Best Friends or Worst Enemies

[Nicholas Lorencio]

Nicholas was seated in a quite luxurious leather seat, glancing out the window at the rolling countryside hundreds of miles below him. He was inside the presidential aircraft of the Spanish Empire. The bright white plane wasn’t that large; however it could house ten people comfortably and had a small kitchen, a rather nice bathroom, and a small bar with its own pool table. Outside painted on the hull of the aircraft was the flag of the Spanish Empire, proudly displayed to anyone who was looking.

Nicholas was enjoying a small glass of wine when his pilot informed him that they were passing into Italian airspace. He glanced out his window and viewed the nation. The land was rather warm and sunny, green pastures and healthy forests expanded outwards toward the horizon, broken only now and then by the occasional village or Roman villa. It had an aura of calm and plenty that even Nicholas could feel flying miles above the land. This amazed him, since only a year or so ago the land was wrapped in rebellion and chaos, much like his own nation.

An hour later the plane began a steady descent. Below him, Nicholas could see the large and grand city of Rome, capital of Italy. The grand mix of modern and ancient architecture was a marvel to see. He still preferred Madrid and the old cities of Spain, however he did not deny this city was up on his list of most wanted to be viewed, and he was enjoying every second of it. As the plane got closer and closer to the airport he made a few last adjustments to his outfit, straightening his tie and flattening his short hair.

Soon the plane made a soft and graceful landing at the Italian airport. The plane began weaving its way through other airplanes, mostly passenger airlines ferrying civilians from across the world. Soon the Spanish plane stopped next to the private terminal that was the drop off point for most VIP’s, including diplomats and world leaders. Nicholas grabbed his small bag that housed a few items, (he planned on staying in the city after the meeting), thanked his pilot for the excellent flight, and then exited the plane.

Immediately he was met with two men in black suits. Nicholas greeted them and began walking, the men in close pursuit. They were Benigno and Celio, Nicholas’s two personal bodyguards and escort. Nicholas stepped outside of the terminal and into the bright sunlight that shinned down from above in the clear blue sky. Soon Nicholas spotted a black and rather antique looking car coming in his direction, followed by a few more vans that housed security. The black limo stopped in front of Nicholas and the driver hopped out, grabbing Nicholas’s bag and opening the door for him. Nicholas thanked the man and stepped inside the limo.

Nicholas seated himself down onto the leather seats and waited for the driver to finish putting his back away. Once the driver was back in his seat the limo began driving towards the destination Nicholas was going towards, the Emperors Palace. Along the way the driver gave a small tour of the city that they passed, talking about small monuments and ancient buildings that were on either side of the road. Nicholas enjoyed this, it was no secret that he was a fan of history and this tour of Italy was something he liked.

Soon however the limo stopped in front of the Emperors Palace. He remained calm and none-emotional; however inside he was awed by the Palace. It was a grand building, a marvel of architecture and design. He didn’t know who the leader of Italy was yet, but he sure knew how to live. Nicholas stepped out of the limo and began walking up the stairs towards the entrance of the Palace, his guards close behind. He was looking for anyone that might have been the Italian leader, attempting to spot him or be spotted.

OOC: I find this ironic. This is a meeting of two fascist leaders who plan on taking over the world, and my word count for the first post is 666.

[Giovanni Facilli]

Giovanni stood in the hallway of his Palace in Rome, slowly shinging the single pin that he wore on the chest of his Jacket with a small piece of cloth. As he looked down at the pin, which was An Italian flag with the words “Italian Empire” written in gold, He nodded, and placed it back on the left breast of his jacket. After pinning it in its proper place, he looked up as he heard the footsteps of someone walking towards him. It was one of his many butlers.

“My Liege, the Emperor of Spain is here.”

“Very well. I’ll go there immediately. Have the cooks ready themselves to cook us a nice lunch, and prepare a fine Cognac, the best one we have, in the lounging part of my Office. Pour yourself a glass along with it, and take a break in your room.”

“Very good My Liege. Anything else?”

“Nothing else. You may be on your way.”

“Thank you sir.”

Giovanni nodded, watching the butler make his way down the hallway past him. Giovanni straightened out his Grey suit, and making sure his Navy Blue tie with White and Light blue dots on it was correctly placed. As he accepted his look, he made his way down the hallway of his home.

