Colleges and Legacies

[Achkaerin]

To whom it may concern,

Several years ago King David of East Moreland conceived of and established the Cultural Exchange Treaty Organisation, as part of this organisation member nations are obligated to establish at a university a department or faculty that is devoted to the study of non-native history and cultures. In Achkaerin this faculty can be found at the Achkaerin University of Arts and Culture in Avalon. This University has over the last few years, as Achkaerin has forged relations with other nations, witnessed an increase in student applications and potential intake. Subsequently the University took the decision to build five new colleges and due to the status of the University being attached to the CETO it was decided that these colleges should be named after notable international figures. After a deliberation process the following names have been selected:

• Joanna Ironside
• Josiah Rhodes
• Viktoriya Tar
• Willa Sunbrek
• Cecelia Anselmo

In addition the University library is being renamed the Danielle Leonidas Library and this will also be marked.

Therefore on behalf of the University, the Achkaerinese Government and the Crown I would like to invite representatives of East Moreland, Seaforth, Lodja, Nya Aland and Rokkenjima and/or the families of those named above to the city of Avalon to mark and hopefully participate in the opening of these new colleges ahead of their first intake in the next academic year. Following this those attending are invited for a social evening and meal at the home of the Marqueeza of the city of Avalon and the hold of Silverlea, Lady Olivia Leonidas.

Yours

Senator David Ward
Minister of Education

[DaveIronside]

To:- Minister Ward

I have been given the oppurtunity to respond to your invitation by my uncle. I am deeply honoured that you have seen fit to name a college after my Birth Mother. While I sadly didn't get the chance to grow up knowing her I was fortunate enough to know the deep importance she placed on education ensuring that I was given an excellent oppurtunity to study and learn furthermore I was blessed to be one of the first students to gain a CETO backed degree in Mundus Studies. I would therefore be delighted to come and visit the University for this occasion and to thank you for granting my Birth Mother this honour.

May The Gods Watch Over You and Your Nation Know Peace

Archduchess Sophie Harrison-Ironside
Pilot Officer in the REMAF

[Rhodes]

Minister Ward,

My sister Harper and I are both humbled that the university would choose to honour our late father in such a manner. It gives me great pleasure on behalf of House Rhodes to accept this invitation. My father was a firm believer in life-long education and of all the acknowledgements and honours he could have or did recieve, I know in my heart that this would have been his most cherished.


Fair Winds,

General Joshua Rhodes
Duke of Somerset
Prince of Arovium

[Libby]

To:- Minister Ward

On behalf of my nation I have been asked to pass on the gratitude of Queen Klara for the recognition of a former Guardian of Sessifet. She has permitted myself and my daughter Princess Alana to attend the event and we shall also be joined by the Brother of the Guardian, Genadi Kohut. We look forward to supporting the University and Colleges involved and wish all involved well.

Best Regards

Lady Helene Tar
Former Mother of the Guardian

[Achkaerin]

The airport in Avalon was so new that it felt like the paint wasn't completely dry yet, in truth the airport was an extension of the already existing heliport perhaps not in the same league as most international airports but it did the job so it was probably better to call it a private airfield. Standing in the small terminal as it were was Achkaerin's Minister of Education David Ward, as a former full time teacher and now guest lecturer he was particularly excited about the day, it wasn't that often that a new college was opened. He was joined on the welcoming committee by Vice Consul Rhian Kennedy, she herself quite eager for the day's events. The initial plan was simple enough welcome the guests and take them down to the main campus, a little mingling while waiting for stragglers, open the colleges and then evening meal.

Their attention was drawn to the silhouette of an approaching plane visible through the terminal window, it appeared the first of their guests had arrived.

[Rhodes]

Harper Rhodes found herself to be in an unusual position...the first to arrive to a diplomatic event. As agreed between the members of House Rhodes, Harper would take the lead for this event. The official party was actually quite large this time around. Joshua, Harper, Evanthe, Josiah, Andrew and Camryn all made the trip to Avalon. As Harper looked over the itinerary, Andrew sat next to her.


"This is quite the honour for the Old Man." Said Andrew.

"Yes. I only wish he could have been here to see it for himself."

