CLOSED Meeting, Havenese Foreign Relations (Invite only)

[Havenburgh]

"Thank you for bringing that up sir. Yes, some of the nations here are in armed conflict. But the International Union is neutral, and one must be voted in. And there is one last thing we can discuss. I realize Havenburgh has been a bit... Secretive in the past. I wish to change that to complete transparency. Is there anything, anyone would like to ask about my country?"

"I have a question for the good gentlemen." She rose to her feet and walked towards him, cup of tea in hand.
"Firstly, I need to congratulate you on your recent election victory and I pray for further successes in your current term and terms to come." She paused, taking a sip of tea to quench her parched throat. "You talk of complete openness and full transparency, both commendable attitudes and I challenge any country who would do such a brave thing, whilst your humbleness about your nations past is admirable. But I do have to ask, whilst your good self and your department are willing to be open - can you promise that across all parts of your administration? Old habits die hard and, as I too know all too well, there are many a dark recesses in man's hearts that aren't so easily washed away."

"Good question Ma'am. You see, transparency is key in Havenburgh. It has always been the model of our lives, of our business. Terrible things tend to happen when one is sneaky and sly. When one is behind closed doors, there js a reason why its closed. They are trying to hide something. So, in the next few days I am submitting a bill the the national assembly, called the transparent act. It will make a law that makes it mandatory to be transparent. No secrets in the government, we dont need them. The government is a powerful weapon of the people and it must no be covered in a shroud of darkness."
Watching Helen leave, Ryan smiled.
"Helen is right. Its about time for a small break. Why not come back in about an hour. In the meantime, go explore the palace, see its sights, go pet the swans in the swan garden, please do not step in the zen garden. There is also horses, and a giant chess board outside. Go do whatever you want, be the kids still inside you. In the meantime, I must retreat to my study, it is down the hall, take a right and down that hall. There will be a small oak door with a tree carved on it. And I am sure one of you will meet up with Matthew, he is currently giving Thaamas of Ostehaar tour of the place."
With that, Ryan walked out and down the two halls, opening up the oak door. The whole time a guard followed him step for step, breath for breath. But all the guards know not to go inside his study, so the man paused at the door.
"Dylan" ryan said "can you go get me a slice of cheesecake please.
Even though he has been in office for months now, he still gets amazed at the amount of books. "It looks like it took centuries to get all these" he always thought to himself.

Sitting down, he loosened up his collar, and opened the drawer to his side. Pulling out a notebook in it, the first ten pages were full.
Grabbing his pen, he began to write..

[Nova Catania (Ancient)]

Adam conceded "Indeed. The transition is far more difficult than you might think..." he debated within himself "Madam, what advice can you give to me? I feel that your words are a bit too harsh. There are those in my country who are...high strung over certain issues..." Adam just blurted out "How can one save a nation? May I ask for your advice on ruling?"

"Never force a confrontation and do one's best to listen. A good leader always listens to their people, never do something that goes against your people and their interests unless it is absolutely necessary - and when that happens, be truthful, honest and open and accept the consequences." She looked down for a moment to gather her thoughts. "Never try to persuade those who can't be persuaded, one'll just end up tiring themselves out and wasting energy in an hopeless cause. But my final piece of advice, one I remind myself constantly of? Always remember that you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time - but never all of the people all of the time."

(OOC: Heavy speech and anecdotal, I know, but I'm itching to head out for a bit. BBL)

"...Thank you..." Adam conceded

[Kamieniec Podolski]

"Well then, I'm less of a dancer and more-off a fighter." Adam admitted. "I'm here to end a century and a half of isolation, and to see that my nation is an able participant in the international community...among other things..."
Noticing that Helen had left the door, he remarked to Aster "Some of us are here for things not originally planned."

"An honest answer," she remarked, carefully placing the now empty cup and saucer on a nearby table. "It is certainly good to see that your country has opened up to the world, it can't have been easy to do so." Her gazed moved across the room, looking around at the various delegates assembled in the room. "I've seen many things across my time in government," she mused. "Soon I will be retiring from politics. No doubt there will be many an-upset voter back home, but I think I need a rest from all these ..." She paused, her hand waving in small circles as she tried to think of the appropriate wording "... charades."

