Brutland and Norden-Ruccola Trade Summit [Archive]

Brutland and Norden

29-05-2008, 17:49

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To: the Hon. Sebastiano Castiglione
Secretary of Trade
Republic of Ruccola

Greetings!

We would like to thank you for accepting our invitation for talks. I, Mrs. Crognale of the Brutland and Norden Business Bureau, Foreign Affairs Minister Bricco di Sint'Brullizio, and Deputy Prime Minister Scian Montògliore will be in attendance.

We would like to taking your offer to transport the Royal Nord-Brutlandese Ambassador to the Republic of Ruccola, Uldarico Iannuccelli back home. Mr. Iannuccelli will be your guide to Brutland and Norden.

Your plane had been cleared for transport at the private Terminal 7 of the King Kyle I International Airport. We will meet you at the airport, and then escort you to Moncucco Castle, just outside the capital Kingsville, where the summit would be held.

As we had informed you earlier, on the agenda are strengthening trade ties and negotiating a free trade agreement, plus anything else you might wish to add.

Thank you and we hope to see you soon!
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Terminal 7
King Kyle I International Airport
Dorzano, Tonzivibbia, Union Territories

Commerce Minister Liana Riprostoggione was sitting with Prince Bryce, Duke of Brugnatella, in one of the waiting rooms of Terminal 7. Terminal 7 is an exclusive area of the airport reserved for government, royal, and private aircraft. Planes of foreign dignitaries also land here, in this separate part of the airport.

The seventeen-year-old Prince chatted with Minister Riprostoggione about Ruccola. With his older brother, the King, and the Queen Mother out of the country, the royal duty of welcoming foreign dignitaries fell on Prince Bryce.

The Prince was asking a question to the young Commerce Minister when Foreign Affairs Minister Bricco di Sint'Brullizio came in the room.

"Bon'mattiore, Tu Inzetto," the chubby jovial Foreign Minister greeted the Prince with a slight nod. "Bon'mattiore, Liana."

"Oh, Bricco, you're here," Liana muttered. "Have a seat."

The Foreign Minister sat on one of the soft cushioned seats, sitting directly across the Prince.

"They will be arriving in a few minutes."

OOC: Thanks. We'll do it in some royal castle.

Actually, Brutland and Norden time = RL time. (Actually, if it's May 30, 2008 today, it's May 30, 2008 in B&N too.). I am too lazy to make up some sort of time frame B&N should run. But most of my RPs run at flexi-time, because sometimes I do not have time to post. ;)

As for the signatures, they are actually pictures made in a photo editing program. I wrote those different signatures, scanned it, and added some text. BTW, jolt's default font is Verdana size 10, and that's the font I used to create the text below the signature.

Ruccola

30-05-2008, 03:19

Nord-Brutlandese Airspace
10 km west of Tonzivibbia

“Good morning, honourable guests. We have just begun final descent into King Kyle I International Airport and will be landing in approximately fifteen minutes.”

As the Channel Islands came into view, Royal Nord-Brutlandese Ambassador to Ruccola Uldarico Iannuccelli became visibly excited, especially after the hours he spent telling Trade Secretary Sebastiano Castiglione and Commerce Minister Luisa Narniano about his country. The Ruccolian trade delegation had enjoyed hearing about Brutland and Norden, partly out of interest, and because the Ambassador was such a skillful storyteller.

The young Trade Secretary peered out of the aircraft’s windows, thinking, “My, it looks a bit like home!” He couldn’t help but be reminded of his home island of Zea in the south of the country, with its Mediterranean climate and distinctive foliage. Smiling, he looked forward to participating in Ruccola’s first extra-regional trade summit with much anticipation.

________________________________________

King Kyle I International Airport
Dorzano, Tonzivibbia, Union Territories

The 757-300 touched down under clear skies, its blue and red tail resplendent in the sun. Noticing the many NordBrut Airlines tails across the airfield, Luisa asked Sebastiano, “Do you think we should have called on the Transportation Minister as well? There aren’t exactly direct air links between our country and the United Kingdom.”

“Probably, but it’s a bit late now. I’m sure he won’t mind if you negotiate an air services agreement on his behalf, seeing how busy he is these days.”

Taxiing to the front of Terminal 7, the Captain slowly stopped the aircraft and applied the brakes, as the waiting passenger stairs vehicle pulled up to the forward port cabin’s door. While they were waiting to disembark, Ambassador Iannuccelli pointed out the dignitaries on the red carpet below. “That’s Prince Bryce, the King’s younger brother; that’s Foreign Minister Bricco di Sint'Brullizio; that’s Commerce Minister Liana Riprostoggione; and that’s…

Hmmm… He doesn’t look Nord-Brutlandese.”

“Oh, that’s our ambassador Sir Luca Verdano,” interjected Luisa.

The door opened, and the Trade Secretary walked down the stairs, with the Commerce Minister and the Nord-Brutlandese ambassador following close behind.

“Greetings, Your Royal Highness!” Trade Secretary Castiglione said as he courteously bowed to the Prince.

He couldn’t help noticing the strikingly beautiful Nord-Brutlandese Commerce Minister standing next to the prince, and he beamed as he greeted her and the Foreign Minister.

OOC: He’s about the same age as Liana. ;) Plus Ruccola is an ethnically Eurasian nation, with mixed Sino-Italian ancestry (just in case we need to RP about looks and such).

Brutland and Norden

30-05-2008, 20:49

King Kyle I International Airport
Dorzano, Tonzivibbia, Union Territories

"Mai s'sum," di Sint'Brullizio muttered as he saw the Ruccolian plane taxiing down the runway to a halt.

"Noi meglia spettece, sasane s'riesco on su vio," Riprostoggione remarked happily.

Prince Bryce, Riprostoggione, di Sint'Brullizio, and Ambassador Sir Luca Verdano went out on the tarmac to greet their guests. They watched as Ambassador Uldarico Iannuccelli, Trade Secretary Sebastiano Castiglione, and Commerce Minister Luisa Narniano emerged form the plane. Fortunately for them, the press were not in attendance, sparing them all from the blinding flashes of the cameras, the microphones being shoved at oral cavities, and intrusive interrogation by snarky journalists. Aside from the fact that they are not allowed in Terminal 7, Nord-Brutlandese media are typically tamer (but nonetheless still aggressive) than their foreign counterparts, despite the media being freer in the kingdom. When the Ministry of Commerce told the media that it will be a semi-private affair and that they Ministry will keep them informed with regular press conferences, most of the members of the media acquiesced to getting their stuff from the ministers themselves. After all, this current government had shown itself to be very open to the media.

“Greetings, Your Royal Highness!” Trade Secretary Castiglione said as he courteously bowed to the Prince.
"Welcome to Brutland and Norden," the teenage prince said in English with a slight Nord-Brutlandese accent. "I hope your trip had been fine. I'm Prince Bryce of Brutland and Norden," he said, extending his hand for a shake.

Ruccola

31-05-2008, 09:28

King Kyle I International Airport
Dorzano, Tonzivibbia, Union Territories

"Welcome to Brutland and Norden," the teenage prince said in English with a slight Nord-Brutlandese accent. "I hope your trip had been fine. I'm Prince Bryce of Brutland and Norden," he said, extending his hand for a shake.

"Thank you, Your Highness. We had a pleasant flight. I'm Secretary of Trade Castiglione," said Sebastiano, shaking the Prince's hand. "Call me Sebastiano."

He went on to greet the Nord-Brutlandese Commerce Minister, saying, "Good morning Minister Riprostoggione. I'm Trade Secretary Castiglione. Feel free to call me Sebastiano." He bent down and kissed her hand, resisting the temptation to wink at her.

Seeing the Nord-Brutlandese Foreign Minister, Sebastiano exclaimed, "You must be Minister di Sint'Brullizio! I've read about your illustrious career at the United Nations," he beamed. "I'm Secretary of Trade Castiglione. It's a pleasure to meet you."

In this same fashion, Ruccolian Commerce Minister Narniano greeted the waiting party, curtsying to the Prince and introducing herself to them all.

As Trade Secretary Castiglione approached Ruccola's Ambassador to the United Kingdom Sir Luca Verdano, he couldn't help but smile. Sebastiano and Luca had trained together at the Ruccolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and had developed a close friendship as a result. He clasped the ambassador's hand and held his upper arm.

"Nei dim a? Hou noi mou gin a!"

"Gei hou, gei hou. Gin nei du hoi sam di." The ambassador chuckled, saying, "Ngo ji kui hou leng, daan hai mou gam fa sam la!"

Sebastiano laughed, murmuring, "You know me too well, Luca."

OOC: If you need any translation, just let me know. ;)

Brutland and Norden

31-05-2008, 13:32

"Thank you, Your Highness. We had a pleasant flight. I'm Secretary of Trade Castiglione," said Sebastiano, shaking the Prince's hand. "Call me Sebastiano."
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Castiglione," the Prince said, and then presented him with a box wrapped in gold-colored paper and tied with a silver ribbon. "It is customary for us here in Brutland and Norden to present small gifts to guests and visitors. This is licuoro vaca, our cow liquor, our national drink. We hope you'll like it."

He went on to greet the Nord-Brutlandese Commerce Minister, saying, "Good morning Minister Riprostoggione. I'm Trade Secretary Castiglione. Feel free to call me Sebastiano." He bent down and kissed her hand, resisting the temptation to wink at her.
Liana blushed a bit. Though she was used to men kissing her hand (like a few days ago when she campaigned for her parliamentary seat), this one felt... special. She smiled and said, "It's nice to meet you in person, Mr. Castiglione." I'm Liana Riprostoggione... I know my surname is long, so just call me Liana."

Seeing the Nord-Brutlandese Foreign Minister, Sebastiano exclaimed, "You must be Minister di Sint'Brullizio! I've read about your illustrious career at the United Nations," he beamed. "I'm Secretary of Trade Castiglione. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Same here," the Foreign Minister said with a hearty chuckle, not bothering to tell him that his career in the United Nations was anything but enjoyable. Too many cluesless delegates, brainless voters, and worthless legislation. If it were not for the stringent opposition of Prime Minister Cortanella, he would have taken Brutland and Norden out of that organization.

"I'm Bricco di Sint'Brullizio. Since my surname is a bit hard to speak and spell, call me Bricco."

In this same fashion, Ruccolian Commerce Minister Narniano greeted the waiting party, curtsying to the Prince and introducing herself to them all.
"Very nice to meet you," Prince Bryce said, presenting her with a box of cow liquor too. "We hope you enjoy it here."

After the cursory introductions and greetings, the group headed int the terminal and onto a waiting black limousine with small flags of Brutland and Norden and Ruccola on the hood.

Prince Bryce sat up in front, describing the area they are passing by, like a tour guide. The car drove by the seaside road overlooking the lovely beaches of Tonzivibbia. As they reached the intersection of Tonzivibbia Route 1 and Dorzano Road, the driver turned left, descending into a tunnel.

"This is the Alessandria Tunnel," Prince Bryce began, "When we get out of tunnel, we would be in Kingsville already. This tunnel links Kingsville with Tonzivibbia, and it is the longest undersea tunnel in Brutland and Norden."

"This tunnel is slightly longer than the La Tricora Tunnel," Ambassador Iannuccelli told them. "But the La Tricora is not a tunnel but an undersea road. The road is built on the seabed, and it is kept dry and passable by thick strong transparent fiberglass-reinforced acrylic glass. It's like a huge shark tunnel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark_tunnel), only that you drive through it."

Ruccola

31-05-2008, 15:34

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Castiglione," the Prince said, and then presented him with a box wrapped in gold-colored paper and tied with a silver ribbon. "It is customary for us here in Brutland and Norden to present small gifts to guests and visitors. This is licuoro vaca, our cow liquor, our national drink. We hope you'll like it."

"Cow liquor... I think I know what it is," Sebastiano thought. He received the gift with two hands, thanking the Prince and deciding that he'd try the drink later on in the day.

"Very nice to meet you," Prince Bryce said, presenting her with a box of cow liquor too. "We hope you enjoy it here."

"Thank you, Your Highness," said Luisa, smiling. "I already am."

Prince Bryce sat up in front, describing the area they are passing by, like a tour guide. The car drove by the seaside road overlooking the lovely beaches of Tonzivibbia. As they reached the intersection of Tonzivibbia Route 1 and Dorzano Road, the driver turned left, descending into a tunnel.

The Ruccolian trade delegation listened intently, admiring the sights they passed and the beautiful scenery going by. Sebastiano almost wished he could stop the limousine and run down to the beaches for a swim. Having grown up on the coast, he always found the breaking waves and fine sand calming and reassuring. "Oh well," he thought. "I'll probably have some time to myself after we've negotiated the free trade agreement."

"This is the Alessandria Tunnel," Prince Bryce began, "When we get out of tunnel, we would be in Kingsville already. This tunnel links Kingsville with Tonzivibbia, and it is the longest undersea tunnel in Brutland and Norden."

"This tunnel is slightly longer than the La Tricora Tunnel," Ambassador Iannuccelli told them. "But the La Tricora is not a tunnel but an undersea road. The road is built on the seabed, and it is kept dry and passable by thick strong transparent fiberglass-reinforced acrylic glass. It's like a huge shark tunnel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shark_tunnel), only that you drive through it."

"My, that's quite amazing!" exclaimed the Trade Secretary.

"We don't have any equivalent road tunnels or undersea roads in Ruccola," remarked the Commerce Minister. "But Parliament's been debating the merits of constructing a 500 km-long undersea high-speed railway tunnel between two of our major cities."

"Horrendously expensive, naturally," interjected the Ruccolian ambassador.

Brutland and Norden

01-06-2008, 15:58

"My, that's quite amazing!" exclaimed the Trade Secretary.
"It is," Ambassador Iannuccelli said, smiling, "it was built to both promote tourism and provide a connection to an isolated area in the province of Norden... if you ask me, it also raised awareness about Brutland and Norden's rich marine life."

"We don't have any equivalent road tunnels or undersea roads in Ruccola," remarked the Commerce Minister. "But Parliament's been debating the merits of constructing a 500 km-long undersea high-speed railway tunnel between two of our major cities."

"Horrendously expensive, naturally," interjected the Ruccolian ambassador.
"Actually," Liana told them, "our Treasury Minister wouldn't approve of such a monstrous project. Minister Gardefini likes to cut down government expenses and slash taxes."

"The building of this tunnel was approved during the administration of Prime Minister Drasella - "

"- from the other party," Bricco interjected.

"Yup," Liana continued. "This was a pet project of the Social Democratic Party. Kingsville's International Airport is in Tonzivibbia, on another island, since 1978. We used to travel by ferries between the island and Kingsville. Over time, they saw a need to connect the island by road. A study recommended either a bridge or a tunnel, but both were deemed too expensive. Drasella's government did not care about the cost and pursued the project... using Brutland and Norden's emergency fund to pay for the tunnel. This tunnel was finished just last year."

The car emerged from the tunnel and into an interchange. "Welcome to Kingsville," Prince Bryce told them. "This is the Alessandria district of Kingsville." The driver turned the car left. "Quo noi vioce?"

"Sant'Garzana, Covo Pescotto, Unnone Rutte 7, Tu Inzetto," the chauffeur replied.
"Ah," the prince muttered.

The car passed through another tunnel underneath a seaside hill, emerging into Sant'Garzana, the embassy district of Brutland and Norden. The car drove along the road beside Sant'Garzana's famous L'Abordammino (the Boardwalk). A bridge into a forested area marked their entrance into Moon Canyon Park. The car crossed a short bridge over a deep gorge, which took them out of the Kingsville city limits.

They are now traversing the one-lane Union Island Route 1. The view was both breathtakingly stunning and somewhat scary. On their right side are exposed 1,000 foot high rocky cliffs; on their left, a 400 foot drop to the sea.

They passed by the picturesque hamlet of Santa Carmela al Mare, a village carved entirely out of the rock that make up the seaside cliffs. There are no streets in the hamlet save for Route 1. A thousand-step stone stairway, also carved from the rock, lead villagers and tourists to the chapel of Santa Carmela, located at the highest point in the village. Along the stairway are the houses where villagers live.

"Anyone who wants to take a picture here?" Prince Bryce asked. "We can stop by here."

(OOC: Also adding the next part in, in case they don't want to take pictures. ;))

The car passed by posh seaside villas in Covo di Pescotto before turning right at Route 7, a north-south road leading into the interior of the island. After one and a half hours they reached the medieval town of Moncucco, located on the shores of Lake Tracomeno. The car went up a narrow road up the forested slopes of a hill towards the Castle of Moncucco.

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories
The limousine parked in front of a small but imposing stone castle sitting on top of a hill overlooking the town of Moncucco. The Moncucco Castle was built in the 13th century by the lords of Barrenechea, now known as Union Island. When the dynasty of the local lords died out and the island was given to the kings of Brutland, possession of the castle also passed on to them.

"We're here," Prince Bryce told them. He then opened his door and went out of the car. The chauffeur also went out to open the other doors of the limousine...

Ruccola

01-06-2008, 17:35

"Anyone who wants to take a picture here?" Prince Bryce asked. "We can stop by here."

"I'd like to," said the Ruccolian Commerce Minister. Luisa had a camera handy, as she always made it a point to take as many pictures as she could whenever she travelled to another country. The limousine stopped, and the seven of them stepped out to take in the scenery.

As Luisa snapped away, Sebastiano remarked, "I didn't expect to see such awe-inspiring sights so quickly. After all, we've only been here for an hour or so!"

Ambassador Iannuccelli smiled, saying, "It's not your typical state visit, eh?"

"No," replied Sebastiano. He wondered what else was in store for him.

________________________________________

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories

"We're here," Prince Bryce told them. He then opened his door and went out of the car. The chauffeur also went out to open the other doors of the limousine...

