Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238 
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Oct 18, 2018 15:49:36 GMT -8
The Empress cracks a wry smile but doesn’t laugh at what was ostensibly a joke on Iulia’s part.
“I think I got a very good sense of what sort of man Konrad is. If I were in his position, I would be disappointed that the turnout was so small. He would have benefited much from making alliances with states similar in size to his own; as it stands, he’s more or less at my mercy.”
“I regret not having the opportunity to speak much with the other guests,” Naoki continues, looking out the window with a contemplative expression. “I’m considering the idea of hosting a feast myself for that purpose.”
“It’ll remain to be seen how things play out from here. What do you think of ‘Warren,’ in what manner do you think that would be best be handled?”
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Iulia Iotapa
Committed
Roleplay posts: 75
Age: 31
Physical Description: Iulia is a shorter woman of a trim and very fit build. She has medium-length brown hair, practically styled out of the way in a tight braid. Appearance-wise, Iulia is on the plain side of average.
=========================
Clothes and Equipment: Iulia is never seen without a hat or other head covering of some sort. These tend towards practical and are extremely modest in style. Her usual headgear wardrobe rotates between a maroon beret with a small star insignia, or a black Breton cap. Iulia’s Isran Guard uniform consists of a standard tunic, jacket, crossbelt, and boots, but has a long skirt in place of the regular trousers. When not in uniform, Iulia tends towards long, dark-colored, and well fitted dresses.
As jewelry and other pieces of finery tend to get in the way of the more physical aspects of her work, Iulia tends to go without accessories of any sort when working. Her hands, well worn and scarred from boxing, are covered by gloves whenever appropriate. She possess a weighty and intricate pocket watch, a gift from her father.
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Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : as needed
Registered: Jun 28, 2018 8:07:17 GMT -8
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Post by Iulia Iotapa on Oct 23, 2018 1:29:00 GMT -8
“Well, in my mind Warren is just another student in the Foreign Service. He will learn and work as all the others do. His royal status isn’t going to get him anything in Isra, especially not with him traveling under a pseudonym. If he can get past that, Warren could learn a lot.”
“Ideally, we get Warren’s views in line with our own, ship him back to Audria, and when he inherits the throne from Konrad, his familiarity and fondness for Isra will have him willing to work with us. If he doesn’t want to work for us outright.”
“I think we lean in to softly manipulating Warren through his teachings. He shouldn’t be a puppet for Isran propaganda when he leaves, but he should be able to sell Audria on the Isran methods. Get rid of that pesky monarchy his father declared, set up a more modern government. I’ve never been keen on having one person on top directing the lives of those deemed ‘lower’ than them. It’s not natural.”
Iulia stops speaking and locks eyes with Naoki.
“Uh, present company excluded, of course.”
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Oct 23, 2018 12:34:26 GMT -8
In response to Iulia’s thoughts about Warren, The Empress nods. Her first thoughts were in the short term, in how Warren is now an excellent captive and how that grants her still more leverage over Konrad, but Iulia is right. That conditioning will need to be done by those working with him, and she makes a mental note to express that end goal to them in their instructions.
In response to Iulia’s last comment, Naoki is quiet for a moment, then chuckles very much to herself.
“While we’re on the topic,” she begins, setting her teacup aside, “let me ask this. What makes you think that I harbor a ‘deep vengeful streak’ toward my enemies?”
Naoki purposely waits for Iulia to begin speaking before interrupting her. “No — better question: what makes you think that was an appropriate thing to say in the context that you said it?”
The Empress crosses her arms over her chest and gives Iulia a very level look. It’s clear that she isn’t pleased.
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Iulia Iotapa
Committed
Roleplay posts: 75
Age: 31
Physical Description: Iulia is a shorter woman of a trim and very fit build. She has medium-length brown hair, practically styled out of the way in a tight braid. Appearance-wise, Iulia is on the plain side of average.
