacitalia. Ell was excited by the prospect of showing Patinkin around a country that was, in his opinion, the most scenically and culturally beautiful in the world.

Already, at the Capostica, the enormous, elongated, 500-year-old, cathedral-like museum just northeast of the main government complexes, numerous workers were hanging decorations, potting plants, setting up chairs and tables and in general, getting the place ready for a new record. For the first time in history, the Capostication would be awarded to THREE people at one ceremony. The most ever at one ceremony in the past was two, and that seemed a stretch to award the world's most prestigious award to that many people at once.

For Ell, it had been a while since he had seen Sarzo; he was looking forward to seeing his old friend once more. Lewis he had met twice, once at a Woodstock Pact convention and once on one of her seemingly bi-yearly visits to La Repubblica Tropica. Patinkin was a dedicated man to his country, and so, Ell was doubly looking forward to meeting the man behind Sarzonia's awe-inspiring naval forces.

The plane would be arriving at TII (the code for Isolamunicipa) later that day, and the forecast was for a clear evening complemented by a fiery, orange-red, cloud-hugged sunset with shadowy palm trees affixed in the picture-perfect world that was Pacitalian natural beauty. Maybe that was a sign that for once, a diplomatic event involving Sarzonia wouldn't go awry... God knew Ell had enough on his plate already; a problem with security or Sarzonian integrity would put things over the top, especially with an election a week away.

And so, Ell got on his knees behind his desk and prayed for the safe journey of Sarzo, Lewis and Patinkin and for a smooth, uninterrupted Capostication. Ell was determined to make this a success, even if it was the last diplomatic event he ever undertook as leader of Pacitalia.

"Man this is one snazzy plane!"

"Jay, cool it."

"Sorry."

Sarzo had to remind himself that Tyler was still relatively knew to the concept of being the partner of a national leader and that youthful exuberance still took up residence in him. He looked into Lewis's eyes and saw that she had that serene look of familiarity when the skyline of Timiocato came into view.

Patinkin's eyes were wide in a way they hadn't been since his turn as the most influential naval officer in Sarzonia's legendary navy came to a close. He studied the approaching land with the wonderment of a man who had far too many cruises with war issues on his mind to enjoy the scenery of the peaceful journey he and two of Sarzonia's most powerful people were about to embark upon.

"Isolamunicipa Control tower, requesting permission to land, over."

"Permission granted. Mr. President, Madame Senior Vice President, Admiral, welcome to Timiocato."

Thank you, Sarzo muttered with a smile finally beginning to crease his face. The flight over was short compared to the flight on Sarzonia One, but it still seemed like an eternity for him. That eternity was going to come to a close soon as Sarzo felt the plane hit the tarmac and begin to slow to a stop.

As he and the others prepared to exit the plane, Patinkin to a classical piece honouring naval legends, and Lewis to the old McFadden and Whitehead classic, "Ain't No Stopping Us Now," Sarzo and Tyler gave each other one lingering look and embraced each other. Finally, the announcement came.

"Ladies and Gentlement, the president of the Incorporated States of Sarzonia, Mr. Michael A. Sarzo and the First Partner, Mr. Jay Tyler."

As Sarzo and Tyler began to appear on the top of the steps, the song "Destiny Rules," by Fleetwood Mac began to play.

Damn the band sounds great, Sarzo thought as a genuine smile crossed his face.

The warm gusty winds blew across the tarmac on this warm May evening, seemingly intoxicated by the large orange fireball surrounded by a cloudy red sky. The sun illuminated the buildings of downtown, the glass ones reflecting the bright orange back towards the west.

Isolamunicipa was a buzz with media and diplomats waiting for Sarzonia One to make its graceful descent onto the 3km long tarmac. Suddenly, large jet noises from the southeast signified that the plane had flown over Anubisyrrian soil and was now on its way, headlights blaring as the plane descended towards the wide strip of asphalt.

What a fine evening, Ell thought. Perfect weather for great company.

The band began to prep as the plane taxied and stopped. Immediately, ATC workers stepped up to the plane and helped the on-board crew lower the staircase and lay the red carpet that would help usher the three new winners of the Capostication onto Pacitalian soil, and as a result, the Western Hemisphere's most important city.

