The Sovereign Nation of Arista

aureliaofarista @ 2009-12-14T05:02:00

2009-12-14T11:14:22Z

"You walked right into that one, Quin," Dru said.
Quin looked at the board as she took his tile and laughed. "I did, yes. I promise it was an accident."
"Better have been." All the Boys knew better than to poison Dru's victories by not trying.
They continued to play, Dru scrutinizing at length and Quin always giving the board just one good look before quickly and cheerfully moving a piece. His speed had nothing to do with his opponent's age; Quin simple believed a latrones game was not meant to be stared at.

As she slowly slid her own to pin him again, Dru narrowed her eyes at him for neglecting such Serious Business. "Quin, the point of latrones is to not let your pieces get cornered," she said authoritatively.

Quin smiled. "Dru, you're a great player, and probably a smarter person than me, but the point of latrones --" And he made his own move, cornering her in turn. "Is just to take more than you lose."

Littles on Marketday

2009-05-04T22:07:46Z

Khil, Les, and Max, Aristan Foundlings, age 11, walked side-by-side in the marketplace, their steps matching so perfectly one would never think that just a few months before, the physicians had said Khil'd never walk straight again. Even the livid-but-not-fresh scars on their right arms matched.

The boys, walking toward a particular stall well within sight of Everyone Else, were engaged in what was now almost a nursery tradition: skateboard negotiation. They wanted to get a good one tah wouldn't break easy. That meant they needed more of them in on it. Which might make it good to get a big one to accomodate different sizes among the others. And should they get one of the planks of wood with six clay wheels attached instead of four?

There was another boy at the stall, and a bored-looking woman several yards away watching him. The Boys couldn't prevent three identical slight-eyebrow-raises. Was that gold in the other boy's amulet? Who did that? Seriously?

And then he opened his mouth, and they knew who did that: somebody they'd heard about from a few of the others. He thought he was Funny.

Les and Max each grabbed one of Khil's wrists, because Khil was impulsive, before answering, in extremely bored Surround-sound tones. "Wouldn't know. Never met her."

April Holidays

2009-04-01T21:01:05Z

Today is the festival of Aphrodite-Venus. It's a Girl's Holiday. There's flowers and feminine things.

In ten days, another April Holiday honors Asasarame-Pallas-Athene-Minerva. It involves, among the celebration and many other things, being terribly smug about being Aristan. Even more so than usual, we mean.

About a ninedays later, there's the Floralia. Again. Flowers.

These are the kind of holidays that should be celebrated in April, people.

What's with this apparent April tradition of making completely nonsensical statements?

aureliaofarista @ 2009-03-31T15:41:00

2009-03-31T21:01:08Z

Imperatrix Hypatia Aristana had handled as much business in advance as she could, and briefed her sister -- who was finally finished with a Very Interesting Week -- on various contingencies. And now she was waiting for the young man her namesake among The Boys was so conveniently fetching for today's operation.

Post

2009-03-20T06:48:01Z

If anyone wants to know anything about the current whereabouts of General Marc, he blundered into a LOL. The Guard is running perfectly smoothly, but Her Majesty has ordered the General to confine himself to quarters.

Specifically, her sister's quarters.

While LOLs are, of course, an unfortunate thing, and we in the Foundling Guard would never wish their lingering on an unwilling victim in most circumstances, some of us hope this one lasts a good few days.

This message will delete itself when the General is declared fit for duty again. Should this not work, it's me, sir, Pat. Don't blame Luc.

((Edit: ACK! Attempt to fix a double-posting went horribly wrong. My sincerest apologies for the disappearance of the comments!))

Posting: A 'Meme'

2009-02-25T08:02:03Z

Pat here, working the communication system all by myself, may I add. This is something involving telling people five words you associate with them and then they talk about those words. I was told about this by Metody, who is a fresh, leafy, sweet scholar barbarian.So there.

These were the words. You can tell Metody wrote them because they're all so complimentary. They're...pretty self-evident? But I'll try.

Loyalty: The way I was brought up, if you haven't got this, you haven't got anything.

Valor: I certainly like to think I'm a good soldier.
It's not that we in the Foundling Guard are much braver than other people, when you think about it. We're the ones who can step right into danger because it's less likely to kill us than other people. Admittedly, when we do die in battle, it's a lot harder to make it quick for us. But I've got less to fear than some civilian and a great cause, so who wouldn't be valorous?

Arista: My Great Cause. The finest nation my world, at least, has ever seen. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. A beautiful center of economic and philosophical innovation. Fiercely independent for nearly three centuries now.

