Darijus was savvy enough to know that in the 21st Century and thanks to social media and the like there was no longer such thing as "Domestic news". Every word , every action a nations leader took was poured over not just at home but by people across the world. It would, or at least should, have crossed the Phraroahs mind that her words would be heard in Chistopol and across the region, but he suspected that was the point. By speaking the way she had it had earned her a meeting here and perhaps a foot in the door. Not a delicate foot but more a huge boot that in Darijus' mind was largely unwelcome.
Likewise Karlis was not naive enough to accept at face value that flattery was in fact statement of fact. As a hopefully good host though the King merely smiled. "Well it is nice to know that that our actions got someones attention. Thank You" The King responded as Darijus for once was content to let royals dominate the discussion for he knew later that it would be him who would handle the vast majority of talking for Chistopol. "For our part you must understand there was no snub. The conference was determined by geography, as your nation lays some 1000km
[1] to the West you were outside what I suppose you could consider a buffer zone between the Soviets and the rest of Aranye. The conference was a mere first step towards keeping the Soviets were they are."
"And now we face an issue of the second step being a little trickier" the First Minister added.
"Now , now Darijus I'm sure we can overcome." The King had begun heading towards the waiting car, the gentle tap of his cane on concrete accompanying them. "Beside we can't start off with bad thoughts, we need to give you congratulations on your recent marriage." The King smiled as he waved one of his courtiers forward with a cloth covered item. "On behalf of our people we wish you a long and happy marriage." The King motioned for the lady to hand Seti the item but she kept hold of the cloth unveiling it with a kind of magicians flourish. "In our faith we believe three children were born to the Sun and Moon. Each child established rules for our life, we though think Dievas was the most righteous. The statue shows him as the largest but intertwined with his siblings, Triglav and Dodola. On happy occasions such as yours a statue like this is presented to show love, be it in marriage, a parent for a child, or brother for a sister has no start and no end."
Darijus was no spiritual man. He occasionally said prayers to Deivas but rarely, he was respectful of religion though and envied anyone who had the passion and commitment to such things. "If you'd care to board the car." He invited the guests as he himself took a seat. The ride from the airport was a in Darijus' eyes a little of a disgrace for his nation. The city of Tartu was still full of neglected high raises and ramshackle flats of glass monstrosities, still very much a Soviet city. However as you got closer to the heart of the city more modernisation had taken place. "I hope you approve of our choice of venue." Darijus couldn't help but look out the window as they neared. The
Sisterhood's Library came into view. "We thought we would use our own pyramid, not as large perhaps as your own. It was originally built to house the Soviet Ministry of Defence and Security. It was recently opened as a library and education centre after the Bene Gesserit asked for permission to take it over. With a significant Bene Gesserit population we saw it as no different to a temple or church being built and its become a favourite building of mine." Children played in the pools that surrounded the pyramid shaped building, splashing in the inch or so deep water that recycled through fountains. The trees had long since lost their leaves with only a few dark red ones hanging on valiantly. Several blue jacketed members of the Bene Gesserit Missionara that ran the library could be seen and a group of security staff moved to make a path through for the King and his foreign guests.
Once inside an elevator took them to the top floor which overlooked one of the capitals many parks. That was perhaps the only positive of soviet occupation, upon their exit they had destroyed large parts of the city which had given the nations urban planners a chance to create a city with leisure space at its heart. At the top of the pyramid was a round conference room where normally academic talks would be held but today would be different. Once the door had been shut Darijius pulled out the chair of Akasha and allowed her to take a seat before moving to his own chair 90 degrees to her right. "I suppose a decent place to start Your Majesty would be to look at what you think of our arrangement with the Theocracy and Waddan?"