11-05-2019, 06:02 PM
(Joint post with Shen)
Former President of Kerlile Joanna Greenwood tried not to stare too obviously at the five-story red granite wall which surrounded the Celestial Palace complex. It was decorated with elaborate details painted onto the wall, and Joanna found it hard not to stare.
The buildings in the Kerlian capital of Grapevale were smaller than average for a city, these days, so she was not used to large structures - especially not the length of this wall. It reminded her more of Maytown, where Daughters of the Council were educated and where men rarely ventured. But the walls of Maytown were shorter, and far more boring than the magnificent red wall around the Celestial Palace.
She was led to one of the gates, where an Imperial guard asked her for her papers. The whole time she was gazing at the wall whenever she could without it looking too obvious. She was trying to forget the fact she had been forced to flee her country, and gazing at the wonders of Shen would hopefully help take her mind off things.
She would shortly be meeting the Shen Empress, and she had to make sure she got all the protocol correct. The woman she was about to meet held Joanna's fate in her hands. Shen was her only hope, everywhere else would have extradited or imprisoned her. This had to go well, or Joanna feared she would meet a similar fate to Anita Patel, rotting in a cell and crying each night.
As soon as she passed through the portal between Sharanfo, and the anointed ground of the celestial Palace complex, she was immediately greeted by a short woman with thick round glasses and Raven hair. Her young face and her enthusiastic smile greeted her as her white robes glistened in the early morning sun.
"Welcome to the celestial Palace complex President Greenwood. The empress has requested your presence at the golden Tower. Please come with me."
The young woman wearing her white robe led the president up a staircase on to a monorail platform. The two boarded the first one that arrived and the president was greeted to a bird's-eye tour of the complex.
Ironically the first thing she saw was the flag of her Nation as the monorail passed by the international Gardens for the embassies of foreign nations were hosted, including Kerlile.
From there the train travels in a straight path down the main Boulevard. Passing over the parade route with the Imperial Guard Armory and then heading down the Main Avenue flanked on both sides by palaces occupied by bureaucrats doing their job. The monorail came to a stop on the other end of the celestial Palace complex just in front of a golden Tower. The 100 m tall Stone building glistening in the light as the gold on its roof reflected the light.
"... do you need me to go over the protocol with you president Greenwood? I can't remember if you visited the empress during your time in office or not"
"I did not, so a lesson in protocol would be most appreciated," Joanna said, smiling at the woman, giving her best impression of being calm and collected.
She had never been to Shen before. In fact, no sitting President of the Matriarchy had ever laid eyes on the Golden Tower. Kerlile's relationship with Shen had always been somewhat strained - although, that wasn't saying much given the Matriarchy's tendency to anger everyone. Joanna had no reason to believe, alas, that the relationship would improve anytime soon.
The palace protocol agent nodded and directed the president to follow her. They began to walk up the polished White marble stairs through the enormous front gate and walking down a long hallway, flanked on both sides by enormous golden pillars each one intricately carved with images of the mythology of the Empire as well as its history. The walls were covered in Gold Leaf also shaped into intricate design until they entered the waiting chamber. The protocol agent turned to the president.
"Okay when meeting the God Empress, you must walk through the doors. Look down at the ground. It's first going to be white marble. When you see the white marble turn into black Maarblel you're going to have to get down on your hands and knees and crawl the rest of the way to the throne. You know how to kowtow right?"
Joanna Greenwood's false smile, the one she had used so often as President, so well-practiced that it could even pass for genuine, faltered and became fixed and clearly fake. As if her humiliation at even needing to come here hadn't been enough! She wished so desperately she had never been foolish enough to resign from her position - and that she'd never been foolish enough to allow her country to sign the damn Haven Accords in the first place.
"I cannot say I have had much occasion to do so," she said to the protocol agent.
"Oh really? I guess they must honor you in a different way. Well it's not that hard"
The protocol agent demonstrated. First getting on her hands and knees and then pressing her nose directly to the ground. Her rear end extended in the air.
After a few seconds the protocol agent sat down on her legs still sitting in a submissive style.
"... when you get to the surround do that but wait until the empress tells you to rise before you sit on your legs."
Joanna watched the protocol agent, wondering for a few moments that if she was having some kind of terrible dream, and she would wake up in bed in January 2018 and the entire Lauchenoirian affair never happened. Alas, that was not the case, so she was going to have to swallow her pride and do as instructed.
