Rada meeting: on the question of Franerre [Ashinara-Franerre

[callmedelta]

Valentino turned towards the Princess, examining how she looked on the throne for a moment. It was odd to see a woman barely into adulthood, at least by human standards, with such a regal bearing, but Luca could see how she'd fit in that seat as naturally as she breathed. "I am honored by the compliment, your Majesty. Yours is a question whose answer depends on the precise nature of our military cooperation, Princess, and I should say that I am by no means an intelligence expert," Luca explained, "If the cooperation amounts to sharing military advisors, intelligence, and a few weapons for study, then I imagine it would be possible to keep our cooperation a secret. If the cooperation evolves to become large scale arms exports, assistance in training troops, or other things of those nature, it would be impossible to stop the information from leaking out."

[aimway921]

"I would advice to begin small scale, and slowly build up to larger and larger scale cooperation. A natural progression, if you will," Khmelnitsky, the Minister of Defense said.

Tagomych finally spoke up. "I don't see what the big issue is. We both are independent nations who can do as they see fit. On our own continent, mind you! So what if we anger the colonizers? Let them come. As the saying goes - when going through hell, the important part is to never stop."

Silence once again filled the room as everyone looked at the Princess, waiting for her reaction.

"Right," she said, as she clapped her hands together while standing up. "We are at an impasse of the two options. To start small-scale and naturally progress, or start full-scale cooperation right away. Pan Valentino - you shall deliver these two options to your King, and let him be the tiebreaking vote in this matter."

All 3 Ashinarans seemed to have a puzzled look. The Hetman (or, in this case, the Princess) always has the final say in any matter. And yet here she's treating it... as a vote? And even more, she's giving up the tiebreaker say to someone else? Then again, the Princess is known in Ashinara for radical actions that are out of line with tradition.

[callmedelta]

“I will bring the news to him at all haste,” Luca answered. Was that answer…showing deferment to Franerre? Acknowledging them as a superior power? That answered seemed at odds with both what he’d seen of Ashinara and what little Luca had seen of the Princess, but it was the only thing he could think of for the moment. “That continues nicely to a question I had, your Highness. When would a delegation of Ashinarans be assembled to accompany me back to Franerre? It’s the best for all parties involved that we return as soon as possible, so we may ratify an agreement, but that’s not a choice that can be made in haste.”

[aimway921]

The princess slowly walked across the room, her hands clasped together. After almost a minute of silence, she stopped and looked at the rest of the people in the room.

"Tagomych, Khmelnisky, you have 10 days to assemble a delegation of ambassadors, military attaches, and any relevant staff. On the eleventh day from today, they shall sail with Valentino to Franerre."

"Yes, your highness!" the two men said together, as they bowed.

After the bow, they seemed to wait for the Princess to say something else.

"You're still here?" she asked.

"On our way," the two said, as they bowed again, and departed the room. This left just Luca and Afanasim alone with the Princess, who once again returned to her throne.

"Pan Valentino," she said. "After all is said and done, I do expect you will return to serve as your nation's ambassador in Ashinara?"

[callmedelta]

"Of course, your Highness," Valentino said, "I've seen little of Ashinara, but I have enjoyed what I've seen. Considering the rapport I've already begun building here, it's only natural. I'd be honored to reside here so long as you'd have me."

[aimway921]

"Excellent," she said, as she stood up and started heading for the exit. "I shall be expecting news of your trip." With those words, the Princess left, leaving Luca alone with Afanasim.

"Well, looks like that was a tremendous success," Afanasim said. "Come, I'll bring you back to the hotel."