NationStates Jolt Archive

Star's Lake, Xirya, Kiravian Empire

Imiara Seawind had just hung up her black mourning dress in the closet. It had been five weeks, a Coscivian month more or less, since the crash that had left her orphaned. According to Saskev custom, her mourning period ought to have been ended long ago, but everything remained to tell her otherwise. The press had been barely kept away from her three-story home in Star's Lake.[Well, it was Arkan's house, actually, as Saskev custom had the lodgings of the father passed down to the eldest male, as he liked to remind his sister whenever the oppurtunity arose] Instead, they lay at the edges of the street, kept there by a group of sympathetic Ieurlev policemen, but were ready to attack her with a barrage of questions for everything from the Valëka Times to cheesy Xiryan gossip magasines. The post brought condolence letters from more Senators, Governors, fieldball moms, and male teenage Kiravians. Couldn't these people tell that she didn't want to hear about it anymore? Wouldn't they let her get on with her life?

The gate-bell buzzed downstairs. Her brother, who, by her best efforts, had been spared the glare of the incorrigible Kiravian media, yelled up to her, "Immy! It's Sèr Intærmec!" Sèr Intærmec, that is, Governor Intærmec of Xirya. He and Imiara's father had been good friends at Kirso University, getting in and out of trouble, before both going on to successful political careers.

Imiara put a more respectable cloak on over her Western jeans and tank-top, and then rushed downstairs. Arkan had taken the liberty of letting the visitors in. Governor Intærmec and his quasi-wife, Pacifica, stood in the foyer in the typical semi-formal wear expected of a Governor and his consort. As per Kaldev custom, Intærmec bowed first, allowing the host to bow second, as Imiara did.

"Good day, Governor," said Imiara courteously.

"Good day, Imiara. Pacifica and I were wondering if we could have a chat with you, er...in private if you please."

Arkan, from an early age, had correctly come to associate the phrase "In private" with, "Leave". He bowed respectfully and then retreated to the living room to watch the rest of Survivor: Kilonesia.

The Intærmecs and Imiara drifted into the kóphicambrum [Coffee-room. Kiravian homes typically feature excessive compartmentation]. They all sat down in the well-furnished room, panelled in dark Vorcumbian mahogany. The Governor started things off.

"Imiara, you were there when your father's will was read, so you know of the financial and proprietary rescources at your disposal. Your father made good enough investments, and when that's combined with the salary he raked in as Emperor, I'd say that you will probably never need to work to support either yourself or Arkan."

"That's probably true."

"Imiara, you're a woman now, by traditional reckoning. Now would be a good time to start seeing to an education, a travel repretoire, and setting up your plans for the future."

"Aye, but I need to see to Arkan..."

"Exactly. It's perfectly fine to be a parent at your age, that is, if one has a husband. But you don't, unless of course that strapping young Ítev man proposed."

Imiara blushed. 'that strapping young Ítev man' refered to her old boyfriend with whom she had been walked in upon by an Imperatorial Guard in search of the bathroom.

Imiara, long since over it, laughed at the Governor's joke.

"So, Sèr Intærmec, what do you propose I do?"

"Leave Arkan in our care. He can live with us in Sevron [Xirya's capital], leaving you to see to your own affairs."

"No, Sèr. I couldn't just dump Arkan on you like that."

"Not at all, Imiara. Pacifica and I aren't planning on contributing to this colony's population for another three years or so, at which point Arkan will be fifteen, and able to be a judge of his own residential preferences."

"And I could use some experience," said Pacifica.


"Well, I shall have to speak to him of it. Thank you, by the way, for your offer. It's very kind. But what would you have me do without Arkan to mind?"

"First and foremost, leave Xirya. And don't go to Kirav either, or you'll be forced to continue being an involuntary celebrity. I'd recommend going to a midsize colony, say Then-..."

Pacifica squeezed her husband's hand to stop him from accidentally bringing up the colony from which Seawind had last flown.

"Say, Austramerica, Borenesia, or Endopacifica. Or, by all means, go abroad. Absolutely no one will bother you outside of the Empire," said Pacifica

"I'll look into it, Madam."

After a few minutes of lighter conversation, the Intærmecs left. Imiara fried up some venison and potatoes for dinner. "Ar-KAAN! Dinner!" she hollered down the hall. The twelve-year-old came running, and jumped into his chair. Imiara sat down more gracefully, swept her long, milk-chocolate brown hair behind her shoulder, and folded her hands in prayer. Arkan followed suit. "Can we do the Catholic one tonight?" he asked.

"Sure," said Imiara. Her mother was Catholic, so the family, when eating together, would alternate between her father's silent style and her mother's traditional verse.

"...Amen," they ended together.

After a minute or so of silent dining, Imiara decided to approach her brother with the Governor's idea, but was not quite sure how to do it.

"Ehm...Arkan?"

"Aye?"

"Governor Intærmec was here today."

"No schæcur. I opened the door for them, remember?"

Normally, in her new station as surrogate mother, she'd've reprimanded him for his profanity. But tonight, she let it go. There were more important matters to be discussed, and she needed him in a good mood.

"Well, do you know what they came here to talk to me about?"

"Nope."

"You see, it'll be very hard for me, as time goes on, to take care of you alone. I'll need to go to a university, do some travelling abroad, and keep direction going in my life. Now, without a husband to help me, I might not be able to do all those things."

"Wait, don't tell me. You're getting married‽"

"No."

"What then?"

"Sèr and Madam Intærmec are offering to let you live with them in Sevron ."

"What!"

"Why not? Their house is very nice, and..."

"I don't give a crap about their house! Sèr Intærmec's got the whole nerdy professor thing going on, and Pacifica probably doesn't no nötch about having a kid!"

"Watch your mouth, Ark!"

"Why can't I live with someone here?"

"Who do you think is going to leave their lives behind to come out here and live with you? We don't have any relatives here, Arkan! They all live in Kirav and Hemibourea!"

"I'd go live with the ones in Kirav. At least they're Saskev."

"Arkan, do you know the first frickin' thing about Saskevs? We don't live like Saskevs. You don't even speak Saskling! Do you know where Saskevs live?"

"Yeah, Kirav. Where Saar-Silverda and Kartika are. I've been there, Immy. IT'S NICE!"

"The Saskev don't live in Saar-Silverda, Arkan. They don't live in Kartika, either. They live on farms in Upper Midlin and in mountains in Kersin Province. They get up every morning berore the sun's up, work all day on farms, or in forests, or in factories, and then come home at night, eat, and sleep. They don't live in nice houses in big towns in rich colonies. They usually have to leave their countyship just to get groceries. Now you can go live with them, or you can live with two of the nicest people in the Empire, in the middle of a city where you can by anything you want on a single street, and not have to lift a bloody finger, or you can live with the other Saskev. You pick."

"Fine. I'll go live with the Intærmecs. But I'm not gonna like it."

"Arkan, you will like it. And I'll visit you whenever I can."

"Okay."

Arkan slowly got up and returned to the living room. Imiara busted the table sullenly and made her way upstairs.

Her mind now turned to the inevitable question: Where would she go?

The Governor had reccomended that she go to a mid-size colony, but none seemed to attractive to her. The press would probably track her down anyway, unless she went to some little clump of settlements int he middle of nowhere like Candava or Altoarbourea. Maybe she should go abroad? That would be fantastic.

She of course ran through the most obvious options to a Kiravian for overseas residence. Echonia? Too many wars, though the new government seemed stable enough. Pictland? No. Weren't they at war with LION as well? Uiri? The poverty wasn't very inviting.

Then she remembered: Ixania. Her mother and father had come back from a visit to there, and said that their Empress, Anastasia II, had offered an invitation to study there. That sounded refreshing.

In her bedroom, she powered up her computer, found the adress of the Imperial Palace, pasted it into a word processor, and typed up a letter to the Empress:

Your Imperial Majesty,

After my father, Emperor Irasur Seawind, and my mother, Víoleta Seawind, traveled to your noble country on a visit of state, they informed me that it would be possible for me to study in Ixania. I very much appreciate this generous offer, and would indeed like to enroll in an Ixanian school, at your leave, of course. If there is anything that you would have me know, I would be honoured if you were to respond.

Highest Regards,

Imiara HVN Seawind

Saar-Greysea, Xirya, Kiravian Empire

"I'm going to miss all of you so much," said Imiara. She stood on the pier of Saar-Greysea passenger port, dressed in a sleek, urban grey tunic and long, matching skirt. It was dawn, and the Grey Sea still bore the colour for which it was named, though that would cease to be so as the sun rose higher. The wind was strong, but Imiara was accustomed to it, living in Xirya for most of her life.

"Don't be homesick on our account, Miss," said Governor Intærmec, slipping into Kaldex Coscivian somewhat. Father had always said that Sèr Intærmec spoke Kaldex when he was feeling a strong emotion.

"Bye, Im!" said Arkan.

"Bye, Arkan. Be good for the Intærmecs."

"I will."

Imiara boarded her vessel, the Empress of the Seas. She'd reserved herself a small berth, she'd only be on the ship for a short time, after all. The ship would sail to Isünica, where she would board a plane that would hop a few islands to Tzargrad, Ixania.

As the Empress pulled away from Saar-Greysea, many of the passengers stood on deck at the stern, waving goodbye to their assembled friends and family. Imiara, however went straight to her cabin, turned on her MP3 player, and took out Té Akéromcu (The Wanderer), an Ixanian book that she'd bought in translated form. She didn't want to look out at Xirya as it became one with the horizon. She was looking forward to Ixania, rather than back to home. This was the new direction her life would take, though neither she, nor anyone else, would know the destination.

Tzargrad, Ixania

"We have reached our destination at Tzargrad International Airport. Local time is ten o' clock PM. We hope you've enjoyed your flight. Thank you for flying Aerobän Airlines."

Imiara, somewhat drowsy, pulled her sole carry-on suitcase down from the overhead compartment, and then waited patiently for the mixed group of Kiravians and Ixanians to file out. The middle-aged, slightly intoxicated Ieurlev couple on the two inner seats of her row were sound asleep. She considered waking them up, but thought it would probably be better if they had as much sleep as possible before going through Customs. Who cared if they woke up halfway back to Fanlin Island? (The final KE airstrip colony before Ixania)

After awhile, the line before her dissipated somewhat, Imiara, luggage in hand, strode down the aisle, turned right, as to avoid the crowded causeway, and climbed down the stairs onto the tarmac. She picked out the rest of her chattels from the lugggage racks, stacked them onto the trolley. She began to follow the other ex-passengers, but saw a man beckoning to her. She turned the trolley towards him, strolled over, and introduced herself. "Good evening, sir. I'm Imiara Seawind."

