Franch Entry into the COG

[callmedelta]

Xander Nohreau sat behind the driver's seat of his car on the busy streets of Auran's Acropolis. His two aides, as well as the Franch Ambassador to Rombardia, Leo Nohreau, his younger brother, sat in the car with him. It was odd for a man of his importance not to have a chauffer to do the driving for him, but Xander was always calmed sitting behind the wheel. And calmed he would need to be today. Franerre cannot become the next Elenria, and there cannot be another Century of Humiliation. For that, they would need allies. Leo piped up, stirring Xander from his thoughts. "How is Elise doing? Has she decided whether to be an ambassador or a judge yet?"

"'Lise decided she wanted to follow Camilla, become a High Mandat," Xander answered, "She's actually sat in on a few cases. Personally, I don't know how the two stomach all of it."

"Like we have room to talk," Leo quipped, "The only difference between the two of us and Camilla is that we have to cut through foreign legalese instead of our own." The imposing sight of the Auren Citadel loomed over the car as they came closer to their destination. 

Xander chuckled. "Glad to see your tongue hasn't dulled, Leo." The elder brother turned the car into the security gate of the Citadel, flashing his credentials before being let through. The four then exited the car, confidently striding into the Citadel, and to what may be the most important meeting of their lives. After a quick search by the Rombardian security, more a formality than anything, the two diplomats and their aids advanced to the day's battlefield, the Citadel Chamber. 

[VoxApocrypha]

He'd find himself enclosed in a very spartan interior, the hallways having high ceilings and exposed catwalks with a rounded shape, like he was walking down a tube. Battlements lay around the area, what was around them were mostly crates of building material and hanging banners. He'd soon be met by an aid wearing a mix of Rombardi and then Western business suit, of whom would guide them to the chamber itself, before leaving them to the mercy of the three men inside of it. All of them wore similar uniforms, military in style but lacking ribbons and medals, instead lined with braided cords and a sort of cape that went over the right shoulder and seemed to meld into their uniform at the wrist.

"Welcome to Rombarda." The lead would say, stepping forwards and holding out their gloved hand for a shake. The other two would nod their heads respectfully, two of them being humans while the third was a Festria, towering above the other two. "I trust your trip across the ocean was not too trying and that your time here has been pleasant?"

[callmedelta]

Xander and Leo both shook the outstretched hand of the Festria, the pair's formal suits standing out from the mix of formal suit and traditional wear the Rombardian's wore. "The skies were calm, thankfully," Xander answered, "The hardest part has been the change in time, but such is the life of a diplomat." Xander gazed around the chamber, feeling dwarfed by the large, empty ceiling of the room. "Where are the other delegations?" Leo asked, respectfully.

[VoxApocrypha]

"They are soon to come. We figured we'd however come ahead of them, and simply be here to greet you as we wait for the Nevarran and Ashigawan representatives." He would tell them as he would set his hands to rest on the hilt of his ceremonial sword, the other at his side, the group looking to the door at the side of the room. "They should be here soon. If not, we will send someone to fetch them and go from there."

"I'm glad that your trip was pleasant." He'd say as he turned back to them. "I am Therma. My colleagues are Ashton and Vol." He'd gesture to them as he spoke, pointing both out, the two bowing their heads respectfully.

"Take a seat. We will have refreshments shortly." He'd tell them, gesturing to the chairs that looked out of place in such a spartan and brutalist structure with their comfy purple cushioning and wooden frames.

[callmedelta]

"I am Lord Xander Nohreau," Xander said with a bow. "And I am Lord Leo Nohreau," Leo followed up with a bow of his own. The pair already knew the representative's names, as well as the Nevarran and Ashigawan delegation's names, but formalities are formalities. "These are my two aides, Niles and Odin," Xander continued, as the pair of aides bowed. The four then sat down in their seats to await the remaining delegations. 

[aimway921]

Not too long later, the doors opened and in came the Ashigawa representative. He was alone. Dressed in his ceremonial uniform, his sleeves bore the sigil of his Noble House - Reizei.

"Damyo Reizei Sato, of Ashigawa, at your service," he introduced himself, with a traditional Ashigawan bow rather than a handshake, before joining the others at the table.

[Faust]

Following not too far behind the Ashigawan representative would be a man dressed in dark clothing, a black great coat with a patch bearing the 'Real Bandera'; the flag of Nevarra sewn onto the right arm. He stepped into the room bearing his hand out and shaking appropriately to whom it applies and then affording a proper bow in the direction of Damyo Sato before sitting down with his case. "Joan Mendez, representing King Ernesto of House Favela, Third of His Name, and the peoples and state of the Crowned Republic of Nevarra."

[VoxApocrypha]

As the Ashigawan and Nevarran representatives joined them, the Rombardan delegation would bow respectfully to both, and then offer a hand to the Nevarran one, before they took their seats and would gesture for others to do the same. Once everyone had been seated, they'd relax some into their seats, and place their hands onto the table. "We will begin proceedings now, and begin this meeting of the Chamber of the COG."

"We are here to discuss the possible entry of the Kingdom of Franerre to the Common of Granuras as a partial signatory to the treaty of the COG." He would clasp his hands together, and then clear his throat.

"To start us off, I will put forward the position of Rombarda on this matter, as I was asked to present out viewpoint as soon as was possible. As we understand it, Franerre seeks to join the COG as a partial signatory to the treaty. While in ideal and more favorable conditions, we would be more willing to accept, the conditions are opposite to favorable. Franerre, on Touli, is a rather far flung destination. This on its own wouldn't be much an issue, but this opens the problem of Kumosenkan, and Elenria. While optimally if the conditions were better, we wouldn't be concerned about it, but as it stands Rombarda and Ashigawa both control large navies and neither of us if viewed favorably by the current owner of the waves." 

