To the City of Joy

[TheShammySocialist]

Following a positive reply from Bucharest, and an invitation extended to the Grand Order to dispatch an envoy, Illio Rayzio would find himself dispatched by the Grand Master to Romania. Boarding a Global Express business jet, that was white, with livery that colorfully displayed the national coat of arms in a more modernistic approach, as well as several old style depictions of the sun, he would depart Dawnbreak in the late hours of the evening. The flight would be a long one, and allow for the Sol envoy to discuss potential outcomes of the meeting, in line with the objectives set down by the Grand Master, as well as discuss relevant information about their counterparts in the upcoming meeting, also on the table of discussion was recent events in Europe, including the fall of Britain, and the resurgence of the Northlands, which appeared to mark an easing of tensions.

 

The latter half of the trip would be spent in the bunk, allowing the envoy and his small entourage of staffers some slumber before they landed, the flight crew waking them about an hour before arrival.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

The aircraft would be guided to Băneasa airport, the smaller of Bucharest's two airports, which was used for business travel and also for international guests to Romania. Although it already was November, and a short while ago the first snow of the winter had come down upon the Wallachian plain, it had already melted again and it seemed it would need a few weeks still, before winter was coming for real in December. Still, the weather had become more rough and while Romania was in a more mediterranean climate, it was much cooler than in the warm months of summer.

 

The guests would be greeted at the airport by a small delegation, headed by former Prime Minister Alexandru Vlasceanu. An elderly man, landed and affluent, Vlasceanu was mostly a conservative, if not reactionary politician, albeit with a remarkable lack of personal ambition. He pursued politics mostly out of tradition and to preserve the influence of his family and circles. He was not incapable and the former Queen Maria had seen in him an ideal prime minister for her purposes, but it was clear, with the Queen gne, so also had his days been numbered and he quickly had been surpassed by his former protegée Constante, who had not only some wit, but also was incredibly active. Now, Vlasceanu mostly served in minor roles, pretty much in retirement. Roles, such as greeting foreign dignitaries. The man had already a good few grey hairs among his natural black ones and despite advanced age, seemed to not be baldening. His full beard was grown out quite a bit and he truely was the image of a Wallachian boyar. Similarly, not only did he wear a suit, but had at his side a cane, whether it actually was necessary or just to show off, noone knew.

 

"Monsieurs, welcome to Bucharest. My name is Alexandru Vlasceanu, I have been tasked with greeting you, in order to guide you to the meeting with our Head of State. I hope there have been no complications during the journey and may you enjoy your stay." He extented his hand to the envoy for a firm handshake. "It's not often we see people from this far away here... actually, might be the first time."

[TheShammySocialist]

Illio Rayzio, along with his delegation, had been coming from the south, and unlike their Romanian counterparts, the Grand Order was sweltering through an early summer heatwave. November was the month that ended off spring, and although it had started off slow, the weather had become humid and wet, volatile weather with many thunderstorms had overtaken Dawnbreak during the month. The astute members of the External Affairs bureaucracy, however, had prepared him and his aides for their trip to late autumn Bucharest, with crisp overcoats that went well with their appointed business suits. Illio himself wore a black overcoat, along with a simple tie and business suit, much of the only color that any of the visitors wore, were small pins on their lapels, that had Sol's Coat of Arms emblazoned on them.

 

As one of the most trusted associates of the Grand Master, well-spoken, and educated, Illio was a natural choice for carrying out these first forays of diplomacy, despite never holding such a position before. Younger by most standards, he exuded a youthful exuberance, but a confidence and knowledge that seemed to extend beyond his relatively young age. Illio seemed to descend the steps twice as fast as his closest associate, and walked up to Vlasceanu with an even stride, meeting his hand with a firm grip of his own, squeezing the man's hand gently, a sign of confidence in ones' counterpart in the Grand Order, and he smiled politely.

 

"Well met, Mr. Vlasceanu, it's an honor to make your acquaintance. Illio Rayzio, Exalted Guardian and High Representative of the Enlightened Council, our flight was quite smooth, no troubles whatsoever," he nodded. "Well, if it is a first time, I must say I'm honored. It's my furthest journey from my homeland, but nevertheless, I'm quite ecstatic to be here."

