Code Geass: The Australian Affair [Ghurdrich & AmazinglyVivid]

As usual, the Royal Court sparkled with extravagance. The elegant chandeliers sent glittering beams of light to bounce back and forth between the shining valuables in the hall and the shining guests who had gathered. The whole thing was almost surreal. Composed mostly of Britannians and Honorary Britannians, the crowd engaged in social pleasantries and distractions that would set the poorer parts of the country to riot if they were permitted to see it. Primarily, laughter echoed off the marble walls, and it was difficult to pick out any one conversation if you weren't involved in it. It was a good place to get away from the trappings of politics and policy, but for the right crowd, it would also be a great place to sink their teeth into those very pursuits.

This would be the second party this week alone. Many of the nobles or aspiring nobles cherished the opportunity to meet with such an important person as the Viceroy, either to butter him up, or to suggest changes to policies, or simply to advance their social position. Most people had no idea that they wouldn't get far talking to somebody like General Vaughan Grand de Britannia. He was looked down upon as far as Royals were concerned, but that was kept a heavily guarded political secret inside of Area 18 itself. It wouldn't do to have any nasty rumors or political dissent within a newly conquered country, and so the general impression of the Viceroy was quite positive and glowing. His appointed attendants saw to many matters related to the Empire, and he was left mostly with state affairs, and tasked with making sure everyone stayed in line. His military background staved off most threats of force or blackmail, but politically minded sorts still found a way to keep their foot in the door. Parties like this were an opportunity for that sort of action to take place.

The gathering room was large and gaudy, with floors and walls made of marble and a ceiling made of glass. Its slightly hurried construction meant there was little in the way of art or murals or fancy things of that nature, but it did not show in the construction of the room itself. Everything was top quality as befit a member of the Britannian Royal Family. The room was separated into an upper and lower level, with the upper level occupying around one third of the total space, toward the back, with curved staircases leading down to ground level and the rest of the auditorium, which was left completely open, save for the long tables which held every kind of food and drink. Most people were gathered on the lower level, as there was simply more space there, and the upper level was occupied primarily by the Viceroy, his attendants, and those who had business with him. A few small groups of two or three were hanging around on this level, mostly waiting their turn to try and socialize with the General.

Slightly out of place between the classical-styled furnishings were a few scattered Televisions with small speakers. Only a single screen was visible from the upper floor, though it was visible to the entire floor; the rest were on the lower level along the walls. They displayed things like local and global news, or political propaganda. A few othe speakers played very quiet music, although a professional band was playing relaxed music in a corner of the lower floor, audible even to the people on the upper level.

General Grand himself was in his seat in the center of the top floor. He had been mingling with the guests, but needed a small break from being surrounded by supplicants. No matter how much he had gotten used to this scene, it still sat uncomfortably in his mind. He was a man of few words, which suited his conversation partners just fine - many of them loved to hear the sound of their own voice. Vaughan felt as though they must be on a different level from him, on some other plane of existence or something. Currently his attendants were dealing with matters from two or three small groups that wanted to request some favour or other, Vaughan himself was alone, under the illusion of busying himself with paperwork. He was, in fact, filling out paperwork, but it was mostly an excuse to have a little silence. His telephone had been turned to silent mode, but he could feel it burning a hole in his pocket. He would often receive status reports from his lieutenants in the field this way, since it was faster than sending a messenger, and he didn't care for the formalities, but this was almost a daily occurrence, and much of it was simply repetition.

"Perhaps this is simply my good fortune at work..." Vaughan mumbled to himself. "Survive countless battles, strive to be the best person I can be... damned to writing my signature on everything under the sun for an eternity."