09-07-2021, 07:53 PM
September 6th, Palace of Flowers
The Chamber of Whispers was not living up to its name this morning.
The Prime Minister, and his Cabinet, were gathered in waiting for the Empress to arrive. The sounds of anger filled the room as they discussed the recent condemnations by Lauchenoiria and Eiria over Cozamalotl's execution, as well as the sanctions levied by Lauchenoiria. The sanctions themselves were of little concern to Xiomera. The fact that they were placed, however, was not.
The doors to the Chamber swept open, and Empress Calhualyana strode inside. Everyone in the room fell silent as she seated herself in the center of the room. "We all know why we're here," she said without preamble. "Opinions?"
"We cannot let these acts go unanswered," Minister of State Toquauhtli said. "If we do not respond firmly, we will be seen as weak." Minister of Defense Chuanacoyo nodded grimly.
"I must agree," Minister of Justice Cuicanan said. "Our justice system, and indeed our entire state apparatus, are under attack by these outsiders. Xiomera must demonstrate that it is not beholden to them and that their opinions shall not sway us. If we cannot stand strongly now, our people will lose confidence in this government and that will lead to trouble."
"Indeed, and also, we must not forget that these people are attacking our very social order," Maxtla said. The Minister for the Preservation of Xiomeran Values grimaced. "These outsiders know nothing of Xiomera, and yet they insist on tampering with our social cohesion, which will lead to consequences which will be grave for us and totally unforeseen by them. We must resist their interference lest they bring about the upheaval of everything we believe in! That's the sort of thing that caused the civil war in the first place!"
"I would add to that also, Majesty, that all of this has serious ramifications for our internal security," Quihichua said. The Minister of Loyalty shook her head. "These foreign do-gooders give people dangerous ideas. Such ideas lead to disruption and disharmony."
"Is there anyone here who believes we should take a different course? That we should try to smooth things over with these states?" Calhualyana paused for anyone else to speak up.
Cuālincōcatle, the Minister of Trade, sighed. "These conflicts will inevitably lead to disruption of our trading relationships. However, I believe firmly that our economy can survive it."
The Minister of the Treasury and the Imperial Bank, Mixochuatli, spoke next. "I agree with Minister Cuālincōcatle. Our economy is strong, and in many ways self-sufficient at this point. We have always relied on trade with other nations as the driving force for our economy. But I believe that Xiomera has advanced enough, after so many centuries, that we are essentially self-sustaining. We have the technology, the science and education, the industry, the wealth and the resources to continue to thrive no matter what. So, I say, let feeble powers like Lauchenoiria and Eiria sanction us if they want. We no longer need them - and we should not let either our domestic or foreign policies be under the whim of foreign states anymore just because they toss some coins at us. As our trade deal with Shuell demonstrates, we will still be able to trade. And we won't have to answer to interfering outsiders to do it."
Prime Minister Toquihu nodded. "I agree, Xiomera has tried to appease foreigners for far too long, and it has held us back. We cannot truly rise until we refuse to be shackled by them, and their notions of how we should run ourselves. I would be happy to give our response to these interfering devils to that effect, your Highness."
"No. Both Alvarez and Lancaster chose to call me out personally. If they want a response from me, then that is exactly what they shall get. And I know just the place to do it. Coaneca, come with me," the Empress said, standing up and pointing at the Minister of Information. "We have work to do."
---
September 7th, Imperial Parliament Building
Xochitecpancalli Hill, Tlālacuetztla
The Imperial Parliament Building on Xochitecpancalli Hill had been built in record time, using state-of-the-art prefabricated construction methods and crews working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It stood on the former site of the Huenyan Assembly in Tlālacuetztla, before it had been bulldozed by then-Emperor Xochiuhue after his coup against Yauhmi. Calhualyana had deliberately chosen Xochitecpancalli Hill as the site of her new, XCP-dominated Imperial Parliament as a very clear message. The IPB declared, by its very presence, that any dreams of reform or democracy in Xiomera were dead and buried underneath its tons of black-hued steel, stone and concrete.