[DaveIronside]

Sophie had been given the use of one of the royal planes for the visit, this was a mixed blessing as the extra comfort and Air Force Stewards keeping coffee, cake and cheese on toast flowing was lovely. The lack of head room however was a pain for the 6ft 9inch tall Rollo MacAllister, the rugby world cup wasn't too far off but King David believed this would be a good opportunity for the two youngsters to undertake some form of official duty. Sophie Harrison-Ironside, the daughter of Joanne Ironside, former High Priestess of the Cult of Helus and Princess of East Moreland laughed as her boyfriend banged his head for what must have been the tenth time this flight. "Its ok for your dwarfs but us regular sized people need bigger planes" he playfully rubbed his head and went off to get something to eat. He returned empty handed having been informed of the aircraft starting its descent. Five minutes later he narrowly avoided head bump eleven as he made his way out of the aircraft.

Sometime later they arrived at the venue, Sophie recognised the Rhodes. "See your clan are in" she teased her Seaforthian born boyfriend as they spotted the Seaforthians, "That why you wore the skirt?" she once more playfully jabbed him.

"Its days like today I wonder why I ever bothered heading to East Moreland" he retorted.

"For its beautiful women" she took hold of his hand. "Even the King's dating a Morelander, you see we are THE must have fashion accessory" the pair chuckled as they headed towards the Seaforthians. "King Andrew" Sophie bowed as she approached, "I'm sure my uncle would like to pass on his best wishes" she extended a hand. "This is Rollo MacAllister"

"An honour Your Majesty" the giant rugby player extended a shovel like hand.

[Achkaerin]

Rhian and David had watched as the Seaforthian's and Morelander's arrived, though Rollo wearing a kilt in Achkaerin during winter especially considering the temperature in the frozen north was either going to prove how much of a tough guy the rugby star was or it was going to provide the latest social media trend in the run up to the Rugby World Cup. Two out of five was where they stood so far but they still had a little time for the rest to turn up.

"Your Majesty, Royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen." Rhian said addressing the visitors "Welcome to Avalon, yes we do have an airport in the city now. Today we're going to open five new colleges at the University of Arts and Culture, and we're honoured that you've all come today to participate. What we're going to do is that I'm going to escort you by tram to the university campus while my colleague Senator Ward picks up any stragglers who've yet to arrive. So if you would like to come with me we'll get this show on the road so to speak."

[KrisNord]

Krista Rosendahl-Sunbrek was the widow of Willa Sunbrek and had spent the last few years away from her regular job as an actress, instead she'd been focusing on setting up and running the Sunbrek Foundation, a charity dedicated to Willa who was still seen as a hero among the Nords for her diplomatic approach and resistance to the Gungnir. She may have been a member of the Union of Nordic People's government, a nation that no longer exited but that mattered little to the people of Nya Åland, first and foremost she'd been a Nord and a warrior soul. Krista was delighted she was being honoured but was a little nervous, it had been several years since she'd mingled with government officials and now travelling alone here she wasn't sure if any of the old faces she knew would be here. She greeted everyone in attendance and followed their host onto the tram.

[Libby]

Alana couldn't stand her mother's fussing, the Princess would have prefered to have just turned up and been a prescence for the family but instead her mother wanted to make a statement. Helene was disappointed, her daughter was a Princess, and her grand-daughter whenever it came along would be as well, as to would her great-grandaughter yet the Tar's had been forgotten. First Alana's marriage to Duke Tikkhon had been cancelled with no prospective marriage since being suggested, it was also traditional the descendents of the deceased Queen would be given positions within the Royal Court but Alana hadn't yet been given anything, even a prospective Queen was an envoy to The Iwi yet a Princess had nothing.

"Put it on" Helene instructed her daughter as they began to leave the aircraft. She'd insisted Alana wear the dark blue dress that a Princess would normally wear on state occasions, it was almost identical to the style of that worn by the Queen except it was forbidden to wear gold on it. What Helene really wanted though was for Alana to don the silver wire tiara with emeralds that Princesses were entitled to wear.

"Mum, I'd prefer not to." Alana protested but her mother was having none of it and took it from one of the servants placed it on Alana's head and carefully used a hair grip to hold it in place. She realised this was a battle that she wouldn't win so relented and made her way towards the welcoming committie. She was about to say hello when her mother took a few quick strides to get ahead.