"I came here, knowing it would be my last international outing, and I intended to make it easier for my successor by making the opening moves." Turning back to the gentlemen, she outstretched her arm and gestured to all of the people in the room. "However, times have moved on. Looking at this ensemble reminds me of a saying I once heard. Democracy is four wolves and a lamb sitting down to vote on what to have for luncheon. I wonder if this assortment of nations will end up the same ..."

"See, you're constrained by democracy. My father can do almost whatever he wants. I doubt the old bastard will ever quit."

[Nova Catania (Ancient)]

"An honest answer," she remarked, carefully placing the now empty cup and saucer on a nearby table. "It is certainly good to see that your country has opened up to the world, it can't have been easy to do so." Her gazed moved across the room, looking around at the various delegates assembled in the room. "I've seen many things across my time in government," she mused. "Soon I will be retiring from politics. No doubt there will be many an-upset voter back home, but I think I need a rest from all these ..." She paused, her hand waving in small circles as she tried to think of the appropriate wording "... charades."

"I came here, knowing it would be my last international outing, and I intended to make it easier for my successor by making the opening moves." Turning back to the gentlemen, she outstretched her arm and gestured to all of the people in the room. "However, times have moved on. Looking at this ensemble reminds me of a saying I once heard. Democracy is four wolves and a lamb sitting down to vote on what to have for luncheon. I wonder if this assortment of nations will end up the same ..."

"See, you're constrained by democracy. My father can do almost whatever he wants. I doubt the old bastard will ever quit."

"I do not see democracy being a hindrance. Rather, whenever I personally undergo a struggle of any sort, the people are with me...most of the time..." Adam retorted.

[Kamieniec Podolski]

"See, you're constrained by democracy. My father can do almost whatever he wants. I doubt the old bastard will ever quit."

"I do not see democracy being a hindrance. Rather, whenever I personally undergo a struggle of any sort, the people are with me...most of the time..." Adam retorted.

"Make no mistake, if he pisses the people off too much they'll scream bloody murder. Or rather they'll murder bloodily. I mean civil war."

[Ostehaar]

Pacing between the fountains of the royal gardens, far from the noise of the meeting room, president Thaamas took his time to contemplate - an activity he was so fond of doing. This rather tall and overly nostalgic individual sometimes felt as if he was not a part of the events, and was only watching them unfold as an observer, wondering if his initial forecasts had been accurate or not. Most of the time he tried to suppress this feeling in order to not be seen as arrogant or too distant, and he used his calm and inviting fatherly smile a lot as a disguise for a teeming mind.

He glanced over at Matthew, who was giving him the deluxe tour. The guide explained something about the gardens and Thaamas nodded and smiled as a sign he was still listening.

The transparent act? Thaamas wondered at president Sander's words, No secrets in the government? How does he expect to handle crucial security issues without at least a bit of secrecy? Doesn't his nation have espionage services and intelligence agencies? Will he demand the same level transparency from all nations in the union he's trying to set up?

Thaamas thought of his notes from the meeting. Having Eidetic memory, he could form an accurate mental image of his notebook and read from it. He concluded that the union president Sanders was promoting - putting nations like Kamieniec Podolski and Linaviar together and creating a net of unstable military alliances - was not applicable. Separate bilateral agreements work best. I may not be the Prime Minister, but I know Ostehaar will not join such a union in the near future.

[Terraium]

"I do not see democracy being a hindrance. Rather, whenever I personally undergo a struggle of any sort, the people are with me...most of the time..." Adam retorted.

"Make no mistake, if he pisses the people off too much they'll scream bloody murder. Or rather they'll murder bloodily. I mean civil war."

Renoux quietly walks up and speaks from under his hood, "How did your father come to power?"
-------------------------------
"Shall we head to the studies Prelan? Just imagine the amount of knowledge in there, what secrets lie in books unknown to Terraium?"
"Why not? I has been a long time since I've read a good novel." says Prelan.
(Ladrian and Prelan head off to the studies and Renoux joins the conversation.)
(OOC: By the way who is speaking for Nova and KP?)

