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A Not-So-Subtle Matchmaker
Topic Started: Jan 13 2014, 08:57 PM (3,862 Views)
Demoness
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Despite being the dead of winter in the northern hemisphere, all was not gloom in Demoness. The season was called Second Summer and was indeed more like its counterpart than an opposite. The weather was warmer and slightly humid, though the latter was due to the shower was predicted to visit Sacred Rock later that evening. For the time being, the weather was overcast as Ned Davion descended into the airport. He would soon be followed by Gavrila de Sud, but he was not quite aware of that fact yet.

Visits between Fenwick and Demoness had become more than routine, with the prince representing his country more often than his father, and they had lost all their formality; a simple phone call announced his arrival and a car would meet him at the airport with little fanfare. He was admitted to the Plateau and after a little witty banter with the Guardian of the Gateway, an ex-girlfriend, he was led into Jia Li's private solar.

Though technically a solar, it was more specifically a library and Jia Li lounged with her legs across her husband's lap; a chitael, either Nemesis or Aphrodite, lay in hers. She propped up a book on her chitael's head, reading happily while her husband reviewed something on a tablet. She looked up as Ned entered and smiled. "Hey, Ned-mitsu," she greeted. "I'd stand but..." She indicated the hundred pound animal purring on her lap. "When did you get in?"
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Fenwick
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Ned gave a casual wave as he entered. "Hey you two," he said as he knelt down to pet the second chitael who padded over to greet him. "And hello to you too."

"Not too long ago," he stood and brushed his hands on his slacks. "I dropped off my bags and chatted with a few people on the way here. How was your trip?"
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Demoness
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Nemesis, the chitael in front of him, purred in response. Aphrodite perked up, bumping Jia Li's book and causing it to fall in Aphrodite's face; the upset caused her to shift her weight and Jia Li groaned as the cat moved. Aphrodite chirped a greeting and expected attention.

Jia Li sighed as she closed her book and gently scratched Aphrodite's chin. "Good. Cetatsen is a beautiful country. Albraustana-zid reminds me of some of the older cities. It sits on a hill next to a river, but there is plenty of open space surrounding it. The Voivode is a nice man. We had some very interesting conversations while there." She smirked as a mischief lit up her face. "Actually, I met a very interesting woman there too. His cousin. She's due to visit soon."
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Fenwick
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Ned nodded as he sat rather unceremoniously on the floor and started playing with Nemesis. "It sounds very pretty. She coming for kind of a cultural exchange type deal?"

He made a face at Nemesis and ruffled her ears.
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Demoness
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Aphrodite chirped again and when she wasn't rewarded with Ned's attention, she leapt from Jia Li's lap and pounced on Nemesis. The two sisters alternated between playing with each other and Ned.

"Ee, something like that," Jia Li replied. Xel, whose back was to Ned, just shook his head; his wife was not as subtle as she believed.

"She's due for dinner," Xel interjected. "Gavrila de Sud."

"You'll get to meet her then," she added with a smile. "I think you'll like her. She's very blunt, but she's got a good sense of humor."
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Fenwick
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Ned chuckled as he played a bit with the two big cats. "Hmmm, I didn't expect to be meeting other foreign dignitaries. Guess it's a good thing I pack my dress uniform out of habit, eh?"

He stood up and pet Nemesis' and Aphrodite's heads and then brushed some of the fur off of his slacks. "I guess I should go get ready for dinner then, hmm?"
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Demoness
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"Ee," Jia Li agreed, smirking. "And I think you should shave."

---

Gavrila's flight was present, though the landing was a little harrowing. The sky's promised shower had begun to fall and made the runway slightly slick; even though the plane didn't skid, the conditions gave the brief illusion of danger.

She was greeted in a private terminal by Chihiro Masaki, who held an open black umbrella over Gavrila's head so that she would not get too wet. Chihiro was middle-aged with black hair pulled back tightly in a bun and a pleasant face lined from smiling often. She wore a floor-length red qi pao with slits running oddly all the way to her thighs; this was peculiar simply because thighs were the equivalent of breasts for Demonessians and she was essentially wearing a business suit with cleavage. She bowed deeply, greeting Gavrila formally, and introduced herself as the Second Handmaid. "How was your journey?" she asked. Her voice was soft and demure, reminiscent of Ariana's but also sincere.
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Fenwick
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Ned rubbed his face thoughtfully. "Yeah, should probably do that. I'll see you all in a little while then." He nodded to them both and patted the chitaels once more in farewell, then headed to his room.
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Cetatsenia
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Gavrila hated flying, she much preferred to take a train or a car, not boats though; the only method of travel she hated more than planes were boats. The wet runway hadn't helped this much, and Gavrila was happy to be back on the ground. Though it wasn't just because she was no longer on the plane, but because she was finally in Demoness and was going to meet Ned Davion. She was rather excited, and had the same grin as usual plastered on her face. The woman appeared much the same as she had when Jia Li had visited Cetatsenia, wearing a black suit and tie and keeping her dark hair only down to her ears, peculiarly short for a Cetatsen.