Steadfast: I'm beginning to suspect, my friend, that if you could have just listed the word 'awesome' five times, you would have. I'm glad people feel they can count on me.

Blazing: 1. Yes, Guard pyromania is becoming notorious. 2. No reason not to be passionate when one does things.

Addition: From Bella:
Guard: I could never be anything else.

Weapon: These's the sword, the special knife, and what's at the end of each limb.

Protection: That's what we're here for, ma'am!

General: Does a fine job, and we love him despite his perversion and much less normal sense of humor.

Clothing: Until that prom dress, I'd never been out of uniform in my life! Clothing does a lot to define social roles in Arista.

And from Soma:
Military: We are the very best kind of militarists, if we do say so ourselves. The defensive kind. Conquest is a sucker's game.

Impish: This means I'm cute, right? Why, thank you?

Adventurous: Need to bring more of the guys into the Nexus more often. Really have some fun.

Passion: I wonder if this is referring to the patriotic variety or you, me, Bella, and some fortunately very sturdy walls, Soma? Because any time you want a repeat, all you have to do is ask.

Bold: As Brass, sir. One has to step right in and do things.

And Luc will be allowed to address these from his friend Kage:

Brave: I was going to go with concurring with Pat with a little extra vanity thrown in, but she's insisting that the only man to survive a hydragall wound needs a better answer than hers. So what can I say there? When surviving is an ethical option of use to others, then I'm going to take it.

Loyal: Okay, I can't disagree any with Pat on this one.

Sexy: I know. Thank you.

Safe: I certainly don't want anybody to come to serious and unnecessary harm.

Forceful: To this I'll just say: Whatever gets the job done, and done well.

And Ms. Altalita Bastion

Gods: We take them seriously.

Fate: As far as anyone chooses their destiny, we sort of went for the 'Live young, die fast, leave a nice-looking corpse and a fine record of service.' option

Faith: The gods. Each other. The principles of our country.

Meaning: I think we might be talking over my head now. It's good to have a meaningful, fulfilling job, certainly.

Names: The names of the gods are nice and long. Guard names are one syllable. Gets to the point of the sentence faster, no time to stand on ceremony.

Alternate Future thread: Pat and Metody 31 years on.

2009-02-25T00:06:15Z

Very late in the reign of Imperatrix Aurelia Aristana, Pat of the Aristan Foundling Guard celebrated her last Lupercalia festival with a foreign guest, one who'd become a lot less foreign over the decades. She didn't dance quite as she used to, but it was still impressive for a woman of 51. She drank with her younger siblings-in-arms and gave the toast that 'It is sweet and proper to live for your country' with just as much gusto, if not more.

And after she and Metody watched the sun set on the Aristan shore, she insisted on walking him home.

Lupercalia

2009-02-14T04:55:06Z

Pat was at Metody's this lovely February morning with a familiar long tan tunic and a smile.

Narrative. The things we do for love.

2009-01-30T16:17:35Z

"With all due respect, sir, you're coming."
"I need to make sure the --"
"Faust and Dom are handling it, sir. They learned from the best. You can't pretend they can't deal with it."
"It's pointless. I happen to know Aurelia has a meeting with --"

And finally, Marc, Luc, and Pat reached the relevant room to find Aurelia standing there with her secretary Ismene. Ismene looked smug. Luc and Pat returned her look more smugly.

Marc's look softened as he stepped forward to take Aurelia's hand. "Hello," he said. "I hope you haven't been inconvenienced." He turned an affectionately exasperated look at His Boys, male and female. "Someday I'm going to get smart and give orders restricting conversation with Ismene."

"But that day's not today, sir?"
A sigh. "No. Excuse us, boys, Miss."

And they quite happily did.

"Aurelia...Carissima, we...we should talk. About a lot of things, but to start with...Councillor Tiro."

"I wanted to talk about Atticus, too!" Aurelia says brightly, but there's something worrisome behind that smile, and something cold rises in Marc's stomach. "I know you voted for him, but lately, has he been some kind of disappointment as a Councillor?"

Marc looks away. "No. He does the job fine." A breath. "You really like him, don't you?"

Aurelia. "I really do. And I'm...I'm very glad to hear you still think well of his abilities. Because..." She hesitates, and his heart almost stops. "Because when Hypatia's....g-gone, I'm thinking of adopting him."

Marc's head swerves to look at her again. He blinks. "I...I think that would be a wonderful idea."

The ensuing conversation. And...other things, proved quite satisfactory all around.

