Tôgoku State Visit

[Avondland]

The prince was just another cousin of the extended royal family, to be shuffled about wherever he was needed. In truth, he didn't mind it; he had always liked travelling, and was a good talker if he could say so himself. Tôgoku was a pleasant country, supposedly lacking his homeland's infuriating plague of lake-based mosquitoes and with far more greenery to behold through the glass pane of the private aircraft.

His plane thundered into the runway with a horrid series of jumps and climbs, eventually settling into a corner of the runway. Dusting himself off with vigor, he set off towards the set of stairs which had been drawn to the aeroplane, clad in a plain black business suit -- not one for royal attire. He stepped out of the plane into the glaring midday sun, quickly being ushered into the terminal by a group of intensively-expressioned Tôgokans chattering in Touzen.

As equally as he was rushed into the airport, he was half-dragged out the opposite side and urged into the open door of an all-black diplomatic limousine, bound straight for the Magistrate of Foreign Affairs. He gazed with admiration at the traditional architecture on display in the city, buildings propped up with thatched roofs and sliding-door walls. Unlit lanterns hung from alcoves in the buildings, formed of brightly-coloured glass.

The limousine grinding to a halt signaled that his destination had been reached; stepping quickly through the large gateway of the Magistrate, he entered the building where he was greeted by a crowd of Tôgokan envoys. He took a moment to straighten himself out, before issuing a rigid bow and letting out a greeting; "Konichiwa." He had been instructed in this greeting before his flight, and he looked up with a hint of nervousness, unsure whether he had been appropriate.

 

[Tôgoku]

The lead Tôgokan envoy glances to his peers in surprise, and most, if not all of them seem quiet delighted by the display. Some few on the flanks clap, if not only to gain attention from the rest of the party. Indeed, like many of the buildings within the capital, the Magistrate building was built high and narrow. In the entrance hallway of the embassy there was little space to stand, causing a noticeable bustle around the fringes of the room. After a moment of waiting, the man in front of the Prince bowed, though noticeably lower and longer than the Dietser had done. "Konnichiwa. Watakushi no namae wa Kurosawa Hinata desu. Hajimemashite." A second passes before he stops, and raises himself back up. Identifying himself as the Magistrate Hinata, he begins to speak in rather heavily accented Diets.
"Like I said, My name is... Hinata Kurosawa. It is very good to meet you, your Highness. We have prepared festivities for you to observe, and tea to drink. The Magistrate of this house, Sato Shinobu, would respectfully request your presence, if it is your wish." He motions for the nearest doorway placed between two stairways, and a moment later the wooden doors open. They seem quite western in nature, with ornate handles that open outwards instead of the traditional sliding door the Prince may have seen.

Most of the entourage does not wait for the Prince to move, instead shuffling ahead into what seems to be a large, spacious concert hall, most probably used for meetings and the like. Floating on the air can be heard

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, though they are rather exotic sounding. The smell of meat and pastry follows soon after, and most notably, a heat that can be felt even from where the prince is standing. It seems the hall is packed to the brim with onlookers and spectators. Such things seem to be artificial, given the nature of the event and the location of it. However, it seems to be a pleasant distraction for the timebeing.

Beside the nearest wall sits a large board noting the events of the day. Most notably, military parades and shows of force are scheduled throughout the day. It seems as if the Republic wants to demonstrate something clear to the Dietslander Prince, and they don't seem to be planning on keeping it subtle.

"So, do you like music, your Highness?"

 

[Avondland]

The prince scuffled into the room behind the entourage of dignitaries, gazing with a look of bemusement at the extravagant accommodations in the meeting hall. He loosened his tie, fanning his face with an open palm; the prince was clearly not accustomed to heat.

"Oh, yes, I've always been partial to music," the prince said with a polite smile, perking up at the foreign tones of the koto.

"Our music is far more..." - he paused, searching for the right word - "...orchestral."

His eyes fell upon the scheduling board, scanning the dates and times with his brow held narrow. He clutched a black leather briefcase to his hip, secured by a sling that rounded his opposite shoulder.

 

[Tôgoku]

"Sou, sou..." The main dignitary simply nodded.
Time soon passed, with the man leading the Prince to his honoured seat in one of the boxes high up in the theatre hall. It was odd that such a thing existed, in a foreign ministry-- though noh plays were present in almost every strata of Tôgokan society. After the first play, the First Magistrate of Foreign Affairs, and most probably the most senior member of government in the room arrived to seat himself next to the Prince. His arrival unannounced, he entered the room with only his footfalls to herald his arrival. The carpet dulled his footsteps, and he thudded to a halt before sitting down. Down on the stage,

