Post by Sophie on Apr 27, 2023 4:26:03 GMT -5
Empress Reito Doku Kumo strode down the hall with purpose with her maid in tow. “Your Highness!” Yuu Nishimura called after her. “What are you in such a hurry for?”
“The meeting started ten minutes ago!” Reito snapped back in a huff. “Why didn’t you tell me what time it was? We could’ve skipped the eyeliner.”
Reito surely would’ve continued trodding forth had Yuu not grabbed her hand, forcing her to a halt. “Your Highness, it is very important that you are late.”
This immediately brewed conflict with the values of punctuality Reito’s mother had driven into her. Her confusion was more than apparent on her face. “Everything you do from here on out is about power and perception. By showing up late, you are forcing them to wait for you; the meeting can’t start without you because it is about you. Everything is about you now. Making them sit and stew there will make that apparent.”
“Well, we’re already late, and I want to get this over with already, so can’t we go?” Reito continued.
“Yes and no. You can’t go rushing in there like you didn’t mean to be late.” Yuu continued to explain. “If you show up there like you are late on accident, it makes you look incompetent, like you can’t manage a watch. The message will be clear if you show up there, your head held high and lackadaisical. You wait for me. I own you.”
Reito twisted her mouth a bit. “Alright. I get it; how do I know which meetings to attend on time and which to make them wait?”
Yuu chuckled, “For starters, any meeting with Kure, make her wait. In general, whenever the power dynamics aren’t clear. Forcing them to wait for you instantly sets the pendulum in your favor.”
“Okay.” Reito nodded and even wrote the advice down on a notepad she always kept on her.
“Speaking of Kure-kas,” Nishimura continued as the two restarted the walk down the hall. “Right now, she likely knows that you know that she killed Shiraori. However, she thinks you are a weak and manipulatable kid who will fold when she makes her move. You must play a delicate balancing act with her for now.”
“What do you mean?!” Reito almost shouted. “Can’t I just show her I’m not some pushover that will do whatever any adult tells me?”
“I don’t think that’s a wise move.” Nishimura shook her head. “If she thinks you're a threat and may kill you like she did your mother, take up the mantle as Empress, proclaiming herself the most competent minister to do so. With the backing of the navy, none will stand to her.”
Reito bit her tongue in anger. “Fine. How is that a balancing act, then? I just have to act like a fool for her, yeah?”
“Absolutely not,” Yuu answered, adding further to Reito’s confusion. “We want Kure to see you weak, but if any of the other ministers suspect as such, they may end up being swayed into Kure’s favor. That must not happen.”
“I still can’t stand that we have to deal with such a duplicitous bitch.” Reito spat. “She made her move. Why can’t we punish her for it?!”
“B-” Yuu started.
“I know!” Reito shut her down before she could respond. “I know why. I just hate it. If this were one of my books, I could just tell the world what she did, and the public would execute her before I even had to.”
“I understand, Your Highness,” Yuu spoke softly. “There will come a day when decent folk never again utter her name. Let us play her game for now and watch as she walks into our trap.”
Reito nodded and pushed open the door that was now before them; Yuu would stay behind. Inside was the entire Cabinet to the Empress. Seventeen of the world's most powerful women now gathered to hear the Empress for the first time since her coronation. All of them watched Reito carefully as the new Empress walked into the room without a single eye open.
Reito had early placed a thin, nearly imperceptible thread along the floor to guide her to her seat. An old powerplay but one every Empress used. Some believed their ability to walk unguided was proof of the Empress’s divinity. Once Reito sat, she did so with perfect posture and even more calculated movements. With her eyes still shut, she reached for the cup of tea she knew waited for her and slowly drank from it before finally laying her eyes on the cabinet before her.
“Good evening, all.” Reito started, thanking the living stars her voice didn’t crack. “Throughout history, the first meeting of the cabinet has happened exactly one week following the coronation of a new Empress. The first item of business is always the dismissal of Ministers the new Empress feels are unfit for the position.”
Reito sharply eyed every Minister before her, careful not to linger on Kure. They all maintained their professional exterior, irritatingly Kure dared to smile just slightly at Reito. “I have spent the time since my coronation carefully reviewing all of your files. I now know about every mistake you made, action you took, even every food you ate on the people’s dime.”
