NationStates Jolt Archive

Stewardess' Residence, Palace of the Revolution; Tailville DR, Revolutionary Commonwealth of Wagdog
Turning the dangling wand that twisted the blinds of the penthouse suite window to let in the dawn of yet another morning in Wagdog's capital city, Stewardess of the Revolution Christine Friedrich remarked on how much had truly changed despite the skyline being familiar overall. At this point, some five years ago, we were still a titularly-socialist nation as feared as respected; indeed then in a fight for our lives and those of our Vetakan allies when the Ennuisians pushed those fears to the hilt. The sun shone the same spreading orange as the new banner's main broad stripe proclaimed, the "Spreading Dawn of the Second Revolution" as the heralds and vexillologists so claimed. In fact, the real origins of Wagdog's new flag hadn't been half so glorious...

Five Years Prior, The Second Revolution; Tailville DR, United Socialist States of Wagdog...
Gunshots echoed throughout the capital, though by the sounds of it at last the loyalists were winning against the Vetakan Security and Intelligence Service Section-28 terrorists and their so called "Wagdian United Communist Front" traitor allies. Regimental Command Sergeant Major Roger Martin of I Red Guards Infantry Corps (a.k.a. "The General Secretary's Own Regiment of Rifles") had fought for hours, as soon as the traitors had begun trying to use certain Ranger units to inhibit the Red Guards from acting against the Section-28 terrorists poaching upon the city's massive resident Vetakan population.

"Ironic, eh boys..." He muttered absently to the squad behind him; MPs detached to his HQ by I Rifle Corps Political Officer Taylor Bollings to arrest him originally, but convinced instead to return to lawful command and put several rounds into that muntious bitch shortly afterward. "We're the 'Red Guard', and here we are fighting part of the 'Red Army' to stop commies from overthrowing reformist socialists. Man... politics." He spat that out, showing his disdain for the situation. Supposedly Damiran and perhaps Vetakan troops would arrive to help sort the situation out, but from what he heard the last had their own VSIS-28 troubles at home to clear first; and that didn't even touch the Ennuisian War still on over there...

Looking out at the body of a dead mutineer, he saw a bizarre variation on the crimson-red-green tricolor that they were apparently using for identification now that the insurrection had begun. Only this one had been bleached somehow, so the top showed a spotty dark orange rather than scarlet red; a curiosity. "I think I'll keep this..." His MPs joked in approval as Martin used his ABK Mk.1 Allanean bayonet to cut the armband free and stuffed it into his uniform pocket; before picking up his E-19A4 assault rifle, refixing the bayonet for the close fighting yet to remain, and began leading the MPs to the Harbor District where it was heard that the local Smithy's Wine Bar pleasure dive was where the routing VSIS-28 terrorists were making their last stand against quite the hostile crowd.

"Come on boys! You want the ladies to have all the fun of killing these terrorist spooks and their mutinous puppets before we do!" His troops roared at him in approval, and they soon found a nearby KM-131 Beschuetzer to pile into and make their way towards the waterfront; a certain orange armband hastily tied to one of the radio antennae. A certain orange armband, not the color it had been intended as, but in the color that would change it's nation's history forever...

Leaving her revereie about what she'd read of the new banner's origins, Christine turned away from the dawn and towards her desk. It had once been her husband's, that of General Secretary Charles David Lind, though since the attempted coup those years ago had rendered him incommunicado for so long Christine had been forced to use her position as Deputy General Secretary to restore order. And before she'd known it, passed through the National People's Congress like so many other of the Fundamental Amendments made to the Constitution the year following that crisis point, she suddenly found herself styled "Madame Christine Lind Friedrich, By the Grace of Progress Stewardess of the Revolution" with her husband the former Paramount Leader now relegated to the title "Mister Charles David Lind, By the Grace of Progress Vice-Steward Consort to..." Gah! Christine thought acidly, despite the inner flutter she got over her title at times as well; she certainly didn't hate it as-such. What those Elves and Vampires couldn't do to Charles, they've all but done to me; I've heard of Queens with less verbiage before their reign-titles than my supposed 'Administration' has. Thinking of the climax of that change's start, Christine got misty again...

Five Years Ago, The Second Revolution; Tailville DR International Airport, Gate 28
Christine Friedrich stepped off of the consular aircraft that had brought her home, complete with a detachment from the Wagdian Embassy in New Theeb's guards. One way or another, she would end this madness. "'Pissed' is a kind word to describe me right now..." she thought to herself as she froze suddenly seeing the one woman trying to escape. ELAINE!" No way was the Interior Secretary behind all this trouble going to get away; not now, not ever.

The blonde, sporty woman turned to Christine, and absolute shock splayed her face with horror. Her planned escape, whether to Kravania or Eurasia or any of the various orthodox communist nations out there, was now officially scuppered. She dropped the E-21C compact pistol she'd almost whipped Christine's way, and began grovelling as Christine approached lividly; Chinese jian-style sword bared and execution in her eyes. "Christine... Comrade... love..." Elaine stuttered as she realized just how far she had fallen; all of it, for trusting to the same vampire Defense Secretary Mario Iliescu, of whom now WIBC News Channel 1 was showing the summary decapitation by General Secretary Charles Lind using one swift stroke from his Shira Saya style Japanese blade. An execution right in front of the National People's Congress, done in the style of 'People's Justice' of ages ago, in retribution for his attempt on Charles' own life and upon the life of the reformed state Charles and Christine both had tried to build. "My love... I swear, I never wanted you to... Please! You must believe!...