Followup Surgery (Metody)

2009-01-02T07:02:50Z

Pat located Metody at his Nexus apartment several hours before Rid's jaw was to be dealt with again. She had a few things with her. Rang the doorbell.

Dates. Narrative, albeit open to friendly 'intrusion'

2008-12-14T07:36:04Z

~If you could surrender to a pair of arms
That would guard you and protect you, from all and any harm,
Let's spend the night together -- chowing down on Pepperidge farm.~

He'd thought perhaps a picnic to start with. They'd had good Aristan food -- and a few very well checked foreign imports -- on a pretty little stretch of Nexus shoreline and taken advantage of the time differential to laze around and talk (the security detail gave them a little space, obviously, and were substantially less lazing).
And they walked around looking at the sights, and Marc -- practically throwing caution to the wind by his standards -- held her arm.

And Marc, being both intelligent and considerate, had brought a great deal of sweets, foreign and domestic.

Happy Slightly-Early Saturnalia

2008-12-10T06:19:31Z

Pat has a pot. Pat has a sack. Both are filled with stuff -- the pot even has something sticking out of it. She carries each in one arm while heading to meet Metody.

For Metody, At Sunset

2008-11-19T20:53:05Z

Pat waits, a small bundle in her lap, at the bench by the giant red stiletto-shoe.

She doesn't look her happiest.

OOC Silliness

2008-11-11T13:28:46Z

Was hearing all about Secret Service nicknames today.

While there is no possible way for such a tradition to have evolved on Arista, I couldn't help but think that if it somehow did, Aurelia's would be 'Auntie' and Erasmus's would be 'Asinine'.

Narrative Flashback

2008-11-09T23:17:55Z

Operation Life's-Too-Short-Sir got off to difficult start, one full of glaring, and Luc comforted himself with the fact that if he did get knocked through the wall, no one would yell at him about the damage; the General was never one to shift that kind of responsibility.
But Luc kept talking. "Sir, I'm sorry to break it to you, but you're not hiding the way you burn quite as well as you might think."
"I would say, Luc, that as an expert on that sort of heat, you --"
"No, sir. Not just heat; torches. Consuming. We know you, sir. This isn't flirting and fun and physiology. It's not like everyone in the barracks over the years hasn't figured out you have a little....personal problem."

Silence for a moment.

"You boys aren't bothering her about this, are you?"
"Not...exactly." And then, after a long glare from Marc, "Lady Aurelia's secretary has agreed to talk about her feelings." And doubtless feeling some fraction of what Luc's feeling right now. "I mean, she's not even supposed to be emotionally fireproof. And It's not illegal. We've checked. Look, sir--"
"I've checked, too, Luc. That doesn't make it appropriate. You are not going to disturb her with all this. That is an --"
"Sir. With your record, nobody who needs to know is going to resent it. You've damn well earned the right to ...y'know...emotional entanglement, is all. If it makes the two of you happy." Luc's voice got a little thick suddenly. "Dioscuri, sir, you've got what? Six years?"

It was, all in all, a harder conversation than Luc had hoped. And it was far from immediately successful. But eventually, very eventually, they did succeed in getting two of the least-likely-to-be-bedded people in the palace in a position to make each other....complete.

Memories

2008-11-03T03:53:24Z

Luc reported, slowly, carefully, and establishing from the start that the matter seemed to have been neutralized.

Saying Cass's name around the General always feels like delivering a knife to the heart.

"....You've...checked at the aqueducts?" He says, sounding far older than he normally does. Older than the Foundling Guard can live to be, really. "Everyone's sure there's no sign...?"
"Yes, sir. None. It seems it was confined to the Nexus. And as I said, that's over."
"But he chalked it up to someone's feeding his shade?"
"Yes. And...sir, while I didn't do so...I have to admit it's an understandable impulse. For what he once was and all."
"Yes, Luc. It is understandable. And for your information, I didn't do it either."
"Good to know, sir."
And there's a pause.
"Luc, I... have always been quite proud of you. You've known that, right?"
"Yes, sir. Thank you."

Nexus Post

2008-11-02T05:54:40Z

In keeping with current exchanges of information, we are open to questions.

aureliaofarista @ 2008-10-20T02:33:00

2008-10-20T07:41:25Z

Arista's very first invited transdimensional guest is back for another visit, another osteopathic issue. Metody will find the early aspects of the visit quite familiar as Pat walks him through the door hand in hand that morning.

It's another beautiful day, as Metody'll see if he looks out the windows, although perhaps a bit cooler than it was in August.