The entire palace was beautifully designed, having taken years to build and making over three hundred jobs for the people of Rome, and pumping large amounts of capital into the granite and marble mining companies. Giovanni found himself stepping through a doorway, a soldier standing one each side of the double doors of the doorway snapping to attention as he passed by them, Giving him the customary Roman salute.

As Giovanni made his way down that hallway, and eventually walking into the large Entrance of the Emperors Palace, he looked to his left, down a large set of stairs which emptied out into the large Foyer of the Entrance of the Emperors Palace, and the huge set of Wooden double doors which stood in the doorway. He saw three men standing below, and identified two of them as Body-Guards, probably for the other man. As he made his way down the stairs, he could see the other man clearer, and recognized him from a news article he’d read a few weeks ago. He was the new Emperor, or, as the Spanish Preferred to call him, Emperado, of Spain. Mr. Nicholas Lorencio.

The man stood about six foot tall, maybe Six foot one, almost half a foot taller than Giovanni, and was far younger than him. From what Giovanni had read Spain had a revolution somewhat like His nation, but Giovanni’s was many years ago, As Italy was to celebrate their 20th anniversary of the Revolution soon. The man had short, brown hair, and stood rather Measured, somewhat like Giovanni, though this man probably wasn’t nicknamed “Re Umberto”, Or “King Umberto” for the Last King of Italy. Giovanni apparently looked like the man, though he didn’t see it himself.

Giovanni made his way down the stairs, and as he approached the Man, he stated “Hello, Mr. Lorencio. I am Giovanni Facilli, the Emperor of the Italian Empire. Good Morning”

He looked down at his watch, before looking back up, and saying “Though I should say good afternoon, since it is about Noon.” He paused, looking at the two men he assumed were Nicholas’s bodyguards, and said “If I may be inclined to say these two men are your body guards, I must approve of their Suits, They are very nice.”

Giovanni always enjoyed being friendly with people, no matter if they were foreign dignitaries or a common citizen of Italy. He viewed that if he gave people kindness, they would return it. He also enjoyed being comical sometimes, and he said “If you three would follow me, I’ll take you to my office where we can sit down, enjoy a drink and a nice Lunch, and Chat about diplomacy between our two fine nations.”

He paused, and began to lead the three men up the stairs, commenting as he went along “Though I may advise you to be on the lookout, I do have a pet Beaver named Charles who roams freely around this Palace who is known to pop up at the most Un-Expected times.”

[Nicholas Lorencio]

Nicholas spotted a man approaching them. The man was shorter than Nicholas, although not short by any means. He had rather sparse “salt and pepper” hair that gave him an old yet experienced look. He was rather old; Nicholas guessed in his late 50’s, early 60’s. The man seemed to have a sense of authority around him, yet his faced showed lines from the many smiles he had shown throughout his life.

The man walked up to Nicholas and introduced himself as Giovanni Facilli, the Emperor of the Italian Empire. Nicholas smiled at the man and shook his hand, replying to his greeting, “Good morning to you as well, but please, call me Nicholas or Nick.” The Emperor then complimented on Nicholas’s body guards. Nicholas smiled at the gesture and replied, “Why thank you, we like to look our best when out of the country. I hope you do not mind them being here. Due to my recent rise to power, well, you could say there are some who still do not view me with kind eyes and with less kind actions in mind.”

The Italian than invited them to follow him to his office. Nicholas thanked the man and began walking after them. The whole time he was viewing the palace with hidden but distinct awe. It was indeed a grand building, and Nicholas wondered whether he should try to rival the construction, maybe even surpass it. They entered the palace and Nicholas was stunned by the beauty inside. The whole palace was decorated and filled with works of art and skill. Not only was the monetary value of the place high, but the historical background for each of these items astounded Nicholas.

Soon Nicholas got a brief warning about a particular beaver named Charles, a pet of the Emperors. Nicholas chuckled slightly, “I will be sure to expect him at all times, although I will admit I hope he does make his entrance at some point, preferably when I don’t have my back turned.” Nicholas continued following Giovanni, when eventually they reached the door he guessed led into the Emperors office.

Before he stepped inside, Nicholas turned to his two bodyguards. “I would be glad if you two stayed out here. I would rather be in private with the Emperor while we discussed such matters, and do not worry for my safety. I am sure Mr. Facilli has the upmost security in such a fine residence. Also be sure not to shoot the beaver, I fear it would, well, things wouldn’t go well between our nations.” Nicholas then turned towards the Emperor and followed him inside the room.

