Bar at the Funduq Jarand
November 10 at 7PM
A small group entered the bar, one reading something on his phone and the rest looking around at the tables. They all seemed to be somehow torn between looking for whoever it was they were supposed to meet and simply admiring the elegant setup of the bar. A few seconds after, someone at the far end of the bar stood and waved at them, to which the group nodded and started walking. They reached the woman who had waved at them and noticed she was wearing an intricate set of robes, what they identified as Alssahran business attire. She was accompanied by two other officials, a man and a woman, both wearing similar robes. They all greeted each other, shaking hands and bowing, the latter in traditional Alssahran fashion, and exchanged pleasantries, before taking their seats around the table.
They all took out their phones or small notebooks, and started discussing the reason for their meeting, the incoming group first. Had they received the full schedule? How would the motorcade be arranged? Could their own security officials be accommodated? Would the seventh floor be closed to the general public? They discussed all that and more, going over every small detail of the visit. Their hosts also had questions, particularly regarding any updates to the schedule and whether they had any special requests. There were some changes, mainly about the visit to the former occupied area, but the schedule was for the most part the same. They ordered some fruit juices, passing on any food for the moment, and they continued talking.
It took them about two hours and lots of notetaking, but eventually they finished their meeting. Things were mostly ready, the only outstanding issues being the security inspections to the seventh floor and to the specific places in the former occupied area to be visited. That would be done in the coming days, and then everything would be ready. There were five days before the arrival of the First Councillor of Sartoria.
Alghana Al'ard Air Force Base
November 15 at 7:40PM
A plane landed and taxied along the runway of Alghana Al'ard Air Force Base, the reddish tones in the darkening sky causing it to cast long shadows. It finally stopped next to a red carpet, an airstair soon approaching the front entrance. A few minutes passed, until the door opened and a serious of officials stepped out and started walking down the stairs, until finally a man with black hair, not excessively tall or otherwise exceptional-looking, stepped out through and walked down the stairs too. While not the most impressive man when first seen, Marco Valerio was widely known as one of the most intelligent politicians in his country, a very well learned man and an official particularly well positioned to effectively set and execute foreign policy. He did not think of himself that way, and often made a point to downplay the skills that others attributed to him, but his reputation resisted those attempts at being diminished.
He reached the ground, where both his officials and the receiving officials were waiting for him, he approached the woman closest to him and respectfully bowed.
"Madam First Councillor" He said to Amal Reem El-Ghazzawy. "It is such a pleasure to see you again."