Not wasting any time, Christine hauled Elaine up by the collar and rammed the straight longsword home through her heart and out Elaine's grey dress blouse's back. The shock on her face became total as her eyes began to roll back, death coming over her slowly. "Christine..." Elaine coughed against the swelling blood in her throat as the world grew dim and pained. "Why...? We were... communists together. We shared, every... thing. Why now?

"Simple, Elaine." Christine prepared for the single hardest thing she'd have had to do up to that point. "You have committed high treason against the United Socialist States of Wagdog, due to our recent liberalizations in economy and justice a member in good standing of the Confederacy of Sovereign States." Tears rolled down Christine's cheeks too, and she brushed aside a honey-blonde lock before continuing; steeling herself for the final blow. "If I turned you over to the Supreme Court, Elaine, you would've wished for this instead by the time they were done with you. You know how the Allaneans are about these sorts of things." It was time. "The Revolution will not die, Elaine; it will simply... change. If we follow too narrow a path, we risk falling off; and that I will not do!"

Pulling the blade free, Christine allowed Elaine to sag into her, blood staining the black dress blouse she'd worn on the visit to the embassy in Vetaka not so many hours ago. As Elaine mumbled wordlessly, life draining from her by the second, Christine hushed her softly. "I owe you this much... Comrade Williams." As Elaine finally passed, still in Christine's arms, Christine finished. "Your penalty is paid, without fear or favor; by my account." Washing the blade on Elaine's blouse, she then walked on; she had a country to regain and a husband to put back in power now that he'd reemerged. No sense in keeping either waiting...

Returning to the present, and looking at the miniature of the same Marianne Leading the People statue that had replaced Lenin's atop the Palace of the Revolution's heights, not that the statue had been scrapped since there was a place in Revguin Park which turned out able to accommodate it as the relic it was by now, Christine began to set to her task. She'd grown lonely in recent years, the burden of rebuilding a nation wearied by war and readjusting it to peace again being well worn upon what was in fact still quite a pretty face. Framed by wire-rimmed glasses and shoulder-length honey-blonde hair, her peach-hued skin and hazel eyes gave Christine Friedrich the sort of delicate yet worldly appearance that put across just how much a 'woman of power' she was underneath. She set to writing up her letter, hoping this could ease the boredom...

Dearest Rene,

In the years since our mutually-beloved Scarlet disappeared I've grown to feel like a stranger in my own Palace and Government, so much had I come to depend on her counsel and even simple good cheer to carry on during the darkest of those days so long ago. I have the paramountcy now, with my husband apparently content to discharge the duties of a consort and 'warm body' in the political sense as well, but still I feel so empty. These years past have been hard, even if right perhaps, and I must say that to linger any more in loneliness risks more than it would be worth.

Might you, and perhaps any friends or colleagues you wish me to meet, come to Tailville DR and allow me to do you the honors of a hostess in my land? The hectic years since The Fighting Stars interrupted both Scarlet's last visit and our planned trip together to Reloria have seen our diplomatic activity merely treading the ever-turbulent waters. And I don't believe this will do, either for State or personal reasons.

If you are busy, fear not; I understand what women in power like us have to cope with and would always allow you your duties as you would me mine. But if you can come, please do friend; It's time I showed the Second Dawn in this nation to more than just its' own people and the tourists who flock here half-expecting some Marxist relic in action. The sun will shine on our laughter, you can see our new Congress in action and perhaps congratulate them on the opening they've achieved since the restricted days; and above all we need not be alone amidst the changing tides.

Sincerely Yours,
Christine Friedrich
Stewardess of the Revolution, Revolutionary Commonwealth of Wagdog
Secretary President, RCW Supreme Directory

Rene sat in her office; the sun was shining brightly through the solar glass and transparent bullet proof back plating into her place of work. Rene was in her comfortable white leather chair that looked like it belonged more on a captain's bridge of the USS Enterprise than behind her old Oak desk. The carpets were plush crimson red and the Animarnia Royal seal was printed on the mat in front of the leather sofa, which was frequently used for meeting heads of state and personnel friends.

A man in a dark suit entered the office; one of the new CSIS agents, one of Rene's last acts of office would be to create CSIS; the Central Security Intelligence Service. An almalgoration of AIA, Home Land Security the FIS and other intelligence and security services into one branch under Director Fisher and Sub Director Black. The aid handed her a folder; one which was marked personnel. Rene read over the message from Christine and smiled brightly.

"Jack; have Animarnia One Prepared for departure at there soonest Convenience" Rene ordered firmly; "and Contact Molly; she should come and meet some of our allies; after all the news people are saying she's going to be running for office and with her reputation she could win" Rene added.

"Yes Madam President" the suited man said quietly and turned on his heal to leave; meanwhile Rene pressed a button on her desk and the holographic display opened up typing on the keyboard build into the desk surface the formulated a reply.

"Dear Christine

My dearest friend; I humbly accept your invitation to spend time with you at your palace; I heard about the exploits of the revolution. I regret that at the time I was indisposed due to a medical condition and that my government in absentia was not as forthcoming with help as I would have hoped. With the election coming I feel like this may be my last term in office ending soon; and as such I can think of nothing I'd rather do than spend time with you my dear friend. As I type this Animarnia One is preparing for my arrival; Alas I do not have a 'warm body' in the truest sense of the word though my dear old friend Sam provide me with a confidence and advice from time to time. I will be bringing a friend with me for my visit to your nation; she is a young and influential woman who many believe would make a fitting successor to the presidency of my country and I believe it to be good for both our futures for her to meet the leaders of our principle allies.