"Thank you," said Sebastiano, as the chauffeur opened his door. Stepping out of the limousine, he gazed up at the castle, curious to know if the interior was as impressive as its stone exterior.

Luisa looked out over the town. "What a lovely view," she exclaimed, as she proceeded to take more pictures with her camera.

The Ruccolian ambassador turned to Prince Bryce and asked, "Does anyone still live here, Your Highness?"

Brutland and Norden

01-06-2008, 19:33

OOC: Ensligh translations in small print.
"I'd like to," said the Ruccolian Commerce Minister. Luisa had a camera handy, as she always made it a point to take as many pictures as she could whenever she travelled to another country. The limousine stopped, and the seven of them stepped out to take in the scenery.

As Luisa snapped away, Sebastiano remarked, "I didn't expect to see such awe-inspiring sights so quickly. After all, we've only been here for an hour or so!"

Ambassador Iannuccelli smiled, saying, "It's not your typical state visit, eh?"

"No," replied Sebastiano. He wondered what else was in store for him.
There were a few villagers looking out of their stone windows to look at the group taking pictures at the roadside. After a few moments, an old man and a teenage boy went down the stairs to meet the group.

"Bon'mattiore te vosi," the old man greeted them slowly in Nord-Brutlandese, and then turned specifically to Prince Bryce, "Bon'mattiore, Tu Inzetto. Me es Inazio Guercini, la caldrino di nostra réinzo pocca umilta. Qui Santa Carmela oadoce per vosi?"
("Good Morning everyone... Good morning, Your Highness. I am Inazio Guercini, the mayor of your humble little hamlet. What can Santa Carmela do for you?")

Prince Bryce answered politely in Nord-Brutlandese, explaining them the purposes of their short impromptu visit, and introducing everyone in the group.

The frail-looking mayor leaned on his cane and whispered something to the teenage boy, who then ran away for the errand. "Sì," Guercini muttered, and then breaking into his thickly accented English, "It's a pleasure to meet you all, hope you are enjoying your visit here."

After a little while the teenage boy ran down the stairs, carrying several small tinted jars. The mayor took one and looked at the label. "Pesco amarecca."

"Pickled fish," Prince Bryce translated.

"Yes," the mayor said in his raspy voice, "one of our products. Making pickled fish used to be big here in southern Union Island, but the industry and techniques were all but forgotten..." He took another jar and gave it to Sebastiano. "Take these as our gift to you," he said as he distributed other jars. "Hopefully you'll remember our little town."

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Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories
"Thank you," said Sebastiano, as the chauffeur opened his door. Stepping out of the limousine, he gazed up at the castle, curious to know if the interior was as impressive as its stone exterior.

Luisa looked out over the town. "What a lovely view," she exclaimed, as she proceeded to take more pictures with her camera.

The Ruccolian ambassador turned to Prince Bryce and asked, "Does anyone still live here, Your Highness?"
"Nope, nobody lives here, save for the caretakers," the prince answered. "The Grand Duchy of Union Island is held by the heir apparent to the Nord-Brutlandese throne, with its seat here at Moncucco Castle. And since my older brother Kyle doesn't have children yet, the duchy is still vacant. But we do like to visit here sometimes."

A man and a woman, both in their forties, went out to the castle door and greeted them, "Buonvene te Castello Moncucco!"

Prince Bryce paced towards the castle's caretaker and asked, "Pranzo s'spetta?"

"Si, tu inzetto."
"Buona, noi mangecho," he said, and then turned to the group, "Lunch is ready. Let's go eat."

Ruccola

02-06-2008, 06:11

"Sì," Guercini muttered, and then breaking into his thickly accented English, "It's a pleasure to meet you all, hope you are enjoying your visit here."

"It's a pleasure to meet you too," replied Sebastiano, smiling. "We've had a lovely time so far."

"Making pickled fish used to be big here in southern Union Island, but the industry and techniques were all but forgotten..." He took another jar and gave it to Sebastiano. "Take these as our gift to you," he said as he distributed other jars. "Hopefully you'll remember our little town."

"Thank you sir," beamed the Trade Secretary. "I won't forget your kindness and hospitality." He was touched by the generosity of the Nord-Brutlandese, as was the Ruccolian Commerce Minister, who hadn't expected to have gift after gift lavished upon them. Sir Verdano knew better though, as he remembered the exquisite golden watermelons and Misterica wine he received when he first arrived in the United Kingdom.

________________________________________

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories

"Buona, noi mangecho," he said, and then turned to the group, "Lunch is ready. Let's go eat."

The Ruccolian delegation followed the Prince into the castle, greeting the caretakers as they entered. At this point, Ambassador Verdano turned to his compatriots and murmured, "Prepare to be wowed by the food. The Nord-Brutlandese have a reputation for absolute freshness."

"Will there be cheese?" asked Sebastiano.

"You bet!" said the Ambassador. "Lots of it!"

Sebastiano began craving melted cheese. He suddenly wondered what it would feel like to have a fondue bath - except that it would probably be a bit on the hot side...

OOC: Great, I've just made myself hungry... Time to give in to those cheese cravings! :D

Brutland and Norden

02-06-2008, 11:31

"Thank you sir," beamed the Trade Secretary. "I won't forget your kindness and hospitality." He was touched by the generosity of the Nord-Brutlandese, as was the Ruccolian Commerce Minister, who hadn't expected to have gift after gift lavished upon them. Sir Verdano knew better though, as he remembered the exquisite golden watermelons and Misterica wine he received when he first arrived in the United Kingdom.
"Thank you too for visiting. May God bless you on your trip and guide you in your business," the elderly mayor told them rather solemnly, like a priest giving a blessing on the people. Well, Mayor Guercini was actually the retired parish priest of Santa Carmela, and he still has the aura of solemnity and holiness. Fitting for a picturesque old isolated town.

-------------------------------------

The Ruccolian delegation followed the Prince into the castle, greeting the caretakers as they entered. At this point, Ambassador Verdano turned to his compatriots and murmured, "Prepare to be wowed by the food. The Nord-Brutlandese have a reputation for absolute freshness."

"Will there be cheese?" asked Sebastiano.

"You bet!" said the Ambassador. "Lots of it!"

Sebastiano began craving melted cheese. He suddenly wondered what it would feel like to have a fondue bath - except that it would probably be a bit on the hot side...
Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories
Prince Bryce led them along the hallway towards the banquet room. Hanging on the stone walls of the hallway are tapestries depicting ancient battles in Brutland and Norden.

The group reached the spacious and airy banquet hall at the end of the hallway. The hall was open to the north and south, with doric stone columns interrupting views of the garden to the south and the courtyard to the north. To the west was the kitchen, separated from the hall by a stone wall. At the center of the hall was a long stone table covered with a white tablecloth. The table was set

"Let's take our seats," the prince said as he dragged the chair at the head of the table and sat on it. Unlike many other nobles, especially foreign ones, the royals of Brutland and Norden aren't that too pretentious to have people pull chairs for them to sit or open doors for them to enter. The King of Brutland and Norden even drives himself around Kingsville!

The Nord-Brutlandese Officials sat opposite their Ruccolian counterparts. "I thought there would be eight people with us?" Prince Bryce asked.

"Brutland and Norden Business Bureau Nina Crognale will be joining us tonight," Liana said. "I don't know about Sean."

"Sean?" Bryce muttered. "Deputy Prime Minister Scian Montògliore?"
"Yes. He said he'll come."

Servers emerged from the kitchen door carrying plates of food and drink. One server laid down a plate at the middle of a table and removed the stainless steel cover. On the plate was crunchy bread fingers slathered in melted cheese and pesto, with specks of purple.

"I think that's the appetizer," Bryce told them. "I've eaten that countless times and I still don't know its name... in case you're wondering what those specks things are, that is the natural color of purple Brute cheese, our national food."

OOC: Great, I've just made myself hungry... Time to give in to those cheese cravings! :D
OOC: I cook mozzarella sticks (http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/1497/mozzasticksxl9.png). (that was the first time though; I am a considerably better cook than back then.:D)

Ruccola

03-06-2008, 10:33

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories

As the party began taking their seats, Sebastiano pulled out Commerce Minister Narniano's chair for her. "Thank you," she said. She noticed how the Prince hadn't received the amount of attention a royal would usually garner, with no servants to scurry about and do the most basic of tasks. Seeing this independence and modesty filled her with even greater respect for the Royal Family of Brutland and Norden.

Servers emerged from the kitchen door carrying plates of food and drink. One server laid down a plate at the middle of a table and removed the stainless steel cover. On the plate was crunchy bread fingers slathered in melted cheese and pesto, with specks of purple.

"I think that's the appetizer," Bryce told them. "I've eaten that countless times and I still don't know its name... in case you're wondering what those specks things are, that is the natural color of purple Brute cheese, our national food."

"Just like bruschetta..." thought Sebastiano, "but with a Nord-Brutlandese twist!" His mouth began to water, as he imagined how wonderful the dish must taste.

"That looks delicious!" interjected Luisa. "I've never seen purple cheese before, but I can't wait to try it!"

Admiring the food before them, the Ruccolians waited for their hosts to start eating.

OOC: I cook mozzarella sticks (http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/1497/mozzasticksxl9.png). (that was the first time though; I am a considerably better cook than back then.:D)

OOC: YUM! That looks incredibly delicious! I bet it would go well with a nice dousing of sweet chili sauce. :D

Brutland and Norden

03-06-2008, 18:39

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories
"Just like bruschetta..." thought Sebastiano, "but with a Nord-Brutlandese twist!" His mouth began to water, as he imagined how wonderful the dish must taste.

"That looks delicious!" interjected Luisa. "I've never seen purple cheese before, but I can't wait to try it!"

Admiring the food before them, the Ruccolians waited for their hosts to start eating.
Realizing that they were waiting for them to start, Liana nudged the plate towards Sebastiano. "You go first," she said as she winked at him. "You are our guests."

Two more servers came out of the door carrying bottles of wine and drinks. They approached the Prince first. "Drinks, Your Highness?"

"Prince Bryce looked up. "What are the available drinks?"
"Pannondrian Blue, cow liquor, Misterica, Vallucca, Valfloriana, Lionella, juice, water."
"Pannondrian Blue."

The server then proceeded to pour blue wine into the prince's glass. After he finished, he moved to the next person, from Ruccola.

OOC: YUM! That looks incredibly delicious! I bet it would go well with a nice dousing of sweet chili sauce. :D
OOC: Thank you. We do cook a separate tomato-based sauce for it, but it ain't spicy, 'cause my brother would kill me if I feed him chili or any spicy food. :D

Ruccola

04-06-2008, 09:28

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories
Realizing that they were waiting for them to start, Liana nudged the plate towards Sebastiano. "You go first," she said as she winked at him. "You are our guests."

Sebastiano winked back and smiled playfully at her. Holding her gaze for a split second, he noticed the glint in her deep and luminous eyes. He politely took a bread finger, broke it in half and offered a piece to her.

Conveniently enough, the others were either occupied with conversation or were momentarily distracted by the sight of more servers emerging from the kitchen.

The server then proceeded to pour blue wine into the prince's glass. After he finished, he moved to the next person, from Ruccola.

"I'll have Vallucca," said Ambassador Verdano. The reddish watermelon wine poured into his glass. "Thank you."

"Misterica for me, thank you." Sebastiano had heard how wonderfully sweet this flower wine was from his friend Luca, and was eager to try it.

Next was Luisa, the Commerce Minister. "Pannondrian Blue, please." She liked the sight of blue wine, and was curious to know how it tasted. "Thank you."

The server then made his way to the other side of the table.

Brutland and Norden

04-06-2008, 16:51

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories
Sebastiano winked back and smiled playfully at her. Holding her gaze for a split second, he noticed the glint in her deep and luminous eyes. He politely took a bread finger, broke it in half and offered a piece to her.
Liana reached out for the piece and in the process slathering her finger with pesto and cheese. "Thank you," she said, but the piece slipped from her fingers and fell on her plate. She still kept her eyes on Sebastiano as she seductively licked the cheese off her finger.

"I'll have Vallucca," said Ambassador Verdano. The reddish watermelon wine poured into his glass. "Thank you."

"Misterica for me, thank you." Sebastiano had heard how wonderfully sweet this flower wine was from his friend Luca, and was eager to try it.

Next was Luisa, the Commerce Minister. "Pannondrian Blue, please." She liked the sight of blue wine, and was curious to know how it tasted. "Thank you."

The server then made his way to the other side of the table.
Iannuccelli, who was from Maceltellina, would have preferred Mornese red wine, but since it wasn't on the choices he opted for the red wine instead.

The chubby di Sint'Brullizio, on the other hand, was on a diet. "Water, please."

As for Liana, "I'll have whatever Mr. Castiglione had."

After they had their drinks, the servers came out carrying the main dishes. One server was carrying a big plate and set it in the middle of the table. She took off the covers from the heap of fusilli pasta steeped with brutfruit* sauce, cubes of medium rare beef tenderloin, and grated red Tortona cheese. Another server came and laid down another plate of bread with flecks of green slathered in pesto.

"Pasto ruga, pano verta," the server told them. "Enjoy."
"Red Pasta, Green Bread," Prince Bryce translated the names. "It's easy to remember. Be careful with that delicious green bread, though, it is made from flour and crushed edible leaves, and it can give you a diarrhea if you take too much."

The next dish was grilled fish, buttered and stuffed with vegetables. A server laid down two whole grilled fish on the table. Another server placed a plate of carno chiesa on the table. "That's chicken, mozzarella cheese, and spices wrapped in thin crepe and deep fried," Bricco described his favorite finger food.

The last server brought in a big bowl of steaming rice swimming in thick cheesy red sauce. There was an identifiable bits of carrot, peas, potato, mushroom and meat. "Smells familiar," the prince remarked. "Risotto alla Trascarana?"
"Si, Tu Inzetto."

Bryce took the serving spoon and put some in his plate. Using his spoon, he tasted the dish. "Tastes familiar too. Who made this?"
"La Ducottoyo di Trascara, Tu Inzetto."
"Realtal?"
"Si, Tu Inzetto, ce lutoce dei di passi. Ce s'in la cocino."
"Me correche ce dope mange."

*brutfruit: Scientific name Lycopersicon bruta, it is a relative of the tomato found mostly in Brutland.

Ruccola

05-06-2008, 06:20

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories
She still kept her eyes on Sebastiano as she seductively licked the cheese off her finger.
Sebastiano gave her a naughty grin and subtly kissed his half of the bread finger. I wonder if we'll get to have one-on-one talks, he thought to himself.

After the servers had laid the main course on the table, and the Ruccolians had taken in the sight of such glorious food, Sebastiano took his glass and rose from his chair.

"I propose a toast," he declared. "To our most esteemed hosts, and to the growing friendship between our two nations."

At this, Luisa and Luca stood up and raised their glasses.

OOC: You can do the clinking. ;)

Brutland and Norden

05-06-2008, 11:09

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories
"I propose a toast," he declared. "To our most esteemed hosts, and to the growing friendship between our two nations."

At this, Luisa and Luca stood up and raised their glasses.
The Nord-Brutlandese also stood up and raised their glasses. "For our countries friendship, and also, for the success of this meeting," Bricco said.

Prince Bryce moved his glass forward so it would touch his seatmates'. "Cheers," he said, smiling, and then proceeded to drink from his glass. The others did the same also.

OOC: You can do the clinking. ;)
OOC: I don't know if what I wrote up there is correct, I am not that familiar with the practice of toast... Please let me know if it's alright. :)

Ruccola

05-06-2008, 11:37

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories

After the toast, the party proceeded to seat themselves and began tucking in. In between two mouthfuls of fusilli, Luisa asked Bricco, whom was sitting opposite her, "What's the plan for the rest of the day?"

OOC: Yup - You got it! ;)

Brutland and Norden

05-06-2008, 15:33

OOC: Honestly, I have no idea yet. TBH I do not know much about what really happens in these kinds of meetings. Perhaps let's make them do some work, and then have fun later?
Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories

After the toast, the party proceeded to seat themselves and began tucking in. In between two mouthfuls of fusilli, Luisa asked Bricco, whom was sitting opposite her, "What's the plan for the rest of the day?"
"Discussions," Bricco said happily as he plucked a carno chiesa off the pile and stuffed it in his mouth. In some other countries, it is bad manners for using the hand for eating in an event like this, but in Brutland and Norden, using your hands to eat is very acceptable. After all, they don't call carno chiesa "finger food" for nothing...

"I think we have right on top of the agenda a free trade treaty," Liana interjected. "Plus some other stuff we can think of."

Ruccola

06-06-2008, 08:34

OOC: Okay, sounds fine to me.

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories

Luisa smiled as she watched the Foreign Minister devour his food. "Of course," she remarked. "We also realise there isn't a formal framework governing flights between our two countries, and believe it'd be wise to conclude an air services agreement as well, seeing that we're here."

"As far as I know, our national carrier is eager to inaugurate flights to Vilòstresa, as well as other cities if demand picks up," added Sebastiano, who happened to be an aviation buff.

"About time," chuckled Luca. "I've been waiting for the day when I can visit home without having to transit in another country."

Brutland and Norden

06-06-2008, 19:33

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories

Luisa smiled as she watched the Foreign Minister devour his food. "Of course," she remarked. "We also realise there isn't a formal framework governing flights between our two countries, and believe it'd be wise to conclude an air services agreement as well, seeing that we're here."

"As far as I know, our national carrier is eager to inaugurate flights to Vilòstresa, as well as other cities if demand picks up," added Sebastiano, who happened to be an aviation buff.