And as usual Aurel was right behind her. The Knezinja had debated bringing the old man along, but she didn't think there was ever any doubt in her mind that she'd bring him along. Aurel went everywhere with her, and if things with Ned worked out he'd have to get used to Aurel's nearly silent presence. He was dressed in a suit as well, with his silver hair done up in a ponytail.

Gavrila watched Chihiro bow, at which Aurel bowed for the Knezinja and himself, and then introduced himself. "Alo," Gavrila said smiling, "And I really hate flying, it sucks. But ze destination makes up for ze journey, or somezing like zat."
Edited by Cetatsenia, Jan 15 2014, 11:04 PM.
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Demoness
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Chihiro smiled. "Something like that," she agreed. "Milady, if you follow me, I will take you to the waiting car. Unfortunately, they can't bring it onto the runway due to safety concerns, but you do not have to go through the terminal. Your bags may be brought separately if you do not wish to wait or, if you wish to wait, it will be a few minutes." As she spoke, she held the umbrella over Gavrila's head and walked only when she walked; she was getting wet, but it was only a light sprinkle and she didn't seem to mind and walked delicately to avoid the puddles.

The trip did not take long once they left the airport. Gavrila would notice that the streets were wide, but they did not appear to be well-structured for cars; in fact, she saw very few and most people appeared to prefer to walk or ride bikes. The wide avenues were a mystery as she only saw glances of them through the side streets. The car kept to a street following the river and came to a stop after the second bridge; this was peculiar because they had taken a bridge from the airport to cross the river in the first place, and both the palace and the airport were on the north bank of the river, but no roads were on that side. Rather than crossing the bridge in the vehicle, as might have been expected, Chihiro explained that they must cross the Dragon Bridge and traverse the cliff path on foot.

Though well-maintained, the Dragon Bridge was worn and old; it was difficult to tell its true age. The wide stone structure had been carefully carved so that the stones fit perfectly without plaster, but wear had begun to hide the seams. Each end of the bridge also entertained a set of dragon heads, styled in the fashion of Demonessian dragons, yet if these had ever had any ornamentation they had long ago faded.

They were allowed to cross the bridge without incident, though Chihiro had to speak with the guards and explain the situation; it was clear that in contrast to Cetatsenia, Demoness invested heavily in visible deterrence in addition to the trained guards. Gavrila was told that servants would bring up her belongings later as the path was dangerous and they did not have a cart, and indeed the path was as she said: narrow with no handrails. It would around the plateau at least three times and beneath a waterfall.

The Courtyard was bustling Gavril's earlier trip; this was indeed a small city within a city as denizens utilized the courtyard like a park: to practice fighting techniques, to play, or simply to relax. Chihiro hesitated at the door, which was as thick as a portcullis and was the official entrance to the palace, and evidently cleared Gavrila and Aurel through security.

Inside the palace was just as busy as the outside, but now there were also government workers, some from foreign governments, and a few chitaels; each stopped and smelled the Cetatsens curiously before giving their approval and continuing on. Chihiro led through a series of rooms that cut off from the main hallway until they arrived in library with a couch and a cozy fireplace. Jia Li leaned against the back of the couch and animatedly spoke with her husband, who remained seated, and Makoto who leaned against the fireplace. Two chitaels wrestled on the carpet, but they ceased as soon as they entered the room and trotted to Jia Li's side. One butted against her hand, trying to get her attention, while the other just stared at Gavrila. Makoto straightened up as soon as he saw Chihiro, returning to a dutiful guard, and Xel turned around curiously.

"Your Divinity, Knezinja Gavrila de Sud," Chihiro announced, bowing deeply, and added any formal name or title Aurel had before retreating to another part of the room.

Jia Li smiled and rose, holding her arms out. "Gavrila! You're here! How was your trip? Ned-mitsu's upstairs."
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