I too Miss Scarlet old friend.

Rene
President of Animarnia, Leader of Her Majesties government
Commander and Chief of Her Majesties armed forces

Gate 28, Tailville DR International Airport; Tailville DR, Wagdog
Christine couldn't help but wince at how appropriate the gate Animarnia One was arriving at turned out to be. The same place I had to consign yet another dear friend to history's ashes, and took up my new burdens even if I didn't see them at the time. Christine's mood simply had to improve, because at this rate she couldn't get much sadder and more peevish. News from abroad was more or less the usual she had to deal with; assorted persons more fit for insane asylums than political offices getting charge of new nations every day, and bringing epic misery unto the peoples thereof as well as others in the process. So far her nation hadn't had to deal with one yet again, but Stewardess Christine Friedrich knew that luck would not hold. Wagdog had made its' fortune out of the fate flowing from participating in the first defeat of one such madman, the slaver tyrant and self-styled "Almighty" Strator, and that fortune had taught her through bitter experience that eventually one would wander across more of those incompetent leaders that simply had to be dislodged from their path; by force of arms as often as force of the tongue.

Still, Rene's letter was a source of happiness even amidst the general surliness Christine fought down. Who am I to meet? Could it be... no, surely I'm not so lucky yet; yes? Christine had been absently following the Animarnian pre-campaign season via both Wagdian and local sources, and so far was very impressed by the person she was thinking of. Far more so than Animarnian Home Secretary Edward Benton, who despite deserving a certain professional respect as with everyone she had worked with nonetheless struck her as a bit too imperious and willing to dispense with principle on odd occasions. And that was saying something coming from her, a woman who despite genuine kindness was equally worthy of her old nom de guerre "The Blood Angel" from back during the First Revolution; when she and her husband had ruthlessly hewn their nation from out of the neighboring island outposts of various decaying empires and private despotisms.

Whether one got the saccharine or the sadistic flavors of Christine Friedrich depended utterly upon how you treated her and those she loved. She wasn't sure where Mr. Benton fell in that continuum, so she'd shove the question aside and give him the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully at least the Christian-fundamentalist fanatic Miriam would fail yet again and Animarnia would remain among Wagdog's most stable and dependable allies even if perhaps at once its' most-stubbornly independent as well. Friends who will disagree with you keep you sharp, and being dull is indeed dull enough to avoid even before one thinks of its' perils. She didn't think it would be long now before the latest stone upon which Christine's heart and will might yet be tested strode through that gate to meet the waiting honor guard and their hostess; hopefully the only formality this day, in what Christine hoped would be a simple 'girls' day out' to catch a moment's respite from the merciless institutionalized tedium and paranoia of high office...

Rene hated to fly; which in all honesty was an irrational but no less real fear to her; those who knew her personally well enough to be aware of this were indeed few. She as always put on a good outside mask put on your happy face and smile for the crowd but inside from the moment of take off to touch down she was terrified something was going to go wrong. She had no specific fear of what but the main thought was the engines were going to drop off or they'd just explode in the air. It was irrational; Animarnia one was the best-maintained aircraft in the country; a luxury customised Boeing 787. She smiled over at her companion Molly DeLèan whom was fast asleep with her legs curled up into a ball and her coppery-red hair covering part of her face. Molly obviously had no fear of flying.

"This is your Captain Speaking; we will be touching down at Tailville DR International Airport in just under 5 minutes" the relaxed voice of her pilot announced over the intercom. Just under ten minutes later the plane was on the ground and had taxied to the correct gate. As the engines were winding down Rene stood up and pressed her crimson red blouse down to straighten it over her jeans; choosing something very casual for the meeting. Molly sat up awake and stretched like a cat waking from a long nap taking time to move her neck around and stood up with Rene.

They both walked down the private security concourse followed by Rene's body guard Sam ten paces behind; as was regulation; his shaven head giving a slight reflective glare from his skull. The bulge under his arm obviously from a DAC-99 in a shoulder holster she had elected for only Sam to accompany her, as this was more a personnel visit than a professional one. Even so there were still those albeit in a friendly nation that could seize and opportunity to put her out of the way as it were. Rene came though the gate she spotted Christine and smiled brightly and embraced her opposite warmly.

"Greetings and blessings upon you my dear friend" Rene said with a smile; as was the standard greeting for Animarnians' usually close friends whom had not seen each other in a long while or lovers. Rene blushed at the thought for a moment; before recovering with just a tint of rose on her cheeks; "and this is Molly DeLèan" Rene said introducing the woman beside her. Molly was fairly tall reaching five Foot eleven inches and was wearing a simple red skirt and a black undershirt; which accented her cleavage quite nicely and she wore a white wool cardigan loosely. Her smile was framed perfectly by her dazzling green eyes and straight coppery red hair, which came just off her shoulder.

"Hello, Pleased to meet you madam Stewardess" Molly said with a formal bow stepping forward.

Christine welcomed each of her dear friends in turn; first embracing Rene, in whom she detected an... interesting, sense of raised body heat from something, and then returning Molly's bow for full measure. "Rene, Greetings and Blessings upon you grrrl! Finally we can all unwind; and I am not taking any guff from the world on that part." After a glomp of solidarity to end the hug appropriately according to how she felt, Christine didn't slack for affection either in Molly's case.

