The Meeting of Imperials (Meillur Only)

[Nemidia]

Palace of Waterfalls
Caraxia
Nemidian Capital

Caraxia was a vibrant and bustling city, while it was not as large and lacked the many skyscrapers of its foreign equivalents, it made up for it both in beauty, and the life and energy that flowed through it, much like the waters around it.

Across the Imperial Bridge at the edge of the water fall of the river that ran from the Caraxian Lake, sat the Palace of Waterfalls, a marvel of architecture and engineering, both for its beauty, and its place of construction. Today, however, the Palace was expecting a visitor, an important one.

Emperor Minixus waited patiently at the steps of the palace, seeming almost bored by the period of inactivity. He wore his normal clothes, with exception to the bowler hat that he wore which matched the color of his trench coat. He had been careful to be particularly thorough with his research on his guest, and while he had only gotten so far, he had been careful to pay attention to every detail, and he knew that he would have to stay on his toes, even with the relatively cordial nature of the meeting, especially with the primary and most important topic that he wished to discuss, a misstep could be disastrous.

All he had to do now, was wait patiently for her to arrive.

[Kingdom of Derita]

Marijani d’Aurelains road in a white palanquin carried by a team of large bearers all dressed in white uniforms. The white curtain, emblazoned with the symbol of the House of Aurelains, a conquering star of vergina were parted to reveal the Mother Empress of the Celestial Empire. Marijani was a tall graceful woman, her flawless dark skin popping against the stark white of her long mourning dress. Her long braids were pulled back into a bun and covered by a long white mourning veil, a tradition for all Deritain women following the loss of loved ones.

There was no sadness on Marijani’s face however. Instead there was serene look one typically found in portraits of goddesses. For the Mother Emprees had spent the last nine months at the head of her late husband’s expeditionary forces, going from as far as Soikon, where she’s brought an end to the Imaratian Civil War to Bererin where she’s knocked the Seoyese out of the Great Eastern War. Along the way she’d had to deal with the Paras of Patuania, mercenaries, Borean princess and peacekeepers, ungrateful Colficoans and her ambitious sister-in-law.

And now she had arrived in Nemidia via the Andejanes Archipelago, name for her late husband. She knew relatively little about Minixus Kaenid, a monarch while with a grand title, who was not seen as an equal to her son, for Minixus may call himself an, Marijani’s son was the Emperor. She knew his visit to Patuania had certainly rotten the Paras’ day. She had been told he was a simple man, abandoning the many trappings of royalty, something she could respect as it reminded her of her father, who much preferred well tailored suits to ceremonial robes and uniforms.

The Mother Empress regarded the man as he came into view at the steps of his quite beautiful palace. From her palanquin she looked down at him, then gracefully descended to the ground, standing barely an inch shorter than the emperor, the long skirts of her dress brush the floor, the veil behind her fluttering gently in the breeze from the falls like a specter. Marijani watched Minixus, curious as to how this meeting would go.

[Nemidia]

Minixus watched as the Empress approached on her palanquin, and carefully hid his dislike for the thing, after all, what was the point? People were given legs for a reason, and there was much to be enjoyed by walking. However, that was a very minor concern, compared to the matter of the Empress herself, he approached her carefully, taking extra, respectful care with each of his steps, before giving her a respectful bow, and spoke.

“Your Imperial Highness, welcome to Nemidia, I hope that you have enjoyed your trip here, you look absolutely wonderful today., and it is a great honor to have you grace my humble Empire.”

He then rose, and positioned his cane slightly to his side in a way that was meant as a welcoming gesture, before speaking again.

“We have much to discuss, I have prepared one of the top floor balcony’s, so that we may enjoy the view while we talk.” He then gestured for her to follow.

