A Galahindan Party

[Galahinda]

Yiu Amistacia throwing a party was nothing new, in fact some of their detractors would say that throwing parties was the only thing the chairman was good for. However Yiu throwing a party with minimal press presence, and inviting leaders from across the Eurth? That was something new. For the past month the chairman had been planning the party. Drafting guest lists, deciding on the venue, choosing a theme, selecting a menu, and most importantly; choosing what to wear. Up until this point the party had only been an abstract idea, nothing was permanent, but now a stack of invitations was sitting in front of Yiu, and choices had to be made. The invitations were handwritten with gold ink on black paper and read; 

"Yiu Amistacia would like to formally invite you to attend a party dedicated to showcasing friendship between nations and cultures, hosted at the newly constructed Palais Diamant in Cascadia on July 15th 2019, FY 33. The night's theme will be 'Nation's Best' and we ask that you wear your nation's finest clothing and fashions. Delegations of up to ten members are permitted alongside the invited party. Festivities will begin at sunset. Please RSVP with the intended attendee and delegation so security will be able to identify them properly."

Yiu had already sent invitations to several close friends and advisers, and the time had come to invite the rest of the world. Picking up a pen, Yiu quickly addressed invitations bound for @Sunset Sea Islands, @Fulgistan, @Oyus, @Bulgenstaz, @Seylos and after some deliberation @Sancti Imperii Catholico. The envelopes were signed, sealed, and sent to their respective countries. All that was left was to wait for the responses.

Edited October 7, 2019 by Galahinda
Retcon (see edit history)

[Fulgistan]

"You're not serious."

"Well..."

"Comrade Almas."

"Welllllllll..."

"General Secretary!"

"Look, Bayanchur, I really need a break. We really need a break. If one more Takhan peasant comes and kisses my hands and thanks me for freeing her people, I'm going to collapse from exhaustion."

"This is the worst possible way you could take a break. You know what the papers are going to say."

"Papers, schmapers, Comrade Culture Secretary. We're going to Galahinda because it's the right thing to do."

There was a pregnant pause in the office.

"...how, precisely? We're just giving our money and informal legitimacy to a regime that is, in essence, Gongora's perfect nightmare."

"Oh, I meant the right thing to do for us. Galahinda's a hideous place, but only on the inside."

"Thousand-Eyed Buddha, you're really doing this."

"I am! Look, I'm the General Secretary of this country, I'm entitled to have a revolution-free vacation once every half-decade. So there. You're coming too, so start packing"

"What in hell are we even going to wear? I hate to break it to you, but we've somewhat fallen behind in the haute couture department what with all the "public schooling" and "free healthcare"."

"Not to worry, my young disciple. I have it all planned out...cackle in sinister fashion with me."

[Batengdei]

"Mr. Prime Minister, sir, it would appear you have a letter. From... uh, Galahinda? I can't say I remember anything important happening there at present..."

Bavrov Krusken II looked at his secretary from across his desk. No attempt was made to hide her confusion as she addressed him. She was new to his staff, it was obvious even from the way she addressed him: Mr. Prime Minister? Krusken made it abundantly clear how he preferred to be addressed to his staff. If anything, this formality is humorous. I'll leave it for now. Krusken swirled his wine carefully:

"If madam would please hand me this letter?"

The tone was almost mocking. She stood still, struck by a bewildered gaze. Poor girl, now I'm being cruel.

"My apologies. Please, I would like to see my letter."

Without removing her look of confusion, the girl handed the letter to him.

"What was your name, miss?"

"Kuin, sir. I'm your new secretary."

"Please, call me Bavrov, I can't stand formality when I can help it. That includes my office. Kuin, would you leave me to my letter?"

Kuin left without missing a beat.

After the door closed, Krusken sipped his wine and looked down to his letter. Black inlaid with gold: it could only mean one thing. An event in Galahindan style, perhaps a party. Krusken smiled as he opened the letter:

"I wonder what the terms are," he asked the letter.

The terms took Krusken aback. "Nation's Best"? What the f*ck. He checked again. That sounds expensive as hell... besides, what garb was there, really? Krusken's customary outfit was hardly Bulgenstazi, a blue suit and tie. I would have preferred "Nation's Best Beverage"... I could go for some Kipanese saké.

