Björn Ironfist Lands in Alexandria, Arriving For Official Visit & Tour Options

[Björn Ironfist]

After a long and somewhat boring flight, Björn hops off the military jet that carried him from Stormark to Alexandria. He glances around a bit, making a mental note of the number of people nearby. He is eagerly awaiting the one face he was most looking forward to greeting - that of His Majesty The Emperor of The Alexandrians.

Björn straightens his suit, and brushes away some lint from his shoulder. His brand new naval uniform fit him very well, and the rank on his shoulder board was most pleasing to him. He secretly hoped that the day would soon come wherein he would lead an Amphibious Attack Group into battle. But that was for another time. His trip to Alexandria was to commemorate and celebrate an alliance and closeness not frequently shared by nations and people. Bound by more than just treaties and words created by writers...they were two nations joined by blood and by brotherly love. This was the one place that Björn wanted to know the most about...everything he could. And who better to educate him than the intelligent and kind Emperor Edgard II?

[Edgard II]

Guests began streaming into the Antechamber, anxiously awaiting the arrival of His Imperial Majesty and the Deputy Lord Warden to the Outland, Stormark's Ambassador-at-Large.

Meanwhile... at the Francis Joseph II International Airport in Geneva, Alexandria, His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor was accompanied by Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress in a private hangar, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Deputy Lord Warden.

[Björn Ironfist]

After being greeted by several polite and accommodating people, Björn is led to the Emperor and Empress. Upon seeing them, the large Viking pays his respects, first in the traditional way of his people, by striking his chest with his fist, then in a more conventional and modern fashion, by bowing low and offering his praise.

"It is indeed a great pleasure to be here, Your Majesties. Mere words cannot convey how honored I am by your invitation. I bring with me the admiration and love of your kin, my Lord Harald Thorstein I The Generous Giver, The Eternal Sovereign Viking Emperor."

[Edgard II]

The Emperor and the Empress were delighted to finally meet the Deputy Lord Warden in person. The Emperor approached Bjorn and respectfully bowed his head before proceeding to give him a hug. "We in Alexandria consider any citizen of Stormark a brother and a close friend. Welcome to Alexandria, Your Excellency," said the Emperor.

Empress Iphigénie followed the Emperor's lead, bowing her head and giving the Deputy Lord Warden a hug as well.

"Well, shall we proceed to go ahead to the Palace? We are hosting a reception for you at the Hall of Mirrors before we set out on the tour," said the Emperor as he led the Deputy Lord Warden to the motorcade waiting outside the front of the private hangar.

[Björn Ironfist]

While at first somewhat surprized at the very warm reception, Björn quickly cast all that aside and returned the embraces which were offered by the Emperor and Empress. The legendary bonhomie of Alexandria was certainly not over-stated; and there was one very happy Viking now experiencing that first hand.

At mention of adjourning to the Palace, Björn nodded his head in approval and offered his arm to the Empress.

"May I escort the lovely Empress to the Palace?"

[Edgard II]

"Of course, Your Excellency. I am delighted", said the Empress. As they stepped out of the hangar, they were greeted by crowds of Stormarkians who live in Alexandria as well as Alexandrians themselves. Waving Stormarkian and Alexandrian flags, the crowd greeted them enthusiastically.

The Emperor began to personally greet the audience, escorted by some of his bodyguards, and invited the Empress and the Deputy Lord Warden to join.

[Björn Ironfist]

The Empress and her escort arrive at the Emperor's side, and join him in greeting the people who have gathered for a look at heads of their Royal Family. While Björn doubted many were there to see a simple government worker such as he; it dawned on him that his recent courting of the Stormarkian Emperor's daughter was likely making waves abroad. People may just want to take a look at the man brave (or stupid) enough to try and win the hand of the headstrong Princess Æsileif. After a few minutes of having various questions pitched at him, Björn glanced over at the Emperor, who was still grabbing every hand he could see and kissing every baby within lips-reach.

"Your Majesty, if you don't mind, I would appreciate adjourning to the reception. I could certainly use a nice drink after the flight."

[Pierre Guigou]

Honorable Pierre Giogou arrived at the Palace of wesloderia for the reception to receive the Stormarkian ambassador. He was dressed in a tuxedo, and accompanied by his wife, Maria Guigou. They head over to the open bar and get some drinks as they mingle with the guests and officals in the reception.

[Edgard II]

"Of course, Your Excellency, we have a nice reception waiting for us at the Palace of Wesloderia," said the Emperor.

Their Majesties and the Deputy Lord Warden stepped back from the crowds and waved at them before boarding the motorcade. The motorcade began its way to the Palace of Wesloderia.

"Your Excellency, do you have any specific ideas or places you'd like to see in your tour? We've scheduled a few stops here and there, but we want to accommodate any special requests you might have," said the Emperor.

[Björn Ironfist]

Stretching himself out in the car, but doing so without breaking protocol was exceedingly difficult for Björn. Somehow, he managed enough not to feel cramped anymore - before answering the Emperor.

