Tales of the Aztec Sultanate

[TacCovert4]

May 20th,

The ceremony was everything that it was supposed to be.  Which is to say half an hour longer than it should be, Ali thinks to himself as the final visiting dignitary files out, making room for the procession to begin.  Horses take off with a clip clop clip clop, various mounted and dismounted honor guards in formation around the carriages.

Entering the parade route, the city erupts into cheers, flowers and laurels being thrown into the street before the Royal couple's carriage as it proceeds the kilometers to the Palace.  Ali waves at the crowd as he knows he must.  But his mind is elsewhere, on his wife, anticipating a nice long honeymoon touring the colonies.  A slowly increasing droning begins to overwhelm the crowd, and squadron after squadron of aircraft from both air services fly down the parade route in formation, dipping their wings in unison in salute.

Beside him, resplendent in her ceremonial dress, Shirin, Princess Royal of Aztecs, does a much more genuine job of waving delightedly at the crowd as they proceed to the palace reception.

Arriving, the reception is in full swing, the crowd of Aztec and visiting nobility in knots of conversation, some around the bars, some around the tables of hours'd'ouvers laid out in anticipation of the arrival of the Royal Couple.  For the first time in his life, Ali waits, as the Emperor and Empress of Parthia are announced, followed by the Sultan and Queen of Aztecs.  Finally he and Shirin step up as the palace seneschal announces "Ali, Crown Prince, and Shirin, Princess Royal of Aztecs" to cheers of the guests as they walk onto the flagstones.

[TacCovert4]

Princess Anacaona glides across the flagstones, mumbling to herself "Yes MOM, I'll go change.  The formal robes I wore for the wedding weren't diplomatically appropriate" she growls, aping Queen Fatima's voice as she regains her bearing.  She walks up to the knot of Vilnius nobility, curtseying in her royal blue ball gown with Aztec Gold accents all over the satin fabric.  "Your Highness" she says to Piotr, "How have you found the reception?"

[The Rock Doctor]

"The air show was interesting.  Do we have aircraft like that?" Queen Sophie asked.

"I'm sure you've been to air shows back home, Mother," Wiktor said.

"I'm sure I haven't."

"We do have them," Gunther confirmed.  "There's bound to be one at the capital this summer.  I'll have you included in whatever event we're asked to do."

"You could watch with Gunther while I mind the little one at home," Queen Christine smiled.

"Would the Aztecs send some aviators?" Sophie asked.

"It might be short notice for this year," Wiktor suggested.  "But I can put a bug in Ali's ear if..."

"No, no, don't bother the man on the eve of his honeymoon," Sophie waved dismissively.  "I was just wondering whether it's an international event we would have or strictly domestic."

"I don't truthfully know," Gunther said.

Wiktor shrugged.

"Don't look at me, I don't like planes," Prince Piotr said.

"No, but speaking of liking..." his mother intoned.

Princess Anacaona glides across the flagstones, mumbling to herself "Yes MOM, I'll go change.  The formal robes I wore for the wedding weren't diplomatically appropriate" she growls, aping Queen Fatima's voice as she regains her bearing.  She walks up to the knot of Vilnius nobility, curtseying in her royal blue ball gown with Aztec Gold accents all over the satin fabric.  "Your Highness" she says to Piotr, "How have you found the reception?"

"It has been very pleasant so far, Your Highness," Piotr said stiffly.  "The wedding was very nice and the fly-over was much appreciated by my grandmother."

Sophie nodded in confirmation.

"I see you have changed attire.  It is a very pretty dress," the crown prince said, still stuck in the same suit he'd started the day with, tiny splotches of dampness beginning to appear in the arm pits.

"It is," Christine repeated.  "I do like it."

"Sit, Dear," Sophie commanded the princess, patting the chair beside her.  "It has been a joyful but long day.  Tell us what you thought of it all.  Are you looking forward to the day when you're the bride at such an event?"

The color left Piotr's face.

"Yes, dear, do tell," his sister agreed, reaching over to pat the other side of the empty chair.

[TacCovert4]

Anacaona smiles, sitting down in the offered chair.  "Oh this was my first international affair.  I've been a bridesmaid twice, in both of my sisters' weddings, but they married members of the Aztec nobility, so it was a state affair but nothing on this scale.  It does make me grateful that my tutors made me study languages so heavily, very few of the nobility speak Aztec."

