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| Cetatsenia-Demoness Meeting | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 18 2013, 07:41 PM (8,283 Views) | |
| Cetatsenia | Nov 18 2013, 07:41 PM Post #1 |
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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 | Jan 11 2014, 07:30 PM Post #531 |
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Gavrila laughed at Jia Li's comment, because she'd noticed her cousin's reactions as well. She wasn't offended though, she'd grown used to it and it was only when she was around "important" people; they were completely relaxed in private. "Well, you can hardly blame me; I love my cousin to deaz, but she is not ze best person to have around most Heads of State," Gavril said, "And I look forward to tomorrow as well. Zough I would like an answer, do you want to visit ze Castel de Nebunie? I would like to give ze people working zere a heads up if you do; I should probably mention zat it is about an hour or so away." |
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| Demoness | Jan 12 2014, 04:21 AM Post #532 |
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"I would love to and it would give us some more time to speak," she replied with a laugh. With most heads of state, she could only make polite conversation; with some she could speak a little more in depth, but only on certain topics; and with Ned she was completely comfortable; but she felt comfortable with the Cetatsens. |
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| Cetatsenia | Jan 12 2014, 12:37 PM Post #533 |
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"Naibii de minunat!," Gavrila said excitedly, "Zat is gonna be great." Gavril smiled, just as happy as his cousin but more subdued about it. "Indeed, and it is always a pleasure speaking with you," Gavril said, and then looked out the window. "Oh, well it appears zis conversation will have to be put on hold," he said as the cars stopped at the gate to the Palatul Regal. Once again the cars slowly made their way up to the palace, much as they had when the Demonessians had first arrived. Gavril had a hard time believing it was so late to be honest, the day seemed to have flown by incredibly quickly. But then the cars stopped before the palace's statues, and Aurel opened the door and stepped out. He waited until everyone had exited the car before closing the door once more. Gavrila rushed on ahead before anyone else got a chance to start at the door, eager to eat, and Aurel followed limping behind her. Gavril chuckled and shook his head at his cousin's typical behavior, then turned to the Demonessians, "So, shall we go see what my chef has made?" |
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| Demoness | Jan 12 2014, 04:26 PM Post #534 |
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The Demonessians unloaded from the car in a similar manner to the previous time; despite the imperial family being relaxed with the Cetatsen royals and not finding any fault with Cetatsen security, the Demonessian guards remained as primed and it was difficult to tell if this was normal for them or if, perhaps, they had become overzealous protecting Jia Li during her rule. "Yes, I'm quite curious," Jia Li answered with a laugh. She also wondered if Demonessian dishes would be eaten traditionally - that is, with chopsticks or fingers - or if they would eat with silverware. |
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| Cetatsenia | Jan 12 2014, 04:43 PM Post #535 |
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Gavril nodded, and proceeded to lead the group into the palace and then through the doors to the Great Hall. As the doors were opened, the delicious and savory smell of the food wafted out. As they entered, they would see that the section of the central table nearest to the Voivode's throne was covered with food. They could see the dishes of meat and fish and soups laid out for the occasion. In addition, there was traditional Demonessians dishes laid out as well, though Chef Horea had added spices and other such things to them in an attempt to make them more flavourful. Though one would notice that there was a lot, more than even the 8 of them could eat. The table had already been set, with silverware that was obviously extremely expensive, though each seat did have chopsticks as well, in case the Demonessians wished to use them. Gavril's seat was at the head of the table, with Jia Li and Xel's seat directly to his right and Gavrila's directly to his left. "So? What do you zink?" Gavril asked as they approached the feast, "And do not worry about zere being so much, after we are finished ze servants will get what is left." |
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| Demoness | Jan 12 2014, 10:16 PM Post #536 |
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Jia Li smiled, noting the addition of spices to some of the dishes; the notorious blandness of Demonessian dishes tended to vex foreigners, but she was interested to see what Chef Horea had done to improve the flavor. After all, simply adding pepper to a dish didn't improve it; one must also balance the other flavors as well. She also noted the inclusion of chopsticks and briefly wondered what the Cetatsens would think if she used her hands as one of the dishes Chef Horea had prepared traditionally dictated use of the hands. The dish, foxear leaves, was akin to egg rolls and utilized the leaves as wrapping for the filling; while chopsticks could be used to eat it, it was generally accepted that it was much easier to use one's hands. She was also curious how Chef Horea had decided to complement the leaf's intrinsic sweetness. She did, however, think it a bit odd that the servants would consume the leftovers. While palace cooks would prepare enough food to feed the palace's residents, banquets such as this would have set aside food from the main portions; then again, she wasn't certain what happened to the leftovers. Demonessian custom regarded eating as an efficient act - prepare and eat no more than you need - and she rarely left food on her plate, save for when she was pregnant or when her children refused to finish their meal. "It smells quite delicious," she said sweetly. "You'll have to introduce me to the Cetatsen dishes and I'll have to do the same for you." |
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| Cetatsenia | Jan 12 2014, 10:43 PM Post #537 |
