Four Hearts across two Continents (Lodja & NU - sort of.)

[Norgeras]

Adelheid had her coffers packed, she was en route to another business meeting when she picked up her phone. She hadn't been able to keep in too close contact with Makar, he was a lovely man, but they both where kind of busy all year round. She dialed up the number as she hopped into her airship, finding only the voice mail answering:

"Hello there, Makar. Been busy the past days. Gotta jet to Lodja soon to meet up with one of Lady Stasya's designer Buddies. I'll have some time after, you feel like meeting up for a coffee or you know a decent restaurant?"

She sighed as she put down the Phone, the thought of her actually wanting someone else hadn't crossed her mind, but spending all that time with the imperial dwarfs the past two years made her realize if she wanted anything for her self she had to make a call rather sooner than later.

the Week after Klara's wedding she spent with Makar was actually pleasing, but she hadn't felt the two of them really had dropped their guard yet. It was chit chat, and he was a lovely handsome man, but aside from that she felt she knew more about him trying to take his military duty serious rather than knowing him at all. Not that she had been  better, she had kept it about social media and fans and click numbers. Maybe now was the time to try and get closer after all. She sighed as she sipped her Matcha Late, getting in a comfortable chair starting to go through her own designers Portfolios, picking out promising concepts.




Orion sat at his desk as he did so often, lonely and stuck in extra lessons. He could hear his peers having a laugh while he was reading up for the upcomming pride and festival of sails, studying lists of whos' who was going to visit. He glanced over to his phone and back to his lists and books, slumping down on his desk before picking it up, dialing a Lodjan Number:

"Lady Immich?[1] Emperor Orion here. I hope you don't mind me calling, but could you pass your son a message that i wish to talk to him? Sadly my schedule is tight so i can't hold the phone to long right now. There's a proposition for him i wish to discuss in detail. Queen Klaras interview about my Nations' Military Youth Camps came over my desk recently. I might be able to make something work, but i hope you understand i wish to ask and discuss this with him instead of over his head..."

Orion would love to say i miss him. But he knew it wasn't happening. there was no way it could work, he would just end up hurting him, even though he really liked Gavrils company, and treasured the vacation he had at the Immichs estate. He was an Emperor and Gavril could never be anything but a  Lover, Orion did not want to do this to anyone. Next year around this Time Girls would start applying to become his wife. At least by now they already knew it would never be love.

Two wet drops fell off his face as he waited for Gavril's Mother to reply, staining his travel route plans.

"I'm usually available around the evening hours if he's not at home. If in doubt you have my Secretaries number, we can make a time."

1.	This is the Sister in Law of the Lady in Waiting

[Libby]

Makar had finished up the days routine of checking through the various schedules for the next day. A surprise inspection of one of the mobile radio units, a 5km run for D Company, and then finally a series of applications for leave to deal with. He hung up his peak cap behind the door and pressed the button on the intercom for his adjutant to get the duty NCO to bring his car round. He checked his trouser pocket and realised he'd left his phone in the draw so made a brief backtrack to retrieve it and noticed he had a voice mail. He was about to play it when the adjutant knocked on the door. "Car ready when you are sir." a voice called through the door.

"Thank you" Makar responded slipping the phone back into his pocket, picking up his briefcase and heading into the outer office. "Have a good evening gentleman" he said casually to his staff officers as he headed outside. A Sergeant was stood waiting, his car door already open, with no headcover on Makar simply nodded respectfully to the salute offered. "Thank you Sergeant" he said as he placed his briefcase in the footwell of the black sportscar and then climbed into the drivers seat, as he reached for the door to close it the sergeant gently closed it and stepped back saluting once more. Makar raised a hand in thanks and pressed the big red button that started the car with a throaty roar. He headed towards the gate and more respectful nods were required in return of the salutes before he was out into the countryside surrounding the base. He flicked his cars bluetooth on and waited for it to connect. He smiled as he heard Adelheid's voice and could already imagine what his brother would be saying.