The band began to play as Admiral Marcus Patinkin stepped first out of the plane. He was followed immediately by Lewis and Sarzo. The three stood at the top of the stairs and instantaneously, cheers literally erupted like a volcano of sound from the crowd of thousands below, releasing balloons, streamers and confetti into the air. Large spotlights in dark blue and white represented the Sarzonian flag and scoured the sky above turning it a purple-blue colour.

Prime Minister Ell smiled and stood patiently as the three made their way down the long metal staircase and to the ground, officially marking their arrival in Pacitalia. Once all three had made their descent, he walked toward them and they walked to him, stopping in the middle.

First, he kissed the hand of SVP-I Lewis, saying "Signora, it is a true pleasure and honour to see you again. Welcome to Pacitalia!"

Then, he moved to President Sarzo, shaking his hand firmly and saying, "My friend, it is an equal honour to see you. I know this is an exciting time for you and I welcome you as well."

Finally, he moved over to Patinkin. "It is an honour to finally meet in person one of, if not THE quintessential citizen of Sarzonia. I hear this is your first visit; welcome!" He shook Patinkin's hand and smiled.

Sarzo watched Lewis get a kiss on the hand with a bemused grin and said with mock jealousy, "you little stinker," when Ell approached him. He hoped Ell would get the idea of his true intentions when the smirk never left his face as he shook hands.

Patinkin stepped forward and shook Ell's hand.

"Thanks for the kind words, Your Excellency," he said. "Though I must admit I'm still not used to the penguin suit," he said with a glance down at the dark suit with a white shirt and a black tie that adorned a body that still looked out of place in anything other than a naval uniform. Just in case, he had his full dress uniform in his luggage and was ready to wear that if asked.

"And this is Mr. Jay Tyler, whom you now know is my First Partner," Sarzo said, motioning to Tyler to step forward. The two men shook hands while Sarzo cast an admiring eye at his beau. The moment was perfect until Lewis brought the reverie to an abrupt halt.

"When do we eat? I'm starving."

Tyler cracked up and Sarzo finally couldn't control himself and let loose a full-on belly laugh that quickly enveloped Patinkin in its tidal wave-like effects. Even Lewis started to laugh when she realised what happened. The four Sarzonians began and continued to laugh for a good several moments while Ell looked on. Finally, the impolitic actions of Feline Catfish were slowly working their way out of the systems of the three Caposticates.

Ell gladly shook Tyler's hand and smiled back. "A pleasure to meet you, as well, my friend. Welcome!"

The crowd burst into applause yet again. They watched in giddy happiness and pride as they watched the Sarzonian leadership fall victim to a bout of strong, honest laughter - it meant they were enjoying their five minutes here.

"And as for you, Signora Lewis, if I'm not mistaken you would marry Pacitalian food if you could, so I understand your point." He chuckled and turned to the crowd. Ell motioned to four young girls, no older than eight, each holding round trays with a steaming soup and bread. "Luckily, we have a little tide-me-over, as you say, before we head to the Prime Ministerial Residence and get you settled."

The four girls approached and said the famous Pacitalian well-wish reserved for only their allies, each looking their assigned Sarzonian in the eye, wearing the biggest of pearly-white smiles. "Forza pora la cuerta, tragedia pora la sinistra." Strength for the loved, disaster for the hated. They stretched their arms out and on the trays, each had a cup of traditional Pacitalian sopa di carn'e fabio, and a large hunk of tough, hearty bread with sunflower and canola seeds on the crust.

Lewis, with her vast experience of Pacitalian food, knew exactly what to do. Dropping to her knees calmly, she kissed her fingers and touched the child's forehead, the traditional acceptance of the food. She then took a bit off the bread, dipped it in the soup and put it in her mouth, swallowing. Sarzo, Patinkin and Tyler were bewildered at first but followed her lead. Lewis then took a spoonful of the lamb and white bean soup, careful to get everything in one bite, and put that in her mouth.

