"Magnificent, certainly, though I will admit it takes too much influence from the Occident for my liking." Eijirō responded; the public rooms of the palace—those areas of the complex open to tourists—blended the designs of the Occident and Orient to create a uniquely modern Ōnishi style. When he was younger, the then-Crown Prince had enjoyed meeting with the people, though his duties to the state often drew him away from the palace and over the seas. "But I suppose it reflects how Daitō has survived as long as it has. Not by copying others, no, but by forging our own path, building upon what others have made."
"Quite right, Heika." Sadazane said with a nod. "Nonetheless, I'm certain you didn't come here to discuss the intricacies of Daitōjin architecture, nor to stand out here in the cold, so if you wouldn't mind, please, follow me." He continued, motioning for the Chairwoman and her entourage, however light, to follow.
As the group entered the building, the traditionally-styled exterior of the palace gave way to a grand entryway, its walls adorned with paintings commissioned by Emperors going back to Emperor Keiō, more than one-hundred and fifty years ago. Of course, some were reproductions—much of the collection had been lost during the firebombing of Shinkyō—but that which had survived the years was, nonetheless, priceless. They would continue along, passing through a number of halls before eventually reaching their destination, a drawing room. Its emerald-green drapes complemented the red walls, upon which was gold leaf decorated with the Imperial Chrysanthemum as well as various other symbols.
"So, your Excellency, before we begin, I am rather curious as to where you believe Heyra will be by the end of the year?" the Prime Minister, Sadazane, asked. "How I figure, it's best we at least set some sort of goal before we proceed, that way we can determine what is necessary to achieve it."
