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Cetatsenia-Demoness Meeting
Topic Started: Nov 18 2013, 07:41 PM (8,282 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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Once the Demonessians began eating the Cetatsens began as well, with even Gavrila holding back until their guests had gotten their food. However, once they got their food they ate quite a bit more than the either Xel or Jia Li, Gavrila especially piled food onto her plate. They didn't speak much, though that wasn't typical for Cetatsens. Andreea knew enough about other cultures to know Demonessians typically didn't talk much during meals, Gavril had read about that during his readings about Demonessian culture, Aurel was just quiet as usual, and Gavrila was too busy stuffing her face to bother starting any sort of conversation.

The group did, however, answer any questions Jia Li had. And they occasionally asked about the Demonessians food they were eating. However, one could hardly call it a conversation and the meal was mostly quiet. At some point Marina returned and stood on the periphery of the Great Hall, standing by in case anyone needed anything. And then, near the end of the meal, anyone who was paying attention would notice a rather large man come into the Great Hall and stand beside Marina. He was a rather tall man, barrel-chested and broad-shouldered, with a thick, well-groomed beard and hair that fell down to his shoulders. He stood there silently until everyone was finished eating.

He came up beside the Voivode and gave a respectful nod to both Jia Li and his own ruler before saying, "Bună ziua."

"Ah, zis is Chef Horea," Gavril said, gesturing to the large man, "Ze man who made zis wonderful meal."

"Zank you my Voivode," Horea said to Gavril before turning to Jia Li, "And what did you zink of ze meal Empress? It was good, da?"
Edited by Cetatsenia, Jan 13 2014, 01:55 AM.
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Demoness
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Jia Li smiled. "It was very good. I like what you did with the foxear leaves. It was an unexpected surprise," she said. "A very fine presentation of Cetatsen foods as well."
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Cetatsenia
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Chef Horea positively beamed at Jia Li's words, obviously enjoying the compliment, "Why zank you Empress. Cooking your native food was somewhat of a challenge, but zere is nozing I cannot cook," he said, "Perhaps I will add some of ze items to my normal menu."

"I second zat," Gavril said to the chef, "Zey were quite good; I would not mind having zem again."

"Hell yeah," Gavrila said, "It was fucking good."
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Demoness
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"I would ask what you added to the foxear leaves, but I was told you liked to keep your secrets," Jia Li replied. "I look forward to the next meal. I'm afraid you won't have much of a challenge for Demonessian breakfasts, but am interested to try your native dishes."
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Cetatsenia
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Horea smiled once more, "Zat is true, I am much like a magician in zat respect. And even if zey are not much of a challenge, I am always looking to expand my repertoire. And in my humble opinion, I zink you will enjoy Cetatsenia's cuisine, especially if I am ze one making it."

Both Gavril and Andreea glanced the chef's way at his last sentence, more specifically the 'humble opinion' part, and Gavrila herself actually rolled her eyes and smiled. Humble was not a word one would use to describe Horea at all, especially when it came to his cooking. And in the opinion of the Cetatsens he was making it incredibly obvious, though they were used to the man's haughty attitude.
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Demoness
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Jia Li smiled politely, though she was also amused by Horea's boasts. Despite being rare and frowned upon in Demoness, arrogance could be found in abundance and especially among her intimate circle; it just normally wasn't expressed in polite company.

"Well, most Demonessian breakfast dishes are simple: fruit or soup." She shook her head. "There is not much one can do to improve that."
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Cetatsenia
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"Zere is always somezing you can do to improve a dish," Horea said, still grinning, "And trust me, I am one to know."

"I do not care what you do wiz it, so long as I get to eat it," Gavrila added, patting her stomach, "Man, I love your food."

Horea just grinned again, "Zank you Knezinja."
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Demoness
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Jia Li laughed. "What about desserts?" she asked. "Do you enjoy cooking those? I have a friend who would be upset if I didn't at least try to get a recipe from you," she added teasingly.
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Cetatsenia
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"Why of course I do," Horea said, though his smile faltered a bit at Jia Li's last sentence, "And I do not share my recipes wiz anyone. Ever." Though the Empress had obviously said it in jest, Horea took the comment very seriously; the chef didn't joke about food or things such as that.
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Demoness
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Jia Li smiled. "At least I can say I asked twice," she replied. "Now neither of them can get offended." She shook her head. "But neither one of them are anywhere near your talent. At best, one works in my kitchen when she is bored, but she is still an amateur." She paused, thinking it was a shame that she hadn't brought Alexis Nedia with her, but there had been no reason to; her position as Guardian of the Gateway was one of the most important and visible jobs on the Plateau and she needed to keep it secure.
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