"I trust Your Majesties have done a fantastic job of selecting locations to visit. My hope is that I will leave here with a much better understanding of Alexandrian culture and history. Speaking of history, I have a few questions, if that is all right?"

[Jean Carmichael]

The Right Honourable First Consul, and his wife, arrive at the reception receiving the Deputy Lord Warden of the Outland. Grabbing two glasses of champagne from a passing witness, the First Consul talks with his wife for a while before walking over to Pierre Guigou and discussing Parliamentary affairs with him. Although it is widely known the two men do not always see eye to eye, the rapport between them is friendly. The First Consul makes his excuses to leave the conversation as he is informed of the impending arrival of the entourage. He walks down to the Grand Entrance Hall of the Wesloderia Palace to await their arrival with this wife.

[Francois-P-L-C d...]

His Excellency the Viscomte of Ville D'Alain, The Chief Steward of His Imperial Majesty's Court arrives eagerly awaiting the reception of His Imperial Majesty and the Deputy Lord Warden. Having recently recovered from illness, he is desperately trying to hide his green face.

He looks around, "Hmmm. I wonder who all these people are."

[Edgard II]

Stretching himself out in the car, but doing so without breaking protocol was exceedingly difficult for Björn. Somehow, he managed enough not to feel cramped anymore - before answering the Emperor.

"I trust Your Majesties have done a fantastic job of selecting locations to visit. My hope is that I will leave here with a much better understanding of Alexandrian culture and history. Speaking of history, I have a few questions, if that is all right?"

"Of course, Your Excellency, go ahead," said the Emperor.

[HIH Prince Haral...]

* Prince Harald and his wife Princess Sigrid are standing in front of the Gates of the Palace of Wesloderia awaiting the arrival of the Imperial Motorcade. *

[Björn Ironfist]

"Of course, Your Excellency, go ahead," said the Emperor.

"I heard someone in my previous trip here speaking about the 'many incarnations' of the Alexandrian Empire. There was mention of a place called 'Madland' and some other place I can no longer place my finger on. This struck me since Stormark has also gone through a few different changes over the years - as evidenced by our recent celebration of Transformation Day."

[Edgard II]

"I heard someone in my previous trip here speaking about the 'many incarnations' of the Alexandrian Empire. There was mention of a place called 'Madland' and some other place I can no longer place my finger on. This struck me since Stormark has also gone through a few different changes over the years - as evidenced by our recent celebration of Transformation Day."

The Emperor smiled. It seemed His Excellency really had done his homework. "Well, Alexandria used to be the Kingdom of the Union of Madland and its corresponding Empire a long time ago. We called it the KUME for short. On November 11th, 2004, we conducted a referendum asking the people if they approved of a name change, and it was approved overwhelmingly by the voters and then by the Imperial Parliament. We proceeded to change the name to Alexandria, and the rest is history."

[Björn Ironfist]

The Emperor smiled. It seemed His Excellency really had done his homework. "Well, Alexandria used to be the Kingdom of the Union of Madland and its corresponding Empire a long time ago. We called it the KUME for short. On November 11th, 2004, we conducted a referendum asking the people if they approved of a name change, and it was approved overwhelmingly by the voters and then by the Imperial Parliament. We proceeded to change the name to Alexandria, and the rest is history."

"I appreciate the explanation. It's always fascinating to learn how a nation has matured and changed over the years. Now, if you don't mind, I have another question: are there many francophones in your nation? If I am not mistaken, both you and your brother are familiar with Spanish, but I wanted to know if there were people here who are more in tune with the French culture."

As the question hung in the air for a moment, Björn glanced out his window to see the cityscape buzzing past. It was indeed a beautiful city...he secretly hoped to himself that he would get to see the more rural areas during his stay, as well.

[Augusto]

Prince Augusto arrives to the reception wearing military attire, stop by every known person in the hall.

@Harald/Sigrid: Your Majesties, always a pleasure, when all this is over, I need some time in your agenda to meet you in Haraldsborg, please let me know when this is possible.

@Hon. Pierre Guigou/His Excellency the Viscomte of Ville D'Alain: Gentlemen, I believe we can have in this reception the perfect chance to know each other better, I really admire the work and dedication to the Empire you both have shown, so let's have a drink on that!!!....ohh, excuse me please, here is the Rt. Hon. First Consul, I have not personally met him in quite some time, only letters...

@Rt. Hon. Jean Carmichael: Greetings sir, madam, even though I hate to talk about work, in social events, it is unavoidable; I have been thinking about your offer and I do accept ambassadorship, which makes this reception more important for me, I will become counterpart of Lord Ironfist.

[Jennifer Ortega]

Jennifer Ortega shows up at the ball dressed in business attire, she goes on over to welcome Bjorn Ironfist to Alexandria as well as extend her regards to the Emperor of the Alexandrians.

[Jean Carmichael]

"Excellent news, Your Imperial Highness. We'll draw up the necessary papers for your Ambassadorship after the event. I must say, sir, you're looking very well. Your break after the problems of the Regency has done you well!"