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Post by LuJian Zands on Mar 27, 2011 2:51:53 GMT -5
Lujian laughed without a hint of dryness at the comment about honesty. "Well, I suppose that depends on your definition of honesty. I would never lie, but I can't honestly say I'd always tell the truth. You have the understand with palaces come politics and I'm sure you've lived in politics all your life. You certainly know that it as least twice as dishonest as piracy ever could be." he didn't elaborate any further, but you couldn't help but get the feeling that he had a lot to say on the subject.
"Anyways, as far as my previous occupation, I almost miss those days of indiscriminate piracy. I mean, it certainly got me started out but eventually it got too easy, and I wouldn't want to displease the twins." Now that comment came out of left field, as far as anyone knew Lujian Zands didn't have children.
"Having to bribe my way into port and sail halfway around the world to avoid capture got bothersome. That, and Privateering ended up far more lucrative, surprisingly more exciting and a good way to wipe the slate clean. I made a killing during the Siege of the North. Lets just say the Avatar wasn't the only reason not one ship made it back to the Fire Nation." as he took another drink, he seemed to have an experienced relationship with alcohol.
"I blame the switch to coal really. Sure coal ships are fast and harder to sink, but they need supply ships for any extended engagement and Fire Nation admirals used to think just because they had the strongest navy, that no one would dare to attack them" as he chuckled. "However I'll not bore you with naval tactics." as he seemed to direct the conversation away from the topic rather smoothly.
"Anyways, I would certainly appreciate meeting with the new couple. Maybe their divinely appointed wisdom might aid me in the matters of meaningful relationships" as he once again cracked wise. "I still have to give them their wedding gifts...something they'll find more useful then the standard gold, perfume and art which powerful men find in abundance. I should also give my fathers regards of course.
He rather wisely left out the part about wanting to try a gauge what kind of woman Raisa was, not knowing much about her, and inquiring as to if the new Firelord held a grudge against the raiding of what was now his military, during the time that his father Ozai held the throne. Sure he was legally in the right, by the standards of both nations...but just because something was legal, didn't always make it right in the eyes of others. He also felt it prudent to avoid commenting on Shang's personal feelings for Raisa, which were abundantly clear.
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Post by Shang-hui on Mar 27, 2011 21:02:03 GMT -5
Shang-hui listened politely, feeling slightly as if Lujian seemed to think himself vastly more intelligent that himself, though kept his thoughts to himself. He certainly wasn't an expert on naval combat, though he was commander of the entire Earth Kingdom army, and soon would head training for the Fire Nation as well. That, at least, he knew more of than any man in this room. Though again, he remembered his manners and kept quiet.
When the subject switched to the new couple, however, Shang-hui found it hard to hold his tongue. "I mean you no disrespect, Zands, though as Princess Raisa's chief guardian and counselor, I would greatly appreciate it if you would refrain from poking fun at her or her new husband, at least in my presence. This day is difficult enough for all of us as it is... Our nerves are frayed beyond measure, we are all just a bit on edge, you know?" He smiled and finished his drink, setting it on the bar with no intentions of having it refilled. Alcohol was doing nothing for his mood. "I'm very sorry if that came off as a little brusque, it's just been a long couple of weeks. And the Princess is, as she is to most every Earth Kingdom citizen in this room, incredibly important to me. I don't tolerate disrespect of her well. But again, I'm sure you meant nothing by it. It's just my exhaustion from all of this getting the better of me."
The music began to reach its coda, and Shang-hui caught Raisa's eye. "If all should go well, would you want to set up an appointment to work at the palace? I take care of all of those arrangements."
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Post by Raisa/Darkmoon on Mar 27, 2011 21:27:37 GMT -5
Dancing with Zuko, Raisa almost forgot that the rest of the world existed - until a pair of all too familiar eyes stuck out sharply in the blur of faces. "Lord Zuko, we had best go to greet our guests, hadn't we?" She said with a curtsy as he bowed at the end of their first dance. She smiled at him, the white hot fire still whispering at her still. "Come, won't you? I want to see my captain, make sure he's fairing alright. He's not accustomed to another man taking all my attention." Raisa squeezed his hand and pulled him towards Shang-hui, smiling and greeting guests respectfully as they passed.
"Shang!" Raisa hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. "Not having too much to drink I hope darling, are you? You're practically as important to this wedding as the Fire Lord!" Formalities were one thing for her guests and new husband, but Shang-hui was someone she'd grown up with all her life, and she wasn't going to let something as silly as a wedding ruin their long-standing friendship. She beamed at him before turning to the man he was sitting with. "And who might this be? I'm Raisa, very pleased to meet you. We thank you for coming to our wedding, it means a great deal to us!" she said, extending a hand.
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Post by LuJian Zands on Mar 28, 2011 18:02:14 GMT -5
His grin briefly disappeared as perhaps Lujian wasn't as boisterous as he may have come across as Shang defended his rulers honor he paused briefly as Shang the clarified the remarks, paused again and returned to a smile.
"It's perfectly alright my good man, I think you have a lot on your mind right now and the last thing you need my self-important commentary. I'll be honest I'm already four drinks in but that's not a good excuse. I will endeavor to limit my humor, especially since I believe..." as he paused as the music had been stopped for just long enough, and thus he turned quickly, put his empty glass upon the bar as Raisa hugged Shang and likely distracted him from the fact their conversation had ended. He turned to offer his full attention to the two most politically powerful individuals on the planet right now.
He suppressed a wince at the potential faux pas of the 'As important as the Firelord comment', but could not help but briefly glace at the Firelord who was not not only her new husband but immediately present but also within potential earshot of any number of Fire Nation functionaries. Thankfully, he concealed his inner thoughts with a muted smile and by bowing at the hip.
