After a brief text exchange between McKenna and Emerson the Vicegerent would enter the room. "Do forgive us," McKenna would say, "the Empress and myself require a moment to discuss something in a more private setting. In our stead as hosts the Vicegerent shall be sitting in with you all. I don't believe we'll be gone for too long but, all the same, please forgive our momentary absence," he said as he left the room with the Empress, patting Emerson's shoulder. Once the door had closed behind them McKenna sighed and rubbed his eyebrows.
"Well if I needed a reminder that I've not missed the dramatics of Saisei's outbursts, I think I just had a refresher," McKenna continued. "Just what prompted that most uncharacteristic display I just saw? Though, with that being said, no one can doubt you're your mother's daughter. At the same time such displays cannot be abided; now I understand you're passionate on the issue but dear, read the room, this is not the time, place nor audience for such concerns. You've invited these people to discuss issues regarding the area which we share, throwing an emotional temper tantrum as you just did is beneath the Throne and, quite honestly, your own personal station. If this is a preview unto the future of what I can expect, understand that I wouldn't be able to work under such conditions and you'd find yourself dealing with a resignation I'd rather not tender. You're your own person, and anything your mother or certain aunts did, you need to disregard wholly. Do we have an understanding?"
"I'm sorry I put you in that position," she would reply, "I got lost in the moment and unloaded everything in my head at the moment and forgot what was in front of us. If you can forgive me..." "Oh, hush with that," McKenna interrupted her, "you might be Empress but you're still quite young, I remember how impulsive I was at your age, your brain has a good way ahead of it in the growth department. I'll simply suggest, in moments you feel like saying something you're not fully sure on, get my attention and let me take point in those moments. I know what you're trying to do and what your aims are, there's a reason you tapped me for this role and the one which follows, so trust me here. Let's never see whatever that was again, yes?"
"Yes," she replied with a nod. "Good, now then when we return you'll apologize to our guests, reaffirm the commitments of your Empire to international norms, say what you need to but ensure that it's attended to sooner rather than later. Also, I'd add that Xiaoling took it quite easy on you, best not take advantage of that generosity a second time. I trust you to rectify this, don't let me down." "Then let us return," the Empress replied.
Upon their return to the room the Empress bowed, a gesture which was not traditionally seen from the Empress to foreigners, bringing her right had to her heart. "I allowed emotion to get the best of me in a manner unfitting of an Empress, or as a host, you have my apologies," she said as she rose from her bow once thirty or so seconds had passed. "Passion does a number of things to our emotions and hearts, however, it was not my place nor my right to speak as I did not more than a half hour ago. Rokkenjima remains, always, dedicated to established international norms and won't do anything to upend them. If we may put that lamentable display behind us and continue, I would wish to do so," she said before taking her seat.
"I restate Rokkenjima's support for the present proposal without the additional theatrics of my previous endorsement," she would add. "Thank you, Vicegerent," McKenna would add, "I think we've got this from here," he'd continue, after which Emerson would take his leave.
