[IC] [TWI-Only] League of TWI (Out of Assembly)

[Menna Shuli]

Mipax frowned she held herself to her full, regal height. "Please," she said, "don't play me for a fool. And do not condescend to me. If you cared about an apology, your government would have made a public statement. You instead pulled me into a back room while I was in the midst of presenting a resolution and everyone is distracted. It's cowardly. Besides, it's not me you should be apologizing to, it's my people. The optics aren't good, Ms. Malkovoz."

She stood. "I have business to return to. Please consider how your actions might be viewed before you blunder about like a wildebeest in a potter's workshop."

[New Totzka]

Jayashri waited in a lounge that sat just a short stroll away from the main waiting chamber. His fingers impatiently drummed the sides of his armchair. When the Wakeite arrived the Totzkan delegate rose and gasped his hand in a firm handshake.

"Senhor Talo’h, thank you for meeting with me. Tell me, how is the policy of isolationism treating your island these days?" Jayashri nodded his head emphatically at the Wakeite's response. "Alright, cards on the table. We believe that Alta is intending to use its accusations that your government is supporting terror cells across the Wake Islands as a pretence to invade and annex Wake Sud. I'm sure this is not news to you. Now, Totzka is prepared to formally guarantee the independence on Wake Sud. We will respond with force should the Svalbardians attempt to occupy Wake Sud. You should count on our allies to do likewise. However such a promise would only be possible to keep if Totzka is enabled to maintain a permanent naval presence on Wake Sud. Is this acceptable?"

[Polar Svalbard]

The wakeite looked a bit surprised, "Why should we trust your nation not to do the same as the Svalbardians? I know my histories, we are not so backwards that we forget. And where was your nation when the treaty of Karanoa was broken twice before? What now makes you strong enough to claim to be our protectors? We need the support but at the same time I don't think we can trust your nation enough to establish a permanent presence on our island. That is why I am here, in this League. I am here to find support outside of our immediate area, outside of the people who have attacked my nation time in and time out. I detest the Svalbardians, but do not think I will turn from one demon to the other."

[New Totzka]

"And how's that going for you? Are the Noronicans, who were on the brink of civil war not too long ago, sending a battle group to the North Mesder? is Brulafi prepared to confront Polar Svalbard over the Islands? You heard what's being discussed in the chamber; an investigation, under the supervision of the Svalbardian military." Jayashri attempted to suppressed a smirk. "Listen, 1998 and 2016 are stains on my country's honour. And its on that honour alone that we will guarantee to maintain the independence of Wake Sud. I understand that must not provide much comfort. "We have no interest in occupying your land. My government would rather pay money for Almorean Oil than in blood to control Wake Sud's reserves. If you have found some distant ally who will defend you, that's great. My nation only wishes to prevent the North Mesder being brought under the control of the Svalbardian navy. In fact we cannot allow such a situation to occur. Currently, we're offering you this deal. Please, don't let that change."

[Athara Magarat]

Thomas MacArtair sat down at the nearest seat available and waited for the Roendavarian delegate to arrive.

[Roendavar]

Lord Marius followed the delegate and sat down in front of him. He began to speak in hushed tones, as if trying to keep their conversation a secret despite the apparent empty halls. He maintained a worried look and frowned at Thomas MacArtair. "If you must ask, please do. However, I am afraid there are some things I can tell you, and some, I simply cannot. For the sake of the both of us."

After whispering, he suddenly smiled and reverted back to his usual self. "Thalas mona, Mr. MacArtair. Is there something I can do for you?"

[Athara Magarat]

"Greetings, Lord Marius." The two men exchanged handshakes. "I am afraid it's about the disappearances."

"Despite our reassurances and your reassurances, people in Second Tamuwan Hangate were not pleased. Their senate, backed by the powerful Tribal Council of Elders, has decided to override the position of the central government. They are planning to file a case against your nation in the International Court of Justice. We understand that the great forest is not a small area and that your government is doing its best but you must also understand that these people lost many of their families to the Hornet War recently. They are afraid of suffering more losses and seek answers. We really hope that this all would be solved before there is a diplomatic row but there are many things that New Libang cannot control."

"I am afraid there also rumors that some of the families have contacted supernatural investigators; which is ridiculous. Please forgive any inconveniences caused by these people. And is there anything that you wish to inform us about?"