Given that they were both immediately present, for proper etiquette to be observed, it was more appropriate to address royalty of a hosting nation if one was a noble of another nation, or one's own nation if one was untitled, and etiquette was one of his surprising strong points.
He rose from bow to immediate begin another as he gently received Raisa's hand and bowed once more at the hip. He wasn't certain if Shang was going to introduce him as requested by Raisa, and it would be rude to not allow him the chance to do so. "The pleasure is all mine your majesty, the two of you were positively radiant. I remain as always your humble servant." an implication that he was a noble under her rule, as he rose from his bow and once more looked at "and yours as well now Firelord." making certain to make use of the correct form of address for each of them, and allowed Shang the chance to introduce him, as Raisa had asked of such of him and it was only appropriate to do so.
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Post by Iroh on Mar 28, 2011 22:25:05 GMT -5
Zuko wanted to stay on the dance floor with Raisa. He didn't want to share his time with anyone, nor give her up. Though she was right, they had to make their rounds and thank their guests. It was so much easier for his bride - her people were so enamored with her... though who wouldn't be? Raisa was gorgeous and astoundingly intelligent; she had the absolute best of both worlds. Being remarkably kind while still having the respect of her Kingdom was something Zuko envied. Even as they walked across the floor, he watched as Raisa's people came up to her and greeted her as if they were old friends. He smiled, it was so perfectly aligned with how a ruler should be. How had the Fire Nation fallen so far off track?
And then he saw the reason she had insisted they move to their guests - Shang-hui, the Earth Kingdom's martial arts master and military genius... not to mention Raisa's childhood friend. Raisa had told him about her bodyguard - they'd grown up together when Shang-hui was orphaned, and the two had been inseparable ever since. He didn't seem to be nearly as big of a threat as her consort, but still - this man would be overseeing the Kingdom in Raisa's absence, and he hadn't missed the way Shang-hui had looked at Raisa on the altar.
His attention was snapped back tot he present as Raisa, as outgoing and friendly as ever, addressed a man sitting by her guard captain at the bar. Something about the man seemed familiar, in the oddest way that Zuko couldn't quite place. Still, he'd had about enough of other men being around his new bride without knowing who they were, how they knew Raisa, or what was going through their heads. Stupid, immature, and juvenile, he knew, but he couldn't help the flare of his old temper. At least now he could mask it completely. The only thing he did allow himself was to place a protective arm secrurely around Raisa's slim waist as they stood before the two. "The pleasure is ours." He replied to the man with a smile and a nod. "It's truly wonderful to see so many of our people here to support us."
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Post by Shang-hui on Mar 29, 2011 16:23:03 GMT -5
Shang-hui ran a hand through his unruly hair, trying to shake off his nerves. This entire wedding was unsettling to him for some reason, and now he was barely hovering between nervous and rude with Lujian. He was about to apologize when a mess of unearthly blonde hair, golden silks, and gemstones crashed into him.
"There's my girl!" He said, hugging Raisa and kissing one of her hands. "Enjoying your wedding I hope darling? It would certainly seem so." Shang-hui smiled at his best friend. Her bright eyes seemed to make everything he was worried about before seem ridiculous now, and he let his anxiety slide away. Raisa seemed to have a very calming, reassuring effect about her that more people than just himself noticed. Even the Fire Lord seemed more at ease than he had just a month ago.
Speaking of the Fire Lord... Zuko's arm was around Raisa and pulling her away from him before he could get another word out, and Shang-hui let Raisa's hand slip out of his. Shang-hui's relationship with Raisa was unorthodox at best; he couldn't see the Fire Lord warming up to it any time soon. It was probably better not to flaunt it while he was present. "Ah, Princess, Fire Lord, this is Lujian Zands. He has business wit both of you."
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Post by LuJian Zands on Mar 29, 2011 19:44:48 GMT -5
Shang was certainly a soldier, that for sure as he seemed to have the blunt informality of one. He didn't expect Shang to comment on his rather pedestrian title, but not even adding Captain Lujian Zands or commentary as to his behavior as a rogue or asset as a privateer to the introduction, oh well he wasn't about to bring up such a trivial matter here. There was probably the hope that at least one of the two monarchs had heard of him.
He looked over at Shang "Now now my new friend, any business proposition I would make is not of such urgency that I would rob the royal couple from their celebration this day." as he turned to face the new couple
"Discussions of the finest silk and textiles, of which I would happily acquire at less then cost, can wait until when it is convenient for the two of you." that's it plant the seed, let it sit for the winter of the honeymoon and let that flower bloom in the spring. That and they were royalty, it would not be his place to force a discussion of business, especially during one this special day.
He clasped his hands in a show of respect first addressing Zuko "I'm actually here to convey my father's regards to you Firelord, that and to offer congratulations to you both on the behalf of my various enterprises and the people of Bohe Tang, ever loyal to your highness." as he addressed Raisa. It was usually inappropriate to address royalty by their first name unless you were on a personal basis with them, which he knew Shang clearly was. He finished briefly, not wanting to hold a monopoly on the conversation and to give the couple a chance to respond and inquire. "I also wanted to exercise some discretion and explanation before humbly offering the two of you your wedding gifts."
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Post by Zarah the maid on Oct 19, 2011 15:26:07 GMT -5
Zarah was the same age as the Prince. She was working in the Royal kitchens making sure everything was running as smoothly as possible. She took empty plates and took them to the dish cleaner. Then she would refill the empty drink station. She was in charge of taking food to the high list wedding guests. She took plates pilled hig on her arms and swiftly to every guest. Then she went back to pass out drinks to the other guests.
(Sorry I need to introduce my character. I am Zarah. I am a maid in the Royal Palace. she has been their since she was 13 and she is now 16. Can I join?)
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