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Good morning. CSB Radio; I'm Bailey Lemiers. Today is an auspicious day: the Shadow Cult and the Confederation as a whole will witness the union of Sir Adalberto Fabian HCF, High-Direktor of the Confederation, and Lucia d'Mow, former Senator to the Shadow Cult. We're here live at the Imperial Palace - it's a beautiful day: the sun is out, there's not a cloud in the sky. Hundreds of thousands have lined sides of Emperor Avenue. It certainly appears that the Temple of Umbra has blessed the Shadow Cult with fair weather and good cheer. There is considerable anticipation from Imperial Citizens; weddings are generally banned within the Shadow Cult, and have been since the days of the Imperial Empire.

But not today. The High-Direktor and Ms d'Mow obtained His Supreme Majesty's permission, with the only condition being that their marriage be consecrated under the auspices of the Temple of Umbra. Listeners will know this as newfound religion that surfaced earlier this year out of The Restored First Republic of Ridnez, which proclaims His Supreme Majesty as its Messiah. We don't know how the Temple of Umbra will appear across the Confederation, but for today's purposes it is a series of formalities and spectacles. The first event of this marriage is the Procession of Delegates, which is just about to take place. We know that the Shadow Cult was keen to host officials from Confederation member states in celebration of the High-Direktor and Ms d'Mow. I can see the first of the carriages driving down Emperor Avenue now. Each delegate will be received on the steps of the Imperial Palace and presented to the crowd. And on those steps, I can see names that will be most familiar to this Confederation: Manoel Frans HCIL, Warden of Vocryae; Ludovic Dirk, formerly known as The Shadow Messenger and now publicly Private Envoy to His Supreme Majesty; representing the Jocospite Defense Force is Admiral Garrak B. Ossler, supported by the 59th Imperial Marines; high-ranking Central Imperial Direktorate advisors, like Professor David Grettle; Dame Abbegayl Procter HCS, CEO of Confederation state broadcasting; and there's Elias Bantly, CEO of the Imperial confederation archives; there's also Fenya Zombarr, Direktor of Rondhelm; Ralistan Creda, Direktor of Hess; Gobeli Noxin, Direktor of Blue Harbour; the administrative contingent is evident.

The first carriage is drawing to a halt. A herald stands ready to announce its passengers. And...excuse me, yes, this just in: CSB Radio understands that His Supreme Majesty has granted special permission for each Confederation member state's delegation to receive the Imperial Fanfare. This is a most high honour!

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Sen. Sir Andrew Hazelwood II HCS, Emeritus President of the Imperial Senate, Senator to Golden impirial utopia!"

Sir Andrew looking well after his recent encounter with Walter Memmon Memorial Hospital.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Sir Medical Atlas I von Kartogrefi HCS, Governor-General of Vangmar, Acting-Kaiser of The Multiversal Federal Empire of MineLegotia and Equestria!"

Talking ponies remain a source of...concern for most Imperial Citizens, but the achievements of Govenor-General Kartogrefi are a source of inspiration for all.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Artur Becker, Foreign Envoy of The Großkaizerreich of The Xaviet Empire!"

The Xaviets are known for their dark suits and gung-ho attitudes. Mr Becker wears dark glasses and carries a copy of 'The Great Galloping Pony'.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Sen. Edan Guthrie, Senator to The United Kingdom of Tertania!"

Senator Guthrie is a distant force in the Imperial Senate, but the proud nation of Tertania will be familiar to those with even long memories.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Sen. Öztürk Davutoglu, Senator to The italian islamic state!"

The senatorial class is well represented. Senator Davutoglu is known to be a devout supporter of President Bombardone's.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Admiral Jane Stuart-Jones COSH of The Southern Republic of The Dixie Confederate Union, and Sen. Zara Goering, Senator to the Union!"

The beloved Jane Stuart-Jones, accompanied by the ever-emphatic Zara Goering, another recent addition to the Integral Socialist Vanguard.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"His Excellency Viktor Arcen, Imperator of The Imperatum of The Very Dark Place and Its Imperial Possessions, Chief of State!"

The mysterious leader of T.V.D.P. will be known to some as the brother of Sen. Lucius Arcen HCIL.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Branik Wolinski, representing Dmitri Makarovich Novikov, General Secretary of The Federal Republic of Daulmark!"

One of the few outspoken socialists within the Confederation, Novikov sends his wishes to both the High-Direktor and Ms d'Mow.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"His Excellency Sir Andreas Bombardone HCS, 6th President of the Imperial Senate, Hierarch of the Integral Social Vanguard, Chief of State of The Restored First Republic of Ridnez, Prefect of the Temple of Umbra, and Gregorio De Marco, Director of Diplomacy, and Vincenzo Borrelli."

The man that many consider to be at the centre of all this. Despite the difficulties engulfing both their nations, the appearance of both Sir Andreas and Sir Andrew is comforting to the Imperial soul.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Kristina Mountbatten of The Imperial Federation of Regna Loreau, and Livgardet Lieutenant-Colonel Tiina-Meri Valkama!"

The stunning Crown Princess Kristina smiles as she waves elegantly to her awestruck onlookers; she is as indeed beautiful as the Loreaun news reports.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Sen. Richard Milos, Supreme Marshal of the Union, Senator to Glorious gachimuchi republics, and Anthony Capriati, Steve Rambo, Brad McGuire, and ChiChi La Rue, Members of the Soviet Locker Room!"

Hunks, if ever there were.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Marshal Jerome Augustus Hale, Minister of Armed Forces of Neu-equestria!"

Neu-Equestria is a recent addition to the Confederation, but has already begun forging a name for itself.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Camille Toussaint, Ministre des Affaires Ètrangères of Toujours noire!"

Ms Toussaint is a slim figure; today she wears a stylish long-drawn cloak.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Sen. Yash Hathi, Senator to Deman kalan, and Colonel William Markson, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs!"

Once a figure of some controversy, Senator Hathi's attendance here today could spell his return to Confederation politics. And here comes the final carriage.

[The Fanfare Imperial plays: https://youtu.be/rOq6X11YyGA]

"Pinn O. Cchio, Supreme Chairman of the Ministry of Foreign Integrity of The Shrekacratic Ogres Republic of VlaRiSsiA!"

A strange creature who would seem to normalise the talking pony, representing another powerful socialist force within the Confederation.

The last of the delegates are processing inside the Imperial Palace, where they will seat for a state lunch. Here comes a salute from the 59th Imperial Marines. The crack of gunfire lingers in the air. Much cheering on this auspicious day...as we celebrate the wedding of Sir Adalberto Fabian HCF, High-Direktor of the Confederation, and Ms Lucia d'Mow, former Senator to the Shadow Cult.