10th Sarve Trade Union meeting | Poli'Sta'Vouna, Khuofes

[Khuofes]

The first Sun rays fell on the highest building in Khuofes. Birds cheerfully singing as the streets were busy with people rushing or calmly strolling trough the serene roads of Poli'Sta'Vouna.
A rare electric emergency services car would speed through the asphalt, but other than that everything was quiet.

A woman dressed in a suit with a white-and-cyan striped tie was standing in the entrance to the Mivtsar castle, located near the center of the capital. That woman was the new minister of Foreign Affairs Marva Mejdunar. She was tapping her foot nervously as other Ruling Party members walked past her into the building, wishing her luck and giving tips on how she should meet the guests.
The preparations for the 10th STU meeting were finished and the only thing missing were the participants of the meeting itself, though it was well before that, there was always a chance for a representative to be early, so everyone were ready.
The white electronic watch on Marva's hand made a distinct noise, alerting her that it was 11:40 am. She took out a little mirror out of her pocket and checked how she looked, before putting it back and taking out her words, printed on a piece of paper, out of her other pocket.

"...we welcome you... Yada-yada... Important questions and problems... Alright, you got it, Mare" Said the woman, putting the words back in her pocket and making sure she looks good again.

Minister of Security, Daniel Slonow, walks from behind her in an identical suit, the only difference being the tie, which was completely black. He spoke to her, softly, with his accent making him roll the "R" from time to time:
"Miss Mejdunarr, please relax. You still have plenty of time, beforr guests arrive. So try to re-rread the speech again a few times, instead of checking your clothes and hairr..."
"I understand, I'm just... A lot of intrusive thoughts suddenly fill my head and I just try to distract myself from them..." She replied, fidgeting the card with the speech in her hands once again.

Both look at a sun rising over the horizon, before Daniel is called back into the castle. He apologizes and runs off, leaving the woman alone with her thoughts and a piece of paper.

[Paraozgurstan]

A limousine, surrounded by a few armored security cars drove down the street, closing the distance to the castle. It contrasted with the cyclists and pedestrians, who gave way to the pollution on wheels, that approached.
Soon enough the limousine stopped near the castle entrance and its doors opened. A few men in suits and military gear made their way out of the car and made a line before the last person left the car. It was Hajmal Tecsh, the president of Paraozgurstan. He stepped out slowly and walked to the entrance of the castle. As he came closer to the lady at the doors he mumbled something in ozgurian under his breath and then started talking with the Minister.
"Greetings, my name is Hajmal Tecsh. I am the president of the great Democratic States of Paraozgurstan!"
He then awkwardly taps his foot, looking around.
"Have the other representatives not arrived yet? No?
I assume you're the Khuofesian representative again, right miss err..?"

[Khuofes]

"It's Mejdunar. And yes, I am the representative this time too! The otheres haven't arrived yet, but we..."
She checks her watch.
"We still have around five to ten minutes to wait..."
The Minister adjusted her glasses and notes:
"We did ask you to use a more... Ecological option of transportation. Your cars are pollution machines on wheels! No offense, mister President, but we, here in Khuofes, value our nature a lot, so I think it will only be fair if you pay the pollution fine we have on cars.
....And the fine for the last meeting too, so it would be nice if you'd pay up."

[Internastia]

Not even a couple minutes right before the scheduled time two beleaguered and disheveled women step into the room. The first is the "First Speaker", the title of an official responsible for diplomatic missions by the mandate of the people. However, with the political structure of Internastia, this woman effectively sits where a president would in terms of social and political capital. Her suggestions on policies are taken seriously throughout the nation, giving her a soft form of power over the legislation that ends up passed or denied.

When it comes to diplomatic figures, internastians vote based on a platform the official promotes, like a focus on lifting trading restrictions, enacting ecological reforms internationally, etc. Given the runner-up to these elections becomes the secondary office holder, that must mean that the second woman that files in after her is effectively the "opposition" leader, if you can even call the relationship between their two positions an effective rivalry. Besides, being joined at the hip at all sorts of political functions has given the international community more than a few rumors about the closeness of these two key figures in Internastian politics.

Bowing, the First Speaker speaks with a soft but deep, alto-set tone.
"Apologies for the close call, while this is a lovely country to bike through I must admit that I've been slacking on my physique lately. I'm Rina, Rina Yunzi. Lady Yunzi if you prefer the formalities. Thanks for having us to these talks, i hope to make history today with you all."

Nodding after she stands the Second Speaker takes her turn to bow, keeping her words terse*
"Yes, thank you. I'm here to offer consultancy to Lady Yunzi as well as to voice the concerns of those not represented in her mandate. You may call me Lilbin, just Lilbin please."

