5th of September, 1939
Valkalia, Greater Republic of Avalia
Cyntwleidyddion Hîr Radidnahr en'Lóthien GosodnelhIt's been a tough week for Prime Minister Radidnahr. In spite of the fact he was already busy with several internal and foreign issues he was also invited by their long-time trading partner Avalia. Given the distance and the already tight schedule he was lucky to have made it by the night of Domhnaigh (Sunday) on the 3rd of September. Even during the hours of journey aboard his luxurious private airship Celeir Artefanyír (Brilliant Noble Cloud), he spent the day working, reading/writing telegraphs and issuing commands to multiple branches. The life of a Prime Minister was never easy and he didn't choose to attend the Liberian Festival out of mere whim.
Soon as he arrived the Chancellor's representative apologized because Lady Helena Vortzeria was busy and could not welcome him in person. Radidnahr unconsciously raised an eyebrow hearing that, as far as he knew these two words were almost mutually exclusive. Of course she's still the leader of an entire country so perhaps the Chancellor has urgent duties. See, at least by elven standards, Radidnahr was a very understanding person. Following this he was invited to live in Avalia's most renown hotel. It was quite spartan in appearance, focusing on practicality over fanciful features. Radidnahr could only compare it to a lower middle class lodging from Yllendthyr. Still, this obviously wasn't his first visit in the Greater Republic of Avalia so Radidnahr knew that's just the way it is in the country. He kindly accepted the room but not after he made the servants clean it three times in a row. Even then Radidnahr was not satisfied so he called up his own servants. They tidied the room so it shone brilliantly even to the sensitive elven eye. After which he brought some spare furniture to make the room livelier and also carried a few tools so he could continue his work while in Avalia.
4th of September, the ceremonial opening of the Liberian Festival. How many decades had it been since Radidnahr saw it? He finished most of his work for the day and along with his Aramegyr they enjoyed the sights of the festival. Being an elven noble, his presence was far from subtle although Radidnahr took care to never disrupt the proceedings. By his high-class elven standards the celebration was fairly unimpressive but he was perfectly aware that Yllendthyr's extravagance is anything but the norm. Radidnahr's only issue was that he failed to meet neither Chancellor Vortzeria nor Premier Velikaya. Aside from that he enjoyed himself for the first time after the strenuous last week.
And now it was the 5th of September, second day of the Festival. As Radidnahr heard this day was typically reserved for air shows. Avalia was one of the leading nations in aircraft technology and their society was practically built on living in the skies. Naturally, the prime minister of Yllendthyr had great interest to see some of Avalia's advanced aircrafts in action. On his route to the Senate the prime minister could finally meet the Premier for the first time. Premier Commissar Yekaterina Velikaya, former empress of Kataylabinsk who reformed her dying nation just a decade ago. Her feat was impressive but obviously not the most beneficial for Yllendthyr that just began colonizing the far edge of the continent. The two nations are now in a several years long feud over the borders which obviously doesn't help their relations. Radidnahr saw photographs of her but this is the first time he actually met the Premier in person. For being barely 32 years old the Prime Minister expected to see somebody young. Even though he works with humans on daily basis it's always so easy for him to forget how rapidly they can grow. This aspect of humans is what amazes the Prime Minister the most.
Another person Radidnahr was surprised to see was a Tinite, and not even any random citizen. He was Nahku Mirza, descendant of the royal house. According to just the latest intelligence reports the current Sultan denied the classic Tinite tradition to brutally murder anyone else claiming the throne and was satisfied to only order their exile. Nahku was supposedly one of the exiled former royals but this kind of development is the last thing Radidnahr would expect. The prime minister took a long look at him. Obviously the man had seen better days, the time spent in prison was still cast its shadow on him. Just like Velikaya, this was the first time Radidnahr met Nahku in person. Still, it wouldn't be hard for him to guess that the prime minister of Yllendthyr is aware of his identity. Not long after this Nahku was led away by Velikaya's men, probably because they realized having a Tinite ex-royalty during the meeting is a seriously bad idea.
Exactly at 12:30 the airshow began. Several airships belonging to the 1st Airborne Fleet flew past the skies. They looked like warships that denied the laws of gravity. Radidnahr saw many photographs about these vessels but observing them with his own eyes was obviously a whole different experience. The air acrobatics show began with the performance 506th Strike Witch Flight. For a long time Radidnahr was intrigued by what sorts of genius created these machines. Unlike typical aircraft the Strike Witch was effectively just a soldier with two aircraft engines strapped to their legs. By common sense such design would be impossible yet Avalia's engineers made it viable. The Strike Witches performed deft maneuvers on great speeds. Their performance may not be exactly on par with fighter craft but their mobility and field potential was amazing. What surprised Radidnahr the most though is the person who led the Witches. His sharp elven eyes could immediately spot that it was none other but Chancellor Helena Vortzeria. Radidnahr knew she had military background but her skill managed to surprise him still. After her unit finished their performance the Chancellor went straight for the Senate and descended next to the great steps leading to the building. People whistled and cheered as she approached the stand, all amazed by her feats. Radidnahr also welcomed the Chancellor with applause. When in Rome do as the Romans, they say. In his country this kind of display might be course and even a bit ungentlemanly but Radidnahr was never reluctant to adapt. Besides, he was indeed satisfied with the Chancellor's performance.
She raised her hand for silence, and eventually she was given that silence. The Chancellor began. "People of the Republic, honored guests, and members of the Senate. I see before me a strong, young nation. A nation not ruled by tyrants, by Emperors, by kings, but by people! No matter where you live in this world, the people always hold the most power for change, not the person. I live in a nation, where a little young girl, with no parents, and not a cent to her name, can rise to the level of Chancellor in this nation. Where hard work and drive make the difference, not birthright. Today, on this fateful day, the last shot was fired in defending the freedom of this nation. Today marked the day that our nation truly stepped onto the world stage and told everyone that we, people of Avalia, will not go quietly into the pages of history! We are here to stay, to prosper, to live out lives to their fullest! We now have control of our natural domain, our true home! The sky! Today, is the greatest day of our history!" she paused as a member of her cabinet approached her with a glass of beer. She thanked him and turned to the ground, holding out the glass to the crowd. "May the Festival of the Sky begin!" With that, the crowd roared with applause and cheers, the band began to play the songs of Avalia, and the festival was finally underway. The Chancellor drank from the glass and then came down from the podium, shaking hands with the members of the Senate, before finally approaching the Prime Minister and Commissar. There was an obvious contrast in their dress, as she wore a more rugged pilot's outfit as opposed to a suit or military uniform.
"Friends of Avalia, please, let me welcome you my nation! I must once again apologize for not meeting you both the moment of your arrivals, but as you can tell now, I had to brush up on my flying skills for today's events. Come now, let us head inside and begin our discussion." As the leaders entered the building, the parades had begun in the main mall. Unlike other nations, the parade only consisted of one military unit, the local army unit, while the majority of the parade was made up of civilian floats.
The Chancellor made his opening speech then shook hands with both Radidnahr and the Premier of PRK while inviting them to the Senate building to continue their talks. Looking over the two leaders again, Radidnahr seemed almost ridiculously overdressed. In retrospect he could've chose a less extravagant outfit for the occasion. Problem is these were already his common clothes. Aside from his military uniform which by rule could only be worn at war this was his least flashy outfit by far.
Radidnahr politely accepted the Chancellor's invitation and followed her to the room where they can start the negotiations.
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