06-23-2021, 07:43 PM
At the media center of the Olympics, the Xiomeran Prime Minister Toquihu was addressing the media, an angry look on his face. "The recent desertion of two of our athletes, in our opinion, is no mere coincidence or twist of fate. We believe that the Eirians have deliberately tricked, suborned or brainwashed them somehow to desert our team and their homeland. Is this the spirit of the Olympics? Is this sportsmanship? Is this how Eirians treat their guests? The government of Xiomera shall deliver a formal protest to the Eirian government about this outrage and demand the return of our citizens. This is not a decision any Xiomeran would have come to on their own and we are not prepared to let such trickery and deception stand."
"In order to prevent further such attempts to suborn or kidnap our athletes, effective immediately, all Xiomeran athletes who have completed their competitions will be sent home for their protection. In addition, moving forward, all Xiomeran athletes who have yet to compete will immediately return home after their competitions are concluded. Xiomera will, as a result, not be participating in the closing ceremonies of these Games. We lay the blame for this directly at the feet of the Eirian government as it is clear our athletes are not safe here. We also demand that the organizers of the Olympics investigate to determine if Eiria has indeed conspired to trick and kidnap athletes from other countries. This press conference is concluded."
Stepping away from the media, Toquihu noticed that in another corner of the media center, the newly crowned Great Speaker of Huenya, Texōccoatl, was giving a press conference of his own. Texōccoatl had clearly been trying to avoid him throughout the Games, and Toquihu smiled to himself. You like to run away a lot, Texōccoatl, but you won't escape this time.
Walking unobtrusively near the Huenyans, Toquihu heard Texōccoatl's final statements to the press. "We applaud the two athletes, Metotoa and Cihitlina, for choosing freedom over tyranny. We hope that the Eirian government grants their asylum request, and that the international community also pressures the Empire to ensure that there is no retaliation against the families of the two athletes. Also, while we respect the decision of Metotoa and Cihitlina to seek asylum in Eiria, we would like to remind them, and all other Xiomerans, athletes or not, that Huenya also offers them a home and a safe refuge. There is no reason for any Xiomeran to bend knee to a tyrant or to lend aid or support to her regime. Huenyans of all backgrounds are ready and eager to help Xiomerans choose a free life."
Texōccoatl concluded his own press conference and stepped down from the podium. Speaking with his advisors, he didn't see Toquihu until he was right in front of him. "Great Speaker. Congratulations on your promotion," Toquihu said, extending his hand. Texōccoatl stopped, slightly startled, but quickly regained his composure. "Prime Minister," he said in a neutral tone. He did not accept the handshake; Toquihu simply shrugged and clasped his hands behind his back. "I am a bit surprised to hear you praising the Eirians for separating Xiomerans from their homeland, but perhaps I shouldn't be. You and your mother did separate half of our entire people and nation from it, after all. It must feel rewarding to take the throne that your mother secured for you through her unceasing efforts to do whatever it took to maintain your family's power, even if it caused a civil war."
As the cameras eagerly rolled, Toquihu continued speaking into the stone-cold silence of Texōccoatl. "I am also not entirely surprised to see you trying to convince Xiomeran athletes to come over to the Huenyan side. Given the poor performance your 'country' has achieved in these Olympics, I'd be trying to recruit Xiomerans too if I were you. But perhaps instead, it's just time to admit what the results of these Games are already showing - that Huenya is a joke and a failure. Why don't you just give up?"
Texōccoatl smiled in response. It was the smile of someone who was choosing to smile rather than choke someone on the spot. He stepped slightly closer to Toquihu, as the Xiomeran security grew tense. "We don't ever intend to give up, Toquihu. And someday, you'll figure out that change is inevitable. Is Huenya weak now? Yes. Will we always be weak? Not on your life. Let's talk again at the next Olympics and see where things stand."
The Great Speaker turned to walk away, but stopped. He looked back at Toquihu. "And speaking of the future, instead of worrying about Huenya, I'd be more worried about the Empire if I were you. How long do you think it will be before other Xiomerans figure out what Metotoa and Cihitlina just realized - that they don't have to obey you? What do you think your fate, the fate of Calhualyana, and all the minions who have enabled you both will be, once the Xiomeran people realize that? Once they realize what the XCP truly is? Tough situation that I am in now aside, I much prefer my position to yours. As I said, change is inevitable.....your Empire is not. And sooner or later, everyone will know it. Just like Metotoa and Cihitlina do."
