Summer time on the Adriatic

[Grand Serene Republic]

1st of August 1978
Paulus Sempronius Gracchus and his wife Iulia Ortensia Lucrezia were preparing for a nice two weeks long vacation on the Adriatic shore.

They have decided for Spalatum, or Split if one wanted to go for the local name, given its reputation as beautiful city and its rich long history.

After carefully preparing all of their baggage, the couple took the train towards the Tiberius Airport near Roma, located in Fiumicino.

After boarding the plane the couple would then fly towards their destination in Yugoslavia, thinking about ten relaxing activities they could partake in away from politics for once.....


@Yugoslavia

[Magnolia League]

As the aircraft approaches Split after a short trip from Italy, the Gracchus family could observe how the serene blue Adriatic slowly transforms into a string of countless islands, crafting a beautiful lagoon which for centuries has provided Croatia's primary port with a harbor sheltered from the brutal littoral storms and encroaching enemy navies, a perfect safe haven for peaceful traders and tourists alike. The aircraft would maneuver over the Split lagoon to set direction for landing which would occur soon after at Split Airport, little more than twenty kilometers from the city center.

At the terminal the family would have its documents thoroughly checked, before being let through to the airport parking lot, where a taxi would await to take them to their hotel. There the receptionist would again check their documents before giving them the keys and escorting them to their room, wishing them a nice stay before returning to the reception area. Gracchus might notice at this point that the room they've been given seems to be mildly above the price point he paid, with the room containing a relatively sizeable common area, separate rooms for the family's two children, a separate master bedroom for the parents, and a balcony overlooking Split.

As the children rush to their assigned rooms and the family unpacks their things, the stationary phone located on the bedside table would start to ring.

[Grand Serene Republic]

Gracchus would look into his wife with a a knowing look as he took up the phone to answer.

He then answered the phone "Hello, to whom I have the pleasure to speak with?"

He said in a relaxed tone

[Magnolia League]

A deep but smooth voice would answer from the other side of the line in perfect Latin, though with a hint of an accent. "Take the family out today and distract them. Be back in the hotel room at 6 PM, sharp - alone. Your family cannot know, figure out an excuse. I'll be waiting." The line would hang up without farewell.

[Grand Serene Republic]

Gracchus would lead his family to the beach, where he would leave them telling his wife that he was a bit tired.

He would then do as he was told, arriving in his hotel room at 6pm exactly

[Magnolia League]

As he arrives back at the hotel he would be informed by the reception staff that they had just lost power, and that they apologize for the inconvenience, however it should be back relatively soon. This unfortunately meant he would have to climb the stairs, luckily however the stairway had windows at every mezzanine, and every hallway would end with a large window, so while the building would be relatively dim, Gracchus shouldn't have any problems getting to his room. Upon opening the door, he would find the room dimly lit in a pastel yellow hue, as the curtains would be drawn in the common area. A smell of cigarette smoke would creep through the door after he unlocks it, though it would be distinct from the typical smell of American-grown tobacco.

Standing in front of the curtains, peeking out of the window where he'd moved one curtain a few inches to the right, would be a man of slightly above average height, perhaps 175 to 180 centimeters and medium build, his back turned toward Gracchus. His right arm would be gently holding the curtain, his left would be holding a cigarette over a nightstand with an ashtray and a packet of Drina filter-less cigarettes on top. He'd be wearing black Oxford shoes and black trousers, a plain white button-up shirt tucked neatly behind them as a pair of suspenders held them up in place of a belt. His sleeves would be rolled up to his shoulders, revealing a large scar on the outside of his left forearm. His hair would be a dark brown, perhaps starting to grey, though it would be hard to tell in the lighting. From what Paulus could see, he looked young, certainly below 40, though not too young, certainly above 35. Taking one more drag of his cigarette as Gracchus entered and closed the door, that same deep and smooth voice would fill the room.

"Gospodine Grah. It's a pleasure to meet you." The man would turn around, revealing a large scar stretching from just beside the left corner of his mouth to just below his left eye, and a further smaller scar on the left side of his forehead. As he slowly makes his way toward Gracchus with short and gentle steps, a sinister grin on his face, Paulus would note his differing eyes, the left eye, sandwiched between scars, holding a degraded, dark greyish color, while his right eye would display a much more natural dark brown. "How are we doing today?"

[Grand Serene Republic]

Gracchus would be quite impressed at the dramatic entrance of the man.

He knew that by coming in such away into Yugoslavia he would contacted, he wouldn't never have taught that they would have such a tasteful theatrics.

"Quite good actually, I have to say that I really appreciated the warm welcome in your beautiful country"