Reito again paused, wanting them to fester in thought. “After reviewing all of you with a fine tooth comb, I am more than pleased to announce none of you will be replaced.” Though no one made a move, a wave of relief washed over some of the Ministers. “You have all done extraordinary work in your respective fields, and I cannot wait to continue the good work all of you are doing.”
“I understand there is a lot of concern among the people about my age and, therefore, my ability to lead our glorious empire. It is my objective to instill in our people confidence in their new Empress quickly. I do not wish to be passive, I want us to act now and act big.” Reito spoke with conviction, and seemingly, most of the Ministers were enthralled, even excited, by her proclamation.
“Off the bat, I want to deal with this pitiful alliance coming out of the UKUG.” She turned to Minister Kazumi Yamanaka of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “I want harsh import tariffs levied onto any goods coming in from Roskana, Marrlan, Pomaz, and Maiz. Our people should only be buying goods from our friends and allies. Not people who would gladly see our throat slit should it be exposed.”
Kazumi responded with a smile. “I couldn’t agree more, Your Highness.”
“As for Mil’Nor. I want them to feel the heat for directly allying with our enemy while so duplicitously accepting our generosity. Immediately cease all investment into that third-world speedbump. Sabotage the half-finished naval bases and cancel the agreement to complete them. Any of their ordered ships in our shipyards are to be scrapped. Call in all of their extreme debts owed to us. Any of their civilian or military ships settled in our docks are to be held at ransom and sold off or scrapped to pay their debt owed. I want every last Kumo pulled out from that shithole by the end of the month and on a ship home.”
Turning to Kure, Reito’s voice got harsher. “I want all of our naval assets pulled out of their ports. Revoke all our pleas to protect them. If they want to buddy up to the UKUG, then they may call upon her second string fleets to protect them when Galra comes knocking.”
Kure smiled softly and bowed. “Consider it done, Your Highness.”
“To twist the knife, we must increase the sense of our power projection. I understand the Ikubeko naval academy continued to push an idea that my mother considered too extravagant for the Royal Battle Fleet?”
Again with a calmness that rubbed Reito like steelwool rubs a rash, Kure spoke. “Project Titan.” She confirmed. “What of it, Your Highness?”
“I want Project Titan underway immediately.” Reito ordered. “It is time the world remembered who rules the waves, and the Shiraori class super battleship will be our first shot across the bow.”
“First?” Kure questioned.
“There will be more. However, the rest of my plans can wait.” Reito assured before turned to another Minister. “Eri-kas,” Her tone snapped towards the Minister of Energy.
“Y- yes, Your Highness?” Kai Eri answered.
“Ael-Electronics is showing the Kumo people what living with electricity can bring them. Powering both their homes and their workplaces.” Reito explained. “They have proved that not only does it increase their quality of life, but it massively increases their productivity. I want you, Minister Hirota,” the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, “and Minister Kataoka,” the Minister of Labor, “to work together with Ael Electronics' efforts as a blueprint on how to expand electrification to every home and workplace in Krelan. You have one month to bring me a proposal on bringing Kumosenkan up to one hundred percent electrification.”
All three Ministers’ eyes became wide as dinner plates as the indelibly daunting task now hung over them. “O- of course, Your Highness. We will get it done.”
Snapping over to Minister Kiyoko Mayeda of the Ministry of Health and Kumo Services, Reito began. “The gifts of the Empress have been naught but incredible success. However, now it is time to work on preventing illness and injury. In the next week, I want to hear about our empire’s progress in vaccines and other methods of preventing visits to the doctor and what I can do to expand our efforts in that area.”
Mayeda’s eyes lit up like a newly electrified home. “Of course! I have some proposals ready for you whenever you want them, Empress Reito.”
“Tamanaha-kas,” Reito addressed the Minister of Transportation. “I want your Ministry to start working on a report on the efficacy of our public transit. I want every city, town, and borough surveyed for gaps in our transportation service and ways we can improve. I expect you to report to me by the end of the season.”
