Cildania hosts Chairman Gerard Collier

[theoriginaltrotka]

A man waited at the back door that morning for Mr. Collier and a small security detail to arrive. The Presidential Mansion was relatively cramped inside one of the older, traditionally middle class districts of the capital of Qart Qildar, with its back entrance only a slight bit more grand than others in the area, however, from the front, one would need to walk down an opulent old pathway of elephant statues to access the front door. For intimate matters of state, the administration preferred this casual conduct. The man who was waiting was a aged-looking, middle aged secretary of the Adon who blended in inconspicuously with the hubbub of the hurried yet serene backstreet. He merely sat on a small rickety chair, like many old men did throughout the city, smoking cigarette after cigarette nervously in his tan linen jacket and open necked dress shirt. He saw a a dark state car pull up quietly and he opened the door for the Chairman of Mordusia, a man who he was well familiar with diplomatically from the Adon's constant private political musings to him. The Adon was fairly object in these conversations, as it seemed, in the Adon's mind, there were 'good guys' and there were 'bad guys'. The Mordusian Chairman was a good guy, or so the Adon said, because he defended the socialist Cildanian state diplomatically against Trigunia, and his government worked to fight slave trade.

The secretary shook Chairman Collier's hand and led him inside, cautiously locking the Mansion's door behind him. The Chairman was led through a short hallway plastered with various revolutionary posters and prints into a room where the Adon was sitting at a table covered in a flowered cloth, with tea and breakfast standing guard discreetly on a sideboard. This room was decorated in a mostly masculine and plain style, floral tablecloth aside. The wooden panelling of the room and plain mirrors gave it a refined and friendly glow.

With his smoking pipe in one hand, the Adon, Adonibaal bin Hiempsal Mekír stood up. A corpulent and well built former dockworker, the Adon's open sports shirt and well tailored double breasted coat tied up his powerful appearance like a bow ties a gift box closed. He heavily stepped towards the Chairman with a large inviting smile on his face and said

"It's a pleasure to finally touch base with you in person Gerard, I hope that you enjoy your visit to our emergent worker's utopia and beloved homeland. I do hope we get along, but in the meantime, take a seat, and we will eat. Pipe..?"

After speaking, the Adon pulled out a seat for the Chairman, and he sat down in his own seat. The Adon's wife came in, and she politely said hello before serving breakfast. After giving the Adon a kiss goodbye, she departed with a friendly and brisk farewell, as she had business to attend to.

The Adon puffed on his pipe, and once again gestured Chairman Collier to sit down

[Luxis]

Chairman Gerard Collier had made a reputation of being more involved on the global stage that any predecessors within recent Mordusian memory. Controversial at first, he had been rewarded by a public that championed the rights to determination for neighbors, even those who may have differing views from their own domestic policy. His own party nearly split over some of his recent forays, but a 75% election with a large turnout silenced his critics rather forcefully.

On the journey over, the Chairman was reviewing notes, having long since hushed his cadre of advisors, overly nervous for the newly-elected leaders first state visit outside of Mordusia. Gerard Collier, as a last minute decision, removes his tie, wanting this to be a more relaxed occasion. Mordusia's centuries of perceived isolation have left it without many relations in Terra, and the Cabinet was attempting to find old rules for old times. Collier waived it away as he exited the motorcade to meet the Adon. The origin's of the man's vaguely Aldurian heritage may be apparent in his jawline or hair, though age has begun to wear both of those away.

Taking the Adon's hand with a smile, Gerard nods. "I'm certain I will enjoy it here, thanks for the invitation." The Chairman follows down the hallway, seeming fit for a man of his age. He gives his thanks to the wife as she puts down the breakfast and takes his seat. He looks to ponder the request for a moment. "I'd gladly like a pipe." It may be early in the day, but the informality of the setting begged the issue.

[theoriginaltrotka]

Bin Hiempsal Mekír picked up a pipe from the sideboard, and opened a tin of Cildanian pipe tobacco, and with the skill of a pro, he packed the bowl of the pipe and lit it, providing for an even burning and regular draw. He handed the pipe to Chairman Collier, with the aromaticly sweet smell of the two men's smoke wafting through the air. Bin Hiempsal Mekír voraciously ate his breakfast and drank his tea, all the while taking frequent and intermittent drags of his pipe.

