05-17-2023, 04:33 PM
((Joint post with Lauchenoiria)
Christine Belle sat down at her desk, letting out a long breath through her mouth as she allowed herself a moment of rest. Dealing with the press after the Prime Minister’s sudden heart attack had been taxing, asking her questions that, frankly, she had no answer to. They should have known better, she thought. Anything for a story, she supposed.
Moment of rest over, she picked up the phone on her desk, resolving to complete the next daunting task ahead of her. Quickly getting a hold of support, she gave a simple order.
“Get me a line to Rebecca Arnott of Kerlile, please.” She stated. “Let me know when it’s live.”
Getting a confirmation from the tech on the other end of the line, she set the phone down. As she waited, she steeled herself mentally and physically for the coming conversation. Hopefully Arnott would be receptive to her suggestions.
Suggestions which, by the way, were not actually sanctioned by the Prime Minister prior to his sudden event. She’d been meaning to get the green light, but events had conspired to remove that option. So now she hoped it would be best to beg for forgiveness afterwards, so to speak.
Though, in fairness, Gargant had told her to resolve the Kerlile issue diplomatically. Hopefully for good.
A light flashed on her office phone and she picked it up.
“Hello? President Arnott?” She began cordially. “This is Vice-Minister Christine Belle of Greater Acadia. How are you today?”
Arnott had just arrived back from the fertility clinic she'd visited to discuss her options for producing a backup heir. Her sister Claire had managed to get Rosemary into hiding, but Rebecca did not trust the Patels one iota.
"I'm very well, thank you," she lied. "I am sorry to hear about Prime Minister Gargant's heart attack. Please give him my condolences when you are able."
“That’s good to hear.” Said Christine, reclining in her office chair. “I’ll be sure to pass along your condolences to the family when I am able. I was hoping we could discuss the current issue of tensions between our respective nations. I have a proposal that may benefit us both, if you are willing to hear it.”
"Of course," Arnott replied. "I do hope we can find a peaceful resolution to the matter; and I am always open to at the very least listening to suggestions. What did you have in mind?"
“Very well then.” Belle began, clearing her throat. “Simply put, I’d like to start with the mutual reopening of embassies. Hopefully we can avoid such a diplomatic snafu in the future by simply being able to talk to each other without having to route it through complicated back-channels.”
“Next, I was hoping to give some…economic assistance to Kerlile, in exchange for a few guarantees.” She continued. “Namely, that we would remove all sanctions imposed by Greater Acadia, in exchange for Kerlile taking a non-aggressive stance in regards to her neighbors. This would, of course, not impact your ability to respond to aggressive actions on you.”
"I agree with you regarding embassies; we can begin preparations to do so immediately, that won't be a problem. It is a good solution to any future issues. The matter of such guarantees is… more difficult," Arnott sighed. "I would need to consult the Council, and I am uncertain they would be responsive right now."
Christine hummed, drumming her fingers on the edge of her desk.
“That is… unfortunate.” She admitted. “I would ask that you at least float the idea by them the next time you meet, if you feel it appropriate. I would also like to emphasize the benefits to Kerlile’s economy should we relax sanctions on your nation. Greater Acadia is a large market, and I’m sure Kerlian products and services could find success here. I am, however, happy to oblige on the diplomatic front. I have a number of staff who I can quickly gather to open an office in Grapevale within the next few days, if you like.”
"Yes, that would be possible - as temporary premises we would be happy to give you those recently vacated by the Eirians," Arnott responded. "We may take a little longer to get staff to you, however. Procedures here can be a bit slow on such things. And I will raise the other matter with the Council later today; though I cannot guarantee success."
“Very well then. Should you get a positive response, I will be more than happy to move forward.” Christine replied, a bit more cheer leaking back into her voice. “I will, of course, need to table them motion for Parliament to deliberate, but I’m confident I have enough votes within our coalition to get it passed. Feel free to call me at any time, Madam President. And best wishes to you and yours.”
"Thank you; and my best wishes to you too," Arnott replied, pleasantly surprised at how the call had gone. In spite of everything, this was shaping up to be a very good day.
Christine was similarly surprised at how things had gone as she set down the phone. She’d honestly expected far more pushback to her proposals. That Arnott was willing to entertain the issue enough to actually bring it to the council was a massive win, even if it wouldn’t guarantee she’d get everything she wanted.
With that she decided a small round of celebration was in order. She quickly sprang to her feet and exited the room with just a little bit of a skip in her step. There was a packet of hot cocoa in the break room with her name on it.