[Nova Catania (Ancient)]

"I do not see democracy being a hindrance. Rather, whenever I personally undergo a struggle of any sort, the people are with me...most of the time..." Adam retorted.

"Make no mistake, if he pisses the people off too much they'll scream bloody murder. Or rather they'll murder bloodily. I mean civil war."

Renoux quietly walks up and speaks from under his hood, "How did your father come to power?"
-------------------------------
"Shall we head to the studies Prelan? Just imagine the amount of knowledge in there, what secrets lie in books unknown to Terraium?"
"Why not? I has been a long time since I've read a good novel." says Prelan.
(Ladrian and Prelan head off to the studies and Renoux joins the conversation.)
(OOC: By the way who is speaking for Nova and KP?)[/quote]
(OOC: I am playing two delegates, Emperor Adam and his cousin, Aster)
Adam sighed as Prince John had stated the truth. Indeed, people were either dissatisfied or fanatically loyal to him. The problem was he couldn't please both sides.
"Indeed," Adam asked, eager to get his minds off the troubles of his homeland "How did each of you come to power...? Aster said I should brush up on my international policy." He was more interested in the green hooded Renoux...who had so far caught the interest of both of the Catanian delegates since he entered.

[Miklania]

President Kristiansen was growing more suspicious as the day went on. She was no fool. She knew that every government, especially an efficient one like Havenburgh has to keep things from the public, and especially from other nations. While he was preaching transparency, it seemed to her that he was in some way deceiving them. She knew for a fact that there would be no formal alliances created with Havenburgh today.

[Kamieniec Podolski]

"Make no mistake, if he pisses the people off too much they'll scream bloody murder. Or rather they'll murder bloodily. I mean civil war."

Renoux quietly walks up and speaks from under his hood, "How did your father come to power?"
-------------------------------
"Shall we head to the studies Prelan? Just imagine the amount of knowledge in there, what secrets lie in books unknown to Terraium?"
"Why not? I has been a long time since I've read a good novel." says Prelan.
(Ladrian and Prelan head off to the studies and Renoux joins the conversation.)
(OOC: By the way who is speaking for Nova and KP?)

"A long bloody war. Turns out, he's really good at making people do what he wants.'

OOC, King John's son, John.

[Nova Catania (Ancient)]

Renoux quietly walks up and speaks from under his hood, "How did your father come to power?"
-------------------------------
"Shall we head to the studies Prelan? Just imagine the amount of knowledge in there, what secrets lie in books unknown to Terraium?"
"Why not? I has been a long time since I've read a good novel." says Prelan.
(Ladrian and Prelan head off to the studies and Renoux joins the conversation.)
(OOC: By the way who is speaking for Nova and KP?)

"A long bloody war. Turns out, he's really good at making people do what he wants.'

OOC, King John's son, John.

"Same, I'm blessed or cursed with the prowess of battle, and bashing skulls is usually my means of diplomacy. I'm trying to get out of the "slay first to make sure no questions are asked" mentality." Adam laughed

[Terraium]

Renoux quietly walks up and speaks from under his hood, "How did your father come to power?"
-------------------------------
"Shall we head to the studies Prelan? Just imagine the amount of knowledge in there, what secrets lie in books unknown to Terraium?"
"Why not? I has been a long time since I've read a good novel." says Prelan.
(Ladrian and Prelan head off to the studies and Renoux joins the conversation.)
(OOC: By the way who is speaking for Nova and KP?)

"A long bloody war. Turns out, he's really good at making people do what he wants.'

OOC, King John's son, John.

"Ah... power from violence, he has been blessed by Ruin, then he is doomed. For Preservation can only protect him for some long before Ruin betrays him. The eternal cycle of humanity. Violence and peace are finite and go hand in hand, only harmony between the two shall last forever."
(OOC: If you feel creeped out by this guy's preaching, that's the point.)

