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Diplomacy and Events / Re: A Run on the Banks
« on: December 28, 2023, 08:33:53 PM »
Theo looked at Saskia's phone and shook his head, it was such a shame that people seemed to lack an understanding of the culture of his homeland. That would be something they'd have to change. "Do your people pay much attention to social media. We've more or less made the decision that our family will avoid the thing, always seems nothing but lies and drama." As the Prince spoke with Saskia butlers mingled with the crowd and right on cue one was next to Henrietta as she enquired about Mulled Wine. The servant handed her a steaming glass of the deep red rich liquid and then was away. Princess Constance had got a glass herself and approached the Prime Minister of East Moreland.
"I hope you're enjoying the drink" She voiced. "I myself find this mulled wine a little heavy but its not the festival without it and I have to say it does warm you through once back on dry land. I understand you and your King helped draft the CETO treaty. Its something we're going to get mother to join, can you though tell us a little more about it?"
With the Achkaerin Empress slightly soggy one of the Naval officers on land had been dispatched to bring back a huge fleecy blanket in addition to what everyone else had. A young female Naval officer also had appeared carrying a wooden box. "Your Majesty we've a box here with things you may...erm...require." She handed over the box containing a hair dryer, make up and various hair products. It was not the first time that someone had fallen in and the Navy were pretty old hands on sorting this out.
With everyone seemingly engaged it was about half an hour later that a white coated chef appeared. "Your Majesty, honoured guests" He announced loudly. "If you would care to follow me we have some food prepared for you." He lead the group into the rather intimate court yard of the castle. There was arrayed several large trays suspended above small heaters each filled with food. "We did not like to assume your selections. So we had some fine Cod, Haddock and Halibut. All swimming in the Mhorish just this morning. Each is coated in either regular batter or our special beer batter which gives a lighter crispier texture. Next we have traditional chips, thick cut from potatoes grown on the island. We can then offer you mushy peas, marrowfat peas cooked until they almost liquify. We can also offer a choice of sauces, curry, gravy or my personal favourite some mint sauce, lovely drizzled on the peas." As each of the guests approached the food a young naval cadet appeared next to them carrying a plate on which a basket had been arranged. "Oh and of course as tradition in any Medusalin fish and chip shop dictates served on newspaper." The paper lining the basket was not in fact the pages of yesterdays news papers recycled but was in fact specially made sheets of paper with photos from the days proceedings on and hastily made by some IT team behind the scenes. "Should we have any vegetarians we have vegeterian sausages and everything else is free from animal products." The cadets followed behind their designated VIP and as they made their selection held the plate for the chef before following them to a table and carefully placing the plate down before pulling out the seat for them.
Elisabeth had gone last down the line, she took a seat among her guests. "This may not be a state banquet the likes of which you are used to but it is very popular Friday night food in Medusalin and on various other holidays. It explains why it was selected. We wanted you to see what our people are like. Later if any of you wish we can go to the various beach parties, although I suspect thats more something the young may enjoy" She grinned, "They get a little....over the top." She explained. "What I'd like to have you all think about though while we eat is this. We have here on the island two big problems. The first is our population. With 3.8million of us and an island that I'm told by experts can accommodate around double that number we have room for development. I am therefore going to make each of you an offer. We will, if certain conditions are meet, accept all refugees or asylum seekers your nation gets until we reach a population of 5 million people. Our conditions are that the individual must be aged between 18 and 40, be able to vetted and capable of work. We will of course allow each worker to bring their immediate family. Our second condition is that we would expect a payment of $35,000 per person, the equivalent of their first years wages. After that point they become our responsibility. The second issue we have here on the island is that we have so far no existing trade arrangements. I therefore am offering each of you a deal of reciprocity. For the next two years you will have my guarantee that whatever level of tariffs you set on trade from our nation we will match. You remove all tariffs for us, you get tariff free trade for two years here. Now please consider these matters while we enjoy some tasty food."
"I hope you're enjoying the drink" She voiced. "I myself find this mulled wine a little heavy but its not the festival without it and I have to say it does warm you through once back on dry land. I understand you and your King helped draft the CETO treaty. Its something we're going to get mother to join, can you though tell us a little more about it?"
With the Achkaerin Empress slightly soggy one of the Naval officers on land had been dispatched to bring back a huge fleecy blanket in addition to what everyone else had. A young female Naval officer also had appeared carrying a wooden box. "Your Majesty we've a box here with things you may...erm...require." She handed over the box containing a hair dryer, make up and various hair products. It was not the first time that someone had fallen in and the Navy were pretty old hands on sorting this out.
With everyone seemingly engaged it was about half an hour later that a white coated chef appeared. "Your Majesty, honoured guests" He announced loudly. "If you would care to follow me we have some food prepared for you." He lead the group into the rather intimate court yard of the castle. There was arrayed several large trays suspended above small heaters each filled with food. "We did not like to assume your selections. So we had some fine Cod, Haddock and Halibut. All swimming in the Mhorish just this morning. Each is coated in either regular batter or our special beer batter which gives a lighter crispier texture. Next we have traditional chips, thick cut from potatoes grown on the island. We can then offer you mushy peas, marrowfat peas cooked until they almost liquify. We can also offer a choice of sauces, curry, gravy or my personal favourite some mint sauce, lovely drizzled on the peas." As each of the guests approached the food a young naval cadet appeared next to them carrying a plate on which a basket had been arranged. "Oh and of course as tradition in any Medusalin fish and chip shop dictates served on newspaper." The paper lining the basket was not in fact the pages of yesterdays news papers recycled but was in fact specially made sheets of paper with photos from the days proceedings on and hastily made by some IT team behind the scenes. "Should we have any vegetarians we have vegeterian sausages and everything else is free from animal products." The cadets followed behind their designated VIP and as they made their selection held the plate for the chef before following them to a table and carefully placing the plate down before pulling out the seat for them.
Elisabeth had gone last down the line, she took a seat among her guests. "This may not be a state banquet the likes of which you are used to but it is very popular Friday night food in Medusalin and on various other holidays. It explains why it was selected. We wanted you to see what our people are like. Later if any of you wish we can go to the various beach parties, although I suspect thats more something the young may enjoy" She grinned, "They get a little....over the top." She explained. "What I'd like to have you all think about though while we eat is this. We have here on the island two big problems. The first is our population. With 3.8million of us and an island that I'm told by experts can accommodate around double that number we have room for development. I am therefore going to make each of you an offer. We will, if certain conditions are meet, accept all refugees or asylum seekers your nation gets until we reach a population of 5 million people. Our conditions are that the individual must be aged between 18 and 40, be able to vetted and capable of work. We will of course allow each worker to bring their immediate family. Our second condition is that we would expect a payment of $35,000 per person, the equivalent of their first years wages. After that point they become our responsibility. The second issue we have here on the island is that we have so far no existing trade arrangements. I therefore am offering each of you a deal of reciprocity. For the next two years you will have my guarantee that whatever level of tariffs you set on trade from our nation we will match. You remove all tariffs for us, you get tariff free trade for two years here. Now please consider these matters while we enjoy some tasty food."