Hochstadt 1936 Summit [Verthandi Only - IC]

[Commonwealth of Hank the Cat]

ATTENDEE LIST:

Fuhrer Franz Neumann of Altenland
President Douglas Granite of Atlesia
King Nemunas I of Alytaj
------------------------------------------------------------
Franz Neumann's armored limousine pulled up to the side of the retreat, an isolated resort and hotel called Grüne Oase. As Neumann got out of the vesicle, surrounded by bodyguards he looked up at the hotel.

He scowled.

The so-called "rustic" hotel was in his eyes more of a giant log cabin. He could imagine it already, the foul-smelling rooms, the fake, exaggerated smiles, the sad drunkards milling around. He was already glad that he ordered the hotel cleared out. The owner had been given enough hush money to take off for a month and a throw out everyone else in the hotel. The only other occupants would be bodyguards, attendants - his own and the two other delegates. Neumann wondered what kind of rancid "food" was served here normally. He would have none of that - he had brought in some chefs - professionals who knew to shut up and serve. He walked up to the front doors, which swung open as he was welcomed in by a pair of black uniformed guards - standing dutifully next to each door. He approached the front desk and was wordlessly handed a room key by another soldier.

Neumann spoke. "Ring me when other attendees arrive. I want to get this started as quickly as possible." he said dourly, bored already of the hotel's tacky decor and wishing for his urban penthouse in Hochstadt. The soldier responded back by a disciplined shout of Jawohl, mein Fuhrer!". This pleased Neumann - at least someone was showing proper behavior in a place like this. No slacking off, only doing their duty. He promptly marched off to his room. As he began to walk, his aide, a short, bespectacled man began to speak to him. "Mein Fuhrer, you seem rather displeased." Neumann shot him a look. "Yes, Bruno, I am rather displeased." He sighed. "The only vaguely interesting thing I anticipate in this place is learning why the sudden change - Koch claimed to me that that President Granite ran on a policy of isolation. Why the change?" Neumann said rhetorically, as the two approached the door to his room. "Maybe they want to pay fealty to the Reich, mein Fuhrer." Bruno said, cheerfully.

Neumann resisted the urge to laugh, only managing a slight grin. "We'll see. Make sure I am informed when the other delegates arrive." He said, as he entered his room and shut the door.

[Enclave Reclamation Authority]

President Douglas Granite
Near Grün Oase, Altenland
21 July 1936

---

The Atlesian president’s trip had been a long one. It was more than a day ago that he boarded his plane in Atlas and made the long aerial voyage across the ocean— landing in Hochstadt just a few hours ago. As he sat in the back of his limousine, which the Altish had gracefully provided bearing the flag of the Federation, he couldn’t help but feel unnerved. The countryside outside the Altish capital was beautiful, yes, but the nation itself has been tainted by a growing authoritarian regime. They were religious fanatics, and Granite couldn’t help but feel that Mr. Neumann - the self-proclaimed Führer of Altenland - would be a tough one. Men like him are impassioned and ambitious, but their goals and motivations are often selfish in nature. King Nemunas I of Alytaj would likely be the more reasonable one at this meeting, but regardless, Granite has always found monarchs and dictators a tough crowd to please.

The President’s motorcade arrived at the isolated forest resort, and a member of his guard detail opened the door for him. He stepped out, adjusting his suit and leveling his Atlesian flag pin, before he and his entourage began to climb the steps towards the main entrance.

[Commonwealth of Hank the Cat]

Fuhrer Franz Neumann
Grün Oase - Altenland
21 July 1936
----------------------------

The door swung open as a uniformed guard opened them. He saluted the Atlesian president as he shouted "Heil, herr Präsident!

The president was escorted inside with his staff. The door guard turned to Granite and handed him a key. "Here is your room key, herr Präsident. I will inform the Fuhrer of your arrival - he asked to be informed when you arrived. Now that you are here, all we have to do is wait for Alytaj's king to arrive." He paused, before signalling for another guard to inform Neumann and then turned back to Granite. "A table has been set aside in the dining hall for negotiations. Would you like me to escort you there?"

[Enclave Reclamation Authority]

"A table has been set aside in the dining hall for negotiations. Would you like me to escort you there?"

