NationStates Jolt Archive

the camera crew were standing in the flat of a newly built apartment.

"Great job everyone I think the Great Comrade Leader, President will like it" said the Director

"I think the actors deserve great praise for wearing those clothes in such cold weather"

"Well if it werent for all the economic embargoes the west has put on us over the years we wouldnt have these heat restrictions and these flats would be much warmer" said a small lady

"Ugh the west, what bastards if they just accept the system we have I think the world would be a better place... Infact if the people just overthrew all capitalist systems we wouldnt have to worry about such problems"

"Thats right comrades, remember what the great Comrade said 'All hardships workers endure are brought on by capitalists just as all hardships out nation endures are brought on by the west' when this global stuggle is over we can cheer for the end of our problems" said the director

.................................................................................................... .

The film was quickly edited and ready to be shown to Mehmet Çeau who was sitting in a small room with Humar Maneci in the Palace of the Revolution (Former Hall of the Party) They were to be shown the film that was completed to them.

The screen flicks to life showing the city of Terevesti in its present day form covered in cranes, scafolding and construction sites

'Comrades! Great achievements are happening all over the country! Look down your streets or out your windows! Cranes, construction, boom and prosperity! Never in the history of Bulgislavia has such great progress taken place. The Great Comrade Leader Mehmet Çeau has orchestrated this great movement by mobalizing the masses and creating an monumental national effort'

as the narrator speaks the images change. Workers are creating a road next to a construction site. Earthmoving vehicles and diggers are busy at work and citizens are gazing optimistically at a statue of Mehmet Çeau being unveiled.

'Agriculture is growing! A 5 year plan is ready and waiting to be implemented in March. The Workers fully accept proposals and goals coming from the party and its great leader. School will be coming into session soon, literacy remains high and healthcare is a priority. The party loves to see its people healthy and fit!'

Images show of doctors adminitering vaccines to young children and then to a factory's empty car park Bulgislavians were doing stretching exercises and starjumps in unison

'The Socialist culture is proceeding along at a great rate and we are producing world known heroes of socialism!'

Images flick to Bulgislavia's gold medal winners at the III Olympiad held last year, Images of Teodora Urnesco doing artistic movements on the balance beam and of the Diver Vasily Vidova

'We have suffered hardship but join with the party and the rest of the nation in the movement and do your bit to make your Peoples Socialist Republic a better place. Houses are being built at a record rate and all citizens are expected to have a roof over thier head by mid 2010!'

Images show a young Bulgislavian family enter a newly built flat, they all crowd around a large rectangle shaped object which they unwrap. Its a portrait of Mehmet Çeau and they hang it on thier wall enthusiastically

The family then look into the camera the mother, father and his child

The child speaks innocently

"Thankyou Great Comrade Mehmet and the Party for our happy lives"

The footage then ends with the camera panning down a road where hundreds of civilians dressed in thier 1950's styled clothing (The only style of clothes made in Bulgislavian Factories) the citizens are all clapping in unison and the Bulgislavian national anthem is playing in the background.

..................................................................................................

Mehmet sat quietly then opened his mouth

"Wow....... That was good" he said slowly turning to Humar

"What did you think Comrade?"

"I liked it very much, when is it to go on the TV?" said Humar

"Immediatly?" said Mehmet

"Ok It will be done"

"We have to keep the people in a good mood. Also I'm trying to negotiate a deal with the Rumanovians to import 50,000 of thier cars which we will allow the population to have access too" said Mehmet

Mehmet then turned to his presidential office, there was a letter on his desk

Basically it was a letter, asking what life was like in this small Peoples Socialist Republic and about its government, culture and citizens and then followed by an impressive essay on the subject and current problems in the system and that the writter would very much like to experience life in Bulgislavia for a while

Mehmet sat back in his chair and thought. He liked the idea of a citizen staying in the country that was from the west and then if all went well they would run back to thier country telling of the great progress and wonder in the country.... Or the alternative. They return to thier homeland to tell of a cult of personality around a leader, the invasive Cigouriva and the widespread poverty. If everything was carefully controlled and managed this citizen could have a good time. Mehmet said to himself "Only this once!"

To the impressive letter, essay writter

I read over that you have written and am very impressed. If you would like to visit Bulgislavia we will permit this one time. I am granting you a great honor. No Westerner has set foot in Bulgislavia since October and I think after your visit no westerner will ever set thier foot back on our soil unitil the party permits it again. I would like you to stay with a Bulgislavian family and experience life for yourself in our Nation. Maybe you can learn a thing or too and maybe you might not even want to leave and remain in our Socialist Paradise. Its exciting times in our little Republic you have probably picked a great time to write this letter to me.

From Mehmet Çeau, President of Bulgislavia

The streets of the Ixanian capital were sometimes clogged with angry businessmen struggling to get to work in time or old people who were trying to find someplace to sit down because their legs were aching too much for them to withstand. Schoolgirls were giggling as they walked past the multitude of apartments and skyscrapers that jutted out into the skies above them. One of these schoolgirls was Kyale, a fourteen year old girl who had written a letter to the Bulgislavian government about how she was curious about how its nation worked. Of course, she'd been taught that Ixania has an excellent system and that the Monarchy stood for freedom and liberty in its own way and, indeed, many believed this to be truth. The idea that she may never want to leave Bulgislavia, as the reply she recieved stated, was absurd. She couldn't leave all her friends and family behind.

On the night before she set off for Bulgislavia, Kyale packed up plenty of items including her favorite nightgown and her journal in which she would write down her experiences in Bulgislavia. Kyale was quite eager to get going - she had been a bit worried that the recent implementation of isolationist policies would ruin her chances of visiting the nation. When the day came for her to leave for Bulgislavia, she treaded off into the airport with friends and family watching her - moments ago they had a sort of Bon Voyage party for her in the hopes she would leave in a good mood and know that she would be missed. Her passport was inspected, before she walked, towards the plane that would take her to Bulgislavia. Not many people would be on this plane.