This was Imiara's first foray into Ixania. But she would travel farther and deeper into the nation, and its people, than she would have imagined.

The Empress of Ixania felt like many years had gone by even though she was still quite young with her looks still enchanting many men around the Empire; it became a custom to see her in her study nowadays with her head down on the desk as she took naps once in a while with Vladimir putting blankets upon the woman who he knew since childhood. Anastasia had always felt that Fortune smiled upon her and she was sure it would continue to do so. As she napped, one day, she was nudged into conciousness by Vladimir who gave her news of Imiara's letter which stated she would be coming to Ixania. Anastasia smiled and sent a reply immediately to Imiara; she had been thinking about Irasur for quite some time now and thinking about Imiara and how she must feel about losing her father had reminded her of her own father and how she felt when he died. The letter that Anastasia sent to Imiara was quite short and sweet.

Your Highness,

I have recieved your letter with much joy and gladness and I must say that you are welcome to come to Ixania at whichever time you find most satisfactory. You shall attend one of our most prestigious academies and hopefully have a fun time. I also wish to tell you how the passing of your father has pained me quite much and thus I offer you my sincerest condolences. I know, as well, how it feels to lose a father whom one loves and deeply respects.

Sincerely,
Anastasia

News of the impending arrival of Princess Imiara had reached many people including one man who was well known to the Empress on a personal level rather than merely the level of an associate. This man was none other than one of her uncles, Valsamon Schverzinski, who was not only an elite nobleman and a prince of the Imperial blood but also a proud and devoted father of three who raised his children with the love of his life at the mansion where they lived. Valsamon had stopped by, one day, to greet the Empress and after a quick bow and a tight embrace, took his seat at the dining room while he had lunch with the Empress, his niece. "I hear that Imiara is coming to Ixania." Valsamon said calmly with a smile upon his middle aged face. He looked quite handsome and was well known for being one of those men who would be found in romance novels, that is, a rugged and muscular man with a heart of gold.

Anastasia nodded her head. "I don't know if I will be able to keep a good eye on the Princess since I will probably be focused too much on matters of state...."

Valsamon smiled again. "..Then let me watch her and be her host. My wife and children would gladly take her in! It would not be a problem for me at all to open the doors of my humble abode to a refined young lady. After all, don't you remember when I did that for you?"

Childhood memories filled Anastasia's mind again as she remembered herself at the age of fourteen visiting Uncle Valsamon in the company of her parents who were well recieved by Uncle Val as she happened to call him back then. She would remember how Valsamon would look at her with a smile and be quite courteous to the heir to the throne even to the point of, one time, kissing her hand. Anastasia felt a deep respect for Valsamon that never once wavered and which only seemed to get stronger with every day that passed. "I do remember, Uncle Val, and I think that you would be an excellent host for Her Highness."

They both decided that it would be best for Valsamon to be her host and thus made preparations in their respective abodes for the arrival of Princess Imiara with Valsamon in particular urging his family to be courteous and respectful. He looked at the heir to his estate, the Prince Jenos, and was particularly stern. "You must make sure you treat her chivalrously!"

Jenos, the unwitting charmer of women, simply smiled at his father with his hand brushing back his hair as if he had been told something rather insignificant. "Father, you know me....I would never insult any woman....that is, unless she deserved it."

A chauffer had been sent to the airport to wait for Imiara with nothing but a limosuine with him. It did not take long for him to see her in the crowd and thus he beckoned her to him. "Welcome to Ixania, Your Highness! I am your chauffer who shall take you to your host family, that is, the family of Prince Valsamon who happens to be a uncle of the current Empress. Please follow me."

He led her through the somewhat crowded airport filled with Ixanian tourists of all walks of life towards the dormant limosuine and, with a smile, opened the door for her and helped her inside. Once he got himself inside, he immediately started driving towards the Prince's mansion. "The Empress says she'd want to meet you sometime, Your Highness. You will also be going to a well known academy for your time here as a student. We'll arrive in a while so please feel free to relax. I'll notify you when we are close to our destination. If you look out your window, you will see the cosmopolitan metropolis of Tzargrad. I hope you had a good flight....did you?"

Imiara followed the chauffer, and thanked him for letting her into the limousine.

"Yes, I did indeed have a good flight, Sèr. Thank you for asking. And I would be more than honoured to meet the Empress."

Things were turning out well already. As the limo drove, Imiara took in the sights of Tzargrad. It was very different from most Kiravian cities, with their walls and drops and electric fences in the most unexpected places. It was certainly cleaner than either Valëka or the Dockside district of Saar-Silverda.

It did not take too long for the chauffer to reach Valsamon's humble abode which was adorned with all the features commonly associated with royal homes. The chauffer helped Imiara out of the limosuine and directed her into the mansion where she was immediately greeted by Prince Valsamon and his entire family who had all been gathered together once they heard that Imiara had nearly arrived. They were all dressed in their night clothes but still looked regal. Valsamon smiled at Imiara as the doors closed behind her and bade her welcome. "Welcome to our home! We are glad to finally see you!"

Everyone bowed and bade her similar welcomes before Valsamon told her that Jenos would show her to the guest room which shocked him a little but he did not seem to mind since, after all, she happened to be a guest. Jenos smiled and beckoned Imiara to follow him. "My name is Jenos and you must be Imiara. It's a pleasure to meet you and might I say that you look beautiful tonight?"

Jenos led her to the guest room but hung around the door while letting her look around. "This is where you'll be staying; in a guest room typically found in royal homes with all the luxuries and so forth. I'm down the hall if you need me. The two girls you saw, Imiara, were my sisters. Don't worry about them, though. Just have fun, alright?"

bumped.

It did not take too long for the chauffer to reach Valsamon's humble abode which was adorned with all the features commonly associated with royal homes. The chauffer helped Imiara out of the limosuine and directed her into the mansion where she was immediately greeted by Prince Valsamon and his entire family who had all been gathered together once they heard that Imiara had nearly arrived. They were all dressed in their night clothes but still looked regal. Valsamon smiled at Imiara as the doors closed behind her and bade her welcome. "Welcome to our home! We are glad to finally see you!"

"It is an honoure to be her, sir. 'Twas most generous of you to invite me. "

After bestowing the proper courtesies upon Prince Valsamon, Imiara took a closer look at the rest of the family. She moved her eyes across them: Two sisters, the Prince, his wife, and...Oh...my...God. Imiara's heart skipped a beat. Her eyelids snapped in place, unclosable. Before her stood the image she had given to the great heroes of Coscivian legends. Tall, blonde, fair, strong...gorgeous.

Time froze for her, then and there. While the royals were in mid-breath, her eyes, fixed upon this fallen angel, were running down each strand of golden hair, over each toned muscle, and finally, plunging into the light blue pools of his eyes.

Her now liquified heart snapped back into shape, and her mind fell suddenly into full consciousness when the Prince spoke.

When his message registered in her mind, she nearly slipped into Dreamland once again. The boy, Jenos, would be showing her to her room.


Jenos smiled and beckoned Imiara to follow him. "My name is Jenos and you must be Imiara. It's a pleasure to meet you and might I say that you look beautiful tonight?"

"You're...yes. Yes! I mean...yes. I'm Imiara. You look dashing this evening as well, Sèr Jenos"

Firworks went off inside her still semi-molten heart. He said she was beautiful. This couldn't get any better.


Jenos led her to the guest room but hung around the door while letting her look around.

Recovering from her romantic daze, slightly, she looked around. The room's elebourate furnishings were more or less lost to her, for although her warm, coffe-brown eyes glanced at the impeccable chambers, he mind's eye saw only the man behind her.


"This is where you'll be staying; in a guest room typically found in royal homes with all the luxuries and so forth. I'm down the hall if you need me. The two girls you saw, Imiara, were my sisters. Don't worry about them, though. Just have fun, alright?"

She was now fully collected. "I will, Jenos. Thank you. It was very gentlemanly of you to guide me up here. I trust I shall see more of you...I mean, see you more? While I'm here?"

"It is an honoure to be her, sir. 'Twas most generous of you to invite me. "

After bestowing the proper courtesies upon Prince Valsamon, Imiara took a closer look at the rest of the family. She moved her eyes across them: Two sisters, the Prince, his wife, and...Oh...my...God. Imiara's heart skipped a beat. Her eyelids snapped in place, unclosable. Before her stood the image she had given to the great heroes of Coscivian legends. Tall, blonde, fair, strong...gorgeous.

Time froze for her, then and there. While the royals were in mid-breath, her eyes, fixed upon this fallen angel, were running down each strand of golden hair, over each toned muscle, and finally, plunging into the light blue pools of his eyes.

Her now liquified heart snapped back into shape, and her mind fell suddenly into full consciousness when the Prince spoke.

When his message registered in her mind, she nearly slipped into Dreamland once again. The boy, Jenos, would be showing her to her room.

Valsamon smiled before he began to walk away from the others along with his wife. "It seems that our guest has been well raised and imparted with vocabulary long forgotten by many in this world of ours. Hopefully, Imiara, you have a good time here!"



"You're...yes. Yes! I mean...yes. I'm Imiara. You look dashing this evening as well, Sèr Jenos"

Firworks went off inside her still semi-molten heart. He said she was beautiful. This couldn't get any better.

Jenos simply smiled as he listened to Imiara; she reminded him of those girls who were immediately in constant admiration of men like him but he really did not mind it. "I must say that I never expected you to be staying here but I don't mind it at all. Besides, you'll still have all the comfort you need here along with good food, well kept facilities and people to talk to."


She was now fully collected. "I will, Jenos. Thank you. It was very gentlemanly of you to guide me up here. I trust I shall see more of you...I mean, see you more? While I'm here?"

Jenos smirked. "I shall show you as much as is possible, Imiara, during your stay here. If you would like, I could give you a quick tour right now....I'm sure you'd like to get into your bed soon. You must be tired or something, eh? Anywho, shall we go?"

Valsamon smiled before he began to walk away from the others along with his wife. "It seems that our guest has been well raised and imparted with vocabulary long forgotten by many in this world of ours. Hopefully, Imiara, you have a good time here!"

"I will, sir. Thank you very much."


Jenos simply smiled as he listened to Imiara; she reminded him of those girls who were immediately in constant admiration of men like him but he really did not mind it. "I must say that I never expected you to be staying here but I don't mind it at all. Besides, you'll still have all the comfort you need here along with good food, well kept facilities and people to talk to."