"About time," chuckled Luca. "I've been waiting for the day when I can visit home without having to transit in another country."
"I like that idea," Ambassador Iannuccelli opined. "I have to agree with Ambassador Verdano over here. No more connecting flights. Also, it would do wonders to trade, tourism, and closer ties between our peoples."

"I suppose we need to contact the Minister for Transportation?" Prince Bryce glanced at the Nord-Brutlandese Ministers.
"Of course, Brocco would be very happy to join us," Liana said, referring to Transportation Minister Brocco Ricagliati. "Also, I believe NordBrut Airlines is also interested in a codesharing agreement for Ruccola - Brutland and Norden flights. I'd tell Brocco to bring along somebody from our flag carrier too."

Ruccola

07-06-2008, 08:15

Brutland and Norden

07-06-2008, 17:37

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories
"That would be perfect," commented Luisa, as she had another spoonful of fusilli.

After finishing with a mouthful of risotto, Sebastiano asked, "Are there any other Nord-Brutlandese airlines that fly internationally? I've read about NordBrut Airlines, but I haven't heard of any others. I bet that our second largest airline will jump into the market once flag carrier Air Ruccola reports high loads and high profitability."
"None so far," Bricco said between sticks of carno chiesa, "the other airlines, most of them low-cost airlines, travel between domestic airports. Only NBA has international flights... Brutland and Norden had always been inward-looking, somewhat happy about isolation."
"But new links with other countries would be good," added Liana. "Especially for tourism and getting to know more about our peoples."

OOC: What would be Brutland and Norden's time zone if it actually existed? I've put Ruccola in the GMT+9 and +10 time zones, and I just wanted to figure out the departure and arrival times of flights between our capitals, assuming that it takes about 10 hours to fly between them. :)

Also, do larger cities correlate with increased economic importance? Or do cities like Timberland have a disproportionate amount of economic power?
OOC: Brutland and Norden sits between longitudes 130E and 160E and latitudes 20S and 35S, at UTC +11. To give you an idea, if you superimpose B&N onto the RL globe, the coordinates of the center of the country would be somewhere near Peery Lake in northwestern New South Wales, Australia (nearest towns: Cobar, NSW; Bourke, NSW). You can use, just for reference, flight times to Alice Springs, NT (for Nordville); Auckland, NZ (for Timberland); Melbourne, VIC (for Brutland City). Dennville and Kingsville would range between those flight times. ;)

Some, but not all, of the larger cities (see here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13316791&postcount=4)) tend to be centers of economy. I'd lke to think of the major cities to be Nordville (capital of Norden), Dennville (center of Dennland), Brutland City (capital of Brutland), Timberland (hub of English-speaking part of Brutland), and of course, Kingsville. I don't expect having flights to Tratagnano or Padanica, they don't have International Airports (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13324841&postcount=9) anyway.

Ruccola

08-06-2008, 08:50

Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories

"Ah, I see," remarked Sebastiano.

For a moment, the table fell silent, as the party continued to feast and enjoy their food.

Savouring the taste of the carno chiesa, Luisa exclaimed, "My, these are wonderfully addictive!"

OOC: Let's have them eat a little more, have dessert and begin the formal meeting.
And thanks for the info - it was really helpful! I've even computed flight times from Arugula to five of the six international airports:

Arugula - Vilònorda ~ 8:55
Arugula - Viledenno ~ 9:20
Arugula - Vilòstresa ~ 9:35
Arugula - Brutia ~ 11:00
Arugula - Timberland ~ 12:00

Brutland and Norden

08-06-2008, 13:20

[INDENT][INDENT]Castello Moncucco
Moncucco, Union Island, Union Territories

"Ah, I see," remarked Sebastiano.

For a moment, the table fell silent, as the party continued to feast and enjoy their food.

Savouring the taste of the [I]carno chiesa, Luisa exclaimed, "My, these are wonderfully addictive!"
"But we have to assure you," Bricco joked, "it does not contain drugs. Promise."

A few moments later, a woman wearing a chef's hat went out of the kitchen, walking towards them. Prince Bryce stood up to greet her. "Gradece tu per lutocco per ci," he told her. "Noi godeco il."
"Gradece tu tabbe," she said.
The prince turned to their guests to introduce the woman. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce to you the very talented person who cooked all of these wonderful meals, the Duchess of Trascara."

OOC: Let's have them eat a little more, have dessert and begin the formal meeting.
And thanks for the info - it was really helpful! I've even computed flight times from Arugula to five of the six international airports:

Arugula - Vilònorda ~ 8:55
Arugula - Viledenno ~ 9:20
Arugula - Vilòstresa ~ 9:35
Arugula - Brutia ~ 11:00
Arugula - Timberland ~ 12:00
OOC: Sorry, I know it would mess up your computations, but I realized that Brutland and Norden's longitude would put it at UTC +10, roughly the same time zone as Ruccola. [UTC +10 starts at longitudes 142.5E to 157.5E, while UTC +11 starts at 157.5E to 172.5E] I didn't check Australia's time and made a huge nasty calculation error (hmph, I hate math). Sorry...

Ruccola

09-06-2008, 06:47

"But we have to assure you," Bricco joked, "it does not contain drugs. Promise."

Luisa laughed at the Foreign Minister's quip. "As if we all needed the high to help us in our negotiations."

A few moments later, a woman wearing a chef's hat went out of the kitchen, walking towards them. Prince Bryce stood up to greet her. "Gradece tu per lutocco per ci," he told her. "Noi godeco il."
"Gradece tu tabbe," she said.
The prince turned to their guests to introduce the woman. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce to you the very talented person who cooked all of these wonderful meals, the Duchess of Trascara."

Sebastiano, Luisa and Luca all rose to greet the Duchess, thanking her profusely for the scrumptious banquet they were enjoying.

"Every single dish you made was absolutely delicious!" remarked Sebastiano. "It was truly an unforgettable feast."

"Thank you for the fantastic meal!" said Luisa. "The tastes, the ingredients, the presentation... just heavenly!"

Luca added, "I've been in this country for several months now, and this is most definitely the best lunch I've ever had so far!"

OOC: Sorry, I know it would mess up your computations, but I realized that Brutland and Norden's longitude would put it at UTC +10, roughly the same time zone as Ruccola. [UTC +10 starts at longitudes 142.5E to 157.5E, while UTC +11 starts at 157.5E to 172.5E] I didn't check Australia's time and made a huge nasty calculation error (hmph, I hate math). Sorry...

OOC: Haha, don't worry! All I needed to do was adjust my departure times by an hour. The flight times are still unchanged.

Brutland and Norden

09-06-2008, 09:09

Sebastiano, Luisa and Luca all rose to greet the Duchess, thanking her profusely for the scrumptious banquet they were enjoying.

"Every single dish you made was absolutely delicious!" remarked Sebastiano. "It was truly an unforgettable feast."

"Thank you for the fantastic meal!" said Luisa. "The tastes, the ingredients, the presentation... just heavenly!"

Luca added, "I've been in this country for several months now, and this is most definitely the best lunch I've ever had so far!"
"Thank you very much," the Duchess said gratefully with a slight bow.
"The Duchess is known for her delicious meals," the prince said. The Duchess of Trascara is the daughter of the Royal Chef of King Simon IV of Brutland and Norden, Bryce's grandfather. Carolina the cook's daughter was a playmate and childhood friend of King Adam IV of Brutland and Norden and Duke Matthew IX of Trascara, Lord Protector of Brutland and Norden. Eventually the Duke of Trascara would marry his childhood friend and a now-famous chef.
"Do you want me to get the dessert now?" the Duchess asked.

OOC: Haha, don't worry! All I needed to do was adjust my departure times by an hour. The flight times are still unchanged.
OOC: Thanks. :)

Ruccola

09-06-2008, 10:02

"Do you want me to get the dessert now?" the Duchess asked.

"Sure," said Sebastiano. "By the way, have you eaten yet?"

"Ooh, I'm dying of suspense," stated Luisa, who was quite renown for her sweet tooth within the Ruccolian Council of Ministers.

Brutland and Norden

09-06-2008, 10:53

"Sure," said Sebastiano. "By the way, have you eaten yet?"

"Ooh, I'm dying of suspense," stated Luisa, who was quite renown for her sweet tooth within the Ruccolian Council of Ministers.
"Yes I had, in the kitchen," she said. She would usually eat with the assistants who helped her prepare the food. "Perhaps the dessert is ready. If you'll kindly excuse me, I'll get the dessert."

She left and returned a few minutes later with a bowl of cool zabáione (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabaglione). The Duchess laid the bowl on the table, and a plate with assorted tree nuts, wild Brutland berries, and chocolate. "This is zabáione alla Trascarana," she introduced the dish, "a variant from my home grant of Trascara. This is made from egg yolk, honey, sweet Montenero white wine, and mascarpone Brutense - mascarpone made from Brute cow's milk. You can combine these - " she pointed at the nuts, berries, and chocolate - "with the zabáione to produce different flavors. Hope you'll like it."

Ruccola

10-06-2008, 08:07

You can combine these - " she pointed at the nuts, berries, and chocolate - "with the zabáione to produce different flavors. Hope you'll like it."

"Thank you," said Luisa, delighted at the mere sight of dessert.

"We most definitely will," interjected Sebastiano. He proceeded to serve Liana, whom was sitting opposite. "Tell me when to stop and what you'd like with it," he smiled, as he entertained the thought of eating the lovely dessert off a certain someone.

Brutland and Norden

10-06-2008, 14:04

"We most definitely will," interjected Sebastiano. He proceeded to serve Liana, whom was sitting opposite. "Tell me when to stop and what you'd like with it," he smiled, as he entertained the thought of eating the lovely dessert off a certain someone.
Sebastiano was only three spoonfuls into filling Liana's bowl when she laid her hand on his. "That's enough, my dear," she said in her silky voice. "We should save enough... for later."

Bricco, on the other hand, had no compunction whatsoever. He dumped four ladlefuls of zabáione onto his clean plate, and then proceeded to grab a fistful of nuts, chocolates, and berries. The Prince watched in awe as the chubby Foreign Minister mixed everything together and sampled it with a spoon. He smiled in glee as the mixed tastes played in his mouth.

OOC: My classes started earlier today; as such, I may not be able to log in or post as often as I had. Also, I have an exam this Friday...

Ruccola

13-06-2008, 10:42

Sebastiano was only three spoonfuls into filling Liana's bowl when she laid her hand on his. "That's enough, my dear," she said in her silky voice. "We should save enough... for later."
"Wow," he thought. "We only met today, but we're already so connected!" He began scooping several spoonfuls of zabáione into his own bowl, adding chocolate, hazelnuts, cashews, pistachios, almonds, walnuts, Macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts and Brutland berries to enhance its taste.

Bricco, on the other hand, had no compunction whatsoever. He dumped four ladlefuls of zabáione onto his clean plate, and then proceeded to grab a fistful of nuts, chocolates, and berries. The Prince watched in awe as the chubby Foreign Minister mixed everything together and sampled it with a spoon. He smiled in glee as the mixed tastes played in his mouth.
Amused by Bricco's behaviour, Luisa thought it refreshing to see someone whom loved his food so much that table manners didn't matter any more. Smiling, she took the ladle and served herself, deciding that she'd have four small rounds of dessert, each one with a different ingredient and the last with everything mixed together.

At the other end of the table, Luca reached for another ladle. Turning to the Prince and gesturing to the zabáione, he asked, "Your Highness...?"

OOC: My classes started earlier today; as such, I may not be able to log in or post as often as I had. Also, I have an exam this Friday...
OOC: Don't worry about it. I've been awfully busy IRL over the past few days as well. Hope your exam went well - I can't believe you already had one so soon! :eek:

Brutland and Norden

13-06-2008, 17:30

At the other end of the table, Luca reached for another ladle. Turning to the Prince and gesturing to the zabáione, he asked, "Your Highness...?"
"Thank you," Prince Bryce said as he took the bowl and nudged it towards Uldarico. "I prefer that my guests come first... after all, I've tasted that delicious stuff already."

OOC: Don't worry about it. I've been awfully busy IRL over the past few days as well. Hope your exam went well - I can't believe you already had one so soon! :eek:
OOC: Hopefully it did. We do have to get used to weekly exams. :(

Shall we get started with the agenda?

Ruccola

14-06-2008, 09:59

"Thank you," Prince Bryce said as he took the bowl and nudged it towards Uldarico. "I prefer that my guests come first... after all, I've tasted that delicious stuff already."
"Alright then," remarked Luca, as he started to serve his Nord-Brutlandese counterpart.

OOC: Shall we get started with the agenda?
Sure! You can lead everyone to a different room, if need be. :)

Brutland and Norden

14-06-2008, 10:17

"Alright then," remarked Luca, as he started to serve his Nord-Brutlandese counterpart.
The group ate their bowls of dessert. Bricco was the last to finish, presumably because he filled his bowl again. He was about to get another serving when Uldarico cautioned him, "Bricco, pas'bastanza. Nostra caggio." The Foreign Minister thought it over, and decided against another serving, probably because he was delaying the start of discussions.

After a few moments, Prince Bryce spoke up. "So, how's the lunch?"

Servers later came to clean the table. As they took away the bowl of zabáione [still to the Foreign Minister's dismay], he prince told them, "The conference room is upstairs. Or if you like, you can meet here. I prefer it here, it's sunny and cool. Anyway, if you like the conference room I can lead you upstairs or if you like it here, I can ask the staff to bring your stuff here. So, what do you think?"

OOC: Do you like to make a part of this meeting "hot" or something?

Ruccola

14-06-2008, 10:44

After a few moments, Prince Bryce spoke up. "So, how's the lunch?"
"It was utterly amazing, Your Highness! Now I'm all ready to take a nap," chuckled Sebastiano.

"The conference room is upstairs. Or if you like, you can meet here. I prefer it here, it's sunny and cool. Anyway, if you like the conference room I can lead you upstairs or if you like it here, I can ask the staff to bring your stuff here. So, what do you think?"
"This room will be fine," answered Luisa. Gesturing to the window, she said, "Why part with the wonderful view?"

"I second that," chimed in the Ruccolian ambassador.

OOC: Do you like to make a part of this meeting "hot" or something?
OOC: Hot as in...? Sorry, I didn't quite get it. =P

Brutland and Norden

14-06-2008, 12:52

"It was utterly amazing, Your Highness! Now I'm all ready to take a nap," chuckled Sebastiano.
"I'm glad you liked the food," the prince said.

"This room will be fine," answered Luisa. Gesturing to the window, she said, "Why part with the wonderful view?"

"I second that," chimed in the Ruccolian ambassador.
"I'll ask the staff to bring in your things," Prince Bryce stood up and prepared to leave. "If you'll excuse me..."

Later, when the tables had been cleared completely, their document filled suitcases and bags came. "Good afternoon," one of the staff greeted them. "Prince Bryce will be back later tonight."

"So, shall we get started?" Bricco said after burping discreetly.

OOC: Hot as in...? Sorry, I didn't quite get it. =P
OOC: Hot as in, you know with flirting and stuff, but we must be careful not to produce a scandal. Actually, I was intentionally being obtuse...

Ruccola

14-06-2008, 12:59

"So, shall we get started?" Bricco said after burping discreetly.
"Yes, let's!" beamed Luisa.

"Naturally, we'll begin with liberalising trade in goods and services," said Sebastiano.

"And an air services agreement, of course," added Luca.

OOC: Hot as in, you know with flirting and stuff, but we must be careful not to produce a scandal. Actually, I was intentionally being obtuse...
OOC: I don't see why not - it'll make things more interesting. ;)

Brutland and Norden

14-06-2008, 15:19

"Yes, let's!" beamed Luisa.

"Naturally, we'll begin with liberalising trade in goods and services," said Sebastiano.

"And an air services agreement, of course," added Luca.
"I'll go contact Brocco," the Foreign Minister said, whipping open his mobile phone.

"Since our Transport Minister is not yet here, perhaps we can start with the free trade agreement," said Liana, putting her paper-filled pink briefcase on the table. She opened it and searched for something. "Brutland and Norden currently has one existing free trade agreement: Brutland and Norden-Imbrinium Free Trade Agreement." She retrieved three pieces of paper, closed the briefcase, and handed one copy (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13701663#post13701663) to each of the Ruccolian representatives. "That is the text of the treaty. We can modify it to suit our needs, or create an entirely new treaty from scratch. Also, we can form a free-trading bloc... that is, a multilateral treaty where others can join - but that teraty will be substantially different than this one."

OOC: I don't see why not - it'll make things more interesting. ;)
OOC: Perhaps later that night? ;)

Ruccola

15-06-2008, 06:22

She retrieved three pieces of paper, closed the briefcase, and handed one copy (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13701663#post13701663) to each of the Ruccolian representatives. "That is the text of the treaty. We can modify it to suit our needs, or create an entirely new treaty from scratch. Also, we can form a free-trading bloc... that is, a multilateral treaty where others can join - but that treaty will be substantially different than this one."
"Hmmm, it's very comprehensive," remarked Luisa, as she studied the document. "I believe a bilateral agreement will be sufficient for now, but we would be highly interested in a multilateral treaty if the opportunity arises later on."

Sebastiano added, "This is great, but I think we need a few operative clauses governing mutual investments, double taxation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_taxation) avoidance and the relaxation of visa requirements. I propose the following amendments."

He took out a sheet of lined paper and scribbled down the following text:

- Promote mutual investment in signatory economies;

- Protect the investments of the other signatory’s investors in one’s own territory;

- Ensure that double taxation of Nord-Brutlandese and Ruccolian enterprises is avoided;

- Abolish visa requirements for citizens of the other signatory country to facilitate increased trade, business and tourism between the two parties;

Passing his draft across the table, he smiled at Liana and asked, "What do you think?"