The Airoplane was to land in Bucharest in Romania. as no commercial airplanes flew directly into Bulgislavia. From then she would take a small shuttle plane to Terevesti International Airport where her guides would be waiting to take her to her host family in Central Terevesti.

Due to the isolationist policies of Bulgislavia. airplanes ONLY flew to and from Bucharest in Romania and to Besk in Bulgia and the only people that travelled were government officials on bussiness.

....................................................................................................

The Airoplane was to land in Bucharest in Romania. as no commercial airplanes flew directly into Bulgislavia. From then she would take a small shuttle plane to Terevesti International Airport where her guides would be waiting to take her to her host family in Central Terevesti.

Due to the isolationist policies of Bulgislavia. airplanes ONLY flew to and from Bucharest in Romania and to Besk in Bulgia and the only people that travelled were government officials on bussiness.

....................................................................................................

Kyale didn't mind that she would have to wait in Romania since she felt it allowed her to see more of the world. She took her journal and began to write a hopeful entry about how she dreamt of a good time in Bulgislavia and then decided to watch the movie they were airing on the airplane, if any, while having a light snack.

It was going to be some time before she arrived in Bulgislavia, she thought, so she might as well find some way to spend her time.

Another girl was sitting near by to Kyale. She had black hair and olive skin and her mother was sitting in the chair next to her. She was sleeping and had large glasses. The Girl was called Gabita and was 14 yearold old herself

"Your going to Romania are you?" said Gabita

Another girl was sitting near by to Kyale. She had black hair and olive skin and her mother was sitting in the chair next to her. She was sleeping and had large glasses. The Girl was called Gabita and was 14 yearold old herself

"Your going to Romania are you?" said Gabita

"I am actually going to Bulgislavia. Will you be going there as well?" Kyale replied.

"Bulgislavia!? My mother use to live there but we live in Bucharest now. She has quite some unbelieveable stories about the place. From what my mother said I would rather call myself a Romanian then a Bulgislavian"

"Bulgislavia!? My mother use to live there but we live in Bucharest now. She has quite some unbelieveable stories about the place. From what my mother said I would rather call myself a Romanian then a Bulgislavian"

"I'm part of a student exchange program between my nation and Bulgislavia. I'm hopeful that I won't have any negative experiences in Bulgislavia and that, when I go home, I'll have, at the very least, mostly positive memories. What stories does your mother have?"

"Well my mother was a university student in the late 1980's under Provoçe's rule, she participated in the 1990 July demonstrations which the government crushed. She was forced to flee in a van which held a dozen other Bulgislavians fleeing government prosecution for thier part in the demonstrations. The van rammed through the border and into Romania to freedom where she later meet my dad who also left Bulgislavia in the early 1990's to flee the famine caused by the collapse of the USSR and its aide..... Anyway I wasnt really born in Bulgislavia and I only know a couple of words but my mother said that women were forced to have at least 5 children to increase the population. 1 in 4 people spied for Cigouriva and shortages of everything and powercuts, it was rediculous. And becuase the factories only made the most basic clothing with no variety everyone dresses as if its the 1950's, really old cloths you know? Anyway I dont know how much its changed since then but Provoçe only died in the beginning of last year and this Mehmet guy is supose to idolize him so... I dunno"

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=550381&highlight=Provo%E7e
(Thats a past thread on when provoçe was nearly toppled in July 1990)

"Well my mother was a university student in the late 1980's under Provoçe's rule, she participated in the 1990 July demonstrations which the government crushed. She was forced to flee in a van which held a dozen other Bulgislavians fleeing government prosecution for thier part in the demonstrations. The van rammed through the border and into Romania to freedom where she later meet my dad who also left Bulgislavia in the early 1990's to flee the famine caused by the collapse of the USSR and its aide..... Anyway I wasnt really born in Bulgislavia and I only know a couple of words but my mother said that women were forced to have at least 5 children to increase the population. 1 in 4 people spied for Cigouriva and shortages of everything and powercuts, it was rediculous. And becuase the factories only made the most basic clothing with no variety everyone dresses as if its the 1950's, really old cloths you know? Anyway I dont know how much its changed since then but Provoçe only died in the beginning of last year and this Mehmet guy is supose to idolize him so... I dunno"

Kyale listened attentively to Gabita talk about her mother's stories and wondered if the nation she was visiting was really going to be such a dystopia. "In Ixania, where I come from, we've never experienced any of that. I'm hopeful I won't have to deal with any of that in Bulgislavia. One can only hope."

Kyale looked out the window and wondered about what Gabita had said. Hopefully, she thought, she would not have any problems with her hosts. They could have just denied her entry instead of being generous and allowing her to visit.

Meanwhile Bulgislavia was preparing the arrival of its guest.

She would be attending Mehmet Area School in Terevesti which taught children from the ages of 5-18 and had over 10,000 students

She would be staying with the Muresc's
Adrian Muresc was 39, a loyal party member who worked at the Institute of Long Life for Mehmet Çeau
Elena Muresc was 35, another loyal party member who worked at the Palace of Provoçe (a museum and mousoleum of the late president)
and Essad Muresc who was 15, attended the same school and was a group leader in the young pioneers.

The two professional guides that would also help her during her stay was
Zoia Mescov who was a 25 years old women and
Valentin Prekov who was a 28 yearold man

Meanwhile Bulgislavia was preparing the arrival of its guest....

Kyale's plane eventually landed at the Bulgislavian airport. As she stepped off the plane with her luggage, Kyale looked around in an attempt to find her hosts or, at the very least, someone who would welcome her to Bulgislavia.