"I really can't thank you and your family enough for having me here. You have no idea what's going on back in the Empire."


Jenos smirked. "I shall show you as much as is possible, Imiara, during your stay here. If you would like, I could give you a quick tour right now....I'm sure you'd like to get into your bed soon. You must be tired or something, eh? Anywho, shall we go?"

"Oh yes, certainly," she said. Not only was he a looker, but chivalrous as well.

"I really can't thank you and your family enough for having me here. You have no idea what's going on back in the Empire."

"Your Empire is plagued with civil unrest or something like that, I assume? Is it the fallout from the death of your father? I don't mean to be blunt, Imiara, and I offer you my sincerest condolences."

"Oh yes, certainly," she said. Not only was he a looker, but chivalrous as well.

Jenos smiled as he led Imiara through the halls of the palace towards what looked like a gallery of all sorts of portraits. "Here's our little gallery; feel free to look around at all these paintings and family portraits; some of which I think are more older than my parents."

"Your Empire is plagued with civil unrest or something like that, I assume? Is it the fallout from the death of your father? I don't mean to be blunt, Imiara, and I offer you my sincerest condolences."

"The latter. And thank you for your condolences. Nor did I find you speech blunt. You understand it well."

Jenos smiled as he led Imiara through the halls of the palace towards what looked like a gallery of all sorts of portraits. "Here's our little gallery; feel free to look around at all these paintings and family portraits; some of which I think are more older than my parents."

"Amazing. We Saskev celebrate our ancestors in music. Originally, it was the only form of art that our ethnic groups could afford, that is, that which they could make themselves."

The latter. And thank you for your condolences. Nor did I find you speech blunt. You understand it well."

Jenos smiled. "The Empress of Ixania lost her father herself, you know, but it made her be able to become who she is but I don't think she's happy that he died because I can remember seeing her all....distraught."

"Amazing. We Saskev celebrate our ancestors in music. Originally, it was the only form of art that our ethnic groups could afford, that is, that which they could make themselves."

"Most palaces have some sort of gallery but it depends on who are the occupants of the palaces in question. You should tell me more about Saskevs and I must say that they must be lucky if they have women like you around; you are quite the looker, Imiara."

They continued walking through the gallery past portraits of ancestors who once lived proudly within the ranks of Ixanian royalty although they were not from the direct Letonic line but rather from its many branches. "My cousin descends directly from Ixania's founder, Imiara, and I too descend from him in some sort of way....at least I think I do. Our founder was Leto the Great who lived in a time when Ixania was in some sort of Warring States period. He's a very honored man here and many patriots can be seen with his emblem or what not."

They came onto a portrait of one of Leto's many battles with him leading his armies proudly against the enemy while he was mounted on his horse, with the front legs and head raised high, while his sword and banner was raised as well admist the carnage below; everyone knew that such portraits of Leto existed in the confines of royal palaces and museums. "Everyone learns about Leto's life, Imiara, and the lives of his associates as well. Our family, the Schverzinski, married into the Letonic Dynasty and eventually came to power over our beloved nation. We have reigned as absolute monarchs for centuries and I can claim the throne of Ixania....but only after the many people before me are somehow gone."

Exiting the gallery with a smile and with a lovely girl at his side, Jenos led Imiara to the dining room where he explained about when they would eat and a bit on what to expect to be eating and digesting. Jenos would occassionally study Imiara and smile; she looked like a pretty and charming Saskev lady. "Tell me about yourself, Imiara. What's life for you like? Any hobbies? Family? Friends? Special someone?"

Jenos smiled. "The Empress of Ixania lost her father herself, you know, but it made her be able to become who she is but I don't think she's happy that he died because I can remember seeing her all....distraught."

"Distraught? What do you mean?


"Most palaces have some sort of gallery but it depends on who are the occupants of the palaces in question. You should tell me more about Saskevs and I must say that they must be lucky if they have women like you around; you are quite the looker, Imiara."

"Thank you. Ixanian's can't be all that ugly either."

They continued walking through the gallery past portraits of ancestors who once lived proudly within the ranks of Ixanian royalty although they were not from the direct Letonic line but rather from its many branches. "My cousin descends directly from Ixania's founder, Imiara, and I too descend from him in some sort of way....at least I think I do. Our founder was Leto the Great who lived in a time when Ixania was in some sort of Warring States period. He's a very honored man here and many patriots can be seen with his emblem or what not."

"One is truly great when people remain loyal to them after they are gone."

They came onto a portrait of one of Leto's many battles with him leading his armies proudly against the enemy while he was mounted on his horse, with the front legs and head raised high, while his sword and banner was raised as well admist the carnage below; everyone knew that such portraits of Leto existed in the confines of royal palaces and museums. "Everyone learns about Leto's life, Imiara, and the lives of his associates as well. Our family, the Schverzinski, married into the Letonic Dynasty and eventually came to power over our beloved nation. We have reigned as absolute monarchs for centuries and I can claim the throne of Ixania....but only after the many people before me are somehow gone."

"I once had a friend who was in line to become patriarch of his extended family, and possibly the cheiftain of his clan. How does it feel to be born with a right to claim such power?"

Exiting the gallery with a smile and with a lovely girl at his side, Jenos led Imiara to the dining room where he explained about when they would eat and a bit on what to expect to be eating and digesting. Jenos would occassionally study Imiara and smile; she looked like a pretty and charming Saskev lady. "Tell me about yourself, Imiara. What's life for you like? Any hobbies? Family? Friends? Special someone?"[/QUOTE]

"My life...Well, it's very well-paced. I like to read, I like to travel. For me, it's all about the experience, about trying to see and do as much as I can."

She paused, and then made the right move.

"But no specials someone, I'm afraid."

Somewhere in her head, a voice chuckled.

"Distraught? What do you mean?

Jenos smirked. "Don't you know how people act when they see the funerals of their loved ones? The Empress was saddened and horrified, I could say, when she saw her father's coffin but yet she has moved on and has so far had a good life."


"Thank you. Ixanian's can't be all that ugly either."

"Ugliness is a universal quality, Imiara, as everyone is known to have it in their nations."

"One is truly great when people remain loyal to them after they are gone."

"...There are some people, though, who have such loyalty which results in morbid acts of terrorism and the like. As well, it is safe to say that one can be truly great when he or she remains in the people's good graces and sincere respect."

"I once had a friend who was in line to become patriarch of his extended family, and possibly the cheiftain of his clan. How does it feel to be born with a right to claim such power?"

"It's rather amusing but I doubt I'll ever take the throne. There's just too many people ahead of me and I think I'll just end up a lifelong prince or something. Perhaps I'll be a consort if I marry a foreign monarch. Who knows, really?"


"My life...Well, it's very well-paced. I like to read, I like to travel. For me, it's all about the experience, about trying to see and do as much as I can."

She paused, and then made the right move.

"But no specials someone, I'm afraid."

Somewhere in her head, a voice chuckled.

"No special someone? I'm sure, though, that you have many....admirers." Jenos said with a grin.

Jenos smirked. "Don't you know how people act when they see the funerals of their loved ones? The Empress was saddened and horrified, I could say, when she saw her father's coffin but yet she has moved on and has so far had a good life."

"Oh. I'm sorry. It just sounded like it was something recent."


"...There are some people, though, who have such loyalty which results in morbid acts of terrorism and the like. As well, it is safe to say that one can be truly great when he or she remains in the people's good graces and sincere respect."

"Her Majesty's father no doubt inspires the latter."

"It's rather amusing but I doubt I'll ever take the throne. There's just too many people ahead of me and I think I'll just end up a lifelong prince or something. Perhaps I'll be a consort if I marry a foreign monarch. Who knows, really?"

"Well, that's certainly better than others of royal blood who have killed their way down the line to the throne."


"No special someone? I'm sure, though, that you have many....admirers." Jenos said with a grin.

"Admirers, yes. But they aren't going to be admired back."

She took another quick glance over Jenos, and then added, "I don't know why they even try."

"Oh. I'm sorry. It just sounded like it was something recent."

"It was a long time ago, Imiara. The Empress was quite distraught when it all happened but luckily she had people to support her including her still living mother whom, according to my knowledge, is a celibate widow who refuses to remarry but I do not know if she may change her image."


"Her Majesty's father no doubt inspires the latter."

"My cousin would smile if she heard you say that. Her father was mourned by millions of Ixanians who remembered how good of a monarch he was for our nation. My father, in fact, is Her Majesty's father's brother; one of his siblings."


"Well, that's certainly better than others of royal blood who have killed their way down the line to the throne."

"If I am destined to be a mere prince then I do not mind; I would not mind if I was to be the consort of a foreign Queen or Empress either as I really only desire a good life. If I am happy, healthy and what not then I am content."


"Admirers, yes. But they aren't going to be admired back."

She took another quick glance over Jenos, and then added, "I don't know why they even try."

"Many people can be blinded by the admiration commonly reserved for women and I must admit it is not hard at all to see why you would have admirers. They must be in awe of you."

Jenos smiled. "Shall we continue our tour? I trust you would like to see more of the palace before we retire to our chambers?"

"It was a long time ago, Imiara. The Empress was quite distraught when it all happened but luckily she had people to support her including her still living mother whom, according to my knowledge, is a celibate widow who refuses to remarry but I do not know if she may change her image."

"I hope she remains loyal to her late husband. Her fortitude is admirable."


"My cousin would smile if she heard you say that. Her father was mourned by millions of Ixanians who remembered how good of a monarch he was for our nation. My father, in fact, is Her Majesty's father's brother; one of his siblings."

"A good leader is a loss, when there are so many who seek only their own ends at the expense of the governed. So, Her Majesty is your cousin? Interesting. In Kirav, our genaeologies are so well kept that we can often use our more famous relatives to start conversations at parties."


"If I am destined to be a mere prince then I do not mind; I would not mind if I was to be the consort of a foreign Queen or Empress either as I really only desire a good life. If I am happy, healthy and what not then I am content."

"What more can one ask for, really?" agreed Imiara.


"Many people can be blinded by the admiration commonly reserved for women and I must admit it is not hard at all to see why you would have admirers. They must be in awe of you."

"Why, thank you. And I must say, you're bound to have some admirers of your own, no?"

Jenos smiled. "Shall we continue our tour? I trust you would like to see more of the palace before we retire to our chambers?"

"Certainly."

"I hope she remains loyal to her late husband. Her fortitude is admirable."