Eventually, Krusken decided on the batik, a traditional Bulgenstazi outfit from the Little States Period. Alenka Krusken would wear a kebyat. Both would have patterns representing both the traditional culture of the Four Glittering Pearls, as well as the patterns of House Krusken. Bavrov elected not to bring any other staff, for the sake of keeping the event relatively cheap. God knows I've spent too much already.

This would likely be the last Galahindan party he would attend. His second term had been an unpopular one: while he was beloved by the public, the Bulgen Rouge abhorred spending, and liked reform even less. Krusken knew he hadn't done enough to sabotage his future as a minor politician or to expel him from office, but it was enough for him to know there was little more for him beyond a seat in the Advisor's Council and a request to keep his mouth shut. "The Tagmatine Incident," as it had now been dubbed in Zalensk, had sealed his fate.

Krusken set the letter on his desk.

"f*ck it, I can still have some fun while it lasts."

[Sunset Sea Islands]

"Elegy, book a flight to @Galahinda on July 14th."

"Yes ma'am. An alarm has been set to ensure departure on time."

Liên Viênxuân had always been a busy person, one does not become the CEO of Elegy Corporation, the most valuable company of the world's strongest economy by idling around. Her responsibilities had only grown after the introduction of the technocratic constitution. The expert panels controlling the former ministries, which had been replaced by departments, were formed by the individuals thought to be most suitable for the positions. Liên had been appointed a seat on the panel of the Department of Industry, one of the highest positions in the nation. Nevertheless, she still had a company to manage. Thankfully, both the fact that the panel consisted of more than just one person, and the amount of aides Liên had employed, enabled her to dance at two parties at once.

Well, make that three.

The invitation to Galahinda, a nation strongly influenced by corporations, would certainly be a good potential business partner. Especially now that high-ranking corporate agents were given a voice at tables that decided about national policies. Furthermore, a gala in an influential fashion hotspot could not be overlooked. After all, wasn't the latest ElePhone model just the best accessoire to any outfit? Certainly, this party would pose a great opportunity to advertise her company, tie new corporate ties and to deepen diplomatic relationships. Was there anything better for business than well-disposed friends and peaceful times?

This party might be the business opportunity of a lifetime...

[Fubukino]

"Amore," the Limonaian-Oyusard (Sometimes referenced as Limoys) would say to her, "you will only have the best from us." Lam stood on a platform in front of a 180-degree mirror, much like those seen in the Oyus the Dress reality program that showcases brides looking for special dresses for special occasions, especially weddings. "I have something that is in line with the new and upcoming trend in fashion here, a return to our roots and admiration for Acona."

It is not often that the Palace brings in their experts. Kera Eka Lam did her best to keep away from looking like she lived in a life of luxury like other monarchs might and have historically. Not long after her ascension, she opened the vast majority of the Palace at Merseca Square to the general public, which in turn confined her to a small area for her residence along with opting to work outside the comfort of the Palace for official business. While her predecessor, Kera Yulaa, was able to live far more lavishly and comfortably, it did not keep the public from being skeptical of her successor. Thus, one of the few luxuries she affords is attendance to a potential partner's event in which the entire world has been invited.

Lam's experts, those with an idea of fashion, PR specialists concerned with public perception, cultural advisers, among others to note were ones she was well acquainted with. As always when brought in, by far those most excited and enthused about their occupation are the fashion folk-rightfully so. Per invitation from Galahinda, a fashion center no less, they were asked to dress their "nation's best," which only proved that this was only a dream moment for all those in fashion.

Interns under the Limoy designer had dragged a rack in, hanging from it several different colored articles of clothing, although they are referenced as art. "Lux would be envious of what I have in mind for you. Though, I must test you first, what is it that you think that is up and coming?"

Eka turned her gaze to the Limoy, eyebrow raised, as the fashionista with a passionista sifted through the rack. A vibrant colored grass skirt paired with a floral print top, earning a stern look from the Kera, a more toned down colorful cheap dress in sequins stylized to be a scale pattern, which earned an audible "Seriously?" as Eka tossed it aside, and finally the actual outfit: a white scale patterned skirt that was short of being thigh length and a top consisting of only white seashells, sparkling from the bright gems encrusted on it that would hang from the neck with pearls, with two strands on each side wrapping around her.