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Gavril smiled as he took his seat, "Why of course. And please, sit." His second sentence was punctuated with a gesture to the seat to his right, as Gavrila sat to his left, with Aurel beside her, and Andreea beside him. "Zis looks delicious," Gavrila said, staring at both the Demonessian and Cetatsenian food hungrily. Then a servant appeared, probably the first the Demonessians had seen all day; the head of the household's servants had given them orders not to disturb the guests unless absolutely necessary, even though Gavril had told her that wasn't needed. This particular servant was a young women in a black dress and white apron. She had a platter upon which several bottles of drink were balanced. "Bună ziua, my name is Marina," she said, smiling, "What would you like to drink? Zere are several wines, and vodcă for ze Knezinja. And if you do not drink alcohol, I have water. If you want anyzing else, I am certain we have it and I would be pleased to get it for you." Gavrila grinned at Marina's mention of vodcă, it was well known that she quite enjoyed the alcoholic beverage and was exceptionally good at holding her liquor. In fact, even Aurel had only seen her actually drunk a few times and it had been when she had drunk enough to have most people passed out in a pool of vomit, with a horrific hangover the next day. She reached over the table towards the servant, "Dă-mi asta." "Be polite Gavrila," Gavril said quickly, and his cousin reluctantly put her arm down, then the Voivode looked to the Demonessians, "You are our guests, please get your drinks first." |
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| Demoness | Jan 12 2014, 11:34 PM Post #538 |
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Jia Li was uncertain what had just occurred in the conversation, but she did as she was bid and ordered some wine for herself. Xel, who was seated on her right, simply ordered water as he disliked how intoxicants interfered with his judgement. Most notably, neither Ariana nor Makoto took a seat at the table; they would most likely eat later. By custom the High Guard, whomever was on duty, would sit on her left and eat with her, but since they were guests his spot was preempted by Gavril; during dinner, subtly, the Cetatsens would notice that he had been relieved by another man named Marcus Corbmac, who was not only the Lunar High Guard but had also already become genially acquainted with the staff in the palace after being left behind earlier. Unlike Makoto, Marcus had his hair cut shorter, though it was still long by Western standards and he had a five o'clock shadow that he had evidently tried to shave before coming on duty. For her part, Ariana usually did not participate in a meal unless explicitly invited or she otherwise believed it to be important to her job. She usually had other duties to attend to and, quite often, ate prior to dinner as part of her duties was poison testing. However, she doubted she was needed for that here in Cetatsenia, but nonetheless she would stay present until the meal was over - just in case. Jia Li realized she was uncertain of Cetatsen eating customs. The use of silverware was easy - certain foods, like ice cream, necessitated the learning of their use - and she had learned to have them set out whenever a foreign diplomat was present. Speaking, on the other hand, was a different matter. When hosting dignitaries, she generally kept a lively conversation as she knew it was often a Western custom to continue speaking. In Demoness, however, aside from a brief prayer said over the meal, little was said; it was a time for meditation as well as a welcome break from the hassles of daily life. |
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| Cetatsenia | Jan 13 2014, 12:04 AM Post #539 |
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Gavril was curious about the fact that neither of the guards took a seat at the table, and why one of them had been replaced by another. But he didn't ask, he supposed it was just something else they did. And if it came to it, they could simply eat later with the Cetatsen servants. Marina walked over to the Empress's seat, and took one of the bottles full of a dark, red-ish liquid and poured it into Jia Li's glass. It was a rather expensive and aged wine, and one of exceptional quality that Gavril kept for special occasions such as this. She did the same with Xel, except wit a bottle of water this time. Then she moved on to the Cetatsens, giving Marcus and Ariana a polite nod. She poured Gavril the wine, not even needing to ask the Voivode what he wanted, as wine was what was traditionally drank with dinner. Though as she moved onwards to Gavrila, Aurel began to stand. "Voi turna băutură Knezinja și mea," he said to the girl. She quickly shook her head, "Nu suntem atât de servitori, dar esti un servitor mai mare. Ar fi plăcerea mea." "Ești sigur?" "Desigur," Marina responded with a smile. Aurel slowly sat back down, and Marina took the bottle of vodka and began to pour it into Gavrila's glass. Almost as soon as Marina stopped pouring, Gavrila picked up the glass and took a drink, smiling. Then the girl continued on to Aurel and Andreea, pouring Aurel a glass of water and Andreea wine like her brother. Then the girl backed off and nodded to the assembled group before heading off in the direction of the doors next to the thrones. "Take what you want," Gavril said, "Meals here in my nation are not structured or divided into courses like in some places. If you are curious about anyzing you see, please ask." ((OOC: If you want to know what there is specifically, just go here. If it looks like a dinner food, assume it's on the table.)) |
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| Demoness | Jan 13 2014, 01:20 AM Post #540 |
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Jia Li smiled in response and began eating. It was a pleasurable to actually be able to serve herself once in a while because it made her feel normal. She tried several of the dishes, asking about them as she tasted, and commented on Chef Horea's interpretations on Demonessian cuisine; while she didn't think she would try Chef Horea's versions again any time soon, it was nice to have a break from her normal dishes. Xel relaxed quite a bit, the food seemingly having a pacifying effect on him, and though he was affectionate with his wife, he didn't seem to smother her with concern as he had on occasions throughout the day; their interaction seemed even more normal. She didn't seem to eat much, perhaps having a small appetite as she did sample quite a few of the dishes. Xel was a little more conservative in his selection, not being as adventurous as his wife, but he didn't seem to eat much more than her. |
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