[center][color=7bcdc8][h2]Akamatsu Hiko[/h2] [h3]Son of the Emporer of Nihon[/h3][/color][/center]

To say that it had been a long morning would be an understatement. Hiko had not slept during the flight from his own country to Aciras, and all the activity since their arrival hadn't even given him enough spare time to take a nap. Fortunately for Hiko, he was accustomed to running on very little sleep. His political duties sometimes had him up for days on end and though it drove him mad he couldn't afford to complain. Maybe someday when he had some real power he would be able to simply tell others to do the menial work for him, but being so young he had to prove his worth to his peers and superiors. Even the Emperor's son has no excuse for being lazy. Still, travel always wore him out, but he would have maintain a perfect appearance and manner for the duration of his stay. He was actually looking forward to it, since it was a break from his daily grind. His only duties here were to be civil to the other world powers that would be present--an easy enough task--and associate with whomever it was had been selected to be his future wife, simple enough. He might as well think of it as a vacation.

"[i]Akamatsu-san chūi o haratte kudasai[/i]."

[color=7bcdc8]"Haruka, for as long as we are in this country I would like you to speak its language, to do otherwise would be rude."[/color]

"[i]Gomen--[/i] ah, I am sorry. I only wish you would pay attention, Akamatsu-san." Ueda Haruka was Hiko's personal assistant in all things. He was older than Hiko, about thirty-four, tall, and fairly good looking. He had been a mentor for many years, and had guided young Hiko in all things pertaining to Nihon politics, as well as been a very dear friend. There was no one whom Hiko trusted more, although it was tiresome for him to endure Haruka's borderline motherly nature toward the boy. "Stand up straight or the [i]obi[/i] is going to be crooked."

[color=7bcdc8]"Ah, Haruka, I don't see why I need a wife to nag me when you do such a fine job of it already."[/color] In light of the circumstances, that is, the extreme importance of this grand ball, Haruka had insisted that Hiko be introduced to the aristocrats in traditional garb. Usually such a thing was saved only for very important cultural events back home, and while Hiko had expected he'd have to wear it for his wedding, he certainly hadn't counted on it his very first day in Aciras. It was a pain, really. Even a [i]yukata[/i] was a process to put on, let alone formal [i]kimono[/i] and [i]hakama[/i]. Especially the modern ones, which were designed to be more beautiful than functional. They were heavy, restricted movement, and out of cultural context Hiko was of the opinion that they looked ridiculous. But for Haruka's sake, he tried to stand still as the long pleated skirt was tied into place. When at last it was over, Akamatsu Hiko looked as if he'd [url=http://nationalclothing.org/images/2015/04/male-kimono.jpg]stepped out of a historical painting[/url] with the rich blacks and golds of the [i]hakama[/i] contrasting the metallic white of the [i]kimono[/i] and [i]haori[/i]. He slipped his feet into a pair of lacquered wooden [i]zori[/i] as Haruka pulled a comb from his jacket pocket and pulled it through Hiko's thick black hair.

[color=7bcdc8]"Hey! What are you doing!?"[/color] Hiko ducked out of the other man's reach, [color=7bcdc8]"There's nothing wrong with my hair, honestly."[/color]

"It's too long," Haruka tsked his tongue, "You should have it tied back."

[color=7bcdc8]"I like it better this way."[/color] He ran a hand through his hair, which was getting rather long. A strand of it fell in his eye and he blew it stubbornly away. 

"Let me put something in it to at least keep it swept back then," Haruka pleaded, and Hiko nodded his consent. After showing him his final appearance in a mirror, Haruka huffed in satisfaction. "You truly look like the son of the Emperor, Akamatsu-san."

