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| Lord Aldebaran in Edinburgh | |
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| Topic Started: Jan 9 2010, 04:12 PM (354 Views) | |
| Rhadamanthus | Jan 9 2010, 04:12 PM Post #1 |
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Legitimist
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After leaving Cardiff, where he had conducted a successful meeting with the Welsh, Theodore Aldebaran journeyed northward. Previously, he had been in Scandinavia, meeting with President Nixon of Porcu. Continually he seemed to be travelling, attending carefully to the diplomacy of the imperium, building a web that would prevent France from building an anti-Roman coalition. Now, he was to visit the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, for the Roman Empire was interested in learning the nature of the new King of Scotland. As he was driven north, a page had brought him a copy of The Times of Constantinople and the section on international affairs contained the latest news about the Icelandic controversy and other events that had echoes in the Isles. It seemed that the British Isles had were retaining the reputation they had earned recently as one of Europe most volatile regions. Thus, it seemed to be a good thing that the distinguished Prince Aldebaran had been sent to these lands, after the return home of the rather less subtle Duke Damascene-Dalassenos. For Lord Aldebaran had a refined diplomatic pedigree. His grandfather Theophilus had served as Chancellor for Isaac Xanthou in Carthage, and they had retained loyalty to the Monomachids in successive years, even during the Great Catastrophe. The Prince Aldebaran was a unique title among the Roman higher nobility. Most titles of the higher nobility - the great Princes, Dukes, and Counts - were attached to a place. This did not signify a feudal overlordship; while many lords held estates in the lands their titles named, this needed not always to be so. And the actual degree of power the titled nobility held in a given land varied greatly. Not all wielded the might of the Lascarids in the Lebanon region. But the Prince Aldebaran was not titled for any place - his name was an Arabic star; of predominantly Syrian Greek ancestry, it was suggested that a tinge of eastern blood flowed through Aldebarans' veins. This brought a certain ambiguity in their associations; as Old Syrian nobles who came to prominence in Africa but held no African title, the Prince Aldebaran was not associated with any region, and seemed affiliated only with the empire and the Monomachids themselves. There were some who even said that the Monomachid emperors saw a world lit by the star Aldebaran. The current Lord Aldebaran eventually arrived in Edinburgh. With the empire's close relations with Ireland, and recent diplomatic and economic ties with Wales, it was important that the empire reach some common ground with Scotland. For his own part, Theodore was eager to meet this new king who had made such shockwaves in so little time. |
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| Toussaint | Jan 10 2010, 02:57 AM Post #2 |
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Unlike the prequels to the meetings with Wales and England, the mood in court was cheerful when the Roman dignitary was expected- indeed, it had to be. Although tensions with neighboring countries were to be expected given the nature of Edward's policies, Edinburgh had a desire to hold a strong, mutual relationship between itself and other nations. The Roman Empire was amongst the most respected nations of the continent. If a strong bond with Constantinople could be reached, it was decided, intracontinental policies would be very easy to manipulate. While waiting for Lord Aldebaran's arrival, the King and Lord Wotton cheerily sat in the study, smoking pipes stuffed with quality tobacco from the Confederate States of America. "I'm quite pleased, Lord Wotton," began the king, "that our next visitor won't be one of those bastard republicans. I rather dislike them." "Indeed, sire. Lord Aldebaran is a respected man from one of the more respected nations of this continent. If I may venture to say so, I believe we may actually have a productive meeting today." "I hope you are right, Henry. These hostilities presented from recent meetings have been quite the drag. But, I have no fears from Lord Aldebaran. He is a decent man representing a wise nation." The page entered. "Sire, Lord Wotton, Lord Aldebaran has arrived from Rome. Shall I send him in?" "Do so indeed, Algernon. Don't forget to offer him a pipe." |
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| Rhadamanthus | Jan 14 2010, 02:25 AM Post #3 |
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Legitimist
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Lord Aldebaran, though primarily a diplomat, wore a military uniform as most Roman officials did in non-ceremonial situations. The page led him into the study where he was greeted by Lord Wotten and the King of Scotland. "Lord Aldebaran," the King smiled, "we have been expecting your visit happily. I hope that Algernon offered you a pipe?" "Indeed, your majesty," Theodore bowed in greeting and raised the pipe the page had handed him, "It is my pleasure to arrive meet you, and you too my lord Wotten." He turned to Lord Wotten in greeting. "The same, Lord Aldebaran," Wotten replied, and the king invited Aldebaran to sit down and smoke with them. He lit his pipe and smoked cheerfully with the Scots before turning to more serious affairs. "Its a strange thing," Aldebaran began, "I was rather looking forward to this visit, and just before I was visiting the Welsh. But it seems that affairs in this part of the world have gotten rather..." he understated, "tense. These Isles don't stay calm for long, do they?" |
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| Toussaint | Jan 14 2010, 10:59 PM Post #4 |
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The King chuckled. "No, Lord Aldebaran, they do not. It is both a curse and a gift of the location. However, rest assured that my forces will secure a lasting peace before too long." The king took a puff of his pipe. "Indeed, the Welsh declaration was a surprise. However, I believe it ultimately shall be no more effective than a bee sting to an elephant. And, just as the bugs they are, we shall smash them." The king's confidence was apparent. Lord Aldebaran sat quietly, as the King continued. "No doubt, that was already known by most international observers. Indeed, this war was expected by my court. It has nothing to do with our meeting today. I requested your audience, Lord Aldebaran, because I wish to see a healthy and strong relationship bud between our two nations. "I understand you came from Cardiff? No doubt the Welsh tried to sell you on a similar deal. However, let me ask you. What do you think of relations between our two states?" |
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| Rhadamanthus | Jan 14 2010, 11:12 PM Post #5 |
