Ever since Arch-Protector Annakol Araanon issued the invitation for a Tamoran representative to visit Altromine, Alya Safavid had started preparing for the visit. Altromine’s geographical position, as part of MidAranye, and its cultural and religious connections made it very important to Tamora’s geopolitics goals and had the potential to become an important ally of Tamora. `
So the last few weeks she worked closely with the Foreign Office staff to prepare an agenda for the talks, the topics were many and included: Altromine’s border with Rodina, the rights of the miniscule Manist and Islamic communities in Altromine, the Safavid doctrine, potential partnership to help the
reconstruction of Clysperis, economic and cultural cooperation but also touch on the subject of Altromine signing the MCUR.
While arranging the agenda for the talks she also did her best to practice the Clysperi language. A language so different from Parthian she would never be able to learn but she was aiming to be able to say a couple of phrases and, if possible during the visit, also hold a public speech where she could read the message in Clysperi.
Eventual the day of the state visit to Altromine arrived. The plane departed Djerb carrying her and her delegation to Bildar, the capital of Altromine. She was a bit nervous about the visit, despite doing her best to prepare she knew how important the visit was and felt the pressure to present herself impeccably. To take her mind of it, she pondered a bit about Altromine. The nation’s government had picked her interest. MidAranye had a long history of having religion at the heart of society yet there had never been, as far as she remembered from history classes, a theocracy in MidAranye. Having the church, even in a mix system, as the head of the country intrigued her. As an orthodox Manist she was not very interested in doctrines of other faiths and she knew little about the theological reasons for the separation between Kemeticism and Atenism. She figured that is was mostly an excuse to for the political class of Altromine to separate from Clysperis and for the Church of Aten to replace the Pharaoh but she knew she would have to keep such opinions to herself.
Her train of thought was interrupted by one of the hostess:
“Lady Safavid, my apologies for bothering you, my lady. I would like to inform you that we have entered Altromine airspace. “
Alya nodded and moved her hand to dismiss her.
Once the plane landed Alya got up and made the last minute arrangements to her black hijab. When she got out of the plane she did it together with the six year old Ozra. Ozra was a Clysperi orphan of the Clysperi civil war. Both Alya Safavid and Queen Chyrssa of Royal Seleucid started a charity to help the children of Clysperis. Ozra, an orphan, was one such beneficiary. It was not Ozra's first public appearance though. Alya had also appeared together
a previous time at the Blue Launch Party in Royal Seleucid.
Alya Safavid and Ozra during the The Blue Launch Party in Royal Seleucid which took place about a year before
Alya had not brought Ozra on the trip by accident. She had studied Pharaoh Akasha's success in getting public opinion in Tamora on her side and now she would try to do the same thing in Altromine. Her reasoning was simple, while Altromine was a theocracy it also had democratic elements that influenced the government. Making a good impression on the people of Altromine would, she reasoned, make the head of government of Altromine more interested in pursuing close relations with Tamora.
As Alya went down the stairs of the airplane she discreetly waved at the welcoming committee while gently guiding Ozra down the stairs. Ozra seemed excited and curious about what was happening. Alya approach Annakol while holding Ozra's hand. She made a short bow and gently guided her hand on Ozra's back to encourage Ozra to do the same which she did.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your invitation and for the giving me the opportunity to visit your great nation. " she spoke in Clysperi/Altromine (ooc: as far as I know they are the same language just different dialects) language with a heavy Parthian accent despite rehearsing the line numerous times. She then proceeded to speak in her native Parthian allowing the staff to translate if it was necessary." The miles of agricultural land that surrounds the ancient city of Bildar is proof of the industriousness and diligence of the people of Altromine. I also bring the very best wishes of peace, prosperity and friendship from the Emperor himself in the name of the Tamoran people. "
Alya then proceed to present Ozra to Annakol:
"Your Majesty, please allow me to introduce you to Ozra, she is a friend of the Safavid family. Godless men have sent her parents so soon to meet their Maker in the tragic events that took place in Clysperis. While we cannot make up for her parents we and the
4 C charity together with her Majesty Queen Chyrssa hope we can fill some of that void. Ozra is a believer in the ancient faith of these lands and those of the North but she never had the opportunity to visit Altromine despite being very curious about it".
After the formalities relating to greeting were done, Alya, togheter with Ozra, then proceeded to go the car as invited by the host. She was a bit eager since the heat in Altromine was greater than that in Djerb and she was a bit uncomfortable in her
black hijab and abaya dress. As the convoy made its way to the destination, Alya looked discretely at the window trying to get a feel of the city.