An Imperial Ball - Friendship Eternal

[Mestra]

The Mestran Imperium

By the grace of his Imperial Majesty, Emperor Edward II of the House of Menra, the leaders and nobility of the world are cordially invited to an Imperial Ball to be held in honor of the coronation of Valerii Quintilus II.  It shall be that Valerii Quintilus, Avktokrator of Drahen, shall be granted the title and privileges of Arch-Duke of Drahsia.  The Imperium and the Imperial family mark this occasion as continued friendship and commitment between the nation of Drahen and the Imperium.  By grace the Imperial family hopes you might attend this Imperial Ball.

1581 CE
Imperial Palace
I'valis, Imperial Capital
Mestran Imperium

The invitations were be readily sent out across the four corners of Siora.  Foreign leaders, dignitaries, nobility, and prominent people were all on the guest list.  It was an important occasion after all.  The granting of titles of nobility to a foreign head of state was always an important moment.  Though it was expected and routine for the Emperor of the Mestran Imperium to grant the title to the reigning Drahen monarch it was not as easy as Edward would have hoped.  In general, the two monarchs were not related to each other.  In fact it would be slightly strange for Edward to grant the title to his brother-in-law but ceremony must be maintained.  It was an important gesture after all.  In this one moment the Imperium would affirm its continued support of the Drahen royal family, and subsequently its support for Drahen itself.  It was a matter of pride in a way for the Imperium.  It showed they were committed and steadfast allies of their former colony.  It was indeed an important measure of the value of the good faith of the Imperium.  Only two other nations stood ahead of the enduring relations between Mestra and Drahen; Gallia to the east was a long time friend, but even it could not compare to the longest alliance in history, the Angrisian-Mestran friendship at withstood against many hardships for over a millennia.

Though while Angiris and Mestra were close, no relationship was as close as Drahen and Mestra.  Many commitments had been made, investments, and cultural exchanges when there was some. It was difficult sometimes to distinguish the two national cultures but they were distinct in their own way and this made the two strong.  Now here it was the time was nigh.  It was a month following Valerii's coronation and the Imperial Palace was busier than usual.  Empress Ivette commanded the Imperial household with vigor.  Everything had to be perfect before her brother arrived.

-The next day-

Edward and Ivette awaited the arrival of the Drahen imperial family at the Imperial Palace.  Chancellor Marcus Salrio had the great honor of meeting the foreign monarch at the airport with a full brigade of the Imperial Guard, members of the media, a local high school band who would dutifully play the Drahen national anthem when Valerii stepped off the plane.  The fanfare would be grand, and the long parade route from the airport to the Imperial Palace would be lined with thousands of citizens to cheer and wave flags.  The moment had finally arrived.

[Soyabarian Empire]

The soyabarian empire ofcourse responded with sending the emperor.
The emperor was about to land at the airport waiting for permission and getting so, the emperor stepped outside of the plane expecting a grand welcoming

[RC159570]

The Imperial Family arrived at the I'valis airport after a long flight from Drahen. As the plane taxied to a halt, their two daughters, Aeliana and Junia, were chatting excitedly about seeing the Mestran side of the family again. As the aircraft pulled to the airstair, the Emperor, Queen, their two daughters and the Queen Mother made their way to the door. When the Emperor stepped out to the Drah Imperial Anthem, he saluted the flag, and then joined the rest of the family in waving to the many cameras that lined the press pit. After a few moments, the family made their way down the airstair and the Emperor greeted the Chancellor of the Mestran Imperium, "Fair Tidings, Chancellor Salrio. It's nice to be back in Mestra."