The modernistic structure, with its symbols of the Empire and the XCP chiseled into its walls, dominated its immediate surroundings like a giant dark monolith. Inside, the decor was not much brighter. Gray slate floors and obsidian-lined walls were the order of the day. The only spots of color, inside and out, were the giant Xiomeran and XCP flags and banners on the walls.
The Parliament Chamber itself was designed much like a larger Chamber of Whispers. Seats for the Members of Parliament were arranged in a circle, with a path cut out of one section leading down to a smaller circle in the center. The center space held the dais for the leaders of Parliament, and the speaker's lectern. Above the chamber itself, galleries for the audience formed another circle.
Carved into the dais at the heart of the Chamber, in Huenyan and English, was a single phrase: As the sun rises, so has Xiomera. As people filed into the Chamber, they saw the phrase and were confused. The official Imperial motto was "As the sun rises, so does Xiomera." Not a few of those sitting down thought that someone, somewhere, would be paying for that particular typo after today. This was the first official session of the Imperial Parliament in its new home since the January election, and it would be broadcast live throughout Xiomera and abroad.
As an Imperial Guardsman called everyone to order with several sharp raps on a shield with a mācuahuitl, the room fell silent. "Honored Members of Parliament and guests, please stand and honor our Empress, Calhualyana, as she officially opens this first session of the Imperial Parliament in our new chambers," the Speaker of the Parliament said.
The two doors at the end of the walkway leading to the center dais swung open, and Empress Calhualyana began walking down to the dais. She was clad in her full Imperial regalia. Gold and black fabric and steel glinted in the lights overhead; her black and gold cape fluttered slightly as she walked down. The intricately assembled featherwork crown that had, for centuries, signified Imperial royalty shone on top of her head, adding its own colors to the display. As everyone in the room applauded, Calhualyana reached the dais, eventually gesturing to everyone to stop.
"Thank you so much, honored Members of Parliament, for your welcome. I am pleased to open this first session of the Imperial Parliament in its new home, this Parliament Building that we have built. I am confident that all of you will represent your constituents and your communities well, and that together, the Throne and the XCP will govern Xiomera wisely and successfully."
Applause rang out as Calhualyana continued. "This Parliament was assembled, and this great chamber constructed, within just a few short months. And yet, both stand today as symbols of the strength and resilience of the Xiomeran system and our way of life. In the wake of foreign-influenced separatism that split our nation in half, and stole both land and wealth from us on a scale unprecedented in modern times, many expected that this Empire would falter or even collapse. Weaker nations would have. And yet, we are still here. We are still strong. And as both this Parliament and its new chambers show, we are still capable of great things."
The applause rose again, as the Empress smiled. "Our rapid recovery from the war, our continued political and economic strength, and our resilience in the face of adversity and conspiracy prove the greatness of our Empire. And yet, we still face the criticism and hostility of foreign powers who do not understand us and seek to meddle in our affairs. Within the past two days, the leaders of Lauchenoiria and Eiria have spoken in favor of those who would conspire against our government, and criticized us for enforcing our laws by punishing those who would seek to cause insurrection within our lands." Calhualyana would not mention Cozamalotl by name, but she didn't need to. "The Lauchenoirian government has even gone so far as to levy sanctions against us." Audible booing and hissing could be heard in the chamber at this point.
"The Xiomeran Empire, ever since we modernized and adopted the ways of the outside world, has tried to accomodate foreign powers and foreign ways. We have adopted other languages. We have adopted their technology, and many of their ways. And yet, it has never been enough. Xiomera has always faced these criticisms from outsiders who wish us to change to suit them. Our social order, our political system, our laws and how we choose to enforce them. And why have we tolerated this? For trade? For money? To be part of the 'international community'? What has this gained Xiomera, except more demands and more impositions from outsiders?"
