[Set in a alternative timeline]

May 30th, 1964, King Asthemis of France and Vesrik Valiant Vlastimiršek, Fortalist of Croatia, meet for the second time!

The meeting took place starting at Split, Free-State of Croatia, as Asthemis was invited to come meet the Fortalist himself that scheduled morning of that day at 9:30 am, where Asthemis arrived by helicopter. 30 minutes in Shortly, vesrik arrived by 10:00, then the two were driven to the port of Split in a small parade where hundreds upon maybe thousands of people cheered and welcome Asthemis into the nation as they passed and within their own joint armed forces, the flags of FSoC and France were hanged and waved together across buildings and crowds.

Upon at arrival of the destination, both briefly exited their vehicles and walked with four of eachothers officals followed behind them. Then so, they met, face-to-face. But it wouldn't end there. What lied behind them was the SS Arelis, one of Croatia's most luxurious ocean-liners to date. Going further into the meeting, the two will board the liner along allowing citizens to also come ride with them—where Vesrik would tour Asthemis around the vessel, discuss plans for the future of the two powers, talk with fellow citizens, they will also neighbor in their cabins, dine together in Arelis's 1st class dining service room, and much more! The voyage set for this event lasted a whole day, sailing from Split to across the Croatian coast in the Adriatic Sea; passing by many of her beautiful islands and clear waters, up until the final destination in Rijeka. The tall and handsome wolf and fox leaders had sure made excellent buddies since then.



[ADDITIONAL] History of the SS Arelis:

The SS Arelis was one of Croatia’s proudest ocean liners, the second of the Arelan-class vessels and among the luxurious ever built under the Fortalist era.
Commissioned on October 7th 1949, her keel was laid at the Rijeka State Shipyards under chief builder Marko Valić, owned and operated by the Croatian Labor Union.
Her construction cost was estimated at ₣92 million Kuna (about $38 million USD) with yearly maintenance near ₣3.1 million, reflecting the high quality of postwar Croatian craftsmanship and industrial precision.

Launched before a crowd of nearly 20,000 spectators on February 7th 1951, she displaced 32 400 gross tons, measured 232 meters (761 ft) in length, and could carry approximately 1 850 passengers: 600 in First Class, 750 in Tourist, and 500 in Steerage along with 550 crew.
Her cargo holds allowed 4 800 tons of freight, and she was equipped with 18 enclosed lifeboats and 8 collapsible craft, giving her full emergency capacity for over 2,700 souls.
Her twin-screw diesel engines produced 34 000 horsepower, granting a cruising speed of 24 knots.

Throughout the 1950s, Arelis served as a civilian flagship on the Rijeka–Marseille–Lisbon–Hamburg-Southampton-New York route, celebrated for her comfort, white-and-black hull, and Fortalist décor of red and gold interiors.
She became known as “The Pride of the Adriatic”, ferrying diplomats, scientists, and holiday travelers across the Atlantic as a symbol of Croatia’s industrial and cultural resurgence.

By the early 1960s, Arelis had gained new prestige: she was personally favored by Fortarch Vesrik Valiant Vlastimiršek, who often used her for diplomatic voyages.
Among her notable guests were King Asthemis of France (1964), President Bélanger of Canada (1966), and various trade delegations from Germany and Poland.
During these state voyages, parts of her first-class promenade were converted into conference halls adorned with the national crest and Fortalist banners.

When regional tensions escalated into open conflict on June 1st 1971, the vessel was requisitioned by the Croatian Navy and refitted as a hospital and humanitarian support ship.
Her grand salons became wards; her ballrooms, operating theatres.
Renamed HMHS Arelis, she carried medical staff and refugees along the Adriatic frontlines, earning admiration for her crews’ courage under fire.

Tragically, on August 3rd 1973, while evacuating wounded personnel near the island of Vis, Arelis was struck by two torpedoes fired from an unidentified submarine.
The explosions broke her aft compartments, and she sank within twenty minutes.
Despite rescue efforts, 863 lives were lost, including 527 medical staff and patients.
In later years, the site became a maritime memorial, and every August 3rd, Croatian naval vessels cast wreaths upon the waves in her honor.

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Credits:

Storytelling by me

Art and everything drawn by (A big thanks to his incredible talent in making this artwork!)