[Mestra]

Marcus was an aging man in his late 70s by now. He had long served the Menra family and long had he been a member of the government. He was a childhood friend of the late Emperor Nicholas and his fondness for the Imperial family was strong. Often times it was hard for him or even the family to remember that Marcus was not in fact apart of it. His own family often spent time in the palace. His grandchildren spent time with the youngest two children of Nicohlas, Edwards youngest siblings. Now here he stood waiting to greet in a way an extension of the family. the Drahen imperial family was often cited as a cadet branch of the the Menra family, in a way that was true. The first Drahen emperor was in fact the younger brother of the Mestran monarch at the time, and now the Empress of the Imperium was none other than the sister to the drahen emperor. Regardless of the lineage, this was an important occasion and Marcus was surely glad of the opportunity to greet their majesties. As the Drahen plane was taxied up to the gathered crowd, the cheers began to grow louder. It took a few minutes for the airstair to be positioned and the door of the plane to be opened. On cue the band began playing the Drahen national anthem as the occupants of the plane emerged. Quntilus saluted the flying Drahen flag before descending the stairs with his family. Marcus stepped forward to greet the young emperor.

"Fair Tidings, Chancellor Salrio. It's nice to be back in Mestra." Quntilus spoke as any royal would with confidence and bravos, but Quntilus, just like Edward, spoke with humility and respect.

"Your Majesties, your royal highnesses, it is my great pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the Imperial Family and of the people of the Mestra to the Imperium." Marcus gave a bow, his head leaning forwards so that his chin touched his chest. He paused for a moment before bringing his head upright. He extended his hand to shake hands with Quntilus. The two men shook hands and paused for a minute to allow the press to take pictures. It was after all an auspicious occasion. After the pictures, Marcus turned towards the Queen bowing his head and kissing the back of her left hand. He gave bows to the princesses as well. The formalities of the occasion were in full force. Returning his attention to Quntilus with inclination that the whole family was included, Marcus began his conversation as he escorted the royals to the limousine that would carry them to the heart of I'valis; to the very heart of the Imperium, the Imperial Palace.

"I trust you trip was an easy one. It is never easy crossing the great distance that lies between our two nations. I myself have only made the journey twice, once when I was a young lad and the last, well I was a bit older then." Marcus laughed. He was a light hearted man, and while he wasn't the most formal of leaders, he was nevertheless respected by those who knew him and in some cases by those who did not.

[Aerandariel]

To most people around the world, the Mestran-Angirisian relationship has always been special. After all, how else could one alliance last over a millennia and still be going strong if there wasn't something uniquely important about the way Mestran-Angirisian relations have been conducted. But in the last few years, that relationship had become strained. Angirisian perception of Mestran coziness with right-wing nations had irked the great Northern Galasian power. On the flip side, a militarily strengthening Angiris worried Mestrans very much, especially as the Empire had not shied away from using that military.

All this discord between two of the most legendary nations in the world culminated in a summit between Mestran and Angirisian leaders some years ago in which it had appeared that such discord had been put to rest. But ever since then the two nations had hardly spoken to each other, largely because they had their own business to take care of. But this ball, hosted by the Mestrans, provided the Angirisian Empire an opportunity to reach back out to their Southern Galasian ally. But there was, of course, much more to it than that...

For this reason, Emperor Tyrael and Chancellor Aerandariel Apotecarius both decided to attend this Imperial Ball. They brought along Foreign Minister Christophos Caesarius and one or two of their personal aides. Apotecarius, now 41 and in his fifth year as Imperial Chancellor but still with the youth and vigor that marked his first election in 1576, had visited only one foreign country - Octitania- during his tenure. Tyrael, now 38 and in his twelfth year as Emperor, was making his fourth foreign visit, and his first to Mestra. For the Chancellor, this was his first chance to finally meet the Mestran royals and government in person. For the Emperor, it was a chance to possibly meet his future Empress.

The Emperor's personal jet Empire One landed at I'valis Airport, where it appeared that the Drahenese royal family - including new Emperor Valerii Quintilus - had just landed. Emperor Tyrael sat quietly near a window, waiting for the captain to give an all clear and preferably waiting a Mestran welcoming committee to approach. As he sat, Apotecarius approached him. A thin figure and always dressed in dark-colored clothing and a head of long dark hair - a stark contrast to the more brightly colored Tyrael - the Chancellor was fairly easy to spot. "Are you nervous, Your Majesty?" asked Apotecarius.

"Unusually so. Though my reasons for coming here are far different than from what you may realize... or even know." the Emperor said.