"Graziela," she said to the girl in front of her, smiling at her. The girl returned her smile and walked back to the crowd. Lewis returned to standing position, and soon the three men did too.

Ell could not wipe the surprised look off his face. "Well, Signora, it looks like you've read plenty of books on Pacitalian cuisine. Well done! And thank you to you all. You have now been blessed into the country, and you may now follow me to the limousine, where we will head to the PMR."

It was unusual for all five of them to travel in one car, but it was a big limousine and extremely attack and sniper-proof, and on top of that all, the pre-planned route had been scoured for unfriendlies and suspicious technology. No one was allowed in the buildings along the streets of the route until at least five minutes after the limousine envoy had passed.

Ell had personally made sure the Sarzonians were safe. After all, the Capostication was a big deal.

Sarzo smiled once again at Lewis's initiative. For someone who struggled learning Spanish, Pacitalian came easily to her. The fivesome rumbled on the way to the Prime Ministerial residence. Sarzo and the others felt secure as they headed toward their destination. Lewis felt much less starved than before.

Sarzo looked out the window of the Prime Ministerial limousine and took in the remarkable beauty of Timiocato. Spectacular, Sarzo thought. Beautiful in its own way. Tyler remembered the band's brilliant performance of the various musical pieces and made mental notes on all of them. He wanted to talk to Ell about spending time with the musical director. Meanwhile, Patinkin looked serious, but serene as he gazed ahead.

The sky had turned a rich purple by this time, the clock edging closer to nine. Blackness and stars had started to peek out in the eastern horizon, behind the illuminated skyline. Timiocato shone in all its glory, busy no matter what time of day, whether with blue and white collar workers on their way to work in the day, or trendy twentysomethings on their way to the hottest dance clubs and bars during the equally vibrant nighttime hours.

http://kfox.gamehorizons.net/Pacitalia/timiocato_9pmglory.jpg
(OOC: Sorry, I had to. :p)

Ell watched as Sarzo happily drank in the change of scenery. Lewis sat, legs crossed, doing the same as Sarzo but managing to hide her awe. Patinkin was stony-faced, which, as Ell had heard from his Sarzonian counterparts, was typical behaviour on this former Navy Admiral's part. Tyler just sat beside Sarzo, holding his hand and staring at the skyline and waterfront, eyes as open as they possibly could be.

http://kfox.gamehorizons.net/Pacitalia/timiocato_atsunset.jpg

"So, my dear friends, how was the flight? Any problems?" Ell asked. "I hear from the pilot it was long but pleasant."

They continued on the massive A1 superhighway that straddled the massive seaport that followed the west coast of Timiocato. On the left, eventually, they passed PNFB 30X. Ell knew by the look on Patinkin's face that the Sarzonian knew what PNFB meant but not what the 30X stood for. Ell chuckled for a couple seconds, then began to speak to the retired, accomplished former Navy Admiral.

"Ah, Signore Patinkin, you are yet to find out what 30X means. Hah, I love surprises."

The large black limousine decreased its speed and accessed the offramp for secondary route B120, which would take them across the city to Via Constituccione and then to the Prime Minister's Residence. The charms of the older parts of Timiocato, those dating back even 500 years were evident now, their gothic, romantic and renaissance facades gleaming behind large white and angel-blue spotlights.

Ell smiled with pride as the Sarzonians continued to sit, amazed. He hated to gloat, but he knew if he had the choice to go anywhere in the world, he wouldn't go anywhere permanently except Mandragora, his home city, or here.

Patinkin grumbled slightly when Ell asked about the flight and mentioned the pilot's description.

"Hmph, easy for him to say." When the Sarzonians and Ell looked at him, he immediately broke out into a grin.

"I'm not used to flying in penguin suits," Patinkin quipped. "Give me a navy uniform and I'm a different man."

"Well, that's why you're in Timiocato in the first place Marcus," Sarzo said with a slight smile.

"I know, Mr. President."

"Please, Admiral. Call me Mike."

"Only if you call me Marcus."

"Sure thing Marcus."

The two men smiled once again as the Prime Ministerial residence came into view.

