The Rising Sun and the Crimson Tide

[Moshel-Generał]

A telegram would arrive in Kyoto from the URRV. It was short and simple, an invitation to Librevelt to discuss foreign relations. It was assumed that the Ashigawans would accept this invitation, as several of their soldiers captured in the Revolution were still stuck in the URRV. If the Ashigawans accepted they would be received in Librevelt where they would have a meeting scheduled with Commissar Bonaparte.

[aimway921]

The telegram was uneasily received. From one side, it was indeed time for the brave young men and women who fought in the war to return home. For the other - by choosing to surrender instead of dying in battle they broke one of the most fundamental of Ashigawa codes of honor. However, due to the more progressive ideals slowly spreading among Ashigawa, mostly perpetuated by the Crown Princess, there is a chance they would be pardoned.

It was decided to send one of the youngest members of the nobility, who embraced the cultural change with open arms - he would most likely be able to bring them home alive, instead of having them commit a ritual suicide.

Oshida Takichi, the youngest prince of legal age of the Oshida noble family, was chosen to make the trip. He was a little short, even for Odaru, at just 5 feet, making him very short in comparison to the average human. He was probably one of the most unusual Odaru - instead of the fox like brownish red, his hair and the fur on his ears and tail were almost pure white, with several streaks of silver. Dressed in his ceremonial uniform, with his personal sword, used both for ceremonies and for self defense, by his side, he has arrived in Libervelt via aircraft, eager to meet the representative of the Communist regime which, back at home, he was told to be one of the most dangerous nations for the Empire.

[Moshel-Generał]

The Prince would be received by an aide and with little fanfare. The CPC had seen no reason to announce this visit, and so not even Vérité was there to cover the meeting. The Prince would be escorted to the Rouge District of the capital, where he would enter the People's Commissariat for the Internationale's main complex. Before meeting with the Commissar he would be asked to leave his weapon outside, for security reasons.

Once he entered the room he would notice it had very little in the form of decoration. There were some plants in the corners, and a world map, but no portraits or statues. In the center of the room was a table at which sat the Commissar dressed in her black suit. She would wait patiently for her guest to sit. Once he had done so she would speak. "Greetings Prince. I am Commissar Bonaparte. I would like to welcome you to Librevelt and the Union as a whole. Might I offer you something to drink before we begin talks in earnest?"

[aimway921]

Takichi was blown away by the total lack of... Well, anything, really. From the seemingly mundane reception to the plain office of the government official. Was it all intentional? Or was the country that poor? He didn't let it show, but this peaked his interest - perhaps some form of cultural exchange would be beneficial to Ashigawa.

"If only a glass of water," Takishi said in Common, as he was seated on the rather plain and simple chair.

[Moshel-Generał]

The Commissar would nod to on of the aides who would give the prince some water while another poured some drink into a glass for the Commissar. "Now, I believe it is wise for us to begin with what each of us wants to achieve here," the Commissar said simply. "The Union wishes for official recognition of our government. As I believe is quite clear now, we aren't going anywhere. In exchange we are offering the return of the POWs currently in our possession." She would drink a little before continuing. "I am also supposed to invite you to set up an embassy in the Jaune District. Now beyond the return of your citizens, what would you want from the Union?"

[aimway921]

Takichi looked down on the table, biting his lip and giving out a barely audible sigh.

"You know..." he began. "The new generation of the ruling class, myself included, are already having our own mock meetings, conferences, whatnot, getting ready to replace the current generation when their time comes. This includes the Crown Princess. The current Ministers, and the Tennō, are old traditionalists. I severely doubt they will agree to such a deal. What's more, they will likely only have the returned prisoners commit seppuku for getting captured in the first place, although, I think, if that were the case, they would've rejected or ignore your invitation and not even bother sending me."

"My point is, I can give guarantees that Ashigawa will be able to recognize your legitimacy when the traditionalist old guard is replaced by the more progressive new generation. Right now - even though I'm here talking with you, I do not have the authority or even influence back home to give you such a promise."

Takichi nervously took another sip from the glass, before continuing.

"I have talked with the Crown Princess before this journey. She gave me guarantee that she will recognize your government, unlike her father, the Tennō who, reportedly, refuses to even speak on the topic. But she has to ascend to the throne first."

[Moshel-Generał]

"I see." The Commissar would set down her cup and fold her hands in front of her. "In that case we can assume everything we discuss is set in the future. For it is against our own code of ethics to turn people over to their potential death. If you like we can tour the housing that we are keeping your citizens at so that you can see that we are not mistreating them, but I think any talks of their return must be halted until your government has become less traditionalist." She'd nod at an aid who would refill her cup and give her some documents. "Of course I think it would be in your people's best interest to open bilateral relations, even if not friendly. Your allies and us share quite a large border and I would like to have things in place to prevent violence from occurring. It is mutually beneficial for our governments to at least speak with each other, as the Union is not going anywhere." She would give a small cold grin before taking another drink.