Three Demons and one Devil (NU, RS, later Tamora and maybe SL)

[Norgeras]

Albrecht had enjoyed the Jewel Festival, glam glitter and the scent of depravity. People used to see him in Public wouldn't believe he actually enjoyed indulgence as much as his sister does. Though unlike her he couldn't spent time building fashion shows and setting himself up as an icon, manipulating a Nation required a certain type of external presentation.


And now, this lead him to come one on one to talk with the new King of the Seleucid. Heydar. The first one he intended to have this one on one talk with. He was waiting after the main act of the Festival, though the overly friendly smile was gone. A cold rational need for result filled him. No matter how the talks went, his people expected some form of impact. Either a fallout or a change in Seleucids behavior, and Albrecht was fully prepared he would likely conjure the later.

He made his way to the Palace with several of his people in tow, though entered the Palace leaving them behind, risky, but necessary. He had to make a point that they weren't meeting as enemies. In Truth, looking at the Situation with Heydar's brother and the Exile of the Lodjan woman, Albrecht felt like in another Situation the two likely had a similar habit of getting things done. It was a thought he wouldn't be able to express, though if Heydar had the inch of a chance of being a ruler and not a puppet, he would have connected some dots and made assumptions of his own.

The less pleasant visit Albrecht had to do after was one with Abbas, if all went well there was a chance they would do it right here, with the preparations the two rulers had still going, instead of having to Travel to Tamora on his own. Not that it would make much difference.

And then there was this utter Nut job from Slava Lavosk. He wasn't even sure he would get a personal talk with him in the first place, seeing as he would most likely feel insulted he talked with Seleucid and Tamora first. How to talk reason to a guy who first has a Kangaroo court execute a Teen Girl and then his best response was effectively 'Oops i did it again' was still to be seen. Not that he minded a single death over the betterment of a Nation, but the guy was so darn clumsy about it that made Albrecht's sister in comparison seem like a ballerina on the Diplomatic dance floor.

First things first, Albrecht sighed, as he waited in the Palace for the King or anyone to pick him up.

Albrecht gently hummed to himself, before singing a song to himself he found  so ironically be performed by Orion a couple Months ago:


"...Meticulous planning
Tenacity spanning
Decades of denial
Is simply why I'll
Be king undisputed
Respected, saluted
And seen for the wonder I am
Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared!
Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared!"








(ooc: i know i should have started this earlier. but the situation blew up a bit and more fast paced than i can deal with right now )

[DaveIronside]

The main central room of the Palace of the Sands had now all but been cleared. The ornate a luxurious cushions that had formed a large banqueting area where gone and the low couches that had filled the lush green oasis garden had been packed away. The tented central room that had so recently served as a welcoming hall was now just a large space filled with a large rectangular table made out of cedarwood. As Albrecht stood waiting it was the nations foreign minister Jahangir Michaelakis. He approached and bowed slightly. "If your Highness would like to follow me, King Heydar can see you now." He led the man down a corridor where each side was lined with portraits of various people in poses amid the desert. At the far end was a large heavy double wood door which two guardsman pushed open snapping to attention as they did.

As they entered the main tented room of the Palace's central area. The King was sat at the head of the table in a large oak carved seat, next to him in a smaller replica sat a teenage boy reading in very badly pronounced Morelandish. "Enough now Golzar" Heydar said to his son as he gently closed the book, "We'll continue tomorrow. Now go and do your Maths" the King watched as his 12 year old son closed the book, stood bowed to his father, then respectfully to Albrecht before tucking the book under his arm and heading out of the door behind his father. "Please come and take a seat" Heydar gestured to the seat close to him on the table. "Me and my son are trying to learn Morelandish. We have several million Cultists here and they use it in their rituals, if I'm to be their King then I should at least know what's going on shouldn't I." He smiled. "Today we've been trying to read their holy book. Its slow progress......well for me, Golzar is making much swifter progress." He poured Albrecht a glass of water. "So first I hope you enjoyed the festival and I'm delighted you've elected to stay on. It must mean you've something rather significant you wish to discuss and that excites me. My first real non Midaranyan discussions. So perhaps you would like to begin?"