 He'd lean forwards a bit in his seat, it creaking quietly. 
"As a partial signatory to the Commonwealth of Granuras, you would have to open your borders to the movement of COG military assets. This on its own could be enough to warrant action from Kumosenkan and the Aegis Pact at large should they decide to support a conflict against the COG by Kumosenkan. It could provoke them into action, and we wish to avoid another war so soon after the last has ended and our economies have only recently recovered."

"What we suggest instead, is Observer Status."

[callmedelta]

"Respectfully, Therma," Xander responded, leaning back in his chair, "I believe you may be overreacting. You said it yourself: your economies have only recently recovered, and no one in this room wishes for another war." Xander swept his gaze around the chamber as he said those words, making eye contact with each representative there. "The same holds true for the Aegis Pact. Kumosenkan, which I believe everyone in this room agrees is most likely to start any potential conflict, imports large amounts of food to sustain their population. Any potential disruptions caused by war, even if they could hold the seas in the long term, would spell disaster for the home front. In addition, there would be no guarantee that there would be any Commonwealth troops stationed in Franerre, only the possibility." Xander paused, taking a drink of the glass of water provided by his hosts.

"I must agree with my brother," Leo continued, "Even if Commonwealth troops were needed in Franerre, the increase in the volume of shipping entry into the COG would bring could cover up any troop movements, if done over a long enough period of time."

[aimway921]

Raizei would respectfully stand before starting to speak.

"Ashigawa believes Kumosenkan to be as much if a threat as any of us here. However, under current circumstances, I do not believe they would dare a hostile action against COG. They know, that any hostility against COG will be retaliated against by shutting down the food trade from Maiz. I do not believe Kumo can afford that at the moment."

"Meanwhile, I believe we have much to gain from accept Franerre into the Commonwealth. One of the most powerful nation on Touli becoming an ally to great Empires, instead of being subjugated by one, will pave way to constructive relations with other Touli nations, who, as far as I'm aware, distrustful of Empires after being subjugated by Kumo and Ulster-Gaelia. From there, free trade and economic growth for everyone involved would be only the start of the benefits."

"Based on these observations, I speak for the Tennō himself when I would say that Ashigawa will welcome Franerre as a Partial Signatory, if a vote for such a development is passed."

[Faust]

Joan Mendez would clear his throat before speaking, his case opened on the table with an assortment of stationary in documents. As the others spoke he would be writing down some notes and figures on the paper in Nevarran. Once it became his turn he would stand and speak.

"The matter presented before us is the subject of the status of Franerre within the Commonwealth. It was not long ago, just about a generation of souls when Nevarra's influence was deep in the continent of Touli. During that time of colonization we have developed a vested interest in seeing that the residents of the continent pursue self-determination and prosperity across their many nations. Currently our investments in the continent of Touli appear rather one-sided in favor of the Toulians but we believe that these benefits would become greater and more equal on both sides if Franerre were given Partial-Signatory status within the Commonwealth as a message to other great powers that influence they hold will not monopolize and that we are serious about protecting our own interests and the interest of many of the other nations on the continent, that Franerre, is the key to developing relations with the rest of the continent."

[VoxApocrypha]

The Rombardan ambassadors, though only one the acting head as the others were simply taking notes or observing, would listen to the other two members of the COG as they voiced their opinions on Franch entry into the commonwealth. Once finished, Therma would nod their head and then look at the Franch Ambassadors from the top, leaning forwards to set his chin in his hands. After a few moments of thought, seconds ticking by in uncomfortable silence, he would lean back and look at the ceiling.

"We recognize the arguments of our allies and that of Franerre for its entry into the Commonwealth of Granuras. Rombarda will, in the interest of bringing this matter to a close and to for this instance and this alone, acquiesce to the interests of our Allies, vote in favor of allowing Franerre to join the COG as a Partial Signatory."

[callmedelta]

As Xander heard those words leave the Rombardian's mouth, he let the impassive mask he'd wore during the proceedings slip a little bit, giving out a small contented sigh. It appeared as if a huge weight had been lifted off the man's shoulder, which it had. This may have just been the most important meeting of Xander's life, after all. The Franchman's face beamed, and Xander would have jumped for joy if he weren't still in the meeting. "Franerre shall be forever grateful," Xander said, trying and mostly succeeding to contain the excitement in his voice, "and so will my liege. This goodwill on behalf of the Rombardians, and on behalf of the Commonwealth as a whole, shall not be forgotten."

Ever the pragmatist, Leo asked, "When would be the best time to sign the treaty? Ruling a state is a busy matter, but I believe all parties would wish to sign as soon as possible."

[VoxApocrypha]

The Rombardan ambassador would cup his hands together, as the other two would stand up.
"Rather than make you wait until tomorrow, you will be signing the treaty today, as we will be in a long session of the private chamber throughout the next day. As it stands as a partial signatory, you are not involved in private chamber meetings. An assistant will bring the treaty for you to imprint your signature on the document, and to make you a official member of the COG." He'd say, watching as one of the men left the room through a side door. Soon he'd return, holding a document enclosed in a transparent plastic tube, of which he then sets down in front of them and opens, laying it flat on the table. He'd lift a pen from within it in a plastic tin, before handing it to Leo.

[callmedelta]

"I would be honored to sign in my liege's stead," Xander answered, retrieving a pen from his suit pocket. Truthfully, Xander was so excited, he didn't know if he could keep his hand steady to sign the document, but it was still best to keep that diplomat's mask on.

'There he goes again, always stealing the spotlight," Leo thought as he silently watched from his seat. 'Then again, His Majesty did send Xander here, and the treaty did get signed, so perhaps it's deserved this time.'