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Post by Fleischmann on Oct 19, 2022 21:01:02 GMT
The Magdali Mission
With the looming threat of economic isolation and military domination from the Tholes, Hauhqene Anthiese sent orders to her husband, the Hauhkuno, and his wife to visit Magdalenum for holiday. Along with them, they were dispatched with a team of advisors and diplomats to oversee certain talks regarding future relations, a possible military intervention in Rodina, and other matters best kept secret. The general outline of the diplomatic mission was simple: Create a secret military alliance with Magdalenum; formalise the creation of a common market and travel zone; delineate zones of power; and see about possible continuation of joint research programmes. A list of items were given, which would be considered acceptable losses and incentives to give. The Raikh was willing to give up its colonies near Magdalenum, fully share information on Tholish, Moderali, and Sheenish ship design and building techniques, as well as some belonging to the Raikh, and give the Magdali ports in the Raikh's colonies, though they were to bargain those away dearly if necessary. With these objectives set, the mission was sent underway. |
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Post by Empress Isabel de Roque on Oct 23, 2022 22:37:04 GMT
The Hauhkuno was met will little fanfare, as the nation found itself in a spirit of mourning due to the recent losses in Rodina, and the Empress thought it best to avoid being insensitive. Though the Royal Guard band greeted the arriving Party at Magalhães with music and a small parade, public festivities were kept to a minimum, despite the fact that this constituted a State visit. Isabel for one, was happy to finally see her sister in the isles again, and to finally meet some of her nephews and nieces. The Hauhkuno was put into a Rolls Coyce and escorted to Pena Palace, where the Empress resided. The study was a mess, battle plans and strategies laid out over every available surface, as the Empress demanded that all the RAF strategizing was made where she could personally oversee it. She did not have much of a mind for strategy, but she wanted to ensure that there would be no further unnecessary bloodshed, after the last fiasco at the border. She made her way to the carriage entrance, where the transport dropped off the Hauhkuno.
"Welcome, your Majesty. I see you have recovered from our mountain climb well," She said, smirking despite herself. "Welcome to Pena Palace. For the duration of this visit, my House is your House. I don't believe I need to show my sister around the palace, though a servant will see you to your rooms shortly. But first, let us head to the coffee lounge."
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Post by Fleischmann on Oct 23, 2022 23:06:54 GMT
Following the Empress, the Hauhkuno stayed quiet and allowed his wife time to to chat. In truth, he was not entirely certain as to his own existence at this point and was more akin to an automaton than a man. His position at home was usurped by his cousin's wife, his beloved husband was dead, and now the Raikh was under the rule of a bunch of witless soldiers who did not even realise they were being used to keep Swersgesat from exercising power. He sat down and listened to the Empress Isabel, tapping his finger against the buckle under his trousers and against his thigh.
'I do not think I like this coffee drink, too bitter... Do you have milk?'
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Post by Empress Isabel de Roque on Oct 30, 2022 0:54:03 GMT
"Oh, most certainly. Mister Codsworth, would you mind fetching the Hauhkuno some milk?" said the Empress. "Certainly your Majesty." Said the old Sheenish manservant. He proceeded to fetch a pitcher of milk from a nearby table, and poured it into the Hauhkuno's coffee cup. "If Your Majesty would like some sugar, do let me know." Isabel was... uncertain about the nature of this visit. Clearly, with the size of Haimfath's attaché, this was no mere formality. Nevertheless, she decided to allow the visit to go on unhindered. Whatever they wanted, it was probably nothing too monumental. The Sadaler Government had essentially overthrown Haimfaths, if they wanted to strike an important deal with the Magdali, they would've sent somebody else.
"I suppose I shall expedite matters by addressing the elephant in the room," She said, after finishing the chat with her sister. "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"
Varinius Festus, the represantative of Divinum in Magalhães, turned his gaze to the Empress intently. He had also been invited to the Palace for an afternoon at the coffee lounge, but he had not been made aware that the King of Sadalen would be visiting.
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Post by Fleischmann on Oct 30, 2022 1:04:35 GMT
Pulling out a file and presenting it to her, Haimfaðs began.
'We are present here in order to begin discussions on formalising a full economic union between our realms and regularising our currencies, amongst other things. You will not in the document that many of the things proposed are merely formalities, as a state of union has already been established through agreements with the Sheenish. None the less, we would like to begin these talks and work out appropriate measures to further our integration economically, as there are other ways by which we might benefit.'
Taking a sip of the acrid liquid before him, he grimaced as the taste of the milk did little to help him.
'We are also here to attempt the creation of a common travel area, as that would be the most natural of steps. Some other minor items are in that dossier, but we suspect that it would be better to address them later, as they are very much reliant on the success of other matters. We have prepared several economic forecasts and reports, but they are not present upon our person and would need to be fetched.'