"The top... a true return to the roots in a way I can't help but welcome and love. It's truly wonderful. I must say I am skeptical of the bottom..." she said, returning to the platform putting it over her to envision how it would look on her. 

"I assure you, it is what is up and coming. If you would prefer, there is a dark version of this ensemble, I would happily loan it to you so that you can wear the flower crown."

It would be just then a newer aide interjected, "We can't just let her wear the flower crown, it would look absolutely terrible from a public perspective! Not to mention this is a meeting with foreign heads of state and government, not some rave." 

The Kera and Limoy designer only gave him stern looks which quickly saw him shuffling out of the room. "I heard that the ravers of the world have been invited to this, would it really matter if it was or wasn't intended to be a rave?" she queried her culture aide, the two chuckling. "If it wasn't a party before, it certainly is now."

[Variota]

Parties. Anyone could throw a party, invite some D-list wannabe celebrities and leaders and call it a day. In fact, throughout the world, that was what was being done on a daily basis. Only the true, genuinely interested to be part of the creme de la creme of the world people would attempt to throw a proper party. But what made a proper party on Eurth? What divided the social haves from the social have-nots? If one would be filling in a crossword puzzle, the solution to that question would be eight letters, two words, one person. Dina Diva.

Foorste Frauwe fan'es Ferantwortelik fan'es Folke Dina Diva for those that sought to be pedantic. A true power woman, the Queen of the Nightlife, the Empress of Reality TV, Baroness of Business, Marquess of Moxxxie and the World's Greatest Diva. And yes, her moxie was definitely with three x's. Praised in long and truthful pieces of communiques by other, less important, leaders as well as on her 24/7 reality show by fans, both regular and important, and leading millions if not billions of faithful followers, Dina Diva was a powerhouse. 

And now, she was going to Galahindra. A place that almost no one that she asked knew of, except the agents of Het Apparath. It was always easy to spot a member of Het Apparath for her, years of training in the form of drinking in nightclubs and otherwise enjoying herself helping her. A smart twink was always a clear hint, everyone knows that smart twinks don't exist. Twinks just try to fill the empty, daddy-issue generated hole in their lives by stuffing their own hole with random, often daddy-looking, men and not by studying. You know, fun stuff. A smart twink was just a nerd and Dina Diva didn't like nerds. Not due to some misguided jealousy in regards to their intelligence, as everyone knew that Dina Diva could go toe to toe with any scientist if need be, but because most were boring.

Who likes to talk about particles and splitting the nuclear atom when there's caramel vodka shots in front of you? Not Dina Diva, that's who. And she didn't need to with her favorite watering hole being the Pink Pony, the infamous nightclub owned by one of the largest Variotan adult movie studios where their actors drank free and generously.

Even now, one of these actors would be the one accompanying her. Hete Henk, or Hot Henk, had eventually branched out into singing and such but he still stayed close to his roots, doing many a movie that seemed like fun. Classics like The Barebacked History of the World, Part III, Hot Henk and the Twenty-Two Midget Sailors and Prison Parts 3: Maximum Pleasure were still one of the primary reasons why tissues sold so well among the gay and bisexual community of Eurth.

In the car to the airport, the two were talking among themselves and, obviously, the reality TV crew that followed Dina Diva around constantly. While some people needed to take some time to adjust to it in the beginning, Hete Henk had been in front of the camera and together with Dina Diva for so long that he no longer cared. 

''Don't we need someone to carry all these substances?''

A quick twist of the camera showed the audience watching Dina Diva on her own TV channel, online or through her app the massive amount of bottles, bags and other assorted items that were laying on the other side of her pink limousine.

''Who did we have last time? Ranja, Rasta?''
''Oh yeah, the Bahinese guy. You know, we could always go to the Pink Pony and pick up a random twink to carry our stuff. I'll let him suck my dick, it'll be fun.''
''Do you want us to end up with someone from Het Apparath? Half of the twinks there look like they're hung because they keep a silencer in their underwear.''
''Yeah, I guess you're somewhat right.''
''I've got an idea. Hold on.''

Turning to her camera, Dina Diva addressed the crowd watching her.

