Vazha was surprised that the Imperial Liaison and by extension the Rokkenjiman government did not make their homework before travelling to Mktvartvelo. However, he was young enough to remember that every student has at least once face a subject without touching the book until 48 hours before the exam. "As you wish", Virsaladze replied, as he took his mobile phone for a call to the ministry in their way.
"You shouldn't be too worried", Zurab Namoradze told the visitor, "as I am certain that His Most Honourable Prime Minister Kvirkvelia expects to find an open-minded diplomat rather than a lawyer to solve, or at least reduce, our current misunderstandings today". Still, the wishes of the visitor were respected.
Several hours later, they arrived to Vila Mulkhaz. The building, built in 1871, was located several minutes' walk from the National Palace, seat of the Mktvartvelo's parliament. Unlike established official visits there were nor invited journalists neither photographers of the national government press office to take the traditional pictures of the Prime Minister receiving the foreign guest at the doors of the building. Instead, McKenna was received by
Lasha Katsarava, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
"Nice to meet you, Imperial Liaison", he said as he introduced to the Rokkenjiman delegation. "I have heard greatly about you, I am hopeful your visit will serve to solve the current misunderstandings between our nations". They, Zurab Namoradze included, were taken into the building. Katsarava, who had served previously as ambassador in several countries, attempted to have an amicable conversation with McKenna, even if he attempted to avoid as much as possible the disagreements and context that had led McKenna to visit Ktsatskuri. After waiting for about fifteen minutes, they were announced and taken to the office of the Prime Minister.
They entered to the main office of the Prime Minister in Vila Mulkhaz. The room was quite large, but not too much luxurious. The office was presided by a large picture of the Brzdmtsveli, while the rest of the room was decorated by portraits and pictures of former Prime Ministers. Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia had not introduced many changes in his already nine months as Prime Minister, besides a few small pictures on the main table and the frame of an old map nearby one of the corners of the room.
"Welcome", Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia told McKenna. "I am glad you were able to arrive to my office safe and sound", he added with a light smile. "Let's sit down and start our meeting", the Prime Minister said after a handshake, pointing at the wide and large sofas in the middle in the room.
McKenna was invited to sit down at the larger and wider sofa, while the Prime Minister was next to him, at the presiding armchair. Latsarava and Zurab Namoradze, the later serving in his role as translator, were placed at more distant and smaller chairs. Veriko Chkhartishvili, introduced as the Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister, was also present, standing.
"I hope this meeting will serve to change the course of the relations between our nations", the Prime Minister said. "I am certain it is not in the interest of the Unitary State of Mktvartvelo to find opposition in the First Empire, and vice versa", he continued.
"However, before we may mention the already well-known list of grievances and actions of late", Kvirkvelia added, "allow me to be an addecuate host. Would you like to be offered anything to accompany during our discussion?".