[Norgeras]

Albrechts gaze followed Golzar until the Prince had left the Premise, a smirk crossed his face before he turned back to Heydar:

"The Helusian faith is too, how would i put it, human for Uburzian tastes. We do not believe an actual God would bother to Micromanage an individuals behavior. Well Minus the few Christians we have left, and even then they had a bit of a fallout with that bumbling Idiot in White.[1]"

He takes a Sip of the Water, then leans back: "I'd say it's Important enough to warrant a conversation between four Eyes. After all, my people expect one of two things coming out of this visit. I either manage to convince you to amend your diplomatic tone towards something they consider more favorable, or the two of us have a fallout between the nations of ours."

Albrecht slowly sets the glass down on the Table, putting his hands together:

"This view does not correlated with my own Opinion, i'm more pragmatic than that. Yet i am sure i do not need to tell you about the importance to upkeep a certain image to your own people."


Albrecht extended his two index fingers within the folded hands, raising them to his Lips. As he spoke again he lowered them by first pointing with two Fingers towards Heydar, then lowering his hands:

"Let's start with something that personal puzzled me. I can understand it's likely a nod towards trying to tie yourself closer to Tamora, but why announce Slavery? I mean i see no issue with making Prisoners work of their Deeds to the Nation, but come on Heydar, if you may allow me the informal tone, you are smarter than this. Branding it as slavery is a needless PR Desaster that could have been avoided with ease."

Albrecht crossed one leg over the other while resting the elbow of his right arm on his left hand, rubbing his temple with the middle and index finger:

"I mean, you do have PR staff, right? Just a little Tweak, call it differently. Claim they have to work for Public interests, like Gardens, Parks cleaning Streets. You do the Same thing, really. Anyone else should pay you, as representative of the Nation, anyway for their Service. They effectively still are your Slaves, and yours alone, all while you get away with an international white vest by proclaiming it to be a resocialisation program. Not an Inch given in to them, but half a Meter gained in perception."

Albrecht glanced over to Heydar tilting his head slightly to the left now:

"I have a feeling you had a very good reason beyond personal gain here, possibly inner politics, but i'd like to hear your reasoning for seemingly being needless confrontational here."

1.	He's talking about the Pope here.

[DaveIronside]

Heydar sat until this fool finished talking. "If I employed people to brief me who got it as wrong as yours have I would be embarrassed. I actually feel a little embarassed for you." Heydar began. " You see I have never used the word slavery to describe what we do, the Legal Servitude Sentencing Decree is very similar to what nations have in terms of community service except in this case you make amends to the actual person or business you caused harm. In fact the only time I have mentioned slavery is the fact that Tamora having for debt has made their people far more cautious with money than our own. Now perhaps when you return to Neu Urburzis you will speak to those you employ and tell them to get their act together. That way you don't walk into someone elses home and spout nonsense. The only people to brand it slavery was the media and foreign fools."

"Now in the past you may have dealt with my father who was keen to try and present Royal Seleucid as a nation looking to become some sort of international conformist, but we don't pander to the liberalist agenda peddled by yourself. One minute you're all about environmental protections, the next you keep a huge navy of close to 70 ships the vast majority of which are powered by diesel. You have an air force of close to 300 jets all running on AVGAS, and thousands of diesel powered military vehicles yet you try and establish yourself as some kind of virtuous nation where the environment is so important. You are a symptom of the problem with these types of people, you come here thinking to talk on slavery is what is the virtuous thing to do yet you can't even stand by your own morals of causing no environmental pollution. The military is one of the most polluting things a nation can own, all that plastic used for it weapons, all that lead fired in training that poisons the earth. Or does your military run on pixie dust?" Heydar stopped for a moment.

"You say your people expect one of two things. You convince me to be more diplomatic so they view me more favourable or we shall have a fallout. To have a fallout suggests you are friends? Is that what you thought we were?" Heydar chuckled. "I do not care what toga wearing hippies from the West think of me for I do not serve them. I care what the Seleucid people think. Now I have no wish to be at odds with any nation but do not think you are dealing with my father keen for international recognition, nor think you are dealing with that wimpering bitch Danyaal. The time you get elected to our Council will be the time you have a right to demand an explanation of my reasoning, until then you have the right to request nothing from me. You talk of me creating needless confrontation. I am not a man who has until now said anything against you or your nation. You are the one coming here demanding I say certain words and explain myself to a mere Prince."