A Bulgislavian man and women twenties waited at the airport.

They both wore black suits with the women wearing a black knee legnth skirt and black highheels. A small pin was on both thier chests, it was small 5 point red star pin to symbalize the communist party.

Zoia had her black hair done up in a bun.

"ah, over there" she said to her collegue Valentin.

The two walked over to the girl

"Welcome to the Peoples Socialist Republic of Bulgislavia, We are you official guides to the country and are happy to tend to your needs and help you to adjust to our socialist society. How was your flight? You must be quite tired. We can take you to your host family now if you follow us right this way" said Zoia. Valentin just stood with a polite smile across his face

"Welcome to the Peoples Socialist Republic of Bulgislavia, We are you official guides to the country and are happy to tend to your needs and help you to adjust to our socialist society. How was your flight? You must be quite tired. We can take you to your host family now if you follow us right this way" said Zoia. Valentin just stood with a polite smile across his face

"It would be very nice if I could meet my host family and I appreciate your assistance. My flight was pretty good and I'm not really tired. I'm actually quite amazed that I am even here when I've heard so much about Bulgislavia's isolationism. In Ixania, we've never shut ourselves off from the world....."

Kyale followed the two guides and wondered about what her host family would be like - perhaps they would be fanatical Communist missionaries who would try to convert her or they would be anti-Communists who aspired to use her as a sort of contact to the outside world. She just hoped they'd be good and kind people. That's all she could ever ask.

Zoia smiled

"Oh the 'Protective Precautions' or what you in the outside call Isolationism is just a short term arrangement. Tourism will be permitted on a restrictive basis as early as 2020 possably earlier if international events are favourable"

The three walked out of the Terevesti International Airport. Due to travel ban's it was largely empty with only a few Bulgian citizens on business and the Airport staff

An electric cable bus was at the front of the airport. The streets were quite empty, construction was seen in the background. A few Bulgislavian's were walking in small groups and a column of 10 women dressed in military unifrom were walking in a line down the road singing some Bulgislavian song. The streets were virtually free of any cars

The three walked into the Electric Cable Bus. Valentin turned to Kyale

"The government tries to subsidize public transport as much as possable to make it as cheap and affordable for the people" said Valentin

The electric cable bus made it through the city. Passing construction. Bulgislavian workers were all over the place reconstructing and building new structures and buildings. Already they had passed a new statue of Mehmet and 3 Protraits hung on newly constructed office and apartment buildings. When the cable bus stopped some ordinary Bulgislavian citizens entered.

The clothing was as the girl on the plane said very old fashined.
Women wore clothes reminiscent of the 1950's. Dull colours with little variety. Men wore mostly plain button up tops with plain black trousers and black leather shoes. All citizens wore the same 5 point star pin on their chests

The trolly bus then entered a very new part of town free from construction.
Like the old days before the August war the streets were usually 4 lanes wides with plain, white block and identicle apartment blocks lining them.

"Out this way" Said Valentin happily

There was a portrait of Mehmet Çeau above the double doors

"The Muresc's live in this apartment" said Zoia

Zoia smiled

"Oh the 'Protective Precautions' or what you in the outside call Isolationism is just a short term arrangement. Tourism will be permitted on a restrictive basis as early as 2020 possably earlier if international events are favourable"

"Are you hopeful that certain international events will be favorable?" Kyale asked. "What sort of events are you talking about?"

The three walked out of the Terevesti International Airport. Due to travel ban's it was largely empty with only a few Bulgian citizens on business and the Airport staff

An electric cable bus was at the front of the airport. The streets were quite empty, construction was seen in the background. A few Bulgislavian's were walking in small groups and a column of 10 women dressed in military unifrom were walking in a line down the road singing some Bulgislavian song. The streets were virtually free of any cars

No cars?

Kyale studied the people that she noticed on the streets and watched them silently in the hopes that she could learn something about them. She remembered that information on naturalistic observation she once read about.

The three walked into the Electric Cable Bus. Valentin turned to Kyale

"The government tries to subsidize public transport as much as possable to make it as cheap and affordable for the people" said Valentin

"Has that been successful or has the government found difficulties with the subsidizing?"

The electric cable bus made it through the city. Passing construction. Bulgislavian workers were all over the place reconstructing and building new structures and buildings. Already they had passed a new statue of Mehmet and 3 Protraits hung on newly constructed office and apartment buildings. When the cable bus stopped some ordinary Bulgislavian citizens entered.

"I suppose that the Bulgislavian people really love Mehmet Ceau if they're going to adorn their buildings with pictures of him. It's just like in Ixania with the statues and portraits we have of our national heroes."

The clothing was as the girl on the plane said very old fashined.
Women wore clothes reminiscent of the 1950's. Dull colours with little variety. Men wore mostly plain button up tops with plain black trousers and black leather shoes. All citizens wore the same 5 point star pin on their chests

Kyale was quite amazed to see how plain and simplistic the Bulglsiavian sense of fashion was in comparison with her own. She wore some modest clothes, a cardigan sweater of red with dark denim jeans and sturdy shoes she usually wore to school. She didn't seem to concern herself with Bulgislavian fashion in the end, though, because she wasn't a fashion-obsessed girl to begin with.

The trolly bus then entered a very new part of town free from construction.
Like the old days before the August war the streets were usually 4 lanes wides with plain, white block and identicle apartment blocks lining them.

"Out this way" Said Valentin happily

There was a portrait of Mehmet Çeau above the double doors

"The Muresc's live in this apartment" said Zoia

Another portrait.....

Kyale walked into the apartment and smiled. She was really eager to meet her host family.

"Are you hopeful that certain international events will be favorable?" Kyale asked. "What sort of events are you talking about?"