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"Indeed," the Prince Aldebaran responded, "the Welsh were eager to built ties. We have formed a trade pact, and of course, the Roman Empire always protects her trade interests. But the Welsh attacked you and you did not attack them - had it been otherwise, this meeting might have been a bit tenser." He paused for a moment before continuing, "I see no obstacle to a friendship between our nations, but as rapidly as things move in these isles, it is difficult for me to say what tomorrow will bring. Were you to attack Wales, that would be a problem for us, and should we be friends, then it will also be a problem for us if Wales were to attack you again. But you have a truce, so let us not speak of such things. My emperor was impressed by the strong position from which you made your initial reforms after your coronation. He has said that if you are able to consolidate your state properly, you could be a great force of stability. You have not only my attention, but my master's as well." |
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| Toussaint | Jan 15 2010, 12:26 AM Post #6 |
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"The Welsh are always eager, Lord Aldebaran. If there is one thing you can know for certain about the Isles, its that. They are quick to build ties, and quick to destroy them- even if it comes at the price of their own destruction. If you will take my counsel, Lord Aldebaran, I would advise you be cautious in your dealings with the Welsh. If not watched properly, their belligerence can drag much into a black cycle of endless chaos. If change does not occur there, I am certain that conflict will arise again and again." The King paused a moment. "But, this meeting isn't about the Welsh. We are here to discuss relations between my nation and yours. I am pleased to hear that the Emperor in Constantinople has taken notice of my moves. I have always been an astute student of politics and economics. It is good to hear words of recognition from a man as respected as the Emperor. Of course, I envision myself as a force for stability and tradition in Europe. These radical Republics, as I'm sure you know, don't exactly have a good track record with regards to Europe. "My ultimate wish, to be frank, would be to work with the Empire to ensure the stability of Europe. I almost wish the days of the Treaty of Konigsburg- although the treaty certainly had its short comings, what with consisting of Bolsheviks, and all, it did do wonders for this continent. The Gasselists have certainly left a mess of this continent. I believe that through Romano-British cooperation, we can achieve a stability to act as peace for our time. A pact between our two nations could do wonders- of course, I don't wish to get too preemptive here." |
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| Rhadamanthus | Jan 16 2010, 06:53 PM Post #7 |
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"You are right about radical republicanism, including its subsidiary versions of Gasselism and Bolshevism. The need for stability is as great as ever, though I cannot say I will shed any tears over the fall of the French Republic. A Konigsberg-like Pact would certainly be a goal to work toward. The most shameful thing I could imagine would be to survive the Dominion to have the world fall apart after that. I am glad to know, your majesty, that you feel the same way about these matters." |
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| Toussaint | Jan 17 2010, 03:02 AM Post #8 |
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"Indeed, Lord Aldebaran. Ever since the Çerdon war rocked this continent, these governments of 'the common man' have brought nothing but bloodshed and chaos. I'm sure that had it not met its end, that monstrous French Republic would have sparked a war on par with any Europe has ever seen. With my recent defeat of the Welsh, I'm certain that I have struck down a great menace, at least for the time being. "European security should be a top priority for all nations of this continent. It is a responsibility shared by all men of this continent, to ensure the foreigner does not become too ingrained into our society. In couple with the Empire, I am sure that such an end could be met quite well- after all, the concentration of power in Liverpool and Constantinople is such that all the foreign men in the world would take heed to our whims. Lord Aldebaran, let me ask you- do you believe your master would be open to the suggestion of a Romano-British pact for the stability of Europe?" |
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| Rhadamanthus | Jan 17 2010, 01:40 PM Post #9 |
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"Yes, I think that would be highly interesting. I will certainly make your interest known to the emperor. In fact, I would urge you to come to Constantinople and speak with him yourself on that subject in the near future." |
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| Toussaint | Jan 17 2010, 01:49 PM Post #10 |
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"That would be most excellent, Mr. Aldebaran. If you could do me the great favor of arranging such a meeting, I would gladly venture to Constantinople to meet your master and discuss these matters directly." |
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| Rhadamanthus | Jan 17 2010, 01:51 PM Post #11 |
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"It would be my pleasure," Lord Aldebaran responded, "I have a couple more stops to make here in the British Isles, but when I return to the Queen of Cities, I will inform the emperor as soon as I can." |
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| Toussaint | Jan 18 2010, 02:37 AM Post #12 |
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"Well, Lord, if you must go make stops elsewhere, do not allow myself to hinder you. Although I rather enjoy this visit, I shall let you on your way, upon the promise that you can arrange for me some sort of counsel with the Emperor. "That is, I shall let you go, unless there is something else you wish to discuss?" |
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| Rhadamanthus | Jan 18 2010, 09:13 PM Post #13 |
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"This meeting has been more than satisfactory. I will convey your best wishes to the emperor." When the meeting was wrapped up, and Lord Aldebaran had been escorted out by the page, he made preparation to leave. Next he would travel to England, and then to Ireland. |
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| Deleted User | Jan 18 2010, 09:32 PM Post #14 |
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OOC: I hope this is ok. IC: On his way out, Lord Aldebaran was stopped by a young man. "Sir, I have a letter for you from the Celtic government. Spoiler: click to toggle
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| Rhadamanthus | Jan 18 2010, 09:36 PM Post #15 |
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OOC: I'm taking him to England, and I told Sed I would take him to Ireland after that. I will have him return to Wales afterwards, if that suits you. I think that my "one meeting at a time" style is not very good at keeping up with these fast-paced RPs :lol: |
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11:33 AM Jul 13