"Nice digs you got here," Sarzo said in a decidedly unpresidential manner. Tyler gave Sarzo a look and the two men immediately laughed. Soon, Patinkin and Lewis laughed and all four Sarzonians were soon in hysterics.

I bet that driver thinks we're looney tunes now, Tyler thought.

Ell was not used to informal English especially when spoken by a national diplomat, so he stared for a moment in slight distaste at President Sarzo. Ell and the four Sarzonians had been in the car now for almost an hour as they winded along freeways and major arteries on the 51km journey from Isolamunicipa, across the bridge to the mainland and over two branches of the Rio Timiocato to the Government District, where the PMR sat on a palm-shaded hill overlooking the Sotto Muro, Capostica and New Prado.

Ell recovered his composure and replied, "Yes, it was built in the late eighteenth century and dedicated to the past leadership of the country. It was not until the late nineteenth century that the people saw it fit to be converted to the official residence of the head of state."

He turned, and cheekily added, "Glad you like the architectural style, dude."

The five burst into hyena-like laughter once more and the driver looked back through his rearview mirror with confusion and disbelief. Those Sarzonians are sure happy people, he thought.

When the five got inside the building, all the Sarzonians could do was stare in awe at the interior of the house. Even Patinkin, who had seen far more of situation rooms and ship's bridges and captain's quarters than he had land structures was impressed.

"Incredible," was all he said.

Sarzo's eyes scanned slowly, taking in the ambience. He let his right arm slowly stretch out until it met Tyler's back and gently pulled himself next to his partner. They looked into each other's eyes with a mixture of awe and love.

This is off the hook, Lewis thought. She had caught Ell's displeased look at Sarzo for his informality and she didn't want to bear the brunt of Ell's reaction next time.

"Amazing," Lewis said.

"Maybe when you retire, you can be the ambassador to Pacitalia," Patinkin told Lewis.

"Can I," she asked Sarzo in a half-pleading tone that betrayed her feelings of joy with the smile crossing her face.

"We need you back home for now, but you never know. I think I could pull enough votes in Parliament," Sarzo said with a wink. He turned to Ell.

"On a more serious note, can we get an idea of our schedule so that we can at least know how long we're going to be here? Not that I'm going to advocate fete and run, but I'd at least like to know so I can let Mark know how long he's going to run the country." And hurry, Sarzo thought. Right now, Mark Lorber's probably shitting his pants when he realises that both Nicole and I are out of the country.

He knew he was right. The Senior Vice President for External Affairs was right behind Lewis in the line of succession for Sarzo's office, and Mark Lorber didn't like it one bit when both Sarzo and Lewis left him to his own devices. Particularly with tensions escalating around Automagfreek and Sarzonia beginning to get more involved with one of the world's most powerful and intimidating countries. But right now was not about the rest of the world. Sarzo wanted to spend a few moments of down time enjoying an honour that only 21 others ever achieved.

"I am surprised that you are surprised, let me be blunt," Ell said with a smile to Sarzo. "You have been in here before, many times."

"Let me escort you to your quarters, where my secretary Adriana will show you the schedule of events and help to get you settled. Dinner is at ten; a little late, but I know you are all famished."

They walked down the long crosswise corridor with the enormous, shadowed archway that seemed to stretch on forever. They past numerous doors that all looked the same, white-panelled wood with brass door handles, and the occasional glass door. Eventually, they made it down to the end door, a glass one labelled "Diplomatic Residences".

He pressed a series of buttons on the door, a green light flashed and angel-blue lasers began to sweep the floor as the glass door opened. They all entered and Ell pressed a blue button on the wall, wherein the door closed. As they passed through the long chamber, the lasers scanned faces and body shapes.

"Welcome, Prime Minister Ell. You may proceed."

Another five seconds passed.

"President Mike Sarzo, welcome to Pacitalia. Please join the Prime Minister."

It took about twenty seconds more for Lewis and Tyler to be identified. Then, they waited for Patinkin's identification, but nothing happened.

"I thought this might happen," Ell said calmly. Walking over to the panel beside the door leading to the DRs, he pressed the code to override and the lasers immediately stopped.

