I'm On A Boat (Rokkenjima and SANE)

[Beatrice]

The Imperial Yacht approaches Quintellian waters.

One frigate, one corvette, a Ruby Class submarine nearby; the escort was minimal but sufficient. The Empress had joined the crew on the bridge of the Imperial Yacht Austrana as she sometimes did, taking her wheel herself as they approached the territorial waters of Quintellia. She had gone over her instructions yet again to ensure that everything from their approach, to the hand-off, and finally to the eventual docking in port proceeded without a hitch. Throughout the Imperial Yacht hundreds of staff were preparing food, refreshments, and seeing that every surface of the vessel was unblemished by even a speck of dust.

At the agreed upon location she ordered the vessel to stop and, almost as if it had been choreographed, the escort peeled away from Austrana. Awaiting them not a far distance before them would be a Quintellian escort to take them to port where they would take on the leadership of SANE. Upon announcing themselves and making the transfer the Austrana followed her escorts to port. Beatrice could only be pleased that, thus far, everything was proceeding as had been planned.

"I shall be on hand to personally welcome them aboard," the Empress said as she departed the bridge. "As I stated prior to our departure there are to be no visible weapons, just as any guest upon the Austrana they are to feel as welcomed guests. If there should be any concerns they are to be relayed via existing discreet means of communication, so as to not lead to any misunderstanding that could spiral out of control." "And the vodka?" called out one voice, though she couldn't pinpoint just who it was.

"That's not for you to worry about," she replied with a chuckle before finally departing.

[Major Jaws]

King Lapu, along with Emperor Jingdungming and President Feish, waited on the docking of Austrana. King Lapu took out his flask of Cenneg whiskey and sipped a bit from it before putting it back in his coat. He adjusted his sword and crown he bought from Royal Seleucid last year while the Emperor fixed his jian swordbreaker to suit him better. "You guys better not do anything stupid this time." King Lapu joked as he capped his flask and put it back in a pocket on his coat. The Quintelian escort, which consisted of two frigates and two submarines, docked on one side of the wharf while the Austrana docked to the port where the three SANE leaders were. "Welcome to Quintelia, sort of." King Lapu started. "Don't worry about this sword, it'd only bruise someone at worst. I don't know about his. Now, where would you want us to start?"

[Beatrice]

"Welcome to the Austrana," Beatrice said with a bow as her guests arrived. "If you would be so kind as to follow me, I have arranged for us to meet in the Gray Lounge," she continued, leading them down the corridors of the Imperial Yacht to their destination.

The Gray Lounge

"You see Austrana used to be an ocean liner, so I've seen that some of her features are maintained," the Empress explained as they entered the Lounge. "You'd be surprised how useful a fully stocked bar can be, and I've often hosted parties and other functions for her crew in this very Lounge. Please, if you would join me in having a seat over here," she said as she motioned to an area to the side of the Lounge.

A more intimate setting chosen by the Empress for her guests to converse.

"Excuse me, Patrick," she said on a first-name basis with one of the staff, "a glass of Pyrena mead if you would? Whatever my guests should like as well, though the Quinntopian vodka is off limits at this time," she said with a grin.

"Now then, the reason I am here is because we've caused quite a stir, from the whole slavery purchase to our respective actions which followed. I know how I am viewed by some of you, and the first step to reconciling our differences is for us to remove any gray areas; you do not know me all that well, and I do not know you all that well, hence in certain actions we take there is so much room for misinterpretation. As you are my guests I leave the floor to you; what do you wish to know, how do we move forward in ensuring our respective nations do not draw so close to the precipice of war yet again? Perhaps, most importantly, shall we be capable of perhaps forging a path forward not in confrontation with one another, but perhaps in cooperation?"

Beatrice paused, "Us sitting here together is already a mark of progress, whatever should happen next is fully within our hands to determine."

[Admiral Taiwanpenguin]

Emperor-Admiral Jinduming paused before beginning, "Empress Beatrice. Well met. I see your viewpoint, and though I cannot speak for my fellow heads-of-state, I am willing to work towards some possible form of cooperation. I shall answer any question you have, but do not expect the desired answer from all of them."

Jinduming shifted his swordbreaker to his lap, allowing the others to reply.

[fuwapanzer]

“Empress Beatrice, I’d like to thank you for the warm welcome.” Ebston took a sip of his drink, and held it in his hand. “I think I’d like to start off with the statement your national news made a while back.” He placed his glass back on the table, and he did the same with his arms. “The Rokkenjiman Broadcasting Corporation released a statement saying that an IRN submarine was operating in the Ardian Peninsula area during the height of tensions between the SICR and Rokkenjima. Now, no more secrets. I speak for most of us here when I ask ,what in the bloody hell was that submarine doing there?”

[Beatrice]

"I am pleased to hear that," Beatrice said in reply to Emperor-Admiral Jinduming. "But please, the floor is yours first as my guest, and I shall not entertain questions of my own until you've asked yours."