[Nova Catania (Ancient)]

"A long bloody war. Turns out, he's really good at making people do what he wants.'

OOC, King John's son, John.

"Ah... power from violence, he has been blessed by Ruin, then he is doomed. For Preservation can only protect him for some long before Ruin betrays him. The eternal cycle of humanity. Violence and peace are finite and go hand in hand, only harmony between the two shall last forever."
(OOC: If you feel creeped out by this guy's preaching, that's the point.)

Adam was definitely shocked by the preaching... but not for the obvious reason. "My nation is blessed by the Upholders. I wage ruin, but my cousin is peace. Thus is balance." Adam motioned Aster over, whispered in his ear, and Aster went wide eyed. With a pat on his shoulder, Adam left Aster to deal with the leader of the Iron Church.

[Terraium]

"Ah... power from violence, he has been blessed by Ruin, then he is doomed. For Preservation can only protect him for some long before Ruin betrays him. The eternal cycle of humanity. Violence and peace are finite and go hand in hand, only harmony between the two shall last forever."
(OOC: If you feel creeped out by this guy's preaching, that's the point.)

Adam was definitely shocked by the preaching... but not for the obvious reason. "My nation is blessed by the Upholders. I wage ruin, but my cousin is peace. Thus is balance." Adam motioned Aster over, whispered in his ear, and Aster went wide eyed. With a pat on his shoulder, Adam left Aster to deal with the leader of the Iron Church.

"I am sorry but one can not be blessed by both ruin and peace. Either beings would lead to your downfall but both would lead to eternal destruction."

[Nova Catania (Ancient)]

Adam was definitely shocked by the preaching... but not for the obvious reason. "My nation is blessed by the Upholders. I wage ruin, but my cousin is peace. Thus is balance." Adam motioned Aster over, whispered in his ear, and Aster went wide eyed. With a pat on his shoulder, Adam left Aster to deal with the leader of the Iron Church.

"I am sorry but one can not be blessed by both ruin and peace. Either beings would lead to your downfall but both would lead to eternal destruction."

"Indeed that one cannot be blessed by both creation and destruction, but as you said, balance and coexistence is needed for humanity to prosper..."
-----------------------------------------------*datpagebreakdo*
Meanwhile, In Ryan's study
Adam walked in their, in part to get away from the Iron Church leader, who's words reminded him of why he needed to be here. He looked around for President Sanders, what he had to tell him was important and could not be delayed.

[Havenburgh]

"I am sorry but one can not be blessed by both ruin and peace. Either beings would lead to your downfall but both would lead to eternal destruction."

"Indeed that one cannot be blessed by both creation and destruction, but as you said, balance and coexistence is needed for humanity to prosper..."
-----------------------------------------------*datpagebreakdo*
Meanwhile, In Ryan's study
Adam walked in their, in part to get away from the Iron Church leader, who's words reminded him of why he needed to be here. He looked around for President Sanders, what he had to tell him was important and could not be delayed.

Sanders heard someone come in, and sighed in a rather mean way. He was upset, who would disturb him? Never the less, he must stay happy.
"Who is it? I am down here, down the stairs!"

[Nova Catania (Ancient)]

"Indeed that one cannot be blessed by both creation and destruction, but as you said, balance and coexistence is needed for humanity to prosper..."
-----------------------------------------------*datpagebreakdo*
Meanwhile, In Ryan's study
Adam walked in their, in part to get away from the Iron Church leader, who's words reminded him of why he needed to be here. He looked around for President Sanders, what he had to tell him was important and could not be delayed.

Sanders heard someone come in, and sighed in a rather mean way. He was upset, who would disturb him? Never the less, he must stay happy.
"Who is it? I am down here, down the stairs!"

"It is I, Adam." Adam answered. "I was hoping to talk to you in private concerning our alliance and future interactions between our nations. Aster has kept many things under wraps, but I believe it is your right to know what is going on in our country in order to wisely interact with it." Adam's tone was grave and harsh, unlike the jovial tone he had earlier.

[Havenburgh]

Sanders heard someone come in, and sighed in a rather mean way. He was upset, who would disturb him? Never the less, he must stay happy.
"Who is it? I am down here, down the stairs!"

