09-18-2024, 04:48 AM
A flurry of diplomacy always brought with it the promise of change, or at the very least, the promise of crisis management. As the flow of ideas kept pace with the flow of laekju and besae, some vague figment of a plan began to take shape. Of course, no good diplomatic process is without its disagreements...
~Somewhere in the MFA Office Building~
(The officials in the following exchange have been quoted with their names removed to protect their privacy.)
"What do you mean they want to keep the UCS?!"
"They think it'll become some sort of 'political or monetary union' or something. They're envisioning a level of integration on a scale that's never been done before."
"A political union?! They think they can Eirianize Huenya enough to make them move in lockstep? They think they can ever take the fire out of the Huenyan people and turn them into genteel, cultured little Eirians? Never gonna happen."
"Well, that's what they sa-"
"And a MONETARY UNION?! *bwahaha* They must really hate the strength of the Lunen!"
"Look, I'm just relaying what they tol-"
"They must have gone clinically insane! Their marbles are spilled all over the streets of Serenity and are rolling into the Nereus Sea as we speak!
"Trust me, I get it. I've told them. I've tried. We think they're crazy, and we're right about that, but they think they're political geniuses. And we can't help it if they're wrong as long as they are 100% certain that they are wrong. Wait, that didn't come out right. Have a 100% belief that they're certain. That's better."
So, as per usual whenever these two countries try to do almost anything, there was a lot of confusion on the Eirian side as to what in the name of the Unity their counterparts were thinking, and on the Haesanite side there was the typical high volume screeching into hotel room pillows at the acute (perceived? actual?!) idiocy of those across the table from them. Eventually, but definitely not inevitably, an agreement was cobbled together. It looked roughly like this:
The Eirians were fairly pleased with this little arrangement, and the Haesanite diplomats were fairly happy too, but if they were to be genuinely happy about any outcome of a negotiation they would not have truly been Haesanite diplomats. The Eirians sent this over to the Huenyans, and the three nations were all in agreement, no matter what happened in Milintica, there would be problems for Xiomera.
The tense rubber band of classified information suddenly snapped back, sending shockwaves through the MFA, and soon everyone knew that something big was underway. The negotiators from Geminus sat down and briefed the returning diplomats from Milintica about the plan. They nodded in agreement, supportive of the plan, but adamant that someone needed to be there to oversee the implementation, and if needed, give the Milintican government the little push it needed to sabotage itself and bringing this prosperous new era of international cooperation into being. Someone who was a friendly face, familiar with the culture, but fresh enough to make an impact. The Minister of Caxcanan Affairs knew exactly who she would choose for the job.
2024/09/17 13:17; Hwagang CR, Emiline Pierre Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office Building, Room 220
Somehow, in what seemed like the tiniest office in the entire building, basically all relevant international affairs were being processed. Haerin stood over Jihun's shoulder, proofreading his memo on the no-confidence motion for Chancellor Ricardo, when out of nowhere, her boss walked through the door. As Jihun snapped to attention, Yeeun began to speak. Lee Ye-eun is a very direct woman, and she wasn't going to waste time on pleasantries.
"At ease, you two. I see you are both working diligently on the flurry of news out of Doatia, but Haerin, there is an urgent matter that requires your attention."
"It looks like the news feed from Milintica has died down a bit, what do you need from me?"
"The diplomatic staff has decided that it would be prudent to staff our now nearly vacant embassy with someone capable and familiar with Milintican culture."
Haerin's face darkened as she realized exactly what would be asked of her.
"As such, I thought that you would be the most appropriate person for the job. This is a rare opportunity that will provide you a lot of flexibility and will no doubt attract the attention of many high up in our ministry. As you are no doubt aware, you will receive crisis pay for this, and given the current situation, it is currently prohibited to bring family members with you out of risk for their safety."
Haerin sighed the deep sigh of someone who had lost the battle before it had begun. "Given my family situation, this is a particularly difficult assignment for me at the moment. Would it be possible to decline? I know there are other capable diplomats in this ministry."
Yeeun answered calmly, in a well-practiced tone, "You can decline, but we all would wish you the best of luck at the next annual review."
She took a few steps forward and handed a fan of papers to Haerin, who tentatively accepted them.
"These are the essentials, the highest priority are the diplomatic forms, which we'll need you to fill out by the end of the day. Your train ticket to Suyang is also in there, along with your flight registration, you'll leave from Hanyeong to Geminus at 3 p.m. tomorrow."
Yeeun turned on her heels and began to exit the office, just stopping to pause for one last statement.
"If you have any questions, you know where to find me. Otherwise, we'll be in touch when you reach Huānoch. Oh, and good luck, Haerin. We'll all be supporting you."
The office door clicked shut.
~Somewhere in the MFA Office Building~
(The officials in the following exchange have been quoted with their names removed to protect their privacy.)
"What do you mean they want to keep the UCS?!"
"They think it'll become some sort of 'political or monetary union' or something. They're envisioning a level of integration on a scale that's never been done before."