"I do not know if she will but she is quite devoted if one would take the time to look. She's a rather nice woman and quite well known in the German community because she is a full blooded German and she always tried to be there for her people. The Empress in power now is Ixania's first half-Ixanian monarch."


"A good leader is a loss, when there are so many who seek only their own ends at the expense of the governed. So, Her Majesty is your cousin? Interesting. In Kirav, our genaeologies are so well kept that we can often use our more famous relatives to start conversations at parties."

"You sound like an intelligent woman, Imiara, and I admire that. Yes, Her Majesty is one of my many cousins and we have complete geneological records for our family lying around and we always keep in touch most of the time."


"Why, thank you. And I must say, you're bound to have some admirers of your own, no?"

"I have plenty of admirers but no special someone but I assume I'll find one soon enough."

Jenos led Imiara through the rest of the palace before they ended up in the gardens which looked lovely and well kept as all royal gardens usually were. Jenos smiled as he walked with Imiara through the corridors of nature and he beckoned her over to what looked like a fountain. "Nothing like enjoying the quietness of the garden, eh? Imiara, are you eager to be attending an Ixanian school?"

"I do not know if she will but she is quite devoted if one would take the time to look. She's a rather nice woman and quite well known in the German community because she is a full blooded German and she always tried to be there for her people. The Empress in power now is Ixania's first half-Ixanian monarch."

"Is she now? It proably wouldn't go over well if the Council ever selected an Emperor who wasn't a Coscivian or a Khar."


"You sound like an intelligent woman, Imiara, and I admire that. Yes, Her Majesty is one of my many cousins and we have complete geneological records for our family lying around and we always keep in touch most of the time."

"Thank you. It must be nice having so many relatives to talk to."



"I have plenty of admirers but no special someone but I assume I'll find one soon enough."

"I hope you do," said Imiara, blushing slightly.

Jenos led Imiara through the rest of the palace before they ended up in the gardens which looked lovely and well kept as all royal gardens usually were. Jenos smiled as he walked with Imiara through the corridors of nature and he beckoned her over to what looked like a fountain. "Nothing like enjoying the quietness of the garden, eh? Imiara, are you eager to be attending an Ixanian school?"

"Yes. Very much, in fact. What is the name of the school?"

"Is she now? It proably wouldn't go over well if the Council ever selected an Emperor who wasn't a Coscivian or a Khar."

"I assume, then, that marrying someone who isn't either of those would bring the monarch away from the people's good graces. It sounds like a case of blood purity to me but then again it could just be a case of passionate pride in one's people interpreted by some as being racialistic."


"Thank you. It must be nice having so many relatives to talk to."

"It is quite nice....even if some relatives can be rather irritating!" Jenos said with a laugh. "I don't mean to insult anyone though...I care quite deeply for my family members and the like."


"I hope you do," said Imiara, blushing slightly.

"Likewise, Imiara. I do think that you would find yourself a good man since you look like one of those girls everyone goes gaga over whenever she walks past them. I wouldn't be surprised if they gave you names like the Emperor's Nymph."

"Yes. Very much, in fact. What is the name of the school?"

"The school's name? It's called the Imperial Academy; although you would have been put in some typical private school, Her Majesty thought she would see you do well in the school she went to....and I myself shall be one of your many classmates. Also, are you hungry?"

"I assume, then, that marrying someone who isn't either of those would bring the monarch away from the people's good graces. It sounds like a case of blood purity to me but then again it could just be a case of passionate pride in one's people interpreted by some as being racialistic."

"I think it's more the latter, as our people see things as more through what one has chosen than what one has inherited, in the case of race. For example, it is possible to 'convert', if you will, between certain ethnic groups, and to be a member of multiple groups at once. The thing, I think, is that the other races that live in the Empire, Celts, Pelagicans, and Indo-Aryans, are seen as being less Kiravian by nature in comparison to Khars and Coscivs, because they tend to maintain their own languages and ways of doing things. If, say, a European, particularly a Celt, German, or Briton, whose cultures are similar ot our own, became a speaker of Coscivian, and syncretised their way of life to our own, they could be seen as fellow Coscivians, though not biological Coscivs. It's very ill-defined, and often very confusing."



"It is quite nice....even if some relatives can be rather irritating!" Jenos said with a laugh. "I don't mean to insult anyone though...I care quite deeply for my family members and the like."

"So do I. I don't talk to them as much as you do, but when our blódtriba, or extended family, convenes every year in Kirav, most of us just pick back up from where we were last year. It's good fun."




"Likewise, Imiara. I do think that you would find yourself a good man since you look like one of those girls everyone goes gaga over whenever she walks past them. I wouldn't be surprised if they gave you names like the Emperor's Nymph."

She thought of the tabloids she occasionally ran into in Xiryan checkout lines. "Er..something like that, yes!"



"The school's name? It's called the Imperial Academy; although you would have been put in some typical private school, Her Majesty thought she would see you do well in the school she went to....and I myself shall be one of your many classmates. Also, are you hungry?"

He'd be her classmate! Fate must be pretty damn high today she thought.

"Umm...I could do with a bit to eat. If you think airplane food is bad, you shouldn't even attempt Kiravian airplane food."

"I think it's more the latter, as our people see things as more through what one has chosen than what one has inherited, in the case of race. For example, it is possible to 'convert', if you will, between certain ethnic groups, and to be a member of multiple groups at once. The thing, I think, is that the other races that live in the Empire, Celts, Pelagicans, and Indo-Aryans, are seen as being less Kiravian by nature in comparison to Khars and Coscivs, because they tend to maintain their own languages and ways of doing things. If, say, a European, particularly a Celt, German, or Briton, whose cultures are similar ot our own, became a speaker of Coscivian, and syncretised their way of life to our own, they could be seen as fellow Coscivians, though not biological Coscivs. It's very ill-defined, and often very confusing."

"The only people who live in the Ixanian Empire were, at first, the Ixanian people but that was many centuries ago and long before the German and Russian settlers came but we Ixanians accepted them with open arms and they have given us many good things over the last few centuries. The Germans have given us things like the Lutheran faith while the Russians have given us the Karasov Soda Sales Company. I think that one can be a Coscivian or an Ixanian in the sense of admiration, that is, Ixanophilia or Coscophilia or what not. I would be interested in learning more about Coscivians and other Kiravian peoples in my spare time and what better teacher could I find then the beautiful princess standing in front of me in deep conversation?"

"So do I. I don't talk to them as much as you do, but when our blódtriba, or extended family, convenes every year in Kirav, most of us just pick back up from where we were last year. It's good fun."

"We have family gatherings at times as well and they can be quite fun with all the games and food and what not. There are feasts and traditional dances and I've had the pleasure of being complimented for my dancing skills numerous times by female cousins."


She thought of the tabloids she occasionally ran into in Xiryan checkout lines. "Er..something like that, yes!"

Jenos smiled. "Many people like us get such names; you would not be surprised to see all the compliments I recieve and the Empress as well. Some articles even say the House of Schverzinski has a beauty gene which I find to be amusing."



He'd be her classmate! Fate must be pretty damn high today she thought.

"Umm...I could do with a bit to eat. If you think airplane food is bad, you shouldn't even attempt Kiravian airplane food."

Jenos chuckled as he led Imiara to a patio table while ordering a butler to bring them some snacks and beverages. "While we wait for the butler to return with our food and beverages, I'd like to talk to you more. First, I'd like to ask you if you'd teach me some Coscivian. I might as well take advantage of your presence. In return I can teach you some Ixanian. I think we can both learn much from each other, don't you think? School will start tomorrow so I'll be around with you then too so you don't get lost or get all nervous. We'll probably have an easy time and I'll make sure to help you when you need it. I'm also sure you'll find some admirers at the school...since Ixanian boys like me can honor beauty even if we find it in a foreign lady."

Jenos smirked. "Imiara...I would hope that one day I could be a student in Kirav as I would be rather interested in committing my time to learning from the teachers of your beloved nation. I'm also sure that we can see a lot of Kirav and Ixania together; we both would make excellent tour guides in our respective nations. Also, I think that we will have some good food tomorrow for dinner; although the concept of royalty having fresh and delicious food is never surprising since it's always expected. Of course a King, for example, gets the best food! He's a damn monarch!"

Jenos laughed. "Would you like to go to bed after our litle night snack? If you want to, I wouldn't mind at all. Women do need to have a time of sleep so they can recharge; it's a natural process."

Excellent post! I'm going to have to reply tommorrow, though.

bump.

"The only people who live in the Ixanian Empire were, at first, the Ixanian people but that was many centuries ago and long before the German and Russian settlers came but we Ixanians accepted them with open arms and they have given us many good things over the last few centuries. The Germans have given us things like the Lutheran faith while the Russians have given us the Karasov Soda Sales Company. I think that one can be a Coscivian or an Ixanian in the sense of admiration, that is, Ixanophilia or Coscophilia or what not. I would be interested in learning more about Coscivians and other Kiravian peoples in my spare time and what better teacher could I find then the beautiful princess standing in front of me in deep conversation?"

"Oh, I'd be honoured to teach you. You seem quite interested, but where to start? What do you know already?"

"We have family gatherings at times as well and they can be quite fun with all the games and food and what not. There are feasts and traditional dances and I've had the pleasure of being complimented for my dancing skills numerous times by female cousins."

"I'd like to see your dancing skills sometime," she hinted playfully.


Jenos smiled. "Many people like us get such names; you would not be surprised to see all the compliments I recieve and the Empress as well. Some articles even say the House of Schverzinski has a beauty gene which I find to be amusing."

"You prove their theory quite nicely, I must say."



Jenos chuckled as he led Imiara to a patio table while ordering a butler to bring them some snacks and beverages. "While we wait for the butler to return with our food and beverages, I'd like to talk to you more. First, I'd like to ask you if you'd teach me some Coscivian. I might as well take advantage of your presence. In return I can teach you some Ixanian. I think we can both learn much from each other, don't you think?

"Kú vodi amorim t' écantim sú Coscivlinga," said Imiara in the Kiravic macrolanguage of the Coscivian family. "I said, 'I would love to teach you some Coscivian. Also, I'd like to learn from you as well. Even speaking to you so breifly has been a learning experience. You're much more cerebral than I'd've thought."


School will start tomorrow so I'll be around with you then too so you don't get lost or get all nervous. We'll probably have an easy time and I'll make sure to help you when you need it. I'm also sure you'll find some admirers at the school...since Ixanian boys like me can honor beauty even if we find it in a foreign lady."