"It is I, Adam." Adam answered. "I was hoping to talk to you in private concerning our alliance and future interactions between our nations. Aster has kept many things under wraps, but I believe it is your right to know what is going on in our country in order to wisely interact with it." Adam's tone was grave and harsh, unlike the jovial tone he had earlier.

"Ah, sit then."
Ryan gestured over to a nearbye chair, and as Adam sat down he went over to the small stove and grabbed the kettle, pouring two cups of Marcon tea, only found in Havenburgh. Giving a cup to Adam, he sat down as well.
"So, what would you like to talk about, other than the failure of this big meeting?"

[Nova Catania (Ancient)]

"It is I, Adam." Adam answered. "I was hoping to talk to you in private concerning our alliance and future interactions between our nations. Aster has kept many things under wraps, but I believe it is your right to know what is going on in our country in order to wisely interact with it." Adam's tone was grave and harsh, unlike the jovial tone he had earlier.

"Ah, sit then."
Ryan gestured over to a nearbye chair, and as Adam sat down he went over to the small stove and grabbed the kettle, pouring two cups of Marcon tea, only found in Havenburgh. Giving a cup to Adam, he sat down as well.
"So, what would you like to talk about, other than the failure of this big meeting?"

"The potential failure of Nova Catania as we know it. This meeting is far more salvageable than back home. At least you know of one another..." Adam sipped the tea "I hope not to sound ungrateful, but no one really knows of Nova Catania's history or culture. So I'll give you the short version..."
"As you may have known, Aster and I are cousins, and he is the Prince of Catania. It is because I was born four days earlier than him that I am upon the throne, however... Aster's family is from the people who colonized Catania, and there is a certain faction in my homeland who wishes to eradicate all traces of foreign power in Catania. Even their Emperor's family...
Likewise, there is a group who wishes to restore a Christian Emperor to the throne, and have either Aster or another Prince sit on the Throne of Grayskull. Make no mistake this, conflict will happen, it must for us as a nation to truly be united. We can only hope that the conflict will not be as severe or widespread..."
"What that means for you is that Havanese officials will be used as bargaining chips. In fact, they hope to use the international community to enforce their petty desires. My and Aster's combined presence here is important to show that I will not support the conflict on either side. As a solemn pledge, neither Aster or myself will raise a sword to the other. But that will not stop the dissent entirely..."
"I don't know how to solve this problem, I don't expect you to. But I feel that I need to inform you on what's going to happen in order for your people's safety. Civil war shall come. I can only pray for the mercy of the Ilyiah upon my people, nothing more." With that, Adam actually broke down and wept. Even this explanation excluded the massacres, the political backstabbing, the overall sense of anger and paranoia that has befallen his country.

[Havenburgh]

"Ah, sit then."
Ryan gestured over to a nearbye chair, and as Adam sat down he went over to the small stove and grabbed the kettle, pouring two cups of Marcon tea, only found in Havenburgh. Giving a cup to Adam, he sat down as well.
"So, what would you like to talk about, other than the failure of this big meeting?"

"The potential failure of Nova Catania as we know it. This meeting is far more salvageable than back home. At least you know of one another..." Adam sipped the tea "I hope not to sound ungrateful, but no one really knows of Nova Catania's history or culture. So I'll give you the short version..."
"As you may have known, Aster and I are cousins, and he is the Prince of Catania. It is because I was born four days earlier than him that I am upon the throne, however... Aster's family is from the people who colonized Catania, and there is a certain faction in my homeland who wishes to eradicate all traces of foreign power in Catania. Even their Emperor's family...
Likewise, there is a group who wishes to restore a Christian Emperor to the throne, and have either Aster or another Prince sit on the Throne of Grayskull. Make no mistake this, conflict will happen, it must for us as a nation to truly be united. We can only hope that the conflict will not be as severe or widespread..."
"What that means for you is that Havanese officials will be used as bargaining chips. In fact, they hope to use the international community to enforce their petty desires. My and Aster's combined presence here is important to show that I will not support the conflict on either side. As a solemn pledge, neither Aster or myself will raise a sword to the other. But that will not stop the dissent entirely..."
"I don't know how to solve this problem, I don't expect you to. But I feel that I need to inform you on what's going to happen in order for your people's safety. Civil war shall come. I can only pray for the mercy of the Ilyiah upon my people, nothing more." With that, Adam actually broke down and wept. Even this explanation excluded the massacres, the political backstabbing, the overall sense of anger and paranoia that has befallen his country.