OOC: Perhaps later that night? ;)
OOC: Definitely! :p

Brutland and Norden

15-06-2008, 08:59

"Hmmm, it's very comprehensive," remarked Luisa, as she studied the document. "I believe a bilateral agreement will be sufficient for now, but we would be highly interested in a multilateral treaty if the opportunity arises later on."

Sebastiano added, "This is great, but I think we need a few operative clauses governing mutual investments, double taxation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_taxation) avoidance and the relaxation of visa requirements. I propose the following amendments."

He took out a sheet of lined paper and scribbled down the following text:

- Promote mutual investment in signatory economies;

- Protect the investments of the other signatory’s investors in one’s own territory;

- Ensure that double taxation of Nord-Brutlandese and Ruccolian enterprises is avoided;

- Abolish visa requirements for citizens of the other signatory country to facilitate increased trade, business and tourism between the two parties;

Passing his draft across the table, he smiled at Liana and asked, "What do you think?"
"I agree with these," Liana said, "but perhaps the first two is better suited for the preamble, and the latter two for the treaty proper. Also, while we're at it, we can create two additional articles: one for taxation, and another for visas."

She took out another copy of the treaty and wrote on it.

Preamble
The Government of the United Kingdom of Brutland and Norden and the Government of the Republic of Ruccola resolved to:

STRENGTHEN the relationship between the two countries through as many channels as possible;
FOSTER the economic development of the two countries;
PROMOTE mutual investment in signatory economies;
CREATE an expanded open and secure market for goods and services produced in the two countries;
REDUCE distortions and barriers to trade;
ENHANCE the competitiveness of their companies in global markets;
PROTECT the investments of the other signatory’s investors in one’s own territory;
ADD more employment opportunities;
IMPROVE working conditions and living standards in their countries; and
ESTABLISH clear and mutually advantageous rules governing their trade.

have agreed to:
Article 1
Laws

1. Gradually reduce and eliminate tariffs levied on goods and services originating from the signatory countries, with a target level of 0% within five years from the implementation of the treaty;

2. Eliminate quotas for goods and services to be traded between the signatories;

3. Eliminate government subsidies for goods and services to be traded between the signatories;

4. Ensure free and unrestricted movement of capital between the signatories;

5. Ensure free access to the signatories' markets and market information for Nord-Brutlandese and Ruccolian companies;

6. Ensure free and fair competition within their markets; and

7. Reform and amend domestic laws in order to reduce barriers to trade; and to comply with the above clauses.

8. Exemptions from above clauses include laws involving the following, but not limited to: occupational safety and health regulation; employment and labor laws; foreign exchange controls; social security and unemployment laws; immigration laws; drug laws; and product classification. The signatories are encouraged to harmonize and improve laws in the aforesaid areas in order to facilitate trade and commerce.

Article 2
Taxation

9. Simplify and harmonize taxation laws to minimize double taxation by:
a. Instituting systems of tax credits in order to relieve the companies of the obligation to pay equivalent dues that had already been paid in one of the signatories;

b. Limiting taxation only to permanent establishments present within the territory of that signatory country, and to profits arising from or income generated through operations within territory of that signatory country;

c. Requires the signatories to exchange information about taxation, and taxes being paid;

10. Disputes arising from taxation issues shall be resolved in the courts with the appropriate jurisdiction.

Article 3
Travel Requirements

11. Gradually abolish visa requirements for citizens of the other signatory country to facilitate increased trade, business and tourism between the two parties;

12. Simplify and harmonize the issuance of permits to citizens of signatories;

Article 4
The Trade Commission

13. Establish the Ruccola-Brutland and Norden Trade Commission (RBNTC), which will be tasked to guide and help Nord-Brutlandese and Ruccolian companies to do business in Brutland and Norden, Ruccola, and other countries; and to ensure the signatories' compliance to the treaty;

14. The leadership of RBNTC shall be composed of three commissioners each from Brutland and Norden and Ruccola. The two countries shall be free to choose the system by which to appoint their commissioners;

15. The RBNTC shall be free to draft their own organizational rules and guidelines in accordance to its goals as said in Section 13 of this treaty.

Article 5
Implementation

16. The treaty will enter in full force thirty (30) days after its ratification by both the United Kingdom of Brutland and Norden and the Republic of Ruccola.
"Lúanna will not be happy about losing some of her tax revenue," she added as she showed them her additions.

"We'll see about that," the Foreign Minister countered. "She's not averse to decreased revenues, you know, with all the cost-cutting and tax-slashing that she did."

OOC: Definitely! :p
OOC: I like that. :D

Red is the stuff I added/changed. Well anyway, I'd been reading this (http://www.fin.gc.ca/treaties/Philip_e.html), and I'm kinda stumped on what to write. I am not that knowledgeable on financial issues, nor can I cannot write a treaty that long... So basically, I'd like it to say that for taxation, if 50% of the income is generated in Brutland and Norden, then that 50% is taxable by Brutland and Norden, and the rest will be taxable by Ruccola. So for example, a Nord-Brutlandese company's total taxable income in Brutland and Norden would be their entire income minus their income from Ruccola... Do I even make sense? :confused:

Ruccola

15-06-2008, 09:50

"I agree with these," Liana said, "but perhaps the first two is better suited for the preamble, and the latter two for the treaty proper. Also, while we're at it, we can create two additional articles: one for taxation, and another for visas."

She took out another copy of the treaty and wrote on it.
Sebastiano looked at her proposal, mulling over the amendments and her choice of words. "Hmmm... You're right. I like your additions."

Red is the stuff I added/changed. Well anyway, I'd been reading this (http://www.fin.gc.ca/treaties/Philip_e.html), and I'm kinda stumped on what to write. I am not that knowledgeable on financial issues, nor can I cannot write a treaty that long... So basically, I'd like it to say that for taxation, if 50% of the income is generated in Brutland and Norden, then that 50% is taxable by Brutland and Norden, and the rest will be taxable by Ruccola. So for example, a Nord-Brutlandese company's total taxable income in Brutland and Norden would be their entire income minus their income from Ruccola... Do I even make sense? :confused:
OOC: You do, actually! I think you've got the basic idea behind these treaties - income derived from one jurisdiction should only be taxed by that jurisdiction, not by the home country of the company in question. Otherwise its income will be taxed twice. :) Thanks for the link! I've been comparing it to this (http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/c574039e96f28575482564840019d2fa/3e6fc47a6de9d8cb48256e3c0012111d?OpenDocument), and it's basically the same. Don't worry about having to add any more clauses, it's complex enough as is.

I've been looking at air services agreements (http://www.legislation.gov.hk/ASAPHILIPPINESe.PDF) as well, and they look unnecessarily long, so I don't think we need to draft a proper treaty. I guess we could just agree on frequencies, designated carriers and rights. We'll do more of that later.

Brutland and Norden

15-06-2008, 10:36

Sebastiano looked at her proposal, mulling over the amendments and her choice of words. "Hmmm... You're right. I like your additions."
"Thanks," Liana said. "Do you want to edit or change the text some more? We'd be sending the final form of the treaty to the translators and we can have a formal signing ceremony or something..."

OOC: You do, actually! I think you've got the basic idea behind these treaties - income derived from one jurisdiction should only be taxed by that jurisdiction, not by the home country of the company in question. Otherwise its income will be taxed twice. :) Thanks for the link! I've been comparing it to this (http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/c574039e96f28575482564840019d2fa/3e6fc47a6de9d8cb48256e3c0012111d?OpenDocument), and it's basically the same. Don't worry about having to add any more clauses, it's complex enough as is.

I've been looking at air services agreements (http://www.legislation.gov.hk/ASAPHILIPPINESe.PDF) as well, and they look unnecessarily long, so I don't think we need to draft a proper treaty. I guess we could just agree on frequencies, designated carriers and rights. We'll do more of that later.
OOC: Oooh, thanks, I thought I did not make sense. As for the air services agreements, feel free to put it up... I am more ignorant about it than financial issues. :headbang: :D

Ruccola

15-06-2008, 10:54

"Thanks," Liana said. "Do you want to edit or change the text some more? We'd be sending the final form of the treaty to the translators and we can have a formal signing ceremony or something..."
"I'd like to add two concluding paragraphs to the final article," said Sebastiano.

In witness whereof of the undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this agreement.

Done in four originals at Moncucco on the 15th day of June, Two thousand and eight, in the English, Nord-Brutlandese, Chinese and Italian languages, all texts being equally authoritative.

For the Government of
Brutland and Norden:

For the Government of
Ruccola:

"There," he commented, smiling, "that's all. We can go ahead with the official ceremony when you're ready."

OOC: Oooh, thanks, I thought I did not make sense. As for the air services agreements, feel free to put it up... I am more ignorant about it than financial issues. :headbang: :D
OOC: Okay, I'll draft a reduced version of a treaty then. :)

Brutland and Norden

15-06-2008, 18:17

"There," he commented, smiling, "that's all. We can go ahead with the official ceremony when you're ready."
"I like that addition," Liana commented, smiling.
"We can probably get the signing ceremony tomorrow morning, at the scheduled press conference," Bricco suggested.

"I'll go make the arrangements," Uldarico said, starting to copy the text and heading off to find translators.

OOC: I'll post the Nord-Brutlandese version soon.

Brutland and Norden

18-06-2008, 13:08

OOC: Final texts! :D

Nord-Brutlandese version:
Lerro Scambègrata di Norden e Marchòbrutellia - Ruccola

Préambole

La Gobbierro di la Rinnosso Unnona di Norden e Marchòbrutellia e la Gobbierro di la Repubblico di Ruccola resoluzecce:

FORTECCHE la relanze tro la nazioni doza par as canali molta as possiba;
PROMECCHE l'aumente economia di la nazioni doza;
FARETECCHE spesi mutua in economii signeceggía;
GENERECCHE a mercate sicura, oppa, e spanda per robu e servizii produrecce in la nazioni doza;
REDECCHE snaturi e espeletti te scambe;
CRENCECCHE la competemmíe di nostri companni in mercati monda;
SPROTTECCHE la spesi di la signeceggíoque ontra spesi in unòque terro posse;
ADDIZECCHE plural opportenzi ploía;
MIGLECCHE condizi iorga e normi vita in nostri nazioni; e
STALISECCHE regli vanta lal e clara governecche nostri scambe,

lerrecci:

Articolo 1
Laggi

1. Redecche gragal e liminecche tarifi imposecce on robu e servizii origineco che la nazioni signecca, son la cele tagette di 0% dentro annu cica che la esegure di la tracate;

2. Liminecche quoti per robu e servizii scambeche par la signeccettu;

3. Liminecche sovvenzi gobbierra per robu e servizii scambeche par la signeccettu;

4. Asicurecche move deslimita e grata di dineresbate scambeche par la signeccettu;

5. Asicurecche acese grata te la signeccettuque mercati e ifformazioni mercata per companni Nordèbrutelliense e Ruccolense;

6. Asicurecche competemmíe uffiara e grata dentro nostri mercate;

7. Rifrumecche e emendecche laggi domesta redecche espeletti te scambe; e sbrigatecche son la clausi supa.

8. Tranni che la clausi supa includece laggi straneco la venettu, non della limitecce te: regoli loggia e savola-occupal; laggi obra e ploía; vigili lecambia-ellenal; laggi desploía e sicura-scaglial; laggi imigraza; laggi droga; e categorellíe produressa. La signeccettu corrigece armonnecche e miglecche laggi in l'arei trecca boresecche scambe e commerzie.

Articolo 2
Tasgresse

9. Pellecche e armonnecche laggi tasgressa minimecche tasgresse dozellía via:

a. Stiutteco sistemi di conosci tasgra relvecche la companni di l'obblige pagecche scadi sovala con pagecci già in uno di la signeccettu;

b. Limiteco tasgresse ollo te stalisi permanenta dentro la terro di passo nazione signeccetta, e te gadagni avatecco che o quiniti generecco par agiri dentro la terro di passo nazione signeccetta;

c. Cedeco la signeccettu lecambiecche ifformazioni circe tasgresse, e tasgro pageco.

10. Mecori avateco che esali tasgressa oerelveche in la corti son la giurisdize adata.

Articolo 3
Cedu Viaggia

11. Abolecche gragal cedu virsa per cittadettu di la nazione signeccetta ontra boresecche scambe, commerzie, e turisme tro la nazioni doza;

12. Pellecche e armonnecche la stribe di pemmisi te cittadettu di la nazione signeccetta;

Articolo 4
La Commiscione Scamba

13. Stalisecche la Commiscione Scamba di Norden e Marchòbrutellia - Ruccola (CSNMbR), mia carceche guidecche e abrecche companni Nordèbrutelliense e Imbrense docche commerzie in Norden e Marchòbrutellia, Rucoolense, e nazioni ontra; e asicurecche la signeccettuque sbrigate te la tracate.

14. La ledarette di CSNMbR oecomporeche di commiscionettu treja echo che Norden e Marchòbrutellia e Ruccola. La nazioni oefriedeche cielgecche la sisteme via mia apporementecche nostri commiscionettu.

15. La CSNMbR oefriedeche bozecche nostra regli e palaguidi orranizata in accorde te su scopi as trecce in Pezze 13 di hoci tracate.

Articolo 5
Esegure

16. La tracate entreche in forze piena díu trejanúa (30) dope su rettife via le la Rinnosso Unnona di Norden e Marchòbrutellia e la Repubblico di Ruccola.

In depore dìfra di la porsigneccettu, autorecca debbal tèma via cai gobbierru purvifa, signeci hoci lerro.

Doce in copii unica quatta al Moncucco on la nucichela dío di Jùnio, anno Dozamileccha, in la lingùi Inglese, Nordèbrutelliense, Sinense, e Italiense, dei tesu tico autorellía stesal.

Per la Gobbierro di
la Rinnosso Unnona di Norden e Marchòbrutellia:

Per la Gobbierro di
la Repubblico di Ruccola:

the English version:
Brutland and Norden - Ruccola Free Trade Agreement

Preamble

The Government of the United Kingdom of Brutland and Norden and the Government of the Republic of Ruccola resolved to:

STRENGTHEN the relationship between the two countries through as many channels as possible;
FOSTER the economic development of the two countries;
PROMOTE mutual investment in signatory economies;
CREATE an expanded open and secure market for goods and services produced in the two countries;
REDUCE distortions and barriers to trade;
ENHANCE the competitiveness of their companies in global markets;
PROTECT the investments of the other signatory’s investors in one’s own territory;
ADD more employment opportunities;
IMPROVE working conditions and living standards in their countries; and
ESTABLISH clear and mutually advantageous rules governing their trade.

have agreed to:
Article 1
Laws

1. Gradually reduce and eliminate tariffs levied on goods and services originating from the signatory countries, with a target level of 0% within five years from the implementation of the treaty;

2. Eliminate quotas for goods and services to be traded between the signatories;

3. Eliminate government subsidies for goods and services to be traded between the signatories;

4. Ensure free and unrestricted movement of capital between the signatories;

5. Ensure free access to the signatories' markets and market information for Nord-Brutlandese and Ruccolian companies;

6. Ensure free and fair competition within their markets; and

7. Reform and amend domestic laws in order to reduce barriers to trade; and to comply with the above clauses.

8. Exemptions from above clauses include laws involving the following, but not limited to: occupational safety and health regulation; employment and labor laws; foreign exchange controls; social security and unemployment laws; immigration laws; drug laws; and product classification. The signatories are encouraged to harmonize and improve laws in the aforesaid areas in order to facilitate trade and commerce.

Article 2
Taxation

9. Simplify and harmonize taxation laws to minimize double taxation by:

a. Instituting systems of tax credits in order to relieve the companies of the obligation to pay equivalent dues that had already been paid in one of the signatories;

b. Limiting taxation only to permanent establishments present within the territory of that signatory country, and to profits arising from or income generated through operations within territory of that signatory country;

c. Requires the signatories to exchange information about taxation, and taxes being paid;

10. Disputes arising from taxation issues shall be resolved in the courts with the appropriate jurisdiction.

Article 3
Travel Requirements

11. Gradually abolish visa requirements for citizens of the other signatory country to facilitate increased trade, business and tourism between the two parties;

12. Simplify and harmonize the issuance of permits to citizens of signatory nations;

Article 4
The Trade Commission

13. Establish the Ruccola-Brutland and Norden Trade Commission (RBNTC), which will be tasked to guide and help Nord-Brutlandese and Ruccolian companies to do business in Brutland and Norden, Ruccola, and other countries; and to ensure the signatories' compliance to the treaty;

14. The leadership of RBNTC shall be composed of three commissioners each from Brutland and Norden and Ruccola. The two countries shall be free to choose the system by which to appoint their commissioners;

15. The RBNTC shall be free to draft their own organizational rules and guidelines in accordance to its goals as said in Section 13 of this treaty.

Article 5
Implementation

16. The treaty will enter in full force thirty (30) days after its ratification by both the United Kingdom of Brutland and Norden and the Republic of Ruccola.

In witness whereof of the undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this agreement.

Done in four originals at Moncucco on the 15th day of June, Two thousand and eight, in the English, Nord-Brutlandese, Chinese and Italian languages, all texts being equally authoritative.

For the Government of
Brutland and Norden:

For the Government of
Ruccola:

Ruccola

20-06-2008, 07:36

OOC: Just a couple of minor edits for the sake of presentation (additional titles and spacing). :D

And I've always wondered... are you part Italian?