[Khuofes]

The room was big, with authentic castle walls, bright lamps replacing the torches, banners of STU members lining up on the walls. In the middle of a room - an almost small circular table with a podium, twelve seats, some bottles of light beverages and water on the table and signes with country names on them.

There weren't a lot of people in the room. Just a few Khuofesian ministers, judging by their similar costumes with differing ties, as well as Hajmal Tecsh and his bodyguards. A camera crew of some Khuofesian news network was setting up the recording devices, probably excited to have a chance to record the political process, since other networks were not permitted to enter.

The moment the Internastian representatives walked in they were greeted with some warm smiles and way more curious eyes. Nobody dared to interrupt them as they spoke, even the camera crew stopped making any noise. As the two bowed, so did the Minister of Foreign Affairs with other ministers following her example shortly after. She siently listened to them, before smiling and offering an open bottle of what seemed to be soda.

"Well, I'm glad you made it, Lady Yunzi and... Liblin. Here, have a refreshing drink! We are greatful, that you used the bicycles, as was heavily advised. Sorry for the inconvenience, we are still setting up proper electric transport system and train station are just too expensive of an option to set up on every corner.
We shall start with the arrival of representative of Lands of St Ted. Usually they arrive much earlier..."

[Internastia]

While the introduction of soda into the mix causes both of the Internastians to gain spirit, Liblin purses her lips and furrows her brows just slightly as her name is chewed on like a piece of meat. She ends up trying to smile but managing what more appears to be a grimace than anything. Yunzi takes the bottle with a much more believable smile, stealing a swig before cheekily offering it to Liblin, who declines with formal politeness in a begrudging tone. With a soft and measured cough Lady Yunzi steps in front of Liblin, passing quickly over her modest attempt at humor to engage the minister before Liblin can go saying something uncouth.

"Thank you for the drink. It was really no trouble, Ms. Mejdunar- the bike ride, I mean. On top of keeping in shape, I'm sure the people of Internastia will find it bemusing and rather fitting to see me ride a bike after I campaigned so fervently for the removal of automobiles."

There's a brief pause that lingers in the air as she carefully considers her language and intentions before continuing with a wry grin.

"...honestly, enough about myself though. Liblin here was actually wondering if there might be any food set out for those present."

Barely containing a laugh, Yunzi places a hand on Liblin's shoulder before she even has the chance to react, the opposition's mouthpiece giving another subtly pained expression in wake of the attention that's been placed upon her.

"W-wait a minute now Lady Yunzi, I'm not meaning to call you fraudulent but I'm quite certain I had made no such inquiries!"

Her voice is raised considerably- though it only sounds so loud in relation to the relatively calm atmosphere of the room.

"Come now, there's really no need to be shy Liblin, I'm sure our esteemed host wants to make our stay here as pleasant as possible. Seems we must wait anyhow, is that not so?"

With a knowing glance Lady Yunzi's eyes flicker back to Ms. Mejdunar's, as if gauging the way that the interaction is received through sight alone.

[Khuofes]

Marva covered her mouth, holding in a giggle. Then, after a second she replied
"Well, first of all: I am happy to see that an automobile ban is considered in a fellow nation like yours! It really makes breathing much easier.
Second-"
Minister suppressed another laugh and continued with an innocent smile:
"Secondly: after a quick briefing and discussion of any problems you encountered on your way here we will have time to eat, which will be a great opportunity for Liblin and everyone else to try our cuisine!"
She then took a handkerchief out of her pants' back pocket and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"Now where could that "Holy Emperor" be? Usually he comes early..."

[Sacred Lands of St Ted]

Before she could finish her sentence rapid footsteps could be heard outside the door. In a second it opens to reveal an exhausted red man in a suit that could only be described as a mix of Catholic Priest costume and Groom's suit, his lungs wheezing.
"Excuse m-me...Your... Your bike sharing..."
He coughed a few times, while pulling out an inhaler.
"...Your bike sharing s-service was... Out of bikes."
The man leaned against the wall, taking his medicine, inhaling with a sharp sound. He looked around and, seeing the confusion, continued.
"My name is Martin Cloho. I am a diplomatic representative on behalf of the Holy Empire..."
He takes a few seconds to stabilize his breath.
"The Holy Empire of Sacred Lands of Saint Ted! His Holiness is busy with internal business and is unable to arrive today for several reasons."
Martin checks his clothes fixes his hair, only now realizing that he looks extremely unwell.