[Evangeline Anovilis]

"And some thought the British were far away...", Vlasceanu mumbled, before turning around. "Please follow me. A car has been prepared to take us to the meeting. It would be a damn shame, if we were late." Looking around, he also muttered into his beard "And not like this place is that great either." Indeed, a number of cars had been prepared, one for the guests and Vlasceanu, as well as two for escorting the main car. Driving around Bucharest, the convoy passed by differing pictures of the city. On the one hand, old, remaining appartement blocks of typical communist design and industrial areas that produced all kinds of machinery, consumer goods and other manufactured wares, on the other hand, more modern districts, that accommodated business districts, or, at times, seemed more like a picture of a romantic past, when they drove past the residencies of the more affluent which had settled near the capital. Soon, they passed by fields, which for the most part were already harvested, given the time of the year.

 

To Vlasceanu, such was hardly a new sight, thus he paid little attention to it. He owned himself enough acres of land to know what it was like to watch people toil them. Vlasceanu had different interests, more excited about the guests. "While we are relatively knowledgeable about Europe, sadly, we know not too much about the rest of the world. Might I ask, how is your country? The Grand Order of Sol is after all, please excuse my wording, a rather wondrous name, which does pose questions as to what it sees itself."

[TheShammySocialist]

Illio would thank the former Romanian Prime Minister for his indulgence, and lead his small group of staffers to the provided car. Illio caught the older gentlemen mumbling a few times, but he wasn't able to pick up what he said, the tone seemingly wistful, but he seemed pleasant enough. Once settled into their appropriate ride, the Enlightened would find themselves taking in the surroundings with not awe, but with thoughtful glances and stares, appreciative of the history they were getting to see. Although the monolithic, and almost brutalistic apartment blocks of Communist design would be overlooked, their eyes seemed to light up as they drove through the well-appointed Romanian capitol, which appeared to be quite bustling. A few comments of (friendly) envy would be appropriated to the more affluent of residences by the staffers, as they stared and appreciated them with a certain reverence.

 

"They weren't kidding when they said Bucharest was known as 'Little Paris'," commented Illio, as he sat back in his seat, and smiled politely at Vlasceanu, after the Romanian queried him. "The Grand Order is well, there is much work to be done, we have consolidated sovereignty over most of the country. Unfortunately there has been many strongmen and overlords to overcome in ensuring the independence of all Enlightened citizens. But we've mopped most of them up, my brother and sister Guardians led the campaign very well, many have fallen as a result, but they have breathed a new life into all whose lives they've touched."

 

"The Grand Master has much in plan and development to unveil, the Enlightened Council are working diligently to bring the nation back to the modern world, and I think that this dream will occur quickly. When you give people the chance to live their dreams, the people who have been trodden on for so long, they tend to take those opportunities with great fervor," he continued, with a thoughtful smile on his face.

 

"How does Romania fare, Mr. Vlasceanu? With Europe in a bit of turmoil right now, we came into this meeting with some uncertainty."

[Evangeline Anovilis]

"This is good to hear. Our late Queen Maria had started her reign with not even the capital in her hands, because some criminal warlords had taken it. She made it a point to end opposition to national unity right there, right then. In less than a day, she had them begging for forgiveness. We are challenged by internal troubles every now and then, but we are quick to restore order.", Vlasceanu recounted proudly, puffing out his chest a bit. "Romania is doing not too badly overall. Times aren't the greatest, but our leader is determined to reshape a European order for the future, that will bring peace. Romanian soldiers are standing in Ukraine, in Albania and almost at the Rhine. We do hope for local governance to arise soon, as the ressources to police such large areas are a bit of a strain on our country. But it is better than the cold war that preceeded it."

 

For a moment, the former Prime Minister rubbed his bearded chin. "Indeed, this European lapse of stability seems quite the catastrophe, but I would think, for now, it is a good opportunity to overcome the deep divisions present on the continent. We are working on it."While Vlasceanu was privy to a lot of information, it was at times quite clear that he wasn't the one in charge and the information that reached him was the less critical pieces. One detail he however would not mention although he knew full well of it, was the rebellion in Ukraine. Mostly, as the Romanian army hoped to put an end to it within weeks, restoring order and iron mining operations within the shortest possible time.

 

As they drove further, the buildings of Bucharest seemed to vanish and only a few fields were left and right of the road, with curious farmers looking at the cars. A couple noble estates dotted the hills in the distance, showing still whom the land belonged to, but it seemed, they had entered a more rural area for now.