Presidential Estate, Arcadia, Setzna, 12:02 PM PDT
Tretridian Prime Minister Adam Wilson sat down in his seat and asked, “So, what are we having for dinner? Exactly what will we discuss over our food?”
“I actually don’t know, Emberwood Coast volunteered to bring the food. But we do have some steaks and other foodstuffs coming out in a bit”
Presidential Manor, Arcadia, Setzna. 1210 Hours.
The Pooles arrived in their car, and Caroline Dean extracted herself from the back seat and took a covered bowl of food with her. The three heads of state wandered up to the front door, and the car closed it’s doors and quietly drove itself away.
William stood up, “That must be the last of our guests, please excuse me, Prime Minister.” He walked to the front door and opened it for the heads of state to come in.
“I’m President William Verlhan, its an honor. Please, come inside” He allowed them to enter the lobby, then after shutting the door behind them he gestured for them to follow him to the dining room.
“Is your hotel room fine? It’s one of the best in Setzna if I may say so myself.”
“Oh, it was excellent! Thank for inviting us.” Nimona replied.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance.” said Coraline.
Secretary Dean held the bowl aloft and said, “Hello sir! I’ve got some Daidura Salad. You’ll love it.” She pulled off the wrapping, revealing a mix of chicken, lettuce, and a sauce that had a light scent of pine.
“It looks wonderful!” William perked up a bit more upbeat. Bret walked up to the group and shook their hands.
“I’m Secretary of State Bret Karlson, I also serve as Director of Foreign Affairs. An honor to meet all of you in person.” He walked with the group back to the dining room. The appetizers would’ve been served and a nice three course meal was on it’s way. Velhaus introduced himself to the heads of state as well. The door would open again, this time Velhanz would appear. He put his peaked cap on the hat rack near the door and took off his coat to reveal his cadet uniform. Like his father and Bret, he too was wearing a saber. The clinking of metal was heard as the saber dangled from a mount on his waist. With the three of them together, it looked like they were attending a ceremony.
“I apologize for my lateness, I am Velhanz Verlhan, Midshipman 3rd Class” He introduced himself and took a seat next to his father and the rest of his family.
(The Verlhans love their sabers and stylish dress uniforms, lol)
“Your swords are so awesome.” Nimona smiled. Cora took a seat beside Nimona, and Ms. Dean placed the salad on the table.
“It took the two of us forever at the hotel to make this. I don’t think we could’ve if that maid hadn’t helped! She was so sweet…”
Caroline snickered, and Cora playfully snapped back. “We may be bad cooks, but you went even there! You had ‘official business’ and, ‘diplomatic responsibilities.’”
Nimona rolled her eyes and fight down a smile. She procured a bottle of '34 Norogradian wine, “For in case the salad isn’t as good we hoped.”
“Thank you, I also think these sabers are very nice aren’t they Velhanz?” William accepted the wine and cued his eldest son to speak up, Velhanz sat silently trying to keep a clean upright posture.
“Y-yes sir…” He was clearly tense, being in the vicinity of a foreign official of high status was nerve racking for him. Without thinking, he called the president sir instead of father.
As the first course came out, Marlene insisted on everyone taking a bite. The light from the chandelier above would shimmer on her white dress. Velhaus and Bret chuckled as they listened to Velhanz.
The dresses of the Emberwood delegation dimmed in comparison to hostesses’ gown. They talked and laughed with the others, Nimona even nudged President Wilson and had a laugh about the Fora-Temerian incident.
Velhanz quietly ate, only responding to questions or talk directed at him. His family on the other hand was more active then him. His mother and younger sisters took a liking to the delegates from Emberwood Coast. Thomas Verlhan, two years younger than his elder brother was talking about politics with Prime Minister Wilson, his father, and Ms. Dean.
William nudged his eldest son with his elbow, “Vel, why don’t you be more social with our guests? Speak up, son.”
“Father you know i’m not good around high standing officials…” Noticing her brother having a hard time being social with the group, 16 year old Hannah Verlhan nudged one of the people from Emberwood to speak to him.
[spoiler]You can choose who[/spoiler]
Nimona turned to them. “Yeah?” She stopped munching on her salad. “What’s up?”
“My brother has a bit of a social issue when it comes to being around government officials from foreign nations… But he gets talking a lot once someone starts up a conversation with him. Could you engage in a conversation with him if it’s not too much?” Hannah asked, hoping that if her brother got into a chat, he would socialize with the rest.
Prime Minister Wilson signed and said, “Can we talk about the situation at the ‘Line’, as my Defense Minister calls it?”
The President nudged her wife and whispered to her. As the leaders began to speak of politics and war, Coraline asked Velhanz, “Where do you go school?”
Velhanz stopped eating and looked up, “H-huh? I attend the Setznan Naval Academy… It’s about a few miles north of Arcadia.”
He pointed to the anchor with two sabers crossed behind it on his uniform lapel.
“That’s awesome. I know friend who went to the naval academy in the Free Pacific, have heard of it?”
He nodded, “I’ve heard of it before.”
After swallowing a piece of steak, Prime Minister Wilson asked, “Should the flotilla of the coast be moved closer to the Line?”
William looked up at the Prime Minister, “Well the rebel fleet is currently fighting against TF60, which is about maybe 5 kilometers south of the flotilla. The rest of the 2nd fleet is still supporting troops on Luzen, but other forces on our islands still need some fire support.”
Nimona added, “We have a lot of smaller groups we can dispatch to individual locations, maybe can work with that…”
Coraline and Velhanz continued to talk about the illustrious “Shiro Academy” they’d both heard so much about.