Radilo
Establishing Nation
Social worker's office, Badua, Radilo
2:00 pm on a Monday
"You've been skipping school a lot," Mr. Alto said, in a disappointed tone.
Aria shrugged, "and you lied to me."
Mr. Alto rolled his eyes, "I wanted to keep you in school. Research shows that people who work before thirteen are more likely to drop out of school."
"So you want me to stay in school so I can do something more than wash dishes?" Aria said with ample sarcasm.
"No," Mr. Alto said to her suprise, "we need busgirls, waitresses, and restraunt workers. Those professions often most derided by teachers are essential to society. Our Republic would collapse without ditch diggers and garbage men much quicker than if it lost social workers. And I know that you are a hard and dedicated worker, and that you will contribute a lot to the Republic. What we do need however are civically educated busgirls and ditch diggers. I know you are smart Aria, but you need to supplement your hard earned wisdom with a formal education. At least for the next year."
Aria's expression softened. "I still plan on quitting next year."
"As is your right as a citizen, but not until next year."
Aria sighed and smiled at the social worker.
"Fine--next year."
After leaving the office she met back up with Tabitha. "What'd he say?"
"He gave up trying to get me to quit working, he just doesn't want me to skip so much."
"Was your sister mad?"
Aria shrugged, "she wasn't happy." Her phone chirped, "she said that since I went to my appointment I can go out tonight, I just have to be home at eight. So she's not that mad. Mr. Alto must have called her."
"Rest of the girls are at Solo's." Said Tabitha as the two made their way to the local vino del sole bar. Sun wine--a sweet, very low-alcohol wine that is generally considered safe for kids to drink--is popular with adolescents, and the places built around selling it are popular hang out spots for friends after school and work.
Outside, it was a plain white building like much of the rest of working class neighborhood. There was an worn old sign, covered with key-carved names and doodles. There were a couple of tables outside by the entrance where some kids were milling about, munching on cheap pizza and fries, sipping on sun wine and sodapop. Inside there was a jovial atmosphere in the little place with dimmed, but colorful lights illuminating a small counter, a few tables, and a pool table. In the corner there was an arcade machine and a jukebox, presently playing an upbeat punk song.
The two girls sat down with their friends. "Paula's treating pizza for the table," Lila said.
"And I expect favors in turn," Paula said, smirking. The rest of the girls giggled at the prospect. A round of sun wine was ordered, and the girls broke out into gossip, complaining about school, family, boys, and jobs. At some point someone brought up what was happening in Pannonia, how it still reaked of death and destitution. The four refugee girls paused for a moment and looked at eachother, and then to their native Radilan friends. In their own way, they each had worked to re-center their identities on being Radilan, they felt at home here... even if never could never be home. It was the glaring contradiction--like how they could the feel numb to anxiety--that they were still coming to peace with.
Aria took a moment to settle some resolve. "To Dante," she declared, holding up her bottle of sun wine. Saluting the revered poet and statesman who was a major cultural touchstone for Pannonians.
"To Dante," the rest of the girls declared.
"For someone who skips so much you have been paying attention in literature class," Tabitha joked. Aria stuck her toung out and the girls broke out into more giggles and resumed their gossiping.
Carlo Orfei International Airport, Nouvo Porto
2:00 PM on a Tuesday
Sebaste Anna Dandolo Of @Pelasgia stood next to her husband Senator Emilio Dandolo II (who had been recently elevated to Senator in response to his wife's recent increase in rank since her brother's Corination). They both wore their finest: the Sabaste wore an elegant blue dress festooned with gold orders and fine diamond jewelry; the Senator wore a modern looking designer tuxedo that contrasted with his senatorial drapeux (a red silk and ermine cape worn over one shoulder).
The gaggle of 12 year olds who stood before them were far more disciplined than the rable of foreign crusaders who had previously been welcomed in Nouvo Porto. Of course these kids were still a bit wide eyed after getting to ride in a private jet. Even for the future elites of Pelasgia, that was quite an experience. But this whole trip was about experiences after all. This exchange program between
Standing in that gaggle was Viktoria Farkas, the Pannonian refugee who had found academic success in Pelasgia, despite her hardships and her Catholicism (at least for now), she had managed to get into the prestigious boarding school (while working to support her small family) and get this scholarship. She was quite the academic star. That she could also speak Zaran (Radilo's official language) was also a strong line on her CV.
"Benvignùo a la Serenìsima, welcome to the Most Serene Republic, young scholars," Sabaste Anna started, you have all done extraordinary well with your schooling; you are an impressive collection of future leaders. This program aims to further open up your minds to the diversity of not only people's and cultures, but also to diverse ways of approaching academics. Radilo and Pelasgia have different ways of approaching academics, as they do how best to organize and manage society. Do not let those differences intimidate you. Revel in them. Think subversively about them. Challenge yourselves, as you are all clearly comfortable doing. We will be departing for Badua tomarrow morning. But first you should have the opportunity to explore this magnificent city, Radila. I'm sure you've seen postcards. And if you find that there is an awful lot of Pelasgian influence here, do not be suprised."
After letting the students and their chaperones mingle about and gawk at La Città (particularly St. Mark's Square and Basilica, they were treated to one of those banquet style feasts that Radila is famous for... though they were much better behaved than the horde of Deus Vult chanting misfits from earlier in the week.
@San Jose
@Nieveland
2:00 pm on a Monday
"You've been skipping school a lot," Mr. Alto said, in a disappointed tone.
Aria shrugged, "and you lied to me."
Mr. Alto rolled his eyes, "I wanted to keep you in school. Research shows that people who work before thirteen are more likely to drop out of school."
