Kalistan

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Lady Melanie Alvarez-McLinn inducted into Order of Grey Smoke
Prestigious Secret Society meets at National Theater in Kaliburg
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 20 5712


Empress Carolina II Ananto and Chancellor of the Empire Melanie Alvarez-McLinn at Fall Order Event

Meeting at their temporary home in the National Theater, the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke inducted Lady Melanie Alvarez-McLinn, Countess of Lucid, this week. Lady Alvarez was named Lady Companion in the Order, and was fully initiated into the secret rites of the most prestigious and elite chivalric order in Terra. The National Theater has become the unofficial site for Order Conclaves following the demolition of Ananto Estate following the Eveari Earthquake.

"Oh, I'm really over the moon," said Lady Alvarez. "Being included into this society really means something for my family. Not only does it allow me to do my job more effectively, but it is also an acknowledgement of my role in this society and in the functioning of the Empire." When asked why she thought that she had to be the Chancellor for more than a year before she was inducted into the ranks of the Order, Lady Alvarez was candid. "Well, Her Imperial Majesty and I didn't really get along all that well. She wasn't going to induct me as long as she had doubts that I wasn't going to support her agenda. I think I'm off probation now. She's still a capital B, but she is the Empress, and I suppose it takes one to know one. I'm really just happy to be here."

Despite making their membership lists and regalia requirements public, very little is known about what happens when the doors of the Conclave close. Nobody has ever divulged the secrets from within the Conclave, but what is known is that there are very specific architecture within the conclave room, along with set pieces, the purpose of which can only be imagined, along with costumes. For much of this, the National Theater stands as an adequate temporary home for the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke, but a new Hall is being built in Eveari on the Ananto Estate specifically for Order functions.

"Look, its nothing like you are thinking," said Lady Alvarez. "I've heard rumors of all kinds about what happens in there. I heard that the Grand Mistress performs a ceremony sans ropas. I've heard there were strange dances. I've heard there was drug use, or occult things. I can't confirm or deny anything, but I was actually rather surprised at what I saw to be completely honest. It was very unexpected. The induction ceremony was very unexpected, let me assure you. But everyone in there has gone through it themselves, and its unforgettable."

Outside the conclave, the Chancellor said, "is where the business is done. I don't mean order business. We take care of that inside. I mean the networks are made, handshakes are made, we meet influential people, etc. It's a whole other world up here, society wise than it is in Lucid, and I feel like joining this Order will put me a handshake away from people who control things, perhaps behind the scenes right alongside with those who control things in the open. An invitation to an Order event, like being an invited guest, is like an invitation to step into a whole new world."

The Press often covers the events, both before and after the conclave, and they usually involve social hour, where said handshakes and introductions are made, and then a dinner which follows the conclave. This meeting, the members and their guests enjoyed a dinner of lamb shanks, braised in red wine, orzo pasta, finely sliced and roasted buttered carrots, and a garden salad. The entertainment for the evening was provided by Mr. Thomas Jones, who has recently begun working on his follow up album to Trans-Seleyan Railroad, which he released late last year. Jones played much of his music with acoustic instruments and a string quartet backing him up, and he demonstrated his versatility, toning even his brashest, campiest music down so it almost sounded like chamber music.

The Chancellor sat with Her Imperial Majesty and His Highness, the Prince Consort, as well as Lady Alice Bjorksdattir and her husband and Lady Christina Ananto-McKinley and her husband at the Head Table. Others in attendance were Lady Erica Donahue, who Lady Alvarez spent much of her time with, Sir Thomas Harney, and Lady Marisol Paz Alvarez-Navarro. There were dozens of others from the world of finance, industry, art, fashion and Kaliburg high society, all trying to meet people who can introduce them to more important people. "I had no idea these things were so well attended," said Lady Alvarez-McLinn. "During Social Hour, I didn't have a second where someone was not trying to talk to me, to get some favor or some policy, or some introduction. I suppose these events are about access, and unless you have the Protocol around you, its kind of a feeding frenzy. Then the bell rings, and it all stops and we go inside and they stay outside and talk to themselves." She shrugged, "I suppose this beats lobbying that I hear they have to put up with in liberal nations. At least in Kalistan, you can't pay for access. You just have to know some body and they can introduce you to somebody else."

Overall, Lady Alvarez says the whole thing is really kind of silly. "I mean, we wear velvet robes and sashes," she said as she showed her heavy purple velvet robe off. "Mine is trimmed with ermine fur. Why? Because the Empress is the only one who gets to wear Black Bear fur on hers. Why? Who knows? She wears a red tartan sash, I wear an orange and white Checkered sash. Why? Because I'm from Kalistan. I mean, you learn the real reasons when you join the Order, but I can't tell you those reasons, because what is a secret society without secrets? But outside the Conclave room, these are just silly outfits, and this meeting is just an opportunity for the elites to get together and make deals and eat braised lamb, I guess. The rest of the world doesn't know or really even care that this is here, but I can assure you, the real power in this part of the world is in that Conclave Room when they close those doors. If you want to do anything around here, you have to either be one of those folks, or know those folks."

The New Order Hall is expected to be completed next year, and the first Order Day in the new Hall is scheduled for May 5714. Meanwhile, the National Theater will continue to serve as the Ancient Order of Grey Smoke's temporary home.

@LaModa