"Thank you," she said politely.

Oooh...That was a BAAD sign. HE hoped she'd fins admirers. Damage control. She needed to do damage control.

Jenos smirked. "Imiara...I would hope that one day I could be a student in Kirav as I would be rather interested in committing my time to learning from the teachers of your beloved nation. I'm also sure that we can see a lot of Kirav and Ixania together; we both would make excellent tour guides in our respective nations.

"That would be fantastic. Maybe next year we could go to Kirav for a term or two."

Also, I think that we will have some good food tomorrow for dinner; although the concept of royalty having fresh and delicious food is never surprising since it's always expected. Of course a King, for example, gets the best food! He's a damn monarch!"

"So your cousin gets the filet mignon, your father gets the tenderloin, you get the boursin filet, and it goes down the line until the guy fortieth in line for the throne is first in line at the fast-food restaurant, eh?"

Jenos laughed. "Would you like to go to bed after our litle night snack? If you want to, I wouldn't mind at all. Women do need to have a time of sleep so they can recharge; it's a natural process."

"If school starts tommorrow, then I believe I should. But," she added, "We have some time until then, do we not?"

"Oh, I'd be honoured to teach you. You seem quite interested, but where to start? What do you know already?"

"I don't think I know much only then the basic phrases and greetings but I'm sure when you are done with me...I'll know everything there is to know about the language."


"I'd like to see your dancing skills sometime," she hinted playfully.

"...If I can assume you'd want to dance with me, Imiara, then perhaps we can have a little dancing session sometime? Perhaps tomorrow or even now?"


"You prove their theory quite nicely, I must say."

"Thank you, Imiara."



"Kú vodi amorim t' écantim sú Coscivlinga," said Imiara in the Kiravic macrolanguage of the Coscivian family. "I said, 'I would love to teach you some Coscivian. Also, I'd like to learn from you as well. Even speaking to you so breifly has been a learning experience. You're much more cerebral than I'd've thought."

"I must say that I think we will both get along quite nicely although I think the others in my family would want to get to know you more as well since I wouldn't want to keep you away from them....that wouldn't be gentlemanly of me." Jenos said with a smirk. "I'll teach you whatever you want to know about Ixanian....soon you'll be a fluent speaker or at least know enough about it to travel and talk with people."


"Thank you," she said politely.

Oooh...That was a BAAD sign. HE hoped she'd fins admirers. Damage control. She needed to do damage control.

"I think I'm one of those admirers...it's not hard for me to say you are a beautiful young woman. I always compliment the women I find to be beautiful and thus I often am called Jenos the Chivalrous."

"That would be fantastic. Maybe next year we could go to Kirav for a term or two."

"That definately would be fantastic in my books; I'll talk about it with my parents."

"So your cousin gets the filet mignon, your father gets the tenderloin, you get the boursin filet, and it goes down the line until the guy fortieth in line for the throne is first in line at the fast-food restaurant, eh?"

"That meat analogy of yours pretty much summarizes my point, Imiara. I'm sure you are in line for the Kiravian throne, aren't you? If you ever do get coronated, make sure you invite me....I'd love to see you become the Empress of Kirav."

"If school starts tommorrow, then I believe I should. But," she added, "We have some time until then, do we not?"

"If you want to stay up late, you can. As long as you don't end up all groggy like at school, it's fine. I think I'll probably be up for a bit more before I go off to my bedroom. Perhaps, Imiara...you'd like to get that dancing done before you head off to your room for the night?"

"I don't think I know much only then the basic phrases and greetings but I'm sure when you are done with me...I'll know everything there is to know about the language."

"I'll do my best," she replied cheerfully.


"...If I can assume you'd want to dance with me, Imiara, then perhaps we can have a little dancing session sometime? Perhaps tomorrow or even now?"

"Why wait," she exclaimed as she bgan to push her seat back.


"Thank you, Imiara."

"You're quite welcome."

"I must say that I think we will both get along quite nicely although I think the others in my family would want to get to know you more as well since I wouldn't want to keep you away from them....that wouldn't be gentlemanly of me." Jenos said with a smirk. "I'll teach you whatever you want to know about Ixanian....soon you'll be a fluent speaker or at least know enough about it to travel and talk with people."

"And I'm willing to learn whatever you'd be willing to teach me."

"I think I'm one of those admirers...it's not hard for me to say you are a beautiful young woman. I always compliment the women I find to be beautiful and thus I often am called Jenos the Chivalrous."

Damage officially controlled.

"I try to comliment the men that I deem comely. But to those that are chivalrous, extra benefits are granted."


"That definately would be fantastic in my books; I'll talk about it with my parents."

"I'm sure they'd be overjoyed."

"That meat analogy of yours pretty much summarizes my point, Imiara. I'm sure you are in line for the Kiravian throne, aren't you? If you ever do get coronated, make sure you invite me....I'd love to see you become the Empress of Kirav."

"No. You see, our monarchy has the titular and symbolic aspects of the traditional type, but it's actually elected by the aristocracy. I do bear the title of Rékona, or Princess, however, but the regality ends with me."


"If you want to stay up late, you can. As long as you don't end up all groggy like at school, it's fine. I think I'll probably be up for a bit more before I go off to my bedroom. Perhaps, Imiara...you'd like to get that dancing done before you head off to your room for the night?"

"Aye. Shall we?"

"I'll do my best," she replied cheerfully.

Jenos smiled. "...I'm sure I can rely on you to be a more than adequate teacher who shall provide me with all I need to know concerning the Coscivian language. I look forward to our first lesson whenever it shall occur and I look forward to teaching you Ixanian. I'll do my best when it comes to both."

"Why wait," she exclaimed as she bgan to push her seat back.

"...Have you ever danced before back in Kirav?"


"And I'm willing to learn whatever you'd be willing to teach me."

"..Then we are already on the right track. Excellent. I do hope you'll stay willing lest I have to stop being your teacher due to you being unwilling to continue."

Damage officially controlled.

"I try to comliment the men that I deem comely. But to those that are chivalrous, extra benefits are granted."

Jenos winked. "....I don't suppose you've granted any of the best benefits?"


"I'm sure they'd be overjoyed."

"...Hoepefully so, Imiara...."

"No. You see, our monarchy has the titular and symbolic aspects of the traditional type, but it's actually elected by the aristocracy. I do bear the title of Rékona, or Princess, however, but the regality ends with me."

"..When did such a system start? Has Kirav relied on it for centuries? In Ixania, we don't have an elective monarchy but rather a hereditary monarchy that is quite old if you study it's history which does stretch back many centuries."


"Aye. Shall we?"

It did not take them long to find a good room with enough space for dancing and where they could be alone while everyone else was sleeping or doing whatever they wanted. Jenos and Imiara took their positions with one hand holding her hand while the other was on her back and his eyes were locked into hers. "Do you want music, Imiara? If not, we can just get started...."

Jenos smiled as he waited for a response; he was becoming quite fond of Imiara. "....If you have problems, Imiara, we can stop dancing. Let's just take our time and get into the rhythm."

Jenos smiled. "...I'm sure I can rely on you to be a more than adequate teacher who shall provide me with all I need to know concerning the Coscivian language. I look forward to our first lesson whenever it shall occur and I look forward to teaching you Ixanian. I'll do my best when it comes to both."

"As will I," said she.

"...Have you ever danced before back in Kirav?"

"A bit, but I still have some more to learn," she answered, stepping closer to Jenos.


"..Then we are already on the right track. Excellent. I do hope you'll stay willing lest I have to stop being your teacher due to you being unwilling to continue."

"You won't need to worry about that."

Jenos winked. "....I don't suppose you've granted any of the best benefits?"

"Not yet. I'm saving them for y...the knight in shining armour."

"...Hoepefully so, Imiara...."

"I can see you working out well with my extended family. They like new people. I suppose it's natural when you share a mountain with three-hundred other people and don't see much else most of the time."

"..When did such a system start? Has Kirav relied on it for centuries? In Ixania, we don't have an elective monarchy but rather a hereditary monarchy that is quite old if you study it's history which does stretch back many centuries."

"A long time ago. It goes back to the clan systems of the first settled Coscivians. In Southern Coscivia, assent to the title of Cheiftain was hereditary. In Northern Coscivia, it was elective, but oftentimes the heads of the constituant households would just happen to choose the eldest male heir. For decades. The Coscivian Empire began in Southern Coscivia, but when the Northern Coscivian peoples were incorporated, they became dissatisfied with the hereditary system in place. As the Northern provinces grew in importance, more strain was placed upon the establishment, until Pelagus VII died without an heir. From then on, the Emperor was selected by the Coscivian nobility. When the Kiravian colonies became mismanaged and declared indepencence, they did away with a monarchy at all. But when the Kiravian Empire was declared, an Imperacy was enstated."


It did not take them long to find a good room with enough space for dancing and where they could be alone while everyone else was sleeping or doing whatever they wanted. Jenos and Imiara took their positions with one hand holding her hand while the other was on her back and his eyes were locked into hers. "Do you want music, Imiara? If not, we can just get started...."


Jenos smiled as he waited for a response; he was becoming quite fond of Imiara. "....If you have problems, Imiara, we can stop dancing. Let's just take our time and get into the rhythm."


As she was growing fond of him.

"No, no. Let's start," she implored. She couldn't wait any longer.

"A bit, but I still have some more to learn," she answered, stepping closer to Jenos.

Jenos didn't seem to mind her walking closer to him. "....I'm sure that you at least know the basics. They'll serve as a foundation for your lessons."

"Not yet. I'm saving them for y...the knight in shining armour."

Jenos seemed to have sensed the slip up in her words but it didn't look like he did. He simply smiled. "....I'm saving my best benefits for the fairest damsel in the world. Have you, Imiara...ever been with a "knight"?"

He winked so as to say he was curious about her sex life, that is, if she had one. "I swear on my honor I shall not disclose any of what you say to me to anyone at all, that is, unless....you provoke me to do so. I doubt, however, that we will become such bitter enemies that I would be glad to tarnish your reputation by making you look like a slut."

"I can see you working out well with my extended family. They like new people. I suppose it's natural when you share a mountain with three-hundred other people and don't see much else most of the time."

Jenos smiled. "My family is a very large and well known family if not the most famous in the entire nation due simply to our social status. We are people who even the best known actors and actresses try to get a hold of while in awe. Many men seem to like my female cousins and vice versa, in terms of gender, and I'm one of those lucky bastards with ardent female admirers. Some of us royals even have an appreciation of the looks of those lesser to us....for example I've often said that I find the Russo-German supermodel, Nadezdha Kirsch, to be a very fine looking woman if you get my drift."

