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Cetatsenia-Demoness Meeting
Topic Started: Nov 18 2013, 07:41 PM (8,312 Views)
Cetatsenia
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If one was to take a place from the nation of Demoness to Cetatsenia, one would most likely see the dichotomy that the nation was rather known for. In the southern parts of the nation one would notice the highlands, heavily forested and almost untouched by man aside from the winding roads and the occasional town. But further north, the terrain would give away to the lowlands of the Centric Basin. This land was flat, and lacked the expansive forests, though there were smaller isolated forests. But the main difference one would notice would be the level of development, it was dominated by a large amount of farmland as the lowland soil was incredibly fertile, but there was also the occasional city, bustling with people.

Albraustana-zid was one such city, and it was the primate city of Cetatsenia, the richest and most populous and most important of them all. It was built along both sides of the great Albastru River that ran through much of Cetatsenia, though most of it was on the southern bank of the river. This was because of the simple fact that Albraustana-zid had begun life as three separate forts and settlements built along the river. Albrau and Stana had been built on the Southern bank, and over time had grown together until they were finally united into Albraustana. And while Zid would eventually become part of the greater whole, for a long time it was simply considered a city separated from the capital only by the river.

Since it had grown organically over the numerous years, and had once been three separate cities, the streets and roads had a habit of being winding and could be complicated to navigate for those unfamiliar with them who had no map. Though the roads had over time been widened and revamped in order to accommodate cars, and the newest sections of the city on the outskirts actually had a gridded street plan. As it was the middle of the day, the streets were currently filled with cars and buses, and the sidewalks filled with pedestrians, while the newest addition to the city's transportation network, the subway system, ran below the streets.

While there was a number of attractions in the city, such as the museums and baths, one of the most prominent is the Palatul Regal, the Royal Palace. The site of the original settlement of Albrau and lying atop a hill, it has been torn down or otherwise destroyed and then subsequently rebuilt several times throughout history. The most recent being the ascension of Ioan I to the throne of Cetatsenia, though it has been renovated and updated since then.

The Palace itself is surrounded by a wall that rings the entirety of the hill, with only a single gate leading up to it. The wall is patrolled by a special corps of Cetatsenian soldiers, easily identified by their bright blue ceremonial uniforms and ornate, pointed helmets. After that, a road lead up to the palace proper, an expansive building with a stone exterior that shared more in common with a medieval castle than what one thinks of when they hear the word 'palace'. It was home to a fair number of servants, as well as the guardsmen, and a small number of government officials. Most of those lived out in the city, and worked in their own buildings. It was absolutely huge, and in front of it was an expansive pool of water. Overall, it was an impressive sight that could be seen from a good portion of the city.

At the moment, however, Voivode Gavril IV Suveraneshti was not at his home in the palace. Rather he was at the airport, which had been cleared of any citizens besides him, the guards arrayed with him, and those who worked there; all flights to this airport had either been delayed or rerouted to other nearby airports. Today was an important day, as this was the decided upon day of Jia Li's visit to Cetatsenia. As two nations whose relationship could be accurately described as "mutually neutral", this was a rather important meeting, and Gavril did not want to mess anything up. So he stood alongside his older sister Andreea, the Steward of Cetatsenia, in the airport, ready to head out onto the tarmac to greet the Empress as soon as her plane set down.
Edited by Cetatsenia, Apr 22 2014, 09:58 PM.
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Cetatsenia
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"Well, ze AEC was based mostly in ze woods of ze mountains and highlands," Gavril told Jia Li, "It was easier to hide zer and ze townspeople were more zan happy to shelter ze soldiers from ze Intermarines. Ze was in Cetatsenia was one of guerrilla warfare, our soldiers attacked supplylines, ambushed patrols, committed sabotage, and took part in, eh, psychological warfare."

It was fairly obvious that Gavril hadn't been certain what to say in the last part of his sentence. There had been a pause before he'd said "psychological warfare" were he'd had to stop and think about what exactly to say.

"What he means by 'psychological warfare' is zat while ze AEC was quite friendly to zeir allies, zey were fucking brutal beyond measure to zeir enemies. Namely ze Intermarines," Gavrila said, "And as ze Intermarines' treatment of ze Cetatsen people got worse, ze AEC became even more brutal. Cetatsenia was not a pleasant, or safe, place to be an Intermarine during ze Second Great War."
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Demoness
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"What sort of things do you mean?" Jia Li asked with a frown.

"Damaging the enemies' moral has always been a part of warfare, but it comes with a price. It doesn't surprise me that the Intermarines started treating the Cetatsens worse in response, but I don't think our hosts want to dwell on the past," Xel interjected. His words were partially out of concern for Jia Li's welfare - again, simply shielding her from "harsh realities" - but also to prevent the conversation from entering darker realms. Demoness still employed brutal tactics, though it was more careful about implementing them, and he wasn't sure he'd be able to control the conversation.

"No, I suppose not," she agreed. To Gavrila, she added, "I thought I read that your people also had mass emigrations during the war, at least those that could escape. Is that true or am I misremembering?"
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Cetatsenia
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Gavrila frowned in response to Xel's answer. Some of the stuff the Cetatsen rebels had done were quite horrible, such as the infamous Copac Agățat, the Hanging Tree. Essentially the guerrillas found a large tree near an often-traveled supply route through the mountains, and hung the beaten and tortured corpses of captured Intermarine soldiers from it. However, Gavrila didn't really mind the things like that, considering the horrific things the Intermarines had done to innocent Cetatsens; she actually found the topic to be rather interesting, and had a sort of morbid curiosity about it..

