Return to Eleria - Kingdom and Greater Imperium

[callmedelta]

The Franch pair followed behind the Imperator, the Deauxrex whispering to Amélie in Franch, "You certainly weren't lying about the Imperatrix, Ambassador. Now that I've offended the woman, do you know of any way I could make it up to her?"

Lang shrugged. "I would ask the Imperator if there was anything you could do, but now hardly seems like the time. For now, just leave the talking to me. She likes me for the time being, at least."

Jeune sighed a bit internally. "Understandable, Ambassador. Let's hope you have better luck than I."

[DrMedic]

The Imperator led the pair back to the same parlor that Marina and Lang had spoken in before, offering his guests a pair of seats across from where he and the Imperatrix would presumably sit. "You are quite a lucky one, Deauxrex, much of the time when Marina is that angry there are guns being pointed in every direction, and typically that's when she's out on the ocean. So then, as a bit of an... apology for my wife's behavior, I will be blunt with you. Your offer is declined unless you can really manage to sweeten things up. I'm not keen on trading with a kingdom that has the gall not only to spy on us, but then to immediately come back into my beloved home and try to tell me why we should still help you. Remember, it is not me that needs this trade deal, it's you."

[callmedelta]

The Ambassador felt her heart sink. Another trip, wasted, but at least no one will die this time. Regardless, she has to give it her best. “In that case...” Lang said, “I will answer your blunt ness with my own. What do you want?” she asked. “You may need nothing from Franerre, but every nation on Ourhi wants something. I can’t give you a blank cheque, mind you, but I am open to hearing any serious offer.”

[DrMedic]

"I want many things for my Imperium darling, many, many things, I can assure you the things that I want are not within your ability to provide. Rather than asking me what I want, I would suggest you start telling me what you can bring to the table, or we'll get nowhere fast."

[callmedelta]

Amélie frowned, her heart sinking. This was going the same way as her first mission to Eleria, but a part of her pointed out the fact that this could very well still go the same way as that first mission. The Ambassador looked to the Deauxrex. "Does your Highness being here allow me to bargain for things that I normally couldn't?" she asked in Franch.

"I don't know," Jeune answered in kind, "But your boldness did pay off before. If worst comes to worse, the deal can always be vetoed by my brother."

Amélie nodded, deep in thought. It took a few moments, but soon Lang had an idea. Well, two ideas, actually. She decided to go with the more conservative option first. "I believe I may have a solution. Franerre recently engaged in a trade deal with Lusatia, resulting in the acquisition of some computing machines that have already shown their dividends. We may be able to purchase more of these computers, which the Franch government could then sell to you at a rate we can determine."

[DrMedic]

"And these computers would provide me...?"

[callmedelta]

“Well...” the Ambassador began, “I haven’t worked with them firsthand, but talking with some colleagues in other ministries, they seem to make their administrative work more efficient. They took some time to get used to, but I’m sure we could offer any help needed.”

[DrMedic]

"You must understand if I'm a bit less than keen on undergoing such a radical bout of retraining so many personnel in a system they're not even remotely accustomed to using. Besides, our bureaucracy is already plenty efficient, managing tasks with pen and paper allows for easier recordkeeping as well."

[EpicToaster1]

OOC DM INTERVENTION

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Computing Machines do not exist yet. Electronics consist of circuitry, wires, lights, calculators, and small electronics of that nature. "Computers", in the sense of the word, that can do anything beyond just mathematical calculations still don't exist. The idea of the "Turing Machine" exists, but the physical creation of one does not.

[callmedelta]

OOC: Well crap, that's what I get for a rushed response. I'll see about fixing it once I'm done with school today

[callmedelta]

Lang sighed. She had hoped it would work, but the Ambassador couldn't say she was surprised. Well, if she couldn't leave here with a trade deal, hopefully Amélie could leave with something, at the very least. "If a trade deal is not in the cards, would you perhaps be open to hosting a Franch embassy in Iomairt?"

[DrMedic]

"What purpose would it even serve? We don't allow foreigners into our country in the first place, save specifically for diplomatic purposes by special invitation. Your embassy would serve to do nothing save house one person, is that something you'd really like to invest all the time and resources into?" He asked.

[callmedelta]

"Just because you reject a trade deal now," the Ambassador said, "Franerre may still wish to reach out in the future. Nations become stronger when interacting with others, be it through military alliances like the Commonwealth and Pact, or through simple enrichment through trade. Franerre wishes to be strong, and I imagine Eleria does too."

[DrMedic]

Marina entered the room, carrying a tray with a tea set on it, a gentle bit of steam rising up from the pot. "I believe what my husband was trying to imply is that at the moment, we won't entertain such a prospect. Perhaps in the future if it comes down to it, but for the time being there is little reason for us to provide an embassy. Please, help yourselves."

[callmedelta]

"Thank you, Imperatrix," the Deauxrex said, taking a small sip of the tea.

Amélie smiled, taking a cup as well. "Even though the answer is likely to be the same, I feel obligated to ask again. Imperator, are you sure there is nothing Franerre can do?" she asked.