[Nova Sodor]

Welcome to the Ambassador's Lounge - a light hearted RP thread where the Lounge is yours to do with as you wish and all we ask is that you respect others and don't take yourself too seriously.

Formerly a private members club housed in the old, and mostly abandoned, CIDUS building deep in the heart of Democracity the Lounge was somewhat of a hub once frequented regularly by different members of the CIDUS-delegations.

Famous for its multiple entrances, wood panelled walls, book lined shelves, numerous rooms and alcoves, stained glass ceiling centre piece, massive elongated octagonal bar that has seen more than one drink spilled upon it as well as an eclectic menu of food and drink from across the IDU and beyond.

So come in, gather round to hear stories of years past, strike a deal and partake in plans for days yet to come....welcome to The Ambassador's Lounge.

[Cagontia]

Jat Karlson sat staring at the cracks in the plaster surrounding the central portion of the stained glass ceiling. ?They need a conservationist in here before that gets out of hand,? he thought to himself. The Cagontian Foreign Affairs official was sitting sipping a coffee and eating a croissant even though what he really desired was a beer and oysters. Those could come later?for now, he was waiting for a representative of the ?new? Heklocharisian regime. Events in that nation had moved rapidly over the past several years, and in the space of just a few months there was a new emperor and now a new minister-president. Like their parent nation of Hekloslogravia political instability seemed to be endemic.

Despite their instability Heklocharisians were punctual?in their own way?and almost precisely 15 minutes after the agreed meeting time Jat saw a short, bespectacled, dark-haired man walk into the bar. Rising to greet the newcomer, his tall hulking frame presented quite a contrast to anyone who might be observing the two men as they strode toward each other and shook hands.

?Good day, Mr. Karlson. A pleasure to see you as always,? the Heklocharisian said in a detached but sincere manner.

?Martin! How are you? I?m glad to see you?re still around!?

?I?m well?,? he said with a faint triumphant smirk appearing on his lips before he replied, ??and is there a reason I would not be??

?Oh, it?s just been so long?,? Jat said with a smile before glancing toward the door as it opened?

[Gnejs]

Former Prime Minister Cornelis N?ss sits alone, lounging in a secluded part of the bar, while feasting on a ridiculously large plate of oysters and a mug of Malabrian ale.

- "Why these people insist on drinking coffee, in a bar, I will never know,"

he thought to himself as he canvassed the Ambassador's Lounge and its current set of patrons.

While adjusting to his new role as a "dignitary" and official representative of the Prosaic Union abroad, N?ss had recently begun to find solace in the 'Lounge'. Whereas he had refused to frequent the place during the CIDUS-era, as a matter of principle, the recent abolition of his least favourite international institution (apart from the World Assembly, but he had decided a long time ago to merely to ignore the existence of that snake pit) had allowed his curiosity to take charge. He was now becoming something of a regular.

Picking up one of his shells, and slurping down the oyster from the wide end ? the most aerodynamically efficient way, as he had been taught by the bar maid ? he gazed around the establishment, pausing briefly to inspect the various individuals in place.

- "A bear, in a suit. I always thought that was some kind of metaphor,"

he mumbled to himself while allowing his eyes to continue wandering. They stopped as he saw two men approaching each other, exchanging sturdy handshakes and pleasantries.

- "Hmm, political scheming or friendly shenanigans? Hard to say, they look serious though; yes, that's definitely something more than just a reunion,"

N?ss mused to himself, semi-speaking aloud in that confusing fashion that had earned him the nickname 'The Whisperer' back home.

- "Where are they from, I wonder? They look foreign. That idiot Thistle would know, for sure, but thank Violet he's not around. Now, let's see if we can't get an ear in there."

N?ss finished his last oyster, chugged the remaining ale and readjusted his position, as to be better placed for eavesdropping on Mr. Karlson and his Heklocharisian guest. While considering himself quite the smooth operator, his intentions were as obvious as a fresh-faced World Census agent infiltrating schools in order to determine the state of public education programs.

[Trive]

Takeda Shingen walks in.
"Hello, gentlemen."
Orders a cappuccino and Trivian doughnuts, sits down and patiently waits for his partner.