"Come forward, Marcus. It's all okay, now. I'll have to get you programmed in here in the near future so that doesn't happen again." Ell chuckled a little.

"Forgive me, Tim," Sarzo began. "I've got a lot of things on my mind right now." He shook his head with a slight grimace and gave Tyler a faraway look. Tyler looked intently into Sarzo's eyes with genuine concern and love for Sarzo. Lewis looked at him as if to say, "what the hell."

"It's just that the architecture here is so impressive that it blows my mind each time," Sarzo said, graciously making himself look like he wasn't going senile. "Once we have dinner, can you show me and Jay to our room? I've got some stuff I need to take care of and I could use a little sleep. And, can you let me know when the ceremony's supposed to take place?"

Sarzo looked back at Lewis, who was checking her watch.

"I'm starving," she said with a laugh.

"Of course, I understand, Mike," Ell said with a reassuring smile. "Here we are." Ell pointed to a short hallway on their right with only five doors. "Recreation and television rooms on your right, the former is the last door on the left, the latter the last door on the right, and of course the exit to go downstairs is the end door. On your left are your rooms. Each room has its own bathroom and fully stocked refrigerator, for your own convenience." He watched Lewis' eyes light up like a Roman candle. He tried, vainly, to hide his grin. "Mike and Jay have the room to the left, Marcus the end room, and Nicole, you have the one on the right. I don't want to kill you with your already forceful jet lag, so I arranged to have dinner brought to your rooms. It's a penne primavera with lobster, and a side of fresh tossed salad and grilled garlic panuma. There is chilled Famazo '68 champagne, soda, mineral water and other fruit juices already waiting in your rooms. Just use the phone and dial 2400 to call the room service when you're ready to eat.

"And of course, if there is any trouble, per se, at all during the night, dial 00 and security will be up in less time than you can say famished. See you in the morning, my friends. Adriana will be up in about 15 minutes to talk to you about the schedule."

The Sarzonians all convened in Mike's and Jay's room to have dinner as it was brought up to them. Nicole sat down first and immediately began eating. She was starved and she didn't want to wait for anything.

Sarzo and Tyler both sat down after Nicole began eating and Sarzo winked at Tyler. Both men laughed and set about their task. Patinkin said a silent grace before sitting down to eat. The four all set about their tasks quietly at first, until Patinkin finally got Lewis's attention.

"So you come here a lot?"

"Yeah. You make that sound like a pick-up line." Everyone in the room laughed at the comment. Patinkin shook his head with a smirk.

"I meant you're really familiar with the local customs. I'm impressed."

"Thanks Marcus."

"What do you think we ought to do after dinner," Sarzo asked.

"Get changed into more comfortable clothes and check out the rec room," Lewis said.

"Ooh, maybe the game's on," Sarzo said.

"That's right!" The Sarzonians hoped they would get a good satellite feed of their match against Hiiraan in the World Cup finals. In English. Before Sarzo could get up to check the tele, Adriana walked in with their itinerary. He looked at her expectantly.

OOC: I changed this to a Invite Only RP with Pacitalia. If you want in, please TG me with your intentions and I'll let you know.

And a *bump* for Pacitalia. :p

"Good evening, Mr. President, Signora Vice President of Internal Affairs, and Admiral of the Navy Patinkin. How are you all, this fine evening?" Adriana della Capita said with a genuine smile as she walked in the room. She watched as Patinkin, who had just found a feed of the Sarzonia-Hiiraan game on PSN, the largest sports television network in Pacitalia, promptly put down the remote and directed his full attention to Adriana.

"Good evening," they all said back.

"Here are your schedules for tomorrow," she said, handing them all a green paper copy of the plan for tomorrow. "We'll be touring two elementary schools in Timiocato at 8am and 10am, then coming back for lunch. After that, at around 1pm, we'll be heading to the Capostica for a pre-ceremony rehearsal and brief, which is closed to the public. Remember, though, that you'll all be doing this for real on Sunday in front of around a million to two million people, as Via Constituccione from the New Prado to the Sotto Muro will be jampacked with people, and even moreso in the Piazza della Crusa. There is only space for around 25,000 in the Capostica, so getting in will be a hot ticket in the city."

