A light powdery snow is falling on Moscow this morning. The streets are filled with the hustle and bustle of the big city. The Prime Minister’s motorcade drives through the gates of the Imperial Palace for an unscheduled meeting with the emperor. The prime minister was sure the emperor wouldn’t be very pleasantly surprised, but he had to talk to the emperor as soon as possible.

Once inside the palace the prime minister is taken to the usual room where the prime minister usually meets for weekly meetings with the emperor. The room didn’t have a conference table or anything so official. It was more of a formal family room where the emperor entertained guests. There were 2 sofas sitting on opposite sides of a beautiful table made from some kind of imported wood. The fire place was made of marble, covered in gold and semi-precious jewels. In the corner was an old grand piano. By the piano was a large window that gave a wonderful view of the palace courtyard.

He looked out the window while he waited for the emperor watching some children, the emperor’s nieces and nephews presumably, playing in the snow, making snow angles and ice skating on the frozen water fountain.

After waiting 15 minutes or so, the emperor finally arrives. He’s dressed in old 17th century royal regalia minus the cloak and crown which were almost too heavy to move around in. The prime minister bows and greets the emperor with an expression of amusement on his face. The emperor stares at him somewhat annoyed. “Prime Minister, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

The prime minister responds trying to hold keep from laughing “Your Majesty, what are you wearing that for? Are the Mongols at the borders again?” He starts to chuckle quietly to himself while the smile cracks on the emperor’s face.

“No, I was having a painter paint a state portrait. My back is killing me, that damn crown weighs more than I do. I‘m glad you showed up when you did. Anyway Prime Minister what brings you here today?”

“Your Majesty It‘s been brought to my attention that parliament is becoming impatient with you. They set several deadlines for you to be married and they have all passed us by. They want you to preserve the monarchy by producing an heir.”

The emperor sighs and rolls his eyes. His status as a bachelor has come up many times before. “Well its not for lack of trying. I‘ve courted several women in the past 2 years and none of them were suitable. I‘m only nineteen for crying out loud. What do they expect of me?”

The prime minister rubs his chin thinking of the emperor‘s former courtships. “what about the Duchess from up north?”

“Dead, killed in a plane accident”

“Well what about Lady Vlahos?”

“Dead too. Car accident. Shame too she was very well received by the public.”

The prime minister looks at the emperor slightly horrified. He didn’t realize how many of the emperor’s former lovers had been killed. For a moment he almost began to wonder if the “accidents” weren’t accidents at all, but he quickly shook that idea out of his head. “Well Your Majesty may I suggest that you take some personal time to find a wife? You could appoint a regent to rule in your place, while you travel the world. We could invite the crown heads of Europe to send potential brides, sponsor diplomatic and political parties.”

The emperor looks at the prime minister and laughs. “that sounds like we‘re whoring ourselves out doesn’t it?”

“Don’t look at it that way Your Majesty. Throughout European history there have been many marriages of convenience. Alliances and empires have been built this way.”

The emperor takes a moment to think about the idea. He honestly doesn’t like it, but if parliament gets too wound up by the issue it could be bad for the government as a whole. “Alright Prime Minister make it so. Even if I can‘t find a bride at least if parliament thinks we‘re doing something they‘ll shut up for another few months.”

The prime minister nods, then stands up, bows and walks backwards towards the door since its considered rude to show your back to the emperor. He bows once more before closing the door and returning back to his limousine.

OOC: Hmm I wonder how Motoko should react? With joy that Justinian is looking for a wife or with dismay that Justinian might find a woman that isn't her. Hmm decisions decisions.

OOC: Is this private, or can we offer women?

OOC:If it is the latter than...
IC: The Oberjarl would like to offer one of his extremely beautiful daughters for marriage. Here is a picture

Selling off daughters for marriage? Barbaric.

I would expect no less from sea gypsies.....

OOC: I think he meant he was going to offer, not sell.

OOC:HHAYD is correct, and you are all idiotic. except for HHAYD

OOC: Well, offering often implied selling. So, assuming he'd commercialize the woman is not that wrong.

IC: The Ministry of Communications released a short statement in regards to the matter:

"We wish the Emperor luck in finding a suitable bride. We advise, though, that the Emperor searches for his best fit, rather than waiting for an offer from powerful individuals or foreign governments."

The Emperor has the blessings of the Imperium in finding his soul-mate. His search will be in our hearts and prayers for the 'morrow. We would advise you to pick your selection based on who you believe is best for you, rather than the highest bidder.

ooc: all the dialogue was private. After the PM left the palace the government would have made an official announcement but I don't feel like doing that. We can all pretend I did though. I'm thinking about having a state ball where I can develope the emperor more and he can meet other leaders and possible brides.

ic: The size of the bride’s dowry is of no importance to His Majesty. He just wants to find the woman who he can make a family with.

Justinian is welcome to tour the Dragon Empire. Women of Faith are often faithful.

OOC: OH NO REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LAST ONE!

IC: Vedran sent a personal message to the Emperor. "I wish you luck in finding a bride, but try not to do it for politics if you can. Those times are over. Maybe you can try to convince of that anyone who's trying to pressure you."

OOC: I think a Ball would be great and there is no \m/ members here to screw it up.

IC: A message was sent from Empress Kusnagai's palace to Emperor Justinian's secetary or whoever took his messages. The message read that Motoko would like to privately meet with Justinian when he could be avaliable if it was ok.