"Greetings and Blessings Molly; from what I know of you you'll likely surpass your honored grandmother Alexia, whatever you do in your life." She took Molly's hand after rising from the bow, perhaps more warmly than might be deemed strictly proper but Christine could care less about that when being friendly. "But that's business to come. Just Christine will do, since I'm still not used to this pseudo-monarchical contraption those Elves convinced the Congress to stick before my name on portentous tennis-court charters and so." Hopefully an appropriate allusion, which Christine had no doubt Molly would catch. "Anyway this trip, ladies..." Christine took on a very impish tone as she led them to the baggage claim, "has but one reason only: fun!"

As if to put the lie to her, her PDA began buzzing again and she quietly motioned for some space to check it. Damn, just DAMN! Her thoughts exactly upon more of the Tranderson Codes controversy (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=548516) heading her way; only mollified somewhat by 'Lord' Stephon von Tranderson apparently having more regard for his own welfare than the average insane despot these days. "Excuse me, I must make a call."

Getting Charles on the line with the secure phone function, Christine lectured him, "Charles, for the entirety of Rene and Molly's visit here in Wagdog I entrust the authority of the Stewardship unto you. Be it that Von Tranderson imbecile deciding to act the fool again in spite of his apparent attack of lucidity (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13411533#post13411533) just now, or else Mrs. Gorbachova (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=548379) should decide to put those forces I've had drawing up since last night in Shazbotdom's defense to the test." Pausing for a breath, she lovingly but firmly emphasized, "I am not letting the world's foolery interrupt my day with two women I consider like unto sisters; one of whom I've only just met. Understood, my love?" She put some slight warmth more into that one; best to appeal to the primitive aspects of the male psyche as she knew from decades' experience.

After his grunt of assent, Christine hung up the call and then on a lark handed it to Molly. "You see what we'll be having to deal with? We can do it," no sense in scaring the young woman now, "...but it never gets any easier. Part of why we need each other in this business; otherwise we go mad and turn into shrews for the rest of our days." Borrowing a phrase from the internet culture rife in Wagdog, a cyber-cafe being just across the concourse from her, Christine quipped "Do. Not. Want," in mock emulation of her husband's speech patterns when he was especially angry at some world leaders' idiocy-of-the-moment; hopefully she could more entice Molly than spook her so that the fun could start.

White Phoenix Bravo, Skies above the Wagdogian Seas:

The White Phoenix Bravo soured proudly in the sky at its normal cruising altitude it was the second plane to bear the name White Phoenix Bravo. It was the same class of aircraft as its predecessor aBoeing 747-200B but this one had been specially designed to meet a number of objectives namely to provide a Joint-Mobile Command Unit for Vetaka and Wagdog in times of Emergancy. The plane was a direct result of two of the nations top political leaders marrying, having a child together and generally spending the majority of their time together. As a result the White Phoenix Bravo MKII as it was officially known not only had the capacity to command the nations of Wagdog and Vetaka together it also the capacity to support a small newely founded family. Part of the design specification of the MKII was that it was to provide all the factors and facilities of the MKI but it was to be child friendly, safe and provide the new family with a home from homes.

The resulting aircraft had not only met the objectives stated within its design specification it had exceeded them and was a true credit to the joint Wagdoguian-Vetakan Buisness venture that had built it. The aircraft was white in body, on either side of her tail was a different flag one of them was the Vetakan One the other the Wagdogian One. Down either side of the plane the words the full names of both Wagdog and Vetaka where scrawled across it. Flanking the magnificent bird was a joint squadron of Vetakan and Wagdogian FA-15 Cardinal Aircraft acting as the Escort in these turbulent times ready to defend the plane carrying two of the worlds most influential leaders. On the top floor of the aircraft sat on a very comfortable leather sofa Perry Cox stroked the hair of his beautiful elven wife, it was so soft, so beautiful he smiled down at her as she stared back at him. Their loving bliss was innocently broken by the small tapper of feet they looked at the door it opened and a small girl smiled at them and giggled:

“Mummy, Daddy look”

She ran towards them and handed her parents a small phone like object the words:

“Auntie Rene is in Tailville tonight, will you see her? See you soon. Rising Tiger”

Cox sighed and whispered to his wife playfully:

“Why did we let Pearce and Stone design that phone?”

Toriel smiled and whispered back:

“It keeps her happy and connected”

Lúthien smiled hugged her mother and farther and sprinted away back down the corridoor leaving Cox and Toriel together in splender again:

“Id forgotten Rene was visiting” spoke Cox

“As did I, whats our current position?” enquired Toriel still enjoying her husbands hands stroking her hair

“79 Miles Southwest of Tailville DR, we could make a pit stop?” replied Cox

“Yes, it would give, Lúthien a much needed period on the ground” spoke Toriel sitting up.

Cox kissed her cheek as he reached for the Intercom:

“Captain?”

“Yes Sir” came a reply.



“Inform Tailville DR, ask them if its possible Lúthien could get some time with her Godparents?”

“Of Course Sir, Your quite psychic we where just dicussing going to Smithys when we got back” replied the Captain in a relaxed tone.

“Excellent” came Cox’s Reply.

With that the plane arced northwards towards the Wagdogian Capital and Toriel rose to her feet and whispered:

“I’ll give Sepes the good news”

Cox nodded and smiled as he watched his life leave their cabin rising to his own feet he began to stack papers back in his bag and generally prepared to meet his family. On the flight deck of the aircraft the Captain contacted Tailville DR International Airport:

“Tailville Tower Copy? This is White Phoenix Bravo Over. Inbound to land at Capital. Request Permission to Land? Also request the State Department contact Christine a lively 5 year old seeks her audience?”