[Norgeras]

Albrecht listened to Heydar ranting, he provoked a reaction and got one. The man was unmistakably of the sort that actually believed himself some sort of better human. Troublesome, but not unable to be handled.


"So the answer is, that there was no intention of the plans coming across like legalese for Slavery. The inherited international Reputation from the late King, Press Sensationalism and a Dose of Propaganda twisted the Perception beyond your immediate influence. I do not wish attempt to  Insult his Majesty. I just try to understand what you wish to achieve in the immediate future, and how you wish to operate. This isn't exactly possible from half a continent away, and due to the outside perception i had to confront his Majesty in Person to get an Impression."


"We aren't peddling Liberalist Agenda, do not mistake me with that Witch Beatrice. We stood our Ground on the MCUR and walked out. We whip children bloody in a plaza and crowds cheer own, and turn our young generation in small soldiers while calling it School. We are proud people to the core, and while some of what we believe in currently correlates with some nations new found so called progressive Evolution it has been our Conservative views for quite some time now. For us going green is protecting our Nation, our soil, our culture. Just as much as for Tamora this means draping yourself in enough cloth to dress two women. I mean, would his Majesty call a nation that has kids fighting each other to the teeth every year really Liberalist? We teach them to be fighters and glorify death. But there is truth about the Military, and honestly? I am surprised not more people have called us out on it. Internally i have to constantly struggle protecting the military from idiots who think you could fend of an enemy with bows and arrows. Which is make believe fairy tale nonsense. How would we defend us against the Likes of the Borlanders or Communist Kaitane? Not with Chop Sticks."

Albrecht took a breath and shook his head: "Our Nations aren't friends, really we can't be for at least one or two more decades. But i'd say we have been neutral. A fallout can happen from a Neutral point. We did send aid to the resident Military directly for a reason. That was on my orders, to make a point that a nation affiliated with the commonwealth can work together with your nation, without having to funnel through the Occupation Zone. Generally our Nations idea is that we let someone act, and simply let them face the consequences of their actions. We don't like the World Police act Rokkenjima tries to pull, that doesn't mean we don't have Opinions, and thus are hard to read."

"I believe i haven't been clear on what my people really expect from this meeting though. The diplomatic tone change can come in many ways. They just wish to see visible results. Strict and punitive "green" laws would be seen as very favorable to our people. And i'm sure his Majesty could sell them as protecting the Beauty of the Kingdom. Of course that's one example only. Question really is here now though, what may i offer in Return? I am sure there are Actions his Majesty might want from us, and we can work something out. So feel free to tell me if there's something i could do for the King of Seleucid. We could if necessary scale things down as well, Universities working together on Models to reverse desertification, something like that. Maybe you want an Airship or two. We could build you one that's going to be Bigger than the Ironside flying palace."

"As i mentioned earlier, we can leave today yelling at each other and both go out as winners. His Majesty wins for not giving in to my Liberal Toga wearing Hippy whims and i win as i..." Albrecht made a clear point about doing Air quotes to make it as clear as possible this wasn't his opinion: ".../didn't bow to the whims of a foreign brute/. We both have little to nothing to loose here and even if we don't yield results go out with our heads raised." Well, minus that i do wish to keep visiting the Jewel Festival and if we go that Route i'd probably have to Pass on that. Her Highness Queen Mother Katharina does have an excellent choice in Artists and Craftsmanship."


Albrecht then leaned front smiling:

"One last thing. I am not a mere Prince asking for your Reasons. Sending my adorable little Puppy Emperor would have been an insult to you. I am certain a fellow Supporter of the Military understands very well that the Head of the Intelligence Service with advisers from the Military is going to keep holding the Reigns for decades to come in Neu Uburzis."