She drew a calm breath, and continued. "After that, it's back here to the PMR for some R&R and dinner between about 3:30 and 8pm, and if you're not tired out by eight, you have the option of a tour of downtown Timiocato and the government district until around 10 or 10:30pm."

"Have a good sleep, and enjoy those dinners," Adriana finished. "Goodnight."

She left the room, closing the heavy, kevlar-polymer coated wood door with a soft click.

"Thank you signora," Sarzo said. Eight o'clock in the fucking morning, Sarzo thought. I'm not a fucking morning person!

He glanced at his schedule and then his watch. It was closing in on 11 o'clock and he had to be up early thanks to this schedule. He hated getting up early, as Tyler quickly learned. Anyway, he was going to have to make the best of things.

"All right, let's go to bed," Sarzo said. "Good night Marcus, Nicole."

"Good night, Mike," they said in unison.

Sarzo didn't get too far before Tyler did something that suprised him. He picked Sarzo up and carried him through the threshold into their room and the two men closed their door. They made sure everything was as quiet as possible before their night began with something joyous, but hardly "restful."

Bump for post tomorrow

Timiocato, Pacitalia - 6.16am CPDT

The gold morning sun finally peeked over the distant eastern mountains, lighting the green uplands of southwestern Pacitalia; its cheerful rays gleaming on the tall skyscrapers of Saronno and Timiocato and on the lapis-blue waters of the Rio Timiocato. The warmth of the sun was immediately felt as flower petals opened, as if stretching, and the palm trees began to sway in the comfortable, neutral morning breeze.

The early birds were already up; their cars, vans and motorcycles starting to cram the major arteries and autostradamu of Pacitalia's largest city. Soon after, the thirty-seven million inhabitants of this bustling, clean and cultured metropolis awoke too, their eyes failing to shut out the bright, entrancing early sunshine that infiltrated their homes and apartments.

Over at the Prime Minister's Residence, the heat was nearly sweltering on this hill that the house-complex sat on, almost as though it was symbolically guiding the rest of Pacitalia onward to a higher place in the world. The sun brought an orange glow that suffused the hill, darkening the palm, beech, sergano and teak trees into a silhouette form. At this time awoke the Prime Minister and his guests, as they were to be up for their first task of the day, an eight-in-the-morning tour of a primary school in Timiocato, followed by a second school tour two hours after. Today was also the final rehearsal for the Capostication ceremonies, now that Sarzo, Lewis and Patinkin had arrived.

Breakfast was served at 6.30am - Dutch pancakes, Portland omelettes, whole wheat toast with butter, peanut butter, hazelnut spread and mango jelly, coffee, tea and freshly squeezed pineapple and coconut juice. The four ate quickly but happily at the large beech and glass table on the patio just off the "Distinguished Guests' Room", with a beautiful view overlooking downtown and the waterfront. The sun had become more yellow and pink now, creating a fantastic, awe-inspiring purple haze on the fog that was now lifting from the water, and creating a colourful spectrum on the skyscrapers of downtown that was like it had been out of a science fiction movie. The breeze had picked up a little, with Sarzo's tousled sleep hair blowing playfully around while he and Tyler indulged in today's edition of the Woodstock Daily Mail. Lewis looked grumpy, almost surly, but the food, as it usually did, seemed to cheer her up. Ell was silent, watching his country's capital slowly, but determinedly, come to life over the course of half an hour.

Adriana joined them on the patio. "Sirs and madam, it's time to get ready, now."

Ell replied. "Thanks, Adriana." He got up from the table and said to his three guests, "I'll meet you downstairs in an hour. See you then."

OOC: I'd love to get involved in this somehow, but as my nation is in the heat of a major epidemic, the most I can do is compliment the two of you on the quality of what you are doing here and tag this thread for future viewing.

~ Romandeos.

Thanks, we both appreciate that a lot! :)

(bump for Sarzonia too)

Bump for Sarzonia

Sarzo fiddled with his tie, trying in vain to make it look just so for an event that would surely be broadcast all over Pacitalia. He also figured SNN would work overtime to get the feed as well, so he didn't want to embarrass himself in front of the citizenry of two countries.

