Remembering and Celebrating Progress

[Suiza]

Secretary of State, Richard Dax arived on location via Swedish government transport. The ride was uneventful save for a review of briefings & the occassional, though minimal, sight-seeing Secretary Dax was able to enjoy. Word spread through the Presidents Cabinet that Sweden had given an open invitation to world nations & the Republic wanted to show face and dismiss any doubts that it was interested in friendship with Europe. Flanked by two men of the Continental Guard, Secretary Dax parted from his ceremonial escorts upon entrance into the lavish estate. They where not enthused at the sight of the Athenian presence. The secretary melted in with all those in attendance, scanning the small crowd for a glimpse of Swedish officials, with whom he hoped to have an audience.

[Kankou]

Grecia arrived safely, although she was more focused on getting relations established rather than enjoying the festival. For now, the main thing to do was to consolidate that fusion power plant deal with the country now called Prussia.....

[TheShammySocialist]

The day was bright and sunny, the temperatures mild, neither cold nor hot, with not a cloud in the sky. The Head of State and Head of Government watched the horizon of the entrance road to the estate from an upstairs window. [url=http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa325/VictorDeltaRomeo/jude-law-1067241147.jpg]Christian Nyquist[/url] had donned slacks, a formal white dress shirt, and a simple plaid tie. [url=http://theroyalcorrespondent.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/1-2360581ts1299744220004_slot100slotwide75articlefull.jpg]Caroline Bernadotte[/url], the Head of Government, former monarch-turned-Speaker of the General Assembly in a conservative light blue dress and flats, her blonde hair curled and tied in back with a light blue bow. They would make their appearance downstairs when the first guests arrived.

They had been alerted by the staff that the first delegations to arrive were on their way, and Christian looked over at Caroline, and said, in a calm demeanor, "Pretty substantial guest list, from what I've seen."

"You know, I envy you Christian," replied Caroline, giving him a grin and a look, before saying, "Well, [i]envied[/i] you. Being the Minister of International Affairs and Trade, being able to meet so many different people from around the world. The only time I got to officially represent Sweden was when Simone came for a visit, and our little trip over to Kurland."

"Well, maybe you can catch up to me in that wish today with all these guests coming," he said, with a warm grin.

"This is all very exciting," she noted, smiling at first but then looking over at the Secretary General again, and her smile failing a little. "At the same time, its all a bit sobering that it was almost a year to the day since Haga Park." She looked down at her hand to note the scar that still ran across the soft features of it, it was a token wound at best, but it told a story of what had happened in a desperate struggle not so long ago.

"We're here to both remember what happened then, and celebrate what has happened since, and I think those that walked into Haga Park, but didn't come out, would want you to celebrate the life they gave Sweden since," said Christian, walking over to her, and giving her a gentle squeeze on her exposed shoulder, smiling at her.

She nodded, smiling reassuringly, and responding, "You're right, it's just hard to forget, sometimes."

He nodded understandingly, and looked up as the first cars approached the estate down the road, and he looked over at her, both their demeanors now composed and relaxed. He looked over at her, offering his arm, and saying, "Shall we?"

"We shall," she replied, joining arms with him, and descending to the first floor of the estate.

---

The two national leaders quickly entered the function room, where the first guests had arrived; those that entered the main function hall of the estate would find a ballroom with an orchestra lightly playing, the music drifting through the air. Refreshments were laid out, alcohol was provided from flutes of champagne, or the open bar in one corner of the hall. An assortment of fruit was laid out, much of it from local farms, as well as imported and carefully prepared and arranged on platters. Plates of a wide variety of food, including hors d'oeuvres from a wide variety of cultures for all the guests to sample.

The room was large enough to easily be able to host the party, but small enough so that it wasn't imposing, the entire estate was tasteful, it wasn't like the castles of Europe, with ornate edifices, it was simple, homely, and it was meant to be relaxing, not awe-inspiring. Inside the dining hall, other members of the Swedish High Commission and General Assembly were in attendance. Karl Reinfeldt, the young, and promising Commissioner of International Affairs and Trade, Gustav Horn, a former general, and now Commissioner of Defense both stood conversing as guests arrived, and Caroline and Christian made their entrance.

The the latter duo would be approached by none other then the first delegation to arrive, that being from Texas, "Welcome to Sweden, Mr. Damon, I am Secretary General Nyquist, this is my Speaker of the General Assembly, Caroline Bernadotte." Christian would shake Damon's hand firmly whilst greeting him.

"Yes, welcome to our country, Matt," nodded Caroline, with a dazzling smile. "Texas? I'm guessing that the climate here is much more milder then it is there at this time, I have never been to North America, but I have heard that Texas is known to be sweltering," she remarked, as she offered her hand for a gentle shake.

