Social Guidelines
Return to Akaeia
Court Practice
When greeting the Crown in an audience or at any other time, one is to stand erect, approach the throne, and at a distance of two paces, knock your feet together, clasp your hands behind your back, and nod your head, if one is a citizen of Akaeia. The Crown is obligated to return such a nod. If one is a foreigner or non-citizen, then one is to approach the throne to the same distance, and kneel before the Crown, rising upon request. The Crown may choose to waive either of these necessities if the situation calls for such. Traditionally, Crowns have risen from their thrones and gone forward to foreigners or non-citizens, and stopped them from kneeling. This way the attendant still shows respect, but is not called to prostrate oneself before anyone but God. There are, however, notable instances where the Crown has not risen, and some have chosen not to rise if the person falters in the action, as if expecting not to have to kneel.
When a delegate comes to the Crown for an audience, it it common for the Crown to retire to the Nemeian Gardens for discussion. This is only common, however, when the Crown is dealing with delegations of one, or with friendly entities. When in the Nemeian gardens, the delegate is expected to walk alongside the Crown, and to sit opposite them if sitting at one of the tables scattered about the garden.
When at an Imperial banquet, it is customary for the Crown to say a simple grace of thanks before the delegates are served. Others are always served before the Crown and the Crown serves the Captain of the Guard himself. No one is to eat until the Crown has been served unless the Crown waives the tradition, which is common at informal dinners but not as common at formal banquets. When not hosting a delegation, the Crown typically eats with his staff or in his study. Throughout a typical banquet, important persons will move about the table, giving each a period of time in which to talk directly to the Crown. There is no sure-fire promise of privacy, however, so issues of secret turnings are best saved for discussion in the Nemeian Gardens.
Following any banquet it is common for the Crown to retire to the Nemeian Gardens with his guests, for tea, coffee, or such, for a short period of light conversation. If the Crown is needed for internal issues, or something in the day has upset him greatly, then he may retire directly to his study following the meal without retiring to the gardens, which the guests may still do. In certain situations, the Crown may ask that one or another delegate accompany him on a walk through the garden, in which case the other are not permitted to enter the gardens until their return.
If the Crown says not to go through with a certain expected action, then it is okay for all in the attendant group to not do so, unless the Crown has singled the exception out by name. A delegate's entourage is not expected to come before the Crown in an audience, but if they do must follow standard procedure.