"We are looking for full recognition from the international community. OUr system is viewed harshly by the Capitalist and imperialist nations and allowing an open border will really open the door to subversive elements and counter revolutionary activity" said Valentin

........................................................................................

"Has that been successful or has the government found difficulties with the subsidizing?"

"Well we have had to cut expenses here and there for the greater good but all in all we have provided a great public transport system and we suffer no congestion like in the capitalist nations" said Zoia

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"I suppose that the Bulgislavian people really love Mehmet Ceau if they're going to adorn their buildings with pictures of him. It's just like in Ixania with the statues and portraits we have of our national heroes."

Zoia smiled "Well he has picked this nation up from the brink of destruction and we are seeing growth and restoration of the system and nation that Bulgislavia has never before seen. He is truly amazing and the Bulgislavian people ahve nothing but praise to heap on the Great Comrade"

.................................................................................................... ....

.
The three walked into the apartment. A women was talking to her husband in an open doorway. Apparently the husband was about to go out when they both spotted Kyale.

Both of them looked at her at suprise, probably none of them had seen a foriegner since October 2008.

"Back to your business, Comrades" said Valentin

"Mr Muresc is currently at work at the Institute of Long Life for Mehmet Çeau but Mrs Muresc is home with her son Essad. I think you two should get along fine, he's about your age" said Zoia

"We are looking for full recognition from the international community. OUr system is viewed harshly by the Capitalist and imperialist nations and allowing an open border will really open the door to subversive elements and counter revolutionary activity" said Valentin

"I am pretty sure that Ixania has fully recognized you as a sovereign and independent nation and that it wouldn't go around trying to cause problems for the government." Kyale replied.

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"Well we have had to cut expenses here and there for the greater good but all in all we have provided a great public transport system and we suffer no congestion like in the capitalist nations" said Zoia

"Perhaps some capitalist nations don't have congestion. I don't think labels really would influence the levels of congestion in a nation."

.................................................................................................... ....

Zoia smiled "Well he has picked this nation up from the brink of destruction and we are seeing growth and restoration of the system and nation that Bulgislavia has never before seen. He is truly amazing and the Bulgislavian people ahve nothing but praise to heap on the Great Comrade"

"Do you think it would be possible for me to meet Mehmet?"
.................................................................................................... ....

.
The three walked into the apartment. A women was talking to her husband in an open doorway. Apparently the husband was about to go out when they both spotted Kyale.

Both of them looked at her at suprise, probably none of them had seen a foriegner since October 2008.

"Back to your business, Comrades" said Valentin

"Mr Muresc is currently at work at the Institute of Long Life for Mehmet Çeau but Mrs Muresc is home with her son Essad. I think you two should get along fine, he's about your age" said Zoia

Kyale was excited. "I'd love to meet Mrs. Muresc and their son. It'd be lovely to get to know them. Also, there's really an institute solely devoted to the maintenance of a long life for just one man?"

"I am pretty sure that Ixania has fully recognized you as a sovereign and independent nation and that it wouldn't go around trying to cause problems for the government." Kyale replied.

"Well I'm sure it wouldnt cause trouble intentionally but Foriegners were the downfall of Socialist Nations in 1989. Banning tourism then saved us from such a horrid fate" Said Zoia

.......................................

"Perhaps some capitalist nations don't have congestion. I don't think labels really would influence the levels of congestion in a nation."

"Oh Children are so innocent, Everyone knows Capitalism is nothing but shop window candy where the worker spends their whole life working for the man only to save up enough for bare neccesities, toiling a horrable existence under eploitation........ The weather is getting warmer what a relief, I'm really not a winter person" Said Zoia

.......................................................

"Do you think it would be possible for me to meet Mehmet?"

"Perhaps an encounter with the Great Comrade would be possable at a later date though, but dont take it too heart if you dont get to meet him, He is a very busy man afterall"
..........................................................

Kyale was excited. "I'd love to meet Mrs. Muresc and their son. It'd be lovely to get to know them. Also, there's really an institute solely devoted to the maintenance of a long life for just one man?"

Valentin quickly came in to defend the institute "Well the Institute works on implements a perfect diet, exercise regime and medicines to ensure the Great Comrade is around for many decades. The institute use to be used for Provoçe and he managed to rule us though 46 years of stability but he did however die prematuerly at the early age of 78, The institute predicted he would be around for atleast another 11 years. Currently the Institute predicts the great Comrade Mehmet should make his 96th Birthday and he is currently 42 years old so that should give us about.... another 54 years of his stable and enlightening rule" said Valentin

"Well I'm sure it wouldnt cause trouble intentionally but Foriegners were the downfall of Socialist Nations in 1989. Banning tourism then saved us from such a horrid fate" Said Zoia

Kyale nodded. "I suppose that banning tourism would have been the proper thing to do but I don't think that Ixania gets involved in the downfall of Socialist nations. We're a pretty neutral nation."

.......................................



"Oh Children are so innocent, Everyone knows Capitalism is nothing but shop window candy where the worker spends their whole life working for the man only to save up enough for bare neccesities, toiling a horrable existence under eploitation........ The weather is getting warmer what a relief, I'm really not a winter person" Said Zoia

"With all due respect, isn't Communism itself a brand of tyranny? Look at all the nations that have Communist leaders....they don't really look like Communist nations, miss. They look like some sort of deformed state. I suppose both philosophies have their flaws, no?"

.......................................................