''In case you're attractive, want to hook up with a drunk Hete Henk, don't mind carrying a ton of possibly illegal goods with only a vague definition of diplomatic immunity protecting you and are able to reach the airport in the next... oh, let's say 30, 35 minutes, shout my name if you spot my limousine at the airport. We'll throw in a free trip to Gal... Gallambria?''
''No, uh....''
''I know it's, like, with like Gal-something. Galicia? Garlic?''
''Galtundra?''
''Galahindra! That's it.''
''Yeah girl, you're rocking it.''
''You know it baby. Let's do some pre-flight shots together.''

As a willing production assistant pops open a couple of bottles for the two to sample, their outfits are able to be admired. Hete Henk was wearing the same outfit as to the coronation celebration in Seylos, his Eurthvision outfit. Same as then, it was still in perfect condition and it featured the ability to be removed if body shots were suddenly wanted. And let's face it, who didn't want body shots with the World's Greatest Diva and one of the best adult actors of the world? Nerds, that's who. And Dina Diva didn't like them so they wouldn't get any body shots anyway. A pair of Variotan flag pattern plateau boots finished it all.

Dina Diva, leader of Het Huisselant Variota, World's Greatest Diva and allround inspirational person to women, girls and twinks everywhere.

Dina Diva rocked a pretty multi-colored outfit, her tits voluptuously bulging out of a gemstone-covered top in a way that only she could rock without being trashy slutty. A diamond-encrusted crown filled with USB drives, vouchers and digital download codes of her various CD's, DVD's, books and other accomplishments adorned her head, similarly multi-colored and sexy. Her multi-colored skirt barely covered her crotch, where one could peek at a Variotan flag thong if they really wanted it. Gemstone covered, multi-colored high socks flowed into high heels with her own face on them, giving a sophisticated finish to an outfit that was pure Dina Diva, patriotic due to her thong and just generally stunning. Galahindrans might want to call themselves the fashion gurus but for anyone with two eyes, or even one, and access to her reality show, it was clear that the Variotans were rocking true high fashion this night.

[Salvia]

Alexis Hall 

Archbishop Saulius finished his sandwich and wiped his hands off with a napkin.  He burped loudly, then leaned over and threw out the plastic container that had his lunch into the trash can on the side of his mahogany desk.  He was relatively free of work, so he decided to take some mail that he had received from his secretaries, who would usually sort through it before passing on to Saulius.  His secretaries were pleasantly surprised when he had stopped by and picked up a stack of letters. 

Saulius readjusted himself in his seat before grabbing a letter from the top of the pile, which his secretary had made a point of taking as it was a letter from @Galahinda.  Saulius couldn’t recall Salvia ever having official relations with the island nation, although from what he could recall he knew that businesses did business there.  Fashion, if he was recalling correctly, was their major business, although he had no clue if he was actually correct in that assumption. 

He picked up his letter opener and slit open the envelope, taking out the letter and read it.  He scoffed.  An invitation to a party, no doubt host to hedonism, sodomy, and every potential evil known to man. Saulius tossed the letter aside and continued with his mail. 

 

*            *            *  

Bishop Victor Salmaria of the diocese of Pleinmont and Sark of @Seylos waved at the secretary as he entered the office space.  The secretaries of Archbishop Saulius were all placed outside the closed off room that was Saulius’s office.  There were 6 or so of them, each with their own desk arranged around the room- a few in the corners, one in the middle, and one right in front of the door, which was the one in charge of Saulius’s scheduling and the like.  He looked up from his work before smiling back at Salmaria as he walked past, then returned to his work.   

The bishop walked into Saulius’s office, where the man was sitting at his desk typing something on his computer.  Salmaria had arranged a meeting with Saulius discussing the current situation in Pleinmont and Sark and had decided to meet in person as he was in Salvia visiting. 

Saulius looked up from his work as Salmaria walked in.  He smiled and gestured towards the seat opposite him.   

“I hope God is treating you well, Bishop Salmaria.  Please, sit.  I just need to grab something real quick.” 