"So you want me to stay in school so I can do something more than wash dishes?" Aria said with ample sarcasm.
"No," Mr. Alto said to her suprise, "we need busgirls, waitresses, and restraunt workers. Those professions often most derided by teachers are essential to society. Our Republic would collapse without ditch diggers and garbage men much quicker than if it lost social workers. And I know that you are a hard and dedicated worker, and that you will contribute a lot to the Republic. What we do need however are civically educated busgirls and ditch diggers. I know you are smart Aria, but you need to supplement your hard earned wisdom with a formal education. At least for the next year."
Aria's expression softened. "I still plan on quitting next year."
"As is your right as a citizen, but not until next year."
Aria sighed and smiled at the social worker.
"Fine--next year."
After leaving the office she met back up with Tabitha. "What'd he say?"
"He gave up trying to get me to quit working, he just doesn't want me to skip so much."
"Was your sister mad?"
Aria shrugged, "she wasn't happy." Her phone chirped, "she said that since I went to my appointment I can go out tonight, I just have to be home at eight. So she's not that mad. Mr. Alto must have called her."
"Rest of the girls are at Solo's." Said Tabitha as the two made their way to the local vino del sole bar. Sun wine--a sweet, very low-alcohol wine that is generally considered safe for kids to drink--is popular with adolescents, and the places built around selling it are popular hang out spots for friends after school and work.
Outside, it was a plain white building like much of the rest of working class neighborhood. There was an worn old sign, covered with key-carved names and doodles. There were a couple of tables outside by the entrance where some kids were milling about, munching on cheap pizza and fries, sipping on sun wine and sodapop. Inside there was a jovial atmosphere in the little place with dimmed, but colorful lights illuminating a small counter, a few tables, and a pool table. In the corner there was an arcade machine and a jukebox, presently playing an upbeat punk song.
The two girls sat down with their friends. "Paula's treating pizza for the table," Lila said.
"And I expect favors in turn," Paula said, smirking. The rest of the girls giggled at the prospect. A round of sun wine was ordered, and the girls broke out into gossip, complaining about school, family, boys, and jobs. At some point someone brought up what was happening in Pannonia, how it still reaked of death and destitution. The four refugee girls paused for a moment and looked at eachother, and then to their native Radilan friends. In their own way, they each had worked to re-center their identities on being Radilan, they felt at home here... even if never could never be home. It was the glaring contradiction--like how they could the feel numb to anxiety--that they were still coming to peace with.
Aria took a moment to settle some resolve. "To Dante," she declared, holding up her bottle of sun wine. Saluting the revered poet and statesman who was a major cultural touchstone for Pannonians.
"To Dante," the rest of the girls declared.
"For someone who skips so much you have been paying attention in literature class," Tabitha joked. Aria stuck her toung out and the girls broke out into more giggles and resumed their gossiping.
Carlo Orfei International Airport, Nouvo Porto
2:00 PM on a Tuesday
Sebaste Anna Dandolo Of @Pelasgia stood next to her husband Senator Emilio Dandolo II (who had been recently elevated to Senator in response to his wife's recent increase in rank since her brother's Corination). They both wore their finest: the Sabaste wore an elegant blue dress festooned with gold orders and fine diamond jewelry; the Senator wore a modern looking designer tuxedo that contrasted with his senatorial drapeux (a red silk and ermine cape worn over one shoulder).
The gaggle of 12 year olds who stood before them were far more disciplined than the rable of foreign crusaders who had previously been welcomed in Nouvo Porto. Of course these kids were still a bit wide eyed after getting to ride in a private jet. Even for the future elites of Pelasgia, that was quite an experience. But this whole trip was about experiences after all. This exchange program between
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and the University of Badua (Radilo's only secular university), was intended to expose these young minds on to how different cultures work. That partnership was important for Anna, who had funded this program and accompanying scholarships. That she had married a Catholic, and any future children she had would also be Catholic, despite her Orthodox upbringing, informed her motivation. Her scholarship was unique in that it had no requirements to be Orthodox, as was commin in Pelasgia; the pairing worked well because University of Badua was not an explicitly Catholic university. The excitement of this, and seeing a return to normal relations between Radilo and Pelasgia, had been encouraging.Standing in that gaggle was Viktoria Farkas, the Pannonian refugee who had found academic success in Pelasgia, despite her hardships and her Catholicism (at least for now), she had managed to get into the prestigious boarding school (while working to support her small family) and get this scholarship. She was quite the academic star. That she could also speak Zaran (Radilo's official language) was also a strong line on her CV.
"Benvignùo a la Serenìsima, welcome to the Most Serene Republic, young scholars," Sabaste Anna started, you have all done extraordinary well with your schooling; you are an impressive collection of future leaders. This program aims to further open up your minds to the diversity of not only people's and cultures, but also to diverse ways of approaching academics. Radilo and Pelasgia have different ways of approaching academics, as they do how best to organize and manage society. Do not let those differences intimidate you. Revel in them. Think subversively about them. Challenge yourselves, as you are all clearly comfortable doing. We will be departing for Badua tomarrow morning. But first you should have the opportunity to explore this magnificent city, Radila. I'm sure you've seen postcards. And if you find that there is an awful lot of Pelasgian influence here, do not be suprised."
After letting the students and their chaperones mingle about and gawk at La Città (particularly St. Mark's Square and Basilica, they were treated to one of those banquet style feasts that Radila is famous for... though they were much better behaved than the horde of Deus Vult chanting misfits from earlier in the week.
@San Jose
@Nieveland
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