azwraith,
Pre-Summit Events
It was a chilly afternoon, with the weather and all. The people on the streets were scurrying from one street to another, eager to be over with the day’s activities. One such person stops, however, as something from the nearby electronics shop catches his eye. He stands in front of the window, watching as the various TV screens put on display broadcast the same thing.
“Today is an important day,” says a loud, cheerful voice, coming from the screens. “The two conflicting nations, Natione and Natiotwo, have finally decided to attend the Association of States Summit to try and mend the ever-growing rift between them.”
At these words, a trickle of people formed around him, curious to see what they meant.
“Mediated by the New Republic of Slavic, Iberian, European, and North Mediterranean Nations (or the NRSIENMN for short),” continues the voice, “and with the assistance of the representatives of the other attending countries, it is with great hope coming from both Natione and Natiotwo’s people that peace between the two countries can be finally be achieved. I am your host, Richard Mane, and this is the Communication Universal Network Triumvirate, live at the Association of States Summit!”
For the growing crowd watching, a single thought passed their minds: “Took them long enough”.
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Natione and Natiotwo, for all of their bickering and antagonism towards each other, are very, very similar countries. From their towering architecture, to their fashion statements, to their aggressive performances of music – heck, even their flags are similar, with one being an upside-down version of the other – one might think that they are the same country.
Truth be told, however, they both used to be the same country, ruled by twin brothers who were never liked by the people they ruled over. Each brother never liked the other: in public, they always bickered and argued, while in secret, they orchestrated numerous botched assassinations towards their counterpart.
Ironically enough, it wasn’t because of their bickering did the nation split apart, nor was it because of the various assassination attempts. It was because one of them spilled his drink on the other. It was never clear on who spilled on whom, but with this final straw, Natione and Natiotwo were born.
Now, four hundred and twenty years later, both nations have finally decided to make peace, and become one country once more. Except that, well, it still isn’t going smoothly.
Peace Talks with a Ticking Time Bomb
Richard Mane can be heard saying, “Now, the NRSIENMN would like to ask you both that, should you reunite as one nation, which one of you should be the unifier, and why would you deserve to be the unifier?”
The leader of Natione quickly stands up, signaling a person near the back of the room. In response, the screen behind him lights up, showing a presentation on the various aspects of the culture of Natione, and why it is better than Natiotwo. From the architecture, the language, the military – “Every part, every aspect of our culture is what makes us better than them,” he concludes.
“What a ripoff!” yelled the leader of Natiotwo. “Since when were you lot the superior country? All that you people are is a bunch of copycats!”
“Excuse me?” replied the leader of Natione, “Us, copycats? Tell me, then. Who was it that developed everything that your people has? Who was it that actually tried to put the two nations back together? Oh, that’s right – us.”
“Oh, please. It was your people who wanted to stay separated in the first place!” exclaimed the leader of Natiotwo. “It was your people that led to the destruction of BOTH of our capital cities!”
“Whose idea was it to have his country’s capital right next ours, anyways?”
“Ha! Your ancestor thought that it was a great idea to cut the old city in half, one for each country, in case you didn’t remember!”
While the two leaders bickered, Richard Mane’s attention has been taken by the leader of the NRSIENMN. Shortly after, he addresses the unseen audience.
“Well, folks,” drawls Richard Mane, “It looks like NRSIENMN has decided to break it up. What do you say, sir? Do you think that this meeting can still be salvaged?”
“I say . . . ENOUGH!”
Both nation leaders immediately cease arguing and glance at him, one in incredulousness, the other in anger.
The Late Trigger Warning
“Hold on, what makes you think – “ the leader of Natiotwo tries to say, but is quickly interrupted by the leader of NRSIENMN.
“Absolutely barbaric,” he says, seething with barely controlled anger, “We came here to try and mend the peace between your countries, and instead of actually helping, you try to prove yourselves the better one while squabbling like children. And to think that either of you wants to rule over the other? Preposterous. No wonder your countries are in shambles.”
And with that remark, the Summit ends in an uproar, and the screens switch to another program, while the disappointed audience trudges back home.