Hiko just grunted, glaring at his other self in the reflection. [color=7bcdc8]"Am I going to a costume party, Haruka? Why do you get to wear a regular business suit?"[/color]

Haruka lowered the mirror and put a reassuring hand on Hiko's shoulder, having to tilt his head downward a bit. His face took on a look of concern for a moment. "Hiko... you are still young, are you sure you're ready to take on this burden? Marriage is no simple matter. If you--"

[color=7bcdc8]"What kind of nonsense are you talking about? Who's too young? Stop treating me like a child,"[/color] Hiko got a little flustered at this sudden change of conversation. Of course he'd had his own reservations and doubts, but those didn't matter, he had to be logical. He had a duty to perform, after all. [color=7bcdc8]"And who gave you permission to speak so informally?"[/color] he asked, recovering his composure. Haruka had spoken out of place, although chastising him did little good. Haruka had a habit of speaking his mind to Hiko when no one else was around.

"I am sorry, forgive me." Hiko waved him off and together they prepared to leave.[hr]

Akamatsu Hiko arrived at the palace by car. A second shuttled his entourage, half a dozen agents inside, each one of them assigned to him as a bodyguard. The world was a peaceful place in this age, but such a gathering of world powers was bound to draw the attention of those who would not wish for it to stay that way, and it was always better to be safe than to be dead. As far as Akamatsu was concerned, he didn't have any enemies in this country, and the security of this palace was not his affair so it was best not to worry too much about it.

Akamatsu exited the vehicle with some difficulty, unaccustomed to his current wardrobe, and he fully intended to change into regular clothes after all the formalities were through with. If this was to be a traditional ball with dancing included, there was no way he'd be able to waltz his way around in this getup. 

After climbing the steps to the palace, he greeted the King and Queen personally, and their daughter, with Ueda Haruka at his side and his bodyguards following a respective distance behind them. After bowing respectfully at the waist he said, [color=7bcdc8]"My lord and ladies, I am honored that you would welcome your home to myself and my fellow countrymen. My name is Akamatsu Hiko, son of Emperor Akamatsu Aki. And this is my associate, Ueda Haruka."[/color] Haruka bowed as well, expressing his gratitude for Aciras' hospitality. Once the pleasantries had been dealt with, Akamatsu allowed himself to be escorted inside where he found several others had already arrived. 

One young man in particular stood out to him, who also had worn what seemed to be his country's traditional clothing, and it was so flamboyant and outlandish (even down to his makeup) that Hiko found himself feeling relieved he wasn't the only one to have dressed extravagantly. He felt that if he stood next to this man, he couldn't possibly look as ridiculous as he felt. Although, if he were to be honest with himself, they both probably looked equally silly. Still, he did his best to hold himself proudly, and took a moment to survey the others in the room. Among them was a tall man with a very military look about him; he stood like a soldier and Hiko's sharp eyes detected the hint of a gun holster hidden beneath his jacket. He wondered for a moment if the man was simply another guard, but no, he was too noticeable. Still, he seemed like a man of discipline, and Akamatsu felt an instant respect for him. 

The only other person he noticed was a girl, small and frail looking even in her beautiful clothes and hairstyle. He wondered if maybe she was sick, and if she was she must be very strong indeed to attend such a momentous event as this. [i]Size isn't everything, after all,[/i] he thought to himself. As he watched, she approached the other two men and introduced herself.

Haruka leaned over to murmur to him. "The one on the left is Niklas Kasimier König of Königreich," he nodded at the uniformed man, "And the other is Amunemhet Ramesses Sipar, prince of Egypt." Ah, Egypt, that would explain his clothing... "And the girl, if I'm not mistaken, is Liviana Decima Traianus of Lusitania." Akamatsu nodded in acknowledgement of this information, logging it away in his mind. His knowledge of the finer details of these countries he was not familiar with, but he had a general grasp of their respective cultures. Following the girl--Liviana's exapmple, he approached them and introduced himself in much the same way as he had done to the King and Queen. [color=7bcdc8]"Prince Niklas, Prince Amunemhet, Princess Liviana. I am glad to make your acquaintance."[/color][hr]
[hider=Summary]-Enter Akamatsu Hiko and his personal assistant Ueda Haruka

-Akamatsu complains about having to wear traditional clothes, but wears them anyway because even though he won't admit it he recognizes their significance

-Arrive at the palace and introduce themselves to the King and Queen

-Ditto for Nicklas, Amun, and Liviana[/hider]