"A political union?! They think they can Eirianize Huenya enough to make them move in lockstep? They think they can ever take the fire out of the Huenyan people and turn them into genteel, cultured little Eirians? Never gonna happen."
"Well, that's what they sa-"
"And a MONETARY UNION?! *bwahaha* They must really hate the strength of the Lunen!"
"Look, I'm just relaying what they tol-"
"They must have gone clinically insane! Their marbles are spilled all over the streets of Serenity and are rolling into the Nereus Sea as we speak!
"Trust me, I get it. I've told them. I've tried. We think they're crazy, and we're right about that, but they think they're political geniuses. And we can't help it if they're wrong as long as they are 100% certain that they are wrong. Wait, that didn't come out right. Have a 100% belief that they're certain. That's better."
So, as per usual whenever these two countries try to do almost anything, there was a lot of confusion on the Eirian side as to what in the name of the Unity their counterparts were thinking, and on the Haesanite side there was the typical high volume screeching into hotel room pillows at the acute (perceived? actual?!) idiocy of those across the table from them. Eventually, but definitely not inevitably, an agreement was cobbled together. It looked roughly like this:
- There shalt be a glorious intercontinental defence agency!
a. Get wrecked Xiomera!
b. Nations will have to pay a share of their GDP to a pooled defence budget, that we use for mutual training/defence capacity.
c. There won't be intelligence sharing unless nations want to contribute on their own. Not when Laeral exists.
- The UCS will be allowed to continue existing without Milintica, I guess.
a. Member nations have to contribute to the PSC before any other defense pact. This is the most important multinational defence pact ever, so we have to take ourselves way too seriously.
b. Orders from the PSC will supercede that of any other international defense obligation, but states can act alone on matters that do not involve the PSC (glances at Soeyan Province the Littoral Marches on the nearest map).
- No one will hear of this unless Milintica leaves the UCS. If that happens then we use this to play the JUNO reverse of fortune card on Neina Arana.
The Eirians were fairly pleased with this little arrangement, and the Haesanite diplomats were fairly happy too, but if they were to be genuinely happy about any outcome of a negotiation they would not have truly been Haesanite diplomats. The Eirians sent this over to the Huenyans, and the three nations were all in agreement, no matter what happened in Milintica, there would be problems for Xiomera.
The tense rubber band of classified information suddenly snapped back, sending shockwaves through the MFA, and soon everyone knew that something big was underway. The negotiators from Geminus sat down and briefed the returning diplomats from Milintica about the plan. They nodded in agreement, supportive of the plan, but adamant that someone needed to be there to oversee the implementation, and if needed, give the Milintican government the little push it needed to sabotage itself and bringing this prosperous new era of international cooperation into being. Someone who was a friendly face, familiar with the culture, but fresh enough to make an impact. The Minister of Caxcanan Affairs knew exactly who she would choose for the job.
2024/09/17 13:17; Hwagang CR, Emiline Pierre Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office Building, Room 220
Somehow, in what seemed like the tiniest office in the entire building, basically all relevant international affairs were being processed. Haerin stood over Jihun's shoulder, proofreading his memo on the no-confidence motion for Chancellor Ricardo, when out of nowhere, her boss walked through the door. As Jihun snapped to attention, Yeeun began to speak. Lee Ye-eun is a very direct woman, and she wasn't going to waste time on pleasantries.
"At ease, you two. I see you are both working diligently on the flurry of news out of Doatia, but Haerin, there is an urgent matter that requires your attention."
"It looks like the news feed from Milintica has died down a bit, what do you need from me?"
"The diplomatic staff has decided that it would be prudent to staff our now nearly vacant embassy with someone capable and familiar with Milintican culture."
Haerin's face darkened as she realized exactly what would be asked of her.
"As such, I thought that you would be the most appropriate person for the job. This is a rare opportunity that will provide you a lot of flexibility and will no doubt attract the attention of many high up in our ministry. As you are no doubt aware, you will receive crisis pay for this, and given the current situation, it is currently prohibited to bring family members with you out of risk for their safety."
Haerin sighed the deep sigh of someone who had lost the battle before it had begun. "Given my family situation, this is a particularly difficult assignment for me at the moment. Would it be possible to decline? I know there are other capable diplomats in this ministry."
Yeeun answered calmly, in a well-practiced tone, "You can decline, but we all would wish you the best of luck at the next annual review."
She took a few steps forward and handed a fan of papers to Haerin, who tentatively accepted them.
"These are the essentials, the highest priority are the diplomatic forms, which we'll need you to fill out by the end of the day. Your train ticket to Suyang is also in there, along with your flight registration, you'll leave from Hanyeong to Geminus at 3 p.m. tomorrow."
Yeeun turned on her heels and began to exit the office, just stopping to pause for one last statement.
"If you have any questions, you know where to find me. Otherwise, we'll be in touch when you reach Huānoch. Oh, and good luck, Haerin. We'll all be supporting you."
The office door clicked shut.