[Giovanni Facilli]

The Office of the Emperor was a very spacious and cozy office, everything down to the Books and Furniture to the Wallpaper and Carpeting were picked out by Giovanni Himself. He designed the office to be what he wanted, but he also designed it so that he could entertain foreign dignitaries. That is why there was a small, circular round table, with four comfortable chairs around it. Giovanni always sat in the singular chair with the wooden handles, as he found it to be the most comfortable. Older men are known to find Hard-Wood chairs comfortable, for whatever reason that may be. In the corner of the room lied a medium sized pillow, which Giovanni’s pet Beaver, Charles, whom he’d Warned Nicholas of earlier.

Giovanni looked back at Nicholas as he watched the two Bodyguards stop at the doorway, and the door shut. Nicholas had been speaking to them, and Giovanni had guessed that he told them to stay out of the room. It was a natural choice, in Giovanni’s mind, seeing as Nicholas probably knew the two would be talking about Diplomatic, and the fact that Giovanni wouldn’t be able to hurt a fly if he had a gigantic wooden Mallet. He was older, after all.

Giovanni made his way over to the Circular, Round granite table, and found that a bottle of fine, aged Cognac, along with two glasses, and an ice-cube container with a pair of Tongs had been found resting on the table, as Giovanni had previously asked One of his Butlers to bring to them. Giovanni Also found the usual, White walkie-talkie sitting on the desk, which was used to communicate to the Kitchen a few floors away what they wished for Lunch.

Giovanni ushered Nicholas over to the Table, saying “Please, Have a seat, and Pour yourself a glass of Cognac”. He took a seat, and poured himself a glass out of the fine crystal container, placing two ice-cubes into the glass, before taking a long sip out of the glass. He smiled, he personally liked the year of the Cognac, 1924, and It had been kept perfectly since the year it was made, being almost one hundred years old.

Giovanni watched as Nicholas Poured himself a glass of the alcohol, and Giovanni sat back in the chair, starting the conversation between the two with a polite question of “May I judge that your Flight, and Ride to his Palace, went comfortably, Mr. Lorencio?”

[Nicholas Lorencio]

Nicholas found himself in quite a nice and comfortable room. The place was adorned with decorations and memorabilia, yet also with plenty of things that provided comfort. Nicholas sat himself down on one of the seats that lined a small granite table, picking the seat directly across from the Italian Emperor. As he sat down the man pulled out a bottle, a container of ice, and some tongs. He offered Nicholas the drink which was Cognac, while he poured himself some. Nicholas thanked him and pulled a glass himself, raising it to himself and taking a quick drink, soothing his slightly parched throat.

In the corner of the room Nicholas noticed that there was a pillow with a rug sitting on top. However Nicholas was surprised when the rug began to move slightly then began chuckling to himself. The rug was a beaver; the one Nicholas guessed that was named Charles, the pet of the Italian Emperor. He made a note to himself that he would need to keep an eye on the creature, in case it decided to visit Nicholas, and possibly chew a hole through his new leather shoes.

The Italian Emperor then asked a small question of Nicholas, probably to start of a small conversation. Nicholas took another sip of Cognac then set the glass down on the table and leaning slightly forward. “It was indeed a comfortable ride, my pilot is excellent and your driver was as well, I hardly felt anything going from the airport to this building and I didn’t even expect to be here so fast. May I also compliment on this fine palace, it is expertly made and quite pristine. I may also say I hold a soft spot in my heart for history and this building is filled with some wonderful pieces.”

[Giovanni Facilli]

The Alcohol was a very fine alcohol, and it gently rolled down Giovanni’s throat as he took another small sip of the glass, before setting it back down on the granite table, looking back up at Nicholas as he replied to His question of how his ride to Rome went. Giovanni nodded, and smiled as Nicholas proceeded to complement Giovanni on the Palace in which he resided, and approving of the Artwork of the Palace.

“Yes, I also like the Palace. I remember going through a pile of about three hundred some design applications until I found the one I liked the most.” He chucked, and continued, saying “And yes, I do also love the artwork. If I recall correctly, many of them were Presents from the People of my nation for my 55th Birthday, while many of the more expensive pieces were purchased by Government Leaders or myself, I also have a love for history, including the many Statues that reside across this huge Palace, and the many fine cars that reside in my under-ground parking garage, many over Seventy years old.”