"Perhaps an encounter with the Great Comrade would be possable at a later date though, but dont take it too heart if you dont get to meet him, He is a very busy man afterall"

Kyale smiled. "It would be a pleasurable honor to meet him. It truly would."
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Valentin quickly came in to defend the institute "Well the Institute works on implements a perfect diet, exercise regime and medicines to ensure the Great Comrade is around for many decades. The institute use to be used for Provoçe and he managed to rule us though 46 years of stability but he did however die prematuerly at the early age of 78, The institute predicted he would be around for atleast another 11 years. Currently the Institute predicts the great Comrade Mehmet should make his 96th Birthday and he is currently 42 years old so that should give us about.... another 54 years of his stable and enlightening rule" said Valentin

"One can only hope that the Institute comes with success. That's all you can do in this world when it comes to acquiring something. You've got to earn it and all you can do to earn it is simply hope. Perhaps your leader will live that long and perhaps he won't. In the end, you've just got to have hope. Faith in the idea."

Kyale looked around for a moment. "Where is Mrs. Buresc and Essad? I'm eager to meet them."

Up a few more flights of steps to the 6th floor of the apartment. Zoia knocked at the door. A women dressed in quite a warm looking coat with big glasses that someone might of worn in the 1980's opened the door

"Oh, Comrade Zoia and Comrade Valentin, Our guest is here! Wow we have been looking foward to meeting her" She looked at Kyale

"Oh and you must be Kyale. It must be cold outside, it isnt that much difference in temperature Inside though, restrictions on gas and heating end on February unfortunatly. Well come on in"

All three made thier way into the New Flat. A portrait of Mehmet Çeau was hung just above the TV in the lounge. The entrance to the apartment opened up into the Kitchen.

"Essad, darling come and meet our foriegn friend, Kyale" said Elena Muresc calling to her son

The 15 yearold Essad walked out. Wearing just plain black trousers and a black sweatshirt with quite scruffy hair.

"How do you do, I'm Essad, You must be Kyale" he said politly though it sounded quite scripted

"Well Essad darling would you like to show Kyale to her room? I'll get out the cake" said Elena heading to the fridge and then chatting away to Zoia and Valentin

Essad walked Kyale through the lounge and into a hallway Elena's voice could still be heard talking away

"The Introduction of Rumanovian cars to Bulgislavia is an exciting move, Weve already applied for one" said Elena

"Oh really? a foriegn car? I'm waiting for our Comrades to introduce a Native Creation to buy, Its the patriotic thing to do" snidly replied Zoia

....................................................................

"Your room's just down here" said Essad

They opened the door. The room was very simple. Single bed, cream coloured bed spreads, light yellow wall paper, a closet, a desk with some draws and a small window which looked down onto an aparment car park used by the apartment building and 2 other surrounding aparment. Though it was of no suprise that the carpark was empty. There was however a Romanian Communist ear car, the Dacia with no tyres and looking quite worn out

"Valentin should be bringing in your things shortly. The bathroom is just the next door down from your room. My bedroom is next one up and the room at the end is my parents room, anything else you would like to address?"

"Oh and you must be Kyale. It must be cold outside, it isnt that much difference in temperature Inside though, restrictions on gas and heating end on February unfortunatly. Well come on in"

"It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Mrs. Muresc. Thank you for allowing me into your home."

All three made thier way into the New Flat. A portrait of Mehmet Çeau was hung just above the TV in the lounge. The entrance to the apartment opened up into the Kitchen.

"Essad, darling come and meet our foriegn friend, Kyale" said Elena Muresc calling to her son.

"There he is again!"

Kyale smiled. She hoped that Essad would accept her sincerely rather than either hate her or feign acceptance.

The 15 yearold Essad walked out. Wearing just plain black trousers and a black sweatshirt with quite scruffy hair.

"How do you do, I'm Essad, You must be Kyale" he said politly though it sounded quite scripted

Kyale smiled again. "It's nice to meet you, Essad. Yes, I am Kyale."

"Well Essad darling would you like to show Kyale to her room? I'll get out the cake" said Elena heading to the fridge and then chatting away to Zoia and Valentin


....................................................................

[QUOTE]"Your room's just down here" said Essad

They opened the door. The room was very simple. Single bed, cream coloured bed spreads, light yellow wall paper, a closet, a desk with some draws and a small window which looked down onto an aparment car park used by the apartment building and 2 other surrounding aparment. Though it was of no suprise that the carpark was empty. There was however a Romanian Communist ear car, the Dacia with no tyres and looking quite worn out

"Valentin should be bringing in your things shortly. The bathroom is just the next door down from your room. My bedroom is next one up and the room at the end is my parents room, anything else you would like to address?"

"This is a nice room, Essad, and I thank you for your assistance. Would you happen to know when I'll be starting school here in Bulgislavia? I'd like to make sure I know everything about that so I don't have to worry about it. Perhaps, if it's not so much trouble, you could show me around town? I might as well know what's around me."

"This is a nice room, Essad, and I thank you for your assistance. Would you happen to know when I'll be starting school here in Bulgislavia? I'd like to make sure I know everything about that so I don't have to worry about it. Perhaps, if it's not so much trouble, you could show me around town? I might as well know what's around me."

"Well School Starts on the 1st February, Dont worry you will be well prepared, ofcourse you can hang out with me and my friends, They would be extremely excited to meet you. My friends are pretty cool you should get along with all of them. Ofcourse you will also have the freedom to make your own friends also. As for a trip around town, its no problem at all. But Shall we have cake first or no?"

"Well School Starts on the 1st February, Dont worry you will be well prepared, ofcourse you can hang out with me and my friends, They would be extremely excited to meet you. My friends are pretty cool you should get along with all of them. Ofcourse you will also have the freedom to make your own friends also. As for a trip around town, its no problem at all. But Shall we have cake first or no?"

"What kind of cake will we be having?" Kyale asked with a smile.

"What kind of cake will we be having?" Kyale asked with a smile.

