Senate Vote - Amendment to the Government Structure

[Nell du'Galle]

TS: 1st Imperos, Summer, XIII (pf)

The tenth building in the Senators Circle. It finishes the circle of buildings and acts as neutral ground. It is not like the others, once you get inside. Not like them at all.

In the Senators Circle, this building sat. Like the other nine around it, it was three stories and beautiful in its appearance. It sat, in the circle of buildings that was the Senators Circle. No building higher than the other, no building at the head of the area. Ten buildings in total, one for each province and the tenth. The tenth was where they met. Neutral ground. So the Senators Circle was complete.

This building, was the tenth building. The place where the Senators met when they needed to meet with each other. It was the place where all were welcome, and none save the Empress were above the others. The first and most obvious thing to be seen is the massive stained glass window. This marvellous piece of crafting is massive, spanning all three floors, casting light into the main entrance hall. The design on this window is something to behold, moreso perhaps than the other nine. This window has in its centre a nine-pointed star, and at each point of the star is a coat of arms. The coat of arms of the province that it represents. The sight is in itself amazing, and could easily hold the attention of the casual observer for some time.

As one walks down the path towards the Sentator's meeting place, one may perhaps be struck by what the view from above would be. Ten buildings, each one with its own path, which runs to and past the building. And in the centre, a marvellous fountain, encircled by seats. Such is the hub of the Senators Circle, from above resembling a wheel, with a meeting place in the centre.

The double doors are closed, unlike the other buildings. The guards here are nine in number, one from each Province, and they are meticulous in checking the person who is seeking entry. No weapons in here, unless you are working for one of the Senators or are the Empresses own guards. There is even more vigilance here than in some of the other buildings. Visa's are checked and security is high.

Assuming that one gains entry, the main entrance hallway is as breathtaking as the exterior. The massive stained glass window casts light into the enormous room, causing multi-coloured patterns to dance around the marble floor. Some short distance away from the doorway is a desk and behind the desk is a male human. He looks up with an interested expression, his demeanour friendly whilst remaining subserviant. Behind him is a massive drape, also with the nine pointed star on it. Either side of the desk are doors and stairways up, the stairways leading to the second and third floors. There are four doors to the left of the desk, and four to the right.

Of course, the Senators themselves know that the doors are theirs to use. A mere nod at the desk clerk will allow them access to the doors to his side. The first three doors to either side of the clerk lead to rooms, small enough that up to four or five people can meet and discuss in private those things that Senators discuss.

Behind the fourth door on either side, however, are the two entrances to the Main Hall. That is a massive structure with a large oak table. This table is oval in shape, and at its head is an oaken throne-like seat for the Empress herself. Around the table there are another 21 seats, 9 for Senators, 3 for Consul's, and 9 for Ministers.

Upstairs in this building is where the public go to those open meetings when all 22 are present. Up on the third floor is a massive viewing gallery, where the public can sit and watch the Conclave as they wish.

Serale says the human man carefully and politely, for surely you never know who is walking through your doors here how may I help you this brightening?

On the morning of the first brightening of Imperos, Nell arrived early, nodding at the man who greeted those entering the tenth senate building. “Should be getting started soon,” Nell said, and then made her way into the Main Hall to take her seat. She hoped for the session to be quick and simple, and having had not a single objection of amendment suggested at the committee, the signs looked good. There was nothing in particular that was controversial but she hoped it went some way to easing the tracks of the Government machine. Some of the amendments had already come into effect and were therefore included merely for formality’s sake – and really since the amendments proposed were done so with the backing of the Regent, who could over-ride the vote if it went contrary … but it was the spirit of the matter that counted, Nell thought. And really, if there were objections, it was likely there were good reasons behind them which merited discussion and consideration. There was, after all, no point in having a senate if they weren’t listened to.

She sat down, leafing through some papers, a neat figure in a grey suit with long skirts, the lace of her blouse spilling in pretty fashion over the lapels and her wrists to soften an otherwise austere choice of outfit. Idly wondering if the Senator for Enamoria would bring his lap dog with him, Nell leaned back in her chair and waited.


OOC: Mmm okay, we’re winging this slightly as Shortie is being harassed by RL, but am proposing the following format to avoid unnecessary handshaking etc.

First round of posting – to establish senator’s presence
Second round of posting to vote, after Nell reads out the amendments. This can be as brief as you like, in favour or against. But if you want to do a detailed post, don’t let me stop you.
Third round of posting – opening up to debate the bits folks object to, or passing the bill of amendments.

[Norin Beldwhig]

Senator Norin Beldwhig of Centripax had to cut his trip short. He had been travelling through Centripax from city to city to hear the voice of the people but found that his position as Speaker of Centripax was going to be much harder than he had expected. He would clearly have to go on yet another trip when he found time for it. Right now, he had been called to Alleria Prime.

The journey had been long, travelling with his elven bodyguards and a small squadron of dwarf Veldar Elites. They arrived to Alleria Prime at about mid brightening and he hurried to the Senators Circle, quickly finding the tenth building. He left his Veldar Elites to go and enjoy Alleria Prime while he was escorted by the two elven collantari. The two elves and the dwarf made their way to the closed doors with the guards in front of it. He hadn't had time to enjoy Alleria Prime and didn't have time to enjoy the beauty of the Senators Circle.

He came up to the closed double doors where nine guards stood, each from a province of the empire. He had left his weapons with the Veldar Elite and let the collantari take care of the guards. One of the elves made his way up with the three visas and made sure that the guards knew that the two elven bodyguards were armed in order to protect the senator. It took a while before the guards let them in. Norin didn't bother to familiarise himself with the procedures of his bodyguards, at least not yet, he was too stressed, too nervous.

Norin quickly made his way through the main entrance hallway with the two elves walking behind him. He didn't take in the beauty of the hallway just as he hadn't taken in the beauty of the entire construction. He seemed professional and as if he had been here before, although he would have been more than amazed if he had taken a moment to take in the awesomeness of the beauty around him. Norin walked up to the human behind the desk. The human quickly recognised Norin's clothing as a senator and the brooch clearly indicated that Norin was the Senator of Centripax. With the guards outside, it was clear that Norin wasn't an imposter and so the human just nodded and waved a hand at the door Norin was supposed to enter, a door that belonged to him, a door which was his to use. Norin beaconed to the two elven bodyguards to stay here instead of being present in the room itself.

As Norin entered he took in the room for the first time since his arrival to Alleria Prime. It was a massive structure with a large oak table in an oval shape. At its head was an oaken throne-like seat where Empress Nell du Galle sat, leafing through some papers. Norin nodded and bowed to her imperial excellency and took his seat, one of the nine senatorial seats.

OOC: Cool setup in the ooc you posted there

[Nell du'Galle]

She had waited long enough. That the senate, all save one, had decided to not turn up unfortunately confirmed a number of thoughts which had lingered in the back of her mind. Thoughts she'd tried to ignore in the hope that there were those in the Empire who actually wanted to see the Empire succeed, to give the people a voice, the Governors a say - but no. Nearly a candlemark had passed and with a sad smile at the lone senator, Nell shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, no point in hanging around here any longer," she said. "Thank you for coming, Senator. I'm only sorry that you've had a wasted journey. Perhaps you'd join me for a late rosyun and if there's anything you'd like to raise about the amendments, I can put your thoughts to the Regent before he decides if he's going to add his seal to this."

OOC: Just a finisher to round this thread up, I realise you're away from the game for now.