He paused, before finishing with“I do apologize for the Relatively Un-Impressive Surroundings though. I myself live the life of a Bachelor, never finding a wife, and while I do not know if you have a wife or not, a young man of your age has many years ahead of him to find a suitable wife, and my, if you will, Prime, is long over.” He got a chuckle out of what he was saying.

He listened as Nicholas chuckled, and realized he was looking towards the pillow in the corner of the room. Giovanni turned behind to look at it, and smiled, realizing that it was Charles, Giovanni’s Pet Beaver, lying on the Pillow silently. Giovanni turned around, and said “I do suppose that Charles will wander over here when our lunch is delivered, seeing as he enjoys Eating the scraps of lettuce left over from my sandwiches.”

Giovanni then realized that he had not yet asked what Nicholas wanted for the Lunch, and stated “May I ask you what you would like for Lunch before we begin discussing Diplomacy between our two nations? I normally do not being those sort of talks on an empty stomach, though that may be just a habit that older gentlemen such as myself grow into, Seeing as around my age we begin to eat dinner earlier, and go to bed even earlier, often waking up at un-godly hours of the morning.” He chuckled, and looked up at Nicholas, waiting for a response as he picked up the small, white walkie talkie.

[Nicholas Lorencio]

Nicholas sat quietly as the Italian Emperor described how he built the palace, and how he populated it with so many antiques and artifacts. Nicholas was surprised to hear that he had received many of the works of art from citizens of Italy. He figured the general populace of Italy adored the Italian ruler, for what reasons Nicholas was unsure. The Italian Emperor than apologized for the “un-impressive” surroundings due to him not having a wife. He then made a small statement regarding age and women, which Nicholas replied to, “I assure you this palace is impressive. However I do not myself have a wife at the moment. I was seeing someone for some time but I slowed it down once the revolution started. That’s not something you want to get married in the middle of.”

The Italian Emperor than glanced over in the corner that Nicholas was looking at, at the beaver. He then told Nicholas that the beaver would eventually come over to the table, something Nicholas wasn’t sure if he liked or didn’t like. Sure the thing was cute and cuddly, but teeth that could chew through wood wouldn’t have much trouble with human flesh. Nicholas figured if he was suddenly attacked by the beaver he could pin it down, hopefully, without much blood lose.

The Italian Emperor than inquired on what Nicholas wanted for lunch as he picked up a small walkie talkie, most likely to communicate with the kitchen, located somewhere in the huge building. Nicholas turned to face the Italian Emperor, thinking for a moment and then replying, “If you would, I would like one of the ethnic dishes of your nation. I would like to get a taste of Italian culture, and I’m not a very picky eater.” Nicholas smiled slightly; with his cooking you couldn’t be picky.

The Italian Emperor than made a comment on age and its unusual time schedule at its later stages. Nicholas laughed slightly before replying to the comment, “I know what you mean. My father used to drive me crazy, going to bed just as the sun was dipping below the horizon, and than waking up before it rose again, making a racket around the house. If I was lucky he would go to his office in the morning, but seldom did that happen.”

[Giovanni Facilli]

Giovanni nodded, listening to Nicholas as he spoke of his own father, while at the same time thinking of something that Nicholas would enjoy for lunch. As Nicholas finished, Giovanni finally decided something that Nicholas, a man of the Mediterranean, would probably enjoy. Giovanni himself had not had shrimp in some time, and it was one of his favorite lunches.

He pressed the button on the walkie-talkie, and stated, in Italian, “Chef Vito?”

“Yes Giovanni?” The voice almost instantly replied, in Italian also.

“I’d like two plates of Lemon Pasta with grilled shrimp, and a nice bottle of white wine for myself and my Esteemed guest. In addition, make sure to bring a pitcher of nice Ice Water, incase myself or my Guest get tired of alcohol.”

”Very well My Emperor! Your dinner will be ready very soon, you needn’t worry. At most, Thirty Minutes!”

Giovanni nodded, setting the Walkie-Talkie back down on the stone table, before resting his arms on the wooden arm-rests of the comfortable chair, letting his hands curve with it. He paused, taking a deep breath, before looking up at Nicholas, and saying “Well, I had my chefs prepare Lemon Pasta with Grilled Shrimp for our lunch, along with a fine White Wine, and Ice-Water, should we get tired of Alcohol. It might be a bad image if two powerful world leaders ended up getting drunk together.”