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. Sato Shinobu reached into his suit pocket, withdrawing an old, vintage tin of cigarettes. He withdrew one, guiding the lone white stick into his mouth before lighting it on a nearby candelbra. Acrid smoke soon filled the box. Only after a few minutes of smoking the cigarette did the man turn to the Prince.
"Adachi-ga Hara. An odd choice, for such a learned guest." He idly comments, offering the tin to the Prince with a slide of the hand. A low scrape can be heard as the tin makes its way across the tabletop to the Dietser. Meanwhile, Shinobu continues.
"The play is about a group of virtuous men. Monks, they are. I do not know if you have these in your country. They come across a house, in the mountains." The man takes another drag on his cigarette, tapping the ash into a tray placed on his side of the table. As soon as it settles, a man in costume rushes into the room to bring a fresh, wooden tray. It seems rather wasteful, but respectful. Shinobu doesn't seem to even notice the man, focused on the play.
"The house is inhabited by a woman. She laments her to them over her bad karma, and before long, the night has deepened. The woman announces to the lead monk, that she must go out to gather firewood." The explanation seems rather pointless, given the play is unfolding in front of their eyes. A man in a golden mask is pulling on a string, though it doesn't seem relevant at all to the conversation.
"Here she is telling them not to look into her bedroom, whilst she is away." he points towards one of the actors, leaving the scene.
The candelbras darken as the scene changes.
"While waiting for her, one of the monks cannot restrain himself, and despite the warning, he peeps into her bedroom. There he finds a number of dead bodies piled up high. She is an ogre, one who has been rumored to reside at Black Mound in Adachigahara."
Below, in the seats that have been taken by the crowd, vendors pass by, offering balls of foreign rice and meat buns to the spectators. It is all done without exchange of currency. The food is being provided free of charge. Above, in the boxes- more lavish food has been prepared. Goose, ducks and even beef is being served behind the two as Shinobu speaks further.
"Enraged that her secret has been revealed, the woman transforms herself into the form of an ogre and chases the monks, who stumble as they flee. Although she tries to catch and eat them, when the leader and the others pray with all their strength, the ogre is completely weakened and vanishes within the night storm." The man's explanation comes to a fitting end, though it still does not seem to have any relevance to the visit. The food that has been prepared is placed in front of them, with chopsticks given to the Tôgokan man, and proper western utensils given to the Prince. Upon closer inspection, they are coated in metallic gold.
"Fitting indeed, that our two nations find themselves in the position of these monks, in a world where ogres grow like rice in the field. In the east, rumours of Taketoriites, and in the west-- socialism. Perhaps the world needs a prayer." Shinobu turns now fully towards the Prince, giving the man a seated bow from the waist upwards.

"I am Sato Shinobu, First Magistrate of Foreign Affairs. I am very pleased to host you here, in the capital."

 

[Avondland]

He accepted a cigarette, lighting it with a simply-fashioned lighter from his suit jacket. As the Magistrate formally greeted the prince, he tilted his torso forward to bow towards Sato.

"I am honoured to visit, Magistrate Sato. I am Prince August, of Sigurdr, nephew to the King."

The prince's entourage of advisers and aides had arrived, guided into the hall where they took seats below the box where the prince and the magistrate were sat. They whispered and muttered to each other, bemused -- but enjoying the performance. Smoke exited Prince August's lungs through his nostrils, rising into the air above.

"Your words are profound. The world is filled with the enemies of civilization: the socialists, the Taketoriites, democracies fallen decadent, and in the New East, shifting black masses of which we know not. It seems our gods do not answer prayers so easily these days."

He reached for the extravagant knife and fork, cutting off and impaling a slice of waterfowl from his plate and politely chewing the meat, elbows tucked away from the table.

 

[Tôgoku]

"Prayers must be whispered with resolve, for the gods to recognise their legitimacy."
Shinobu curtly responds, having finished his cigarette. He lays the pack aside, similarly starting on his own course. The aromas of the food are very eastern, and might be quite unexpected for Prince August, as he moderately chews at his waterfowl. The seasoning is strong, and very reminiscent of ginger. Similar food is being served to the royal parties below. Above, the two men continue to discuss the state visit.
"The Upper Council believe that we have found this resolve, in military power. If we can build an alliance, one that can systematically remove the cancerous brutes from these nations, then there is nothing to fear-- not even the fools who seek to supplant their own interests at the centre of the world." The man places down his eating utensils, having eaten his fill. It is noticeably smaller than what usually constitutes an appetite. Indeed, it seems as if he has somewhere to be.
"In an hours time, if you would like, we will make a general review of the armed forces based here in Tōchū. I have no doubt they will surpass your expectations. Noticeably, the navy is conducting drill excercises in the bay not two hours from the capital. I can arrange for transport."
Shinobu finishes, placing his hands over his stomach as he scans the opposite viewing boxes with a trained eye. His gaze eventually comes to rest upon the Prince, and the black leather satchel that the man carries. For the time being however, he says nothing.

 

[Avondland]

The prince cleared his throat, spicy oriental seasoning flushing his sinuses red. He let the Magistrate speak, wiping his mouth with an elegantly-inlaid cloth. To Sato's first point, he only nodded. He finished off the last piece of the roasted duck with a delicate slice of his knife. Taking a moment to gaze towards the stage, he then peered across the table to the silhouetted eyes of Sato which reflected the dim light.

"I am sure such a demonstration would be most interesting, Magistrate. I have heard of the Togokan navy's renown." A hand fell again to the satchel that rested against his torso, fingers drumming on its surface.

 

[Tôgoku]

The next few days flew by without much to discuss. Demonstrations at land and sea were shown to the Prince. Flags across the capital were paraded and the civilians cheered. However, it was not hard to dispel the concerns that had been made by the population by those in the south. Reports of famine and starvation had been sweeping the inner houses in parliament, and it was by no surprise that a few riots amongst the population were witnessed by the Dietslander Prince. The Foreign Magistrate did not seem concerned, simply stating that such things needed time. Was the Dietsland itself not having issues with riots at the current moment in time? It could not be helped.

The final day soon came, the morning before the Prince had to leave. A knock came from the door of the bedroom. All across the city, bells could be heard. It was the morning, perhaps the Prince was not up yet.
"August-sama! August-sama!"
A light voice called out. It was rather feminine in nature.