Light and Dark: Part 2

[Luna]

Luna Angelis was dolled-up. Her brunette hair which normally flowed freely down her back was delicately styled in a way that made her look more like 25 than 18. Even though they could make her appear older by changing her hair and added some more makeup, her petite figure gave away her true identity. It didn't matter now, though. She was now in this position which she didn't ask for or want. The gravity of the situation, however, was lost on her because of what she had went through the night before. She was still traumatized from it. The chanting, the masks, the loud music, the things that they did to her. She closed her eyes and thanked God, because as scary and humiliating as it was, it could have been worse. They could have raped me, she thought. They could have killed me. What Luna had went through was so outrageous and so unbelievable that there was no way she could somehow report it. She wouldn't be the last victim, nor was the first of it.

"Your Excellency, are you ready?" someone asked behind her. Luna nearly fell out of the comfortable seat next to her bed from fright. She stood up and turned around to see a young man from the government standing in her door way. "Why don't people knock here?" she said frustratingly.
The young man frowned and and put his hands up, "I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," he said as he briefly looked over one of, if not the youngest person ever elected to be a Captain Regent of San Marino. Luna was wearing a light blue and white dress that matched the colors of her country, as well as a small tiara that had been in her family for nearly a thousand years (granted, with many repairs). She folded her arms as the representative from the Foreign Ministry nodded in approval at how she looked, but refrained from making his mind known - it was clear that one of his new leaders was in some kind of mood.

"I just want to get this over with... I'm not feeling very well. Do you think we could maybe shorten this speech?" she asked, tilted her head to the side as she questioned the assistant minister.
"You can do whatever you like, Your Excellency," he said in a deliberately simple way. "But if you wish to uphold your responsibility to the people, and if you wish to please those you made promises to last night..." he said, a bit more quietly, "maybe you should give it the old college try..." Luna looked up because she intended on giving him some kind of glare, but he was gone. For fifteen minutes she contemplated the words from the representative of the government as she finished getting ready. Before she left the confines of the powder-room, she carefully adjusted her dress so that she wasn't showing too much cleavage, even though no one would be looking down at her.

She stepped out onto the second story balcony of the Palazzo Pubblico on a cool Autumn evening. Dozens of Sammarinese were standing below and cheering. Behind them were handful of cameras and reporters, all of which were Sammarinese - it seemed that today, no one in the world, not even the Italians cared what happened in the Serene Republic. But for the people of San Marino, that was okay. For some of them, that was how they liked it.

Luna put on a happy face and tried to forget the past 24 hours. Instead, she tried to act more natural self. She had many faults and weaknesses, but she loved speaking to groups of people even though she was so shy with individuals.
"Ciao San Marino!" she shouted.
"Ciao!" many from the crowd shouted back. The microphones from the the media crews easily picked her up as her speech continued.

"It is only my second official day as a Captain Regent, and I already feel the weight of responsibility that comes to taking care of our country. I'm grateful that our government supports what is best for San Marino - I'm grateful that our government supports our wonderful culture, our history, our sacred traditions, and especially our ancient constitution. I feel so blessed to be the first person elected as Captain Regent since the changes to the constitution. While this was not a position I requested or advocated for, I am humbled and honored to be here, among you and for you, while our country works to better itself. The Sammarinese often feel ignored... It is my greatest hope that I can help remind the world that we are here, that we have ideas too, that our voice matters! We have so much to offer to the world, and soon they will hear from us, from all of you!," she said as she smiled down to the crowd, and in the general direction of the cameras. The wind started to pick up her hair, which made her look like some kind of Venus-like figure standing there in the wind.

The country basked in the glow of their new, youthful Captain Regent. The other co-leader however, was nowhere to be found at the moment.

 

[Joe]

Archbishop Cong Ngu and Attorney General Vinh Dangtran stood off to the side in the low-ranking dignitaries section. Archbishop Ngu, proficient in Italian, was translating in Vietnamese to the Attorney General, whispering discretely in his ear. Attorney General Dangtran nodded along, absorbing every word. He was noted to be an excellent listener, unlike many of the Saigonese that President Ngo used to fill up his cabinet. The two were the Vietnamese Delegation to the Coronation of the Captain Regent.

And one of the few dignitaries in attendance apparently.

There was constant curiosity why out of all the dignitaries President Ngo could have sent, they sent the young Attorney General of the Department of Justice. Attorney General Dangtran was an old school friend from President Ngo's college days in America. He was his most trusted adviser and closest friend, although inexperienced and incredibly young. When President Ngo succeeded into the office, he called an old favor, bringing a reluctant Vietnamese-American into the fold. Under the guise of attending the Grand Prix, Dangtran was sent over to pay his respects to the Captain Regent of San Marino as well as the First Citizen of the Roman Empire, Amadeus Adesso.