President Granite nodded to the uniformed guard. Already, he was put off by the environment he had found himself in. Everything from the uniforms worn by the soldiers to the decorations that filled the halls of the resort screamed fanaticism. The only thing that didn't really bother Granite were the photographs taken during the Great War, which depict Altish soldiers on the front lines. As a history buff himself, Granite was intrigued. He himself had fought on the Western Front from 1918 until the end of the war, and it was only through the wisdom of age that he came to understand the true nature of warfare. As a young 17-year-old, serving with the 5th Marine Brigade alongside the Auvernians, he never viewed the Altish as anything more than an enemy. To him, they were barely even human. It's a perspective that'd taken him years to overcome, as he recognized that the young men across No Man's Land were just like him. They waded in the same filth, they feared the same whistle of artillery, they succumbed to the same diseases. They had parents that loved them, and sweethearts waiting for them back home. Hundreds of thousands suffered the same fate as many of Granite’s friends— dying on those Cybellean fields. Millions of his former enemies are forced to carry on with the burden of being a survivor, and in that, Granite believes he can find middle ground. Now holding the highest office in the Federation, Granite can't help but feel that he has more in common with the Altish soldiers in the opposite trenches than with his own peers in government. This line of thought, and realization, did more simply than humble him in the presence of his former enemy— it angered him. This time, however, for much different reasons than during the war. Neumann’s regime serves as an insult to the millions who perished in that terrible war, and Granite cannot help but think that it is no longer a matter of if there will be a ‘next war’, but of when. Few may yet see it, but Altenland has condemned millions to death— perhaps they don’t even know it yet.

Entering the dining hall, Granite noticed that the Altish were at least polite enough to include flags of all three attending nations. He took a seat at his table, flanked by bodyguards on either side, and lit a cigarette. After a few minutes of waiting, the Atlesian president grew impatient. He signaled for one of the Altish guards, and stood up to meet him as he approached. "Would you be so kind as to fetch Mr. Neumann for me? It would be great to meet him in person."

[Commonwealth of Hank the Cat]

After a few minutes of waiting, the Atlesian president grew impatient. He signaled for one of the Altish guards, and stood up to meet him as he approached. "Would you be so kind as to fetch Mr. Neumann for me? It would be great to meet him in person."

The soldier nodded, and quickly left the room. After a short wait, the doors swung open and Fuhrer Neumann walked in, his long, black coat flowing behind him. He looked around the room, a dark scowl appearing on his face when he saw that the King of Alytaj had not arrived. His scowl slowly turned to and he walked to the table. He held out his hand cautiously to shake as he approached. "Herr Granite. Good day." he said.

[Enclave Reclamation Authority]

He held out his hand cautiously to shake as he approached. "Herr Granite. Good day." he said.

President Granite stood to face the Altish dictator, and shook his hand firmly. Granite took a few moments to observe Neumann’s fashion choice— he’d always found leaders who preferred to wear capes and long trench coats rather unappealing. Then again, such a thing was common in Altish culture. He gave a smile, and replied. “How are ya?” he said in his thick, iconic Atlesian ‘city’ accent— the kind of accent that all movies love to portray. “Thank you for the hospitality here, Mr. Neumann.” He released his grip and brought his cigarette back to his lips. “I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Altenland in the past— tried real hard back in the war, I’ll tell ya, but nonetheless, it’s a great experience.” Granite figured that his comment about the war, which he intended to be a joke, would do one of two things: amuse the dictator, or upset him. Granite could work with either. So long as the Altish dictator knew that Granite was among the doughboys who gave their armies hell across the Western Front, he was content.

[Ossenland]

King Nemunas sat in the back of a car, elaborately prepared by local Kurszlan ministers, and held his tongue. On his flanks were a guard on one side, and then Governor-General Józef Adriański on the other. Opposing them was the dominant voice in the car - An Arcymisrz Manfri Deleckis, head of the Ordo. Easily taking up most of the seat in front of him, the man had spent the past 20 minutes, though it rather seemed like days, barking commands at the King to tell him how exactly to handle the situation at hand.

"You must NOT concede."
"I know."
"You must STAND your ground, and try and turn it around onto that fucker Granite. Okay?"
"I know."
"You must make all of us look strong."
"I know."