Jenos laughed a little. "....I'd say you'd find many admirers in the Ixanian Empire, Imiara. You look like one of those exotic beauties people will often tell each other about. I'm probably one of those people who can say: "I was with her" and then have people say how much they envy me."

"A long time ago. It goes back to the clan systems of the first settled Coscivians. In Southern Coscivia, assent to the title of Cheiftain was hereditary. In Northern Coscivia, it was elective, but oftentimes the heads of the constituant households would just happen to choose the eldest male heir. For decades. The Coscivian Empire began in Southern Coscivia, but when the Northern Coscivian peoples were incorporated, they became dissatisfied with the hereditary system in place. As the Northern provinces grew in importance, more strain was placed upon the establishment, until Pelagus VII died without an heir. From then on, the Emperor was selected by the Coscivian nobility. When the Kiravian colonies became mismanaged and declared indepencence, they did away with a monarchy at all. But when the Kiravian Empire was declared, an Imperacy was enstated."

"....I've often learned about how the Ixanian Empire was like before Leto the Great unified the masses into one nation during the days of great chaos and bloodshed. There were states of all kinds and people of all kinds trying to make their lives as best as possible. My cousin, the Empress, is a direct descendant of the man who stood for what he believed in; the man, Leto the Great, who created Ixania centuries ago. He is our nation's founding father, a legendary icon of chivalry and patriotism whose life stands as a testament to Ixanians everywhere."

As she was growing fond of him.

"No, no. Let's start," she implored. She couldn't wait any longer.

Jenos took firm hold of Imiara and began to dance with her without any music playing which made them look like they were dancing in a silent film. This didn't bother Jenos who simply looked into Imiara's eyes as his hands were holding her close to him. "...Have you danced before, Imiara?"

Jenos didn't seem to mind her walking closer to him. "....I'm sure that you at least know the basics. They'll serve as a foundation for your lessons."

"I do," said the part of her mind that wasn't beginning to glaze over just yet.


Jenos seemed to have sensed the slip up in her words but it didn't look like he did. He simply smiled. "....I'm saving my best benefits for the fairest damsel in the world. Have you, Imiara...ever been with a "knight"?"

"I have been in the close company of knights, yet their swords have yet to pierce my armour."

He winked so as to say he was curious about her sex life, that is, if she had one. "I swear on my honor I shall not disclose any of what you say to me to anyone at all, that is, unless....you provoke me to do so. I doubt, however, that we will become such bitter enemies that I would be glad to tarnish your reputation by making you look like a slut."

"I doubt I'd ever have the heart to disclose any of your less glamourous details. If you have any, that is."


Jenos smiled. "My family is a very large and well known family if not the most famous in the entire nation due simply to our social status. We are people who even the best known actors and actresses try to get a hold of while in awe. Many men seem to like my female cousins and vice versa, in terms of gender, and I'm one of those lucky bastards with ardent female admirers. Some of us royals even have an appreciation of the looks of those lesser to us....for example I've often said that I find the Russo-German supermodel, Nadezdha Kirsch, to be a very fine looking woman if you get my drift."

"I do catch your drift."

She'd have said more, but she was not in a position where one remembers anyone they once found attractive. Did other men exist?

Jenos laughed a little. "....I'd say you'd find many admirers in the Ixanian Empire, Imiara. You look like one of those exotic beauties people will often tell each other about. I'm probably one of those people who can say: "I was with her" and then have people say how much they envy me."

"I'm flattered. You've given me a meeting that I shall no doubt remember for a lifetime."

"....I've often learned about how the Ixanian Empire was like before Leto the Great unified the masses into one nation during the days of great chaos and bloodshed. There were states of all kinds and people of all kinds trying to make their lives as best as possible. My cousin, the Empress, is a direct descendant of the man who stood for what he believed in; the man, Leto the Great, who created Ixania centuries ago. He is our nation's founding father, a legendary icon of chivalry and patriotism whose life stands as a testament to Ixanians everywhere."

"If only we knew who our founder was. Even his true name was unknown, though we refer to him as Kiravius. It was he that took control of the Rebellion, and unified the revolutionaries under a government to stop the war from degenerating into an ethnic cleansing. He also held the Republics and Kingdoms together after they became independent."

Jenos took firm hold of Imiara and began to dance with her without any music playing which made them look like they were dancing in a silent film. This didn't bother Jenos who simply looked into Imiara's eyes as his hands were holding her close to him. "...Have you danced before, Imiara?"

"Y-yes. But never like this."

Bump

bump

"I do," said the part of her mind that wasn't beginning to glaze over just yet.

"...With the right amount of effort, you'll know everything you need to know about it."


"I have been in the close company of knights, yet their swords have yet to pierce my armour."

"...I'm sure, one day, a sword will pierce thy armor; maybe you'll find a knight here in Ixania who you can't defend yourself against....." Jenos said with a smirk.

"I doubt I'd ever have the heart to disclose any of your less glamourous details. If you have any, that is."

"....If I did...do you think I would tell you them? You'd have to earn the knowledge."


"I do catch your drift."

She'd have said more, but she was not in a position where one remembers anyone they once found attractive. Did other men exist?

Jenos smiled. "...I'm sure we'll all find our love somewhere but, until then, let's enjoy being single. The worst thing about love is that you've lost some of your freedom but isn't it worth it in the end?"

"I'm flattered. You've given me a meeting that I shall no doubt remember for a lifetime."

"Really? ....That's rather interesting."

"If only we knew who our founder was. Even his true name was unknown, though we refer to him as Kiravius. It was he that took control of the Rebellion, and unified the revolutionaries under a government to stop the war from degenerating into an ethnic cleansing. He also held the Republics and Kingdoms together after they became independent."

"...You may not know the leader's identity but you do, at least, honor the man who brought your people together and it may be possible that you could call him Kiravia because it is possible that your founder may have been a woman. That's the best part about not knowing something; you get to think about it and contemplate all sorts of ideas from the obscene to the really weird."

"Y-yes. But never like this."

Jenos continued to dance with Imiara, in the same manner, and felt himself smiling as he looked into those eyes of hers with much fondness. He was beginning to like this foreign princess. He leaned her over and then smiled. "...I think we'll stop here. Consider this the final act."

He raised her up and then fixed himself up for a moment. "...That was quite good. You must have danced before. I can sense it."

"...With the right amount of effort, you'll know everything you need to know about it."

"I hope so..." she half-whispered. She was gone.


"...I'm sure, one day, a sword will pierce thy armor; maybe you'll find a knight here in Ixania who you can't defend yourself against....." Jenos said with a smirk.

"I will gladly do battle with the proper Ixanian knight. From the looks of it, they seem well-equipped for combat."

"....If I did...do you think I would tell you them? You'd have to earn the knowledge."

"And how," she said softly, drawing back her hair, "Would I do that?"


Jenos smiled. "...I'm sure we'll all find our love somewhere but, until then, let's enjoy being single. The worst thing about love is that you've lost some of your freedom but isn't it worth it in the end?"

"Quite."


"...You may not know the leader's identity but you do, at least, honor the man who brought your people together and it may be possible that you could call him Kiravia because it is possible that your founder may have been a woman. That's the best part about not knowing something; you get to think about it and contemplate all sorts of ideas from the obscene to the really weird."

"I've never thought of that! You have quite the speculative mind, Jenos."


Jenos continued to dance with Imiara, in the same manner, and felt himself smiling as he looked into those eyes of hers with much fondness. He was beginning to like this foreign princess. He leaned her over and then smiled. "...I think we'll stop here. Consider this the final act."

Throughout the dance, she kept her eyes locked with his. It was amazing; the chills and static ran up and down her body as she danced with this Ixanian prince, filling her peripheries with an unnatrually pleasurable warmth. It was the very definition of a perfect monment.


He raised her up and then fixed himself up for a moment. "...That was quite good. You must have danced before. I can sense it."

"Aye, I have. That was...perfect."

"I hope so..." she half-whispered. She was gone.

"....I'm sure you will."


"I will gladly do battle with the proper Ixanian knight. From the looks of it, they seem well-equipped for combat."

This was odd; had Imiara seen an Ixanian boy that she liked? Was she referring to him? "....You've seen some of them? Well, perhaps you'd like to talk to one of them? If you like one, go for it. Don't be scared."

"And how," she said softly, drawing back her hair, "Would I do that?"

"....Silly girl, you'd earn the knowledge by blackmail and what not. Espionage, you know...that sort of thing."


"I've never thought of that! You have quite the speculative mind, Jenos."

"....Thanks for the compliment. I'm quite glad for the mind I've got here."


"Aye, I have. That was...perfect."

"...Would you like me to take you to your room or can you get there without me?"

This was odd; had Imiara seen an Ixanian boy that she liked? Was she referring to him? "....You've seen some of them? Well, perhaps you'd like to talk to one of them? If you like one, go for it. Don't be scared."


"Well thank you for your advice."


"....Silly girl, you'd earn the knowledge by blackmail and what not. Espionage, you know...that sort of thing."

"I hope I won't have to do that," she said.

"....Thanks for the compliment. I'm quite glad for the mind I've got here."

"Aye. It's rather impressive. Tell me, what do you know of Kirav?"


"...Would you like me to take you to your room or can you get there without me?"

Bloody hell.

"I would be most honoured if you were to escort me, if that's not inconvenient for you."

"Well thank you for your advice."

"...Hopefully it's all useful for you."


"I hope I won't have to do that," she said.

"...Likewise, Imiara....likewise."

"Aye. It's rather impressive. Tell me, what do you know of Kirav?"

"...I know plenty about Kirav such as the variety of its people and the good relations it has with the Ixanian Empire. I'm quite interested in visiting Kirav myself one day and perhaps you could be my tour guide."

Bloody hell.

"I would be most honoured if you were to escort me, if that's not inconvenient for you."

Jenos led Imiara to the massive and luxurious guest room that had been set aside for her during her visit to the Ixanian Empire and he opened the door for her and helped her get inside; her luggage was already there. "...I hope you sleep well, Imiara. I'm down the hall if you need me. We'll have plenty of fun tomorrow, I hope. Good night now, milady...."

Jenos walked out of Imiara's room and eventually went to bed himself with nothing on his mind but Imiara. She was a fascinating young woman, he thought.

"...Hopefully it's all useful for you."


"Usefulness is determined by the user. And I intend to make it so."