Notably, the guards present at the stairs were not armed with rifles and swords, instead, the two there were armed with a revolver each, silver plated and kept in an elaborate engraved leather holster, unique to those of the Imperial Defense Force Royal Guard Regimejt. However, despite this, their uniforms were the same as any other NISDF soldier, with the exception of the white, leather belt going across their waste and chest, and the special unit patch in their shoulders. This was on purpose, as Nemidia was not a militaristic nation, and the Minixus had no intention of spending extra on particularly fancy dress uniforms, money better used elsewhere.

[Kingdom of Derita]

Marijani smiled at the bow from Minixus, gathering up her skirts as she climbed the steps after him. She carried herself with practiced regality, seeking to float in balanced ballerina like steps. After months of marching, she found herself back in her natural habitat of an imperial palace and it showed.

“I have visited worse places on my journeys. Thus far it has been pleasant enough. This is most picturesque of the foreign courts have visited. It shall be nice to speak with a pleasant view. And without having to start or stop a war for a change of pace.”

[Nemidia]

Minixus smirked humorously and said “I would hope not, otherwise I would be leading a defensive effort, rather than arranging meetings. Nemidia has enjoyed a time of relative peace since the events of the collapse, it knocked many of those that may have been a threat back to a position where they either no longer are, or are no longer interested. No doubt Nemidia’s more agrarian and island isolated nature has contributed to that.”

He paused as the palace doors opened, revealing my the main hall, a massive room, with various paintings, statues and other forms of art, rivaling even the largest art galleries, making it clear that the man loved art, but also of note was multiple musical instruments, as well as artistic renditions of them, on display as well, making it clear that the Emperor was an avid patron of the arts, which he was, he had spent a fortune encouraging art and music throughout Nemidia, as theater. He then led her to a door in what appeared to be a side room, however, when he opened the heavy, finely made wooden door, it revealed a stair case, winding with fine wool and cotton carpet and flanked on the wall by beautiful painting and art, some of which depicted the fields of Nemidia in bloom during spring, showing vast fields stretching for miles, or orchards growing on the sides of mountains. Eventually, hey reached the floor he had set up, and he opened another wooden door, and turned to a door, and opened it, revealing the view.

It gave a view for miles, overlooking the city, the late and the nearby fields, all flanked by the islands many mountains, which, rather than snow capped, were covered in fields and forests alike. Before them the balcony was practically the size of a room itself, with a finely made table made of locally sourced pine, and engraved and enameled at its center was the Imperial Flower, the emblem of the Imperial Family. There were a pair of seats on each side, made of matching wood, with fine cotton and leather cushions with gold engravings.

[Kingdom of Derita]

Marijani nodded in agreement. She herself had been born in Great Hyruke, which had arguably faired the best of nations following the collapse thanks to its position as an island nation, albeit a more industrial one. Marijani wanted as the doors opened and revealed the spectacular sight of various artworks. It was impressive. It made her think of the museum of art in Aukusa City. Most of the Imperial collection was in various galleries across the empire, and following the selection of Gaosa ast the new capital, artwork had been severely lacking as they hadn’t had anywhere to put it all.

Marijani lingered over the artistic renditions of instruments and thought of her son and his love of music. She wasn’t sure where he’d gotten from, as his father’s family had never been particularly interested in art. Marijani’s own family was partial towards painting, her grandfather was famous for his heart breakingly beautiful portraits. He even ran a school of art. Marijani thought of him as she studied the fields of painted flowers. Marijani moved on as they finally seemed to reach their destination. She drifted to the balcony, looking out over the view. The mountains with their forested slopes, the lakes, the waterfalls, they all reminded her Gaosa.

In the course of her jaunt across the continent she had seen plenty of mountains, but those had all been covered in ice like Patuania or rocky like Imarati. Even the mountains her forces had marched through to invade Seoya had been rough and harsh— well befitting the Duchess of Hyrea and her people.

“Quite the view indeed,” said Marijani looking out over the city of Caraxia.