Pursing his lips as Deleckis went over everything that they had gone over for days before yet again Nemunas glanced over to Adriański, and felt a little bit of reassurance as the other man in the suit looked as uncomfortable as he had.

The tone was disrupted as Deleckis ceased talking and was replaced by a slightly lighter one as the Alytajic car went closer to the cabin. Better to just get the summit over with than have to pine around a direct confrontation that'd drag everyone in the world into it. "Almost there..." said Adriański, trailing off. Nemunas nodded and Deleckis scowled out of the door, as the driver slowly pulled up towards the cabin on the hill. Nemunas and everyone else in the car held their tongues and waited, primarily just to get it over with. The car stopped and Nemunas, along with a single bodyguard, exited the car.

"Remember everything you have to do." Deleckis said. Nemunas turned his head and looked down and nodded. "I have everything under control, Manfri." The Arcymisrz took a second to reply, responding with a simple "Are you sure?" Nemunas' face dropped and his brow furrowed. He responded with a simple "Yes. I do." and tapped the top of the car, indicating for the driver to pull off. He pinched the bridge of his nose, and met the eyes of the bodyguard as he pulled his hand off. The younger man stared up at the King.

"Every day?" he asked.
Nemunas nodded. "Every day with that man."

Nemunas and the bodyguard walked up the stairs and Nemunas briefly saluted the Altish bodyguard, who allowed the two inside. Within a minute or two, Nemunas and the bodyguard made their ways over to the main hall room, and entered a few minutes after Neumann. Sending the guard to stand outside of the room, King Nemunas greeted the two of them. Compared to them, he felt a bit underdressed, choosing instead to wear a dressed down version of the current Alytajic military uniform instead.

"Pan Neumann, Pan Granite." He said with a short wave, approaching the two of them.

[Enclave Reclamation Authority]

...

President Granite watched the Alytajic King, but being the deliberate man he was, waited until he drew closer to say anything. His initial impression of the King was surprisingly positive, as he wore rather modest clothing. Most monarchs preferred to brandish a collection of lavish and expensive furs, capes, crowns, and scepters, but Nemunas did not seem to fancy such things. From the get-go, Granite knew that this meeting was gonna be a tough one— there were lots of underlying tensions existing between the Federation and the Alytajic sphere. Indeed, the King’s prized territorial possession, has been targeted by Granite’s own rhetoric about de-Cybelleanization in Hibernia. According to Granite, and the conservative coalition he built in government, the powers of the Old World have no right to the new. Such a thing threatens peace and prosperity in Hibernia, and puts the Atlesian people at constant risk. Indeed, what happens when yet another Cybellean war erupts, and more innocent Atlesians are caught in the crossfire? Nations like Kurzla, whose allegiances lie with dying Cybellean monarchies, are the very reason why the Annesburg was sunk in 1917. Nations like Kurzla are the very reason the Federation was dragged into that horrible war.

President Granite shrugged off these momentary thoughts, and stood to meet King Nemunas. With a smile, and that iconic accent, he spoke, while offering his hand to shake. “Pan Nemunas, it’s great to finally meet you. I hope the trip didn’t take too much out of you.” This of course, was a sly joke, considering that the King was less-than-fashionably late, and that his country borders Altenland, whereas Granite had to travel to a different continent entirely.

[Commonwealth of Hank the Cat]

"Pan Neumann, Pan Granite." He said with a short wave, approaching the two of them.

"I wonder if we shot at eachother." Neumann said wearily, already bored and seeing of how this conversation with the President would progress. A grandstanding waste of time. "I served with the-" His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the sounds of doors opening. He looked to the entrance of the dining hall, and saw the Nemunas the first himself. Oh, finally, he thought to himself. Maybe the Allfather really was with him - maybe Koch was on to something.

As the King approached, Neumann resisted the urge to laugh. He imagined that Granite was aware of why Neumann had put the inclusion of Alytaj in the proceedings as a condition - Kurzla. It was obivoua from the get go what Granite was trying to get from the Reich. Neumann smiled, pretending to smile at the arrival of an ally - the real reason he was smiling was because he enjoyed the prospect of Granite squirming, trying to get Neumann to agree on the Kurzla situation while it's master was sitting right next to him. It briefly occurred to Neumann that this meeting would be the first time he had ever met Alytaj's King in private - he remembered surprise when the letter came in from Alytaj with the concept of the Northern Coalition. Another victory from Koch - he had requested and received permission from Neumann to visit the at the time former ally of Altenland's imperial government. He tried to remember what Koch had said about Nemunas. He remembered that Koch had mentioned talking with two people - the King and some other man...started a D, something? Dek...Decklesis? Koch had spoken highly of him.