[Justinian the Mighty]

Justinian arrived at the Swedish estate in a specially modified, armored ZIL limousine. He made his way into the ballroom with his date Natalia Gudanov, who was renown throughout Russia for her skills as a dancer as well as her looks. Natalia was a ballerina with the Bolshoi Ballet and was currently the next big thing in tabloid magazines throughout the country.

[Centurius]

As the hosts were most likely too busy Valerio would approach them later on in the party, however with recent global events it probably would be best to approach the Tianxian delegation. He slowly approached the three. "Princess, it is good to meet you in person again." He said extending his hand for a traditional handshake. "I guess we'll skip the hand-kissing this time."

[TheShammySocialist]

Christian decided that it would be best to begin to address the guests that had currently gathered at the estate, so he left Caroline to talk with the Texas delegation, and nodded to the orchestra director to end the music once the ongoing piece was done. He took a sip from his flute of champagne, letting the liquid coarse through him for a moment, and close his eyes as he listened to the ending of the current piece the orchestra was playing. He sighed softly, as he look back over at Caroline, still talking with a few guests, smiling sadly to himself when he remembered when she came to his office that fateful day nearly a year ago to the very day they were standing on presently, and basically picked him up out of his misery. He could remember visiting the single mother who had protected his brother Theo, the former had been wounded severely and put in the hospital after trying to protect the latter, and thanking her for doing her duty in a hopeless situation, it was people like her that made the Swedish nation great.

As soon as the music stopped, he nodded his thanks over to the orchestra director, and nodded his thanks, before climbing onto a raised platform, and facing the crowd, and calling out, "Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention." As the conversation died off and attention would turn towards him, he smiled widely, "Welcome to the Union of Sweden, I am Secretary General Christian Nyquist. My Head of Government, Miss Caroline Bernadotte, Commissioner of International Affairs of Trade, Mr. Karl Reinfeldt, and Commissioner of Defense, Mr. Gustav Horn, and on behalf of the Swedish General Assembly and Government-at-Large, would like to thank you for coming to our Remembrance Day event." Caroline, Karl, and Gustav would all raised their hands or nod when attention was turned to them to acknowledge their identities.

"It was a year ago this day that Sweden was in crisis, political partisanship tore our country asunder at the seams and threatened to collapse the nation that you stand in today. If it were not for the efforts of regular every day Swedes, who picked up arms and swore an oath to national stability, the reality of an independent Swedish state would be much in doubt this very day. It was not by the efforts of my government, but the efforts of ordinary citizens who pledged to weather instability, to lay down their own lives to fight against some of their own neighbors to ensure this reality. It saddened me deeply to see blood of our own citizens covering our hands, war is terrible enough, but war with your own brother and sister citizens is a heartbreaking experience that threw aside friendships, cast aside family bonds, and saw this country have to fight itself to survive."

"Today, we remember those that came before us, those that laid down their lives, not just on the side of stability, but those who were fighting for what they believed was right. I may disagree with those who fought against stability, their courage was commendable, they were citizens of this nation, they were daughters and sons, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, and they spilled their blood fighting for what they believed in. We honor those that laid down their work to pick up arms and march into battle, everyday citizens who shouted 'enough!' at political instability and marched with our defense forces. It was they who made possible the nation you stand in now," said Christian, looking around the quieted guests.

"I raise my glass to those who gave us this state, who made this state what it is today, a state of progress, a politically homogenous nation, where all viable political concerns are accepted, beliefs are accepted, the welfare of our citizens and their lives are recognized, progress is embraced here because we cherish the blood spilled for the society we created here. Sweden paid the price to make it where it was today, we cannot forget, we mustn't forget what happened, lest we forget what made this nation great, and what will keep making it the great place that it is. To remembering those that gave us progress here, and to celebrate the future what was born a year ago, in the streets of Stockholm, across the fields of Southern Sweden, and the beaches of Aaland," stated Christian, as he raised his flute of champagne, then took a light sip, before looking around, a hint of sober determination on his face from the words he spoke.

"I welcome you officially to our Remembrance Day International Celebration, please make yourself at home, and celebrate the progress of our nation with us," he said, before stepping down from the raised platform into the crowd.

Edited January 11, 2012 by TheShammySocialist

[PresidentDavid]

Secretary of State Damon went shake Christian's hand after his speech, "Matt Damon, Republic of Texas. This is a nice event you have going on here sir."

[Generalissimo]

Doctor Hugo, representing Procinctia, entered the Stakeholm Special Function Estate Main Hall unfashionably late after making a characteristically Procinctian nonsensical declaration on the usual open diplomatic channels. The wild-haired scientist was completely underdressed in his unnecessary lab coat and equally unnecessary signature goggles.

Hugo would prefer to have been DOING SCIENCE, but there were necessary sacrifices in the life of a predominant government official - and there was someone here who needed educatiing. . .