"...I know plenty about Kirav such as the variety of its people and the good relations it has with the Ixanian Empire. I'm quite interested in visiting Kirav myself one day and perhaps you could be my tour guide."

"I'd be honoured, as I said. I think you would enjoy Valëka in particular."


Jenos led Imiara to the massive and luxurious guest room that had been set aside for her during her visit to the Ixanian Empire and he opened the door for her and helped her get inside; her luggage was already there. "...I hope you sleep well, Imiara. I'm down the hall if you need me. We'll have plenty of fun tomorrow, I hope. Good night now, milady...."

"Sêras Nocta," she bade in Coscivian. "Good night. Looking forward to it."

Jenos walked out of Imiara's room and eventually went to bed himself with nothing on his mind but Imiara. She was a fascinating young woman, he thought.

Imiara changed into her minimal nightclothes and slipped into her bed. Likewise, she was thinking about nothing more than Jenos. He was ideal in evry respect. Attractive, polite, inteeligent, chivalrous. Who knew what tommorrow would bring.

She drifted slowly into subconscious peace, his image etched into her mind's eye.

"...Imiara is a really nice girl....a looker, too."

Jenos rested on his bed while he thought about the growing fondness he had for Princess Imiara and the many thoughts about her that swirled around in his head. He wondered if she liked him due to the instances she stumbled and felt nervous and he told himself that he wouldn't have minded it. He would mind it if it became an obsession but he doubted that would become the case. Changing into his evening clothes, Jenos slept soundly with the image of Imiara in his mind. Was he, himself, liking her more than as a friend? He didn't think so but it could become reality for this chivalrous prince of Ixania. The morning came as it normally would with sunny skies and few clouds. Jenos rubbed his eyes with a yawn as he got out of bed with his hands going through his massive wardrobe before he went to get breakfast. He got dressed into suitable attire and then stopped by Imiara's room with a knock. "Imiara! It's me, Jenos. Can I come in?"

He didn't want to barge in on account that Imiara may be changing her clothes so he stood outside ever so modestly although he wondered what she looked like under that fabric. No, he thought, he must not think like that. He must retain his modesty!

She was, as it turned out. Hearing Jenos's raps at the door, she quickly pulled on her tunic and made her way to the door. "Just a monment!" she called out, halfway there.

Imiara opened the door and let Jenos in.

"Good Morning," she said with a smile.

She was, as it turned out. Hearing Jenos's raps at the door, she quickly pulled on her tunic and made her way to the door. "Just a monment!" she called out, halfway there.

Imiara opened the door and let Jenos in.

"Good Morning," she said with a smile.

"....A pleasure to see you again, Imiara! You look lovely this morning. How did you sleep? Shall we head off to breakfast? I think we'll go on a period of exploration afterwards; it will help you learn more about Ixania and, perhaps, we can learn more about each other as well."

"....A pleasure to see you again, Imiara! You look lovely this morning. How did you sleep? Shall we head off to breakfast? I think we'll go on a period of exploration afterwards; it will help you learn more about Ixania and, perhaps, we can learn more about each other as well."

"I slept quite well, thanks. And breakfast sound lovely."

She shut the door behind them. This day of exploration should prove quite interesting.

"I slept quite well, thanks. And breakfast sound lovely."

She shut the door behind them. This day of exploration should prove quite interesting.

Breakfast wasn't a prolonged affair but was really nothing more than a sampling of royal foods that the Ixanian royalty were accustomed to having before freshening up and going about on their daily routines. Jenos and Imiara were given their own chauffer and limosuine for the purpose of exploring the massive cosmopolitan metropolis that was the capital of the Ixanian Empire. The city was bustling with crowded streets, rampant old people, and all sorts of political and cultural advertisements including movie posters about animated feature films that dotted plenty of the buildings with fanciful taglines. Some people were looking at the limosuine with curious looks as it drove through the streets of the city towards no particular place. Jenos sat next to Imiara, a bit close to her in fact, as he explained much of the sights to her as much as he could. "...We'll be going to your school today but first we will do some exploration. It turns out that I go to the same school as you so I will be there for any assistance you may need. You could have possibly just ended up with a tutor, though."

Jenos smiled as the chauffer continued to drive through the streets towards the school where Jenos and Imiara would recieve a top notch education as all royals were entitled to recieve. The school they were being sent to was the Imperial Academy where the Empress of Ixania herself was not only educated but where she was hailed as a very honorable alumni. A portrait of the Empress taken when she was fourteen could be seen when Jenos and Imiara walked inside with exquisitely written words stating her name and achivements. Jenos remarked: "....My cousin was an honor student, Imiara. She had great grades, plenty of friends, and a sound mind."

The Imperial Academy was also where the Empress' siblings would be educated but only one was seen, Prince Alexander, while the others simply were not there. It was known, though, that the eldest princess, Catherine, was in Canadstein so that explained why she was not there. Alexander would eventually greet Imiara when he found her with Jenos as they prepared for the first class of the day which happened to be literature. "....It's nice to meet you, Imiara. I'm Alexander, the Empress' oldest sibling. I hope you've had a good time in Ixania so far; it seems we'll all be in the same class together and that class is literature. We just read a bunch of Ixanian literature from the centuries that have passed and then analyse the plots and so forth. Basically, we study things like why a character does this and why he or she didn't do this or that. I'm sure Jenos can help you there."

Breakfast wasn't a prolonged affair but was really nothing more than a sampling of royal foods that the Ixanian royalty were accustomed to having before freshening up and going about on their daily routines. Jenos and Imiara were given their own chauffer and limosuine for the purpose of exploring the massive cosmopolitan metropolis that was the capital of the Ixanian Empire. The city was bustling with crowded streets, rampant old people, and all sorts of political and cultural advertisements including movie posters about animated feature films that dotted plenty of the buildings with fanciful taglines. Some people were looking at the limosuine with curious looks as it drove through the streets of the city towards no particular place. Jenos sat next to Imiara, a bit close to her in fact, as he explained much of the sights to her as much as he could. "...We'll be going to your school today but first we will do some exploration. It turns out that I go to the same school as you so I will be there for any assistance you may need. You could have possibly just ended up with a tutor, though."

Imiara was captivated by the scenery of Tzargrad. It was so different from Kiravian cities like modern, angular, industrial Saar-Silverda, and even Xirya's humble capital.

She laughed at Jenos's joke. She might just start having trouble with math for no apparent reason.

Jenos smiled as the chauffer continued to drive through the streets towards the school where Jenos and Imiara would recieve a top notch education as all royals were entitled to recieve. The school they were being sent to was the Imperial Academy where the Empress of Ixania herself was not only educated but where she was hailed as a very honorable alumni. A portrait of the Empress taken when she was fourteen could be seen when Jenos and Imiara walked inside with exquisitely written words stating her name and achivements. Jenos remarked: "....My cousin was an honor student, Imiara. She had great grades, plenty of friends, and a sound mind."

The school was equally inviting to Imiara's experiential palette. Kiravian schools above the primary level were usually quite drab. The private schools of the mercantile class and the nobility were only slightly less sterile.

"The ideal Platonic ruler," she said of the Empress, "If only more people were like her."

The Imperial Academy was also where the Empress' siblings would be educated but only one was seen, Prince Alexander, while the others simply were not there. It was known, though, that the eldest princess, Catherine, was in Canadstein so that explained why she was not there. Alexander would eventually greet Imiara when he found her with Jenos as they prepared for the first class of the day which happened to be literature. "....It's nice to meet you, Imiara. I'm Alexander, the Empress' oldest sibling. I hope you've had a good time in Ixania so far; it seems we'll all be in the same class together and that class is literature. We just read a bunch of Ixanian literature from the centuries that have passed and then analyse the plots and so forth. Basically, we study things like why a character does this and why he or she didn't do this or that. I'm sure Jenos can help you there."

"An honour to meet you, Alexander. I am looking forward to reading some Ixanian literature, as I'm afraid I've had but a sample, The Wanderer, which I quite enjoyed."

Imiara was captivated by the scenery of Tzargrad. It was so different from Kiravian cities like modern, angular, industrial Saar-Silverda, and even Xirya's humble capital.

She laughed at Jenos's joke. She might just start having trouble with math for no apparent reason.

"......This city is the largest in the Ixanian Empire and many of us will often refer to it as the heart of the Empire due to its major significance. There are other cities like it, yes, but this is the foremost of them all....and it's the one in which the Imperial Court is centered and does its work."

The school was equally inviting to Imiara's experiential palette. Kiravian schools above the primary level were usually quite drab. The private schools of the mercantile class and the nobility were only slightly less sterile.

"The ideal Platonic ruler," she said of the Empress, "If only more people were like her."

Jenos smiled. ".....I am sure you would flatter the Empress with such compliments and, in fact, I am sure we can arrange a meeting with her just for you provided that she is not burdened by political matters which require her attention. They often say, in fact, that Anastasia was groomed by her father to become the Empress and that he placed great care into making her a leader that the people could cherish. It was under his reign that our nation flourished and many will say he would be proud of his child, his daughter, who reigns with the love and support of the masses."


"An honour to meet you, Alexander. I am looking forward to reading some Ixanian literature, as I'm afraid I've had but a sample, The Wanderer, which I quite enjoyed."

".....This school has plenty of books for you to read, Imiara, with that one being just one of the many books we have here in the library where many of us go to study or to just lounge about and be rather idle with our time. You may also talk to the librarian who is well versed in the multitude of literary genres."

As the three walked together to the first class of the day, Alexander continued to speak in a tone that matched that of Jenos. Indeed, he too was a rather handsome young man who had a lot of ladies after him including a Delkoran princess and a princess from Northern Sea but, despite this, he never seemed to have one single love although, truth be told, he was quite fond of the Delkoran lady to the point that one may say he loved her but he hadn't heard from her in quite some time.

The classroom that they entered was spacious and filled to the brim with chairs and other adornments commonly associated with classrooms for the children of royal and noble parents to learn. The flag of the Ixanian Empire was hanging on a wall along with a map of the Empire and its colonies as well as some inspirational quotes for students to learn from. Other students were in the classroom, being the sons and daughters of nobles and aristocrats, and they bowed when the three royals came into the room or, rather, just welcomed them and laughed. Bowing wasn't really observed here all the time, it seemed. The teacher eventually came in as well; wearing a little hat and suit that made him look like a 1940s detective; in his hand, he held a briefcase. "....Please sit down, students. I believe we have a new student here today from the Kiravian Empire. Imiara Seawind, right? If you are here, Imiara, please come and introduce yourself to us."