[DaveIronside]

"You come to my palace and talk about me passing laws favourable to your people. The day they are my subjects is the day I worry about my popularity rating with them, now if you are here offering me the people of Neu Urburzis then we can discuss what they'd like, otherwise they are not my concern. You ask what you can offer in return, I imagine very little. You see you stick to this policy of trading only using sail barges, and much of what we transport is oil, something you like to tell the world you don't want to use but have a navy and air-force literally guzzling the stuff. Anything we need from you is perishable, and I am not buying perishable items from a nation that would take ages to get them to us. I believe with your nations public disdain for oil yet a military that is dependent on us it is you who should be asking me what I can do for you. Royal Seleucid sits on top of  one of the strongest oil industries in the world and you need access to this stuff. However you assume we need help with things like desertification? Like you are some environmental messiah. We have invested in huge algae farm projects from the Alanders. We have huge desalinisation projects already dealing with this. You should therefore consider what we really need and as a man who is so keen to remind me of his role within intelligence you should have a better idea than green projects." Heydar leaned forward to mirror how Albrecht had.

"You want something from Royal Seleucid then you need to think what we really need. We don't need your people's approval, we don't need your green projects, what I would need however is for Neu Urburzis to see just how well the Celtic Protectorate is healed following all the issues. In return I'm sure we can find discreet ways of keeping your military running."

[Norgeras]

"Ah, now that is very much doable. How does an observer group sound that compares the situation on both sides of the internal border of yours. If fabricate the impression of the segregation driving the wedge even deeper instead of healing the wounds we might be able to make a case against it. But we'd have to balance that with positive healing stories from outside the zone."

Albrecht leaned back a little, tilting his head: "Do you wish the group to be civilians, or military observers? The later would be easier to control the result with."

This isn't going as good as planned, but getting a foot into the door with Heydar was at least a start. It was also getting late and he would still have to fly to Tamora later that day.

[DaveIronside]

"There is no need to compare the situation on both sides of the border. The Protectorate only exists to ensure that Cultist are safe, there is no need then to observe things in say Ipsus. The nation is segregated in some extent, the South West has always been a mainly Cultist area and what is required is evidence of that region being one where a Cultist can live and work in peace. Anyone you send will have to be civilian, we have no desire to have Cenneg soldiers wandering our borders, I would not wish a second nations soldiers to be wandering around. All I require is you to send a group of people to spend some time in the Protectorate and report what the see." Heydar explained.

[Norgeras]

"I'll see to it then. There's a group of grumpy old Men i have in Mind that would, even without me influencing them, judge the situation favorable to your goals. That way no one could proof that we ensured the desired result without looking a fool."

Then again, you probably think i am, but this was very enlightening. Albrecht mused to himself:

"I have to excuse myself now, your Majesty. My Airship isn't the fastest way of Transport and i need to catch up with your future Father in Law."

The talks had gone about as well as Albrecht had expected. Heydar was actually convinced about all this cultural supremacy nonsense which made him a god awful man to have Diplomacy with.

Making his way to the Airship, and smiling at the Delivery of a certain Item, he had to think about his strategy with Abbas. The one thing that would be different was that him and Abbas had one common goal. And that might change the tone drastically.




The crew of the Airship and Seleucid flight control  had put in extra effort to Try and Play catch me if you can with Abbas Travel Route. So he made a Satellite call from his Airship to the Emperor's Ship:

"Good day, your Majesty. Prince Regent Albrecht of Uburzis on the Line. I'm sorry for the sudden call.  I'm on route to our meeting. We just aren't sure where your next Stop is and need to Scout a viable Landing Zone for the Airship. Were would it best Suit your needs?"

[Markus]

“Peace be upon you, Your Royal Highness. I am heading to the city of Marvar right now. I suggest we meet at the Lake Palace. It is known throughout MidAranye and beyond and although our generous hosts have invited my family to see it some time ago, I didn’t have the opportunity to see it yet. “


Since Abbas arrived first at the Lake Palace, he used the time explore the palace a bit. He liked to get a feel of the place and not start the meeting without being at least familiar of the surroundings. Not long ago, his son Jamshid was at the palace for a few weeks to meet his future First Wife and although Jamshid was not a fan of Royal Seleucid or foreign cultures he did praise it for its beauty. Now Abbas could understand why. 

Abbas then took some time to prepare for the meeting. He remembered that Albrecht was reluctant to engage in politics talk at the festival. Usually, that was a way for foreign leaders to avoid unpleasant discussions but the fact that their meeting would take place meant that Albrecht actually did have a plan. Abbas studied the reports of his Foreign Office: Neu Uburzis was a wild card as far as Tamoran diplomacy was concerned and anything could come from them. When it came to Albrecht, he was young, barely over 30 and with no family of his own, not exactly the profile Tamorans liked about people who ran countries. If you can’t start and lead a family, how can you rule a country was the thinking of most Tamorans.  Furthermore, since Albrecht was so young, Abbas expected him to be both inexperienced and more prone to outbursts so he instructed his staff to serve no alcohol so as to not fuel his temperament.