Calhualyana's voice, which had maintained the even and calm tones of a head of state up to now, grew more impassioned. "Xiomera has always been treated as a nation who must be 'instructed' and 'changed' by the outside world, and we have been expected to comply if we want to trade with these nations or have relations with them. This has always been predicated on a mistaken assumption - that Xiomera is the junior partner in these relationships. But we are no one's inferior. We are, in fact, stronger than many of these nations that would seek to impose upon us. We dwarf Lauchenoiria in any possible measure of economic, scientific, or military strength. Yet they think they have the right to tell us 'enough is enough', and try to force us to change? Prime Minister Alvarez, to be frank, must be delusional if she believes somehow that Lauchenoiria is superior to Xiomera in any possible way, and thus fit to tell us how we should run ourselves."
"As for Eiria, while they are clearly stronger than Lauchenoiria, they are not stronger than Xiomera in any measurable way either. And yet, their leaders, such as Chancellor Lancaster, continue to insist on pontificating to us and trying to impose their will on us." The booing and hissing in the Chamber grew perceptibly louder.
"In the past, Xiomera would have tolerated this sort of hostile behavior for any number of reasons - to maintain trade ties, to pursue international relations, to try to help other countries understand our point of view. But we must now see, with clear eyes and minds, that this has never worked. It has only emboldened these interfering states to impose upon us more. So, as your leader and the leader of the Xiomeran people, I want to make one thing clear to these other countries - the days of Xiomera tolerating your hostility are over."
Into the sudden silence, Calhualyana stared defiantly at the cameras. "I hereby announce that the Xiomeran Empire is imposing reciprocal sanctions against the Federation of Lauchenoiria and its leaders, and will also be imposing similar sanctions against the Democratic Republic of Eiria and its leadership. Further attempts by those nations to sanction us will result in the immediate ban of all trade and travel between the Xiomeran Empire and those nations, and the immediate seizure of all Lauchenoirian and Eirian assets in Xiomera. If the Lauchenoirian and Eirian governments choose to reverse their hostile course towards us, we will do the same. But any further retailation or pressure applied from those nations against us will result in an equal Imperial response."
As the Chamber filled with applause, Calhualyana continued. "Any other nation that attempts to pressure us in a similar fashion will receive a similar response as well. We do not wish to do so, but we will no longer bow to the pressure of outsiders. For too long, Xiomera has been treated as a nation that can be pressured. We have even done it to ourselves. Our national motto, for the longest time, was 'As the sun rises, so does Xiomera.' This implied that we had not yet risen to the level of others. But I would argue that Xiomera has risen to their level, and in many cases surpassed it, long ago. Our technology and our scientific advancement are the equal of any nation in our world. Our economy is one of the strongest, our society one of the most prosperous. It is time for us to look upon ourselves in a different way, so that others may finally do so as well." The Empress gestured to the words carved into the dais. "Xiomera has risen. Not shall rise - has risen. We are the equal of any nation in the world, and we achieved this because of our social order, our political system and our way of life. No one has the right to tell us that we must change the ways that have brought us such success just to suit their ideals. And we will not do so. Ever."
The applause in the Chamber reached a fever pitch, as the Empress raised her hands. "We want to be on good terms with the other nations of the world, but make no mistake - if those nations decide, as Lauchenoiria and Eiria have, that they do not need Xiomera - we most certainly do not need them either. Xiomera will thrive, grow and advance whether or not we have any dealings with hostile nations. And we will no longer be subject to their whims. Xiomera is a sovereign nation, whose people and nation are not for sale, and we will run our nation as we see fit. The nations of the world must understand - Xiomera has risen. We are not subject to your will, or your pressure. And if we must, we shall prove it. So go ahead and sanction us, condemn us, rage against us if you wish. We shall not concern ourselves with your actions any longer. Today, Xiomera takes the first steps to free ourselves from the shackles of others and march towards our destiny, no matter who may seek to thwart it."
When the cheering and applause finally died down, Calhualyana lowered her hands. "Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby declare the Imperial Parliament Building opened, and the Parliament in session. Let's get to work for Xiomera and its people."
