[OOC: This is a joint post between myself and SocDyl]
Lantaž, Rodoka
9th January, 2021
The 29th of Kraimet, 541 KV
The plane had touched down early morning and Hendrik was in good spirits. His new position as Speaker to the Lord-Advisors had taken quite a lot out of him, so a trip like this could not have come at a better time. Of course, this trip was called a diplomatic mission on paper, but the fact it just so happened to land on such a specific date had been no accident.
Hendrik left the airport and walked outside, walking to where he and the Acronian Crown Prince had agreed to meet.
It was New Year’s Eve in Acronis, and the decorations were already up in most places. The Prince had never spent the holiday anywhere other than the Royal Palace or onboard a ship, so it was interesting to see how other communities celebrated. He did not come often to Rodoka, but he was excited to make the trip this time. There would be formal business, of course, but that was for later. As Hendrik approached, he could not help but smile broadly. “Prince Hendrik. Mr. Speaker. A pleasure to see you, as always.”
Hendrik gave a smile back, before jokingly commenting “I came here to avoid being called Mr Speaker, Prince Otan, but I will agree it is great to meet again.”
“Fair enough. I’ve always been a formal person, I suppose. Either way, we have some time before the business is set to begin, so I thought I would take you on a tour of Lantaž. I admit I don’t see the city very often either, so it will be somewhat new for the both of us.”
“I suppose formalities seem to be part of the job at this point. A tour does sound good. Never visited Novaris before, nevermind this specific city, so exploring this place does sound interesting.”
“Well then, allow me to be the first to welcome you to Novaris! Although depending on who you ask, Rodoka doesn’t count.” Otan paused for a moment. “You can’t tell anyone I said that.” He was smiling as he opened the door of the state car and gestured for Hendrik to enter first.
Hendrik gave a small chuckle at the comment as he got in the car, nodding a thank you to Otan. “Duly noted.”
The car pulled away, followed by a small retinue of Acronian Royal Marshals on motorcycles. “Lantaž is the oldest Acronian city outside of the home islands. It was once the Native Rodokan capital, and it merged with an Acronian settlement in the 1630s. Most of the original structures were destroyed in the Great Fire, which was set by Milofites, but we’ll pass by what was supposed to be the city’s Temple. There were… unfortunate events that occurred, but the building still stands as an administrative building. And there’s a lovely park along the coast that we’ll stop at for a moment.”
Many of the trees along the road were bedecked in electric lights, and Acronian flags hung from every streetlight as they drove past. “I promise it isn’t always this patriotic, it’s just that tomorrow is New Year’s, which is also the anniversary of Acronis’ founding. It’s our major holiday.”
“Oh, interesting. I didn’t know it was the anniversary of Acronis as well as New Years. It’s certainly a nice view, even if it’s a bit early for lights.” Hendrik looked out the window at the sights as they drove past. He had heard about the temple after Adelbert’s crash course of Acronian current events, and thought best just to nod rather than make awkward conversation on such a tragedy. Instead, he looked out at the trees with lights, almost reminding him of Ademar’s Mass back home.
“Strictly speaking, Acronis was founded on February 20th, but we still use the traditional lunar calendar for a few things. So New Year’s moves around. It’s actually unusually close to regular New Year’s this year, and the holiday season for most other countries.” The car made a turn and then was immediately beside the ocean. “Your people do a fair bit of sailing. We’ve long been a nautical nation as well. I’m sure you’ve seen the ocean before, but I’ve always been partial to the Pacific over the Concordian.”
“Hm, I’d have to agree with you there. We learn a lot about the Concordian back home, whether as a trade hub or as a once pirate infested battleground, but I will say the sights and openness of the Pacific is certainly alluring to sail someday.”
Otan raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t expect you to agree! But I’ll take the victory. In the Navy I spent much more time here rather than in your direction, but we do make it over there from time to time. I suppose people like you and I get more chances to travel than most do, but I’m always preferential to home.”
Hendrik nodded. “A few years ago, I was asked to sail around ‘the Empire’ as it was still called. Mainly for propaganda reasons I’ll be honest, but sailing from Hendriksville to Arendstad certainly made me appreciate the Pacific. Can’t say I wasn’t homesick after a while though. The seas are beautiful, but it’s hard to beat home.”
