Nevarran-Kumosenkan Diplomacy

[Faust]

Astillia, 1945

To Her Majesty Empress Reito of Kumosenkan,

I write to you on behalf of the nation and peoples of the Crowned Republic of Nevarra. Our contact with each other has remained marginal since we have learned of eachother's existence during the age of exploration when the world was set about discovering itself. Even after the Great War I see that relations between our two sovereignties have not since normalized. This simply will not do. On behalf of the Nevarran Chamber of Foreign Affairs and my own personal interest I would like to open a discussion about normalizing relations between our two countries. If you too find this amenable then I would be honored to host your envoy in the Royal Palace of Zadrid where they would discuss the opportunities that may come with opening up to one another. However, if you would rather a Nevarran envoy be sent to Kumosenkan then I am sure that could be arranged. We only ask for this that you provide a time, date, and address and they will arrive punctually. 

With Greatest Intentions, 
King Ernesto III of House Favela

[Sophie]

His Majesty King Ernesto III,

We have received your letter and would be happy to establish normalized communications. We can send an envoy to Nevarra immediately. Mari Akamine can be in your capital as early as next week. She has the full trust and Authority of the Empress. She will arrive on the 29th of Astilla and will stay for at least a week. Any day you are ready to host her will work for her. We look forward to the fruits that will come to harvest from this meeting.

With honor to the Empress,
Emissary Ninomae Kyou

[Faust]

Astillia, 1945

The air was warm and dry, nothing less to expect from travelling to Nevarra. Incoming sands often sweep the ancient and modern roads alike but are just as quickly swept away through the quick winds of north. In the northern and western horizons one would see great ice-peaked mounts piercing the sky, often shadowing the city of Zadrid towards the evening, quickly cooling the hot days and transforming them into cool nights. Atop a hill outside of the city proper would be an immaculately designed palace that seems to hold a pristine white coloration that has survived the weathering of years from Nevarra's past. A popular tourist destination where many citizens and visitors from all over would come and marvel at the architectural beauty of the Zadrid Palace but for today it would be closed to the public in preparation for the arrival of Akamine Mari, the envoy of Kumosenkan. Snack foods were being prepared to accompany discussions of the meeting, after all, a key tenet in Nevarran culture is hospitality. After reviewing some of Kumosenkan's culture for the meeting, the cooking staff best sought to serve a Nevarran delicacy of which the two cultures might have a common interest in; Chapulines. Specifically, Chapulines Tacos which is accompanied by basting in mojo de ajo and served with a light stuffing of guacamole. 

The meeting would, of course, take place within the smaller dining hall featured in the palace. Representing Nevarra in this meeting with Akamine Mari would be Hugo Gaona and his secretary Tomas Pardo who would be there specifically to record and notate the meeting. Within time things would be getting ready and it was only a matter of time before Mari would arrive. 

[Sophie]

The Emissary arrived at the date she was ordered to. Even from the short walk from the car to the palace Mari was already sweating heavily. Kumo did not do well in the heat. She was thankful to get inside and out of the sun. She was quickly escorted into the dining hall in which Hugo and Tomas were awaiting her. Upon seeing them she bowed deeply. "It is my honor to be representing Kumosenkan in this meeting. We are very grateful to you for reaching out to us to begin to build communications between our two great nations."

[Faust]

Upon her entering of the room the two would stand in accordance and as she introduced herself they would return a polite bow in respecting the traditions and customs of Kumosenkan. "The honor is ours Akamine Mari. Some introductions are in order, I am Hugo Gaona and this is Senor Tomas Pardo. We will be discussing relations and potential outcomes of such relations between the sovereignties of Nevarra and Kumosenkan. Anything you would like to discuss at the time please differ to me, Senor Pardo is here to focus on notating the meeting and other formal responsibilities. Please, sit, I hope it is comfortable" Hugo announced and gestured a large silken burgundy pillow which size-wise made it comparable to a full futon. Two men wearing white jackets emerged from the entrances to the room and placed down silver dishes which, upon unveiling, revealed the items of todays menu. Chapulines and variations of being the most prevalent accompanied by various other finger foods and dips hosting the native zests and spices. One of the men began to fill glasses over by Hugo and Tomas while another would approach Mari. "Would the senora like a refreshment? Water, wine?"