Dangtran peered at his watch, squinting his eyes at the battered plastic. "Excellent speech," He noted. "She speaks well."

"Somewhere to be, Vinh?" Archbishop Ngu asked, eyeing him.

"You and I both know that the Grand Prix is happening soon, Father... I would personally like to watch it."

"And neglect the Captain-Regent's big day? My son," Archbishop Ngu said, clapping him on the arm. "Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for-.."

"But that you may be rewarded fully," Dangtran made a face. "John 1:8. Yes, I know."

"Must you be so impatient?" Archbishop Ngu's eyes twinkled. The elderly statesman had constantly made his appreciation for Dangtran known. He was one of his most vocal supporters in a divided Cabinet, and one of the few Catholics that the President had brought into his inner circle. He was a mentor to the young buck, guiding him and teaching him the cut throat world of Vietnamese politics. Archbishop saw something else in the young lad when he first laid eyes upon him during a confirmation hearing: a fire in his eyes and an idealistic, good heart. A quality that was missing from the past. "It could be worse. You could have been forced to pay respects to an ugly cow."

"She is very pretty," Dangtran noted, speaking loudly over the roar of the crowd. "Will she and the First Citizen be at the race, do you think?"

"I presume so," Archbishop Ngu noted, guiding the Attorney General away from the dignataries to head to the car. "Come, let's go watch the race. Perhaps she will be in attendance and you'll be able to meet with her then."

 

[Luna]

The small Vietnamese delegation was welcomed warmly into San Marino, but they would draw a lot of looks as probably being some of the only Asian people in the country at that time. Indeed, many young Sammarinese had never even seen an Asian person, which was made obvious by their curious stares. Soldiers in colorful uniforms, who were one of the major tourist draws in the area, were marching around with their swords and muskets. Shortly after the remarks of the Captain Regent, and after the crowd began to disperse, one of the ornately-dressed soldiers approached the Vietnamese along with a man in a suit who appeared to be some kind of police officer.

"Excuse me," the man in the suit said in a heavily accented English, presuming the Vietnamese did not speak Italian. "I am Officer Rosi with the Sammarinese Gendarmerie. May I please see your passports?" he asked inquisitively. The soldier didn't speak English, but by the expression on the faces of the Vietnamese, who presumed that Officer Rosi didn't ask that question that he wanted asked. The soldier spoke in Italian directly to them.

"Her Serene Highness saw a foreign member of the clergy in the crowd. She will need to leave here soon, but she has offered for you to have an audience with her if you are interested, since you have come all this way," the soldier said. He was a member of The Guard of The Council, which was locally known as "The Noble Guard". They were a mostly ceremonial unit, but were still trained professionally as soldiers and were more than capable of performing as such. They were also responsible for the security of the Captains Regent. Officer Rosi briefly glared at the soldier before looking back to the Vietnamese.

 

[Joe]

"We seem to be out of place Father Ngu," Attorney General Dangtran noted as they headed to the car to make the one hour drive to the Grand Prix. He did his best to ignore the stares, but the fact of the matter was, staring was quite rude in Vietnamese culture. "I can't help but feel like a specimen being dissected. Don't they realize that staring is rude."

"The people here are like children," Archbishop Ngu informed him. "Not unlike our own people. They are inexperienced and unaware of the larger world around them. They mean no harm or offense to our culture. If it was the Sammarise walking around Hanoi, I will bet you any amount of dong that we'd be staring. Besides, I never did think that staring was ru-..."

Attorney General Dangtran stopped in his tracks, making Ngu pause. They both looked at the Italian officer intercept them and request for their passports.

"Passports?" Attorney General Dangtran said curiously in English, beginning to fumble with the inside of his suit. "Yes, certainly."

Archbishop Ngu placed his hand on Dangtran's arm, stopping him as the ornately-dressed soldier began to speak to the two of them in Italian. As the head of the Archdiocese in Saigon, he was permanently based in the Vatican City. Despite arriving less than four years ago, he had cemented himself as a core part of the Church. In fact, he was often considered the Ambassador to the SPQR and San Marino in all but name. His Italian was perfect, with very little trace of a foreign accent. Archbishop Ngu listened to the soldier speak. As the soldier went on, Ngu's smile grew.

"Grazie. We would certainly love to meet her Serene Highness," Ngu responded. "Allow me to tell my colleague, please."