[Internastia]

As the representative of St. Ted enters, the room's attention is instantly drawn to him. Lady Yunzi looks over in the direction her bike was left in, most likely wondering to herself if she happened to get the last set of bikes along with Liblin. Doing her best to be polite, Liblin offers the disheveled man what's left of her drink to help soothe his throat and his nerves. Yunzi raises a brow but doesn't take initiative with Liblin doing so already.

In fact, she turns to Ms. Mejdunar and asks softly:

"I understand that his 'holiness' is a busy man, but i was still hoping to finally get a chance to talk to him. Oh well, I'm honestly not sure if getting this close to a divine arbiter would be safe for my health anyway."

She leans in just a little closer and sighs.

"Seriously, I mean it though. I've served as First Speaker for over 34 years and during that time I've never gotten the chance to be face to face. Have you ever seen the man?"

After her discrete comment she straightens herself back up into a rigid stance and cast her eyes back to the representative, her gaze focused quite apparently on her opposition to the point where Liblin gives her the side-eye. Liblin steps to the side to get herself out of the way of the man. Lady Yunzi tugs on her arm and pulls her close like an overzealous parent, huffing audibly at her for being in the way.

[Khuofes]

As the man stumbles his way inside, the Minister of Foreign Affairs looks confused and concerned, but after a brief explanation her expression becomes more embarrassed than anything. She sighs and turns to Yunzi.

"I've seen the Victor face-to-face a few times...
I'll be quite frank, I'm relieved he didn't arrive. He doesn't miss an opportunity to remind us that we are "merely a rebellious region of Sacred Lands" and how them losing the war was "just an act of mercy". He doesn't want to be at these meeting just as much as he is not welcomed here. But I hope the representative won't be as much of a bother as their leader..."

She then tugged on her tie nervously and quickly checked her look through the pocket mirror, hoping to make a good first impression on the exhausted Tedian. The next second Ms. Mejdunar approached him.

[Paraozgurstan]

As the scene unfolds, Hajmal Tecsh finishes his second soda bottle, but when he reaches for another, he is by Khuofesian Minister of Defense, who disapprovingly shook his head. The president insincerely apologized and started moving towards the newcomer, cutting Mejdunar off.
"Oooh, greetings! So you're the new St Ted's lands representative? Pleased to meet you."
He grabs Martin's hand tightly and shakes it, desite the man's reluctance. Hajmal then stepped away and returned back to the table, turning his back on the others, observing the camera crew, who were waiting for the meeting to truly start.

[Internastia]

Lady Yunzi and her "companion" wait silently for the bombastic Tesch to finish his introductions. Her face is largely blank, though a tapping finger or two on her hip betrays her true level of patience. She briefly considers making idle chatter with Liblin before deciding against such an idea, preferring to stand and saturate in her own thoughts as to avoid looking like an uncouth school girl. Liblin barely even bothers to look at Martin or the others as her eyes stay glued to the floor. It's simply impossible to gauge what she may be pondering about.

When it's finally her turn, Yunzi stalks over to Martin, grabbing hold of Liblin's hand and literally tugging her along as the second speaker seems to grow increasingly apathetic to all the new faces. Taking a half-bow- more of a curtsy than anything- Lady Yunzi wordlessly wishes for good reception given the two states have never interacted in an official capacity. it's likely all that Martin is aware of is the friendliness of Khoufes with Internastia, likely causing certain impressions to be formed about them without direct input. Either way, all she can do is hope. She extends her albino, thin-skinned hand to the representative, her veins a dim blue trail that trace down the length of her arm entirely visibly to an outside observer.

"It's an honor to meet someone from such a blessed country. I'm Lady Yunzi, the First Speaker of Internastia. My travel partner here is the Second Speaker. What should we call you?"

Liblin curtsies as well when Yunzi finishes, satisfied with the mere gesture with Yunzi having already offered a hand and pleasantries.

[Sacred Lands of St Ted]

The disheveled man awkwardly smiles, half-bows, as if mimicking both and weakly shakes the hand of the First Speaker. His quiet, almost shy voice, uncharacteristic for Tedian officials quickly replies:

"It's an honor to finally meet you too, Ms. Yunzi. Please, just call me Martin."

His eyes, coloured with a nice tint of grayish blue, unconsciously avoid eye contact with the woman and instead look through her. After finishing the handshake he notices his error and focuses on his interlocutor's face, trying to make friendly small talk.

"Actually... I've been in your country once! It was... Err... Can't remember the year, but long before my political career me and my wife traveled through Khuofes and for a few days we visited the mountain ridge in Internastia. It was quite the experience I must say, heh..."

His voice trails off, as he realizes that he is acting unprofessionally.