Otan chuckled. “Anything they have us do is for propaganda purposes. We may as well enjoy it.” The car was passing by what was once the East Parish Temple, but Otan decided not to mention it. Hendrik likely watched the news and it wasn’t exactly a fun topic to talk about. “Did you know, despite being so much farther north than the rest of Acronis, Rodoka has roughly the same climate as the Aequator?”
Hendrik gave a smile at the comment. “Huh, suppose I didn’t. Guess it seemed like a perfect place for Acronians to settle.”
“We’ve certainly come to be quite fond of the island. And it’s been 400 years now, at this point is just as Acronian as the home islands. Our Prime Minister is known to like it as well, although she spent her time in Sinajärv, where liquor is legal.” Otan snorted. “And Akrona knows what else. The Native Rodokans can set their own laws, whereas liquor has been banned on Rodoka since…” Otan paused. “The events of the fire,” he decided was the diplomatic way of putting it. “Anyway, we’re coming up on Seaside Park now. It has some lovely flower gardens, lots of plants you can’t find anywhere else.”
The car pulled through the gates, which closed behind them, and came to a stop near a gazebo. The gardens, exquisitely manicured and vibrantly colored, were just behind it. “I’ve been here only once,” the Prince said, “but it’s one of my favorite places on Urth, I think.”
“Wow…I can certainly see why.” Hendrik took a look around, the garden a far cry from the tulip-based affairs oh so common back home. It was an incredible sight, that was for sure. “Shall we get out then?”
The driver came around and opened the door, and Otan stepped out and took a deep breath of fresh air. “There are benefits to living in the tropics,” he said, “Although you wouldn’t be able to come here in July without an umbrella and galoshes.” He smiled and offered his hand to Hendrik to help him out of the car.
Hendrik smiled and took Otan’s hand, getting out and breathing the fresh air. “I can imagine, glad to avoid the rainy season for now at least.”
“Somewhere in here they have fuchsias growing, they’re the national flower. If I’m being honest with you, I’m not sure I would recognize them. I’d have an easier time recognizing yours.” The Prince was silent for a moment. “I’d pick one for you, but it’s a felony, and unlike my father, I am not exempt from prosecution.”
“That’s fine, don’t think a flower is worth the drama that a Crown Prince doing crime would cause,” Hendrik said, chuckling. “I think I’m allowed to send a Tulip as a symbol of good faith, but honestly back home I see so many of those things, I doubt we’d run out of ones to send. A lot easier to appreciate seeing new flowers.”
“I thought I remembered learning once about how there was a time when tulips were worth in the tens of thousands? Like the price of houses. Some sort of panic. Or am I making that up? It’s been a while since I was a student.”
“Sounds about right, the Tulip Mania was certainly an odd time for Vistaraland. Still don’t see why someone would pay that much for a flower, but to each their own I guess.” Hendrik replied, looking at all the different flowers. “Though, I suppose it’s a good reason to have the Tulip on our flag at least.”
Otan laughed. “This may or may not count as treason, but I think I like your flag better than ours. I’ve always found our flag to be… well… it’s kind of plain.” The sound of the ocean waves could be heard in the distance, and just the slightest breeze caused all the flowers to sway slightly. “What a beautiful day today is.”
“Think that’s 1-1 then, Acronis has the better ocean but we’ve got flag design down.” Hendrik joked, “It is certainly nice having the breeze with how warm it is compared to back home. Can’t say a bit of warmth is unwelcome after the visits to Asendavia and Norgsveldet though.”
“I can’t say that I’ve been to either. And be careful where you say the name of that first country, there are some places where it leaves a bitter taste in people’s mouths.” The crown prince paused. “Actually, I suppose that’s the case in many countries. I’m sure there are Durakians getting the chills just now, and we’re still thousands of monai, er, kilometers from there.”
Otan sighed. “I suppose our lives are always about politics, aren’t they? Hard to find an off switch.”
“Yeah, politics always seem to find a way to invade what little private time we get, but it’s fine. I’d take what little politics may come up here than the politics back home any day.” Hendrik said, hoping that politics wouldn’t get in the way any more than they already did, but guessing there was only more politics to come once he got back to Korsland.