[Roendavar]

"I thought so. The current disappearances are a tragedy and one which the Roendavarian government will try to resolve as quickly as possible. However, I hope both you and Athara Magarat understand that Roendavar is subject to laws that restrict what we can do at the moment. The Tillianoran Great Forest is subject to such laws, and it is not easy trudging thorough that forest, which has grown wild over the centuries." He stated.

"Regardless, the Roendavarian government is trying its best to solve the disappearances but I cannot promise you results in due time. Our thoughts go out to the families of the young girls. It is a horrible thing to happen. Therefore, I cannot give you an answer now-"

Lord Marius stopped for a moment, contemplating whether he would continue on with his statement.

"-but I shall tell you this and I trust this shall not be spread beyond this conversation. There are forces at play here. Far more than just people disappearing. I'm not a superstitious person, Mr. MacArtair, nor am I one for conspiracies. Trust no Roendavarian."

[Athara Magarat]

Thomas raised his eyes slightly and looked around to see if anyone else was there. "Perhaps we should talk this over at tea. Or do you prefer coffee, Lord Marius?"

[Roendavar]

"If it is a conversation you want, then I would prefer tea. As pleasant as that may sound, I have already told you that some things I can tell you and some I cannot. It's not a matter of confidentiality. Rather, and at this point, it is a matter of incomplete information." Lord Marius sighed. "The Roendavarian government is at an impasse. The King stands helpless, the High Council continues to do nothing, those responsible for the Tillanoran Incidents are still out there, and there are nations that are now getting roped into the crossfire." He said, frowning at the Magarati delegate.

"Again, I assure you Roendavar is doing its job. If you have any questions, I shall try my best to answer them."

[Athara Magarat]

"The central government does not have any further questions. But we cannot prevent Second Tamuwan Hangate from doing what they intend to do with their case against your nation."

"Glad you prefer tea. I believe either Hangun's Tea or Yarsha Chiya will be befitting for a man of your status."

[Ainslie]

Callum walks past the cafe, almost tripping over an electrical cable on his late night walk back to his office. He looks over to his aide and mutters to him that it needs to be fixed. A man in a suit rushes off to the cafe, eager to find a waiter or a manager - but no one seems to be there.

[Aruia]

Ivan sat infront of a laptop with articles in it, a warm coffee was placed next to him by a worker from the cantine.

[Athara Magarat]

Thomas MacArtair wiped the sweat from his forehead as he eagerly waited for the delegates who received his note to arrive. He had assumed these men and women to ones capable of keeping a secret and hoped that he would be right.

[Brulafi]

Joshua Tarnajef saw MacArtair hanging around at the corner of the room. He had received the note earlier during session, and thought that it would be best to improve relations with his nation's geographic neighbor if he showed up to meet him. He kept his smart watch tucked under its sleeve, but unbeknownst to anyone else but himself, it was recording. "Hello," he said as he finally approached the Magarati delegate, speaking in a low tone. "I received your note."

[Athara Magarat]

"Greetings, Mr Tarnajef." MacArtair too spoke in a hushed tone. "An Argean war is coming. And it will become a reality if we cannot keep secrets."

MacArtair saw that Tarnajef was confused.

"Jrm Hangma is dead. This information is not to be made public. But the Divan-i-Magarati, for some strange reasons, has ordered me to inform my fellow delegates here. I do not understand this myself. They want to keep this a secret from our own people but at the same time believe that our allies and other friendly nations must be informed. I trust that the Brulafi government will not leak this information until the next Hang or Hangma of Athara Magarat announces it?"

[Brulafi]

Tarnajef nodded solemnly. Having lived in the north of his country for a great deal of time and having rode the Sapphire Caravan more times than he could remember, he understood deeply what this would mean for MacArtair's country and his own. "You have my word..." he said after a long pause to think. "You have my word that my government shall keep its lips sealed." For a while longer he stood, hoping to console the man with his presence.

[Ainslie]

Jesse rushed towards the Athara Magarati delegate after reading the note he received. This was the first 'note' he received from another delegate, so he was eager to hear what was going on.

He quickly was within acceptable range to talk to the delegate in a way that would seem relatively casual yet not suspicious.

"Arae, Thomas. I received your note - what's going on? Is there something that the Unified Electorates needs to be aware of?"

[Athara Magarat]

Thomas informed the Ahnslen delegate of the death of Jrm Hangma.

"Troubling times ahead. The last time a Magarati woman who runs the country died in this sort of incident, well past 10 million more people died. The United Electorates have to be informed of this death but please ensure that this information does not leak; especially to your media."