[Sophie]

"Thank you very much for meeting with me." She smiled and happily sat on the pillow that was offered to her. "Water would be lovely." Akamine generally preferred wine but figured it wise to not drink during a diplomatic meeting. She wanted to get straight to business but her eyes were drawn to the food offered on the table. The scent of insects wafted into her nose and triggered something primal within her. With some effort, she was able to maintain her composure. "Is that meat... insects?" She asked picking up a chapuline and inspecting it. "This smells incredible."

[Faust]

"Ah yes, Chapulines. It is a delicacy in Nevarra that not many in the world would share. Did you know that this started off as a poor-man's food? Indeed, Nevarra is no stranger to famine and drought though we've gotten better at controlling it. Desperate times though often called for desperate action and there was an abundance of Grasshoppers. Though it started off as a local dish it became widely popular. King Juan VI's mother was a woman of common birth, grew up in Palma-Sierra. She cooked him Chapulines from a recipe her mother knew for an important meeting he had with the nobility and before the day ended Chapulines practically became a national dish. Is good food, hearty, lot of spices came take it many dir-" 

"Sir, the meeting" Tomas interuppted

"OH yes, right. Forgive me, Senora. I had gotten a bit carried away." Hugo smiled sheepishly and began to shuffle and fit some papers that Tomas handed him that he began to quickly read over. Of course during this time the man in the white coat had poured her water. 

[Sophie]

The diplomat laughed. "It's hard not to get carried away talking about delicious food." She finally took a bite of the offered delicacy, relishing in the complex taste of the Nevarran dish. "This is absolutely incredible. It almost beats out Kumosenkan curry." She gave a quick wink before setting the Chapuline down. "Though we should get down to business. We're here to begin the normalization of communications and relations between Kumosenkan and Nevarra. I believe a healthy start would be to construct embassies in both of our capitols. For obvious reasons, this should make all future communications between us much simpler. We are ready to authorize and construct a Nevarran embassy in Fuyonouso as soon as this week, provided you do the same."

[Faust]

"It sounds like a marvelous proposal, one that bodes well. Currently we have emptied buildings within Zadrid we believe would best serve as an embassy. Though a lot of travel inner-city is done through walking so be mindful of that" Hugo jovially laughed while Tomas rolled his eyes and continued to notate. "Yes, embassies would be the best way to get communications started between our two sovereignties. Would there be anything else that Kumosenkan would have an interest in. We know that during the colonial period there was a flourishing trade we possessed between us, UKUG, and Kumosenkan that tragically waned after our recession. I think we would benefit from establishing trade once more between our countries. It would be difficult given our lack of access to the sea but we do partially own some waterways that lead into Lago Grando."

[Sophie]

"Consider the Nevarran Embassy constructed then." She smiled. "As far as trade goes..." She took a few moments to think. "As I recall, we used to be rather strong spice trade partners, and despite our extensive trade deals with other nations, I don't think there will ever be a good replacement for Nevarran spice. Even after just tasting the intense complexity in this one dish I know it would make the Kumosenkan people happy to widen their pallet. Likewise, we would be willing to trade Kumosenkan spices with you, most importantly curry. Is there anything else you would like to propose for our two nations to trade?"

[Faust]

"Im sure would could arrange a transit of consumer goods to move between our nations. The particularly fanciful peoples of Nevarra bear an appreciation for foreign and exotic textiles for one. To reinvigorate the spice-trade however I believe would only spell economic flourishing between Kumosenkan and Nevarra. Should anything else come up I believe would could interact through the embassies but unless you have anything more to add I believe that this would conclude our first of hopefully many meetings and enterprises between our homelands."