The Chamber of Whispers was not living up to its name this morning.
The Prime Minister, and his Cabinet, were gathered in waiting for the Empress to arrive. The sounds of anger filled the room as they discussed the recent condemnations by Lauchenoiria and Eiria over Cozamalotl's execution, as well as the sanctions levied by Lauchenoiria. The sanctions themselves were of little concern to Xiomera. The fact that they were placed, however, was not.
The doors to the Chamber swept open, and Empress Calhualyana strode inside. Everyone in the room fell silent as she seated herself in the center of the room. "We all know why we're here," she said without preamble. "Opinions?"
"We cannot let these acts go unanswered," Minister of State Toquauhtli said. "If we do not respond firmly, we will be seen as weak." Minister of Defense Chuanacoyo nodded grimly.
"I must agree," Minister of Justice Cuicanan said. "Our justice system, and indeed our entire state apparatus, are under attack by these outsiders. Xiomera must demonstrate that it is not beholden to them and that their opinions shall not sway us. If we cannot stand strongly now, our people will lose confidence in this government and that will lead to trouble."
"Indeed, and also, we must not forget that these people are attacking our very social order," Maxtla said. The Minister for the Preservation of Xiomeran Values grimaced. "These outsiders know nothing of Xiomera, and yet they insist on tampering with our social cohesion, which will lead to consequences which will be grave for us and totally unforeseen by them. We must resist their interference lest they bring about the upheaval of everything we believe in! That's the sort of thing that caused the civil war in the first place!"
"I would add to that also, Majesty, that all of this has serious ramifications for our internal security," Quihichua said. The Minister of Loyalty shook her head. "These foreign do-gooders give people dangerous ideas. Such ideas lead to disruption and disharmony."
"Is there anyone here who believes we should take a different course? That we should try to smooth things over with these states?" Calhualyana paused for anyone else to speak up.
Cuālincōcatle, the Minister of Trade, sighed. "These conflicts will inevitably lead to disruption of our trading relationships. However, I believe firmly that our economy can survive it."
The Minister of the Treasury and the Imperial Bank, Mixochuatli, spoke next. "I agree with Minister Cuālincōcatle. Our economy is strong, and in many ways self-sufficient at this point. We have always relied on trade with other nations as the driving force for our economy. But I believe that Xiomera has advanced enough, after so many centuries, that we are essentially self-sustaining. We have the technology, the science and education, the industry, the wealth and the resources to continue to thrive no matter what. So, I say, let feeble powers like Lauchenoiria and Eiria sanction us if they want. We no longer need them - and we should not let either our domestic or foreign policies be under the whim of foreign states anymore just because they toss some coins at us. As our trade deal with Shuell demonstrates, we will still be able to trade. And we won't have to answer to interfering outsiders to do it."
Prime Minister Toquihu nodded. "I agree, Xiomera has tried to appease foreigners for far too long, and it has held us back. We cannot truly rise until we refuse to be shackled by them, and their notions of how we should run ourselves. I would be happy to give our response to these interfering devils to that effect, your Highness."
"No. Both Alvarez and Lancaster chose to call me out personally. If they want a response from me, then that is exactly what they shall get. And I know just the place to do it. Coaneca, come with me," the Empress said, standing up and pointing at the Minister of Information. "We have work to do."
---
September 7th, Imperial Parliament Building
Xochitecpancalli Hill, Tlālacuetztla
The Imperial Parliament Building on Xochitecpancalli Hill had been built in record time, using state-of-the-art prefabricated construction methods and crews working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It stood on the former site of the Huenyan Assembly in Tlālacuetztla, before it had been bulldozed by then-Emperor Xochiuhue after his coup against Yauhmi. Calhualyana had deliberately chosen Xochitecpancalli Hill as the site of her new, XCP-dominated Imperial Parliament as a very clear message. The IPB declared, by its very presence, that any dreams of reform or democracy in Xiomera were dead and buried underneath its tons of black-hued steel, stone and concrete.