Rene nodded her agreement as Christine spoke about unwinding and having fun; "Yes; that’s exactly what we need; to cut loose and the apocalypse be damned" Rene said with an equally bright smile; Christine seemed to give off a bubbly and excited air which put everyone at ease. Rene felt more relaxed in the first five minutes than she had the last several months. Molly nodded her agreement and blushed slightly from Christine's affections not quite expecting the level of attention but was no less welcoming of it.

"Then Christine it will be" she said with her lips curling up into a smile; that could melt men and women alike; in fact her best friend had often insisted jokingly Molly get her smile licensed as a potential weapon. "My grandmother left large shoes to fill I'm afraid I'm not sure if I have big enough feet based on my surname alone" Molly said truthfully and all to aware of the expectations which would be on her should she win the election. Both followed as Christine talked about 'fun' Molly idly wondered exactly what kind of fun the leader had in mind and looked to Rene whom was grinning seeming to have an idea of the kind of things that were going to happen this trip. I guess they've known each other a long time Molly thought to herself.

Molly and Rene both nodded and chuckled as the phone was handed to Molly; "Men are from mars, women are from Venus; but morons are definitely from earth", Molly chimed off; it was one of the informal things her grandmother would say when presented with yet another world crisis. "So what is on today's agenda?" Molly asked curiously.

"Well I heard Wagdog has some of the best hot-springs around? Maybe we could take a visit there sometimes during the trip?" Rene said with a curious wink

OOC: V, Am I OK to assume that the Tailville branch of Smithy's Wine Bar is still in operation? I'll wait to cover the springs until my next but I figure it probably would knowing what I know.

IC
Baggage Claim, Turnstyle 7112, Tailville DR International; Tailville DR, Revolutionary Commonwealth of Wagdog
"Awww!" Christine blushed at the thought, even if despite hardly being the best in conservation terms thanks to rampant modernization and globalization perhaps Wagdog did have some nice springs. What am I... uuuh! Chrissy you've got to get your mind out of the gutter and onto the playground girl! "Sure, we could visit the springs. I'm not much of a tour guide anyway, not like Charles; unwinding today equals win for me." She was certain she heard the PDA-phone vibrate several more times, and would've peremptorily turned it off as Charles was quite capable of informing the bureaucracy of her wishes. One of the few queen-like perks she had zero compunction about employing when she had to, only this time something nagged at her and she picked up. "Yes?"

"Ma'am Stewardess, this is the Tower. We have a certified five-year-old special someone requesting immeidate clearance to speak with you, about matters of what the State Department assures us are the gravest of national security issues." One could see the fatherly wink on the greying Air Traffic Controller's face already. "Cleared to put you on?"

Beaming suddenly and almost dropping the phone from girlish reflex, Christine wasted no time. "What? Yes! By all means get the little Miss Lúthien Sepes Cox on the line. Why, we've got business of State going on that simply shan't do without her." Though perhaps faux-sarcastic, her tone was not demeaning; the child of the Wagdian Ambassador to Vetaka and the former Vetakan Vice President, now deputy to Honored Parceltongue Daniel Pearce in representing Vetaka's new Tribal Chiefdom to the world, had been one of the few things keeping Christine grounded at all these past five years. Having lost a child of her own, stillborn due to the freakish timewarp that had catapulted her nation across easily two lost decades of history in but the passing of one perceived night, Christine was bound and determined to be a good surrogate-aunt to the child she knew alive.

Motioning to Rene and Molly to close in while she put it on a medium-volume speaker setting. "Hello? Is that who I think it is?" Christine was animated again now, glad to hear yet another dear friend was around again; if only in voice. Perhaps also in presence, if her fair (if inconsistent) luck held. The baggage and motorcade would simply have to wait a while longer; no buts about it.

White Phoenix Bravo, Approaching Tailville DR International Airport:

Lady Uthiria Toriel Lathiriel nos Farlond elven demeanor rarely broke, she had faced down many challenges and conversed with many evil and nasty men but for all her experience and toughness that she had to have to excel in her job yet she was powerless in the face of her 5 year old daughter. She wrestled to get the girls shoes on it was only when Lúthien's specially designed pink phone began to ring it sang and vibrated "There Can be Miracles" from the Prince of Egypt the wrestling, giggling girl stoped and reached for the phone. Thankful for the distraction Toriel managed to get the small strappy shoes on to her daughter whom spoke softly and childlike into the phone:

"Auntie Chrissy... its me silly"

Lúthien stopped giggling and like most children did tried her hardest to impersonate an adult:

"Auntie Christine, I want to come and see you and Auntie Rene. I miss her. Please tell mummy to let us come please? Please?"

Lúthien was like most 5 year olds she loved to play and loved to eat chocolate one of the many traits that had developed from staying up to the early hours watching Cartoons with her adoptive uncles of Daniel Pearce and Jonathon Stone. The small girl sighted a Chocolate Bar on her beside cabinet one of the ones her friend the Chef had left for her, her eyes playfully and she bolted for it, Leaving Toriel shaken she watched her daughter for a few seconds she was reminded of a certain rebellious elf all those years ago but it was then that she heard christines muffled voice. Toriel picked up the phone and took up the conversation:

"I am afraid Lúthien is engrossed with a chocolate bar, Can I help you? spoke Toriel pllayfully to her best friend and superior.