Lerro Scambègrata di Norden e Marchòbrutellia - Ruccola

Préambole

La Gobbierro di la Rinnosso Unnona di Norden e Marchòbrutellia e la Gobbierro di la Repubblico di Ruccola resoluzecce:

FORTECCHE la relanze tro la nazioni doza par as canali molta as possiba;
PROMECCHE l'aumente economia di la nazioni doza;
FARETECCHE spesi mutua in economii signeceggía;
GENERECCHE a mercate sicura, oppa, e spanda per robu e servizii produrecce in la nazioni doza;
REDECCHE snaturi e espeletti te scambe;
CRENCECCHE la competemmíe di nostri companni in mercati monda;
SPROTTECCHE la spesi di la signeceggíoque ontra spesi in unòque terro posse;
ADDIZECCHE plural opportenzi ploía;
MIGLECCHE condizi iorga e normi vita in nostri nazioni; e
STALISECCHE regli vanta lal e clara governecche nostri scambe,

lerrecci:

Articolo 1
Laggi

1. Redecche gragal e liminecche tarifi imposecce on robu e servizii origineco che la nazioni signecca, son la cele tagette di 0% dentro annu cica che la esegure di la tracate;

2. Liminecche quoti per robu e servizii scambeche par la signeccettu;

3. Liminecche sovvenzi gobbierra per robu e servizii scambeche par la signeccettu;

4. Asicurecche move deslimita e grata di dineresbate scambeche par la signeccettu;

5. Asicurecche acese grata te la signeccettuque mercati e ifformazioni mercata per companni Nordèbrutelliense e Ruccolense;

6. Asicurecche competemmíe uffiara e grata dentro nostri mercate;

7. Rifrumecche e emendecche laggi domesta redecche espeletti te scambe; e sbrigatecche son la clausi supa.

8. Tranni che la clausi supa includece laggi straneco la venettu, non della limitecce te: regoli loggia e savola-occupal; laggi obra e ploía; vigili lecambia-ellenal; laggi desploía e sicura-scaglial; laggi imigraza; laggi droga; e categorellíe produressa. La signeccettu corrigece armonnecche e miglecche laggi in l'arei trecca boresecche scambe e commerzie.

Articolo 2
Tasgresse

9. Pellecche e armonnecche laggi tasgressa minimecche tasgresse dozellía via:

a. Stiutteco sistemi di conosci tasgra relvecche la companni di l'obblige pagecche scadi sovala con pagecci già in uno di la signeccettu;

b. Limiteco tasgresse ollo te stalisi permanenta dentro la terro di passo nazione signeccetta, e te gadagni avatecco che o quiniti generecco par agiri dentro la terro di passo nazione signeccetta;

c. Cedeco la signeccettu lecambiecche ifformazioni circe tasgresse, e tasgro pageco.

10. Mecori avateco che esali tasgressa oerelveche in la corti son la giurisdize adata.

Articolo 3
Cedu Viaggia

11. Abolecche gragal cedu virsa per cittadettu di la nazione signeccetta ontra boresecche scambe, commerzie, e turisme tro la nazioni doza;

12. Pellecche e armonnecche la stribe di pemmisi te cittadettu di la nazione signeccetta;

Articolo 4
La Commiscione Scamba

13. Stalisecche la Commiscione Scamba di Norden e Marchòbrutellia - Ruccola (CSNMbR), mia carceche guidecche e abrecche companni Nordèbrutelliense e Imbrense docche commerzie in Norden e Marchòbrutellia, Rucoolense, e nazioni ontra; e asicurecche la signeccettuque sbrigate te la tracate.

14. La ledarette di CSNMbR oecomporeche di commiscionettu treja echo che Norden e Marchòbrutellia e Ruccola. La nazioni oefriedeche cielgecche la sisteme via mia apporementecche nostri commiscionettu.

15. La CSNMbR oefriedeche bozecche nostra regli e palaguidi orranizata in accorde te su scopi as trecce in Pezze 13 di hoci tracate.

Articolo 5
Esegure

16. La tracate entreche in forze piena díu trejanúa (30) dope su rettife via le la Rinnosso Unnona di Norden e Marchòbrutellia e la Repubblico di Ruccola.

In depore dìfra di la porsigneccettu, autorecca debbal tèma via cai gobbierru purvifa, signeci hoci lerro.

Doce in copii unica quatta al Moncucco on la nucichela dío di Jùnio, anno Dozamileccha, in la lingùi Inglese, Nordèbrutelliense, Sinense, e Italiense, dei tesu tico autorellía stesal.

Per la Gobbierro di
la Rinnosso Unnona di Norden e Marchòbrutellia:

Per la Gobbierro di
la Repubblico di Ruccola:

-

Brutland and Norden - Ruccola Free Trade Agreement

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/2982/ftatextxa9.jpg

Accordo di libero scambio tra Norden e Marchòbrutellia e Ruccola

Preamble

The Government of the United Kingdom of Brutland and Norden and the Government of the Republic of Ruccola resolved to:

STRENGTHEN the relationship between the two countries through as many channels as possible;
FOSTER the economic development of the two countries;
PROMOTE mutual investment in signatory economies;
CREATE an expanded open and secure market for goods and services produced in the two countries;
REDUCE distortions and barriers to trade;
ENHANCE the competitiveness of their companies in global markets;
PROTECT the investments of the other signatory’s investors in one’s own territory;
ADD more employment opportunities;
IMPROVE working conditions and living standards in their countries; and
ESTABLISH clear and mutually advantageous rules governing their trade.

have agreed to:
Article 1
Laws

1. Gradually reduce and eliminate tariffs levied on goods and services originating from the signatory countries, with a target level of 0% within five years from the implementation of the treaty;

2. Eliminate quotas for goods and services to be traded between the signatories;

3. Eliminate government subsidies for goods and services to be traded between the signatories;

4. Ensure free and unrestricted movement of capital between the signatories;

5. Ensure free access to the signatories' markets and market information for Nord-Brutlandese and Ruccolian companies;

6. Ensure free and fair competition within their markets; and

7. Reform and amend domestic laws in order to reduce barriers to trade; and to comply with the above clauses.

8. Exemptions from above clauses include laws involving the following, but not limited to: occupational safety and health regulation; employment and labor laws; foreign exchange controls; social security and unemployment laws; immigration laws; drug laws; and product classification. The signatories are encouraged to harmonize and improve laws in the aforesaid areas in order to facilitate trade and commerce.

Article 2
Taxation

9. Simplify and harmonize taxation laws to minimize double taxation by:

a. Instituting systems of tax credits in order to relieve the companies of the obligation to pay equivalent dues that had already been paid in one of the signatories;

b. Limiting taxation only to permanent establishments present within the territory of that signatory country, and to profits arising from or income generated through operations within territory of that signatory country;

c. Requires the signatories to exchange information about taxation, and taxes being paid;

10. Disputes arising from taxation issues shall be resolved in the courts with the appropriate jurisdiction.

Article 3
Travel Requirements

11. Gradually abolish visa requirements for citizens of the other signatory country to facilitate increased trade, business and tourism between the two parties;

12. Simplify and harmonize the issuance of permits to citizens of signatory nations;

Article 4
The Trade Commission

13. Establish the Ruccola-Brutland and Norden Trade Commission (RBNTC), which will be tasked to guide and help Nord-Brutlandese and Ruccolian companies to do business in Brutland and Norden, Ruccola, and other countries; and to ensure the signatories' compliance to the treaty;

14. The leadership of RBNTC shall be composed of three commissioners each from Brutland and Norden and Ruccola. The two countries shall be free to choose the system by which to appoint their commissioners;

15. The RBNTC shall be free to draft their own organizational rules and guidelines in accordance to its goals as said in Section 13 of this treaty.

Article 5
Implementation

16. The treaty will enter in full force thirty (30) days after its ratification by both the United Kingdom of Brutland and Norden and the Republic of Ruccola.

In witness whereof of the undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this agreement.

Done in four originals at Moncucco on the 15th day of June, Two thousand and eight, in the English, Nord-Brutlandese, Chinese and Italian languages, all texts being equally authoritative.

For the Government of
Brutland and Norden:

For the Government of
Ruccola:

-

Sebastiano picked up the copies and scanned over them quickly.

"Lovely," he said. "By the way, when will the Transport Minister be arriving?"

Brutland and Norden

20-06-2008, 16:23

OOC: Nope, I am not Italian, or part-Italian ;). Brutland and Norden is like a crossbreed between Scandinavia and Italy, and I made the Nord-Brutlandese language to seem like Italian (including macerating real Italian words :D), but its syntax and grammar is nothing like Italian. Though I borrow Italian names, surnames, and place-names... or make the name look like Italian/Nord-Brutlandese...

And also, a minor edit, Article 1, Section 1 should read: "1. Redecche gragal e liminecche tarifi imposecce on robu e servizii origineco che la nazioni signecca, son la cele tagette di 0% dentro annu cica che l'esegure di la tracate;" (changed due to contraction rules :))

"He said he'll arrive at about at four o'clock," Bricco told them, glancing at his watch. "We still have more than an hour. Perhaps we can take a break, take a stroll around the castle grounds, or look at ancient stuff around here..."

OOC: Do you want to take 'em out for some fun, stroll, etc., or would you like to fast-forward it to the Transportation Minister's arrival?

Ruccola

22-06-2008, 23:25

OOC: Nope, I am not Italian, or part-Italian ;). Brutland and Norden is like a crossbreed between Scandinavia and Italy, and I made the Nord-Brutlandese language to seem like Italian (including macerating real Italian words :D), but its syntax and grammar is nothing like Italian. Though I borrow Italian names, surnames, and place-names... or make the name look like Italian/Nord-Brutlandese...
OOC: I must say, you do a great job translating! I actually thought you were a fluent Italian speaker... :p

"He said he'll arrive at about at four o'clock," Bricco told them, glancing at his watch. "We still have more than an hour. Perhaps we can take a break, take a stroll around the castle grounds, or look at ancient stuff around here..."
"Ah, okay..." remarked Sebastiano. "Why don't you give us a tour of the castle? I'm sure the rest of us would love to see more of it."

"Yes, let's!" interjected Luisa. "I'm really curious about what the rest of the castle holds."

OOC: Do you want to take 'em out for some fun, stroll, etc., or would you like to fast-forward it to the Transportation Minister's arrival?
OOC: I'm tempted to fast-forward, but even I'm interested in exploring the castle... :p
By the way, sorry for not replying as often as I usually do - I've been doing a bit of travelling, and only have intermittent Internet access these few days. Hope all is well with you!

Brutland and Norden

23-06-2008, 22:40

OOC: I must say, you do a great job translating! I actually thought you were a fluent Italian speaker... :p
OOC: Thank you. :fluffle:

"Ah, okay..." remarked Sebastiano. "Why don't you give us a tour of the castle? I'm sure the rest of us would love to see more of it."

"Yes, let's!" interjected Luisa. "I'm really curious about what the rest of the castle holds."
"Dungeons and torture chambers," Bricco said in an ominous tone. "Ghosts of the dead roam here."

Liana gave Bricco a friendly slap at his upper arm. "Don't scare our guests!"

"Boo!" The Foreign Minister chuckled. "Nah, it isn't scary in here... I think." He looked at Liana and Uldarico. "So, any one of you know how to get around this castle?"

The Trade Minister and the Ambassador exchanged clueless looks. "Great!" Bricco said happily. "Nobody knows how to get around this castle! This'll be a great adventure! Now, let's go!"

He led them across the garden to the south. On the way, they passed by sculpted trees, shaped hedges, and bushes sporting flowers of varying colors. Bricco pointed to a lone bush in the middle of the grassy area. "Wow, a blue bush!" The plant was almost entirely blue in color: it had "leaves" that are colored blue, and green "hairs". "This is a unique plant. I can't remember its name but this is amazing. Those blue leaves - aren't actually leaves. They're the huge tepals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tepal), meant to attract pollinators. Those hairs are the plant's leaves."

He then led them to the edge of the garden, where a weather-beaten bench and lamppost sits on the edge of a cliff overlooking the village of Moncucco and Lake Tracomeno.

"Nice view. I like it here."

OOC: I'm tempted to fast-forward, but even I'm interested in exploring the castle... :p
By the way, sorry for not replying as often as I usually do - I've been doing a bit of travelling, and only have intermittent Internet access these few days. Hope all is well with you!
OOC: My classes had also started, and I am saddled by weekly exams and lots of daily activities, so I reduced my NS involvement to just two threads: this one and the one with ViZion. RL concerns really do come first, I myself cannot log in as often as I had. And I wish you the best in your travels, hope it's fun. ;)

Ruccola

25-06-2008, 01:04

Liana gave Bricco a friendly slap at his upper arm. "Don't scare our guests!"
"Don't worry, we're not scared easily," chuckled Luca.

The Trade Minister and the Ambassador exchanged clueless looks. "Great!" Bricco said happily.
Luisa giggled as she observed the Nord-Brutlandese. "At least we'll all be together if we do get lost."

"Wow, a blue bush!" The plant was almost entirely blue in color: it had "leaves" that are colored blue, and green "hairs". "This is a unique plant. I can't remember its name but this is amazing. Those blue leaves - aren't actually leaves. They're the huge tepals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tepal), meant to attract pollinators. Those hairs are the plant's leaves."
"My, what an interesting plant!" exclaimed Sebastiano. "I've never seen anything like it."

He then led them to the edge of the garden, where a weather-beaten bench and lamppost sits on the edge of a cliff overlooking the village of Moncucco and Lake Tracomeno.

"Nice view. I like it here."
"Me too," said Sebastiano. "Seems like quite a romantic spot." He looked over at Liana, making eye contact and winking at her.

"I wonder if you can bungee or BASE jump (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASE_jump) from here," murmured the Ruccolian Ambassador.

OOC: My classes had also started, and I am saddled by weekly exams and lots of daily activities, so I reduced my NS involvement to just two threads: this one and the one with ViZion. RL concerns really do come first, I myself cannot log in as often as I had. And I wish you the best in your travels, hope it's fun. ;)
OOC: Thanks! I certainly hope so too - with a five-hour flight coming up on Friday and a fourteen-hour one next week... :p Best wishes with school, activities and exams!

Brutland and Norden

25-06-2008, 13:10

"My, what an interesting plant!" exclaimed Sebastiano. "I've never seen anything like it."
"But its seeds are deadly. This is one of the deadliest poisonous plants in Brutland and Norden. That's why it's rarely seen now."

"Me too," said Sebastiano. "Seems like quite a romantic spot." He looked over at Liana, making eye contact and winking at her.

"I wonder if you can bungee or BASE jump (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASE_jump) from here," murmured the Ruccolian Ambassador.
"Oh yes," Liana said, acknowledging Sebastiano's wink with a blush and a demure smile. "But Base jumping? What is that?"

"Base jumping," Uldarico explained, "is like parachuting, only that you start from a tall structure, not from a plane. The base means something, just can't remember what." The Nord-Brutlandese Ambassador moved closer to the edge and looked down. "Nope, not here. The gradient is not that steep and you wouldn't want to be caught in the canopy of the trees below." He stepped back and turned to the Ruccolian Ambassador. "But I think there are a few places around here where base jumping is allowed. It's allowed over the Laurentina Dam, few kilometers downstream of Lake Tracomeno. Also, there is a popular jumping site in Kingsville - the aptly named Stazione di Ternato Secruta - Suicide Ridge Station. It's a favorite of the base jumpers and the despondent. The old train station sits beside the edge of a cliff with a thousand-foot drop to the Parco di la Brezècuorettu... Park of the Broken-Hearted."

OOC: Thanks! I certainly hope so too - with a five-hour flight coming up on Friday and a fourteen-hour one next week... :p Best wishes with school, activities and exams!
OOC: Thank you. :) I might not be able to post soon... two hard exams coming up! :(

Ruccola

26-06-2008, 05:09

"Base jumping," Uldarico explained, "is like parachuting, only that you start from a tall structure, not from a plane. The base means something, just can't remember what."
"I believe it stands for Building, Antenna, Span and Earth," interjected Sebastiano.

"But I think there are a few places around here where base jumping is allowed. It's allowed over the Laurentina Dam, few kilometers downstream of Lake Tracomeno. Also, there is a popular jumping site in Kingsville - the aptly named Stazione di Ternato Secruta - Suicide Ridge Station. It's a favorite of the base jumpers and the despondent. The old train station sits beside the edge of a cliff with a thousand-foot drop to the Parco di la Brezècuorettu... Park of the Broken-Hearted."
"Gosh, that all sounds so depressing," said Luisa. "I don't see how someone could get depressed easily in such a beautiful country!"

Luca looked out over the village below. Turning to face his Nord-Brutlandese counterpart, he asked, "Has this castle ever been involved in any armed conflict? It seems to be in a very defensible location..."

OOC: Thank you. :) I might not be able to post soon... two hard exams coming up! :(
OOC: :eek: Good luck!

Brutland and Norden

27-06-2008, 18:23

"I believe it stands for Building, Antenna, Span and Earth," interjected Sebastiano.
"Yup. I think that's it," Uldarico said.

"Gosh, that all sounds so depressing," said Luisa. "I don't see how someone could get depressed easily in such a beautiful country!"
"Depressing, and haunting," the Nord-Brutlandese ambassador said. "There is a memorial for those who had literally fallen there, starting with the first recorded incident - the daughter of one of the lords of Moncucco who refused to be wed with a prince of Brutland."

Luca looked out over the village below. Turning to face his Nord-Brutlandese counterpart, he asked, "Has this castle ever been involved in any armed conflict? It seems to be in a very defensible location..."
"If I can remember correctly, when the Nordeners tried to occupy the island of Barren Rocks in the Great War, Brute forces repelled the invasion by blasting the Nordeners out from this hill," Uldarico said. "Perhaps we can still find some old stuff here."

"You seem to know much about these places," Liana remarked.
"I'm from Kingsville," Uldarico told them. "And my grandfather was a history buff."
"So you are familiar with this castle?"
"Er, no, not really. Mt grandfather brought me here once when I was small. 'course I couldn't remember much 'bout that."
"Well, perhaps you can still tour us around, based on what you can remember?"
"Uh... sure."