Neumann quickly dispelled these thoughts from his mind and held his hand out to shake as the King came close. "Heil, Pan Nemunas."

[Ossenland]

...

...

"I see that the two of you have already been acquainted. Good." He said. Looking around, Nemunas walked over to a table and pulled out a chair.

"We may very well just get this started, there's no real point in waiting. I'm sure we can make more than enough small talk during all of this." He put his hands on the table and tapped them for a few seconds.

"I'll be honest - I want to make all of this quick. Keep things moving, I guess. I apologize if this seems brash, but I hope you can all understand."

Nemunas leaned back, stretching himself out a bit, before leaning forwards. He watched the two men, seeing their reactions, and thought to himself for a few seconds. He'd been somewhat acquainted with Neumann before, but wasn't rather fond of the man's authoritarianism or his rather drow attitude and outlook on life. Neumann seemed...angry at the world, sometimes. Coming here had put the King in an awkward position. He was a reformer, that was for sure, but his only real ally in the room was someone that he felt uncomfortable around at best, and the main opponent was someone who he had a fair amount of respect for on a personal level. Granite might be opposed to his goals, but at least he showed that there was some hope for democracy in the world.

"So, does anyone have anything else to say before we begin?"

[Enclave Reclamation Authority]

"So, does anyone have anything else to say before we begin?"

President Granite was somewhat taken back by King Nemanus’ rush to begin— Cybellean leaders tended to relish in the formalities and customs of meetings like these, so for him to jump straight to business was just fine to the Atlesian. Passing the Altish dictator, he took a seat across from Nemanus. Granite crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair, taking a long drag before leaning forward to flick the ashes off in a tray on the table. He observed the King for a moment, and could tell that he was at least somewhat uncomfortable. Whether it was because of him or Neumann though, Granite wasn’t sure.

“I can appreciate a man who likes to get to the point.” Granite looked over to Neumann, and then back to Nemanus. “I’m not going to pretend that this meeting isn’t a little strange— it is. Less than twenty years ago, our nations were at war with one another, and now we’re here sitting at the same table.” He took another drag from his cigarette, and exhaled before continuing. “Now I served in that war,” Granite looked to Neumann, “and my understanding is that you did too.” He turned back to the King. “We could easily harbor resentment towards one another, for what we’ve done or who we fought for, or who and what we represent today. But I think it says something powerful for us to be here together today.” He shrugged, lightly tapping his wedding ring on the table. “I can only speak for myself, but I think one of the most important takeaways from this meeting should be that - as those who lived through that horrible war - an understanding is made that we can never allow such a thing to happen again. And I’m here because I fear that it’s inevitable.”

Granite was clearly hinting to Neumann and his regime’s radical policies as the cause of this future conflict, but could never say such a thing outright. His best hope was to drive a wedge between the King, and the dictator.

[Commonwealth of Hank the Cat]

Granite was clearly hinting to Neumann and his regime’s radical policies as the cause of this future conflict, but could never say such a thing outright. His best hope was to drive a wedge between the King, and the dictator.

Neumann leaned back his seat. "I'm certain there is a solution to our current tensions. But it requires to abandon our mutual hatred and resentment in favor of looking forwards toward the future. I find that may be difficult - leaving your hatred means facing pain." Neumann spoke. It was all foolishness, of course - he knew nothing of that sort would be discussed even vaguely in the meeting, nor were any of the three leaders interested in working towards any actual solution. Just get the empty platitudes out of way, and see what concessions the President wanted for "peace."

Neumann leaned in. "So, tell me. What kind of strategies can we pursue, in the interest of peace?"

[Ossenland]

Nemunas sat, confused, and raised a brow at Neumann's comments towards Granite.

'Leaving your hatred means facing pain.' He thought to himself.