Edited January 14, 2012 by Generalissimo

[Aggressivenutmeg]

Despite living the closest, Bjoern Arnesen, Secretary-General of the Scandinavian Federation arrived just in time to here the speech. [i]Well, this is slightly embarrassing.[/i] Bjoern thought as he moved through the crowd to acquire some form of alcoholic beverage. He decided to approach Nyquist first. His first visit to Sweden and he should meet the Secretary-General. [i]Gods, I've been in office for almost a year and I still haven't been round to meet the neighbours.[/i] "Mr. Nyquist, Bjoern Arnesen, Secretary-General of the Scandinavian Federation. Its a pleasure to finaly meet you." Bjoern said, extending his hand.

Edited January 13, 2012 by Aggressivenutmeg

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Ban Milan was no person that really caught attention. Just like his country, he was rather unimportant and not the tallest. His moustache was maybe the most characteristic feature of this mans appearance. And so he stood in the corner, a bit bored, looking around and raising his glass once Nyquist had ended. He felt a bit misplaced, but still, he was the Regent and as such, it was his task to attent this event, regardless of how interesting it was for him as a person. And so he swept a bit over his package, which he held in his left hand, which was of about 20x20x7 cm.

Meanwhile, Georgette waited at the airport fo the overdue arrival of the Directeur-general and Dalian.

[Generalissimo]

[quote name='Centurius' timestamp='1326217393' post='2896916']As the hosts were most likely too busy Valerio would approach them later on in the party, however with recent global events it probably would be best to approach the Tianxian delegation. He slowly approached the three. "Princess, it is good to meet you in person again." He said extending his hand for a traditional handshake. "I guess we'll skip the hand-kissing this time."[/quote]Valerio Moretti, Emperor of the Western Athenian Federation, would have little time adequately enjoy the pleasure of the lovely Tianxian Princess Yuan Xuehua’s company before Procinctia’s envoy disrupted their rendezvous, “Anyone representing Athenian Federation interests at any open international event or forum will forever be subjected to Procinctian science.

[size="5"]OPERATION: [b]EDUCATING ATHENS[/b] IS GO![/size]”


Doctor Hugo, Procinctia’s Omni Disciplinary Scientist, Technocratic Progress Party founder, and world renowned temporal expert would defiantly risk creating an easily avoidable scene to advance Aleutian SCIENCE.

Edited January 14, 2012 by Generalissimo

[TheShammySocialist]

[quote name='PresidentDavid' timestamp='1326322472' post='2897621']
Secretary of State Damon went shake Christian's hand after his speech, "Matt Damon, Republic of Texas. This is a nice event you have going on here sir."
[/quote]

"Thank you, Secretary Damon, I am glad you could be in attendance, its good to have some individuals from outside the region join us for this occasion," stated Christian, with a polite nod and a grin. He would shake Damon's hand firmly.

[quote name='Aggressivenutmeg' timestamp='1326490082' post='2899027']
Despite living the closest, Bjoern Arnesen, Secretary-General of the Scandinavian Federation arrived just in time to here the speech. [i]Well, this is slightly embarrassing.[/i] Bjoern thought as he moved through the crowd to acquire some form of alcoholic beverage. He decided to approach Nyquist first. His first visit to Sweden and he should meet the Secretary-General. [i]Gods, I've been in office for almost a year and I still haven't been round to meet the neighbours.[/i] "Mr. Nyquist, Bjoern Arnesen, Secretary-General of the Scandinavian Federation. Its a pleasure to finaly meet you." Bjoern said, extending his hand.
[/quote]

As Christian spoke with Damon, and the delegate from the Scandinavian Federation, he would turn to meet the individual, shaking his hand, and stating, "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Arnesen, welcome to the Union of Sweden, I was wondering when you'd make your first official state visit to our nation. Its good to see neighbors and distant acquaintances alike coming to Sweden for this event. Do tell, how are things across the border these days?"

Edited January 15, 2012 by TheShammySocialist

[Centurius]

[quote name='Generalissimo' timestamp='1326521550' post='2899278']
Valerio Moretti, Emperor of the Western Athenian Federation, would have little time adequately enjoy the pleasure of the lovely Tianxian Princess Yuan Xuehua’s company before Procinctia’s envoy disrupted their rendezvous, “Anyone representing Athenian Federation interests at any open international event or forum will forever be subjected to Procinctian science.

[size="5"]OPERATION: [b]EDUCATING ATHENS[/b] IS GO![/size]”


Doctor Hugo, Procinctia’s Omni Disciplinary Scientist, Technocratic Progress Party founder, and world renowned temporal expert would defiantly risk creating an easily avoidable scene to advance Aleutian SCIENCE.
[/quote]

Before the crazy scientist was able to come even close to the Emperor the High Guard that was at the festivities would block his way, preventing him from coming even close to the Emperor.