=========================
Clothes and Equipment: Iulia is never seen without a hat or other head covering of some sort. These tend towards practical and are extremely modest in style. Her usual headgear wardrobe rotates between a maroon beret with a small star insignia, or a black Breton cap. Iulia’s Isran Guard uniform consists of a standard tunic, jacket, crossbelt, and boots, but has a long skirt in place of the regular trousers. When not in uniform, Iulia tends towards long, dark-colored, and well fitted dresses.
As jewelry and other pieces of finery tend to get in the way of the more physical aspects of her work, Iulia tends to go without accessories of any sort when working. Her hands, well worn and scarred from boxing, are covered by gloves whenever appropriate. She possess a weighty and intricate pocket watch, a gift from her father.
=========================
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : as needed
Registered: Jun 28, 2018 8:07:17 GMT -8
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Post by Iulia Iotapa on Oct 24, 2018 0:30:19 GMT -8
Iulia starts to speak, getting a few syllables out before Naoki throws another question at the diplomat. A careful, measured tone meets Naoki’s displeasure.
“Because it was funny. Because I was asked a question I didn’t know how to answer. Because the cider was getting to my head. Because I was trying to defect to Taingaard. I could go on and on giving you half-baked excuses and lies for why I said what I said, but I stand by it. You bringing me here to stumble and try to cover for my words is exactly what someone with a ‘vengeful streak’ would do. The power dynamic in this carriage is astoundingly heaped in your favor. I’m sure that fact isn’t lost on you, Empress.”
“Haldar and Taingaard are unknowns. They appear militaristic and, to me, seemed to prize dull wit, rich food, and strength over much else. Of course I would talk about your might in that context.”
Iulia pauses a half second, trying to emulate Naoki’s own ploy of interruption. It does not work.
“What you have done for Isra, politically, economically, militarily, personally, all of that gets us to where we are as a country today. But it isn’t a clean happy story. I can’t paint a picture of some idyllic divine empress come from the heavens, because that isn’t true. That story wouldn't be useful. I could cite specific examples of your vengeance, if you’d like. Goaria comes to mind.”
The diplomat, now certain that she will have to give up that title, removes her glasses and cleans them with a small square of fabric. Her hands pass over the lenses as her eyes pass over the Empress’s face.
“What I said is fact. That alone doesn’t make it good or bad. I hope it doesn’t need to be said, but I respect you, Naoki. You have made incredibly difficult decisions almost totally on your own. How others see you obviously doesn’t trouble you much, when it comes down to it. You are self assured and confident. What I said matters little. Your own duel of wits with Konrad is what the world will focus on, not what some two bit ambassador had to say.”
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Oct 25, 2018 10:55:23 GMT -8
Again, The Empress chuckles to herself, discarding her mask of irritation. “I didn’t say you were wrong.”
“There wasn’t a right answer to that question. I’m not overly upset, nothing is going to happen to you, and yes, I’m not terribly concerned with what the Taingaardians think of me. They’re half a world away, and if they base their foreign policy entirely on aide’s offhand comment, that’s their mistake.” She waves a hand dismissively.
“You, however,” she continues, using the same hand to gesture at Iulia. “You have far too much moxie for the position you’re in.”
She lets this comment hang, to see how Iulia responds.
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Iulia Iotapa
Committed
Roleplay posts: 75
Age: 31
Physical Description: Iulia is a shorter woman of a trim and very fit build. She has medium-length brown hair, practically styled out of the way in a tight braid. Appearance-wise, Iulia is on the plain side of average.
=========================
Clothes and Equipment: Iulia is never seen without a hat or other head covering of some sort. These tend towards practical and are extremely modest in style. Her usual headgear wardrobe rotates between a maroon beret with a small star insignia, or a black Breton cap. Iulia’s Isran Guard uniform consists of a standard tunic, jacket, crossbelt, and boots, but has a long skirt in place of the regular trousers. When not in uniform, Iulia tends towards long, dark-colored, and well fitted dresses.