“But hey, not gonna let politics ruin such a good day anyway. We’re in a beautiful place, weather is perfect and the company is great.”
“I agree wholeheartedly,” Otan said with a smile. He snuck a look at his wristwatch, it was an Asilican-engineered chronometer designed for use at sea. “I think we still have a little bit of time before we have to get back to business. Care for a walk?”
Otan gestured towards the gardens. “I think there’s a pavilion in there somewhere. And if we get lost, well, there have to be at least three helicopters keeping track of us.”
“Heh, sounds good to me. Rather not have to get picked up by a helicopter if we can help it though.” He said, smiling. “You want to lead the way?”
“Certainly.” In truth, Otan wasn’t exactly certain where he was going either, but it was a garden, not a maze, right? He noticed his pulse was fast, and for a moment he wondered why that might be, but he decided it would be best not to dwell on it. Instead, some shrubs with vibrant magenta flowers caught his eye.
“Oh! I think these are the fuchsias!” He looked over his shoulders to make sure no one was in earshot. “Oh, if someone heard that, I’d be roasted alive on the news.” There were a number of varieties in fact, some of them more pink and some of them more purple. “And I think those are orchids over there. If I recall correctly, Rodoka has varieties of orchids that exist nowhere else on Urth.” At this point, Otan was quoting the person who had given him a tour the last time he was here. Truth be told, he was a bit nervous and he tended to ramble when he was.
Despite the rambling, Hendrik seemee to listen intently. He wasn’t exactly excited by flower facts, but he didn’t mind if it helped Otan’s nerves. It was nice enough just spending time with someone he enjoyed the company of. “That’s certainly a lot for just an island.”
“Somewhere in here are some Auroran trees the Morst gave us for… uh, something or other. I’m a sailor, not a historian. And those orange flowers there, I think they’re called Akrona’s Tears. Why she’s crying, I don’t know, but the flowers are pretty.” Otan was fidgeting with his wristwatch. “And if I’m not mistaken, those trees far in the back there, I think those are cocoa. When I was young I wanted to be a chocolatier. Er, well, that and. You know. The King.” He offered an awkward chuckle.
Hendrik chuckled, “You sure know a lot of flower facts for a sailor, I’m impressed. But honestly, you don’t have to keep the conversation up if you’re struggling. Just relax a bit, okay?”
Otan sighed. “My motormouth gets the better of me sometimes,” he admitted. “You’re very kind to put up with me, Your Highness.” Deciding to relish in the silence a moment, Otan walked over to one of the fuschia trees and, after looking both ways, plucked a single blossom. Whistling exaggeratedly, he walked back over and very discreetly placed it in Hendrik’s hand. He winked. “They can sue me,” he said under his breath.
Hendrik smiled and nodded, before quietly replying “They can sure try, your highness,” before slipping it carefully in his coat pocket. “But honestly, It isn’t a bother to ‘put up with you’, I just want us both to have a chance to relax. As friends, not a host and guest.”
Otan smiled. “We certainly need it, don’t we?” The breeze picked up again, and the air was sweet with the scent of flowers. Silently, Otan walked along the path, stopping occasionally to read the small signs that indicated the species of flower. There were indeed flowers from all over the world here, from Acronis to Peregrinia. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and Otan could feel the warmth of the sun on his face. Yes. That’s what it was.
In the distance, there was a stone bench that sat under the shade of a large tree. There wasn’t a plaque to say what kind of tree it was, but it, too, had pretty flowers. Deciding he had been standing for too long, Otan walked over and sat down, gesturing for Hendrik to follow him. Otan sighed contentedly and snuck another look at his watch. “They shouldn’t come bother us for a little bit more,” said Otan. “Why don’t you come sit with me and we can pretend we aren’t princes for just a little while?”
“That sounds like something we both are long overdue for.” He smiled and took a seat next to Otan, “Can’t say I’ve enjoyed being somewhere this much in a long time,” he said, before he too went slightly warm in the face for reasons he didn’t have to tell any nosy reader, “The company’s certainly helped, so thank you for having me.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Hendrik.”