It was an half hour drive to his off-base home and he made several phone calls during that time as he wound around the country lanes. Finally just as he pulled into the driveway he'd finished his business. He headed inside, poured a glass of wine and then phoned Adelheid. It seemed they were destined to play phone tag as it went through to her voicemail. "I've booked a table next Saturday at the Towerhouse. You can't miss it, its a restaurant on the tall skyscraper in city centre Gaia. 8pm. See you then."

When Saturday came Makar ensured he arrived at 7:45pm, after all nothing worse than leaving a lady waiting especially when she was a Princess. He'd ensured they had a booth in the corner to give a better view of the city. He sat nursing a glass of mojito cocktail as he waited.



Lady Immich had no idea why the Emperor of Neu Urburzis would be phoning but passed the message on anyway. It wasn't until the next morning that Gavril returned the phone call rather nervously.

[Norgeras]

Adelheid had a stressfull day.

Viki was displeased, to say the least, with the Sales in Neu Uburzis. It was a back and forth argument between price, shipping cost and organic Material. A lot of last Years collection was deemed banned by the import Commission for using Synthetic Fibers after all and it had raised a stink. And now Adelheid was stuck between the Commission and the Designers.

She had decided to pick a retro look and a purple dress, though she widened the waist on ehr design a little. Wasp designs where highly frowned upon in Uburzis so she didn't want to be caught with one.

Arriving at the Restaurant, she smiled warmly. IT felt like she picked a dress from the Time the Restaurant might have been built, so it seemed in style. It was dead on Point 8 Pm when she stepped out of the Elevator and into the Dining Hall of the Institution.

Letting herself get escorted by the Waiter to the reserved Booth, she smiled:
"Lovely Location, Makar." She said, marveling at the view: "What can you recommend here?"
Her slow and graceful attempts though where betrayed by her slightly tired look. Even make up couldn't hide she had a rough day behind her.






Orion was just done with early morning sport, before breakfast when he got notified of the call by his Teachers:
"Your not so tall Highness, you have a call from Lodja." The PE Teacher barked, Orion huffed heavily, grabbing the Phone and walking into an Empty hall to take the call. It took a moment for him to realize he had Gavril on the Line:

"Oh hey. Thansk for calling back..." Orion stuttered slightly seemingly nervous:
"You know... I had an idea recently. But i wanted to run it past you. I mean.. i am the Emperor so i might as well play favorites..." he shook his head, realizing he got ahead of himself:

"See, i saw Klara... i mean your Queen talking about my Nations Summer Camps as unique way of Early Military Education..." he glanced around, making sure no nosy peers of his where around:
"That's only really half of reality though. The larger Part is the Military Academies where almost every Young man spent some years as Boarding Cadet. Even i'm a weekend sleeper in the Academy."
He tilted his head, before explaining: "My bad you probably don't know that. A weekend Sleeper is someone who's going home during weekends and only staying at school during the week. But here's the point..."

He took a deep breath, his mouth feeling dry. What if he said no, or felt insulted? Or if he felt like this was a hint at something Orion didn't want to offer so he'd hurt Gavril?

"I have two small Propositions here i could make work on short note. The first one would be that you become a VIP Guest of Mine during the Summer Camps this year. about 3 Weeks of hard outdoor activities and fighting but also fun and bonding. If you catch my drift the evening hours at the camps are rather eventful..."

Orion turned bright red, he wasn't sure if that was too blunt: "Another one i could make work for you is that i could get you a spot at my Academy for a Year. Basically a Stipend we could sell as introducing our Ideals to a Lodjan Noble when it comes to Military Discipline. Kind of like it seems you made a deal with Rokkenjima. Though you'd be in a higher class so not in my dorm. It should look very good on your resume later on, but i can warn you Teachers here don't even spare me the Rod. It's tough. Which i why i wanted to run both ideas past you first."

Orion fumbled with his hands, almost dropping the Phone:

"I Hope i don't completely overwhelm you with this. I'm sorry if this comes out of the Blue."