Ah shit, here we go again. Great. Nemunas scanned the room, first at Neumann and then at Granite opposite him, looking to see his reaction. Nemunas wasn't entirely innocent in matters like this either - he was more of a common, salt-of-the-Verth type, or he'd like to consider himself one. He'd hoped that this meeting would've been something...smoother, already, but Nemunas was able to catch his mind for a moment before it got the better of him. He'd rather just get everything over with and settled.

He did have his warranted concerns, though - Deleckis, for all Nemunas liked to ignore him, had a few good points - Neumann would probably tear Nemunas a new one, even if only privately, over his plans to actively decolonize everything except Kurszla.

Which brought Nemunas, for a moment, to problem number two: if Granite wasn't willing to concede, it would be to the only part that Nemunas himself wasn't willing to concede. He pondered, and decided to just attempt to get the best out at the front:

"We're all veterans here - we all have that in common. We all know exactly how...war is. Now, I may be a servant of the Allfather, but I'd rather not drag everyone into something. We know how politics can be - small issues become large, and the next thing you know, troops from Crocinia are sent to the Kumabetsu, or Aestia, or...or this place," he said, gesturing around, "I don't think anyone here is willing to risk something like that, so I think we should just get everything out of the water and be as honest as we possibly can be. I know that's difficult, in politics, but there's no harm in a little idealism."

Nemunas inhaled and looked at the two men, nodding. He turned his gaze to Granite.

"President Granite, what exactly do you want -- and why?"

[Enclave Reclamation Authority]

"President Granite, what exactly do you want -- and why?"

President Granite leaned forward in his chair, and snubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. He let out a deep sigh, and leaned back again, crossing his arms. He could admire the King's desire for total honesty, but politics is not a place for frankness. Some sugar-coating is always necessary.

"You aren't a fool," said Granite, "and I won't belittle you like you are. If you want me to be forthright, that's just what I'll do."

He cracked his knuckles, and sat up straight, scanning between the King, and the dictator. "I was elected based on a platform of strength and right-thinking. The conservative coalition I helped build in our Congress is the largest of its kind to ever grace my country's government, and while being at the helm of such a movement has its benefits, there are also many drawbacks." He looked at the Fuhrer, almost directing his next statements at him, specifically. "You see, I was elected to represent the interests of the Atlesian people. I was elected because my people felt that I was best suited to lead the nation. Now," he chuckled, "many of my own peers in government would disagree with the decision made by the Atlesian people, but that's just how our system works."

He refocused his attention on the King. "As President, I have obligations - promises - to meet. I'll put it to you straight: the platform of the National Conservative congress is far-reaching an expansive, but one of its most integral components is the removal of Cybelleum's... dated, influence over the continent of Hibernia." He paused, observing the King and Fuhrer's reactions. "Certainly you know that I refer to Kurzla, specifically. Yes, Volkhov to the north is an issue to this administration, but any fool who pays attention to foreign affairs can realize that their days are numbered. Kurzla, on the other hand, poses a constant threat to peace and stability in Hibernia." He paused.

"One needs only to look in the past twenty years to see the long-reaching effects that Cybellean wars have on foreign peoples. Kurzla and the Federation fought a small war, yes, and I'm grateful that both sides were wise enough to end it quickly. The threat, however, remains." He turned his focus back to the Fuhrer. "Thousands of Atlesian citizens were killed in the years before we joined the last war, because Cybellean powers - like your own country - were too reckless. The Federation still tried to have an even hand, and understand that conflict brings collateral, but that mattered little, because when the Annesburg was sunk, the Altish crew that did so massacred the survivors." He shook his head. "I am unwilling to allow Cybellean conflicts to hurt the Atlesian people, nor our allies, any longer. Thus, that brings us to the question of Kurzla."

[Ossenland]

"President Granite, what exactly do you want -- and why?"

President Granite leaned forward in his chair, and snubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. He let out a deep sigh, and leaned back again, crossing his arms. He could admire the King's desire for total honesty, but politics is not a place for frankness. Some sugar-coating is always necessary.

"You aren't a fool," said Granite, "and I won't belittle you like you are. If you want me to be forthright, that's just what I'll do."