[Nemidia]

Minixus nodded, before he stood by her side and said “I have come to this balcony many times as I have aged, and it is just as beautiful every time. It is why I have no ambition for territorial conquests, or great triumphs, because what triumph is worth risking the beauty and peace of a place such as this?”

He let his cane rest against a pillar of the guard rail, and let his hands rest on it before speaking again.

“There is a saying the common people have, that the first Nemidians arrived here by accident, washed ashore by some great storm, before they began exploring the island, and found this lake and it’s water falls, and that it was those survivors that gave birth to those Empires. I am not sure if those stories are true, but it does have a bit of poetic flare to it, that this place has always been a safe haven for those riding out a storm.”

He paused for a moment, simply watching the people in the city below, bustling about, carriages and carts bringing goods and crops to and from the massive market at the city center, where a large Imperial flag fluttered proudly and gracefully in the wind, with the only hint of pollution being the small pillars of smoke from the chimneys of homes with wood and coal fueled fires. It had been practically untouched by the Collapse, and stood more or less the same as it had before that great catastrophe.

He turned back towards the table, taking up the cane and making his way to one of the seats, and pulling it out for her and said “Shall we begin?”

[Kingdom of Derita]

Marijani listened to Minixus’s recounting of his subject’s stories of how their nation came to be. It was far different to how the Deritains saw themselves. They had never arrived to their land. They had been born from it. They were the first of humanity as a species, all else, peoples, nations, they were but offshoots and branches of them.

Marijani followed Minixus’ eye down to the people below. She had been taught from a young age that all she did was for the greater good of people like that. The small and unnamed, forgotten masses who were giants upon which leaders stood on the shoulders of. She turned and walked over the table, sitting like a butterfly landing on a flower petal as Minixus pulled it out for her.

“I believe we should.”

[Nemidia]

He nodded, and took his seat on his side of the table, letting the cane rest against it, while he went over the various topics in his head, and decided to work his way up.

“I shall start with the basic topics first, the first one i would like to cover is the topic of supplying arms and equipment as well as a safe place of operation and rest to your forces, while obviously I cannot provide examples of all of the pieces available, I do have examples of a select few prepared.”

He stood up and made his way to a corner of the balcony, where several black cases sat, and he moved picked up one of them, and placed it on the table before her and, with a pair of clicks as he undid the latches, and swung the top of the case open, revealing a weapon, what appeared to be a tube with a pair of wooden grips, and a rear end with a handle that flared out.

He then said “This is a Nemidian built shoulder fired recoiless rifle, I studied your recent engagement in Seoya, and noticed that your forces had trouble dealing with enemy armor and tanks, I believe something like this would be more than a little useful to one of your squads.”

He turned the weapon towards her, as if encouraging her to pick it up and handle it.

“I have other examples of small arms as well, but long story short, these are simply some of the pieces of equipment, along with the benefits of a base of operations and a safe place to rest that I can offer, for a price of course, that your forces do two things, One, agree to not operate in an offensive fashion in Nemidia, and Two, conduct operations at my request should the need arise.”

He didn’t mention swearing loyalty to the Imperial Crown, and this was purposeful, if what he planned to lay out as an offer later would make that an unnecessary detail if it went well.

[Kingdom of Derita]

Marijani picked up the weapon studied it in her hands. She hefted it so that the butt of the gun pressed against her shoulder. She thought of her men when they’d first tried their assault on the Seoyese and how they’d been unable to break through their defenses. Equipment was a matter of concern she knew, as with her force being an unreinforced expeditionary one the question of where to get new equipment had been a looming one.

Marijani set the gun down. “These seem useful. Though I admit I am not the foremost weapons expert. A base of operations seems generous, though it may need be temporary. The Andejanes Archipelago remain under my control and once my garrison there finishes constructing a port and an airstrip it will be a fully functional settlement. Price is understandable. As is agreeing to leave Nemidia unharmed. But that last point… that sounds an awful lot like becoming a mercenary group. And raises the question of who precisely you of all people would need operations against?”