Giovanni chuckled slightly, before returning his attention to the matter at hand; Diplomacy with Spain. Spain was a new face in European Power. Recently, they’d had a civil war which had destroyed much of the nation, and put Fascism back into power, less than Forty Years since it had left after Franco’s death. Fascism seemed to be growing rapidly in Europe, First Italy, then parts of Germany under the New German King, and now Spain. These three nations were ripe for expansion.

“So, Mr. Nicholas, as we wait for our Lunch, I suppose we might as well get to being to talking about the whole reason we are meeting today, Diplomacy between our two nations.”

Giovanni paused, before continuing.

“I won’t lie, much of the Italian Military and Government were rooting for your cause as your revolution went by, and we were overjoyed when you and your forces won. We great hopes for your nation, but we also have great hopes for our own nation. I myself want to expand Italy’s Power, Italy’s Boarders, Italy’s Wealth, and Italy’s Influence ten fold. That means taking other nations over. That means War, and that means Allies in other nations who can assist you.”

He paused again, looking at Nicholas with a smile growing on his face as he said the word “Allies”. He stood up, and slowly walked over to his desk, and opened a drawer, pulling out a file full of papers, and setting it down on the desk, before pulling out a large map, which had been rolled up. He carried it over to the table, and rolled it out, using the Cognac Bottle and Cognac Glasses to hold it down as he said “This is the map of what my Military Advisors have told me, and advised me, that we need to become. This involves the Taking over of the Nations of Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, France, Belgium, England, Wales, Scotland, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Poland, Egypt, and even Tunisia.”

He paused, it was a mouthful, before continuing.

“I realize the important fact that this is a huge goal my Advisors and Generals wish to accomplish, and I acknowledge the fact that it will take allies, both in Europe and other nations. I know Spain, at the moment, is in need of all sorts of Military Vehicles and Weaponry. The Italian Industry in Arms Manufacturing is perhaps the largest in all of the earth, its one of our biggest industries now. I’d like to propose, an Alliance between our two nations. Your nation would be getting weapons and vehicles at about Cost price, and we would be getting a Fascistic Ally on the Boarder of a Powerful Nation which we need to conquer, France.”

“Ofcourse, I do not know of your aspirations for Spain, and I’m open to hearing them now.”

[Nicholas Lorencio]

Nicholas waited as the Italian Emperor began speaking into the walkie talkie, in Italian. Nicholas made a mental note to himself, he would have to learn the language, or at least learn a little bit of it. Soon the Emperor laid down the walkie talkie, and then began speaking to Nicholas. He informed Nicholas that they were going to eat Lemon Pasta with Shrimp. He also told Nicholas that white wine and some water would be brought to compliment the meal. He also added that two drunken leaders would look bad, hence the water and Nicholas agreed, laughing slightly to himself.

The Italian Emperor then stated that while they waited for the meal they would begin talking diplomacy, and Nicholas nodded his head. He waited patiently as the Emperor spoke, telling of how he and the Italian Empire were rooting for Fascism in the rebellion. Nicholas smiled; this would prove well in the diplomatic talks, and for the future of their nations. He then gave a brief speech on how he planned on expanding Italy, a common goal for both of them Nicholas thought, and hinted at them, Spain and Italy, becoming allies.

The Italian Emperor let the word allies hand in the air as he went to his desk and pulled out a large sheet of paper. The Emperor rolled it out and it became clear that it was a map. Nicholas stood up and glanced at the map, noting the numerous marks that dotted the paper. The Italian Emperor began speaking about the nations plans for expansion, and Nicholas almost chocked on his drink. This was an ambitious plan, but then was Spain’s any less? The Italian Emperor than spoke a few words about Spain’s situation, and how they would both profit from an alliance.

Once the man was done speaking Nicholas took a moment to assemble his thoughts, and then glanced at the Italian Emperor before addressing what he said. “Indeed your vision of an alliance between our two nations seems beneficial. Also you are right about our need for weapons and ammunition, and I can immediately accept your offer on that. As for what I have planned for Spain, I will say it is ambitious as well. We plan on expanding into Portugal, that I’m sure is not a surprise. We also have plans for Morocco and the Western Sahara in Africa. My vision also lies in the South Americas and Caribbean, and in Oceania. However there is one thing.” Nicholas pointed at the nation of France and glanced up at the Italian Emperor, “I will not lie, we have plans for France too.”