An Ironic Reunification
Several weeks later, however . . .
Richard Mane then appears onscreen, looking slightly disheveled as he delivers the evening news.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have some breaking news coming from the newly-formed alliance between Natione and Natiotwo. You heard me right folks, they have done the formerly unimaginable: they have decided to make peace with each other. However, don’t be overjoyed just yet, as they decided to unite to declare war against the world. Following the events of the Association of States Summit, both country leaders have taken offense at NRSIENMN’s scathing remarks towards them, stating that ‘That’s what you expect from an imperialist state’ and that ‘It all starts with an insult. When they come, we will be ready’. Since then, both countries seem to be preparing for war. Stay safe out there, ladies and gentlemen. This is Richard Mane, reporting for Communication Universal Network Triumvirate!”
However, it turns out that all of their preparation was all for naught. Despite waiting day in and day out for any would-be invaders, the united forces of both Natione and Natiotwo never had to bother with anyone trying to get in, except for a few oblivious tourists. As it turned out, the international community plainly ignored their threats of war, as the news that two nations at each others’ throats were allied with each other seems to have shaken the world more than the prospect of war.
Even more weeks later . . .
“I’m telling you, if it weren’t for the scathing remarks of NRSIENMN, we wouldn’t be making peace right now!” said the leader of Natiotwo.
The leaders of both Natione and Natiotwo, along with various members of their respective cabinets, have decided to create a formal peace treaty in Switzerland, the cradle of neutrality. Following this, they decided to reunify as one nation yet again, ruling alongside each other as the country was formerly ruled four hundred and twenty years ago.
According to them, the statement that NRSIENMN said about their countries struck them as the reason why nothing good ever happens to their country.
“He was right, of course,” the leader of Natione was heard to say, “Our ancestors’ petty squabbles were what lead to our countries being at constant conflict with each other. So now, we have decided to mend the country back in to one whole nation.”
Only time will tell, however, on what the future holds for their newly reformed country. For now, let the future begin.
Literary: Disparate Countries
Pre-Summit Events
It was a chilly afternoon, with the weather and all. The people on the streets were scurrying from one street to another, eager to be over with the day’s activities. One such person stops, however, as something from the nearby electronics shop catches his eye. He stands in front of the window, watching as the various TV screens put on display broadcast the same thing.
“Today is an important day,” says a loud, cheerful voice, coming from the screens. “The two conflicting nations, Natione and Natiotwo, have finally decided to attend the Association of States Summit to try and mend the ever-growing rift between them.”
At these words, a trickle of people formed around him, curious to see what they meant.
“Mediated by the New Republic of Slavic, Iberian, European, and North Mediterranean Nations (or the NRSIENMN for short),” continues the voice, “and with the assistance of the representatives of the other attending countries, it is with great hope coming from both Natione and Natiotwo’s people that peace between the two countries can be finally be achieved. I am your host, Richard Mane, and this is the Communication Universal Network Triumvirate, live at the Association of States Summit!”
For the growing crowd watching, a single thought passed their minds: “Took them long enough”.
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Natione and Natiotwo, for all of their bickering and antagonism towards each other, are very, very similar countries. From their towering architecture, to their fashion statements, to their aggressive performances of music – heck, even their flags are similar, with one being an upside-down version of the other – one might think that they are the same country.
Truth be told, however, they both used to be the same country, ruled by twin brothers who were never liked by the people they ruled over. Each brother never liked the other: in public, they always bickered and argued, while in secret, they orchestrated numerous botched assassinations towards their counterpart.
Ironically enough, it wasn’t because of their bickering did the nation split apart, nor was it because of the various assassination attempts. It was because one of them spilled his drink on the other. It was never clear on who spilled on whom, but with this final straw, Natione and Natiotwo were born.
Now, four hundred and twenty years later, both nations have finally decided to make peace, and become one country once more. Except that, well, it still isn’t going smoothly.