"Hey," Tyler said as he skimmed the English language newspaper left at the door to the guest room. "Says here that Praetonian and Isselmerian-Nielander media are going to be broadcasting on tape delay. Looks like the Praetonians are trying to get the live feed though."

"So that's four countries now that are going to be watching my every move. Cute," Sarzo grumbled. "Just make sure they don't use high def. I don't want my double chin to be plain as day."

Tyler gazed into Sarzo's eyes to reassure him. The two men leaned into each other until a voice interrupted.

"Guys, we've got five minutes," Lewis said. She walked in looking sharp in a business suit while Patinkin walked in wearing his full dress uniform decked out with all sorts of honours. The Sarzonians would spare no effort to make themselves look worthy of the Capostication.

"Here, let me help you with that," Tyler said, not waiting for Sarzo to answer in the affirmative. In less than a minute, Sarzo looked at the mirror and saw the knot he was struggling for ten minutes to figure out was effortlessly tied by his partner.

"Nice," Sarzo said with a smirk. The two men slowly approached each other and leaned in, kissing each other slowly and passionately, stopping only when they heard Ell walk in the room.

"I'd say get a room, but you're already in it," a voice from behind Sarzo said in a half sneer. Ell looked over at the source of the comment with a look that could kill small farm animals.

"It's go time," Patinkin said.

*bump for Pacitalia when he gets back from holiday ;)*

[ OOC: I'm calling fluid time - this takes place before the little diplomatic pie-throwing contest between Pacitalia and Sarzonia :p ]

"All ready to go?" Ell asked, smiling as Sarzo and Tyler pulled apart, slightly blushing. "Your chariot awaits. It's outside in the front drive." He grinned kindly to reassure the nervous-looking trio, then started leading them to their limousine, out of the Diplomatic Residence and into the already warm morning.

"There seems to be a common misconception that Capostication is terrifying," Ell said, looking at Patinkin, who, against all his military decorations, gleaming in the golden sun, and the one who had truly witnessed gruesome death of the enemy and of compatriots, looked the most likely to vomit at any moment. "I assure you - it is not. There is a definite element of formality, and of pomp-and-ceremony, but you will have the time of your lives." He smiled once again. The heat was starting to seep through Lewis' sharp suit and she fidgeted slightly, with a trace of discomfort mirrored on her fresh face. "Time to get in, guys. I'll see you at the Capostica. Safe ride."

One hour later, Distritt'alla Governmenta
The crowds were enormous, Ell noticed, as he looked out from the highest point of the Capostica. Cameras flashed, people yelled and screeched their joy and delight, and banners strewn among the crowd displayed pro-Sarzonian messages. Pacitalian and Sarzonian flags of different sizes waved furiously in this crowd that had to number upwards of one million people. They were all crammed in the Piazza dei Santi, and on Via Principali, trying to get a glimpse of the before-and-after Sarzonians.

Ell stood here in the Capostican Dome, where conventions of tradition stated that sitting Prime Ministers opened the Investiture Ceremony for Capostication (La Investitura Caposti) by ringing the set of bells in the dome. A cool breeze defied the warm heat, playing through the open-air structure that was the zenith of one of Pacitalia's most historic buildings. The bells were always rung at eleven in the morning, on the day of the Capostication investiture. That meant the official ceremony would begin exactly one hour later.

The official, large-format, red LCD timer that had been set up beside Ell to notify him of the time, beeped once. 11.00am, Ell thought. Showtime. He'd been standing there for about ten minutes watching the crowd before Adriana had tapped his shoulder and told him it was "two minutes until the big moment". Ell stepped up onto the cana provati and pulled the large horsehair rope up and down. A couple swings later, the three-toned bells began to ring, shouting their joyful melodies across the Piazza dei Santi, out onto the Rio Timiocato and across the city. The crowd below stopped chattering for a couple of seconds but instantly erupted into cheers of joy and excitement. The roar of one million truly was deafening.