Meanwhile Gavril was fairly relieved that Xel had steered the conversation away from it. While he didn't necessarily disagree with the things that had been done, it was not something he was entirely comfortable talking to foreign leaders about just because of the sheer and utterly remorseless brutality the Cetatsens showed. It wasn't all of the AEC, it had been more common in the southern and western portions of the nation and Ioan II himself didn't take part, but he knew some people wouldn't agree with those tactics.

"Zat is true," Gavrila said, a hint of disappointment in her voice, "Zose who were able to get our of ze country and wanted to do so did. But not everyone wanted to get out."

"Zere were some Socialists among ze Cetatsens, though they were a minority, and many of zem supported ze Intermarines. At least at first, but once ze realized what Intermarine occupation meant it was too late to get out," Gavril explained further, "And zen you had zose who wanted to stay and fight against ze Intermarines, as well as some people in power who supported ze Intermarines not because zey were socialist, but solely to try and keep zeir power. Everyone else who could escape fled to neighbouring countries and across ze sea."
Edited by Cetatsenia, Dec 14 2013, 04:44 PM.
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Demoness
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Jia Li nodded. "I believe we accepted several of those refugees, but the majority of them went back to Cetatsenia once the war was over. Patriotism," she said with a smile. "Shall we continue?"
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Cetatsenia
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Gavril smiled and nodded in agreement, "Oh, of course."

The next portrait in line was Ioan II, since they'd spoken of him but hadn't actually moved on to his portrait yet. He actually looked rather uncannily like Gavril himself, though with a stern and serious expression that made him appear like he'd have been a rather frightening person to see in real life.

"Zat is Ioan II himself," Gavril said, almost unnecessarily, "But I zink we have already spoken of him enough. Zo it is worz mentioning zat it was he who reinstated ze absolute power of ze Voivode. It was not particularly difficult, especially since ze people were on his side, moreso when he revealed to zem zat ze Senat had wished to surrender wizout a fight. But let us continue."

Next was Gavril's grandfather, a man who did nothing particularly interesting. And after that was Voivode Mircea II, a stern-looking man with a long ponytail and a neatly trimmed beard.

Gavril, Gavrila, and Andreea all stared at the portrait for a moment before Gavril spoke. "Zis... Zis is Voivode Mircea II," he said after a few moments, trying his best to hide the bitterness in his words, "He was my, well, my fazer."
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Demoness
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Jia Li considered his actions, trying to figure out if his hesitation was due to grief or something more. Xel, on the other hand, was quite familiar with his reaction as he had spent years watching his wife try to hide the same expression. However, he was not one to draw attention to emotions, preferring to observe them, and Jia Li decided to response. "We can move on if it is too hard," she offered. "This was a lovely history lesson."
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Cetatsenia
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Gavril looked over at Jia Li and debated his response. Then he simply waved it off, "Eh, it is not zat hard. My fazer was a good man, and he loved his family. He just loved Cetatsenia more." Though he said it wasn't a big deal, there was still an undercurrent of bitterness even though he tried to hide it.

"So, now zat we've looked zrough ze history of Cetatsenia's Voivodes, perhaps we can have a look at ze couryard," he said.

Then Gavrila looked at him and grinned. "Oh no, not yet," she said, "We have not seen ze best Voivode yet."

"Uh, what?" Gavril said, then he realized what she meant and shook his head furiously, "No Gavrila, zat is not necessary at all."

Gavrila didn't respond and simply grabbed her cousin's hand and pulled him forward before he had a chance to respond. It was only a few moments before they were standing in front of the final portrait, that of Gavril himself. It was an extremely well-done painting, and looked almost as if it were a photograph, so Gavril's reaction was unfounded.

"And here is Voivode Gavril IV," Gavrila said grinning. Gavril himself simply groaned quietly; he just didn't like showing off the portrait of himself, much as some didn't like having their picture taken.
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Demoness
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Jia Li laughed. "Don't be so shy," she scolded him lightly. "I had to commission a portrait of myself when I was crowned. I usually look the opposite way when I pass it." As she studied it, she added, "It's quite nice. Very photo-realistic. Was that your choice?"
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Cetatsenia
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Gavrila's smile grew even broader and she stuck her tongue out at Gavril, "Yeah, come on. Zere's no reason to be shy, it's a nice portrait."

Gavril scowled playfully, "I'm not shy, I just zink it's strange seeing my portrait here sometimes." The he turned his attention toward Jia Li to answer her question. "Well, no. Most of ze portraits try to be as close to reality as possible, zough some are closer zan ozers. However, my brozer Vlad did ze portrait and he is an extremely talented artist."

"Especially since Vlad usually does not do portraits. He has always been ze artistic one in ze family" Andreea added.
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"That's nice that you sat for someone you know. I don't really recall the person who did mine, but he was very talented," Jia Li said.

"It was Lockhart," Xel interjected, but she continued.

"So what does Vlad normally do? Does he paint landscapes? Or maybe he doesn't paint at all."
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