[Nemidia]

The Emperor could see where she was coming from with her last point, but he answered her honestly, speaking without a hint of deception in his voice.

“To be frank, at this point, it is more of a deterrent action than anything else, while I am confident in the NISDF, it is likely that it’s name alone will make a few in the world underestimate its capabilities. To have a relatively offensively capable force available, or what would seem to be one, would be a step in the direct to keep those who do or will have plans for Nemidia off of the Empire’s back.”

He then said “Even I have my share of enemies, and I believe that I may have made one of the Para of Pataunia, I do not think he appreciated my antics at his conference. But for such a powerful man, he sure does agonize over a single woman an awful lot, you would think he was a child scared of a mainstream with the way he speaks of the Duchess, but I am getting off track. While you may control the Archipelago, Nemidias natural geography makes it much easier to conceal your operations, and Nemidia does not have the same political strings attached to it that the Celestial Empire does.”

He was then said “and they could also benefit from instructors from the NISDF as well.”

[Kingdom of Derita]

Marijani nodded, smiling at the mention of the Paras of Patuania. Though she’s met him several times now she still didn’t quite understand him. Fear was certainly the main motivator in his life, both in what drove him and how he pushed others. A dangerous tool. She had hoped that he would have calmed since her visit, but it seemed that wasn’t particularly the case.

“Amélie and Kanatus are more alike than either one of them realize. Like two sides of the same coin. Honestly it perhaps better off for the rest of the world that they loath each other so much otherwise they might work together. Then we’d be in actual trouble.”

Marijani didn’t mention that she had almost caused that very thing to occur, banking on friendship and love of a pair of siblings to pull the Duchess and Paras into an alliance of convenience. Perhaps thankfully the world kept spinning and any approach to cooperation had fallen through and they’d returned to their corners waiting for the next bell to ring.

“A deterrent I can be,” Marijani said. Her reputation had grown quite fierce during her journeys much out of her control. And she understood the stance, as it was ultimately not all that different from that of the Seoyese.

“And while you may not have the same strings as the Empire, you have entirely different ones I suspect.”

[Nemidia]

Minixus simply shrugged and said “Primarily that your faces behave themselves and don’t cause trouble while they are present in Nemidia.” He then said “And that there be an effort to avoid stunts like the one Seoya as much as possible.”

Minixus thought for a moment before adding, and I am willing to offer you an estate for your efforts, and your troops land should they choose to retire in Nemidia, it is very fertile farmland, and it is not hard to make a good, honest living here.”

Minixus was being genuine, but he also knew that he would either have to ask now, while she was here, or he would miss his opportunity, but he would deal with that particular bridge when he came to it.

[Kingdom of Derita]

“Ah, I see. That is understandable, though I think their taste for blood has been satiated by the conflict in Seoya. And no intention of conducting any more… stunts as you call it, unless forced to.”

Marijani put the crook of her knuckle to her lip as she thought over having an estate. It didn’t heart to have homes in various parts of the world. “That interests me. And will so for some of my men. They have had adventure and now they wish to settle down, some in these lands previously unvisited by them.”

Marijani smiled slightly thinking of the number of children that had likely been produced across Imarati, Patuania, Colfico and Seoya thanks to her soldiers, particularly the younger wins sowing their wild oats as it were. “A branch of the Deritain Migration Community could be established for those who wish to remain?” The DMc had been startling effective in Hyrea, forming a tight knit and wealthy community around the Duchess.

[Nemidia]

Minixus nodded, that was good enough, and he thought on the idea, that could be beneficial, however, he would have to keep a close eye on it, but there was also another option that could be implemented, and was the perfect opportunity to lay out his most radical offer, so he began to speak, bracing himself for whatever reaction the mother empress would have to the offer.