"Political?" asked the Chancellor, "Or rather, personal?"

"Nothing you need to be concerned with, Chancellor, I can assure you."

"You know you are making it quite a habit of hiding things from me, Emperor. It's not like-"

"That is enough, Chancellor. If I wanted to tell you my personal dealings, I'd have done so years ago."

"It is just disconcerting to me, sir. I am your eyes and ears in the Imperial government but I apparently cannot be trusted with problems you might be having. If it is something important that the government must address than by all means tell me!"

Emperor Tyrael stood up, looking Apotecarius right in the eye and said, "You're all heart, Chancellor. I appreciate your concern, but I can handle things well enough on my own. I have not been the Emperor of Angiris for twelve years for nothing."

Apotecarius sighed, seemingly resigned to the Emperor's stubborness. "Very well." he said, "I guess we wait for a moment?"

"We wait."

[Arkiania]

High King Aurelius saw the imperial ball as an opportunity to learn about the nations that surrounded the Isle and to open possible relations with Mestra. However, he had a feeling that his visit would cause some negativity in the air following his face off with the Angirisians during the Octitanian War. His jet circled around the airport waiting for the tower to give an all clear. Accompanying him on his visit was his advisers. While he had absolute rule over Arkiania, he was left to rule at the young age of 19 years old after the sudden death of his father. Now 26 years old, he still felt he was inexperienced despite his education, he let his advisors speak freely.

The tower finally gave his personal jet permission to land. From the windows on his seat, he saw the Angirisian emperor with the chancellor. He though to himself "This might be an awkward visit". His jet parked, and Aurelius got up from his seat with the his advisers and prepared for the door to open.

[Mestra]

Following the departure of the Drahen delegation to the Imperial Palace, the next plane that was pulled into place was from Angiris.  The air stair was pushed into place and the door was opened.  The band began playing the national anthem of the Angirisian Empire as the delegation on-board descended from the plane.  While the Chancellor had greeted and escorted the Drahen Emperor and his family, the Prime Minister of Parliament would greet the foreign leader.  It was a rather unorthodoxed for the PM to greet any foreign delegations, as her sole duty was to oversee the domestic function and integrity of the Imperium and her provinces.  However, an exception was made for this particular case.  Angiris' heavy commitment into democratic processes made it ideal for the democratically elected representative of the people to the Imperial government to greet the Angirisians.  PM Melissa Hayfield greeted the Emperor with a customary bow and held out her hand offering greetings.  Once such formalities were completed and photos taken, the PM and the Angirisians got into cars and were taken to the Imperial Palace.

Following the Angirisian departure, the next to arrive was the High King from Aurelius.  This time the Foreign Minister awaited to greet the King. Geoffery Calmin awaited patiently.  On cue the band began playing Aurelius' national anthem as the delegation exited the plane.  Geoffery greeted the King, photos were taken and the delegation was taken by car to the Imperial Palace.

Lastly, the Emperor from Soyabarian departed his plane.  The Soyabarian national anthem was played.  Deputy Foreign Minister Francis Heath and Vice Chancellor Raymond Malka of the Imperial Senate waited to greet the emperor.  As was custom, the two officials greeted the foreign head of state and delegation.  Photos were taken and the group was ushered away through the city towards the Imperial palace.

The Imperial Palace - I'valis, Mestra
Heart of the Imperial City


OOC: Please feel free to post the interaction of your delegation and the Mestran officials. This can include the initial greeting and the car ride to the palace. Once all delegations arrive at the Palace and are assigned rooms and such, I will move onto the ball. Depending on how things are posted, I may include visits with the Mestran Emperor before the ball.

[Soyabarian Empire]

The soyabarian emperor sat in his car and waved to the crowds gathered in the streets while doing somesightseeing from his car, he had to do some reporting to his goverment to do via his laptop he brought along but he needed an internet connection for that.

At home he had been breefed abit on the local costums, so he was prepared on this ball. His primary goal being to amuse himself while his secondary goal was doing some positive PR for Soyabar and its commonwealth. It had become a dire need towards the international community with this civil war and the new zealmarkian affair.