[Ainslie]

Jesse furrowed his brow and his eyes became noticeably more intense.

"This news... is very troubling. The information you have given me today will only flow through the upper echelons of our defence and foreign affairs communities, so it should not be able to leak too easily. As for the media, since it is not an internal matter we don't have a lot of scope to act. I'll see what I can do though.

I hope you understand that this information will go out and delaying tactics will not work.

Is there anything more I can do for you? Is there any potential pre-emptive action that you are asking of Ainslie?"

[Athara Magarat]

"Nothing much for now. We will need you to recognize the next leader once they are elected. There are growing concerns that this election could turn into a civil war."

[Mageek]

Husanov hummed as he waited for his counterpart to arrive, occasionally sipping his coffee.

This certainly wasn't what he thought diplomacy would be like, indistinguishable at a distance from small talk at a coffee shop, but he didn't mind.

He was to meet with an Ostehaar representative today regarding the enlistment of foreign expertise to help develop domestic Magekite industries; particularly, the higher-ups wanted to reinvigorate the small and underperforming Magekite electronics industry.

Of course, "foreign expertise" was bureaucratic lingo for letting capitalists do their thing - the very process he was taught was a false promise of prosperity. Of course, he was told to avoid letting them own the factories, but his government's seemingly two-faced policy nonetheless put Husanov on edge.

He was distracted from this troubling train of thought when he finally rediscovered the pastries he had bought. Such exotic things are hard to get a hold of from state-owned stores, although many people turned to home-made desserts to adapt. He was at the top of the food chain now, Husanov thought. He could have as much foreign food as he wanted now that he spent so much time abroad. Surely, a limited supply of luxury goods was one of the reason why so many Magekites were leaving the country - aside from more dynamic opportunities and higher pay, of course. Luckily, reversing such brain drain was one of the main reasons why he was ordered to undertake this mission. To that end, he could surely slip in a few restaurants and soft drinks along with the foreign factories, no?

[Ostehaar]

Still tired, wishing he had taken an earlier flight from home, Tomas exited the Metro station hurriedly and crossed the wet street towards the cafe. It was a refreshing choice by the Magekite - not one of the usual meeting locations around the League main complex.

The atmosphere inside was warm and calming, and Tomas took a few moments to slow down his heart rate before approached the hostess. He pulled out his phone and quickly read again the e-mail inviting him to this meeting. Husanov, he reminded himself the name. The delegacy staff attached a brief on Mageek's economy, as well as a few remarks and suggestions. He read those during the flight, but...

Happily, the delightful smell of pastries came from the table he was looking for.

"Good day!" He said, "I'm Tomas from the Oster League office... Husanov, right?"

[Mageek]

"Maalder," Husanov smiled. "I'm glad you could make it. Hopefully it wasn't too much trouble?"

Without waiting for an answer, he continued - "Surely you know this, but Ostehaar industry is a productive gemstone." Internally, he cringed - was flattery really the way to go? It was too late to go back, so he went on - "The envy of the Western Isles." Okay, that was going too far.

"Anyway, it's our hope that we could share in this industrial wealth - not directly, of course, but through your nation's expertise. Whatever help you could provide - which would, of course, be adequately compensated - would be quite appreciated." Hasimov paused. "We recognize that your nation is structured quite differently from ours, so I'd imagine that it's not just your government that we'd need to get involved?"

Hasimov stirred his coffee as he awaited Maalder's response. There was an endless sea of what he could have done wrong, but he resolved to avoid worrying about it until after the meeting.

[Ostehaar]

"Ah," Tomas nodded, "I understand." He took a moment to arrange his thoughts.

"So yes, for investments or actual assistance or training, you'd need the board of the relevant private or semi-private companies in the room..." he took a deep breath to continue, "and yes, that might include some very unpleasant bureaucracy."

"But," Tomas raised his tone a bit, "we, as in, my government, is indeed in a position to help. For example, we can manage negotiations between your representatives and the board of our Electronics Association, which consists of most the leading companies in our industrial electronics industry" - Another breath - "And OCES, the nuclear industry, is semi-governmental and we can direct the company to do certain projects..."

"I must stress that there's ground for a lot of creative thinking. If you want to think big and long-term, we can talk about investments in research and development, either training your people to then return home and use their experience, or putting our teams in your facilities guiding your folks through."