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Post by aimway921 on Dec 21, 2020 15:36:09 GMT -5
Almost a month after Hikva, Kapri and a load of weapons set sail for Elenria, a message would be sent to the Elenria New Horizon, requesting a diplomatic meeting.
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Post by StaolDerg on Dec 22, 2020 12:05:00 GMT -5
They'd be met with a reply rather quickly, invited to Elenria Horizon's capital to meet the leadership in the form of a short and polite letter.
Office of Foreign Affairs
To the Government of Ashigawa
Glory to the Silver Crown.
Sincerely, Foreign Minister Miaka Ajn
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Post by aimway921 on Dec 22, 2020 12:53:19 GMT -5
Several days later, a large passenger plane of the Ashigawan Diplomatic Airforce has touched down in Paleblue airport. One of the few large intercontinental planes, it had made the journey in just 10 hours with no in-between stops.
Out came, to meet the EH delegates out to receive them, were 4 Odaru men, 3 younger and one older, all dressed in business suits. The older one walking in front, he was the first to approach the Elenrian, bowing before introducing himself.
"Good day to you. I am Hideroki Koga, shall serve as an ambassador of the Empire to your nation."
The three younger men, clearly Hideroki's aids, remained silent, but also bowed.
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Post by StaolDerg on Dec 22, 2020 16:35:33 GMT -5
The Elenrian who greeted the delegation were dressed in rather plain dress, with cloth wraps covering their forelimbs. As the Odaru approached it was rather clear that they were an Austari, their hybrid features prominent amongst the soldiers who accompanied them.
When they reached within a meter of the Prime Minister, the Austari suddenly drew a sword from their side, turning it so the flat side faced the delegation, holding it against their chest, parallel to their arm across their body diagonally. They held the pose for a moment before the saber to its sheath, bowing in return.
"Well met, Mr. Koga. I am Prime Minister Lapria Vayn of this home-away-from-home. Welcome to Elenria Horizon- it's a pleasure to have you."
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Post by aimway921 on Dec 25, 2020 5:21:34 GMT -5
Koga observed the Austari's ceremonious actions. "Traditionalists," he thought to himself. "Good. More chance we could see eye to eye."
"We are honored to be in the presence of a culture as ancient as ours" he said. "It fills me with great sadness that you have been forced out of your home, but at the same time joy that you found such a prosperous land. As we say in Ashigawa - there is a sliver lining in every storm cloud. But let us talk of what matters. Althoug," he would pause for a second, sliding his gaze among the honor guard present with the Prime Minister, "I believe it would be best if we were to do so in private."
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Post by StaolDerg on Dec 26, 2020 22:30:13 GMT -5
"Naturally," the Austari replied. "If you would follow me, we can talk along the way to the Maritime Trade Building. You will have to excuse us- we have spent the last few decades trying to build up our new home's defenses. Our capital is not yet presentable at this time." He nodded at the soldiers, who saluted and allowed the entourage to move towards the tram waiting for them.
"Please," the Austari said, waving him aboard, "make yourself comfortable. There is room for everyone."
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Post by aimway921 on Dec 28, 2020 4:41:41 GMT -5
"Do not worry," Koga said. "After all, we came to talk business, not to sightsee." As he and his aids climbed onto the tram, he was trying to think of a way to address the fact that his nation was secretly involved in Elenrian uprising back in Elenria mainland.
"My superiors are seeking to open diplomatic relations with your nation," he said. "You are technically our neighbor, being right next to a colony of our ally, Rombarda. We are looking to start several trade agreements, and maybe..." he glanced at the guards and anyone else who might be in the tram other than himself, his aids and the Prime Minister once again, "a bit more."
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Post by StaolDerg on Dec 29, 2020 13:21:21 GMT -5
"Oh?"
The Austari eyed him with a raised eyebrow, trying to interpret the ambassador's body language.
"You're quite welcome to speak freely- there's no one to bother us here."
Foreigners were tricky, the Prime Minister knew. He walked a fine line between existing as TAKPOE's grave enemy and as an independent state with quiet cultural connections to the Elenria. It wouldn't be the first time that their honor was demanded in return for support and protection. But he knew full well the lesson that TAKPOE presented- the outsiders were much too slippery and sweet with words- only cold blades into Elenria Horizon's earth would signify pain. And by then, as all of Elenria had seen, it would be too late then.
Nevertheless, he maintained a neutral and positive expression. If the Kumo occupation could be undermined, then it was certainly of interest and importance.
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Post by aimway921 on Aug 9, 2021 23:53:05 GMT -5
"Well, if you say so..." Koga said, accepting the fact that the he won't be able to drag until they are in a full privacy of an office. "I do not know if you have heard the views of our Empress Yuzuru on the world. She has recently ascended to the throne of the Ashigawan Nation, and wishes to establish herself in the world to be perceived true to her own beliefs, not those of her predecessors, as well as atone for some of the more... heinous of their actions.
She believes in an end to imperialism and decolonization. As a people driven from their homeland due to colonialism of a foreign empire, she hopes you would share that belief."
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Post by StaolDerg on Aug 10, 2021 0:10:56 GMT -5
Vayn eyed the foreign diplomat carefully. He weighed his options and their potential outcomes- Elenria Horizon had little reason to trust the Ashigawans, especially if what word from the agents in the Elenria had sent were true. But that the nation's monarch was of entirely different, roundabout ideology? If the stakes were not so tenuous for his homeland and his adopted land-of-exiles, the Austari would've considered the topic almost absurd from the political standpoint alone.