He cracked his knuckles, and sat up straight, scanning between the King, and the dictator. "I was elected based on a platform of strength and right-thinking. The conservative coalition I helped build in our Congress is the largest of its kind to ever grace my country's government, and while being at the helm of such a movement has its benefits, there are also many drawbacks." He looked at the Fuhrer, almost directing his next statements at him, specifically. "You see, I was elected to represent the interests of the Atlesian people. I was elected because my people felt that I was best suited to lead the nation. Now," he chuckled, "many of my own peers in government would disagree with the decision made by the Atlesian people, but that's just how our system works."

He refocused his attention on the King. "As President, I have obligations - promises - to meet. I'll put it to you straight: the platform of the National Conservative congress is far-reaching an expansive, but one of its most integral components is the removal of Cybelleum's... dated, influence over the continent of Hibernia." He paused, observing the King and Fuhrer's reactions. "Certainly you know that I refer to Kurzla, specifically. Yes, Volkhov to the north is an issue to this administration, but any fool who pays attention to foreign affairs can realize that their days are numbered. Kurzla, on the other hand, poses a constant threat to peace and stability in Hibernia." He paused.

"One needs only to look in the past twenty years to see the long-reaching effects that Cybellean wars have on foreign peoples. Kurzla and the Federation fought a small war, yes, and I'm grateful that both sides were wise enough to end it quickly. The threat, however, remains." He turned his focus back to the Fuhrer. "Thousands of Atlesian citizens were killed in the years before we joined the last war, because Cybellean powers - like your own country - were too reckless. The Federation still tried to have an even hand, and understand that conflict brings collateral, but that mattered little, because when the Annesburg was sunk, the Altish crew that did so massacred the survivors." He shook his head. "I am unwilling to allow Cybellean conflicts to hurt the Atlesian people, nor our allies, any longer. Thus, that brings us to the question of Kurzla."

Nemunas' face swapped itself over from a cocked brow to that of an uncomfortable but understanding smile, followed by a chuckle.

"Ah, fuck." He said, as a small string of laughter escaped him.

It grew louder over the coming seconds, raising a few brows from the multinational group of bodyguards behind them all, and Nemunas stroked his face before putting his hands back onto the table and drumming them for a bit. "Look, I'll be honest as I possibly can be as well," he said, "Alytaj means no ill-will to Atlesia, and as far as I can tell in both the near and the far future, it doesn't." Nemunas glanced over at Neumann, trying to gauge his ally's reaction, and continued.

"Deleckis - you know who he is - would have my ass if I said this out loud and in public, but I figured that we'd get to this point sooner or later." Continued the King, slapping his fingers down onto the edge of the table. "Alytaj is...pulling out of International Affairs, a bit. We're, well, decolonizing. Kettlai and the Ligation Ports in Anzulab, they're nice, but they're starting to be a drain on our economy. The Ordo can only do so much before the Material world starts rearing it's head into our affairs. Building infrastructure in rural Kettlai might be nice and it might spread religion, but it doesn't change the fact that Kefalion refuses to trade and that the populace that doesn't convert is draining our money and resources."

He adjusted how he sat, slouching down a bit. "I'd give you everything Volkhov has in Hibernia if I could. I'd even be willing to reach out and ask for a mutual assistance pact in case Volkhov's princes and bankers decide to explode. But for Kurszla...that's what's funny. Kurszla's the only place that's really any economic benefit to us, not to mention that the population is majority Lyndaist and ethnically from Alytaj. I have - and I think I can grab a good amount of people in my government to agree - no problem in pulling out of every colony except Kurszla."

Nemunas turned his head to Neumann, trying to see what the Altish dictator would think. He'd assumed a scowl and something that would, probably accurately so, be held until Neumann returned to Altish high command, and in a week or two, Deleckis would hear through the grapevine, and return to his monthly attempt to wring Nemunas' balls through a vice. "You understand why, of course."

He looked back at the President.

"You have my promise - I will try my best to keep Alytaj out of any conflict with Atlesia for as long as I sit on that throne. I want nothing but peace, and to change the internal affairs of my own nation to better suit the needs of the people. I don't want any conflict to hurt my people, and dragging your people into them seems just as pointless as starting a war in Cybelleum in the first place. We have a saying in Alytaj, 'nie mój cyrk, nie moje malpy.' Not my circus, not my monkeys. You understand what I mean, yes?"