Saulius turned around as he searched for something in a filing cabinet behind him.  Salmaria idly looked at Saulius’s desk.  It was a busy desk, he noted, with lots of papers taking up space, however all seemed to be sorted and in some particular order.  His eyes were caught by an open note left on top of some papers.  It had gold lettering.  Salmaria flicked his eyes up at Saulius, still searching for something while muttering to himself, then flicked them back down to the note, leaned forward, and read it.  A party invitation, from Galahinda.  Salmaria’s eyebrows rose in surprise.  He knew of the reputation of the parties held in Galahinda.  And this one is supposed to be special.  Dina Diva was supposed to be there. 

“So, Archbishop, you’re heading to Galahinda for this party?” 

“Bah.” Saulius spat in disgust, still with his back turned.  “Nothing but sodomites, hedonists and heretics.  It would be a mortal sin to simply step foot in Galahinda.” 

Saulius stood up with a manila folder and papers in his hand, apparently finding what he was looking for.  He turned around, still looking at the papers.   

“Just one second, Bishop.  I need to give these to my secretary.”  He walked out. 

Salmaria waited for a second, then quickly stuffed the invitation into his pocket as Saulius chatted with one of his secretaries.   

[Galahinda]

"Yiu the outfit is lovely, and we need to go over pronunciations, we can't give the impression that we don't care about the attendees!" Lynne Androni was at her wits end, and as if dealing with a seat on the Corporate Board wasn't enough stress, now it seemed Yiu was throwing a party every other night.

"Quora darling, what do you think?" Queried Yiu, brushing aside their adviser's concern.

"You look stunning as ever chairman." Replied the aide, not looking up from the tablet her eyes were glued to.

Yiu hadn't pulled any punches with their outfit. A towering powdered wig and face beat to resemble lysian aristocracy, trademark corset, rococo leggings, and stilettos created an imposing, editorial figure. The creative director of MYNE had no doubts they were stunning, but the attention and validation never hurt. 

"So who ended up accepting?" Asked Yiu, applying a false beauty mark next to their lips.

"We heard back from our friendly rivals @Fulgistan almost immediately, and @Sunset Sea Islands has sent Liên Viênxuân from Elegy." Began the aide, reading from the tablet in her hand. " @Variota has sent Dina Diva, and we've ordered extra alcohol for her. The prime minister of @Bulgenstaz Bavrov Krusken II has confirmed he's going to be attending. Oh! and  Kera Eka Lam said she'd be thrilled to represent @Oyus." rattled off the aide, barely pausing for breath.

"and what about our more traditionalist friends from @Sancti Imperii Catholico ?" Mused the chairman, half sarcastically.

"No official reply, beyond the standard condemnation of our 'heathenish and blasphemous' lifestyle" replied Quora, 

"Ah well, knowing them there's at least one bishop who will find their way into our arms, if not to see first hand the satanic orgies that occur" joked the chairman, putting the last touches on their makeup."Either way, it's time to face the music, I'll be standing just outside the doors to greet them, remember you two, " the chairman paused and pointed at the two of them, "This is a party, have fun, and please make sure that you say hello to Liên and invite her for coffee tomorrow morning, i'd kill to open a boutique in sunset city and she's always a delight to work with."

With a final lip smack, the fully dressed chairman exited their dressing room and onto the main floor, where the pulsing beat of electronic music could already be felt. Taking a deep breath, Yiu readjusted their wig one last time before stepping out into the night air, and into the waiting crowd.

Edited October 7, 2019 by Galahinda (see edit history)

[Galahinda]

Yiu was momentarily blinded by the explosions of light from the press lining the red carpet, a veritable flashbang for those who weren’t accustomed to it, however, Yiu was anything but unaccustomed to the spotlight. Making their way down the red carpet Yiu would stop and pose every few steps, giving the press everything they needed. Shouts rang out from both sides as reporters jostled for positions at the gates that had separated them from the rich and famous of Galahinda, and would do the same to the foreign dignitaries who were set to arrive soon. They desperately shoved each other out of the way, hoping to score a few short words or phrases to over analyze for the next months. As Yiu reached the end of the carpet, they performed their signature lean before cracking a Victorian fan, sending a cloud of white glitter spiralling to the floor.

