Private Meeting of Queens

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Imperial Palace
Akarui
​

Ki groaned with discomfort as the attendant, a crimson haired Kitsune, Itsuki, tightened the corset around her waist in preparation for donning a set of ceremonial robes. The stoic Nakano sister was dutifully going about her task, despite the Empress' gripes and pouting.

Ki turned, gasping for air, and sent a list of complaints at her advisors, standing near the entrance to her bed chambers,"I thought you said I didn't have to wear the corset? Umi? Mari?" her pouting would fall on deaf ears as the women in question conversed and went over today's schedule,"You're not even listening to me are you? I am your empress and I demand -" she was cut off as Itsuki gave one last herculean effort, and knotting the strings tightly.

"There you go Your Grace. Now let's get your kimono on." and she went to fetch said clothing as Ki peaked out again from behind the privacy shade at the two, now giggling, advisors.

"You must remember today, you are meeting with a fellow Queen of a soon-to-be ally. You need to be on your best behavior and show grace and actual etiquette today." Umi stated, regaining her composure.

Mari on the other hand, couldn't help her amusement,"We have to set up more events like this!" this warranted a sigh from her counterpart.

Ki pouted as Itsuki returned to prepare the actual dressing...

Meanwhile, other attendants and staff hurried around the palace and grounds. Tables needed setting, decorations needed hung and most importantly, food needed cooked. The palace needed to be immaculate, and it would be for their expected guest.

Loreena Arenais-Valhoun

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Lori was surprised to get an invite to a palace to see a Queen. Perhaps an invite had already been sent to Rex Valhoun , but he was too busy to take it. Afterall, she didn't run the Elysium Empire. He did. She was just his wife, with no responsibilities outside of those that she made herself. That was why she had so much free time, which she used for her own projects, or to secretly run off and participate in dangerous missions that she'd of otherwise been barred from. But her bodyguard Arla never ratted on her, and neither did Var-Sulis .

She wasn't sure of what to wear for this meeting. Lori was a 'Queen without a crown', afterall. And she was far more comfortable dressed as a spacer than in some over-the-top gown. Even her Rebel Ops armour was more comfortable. However, she had to look somewhat presentable, so she chose an outfit that wasn't confining and gave her full freedom of movement, yet could be seen as elegant in it's own right.

Maybe.

With Arla in tow, Lori approached the palace, not exactly sure of what to expect of Kimiko Taiyou .

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

The grand stairs leading up the palace from the capital, Kitsuhana, had been lined with guardsmen in full dress, opening at the top to reveal the Imperial delegation as Loreena approached. It was quite the spectacle and Ki herself believed it was a bit much.

The party bowed and the first to speak was Chika Takami, a human, and Imperial Supreme Commander,"Your Majesty, it is an honor to finally meet you, welcome to Akarui. I do hope your stay thus far has been pleasant."

She was followed up by an actual Akaran, Honoka, Head of the Imperial Council, whose tails were wagging rather excitedly behind her,"An honor for myself as well! Please, make yourself at home for your trip!"

Ki stood just behind her two main advisors, amidst others from her cabinet and her own family. She stepped forward with a bright smile on her face,"Queen Loreena, I am happy to finally meet you! Welcome to my humble little planet, and thank you for accepting my invitation." she took a moment to take in the Queen's garment, noting the simplicity and comfort, before turning and shooting daggers at someone behind her,"Let us get inside, the heat during the Summer can be taxing on one's physical state, and I have much I wish to discuss with you." she and her party stepped to the side to allow the two Elysium members to enter before she would follow with her own children.

The doors would be shut before any other members of the council could follow suit, and several stood there dumbfounded before Chika piped up,"We have other business to attend to, leave the Empress to her negotiations. Thirty minutes, council room." and with that, they dispersed.

Loreena Arenais-Valhoun

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Oh there was a lot of people. It was a full entourage and staff, it looked like. And here was Lori arriving with just one bodyguard. Of course she didn't have any attendants or anything of her own, which was probably frowned upon by other Royal families, but she didn't really care. Lori was used to being an outsider wherever she went.

She bowed her head as she was greeted by Chika and Honaka. "Thank you, yes. I'm sure that my visit here will be wonderful. It's...lovely to see you all." The pause in her sentence was moreso to do with trying to figure out the right thing to say, rather than anything else.

And then Kimiko Taiyou stepped forward. Lori smiled and shook her hand warmly, "I am honoured for the invitation, Your Grace. Rex is....busy, otherwise I'm sure that he'd of liked to have come as well." Lori wasn't even sure if he was invited, but she made up an excuse for his absence at any rate.

Shortly thereafter she followed along inside of the Palace. "Wow....it's beautiful here. It reminds me of Commenor." Sometimes she missed their homes there, all the palaces and estates. But ships were where she resided now, for the most part.

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Ki offered a giggle at the other woman's words and exclamations. It made her happy when an impression was made, even more so when it stuck.

The small party wandered through the halls of the grand palace, guards snapping to attention, servants bowing as they passed. Saya, the ever inquisitive Zeltronian princess, was studying Arla intently, taking every detail of the autonomous guard's form. The oldest, Tsubasa, Crown Princess, scolded her younger sister for staring.

"It has been quite some time since I paid a visit to Commenor. I believe the last time was on behalf of the OPA for some sort of gathering." she said, reminiscing of the old days when she had contributed to a larger cause than her own.

She shrugged as they entered the massive central courtyards, a sprawling complex of gardens and open spaces for all to enjoy. Her attention turned back to her guest with an amused smile,"How hungry are you?"

Loreena Arenais-Valhoun

 

[Loreena Arenais-Valhoun]

Arla raised a brow towards each individual that stared at her. She assumed that it was out of basic curiosity than anything else. Most tended to ignore her, which was what she preferred overall.

Lori nodded her head in kind to all that regarded her. There was just so many staff in this Palace that she could easily develop a sore neck from all the nodding. It made her glad to not have a huge staff of her own. Really she could just count them all on one hand.

"I'm having an Embassy built there, in the Embassy District. I may even live there at times. We'll see." That all depended on whether or not she wanted to mingle with other polititicians from other governments, or just hide away in a place that she knew instead of being bothered by rumours of her personal life.

She smiled as Kimiko Taiyou mentioned food and then laughed. "I'm always hungry. What have you got?" At any political gathering, Lori was often where the food was. It was a safe place to be and most didn't tend to question her on it either.