Karellian crisis meeting [Nadeyatsya2 only]

[Greater Karellia]

Prime minister Linna was nervously pacing up and down the balcony of his official residence on the banks of lake Onagera. It was an old, yet beautifully restored Villa built in 1910. Some part of the lake had frozen over and created an almost "fairytale"atmosphere.

Prime minister Linna's official residence

"Despite being cold, the atmosphere was a nice break from the grim surroundings I so often find myself in these days" Linna thought.

A glint was suddenly visible on the road leading up to the house.Linna turned his gaze to the font lawn and saw the car of the Roelandian chancellor drive up to the front door.
Linna rushed down to greet her.

[Roelandia]

The Chancellor's plane, a Roelandian made Aerzug B720, landed on Petrozatsamo airport in the early evening. The road to the prime ministers official residence took them through the center of the capital. At this hour, traffic was light and the delegation encountered no major delays. As Eva looked out on the streets she noticed the relative poverty of the nation she was visiting. *This corner of the world has always been somewhat forgotten I suppose... Even under Petrokovian rule the socialist republic of Karellia had financial autonomy for most of it's existence. In fact, they had insisted upon it. This off course had the result that the region was cut off from most financial aid from the rest of the Petrokovia.* She thought by herself.

After a while the car reached the lakeside. Lake Onagera, a vast lake spanning just under a hundred kilometers stretched out in front of them before the driver turned right to continue driving along it's banks. As they left the capital behind them they came upon an idyllic wooden bridge that crossed the Oliu, a small river that, alongside other larger rivers, fed lake Onagera. There on the other side lay their destination. Prime minister Linna's official residence. The sun began had started to set and the house bathed in a pleasent orange glow.

Chancellor Margoliss got out of the car and was immediatly greeted by prime minister Linna.

Linna
Ah! Chancellor! Welcome! *he shakes her hand firmly*
I trust you got here safely?

Margoliss:
*Margoliss smiled politely as she replied*
Yes, no problems. I have to say the scenery is a pleasure to behold.

Linna
I'm glad you are starting to warm to our beautifull nation!
Sadly we can't really describe the current temperature as "warm" this particular evening.
Come inside if you please. I took the liberty of preparing dinner. I reckoned you and mister Petit must be starving at this hour of the evening.

*as they both entered the building a delicous smell of meat entered their noses.
The dining hall was restored to it's authentic 1910 interior*

Margoliss
This smells good, may I ask what it is?

Linna
karjalanpaisti, a local meat stew, usually prepared using pork and beef, I'm sure you'll like it. I suggest wa wait for mister Petit before we get started but let me pour you an aperitif while we wait.

*Linna walks over to a cabinet ont he other side of the room,opens it and takes out a bottle and two glasses*

Would you like a sip of Balsam?

*He shows Margoliss a bottle containing a dark brownish liquid featuring vintage artwork depicting one of the main landmarks of the country, the church of Nekrasamo.*

It's a herbal drink about as strong as Vodka. *Linna remarked when he saw Eva's inquiring facial expression. Margoliss nodded, indicating she would have some. Follwoing this Linna poured the glasses full to it's edge while smiling. They both sat down in the salon next to the dining table which was located in a porch overlooking the lake.*

Margoliss

*Eva took a big sip and almost instantly regretted drinking so much in one go. Couching she brought out*

This....stuff...is....quite strong... But otherwise very tasty...

Linna
*Linna laughed at Eva's obvious inexperience with high alcohol content drinks*
Well I'm glad you like it. *Linna drank the entire glass in one go and poured himself another one.* But perhaps it's time to come down to business. *Linna's expression got serious in a matter of moments* As you are well aware our nation is in a deep crisis right now. Naturally, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation. I would like to know what your thoughts are on the current situation so that we are clear on where we each stand.

Margoliss
*Eva put down her glass of Balsam and got down to business.*
We Roelandians are deeply concerned about the current developments in Kemirsko. As the current presiding nation of the IPS and Karellia being a member your concerns have become our concerns. Do you believe there is a chance that the situation could be remedied peacefully?

Linna
*Linna also put down his glass and replied in a serious tone*. I don't have much hope. Kemirsko has always been a highly sensitive topic, even before independence. There were even suggestions that Kemirsko should not be included in an independent Greater Karellia prior to the referendum. Those notions were put to rest quite quickly though as even premier Petit's adiminstration stated that because Kemirsko was included in the socialist republic of Karellia it would be part of an independent Karellia as well. This is also something the Kemisrkoans didn't take well. Some even felt betrayed by their own people. This might even make Petit's word less influential with them than you may think.
*Linna takes another sip from his glass of balsam*

Margoliss
I see... well, perhaps a show of good faith is a step in the right direction?

Linna
What do you have in mind?

Margoliss
Freeing Andrei Glukhow might open their minds.

Linna
*Linna's facial expression worsened for a second before he regained his composure*
I don't think it's a good idea to bypass the judiciary on this matter or in any matter to be honest.

Margoliss
I believe the evidence against him is circumstantial. What do you have to lose?

Linna
Oké, I'll be honest. The man is a nuisance and for now I think it's in our country's best interest to have him tangled up in legal procedures so he can't do anything to actively undermine us and belive me, he would!

Margoliss
I think it may just be this kind of mentality that prevents a constructive dialogue between both sides. Recent events have gotten the Kemirskoans very mad indeed. So mad even that they refused to even acknowledge my plea for dialogue.

Linna
Many ethnic Petrokovians in this country view Roelandia as a part of the problem and not the solution. Since we joined the IPS our GDP has grown and quality of life has steadily increased but it has come at the cost of many industries tradtionally dominated by ethnic Petrokovians. Such as the wharfs down in Vanhakaupunki (Starygrod). Yet, I believe our current talk is extremely important even if the Kemirskoans are giving Roelandia the cold shoulder right now. I believe the IPS is the way forward for this country and I hope to convince everyone of that. Also the Petrkovians living here.