No matter how busy he he is His Majesty always has time to spend with friends.

Motoko was delighted by the reply and immediatly had a chopper prepared for her. She then had her best dress pulled out for her and spent a full hour having make up placed on so that she looked her best. Once that was all finished she made her way to the helicopter which took her across the border towards Justinian's palace.

Promised Land's traditional values place high value on families. If that is indeed Justinian's wish, to find an ideal woman to raise a family with, he is always welcome to look around here.

Motoko's helicopter got her to Justinian's Palace in record time as the Empress had asked to be brought across as quickly as possible. Once the helicopter pilot recieved permission he landed the helicopter on the nearest helipad before climbing out and opening the door for his Empress. As the door opened Motoko stepped out taking a deep breath and remembering how great it felt to be in Slavorussia again.

OOC: Up to you to come meet her now Justinian.

Chris Hansen, fresh from being thrown out of the party in Helsinki, announces his intention to visit Moscow, in order to make sure the Emperor Justinian is not up to anything freaky. Chris Hansen insists that Slavorussia not deny him his visit.

OOC: Chris Hansen is a busy man.

OOC: I had to watch the South Park episode with him in it because of this.

The palace staff stood outside and acted as a welcoming committee. The maids, butlers, chefs, the emperor’s attendants stood outside in the snow and waved as a car approached the entrance. They escort Mrs. Kusanagi inside. At the top of the grand staircase Justinian is making his decent door. Much to his disappointment he was too late to welcome Mrs Kusanagi outside. He turns to the man fallowing him with a frown on his face. "You see I told you I'd miss it, but no you had to act like my mother and insist I get my coat."

As he turns back toward the crowd just at the bottom of the stairs the frown is gone. He takes off the coat and gloves and tosses them at the man fallowing him. “Madame Kusanagi it’s a pleasure as always. Welcome to our winter wonderland. I hope your trip was comfortable.”



Please let Mr. Hansen know there are cookies on the table inside. Just take a seat.

Motoko looked up at Justinian and didn't even try to hide the smile that crept across her face at the sight of the handsome man she had learnt to trust, admire and maybe love. "Emperor Justinian it is an honour to be in your company once again" replied Motoko as she bowed deeply to Justinian her dress sweeping across the floor before her. She hoped that he was impressed after all she was here for a special reason.

Justinian bows his head in return “So Mrs. Kusanagi what brings you here today?”

"Well Emperor I havn't been able to visit you for some time now and we have rarely been able to see each other for quite some time. So I wished to maybe spend time time chatting to a good friend of mine and well..."

Motoko's cheeks turned a deep shade of red as she was embarrassed by what she was about to say.

"I heard you were looking for a wife...." she said very quietly.

It’s a well known fact that Emperor Justinian can be dense sometimes, and that proves to be true even now.

“Oh yes, parliament is trying to force the issue down my throat. I‘m just looking for the right person, but they seem to think any woman should be fine. Honestly I think all they‘re concerned about is an heir that they can make into their puppet.”

"Oh I see. Im sure you will meet the right woman someday Justinian." replied Motoko as she took his arm and started to lead him further into the Palace towards one of his many rooms where they could relax and talk. Outside she looked fine and in control but inwards she was fighting over whether to be happy she hadn't embarrassed herself or to be upset at ow he hadn't caught onto her meaning. "It is as nice here as the las time I visited" said Motoko more to take her mind of its thoughts... to no avail though.

"I remember that night, at the Imperial Ball. The world has changed so much in such a short time. They seemed like much happier times, even though terror organizations were trying to destabilize the country. Now I can barely stand to get out of bed in the morning, but I suppose as my reign continues many more changes are gonna take place." Just then Justinian's mood goes from cheery and upbeat to downtrodden and melancholy. "I pray for simpler times, more innocent times."

Motoko listened to Justinian and knew that he was speaking from the heart. As she watched him she saw such a great man, a man who would prefer peace over anything and yet was ready to stand for his beliefs. She was proud to see such a man and yet felt disheartened at the same time. Would such a man take herself, a warrior and a fighter, a woman that had and still does tread the path of war and destruction as his lover and maybe wife. She had only one way of finding out. She took a deep breath and slipped an arm around Justinian bringing her head to rest on his shoulder beside his own.

"Justinian the real reason I came here is that I like you from the bottom of my heart. I always have. I want to be yours, I want to stand with you in those simpler times of yours" she whispered quietly as she embraced him softly.

Justinian’s face instantly turns red. Although his naturally dark skin color masks his blushing somewhat, but he is unable to keep his voice from quivering. “”I--I was, um… what I mean to s--say is…” Again and again he stumbles over his words, until he decides to just shut up. Instead he just holds her.

Motoko leaned her head back and looked straight into Justinian's eyes with her own forming tears at the edges. "Please, please say yes Justinian" she asked slowly and quietly with a very fragile and soft voice which was much unlike her as was crying she almost never cried and yet this one decision was one of the most scary times of her life.

Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. Justinian briefly looks outside where he can see snowflakes fall slowly toward the earth. A gust of wind comes and swirls the snowflakes around like a miniature tornado. He looks back into her tear filled eyes and smiles. “I’m glad you told me how you feel, because I think I feel the same way.”

Motoko smiled the brightest she ever had and allowed the tears to streak down her cheeks. Normally she would have been disgusted with herself but no here, not now she could let her true feelings out. She rested her head against Justinians chest and just listened to his heartbeat. "Justinian..." she said happily.