[Nova Sodor]

Ryan Chadwick observed the busy bar around him. For a moment the sight of a man juggling some small round cheeses caught his eye before his mobile phone chirped to indicate an incoming email. Opening the advanced device with a thumb print he saw that it was a message sent to all members of Nick Tylenor's staff congratulating them for their efforts in helping Nova Sodor's political freedoms being recognised as a world benchmark. Closing the phone he replaced it back inside his jacket pocket.

Taking a sip of the strong coffee recommended to him by the barmaid he considered the last conversation he'd had with Jodi Tyrell - his boss back home - and the enigmatic warning she'd given him. "If you ever find yourself in The Ambassador's Lounge during your time in Democracity don't believe anything the man who walks with a limp and wears a red tie says, don't accept a drink from the woman calling herself Ivy and whatever you do always stay in the main bar area - some doors will take you into the old CIDUS complex and you don't ever want to find yourself in room 5A." He'd asked her to elaborate on the odd warning but she'd refused to say anything else. He'd like to believe that it was a joke played on all the new boys but he couldn't forget that glint in her eye as though she were remembering something that she didn't want to talk about.

Glancing up he saw that the cheese juggler had gone giving him line of sight on a door that he figured must be one of several that led into the old complex. It was hard to tell from this distance but he could swear it was ajar.

[Trive]

The agent was probably sleeping on the Trivian Portuguese embassy, but he finally appeared. After ordering a bottle of Portuguese White Wine, directed himself to Takeda's table.
"Hello, Takeda. What business do we have here?"

[Bears Armed]

Standing by the bar, Jharge Charrwin sipped from his glass of cider and looked around with [he hoped] concealed wariness. Diplomatic experience he might have, indeed, but so far that had been acquired only in missions to other Ursine-majority nations and finding himself now surrounded by nothing but Humans had turned out to be slightly unnerving. He turned his attention to a menu card and saw that, as he'd hoped, 'Trilobite braised on the half-shell', a delicacy that he'd been instructed by some colleagues who were in the Bears' World Assembly mission to try if he got the chance, was available. After placing his order for a portion of this dish -- to be served with a creamy parsley sauce, potato wedges, and minted peas -- he walked across to a vacant table and took a seat there.

:Bear:

[Nova Sodor]

Watching the bear next to him place an order made Chadwick's stomach growl. Scanning the menu card left behind Chadwick decided on a chilli con queso from New Texas - apparently a prize winner at the recently held IDU cheese festival. Deciding that coffee wasn't the best accompaniment to a spicy dish he added a bottle of Old Sodorian beer to the order.

After scanning the amount due over from his phone - seeing notes and coins exchange hands earlier had taken him back to the days before Nova Sodor's currency had become entirely electronic - he fired up his tablet and began scanning the sports results from across the region.

[Cagontia]

Martin Kambrić pursed his lips and briefly glanced down after hearing the tall Cagontian?s excuse. He knew what was really meant. He was extraordinarily lucky that he had survived what those in his department called ?the shake up? ? a euphemism they used because no one would dare say what it truly had been: a purge. His nation had grown more and more insular in the preceding years when Kuklik had been Minister President. He had seemed unstoppable, even forcing the emperor aside in favor of the inexperienced crown prince late last year. That however, was perhaps the nadir of his power. Within months the food crisis had grown too extreme and Kuklik?s own men forced him from power. It had been essentially bloodless, perhaps one final show of deference to the deposed leader, or perhaps simply because there was no one willing to contest his removal.

The new Minister President, the cold and uninspiring yet intelligent and capable Francis Marix, was determined to retain power for the party while meeting at least the basic needs of the population. He needed foreign investment in Heklocharis, but due to the nation?s isolation there were few potential partners to turn toward. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately), they had maintained reasonable relations with Cagontia, which was seeking to broaden its international relations after a period of its own self-imposed isolation.

?Mr. Karlson?all pleasantries aside?you understand that this meeting did not ever occur and that the Empire of Heklocharis will fully deny anything to the contrary.?

?Oh of course, Martin. We know how your government feels about things such as this. These talks are completely off the record,? Jat Karlson responded matter-of-factly as he watched a man finish a plate of oysters and attempt to be inconspicuous.

?Good, I?m glad we have our usual understanding. Perhaps in the future,? Martin hesitated while thinking of the best phrasing, ?our governments will be able to conduct international relations in much more normalized channels. Perhaps very soon.?