"Got it," she smiled her false smile at the protocol agent. "Anything else I should know?"
"Oh, nothing too major." The protocol agent said as she slowly stood back up.
"Don't speak unless spoken to. If you have a question keep it short and sweet. Oh, and Could you tell me how you want to be announced?"
She said as she adjusted her glasses.
"I... well, tradition is that a Kerlian President holds her title until death. Of course, most of them remain in the position until then," Joanna laughed nervously, and falsely. "But, yes. President Joanna Amalie Greenwood."
The agent nodded and walked through a small side door.
The president was left alone for a minute. Left alone with his thoughts. But suddenly the massive bronze doors opened up.
"President Joanna Amalie Greenwood" was announced loudly through the throne room.
The throne room itself was just as magnificent as the rest of the palace.
It was 10 meters high. With twelve large black marble pillars flanking the path to the throne, with the Gateway on one side and the throne itself on the other Series in front of each one was a golden statue of one of the 12 Zodiac signs each statue standing about as tall as an average man.
In the back against the wall with a massive carved symbol in the shape of the Imperial standards. The flag of the empire what's a great Dragon directly behind the throne.
Throne itself with elevated above the entire room by series golden steps. And sitting at opposite was the shadowy form of the god empress.
Joanna had no choice but to swallow her pride as she did exactly as the protocol agent had instructed, fearing the consequences of any breach in protocol. She could not have both her pride and her freedom, alas, and she knew which one she preferred. So, she kowtowed to the Empress, waiting for permission to move or speak.
The empress let her sit in submission for almost a minute. But finally, she heard that voice. Old and wrinkled. Yet even in old age so commanding. It was the voice of a woman who knew that she held the power of a God within her borders. And who knew that the woman kowtowing before her had no choice but to submit
"... sit up president Greenwood"
Relieved, as being bent over had been beginning to hurt, Greenwood sat up on her legs, mimicking the submissive posture the protocol agent had shown her. She suddenly understood why Councillor Chiu had always told the Council to never travel to Shen - Kerlian Councillors were not known for their submissiveness.
"... between your time as a counselor and your time as president how many years have you spent helping to lead the matriarchy president Greenwood?" The calm but commanding voice asked from underneath her golden silk veil.
"Twenty-nine years, my empress," she said, somewhat nervously.
" 29 years?" She said before staring off to the side of the room and chuckling.
She stared back down at the woman. She began to speak at first calmly but the tone of her voice getting sharper and more aggressive with each syllable. Striking directly into the heart of the president.
" and in those 29 years have you ever come to visit me? Ever called me or tried to get into contact with me in a personal way? Did you even so much as send me a birthday card?"
With every word of the Empress, Joanna's fear increased. She was terrified, terrified that the Empress would refuse to let her remain, would send her back - or do something to her in Shen. Yet she knew that Empress Wu had a right to be angry with her.
"I... I can only apologize for my lack of contact. The Matriarchy was isolated for so long before the Lauchenoirian war that foreign affairs were never a priority for us. I am deeply sorry, my empress."
"... I could maybe look past your lack of friendly demeanor Madam president..." Sea Empress replied through gritted teeth. But as she spoke all pretext of calm disappears as a fiery rage came out of her mouth. Breathing fire.
"... if your government propaganda, even when you were the president, wasn't so directly insulting. How many times should you refer to my Empire as a nation ruled by patriarchal values? How often did you refer to me as an agent of the patriarchy? Me? Who has eliminated starvation within her borders through my food though. Me? Who has extended maternity leave to every woman expecting child. Me who has spent every waking moment since I was 18 improving the lives of the men and women of my nation?!"
The empress is fuming rage subsided for a moment. Letting it all sink in.
".... not only have you never extended me the courtesy of visiting me in person until this very day. You have actively insulted me with your propaganda. Why in the name of every God in heaven should I extend my Hospitality to you madam president?"
With every fiery word that came out of the mouth of the Empress, Joanna's heart sank further. She was utterly convinced with each second that went on that she was doomed. So many tears had begun to well in the corner of her eyes, out of fear and despair, that she had to blink repeatedly to stop them falling.
"We have been unfair to you, I realize that. It was wrong, I must admit my mistake. Our... our power in Kerlile is based off - or at least was, before Arnott's reforms - of terrifying the female population into believing they would be unsafe elsewhere. But it was so wrong of us to criticize a great female leader such as yourself. I promise you, I will instruct my daughter to make sure that it never happens again, my empress."