The modernistic structure, with its symbols of the Empire and the XCP chiseled into its walls, dominated its immediate surroundings like a giant dark monolith. Inside, the decor was not much brighter. Gray slate floors and obsidian-lined walls were the order of the day. The only spots of color, inside and out, were the giant Xiomeran and XCP flags and banners on the walls.
The Parliament Chamber itself was designed much like a larger Chamber of Whispers. Seats for the Members of Parliament were arranged in a circle, with a path cut out of one section leading down to a smaller circle in the center. The center space held the dais for the leaders of Parliament, and the speaker's lectern. Above the chamber itself, galleries for the audience formed another circle.
Carved into the dais at the heart of the Chamber, in Huenyan and English, was a single phrase: As the sun rises, so has Xiomera. As people filed into the Chamber, they saw the phrase and were confused. The official Imperial motto was "As the sun rises, so does Xiomera." Not a few of those sitting down thought that someone, somewhere, would be paying for that particular typo after today. This was the first official session of the Imperial Parliament in its new home since the January election, and it would be broadcast live throughout Xiomera and abroad.
As an Imperial Guardsman called everyone to order with several sharp raps on a shield with a mācuahuitl, the room fell silent. "Honored Members of Parliament and guests, please stand and honor our Empress, Calhualyana, as she officially opens this first session of the Imperial Parliament in our new chambers," the Speaker of the Parliament said.
The two doors at the end of the walkway leading to the center dais swung open, and Empress Calhualyana began walking down to the dais. She was clad in her full Imperial regalia. Gold and black fabric and steel glinted in the lights overhead; her black and gold cape fluttered slightly as she walked down. The intricately assembled featherwork crown that had, for centuries, signified Imperial royalty shone on top of her head, adding its own colors to the display. As everyone in the room applauded, Calhualyana reached the dais, eventually gesturing to everyone to stop.
"Thank you so much, honored Members of Parliament, for your welcome. I am pleased to open this first session of the Imperial Parliament in its new home, this Parliament Building that we have built. I am confident that all of you will represent your constituents and your communities well, and that together, the Throne and the XCP will govern Xiomera wisely and successfully."
Applause rang out as Calhualyana continued. "This Parliament was assembled, and this great chamber constructed, within just a few short months. And yet, both stand today as symbols of the strength and resilience of the Xiomeran system and our way of life. In the wake of foreign-influenced separatism that split our nation in half, and stole both land and wealth from us on a scale unprecedented in modern times, many expected that this Empire would falter or even collapse. Weaker nations would have. And yet, we are still here. We are still strong. And as both this Parliament and its new chambers show, we are still capable of great things."
The applause rose again, as the Empress smiled. "Our rapid recovery from the war, our continued political and economic strength, and our resilience in the face of adversity and conspiracy prove the greatness of our Empire. And yet, we still face the criticism and hostility of foreign powers who do not understand us and seek to meddle in our affairs. Within the past two days, the leaders of Lauchenoiria and Eiria have spoken in favor of those who would conspire against our government, and criticized us for enforcing our laws by punishing those who would seek to cause insurrection within our lands." Calhualyana would not mention Cozamalotl by name, but she didn't need to. "The Lauchenoirian government has even gone so far as to levy sanctions against us." Audible booing and hissing could be heard in the chamber at this point.
"The Xiomeran Empire, ever since we modernized and adopted the ways of the outside world, has tried to accomodate foreign powers and foreign ways. We have adopted other languages. We have adopted their technology, and many of their ways. And yet, it has never been enough. Xiomera has always faced these criticisms from outsiders who wish us to change to suit them. Our social order, our political system, our laws and how we choose to enforce them. And why have we tolerated this? For trade? For money? To be part of the 'international community'? What has this gained Xiomera, except more demands and more impositions from outsiders?"