Peace Talks with a Ticking Time Bomb
Richard Mane can be heard saying, “Now, the NRSIENMN would like to ask you both that, should you reunite as one nation, which one of you should be the unifier, and why would you deserve to be the unifier?”
The leader of Natione quickly stands up, signaling a person near the back of the room. In response, the screen behind him lights up, showing a presentation on the various aspects of the culture of Natione, and why it is better than Natiotwo. From the architecture, the language, the military – “Every part, every aspect of our culture is what makes us better than them,” he concludes.
“What a ripoff!” yelled the leader of Natiotwo. “Since when were you lot the superior country? All that you people are is a bunch of copycats!”
“Excuse me?” replied the leader of Natione, “Us, copycats? Tell me, then. Who was it that developed everything that your people has? Who was it that actually tried to put the two nations back together? Oh, that’s right – us.”
“Oh, please. It was your people who wanted to stay separated in the first place!” exclaimed the leader of Natiotwo. “It was your people that led to the destruction of BOTH of our capital cities!”
“Whose idea was it to have his country’s capital right next ours, anyways?”
“Ha! Your ancestor thought that it was a great idea to cut the old city in half, one for each country, in case you didn’t remember!”
While the two leaders bickered, Richard Mane’s attention has been taken by the leader of the NRSIENMN. Shortly after, he addresses the unseen audience.
“Well, folks,” drawls Richard Mane, “It looks like NRSIENMN has decided to break it up. What do you say, sir? Do you think that this meeting can still be salvaged?”
“I say . . . ENOUGH!”
Both nation leaders immediately cease arguing and glance at him, one in incredulousness, the other in anger.
The Late Trigger Warning
“Hold on, what makes you think – “ the leader of Natiotwo tries to say, but is quickly interrupted by the leader of NRSIENMN.
“Absolutely barbaric,” he says, seething with barely controlled anger, “We came here to try and mend the peace between your countries, and instead of actually helping, you try to prove yourselves the better one while squabbling like children. And to think that either of you wants to rule over the other? Preposterous. No wonder your countries are in shambles.”
And with that remark, the Summit ends in an uproar, and the screens switch to another program, while the disappointed audience trudges back home.
An Ironic Reunification
Several weeks later, however . . .
Richard Mane then appears onscreen, looking slightly disheveled as he delivers the evening news.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have some breaking news coming from the newly-formed alliance between Natione and Natiotwo. You heard me right folks, they have done the formerly unimaginable: they have decided to make peace with each other. However, don’t be overjoyed just yet, as they decided to unite to declare war against the world. Following the events of the Association of States Summit, both country leaders have taken offense at NRSIENMN’s scathing remarks towards them, stating that ‘That’s what you expect from an imperialist state’ and that ‘It all starts with an insult. When they come, we will be ready’. Since then, both countries seem to be preparing for war. Stay safe out there, ladies and gentlemen. This is Richard Mane, reporting for Communication Universal Network Triumvirate!”
However, it turns out that all of their preparation was all for naught. Despite waiting day in and day out for any would-be invaders, the united forces of both Natione and Natiotwo never had to bother with anyone trying to get in, except for a few oblivious tourists. As it turned out, the international community plainly ignored their threats of war, as the news that two nations at each others’ throats were allied with each other seems to have shaken the world more than the prospect of war.
Even more weeks later . . .
“I’m telling you, if it weren’t for the scathing remarks of NRSIENMN, we wouldn’t be making peace right now!” said the leader of Natiotwo.
The leaders of both Natione and Natiotwo, along with various members of their respective cabinets, have decided to create a formal peace treaty in Switzerland, the cradle of neutrality. Following this, they decided to reunify as one nation yet again, ruling alongside each other as the country was formerly ruled four hundred and twenty years ago.
According to them, the statement that NRSIENMN said about their countries struck them as the reason why nothing good ever happens to their country.
“He was right, of course,” the leader of Natione was heard to say, “Our ancestors’ petty squabbles were what lead to our countries being at constant conflict with each other. So now, we have decided to mend the country back in to one whole nation.”
Only time will tell, however, on what the future holds for their newly reformed country. For now, let the future begin.
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