08-29-2019, 03:58 PM
Duņceda Airport, Eiria
The Coatōn 700 airliner, the most advanced passenger plane in Xiomera and the pride of its aerospace industry, had just slid to a final stop at the Duņceda airport. Emblazoned on its sides were the name of Xiomera; on its tail, a massive image of the golden sun and four stars that graced its flag, on a background of red. The livery, indicating that the plane was part of the official Xiomeran government fleet, was a symbol of pride of its own.
Pride was a big part of what was causing the Xiomeran delegation to be here in the first place, so this was a fitting display. The Secretary of International Affairs, Huitzilhuani, had that made very clear to her by the Emperor prior to their departure from Xiomera. Now that the delegation had arrived in Eiria, it was her job to remind the delegation again of this.
"Let's go over the briefing one more time," Huitzilhuani said, as an aide handed out Cala Companion XL tablets to the rest of the delegation. "You will find maps and layouts of all of our destinations while we are here already loaded onto your tablets. No one is to deviate from the schedule, or go wandering off. We're not here as tourists. You will also review and remember the Code of Conduct for International Travel. It is of absolute importance that none of us do anything while we are here to embarrass Xiomera, or represent it in a poor light. You will remain polite and civil at all times, regardless of any provocations we may receive. Most of all, you will show nothing but the utmost respect for our hosts at all times, and follow any instructions given to us by the Eirians."
"Security for this visit, along with transportation and any other needs we may have, will be coordinated and provided by the Eirians," Huitzilhuani continued, as her staff nodded soberly. "However, we do have our own security as well, in the extremely unlikely event that they should be needed. They are, I am sure, ready for any eventuality," she added, looking to her side.
Standing next to her, Mecē, the leader of the detachment of Shorn Ones escorting the Xiomeran delegation, nodded soberly. "We are always ready, Excellency," he said in an impassive tone.
"Very good. To review further, our goals for these negotiations are simple: we are to seek an end to the sanctions against us, and against Kerlile. We are prepared to offer an end to sanctions on our own end against Zamastan, an end to any boycotts taking place domestically, and possible further measures to restore economic confidence. In essence, we seek to return to the status quo before all of this nonsense started. If the subject of the Manauia Island Project comes up, we are to state that we are prepared to discuss that matter with our neighbors, but prefer to do so in separate negotiations from this mediation," Huitzilhuani said.
A few of her staffers exchanged knowing looks at the noticeably cooler tone the Secretary's voice had slid into when mentioning the Manauia Island Project; it was well-known among internal Xiomeran circles that she was not a fan of the proposal.
"We will also seek a commitment from the other parties to these talks not to use sanctions or other trade measures as a means of coercion or political pressure, in the interest of regional trade. However, we are unlikely to get such a commitment, so we will not fall on our sword over it. One thing that is non-negotiable, though: any discussion of requiring any kind of political or social change in Xiomera is off the table. We will not accept forcible changes to our political system as a requirement for an agreement here. The Emperor considers this a matter of national sovereignty and Xiomeran independence, and is very firm on that point."
While Huitzilhuani privately felt that a little bit of change in Xiomera wouldn't be such a bad thing, for her, this was also a point of determination. If Xiomera were to change, it would do so because its people wanted change, not because outsiders forced them to.
"Allright. We know what we are here to accomplish, and how we plan to do it. I know you will all represent our homeland with dignity and distinction. Let us proceed to meet our hosts now. And....let's hope for a little bit of luck," the Secretary finished.
The Coatōn 700 airliner, the most advanced passenger plane in Xiomera and the pride of its aerospace industry, had just slid to a final stop at the Duņceda airport. Emblazoned on its sides were the name of Xiomera; on its tail, a massive image of the golden sun and four stars that graced its flag, on a background of red. The livery, indicating that the plane was part of the official Xiomeran government fleet, was a symbol of pride of its own.
Pride was a big part of what was causing the Xiomeran delegation to be here in the first place, so this was a fitting display. The Secretary of International Affairs, Huitzilhuani, had that made very clear to her by the Emperor prior to their departure from Xiomera. Now that the delegation had arrived in Eiria, it was her job to remind the delegation again of this.
"Let's go over the briefing one more time," Huitzilhuani said, as an aide handed out Cala Companion XL tablets to the rest of the delegation. "You will find maps and layouts of all of our destinations while we are here already loaded onto your tablets. No one is to deviate from the schedule, or go wandering off. We're not here as tourists. You will also review and remember the Code of Conduct for International Travel. It is of absolute importance that none of us do anything while we are here to embarrass Xiomera, or represent it in a poor light. You will remain polite and civil at all times, regardless of any provocations we may receive. Most of all, you will show nothing but the utmost respect for our hosts at all times, and follow any instructions given to us by the Eirians."
"Security for this visit, along with transportation and any other needs we may have, will be coordinated and provided by the Eirians," Huitzilhuani continued, as her staff nodded soberly. "However, we do have our own security as well, in the extremely unlikely event that they should be needed. They are, I am sure, ready for any eventuality," she added, looking to her side.
Standing next to her, Mecē, the leader of the detachment of Shorn Ones escorting the Xiomeran delegation, nodded soberly. "We are always ready, Excellency," he said in an impassive tone.
"Very good. To review further, our goals for these negotiations are simple: we are to seek an end to the sanctions against us, and against Kerlile. We are prepared to offer an end to sanctions on our own end against Zamastan, an end to any boycotts taking place domestically, and possible further measures to restore economic confidence. In essence, we seek to return to the status quo before all of this nonsense started. If the subject of the Manauia Island Project comes up, we are to state that we are prepared to discuss that matter with our neighbors, but prefer to do so in separate negotiations from this mediation," Huitzilhuani said.
A few of her staffers exchanged knowing looks at the noticeably cooler tone the Secretary's voice had slid into when mentioning the Manauia Island Project; it was well-known among internal Xiomeran circles that she was not a fan of the proposal.
"We will also seek a commitment from the other parties to these talks not to use sanctions or other trade measures as a means of coercion or political pressure, in the interest of regional trade. However, we are unlikely to get such a commitment, so we will not fall on our sword over it. One thing that is non-negotiable, though: any discussion of requiring any kind of political or social change in Xiomera is off the table. We will not accept forcible changes to our political system as a requirement for an agreement here. The Emperor considers this a matter of national sovereignty and Xiomeran independence, and is very firm on that point."
While Huitzilhuani privately felt that a little bit of change in Xiomera wouldn't be such a bad thing, for her, this was also a point of determination. If Xiomera were to change, it would do so because its people wanted change, not because outsiders forced them to.
"Allright. We know what we are here to accomplish, and how we plan to do it. I know you will all represent our homeland with dignity and distinction. Let us proceed to meet our hosts now. And....let's hope for a little bit of luck," the Secretary finished.
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