(OOC: This is a collab post between myself and Vulshain.)
Cecilia and Natalka started getting some stuff out of the cabinets. “Natalia, would you like to help? We’re making chicken pot pie,” Natalka said.
Natalia walked over to the kitchen and began washing her hands. “Sure, I’ll help.” She dried off her hands and stood next to Cecilia. “What do you need me to do?”
Cecilia began telling her what to do, while Natalka got out the glass container. They started getting the vegetables and bread ready while Natalia started getting the chicken ready.
Stu took a seat in the living room with Frederik, Eric and Coline. “So, how long have you two known each other,”" the graying lobo asked as he reclined in the chair.
“Well, we met on an instant messenger a while back,” Erik said.
“I was at the 2011 Sixth Winter Olympics, relaxing a bit when we met online,” Coline said.
Frederik nodded as he listened to their story. Stu was half listening, checking his phone.
“Our relationship…had its ups and downs,” Erik said. “It was a bit difficult especially because of our different religions. It’s…been interesting.”
Frederik nodded. “I’m sure it was.” Stu slid his phone back into his pocket. “Everything alright,” Frederik asked. Stu nodded. “The government approved my and Cecilia’s applications for dual citizenship.”
Sam smiled. “That’s great to hear. The law doesn’t prohibit the Vulshainian Premier from having dual citizenship. And I don’t see any problems with my government approving it. Of course, a couple of nobles are wondering if you’ll be getting a title of nobility.”
“As long as the government of Laiatan doesn’t award it, it’ll be perfectly legal and recognized in Laiatan. It won’t get any perks, but the country recognizes it.” Frederik rolled his eyes a bit, but remained silent.
Sam raised an eyebrow. “I take it you don’t want Stu to gain any sort of nobility.”
“Not necessarily that, but just the idea that what family you’re from determines if you become a ruler is ridiculous to me.”
Sam shrugged. “Anyhow, any word from your brother, Stu?”
Stu shook his head. “Not yet. Reports show his unit several blocks from the capital building.”
“That is good. We have reports that our siege tanks and Goliaths are fast approaching the capital building as well. Between our forces, we should be able to take the Rygardi Presidential Palace.”
Stu nodded. “Then it’ll finally be over.”
Sam nodded. “Then starts the next part: rebuilding Rygard. I still have to figure out how we are going to do a Vulshainian Commonwealth. It would give the Rygardi their independence, but it would somewhat satisfy those in Rygard who want us to annex them.”
“I’m not sure how happy Laiatan’s going to be about it. They’re strongly for a total independent Rygard.”
“Well, that’s going to be a problem then. The Rygardi want to be annexed by Vulshain and we don’t want to annex them.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there, then,” Stu said.
Sam nodded. “So, Stu, Cecilia mentioned that Laiatan was working on some new armor suits for your soldiers? Are they anything like our suits?”
Stu shook his head. “They’re more of a body suit with helmets similar to what they wear today, only with a HUD.”
Sam nodded again. “A bit different from our own I guess. So, Stu, what did you do during your bachelor party?”
“Nothing too exciting. Went out with a few friends, saw the last airshow of the year for the Devil Dogs.”
“Anything else,” Anna asked. She grinned.
Stu shook his head, knowing exactly what she was asking.
She sighed. “You’re no fun, Stu. You’re prefect for Cecilia.”
Stu chuckled a bit, deciding to keep the later bits of the night to himself.
Anna suspected something. “Seriously, you didn’t do anything…naughty?”
Stu shook his head again, keeping his bearing. “Nope.”
Anna sighed. “Drat. You’re just like Cecilia. I tried to drag her to a strip club, but she would have none of it. We went to a karaoke sushi bar, and saw a movie, and ate until we almost popped. I can’t believe Cecilia had 10 jello shots in a row. Of course, she had one hell of a hangover the next day.”
Stu laughed a bit. “At least you had some fun.”
“Yeah we did,” Anna said. Sam grinned.
“So, Stu, are you ready for the wedding,” Sam asked.
He nodded. “Yeah, actually. Pretty excited for it.” He smiled.
“Nervous,” Erik asked.
“Just a little. Typical jitters.”
“That is typical, I guess,” Sam said. “So, any word from Zak on whether he can come to the wedding?”
Stu nodded. “As far as I know, he can come.”
“That’s good. How is his election coming along?”
“Shows he’s still on top. Supposed to be a landslide.”
“Okay. So, no chance of a upset huh?”
Stu shook his head.
“Well that’s good to hear. Anyhow, are there any special conditions for you have to agree to in order to be granted dual-citizenship?”
“Dual-citizenship is usually reserved for married couples of Laiatan and another country, or for a child born to a Laiatanese parent.”