Essad smiled back "Carrot cake... I think"

They walked into the Kitchen. Zoia and Valentin were eating thier slices. Elena Muresc put a seperate slice in the fridge and turned to Kyale and Essad

"I'll save a peice for your father. Well have a peice children its there to be eaten" she said smiling

"Yeah it is good" said Valentin

The Power all of a sudden cut out, Elena let out a small gasp of fright and then the power came back on

"Oh... that was a short one this time" she said

Essad cut himself a rather thin slice of cake, he wasnt really hungry but he ate it quickly

"Thankyou mother, I'm just going to show Kyale around the city ok? Do you mind if I take 20 Urmi... you know for public transport and maybe I'll buy something from the shop on our way home?"

"Ok, sure you can" Elena grabbed a jar from ontop of the fridge that had some coins and bulgislavian currency of notes in it, She gave Essad 20 Urmi'

Zoia looked a little suprised "Um are you sure you dont need us to come? Public transport is free when you travel with us"

"Were fine Comrade Zoia" said Essad

"Will you two be warm enough out there?" said Mrs Muresc

"Yes, yes we will be fine" replied Essad quickly

Essad smiled back "Carrot cake... I think"

They walked into the Kitchen. Zoia and Valentin were eating thier slices. Elena Muresc put a seperate slice in the fridge and turned to Kyale and Essad

"I'll save a peice for your father. Well have a peice children its there to be eaten" she said smiling

Kyale took a piece of the carrot cake and began eating with a smile. "This is some pretty good cake. Did you make it for us, Mrs. Muresc?"

The Power all of a sudden cut out, Elena let out a small gasp of fright and then the power came back on

"Oh... that was a short one this time" she said

Kyale was shocked to see the power cut out but didn't seem too concerned. "The power outages are common around here, right?"

Essad cut himself a rather thin slice of cake, he wasnt really hungry but he ate it quickly

"Thankyou mother, I'm just going to show Kyale around the city ok? Do you mind if I take 20 Urmi... you know for public transport and maybe I'll buy something from the shop on our way home?"

"If there's a way to get some items to bring back to Ixania, I'd gladly take it."

As Kyale and Essad walked outside, she looked around with a smile at the surrounding buildings. "What shall we see first?"

Kyale took a piece of the carrot cake and began eating with a smile. "This is some pretty good cake. Did you make it for us, Mrs. Muresc?"

"As a matter of fact I did" she said Smiling
...............................................................

Kyale was shocked to see the power cut out but didn't seem too concerned. "The power outages are common around here, right?"

Zoia spoke up "Its only a temporary phase during this period of rebuilding and reconstruction. Once we are fully rebuilt we can focus on power needs. The Party predicts all power needs will be met by 2015"

...................................................................

"If there's a way to get some items to bring back to Ixania, I'd gladly take it."

"Yes of course Kyale thats a great Idea" said Mrs Muresc
....................................................................

As Kyale and Essad walked outside, she looked around with a smile at the surrounding buildings. "What shall we see first?"

"Well as you can see were in the newest part of city but its mainly just new apartments. All the landmarks and interesting area's are under construction. BUT the Palace of Provoçe was undamaged, we can go there, We can also walk past the Palace of the Revolution and Provoçe Square and..... Theres the Grand Peoples Study Hall but its only half completed.... Oh wait I almost forgot the Museum of the Bulgislavian Revolution and the Academy of Water Sports is open but swimming in this cold weather would kill me haha. What would you like to see first?"

"Well as you can see were in the newest part of city but its mainly just new apartments. All the landmarks and interesting area's are under construction. BUT the Palace of Provoçe was undamaged, we can go there, We can also walk past the Palace of the Revolution and Provoçe Square and..... Theres the Grand Peoples Study Hall but its only half completed.... Oh wait I almost forgot the Museum of the Bulgislavian Revolution and the Academy of Water Sports is open but swimming in this cold weather would kill me haha. What would you like to see first?"

"All of those places would certainly be interesting to visit, Essad. Perhaps the best place to visit first of all would be the Palace of Provoce followed by Provoce Square and so forth. I'd like to see all of those places you mentioned. Perhaps, if we're able to, we could see most if not the entire city. Also, am I allowed to take pictures during my stay here?"

"All of those places would certainly be interesting to visit, Essad. Perhaps the best place to visit first of all would be the Palace of Provoce followed by Provoce Square and so forth. I'd like to see all of those places you mentioned. Perhaps, if we're able to, we could see most if not the entire city. Also, am I allowed to take pictures during my stay here?"

"Wow do you own that camera!? I've been told by Comrade Zoia and Valentin of what is appropriate to photograph, so you are permitted as long as its of the right thing. Lets get on the next bus"

The Bus made its way down the streets. There was a small public square called. "Revolutionary Hero's Square" outside the Palace of Provoçe.

A couple of ordinary citizens in thier old fashioned clothes were walking in small groups. A young couple, an old man in his 80's wearing a suit with his military badges and medels and a group of 3 women laughing and chatting away. In a distance another line of 10 people in military uniform were marching in unison down the street. A few police officers were also out in the square.

The structure looked quite grand with massive pillars down the front and a grand portrait of the late communist leader Provoçe in his prime

"Well here we are" said Essad stepping out of the bus.

"My mum works here so we can get in free" said Essad walking over towards the entrace and past the square.

"Oh anything you'd like to take a picture of while were standing here?"

"Wow do you own that camera!? I've been told by Comrade Zoia and Valentin of what is appropriate to photograph, so you are permitted as long as its of the right thing. Lets get on the next bus"

"Perhaps you could tell me what I am allowed to take pictures of, Essad? Yes, I own this camera. I've had it with me for a year now and I've taken all sorts of pictures with it. It's a handy tool."

"Well here we are" said Essad stepping out of the bus.