Uldarico led them out of the garden and towards the north side of the castle. Spotting a wooden door partly hidden by some bushes, he tried to push the door open.

"Where does it go to?" Liana asked.

The door gave way, allowing some light to illuminate the dark room while a musty smell came out. "I have no idea where I am going into," Uldarico said, his adventurous streak leaching out again. He entered the dark room and disappeared from their sight.

OOC: :eek: Good luck!
OOC: Thanks... one down, another one to go! :headbang: (I should be spending my entire weekend studying, but here I am on NS, procrastinating...)

Ruccola

09-08-2008, 11:41

OOC: My apologies for the six-week long lapse... I've been awfully busy with a summer job that I just finished a few days ago.

"If I can remember correctly, when the Nordeners tried to occupy the island of Barren Rocks in the Great War, Brute forces repelled the invasion by blasting the Nordeners out from this hill," Uldarico said. "Perhaps we can still find some old stuff here."

"You seem to know much about these places," Liana remarked.
"I'm from Kingsville," Uldarico told them. "And my grandfather was a history buff."
"So you are familiar with this castle?"
"Er, no, not really. My grandfather brought me here once when I was small. 'course I couldn't remember much 'bout that."
"Well, perhaps you can still tour us around, based on what you can remember?"
"Uh... sure."

The Ruccolians listened intently, marvelled by the knowledge of the ambassador.

The door gave way, allowing some light to illuminate the dark room while a musty smell came out. "I have no idea where I am going into," Uldarico said, his adventurous streak leaching out again. He entered the dark room and disappeared from their sight.

As the rest of the party gathered round the entrance, wondering what to do next, Sebastiano glanced over at Liana. "Should we follow him in? I wouldn't want anything to happen to him..."

Brutland and Norden

11-08-2008, 14:11

OOC: My apologies for the six-week long lapse... I've been awfully busy with a summer job that I just finished a few days ago.
OOC: 'tis fine. ;) I myself am preparing for a major engagement which will take up a good part of the next two weeks...

As the rest of the party gathered round the entrance, wondering what to do next, Sebastiano glanced over at Liana. "Should we follow him in? I wouldn't want anything to happen to him..."
"He's a big guy," Liana said of Uldarico, stepping into the room also. The room was pitch black except for the afternoon sunlight coming from the doorway. But that sunlight wasn't enough to even illuminate a few feet into the seemingly dark void of a room. Uldarico was nowhere to be seen. Some unknown stuff crunched under Liana's boots; the room smelled of mold and must; the air inside felt dank and heavy. As soon as Liana disappeared into the dark, Uldarico gave out a bloodcurdling scream that reverberated in the stuffy dark room.

Ruccola

11-08-2008, 15:01

As soon as Liana disappeared into the dark, Uldarico gave out a bloodcurdling scream that reverberated in the stuffy dark room.

Startled by the scream, Sebastiano paused for a split second before rushing into the room. "Uldarico! Uldarico!" he cried. "Are you alright?"

Meanwhile, Luca turned to Luisa, who looked pretty alarmed. "Stay here," he said. "I'm following him in." He left the Commerce Minister at the doorway with a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

Brutland and Norden

11-08-2008, 16:01

Startled by the scream, Sebastiano paused for a split second before rushing into the room. "Uldarico! Uldarico!" he cried. "Are you alright?"
There was a pause before Uldarico shouted an answer. "Yup. I'm alright in here. Damn, it's so dark!"

Liana felt her way towards Uldarico. She clutched what she thought was his arms, but after a moment what she was holding broke free of its attachments. Clearly it wasn't Uldarico's arm.

"Liana! Me s'hoci!" Uldarico whispered, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards him. "You gotta see this."

"Why'd you shout?"
"Startled, I guess... but you gotta see this." Uldarico opened a wooden chest, the hinges creaking as he lifted the lid up. As the contents came into full view, Liana let out a somewhat frightened "Mi Dax!"

Ruccola

11-08-2008, 16:28

There was a pause before Uldarico shouted an answer. "Yup. I'm alright in here. Damn, it's so dark!"

Sebastiano breathed a sigh of relief. "You had me scared for a bit."

Just then, Luca came up behind him and put an arm around his friend's shoulders. "Let's go see what they're doing."

"Okay," murmured Sebastiano, as they began walking off to find Uldarico and Liana.

Uldarico opened a wooden chest, the hinges creaking as he lifted the lid up. As the contents came into full view, Liana let out a somewhat frightened "Mi Dax!"

By that time, the two Ruccolians had nearly found their way to the Ambassador and the Commerce Minister. "What did you find?" Sebastiano called out. "Human remains?"

Brutland and Norden

12-08-2008, 14:17

By that time, the two Ruccolians had nearly found their way to the Ambassador and the Commerce Minister. "What did you find?" Sebastiano called out. "Human remains?"
"Yes... and be careful of the hanging skeletons," Uldarico said. "Liana just dismembered the arm of one."

Uldarico the felt the Ruccolians and stepped aside to show them the wooden chest. Inside was three glowing fragile human skulls, exuding an eerie green-blue luminescence, with their teeth grinning and their eye sockets staring playfully yet ominously at them.

"Be careful, those are radioactive," Uldarico warned them. "I thought those glowing skulls were just part of folklore 'round these parts..."

"Glowing skulls?"

"Yes," Uldarico said, poking one with something that looked like a human tibia. "Most believe they exist, some would give ascribe them supernatural powers, but only a few had seen one. These glowing skulls could fetch millions of livros now. The Royal Museum of Brutland and Norden only has one specimen in its collection.

Based on where we are, the theory I'd heard must've been true - we are in the dungeon, or at least in the prison of the castle. They said back in the medieval times, some prisoners were being fed luppo magia. Feeding luppo magia, or "magic soil" to the prisoners would supposedly give the captor more power over his enemies and afford protection to the castle. The explanation is long, but it's like voodoo with real humans as dolls and that the magical potential of the soil mixed with the life force of the prisoners would provide tremendous power.

Now, this luppo magia is thought to be sourced from the islands of Torralba, Minio, and, er, I forgot the other one. Anyway, these islands are to the east of Union Island, and there are certain soils in these islands that contain significantly elevated amounts of radium and radioactive strontium. When fed to prisoners for a long time, so the theory goes, the strontium and radium accumulate in the bones of the prisoner. Both of these have long half-lives, and exhibit radioluminescence. So the skull will glow... as will the other bones," Uldarico held up the tibia on his hands. It glowed a faint blue color. "Sometimes they coat the bone with zinc sulfide to make it glow more, but it can wear off. The Royal Museum's specimen has zinc sulfide coating, but those don't," he said as he then pointed to a pile of bones near the wooden chest which, like the tibia, exuded a blue color so faint the darkness just swallows any light coming from it.

"Let's get out," Uldarico said, wiping sweat off his forehead. "It's radioactive right here, hopefully my gametes are still okay."

Ruccola

15-08-2008, 14:35

Uldarico the felt the Ruccolians and stepped aside to show them the wooden chest. Inside was three glowing fragile human skulls, exuding an eerie green-blue luminescence, with their teeth grinning and their eye sockets staring playfully yet ominously at them.

"Whoa!" exclaimed Sebastiano. "What on earth...?!?"

They said back in the medieval times, some prisoners were being fed luppo magia. Feeding luppo magia, or "magic soil" to the prisoners would supposedly give the captor more power over his enemies and afford protection to the castle. The explanation is long, but it's like voodoo with real humans as dolls and that the magical potential of the soil mixed with the life force of the prisoners would provide tremendous power.

"Sounds like something the Aztecs and Maya would have done," remarked Luca. "I never knew there used to be practices like that in this country..."

"Let's get out," Uldarico said, wiping sweat off his forehead. "It's radioactive right here, hopefully my gametes are still okay."

"Yes, let's," said Sebastiano, as he began to step away from the chest. "I'd rather not stay in a tomb like this for too long."

Brutland and Norden

16-08-2008, 07:32

"Sounds like something the Aztecs and Maya would have done," remarked Luca. "I never knew there used to be practices like that in this country..."
"Oh, we can be barbaric too," Uldarico kidded. "Kinda erases the image people have in their minds that the Nord-Brutlandese are peaceful people, eh?"

"Yes, let's," said Sebastiano, as he began to step away from the chest. "I'd rather not stay in a tomb like this for too long."
They went out of the dungeon to the fresher air and less gloomy aura outside. "So, what did you see inside? Ghosts?" asked Bricco.

Ruccola

16-08-2008, 14:23

"Oh, we can be barbaric too," Uldarico kidded. "Kinda erases the image people have in their minds that the Nord-Brutlandese are peaceful people, eh?"

"It sure does," chuckled the Ruccolian Ambassador.

They went out of the dungeon to the fresher air and less gloomy aura outside. "So, what did you see inside? Ghosts?" asked Bricco.

"No, but we saw skeletons... and glowing skulls," replied Sebastiano. Luisa's eyes widened considerably at the sound of this.

"I'm glad I didn't go in then," she murmured.

Brutland and Norden

16-08-2008, 16:08

"No, but we saw skeletons... and glowing skulls," replied Sebastiano. Luisa's eyes widened considerably at the sound of this.

"I'm glad I didn't go in then," she murmured.
"Glowing skulls?" Bricco remarked. "The lore must be true then."

"I'd tell our find to the caretaker of the castle and the King," Uldarico commented, retrieving his handkerchief to wipe the beaded sweat on his forehead. "Let's go back inside," he said as he closed the heavy door of the prison shut. "We can set off a Geiger counter after getting in there."

They went back to the open-air dining area by way of the beautiful garden. "Let's look at some other more happy stuff," Bricco suggested. "How about the paintings?"

OOC: Do you want us to proceed with the airline thingy or do you like more explorations?

Ruccola

16-08-2008, 16:49

They went back to the open-air dining area by way of the beautiful garden. "Let's look at some other more happy stuff," Bricco suggested. "How about the paintings?"

"Sure," said Sebastiano. "I don't see why not."

"Now that was quite a surprise," added Luca. "You normally wouldn't stumble across something like that every day!"

OOC: It's up to you, really - I'd be happy either way. I'm tempted to continue exploring, as you have quite the imagination, but I wouldn't want you to spend too much time on this thread. You make the call. ;)

Brutland and Norden

17-08-2008, 07:07

"Sure," said Sebastiano. "I don't see why not."

"Now that was quite a surprise," added Luca. "You normally wouldn't stumble across something like that every day!"
"But trust me, Brutland and Norden can be mundane too," Uldarico commented as he led them to the corridor leading back to the castle front. Along the corridor were paintings and tapestries lit by mini-spotlights. He went up first to the long tapestry hanging to their right. "This is a tapestry commemorating the battle of Giri Valley. This proved to be beginning of the end of the Nordener Revolution. In the battle of Giri Valley, the Brutes finally entered Normark to bring the Nordener Republic to an end. The tapestry goes from there - " Uldarico pointed to the far end of the tapestry " - to here." The tapestry in front of them showed a burning tower with hordes of soldiers rejoicing, the Brutland flag flying freely. "This is the sacking of the republican stronghold of Colfetta, at the tip of the Giri Valley, where the Giri River meets the sea. Look at the shields carried by the battalions... these are the coats-of-arms the cities and towns that rebelled against republican rule and fought with the Brutes... Let me see... This is Fargelato, San Lamberto, Solarussa, Codigliana, Bratteo, Mirandola, Lavignano, Bancarano... erm, I think this is Mogorella... no this is Mogorella, that was Laconia... there's La Battaglia, Biscaglia... the city of Carcellesolo. In many of these towns, the republican revolutionaries executed and massacred suspected royalist sympathizers as the Brutes advanced down the valley. The city of Carcellesolo was so happy when the Brutes finally liberated them they changed the name of the town to "Borgòrinna di Norremaque" - something like the King's City of Normark. Also, we do have ghost towns too as a result."

"Sant'Brullizio al Giri?" Bricco offered. "I traced my roots there... if it ain't obvious."

"Yes. That is commemorated in the next part of the tapestry." He pointed to the part where ragtag groups of soldiers pounce on women and children, with a burning church at the background and a stream of red running beneath. There were angels and holy persons crying at the sky. "Sant'Brullizio al Giri was a bustling town of 10,000 along the Giri River and was the site of the worst atrocities in the war between Brutland and Norden. End of January 1748, and the Brutes occupied the town of Torello, west of Sant'Brullizio. The Brutes were advancing to the east when they were surprised by the revolutionaries somewhere in between Torello and Sant'Brullizio. They were forced to retreat temporarily to Torello; but the townsfolk of Sant'Brullizio began an insurrection against the republican revolutionary government, not knowing that the Brutes will not be arriving on time to help them. The revolutionaries crushed the insurrection, burned the church, and massacred everyone in town. All in all, 99% of the town's population died, and it was left as a ghost town. The Giri River was reported to have turned red with the blood of the murdered townspeople... that we can see here - " Uldarico pointed to the river of red running beneath the figures depicting the massacre.. "In case you were wondering who these crying people are, they are the angels weeping and this is Sant'Brullizio, the town's patron saint, also weeping."

"One of my ancestors survived that massacre," Bricco related. "Family lore said that he hid beneath the fountain at the middle of the town square... he was four years old at that time. He was found by the Brute soldiers when they liberated the town. Nobody knew his name, and so he was simply known as Vittorio di Sint'Brullizio. He went with the Brute forces as they occupied Norden, and was committed to an orphanage in Castell'sceicce at the war's end."

"The next parts of the tapestry also commemorate other battles... that bloody snowy scene is the battle of Saint Raphael's Pass, and that seemingly funny scene where soldiers looks as if they were skiing is the battle of Tramonti, where the opposing forces fired cannons on the mountainsides to produce avalanches to bury the other's camp."

"Well anyway, enough of carnage," Uldarico said as he looked at the painting at the other side of the corridor. At the center of the huge painting sat a man and a woman in rich royal clothes, wearing identical crowns. Sitting on the woman's lap was a baby, and there were four other children standing or sitting around the couple. The oldest wore a smaller version of the crown and stood beside the man. On the right side of the painting, nearest to the man, was the blue-and-yellow Nordic cross flag of Brutland near the window where grazing cows can be seen. On the side table near the window sat a a basket of berries and a bottle of wine. On the left side was the yellow-and-white Nordic cross flag of Norden.

"This is King Adam III and Queen Adrienne, the first monarchs of the United Kingdom of Brutland and Norden. King Adam III of Brutland married the newly-restored Queen Adrienne of Norden and united the two countries. The crowns they are wearing were made from the melted crowns of Norden and Brutland, signifying indivisibility of the Union. These are their children, and the boy beside King Adam III is the Crown Prince, the future King Simon III of Brutland and Norden."

OOC: I'll be absent for the next week... have to attend some stuff...

Ruccola

23-08-2008, 18:51

OOC: Thanks for letting me know. I'll type up a proper reply when I have more time.

Ruccola

02-09-2008, 21:16

Brutland and Norden

12-09-2008, 17:58

The Ruccolians marvelled at the magnificent tapestry, spellbound by the scenes depicted and the stories behind them. After listening to Uldarico and Bricco's insights into this period of Nord-Brutlandese history, Sebastiano remarked, "Wow, the only parallel I can think of in our history is the War of the Western Plains from 1426 to 1431. Back then, Ruccola was divided into four kingdoms that had been warring for four centuries: Rucaia, Casalveri, Corunia and Lamare. Apparently, the war was so bloody that the populace of all four states refused to fight after it was over, leading to a peace treaty and the eventual reunification of the country."
"We in Brutland have a saying: Sagro cersecca s'della spercocce sul il vuoce... 'Spilled blood is not wasted if it coagulates', or something like that... Sometimes proverbs are hard to translate," Liana said with a smile. "Literally, it refers to how wounds are being helped to heal by the scab that forms... Figuratively, it refers on how painful moments and past enmities can lead to closer relationships."

"Let me just make a wild guess, is 'Ruccola' an acronym for the four kingdoms that made up the country?"

"Hence the national motto: Indivisible and Inseparable," commented Luca. "Did I translate that correctly?"
"Precisely!" Uldarico remarked. "And incidentally, that is the name of the next painting," he told them as he led them to the painting hanging to their left. He read and translated the description simultaneously.

"'Indivisible and Inseparable', by Prince Lambert, Duke of Modica. Oil on Canvas, June 1888."

The painting showed a young man and young woman standing in the middle of a field of sunflowers overlooking a village beside a calm blue lake. The pair was holding hands, assuming the stance of lovers starting to kiss. The sun was smiling down on them, and cherubs danced on the skies as angels played their harps and lyres. In the forest and the pond at the periphery of the painting, animals and people commingled, looking happily at the couple. There was a dragon and a wyvern, a fish and a seahorse, a saint, a unicorn, a bear and an eagle, a lion, a leopard, and a tiger, a snake, a cow, among others.

"The symbolism here is simple. The man and the woman represent Brutland and Norden. They say the guy is Brutland, and the gal is Norden. The town represents the country they created. Now, what fascinates me are these creatures in the forest. They say that each of Brutland and Norden's grants is represented... for example the dragon represents the grant of Trascara, and the wyvern represents the grant of Timberland."

OOC: Sorry for not posting lately, RL had been occupying me with work and rewards! :D

Ruccola

12-09-2008, 20:54

OOC: No problem! Rewards, eh? I hope you're still enjoying them! ;)

"We in Brutland have a saying: Sagro cersecca s'della spercocce sul il vuoce... 'Spilled blood is not wasted if it coagulates', or something like that... Sometimes proverbs are hard to translate," Liana said with a smile. "Literally, it refers to how wounds are being helped to heal by the scab that forms... Figuratively, it refers on how painful moments and past enmities can lead to closer relationships."