Margoliss
And how would you propose we do that? *She says, shifting the conversation away from Glukhov, a topic on which Linna seems to be reluctant to discuss. She will mention him again later that evening she though.*

Linna
By providing Kemirsko with a detailed investment plan that would compensate for the downfall of local manufacturing. We were hoping Roelandia and the other IPS members could perhaps see to that.

Margoliss
I see... You propose we persuade them to put down their arms in exchange for money basically. Aren't you afraid this could be seen as some sort of bribe? I mean, I know the whole ordeal started over the Metinka mine incident and the closing of the local ship building factories because of Roelandian investment in Mursinki but isn't that more like a "last straw" kind of thing rather than the actual cause of the conflict? Because as I understand it there is a very complex historical narrative at work here. Besides, investment in the area forced Petrokovian communities in Kemrisko to be expelled which was probably seen as an attempt to repopulate Kemrisko with karellians rather than an economic initiatve. Why would they warm up to such a thing now?

Linna
*Linna thought hard for a short moment* Yes, I see your point. But I'm hoping that most people fight because their future looks bleak rahter than for some ideal inspired by historical events. Also, the Metinka fiasco was caused by prejudiced board members who have since been purged. I'd say this shows our real intentions.

Margoliss
Far be it for me to try and crush your hope but I'm skeptical.
Still, I will call a general meeting and present the idea to the other IPS members, I trust you too will be attending.

Linna
*linna nods* that would be satisfactory.

*Suddenly a guard appears in the door, gesturing towards Linna*

Ah, I see premier Petit has arrived. I will go greet him. Chancellor please feel free to take a seat on the dining table. Dinner will be served shortly.

*Linna went outside followed by the guard, closing the door behind him. Eva drank up her Balsam glass and took a seat at the right side of the dining table with her backtowards the window overlooking the lake*

[Petrokovia]

Premier Petit and his aide, Nonna Yakovna, sat inside a modified Antonov An-12, sitting in the Karellian airport runway, having just arrived. Soon, a staff member of the plane approached the two, escorting them to the cargo area in the back of the plane. There, Agent Smith Malychev was waiting with a UAZ Hunter.

The three drove out of the plane, and made their way through a headache-inducing amount of airport traffic control, to the main roads. While they drove, the Premier and Nonna watched out of the bulletproof glass as they passed by beautiful scenery.

"It's a shame Karellia left the Union." Nonna remarked. "It's quite a scenic place."
"Mmm, yeah. I can see why those in Kemrisko didn't want to leave."

Soon, the group would pull up and park at Linna's residence. Petit walked ahead, looking around the area as he approached the door.
"This is quite an impressive place." he said, ringing the doorbell.
"Yes." Nonna replied. "I'd like a place like this by the time I retire."

The Premier chuckled.
"That'd be nice, but a bit pricey."
"Tay aht jäk byt zherdzo romanieken, howinej~" Nonna teased, nudging his arm.

The Premier stifled a laugh just in time, before the door to the residence opened.

The entire time, Agent Smith stood behind the two, stone-faced beneath his ever-present sunglasses.

[Greater Karellia]

As the door opened Linna appeared and greeted Petit.

Linna
Ah! Premier! It's been too long. Come in, dinner is being served momentarilly.

*The delegation entered the building and took their places around the table in the dining room. Margoliss greeted them*

Margoliss
Ah, mister Petit. It's been some time. I believe we last saw each other in Krihikon Ilmenia no? *she stuck out her hand while nodding politely to Nonna and agent Smith*

Linna
Would you both like a glass of Balsam by any chance? In order to take the edge of?
Me and the Chancellor have shared a few glasses already.

*meanwhile dinner was being served by the house personnel. A steamy bowl of karjalanpaisti was being put on the table, the delicious smell of which started to fill the room. Linna was looking at his guests hoping they would enjoy Karellia's national dish.*

[Petrokovia]

As the door opened Linna appeared and greeted Petit.

Linna
Ah! Premier! It's been too long. Come in, dinner is being served momentarilly.

*The delegation entered the building and took their places around the table in the dining room. Margoliss greeted them*

Margoliss
Ah, mister Petit. It's been some time. I believe we last saw each other in Krihikon Ilmenia no? *she stuck out her hand while nodding politely to Nonna and agent Smith*

Linna
Would you both like a glass of Balsam by any chance? In order to take the edge of?
Me and the Chancellor have shared a few glasses already.

*meanwhile dinner was being served by the house personnel. A steamy bowl of karjalanpaisti was being put on the table, the delicious smell of which started to fill the room. Linna was looking at his guests hoping they would enjoy Karellia's national dish.*

After greeting Linna, the Premier made his way to Margoliss, shaking her hand.

"Yes, that does sound familiar." he replied, before taking his seat.

The three Petrokovians took their seats at the table, next to Margoliss and Linna. Nonna gestured to the Premier when the Balsam was mentioned.

"Oh, make that two glasses." Petit said. "Thank you."
A few glasses already? I wonder how early Margoliss got here...

When the karjalanpaisti was placed in front of them, the Premier and Nonna both began eating without a second thought. Due to Karellia's proximity to Petrokovia, and the shared culture between the nation and Fynnlandia, a republic in the USSP, the dish wasn't unknown to them.

"This is good." Nonna complemented. "Klara would probably pester you for the recipe."
"If she knew you had this, she'd pester you for the recipe." Petit joked.
"True."

Meanwhile, Agent Smith waited for a moment, letting it cool a bit before slowly eating. He remained silent, but didn't seem displeased.