Helene spoke loudly, "It is my pleasure to introduce her Divine Highness Princess Alana, Sister of the Guardian and I am the Mother of the Guardian." she said so everyone could hear her. Alana was blushing.

"Thank you for inviting us and selecting my sister for this honour" Alana said rather quietly trying to avoid the gaze of the others in attendance.

[Achkaerin]

With the arrival of the Lodjan's that was pretty much a full house with only the Rokkenjiman's not present, Rhian greeted the latest two delegations to arrive and then explained to them what she had just explained to the others and then they were all on the tram and heading for the university campus.

The funny thing about Avalon was that despite the city being built on an artificial island it was just like any other city, a little more centralized perhaps given the geographic constraints that precluded expansive suburbs, and the population was probably as a result relatively small in comparison to other major cities on Mundus. The University Campus sat just outside the city centre, well at least the heart of the campus in terms of the library, students union, admin buildings and such. The tram stopped at a stop marked as Avalon University Central, the walk from there was a short one to their destination a small domed building. This was the University's theatre, where the students performed plays, shows, drama's, where they recited poems, where they played music and at the end of each academic year it was here that the university held its graduation ceremonies, stylistically it was a more modern building but inside was a classic theatre layout.

Rhian led the group inside and to the restaurant area that was staffed on a day to day basis by a small group of professionals located in the kitchen, management and supervision and a larger group of students who worked the front of house. A selection of food had been prepared and laid on should any of the guests want something to eat before the big event of the day. Waiting for the group were Olivia Leonidas, the noble who held title over Avalon and was going to participate in the renaming of the university library then there was Jack Azurewind, the Emperor's nephew who'd been 'pushed' into helping out with the day mainly because in his uncle's eyes he needed to get a little experience of these occasions and get to know these people.

Olivia already knew their guests, well most of them at least, on sight her eyes darted around the approaching group instantly her eyes were drawn to the Morelander's two stars from the world of sport in Sophie and Rollo they resonated confidence in the way they walked, the Lodjans were similar well at least Helene was, strong and confident by contrast Alana seemed a little sheepish, the Seaforthian's seemed to have turned it into a family affair the only one among their number that Olivia didn't recognize was the woman walking at Andrew's side. As for Krista well this sort of thing was partly her arena wasn't it? Yes she hadn't been near one for a while but this sort of thing was about being yourself, there wasn't anything to get too worried about.

"So typical." Olivia said quietly glancing at Jack and following his eyeline it had rather predictably gone to the member of the approaching delegation of his age - Alana.
"My Uncle thinks highly of her." Jack said "I was just curious to see."
"Yeah right." Olivia said not believing Jack for a moment "You just got volunteered to be the Lodjan's guide."

Before Jack could say anything else the guests joined them

"Welcome to the University of Avalon." Olivia said "I'm Olivia Leonidas and technically speaking I'm your host for the day, this is Prince Jack Azurewind the Emperor's nephew. Today this university will open new colleges named after your loved ones, the act of opening the colleges is one we have reserved for you and we're honoured that you've all accepted the invitation to come today. We have about half an hour before we need to get you all to the respective colleges so if you want something to eat or drink in the meantime feel free to help yourselves. If you want to have a quick look around the theatre before we have to go that's fine as well just don't take longer than twenty minutes please."

OOC - basically just moving this along slightly once we get past Christmas we'll get on with the openings and then the evening social so for now feel free to have characters chat etc if you want.

[Libby]

Helene nudged her daughter, "That Sophie, she's an Archduchess of East Moreland, you should go speak with her. She's the neice of the King and it wouldn't hurt us being on her list of friends" Helene roughly but discreetly took hold of Alana's hand and approached. Alana cringed inside as her mother went through the usual introduction that clearly wasn't needed but Alana suspected her mother rather enjoyed being able to call her daughter a Princess.

"Nice to meet you Archduchess" Alana said rather meekly.

"And your handsome friend is?" Helena asked as she looked Rollo up and down. Alana once more felt the embarassment well up inside her.

"Sorry" Alana muttered, "I wish you good luck at the world cup Mr.MacAllister, just not too good of luck" Alana said hoping to not give her mother much room in the conversation.