Archbishop Ngu spoke in Vietnamese to the Attorney General, who nodded along. Dangtran figured as much from his rudimentary Italian that he took as an elective in college on a bet. Although he was excited to meet the Captain-Regent, he was quite dismayed that because he was meeting with the Captain-Regent, he'd be missing the Grand Prix, something that he was quite excited about once he found out it was on the itineary.

"They better have a TV," He said out of the corner of his mouth in Vietnamese, smiling and nodding along like a good diplomat.

"John 1:8," Ngu told him, before turning back to the soldier and switching to Italian. "The Attorney General has told me that he's delighted to meet Her Serene Highness and that he will happily meet with her at her earliest convenience!"

 

[Luna]

Officer Rosi was still curious as to whether they'd had their passports stamped in San Marino, or even Italy for that matter. He's skepticism of foreigners was to be expected since he was in the Gendarmerie, but it didn't always come off as patriotic, and usually seemed slightly unfriendly. The soldier, however, did his duty and escorted the Archbishop and the Attorney General inside the Palazzo Pubblico while Officer Rosi distantly followed. Inside the small capital building, there were dozens of men, and some women, in suits and formal dresses. The election of new Captains Regents was always a celebration in San Marino, which use to occur twice a year, but now with the terms of office being extended the pomp and circumstance was upgraded to new, previously unseen levels. Members of the Parliament were enjoying champagne, representatives were laughing with each other, and even locally famous Sammarinese were there to rub elbows with rich and powerful of the small Serene Republic.

The men were escorted to a private room where she was waiting. The building was on the edge of a massive hill, which presented a magnificent view of the country down below. Inside the room was old, but very comfortable, furniture along with old paintings and some documents hanging from the wall. Embers from an old fire were cracking and popping on occasion inside the stone fireplace off to the side, which was keeping the room just warm enough, but not too hot at all.

Luna was looking out of the window and at the country below as the two men were brought inside by the soldier. They had a much better view of her now that she was standing before them, and not thirty feet above them on a balcony. She had petite features, brown hair, and light blue eyes which weren't the most common in Italy, but slightly more so in San Marino. Her modest dress still did enough to highlight her femininity while still leaving plenty to the imagination - it was light blue and white, the colors of San Marino.

She turned around and smiled at the two men as she thanked the captain for his help. "Welcome to San Marino," she said in a conservative, yet bubbly tone. She approached the men and held her hands together in front of her as she did so. "I am Luna Angelis, one of the Captains Regent of San Marino. I'm... I'm not sure if you were able to understand my speech, but I noticed the two of you among the crowd. I imagine you must have traveled far to be here, so I just wanted to thank you for coming. Are you from..." she almost said China, but decided that it probably wouldn't be good if she guessed the wrong country. "Asia?" she said, biting the inside of her cheek as she struggle not to embarrass herself.

She had been strictly forbidden from doing what she was doing now - meeting with foreigners, especially foreign representatives - alone and without supervision. The people the forbade her from doing this, however, were technically outranked by her.

 

[Joe]

Inside the Palazzo Pubblico, Dangtran was struck by a sudden sense of wonder. The building, unlike the grand Italian structures he was used to seeing (he had just been to St. Peters Basillica earlier that week after all), was smaller than he thought. But, that didn't take away from it's grandeur. As a matter of fact, he liked it much better than the imposing Vatican. It was beautiful and cozy. He admired the frescoes on the wall, being a fan of the arts.

It was a shame that he was here on business and not for pleasure, otherwise he'd have loved to take his time meandering through the halls, walking and exploring to his heart's content. Instead, he was here, serving his President and dearest friend. Perhaps one day, his country would no longer need his serves like him and he'd be able to pack everything up, say goodbye to his old friend, and depart to attain what all men seek, but few ever actually find:

A small measure of peace.

"Thinking of something, my son?" Father Ngu asked, speaking in Vietnamese. Attorney General Dangtran was always known to be a man of action, a go-getter. When he was quiet and pensive, everyone knew that something wasn't quite right.

"Yes, I am. I'm just overcome at how ironic this is." Dangtran responded.

"Ironic?" Ngu questioned quizzically. "How so?"

"This is like when Marco Polo visited Asia, but in reverse. I'm trying to say that time is a flat circle, old man."

"You and your wit," Father Ngu said, shaking his head and smiling. "Have you never learned to respect your elders? I am but a poor old man and you poke fun at me?"

The pair continued to be allowed to be led by the guards, with Father Ngu walking slowly for the benefit of Dangtran to soak in as much as he could. Finally, away from the main reception, they finally arrived at the Captain-Regent's quarters. Dangtran smoothed out his suit, feeling a tad bit inferior to the well-dressed Sammarise escorts.