Leaning over the table, lifting the pipe to his lips, he paused in motion and he said "first off, I'd like to ask if you'd be interested in going down to see the docks with me Gerard, as a former dockworker, I do it regularly, there are a few old fellows there who were just apprentices when I was working. I'm very proud of the progress we're making in compensating our workers for their labor and putting them at the forefront of our political scene."

[Luxis]

Finishing his breakfast with a satisfied look, Gerard enjoys moderate pulls on his pipe. With interest, he looks to his host. "I'd much like that, Bin Hiempsal." The Chairman says with a nod, wiping his face. "Citizens are the agents of change. I'm certain that they also appreciate the efforts your government has taken for them."

[theoriginaltrotka]

The Adon smiled, and he said "please, call me Adonibaal, its my first name". He got up and he said "yes, the people are the agents for change, and it is our duty to carry on and protect the social, economic, and political revolution they demanded and pushed for. In my way of thinking, this government has the duty to be the spirit of social change in our country, and our policy has done a great deal to increase equality. But anyways, lets go.

The Adon emptied his pipe in a large, dark ashtray and walked with Chairman Collier from the traditionally decorated, distinctly Cildanian rooms of the house, past 'dining sofas' and low boxy tables with intricate designs. After the long walk amongst the elephant statues, the two arrived at a car. The valet opened the door and let the Adon in on the drivers side. He opened the door for Collier on the front passenger side, and he himself then sat in the back to make sure everything was alright.

After impatiently working through several knotted up and busy urban streets, things got moving . The Adon, while maneuvering the car, asked "I've been curious, sir, what sorts of change have your country's workers called upon you to make?"

[Luxis]

Observing the streets as they go along, Gerard seems to be taking in the differences with a sincere interest and intrigue. Mordusia, being on the developing path of nations, seemed to share some characteristics with the land in which he was currently visiting.

Looking to the question, the Chairman seems to ponder for a moment before responding. "Our people want what most people want. A fair shake at life, to live in freedom, and to be equipped to find happiness. I'm most proud of our education accomplishments, making it completely funded and accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. I think the people want us to continue down that path."

[theoriginaltrotka]

The Adon pulled the car into a lot next to a large warehouse building. The building was painted with an image of the Adon leading the famous 3875 dockworkers strike, the local dockworkers painted it themselves. As a former dockworker and labor activist, the Adon was quite popular. He and Collier got out of the car, and they began walking to the entrance, the Adon replied "well, education is universally important. But I would advise you against expressing its value to your youth without also expressing the value of work. In fact, we try to promote work as the source and ends of education, in order for our country's students to realize the value of our industrial and farming workers. Here in Cildania, we pay our workers well, and our manufacturing sector is the largest and most quickly growing in the country".

As they walked around the cargo docks, the Adon waved to dockworkers, who waved back, and he talked briefly to some union organizers. He stopped to ask one of his old co-workers how he was faring

The man replied, in particular to show how well things were "well, before the revolution we were in a tenement, now with higher wages, we are able to live in high quality state subsidized apartment and send our daughter to college. My work pays my insurance, everything, sir, is as it should be in Cildania"

[Luxis]

As they walk along, the Chairman snaps a quick photo of the painting, with Adonibaal's permission.

In response to the Adon, Gerard smiles. "Manufacturing definitely has its benefits, especially in a place of such natural wealth and resources such as Cildania. In Mordusia, we reinforce social connectedness in our youth's mandatory terms of service, whether it be in military or more civic sectors. Everyone in the nation serves, for all of us are part of the nation. Its success is not contingent on the few, but the many. Whether it's to take the route of university or the apprenticeship of skilled labor, Mordusia funds both equally."


Gerard nods to the dockworker. "I'm glad that this democratic revolution has been in favor of the people. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Gerard." And he'll offer his hand.

[theoriginaltrotka]

The dockworker warmly shook his hand, and he said 'Gisco'. The Adon nodded, and he said goodbye. Soon they began the walk back to the car, and when they had arrived, the Adon opened the door of the car for Chairman Collier and he got back in the drivers seat. When they were all ready, he pulled the vehicle out, and began driving the same streets

The Adon smiled gently and pensively, as he navigated busy and sometimes narrow old city streets. He turned to Chairman Collier at a red light and he said "what did you think of our dockyards?"

[Luxis]

The Chairman seems at ease in the vehicle as they pass through familiar streets. "They seem to be a thriving place, and it's heartening to hear on the ground news of progress for the people. We may different routes to get to the same location, at the end of the day, Adonibaal, but I'm glad Cildanians are benefiting from the revolution they've strived for."