04-17-2022, 05:34 AM
(Joint Post with Xiomera)
First Minister's Office, Lumière
April 16th, 2022, 3:27 PM
First Minister Sarah Berenstein was never one who enjoyed the static safety of complacency. So when her good friend Jonathan Gerand had approached her with an ambitious plan to remove the erroneous King Andrew and take Auria's helm for their own, she had been quick to agree. However, her desire for independence had also made her more suspect of the potential backers to their plot.
And as she sat alone in her office, tapping the foot of her boot on the carpeted floor, she grew ever more suspicious of their foreign benefactors. Calhualyana wouldn't have put so much at stake without reason. We were fools to let her in unrestricted. But that begs the question: what all does she want?
She glanced over at the laptop sitting on the side of the desk, opened to tabs of intelligence briefings and Gerand's news articles. Well, why not go straight to the source? As she attempted to open her secure video call program, she grabbed a blue pen from an upper drawer, clicking a hidden button on the side until the handle glowed. Perfect. Let's see how much Her Majesty wants to chat.
When the call came into her office, the Empress was somewhat expecting it. She had asked Gerand to have the other coup plotters reach out to her. Calhualyana thus took the call with a measure of confidence - but not trust. That was something she kept in limited supply. “Good afternoon, Minister Berenstein. This is Calhualyana. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”
Berenstein pulled her suit downwards subconsciously, adjusting her blood red tie to appear presentable. "Good afternoon, Your Majesty. I admit, I am rarely one for social calls. I wish to discuss our plans for the future of Aurian governance. But before we do, if it'd be okay with you, I'd like to ask you a question."
”Of course. What would you like to ask?” Calhualyana was curious as to what the question would be.
"Well, first I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude for your assistance thus far. Your selfless assistance of our cause has been an incomparable help to our efforts." Berenstein delicately chose her words, monitoring her own tone and guarding her intentions likewise. "But, as gracious as you have been in helping, I can't imagine that it was out of kindness alone. And as it would be inconsiderate to only think of the interest of one's own country, I must ask: What do you need from Auria? What do you want from Auria?" She curled her lips into a neutral smile, awaiting an answer.
Calhualyana sighed mentally to herself at the thought that yet another of the Aurian ‘leaders’ might be wavering. She allowed no trace of that irritation to cross her face, however, retaining her professional demeanor. “Xiomera wants and needs to form strategic partnerships with friendly nations. That has always been our goal in Auria, which has not changed. Is there a particular concern that you may be having?”
"Not a particular concern. Just professional curiosity. Perhaps my days as a political analyst have made me too analytical." The First Minister raised her eyebrows. "However, I don't believe I'm wrong in this regard. You've risked too much on Auria to only want our friendship. It's not my intention to sound ungrateful, but you have also supported Gerand and I to overthrow the government you previously supported. You wouldn't have done this if it didn't suit your interests. So, this begs the question: What do you want? I humbly ask that you do speak in full honestly, so we can assist your government to the best of our ability. After all, there is little need for a diplomatic façade between allies." Berenstein attempted to make herself appear as cunning as Calhualyana, while toeing the line of diplomatic respect.
The Empress would never allow herself to show someone they had caught her attention by raising her eyebrows, as Berenstein did. But while her gaze did not sharpen, her thoughts certainly did. No fool like Gerand or Andrew, you are. If you really want us to place all our cards on the table, let’s play. “I see you prefer to be direct, as I do. Very well, let us be direct. Xiomera has taken it upon itself to take a more direct hand in managing your situation because of the incompetence of Andrew’s leadership. This may well make it seem as if we wish to reduce Auria to a vassal state. We do not. Xiomera needs strong and capable allies by its side, just as I have said. This is why I am now seeking new leadership in Auria who can help us right the ship before it is too late. You do have foreign troops supporting Sophie on your soil now, after all. That being said, if things continue as they are under Andrew, Xiomera will have to protect its investment and interest in Auria in a more direct fashion than we have up to now. You and Gerand, to be blunt, are the best chance to prevent that and ensure that the relationship between Xiomera and Auria does become one of equals.”
"I am glad to hear that. And I can reassure you, Your Majesty, that we will prove ourselves to be much better leaders than Andrew has. I would also like to apologize for supporting him thus far. I had imagined he would be more... Malleable. But, it seems that his mind has buckled under the weight of power." Berenstein's face took on an appearance of very real disdain. "In order to advance, we will likely have to dispose of General Michelin. Andrew's no threat himself, but Michelin doesn't want the strings on his puppet cut. I've been investigating a few major players in the Garda Nacōnals whom we could promote in his stead. I'm trying to look for people Michelin has wronged in the past. So far, I haven't found anything of note, but with a man like Michelin, there are always people who want him gone. It's only a matter of finding out who and why."``
”I would suggest moving on that with haste,” the Empress replied. “The enemy invasion has already begun, and a change of leadership is hard even under the best of circumstances. Imperial Intelligence can assist you, if you wish.” Calhualyana paused for a moment, then actually smiled. “I believe it will be a pleasure working with you, Minister. Out of all the individuals I have dealt with in Auria, you seem to be….the sharpest.”
Berenstein briefly nodded her head in appreciation. "Thank you. However, don't underestimate Minister Gerand. He's very perceptive, and uses that and his silver tongue to get what he wants from people. He just doesn't question things if he doesn't think it suits his interests to. I've always been a bit too curious myself. It's both a blessing and a curse, I'm afraid." The Minister gave Calhualyana a slight smile. "I look forward to working more with you, Your Majesty. May our nations grow strong with our mutual relationship."
Calhualyana’s own expression grew a tiny bit more impressed with Berenstein’s emphasis on the word mutual. “That is my hope as well. Have a good afternoon, Minister. I look forward to speaking with you again.”
