<span class="mu-i"> ''Well, perhaps you need an officer from the flying corps to offer the perspective of someone who does close air support.'' </span>
<span class="mu-i"> ''That would be a good alternative, but –'' </span> one begins.
<span class="mu-i"> ''There aren't any around to be seen.'' </span> The other finishes.
<span class="mu-i"> ''The two of you talk as if you are well known to each other.''
''We're second cousins. We know each other quite well, in spite of our different paths in life." </span>
You are about to reply when a loud commotion is heading your way. There had been some background noise of vehicles and footsteps, but you paid it little mind; indeed, you had no need to for it. Until now, that is.
Following the throng of electro-halberd-armed guardsmen comes an old man. Upon laying eyes upon him, you immediately know who he is; his portrait hangs in every classroom, the offices and everywhere else that has to do with the matter of state and government. His thick, iconic moustache bristles in the evening wind. And in his eyes is the ever-present grandfatherly glint that has made him the beloved leader of the nation.
His Majesty, the Emperor. Kaiser Franz III inherited the throne about six decades ago and has led the empire ever since then with diligence and wisdom. His reign wasn't marred with great heights or downs like some of his predecessors, preferring a more gradual policy of expansion. There have been no great conquests nor great losses in terms of territory, but what was there was a time of stability and general prosperity. There were some who would have preferred a more warlike emperor to sit on the throne, but most are content with the relatively peaceful era of Franz III.
He has, in turn, not paid any attention to you, nor has he moved away from the three of you, though he did acknowledge the salutes you gave him, as well as the bows made by the civilian partygoers. But that does beg the question: should you go and approach him?
>Of course, there wouldn't be anything wrong with that, after all.
>This is neither the time nor the place for me to do that.