[Libby]

Makar stood, just as any gentleman should when his guest approached the table. "Good evening Your Highness, you look wonderful" he said as the restaurant staff pulled a chair out for her facing the view of the city. "I have to say this is one of my favourite restaurants in Mundus, mainly for the view." He looked briefly at the menu, it wasn't like he actually needed to but occasionally the chef added something new. "As for what I would recommend I really like.."

"For beautiful members of royalty we can make whatever their heart desires" a voice came from over Adelheid's shoulder, "Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Konstantine Belakov." He bowed to the Princess. "I am the chef and proud owner of the restaurant. However if you want something truly fit for a woman of your station. Tonight we have a smoked duck starter served with a beetroot salad. Then for main courses we have a salt baked fillet of beef, or if Madam prefers fish, lemon baked sea bass." The owner stood waiting for the couple to make a decision and while waiting intercepted the waiter bringing the wine and removed the bottle from him. He poured Makar a small glass for him to taste and receiving a nod from Makar poured Adelheid a glass before pouring the man of the table a glass. Having recieved the order of the table himself he bid them a pleasant evening before returning to the kitchen to look after the preparation, stopping at a handful of tables to check is guests were happy.

"Well I'm pleased that you deceided to call me." Makar began once they were sat alone once more. "So other than a world class meal what brought you to Lodja?"


There was no way Gavril's parents were going to let him spend any extended period away from Lodjain education. He was a future Duke and as such must be awash in Lodjain culture and ways. As the eldest son of his parents he'd also not be expected to carry out military service, with ownership of regiments and such now gone out of the hands of the nobility the future of military service didn't hold the same sway. "I'm not sure." the youngster said nervously. He liked Orion but this was a little out of his depth. "I mean it'd be nice to see you but there is no way my parents would let me spend a year away from Lodja, I mean my father wants me to learn how to look after our estates, attend our functions and things like that. He says if I'm going to be a Duke I need an education in Ducal Studies.....whatever he means by that." He shrugged his shoulders even though on the phone. "I think I could get them to agree to a camp though." He wasn't that sure but he'd ask. "When would it be?"

[Norgeras]

"The duck and the fish, please. Sounds lovely." Adelheid the turned towards Makar:

"Work, really. The fashion show will be annual so I had to check in on some of last year's participants. A routine check on import found undeclared synthetic fibers in the clothes. A simple production mishap but the import commission raised a huge stink, which in return angered the Designer."

Adelheid took a sip of wine: "I quite like it. Subtle. Uburzians usually produce more heavy handed taste."

She put down the glass, while they expect the starters: "and since I was here anyway, I thought I might make the trip more enjoyable by seeing you."
She then grabs a phone, holding it like a question to Makar: "Are you fine with one or two selfies of us? Social media is my capital after all. I'm sure my fans would go squealing crazy with a little treat."



"And there I was afraid your parents would ship you here without considering your opinion. You'd be surprised how many other boys ended up in this school since I'm Emperor just because their parents think it will be a boost on their resume later."

Orion glanced around the corner to see if he was still alone: "camps would start end of July. But if it's too close for you there's always next year."

[Libby]

Makar wasn't one really for social media but he did understand that it was more of a "Girls" thing and so wasn't about to deny her the chance, it would also keep his brother off his back as no doubt he'd see it as making contacts. He smiled for a moment thinking of his own instagram which essentially was just full of him following his ice hockey team. He called over one of the passing wait staff. "Excuse me would you mind taking a picture" he asked as he stood and went to sit next to Adelheid rather than opposite. He placed an arm around her shoulders while the waiter took the picture and carefully handed the phone back. " Pretty pleased all I have to worry about is uniform inspections not the world of social media" He added as he returned to his own seat, "Much simpler." he smiled.

Soon the first dishes arrived, "so how is the duck?" Makar asked.


Gavril was still a little nervous about the whole thing, "I think that would make it early in our school summer holidays." He wasn't sure whether that would give enough time for things to be arranged and so next year it might have to be. "What do you think?" he asked sure that Orion would obviously have a better understanding of the situation.