“Okay. So, are there any in your government who are strongly against you marrying my sister?”
Stu shrugged. “Well, if there are they aren’t vocal about it.”
“Any you suspect,” Taisyia asked.
“Not a clue. I’m lucky I know the representatives in the Narodnoe from Volkgoroda.”
Sam smiled. “So, how are you two going to be living with one another after you’re married,” Anna asked.
“We’ll probably live in Kitsuniva until Cecilia decides she doesn’t want to be Premier anymore. Then I was hoping we might move back over to Laiatan.” He looked over at Cecilia.
“I don’t think she’ll step down anytime soon,” Sam said. “The Confederate Premier is usually a life-long position.”
“Well, it’s an option if she decides to.”
“True. I’ll try and see what I can do in setting up an office for you in Kitsuniva,” Sam said. “And don’t worry, I’ll make sure to talk Zak about it as well.”
Stu nodded. “I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out with the military.”
“And I talk with Zak about setting up an office for Cecilia as well,” Sam added. “In case, you get homesick. Knowing Cecilia, she would figure you would want to go back home once in a while. Hopefully we can get the high-speed railway set up between our countries. Bullet trains are fast, reliable, and safe. Ever ridden on one,” Sam asked.
Stu nodded. “I’ve ridden a few heading from Volkgoroda out to the coast a few times.”
“Well, they are safe and fast, so we used them quite extensively here in Vulshain.”
“So, have you two had your first fight yet,” Anna asked.
“Wouldn’t say fights, maybe an argument or two.”
“Oh about what?”
Stu shrugged a bit. “If you don’t mind, we usually keep things like that between the family in Laiatan.” He smiled a bit.
Taisyia nudged her older sister. Anna smirked. Sam changed the subject. “So, Stu, I’m trying to work out a deal with the Laiatanese military liasion about sending some of our Goliath mechs to your military, sort of a friendly gesture. He’s not too thrilled about the idea of having the Laiatanese military being equipped with mechs.” Sam laughed a bit. “He’s not even keen on the idea of having any mechs to be honest.”
Stu nodded. “Well, he’s the link between the government and military of Laiatan. Even though he feels that way too, he’s showing the interests of the military and government.”
“How about you? Would you feel the same way,” Erik asked.
Stu nodded a bit. “Not a big fan of them myself. Too big of targets and too expensive.”
“Hm…I have to admit that you got me there. Now, he likes our siege tanks though. Says that your military could benefit from them. The ability to have tanks that can greatly strengthen an area’s defenses or blow it to kingdom come is greatly beneficial.”
Stu nodded. “Well, that’s up to the government.”
“Yep. So, what do you think of the wedding preparations so far,” Sam asked.
“I’m liking them. I think it’s going to be great.”
“Same here,” Sam said.
Cecilia asked Natalia, “So, how are things back home? Everyone in your hometown must be talking up a storm about me and Stu getting married.”
“The people in the neighborhood are, at least. I’m not too sure about the rest of the town.” Natalia said as she helped prepare the food.
“Why do you say that,” Cecilia asked.
“I don’t know everyone in town,” Natalia said laughing.
Cecilia smiled. “So, how long did you and Frederik know each other before getting married,” Natalka asked.
“Oh, a few years. We started dating after that, and dated for about three years.”
“Stu and I had been dating not that long,” Cecilia replied.
She nodded. “I know. Most marriages in Laiatan begin after a year or more of dating.”
“Well, you must have been surprised when Stu told you both that he and I were getting married,” Cecilia said.
She nodded. “I was expecting you two to be together a bit longer.”
“Well, what can I say, love sometimes knows when it’s best to get married,” Cecilia said.
She nodded in agreement.
Cecilia smiled. “I must admit that I didn’t realize that yellow flowers weren’t really good for a wedding. I didn’t mean make you, Frederick, and Stu uncomfortable.”
“It’s quite alright. I understand there’s cultural differences”
“Indeed. But I probably should have asked to make sure,” Cecilia added.
Natalia nodded. “At least we caught it before it caused a bigger problem.”
“That’s true,” Cecilia laughed a bit. “But well…so, what do you think of Erik?”
“He’s a nice boy,” Natalia said.
“Thank you. He and Coline are working things out, and they hit a few bumps, but I think they will be just fine,” Cecilia said as she checked the food.
“That’s understandable. Glad they’re working out their problems.”
She nodded. “Food’s almost ready. Natalka is the pie ready?”
“Yep,” Natalka said as she checked the blueberry apple pie.
“So, Natalia, how many of your relatives are coming to the wedding?”
“We’re not sure exactly yet, but probably twenty to thirty.”
Both sisters smiled. The timers then dinged. “Ah, food’s ready,” Cecilia ready.