Turning her attention to Ebston Beatrice sipped her mead, "To properly answer your question we must first consider the context of the situation. The Committee which leaked details to the press is headed by the former Premier, a man who was stripped of his office following a referendum of the People who no longer believed that he represented their views. The Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy operates thirty-five Ruby Class submarines, many of which are conducting routine operations at any given hours throughout the oceans of Mundus; that one was operating in the Ardian Peninsular Region is itself not unusual; that it came at a time of crisis is likewise coincidental. If these Members of the Diet had studied their geography, they'd have taken note that a third of their nation lay upon the Ardian Peninsula."

"Thus this 'Ardian Peninsular Region' includes the Strait of Shaw, the Strait of Arovium, and even the Rokkenjima Sea itself. Now had I read that we had a submarine operating in Quinntopia Bay I'd have been more concerned, as that could be viewed as being clearly aimed at two of SANE's members, not operations in what are for all intents and purposes Rokkenjima's home waters. Having reviewed the materials shared with the Committee, however, we find ourselves with a group of Members of the Diet with vivid imaginations, connecting dots that wouldn't form a picture if my daughter were trying to play connect the dots when she was younger, led by a man with an ax to grind, damn the consequences in the process. As I stated publicly, and as I state to you now, at no time were the Imperial Rokkenjiman Armed Forces moved in response to any actions by either the SICR or New Derusmia, and while I can only speculate as to the motives of these Committee members, I believe they saw an opportunity to sow distrust and it clearly had the reaction which they sought in that pursuit."

[Major Jaws]

"Empress, I'd like to commend you for this great mead. It does put our local products to shame." King Lapu started as he took a gulp of the mead served to them. "As for the submarine incident, well, congratulations; the blame is not on you and we feel assured that you are in fact someone who does not feel responsible to her Committee or whatnot. But that's enough of me and submarines." King Lapu said in a bit of a sarcastic tone. "Anyways, our main problem would be you saying in an interview that when a 'nation bordering Rokkenjima joins SANE, the First Empire will see at as an aggressive action and Rokkenjima will respond.'" He continued as he used finger quotes for about half of the sentence. "Now, please do tell me how and why that is something logical to do? Wouldn't it be a bit of an overreaction to respond with force just because a sovereign nation joins an organization that they themselves think would benefit them?" King Lapu emptied his glass of mead. "Come to think of it, the problems started with you and the SDP overreacting a bit."

[Beatrice]

"Produced at Pyrena only from honey harvested from the work of the bees of Pyrena Castle, there's none like it anywhere else," Beatrice replied. "Now as for any response to a nation which borders Rokkenjima joining SANE we saw two-thirds of what would become SANE mobilizing their armed forces against Rokkenjima; since then, there has been no progress between our nations on any front, diplomatic or otherwise. Thus, erring on the side of caution, an advance of SANE toward Rokkenjiman borders was thought to be an aggressive action itself."

"Then again," she took another sip, "That's why we find ourselves here. One party acts, the other reacts, with nothing to guide their expectations as to motive. I don't desire to see any manner of conflict between Ardian states, by force of arms or otherwise, which is why we find ourselves drinking casually around this small table before us. I don't think any of us truly desires conflict, but we had nothing to establish such faith with certainty. Likewise, Rokkenjiman actions were seen in a light which I can be fairly certain is most different than what was intended. Eliminating such gray areas can go a long way to building trust where it once had no chance of existing, wouldn't you agree?" she asked while motioning for one of her staff to refill both his and her glasses.

[fuwapanzer]

”Alright then.” Ebston thanked the waiter who had refilled his glass and continued. “Empress, it seems that our questions have been answered, which means that we can now move onto you. Is there anything you’d need to know about us and our nations?” He took a sip of the mead, nodding in approval. “This really is nice. I sincerely hope you haven’t poisoned our drinks.”

[Beatrice]

"My questions depend on the answers given for those preceding them," Beatrice said with a sip of mead. "Thus, my first question is, does SANE hold, in any way, hostile intent against the First Empire?" Beatrice paused, awaiting a response from her guests.

[Admiral Taiwanpenguin]

Jinduming cast a look towards his drink before responding. He drank very rarely, usually only a tankard or cup during religious holidays, and he wasn't even sure if the drink was poisoned. Still, to avoid offending their host, he took a tiny sip, praying that the Dragons still deemed him worthy. He then looked up towards the Empress, folding his hands.

"I can say for one that the SICR has no intention of acting in anger against Rokkenjima, military or otherwise. The SDP may say what it will, but for all they say, the military and legislature is controlled by not me, but the Librarius, in all actions and means. Not that it's a bad thing, of course," he quickly added. "In that matter, the Librarius really does not care for war. So in all cases, there is no threat from the SICR."

[Beatrice]

"Very well," Beatrice said with a smile, picking up Jinduming's drink and taking the final gulp herself. "My apologies," she said with a chuckle, "Sometimes finishing another's drink can be a most symbolic act, yes?" she continued. "I know that Quintellia was not involved in our previous dispute, so I suppose only the answer of New Derusmia is all we require? Also, does anyone require a refill?"