With a final look of disdain, Texōccoatl walked away from the Prime Minister.
Seeing the cameras on him, Toquihu snarled and walked off as well, shoving through the media line.
"In order to prevent further such attempts to suborn or kidnap our athletes, effective immediately, all Xiomeran athletes who have completed their competitions will be sent home for their protection. In addition, moving forward, all Xiomeran athletes who have yet to compete will immediately return home after their competitions are concluded. Xiomera will, as a result, not be participating in the closing ceremonies of these Games. We lay the blame for this directly at the feet of the Eirian government as it is clear our athletes are not safe here. We also demand that the organizers of the Olympics investigate to determine if Eiria has indeed conspired to trick and kidnap athletes from other countries. This press conference is concluded."
Stepping away from the media, Toquihu noticed that in another corner of the media center, the newly crowned Great Speaker of Huenya, Texōccoatl, was giving a press conference of his own. Texōccoatl had clearly been trying to avoid him throughout the Games, and Toquihu smiled to himself. You like to run away a lot, Texōccoatl, but you won't escape this time.
Walking unobtrusively near the Huenyans, Toquihu heard Texōccoatl's final statements to the press. "We applaud the two athletes, Metotoa and Cihitlina, for choosing freedom over tyranny. We hope that the Eirian government grants their asylum request, and that the international community also pressures the Empire to ensure that there is no retaliation against the families of the two athletes. Also, while we respect the decision of Metotoa and Cihitlina to seek asylum in Eiria, we would like to remind them, and all other Xiomerans, athletes or not, that Huenya also offers them a home and a safe refuge. There is no reason for any Xiomeran to bend knee to a tyrant or to lend aid or support to her regime. Huenyans of all backgrounds are ready and eager to help Xiomerans choose a free life."
Texōccoatl concluded his own press conference and stepped down from the podium. Speaking with his advisors, he didn't see Toquihu until he was right in front of him. "Great Speaker. Congratulations on your promotion," Toquihu said, extending his hand. Texōccoatl stopped, slightly startled, but quickly regained his composure. "Prime Minister," he said in a neutral tone. He did not accept the handshake; Toquihu simply shrugged and clasped his hands behind his back. "I am a bit surprised to hear you praising the Eirians for separating Xiomerans from their homeland, but perhaps I shouldn't be. You and your mother did separate half of our entire people and nation from it, after all. It must feel rewarding to take the throne that your mother secured for you through her unceasing efforts to do whatever it took to maintain your family's power, even if it caused a civil war."
As the cameras eagerly rolled, Toquihu continued speaking into the stone-cold silence of Texōccoatl. "I am also not entirely surprised to see you trying to convince Xiomeran athletes to come over to the Huenyan side. Given the poor performance your 'country' has achieved in these Olympics, I'd be trying to recruit Xiomerans too if I were you. But perhaps instead, it's just time to admit what the results of these Games are already showing - that Huenya is a joke and a failure. Why don't you just give up?"
Texōccoatl smiled in response. It was the smile of someone who was choosing to smile rather than choke someone on the spot. He stepped slightly closer to Toquihu, as the Xiomeran security grew tense. "We don't ever intend to give up, Toquihu. And someday, you'll figure out that change is inevitable. Is Huenya weak now? Yes. Will we always be weak? Not on your life. Let's talk again at the next Olympics and see where things stand."
The Great Speaker turned to walk away, but stopped. He looked back at Toquihu. "And speaking of the future, instead of worrying about Huenya, I'd be more worried about the Empire if I were you. How long do you think it will be before other Xiomerans figure out what Metotoa and Cihitlina just realized - that they don't have to obey you? What do you think your fate, the fate of Calhualyana, and all the minions who have enabled you both will be, once the Xiomeran people realize that? Once they realize what the XCP truly is? Tough situation that I am in now aside, I much prefer my position to yours. As I said, change is inevitable.....your Empire is not. And sooner or later, everyone will know it. Just like Metotoa and Cihitlina do."
With a final look of disdain, Texōccoatl walked away from the Prime Minister.
Seeing the cameras on him, Toquihu snarled and walked off as well, shoving through the media line.
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