Faction Dressed Up, Somewhere to Go! | First Order

[Masayu Kimura]

As rehearsed in the confines of her own mind, the first moments as they departed the shuttle on the surface of Seoul were disorienting. People were everywhere, media was about, and the beauty of the capital city itself lay just beyond the transparent viewports. Her bearing being a thing of pride, Maz kept her head up and her expression stoic as the Moffs introduced themselves to Commander Sun-Shin. The subtlest of nods exchanged between the two - it had been Tae in fact who'd been Maz's first point of contact after her brief stint at the reintegration facility. With a rigid posture and her eyes on a swivel, Commander Kimura followed a consistent two steps behind the Moff's, enough space to overhear but not close enough to crowd.

Upon boarding the shuttle her demeanor changed little, content to stand she gripped an overhead rail and gazed out at the scenery. It was familiar in a lot of ways to the geography of Dosuun, Atrisia even and yet it managed to have its own intangible distinction from those places she knew. One tended to forget just how pleasing the surface was to the eye after spending so much time in the void, traversing space in the tin can of a spacefaring vessel. It was a welcome relief for the Commander, as eager as she was to return to the life of a Starship Commander. Maz listened quietly as the speeder continued on its way. It sounded like she'd have plenty of time to explore when the Moff's were busy delegating.

Renata Westaway | Resurgent Narrative | Arador Terrix​

 

[Renata Westaway]

Renata rubbed her forehead as the transport zipped along, trying to get a handle on the impatience and grump that was rising in her. She was dying for a cigarette on top of being generally irritable at the whole damn circus. "Commander Kimura," she said as she continued to massage the ridge of her forehead, trying to keep the impatience out of her voice. After all, Masayu Kimura wasn't the cause of it, and shouldn't be made to feel so. "If you're willing, I'd be interested to hear your impressions of the city while you're at liberty." That's what they call it, right? Sounds like being furloughed from prison. "Anything you can tell me about what people on the ground are thinking, what they need, what their concerns are."

She lowered her hand and glanced at Kimura, hoping that by saying it in front of the others it was clear that she wasn't trying to pick up the officer. "I'll be sure your name is on the security list at the embassy. My aide Freda will work with you whenever our schedules allow. If you're comfortable with the request, that is."

Resurgent Narrative | Arador Terrix | Masayu Kimura​

 

[Resurgent Narrative]

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The speeder wound its way through the countryside and past the museums, the temples all of it to show that Seoul was coming along quite nicely. On the horizon, the massive palace would come into view. The Joseon Royal Palace that sat on roughly fifty hectares, with just about 600 buildings and the tallest of them the main court. The walls of the palace were ornate, yet there was a utilitarian look and feel to them sculpted creatures to form mythical guardians to ward off evil also felt as if they could come alive at any given time. Commander Tae Sun-Shin straightened up and looked at each of them as if to gain their readiness. "Once we disembark, follow me."​

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In the main court of the palace, the Queen and the royal court would await the delegation. A lookout informed one of the guards of the delegation's arrival and like a well-oiled machine the musicians readied themselves and the dancers took up their ribbons. Commander Sun-Shin would be the first to disembark the speeder, she held the door open for each member of the delegation and quick-stepped to catch up and lead them through the massive gates that were opened by four guards, two for each door. "Welcome to Sejong, First Order." Sun-Shin remarked with a smile as blossom leaves were let loose from the ramparts the sun reflected through just perfectly and along the red carpet they walked.​

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It was a long walk toward the main court, where the Queen waited for them all. ​

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Renata Westaway | Masayu Kimura | Arador Terrix ​

 

[Masayu Kimura]

"Absolutely Ma'am." The commander replied. "I'll keep an ear to the ground." She followed up with a nod of acknowledgement. As they continued their travel across the open landscape the Commander noted various shrines and temples, comparing them casually to a small pad in her hands, taking notes for later. It seemed valuable to tap into the culture here, find out what their philosophy was. Even if the First Order's goal was to expand, there was a much higher emphasis on inclusion versus assimilation these days - it was a direction the Commander could respect.

They arrived at their destination, the Commander's posture rigid as they disembarked. At this point she was really mostly a hanger on, providing a small measure of additional personal security for the Moffs and a standby to provide whatever information the First Order thought she had - certainly if the Seoulians had any military concerns she would be in the know. Falling in behind the delegation, she kept her head on a swivel.

Resurgent Narrative | Renata Westaway | Arador Terrix​

 

[Arador Terrix]

Terrix admired the temples and shrines as they passed, appreciating the lovely sights and wondering to himself about the history behind them. He had no doubt they would be interesting stories, and ones that could offer them more insight into the world and its people.

Arador offered a nod of thanks to Commander Sun-Shin holding the door to the speeder, disembarking and making sure his cloak was orderly, before turning his attention to the palace before him. The architecture was marvelous, the perfect combination of utilitarian construction and ornate, elegant detailing. And then the blossom leaves came. "Simply breathtaking," Terrix marveled as they walked the red carpet. The Joseon Palace was a wondrous sight to behold. He knew that not every reception would be as warm as Seoul's was, so he was going to appreciate it while it lasted. He followed Commander Sun-Shin's lead as they strode forward, another step in what would surely be an eventful journey.