"My mum works here so we can get in free" said Essad walking over towards the entrace and past the square.

"Oh anything you'd like to take a picture of while were standing here?"

"Can you take a picture of me in front of the building? Is there anything around here that I'm forbidden to take pictures of?"

"Perhaps you could tell me what I am allowed to take pictures of, Essad? Yes, I own this camera. I've had it with me for a year now and I've taken all sorts of pictures with it. It's a handy tool."

"Well it looks pretty flash, Your pretty much permitted to take pictures of any of your surroundings but ask citizens first if you want pictures of them. When taking pictures just think that if your going to take them back to Neo Ixania as long as they dont make Bulgislavia look like a rundown, slum they should be permitted"

"Can you take a picture of me in front of the building? Is there anything around here that I'm forbidden to take pictures of?"

"Ofcourse that would be a great shot, I'll make sure The Late Comrade is in the picture too!" said Essad pointing to the great portrait of Yegar Provoçe.

A policeman looked over a bit suspiciously and then moved on down the street

"Ok.... Just push this button on the top?"

"Well it looks pretty flash, Your pretty much permitted to take pictures of any of your surroundings but ask citizens first if you want pictures of them. When taking pictures just think that if your going to take them back to Neo Ixania as long as they dont make Bulgislavia look like a rundown, slum they should be permitted"

"I have no intention to make Bulgislavia look like a rotten nation to live in. I have no reason to demonize Bulgislavia like that."

"Ofcourse that would be a great shot, I'll make sure The Late Comrade is in the picture too!" said Essad pointing to the great portrait of Yegar Provoçe.

A policeman looked over a bit suspiciously and then moved on down the street

"Ok.... Just push this button on the top?"

Kyale smiled. "Just push that button when it looks just right and hopefully you'll get a great picture out of it."

Kyale smiled. "Just push that button when it looks just right and hopefully you'll get a great picture out of it."

Essad pushed the button and then smiled at the result

"Great, its excellent haha, here you go" Essad handed the camera to Kyale

"Come on lets get out of this cold"

The two made thier way past the marble columns and into the main hall of the Museum.

"Ah! Comrade Essad" said a man in a smart suit walking towards Essad

"Your mother get the memo about working for me on Tuesday, Wednesday and Monday?"

"Yeah she did"

"Ok excellent. My daughter has been wanting a visit from me for the last 4 months. I really should try to see her more often but you know our Sporting, athletic comrades. Its just practice, practice, practice but one day she will gift the nation with a gold medal i know it!"

"Ok Mr Turescu, I'll let you get back to your work" said Essad

"Wait wait, you didnt introduce me to your friend Essad"

"Oh, This is Kyale, She's on a special exchange from Neo-Ixania"

Mr Turescu took a step back

"Oh.... Well isnt that interesting! I'm afraid I dont know too much about Neo-Ixania. Well Enjoy the museum" with that Mr Turescu headed back into the small office nearby

The Grand hall was filled with Provoçe Era memorabelia

Gifts from foriegn leaders or autographs of people of significance were kept in glass cases

"Hey Kyale, this one here I was wondering if you could help me out here. No one i knows who this is but its a basket ball signed by Micheal Jordan to our Late Comrade, so who exactly is this person? I'm guessing an athlete of somekind?"

Essad pushed the button and then smiled at the result

"Great, its excellent haha, here you go" Essad handed the camera to Kyale

Kyale smiled. "This is a good picture. Nice work."

"Oh, This is Kyale, She's on a special exchange from Neo-Ixania"

Mr Turescu took a step back

"Oh.... Well isnt that interesting! I'm afraid I dont know too much about Neo-Ixania. Well Enjoy the museum" with that Mr Turescu headed back into the small office nearby

"Who was that?" Kyale asked.

The Grand hall was filled with Provoçe Era memorabelia

Gifts from foriegn leaders or autographs of people of significance were kept in glass cases

"Hey Kyale, this one here I was wondering if you could help me out here. No one i knows who this is but its a basket ball signed by Micheal Jordan to our Late Comrade, so who exactly is this person? I'm guessing an athlete of somekind?"

"Michael Jordan was one of the legends of the sport we've come to know as basketball. In Ixania, it's not really a popular sport but I suppose people would play it from time to time. What sports do Bulgislavians play?"

"Who was that?" Kyale asked

"Oh thats Mr Turescu, he works in the museum with my mum. He has a 8 yearold daughter training to be an olympic gymnist in Craasi"

They both walked through the massive hall

"The Late Comrade lies on the upper floor" they headed up a grand marble staircase

a grand portrait of Provoçe sat at the top of the staircase and across the floor there was a glass case which was where the body of Yegar Provoçe laid in state. he was quite a short man dressed in a smart black suit and glass case was surrounded by a mound of flowers and on the wall behind the case was another portrait of Provoçe with the date

'1930-2008' on it

"Oh thats Mr Turescu, he works in the museum with my mum. He has a 8 yearold daughter training to be an olympic gymnist in Craasi"

They both walked through the massive hall

"The Late Comrade lies on the upper floor" they headed up a grand marble staircase

a grand portrait of Provoçe sat at the top of the staircase and across the floor there was a glass case which was where the body of Yegar Provoçe laid in state. he was quite a short man dressed in a smart black suit and glass case was surrounded by a mound of flowers and on the wall behind the case was another portrait of Provoçe with the date

'1930-2008' on it

Kyale solemnly walked towards the glass case which contained the corpse of Yegar Provoce and stared at it - intently - wondering why the Bulgislavians had felt the need to adore him so much. His tomb was the like the ones of old medieval Ixanians who were well loved, and well able financially, to attain similar tombs - especially the old monarchs who laid side by side in the crypts. "Do you know how many people come to visit this place, Essad?"

