[Zamastan]

A Tense Standoff: Room 439

Tofino Convention Center

Zamastan's Secretary of State, Avi Tremblan, walks down the sea-facing corridor with three of his aides, headed to a scheduled session with the Kerlian delegation. Under President Bishop's instruction, he is to attempt to direct the conversation away from trade or energy policies and towards the Aelurian Independence Movement

An aide opens the door to the long-table room, labeled "Room 439", where several Kerlians stand at the windows observing the bay and the mountains across in the distance. Among them, the premiere members of the delegation; Councillor Electra Georgiou, Minister of Foreign Affairs Katrine Porter, Minister for International Trade Ines Abbott. Though he knew the delegation, and in turn the nation of Kerlile, represented a rare example of a matriarchal society, Tremblan still feels put off by the fact that there was not a man among the people standing in the room. It doesn't help that two of his three aides at his side are women.

Tremblan gestures and extends a hand to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. "Madam Porter, I'm glad that we can finally sit down and speak. I'm sure you've been enjoying your time?"

"Of course, thank you Mr. Secretary. Tofino is much lovelier than I imagined it would be, although I could do with a few changes."

"Oh? Such as?"

"I could do with less boys in business suits walking down the street on my way here," she grinned.

"I'm sorry, Minister?"

"You understand."

Tremblan widens his eyes for a moment, shakes his head and exhales. "Madam Minister, I've been told directly by President Bishop to divert conversation from any trade relation. As of today, we are cancelling 45% of Kerlian exports and imports of luxury items."

"That shouldn't be much of an issue, you do realize our nations don't share much in the way of that category of trade?"

"Yes, but I want to focus on your stance on the Aelurian Independence Movement."

"We share the same stance as you, Mr. Secretary. We want to see Aeluria become an independent nation."

Tremblan places one hand on the desk, still standing. "But we didn't go to war with Lauchenoiria. And the First Minister hasn't told us to screw off."

Porter eyes Tremblan closely. "You have no say in what Kerlile can support and what we can't support."

"On the complete flip-side, Madam Minister. We do. If Aeluria becomes independent and we find any source of Kerlian action of support beyond only words, Zamastan will make you answer for it."

"Oh will you?"

"We will."

The two delegates stay in silence, only a table separating them. The rest of the Kerlians and Zamastanians in the room dart their eyes carefully as they wait to see what happens.

The minister is the first to break the silence;
"Then you'll have to wait and see what happens."

Tremblan snaps up and turns, shoving his notes to his aide and strolling through the entry, causing a breeze to flow behind him. He pauses for a second, looks back inside the room for a moment, then continues as the aide once again closes the heavy polished oak doors.