First Minister's Office, Lumière
April 16th, 2022, 3:27 PM
First Minister Sarah Berenstein was never one who enjoyed the static safety of complacency. So when her good friend Jonathan Gerand had approached her with an ambitious plan to remove the erroneous King Andrew and take Auria's helm for their own, she had been quick to agree. However, her desire for independence had also made her more suspect of the potential backers to their plot.
And as she sat alone in her office, tapping the foot of her boot on the carpeted floor, she grew ever more suspicious of their foreign benefactors. Calhualyana wouldn't have put so much at stake without reason. We were fools to let her in unrestricted. But that begs the question: what all does she want?
She glanced over at the laptop sitting on the side of the desk, opened to tabs of intelligence briefings and Gerand's news articles. Well, why not go straight to the source? As she attempted to open her secure video call program, she grabbed a blue pen from an upper drawer, clicking a hidden button on the side until the handle glowed. Perfect. Let's see how much Her Majesty wants to chat.
When the call came into her office, the Empress was somewhat expecting it. She had asked Gerand to have the other coup plotters reach out to her. Calhualyana thus took the call with a measure of confidence - but not trust. That was something she kept in limited supply. “Good afternoon, Minister Berenstein. This is Calhualyana. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”
Berenstein pulled her suit downwards subconsciously, adjusting her blood red tie to appear presentable. "Good afternoon, Your Majesty. I admit, I am rarely one for social calls. I wish to discuss our plans for the future of Aurian governance. But before we do, if it'd be okay with you, I'd like to ask you a question."
”Of course. What would you like to ask?” Calhualyana was curious as to what the question would be.
"Well, first I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude for your assistance thus far. Your selfless assistance of our cause has been an incomparable help to our efforts." Berenstein delicately chose her words, monitoring her own tone and guarding her intentions likewise. "But, as gracious as you have been in helping, I can't imagine that it was out of kindness alone. And as it would be inconsiderate to only think of the interest of one's own country, I must ask: What do you need from Auria? What do you want from Auria?" She curled her lips into a neutral smile, awaiting an answer.
Calhualyana sighed mentally to herself at the thought that yet another of the Aurian ‘leaders’ might be wavering. She allowed no trace of that irritation to cross her face, however, retaining her professional demeanor. “Xiomera wants and needs to form strategic partnerships with friendly nations. That has always been our goal in Auria, which has not changed. Is there a particular concern that you may be having?”
"Not a particular concern. Just professional curiosity. Perhaps my days as a political analyst have made me too analytical." The First Minister raised her eyebrows. "However, I don't believe I'm wrong in this regard. You've risked too much on Auria to only want our friendship. It's not my intention to sound ungrateful, but you have also supported Gerand and I to overthrow the government you previously supported. You wouldn't have done this if it didn't suit your interests. So, this begs the question: What do you want? I humbly ask that you do speak in full honestly, so we can assist your government to the best of our ability. After all, there is little need for a diplomatic façade between allies." Berenstein attempted to make herself appear as cunning as Calhualyana, while toeing the line of diplomatic respect.
The Empress would never allow herself to show someone they had caught her attention by raising her eyebrows, as Berenstein did. But while her gaze did not sharpen, her thoughts certainly did. No fool like Gerand or Andrew, you are. If you really want us to place all our cards on the table, let’s play. “I see you prefer to be direct, as I do. Very well, let us be direct. Xiomera has taken it upon itself to take a more direct hand in managing your situation because of the incompetence of Andrew’s leadership. This may well make it seem as if we wish to reduce Auria to a vassal state. We do not. Xiomera needs strong and capable allies by its side, just as I have said. This is why I am now seeking new leadership in Auria who can help us right the ship before it is too late. You do have foreign troops supporting Sophie on your soil now, after all. That being said, if things continue as they are under Andrew, Xiomera will have to protect its investment and interest in Auria in a more direct fashion than we have up to now. You and Gerand, to be blunt, are the best chance to prevent that and ensure that the relationship between Xiomera and Auria does become one of equals.”
"I am glad to hear that. And I can reassure you, Your Majesty, that we will prove ourselves to be much better leaders than Andrew has. I would also like to apologize for supporting him thus far. I had imagined he would be more... Malleable. But, it seems that his mind has buckled under the weight of power." Berenstein's face took on an appearance of very real disdain. "In order to advance, we will likely have to dispose of General Michelin. Andrew's no threat himself, but Michelin doesn't want the strings on his puppet cut. I've been investigating a few major players in the Garda Nacōnals whom we could promote in his stead. I'm trying to look for people Michelin has wronged in the past. So far, I haven't found anything of note, but with a man like Michelin, there are always people who want him gone. It's only a matter of finding out who and why."``
”I would suggest moving on that with haste,” the Empress replied. “The enemy invasion has already begun, and a change of leadership is hard even under the best of circumstances. Imperial Intelligence can assist you, if you wish.” Calhualyana paused for a moment, then actually smiled. “I believe it will be a pleasure working with you, Minister. Out of all the individuals I have dealt with in Auria, you seem to be….the sharpest.”
Berenstein briefly nodded her head in appreciation. "Thank you. However, don't underestimate Minister Gerand. He's very perceptive, and uses that and his silver tongue to get what he wants from people. He just doesn't question things if he doesn't think it suits his interests to. I've always been a bit too curious myself. It's both a blessing and a curse, I'm afraid." The Minister gave Calhualyana a slight smile. "I look forward to working more with you, Your Majesty. May our nations grow strong with our mutual relationship."
Calhualyana’s own expression grew a tiny bit more impressed with Berenstein’s emphasis on the word mutual. “That is my hope as well. Have a good afternoon, Minister. I look forward to speaking with you again.”
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