Empress, Grand Duchess Host Charity GalaThe Empress finds her attention captured by the Earl of Eastwood whilst Grand Duchess Sophia enjoys a dance with Chen-ri, royal head of the erstwhile Kaeje state which once existed upon Fukadomari. Kajūkuri served as the backdrop for the first annual Charity Gala, gathering influential individuals from across the Empire in addition to guests from foreign nations. Benefiting ongoing aid efforts to war torn Kalasin and the Azukishima Prefecture Orphanage, causes close to the hearts of the Imperial Family, an estimated र10.9m ($20.2m) from ticket sales, sponsorships from Abstergo Industries, Rosa Shipyards, Imperial Standard Energy and Crystal Mountain Records, live auction and donations. Artists from Rokkenjima and Dartfordia provided a variety of live entertainment, while the Ashinxao Symphony Orchestra performed live for the ball itself. Both the Empress and the Grand Duchess were in attendance, with the Empress being joined by the Earl of Eastwood, Tytor, and the Grand Duchess being joined by the royal head of the erstwhile Kaeje state which once governed Fukadomari. Following the fall of the Kaeje state his family navigated the following circumstances to remain a wealthy and influential family within the Empire.
Joining the party of the Empress was Hal Morgan (the richest man in Tytor) and the Duke and Duchess of Vigil, parents of Thomas, the Earl of Eastwood.
An extensive list of Fusanese attended the Charity Gala including Chikao Rokuda (Chairman of the Zayasu Corporation, which is the largest trading company in Fusan), Hironori Okuno, Group President of Zayasu UFF Financial Group, Fumio Oketani, President of Isuzu Motors (a major automotive manufacturer), Baron Haruki Shinohara, President of Arasaka (an electronics manufacturer), Yukari Sato, Chairwoman of Ito-Yokado (a major retailer in Fusan), and Haruo Mizutani, a prominent Fusanese art collector. Corporate sponsors from Fusan include Zayasu, Ito-Yokado, Isuzu Motors and Nakamura Trading Company.
The slate of artists from Rokkenjima included Babymetal, Hatsune Miku, YOASOBI and Queens of the Stone Age. Dartfordian stalwarts Muse were joined by a few special guests following them on a personal request from the Empress which saw Paul McCartney and Ringo Star, the surviving members of the Beatles, to join Julian Lennon and Dhani Harrison, sons of John Lennon and George Harrison, receptively, unite to play a selection of songs as The Beatles for one, final, time. Speaking with the RBC McCartney stated "it was never our intention, never, to do something like this, trust me we'd been approached before for such reunion ideas but we always said no because the magic can never be re-bottled. However for the causes in mind, it would have been difficult for us to say no to something like this, I'd like to think John and George are out there somewhere smiling over it, so we did it, and that the effort is helping people in need made it all the more easier for Ringo and I to say yes."
In addition to funds raised by the Charity Gala itself the Empress pledged to personally match the funds raised, bringing the total figure raised to र21.8m ($40.4m). "I understand that I, and those like me, are fortunate and that there are so many out there that lack the advantages I've had my entire life. What use is a fortune if it is not used to make the world around you a better place? As Empress I have every want and need fulfilled before I even know what they are, yet there are those abroad and, indeed, those within my borders who face hardships I couldn't begin to imagine the toll and impact they would mark my life with. All of us can make more money, we can't make more love, more time nor more precious moments than those which are granted to us by our Gods, Goddesses and creators. We're also all here only for a brief moment in time, a twinkling in the vast history of the cosmos we call home, and while I recognize few can drop millions toward any cause before them, we all have the power to effect positive change in the world we all share, even if it's something as simple as putting a smile on the face of another, donating time, blood or food to those less fortunate, it's the act, certainly, not the quantity which ultimately tips the scales," the Empress shared with the RBC.
For her part the Grand Duchess echoed the comments of the Empress. "Everyone living is empowered to make the world around them better, whether it be as a diplomat in the cause for peace, or one making a donation toward a cause which lessens suffering upon Mundus. While the news is filled with contests between nations, at the end of the day, whether we're Rokkenjiman, Kalasinese, Fusanese...none of that matters, truly. We're all people, seeking to make the best of our lives, to see that those in our lives are looked after well; we all have families, loved ones, friends and ourselves. We've made an impact here tonight but that accomplishment is nothing in the face of what every person who lives on Mundus can do if they seek to make Mundus a better place for all. All and each of us can make an impactful difference on the world around us, we only need to choose to do so."