"That would work, however, there is an alternative to all of this, although it is much more radical." He paused and then said "The other option, is that I could marry you, and you would assume the position of commander in chief of Nemidian military forces, and integrate your forces into the NISDF, or maintain them as a seperate force altogether, and making all of the above available in one fell swoop."

[Kingdom of Derita]

Marijani paused, looked at Minixus, the serene look on her face crack to reveal a twisted visage of confusion. She was still, frozen as a statue. For a moment should couldn’t believe that she had heard him correctly. She tried to gather her thoughts as she back tracked and navigated the conversation to how they had arrived her. After a beat she tilted her head, the cracks smoothing over as she was one again calm.

“That is certainly one way to do a marriage proposal.”

[Nemidia]

Minixus noted the confused look on her face, but was not sure what else to make of it, and decided instead to press on, if a bit carefully. However, there was no malice in his eyes or his tone as he spoke.

"Well one does not simply propose to an Empress, however, I ask that you humor me, the simple fact is, the Empire needs an Empress, and the number of available suitors is limited, and many of those are far less than suitable. However, I am not the Paras, I will not force the matter if you do not wish it, and I am willing to settle for courtship first if that is what you would prefer, and you would be an equal in the Imperial Family, neither Patriarchal or Matriarchal practices are utilized within this Imperial Family, however, we both have strengths and weaknesses that I believe would mesh well together, I am capable in diplomacy and economics, however, I have no experience on a battlefield or in war, however you do. That is why I would prefer to leave the managing of the armed forces to you, while I would focus more on diplomatic and internal matters.'

He paused for a moment to let her gather her thoughts with the offer before he said "But if you do not wish it, the other option is still on the table, and I will not force your hand on the matter."

[Kingdom of Derita]

Marijani was silent for a moment. She hadn’t expected this. No one else would have considered it in the least. No Deritain would dare try for the hand of the Mother Empress. And the Boreans would likely be too frightened to do so, and the Paras certainly had no interest in her. Marijani had never even considered it. No empress had ever remarried. Not one in centuries of imperial widows.

And yet here she was. She had lost control of the regency to the Duke of Alencon and while she had intended to go and fight for it, as she’s found herself further delayed and bogged down by events and crises and wars, soon enough there would be no regency for her to salvage before her son was in his majority. And then what would she do? Advisor her son from behind his throne? Find him a wife who would replace and outshine her? Retire to a country estate and grow old as so many other empresses had?

Or… Marijani looked at Minixus, studying him. Or become an empress again. She had spent her entire adult life waiting to wear the imperial crown and by the cruel trick of luck it had been snatched away from her after only a thousand days. All that waiting, plotting, planning had been undone with the death of her husband. There were other options Minixus could have asked, even among Deritain princesses. But he’d chosen her. There was an ambition in it. Something Marijani could respect.

Marijani blinked as tears glistened in her dark brown eyes. She thought of Andeja, her late husband. He had not been a perfect man. But had been a good husband to her. They had been partners in crime. What might he have done if their rules were reversed?

“Give me six months,” said Marijani. “I loved my late husband. I love him now. And I will respect his memory. In four months will be the first… the first anniversary of his death. After that you may court me. I will need the blessing of my children. Then I will accept. Six months. I can wed in six months.”

[Nemidia]

Minixus nodded noticing the tears in her eyes, and closed his own eyes, for a moment before he opened them again and said "I will respect your decision, and if you change your mind after that six months, then I will accept your decision, and I will wait patiently until then, but in the meantime, all of the other options are still available"

He was tempted to offer her the ability to stay in the palace, but decided against it unless she requested it, and instead decided to keep with the plan. He reached inside his trench coat, and pulled a small, disposable handkerchief from a pocket and walked over to her, and started gently wiping her tears away before saying "I will begin arrangements for the transfer of an estate, if that is what you wish."

[Kingdom of Derita]

Marijani flinched slight as he wiped at her cheeks, were tears had started to fall, not used to such actions after months of military living. It was strange. It felt foreign. Strange. But entirely wrong. But strange. She took a deep breath and sat up straight in her seat.