Anacaona notices Piotr's aghast look, and smiles.  "Queen Sophie, I think it will be quite some time before it is my turn to enter into marriage.  I have the naval academy, and then there is finding the right man.  It is unlikely that I will get as lucky as Ali and wind up finding love while attending a function in Vilnius after all.  Allah does work in mysterious ways, however", she smiles.  "Prince Piotr, are you looking forward to the fleet review?  It should be quite the affair, as many nations as sent large squadrons to Veracruz.  And I did promise that tour, father was only somewhat cross with me, he said we could go to Drydock One as long as we took someone from the naval staff as escort."

[The Rock Doctor]

"Yes, Your Highness, I am looking forward to the review.  I want to take some photographs and notes of the capital ships present, as part of my studies and thinking on future battleship design," Piotr replied.  "I am also interested in the tour, but may need to inquire about a chaperone..."

"Oh that's fine, Dear, Wiktor can do that," Queen Sophie said.

Wiktor blinked.  "Yes, Mother, I can do that," he replied.  "I had no other plans, of course."

"None whatsoever," Aspas said in a flat voice.

"There we go," Sophie said.  "I think it's safe to say Piotr is similarly more focused on his own future naval career than on marriage or his royal duties, but God willing Gunther will be healthy and continue to rule for many years to come."

"Your words to God's ears," Christine nodded.

[TacCovert4]

Anacaona nods.  "Of course your Highness, I'm sure a chaperone should be no trouble at all.  Color Sergeant Mohammed would be more than happy to chaperone."  She rolls her eyes slightly, indicating a grizzled Eagle Warrior with iron grey hair standing against the wall like a statue.  "Mother often sends him with me, she thinks I will get into trouble".

She smiles at Queen Christine.  "That I am certain.  King Gunter is younger than Father, and he took the Sun Throne before I was born."

Looking back at Piotr, but only halfway, to indicate that it's also towards the two Queens, Anacaona asks.  "Piotr, would you like to take the royal train back to Veracruz?  I know you probably have too many family commitments, but Mother, erm, Queen Fatima did tell me I could ask."  Her tone indicates that while she's not hoping he'll decline, the invitation was probably not her idea.

[TacCovert4]

Meanwhile, Ali and Shirin sweep across the dance floor (cue Beauty and the Beast number), dancing alone as the reception watches the new royal couple.  Finishing the dance, they walk back to their head table.  "Are you enjoying the reception, my wife?" Ali asks with a smirk.  "I am, husband" she replies with the same smirk as they sit down, servants bringing them dishes and drinks. 

[The Rock Doctor]

Anacaona nods.  "Of course your Highness, I'm sure a chaperone should be no trouble at all.  Color Sergeant Mohammed would be more than happy to chaperone."  She rolls her eyes slightly, indicating a grizzled Eagle Warrior with iron grey hair standing against the wall like a statue.  "Mother often sends him with me, she thinks I will get into trouble".

She smiles at Queen Christine.  "That I am certain.  King Gunter is younger than Father, and he took the Sun Throne before I was born."

Looking back at Piotr, but only halfway, to indicate that it's also towards the two Queens, Anacaona asks.  "Piotr, would you like to take the royal train back to Veracruz?  I know you probably have too many family commitments, but Mother, erm, Queen Fatima did tell me I could ask."  Her tone indicates that while she's not hoping he'll decline, the invitation was probably not her idea.

"I'm sure-" Sophie began...

...as Christine said, "That would-"

"Sure," Piotr replied.  "If that's acceptable to everybody?"

His grandmother looked to his mother, who looked to her husband.  "If you'd like to, that's acceptable," Gunther said. 

Sophie nodded and Christine smiled.

"I assume the staff will work out where and when I need to be ready," Piotr said to Anacaona.  "It looks like your brother and the princess have finished their dance.  Would you care to take the floor when it opens up to the rest of us?"

[TacCovert4]

Anacaona gives Piotr a genuine smile, as if he's finally made his own decision and she's impressed a little.  "Why of course your highness, I would love to".  She lets Piotr take her hand and they walk onto the floor as the next dance begins.

[TacCovert4]

Meanwhile the Sultan and Emperor are talking quietly as the reception continues.  Mostly small talk, but the Sultan says "I appreciate your promised dowry,  I will tell my finance minister to focus on improving our pacific holdings.  With free trade between our nations we could achieve a dominant position in pacific commerce".

[The Rock Doctor]

Anacaona gives Piotr a genuine smile, as if he's finally made his own decision and she's impressed a little.  "Why of course your highness, I would love to".  She lets Piotr take her hand and they walk onto the floor as the next dance begins.

"They would make a lovely couple," Queen Sophie mused, watching the teens dance.

"Poor girl," Edyta shrugged.