"I can't say I've heard- then again, word tends to travel slow here in the Horizon, despite our efforts. Now, please excuse my approach- attitudes and action are strong ideals for our people to follow, but difficult to manifest in these times without good reason. But say for the case that I do share such sentiment; what would Her Majesty ask of the Elenria Horizon?"
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Post by aimway921 on Aug 10, 2021 11:06:06 GMT -5
"Her Majesty aims for closer ties with Elenria - and with most Toulian nations, for that matter. Dealing with your government in Elenria Proper directly is deemed next to impossible - and dangerous, as it carries a high risk of drawing the ire of Kumosenkan - a war we are not ready for."
"In short, the Tenno doesn't wish to continue the history of war and suffering. She wishes instead to bring about an era of prosperity for all - and that can't be achieved by one nation acting alone, for that would only devolve into another conquest under the guise of liberation."
"But let's start with the basics. I'm sure you'll agree when I say that Kumo poses a threat to you even out here. Should they wish to spend the time, they can easily invade and take over. The Tenno wishes to extend an invitation to you. Should - gods forbid such a thing from ever happening - you find yourselves under the threat of Kumo invasion out here, you would be welcome on the Ashigawan islands."
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Post by StaolDerg on Aug 11, 2021 0:42:54 GMT -5
The Prime Minister was immediately hesitant upon the offer of the Ashigawan refuge. Accepting, naturally, was completely out of the question- none of the Elenrians, save perhaps a very scarce few dozen, would be willing to retreat again, and even then especially not to a nation that if word served right, had been previously responsible for causing a famine in the Elenria. No, he was well aware how the others amongst the Homebound Commission were aligned with their honor- rooted to the ground. So the problem here was how to avoid causing some diplomatic ire from the Ashigawans by refusing. He considered his options as the tram rumbled along, slowing before a larger building, built from solid dark bricks. Its double doors were flanked by a pair of soldiers wearing a strange garrison cover, possibly of much older Elenrian tradition- it widened at the front, then narrowed downwards into a visor, with a silvery pin of the Elenria Horizon emblazoned upon it. But otherwise, they were well indistinguishable from their TAKPOE counterparts- a tropical battle dress and webbing dressed in a drab green stuck them up and down, with old rifles clutched in their hands.
"Ah, we're here. Do excuse my silence, Ambassador Koga- I don't mean to cause any concern. Please, follow. It would be distasteful for me to have our discussion in the sun, and better as you have said, to be in privacy."
As they entered the relatively moderately-sized building, it'd be noticed by the foreigners that the guards were not just Elenrian-orginated: many of the guards had long faces with knife-like ears, natives to the islands, without a doubt. The Prime Minister gave them a salute that was answered by them seating their rifle butts upon the floor and returning the gesture.
"Well, let me be clear," he began as he guided him into a free office at the back of the building. "You are correct that Kumosenkan is a clear threat to the Elenria Horizon that cannot be faced alone in a practical sense. But I cannot accept this invitation to withdraw to Ashigawa in the case of so little as a threat or so much as an outright invasion. We have already retreated once and made little effort to fight back. To withdraw again without drawing blood would be dishonorable and unacceptable to both tradition and morale of the people and the leadership. We cannot be a government in exile in another nation's soil."
He paused, folding his hands over the desk as he faced the Odaru. "That is not to say that the Republic Elenria does not want your help- quite the opposite, really. But political support is not what we need. Perhaps we could come to a different agreement, one over materiel instead?"
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Post by aimway921 on Aug 12, 2021 11:15:44 GMT -5
"I understand," Koga replied calmly. "We Ashigawans know better than anyone the meaning of honor. Tenno would leave the invitation open, however, should you ever, for any reason, change your mind. The same invitation is also extended to those who flee Elenria Proper."
"As for material support... We can arrange that. Judging from what I've seen so far that I've been here... Please forgive me for being blunt - you are almost a century behind the rest of the world in technology. I'm no military expert, but I can say for sure that you won't be able to hold up against modern militaries.
I can offer several things to remedy this problem. Firstly, a loan. We can equip your nation with the industry to rapidly modernize, with the condition that you pay it back over a course of time we can yet discuss. This would make your nation more self-sustainable, letting you rely less on product imports.
While it would be set up, however, you would need an immediate boost to your defenses. We can offer a military attache with a small military mission to both complement your defensive forces, as well as train them with modern equipment and tactics.
Finally, we can sell you a number of weapons at a high discount. While they are outdated by the latest standards, they are still more advanced that the designs you have, being of the pre to early Great War era."
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Post by StaolDerg on Aug 12, 2021 21:24:48 GMT -5
The Austari nodded in considering thought, reaching for "Your straightforwardness is appreciated, ambassador, as are the offers. We'll be happy to take you up on all of those offers, provided that transport is delegated entirely to proxy corporations to handle. We try to limit association to anyone, naturally. The military mission especially would be greatly welcomed, and though I must put all things to submission by our nation's leadership, I can guarantee at the least the success of the arms support."
He reached for a pen and set about noting down the entire deal.
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Post by aimway921 on Aug 12, 2021 21:32:17 GMT -5
As much as he tried to hide it, Koda's tail visibly twitched in excitement. He had just secured a positive disposition with another nation.
"I am sure Tenno will be glad to hear that. On her authority, I can negotiate almost any deal.
Any expenses that you would owe us for the sale of all the equipment, as I mentioned before, can be paid for in the future as credit. But it would be wiser, I believe, if representatives of our trade ministries discuss that between eachother - I'm sure they are more qualified in that aspect than either of us."
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