Kyale felt like taking a picture but she didn't know if that was against the rules. She didn't want to cause an incident. So she asked her companion, hoping she'd be able to get something out of this. "Essad, are pictures of Provoce's tomb forbidden? If not, I'd like to get one."

Kyale kept staring at the glass case, wondering about Provoce. The amount of adoration he recieved was pretty amazing when she thought about it. She wondered what it'd be like if she had the same level of adoration, for simply being, well, Kyale. "What was Provoce like, Essad?"

Do you know how many people come to visit this place, Essad

"Thousands. His Birthday is still a public holliday and on the anniversary of his death Comrade Mehmet Çeau is to give a speech on the balcony outside and a stream of people will come once again. A day after his funeral the country was still in a state of mourning and when I looked out of that balcony the entire street was empty but a single file line of people stretched down the boulavard as far as the eye could see shuffling slowly towards this place to see the late Comrade"

Essad, are pictures of Provoce's tomb forbidden? If not, I'd like to get one

"mmmm I'm sorry Kyale photographs of his body is not permitted but you are allowed to take a picture of his portrait above the coffin"

What was Provoce like, Essad?

"Well he ruled over the country for 46 years, he took power in 1962 and so for many Bulgislavian's he is the only leader most of them knew now only grandparents and great grandparents know what life was like in the pre-Provoçe era. I think he was a good leader he saved our country from collapse in 1990 and kept the nation socialist through the 90's even after our allies around us collapsed. He was always in the media and in a young pioneers camp we always had to sing the Provoçe Hym however there were some bad parts. Powercuts were way worse they how they are today and everyone was always hungry and rationing was quite extreme but after he was gone people really miss him. He gave us 46 years of stability then he left and we fell into war with the Void Templar and its allies but now we have Comrade Mehmet Çeau who is like Provoçe. Everyone wants a return to the Provoçe era so Comrade Mehmet is popular. I like him anyway"

Essad looked at Provoçe this was only the second time he had ever seen him in Person. the only other time was at the funeral almost one year earlier

"Thousands. His Birthday is still a public holliday and on the anniversary of his death Comrade Mehmet Çeau is to give a speech on the balcony outside and a stream of people will come once again. A day after his funeral the country was still in a state of mourning and when I looked out of that balcony the entire street was empty but a single file line of people stretched down the boulavard as far as the eye could see shuffling slowly towards this place to see the late Comrade"

"I suppose that he must have been a great hero for the Bulgislavian people to give him such admiration. There are some leaders who seem to know everything about how to rule a nation and, when they pass away, the populace mourns them with nothing short of sincere lamentation. Is Comrade Mehmet as loved as Provoce?"



"mmmm I'm sorry Kyale photographs of his body is not permitted but you are allowed to take a picture of his portrait above the coffin"

"Seeing his body serves as compensation." Kyale said with a grin.

"Well he ruled over the country for 46 years, he took power in 1962 and so for many Bulgislavian's he is the only leader most of them knew now only grandparents and great grandparents know what life was like in the pre-Provoçe era. I think he was a good leader he saved our country from collapse in 1990 and kept the nation socialist through the 90's even after our allies around us collapsed. He was always in the media and in a young pioneers camp we always had to sing the Provoçe Hym however there were some bad parts. Powercuts were way worse they how they are today and everyone was always hungry and rationing was quite extreme but after he was gone people really miss him. He gave us 46 years of stability then he left and we fell into war with the Void Templar and its allies but now we have Comrade Mehmet Çeau who is like Provoçe. Everyone wants a return to the Provoçe era so Comrade Mehmet is popular. I like him anyway"

"The Ixanian Empire has plenty of leaders and heroes of the past who the citizens will still honour and read about after many years have passed since their deaths. I can't really condemn or like Provoce, like you would, but I'll say that he sounds like a pretty interesting man. The Ixanian Empire has never once had any government similar to those in Bulgislavia. We have been absolute monarchists for centuries, under the same family, which is loved by all the citizens. Most of them, I am sure. Our current Empress is a really kind woman. She's donated out of her own personal funds to charity, for example. So, Essad, is there anywhere else you can take me? Perhaps you can take me to the school I'll be attending?"

"The Ixanian Empire has plenty of leaders and heroes of the past who the citizens will still honour and read about after many years have passed since their deaths. I can't really condemn or like Provoce, like you would, but I'll say that he sounds like a pretty interesting man. The Ixanian Empire has never once had any government similar to those in Bulgislavia. We have been absolute monarchists for centuries, under the same family, which is loved by all the citizens. Most of them, I am sure. Our current Empress is a really kind woman. She's donated out of her own personal funds to charity, for example. So, Essad, is there anywhere else you can take me? Perhaps you can take me to the school I'll be attending?"

"Oh wow how much wealth does the monarchy have? In the Bulgislavian constitution our leaders MUST get paid the same as the average working man although between me and you Im sure they get special perks, you see them driving around in black BMW's but I dont really care, they keep us safe. Well I supose I can take you to the school it a couple of weeks"

Couple of weeks later :P

"Because of your special status you dont have to wear the uniform of the young pioneers but we have to dress smartly" said Essad

He was dressed in a red neckerchief, plain button up white top and the black shoes and trousers with a small pin with a picture of Provoçe on his chest. Some people in the country wore pins with Mehmets picture in it but it was more common to see people wear Provoçe pins.

Essad's mum Elena was almost out the door

"Children the tram will be passing through soon" she said

Essad and Kyale made thier way out of the apartments and onto the street. A column of small children no older then 6 marched in a line singing some song created by the party for young children while on thier way to school. They hoped on the tram. It was packed with adults on thier way to work and with other teenagers and children in young pioneer uniform and some Police.

"We should be there soon"