“Understood.” Tamanaha nodded. “It will be done, Reito-kama.”
Next to receive Reito’s barrage of orders was Tsukiko Imai, the Minister of Education. “Imai-kas, I want your Ministry to look into expanding our public education system to the collegiate level. The smarter the average Kumo, the stronger our Empire.”
“I could not agree more.” The soft tones of Imai’s voice were enough to relax anyone. “I will begin a commission to investigate the best method of expanding into the university level.”
“Uyehara-kas,” Reito spoke, addressing the Minister of Agriculture, “I want you to look into new farming technologies. Visit every major farm in our empire. Find out what they use to optimize our crop yields and how we may apply them. We must support the backbone of our nation to the fullest lest we have no spine.”
“I am thrilled to serve at your behest, Madam Empress.” Uyehara smiled and nodded.
“Minister Takaki, you and I will be working together closely for the foreseeable future. We must ensure we shuffle any of our debts out of the banks of now hostile powers. They must not be allowed to hold anything over us. Additionally, I will approve hiring a large team of special agents to investigate any Kumo earning close to two hundred million yairen. We cannot allow the greed of few to us back in any regard. Hoarders will be punished.”
“I look forward to the work we will do for the good of our people, Empress Reito.” She answered quietly, yet clearly satisfied.
“Minister Imamura,” Reito addressed the Minister of the Interior. “I would like you to work with me directly to launch a wave of informational methodologies to assure the Kumo people that a strong captain is helming the ship.”
“I’ve had a strong idea of how to do just that. I look forward to sharing it with you.” Imamura bowed slightly
“Hirai-kas,” Up next was the Minister of Veterans Affairs. “I’d like you to gather veterans from the incursion into the notch who are eligible for the Empress’s Eye award and bring them to me. Set up a ceremony so that I may properly recognize their service to our glorious empire.”
“It would be my pleasure,” The elderly Hirai confirmed. “Your Highness.”
Next, Reito addressed the Minister of the Hunt, “Minister Okabe, I would like you to contact every general involved in the notch conflict and schedule a meeting with myself and them, as well as anyone they believe has something important to share from the conflict.”
“Of course, it will be done, Reito-kama.”
“The meeting started ten minutes ago!” Reito snapped back in a huff. “Why didn’t you tell me what time it was? We could’ve skipped the eyeliner.”
Reito surely would’ve continued trodding forth had Yuu not grabbed her hand, forcing her to a halt. “Your Highness, it is very important that you are late.”
This immediately brewed conflict with the values of punctuality Reito’s mother had driven into her. Her confusion was more than apparent on her face. “Everything you do from here on out is about power and perception. By showing up late, you are forcing them to wait for you; the meeting can’t start without you because it is about you. Everything is about you now. Making them sit and stew there will make that apparent.”
“Well, we’re already late, and I want to get this over with already, so can’t we go?” Reito continued.
“Yes and no. You can’t go rushing in there like you didn’t mean to be late.” Yuu continued to explain. “If you show up there like you are late on accident, it makes you look incompetent, like you can’t manage a watch. The message will be clear if you show up there, your head held high and lackadaisical. You wait for me. I own you.”
Reito twisted her mouth a bit. “Alright. I get it; how do I know which meetings to attend on time and which to make them wait?”
Yuu chuckled, “For starters, any meeting with Kure, make her wait. In general, whenever the power dynamics aren’t clear. Forcing them to wait for you instantly sets the pendulum in your favor.”
“Okay.” Reito nodded and even wrote the advice down on a notepad she always kept on her.
“Speaking of Kure-kas,” Nishimura continued as the two restarted the walk down the hall. “Right now, she likely knows that you know that she killed Shiraori. However, she thinks you are a weak and manipulatable kid who will fold when she makes her move. You must play a delicate balancing act with her for now.”
“What do you mean?!” Reito almost shouted. “Can’t I just show her I’m not some pushover that will do whatever any adult tells me?”
“I don’t think that’s a wise move.” Nishimura shook her head. “If she thinks you're a threat and may kill you like she did your mother, take up the mantle as Empress, proclaiming herself the most competent minister to do so. With the backing of the navy, none will stand to her.”