Denoutment, or, Her Majesty's a Pretty Nice Girl

2008-10-10T01:51:45Z

And soon, early that evening, Phoenix is at the palace, about to depart but discussing the case a little with Aurelia and Erasmus, surrounded by their respective security details, and one or two secretaries.

"So her trial's next ninedays, and he's going to be charged as an accomplice and of course they're looking into any evidence of smuggling snakes into the palace," Luc says.

"It's still so shocking," Aurelia says, although she looks more weary than shocked. "I mean, it isn't the first time we've both been targeted of course. But...a complicated conspiracy to poison multiple people because her husband had a few setbacks in the council is just horrendous, and so abnormal. Women poisoning people for indirect political gain is something you read about, not something that happens in Arista."

"I couldn't agree more, dear," a rich but slightly hoarse voice says from the nearby stairs. "Why, it's downright unpatriotic."

The secretaries stand up a little straighter as everyone turns toward the small figure being supported by guards as she comes down the step.

The guards in the room all immediately drop down to one knee, hands over to their hearts. Interesting little difference in tradition, there.

Well, Phoenix, you were aware that your Aristan aquaintances were a bit authoritarian. Meet the Authority.

The Empress, naturally charismatic as she is, is also obviously frail and considerably shorter than the son who is hurrying over as she gets to the bottom of the stairs. The guards on their feet due to necessity -- the others get up soon -- are almost worried he'll knock her over hugging her, but fortunately, Erasmus is a total sissy.

For Phoenix: Advocatus Asini, Reprise

2008-10-05T05:29:51Z

It was decided that Phoenix take at least the fifth day of the investigation to attend to preparations for the trial and other matters at home. But on the sixth day, his presence was requested. Well, Aurelia, though Pat, requested it. The instigation of the request was much less....request like.

"Mr. Wright, what is the meaning of this?" C Olivius Crassus asked coldy. "My wife, who is very retiring and rarely leaves the house, was practically dragged out of our home and in front of a praetor on assassination charges? Leaving aside the fact that it will never go to trial since the actual culprit's is tomorrow, I'm curious as to what could possibly have possessed you to stoop to such desperate measures, even in an obviously desperate case."

((Slightly THNMY))

2008-09-30T20:28:10Z

Pass a Secret Note ✘ Meme

Anyone interested in leaving a 'note' about invasion or assassination attempts, please include as much detail as possible.

For Phoenix: Welcome to Arista

2008-09-28T01:18:48Z

Pat stands with Mr. Wright in front of the Aristan door, still slightly defaced threatening graffiti that was never quite sanded of completely.

"Sorry to ask, Mr. Wright, but it's better for the wards' letting you through if there's some contact." She holds out her hand as she reaches to open up the door to a storeroom with a few benches and a few terracotta jars in it.

For Phoenix: Advocatus Asini.

2008-09-26T09:48:54Z

Imperatrix Hypatia Prima Aristana had been poisoned, at a luncheon to which her only son Erasmus had cheerfully brought a large jar of her favorite raisinwine, which was simply a very sweet raisinwine indeed until the symptoms began to show. She had been kept in her own rooms with a team of physicians ever since, trying to keep her hydrated and her heart going steadily.
One of the guests, Councillor Crassus of the Southwest Urban District, was also taken ill, but it had never reached life-threatening proportions. A more thorough second inspection of the jar, after the Empress had taken ill and over Erasmus's indignant complaints, revealed that the jar was laced with helleborcin, an isolated extract of the hellebore flower which was the centerpiece of Erasmus's current research.

It was understandable, therefore, that the Empress's son was under even more extensive guard than usual, and confined to the room he used at the palace when visiting his mother.

Sometime the next afternoon, a messenger is sent into the Nexus. Specifically, it's Pat, and she's specifically looking for Phoenix Wright.

For Metody: Present

2008-09-26T04:21:18Z

Somebody's looking for Metody Green, someone in the near-Sanctuary area. Somebody flanked by guards and carrying a small sack.

Someone who will grin quite happily when she has found him. "Good afternoon."

Narrative: Initiation Time

2008-09-24T04:19:31Z

The basic fitness and knowledge tests aren't much of a problem. Just the exact same things they've drilled a thousand times.

It's the official decision to stay, and the time in the arena the next day, that hangs over everyone's head.
They don't know about the part in between until it happens. That would kind of ruin the point of a loyalty test, wouldn't it?

And if the adult guards ever talked about it, they would definitely say, that while the styxwater process itself hurts very, very much, and killing a man for the first time tends to make them sick, neither quite matches the part before.
But hey, if you can still try to do your duty when your whole world is falling apart, you know you're good enough, right?