As jewelry and other pieces of finery tend to get in the way of the more physical aspects of her work, Iulia tends to go without accessories of any sort when working. Her hands, well worn and scarred from boxing, are covered by gloves whenever appropriate. She possess a weighty and intricate pocket watch, a gift from her father.
=========================
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : as needed
Registered: Jun 28, 2018 8:07:17 GMT -8
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Post by Iulia Iotapa on Oct 26, 2018 9:41:03 GMT -8
"Moxie."
Iulia deadpans the word, staring at Naoki with a contorted expression of anger and confusion rolled into one.
The sudden glibness of the Empress was infuriating. Iulia had geared herself for a knock down, drag out argument. To have Naoki switch tracks like that... Did she even switch tracks? This whole meeting had been a ruse, hadn't it? The shorter woman's face flushed at having been duped into speaking as freely as she had.
"At least let me submit a formal letter of resignation when we return to Isra so it looks like I'm leaving of my own decision. I'd hate to have people thinking you personally fired me."
The left lens of Iulia's spectacles is cracked, her grip having crushed the polish crystal.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Oct 30, 2018 9:09:10 GMT -8
“Nono, you misunderstand.” Waving her hands, The Empress attempts to assuage Iulia. “If you’d like to stay with the Diplomatic Corps, that’s fine; I’m not firing you, that’s not what I meant.”
“However, I wouldn’t like you to represent Isra to the world. You said it yourself; it’s not your element. You know that there’s plenty to be done that doesn’t involve interfacing directly with foreign nations, and it would be those jobs you would be doing.”
“But there’s also a lot of other jobs to which you may be more suited. Because if you talk to me like that, how do you talk to those you have power over? That’s a rhetorical question, but I think you might do well in a position that empowers you. Are you aware of how The Guard is being restructured?”
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Iulia Iotapa
Committed
Roleplay posts: 75
Age: 31
Physical Description: Iulia is a shorter woman of a trim and very fit build. She has medium-length brown hair, practically styled out of the way in a tight braid. Appearance-wise, Iulia is on the plain side of average.
=========================
Clothes and Equipment: Iulia is never seen without a hat or other head covering of some sort. These tend towards practical and are extremely modest in style. Her usual headgear wardrobe rotates between a maroon beret with a small star insignia, or a black Breton cap. Iulia’s Isran Guard uniform consists of a standard tunic, jacket, crossbelt, and boots, but has a long skirt in place of the regular trousers. When not in uniform, Iulia tends towards long, dark-colored, and well fitted dresses.
As jewelry and other pieces of finery tend to get in the way of the more physical aspects of her work, Iulia tends to go without accessories of any sort when working. Her hands, well worn and scarred from boxing, are covered by gloves whenever appropriate. She possess a weighty and intricate pocket watch, a gift from her father.
=========================
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : as needed
Registered: Jun 28, 2018 8:07:17 GMT -8
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Post by Iulia Iotapa on Oct 30, 2018 10:05:17 GMT -8
The burning of her cheeks passes a bit. Iulia notices that she has crushed her glasses and wordlessly wraps them in her small cleaning cloth before returning them to a vest pocket. She notice a small cut on the palm of her hand from one of the sharp crystal shards, but chooses to ignore it, instead squeezing her hand shut.
“Yes. I’m familiar with the restructuring plans. I have a few friends who will be working for the proposed Office of Gatekeeping and Control.”
Border policies and enforcement had been an early aspect of Iulia’s time with the Foreign Service. She had helped push for the various guard posts across Isra to have a standard template for the passes assigned to temporary visitors in the Empire.
“I wouldn’t want to work there, however. Something more hands on, where I can work on my own with limited direct supervision. Somewhere with a direct impact in Isra, where I can see that I’m helping people.”
That would be for the best. Now that she had started thinking about it, leaving the Foreign Service for something that did not require hours at a desk or in stuffy conference rooms sounded quite nice.
“I think I’d like to work for the Office of Investigations. I have a strong working knowledge of the law. I might not know how to navigate a fancy dinner conversation, but I could deal with suspects and witnesses just fine.”