Reito bit her tongue in anger. “Fine. How is that a balancing act, then? I just have to act like a fool for her, yeah?”
“Absolutely not,” Yuu answered, adding further to Reito’s confusion. “We want Kure to see you weak, but if any of the other ministers suspect as such, they may end up being swayed into Kure’s favor. That must not happen.”
“I still can’t stand that we have to deal with such a duplicitous bitch.” Reito spat. “She made her move. Why can’t we punish her for it?!”
“B-” Yuu started.
“I know!” Reito shut her down before she could respond. “I know why. I just hate it. If this were one of my books, I could just tell the world what she did, and the public would execute her before I even had to.”
“I understand, Your Highness,” Yuu spoke softly. “There will come a day when decent folk never again utter her name. Let us play her game for now and watch as she walks into our trap.”
Reito nodded and pushed open the door that was now before them; Yuu would stay behind. Inside was the entire Cabinet to the Empress. Seventeen of the world's most powerful women now gathered to hear the Empress for the first time since her coronation. All of them watched Reito carefully as the new Empress walked into the room without a single eye open.
Reito had early placed a thin, nearly imperceptible thread along the floor to guide her to her seat. An old powerplay but one every Empress used. Some believed their ability to walk unguided was proof of the Empress’s divinity. Once Reito sat, she did so with perfect posture and even more calculated movements. With her eyes still shut, she reached for the cup of tea she knew waited for her and slowly drank from it before finally laying her eyes on the cabinet before her.
“Good evening, all.” Reito started, thanking the living stars her voice didn’t crack. “Throughout history, the first meeting of the cabinet has happened exactly one week following the coronation of a new Empress. The first item of business is always the dismissal of Ministers the new Empress feels are unfit for the position.”
Reito sharply eyed every Minister before her, careful not to linger on Kure. They all maintained their professional exterior, irritatingly Kure dared to smile just slightly at Reito. “I have spent the time since my coronation carefully reviewing all of your files. I now know about every mistake you made, action you took, even every food you ate on the people’s dime.”
Reito again paused, wanting them to fester in thought. “After reviewing all of you with a fine tooth comb, I am more than pleased to announce none of you will be replaced.” Though no one made a move, a wave of relief washed over some of the Ministers. “You have all done extraordinary work in your respective fields, and I cannot wait to continue the good work all of you are doing.”
“I understand there is a lot of concern among the people about my age and, therefore, my ability to lead our glorious empire. It is my objective to instill in our people confidence in their new Empress quickly. I do not wish to be passive, I want us to act now and act big.” Reito spoke with conviction, and seemingly, most of the Ministers were enthralled, even excited, by her proclamation.
“Off the bat, I want to deal with this pitiful alliance coming out of the UKUG.” She turned to Minister Kazumi Yamanaka of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “I want harsh import tariffs levied onto any goods coming in from Roskana, Marrlan, Pomaz, and Maiz. Our people should only be buying goods from our friends and allies. Not people who would gladly see our throat slit should it be exposed.”
Kazumi responded with a smile. “I couldn’t agree more, Your Highness.”
“As for Mil’Nor. I want them to feel the heat for directly allying with our enemy while so duplicitously accepting our generosity. Immediately cease all investment into that third-world speedbump. Sabotage the half-finished naval bases and cancel the agreement to complete them. Any of their ordered ships in our shipyards are to be scrapped. Call in all of their extreme debts owed to us. Any of their civilian or military ships settled in our docks are to be held at ransom and sold off or scrapped to pay their debt owed. I want every last Kumo pulled out from that shithole by the end of the month and on a ship home.”
Turning to Kure, Reito’s voice got harsher. “I want all of our naval assets pulled out of their ports. Revoke all our pleas to protect them. If they want to buddy up to the UKUG, then they may call upon her second string fleets to protect them when Galra comes knocking.”
Kure smiled softly and bowed. “Consider it done, Your Highness.”
“To twist the knife, we must increase the sense of our power projection. I understand the Ikubeko naval academy continued to push an idea that my mother considered too extravagant for the Royal Battle Fleet?”