Rene smiled at her suggestion; "I'm sure you'd be a wonderful tour guide; though you and Charles really must visit Animarnia some time; I'd love to show you both around our capital" Rene said. Molly blushed deeply sensing some of the body language from Christine; "I'm afraid I travelled light and I didn't bring any bathing suit", she said with a playful flirtatious tone; "Though I've never been to a hot spring before anyway; so I don't know what the usual policy is"; Molly broke out into one of her 'lethal' smiles

Rene grinned ear to ear hearing the little girl speaking and laughed at how 'proper and adult' her Goddaughter sounded. "Hey there squirt" Rene said into the speakerphone playfully; it was a known fact that every child Rene had ever met always became 'half pint' or 'squirt' or 'kiddo' and sometimes all three in varying order. She meant no offence it was just how Rene talked to kids; this of course was no helped by the fact Rene spoiled her any chance she got, Rene never having children herself felt rather motherly towards the young half-eleven.

"You should let her come Christine; after all it IS grave matter of national security", Rene said with an equally mischievous tone in her voice loud enough for the person on the other end of the line to hear. Molly watched the exchange between the three in idle wonder; so that’s what being a mom is like she thought idly. Rene smiled again at the comments from the girl's mother; "Let me guess Daniel has been introducing her to the wonders of chocolate bars and sweets?" Rene said equally as playfully.

"Sweetest Lúthien, you're always welcome in your half-homeland and you know it." Christine mock-chided the girl, clearly too young to understand the intricacies of dual-citizenship. Such innocence was to be guarded at all costs, especially from the all-too-real monsters that lurked out there waiting for its' scent to pounce on. Thankfully, this girl at least had far more protection already than most; which though hardly the ideal was how things stood for now.

"Why not you let your mommy and daddy get the plane down, so then we can see you and show you around the capital?" Might as well start getting the girl acquainted with what was arguably to be her second home. "I don't want to bore you, so we could stop when you wanted, but Tailville has lots of pretty buildings and fun places even before we get to my house." Letting that sink in a while, Christine turned to Molly's question.

"Policy? None really. The actual baths are private at most of the springs, including those we'd likely go to; so anything is fine." Her voice fluttered a bit, nervous at how forward this was getting and keeping low so as not to be overheard even with her hand over the speaker to keep privacy. "I think we should probably go after little Lúthien's bedtime though; less awkward, and all." Might as well take care of that potential complication.

"That it is Rene. Why, I don't see how the Commonwealth will survive without our precious Lúthien Sepes Cox gracing us with her presence." Hand off the speaker, Christine returned to the merriment. "Lúthien, you tell your father that he spoils you rotten and your mommy should remind him of who's the elder by a few millenia." The fact that what Christine had heard of the girl's upbringing eerily resembled her husband's habits at the same age was hardly encouraging.

Turning back to the elven Ambassador, Christine said "I'm quite fine, old friend. Just get yourself and your husband down here and we can all get a day off from this mad, mad, MAD world." The Tranderson Codes crisis was still in its' early hours, and though Christine was confident her husband could manage it she didn't like how its' timing had been so abhorrently perfect.

Hanging up upon the acknowledgement from her most important ambassador by far, Christine motioned to Molly and Rene. "Come on ladies. We've got a little princess to meet and I don't want to keep her waiting." She was a good girl, to be true, but Christine honestly hoped Lúthien's aging didn't go as slowly as it might if the Elven side of her genome was dominant. She'd look radiant even at that age of course, but the thought of a girl who would be effectively a child until eighty and then a young woman for centuries thereafter (even if mortal as her half-ancestry made certain) was something Christine was still only gradually getting accustomed to if indeed it should turn out the case.

I'm not touching my own slowed aging with a ten-foot pole. Bah! Here I am flirting with Molly and yet I'm probably old enough to be Alexia's generation; a woman who'd be a musty relic, were it not for me still looking in my thirties thanks to the backwash from that cursed metaphysical event that hit us. I'd just better not be immortal otherwise I don't know what I'd do with myself! Much of the effect of what had cost Wagdog two whole decades of lived time in one perceived night was still being determined, and more still probably could never be by means available to present science at least. And as far as Stewardess Christine Friedrich was concerned, she wasn't sure how much she exactly wanted to know either; the loss of her unborn child to that freakish happenstance had been hard enough to cope with as was without further oddity adding to it.

White Phoenix Bravo, Approaching Tailville DR International Airport:

As Lady Toriel was about to reply to her Superior the aircraft's PA System crackled into life:

"All Passengers please begin to return to your seats and assume landing positions we are coming in on at Tailville DR. Crew begin landing procedures".

The Elven ambassador smiled and replied to her Superior:

"I must go it seems we are soon to land"

Saying their goodbyes the phone died and Lady Toriel returned to her daughter:

"Come on we are going to visit the family"

Playfully the small Girl of Hope obeyed and took her mothers hand and followed her to her landing seat. The plane proceed to get lower and lower, Sepes gazed out of the window looking at the wonderful scenery of Tailville DR a few seconds past before the plane touched the ground perfectly beginning to slow it eventually taxied to its predefined terminal.

Rene nodded; "Of course; everything waits for family" Rene said simply with a small smile which held more than a little mischief. Rene was a child at heart and could in the right situation easily regress to schoolgirl like giggles though few ever saw this side of her. To most she was the stern and cynical realist but that was the job; that was what is required of a leader; but today was about fun and just relaxing with a dear friend without any barriers; matters of state could wait for family.

"Aircraft will be arriving at Gate 28 Diplomatic Terminal from Vetaka" The Tannoy announced and Rene started towards it with a slight spring in her step. Molly waited for the line to click off before giving her reply with a flirtatious smile; "That sounds fine to me Christine; though we should just get one all together" she spoke up.