"I'm curious," Dangtran asked. "Do we bow?"

Before Ngu could answer, the door opened and the pair walked in. Vinh immediately take in a sharp intake of breath. Vinh had seen the Captain-Regent from afar and thought she was very well pretty, but up close, she was quite breathtaking. Following Ngu's lead, he hastily bowed before the Captain-Regent and arose.

"Your Most Serene Highness," Archbishop Ngu said in Italian, making the sign of the cross. "May God bless you and your reign. My name is Archbishop Cong Ly Ngu and this is Attorney General Vinh Dangtran. We have come as representatives of the Church of the Holy See and the Republic of Vietnam, respectively. I am here to perform the role as translator and interpreter for the Attorney General."

"Buona sera, Vostra Altezza." Vinh said, making Ngu's eyebrow raise. To avoid making a fool of himself, Vinh continued in Vietnamese, with Ngu translating along. "I'm delighted to inform you that President Ngo is extremely pleased at your ascent and wishes to inform you that your government has the full support of the Republic of Vietnam. We are all pleased to have finally met you and expect great things from you, your highness."

 

[Luna]

Luna blushed when the Archbishop and Attorney General bowed to her. Her blue eyes darted from man to man as each of them spoke. "It is very nice to meet you both," she said as she walked over to the sitting area by the fireplace. She offered for her guests to sit. After they did so, she humbly walked to the center table, and poured each of them a cup of coffee. "I would offer you espresso or something to eat," she said, "but this meeting was spontaneous." After she sat down, she sipped her hot coffee and set it back down on the saucer that was placed on the table before her. The coffee was very strong, very dark Italian coffee, which the 18 year-old sipped on as if it were plane milk.

"Please thank President Ngo and His Holiness for me," she said.
"I've never been to Vietnam, or Asia for that matter," in fact, she had never even left the confines of San Marino.
"But I would really like to. I haven't traveled much but I really enjoy reading. I'm not sure if you have ever heard of The Tale of Kieu, but I read the Italian translation last week. I think it's important to remember that the situations we are in could always be much worse, and that we should be thankful for what we have," she said as she contemplated her own situation.

She looked back up at the men, her mind having wandering off for just a second to what had happened to her the previous day. "Did you come all of this way from the Vatican and Vietnam to hear my speech, or are you maybe here on vacation?" she asked curiously. Surely they hadn't just come for her speech, which most of the world didn't even pay attention to, she thought to herself.

 

[Joe]

"Grazie," Ngu responded, taking the cup of coffee. He took a soft, experimental sip, doing his best not to shudder as his taste buds were seared beyond recognition. Perhaps Vinh was right, he was truly an old man. The thick, strong, coffee was like sipping mud. It had no taste! None! Just pure bitterness. It had none of the soft, delectable, and fragances of lotus tea. Vietnamese customs dictate that he finish the cup. He had half a mind to politely set the tea aside and forget about it. But, Ngu was a deeply religious man. If coffee existed, then God must have created it, and if God created it, he must tolerate it and love it.

Collosians, 1:16, he recited in his head repeatedly as he took another sip, feigning affection for the coffee while praying all that was holy that Her Serene Highness did not offer a second cup.

On the other hand, Vinh loved the coffee. When the first hint of bitter roastiness hit his tongue, he was brought back to his young days at the local coffee house, flirting with the barristers and the girls; neglecting homework and chores. He took another deep sip of the steaming liquid and set the cup down on the saucer, smiling at Luna.

"Grandioso," He said, gesturing to the cup. His smile only widened when Archbishop Ngu translated the Captain-Regent's words to him. "The Tale of Kieu is required reading of all our secondary students if they wish to continue on to university. I'm pleased to hear that our literature has spread far beyond our shores. Unfortunately. I never quite enjoyed reading it. It was much too bleak for me, even if what you say about it is right. I find myself to have an affection for that new book series by the British writer, J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter. Making friends in faraway places is one of life's greatest pleasures."

Ngu grit his teeth as he translated that one. Witchcraft and Wizardry? Blasphemy! The book, much to the church's chagrin, had been fully allowed to be sold in Vietnam.

"President Ngo didn't just send me here to hear your speech, your Serene Highness. He sent us here to congratuate you on your asencion. After all, he wishes to let every nation know, no matter how small or large, that if they share the same ideals as Vietnam, then they are our friends, and our paths are one. Although, we will admit, we are killing two birds with one stone. President Ngo knows how much it takes for me to leave his side and to leave the Department of Justice, so he gave me permission to see the Grand Prix to sweeten the deal. I must say, that this excellent cup of coffee and making your acquaintance has turned to be the better part of the deal!"