Again with a calmness that rubbed Reito like steelwool rubs a rash, Kure spoke. “Project Titan.” She confirmed. “What of it, Your Highness?”
“I want Project Titan underway immediately.” Reito ordered. “It is time the world remembered who rules the waves, and the Shiraori class super battleship will be our first shot across the bow.”
“First?” Kure questioned.
“There will be more. However, the rest of my plans can wait.” Reito assured before turned to another Minister. “Eri-kas,” Her tone snapped towards the Minister of Energy.
“Y- yes, Your Highness?” Kai Eri answered.
“Ael-Electronics is showing the Kumo people what living with electricity can bring them. Powering both their homes and their workplaces.” Reito explained. “They have proved that not only does it increase their quality of life, but it massively increases their productivity. I want you, Minister Hirota,” the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, “and Minister Kataoka,” the Minister of Labor, “to work together with Ael Electronics' efforts as a blueprint on how to expand electrification to every home and workplace in Krelan. You have one month to bring me a proposal on bringing Kumosenkan up to one hundred percent electrification.”
All three Ministers’ eyes became wide as dinner plates as the indelibly daunting task now hung over them. “O- of course, Your Highness. We will get it done.”
Snapping over to Minister Kiyoko Mayeda of the Ministry of Health and Kumo Services, Reito began. “The gifts of the Empress have been naught but incredible success. However, now it is time to work on preventing illness and injury. In the next week, I want to hear about our empire’s progress in vaccines and other methods of preventing visits to the doctor and what I can do to expand our efforts in that area.”
Mayeda’s eyes lit up like a newly electrified home. “Of course! I have some proposals ready for you whenever you want them, Empress Reito.”
“Tamanaha-kas,” Reito addressed the Minister of Transportation. “I want your Ministry to start working on a report on the efficacy of our public transit. I want every city, town, and borough surveyed for gaps in our transportation service and ways we can improve. I expect you to report to me by the end of the season.”
“Understood.” Tamanaha nodded. “It will be done, Reito-kama.”
Next to receive Reito’s barrage of orders was Tsukiko Imai, the Minister of Education. “Imai-kas, I want your Ministry to look into expanding our public education system to the collegiate level. The smarter the average Kumo, the stronger our Empire.”
“I could not agree more.” The soft tones of Imai’s voice were enough to relax anyone. “I will begin a commission to investigate the best method of expanding into the university level.”
“Uyehara-kas,” Reito spoke, addressing the Minister of Agriculture, “I want you to look into new farming technologies. Visit every major farm in our empire. Find out what they use to optimize our crop yields and how we may apply them. We must support the backbone of our nation to the fullest lest we have no spine.”
“I am thrilled to serve at your behest, Madam Empress.” Uyehara smiled and nodded.
“Minister Takaki, you and I will be working together closely for the foreseeable future. We must ensure we shuffle any of our debts out of the banks of now hostile powers. They must not be allowed to hold anything over us. Additionally, I will approve hiring a large team of special agents to investigate any Kumo earning close to two hundred million yairen. We cannot allow the greed of few to us back in any regard. Hoarders will be punished.”
“I look forward to the work we will do for the good of our people, Empress Reito.” She answered quietly, yet clearly satisfied.
“Minister Imamura,” Reito addressed the Minister of the Interior. “I would like you to work with me directly to launch a wave of informational methodologies to assure the Kumo people that a strong captain is helming the ship.”
“I’ve had a strong idea of how to do just that. I look forward to sharing it with you.” Imamura bowed slightly
“Hirai-kas,” Up next was the Minister of Veterans Affairs. “I’d like you to gather veterans from the incursion into the notch who are eligible for the Empress’s Eye award and bring them to me. Set up a ceremony so that I may properly recognize their service to our glorious empire.”
“It would be my pleasure,” The elderly Hirai confirmed. “Your Highness.”
Next, Reito addressed the Minister of the Hunt, “Minister Okabe, I would like you to contact every general involved in the notch conflict and schedule a meeting with myself and them, as well as anyone they believe has something important to share from the conflict.”
“Of course, it will be done, Reito-kama.”