"Oh stop," Christine exclaimed.  "It's clear that our words had an effect.  I'm proud of him for taking the initiative right there."

"He likes her, Christine," Sophie declared.

"Perhaps he just wants four minutes away from us," Wiktor suggested.

[TacCovert4]

Watching the Vilnius Prince and her daughter take the dance floor, Queen Fatima smiled to herself.  "I told her the dress would help.  Now to get her to get her mind off of that silly obsession with being a battleship gunnery officer." she thinks to herself.

Piotr and Anacaona sweep the floor, Piotr showing off his dancing skills without bragging, this time, as Anacaona lets him take the lead. She says to him, in hushed tones "I know our families are trying to set us up.  But if you want to marry me, you're going to have to hit a target at thirty kilometers", she says with a smile.

[The Rock Doctor]

"I am fairly certain they are, yes," Piotr nodded. He paused to digest her follow-up statement.  "I...very well, your challenge is noted.  A modern day quest of sorts, but with rangefinder and naval gun rather than horse and sword."
 

[TacCovert4]

She smiles.  "Yes, a quest.  One that you should find both challenging and stimulating.  And one that will let the both of us do what we want, which is command a battleship, or at least its gunnery department.  And my challenge should stymie your family's efforts to set us up.  If you complete it, it's because Piotr wants to, not diplomacy or royal meddling."  She continues to dance with him as the song changes to a slow waltz, dancing far enough away for decorum, but close enough that the onlooking mothers should continue to get ideas, almost as if they're conspiring against their conspiratorial matriarchs......

[Kaiser Kirk]

Shirin had floated through the ceremony, her stomach aflutter and her head in the heavens as she spoke her vows to her Ali.  The well practiced ceremony moved smoothly along, but there was still a sense of relief to have finally passed that point. A sense of exhilaration filled her as they, as a pair, moved to the reception ceremony.  They were the center of attention and expected to  participate in a series of formal events, with a long line of well wishers.  The dancing with her Ali became blissful islands of calm where they could glide through dances as one.

Aunt Isias was swathed in silken layers laden with meaning and wrought with great craftsmanship, which fortunately did not make them overly hot, nor heavy. The comparison with the other nations concepts of formal wear was something she could very comfortably do from her remarkably comfortable seat. The day was dazzling and she could bask in the warmth of the day, appreciate the dazzling array of formal wear, and watch as her late little brother's youngest daughter bore a radiant smile as she danced in the arms of her prince, and now husband. As Eldest of the Blood, she would not have passed on the trip, though it was fortunate she did not suffer Sanatruck's limitations. The happy couple finished their dance and they returned to the head table with coy looks at each other and mutual smirks.

Isias cast her gaze across the assemblage of the gilded, with distinguished guests from far nations, from Europe and Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the Mericas. A question from her seatmate, Lady Atossa of House Spandiyadh, led to Isias pointing out Shirin's friend Aspas among the Wilno Royals. Not all the Seven Princely Houses had been able to send their Head of House, but most had. Like Isias, Lady Atossa was a widow, having outlived her husband. An elderly lady, jet hair streaked with silver, green eyes sparkling with life, the former Satrap now led her House.  Perhaps if the two ladies were younger, they would be more interested in mixing, but after paying their respects to the Sultan, the Emperor, and the new Couple, they had sought seats to engage in people watching and commenting on the merits of various elements of style, and if perhaps they would be popular if introduced to home. The two bantered back and forth also guessing what differing couples were discussing.  Several of the other House Heads seemed interested in making acquaintances with future contacts. Chihor Suren, head of that ancient and august House, made a point to visit with Aspas and Wicktor, her of course previously being one of his potential successors.

Iskandar and Zenobia, as befitting the Parthian Royal, were seated with the Aztec Royals and discussed various topics with them ranging from the happy couple to a potential rail link between Kalifern and Azteca to connect the fertile valley to the Aztec port.  The territories of the two nations abutted each other extensively, and relations had been good, so there was potential to explore more.  The Parthian way was to build the infrastructure the future would need, with 'the Builder' being an prized epitaph to be remembered by.  In recognition of that, Iskandar had offered a substantial dowry, as he was desirous of honoring Shirin's new life in Azteca, and hoped the funds would spur building for Her and Ali's future and associate her presence with additional prosperity. There was hope on his part that the bonds wrought this day would lead to future glad partnerships, but the priority was ensuring his dear "little pest" sister was happily married and provided for.

The reception, like the ceremony, passed without a hitch.  Looking forward, the air show had been fabulous, and Iskandar was looking forward to the fleet review to come, a sentiment Zenobia shared.