The meeting would take place in one of the rooms of the palace designed to welcome guests. He instructed his staff to lead Albrecht to the meeting room choosing not to greet him himself as Albrecht arrived at the palace.

When Albrecht entered the room, Abbas was up on his feet and pretending to be looking at one of the paintings that decorated the walls of the room.

“Your Royal Highness, I am pleased to see you again. I trust your journey was without trouble. I know our hosts take great care with these things. They also put on a fine festival just like they do every year, wouldn’t you agree?

I am always intrigued by the hospitality of the Seleucid in general. I think it is rooted in their religion, they see loneliness as a great evil so they socialize.”

After giving Albrecht a chance to reply, he resumed inviting Albrecht to sit down:

“Would you like some tea?” he said as he sat down himself. “My staff can get you anything. “ He also singled to one of his staff to bring him tea and to note whatever Albrecht wanted. 

“ So Your Royal Highness, what business brings you to MidAranye? Other than the jewelry of the festival of course. “     

[Norgeras]

Albrecht scanned the room as he entered. Looked at the Windows, then back to Abbas, before answering him with a slight bow:

"Your Imperial Majesty. I am honored you agreed to our meeting."

Albrecht had a polite smile on his lips, though his eyes had been darting around the room, scanning the surrounding.

"As for the Festival, the Craftsmanship is without equal in all of Mundus. I am pleased that this year the Foreign heads of state where on their best behavior. Poor Danyal."



He took the seat when offered, and as the topic of drink came up, he nodded:

“Green Tea, unsweetened, if possible.”

Albrecht did wait for a moment as the Servant left to get Tea, then turned back to Abbas:

“Let’s start then, shall we? I think i should explain our normal lack of Vocal displeasure first. We Uburzians overall have a strong dislike for loudmouthed Politics. We consider them reserved for the Lower Echelons of the Senate System, the Youth Senates and the Regional Senates. We expect reason, and usually follow a policy of don’t say it at all if you can’t say it nice.”

He folds his Hands, and leans forward:

“Aside from one Topic, the Senates have barely any Nice things to say about the Empire of Tamora. The perceived Threats and Warmongering your Supreme Ayatollah usually voices leaves an especially sour Taste.”

Albrecht leans back and shrugs slightly: “That and of course the Hotchpotch Slavery issue.”

He leaves a short pause:

“We won’t come to any conclusion on those Topics today. There is of course more Problems that potentially stand between our Nations. But for now, these things will remain a Roadblock for a less chilly Relationship.”

He takes a deep Breath:

“The real Topic we can however agree with each other, find common Ground and get Results out of,is the Bene Gesserit and Kaitane. I feel that however, if you don’t mind, that’s a Topic for four eyes.”

Albrecht nudged with his Head towards the remaining Servants.

[Markus]

“The fact that the Christian Pope wasn’t here this time has helped from what I see. “

When Albert mentioned the dislike Uburzians have for loudmouthed politics, Abbas nodded:
“I can understand that.Those of us who rule in Tamora know it’s best to communicate publicly when you actually intend to do something and announce measures. Issuing opinions just for the sake of it is counterproductive and generally a sign that you are powerless to do anything. “

“Slavery won’t change here just as your focus on organics won’t. As for the Supreme Ayatollah, he does not rule Tamora, I do.  We are not Kaitaine, people in Tamora express their beliefs and opinions publicly, they influence and pressure the government but in the end the decisions are mine to make. You have seen the execution by crucifixion of the young Manist girl. Something like that doesn’t go well with the Tamoran people and the Slavan “leader” should have considered that. In fact he is now meeting several heads of state and showing Mundus just how reasonable he is.” Said Abbas referring to the nuclear disarmament talks.   

“But as you said, there will be no common ground on these issues and there is little point in discussing them”.

He then points to the servants to leave the room which they immediately do.
“So where does Neu Uburzis stand on the BG and the war they are pursuing?”