“I think that would be foe the best. Thank you. I believe I need some time to rest.”

[Nemidia]

He nodded, knowing that loosing a loved one was painful, although he had never lost a close lover, and noticed her flinch, the battlefield had clearly taken its toll on her. He gave her a comforting and reassuring smile and said "Feel free to use one of the guest rooms of the Palace in the mean time while everything is handled, I will ensure that you are not disturbed if you do not wish it, and if you need anything, just ask a servant and it will be done."

He felt that she probably wanted to have a little time alone, so he decided not to insist on escorting her there and said "The guest rooms are four flights down, take whichever one you please." However, he lingered for a moment in case she wished for him to do so.

[Kingdom of Derita]

Marijani took a breath and rose from her seat, her mind reeling. What she’s just done, this agreement, even though at the moment existed only verbally, was one that could have far reaching effects. She would be break the mold of every empress who had come before her. She needed time to think. But she also needs to do so critically, and that required answers.

“Thank you,” Marijani said. “I… would like to speak to you later. For now I just need some time.” The Mother Empress pulled away gently from Minixus, straightening as she walked to the stairwell. Marijani paused a small bubble of laughter ride in her throat. Perhaps driven by the shock of it all but her mind had latched into one of the far reaching consequences of what Minixus had proposed and what she’d agreed to. She turned, liking over her shoulder back at Minixus with a smile. “The Paras will hate this.”

[Nemidia]

Minixus nodded with a smile and said “Oh trust me, I know, but Kanatus can eat his heart out.”

He watched as she disappeared down the stair well, and he let out a sigh of relief, there were so many ways that the meeting could have played out, and it had gone well. He stayed for a while, simply watching the view, and carefully thinks on a great many things.

[Kingdom of Derita]

Marijani descends the steps, following Minixus’ instructions. As she did so, selecting the furthest of the guest rooms from the stairwell, she considered how should could approach this. An engagement, much less a marriage to a foreign monarch would freeze her entirely out of politics in the Celestial Empire, particularly with the Duke of Alencon at the helm. More importantly she wasn’t sure how her son and daughter would react. She hadn’t seen her daughter in nine months, not since she’d left to retrieve her husband’s body. She hadn’t seen her son in even longer as he’s been away at university

The Mother Empress slumped into a chair, trying to figure out her options. She started to imagine it like a battlefield. While she wasn’t a career military officer, she’d proven exceedingly capable at tactics and strategy. So she started to few it from that angle, imagining a chessboard of nations, pondering on her next move.

[Nemidia]

Minixus made his way down the steps, not particularly paying much attention to the various pieces of art on the walls, instead he was focused on his thoughts, and traversed the staircase by memory alone. He knew fully well that what he had put into motion was ambitious and potentially risky, particularly on the geopolitical front, however, that was true of any such marriage, even if it were with a Princess, and those didn’t have the same potential reward, nor would it be as satisfying to accomplish.

He made his way to his study, and already there was a few reports, however, he walked over to one of his bookshelves, and pulled out a book on the second shelf, it was a relatively simple book, but it was one of his favorites, and one he often read for guidance, a simple political philosophy piece written by a lesser known Nemidian author. He made his way over to his desk, a heavy, meticulously crafted laminated cedar desk, with the Imperial Emblem engraved into the desk face. He sat in the matching chair, and put on his reading pages, and started reading through the book, as he thought on the situation, and a particular line from his own father came to mind.

If you want something, chase after it, work for it, don’t wait for it to fall into your lap, chances are that it never will.

He kept flipping through the pages, carefully considering the thoughts and opinion of the writer, while his mind raced through the various affects and consequences of such a marriage, and ruling out the most unlikely ones, while mentally noting done the more likely ones. It certainly wouldn’t be easy, but if he could manage to pull it off, it would make the result all the more worthwhile.