"The pleasure is mine, thank you," Adriana answered. "Thank you for inviting us to share in the festivities with you." Evanthe and Adriana joined Kadassa in drinking the tea, with Evanthe affirming her hopes for that sweeter future. Adriana smiled after her first taste of the tea, it was unlike any Rokkenjiman tea she had tasted. As Evanthe began to speak she turned her attention to her, knowing that her presence here was not simply a matter of convenience on their way to Seaforth, but as a function of learning and instruction as well.
"One cannot be delicate when it comes to the eradication of slavery, we saw the results of taking a light approach when Slava Lavosk brought the world to the brink of a crisis it has never known through the re-introduction of nuclear weapons. Unlike in times past, where the international community was united in cause and purpose, fully understanding of just what was truly at risk, the international community brought itself to a position to damn near appease Slava Lavosk; we cannot have a repeat of that on the matter of Tamoran slavery. We've seen far too many states are willing to take a soft-handed approach and, perhaps most disappointingly, we see states such as the Heyran Republic engage in arrangements with the Tamorans while doing nothing to address slavery. This strategy, if it would gain your support, presents an opportunity for the Lakhzov Republic to set itself apart and recast the image much of the world has of the Republic.”
“I understand that Beatrice took you aside during the Slava Lavosk nuclear talks, thus I know that she didn't speak to you in a manner one would speak to an ally. While there are issues I need to see addressed between us, I can promise that I will never speak to you in such a manner; if we should call each other friends it will be with respect. I will never view an ally of Rokkenjima as one I speak down to, but one I speak with and one I stand alongside. I've looked forward to this meeting as representing the first step in building a trust which has yet to have a chance to exist between us. Hopefully, by the time of my departure, I may secure a measure of trust, and support, in our strategy. Imagine the contrasts, the TINS spin machine running at full speed, at the differences in approach between two allied nations when it comes to this issue? We'd be giving them an unprecedented propaganda opportunity, and something to wave in front of their people that their regime is successful and not placed upon a precipice."
"Sanctions are one pillar of the strategy, the other is direct action, which I am preparing to present to the Cross-Straits Treaty Organisation in the coming weeks. Utilizing the tools available to us via international treaties, namely the Fair Seas Concordat, we will be able to strike at Tamoran interests on a global scale while taking full advantage of a Tamoran weakness: their naval forces. While I cannot state too much at this early stage of the development of the strategy I can say that I envision this strategy placing real strain upon the Tamoran regime while also freeing slaves during the entirety of its conduct. It is also a strategy which I hope to see our Lakhzovian allies standing beside us in."
"As I learned from my husband, when it comes to the issue of slavery maximum pressure, exclusion from the norms allowed to nations within the international community, diplomatic isolation, all amongst other means, are necessary. I am wholly aware that there will be some pain for those who have nothing to do with slavery, however, when Tamorans see their nation rejected from participation in international functions, when they see their diplomats turned away and not embraced, when their bid for the Mundus Games collapses, each of these serve as powerful reminders that the rest of Mundus has moved beyond the repugnant era in which the Tamoran regime finds itself trapped in. Now is not the time to be easing up upon the Tamorans, now is the time where it is best to keep the weight upon the regime, to increase it, and to see that the partners of the regime begin to experience the effects of their association with the slavers."
Pausing, Evanthe added "I recognize the noble intent of the Lakhzov Republic in the proposed venture, however, I firmly believe that the risks greatly outweigh the benefits which may be realized and would also add that any measure of cooperation of the regime would undoubtedly be taken not as one to better the lives of Tamorans, but to take advantage of the Republic in the interests of only the regime itself."
“Hopefully I may return to Pyrena Castle and reaffirm that Rokkenjima and Lakhzovia remain strong in their joint stance, firmly against the Tamoran regime and the work they have done to support slavery to this day. Along the way in ensuring that I am interested in hearing what I, and the Rokkenjiman state, can do for our Lakhzovian allies. I recognize that my reservations and demeanour toward you may have opened the door for doubt in the value of our relationship, to the point where a Tamoran is invited to Lakhzovian soil. That tells me that Pyrettania needs to invest greater care and attention in listening to the needs and concerns of Nakim, while also working to see that those needs are met.”
"We've also the concern of a Seaforth in retreat, leaving upon Eastern Cotf Aranye a vacuum which will inevitably be filled. If this is something we have noticed, discussed and developed contingency plans for in the halls of Pyrena Castle, I can imagine that the sense of urgency is that much greater in Nakim. Rokkenjima believes that this situation is untenable and projects that, in the presence of an increasingly quiet Seaforth, we'll be left with a situation of either increasing foreign influence in the region or the solidification of a native power over the position held previously by the Kingdom. There are those in Pyrettania who have lingering concerns as to how that situation would develop if the Republic were to assume the role, but I am confident that if I can impress upon them that my concerns, and theirs, are resolved I can ensure the fullest of support of the Imperial Rokkenjiman Government in supporting Lakhzovia's further development as the regional power of the Cotf-Krimeon region."
Evanthe allowed her words to linger.