A pair of hypnotic green emeralds hidden behind a golden Veil, of the finest silk glared down at the president, as she knelt there on the verge of tears reduced to cowering in fear.
The empress set back in her chair. Resting her head on her arm. And then the chamber was filled with a new sound. Laughter. The Empress was now laughing at this pathetic woman in front of her. The ministers and advisors and aristocrats standing in the shadows throne room silently adding as their own cackles to the laughter of the empress
"... president Greenwood. The woman who was brave enough to lead her Nation to war. Who attempted to conquer Lauchenoiria... the feared Master of the matriarchy... I expected so much more."
The empress extended her finger towards those Shadows. Motioning with one finger for her guard to walk over
"... president Greenwood will be hosted within the Royal chamber of the Ruby Palace for the time being. Till we can find a more permanent accommodation for her. She used to have a personal guard escort her at all times. And prepare her a stipend appropriate for someone of her status"
The empress looked back down towards Greenwood.
"... the Empire will protect you President Greenwood. You shall enjoy all the rights and privileges as any member of a great house"
Greenwood's cheeks flushed with embarrassment once more at the whole affair. She hated what she'd been reduced to, hated everything about the person she had become and the situation in which she found herself. She had so, so few choices left. She mentally cursed Hale, Sanctaria, Arnott, everyone who'd played any part in where she found herself. But outwardly, she composed herself and blinked away the tears, letting the relief sink into her bones.
"Thank you, I am most grateful, my empress."
The empress nodded her head, raising her hand upward Spirit as soon as she had raised to hand the doors opened up allowing the president to leave
"... I hope you understand Madam president but I will expect a token of that gratitude someday. And given the alternative I would heed the warning of a God. Now go... you're no longer required in my presence "
"Thank you, my empress," Greenwood said, before exiting, relieved.
As soon as she was out of the room she let out a breath, not realizing she'd been partially holding it. She had felt intimidated and frightened, two emotions she was not used to, and two she did not want to feel again. She would have to call her daughter. She would have to make sure that Letitia did something to show Shen she was grateful. After all, she never wanted to see the wrath of Empress Wu again.
Former President of Kerlile Joanna Greenwood tried not to stare too obviously at the five-story red granite wall which surrounded the Celestial Palace complex. It was decorated with elaborate details painted onto the wall, and Joanna found it hard not to stare.
The buildings in the Kerlian capital of Grapevale were smaller than average for a city, these days, so she was not used to large structures - especially not the length of this wall. It reminded her more of Maytown, where Daughters of the Council were educated and where men rarely ventured. But the walls of Maytown were shorter, and far more boring than the magnificent red wall around the Celestial Palace.
She was led to one of the gates, where an Imperial guard asked her for her papers. The whole time she was gazing at the wall whenever she could without it looking too obvious. She was trying to forget the fact she had been forced to flee her country, and gazing at the wonders of Shen would hopefully help take her mind off things.
She would shortly be meeting the Shen Empress, and she had to make sure she got all the protocol correct. The woman she was about to meet held Joanna's fate in her hands. Shen was her only hope, everywhere else would have extradited or imprisoned her. This had to go well, or Joanna feared she would meet a similar fate to Anita Patel, rotting in a cell and crying each night.
As soon as she passed through the portal between Sharanfo, and the anointed ground of the celestial Palace complex, she was immediately greeted by a short woman with thick round glasses and Raven hair. Her young face and her enthusiastic smile greeted her as her white robes glistened in the early morning sun.
"Welcome to the celestial Palace complex President Greenwood. The empress has requested your presence at the golden Tower. Please come with me."
The young woman wearing her white robe led the president up a staircase on to a monorail platform. The two boarded the first one that arrived and the president was greeted to a bird's-eye tour of the complex.
Ironically the first thing she saw was the flag of her Nation as the monorail passed by the international Gardens for the embassies of foreign nations were hosted, including Kerlile.
From there the train travels in a straight path down the main Boulevard. Passing over the parade route with the Imperial Guard Armory and then heading down the Main Avenue flanked on both sides by palaces occupied by bureaucrats doing their job. The monorail came to a stop on the other end of the celestial Palace complex just in front of a golden Tower. The 100 m tall Stone building glistening in the light as the gold on its roof reflected the light.