Nemunas put his hands together. "If you want, we could dally around for an hour if we make a call to drag Adriański back here to give his opinion."

[Commonwealth of Hank the Cat]

Nemunas put his hands together. "If you want, we could dally around for an hour if we make a call to drag Adriański back here to give his opinion."

Neumann felt something he had not felt for a long time.

Deflation.

There he was, the supreme Fuhrer of Altenland...and he felt completely unnecessary. He was sitting there in a conversation that seemed to not need his presence nor warranted it. The silent humiliation of being a spectator to a conversation that was taking place in Altenland itself eclipsed his surprise at even the King of Alytaj's comments regarding the colonial matters. Most of his emotion was spend towards silent resentment and confusion - why was he was even present? Neumann ran through the events that brought him to this point.

Then it hit him, and the pieces fell into place.

He realized how Granite worked, and what he understand.

Much like how Neumann silently resented being on the backseat in a summit in his own country, the Fuhrer could see that Granite quietly resented something about the summit as well, that being the presence of Alytaj's King. Neumann knew that because of how the he was approached. Granite's diplomats had came to him first, despite Altenland not owning Kurzla. It was actually a demand from Neumann that resulted in Alytaj being included. But it was obvious that that was not relevant in the Granite's eyes.

Over the course of the summit, one thing that seemed to define Granite, to Neumann's wager was his focus on war. His grandstanding about his service, the duality of how quickly he was to bluntly threaten it immediately after denouncing it. It merely annoyed Neumann at first, but now he understood.

He understood President Granite.

The President of Atlesia looked at matters like a battlefield. He weighed things in terms of military value. To him, the Northern Coalition was not an alliance, it was a squad. And Altenland was the most powerful of that squad, and therefore that equated as an weight far heavier than Alytaj. It was also why Granite had arrived so early, why he accepted, begrudgingly, yes, but accepted in the end Neumann's demand to have Alytaj at the table. It was because Neumann's voice, as representative of Altenland carried a weight to it that Granite respected and deferred to.

In the span of a few bare moments of thought, Neumann realized that his initial assessment of his role within the summit was the complete and utter opposite of the truth. In reality, his voice was the only one in the room that held any sort of importance. The words of his ally, the King of Alytaj meant nothing to Granite because he did not respect Alytaj in comparison to Altenland. Neumann was the proverbial "big dick" and Granite would only genuinely accept the words of the Fuhrer of Altenland. It was why both men kept looking to Neumann, why it seemed after every statement, both Granite and Nemunas looked in his direction - they did not desire his thoughts, they desired his decision.

It occurred to Neumann how similar he was, in this regard to Granite. How easily they could be firm allies and friends.

Neumann lightly smiled and put his hands together, looking at Nemunas. "Violence between our states is only inevitable if we make it so." He said, his voice firm, his northern Altish accent pushing through - a voice fit for a military commander - the only voice Granite would defer to and accept as an authority. He turned his head to look at Granite, his eyes unblinking, directly at him. We do not seek conflict with Atlesia. Possibly even the opposite. Nor do we seek interference in Atlesia's politics, nor borders or internal affairs."

"But to avoid conflict, we require that this arrangement is mutual. The Reich stands for it's own."

[Enclave Reclamation Authority]

...

Granite leaned back in his chair, and crossed his arms, seeming to understand the hints being made by Neumann. This was, frankly, exactly how he'd hoped things would work. He never intended to speak with Alytaj, because the truth was, it wasn't their say. As much as Granite despised both Neumann and his Valkist regime, he was at the head of the table. He called the shots. Without Altish backing, Alytaj couldn't do a thing. Granite cleared his throat. He decided to press the dictator for more information, and see what he hoped to gain from this.

"Well, what sort of arrangement would you find satisfactory, Mr. Neumann?"

[Commonwealth of Hank the Cat]

"Well, what sort of arrangement would you find satisfactory, Mr. Neumann?"

Neumann folded his hands and leaned back, looking directly at Granite. "Atlesia does not touch Kurzla, and in return the Reich will not interfere Atlesia's sphere of influence in any way." Neumann glanced over to Nemunas, glaring at him. "As will the other Pact states." Neumann returned his gaze to Granite and spoke to him. "A policy of mutual...ignorance. You ignore us, we ignore you." He cleared his throat.