Rene agreed adding - "as long as they have something to drink; hot baths and booze go together; so do titties and beer; so Sayth the Lord Frank Zappa; God of Rock"
Rene was quite the Zappa Fan and had an impressive collection of CD's and Vinyl and insisted that Animarnia One's MP3 Music Library had a large collection of Zappa at all times.

Gate 28, Tailville DR International Airport; Tailville DR, Wagdog
"Indeed Rene." Christine could see White Phoenix Bravo now, so modified that she actually blushed. Proof of how far we've come... That it was. Turning to Molly she added, "Well, now's the chance." Aside from the rude Fabianese Surprise just minutes earlier, this was turning into a perfect day; and if it didn't stay that way Christine might become most cross. She didn't know of course that naturally she'd end up cross anyway for setting such an expectation, but there was no way of such at the time.

"Allelujah!" Christine had never been particularly religious, even if from a decently-off and devout family back in the land she'd originally been from so long ago. When that land had entered a ruinous guerrilla war overseas which it had neither really won or lost in the end, and Christine had needed to console her fellow sorority pledges over lost brothers, lost boyfriends, even a few lost husbands worst of all, She'd lost still more faith for the sheer pointlessness of the tragedy; and that was where Charles the newly-discharged-veteran for their shared homeland that he was had come in, all fiery and radicalized by what he perceived at the time as the greater justice of the cause he'd been called up to fight against at first. Which perception else which had also changed in time, on his part, as only experience could teach a man; luckily experience he had survived to learn from. "Praise be to Zappa!

Wait a minute, are both these women?... Christine was blushing beet red now. Get your hormones under control girl! There's a little one coming down the gate and once she's in visual you must act like an aunt and her sisters with Rene and Molly, understood? Christine's thoughts were hardly becoming of a Head of State, if one subscribed to certain old notions of propriety, but there they were all the same. Hopefully they wouldn't need repeating for a few hours now...

Gate 28, Tailville DR International Airport; Tailville DR, Wagdog:

As the plane reached the gate its Engines died and the brakes locked into place once the brakes had locked the Tailville DR Airport maintence screws scurried over the plane. At the gate itself as soon as the door opened 2 black suited Security Operatives left and walked down the corridoor taking up position at the gates joining door to the Terminal itself. This wasn't particulary a secruity issue it was simply to ensure that little Miss Lúthien Sepes Cox didn't escape and lose herself in the hustle and bustle of Tailville DR. The guards at the door bowed, smiled and saluted at the sight of the Wagdogian and Animarinian Leaders a few seconds past before the Gate Tunnel was filled with the tapper of running feet a few more seconds past the small girl appeared she sprinted into the arms of Christine and embraced her screaming:

"Auntie Christine"

Lúthien eventually let go of her adoptive auntie and hugged Rene her second adoptive Aunt. A few more seconds past before Toriel and Cox appeared looking slightly relieved to be on the ground flanked by their own security detail they exchanged greetings with Rene and Christine. It was good to be on ground and it was even better to be in Wagdog.

Rene grinned nearly from ear to ear as the little five year old half elf sprinted full speed and headlong bear hugged Christine and then herself; hey there squirt "Rene said playfully" ruffling the little ones hair with one hand. "You've certainly got a lot taller from the last time we met" she said with a grin. Molly watched the two godmothers with a small smile on her lips; to see these two strong and independent women, leaders in there own right, often described by allies and enemies alike as "hard bastards" reduced to giggles and squeaks was most enlightening. Rene saw the opportunity and pushed Molly forward slightly from the butt with a slight smirk "and this my lady is Molly DeLèan; she'll be joining us today if that’s alright with you my lady?" Rene said to the young girl with a grin making sure to emphasise the words 'my lady' in an oh so worshipful tone clearly putting the little one in charge

Rene spotted the little ones parents coming down the concourse followed by there own security detachment and smiled bowing respectfully; "Hello there you two; you look as happy to be on the ground as I feel" she said with a small grin; it was no secret that Rene hated to fly

Gate 28, Tailville DR International Airport; Tailville DR, Wagdog:

As the plane reached the gate its Engines died and the brakes locked into place once the brakes had locked the Tailville DR Airport maintence screws scurried over the plane. At the gate itself as soon as the door opened 2 black suited Security Operatives left and walked down the corridoor taking up position at the gates joining door to the Terminal itself. This wasn't particulary a secruity issue it was simply to ensure that little Miss Lúthien Sepes Cox didn't escape and lose herself in the hustle and bustle of Tailville DR. The guards at the door bowed, smiled and saluted at the sight of the Wagdogian and Animarinian Leaders a few seconds past before the Gate Tunnel was filled with the tapper of running feet a few more seconds past the small girl appeared she sprinted into the arms of Christine and embraced her screaming:

"Auntie Christine"

Lúthien eventually let go of her adoptive auntie and hugged Rene her second adoptive Aunt. A few more seconds past before Toriel and Cox appeared looking slightly relieved to be on the ground flanked by their own security detail they exchanged greetings with Rene and Christine. It was good to be on ground and it was even better to be in Wagdog.

"Fairest Lúthien, my dear." Christine crooned like it was her own daughter hugging her, which in a sense Lúthien pretty much was. Not to begrudge the most important ambassador Wagdog had or her husband and Vetaka's third-highest official, just that Chrissy had always wanted to be a mom; something revolution and war and timeslips had denied her thus far. "Hail and Welcome, little princess;" Christine used the greeting from a prior Age as was appropriate, which was extended thereafter. "Hail and Welcome, all of you. You do us much honor and privilege, even if to me you're also like unto family." As Lúthien moved on Christine moved to greet Cox accordingly.