The spectators loved this, and Yiu held the pose for a moment, letting the cheers soak in before silencing them with a slender gloved hand. “Darlings thank you so much for being here tonight!” Said Yiu, pausing to let the cheers die down slightly before continuing, “Tonight is a special night, you’ve already seen our lovey friends, and they were dressed to kill!” The final statement was punctuated with another fan crack, sending the crowd back into their fervor. “I’ve also invited a few friends from around the world, you all know Dina Diva?” queried Yiu, and was immediately answered by another wave of cheers, “And for you techies looking forward to the next elePhone, Liên Viênxuân is going to be here!” Drawing a few ooohs and ahs from the crowd. “We’ve got friends from all over the world dressed to the nines in their nations best fashion, so without further ado, please welcome our friends from across the world!” As they finished Yiu gestured to the aides lined along the separate path, indicating that it was time to send in the foreign delegations. Yiu remained at the start of the red carpet, ready to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with the members of Eurth politics.

Edited October 7, 2019 by Galahinda
Retcon (see edit history)

[Variota]

The flashing lights didn't do anything for Dina Diva. Others, the weaker ones, were blinded, dazzled, dazed by the lights of the press. Dina though, she was hardened. Reality TV, the media and PR, it's all a war, a battlefield. And where the others were fresh recruits, Dina Diva was a battle-hardened veteran doing PMC work; the others were screaming villagers running from their burning homes, Dina Diva was the cool-headed, scarred mercenary flying bombing runs above the village, throwing grenades down on them from a light-sport aircraft, in exchange for blood diamonds.

Hete Henk was the squire to Dina Diva's knight, the Darth Vader to her Palpatine. When most of your salary depends on being butt naked and in some cases getting that butt stuffed like a turkey on Thanksgiving in front of the camera, the lights mean nothing. The only one in the party that was actually affected by the flashes was the guy they had picked up at the airport, the lucky guy that had managed to respond to Dina Diva's call to arms quick enough to get a free international trip and perhaps a bang out of it. Dazed by the lights, the guy got dizzy and almost seemed to fall until one of Dina Diva's production team held him.

''Good, good. Don't drop him Anton, he's carrying the good stuff!''

Both Dina and Henk gave Yiu three kisses and a hug, as was customary. And let's face it, it should be customary in every nation. Because who wants to bow for someone else unless you want bend over for them too? Of course, they skipped making any conversation beyond small talk for the cameras; the real fun would begin once they were inside. Had Yiu and Dina met before? What would they talk about? If you were one of the Dina Diva's premium fans, which were given many benefits such as the ability to watch her sleep on her bedroom feed, you'd soon find out. The regular boring fans, however, would have to make do with reruns of some of their favorite Dina Diva moments until she returned to Variota, after which the footage of the party would be released. While Dina Diva also had to make money like everyone else, she was nothing but generous and allowed her fans to truly share in her life.

Taking a few more moments further down the red carpet to get their pictures taken and blowing kisses to their fans, the duo went inside.

[Batengdei]

The blur of the crowd, the flashing of cameras, it was far more than the customary news coverage in Bulgenstaz. In fact, it was near blinding. Krusken did not remember this from last time, though he scarcely remembered anything from last time. Was there a last time? I ought to lay off the drinks at these kinds of events.

Bavrov Krusken II looked to his wife beside him, only briefly enough to assess her situation. She took the paparazzi well, though he could tell from the grip of her hand on his that this was far more than she was ever used to. I was a bastard to have brought her here. She was beautiful, and he wanted her to enjoy a lovely Galahindan party, but he had neglected to warn her about the photography, and for that he condemned her to the long stretch of red carpet to Yiu. Krusken hugged his Alenka closer; it could only last so many meters.

After many pained kilometers of flashing lights and fanfare, they arrived to Yiu Amistacia. Alenka gave a timid curtsey, Krusken a good bow, and both exchanged handshakes with Yiu. 

"We are both pleased to be able to make it to your event." Said Alenka softly, in a tone barely audible amongst the throng. It was a truth. While both felt reluctant to meet the extended press coverage, they valued the change in scenery from the constant political scheming of the Bulgen Rouge.

After exchanging formalities with Yiu, and a light bit of small talk for the press, they moved on, away the center of the party, away from the crowd of overzealous party-goers, toward a source of drinks. That will calm our nerves a little. What helps a party more than a drink? A waiter trailed from Sato, a leader in Kipanese industry, towards them. 

"Excuse me sir and miss, would you like one?" inquired the waiter, holding a champaign tray. 

"Yes please." said both Kruskens in unison.