Calhualyana's voice, which had maintained the even and calm tones of a head of state up to now, grew more impassioned. "Xiomera has always been treated as a nation who must be 'instructed' and 'changed' by the outside world, and we have been expected to comply if we want to trade with these nations or have relations with them. This has always been predicated on a mistaken assumption - that Xiomera is the junior partner in these relationships. But we are no one's inferior. We are, in fact, stronger than many of these nations that would seek to impose upon us. We dwarf Lauchenoiria in any possible measure of economic, scientific, or military strength. Yet they think they have the right to tell us 'enough is enough', and try to force us to change? Prime Minister Alvarez, to be frank, must be delusional if she believes somehow that Lauchenoiria is superior to Xiomera in any possible way, and thus fit to tell us how we should run ourselves."
"As for Eiria, while they are clearly stronger than Lauchenoiria, they are not stronger than Xiomera in any measurable way either. And yet, their leaders, such as Chancellor Lancaster, continue to insist on pontificating to us and trying to impose their will on us." The booing and hissing in the Chamber grew perceptibly louder.
"In the past, Xiomera would have tolerated this sort of hostile behavior for any number of reasons - to maintain trade ties, to pursue international relations, to try to help other countries understand our point of view. But we must now see, with clear eyes and minds, that this has never worked. It has only emboldened these interfering states to impose upon us more. So, as your leader and the leader of the Xiomeran people, I want to make one thing clear to these other countries - the days of Xiomera tolerating your hostility are over."
Into the sudden silence, Calhualyana stared defiantly at the cameras. "I hereby announce that the Xiomeran Empire is imposing reciprocal sanctions against the Federation of Lauchenoiria and its leaders, and will also be imposing similar sanctions against the Democratic Republic of Eiria and its leadership. Further attempts by those nations to sanction us will result in the immediate ban of all trade and travel between the Xiomeran Empire and those nations, and the immediate seizure of all Lauchenoirian and Eirian assets in Xiomera. If the Lauchenoirian and Eirian governments choose to reverse their hostile course towards us, we will do the same. But any further retailation or pressure applied from those nations against us will result in an equal Imperial response."
As the Chamber filled with applause, Calhualyana continued. "Any other nation that attempts to pressure us in a similar fashion will receive a similar response as well. We do not wish to do so, but we will no longer bow to the pressure of outsiders. For too long, Xiomera has been treated as a nation that can be pressured. We have even done it to ourselves. Our national motto, for the longest time, was 'As the sun rises, so does Xiomera.' This implied that we had not yet risen to the level of others. But I would argue that Xiomera has risen to their level, and in many cases surpassed it, long ago. Our technology and our scientific advancement are the equal of any nation in our world. Our economy is one of the strongest, our society one of the most prosperous. It is time for us to look upon ourselves in a different way, so that others may finally do so as well." The Empress gestured to the words carved into the dais. "Xiomera has risen. Not shall rise - has risen. We are the equal of any nation in the world, and we achieved this because of our social order, our political system and our way of life. No one has the right to tell us that we must change the ways that have brought us such success just to suit their ideals. And we will not do so. Ever."
The applause in the Chamber reached a fever pitch, as the Empress raised her hands. "We want to be on good terms with the other nations of the world, but make no mistake - if those nations decide, as Lauchenoiria and Eiria have, that they do not need Xiomera - we most certainly do not need them either. Xiomera will thrive, grow and advance whether or not we have any dealings with hostile nations. And we will no longer be subject to their whims. Xiomera is a sovereign nation, whose people and nation are not for sale, and we will run our nation as we see fit. The nations of the world must understand - Xiomera has risen. We are not subject to your will, or your pressure. And if we must, we shall prove it. So go ahead and sanction us, condemn us, rage against us if you wish. We shall not concern ourselves with your actions any longer. Today, Xiomera takes the first steps to free ourselves from the shackles of others and march towards our destiny, no matter who may seek to thwart it."
When the cheering and applause finally died down, Calhualyana lowered her hands. "Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby declare the Imperial Parliament Building opened, and the Parliament in session. Let's get to work for Xiomera and its people."
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