[fuwapanzer]

Ebston had his cup refilled, and after taking a sip, he put his hands into a lowered steeple, and began his reply to the Empress Beatrice. “Empress, I share the same feelings as my colleague here. New Derusmia would in no way attempt any sort of military action on Rokkenjima. Sure, we’ve issued sanctions before, but that’s in the past, right?” He put his hands back on the desk. “In fact, if we hadn’t had all this drama in the past, I imagine our two nations would have already been aquatinted.” He then laid back a bit and let his colleagues respond.

[Major Jaws]

King Lapu listened to the three other leaders talk about their differences finishing his mead and having it refilled twice. "Well, seems like the three of you are in a mutual understanding now. I think all I need to know is why are you still here Empress?" King Lapu asked as he sipped his drink and leaned his back to the soft cushions of the booth. "Is there anything else her excellency needs from us? A treaty perhaps or an agreement? If so let's not beat around the bush and please do present it." He said as he finished his glass again. "And can I please have some water for now?"

[Admiral Taiwanpenguin]

Jinduming stared at the empty cup in utter shock. Quickly recovering, he straightened, still partially convinced that Empress Beatrice had taken some antidote prior, he replied, saying,  "I suppose so, Your Excellency. In any case, as King Lapu has mentioned, do tell, what more do you request of us? "

He relaxed slightly, but it was hard to feel secure in a foreign vessel that had no armored windows or reinforced decks.

[Beatrice]

"I think that satisfies my concerns," Beatrice said with a smile. "We've established that no ill intent exists between us, and I certainly hope that we've learned that our mutual company is not all that horrible. With that being said I would wish to propose, for your joint consideration, Rokkenjima as a prospective member of SANE."

She paused for a moment to allow for the unexpected words to process through their minds. "It's not as insane as you may think," she continued. "Reviewing the principles of SANE, and what you intend to do, in many ways aligns with what Rokkenjima sees as a bright path forward. I believe, with SANE's progress thus far and contributions from Rokkejima, just maybe we can realize what I think is a shared vision for better things to come. With what is happening in other corners of Mundus, at least we can preserve a measure of sanity in our corner, yes?"

[Major Jaws]

King Lapu drank his cup of water as the Empress said her proposal. "Well, I must say I'm a bit lost for words here. Did you drink mead or some Quintoppian vodka before talking to us?" The King scoffed at his own remark before continuing. "As far as I can say, there's only two things for us to do for that really. We sign a treaty with you and we can officially add you to the member list, and you please lower the amount of puns or I may change my mind." He then looked at his now empty glass. "Then we can probably drink until our liver's dead."

[Admiral Taiwanpenguin]

Jinduming froze, his eyes focused on the Empress' face in stunned silence. A trap, he thought. The Rokkenjimans will infiltrate the Imperial Nestlands and cut our throats in our- He stopped, realizing that his hand was on the pommel of his swordbreaker, and quietly placed it back on the table, making eye contact with the Empress once more. "I would say you were joking, but you aren't, are you?" He leaned back in his seat, an uneasy smile forming on his lips. "This is... a rather surprising outcome. I have no words."

[Beatrice]

"We may sign a standard treaty of non-aggression and friendship, the text of which I may have easily prepared," Beatrice said with a sip of her mead before turning to Jinduming. "No jokes, no trickery, only truth between us from this point forward. It's easy to see there is much we may accomplish together, and in those interests my intents are pure."

[fuwapanzer]

Ebston has listened to the entire conversation with bewilderment and a little bit of shock. What was happening before his eyes was truly unexpected. After listening, the President finally spoke. “Well, this has come as a bit of a surprise, as you may expect, Empress. I certainly hope this isn’t the effects of the mead. You see, I haven’t drunk alcohol ever since...” He realised he was starting to ramble, so he instead drank some of the mead, and talked. “Empress, I’m afraid the time is not right for Rokkenjima to join SANE. You see, some of our citizens are still... sceptical, about Rokkenjima ever since the slavery debacle that happened a while back. Of course, I do not share the same views as them, however, I believe we should wait for a while until Rokkenjima can fully become a member nation. Empress Beatrice, I sincerely hope you will come to understand.” Ebston had his cup refilled, and continued. “As for the non-agression and friendship treaty, I’ll be signing it later along with my colleagues.”

[Beatrice]

"Quite simply, I believe all that is required is as follows," Beatrice said as she placed a sheet of paper before them.

"The First Empire of Rokkenjima, New Derusmia, Second Imperial Chinese Republic and Quintellian Empire hereby agree to a state of non-aggression between their states. At no time shall any Party move their assets, military or otherwise, against another Party, and shall act in a spirit of friendship toward one another."

"Short, simple and to the point. After which, I believe we may be of assistance in any efforts to improve upon the foundation which comprises SANE."