"... do you need me to go over the protocol with you president Greenwood? I can't remember if you visited the empress during your time in office or not"
"I did not, so a lesson in protocol would be most appreciated," Joanna said, smiling at the woman, giving her best impression of being calm and collected.
She had never been to Shen before. In fact, no sitting President of the Matriarchy had ever laid eyes on the Golden Tower. Kerlile's relationship with Shen had always been somewhat strained - although, that wasn't saying much given the Matriarchy's tendency to anger everyone. Joanna had no reason to believe, alas, that the relationship would improve anytime soon.
The palace protocol agent nodded and directed the president to follow her. They began to walk up the polished White marble stairs through the enormous front gate and walking down a long hallway, flanked on both sides by enormous golden pillars each one intricately carved with images of the mythology of the Empire as well as its history. The walls were covered in Gold Leaf also shaped into intricate design until they entered the waiting chamber. The protocol agent turned to the president.
"Okay when meeting the God Empress, you must walk through the doors. Look down at the ground. It's first going to be white marble. When you see the white marble turn into black Maarblel you're going to have to get down on your hands and knees and crawl the rest of the way to the throne. You know how to kowtow right?"
Joanna Greenwood's false smile, the one she had used so often as President, so well-practiced that it could even pass for genuine, faltered and became fixed and clearly fake. As if her humiliation at even needing to come here hadn't been enough! She wished so desperately she had never been foolish enough to resign from her position - and that she'd never been foolish enough to allow her country to sign the damn Haven Accords in the first place.
"I cannot say I have had much occasion to do so," she said to the protocol agent.
"Oh really? I guess they must honor you in a different way. Well it's not that hard"
The protocol agent demonstrated. First getting on her hands and knees and then pressing her nose directly to the ground. Her rear end extended in the air.
After a few seconds the protocol agent sat down on her legs still sitting in a submissive style.
"... when you get to the surround do that but wait until the empress tells you to rise before you sit on your legs."
Joanna watched the protocol agent, wondering for a few moments that if she was having some kind of terrible dream, and she would wake up in bed in January 2018 and the entire Lauchenoirian affair never happened. Alas, that was not the case, so she was going to have to swallow her pride and do as instructed.
"Got it," she smiled her false smile at the protocol agent. "Anything else I should know?"
"Oh, nothing too major." The protocol agent said as she slowly stood back up.
"Don't speak unless spoken to. If you have a question keep it short and sweet. Oh, and Could you tell me how you want to be announced?"
She said as she adjusted her glasses.
"I... well, tradition is that a Kerlian President holds her title until death. Of course, most of them remain in the position until then," Joanna laughed nervously, and falsely. "But, yes. President Joanna Amalie Greenwood."
The agent nodded and walked through a small side door.
The president was left alone for a minute. Left alone with his thoughts. But suddenly the massive bronze doors opened up.
"President Joanna Amalie Greenwood" was announced loudly through the throne room.
The throne room itself was just as magnificent as the rest of the palace.
It was 10 meters high. With twelve large black marble pillars flanking the path to the throne, with the Gateway on one side and the throne itself on the other Series in front of each one was a golden statue of one of the 12 Zodiac signs each statue standing about as tall as an average man.
In the back against the wall with a massive carved symbol in the shape of the Imperial standards. The flag of the empire what's a great Dragon directly behind the throne.
Throne itself with elevated above the entire room by series golden steps. And sitting at opposite was the shadowy form of the god empress.
Joanna had no choice but to swallow her pride as she did exactly as the protocol agent had instructed, fearing the consequences of any breach in protocol. She could not have both her pride and her freedom, alas, and she knew which one she preferred. So, she kowtowed to the Empress, waiting for permission to move or speak.
The empress let her sit in submission for almost a minute. But finally, she heard that voice. Old and wrinkled. Yet even in old age so commanding. It was the voice of a woman who knew that she held the power of a God within her borders. And who knew that the woman kowtowing before her had no choice but to submit
"... sit up president Greenwood"
Relieved, as being bent over had been beginning to hurt, Greenwood sat up on her legs, mimicking the submissive posture the protocol agent had shown her. She suddenly understood why Councillor Chiu had always told the Council to never travel to Shen - Kerlian Councillors were not known for their submissiveness.
"... between your time as a counselor and your time as president how many years have you spent helping to lead the matriarchy president Greenwood?" The calm but commanding voice asked from underneath her golden silk veil.
"Twenty-nine years, my empress," she said, somewhat nervously.