?Well?you know that the policy of the Republic of Cagontia is that we are always willing to improve our relations with the Empire of Heklocharis. In fact, my government would be happy to do so and more at the soonest convenience. The days of isolation are past, Martin; a nation and a people have to look to the world if they are to prosper.?

?Yes?the old ways must be cast aside, that is for sure,? Martin said almost wistfully. ?Yes?perhaps Heklocharis would do well to enter onto the broader world stage. It would do well for the world to become familiar with His Imperial Majesty, and perhaps soon they will have a chance??

?Alright Marty,? Jat said with some minor annoyance as he turned and looked at the oyster-eating man, ?would it kill you to not always be so vague??

[Gnejs]

With the Cagontian looking straight at him, N?ss got up from his chair and started towards the bar, he was thirsty again, anyways. The hushed voices of the conspiring men were difficult to pick up, but he had heard enough to know that he had stumbled into some sort of "big politics", as he was fond of calling it.

"An Empire, hmm, I wasn't aware we had those. What did he call it? Hocksa.. Hixum.. Hexachloride? No that doesn't sound right. Dammit, Thistle, where are you when I need you!?"

He murmured as he reached the bar and placed himself between the bear and a tanned man with a fancy phone. He stayed with the Malabrian Ale and chugged a good quarter of it before prodding the man beside him, whispering

"Some big politics going on over there, I tell you" pointing his finger at Martin and Jat. "Imperial business, no less. Did you know there are empires hereabouts? We don't get many of those in the Far East, but I'm beginning to see there's more to the IDU than meets the eye."

[Nova Sodor]

Chadwick had just seen that his home team, the Tidmouth Titans, had won their Sudra ball Challange Shield match against the Suddery Sonics and were through to the third round of the competition. He closed the tablet down just as the man he had assumed to be from Gnjes take a seat at the bar and nudged him with an elbow. "Some big politics going on over there, I tell you" pointing his finger at Martin and Jat. "Imperial business, no less. Did you know there are empires hereabouts? We don't get many of those in the Far East, but I'm beginning to see there's more to the IDU than meets the eye."

Glancing in the direction of the table indicated Chadwick two men talking. One was tall whilst the other was short and bespectacled. He thought that he recognised that taller of the two from his briefing as Jat Karlson, a Cagontian foreign affairs official.

The mention of Empires and big politics had surprised Chadwick and he pursed his lips to convey the thought. Nova Sodor had once had a trading empire of sorts but that was all a long time ago. Long before the Island had become frozen in time - metaphorically speaking that is - or perhaps less romantically - stagnated - and long before the Progressive Party had risen to power in the 1980's and started to overhaul the systems and infrastructure to drag the Island into modern times - it had been however only with the arrival of Nick Tylenor in the past few years as Prime Minister that Sodor had seen significant modernisation and political changes - one of which had been to apply for membership of the IDU.

Glancing back at the man from Gnejs Chadwick, indicating the wood panelled walls said, "There's a lot of history here and I'd wager a lot of skeletons in a lot of closets." He sipped at his beer and nodding toward the two men added, 'I wonder if some my be planning on re-appearing act?" Extending his hand he said, "Ryan Chadwick, Nova Sodorian Cultural Attach?."

[Cagontia]

Jat gave the Heklocharisian an intrigued look as the latter finished his explanation. "Ha, so that's how you plan to enter the world stage? Well, should my government consider this a formal invitation?" he asked Martin.

"Most certainly not. You should know that the Imperial Government always uses official channels," came the quick reply. With that, Martin pushed back his chair and rose.

"Not even going to stay for a drink, Martin?"

"No, Mr. Karlson, perhaps...perhaps another day," Martin said with just a slight hint of regret in his voice. "I've conducted my business, and now I must go. Goodday."

With that the Heklocharisian nodded and turned, walking in a straight line to the door. Jat watched him leave, somewhat instinctively glanced at his watch, and then decided that it was time for those oysters and a beer. He made his way over to the bar, taking the place that had recently been vacated by what appeared to be a sentient bear. To his left was the oyster-eating man in the midst of a conversation with another man who was sipping beer - it was the bartender who he was most interested in speaking with however.

