NationStates Jolt Archive

Watching his children frolic in the snow while his lovely wife stood beside him in a fur coat that complimented the beauty that charmed him into walking down the aisle long back then, King Louis had been contemplating the thoughts that swam around in his mind as he held his wife close to him, feeling her head leaning upon his shoulder like back in the days of their youth, and wondering if he everything would go according to plan. It had been quite some time since the nation had went into isolation and became hidden away from the world. It had been some time since his nation had contact with its most faithful ally, Barronia, from which his daughter-in-law had hailed; he quite enjoyed her presence whenever she visited with Sebastian.

When his wife broke away at the behest of the children to play with them, Louis declined before walking off while his wife was being pelted with snowballs as she hid behind a makeshift fort that one of his sons had built. He walked back into the palace, the snow staining the carpet set aside to collect it, and he shed his winter clothes before noticing that Maximillian Thenardier (the Foreign Minister in whom he had placed an absolute trust) had been standing there as if he had been waiting for him. "Having fun, Your Majesty? I wonder if you've been bested by your progeny on this spectacular occassion."

Louis laughed as he got out of his coat. "There is always fun to be found in the company of one's wife and children and I'm sure you've been privy to that truth with your own family in that mansion of yours but let us not speak about the inherent fun in such activities. Did you create a message yet?"

Thenardier nodded as the two began to walk down the hallway and past what looked like a gallery of portraits and paintings. "All has been dealt with in an orderly fashion, Your Majesty, and you have nothing to worry about at all. I will notify you of any developments as it is ordained for me so to do since I am, after all, in charge of foreign affairs. It would be quite embarassing if a nation had an incompetent foreign affairs minister."

Louis smirked. "Deadly, as well, in some cases."

The two men stopped at one of the portraits that hanged in the gallery and looked upon it as if they were scholars trying to find some hidden message stashed away in a part of the artist's creation. It was a portrait of the Maid of Orleans who had quite the fan following in the nation. One of the King's daughters had been named for Jeanne D'Arc but that wasn't just a royal trend. It was a trend followed by parents whether they were royal, noble or just of common stock.

"Joan of Arc was a truly marvelous woman. Her life proves that even the most insignificant souls can do wonders. Think about it. Did anyone really think that girl on the farm would become a saint? Did some angel go to Isabelle Romee and announce it? Life's full of surprises and Joan was a big one indeed." Louis said with a smile while casting his eyes over the portrait of St. Joan in what appeared to be her procession into Rheims. As a child, Louis remembered the tales he had been told about Joan. The coronation, the condemnation, the abjuration, and the execution. Of course, such tales came from the proudly French elements of his family and, of course, were marked with the portrayal of Joan as a martyr fighting for the homeland.

Thenardier smiled. "Her blood runs through the veins of many citizens, Your Majesty, and I am one of them. We ought to be thankful, as Frenchmen, for her sacrifices. Returning, though, to our prior discussion, Your Majesty, I will be sending the message you desired to be created around tonight if possible since it's still being edited. It looked alright but one must always make sure of things."

Louis nodded. "So be it, Thenardier, so be it. You best be at it. I'm going to check on my wife and children so you know where to find me if you need to tell me something."

(Hours have soon passed. The King's children are in their beds, the King is ravishing his wife, and Maximillian Thenardier is busying himself with looking over the message he had prepared)

Maximillian looked at his secretary and nodded his head before going to get his coat in preparation to leave the office for the night. "Before you head out for the night, make sure this message is sent to the nations of the world but make Barronia a priority because it is His Majesty's will they be especially notified."

The secretary smiled. "They did give him a daughter-in-law so I would not be surprised. I've overheard rumors that she's pregnant again. Do you know if that's true?"

Maximillian laughed. "I'll have to ask Louis if he knows about his son getting more muffins in the oven."

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To: All nations of the world
From: Maximillian Thenardier, Foreign Minister, His Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Skamania and Duloc.
Subject: Our Return from Isolation
Encryption: Null

Leaders of the world,

It is our nation's pleasure to announce that we have decided to shed the ties of isolation which once bound us to being hidden away from you and subsequently it is our desire to renew diplomatic relations with your nations in the spirit of brotherhood and friendship among our lands. His Majesty's Government wishes you to know that the embassies you may have had in our nation have not been harmed at all during our isolation and that you may keep in touch with them at your leisure.