" 29 years?" She said before staring off to the side of the room and chuckling.
She stared back down at the woman. She began to speak at first calmly but the tone of her voice getting sharper and more aggressive with each syllable. Striking directly into the heart of the president.
" and in those 29 years have you ever come to visit me? Ever called me or tried to get into contact with me in a personal way? Did you even so much as send me a birthday card?"
With every word of the Empress, Joanna's fear increased. She was terrified, terrified that the Empress would refuse to let her remain, would send her back - or do something to her in Shen. Yet she knew that Empress Wu had a right to be angry with her.
"I... I can only apologize for my lack of contact. The Matriarchy was isolated for so long before the Lauchenoirian war that foreign affairs were never a priority for us. I am deeply sorry, my empress."
"... I could maybe look past your lack of friendly demeanor Madam president..." Sea Empress replied through gritted teeth. But as she spoke all pretext of calm disappears as a fiery rage came out of her mouth. Breathing fire.
"... if your government propaganda, even when you were the president, wasn't so directly insulting. How many times should you refer to my Empire as a nation ruled by patriarchal values? How often did you refer to me as an agent of the patriarchy? Me? Who has eliminated starvation within her borders through my food though. Me? Who has extended maternity leave to every woman expecting child. Me who has spent every waking moment since I was 18 improving the lives of the men and women of my nation?!"
The empress is fuming rage subsided for a moment. Letting it all sink in.
".... not only have you never extended me the courtesy of visiting me in person until this very day. You have actively insulted me with your propaganda. Why in the name of every God in heaven should I extend my Hospitality to you madam president?"
With every fiery word that came out of the mouth of the Empress, Joanna's heart sank further. She was utterly convinced with each second that went on that she was doomed. So many tears had begun to well in the corner of her eyes, out of fear and despair, that she had to blink repeatedly to stop them falling.
"We have been unfair to you, I realize that. It was wrong, I must admit my mistake. Our... our power in Kerlile is based off - or at least was, before Arnott's reforms - of terrifying the female population into believing they would be unsafe elsewhere. But it was so wrong of us to criticize a great female leader such as yourself. I promise you, I will instruct my daughter to make sure that it never happens again, my empress."
A pair of hypnotic green emeralds hidden behind a golden Veil, of the finest silk glared down at the president, as she knelt there on the verge of tears reduced to cowering in fear.
The empress set back in her chair. Resting her head on her arm. And then the chamber was filled with a new sound. Laughter. The Empress was now laughing at this pathetic woman in front of her. The ministers and advisors and aristocrats standing in the shadows throne room silently adding as their own cackles to the laughter of the empress
"... president Greenwood. The woman who was brave enough to lead her Nation to war. Who attempted to conquer Lauchenoiria... the feared Master of the matriarchy... I expected so much more."
The empress extended her finger towards those Shadows. Motioning with one finger for her guard to walk over
"... president Greenwood will be hosted within the Royal chamber of the Ruby Palace for the time being. Till we can find a more permanent accommodation for her. She used to have a personal guard escort her at all times. And prepare her a stipend appropriate for someone of her status"
The empress looked back down towards Greenwood.
"... the Empire will protect you President Greenwood. You shall enjoy all the rights and privileges as any member of a great house"
Greenwood's cheeks flushed with embarrassment once more at the whole affair. She hated what she'd been reduced to, hated everything about the person she had become and the situation in which she found herself. She had so, so few choices left. She mentally cursed Hale, Sanctaria, Arnott, everyone who'd played any part in where she found herself. But outwardly, she composed herself and blinked away the tears, letting the relief sink into her bones.
"Thank you, I am most grateful, my empress."
The empress nodded her head, raising her hand upward Spirit as soon as she had raised to hand the doors opened up allowing the president to leave
"... I hope you understand Madam president but I will expect a token of that gratitude someday. And given the alternative I would heed the warning of a God. Now go... you're no longer required in my presence "
"Thank you, my empress," Greenwood said, before exiting, relieved.
As soon as she was out of the room she let out a breath, not realizing she'd been partially holding it. She had felt intimidated and frightened, two emotions she was not used to, and two she did not want to feel again. She would have to call her daughter. She would have to make sure that Letitia did something to show Shen she was grateful. After all, she never wanted to see the wrath of Empress Wu again.
LIDUN President 2024 | she/her | Puppets: Kerlile, Glanainn, Yesteria, Zongongia, Zargothrax