Iulia stops herself, wary of saying too much and giving the Empress another thing to latch on to. Less is more. Iulia made a mental promise to herself to be a bit more on guard, a bit more reserved.
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Empress Naoki
Famous
Roleplay posts: 2,238
Physical Description: =========================
Empress Naoki is a curvaceous woman of average height, indeterminate age, and catlike features. Her hair is a dark auburn, often pulled back into a long braid. Her ears are both soft and fluffy, and her tail is never less than perfectly groomed. Amber eyes glisten in the shadows cast by her hair.
Clothes and Equipment: =========================
Naoki's wardrobe is to her as a frame is to a painting. Sometimes embellished with detail to be attractive in its own right, but never the focus. Usually simple but elegant, tightly fitting and highly revealing, used only to frame the beauty within.
Additionally, Naoki is, when clothed, often adorned with a small collection of accessories. She wears an earring, a brilliant cut amethyst, in her right ear. The silver signet ring of Isra is worn on her left pinky, marking her as High Lady of Isra. Directly adjacent, she wears the golden signet ring of The Isran Empire as its Empress. On the inside of her left thigh, there is a tattoo depicting a rose entwined with tentacles.
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : Excessively often. Timezone: ET (-5)
Registered: Sept 12, 2015 13:02:17 GMT -8
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Post by Empress Naoki on Oct 31, 2018 13:19:48 GMT -8
“Would you? Well. … There you are, then.”
For a few moments, there’s silence in the carriage as The Empress sips her tea. It isn’t difficult to tell Iulia is uncomfortable.
“I apologize if that came off as less respectful than I intended. Would you like me to do anything to facilitate you?”
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Iulia Iotapa
Committed
Roleplay posts: 75
Age: 31
Physical Description: Iulia is a shorter woman of a trim and very fit build. She has medium-length brown hair, practically styled out of the way in a tight braid. Appearance-wise, Iulia is on the plain side of average.
=========================
Clothes and Equipment: Iulia is never seen without a hat or other head covering of some sort. These tend towards practical and are extremely modest in style. Her usual headgear wardrobe rotates between a maroon beret with a small star insignia, or a black Breton cap. Iulia’s Isran Guard uniform consists of a standard tunic, jacket, crossbelt, and boots, but has a long skirt in place of the regular trousers. When not in uniform, Iulia tends towards long, dark-colored, and well fitted dresses.
As jewelry and other pieces of finery tend to get in the way of the more physical aspects of her work, Iulia tends to go without accessories of any sort when working. Her hands, well worn and scarred from boxing, are covered by gloves whenever appropriate. She possess a weighty and intricate pocket watch, a gift from her father.
=========================
Allegiances: The Isran Empire
Player's online availability : as needed
Registered: Jun 28, 2018 8:07:17 GMT -8
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Post by Iulia Iotapa on Nov 18, 2018 8:25:23 GMT -8
Respectful.
Iulia gave a small laugh and tucked a few loose strands of hair back underneath her cap. The Empress was so... what was the word? So sure of herself. Almost cavalier. But that wasn't the correct word either.
Trying to describe Naoki in one particular way opened up three ways your words couldn't do her justice. Iulia couldn't form a true picture of Naoki, aside from the obvious.
"Well, if it isn't too much to ask, I would like a letter of introduction to The Guard. Nothing fancy, I don't want you building me up to be something I'm not. Simply having your name on it would probably be enough."
Iulia takes out a tiny knife and cuts away at the stitches attaching the patch of the Foreign Service to the left shoulder of her greatcoat. Two quick movements set the patch free. Former Ambassador to Foreign Peoples, Tribes, and Races, Iulia Iotapa, holds the patch out for Naoki to take.
"This is a bit dramatic, but consider this my resignation. And my thank you."
A few beats pass.
"If there is nothing else, I'd like to go back to my tent and turn in for the night. Long day of travel ahead of us tomorrow, eh?"
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