Ryan went around and patted him on the back.
"I see your troubles Adam. Neither side is particularly the best, for we need a separation of church and state, and on the other hand we cannot let a mass killing happen. So the problem is? Who is there to support? Is there a good side?"
Sitting back down, Ryan took a sip of his tea. Working as a leader of a country is hard, but it must be done. He wasnt voted in with a 76% approval margin for nothing.
"I will see what I can do sir."

[Dashgrinaar]

Helen walked towards Ryan's study, hoping to speak to the president alone. She went up to the study, and knocked on the door, hoping to be let in.

[Nova Catania (Ancient)]

Ryan went around and patted him on the back.
"I see your troubles Adam. Neither side is particularly the best, for we need a separation of church and state, and on the other hand we cannot let a mass killing happen. So the problem is? Who is there to support? Is there a good side?"
Sitting back down, Ryan took a sip of his tea. Working as a leader of a country is hard, but it must be done. He wasnt voted in with a 76% approval margin for nothing.
"I will see what I can do sir."

"The Problem is that...I have no wife sir. In our custom, an Emperor is truly an emperor once he is married, thus showing his ability to establish a relationship with not only the woman, but her family as well. Aster might solve that problem with Her Highness of Dashgrinaar soon enough" he laughed "Another variable is that we have separated religion from politics. The last thing the British did before they left is they allowed the Puritans absolute power in our government. We rebelled and for 150 years, humanism has been the official religion. But with this renaissance of culture and religion, Ilyiah worshipers like myself want a sense of cultural identity, as they were the minority for so long. There are two major factions, the Adherents, the Ilyiah worshipers who clamor for a pure Grayskull dynasty on every throne in Catania. The other is the Society of the Silenced, the Christians who wish to do the same only with Christianity. The lesser of the two evils would be the society, as the Adherents wish to spread their beliefs to the far reaches of the globe"
(OOC there's actually a third option, but it hasn't come into play yet...)

[Nova Catania (Ancient)]

Helen walked towards Ryan's study, hoping to speak to the president alone. She went up to the study, and knocked on the door, hoping to be let in.

"I'm afraid that would not be the wisest thing to do, your Grace." Aster murmured as he stealthily stood behind her. "Adam is currently making sure that our country's crisis is contained as much as possible."

[Dashgrinaar]

Helen walked towards Ryan's study, hoping to speak to the president alone. She went up to the study, and knocked on the door, hoping to be let in.

"I'm afraid that would not be the wisest thing to do, your Grace." Aster murmured as he stealthily stood behind her. "Adam is currently making sure that our country's crisis is contained as much as possible."

"What crisis would that be? The Ten Dark Days left me with a knowing of it. If you would like, let us talk."

[Nova Catania (Ancient)]

"I'm afraid that would not be the wisest thing to do, your Grace." Aster murmured as he stealthily stood behind her. "Adam is currently making sure that our country's crisis is contained as much as possible."

"What crisis would that be? The Ten Dark Days left me with a knowing of it. If you would like, let us talk."

He offered his arm in the gentlemanly fashion and offered to walk, "Remember when I spoke to you of why I isolate myself from the throne? I spoke a half truth, for indeed I love the people and do everything in my power to help them...it is because of upcoming civil strife."
"My people are divided, between the native culture and those who were descended like myself from the colonists. There are factions in Catania who desire either a Christian or a "pure Grayskull" Emperor on the throne. Adam and I happen to be the candidates and already the bloodshed is beginning. Two extreme ends fighting for each other, that is by no means a pleasant image to present to the world now, is it?"