Masayu Kimura Renata Westaway Resurgent Narrative ​

 

[Renata Westaway]

"Isn't it?" Renata enthused quietly to her counterpart, Moff Terrix. "Quite a reception."

They followed Commander Sun-Shin along the carpet, the walk feeling quite a relief after the cramped confines of the shuttle and the speeder ride. Her head stayed on a swivel, taking everything in. She was ever so pleased that the media were in full force because she was sure she'd never remember every detail, try as she might.

At long last, they arrived before the Queen of Seoul, and Renata harkened back to her briefing and hoped that she wouldn't make a fool of herself. Once the proper distance to the Queen had been reached, the Moff executed a flawless curtsy and, upon rising, a less-than-flawless but still passable rendition of a greeting in Seoularian. "<<Your Majesty, I bring you and your servants the warmest of greets from the Minister's Council of the First Order. We wish to gratitude you for the hospitality you will have to provide to us.>>"

The briefing book had dictated that the Moffs not attempt to shake hands or otherwise touch the monarch unless she initiated it, so Renata kept her distance. "We are so pleased to see Seoul looking well on the way to recovery," said Renata in Basic -- also as dictated by the briefing books. "Thank you so much for having us. May I present my colleague, Moff Arador Terrix, and our naval attaché, Commander Masayu Kimura?"

Masayu Kimura | Arador Terrix | Resurgent Narrative​

 

[Resurgent Narrative]

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There was a beautiful silence that fell in the courtyard, a beauty in the way the leaves from the cherry blossom trees fell down and the sounds of the drums as they greeted the First Order's delegation. Queen Kim held her stoic expression and watched, waited as the First Order's delegation approached her and her court. She watched and waited as their leader took the appropriate steps and measures to greet her. She could feel the tension at that moment as many seemed to hold their breath. The Queen reciprocated the Minister's gesture and replied first in Seoulian or Hangul, "<< greetings upon you Moff Westaway and your delegation, I and my court are humbled by your presence. >>"

Then she spoke in basic, "thank you Moff Westaway, and you are most welcome." There was another pause as she looked at Tae Sun-Shin for just a moment and then returned her attention to the delegation. She would make a mental note of the name Kimura, it sounded Atrisian. The Queen gestured for the delegation to have a seat. "Please we have reserved several seats for your delegation."

Commander Sun-Shin escorted the delegation to their designated seats, and as planned there would be several performances. Dances, plays, and drum sequences all to tell the story of Seoul's history and culture. Vibrant colors and music were used to tell these stories, from the ancient days to the rise of the Seoularian Kingdom. At the end of the performances, children from the Royal Court greeted each member of the delegation with a small box. A gift that seemed to match each person, a dark wooden sextant with gold inlays and trims for the Commander. A cherry wood stylus with silver inlays, for Moff Terrix and Moff Westaway would receive a leatherbound journal, with a pen made of red pine, with gold inlays.

One by one the Royal Court began to depart, heading for the banquet hall. Words from the Queen made it so that the Moff Delegation would reach the hall before her. She would be escorted by her guards and own delegation, among the guards were what locals called the 'Tigerkin' tall, towering feline folk. White fur normally with black stripes, wore traditional guard clothing and held large polearms as their weapon.

Those who had arrived in the Banquet Hall would be told to wait, wait until the Queen had not only arrived but had also been seated.

Renata Westaway | Masayu Kimura | Arador Terrix ​

 

[Renata Westaway]

Renata bowed again, murmuring thanks to the Quen before finding her seat. She sat herself and watched the display, eye alight with pleasure.

Pageantry could be tiring, Renata knew, and God knew it could be dull. Not so for the Seoularian display. It was beautiful and lively, vibrant and colors. She was enraptured and charmed, and joined the First Order delegation's enthusiastic applause after each performance. When it came time to exchange gifts, Renata gratefully accepted the gift box and opened it. The leather journal was beautiful, the pen exquisitely made and obviously by hand. The Moff then rose and beckoned to the cultural attaché, who came forward with his own box.

"Your Majesty, please accept this on behalf of the people and government of the First Order." Within the box, itself a work of art with gold and jade inlays in a dark walnut, were a collection of priceless ancient Seoularian artifacts: a scroll featuring intricate illustrations, a pair of bamboo and painted silk fans dating back to ancient days, and several pieces of jewelry from the same period. The pieces had been part of a private collection that had been on loan to the Avalonia's Museum of Culture. The original owner had since passed and bequeathed the collection to the First Order, which was now returning it home.

Following the exchange, Renata and the First Order delegation proceeded to the banquet hall where they waited for the Queen's arrival, once again taking in the pageantry of the tigerkin honor guards.

Resurgent Narrative | Masayu Kimura | Arador Terrix​