Zyvun:
the Guardsmen at the doors pushed them open still standing at attention as they bowed their heads to the Queens Yukkiran visitors. a blue carpet went from the door all the way to the throne down the long hall. Banners of the Rochette Coat of arms, and the Norsian national flag hang from the ceiling in front of every structural pillar up to the throne. and under each banner is yet another armed guardsmen. ten in total. Alycia stood in front of the throne, an ornate sword at her hip. her light silver military dress, gold lace and a ribbon or two adorning her outfit all signifying her status. to her right side stood Abel Caillat in a standard black grey suit, wearing the pin of the Prime Minister. Colart stood to her left side, wearing his light silver officers dress, standing vigilant hand on his sword dutifully. other resting on his gun, keeping it pushed to his side on the sling. his eyes locking to Alycia's visitors.
Abel Caillat took a step forward and called out for the hall. "Her Grace, Alycia I of House Rochette, By the Grace of God, High Queen of the United Kingdom of Norsia, Queen of Eastern Nors, Queen of Central Nors, Queen of Western Nors, Lady Marshal of Irras, and the Uniter of the Norsian Realms; welcomes you to her grand hall."
"All hail to her most Glorious Majesty, By the Grace of the Lord God himself, the High Queen of the most resolute United Kingdom of Norsia, of the East, the West, and the Central Nors! Lady Marshal of Irras, and Great Leader of the Norsian Realms, unworthy am I, a humble prince from a foreign land, to come unannounced to your halls!" Arima bows low, with Miira doing the same. However, such gestures were a simple formality to be observed; Arima was under no delusion as to his place. Standing upright and walking up to within fifteen paces from the steps of the throne, Arima begins,
"I am Yuki Arima. Crown Prince to the Throne of the Most Glorious Principality of Yukkira. Scion to the Ruling House of Yuki. Guardian of the Heir Apparent, Crown Princess Yuki Veronica. High Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Supreme Lord-Commander to the Imperial Yukkirian Guard Special Forces. Baron of the Capital of Seta of the Most Noble Kingdom of Mei. And acting Senior Director to the Division of Imperial Security Endeavors for Macro-Engineering Incorporated. I am my Mother's right-hand; the Will of Yukkira manifest."
Taking a deep breath, he looks at Alycia straight in the eyes, and says, "I come bearing gifts. However, if I may, one does not simply partake in the first of my gifts standing up..." Arima lets that statement hang in the room for the moment. Alycia seems almost piqued by this; Abel also raises an eyebrow before clearing his throat, and saying, "Respectfully Crown Prince, but are you implying that we erm... sit on the floor?" And at that moment, the doors at the end of the hall open to reveal a line of servants, each with a small oriental table with covered dishes and steaming cups.
"Unfortunately Prime Minister, the legs on these tables will not reach the floor should I have brought chairs in for all of us."
A strange sight indeed; should anyone have been privy to watch the meeting. Norsians sitting on the floor, partaking in tea and dumplings with exception to Alycia whose table was large enough to span the gap between the arms of her chair; the legs of the table anchoring the table in place upon her throne. Even the guards were privy to such weird circumstance; each drinking their fill of tea and eating dumplings to their hearts content. A good many baskets of dumplings were prepared in addition to several pots of caramel-chocolate flavored tea.
"I hope you didn't fatten us up just to slaughter us later," says Alycia very dryly. A couple guards stopped eating momentarily as Arima chuckles noticeably. Miira, although calm, was quite worried. None of the Retainers in the room were armed; neither was she.
"Respectfully Queen Alycia, but I wouldn't be offering you my favorite tea if that were the case," Prince Arima says. "What I am interested in however," Arima starts, "is your prosperity."
"Now that's a riddle if I ever heard one," comments Colart, "why would the Regency of Yukkira make Norsia's prosperity its business?"
"It's simple Sir Colart," Arima replies, "in Yukkira, we have a simple poem that describes the natures of the three Ruling Houses,
'If the cuckoo does not sing, kill it. If the cuckoo does not sing, coax it. If the cuckoo does not sing, wait for it.' As the Guardian to the Heir Apparent, it is my duty to ensure that her vision begins to come together, in order to begin to bring about the coming of her own age."
"If it is not apparent by now, the approach my sister believes is appropriate for Yukkira, is that of collective prosperity. And what better country to begin to pursue that agenda, than that of the most humble Kingdom of Norsia?"
"Do not belittle us
Prince Arima," says Queen Alycia sternly, "The Kingdom of Norsia got along fine without you before. And it will do so thereafter we are finished." Abel nods his head in approval.
Arima bows while still sitting, "My most sincere apologies. However, yes, it is true, that Norsia would get along fine thereafter I am gone, I'd like to be more than sure that Norsia will be fine. I'd like to ensure that it is prepared with the proper tools needed to do so; namely, money, guns, equipment, and most importantly... nuclear deterrence."
"What are you offering Prince Arima?" perks up Colart while putting down his fifth cup of tea.
"To provide Norsia with equipment forged in the fires that is the continent of Iteria. To provide Norsia with more than just weapons, but an end, to a means, to induce economic growth through the introduction of foreign visitors. And to stand, shoulder-to-shoulder with the ally of the ally of my friend." Arima stands; leaving Miira somewhat bewildered, having been caught unaware mid-bite by Arima's change of posture.
"With the power vested in me as the Crown Prince of Yukkira, I wish to extend a hand of friendship to the Monarchy of Norsia, in one of the few ways I think Norsia is appreciative thereof," Arima says while bowing slightly, "through a show of force of arms. Would you humble me Queen Alycia, and join me outback with your attendants? My men have taken the liberty of setting up a demonstration in your backyard."
