The Red House

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The Red House, Põhiliin, Ida Koi, Ida Koi

On the Staol Trade

The cabinet would shuffle into the meeting room, each of the members taking their seats around the table while the observers would take their seats along the walls. There would be a gentle murmur from them, but nothing loud enough to be heard outside of the room. Minutes after the last of them got comfortable, the dictator would finally enter the room. The group would grow silent, her gaze moving between everyone in the room before she finally shuts the door behind her. She'd walk around the table, quietly and gracefully taking her seat.

Several long, quiet moments would pass before she'd finally speak. "May I ask what's the meaning of this emergency meeting?"

The Minister of Commerce, Liisu Sokolov, of the Ministry of Plenty, would lean forward. "We ran the numbers, my department and Melor's department, and have concluded that all of our trains running beyond Ulzhitz are operating at a net loss. With the Lucilistani route currently shut down, the staol trains must take the long route around, which has seen a massive decrease in revenue because of refueling costs skyrocketing." She'd sigh. "I believe it's in our best interest to do one of two things. We can raise the price of staol to account for this, but that may lead to international backlash. Or, we..." All eyes would fall on her, piercing through her. "We must recognize the legitimacy of the new Eoni government and renegotiate, at the minimum, operation of our railroads back."

Oliver Alekseev would stand up from his side against the wall and step over to the table. "Our ministry has determined that the railroad passing through the old capital has been torn up. Since they rebuilt the city from the ground up, our railroads through the city are gone, but they can reasonably be rebuilt in a matter of a week should they agree. Or, if they'd prefer that our railroads don't pass through the capital, no more than a month should be needed to build around the capital. The rest of the trackline through the nation seems to be in decent order, but I would definitely suggest we run observers over the lines to make sure."

The group would nod before all eyes turn to Status. She'd seem to be deep in thought, her eyes glued to the table. It'd be a moment before she'd respond. "Then I guess it's settled. We'll have to look into opening diplomatic channels with them... If they accept, I'd say we're willing to lift the staol embargo on them. But make sure we tell Amali, we don't want them being caught off guard by this." The group would Yes ma'am her. "Is there anything else we need to discuss while the group is here?"

Paul Smedley would raise a hand as Oliver steps back to his seat. "I believe we should discuss the renewal of the treaty leases with Tanus, Rouvellia, and Fenvaria. Tanus is due for renewal at the end of the month, while Rouvellia and Fenvaria have three and four months respectively. But best to start discussing now."

Status would nod. "I can make a trip to each to discuss the renewals. And when Eonivelt agrees, I'll travel there afterwards."

[EpicToaster1]

South-Side Corridor C

Minister Utkin was leaning against the wall, humming to herself quietly as she wrote something in a notebook. She put her pipe up to her lips, taking a quick drag before going back to writing.

At the north end of the corridor, there would be the gentle sound of the thumping of heeled-boots slowly growing louder before the woman wearing them turned the corner. Her red eye stared intently at the Minister while she walked closer. She'd finally pause in front of her, standing with almost perfect posture across the corridor from her. Loviise looked up at her, taking a quick drag from her pipe again before putting it away fulling, closing her notebook and putting it at her side. Her two free arms crossed across her chest, the two staring at each other for a moment, entirely silent.

It wouldn't be an awkward silence, the two just intensely staring at each other.

The silence would be broken by a door being opened at the far end of the hallway, around the corner where they wouldn't see. They could hear the door close shut with a loud thunk as there would be the dull yet rapid clicking of someone running down the hall. They'd turn the corner, nearly toppling over at the sight of the two in the middle of the hall. He'd hurriedly shuffle to them, bowing to them before they bow in return. "Sorry I'm late, meeting went a li-" Minister Utkin would cut them off by holding up a finger.

"Don't worry about. We haven't been here long."

He'd bow again to her. "Yes ma'am."

As he'd rise back up, the other one with them would stand next to the him, allowing the minister to look at both of them. "I spoke to the Ambassador of Lusatia. We will be able to import chemicals, we just need to get an amount so they know what we're looking at."

The woman who had been silent to now would speak. "We'd need fifty or so tons."

Loviise nodded, turning the man. "Can that be approved to ship?"

He'd nod. "Yes ma'am. We'd have to have it sent in full shipments, though, otherwise border security may get tipped off by it and not allow it to enter. We can't let it be separated."

The Minister would nod. "Then so be it. Meeting adjourned."