Lusatia and Franerre

[callmedelta]

It had been late when Ryom Hodeau had received the telegram from Franerre. There wasn't too much of a time difference between Pareau and Kazimierzgrad, meaning the telegram must have been sent relatively late in Pareau, too, which seemed off to Ryom. It was just past eight in the evening, and Ryom had just gotten back from dinner when the telegram came. Any sensible message could have waited for the morning. Considering the message's contents, something bad must have happened in Franerre to warrant such a response. Orders from Pareau were always Spartan in nature, but even this message carried a grim sense of urgency. Ryom sighed, dialing the phone line for his contacts in the Lusatian diplomats. The phone rang once, twice, three times before being picked up. "Bonsoir, this is Ambassador Hodeau from the Franch Embasssy. Who am I speaking to?"

[alxeu]

A younger-sounding voice picked up, sounding somewhat bored and potentially tired, "Lukasz Stokłosa, one of the junior staff with the Foreign Ministry. How can I be of service this evening, Ambassador Hodeau?"

[callmedelta]

"I have just received a telegram from Pareau, requesting a meeting to discuss trade," Ryom answered, "In addition, there will be a plane from Pareau coming, though I wasn't told when it would be arriving. Telegrams can only say so much, after all." Hodeau covered the mouthpiece to the phone, hiding his yawn. "It is rather late, however, and unless you have any further questions, I think that will be all for tonight."

[alxeu]

The man on the other side merely asked to confirm the details with the Ambassador, and after making sure he had all the information, he concluded, "Thank you, Ambassador. The official meeting can begin following the conclusion of the election at the end of the month, though, regarding the plane, if you can secure any additional details regarding its planned arrival, we'll ensure an adequate security detail is deployed to see its arrival safely."

[callmedelta]

"The end of the month? Really?" Ryom said, trying to muster any outrage in his tired voice, though it came off more as mere annoyance, "I will attempt to see when the plane will be arriving, but I believe it will be sooner rather than later. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a telegram to send." Hanging up the phone, Ryom walked towards the secretary's desk at the Franch embassy, rummaging around for a pen and paper. Finally finding his prize, Hodeau scribbled the message down, before throwing on his coat. It would only be a short walk to the telegram station, thankfully.

---

An hour later, Ryom stood at the telephone in the Franch embassy, dialing the same number as before. Thankfully, the operator was nearby the phone at the time, and hardly had to wait any time before the other end picked up. "Bonsoir, this is Ambassador Hodeau from the Franch Embasssy. The plane should be arriving in two days time, though I would like to request an earlier meeting than before the end of the month." 

[alxeu]

The same voice from before answered, slightly annoyed at the Franch diplomat's second call and request, "That can certainly be arranged, sir, but it should be noted that any agreement borne from the meeting could be subject to review if a different party assumes the mantle of government after the elections on the 29th," he paused, before sighing and continuing, "However, it is unlikely that a trade deal, of all things, would be repealed by an incoming government. With all that in mind, I can slot you in for as early as tomorrow, around noon, and the Foreign Minister's schedule is further open for the next few days, as he is currently on break from campaigning."

[callmedelta]

"I believe it would be best to wait for the plane from Pareau to touchdown before beginning any meetings," Ryom said, "It would be terrible to agree on one set of terms only to have the information on that plane upend the entire thing. I appreciate your willingness to work with my request, but tomorrow would likely be too early. I feel it would be best for the meeting to begin after the plane touches down in two days, or the next after if that does not work."

[alxeu]

"The Foreign Minister ought to be around for another couple days after the plane arrives. How about the afternoon of the day following the plane's arrival? That'll give those arriving a day to to settle in and for your delegation to be unified in whatever your plans are for the meeting."

[callmedelta]

"That plan sounds alright to me," Ryom answered, "But you will have to excuse me now, though, as I'm rather tired. If any knew information comes up, I will call you."

[alxeu]

The man on the other side nodded, before realizing, again, he was on the phone, "If that settles it, then, I shall bid you goodnight, and will let the Foreign Minister know to expect your visit in a few days' time."

With that, he hung up the phone, and recorded the call and the planned meeting.

[callmedelta]

Two days later, Ryom stood outside the meeting room, steeling his nerves. News from Pareau had not been good. Economic turmoil, possible war with Kumosenkan on the horizon, and Ryom was here in Lusatia. Nothing he could do about the latter, but Ryom could do something about the former. He had to focus on that fact. 'Not that a trade deal would do much good if Kumosenkan invaded,' Ryom's mind wandered, 'No. Focus on what's in front of you, what you can do.' Taking another deep breath, Hodeau strode into the meeting room with as much confidence as he could muster. "Dzień dobry, Minister," Ryom said. 

[alxeu]

"Pozdrowienia, Ambassador," the Minister responded, sipping from a cup of coffee an aide had presumably provided him with.

"Please, sit down, and tell me what Lusatia can do for Franerre. Would you like something to drink? Coffee? Tea, perhaps?"

[callmedelta]

"I'd like a nice tea, thank you," Ryom said, "As for what you can do, trade is the name of today's meeting, is it not? Franch and Lusatian goods exchanging hands across the ocean."

[alxeu]

The Foreign Minister nodded and stuck a hand under his desk for something, before returning it empty handed. A few minutes later, an aide carrying a cup of tea and some sugar delivered it to Ryom.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister would respond, saying, "Trade is certainly what was mentioned in the memo I received. Any particular details your nation had in mind? Lusatia has a wide variety of finished products to sell, in addition to vast reserves of food and wood. What is Franerre in the market for?"

[callmedelta]

Ryom took the cup with a quiet "Thanks," taking a deep breath of the tea. It was cinnamon, his favorite. A happy coincidence if Hodeau ever knew one. "I feel it's bad form to ask what you want from your host without first providing something of your own to the table." Ryom slipped a hand into his pocket, taking out a small box and handing it to the Minister. Inside was a pearl, about the size of quarter. "Franch pearls, and the many uses of them our Bijoutiers have found over the years make them quite the luxury item, no?"