"Hello, could I have a dozen oysters on the half and..." he glanced over at the beer, "...what's that he's drinking?"

[Nova Sodor]

Hearing the reference to his beverage Chadwock nodded a greeting at Jat Karlson. "It's old Sodorian beer - similar to a pale ale if you like." Taking a sip of the beverage he added, "I'm Ryan Chadwick from Nova Sodor - it's my first day as Noca Sodor's Cultural Attach? - I heard that The Ambassador's Lounge was a good place to meet get some decent beer and food whilst meeting my opposite numbers. Forgive my presumption but you're Jat Karlson aren't you? I'm sure I recognise you from my briefing - have you been based in Democractiy long?"

[Gnejs]

N?ss extended his own hand and met Chadwick in a handshake.

-"Nova Sodor, eh? I remember when you lot used to be just Sodor, at least that's what we used to call that island of yours back in the days, if I recall correctly. You had those trains, didn?t you? How did that song go?

N?ss got a look of nostalgia on his face as he starts humming and singing under his breath, as to desperately trying to remember,

- "? 'Red and green and brown and blue, they're the really useful crew?' ? was that it? Oh, so many years ago?"

As N?ss was dealing with an unexpected surge of childhood memories, Jat had approached Chadwick inquiring about his choice of beer; the two men were engaged in conversation when N?ss suddenly snapped out of his recollection.

- "Malabrian Ale, gentlemen ? the nectar of the jungle gods ? that's what you should really be drinking. Really, Chadwick, travel all the way to the centre of the IDU only to drink a draft imported from your own country; surely a 'Cultural attach?' needs to broaden his horizons while out in the world?"

N?ss laughed hearty and clapped Chadwick on the shoulder, eased in between the two men, and extended his hand towards Jat.

- "I don't believe we've met, Cornelis N?ss, Prime Mini? Eh, Former Prime Minister of The Prosaic Union. Have you ever heard of Gnejs; the eastern gate of the IDU? Say, who was that friend of yours that left in such a hurry?"

[Cagontia]

(Space reserved for reply to come tonight or tomorrow)

[Cagontia]

Jat extended his arm and shook the hands of both men.

"Yes, I'm Jat Karlson, I'm Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of International Affairs. It's a pleasure to meet both you," he said before briefly turning to the bartender and ordering samples of both. "Never had either of those, so I might as well give them a try," he said to his two new acquaintances who had barraged him with questions.

"Well, Ryan, no, I just recently arrived - the Republic of Cagontia is interested in applying to join the IDU, and I'm here on behalf of that effort. And Cornelius, that was just an old friend who I might be seeing a bit more of in the future..." he said before momentarily trailing off and trying the samples of Old Sodorian and Malabrian Ale, "...hmm, I like those, though no offense Cornelius the Sodorian's hoppiness might be what I'm craving at the moment. Now, you'll have to excuse my ignorance - we're stayed isolated from most world affairs from so long - while I've heard of Gnejs, I'm not too familiar with it..."

[Bears Armed]

Herrin o Herrchaum, the region's Hospitality Minister, walks into the Lounge and takes a seat at the same table as the Urrsish ambassador Jharge Charrwin. They converse quietly with each other for a few minutes. Herrin then goes across to the bar, from which he returns shortly afterwards with two tall glasses of cider and two copies of the menu.

:Bear:

[Cagontia]

While he waited for responses from Ryan and Cornelius, Jat observed another bear-thing...or whatever it was...enter the bar and join its compatriot at a table.

"I should probably figure out what those are before I leave...especially since everyone here seems nonplussed about their presence," he thought as he made a mental note about the ursine patrons of the bar.

[Bears Armed]

Jharge notices that he and his colleague are being stared at by one of the Humans present...

:Bear:

[Cagontia]

Jat watched as a man who had been sitting at a corner table got up and walked across the room after he had locked eyes with the bears. The man looked oddly familiar, but in this context Jat just couldn't quite place him...

---

The man was thin, about 50 years old, and had light brown hair that once could tell had been immaculately combed earlier in the day. He walked seemingly without a care, but there was something subconscious in his stride that seemed more polished and proper.

"Good afternoon," he said in English with just the hint of an accent, "my name is Philip Von Reich. You are of the Urrish nation I assume?"