Putting his cup down, he looked at the Divinian. Idle curiosity began to percolate within Haimfaðs.
'Tell me, have you ever been with a man?'
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Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Oct 30, 2022 1:13:12 GMT
Varinius smiled lightly at the remark. “Alas I haven’t. Though I understand the last man you were with killed himself. Can’t imagine why that would be.”
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Post by Empress Isabel de Roque on Oct 30, 2022 19:18:39 GMT
"Now now, let's please refrain from being uncivil." Said Isabel. "Lest I remind your Majesty that Mister Varinius is a fellow guest, and remind Mister Varinius that The Hauhkuno Haimfaths is my brother-in-law," She sighed slightly at the latter acknowledgement. "We're all friends here."
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Post by Fleischmann on Oct 30, 2022 19:47:18 GMT
Varinius smiled lightly at the remark. “Alas I haven’t. Though I understand the last man you were with killed himself. Can’t imagine why that would be.” He continued looking at Varinius before finally shrugging. 'Shame, you'd probably do well.' "Now now, let's please refrain from being uncivil." Said Isabel. "Lest I remind your Majesty that Mister Varinius is a fellow guest, and remind Mister Varinius that The Hauhkuno Haimfaths is my brother-in-law," She sighed slightly at the latter acknowledgement. "We're all friends here." 'We meant no disrespect, we merely intended to offer our compliments on his appearance and grooming. If the current situation is not amicable to our discussions, we would be happy to postpone them for a later hour and a private audience.' |
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Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Oct 30, 2022 20:15:50 GMT
“And I simply wished to offer my condolences to this fine man on the loss of his…partner. After all, I am sure your brother in law is simply ignorant to the fact that these activities with which he is so familiar are illegal in Divnium.” The minister twisted a finger idly around one of his curls before turning to Isabel. “Your Majesty, I would not dare direct your actions as an outside observer, but I would request my continued presence in negotiations. I am sure the Emperor would find more peace of mind knowing that I carried out the duties he sent me here to accomplish.”
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Post by Empress Isabel de Roque on Oct 31, 2022 4:26:30 GMT
Isabel weighed her options for a while. Frankly, she did not have much of an option. What the Sadaler were proposing seemed to be mostly just a formality, and excluding the Divinan from the talks would probably cause a bit of a stir in relations. Florin was a good kid. Too good to go through what he already had gone through. The last thing he needed was yet another sting of betrayal.
"Certainly. I don't see no reason to keep you from joining the talks," She said. "I'll have Codsworth here accompany the Haukhuno and his company to their rooms, and later we can all return to the conference room. If Mister Varinius would like to speak with me on the meantime, I'll be at my study."
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Post by Empress Isabel de Roque on Nov 3, 2022 23:56:52 GMT
The talks
"Your Majesty, the Empress wishes to continue the talks. Let me lead You to the conference room." Said Mister Codsworth, knocking at Haimfaths' door. "This way please."
Mister Varinius followed Isabel into the conference room. He had had a talk with her at the study, where he very politely made it abundantly clear that the Divinans would be deeply displeased if the Magdali signed anything more than economic agreements. The Prime Minister Cīštin followed behind, having just arrived from her residence near the Synod. The Empress and the Prime Minister sat down at the Head of the U-shaped table, and invited Mister Varinius to sit at the right side of the table, and the Sadaler entourage to their left.
"Good evening Gentlemen," Said Cīštin as she moved to her seat. "I apologize for such a long delay. Today was a long day at the Synod. Regardless, Your Majesty, may we see that dossier?"
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Post by Empress Isabel de Roque on Nov 4, 2022 16:30:37 GMT
The Empress and Prime Minister poured over the papers. Isabel seemed... unimpressed. The Prime Minister dropped her friendly face and displayed a stern expression.
"This is certainly an appeasing offer," The Empress said. "But I hope you understand, we simply cannot agree to a defensive pact. We would risk ruining our good relations with our other allies. It is true that we are related, and I do not wish any harm to come to your people. But I must put the interests of the Imperium first and foremost."
While the Empress spoke, the Prime Minister made sure to quickly write down the bullet points of the Dossier, and to pass them on to Varinius.
"That being said, we also know that good relations are built on trust and cooperation, and we would not want to appear ungrateful. We can reinstate the basing rights you had on Eztremoz prior to your war against the Tholes, but that is as far as we are willing to go." Said Isabel.
"Of course, it also goes without mention that slavery is illegal within the borders of the Imperium, and that despite our strong economic ties, any Sadaler slave that finds themselves on Magdali soil would be automatically considered a free man or woman." Said the Prime Minister. Her tone was harsher than Isabel's. It was clear she was not particularly fond of the Sadaler. Frankly, the Synod tended to dislike anyone who did not align themselves with Magdalenum's traditional allies.
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