Kalistan

[Doc]

Royal Family prepares for Order Day Ceremonies in May
Annual Event features a Who's Who of Kalistani and International High Society
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
March 30, 5649


Princesses Margaret and Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis and Empress Mary I Ananto

As this year's ceremonies for Order Day approach, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Mary I Ananto has ordered Ananto Estate reopened to prepare for the annual events. Order Day has actually expanded into a two day event traditionally held on the ground of Ananto Estate: The first day has become known as The Promenade, where members themselves attend an afternoon Social in their Order Regalia and then hold preliminary Conclave functions which includes induction of any new members, as well as retirements, and election of officers for the coming year. Following the preliminary Conclave, dinner is served. Traditionally, chicken or fish is served, though since Her Imperial Majesty, who is a strict vegan, has become grand mistress, tofu is also served, along with along with salad and pasta, and then a desert. The dinner usually includes a keynote speech, usually dealing with some aspect of the Order.

Day 2 of the festivities includes a morning breakfast, following retirement to quarters to re-don the Order regalia. Given that the festivities have stretched into two days, most member usually bring a second set of regalia for Day 2. The Conclave on Day 2 includes the presentation of the Order Secrets, which is believed to be a traditional and very formalized play of sorts, presided over by the Grand Mistress of the Order. During this Presentation, members perform very specific and highly scripted roles depending on their rank in the Order. It is rumored that there are even scripted pauses in the speech to allow speakers to catch their breath while reciting their lines and performing their functions.

Any details about the Presentation comes directly from the Officially sanctioned "Public Facing Manual of Gray Smoke" which merely notes order of business, but does not describe any actual part of the conclave, or the Doorman, an invited guest who serves the function of standing before the door and keeping all outside who are outside, and inside all who are inside, but is not a member of the Order. The Doorman is given general information to tell individuals who may ask direct questions but otherwise knows no more about what happens inside the conclave than any other non-member. Nobody outside of the Order has witnessed this Presentation, as outsiders and guests are not invited to the Conclave. And there is no member alive who will discuss the Orders' Secrets. Following the Order of Business, the Conclave is broken up and a light luncheon is held before the festivities are called to an end at about 2pm.

"It's not exactly forbidden to talk about the things that the Order of the Gray Smoke gets up to," said Greta Hendricks, of La Moda, who has covered Order Day for the last four years. "Of course everyone has their theories, but the press is invited to cover the event, so its like a non-secret secret. We know all of the people attending: The Order publishes its lists on the Government's Home Page. What we don't know, what we can't know, obviously, because these people are maniacal about their secrecy, is what happens during the Conclave, especially the Presentation of the Order Secrets. What we do know from standing Outside the door, is that there is a lot of chanting as a group, and what occasionally sounds like thunder or perhaps a cannon. When you go in to the Conclave Hall after the conclave breaks up, you can see all sorts of strange set pieces, and just different, weird stuff. They leave a lot to your imagination."

Hendricks said that over the years, several rumors about the activities of the conclave have been spread, including that the Conclave is some strange fertility rite that the Empress oversees while disrobed, or that they attempt to summon an ancient Kalistani God. Others have suggested that there are efforts at divination that take place during the Conclave. But obviously, there is no evidence one way or another to corroborate any of these tales, and anyone who could corroborate or dismiss rumors is instructed to say nothing that makes any sense.

She says that others have suggested that the Conclave is actually a meeting of the ultra elite for the purposes of coordination on international affairs. "It's way more likely that the Conclave exists to coordinate macro, system level activity which is otherwise invisible to us mortals. You have foreign Heads of State who visit Kalistan, and go into a secret meeting with our Empress? What do you think they are going to talk about out of sight and earshot of the press or the people? For myself, I am content to let them keep their secrets--but not everyone is me, and some people can spin some very complicated stories with no evidence."

What is clear is that, for all non-members, Order Day has become the main spring Social Event. An invitation to Order Day is one of the most coveted tickets in a socialite's annual calendar. It usually follows Spring Debuts in Kaliburg and Sulari, and a debut followed by a public appearance at Order Day seals a youngster's future as an influential up and comer in Kalistani Society. Members outside the Royal Family often receive more than a dozen tickets to pass out to favorites, while royalty can invite as many people as they like. But nobody is admitted without an invitation and a formal sponsor. It's not uncommon for the Promenade to feature more than 300 people all adhering to a very strict dress and protocol code.

This year, it is expected that Her Imperial Majesty will invite her friend, singer Carrie Hill to Order Day, while Princess Margaret is expected to invite Dame Elga Nillson, former lead singer for Wanderlust. Other expected guests are Supermodels Gabby Montgomery, Cathy Ruiz and Vanessa Baker, Black Bears QB Todd Duarte, and winner of last year's Luxon Swell Surf Competition Janine Lindar. Celebrities at the Order Day Celebration is not unusual, but they are always in the minority, as much of the event is crowded with Kaliburg, Sulari and Senvias Society members, both male and female.

Order Day issues of fashion and society magazines tend to be widely read in the Kalistani population. "There is a lot of good will for the Order Day Celebrations," said Hendricks. "I think that might be different if the people thought that the tax payer was paying for these events. But the Order of the Gray Smoke is fully funded by House Ananto, which itself only receives the Head of State's Salary in the budget, but not the entire cost of the Office, and otherwise, is fully paid for by private funds from the House Endowment. The Empress can afford to hold lavish parties at her own house, clearly. And many people will read coverage of the events so they can live vicariously through the celebrities and socialites who attend."

This year's Order promises to be yet another success and will truly be the hottest ticket this Spring. With Eveari's Ananto Estate now opened in preparation, it is likely that the Empress and Emperor Consort, along with the two Minor Princelings will relocate to Eveari for the month of April ahead of the Festivities. The the Royal Family will return to Kaliburg for the remainder of May and all of June before moving to Wood House this July, where they will stay until the beginning of November. Last year, Her Imperial Majesty remained in Kaliburg, due to the complications with her birth and wanting to be close to her doctors in the Capital.

@LaModa