"Let me just make a wild guess, is 'Ruccola' an acronym for the four kingdoms that made up the country?"

Sebastiano nodded in response to the proverb. "True, although it's always difficult in the beginning... And yes, you got it! I suppose it also helped that I listed them in order," he winked. "We'd probably be called the Republic of Sericana now if it hadn't been coined back then."

"The symbolism here is simple. The man and the woman represent Brutland and Norden. They say the guy is Brutland, and the gal is Norden. The town represents the country they created. Now, what fascinates me are these creatures in the forest. They say that each of Brutland and Norden's grants is represented... for example the dragon represents the grant of Trascara, and the wyvern represents the grant of Timberland."

The delegation admired the bucolic painting, noting that the artist responsible was a member of the royal family. "Ah, I see... I was actually about to ask about the animals," interjected Luisa. "They seem like quite an eclectic bunch."

"Is this castle ever opened to the public?", asked Luca. "These masterpieces deserve to be put in museums!"

Brutland and Norden

13-09-2008, 16:17

The delegation admired the bucolic painting, noting that the artist responsible was a member of the royal family. "Ah, I see... I was actually about to ask about the animals," interjected Luisa. "They seem like quite an eclectic bunch."

"Is this castle ever opened to the public?", asked Luca. "These masterpieces deserve to be put in museums!"
"Yes, this castle is open to the public. It's closed to visitors now... because we're here," Bricco answered.

"'Desdividettía e Desparratettía', sì?" Somebody remarked softly from behind them.

Uldarico and Bricco turned toward the direction of the voice. "Me s'scona," the person muttered.

"S'ibbena," Bricco said. "Il s'nizza con vosi venirecce." He attempted to get the attention of the group. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, they have arrived. This is our Transportation Minister, Mr. Brocco Ricagliati," The Foreign Minister pointed to the big muscular man who seemed out of place wearing a suit and tie. He looked more like a weightlifter or bodybuilder than a government minister.

"Good afternoon. In case you might confuse me with Bricco/Bryce, you can call me by the English translation of my name, Brock," he told them as he picked up Bryce's subtle cue that his companions needed to be introduced.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Brock started, "I'd like to introduce to you Mr. Gabriele d'Umbriatico, one of the administrators of King Kyle I International Airport in Kingsville." He pointed to the pale scrawny but smiling man to his right.

"Gabriele d'Umbriatico, al nostri servizie," he greeted them with a slight bow.

Brock then pointed to the person to his left - the one who caught their attention earlier. "This is Mr. Malcolm Sarsano, a representative from the flag carrier of Brutland and Norden, NordBrut Airlines."

"Good afternoon," Sarsano said in perfect English. Malcolm Sarsano was a tall lanky young man, probably in his twenties. He looked slightly nervous; this was his first time in a high-level intergovernmental meeting... nobody in the higher-ups was available on such short notice, so they sent him...

Ruccola

14-09-2008, 06:37

"Yes, this castle is open to the public. It's closed to visitors now... because we're here," Bricco answered.

"Ah, I see," nodded the Ambassador. Hearing the new voice, the Ruccolians directed their attention to the Nord-Brutlandese officials joining their party and began introducing themselves.

"Good afternoon. I'm Secretary of Trade Sebastiano Castiglione." Gesturing towards Luisa, he continued, "This is our Commerce Minister Luisa Narniano, who will be negotiating our bilateral air services agreement on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation."

"A pleasure to meet you all," she smiled.

"And over here we have our Ambassador to the United Kingdom Sir Luca Verdano," added Sebastiano.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen," said Luca, as he gave a small bow. "Shall we proceed?"

Brutland and Norden

15-09-2008, 15:21

"It's nice to meet you, too," the three newcomers said simultaneously.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen," said Luca, as he gave a small bow. "Shall we proceed?"
"Yes, yes," Uldarico agreed, "but before we go back to business, I'd like to show you the last piece of art here near the corridor. Hopefully they left the door open."

Uldarico pushed open the a heavy wooden door just off the corridor. "It's open," he said excitedly. "Come in."

He ushered them into the room, which was almost bare except for the sixteen-foot-tall sculpture at the center of the room. Made out of pure white Penezzoline marble, the sculpture featured, on a four-foot-high pedestal, a naked unconscious handsome young man, on his knees and wearing a tilted crown, being held and kissed by a grinning winged skeleton.

"One of the most controversial old sculptures in Brutland and Norden," Uldarico introduced the sculpture, "'L'Emore'. Literally means 'The Reminder'." The Nord-Brutlandese Ambassador translated the description as he read it. "Sculpted by Pierfranco Viano, finished on October 1854. Given as a personal gift by the sculptor to Crown Prince Kyle of Brutland and Norden, Grand Duke of Union Island." He looked up from the description plaque. "Who, I may add, went on to become one of the greatest monarchs of Brutland and Norden, King Kyle the Fair." he continued reading and translating. "Presented to the new King on September 12, 1855, the day after the coronation. Sculpture aroused so many feelings in Brutland and Norden."

"That is an understatement, from what I hear," Liana said.

"It is. But you can't write a long controversy on a plaque, can you?" Uldarico said with a smile. "It was said that upon seeing the sculpture, the former King Chester the Pious got angry and wanted to tear the sculpture down. It was King Kyle himself who prevented his father from destroying the gift... well, you can easily see why King Chester and many people of that day would be easily offended. They say that the young man represents King Kyle, and he would, well, die. Adding 'insult' was that it was given the day after his coronation, his 18th birthday."

"Or, alternatively, the statue was said to symbolize the end of the popular Nord-Brutlandese monarchy; rumors were flying that Pierfranco Viana, the sculptor, was a member of an extreme anti-monarchist organization based in Normark."

"The sculpture aroused so much feelings that it had to be mothballed here in Moncucco Castle. It had endured numerous attempts to destroy it, especially staunch monarchists who are angered by its purported symbolism. Most Nord-Brutlandese, however, would view the sculpture as 'poor taste' or 'insulting', but it is kinda ironic that it is the ruling house of Brutland and Norden that shelters the insulting piece. Most of the monarchs of Brutland and Norden pay no heed to the sculpture, or don't care about the sculpture... but one monarch actually attempted to sell it. It was said that King Simon IV found the sculpture 'ugly' and wanted to sell it, but nobody would buy it, let alone be seen with it."

"The current monarch, King Kyle II, was the only one, aside from his namesake, who seemed to like the sculpture. During his days occupying this castle as the Grand Duke of Union Island, he ordered the sculpture be taken out to there" - Uldarico pointed to the spacious atrium at the entrance to the castle - "'for everyone to see the magnificent sculpture'. Visitors to the castle found the sculpture disturbing, especially the harrowing irony that sometimes it was the Crown Prince himself who was introducing the sculpture to the visitors!"

"Well anyway, after a few weeks, visitors and constituents advised the Crown Prince to hide the sculpture again. The Royal Historical Society of Brutland and Norden also advised the Crown Prince to keep the sculpture again, 'lest it might be destroyed by vandals' or angry people. Now, it sits back here."

"Another interpretation, with our two King Kyles seemed to adhere to, was that it was a personal reminder (hence the title) for them that they, like all people, are just humans and will eventually meet the same fate. King Kyle the Fair wrote sometime that the sculpture reminded him that he is just human like everyone else, just being tasked to help others and make Brutland and Norden better... or something like that."

Ruccola

16-09-2008, 00:02

Luca, Sebastiano and Luisa followed the Ambassador into the room, curious to know what sort of artwork he wanted them to see. Perhaps it was another impressive tapestry, or another wonderfully executed painting. Either way, they weren't entirely prepared for the sight that awaited them.

"Wow!", exclaimed Sebastiano, surprised by the scale of the sculpture. Noting the incredible quality and colour of the marble, he asked, "Where was this marble quarried? It's some of the best I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, Luisa had let out a relatively more subdued cry. "Oh my! What a striking image!" She thought it must be a depiction of a king or prince, but couldn't quite figure out why he was being cradled by a skeleton.

In contrast, the Ruccolian Ambassador said nothing, but his eyes visibly widened as he saw the sculpture and began to form his own interpretation of it.

The three of them listened intently as Uldarico explained the history behind the piece and the various controversies it had stirred up, fascinated by the emotive power of just one sculpture. They nodded as they heard the alternative view of its meaning, the one shared by the two King Kyles. "That sounds more like it," said Sebastiano, "otherwise it would be far too morbid."

Brutland and Norden

17-09-2008, 11:21

"Wow!", exclaimed Sebastiano, surprised by the scale of the sculpture. Noting the incredible quality and colour of the marble, he asked, "Where was this marble quarried? It's some of the best I've ever seen!"
"As far as I know this is white Penezzoline marble," Bricco answered. "It's nice because it's pure white, and it is easy to work on. It is quarried from the slopes of Mt. Penezzolano and its adjacent hills, in the province of Norden."

"Norden has so many marble, with different colors. We have blue Pennine marble, mined near the town of Atripalda. We also have the pink and the red Greghentine marble from Borcenna, green marble from Langhello..."

The three of them listened intently as Uldarico explained the history behind the piece and the various controversies it had stirred up, fascinated by the emotive power of just one sculpture. They nodded as they heard the alternative view of its meaning, the one shared by the two King Kyles. "That sounds more like it," said Sebastiano, "otherwise it would be far too morbid."
"We can be morbid too," Uldarico commented half-jokingly. "I wish I can bring you to the Chiesco di Nostro Simoro di Scorru in Stampione. Aside from its name Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, it is also an ossuary. Never been there, but the pictures I saw gives me the creeps."

They stayed there, admiring the sculpture, until Bricco asked, "I hate to be the killjoy here, but shall we get back to business?"

Ruccola

18-09-2008, 03:21

"Norden has so many marble, with different colors. We have blue Pennine marble, mined near the town of Atripalda. We also have the pink and the red Greghentine marble from Borcenna, green marble from Langhello..."
"My, talk about variety!", remarked Sebastiano, as he thought the Nord-Brutlandese lucky to have settled on these shores.

"I wish I can bring you to the Chiesco di Nostro Simoro di Scorru in Stampione. Aside from its name Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, it is also an ossuary. Never been there, but the pictures I saw gives me the creeps."
"Ooh, just hearing about it gives me the shivers," said Luisa, who wasn't very fond of tombs and cemeteries.

They stayed there, admiring the sculpture, until Bricco asked, "I hate to be the killjoy here, but shall we get back to business?"
"Sure," smiled Sebastiano. "Lead the way."

Brutland and Norden

18-09-2008, 19:06

"Sure," smiled Sebastiano. "Lead the way."
They shuffled out of the room and back into the corridor. "Actually, we'd just be going back to the dining area," Bricco said, looking at his watch. "So we can go straight to dinner when we finish... but we can change locations if you like."

They passed by the tapestry and paintings they saw earlier as they walked through the corridor back to the open-air dining hall. The ethereal light fragrance of the Schapola di l'Elianto started to permeate the air as they took their seats againa round the table.

When everyone was already in their seats, Brocco cleared his throat and started, "So, good afternoon... Shall we start working on the air services agreement?"

Ruccola

18-09-2008, 22:09

"Actually, we'd just be going back to the dining area," Bricco said, looking at his watch. "So we can go straight to dinner when we finish... but we can change locations if you like."

"Oh, that's fine," said Sebastiano, as he followed them to the banquet hall.

When everyone was already in their seats, Brocco cleared his throat and started, "So, good afternoon... Shall we start working on the air services agreement?"

"Yes, let's begin," smiled Luisa. She opened her satchel and took out several sheets of paper, placing them on the table for all to see. "Here is the draft we've prepared, along with several copies to go round." It read:

Brutland and Norden-Ruccola Air Services Agreement

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/7532/asadl7.jpg

Accordo sui trasporti aerei tra Norden e Marchòbrutellia e Ruccola

The Government of Brutland and Norden and the Government of Ruccola,

DESIRING to conclude an Agreement for the purpose of providing the framework for air services;

HAVE AGREED as follows:

Article 1
Grant of Rights

1. Each signatory party grants to the other signatory party the following rights in respect of international air services:

a. the right to fly across its area without landing;

b. the right to make stops in its area for non-traffic purposes.

2. Each signatory grants to the other signatory the rights to operate international air services on the routes specified in the appropriate Section of the Annex to this Agreement.

3. In addition to the rights specified in Section 1 of this treaty the right to make stops in the area of the other signatory at the points specified in the Annex to this Agreement for the purpose of taking on board and discharging international traffic in passengers and cargo (including mail), separately or in combination.

Article 2
Designation and Authorisation of Airlines

4. Each signatory party shall have the right to designate in writing to the other signatory party one or more airlines for the purpose of operating the agreed services on the specified routes and to withdraw or alter such designations.

5. On receipt of such a designation the aeronautical authorities of the other signatory shall without delay grant to the airline or airlines designated the appropriate operating authorisations.

6. When an airline has been so designated and authorised it may begin to operate the agreed services, provided that the airline complies with the applicable provisions of this Agreement.

Article 3
Principles Governing Operation of Agreed Services

7. There shall be fair and equal opportunity for the designated airlines of both signatory parties to operate the agreed services on the specified routes.

8. In operating the agreed services the designated airlines of each signatory shall take into account the interests of the designated airlines of the other signatory so as not to affect unduly the services which the latter provide on the whole or part of the same routes.

9. The capacity to be provided on the specified routes shall be such as is from time to time mutually agreed by the aeronautical authorities of the signatory countries.

Article 4
Tariffs

10. The term “tariff” means:

a. the fare charged by an airline for the carriage of passengers and their baggage on scheduled air services;

b. the rate charged by an airline for the carriage of cargo (excluding mail) on scheduled air services;

c. the conditions governing the availability or applicability of any such fare or rate including benefits attaching to it.

11. The tariffs to be charged by the designated airlines of the signatories for carriage between Brutland and Norden and Ruccola shall be those approved (expressly or tacitly) by both aeronautical authorities and shall be established at reasonable levels, due regard being had to all relevant factors, including the cost of operating the agreed services, the interests of users, reasonable profit and the tariffs of other airlines operating over the whole or part of the same route.

Article 5
Provision of Statistics

12. The aeronautical authorities of a signatory party shall supply to the aeronautical authorities of the other signatory party at their request statistics for the purpose of reviewing the capacity provided on the agreed services by the designated airlines. Such statistics shall include all information required to determine the amount of traffic carried by those airlines on the agreed services and the origins and destinations of such traffic.

Article 6
Airports and Other Facilities

13. Neither signatory party shall give preference to its own airlines over an airline of the other signatory party engaged in similar international air services in the application of its customs, immigration, quarantine and similar regulations or in access to airports or in the use of airways, air traffic services and associated facilities under its control.

Article 7
User Charges

14. The term “user charge” means a charge made to airlines by the competent authorities for the provision of airport property or facilities or of air navigation facilities, including related services and facilities, for aircraft, their crews, passengers and cargo.

15. Neither signatory shall impose or permit to be imposed on the designated airline or airlines of the other signatory user charges higher than those imposed on its own airlines operating similar international air services.

Article 8
Amendments

16. Any amendments of this Agreement agreed by the signatory parties shall come into effect when confirmed by them in writing.

Article 9
Entry into Force

17. This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of signature.

In witness whereof of the undersigned, duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this agreement.

Done in four originals at Moncucco on the 15th day of June, Two thousand and eight, in the English, Nord-Brutlandese, Chinese and Italian languages, all texts being equally authoritative.

For the Government of
Brutland and Norden:

For the Government of
Ruccola:

Annex
Route Schedule

Section 1

Routes to be operated by the designated airline or airlines of Brutland and Norden:

Points in Brutland and Norden – points in Ruccola.

Notes:

1. Points to be served in Brutland and Norden:

- Brutia
- Timberland
- Trefini
- Viledenno
- Vilònorda
- Vilòstresa

Points to be served in Ruccola:
- Arugula
- Chasiupoli
- Montaglio
- Porto Verde
- Scalogno
- Somuisa
- Timsuano

2. The designated airline or airlines of Brutland and Norden may on any or all flights omit calling at any points on the above-mentioned routes, and may serve them in any order, provided that the agreed services on these routes begin at Brutland and Norden.

Section 2

Routes to be operated by the designated airline or airlines of Ruccola:

Points in Ruccola – points in Brutland and Norden.

Notes:

1. Points to be served in Brutland and Norden:

- Brutia
- Timberland
- Trefini
- Viledenno
- Vilònorda
- Vilòstresa

Points to be served in Ruccola:
- Arugula
- Chasiupoli
- Montaglio
- Porto Verde
- Scalogno
- Somuisa
- Timsuano

2. The designated airline or airlines of Ruccola may on any or all flights omit calling at any points on the above-mentioned routes, and may serve them in any order, provided that the agreed services on these routes begin at Ruccola.

After the Nord-Brutlandese delegation had all been given individual copies of the draft, she continued, "The annex contains the airports designated by both parties for international flights, while designated carriers can be defined at any time. Right now we have NordBrut Airlines as the United Kingdom's designated airline and Air Ruccola and Ruccolian Airlines as the designated carriers of Ruccola."

"Of course, feel free to propose any amendments," added Sebastiano.

Brutland and Norden

30-09-2008, 16:52

OOC: The Nord-Brutlandese version. Apologies for not posting that frequently, got school+work lined up like crazy...

I'll post a decent IC post as soon as I get time off. ;)

Lerro di Norden e Marchòbrutellia - Ruccola per Servizii Linnàra

La Gobbierro di Norden e Marchòbrutellia e la Gobbierro di Ruccola,

SECO icchi a Lerro fornirecche la palcature per servizii linnàra;

LERRECI on la segui:

Articolo 1
Grattie di Riggii
1. Echo signeccetto grattiece te l'ontra signeccetto la riggii segua, ferirsece te servizii linnàra internaziona:
a. la riggie volocche croscal su areo senza sorche;
b. la riggii facciecche postu in su areo per cropi destraffa.