Jenos whispered into Imiara's ear: "...Don't worry, Imiara. It's just so that people know who you are. No one will bite..."

"......This city is the largest in the Ixanian Empire and many of us will often refer to it as the heart of the Empire due to its major significance. There are other cities like it, yes, but this is the foremost of them all....and it's the one in which the Imperial Court is centered and does its work."

"The largest city in the Kiravian Empire is Valëka, which is likewise seen as the Empire's heart. All distances in the Empire are measured from a statue of Keður Valëkas, the discoverer of Kirav and founder of the city, that stands in the harbour. The capital, however, is Kartika."

Jenos smiled. ".....I am sure you would flatter the Empress with such compliments and, in fact, I am sure we can arrange a meeting with her just for you provided that she is not burdened by political matters which require her attention. They often say, in fact, that Anastasia was groomed by her father to become the Empress and that he placed great care into making her a leader that the people could cherish. It was under his reign that our nation flourished and many will say he would be proud of his child, his daughter, who reigns with the love and support of the masses."




".....This school has plenty of books for you to read, Imiara, with that one being just one of the many books we have here in the library where many of us go to study or to just lounge about and be rather idle with our time. You may also talk to the librarian who is well versed in the multitude of literary genres."

"I'm looking forward to that," she said, "Your people seem quite talented with regard to literature."

As the three walked together to the first class of the day, Alexander continued to speak in a tone that matched that of Jenos. Indeed, he too was a rather handsome young man who had a lot of ladies after him including a Delkoran princess and a princess from Northern Sea but, despite this, he never seemed to have one single love although, truth be told, he was quite fond of the Delkoran lady to the point that one may say he loved her but he hadn't heard from her in quite some time.

The classroom that they entered was spacious and filled to the brim with chairs and other adornments commonly associated with classrooms for the children of royal and noble parents to learn. The flag of the Ixanian Empire was hanging on a wall along with a map of the Empire and its colonies as well as some inspirational quotes for students to learn from. Other students were in the classroom, being the sons and daughters of nobles and aristocrats, and they bowed when the three royals came into the room or, rather, just welcomed them and laughed. Bowing wasn't really observed here all the time, it seemed. The teacher eventually came in as well; wearing a little hat and suit that made him look like a 1940s detective; in his hand, he held a briefcase. "....Please sit down, students. I believe we have a new student here today from the Kiravian Empire. Imiara Seawind, right? If you are here, Imiara, please come and introduce yourself to us."

Jenos whispered into Imiara's ear: "...Don't worry, Imiara. It's just so that people know who you are. No one will bite..."

Imiara strode up to the front of the room and did as she was told.

"Hello, everyone. I am, indeed, Imiara Seawind, daughter of the late Emperor Irasur Seawind of the Kiravian Empire. I've come to study in Ixania for awhile, and partake of your culture. It is a great honour to be in your glorious Empire, and to attend this fine Academy."

"The largest city in the Kiravian Empire is Valëka, which is likewise seen as the Empire's heart. All distances in the Empire are measured from a statue of Keður Valëkas, the discoverer of Kirav and founder of the city, that stands in the harbour. The capital, however, is Kartika."

"...Why was Kartika made the capital then?"


"I'm looking forward to that," she said, "Your people seem quite talented with regard to literature."

"....There are plenty of novels that you would be able to read. The Wanderer, if I am not mistaken, was given its title out of the author's idea that we wander the Earth in a state of confusion and horror when we see that our loved ones have died. The Wanderer is essentially a study of grief, a study of the mind of a murderer, and the study of the human mind."

Alexander smiled. "....All nations have serial killers and all nations try their best to bring them all to justice but sometimes it takes a multitude of deaths before this can be done."

Imiara strode up to the front of the room and did as she was told.

"Hello, everyone. I am, indeed, Imiara Seawind, daughter of the late Emperor Irasur Seawind of the Kiravian Empire. I've come to study in Ixania for awhile, and partake of your culture. It is a great honour to be in your glorious Empire, and to attend this fine Academy."

Some of the young men were quite interested in staring at Imiara since they found her to be quite the exotic beauty but none of them knew who she had her eyes on. "....I hope, Imiara, that you have a good visit here. Now, we shall be studying Medieval Ixanian literature. Please take our your notes."

Jenos took out his own notes and showed them to Imiara. He surely was studious and very organized. "....You can use mine if you want, Imiara. Consider it yet another sign of my helpfulness towards you."

"...Why was Kartika made the capital then?"

"Well, Valëka is the capital of Great Kirav, but when the Empire was founded, it was decided that it should have a seperate capital, for the sake of formality. Kartika was the fourth-largest city in Kirav at the time, so it was chosen."


"....There are plenty of novels that you would be able to read. The Wanderer, if I am not mistaken, was given its title out of the author's idea that we wander the Earth in a state of confusion and horror when we see that our loved ones have died. The Wanderer is essentially a study of grief, a study of the mind of a murderer, and the study of the human mind."

"Aye. I found it fascinating. The author could not be more correct in her conviction."

Some of the young men were quite interested in staring at Imiara since they found her to be quite the exotic beauty but none of them knew who she had her eyes on. "....I hope, Imiara, that you have a good visit here. Now, we shall be studying Medieval Ixanian literature. Please take our your notes."

Jenos took out his own notes and showed them to Imiara. He surely was studious and very organized. "....You can use mine if you want, Imiara. Consider it yet another sign of my helpfulness towards you."

"Thank you!" she said. Ever the gentleman.

"Well, Valëka is the capital of Great Kirav, but when the Empire was founded, it was decided that it should have a seperate capital, for the sake of formality. Kartika was the fourth-largest city in Kirav at the time, so it was chosen."

"....I suppose that would be an understandable plan, Imiara. I wouldn't mind visiting both in the upcoming future because I've apparently found an interest in visiting Kirav.....I'm sure it's a great nation."




"Aye. I found it fascinating. The author could not be more correct in her conviction."

"....The author tried to analyse the nature of human sorrow and how people deal with the deaths of loved ones. It's a book acclaimed throughout the land for its inherent sadness and bouts of dark comedy which are seen from time to time. Overall, I say it's a great book and it does make you think."


"Thank you!" she said. Ever the gentleman.

"...No problem!"

"....I suppose that would be an understandable plan, Imiara. I wouldn't mind visiting both in the upcoming future because I've apparently found an interest in visiting Kirav.....I'm sure it's a great nation."

"I'm sure that you will enjoy it thoroughly."



"....The author tried to analyse the nature of human sorrow and how people deal with the deaths of loved ones. It's a book acclaimed throughout the land for its inherent sadness and bouts of dark comedy which are seen from time to time. Overall, I say it's a great book and it does make you think."

"I couldn't agree more."


"...No problem!"

Imiara began copying the notes, using her relatively uncommon mastery of the Latin script.

OOC: Sorry for the delay. I got into some shit and had me internet cut for a few days.

bump

"I'm sure that you will enjoy it thoroughly."

".....One can only hope to gain pleasure during a venture."

Imiara began copying the notes, using her relatively uncommon mastery of the Latin script.

Some of the other students were looking at Imiara with curious looks as they composed their notes. Jenos, on the other hand, didn't look like he even knew she was there since he was drawn into his own notes. The teacher then decided to tell the class that they may be watching a movie on a novel that they had finished reading sometime before Imiara arrived. "....Don't worry, Imi....I'll fill you in with all the details."

".....One can only hope to gain pleasure during a venture."

"I shall make sure of it."


Some of the other students were looking at Imiara with curious looks as they composed their notes. Jenos, on the other hand, didn't look like he even knew she was there since he was drawn into his own notes. The teacher then decided to tell the class that they may be watching a movie on a novel that they had finished reading sometime before Imiara arrived. "....Don't worry, Imi....I'll fill you in with all the details."

Imiara could feel glances from her classmates. She was used to it. Being the girl whose father was on the news every night for chartering some colony, or signing some law, or opening up trade with some God-forsaken country, she was used to being looked at. Especially by the right people.

Imiara could feel glances from her classmates. She was used to it. Being the girl whose father was on the news every night for chartering some colony, or signing some law, or opening up trade with some God-forsaken country, she was used to being looked at. Especially by the right people.

".....How do you find the work to be, Imiara?"

Jenos spoke gently to his Kiravian friend with the tone of voice that was like that of a lover on a clear summer day when all was at peace in the personal world of two lovers on a hammock. He felt his hand accidentally brush hers as he helped her with the notes and the overall work assigned to them. "....This class will be over soon...but don't think I'll leave you alone....I'll always be around to help you out."

Jenos smirked before his eyes left Imiara's face and went to his own notes before they went to the teacher, a while later, who decided that the little amount of time left in the class could be spent socializing. Jenos looked at Imiara and smiled. ".....Having a good time?"

".....How do you find the work to be, Imiara?"

"Not to difficult, but I've had help."

Jenos spoke gently to his Kiravian friend with the tone of voice that was like that of a lover on a clear summer day when all was at peace in the personal world of two lovers on a hammock. He felt his hand accidentally brush hers as he helped her with the notes and the overall work assigned to them. "....This class will be over soon...but don't think I'll leave you alone....I'll always be around to help you out."

If only they were two lovers on a hammock. She'd have to arrange that...

She blushed slightly as Jenos' hand briefly met her own.

"Thank you," she said.

Jenos smirked before his eyes left Imiara's face and went to his own notes before they went to the teacher, a while later, who decided that the little amount of time left in the class could be spent socializing. Jenos looked at Imiara and smiled. ".....Having a good time?"

"Yes. This class is very interesting."

"Not to difficult, but I've had help."



If only they were two lovers on a hammock. She'd have to arrange that...

She blushed slightly as Jenos' hand briefly met her own.

"Thank you," she said.



"Yes. This class is very interesting."

OOC: IC post coming soon.

"Not to difficult, but I've had help."

Jenos smiled. "......Glad to know you are managing, at least."

If only they were two lovers on a hammock. She'd have to arrange that...

She blushed slightly as Jenos' hand briefly met her own.

"Thank you," she said.

Jenos smiled. ".....It is a pleasure to help you, Imiara. When we get the chance, I'll show you around the entire school so you know where everything is for future reference and so you won't end up lost and late." He ended this with a grin.

"Yes. This class is very interesting."

"....Wait till you see the others, Imiara."

"....Wait till you see the others, Imiara."

"Indeed. What subjects are offered for study here? In Xirya we've had some odd ones, especially because they weren't all taught in the same language."