"Well, so as not to waste time, should I take us all straight to the Palace of the Revolution for some lounge-time? There's plenty to see on the way and I figure our little hope," Christine turned her head back to Lúthien as she frolicked with Rene, "can see the building again in case she doesn't remember it?" Christine really wasn't much of a tour guide, and besides what she really wanted them to see was at home anyway. Though if required to delay a bit, she could; this was no day for selfishness of course.

Cox smiled and embraced Wagdogs most famous leader as if she was part of his family. Similarly Cox's wife Lady Toriel exchanged greetings with her Superior as if they had known each other for centuries. Cox and Toriel then moved on to exchange greetings with Rene and Molly before Lúthien suddenly darted off towards a group of children playing chase within the immediate area.

Cox and Toriel sighed and laughed as a Bodyguard attempted to keep pace with the Elven-Human Child. Eventually Cox turned to Chrissy and spoke his voice a playful one:

"Christine, does the Palace still have the same Chef Team as last time I was their? They did an amazing Chicken Tikka Masala Curry and Triple Chocolate Cake? Pearce tried to freeze one and take it home for Stone but alas it died mid-flight"

Just before Chirstine could reply a small boy of Lúthiens age sprinted between the group almost knocking Rene over, a split second later Lúthien herself zoomed past shouting and giggling:

"Sorry Auntie Rene, Ill get him and tickle him for you"

Seeing Rene was somewhat shaken, Cox touched her arm and smiled:

"Children eh? Lúthien is like her mother, strength of 10"

Rene giggled briefly and stretched her limbs still slightly stiff from the flight she grind brightly more jet lagged than hurt or shaken she nodded to Cox; “Hell yeah” she said with a girlish wink. Your wife is damn strong I seem to remember some wine fuelled arm wrestling contests several years prior.

“Sounds like a good plan Chris” Rene replied quite happily “and goodness yes I’m starved and could do with sampling that fine Wagodgian Coffee that your people are so proud off”

Molly nodded in her agreement also while watching the exchanges between the four of them with a most interested eye; rarely did International leaders get to act so much like fiends than colleagues but this day was supposed to be about fun after all; and after the last several months and some frightening reports coming her way from Aurum Domus it was best to enjoy such times while they presented them selves; after all she had no doubt if elected she’d be dealing with countless idiots from the commie-burners to slavers

OOC: Rez', fast-forward and bump so we can finish this, lol...

IC:

Palace of the Revolution, Later that Night...

Christine Friedrich emerged again from the stateroom, content that at last little Lúthien Sepes Cox was in the care of her mother; despite having learned a basic fluency in Sindarin as was only proper for the supposedly-styled successor to a Gondorin ruling title, Stewardess Christine couldn't match the Elven ambassador Lady Tóriel's tongue for the old tales. "Finally I can breathe!" She thought, free of the need to assist Honored Parceltongue Cox and his diplomat wife in tending to their rambunctious biracial heiress. "That was business; and now, for pleasure…"

Christine could still sense in her bones and… well, never mind those other places, that she was definitely attracted to this "Molly DeLéan" woman; something she hadn't felt since losing Scarlet five years ago during the War even if that had been mere unrequited feeling on her part and disappearance on Scarlet's. Or hadn't felt since, worse, having to slay Elaine Williams for her treason shortly after the war; if not the still older loss of Roxanne Wright whom Christine had yet also loved but alas never worked up the courage to approach about it due to her stronger respect for the woman first, before desire. Yes indeed, when Love chose to cut you it went straight to the marrow with no bones about the procedure at all. "Something about a woman entering this dirty business of power; me needing to shelter her, maybe even surrogate-mother her?" The Stewardess' 'issues' regarding motherhood and innocence-lost were well-kept in Wagdog if not exactly secrets anymore, and sometimes even the most worldly and cunning of women cannot fathom what they do or why. No matter; Miss Chrissy got just that sort of itch around Molly, and it was simply going to be scratched tonight; long and hard and deeply.

"Alright ladies," Christine's voice turned girlish again with anticipation, "We'll be hitting the Onsen Nabekyo hot springs. Our Kamov is wating on the rooftop helipad and will fly us there directly. Ready?" No sense belaboring the inquiry, not when even just "Spa trip everyone!" would've sufficed given the context.

Her hand on her hip pertly as she asked, Christine knew her actual emotional state was far more complex than she was letting on; all of friendship and lust and mourning and joy and a hundred others vying for the privilege of next expression. Without the reflexive glance at the miniature of the "Liberty Leading the People" statue in Scarlet's image on her desk, identical to the 100m tall one crowning the itself 400m tall building, Christine might've come undone in the next few minutes; wouldn't that have been a sight?

Above, at the palace helipad tucked into the shadow cast by the gargantuan bronze monument given by one revolutionary woman in love and memoriam unto another, the Ka-29 Helix's crew with plainclothes Committee of Public Safety militiamen guards stood at ease; goofing off insofar as alertness would allow like was in the nature of all the really good pilots and operatives. That is to say, the crew with enough self-discipline to have developed an equal measure of judgment in regards to precisely when to apply such strictly or loosely without detriment to performance of duty either way. As the party of women arrived, the crew snapped-to in such manner as to satisfy even the hardest of martinets; boarding was accomplished with minimal small talk and all due pleasantries to the figures of State and public life boarding for this jaunt. The whirring rotors of the Helix as it took off upon the boarding's completion held precisely the looser sort of conduct in promise soon; delicious release from the way responsibilities of government and fame normally held these women bound…