2. Echo signeccetto grattiece te l'ontra signeccetto la riggii agirecche servizii linnàra internaziona on l'iteri specifecca in la Sezzione adata di l'Annese te hoci Lerro.

3. In addize te la riggii specifecce in Sezzione 1 di hoci Lerro, la riggii facciecche postu in l'areo di l'ontra signeccetto al la pantu specifecce in l'Annese te hoci Lerro per la cropi di sarceco e dessarceco traffi internaziona in passassu e cargu (includeco pustu), sparratal e cobinal.

Articolo 2
Nomirece e Autorece di Linnàri
4. Echo signeccetto oíici la riggie nomirecche, in scrite te l'ontra signeccetto, linnàri una o plura, per agireco la servizii lerrecce on l'iteri specifecca, e ritirecche e altrecche nomiri cosia.

5. On riceve di cosie a nomire, l'autoru eronauta di l'ontra signeccetto oigrattieche dell'tardal te la linnàre/linnàri nomirecca l'autore agira adata.

6. Gli a linnàre nomirecci c'he e autorecci c'he, il iacomincece agirecche la servizii lerrecca, fornirecce con la linnàre sbrigatece son la forniressi applettía di hoci Lerro.

Articolo 3
Firci Governeco l'Agire di Servizii Lerrecca
7. Ma oiti opportenze uffiara e stesa per la linnàri nomirecca signeccettuque agirecche la servizii lerrecca on l'iteri specifecca.

8. In agireco la servizii lerrecca, la linnàri nomirecca signecettoque echal oiritenece la stretti di la linnàri nomirecca signecettoque ontral, c'e as dell'accarecche desdebbal la servizzi mia la zacro fornirece on la rente o la pare di l'iteri stessa.

9. La capavite fornireche on l'iteri specifecca oiti lerreche mutual, che tempe te tempe, via l'autoru eronauta signeccettuque.

Articolo 4
Pagessu
10. La terme "pagessu" signitece:
a. la zase prezecce via a linnàre per la sarde di passassu e cai bagliu on servizii movàra orariecca;
b. la tasghe prezecce via a linnàre per la sarde di cargu (scludeco pustu) on servizii movàra orariecca;
c. la condizi governeco la vanettíe e applettíe di fare o zate cosia, includeco sua vantagi.

11. La pagessu prezecho, via la linnàri nomirecca signeccettuque per sarde tro Norden e Marchòbrutellia e Ruccola, oiti passa appporvecca, esprezional o tacital, via le autoru eronauta e oistalisecho al cele renzettía, regade debba breco te dei fattori pertenza, includeco la spete agira di la servizii lerrecca, la stretti d'usettu, gadagne renzettía, e la pagessu di linnàru ontra agireca on la rente o la pare di l'iteri stessa.

Articolo 5
Fornire di Statisti
12. L'autoru eronauta di a signecetto oiriforneche te l'autoru eronauta di la signecetto ontra, al cai nobbie, statisti per la cropi di rassegne la capacite fornirecce on la servizzi lerrecca via la linnàro nomirecca. Statisti cosia oíincludeche dei ifformazioni cedecce determecche l'ammonte traffa sardecce via passa linnàru e l'origini e la destinazioni di traffu cosia.

Articolo 6
Aeròportu e Boresu Ontra
13. Neío signeccetto oibreche prefence te sua linnàri possa, peral a linnàre signeccettoque ontra egnatece in servizii linnàra internaziona stessa, in l'apple di su dazii, imigraze, quarante, e regoli stessa; o in acese te aeròportu, o in l'use di spaziàro, servizii traffàra, e boresu conscia in su vigile.

Articolo 7
Prezùsetto
14. La terme "prezùsetto" signitece a prezo facciecce te linnàru via l'autoru competa per la fornire di proprietu e boresu aeròporta o di boresu per navigaze movàra, includeco servizii e boresu relanzecca, per véiculáru, sua quiru, passassu, e cargu.

15. Neío signeccetto imporeche o pemmiseche imporecche on la linnàre o linnàri nomirecca di signeccetto ontra, prezùsetto inzenessa lui passa on linnàri possa agireco servizii linnàra stessa.

Articolo 8
Emendi
16. Ani emendi di hoci Lerro lerrecce via la signeccettu effencecho gli cresimeco in scrite.

Articolo 9
Entrece inte Forze
17. Hoci Lerro entreche inte forze on l'usce di signece.

In depore dìfra di la porsigneccettu, autorecca debbal tèma via cai gobbierru purvifa, signeci hoci lerro.

Doce in copii unica quatta al Moncucco on la dío núcichèla di Jùnio, anno Dozàmilèccha, in la lingùi Inglese, Nordèbrutelliense, Sinense, e Italiense, dei tesu tico autorellía stesal.

Per la Gobbierro di
la Rinnosso Unnona di Norden e Marchòbrutellia:

Per la Gobbierro di
la Repubblico di Ruccola:

Annese
Orario Itera

Sezzione 1
Iteru agireche via la linnàre o linnàri nomirecca di Norden e Marchòbrutellia:
Punti in Norden e Marchòbrutellia - Punti in Ruccola

Noti:
1. Puntu servizieche in Norden e Marchòbrutellia:
- Brutia
- Marchòcchiese
- Trefini
- Viledenno
- Vilònorda
- Vilòstresa

Puntu servizieche in Ruccola:
- Arugula
- Chasiupoli
- Montaglio
- Porto Verde
- Scalogno
- Somuisa
- Timsuano

2. La linnàre o linnàri nomirecca di Norden e Marchòbrutellia, on ani o dei voli, dell'iacorrioneceal ani puntu on l'iteri supmenzecca, e iaserviziece esso in ani ordine, fornirece con la servizii lerrecca on passi iteri comincece in Norden e Marchòbrutellia.

Sezzione 2
Iteru agireche via la linnàre o linnàri nomirecca di Ruccola:
Punti in Ruccola - Punti in Norden e Marchòbrutellia

Noti:
1. Puntu servizieche in Norden e Marchòbrutellia:
- Brutia
- Marchòcchiese
- Trefini
- Viledenno
- Vilònorda
- Vilòstresa

Puntu servizieche in Ruccola:
- Arugula
- Chasiupoli
- Montaglio
- Porto Verde
- Scalogno
- Somuisa
- Timsuano

2. La linnàre o linnàri nomirecca di Ruccola, on ani o dei voli, dell'iacorrioneceal ani puntu on l'iteri supmenzecca, e iaserviziece esso in ani ordine, fornirece con la servizii lerrecca on passi iteri comincece in Ruccola.

Brutland and Norden

01-10-2008, 08:12

OOC: Do you work for the airline industry or some allied regulatory agency? You seem to be well-versed in these stuff... :) I, for one, had only rode a plane twice. :$

IC:
"Very well-written," Brocco remarked, after reading the text. "But we do have a reservation on Article 1. Brutland and Norden has a number of no-fly zones, such as in a certain quadrant of the Union Islands near Stroppiana Island, where the Royal Castle is, and Sabbara Island and its military airfield. Would we be required to open them?" He glanced momentarily at Malcolm, who took it as a cue to speak.

"I have an idea, why don't we do code-sharing on these flights?"

Ruccola

02-10-2008, 07:56

OOC: The Nord-Brutlandese version. Apologies for not posting that frequently, got school+work lined up like crazy...
OOC: No problem! I've been quite busy myself. But gleep! I was actually going to ask you not to go through the trouble of translating everything...

Do you work for the airline industry or some allied regulatory agency? You seem to be well-versed in these stuff... :)
LOL! I'm still in university, but I've worked at a major Asian airport for two consecutive summers, thanks to my eleven-year-old passion for civil aviation. I do hope to get into the airline industry after I graduate though. :D

"Very well-written," Brocco remarked, after reading the text. "But we do have a reservation on Article 1. Brutland and Norden has a number of no-fly zones, such as in a certain quadrant of the Union Islands near Stroppiana Island, where the Royal Castle is, and Sabbara Island and its military airfield. Would we be required to open them?" He glanced momentarily at Malcolm, who took it as a cue to speak.
Luisa smiled in response to Brocco's question. "No, not at all. Article One consists of general statements that allow the other party's aircraft to enter your airspace for general purposes. Of course, once any aircraft are within Nord-Brutlandese jurisdiction, they would have to follow guidelines such as no-fly zones and designated air corridors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_corridor) if applicable."

"I have an idea, why don't we do code-sharing on these flights?"
"I'm sure our national carrier, Air Ruccola, would be more than happy to enter into a code-sharing agreement with your company," interjected Sebastiano. "They would benefit from the domestic feed that NordBrut Airlines can provide, and vice versa."

"Since code-sharing is a purely commercial matter between two or more airlines," chimed in the Commerce Minister, "we don't need to include it in the treaty. You could say that it's already taken as a given within the framework of the agreement."

Brutland and Norden

05-10-2008, 08:39

LOL! I'm still in university, but I've worked at a major Asian airport for two consecutive summers, thanks to my eleven-year-old passion for civil aviation. I do hope to get into the airline industry after I graduate though. :D
OOC: You're like a friend of mine. He too has a passion of airplanes and airports and related stuff. :)

Luisa smiled in response to Brocco's question. "No, not at all. Article One consists of general statements that allow the other party's aircraft to enter your airspace for general purposes. Of course, once any aircraft are within Nord-Brutlandese jurisdiction, they would have to follow guidelines such as no-fly zones and designated air corridors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_corridor) if applicable."
"Ah, yes, I see," Brocco replied, looking up on a sign being posted on the kitchen door.

"I'm sure our national carrier, Air Ruccola, would be more than happy to enter into a code-sharing agreement with your company," interjected Sebastiano. "They would benefit from the domestic feed that NordBrut Airlines can provide, and vice versa."

"Since code-sharing is a purely commercial matter between two or more airlines," chimed in the Commerce Minister, "we don't need to include it in the treaty. You could say that it's already taken as a given within the framework of the agreement."
"I guess we'll negotiate with them later," Malcolm said. After a pause, Brocco decided to butt in, relaying the message posted on the kitchen door. "They say dinner's ready. Who wants dinner?"

Ruccola

05-10-2008, 08:57

After a pause, Brocco decided to butt in, relaying the message posted on the kitchen door. "They say dinner's ready. Who wants dinner?"

"I do," said the Ruccolians in unison, who began laughing once they realised they had said those two words altogether.

"Gosh, I can't wait to see what's on the menu," grinned Luisa. "I suppose there are no objections to the treaty as it stands, then." She waited for an affirmative response from Brocco, Malcolm and Gabriele before putting away her papers and documents.

Brutland and Norden

05-10-2008, 10:54

"Gosh, I can't wait to see what's on the menu," grinned Luisa. "I suppose there are no objections to the treaty as it stands, then." She waited for an affirmative response from Brocco, Malcolm and Gabriele before putting away her papers and documents.
"I presume we don't have anything more, for now," Brocco said, starting to stand, "I'll call the dinner."

While Brocco went to the kitchen, they attempted to make small talk. "Have you noticed the change?" Liana asked.

"Change in what?" Bricco asked.
"Change in smell." She sniffed the cooling dusk air. "It's a different flower now..." The Trade Minister was referring to the ethereal light fragrance earlier, now augmented and obscured by a stronger, but pleasantly sweet, lily-like scent.

Ruccola

06-10-2008, 05:30

"Have you noticed the change?" Liana asked.

"Change in what?" Bricco asked.
"Change in smell." She sniffed the cooling dusk air. "It's a different flower now..." The Trade Minister was referring to the ethereal light fragrance earlier, now augmented and obscured by a stronger, but pleasantly sweet, lily-like scent.

"Now that you mention it, I do," said Sebastiano, after he had spent a moment sniffing the air. "Do you know what flower it is? And what flower it was before?"

"That explains the nice smells I've noticed today, apart from the food," chuckled the Ruccolian Commerce Minister.

Brutland and Norden

10-04-2009, 08:57

"That's the dame di notte," Liana answered. "Lady-of-the-night, Cestrum brutium. That's the name of the flower. It's that plant over there," she pointed to a shrub with thin pinkish flowers. "It releases its fragrance during at dusk. Though the smell can be enticing, but the plant is poisonous."

Liana sat on her chair earlier in anticipation of dinner. "I am into gardening," she said, smiling. "The plant we smelled earlier, we call it floro fantasma. The ghost-flower. It's actually considered a weed by some, it's hard to detect it because it looks like grass, it's difficult to find it unless you're actually looking for it. For a plant and flower of its size, it produces a light fragrance. I found one in my garden, but I didn't uproot it. I like having that smell during the afternoons..."

At that moment, Brocco went out of the kitchen. "Dinner will be served! Let's all take our seats."

Ruccola

19-04-2009, 07:13

"Interesting," noted Luisa, intrigued by the paradoxical nature of the local flora.

"My, you do have diverse interests, don't you?" remarked Sebastiano, gesturing towards Liana.

Heeding the Transport Minister's call to dinner, the Ruccolian delegation took their seats, eager to sample more of Brutland and Norden's exquisite cuisine. "I'm curious to know what's on the menu," wondered Luca, the Ruccolian ambassador. "The food in this country never ceases to amaze me."

Brutland and Norden

21-04-2009, 18:27

A succession of servers emerged form the kitchen, bringing various foodstuffs. Two servers carried the drinks. They asked the guests their preferred drink.

"What are the drinks available?" Asked the Foreign Minister.
"The drinks we had earlier, sir. Juice, water, or wines. For wines, we have Pannondrian Blue, cow liquor, Misterica, Vallucca, Valfloriana, Lionella, and two newly arrived ones, La Svente Fegatoque and a 1979 Vallo di Danubio red. We have coffee too."
"La Svente Fegatoque?"
"The Liver's Bane," Iannuccelli said. "Be careful with that. One glass can knock you out. Guaranteed to induce cirrhosis early."
The Foreign Minister gave Iannuccelli a quizzical look.
"It's a 175-proof wine," the Ambassador answered. "87.5% alcohol."
"My goodness, who has the stomach to drink that?"
"Or rather, who has the liver to drink that?" Iannuccelli countered in jest.

A succession of servers laid down big plates of food on the table. "You see, here we don't have things like two-course meal or three-course meal," Iannuccelli explained. "We lay down everything on the table and it's up to the diners to get what they want, in whatever order they so choose. For a complete meal, there must be a soup, a vegetable dish, a meat dish, a seafood dish, a source of starch, a dessert, and a beverage. Most of the time these elements are combined... like this one." A server put on the table a steaming clay pot filled with a red stew with chunks and bits of meat, broccoli, squash, brutfruit, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, and other stuff.

Iannucceli looked at the server. "Qui s'hoci?"
"Stufo Tiberino."
"Conto?"
Then came a list of ingredients.

"Ah." The ambassador turned to their guests. "This is the traditional Tiberian stew from northwestern Brutland. It is made from vegetables, various parts and offal of our beloved Brute cow."

The next dish was carried not by one, but two, servers. They laid down a 36-inch thin-crust pizza at the center of the table, sliced into squares. It was decorated with a small yellow-on-blue Nordic cross flag of Brutland planted in the center. The pizza seemed to be divided into zones, one part had odd fruits, the other contained odd seafoods, the other part had odd meats, and the last part had odd stuff... it was like four pizzas in one.

"Pizzo di Marchòbrutellia?"
"Sì,"
The Foreign Minister chuckled with delight. "Huge pizza!"
"It's what we call 'Pizza of Brutland'," Liana explained. "Great for parties. It originally went by the name Pizzo di Quattranti Brutelliense, or 'Pizza of the Four Quadrants of Brutland'. The island-province of Brutland is customarily divided into four quadrants, each with its differing culture, characteristics and products. Somebody just had an idea to make a pizza out of it."

"This is a hand-tossed traditional pizza with a brutfuit-and-tomato base and mozzarella cheese made from Brute cow milk. The entire pizza supposedly signifies Brutland. This part" - Liana pointed to the part of the pizza with fruits - "is northern Brutland. The toppings here include blood oranges, blood lemons, wild Brutland berries such as bloodberries, poached apples, sweet chestnuts, saltfruit, olives, and other fruit products of northern Brutland, topped with cream cheese sauce. If you are into sweet/sour things, this part is good for you. Northern Brutland cuisine is usually either sweet or sour."

She pointed to the opposite part of the pizza. "That's the southern Brutland quadrant. You have there purple Brute cheese, garlic, feta cheese, chieso di la rendro or reindeer milk cheese, Renia cheese, Padanian sausage, Trazian ham, salami, Brutland jerky, pulled chicken, and Pannondrian prosciutto. It's meaty." Liana moved on to the right side of the pizza. "This is the eastern Brutland quadrant. Lots of seafood. You have here anchovies, calamaru frigecca or fried squid, shrimp, crab meat, clams, different varieties of dried fish such as pescàsgara, and the unique salsiccio della mare - the only sausage made of seafood. It is produced in Tonzifiatto - and better be careful with it, it is very salty, hot and spicy, much like their cuisine... look at the pizza, it even contains peppers!"

"And for the last part of the pizza, this is the western Brutland quadrant. I'm most familiar with this stuff, because I hail from Valscrona. Prime truffle country." Liana pointed to the small thin slices of white, bread-like truffles on the pizza. "This section has white truffles, bruccola - a hybrid of broccoli and rucola, fontina cheese, Danubio ham made from sheep, Pianiga cheese from sheep's milk, pieces of grilled mutton, ground Brute cow beef, caramelized onions, pine nuts, olives, and Brutland pesto."

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