As was procedure, fifteen minutes after the bells had stopped ringing, the limousine carrying the Caposticates arrived and parked on the street, in front of a royal blue carpet. The crowd shuffled around and stared, many grinning, at the darkened windows of the limousine. A PCIC bodyguard in a tuxedo and white gloves approached the door and opened it slowly, the door catch on the gleaming black 1954 Abris-Pazuna ES unhitching effortlessly. Four Sarzonians sat in the enormous chamber-like interior, waiting for the signal to ascend from the depths of the black vehicle.

Patinkin was the first to step out of the vehicle and the graying admiral gracefully rose to his full height. Even shortly after his emotional retirement from the Sarzonian navy he served with great distinction over the years, he still cut an impressive figure in his full dress uniform. The six stars glistened on each epaulette adorning the black uniform. He returned the salute of the guard as he followed the guide into the building.

Lewis was the next to step out with the crisp business suit making her look even more slender than normal. She turned around and waved to the cheering crowd, which let out an even more deafening yell as the smiling Lewis followed the guides into the building.

Tyler stepped out next with a sheepish smile, knowing that this was his day to stand at the side of his partner on his day, but the smile turned genuine when the crowd cheered for him. He looked around and saw a sign that said, "kiss him Jay" and laughed. He waited for Sarzo to exit the black vehicle and finally, Sarzo's left leg slowly inched out and set down.

Sarzo rose slowly, smiling when the crowd cheered him on. He waved to the crowd with a genuine smile and stood to let the applause soak in. Then, he stepped to Tyler's left and put his right arm around the small of Tyler's back while his partner put his left arm around Sarzo's. The two men walked together, smiling and waving, into the Capostica. The two men walked in slowly, taking in the magnificence of the building and the artwork in the tunnel leading to their place on the stage.

Tyler noticed the chair that sat to the side of the stage whilst two chairs in the centre were occupied by Lewis and Patinkin. The centre chair was left vacant and it was clear who would be sitting there. Sarzo. Tyler pointed to the chair reserved for him and embraced Sarzo, whispering, I love you.

"I love you too," Sarzo whispered back, lingering for several moments basking in the warm feeling that came over him. When he finally let go, he walked slowly toward the chair, finally sitting down. He caught Lewis smiling at him out of the corner of his eye and smiled back at her, while Patinkin gave Sarzo a nod.

"Guess we're almost ready to be caposticated," Sarzo said.

Those distinguished or lucky enough to sit inside the Capostica waited, murmuring quietly in their formal wear - suits, tuxedos, dresses, pearls - as the four entered. They sat on the stage in their plush chairs, glasses of water next to them on tables. The carpets were royal blue, the walls draped in white and gold - the three official colours of the Capostication. The Capostication flag was fixed to the wall high above, dancing slightly from the breeze that was fluttering delicately down through the Capostican Dome. Rays of light also made their way through the square holes in the Dome roof, reflecting down onto the setting with a gentle radiance that made the processions look eerily like Sunday mass at St. Mark's Basilica across town. Potted palm trees, spotlights and swords on pillowed pedestals surrounded the audience. And finally, to complete the scene, on the antebalcony above, cameras of media outlets from nearly twenty countries watched in equal silence as the procession was about to begin.

Trumpets sounded from a distance, and the cavernous vestibulo went completely silent. The trumpeting grew steadily louder until the warm sounds of the fanfare drenched the inner sections of the Capostica, and a quartet of immaculately dressed musicians entered the main hall, walking down the centre aisle in a slow but progressive march. As soon as they reached the head of the audience, they turned on their heels in a perfect 180, and lowered their trumpets. Two of them marched silently to the left, the other two to the right.

Applause sounded for the eight new additions to the hall - the President, the Senior Vice President of Internal Affairs, the First Partner, the ex-Admiral of the Navy and the four trumpeteers. At this moment, the Prime Minister of Pacitalia entered with Senior Deputy Prime Minister Adrian Copilul-Minune, Agustinate of International Relations Kemal Bezir Araz and Agustinate of Culture and National Heritage Paulina Cessaniti. The applause grew steadily louder. It was 11.45 now. Ell would make a speech on behalf of the government, and the ceremonies would officially kick off at the crack of noon.