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Cetatsenia-Demoness Meeting
Topic Started: Nov 18 2013, 07:41 PM (8,290 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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"Zey prefer to to live up high, so you usually only find zem up near ze ceiling," Gavril said, trying to explain why the spiders didn't get in the way, "So unless zey make zeir web in a doorway or on a bookcase or somezing like zat, zey simply are not in ze way."

"And even zen we just pick ze little girls up and move zem somewhere else," Gavrila said, "Zey do not mind all zat much."
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Demoness
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"I see," Jia Li replied. Neither of the Demonessians really understood the practice, but it would be just as strange to explain chitaels to outsiders. "Well, I don't want to disturb the climate down in your basement and it is getting late," she continued. "I don't want to linger too long."

There was really no way for a guest to politely hint any requests they had to a host; the host was expected to anticipate all of xyr guests' needs and, truthfully, Ariana tended to perform that function when she was in the Palace. Regardless, it was drawing close to dinner time and Jia Li figured that they would need time to return to the Palatul Regal or, if they were not eating there, give proper warning to any restaurant.[/i]
Edited by Demoness, Dec 27 2013, 02:27 AM.
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Cetatsenia
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Gavril nodded, "I see, well zen we could-"

"Dinner," Gavrila said without warning, "It is getting close to dinner time. I am hungry, so I say we go back to ze Palace and eat."

Gavril blinked in surprise and glanced at his watch. "Well, what do you know? It is," he looked back up and towards the Demonessians, "I did not realize ze time; I wish you had been able to see more of ze city. Do you wish to return to ze Palatul Regal and eat? My chef was looking forward to making zis meal."
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Demoness
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Jia Li smiled gently. "There is always tomorrow. We will be here for a few days after all and I look forward to trying some of your cuisine."

Xel had been a bit concerned since his wife tended to eat small snacks rather than large meals and hadn't eaten much on this trip, but she had made it for longer period and she didn't have any other current health concerns. "I take it your chef wants to show off his skill," he added, likely trying to make a joke.
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Cetatsenia
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Gavril chuckled, "Why yes, actually. My chef is quite proud of what he can do, and he also wanted to try making some Demonessian dishes in addition to normal Cetatsenian cuisine."

"A lot of people say zat he could probably cook in any restaurant in ze world," Gavrila said, nodding in agreement, "And it is not an understatement, his food is just absolutely goddamn amazing."

After that Gavril pulled out his radio and spoke into it quickly once more. "All right zen, let us be going," he said his a smile, before leading the group all the way back to the stairwell. Once more a pair of Gavril's guardsmen were there first and made their way down the steps. Gavril stopped in front of it and gestured, "Guests first."
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Demoness
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Ariana melted back in with the group as if she hadn't been silently patrolling the area alongside Gavril's guards.

Jia Li smiled. "Thank you," she said. As she descended, she commented, "If he is that good, it must be hard to keep your chef. I'm afraid that while ours are high quality, Handmaiden Nedia insists that their skills with poison detection are higher. That unfortunately affects our food's quality sometimes." She smiled and laughed.
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Cetatsenia
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Both Gavril and his cousin laughed as well, Gavrila a fair bit louder. "Well, it is not too difficult keeping him," Gavril said with a smile, "He works at ze palace because he considers it an honour. As for poison, well zat is not much of a concern but I trust Horea's skill at keeping ze food safe wiz my life."

"And you will probably get to meet him too," Gavrila said, "He likes getting people's opinions of his food." Then Gavrila stopped talking as she thought for a moment, "Zough I am not entirely sure if he likes opinions or praise, since most opinion are praise."
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Demoness
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This was where there was another difference between Demoness and Cetatsenia or, more specifically, their palaces. While it is indeed an honor to work for the royal family of any country, Ariana Nedia's standards were considered impossibly high and thus it was difficult keeping employees. Equally unfortunate to this turnover rate was the fact that Ariana was the best at her job, so it was unlikely she would ever be removed.

"Then I certainly look forward to tasting his cuisine and his take on our food," Jia Li replied. As interesting as it may have been to cook something different, the chef might also consider Demonessian cuisine to be rather unchallenging due it sometimes raw and bland nature; one simply did not offend the palate. There were, however, a few rare spices that were utilized and it was likely the chef had procured these since they at least presented some novelty to his cooking.

When Jia Li reached the ground floor, she hesitated at the base of the stairs to allow the rest of the party to catch up. "How does he feel about sharing recipes? I have a few friends who cook and bake as hobbies and I believe they might very disappointed if I didn't at least try to get your chef to share his secrets." She was only half-joking; she doubted she would receive anything, but she knew Ned and Alexis would appreciate it if she succeeded.
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Cetatsenia
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Gavrila actually laughed out loud at Jia Li's question, "You would have a better chance at getting top secret information zan getting Horea's cooking secrets."

"Unfortunately for your friends he does not share his secrets wiz anyone aside from ze one assistant he is training to 'succeed' him once he dies," Gavril said, "He takes cooking very seriously. I believe he once said zat it is not just a job or a career, but his life."

"Yup. Now let us continue zis conversation in ze car," Gavrila said, "I want to eat." And with that she and Aurel pulled forward of the group, making their way to the car.

Gavril sighed and looked to Jia Li, "I apologize for my cousin's bluntness. But let us not keep ze chef waiting, he probably already has everyzing set out in ze Great Hall."

The group made their way out of the library and towards the waiting cars. Aurel was standing beside the open door, waiting for the group to arrive. The Voivode's guards stood back, watching the group and anyone nearby, searching the sparse crowd for any signs of danger. Once the group made their way inside the car Aurel entered as well, pulling the door closed behind him. After that the guards made their way to their own vehicle, and the pair of cars set off.
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Demoness
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Jia Li leaned in to Gavril's ear. "Sometimes her bluntness reminds me of my daughter, though she's far less formal than Eli," she whispered. She smiled and then entered the car with everyone else.
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