If you do not have an embassy in our nation then you would be more than welcome to establish one at your leisure along with the creation of trade and so forth. His Majesty's Government is fully willing to discuss whatever comes to your minds insofar as the discussion is productive for both participants.

Our nation desires only the creation of friends and not the provocation of enemies. We hope you will consider renewing and establishing relations with our nation and we look forward to your reply.

Signed,
Maximillian Thenardier,
Foreign Minister

OOC: It's not as good as I want it but it will have to do.

Bumped.

Official Message

To Maximillian Thenardier,

I welcome relations with your nation. While our two nations have never directly had contact with each other, I have heard a lot about your nation from my uncle. It is unlikely that you know him, however, maybe you know someone he knew, Raymond Beaumont, he was the leader of your colony of New Bordeaux, on Asåvik Island, at least last that I heard. My uncle opened a chapel there, thought I have not heard from him in a while. Back on the subject, from what I have heard, from my uncle, about your people, I would be honored to engage in diplomatic talks with your nation.

Signed,
His Excellency
the Great and Mighty
President Devin Jamison Fogarty
The Paedocracy of the Beatus

Official Message

To Maximillian Thenardier,

I welcome relations with your nation. While our two nations have never directly had contact with each other, I have heard a lot about your nation from my uncle. It is unlikely that you know him, however, maybe you know someone he knew, Raymond Beaumont, he was the leader of your colony of New Bordeaux, on Asåvik Island, at least last that I heard. My uncle opened a chapel there, thought I have not heard from him in a while. Back on the subject, from what I have heard, from my uncle, about your people, I would be honored to engage in diplomatic talks with your nation.

Signed,
His Excellency
the Great and Mighty
President Devin Jamison Fogarty
The Paedocracy of the Beatus

President Fogarty,

Our nation would be pleased to engage in diplomatic relations with your nation; we still maintain control over our colony on Asavik Island and we have seen nothing short of success in New Bordeaux. When would a good time and date be for a diplomatic conference?

Signed,
Maximillian Thenardier,
Foreign Minister,
The U.E.K.S.D.

An Ustian winter is not a pleasant time to be outside. The temperatures drop far below freezing, cold winds bite at exposed skin and major snowstorms can engulf entire cities for hours on end.

It is at this time that the Ustian Army must complete their assault training. Because the winter temperatures are as cold and sometimes cold than anywhere else on the planet, perhaps only second to the North Pole, it readies the soldiers to deal with some of the harshest weather they may encounter. Not only that, but they must often complete it under the watchful gaze of both the Field Marshall and the Prime Minister.

McArthur watched as the soldiers charged out across the snow. It was bitterly cold, but amazingly it was not yet the coldest recorded weather. He buried his hands deeper into the pockets of his coat, trying to keep himself warm. He turned to the Field Marshall, who was busy watching the soldiers through his binoculars

"Going well?" he asked, partially drowned out as a tank rolled past, unleashing a round from its main gun which kicked up a cloud of snow

"Oh, very well Prime Minister" he replied, letting his binoculars hang from his neck "Best type of weather for it - cold and harsh"

"Huh" said McArthur, looking back as a helicopter flew over them. After a couple of minutes watching, they were interupted by a call from the observation tower.

"Prime Minister!" shouted a the man "Deputy Freeman is on the line"

McArthur feined a sigh to Williams, and headed up the stairs to the tower. He opened the door, and was greeted by a blast of warm air. He took the phone

"Frank, what can I do for you?" he said

He paused while Freeman replied

"I see. Well, send them the usual reply. I'll be back within the hour"

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

To: Maximillian Thenardier, Foreign Minister, His Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Skamania and Duloc
From: Frank Freeman, Deputy-Prime Minister, The United Kingdom Of Ustio North
Subject: Welcome!

It gives me great pleasure to welcome a nation back to the world stage. If you need anything, you need only ask. We would also like to request permission to establish an embassy in your nation.

Once again, ask if you need anything

Signed,
Frank Freeman,
Deputy-Prime Minister