 

[Luna]

"Harry Potter? I haven't heard of that. I'll have to try to find a copy the next time I'm shopping. The National Conservative Party has been getting more stric-" she stopped herself, looked down and sipped her coffee. "I'll try ordering a copy," she said and then listened to what Vinh had to say through Ngu. She stopped smiling and quickly stood up, "Oh no, I'm so sorry. The Grand Prix, doesn't it start soon?" she asked in a worried voice. She looked at the grandfather clock in the room. It would start very soon, sooner than a normal car could get them to watch it. She felt terrible that she was going to make him miss his prize, which was likely the true reason that he agreed to go to Italy in the non-tourist season.

"I'm very sorry, how rude of me. I shouldn't have presumed that you had nothing else to do," she said. "If you would still like to go, I could lend you my police escort to the Italian border. That would save you about twenty minutes of travelling, so maybe you would at least have a chance of making it there in time?" By her expressions it was clear that she felt guilty.

 

[Joe]

Father Ngu raised his eyebrow, translating up to the point where Her Serene Highness said shopping.

"What was that she said about the Conservatives?" Vinh said, picking up on the Italian that Ngu did not mention nor translate.

"She corrected herself, but it was something about them being strict..."

"Interesting..." Vinh said. He then responded in Vietnamese, with Ngu translating his every word verbatim.

"Your Serene Highness," He said. "What poor guests would we be if we have come here on such an important day in your life and squandered it by running off to watch a race? There will be much more in the future... although, allow me to tell you a little known fact about President Ngo. When he grows tired of all the pomp and politics, he always sneaks out the back of the Presidential Palace with his family to spend the day with his family. Father Ngu and I are very much willing to spend this time to celebrate with you here in Palazzo, but if you would like, the Vietnamese Team has their own suite over the finish line of the Grand Prix. Come along and a be a part of our delegation, and give your favor to our drivers. Our drivers seeing you will go twice as fast."

He smiled mischievously at the end. "Besides, I'm sure it'll be something that will drive the Conservatives nuts."

 

[Luna]

Luna sat back down as the Archbishop began to speak again. "Oh that's so nice of you to offer," she said. "But I have a few more government functions to attend today. I.. I also don't have a passport yet, if I'm being totally honest with you. I've.. never actually left San Marino before, my father didn't let me travel abroad. I'm actually worried that I'm going to have to visit Rome soon; I'm really nervous about that, Archbishop. I hear that people in Rome are really um.. really deviant." She took another sip from her coffee and finished it.

"I don't want to get anyone in trouble," she noted. "But I wont forget your kindness," she said. She picked up a business card and offered it to the Attorney General. It had the private details of how to contact her office, which was separate from the other Captain Regent. "I would like to visit Vietnam one day, from what I read it seems like a very wonderful country. If the Vietnamese government ever wishes to invite me for a state visit, I would be happy to come."

@Joe

 

[Joe]

"She has reservations about visiting Roma because of deviant behavior?" Vinh said in Vietnamese to the Archbishop. "And she wishes to visit our country? The humidity would shock her into another dimension."

"We're trending up, my son." Archbishop Ngu smiled. "Besides, I'd rather be back in my chapel in Long Xuyen than in Roma."

"Wouldn't we all," Vinh demurred, before speaking to Luna and having Ngu translate. "Rest assured that Father Ngu will gladly assist you in navigating the city of Rome. His office is based in the Vatican, after all. But, if we speak of my home country, Vietnam is unlike any other country, your Serene Highness. It's fast-paced and industrious, yet gentle and peaceful. It's a very beautiful place. You are most welcome any time to come visit our home and you can be expected to be treated as the most esteemed dignitary. The invitation stands permanently for you, any of your family, friends, or staff."

He set the coffee to the side, arising to his feet. Archbishop Ngu stood as well. They both knew when they had overstayed their visit. "Your most Serene Highness, the invitation to attend the Grand Prix with us still stands. Even if you have never left San Marino, you will be our guest and we will give you every guarantee and protection that is offered under guest right. In our culture, to be our guest is a sacred thing. However, if you do not come, let it be noted that this is your day; your coronation. We are here as your guests and will remain here in San Marino to celebrate this momentous occasion."

Then, Vinh broke protocol and stuck out his hand to shake hers. "Your journey is our journey. San Marino and Vietnam will be friends for life, I guarantee it."