Heehee- I love the word "schadenfreude". When I explain what it means to people who have never heard it before, they think that I made it up. ;)

Contrast is good! Along with that also comes culture clashes. I love it when fics do acknowledge that these four nations, while similar in some respects, have different traditions.

Ooh... like Miles Vorkosigan when he plays up the Vor rituals/mannerisms! :) (You are the first person besides my immediate family that I know has read this series. <3 )