Christine Belle sat down at her desk, letting out a long breath through her mouth as she allowed herself a moment of rest. Dealing with the press after the Prime Minister’s sudden heart attack had been taxing, asking her questions that, frankly, she had no answer to. They should have known better, she thought. Anything for a story, she supposed.
Moment of rest over, she picked up the phone on her desk, resolving to complete the next daunting task ahead of her. Quickly getting a hold of support, she gave a simple order.
“Get me a line to Rebecca Arnott of Kerlile, please.” She stated. “Let me know when it’s live.”
Getting a confirmation from the tech on the other end of the line, she set the phone down. As she waited, she steeled herself mentally and physically for the coming conversation. Hopefully Arnott would be receptive to her suggestions.
Suggestions which, by the way, were not actually sanctioned by the Prime Minister prior to his sudden event. She’d been meaning to get the green light, but events had conspired to remove that option. So now she hoped it would be best to beg for forgiveness afterwards, so to speak.
Though, in fairness, Gargant had told her to resolve the Kerlile issue diplomatically. Hopefully for good.
A light flashed on her office phone and she picked it up.
“Hello? President Arnott?” She began cordially. “This is Vice-Minister Christine Belle of Greater Acadia. How are you today?”
Arnott had just arrived back from the fertility clinic she'd visited to discuss her options for producing a backup heir. Her sister Claire had managed to get Rosemary into hiding, but Rebecca did not trust the Patels one iota.
"I'm very well, thank you," she lied. "I am sorry to hear about Prime Minister Gargant's heart attack. Please give him my condolences when you are able."
“That’s good to hear.” Said Christine, reclining in her office chair. “I’ll be sure to pass along your condolences to the family when I am able. I was hoping we could discuss the current issue of tensions between our respective nations. I have a proposal that may benefit us both, if you are willing to hear it.”
"Of course," Arnott replied. "I do hope we can find a peaceful resolution to the matter; and I am always open to at the very least listening to suggestions. What did you have in mind?"
“Very well then.” Belle began, clearing her throat. “Simply put, I’d like to start with the mutual reopening of embassies. Hopefully we can avoid such a diplomatic snafu in the future by simply being able to talk to each other without having to route it through complicated back-channels.”
“Next, I was hoping to give some…economic assistance to Kerlile, in exchange for a few guarantees.” She continued. “Namely, that we would remove all sanctions imposed by Greater Acadia, in exchange for Kerlile taking a non-aggressive stance in regards to her neighbors. This would, of course, not impact your ability to respond to aggressive actions on you.”
"I agree with you regarding embassies; we can begin preparations to do so immediately, that won't be a problem. It is a good solution to any future issues. The matter of such guarantees is… more difficult," Arnott sighed. "I would need to consult the Council, and I am uncertain they would be responsive right now."
Christine hummed, drumming her fingers on the edge of her desk.
“That is… unfortunate.” She admitted. “I would ask that you at least float the idea by them the next time you meet, if you feel it appropriate. I would also like to emphasize the benefits to Kerlile’s economy should we relax sanctions on your nation. Greater Acadia is a large market, and I’m sure Kerlian products and services could find success here. I am, however, happy to oblige on the diplomatic front. I have a number of staff who I can quickly gather to open an office in Grapevale within the next few days, if you like.”
"Yes, that would be possible - as temporary premises we would be happy to give you those recently vacated by the Eirians," Arnott responded. "We may take a little longer to get staff to you, however. Procedures here can be a bit slow on such things. And I will raise the other matter with the Council later today; though I cannot guarantee success."
“Very well then. Should you get a positive response, I will be more than happy to move forward.” Christine replied, a bit more cheer leaking back into her voice. “I will, of course, need to table them motion for Parliament to deliberate, but I’m confident I have enough votes within our coalition to get it passed. Feel free to call me at any time, Madam President. And best wishes to you and yours.”
"Thank you; and my best wishes to you too," Arnott replied, pleasantly surprised at how the call had gone. In spite of everything, this was shaping up to be a very good day.
Christine was similarly surprised at how things had gone as she set down the phone. She’d honestly expected far more pushback to her proposals. That Arnott was willing to entertain the issue enough to actually bring it to the council was a massive win, even if it wouldn’t guarantee she’d get everything she wanted.
With that she decided a small round of celebration was in order. She quickly sprang to her feet and exited the room with just a little bit of a skip in her step. There was a packet of hot cocoa in the break room with her name on it.