Diplomatic Maneuvering?

[windamierofdunan]

[A newcomer sits alone at a table in the back of the tavern, accompanied by only a small notepad and a canteen of water. Occasionally, you might find him jotting down some notes, but for the most part, he's just looking around, quietly taking in the atmosphere of this unfamiliar locale.]

"Such a lovely estate...There is nothing quite so liberating in this world as a sense of anonymity, though I suppose I ought to seek an audience with whomever is in command here, at some point."

Comments

[windamierofdunan]

You are a most gracious host, I thank you. And yes, while I'm not in a position to directly negotiate any sort of treaty at this point, we are most certainly interested in establishing and strengthening lines of trade and communication.

[Sits back down, and beckons for Hugo to take a seat.]

In my experience, the only real good that can come out of such a tragic war is the conviction among all parties that such a thing must not be allowed to spark again...Of course, the succeeding generations all too often forget these lessons, but I think it's safe to say that relations among the western powers and Holy Harmonia are at their highest point in at least a generation, and the President and I see here a potentially unique opportunity to work toward a longstanding continental peace.

[flamesandfeathers]

I believe you're right. At least, I hope you're right about our relations being so good. Still, even I have to admit I'm a little wary of Harmonia in general.

… Your president is still Teresa Wisemail, isn't it?

[windamierofdunan]

Understandable, completely understandable.

[Leans forward & lowers his voice slightly]

I have been told that until the treachery of their "Masked Bishop" was fully revealed, an armed Harmonian division had marched rather brazenly into Grassland & Zexen lands, in clear violation of the Flame Champion's peace...We were most disturbed at this news, of course, but not entirely surprised – there was a similar attempt back in '72 to seize control of our Higheast Province, in the name of "territorial reclamation."

[Returns to a more relaxed posture & tone.]

Indeed! "Three Term Teresa," many call her these days.

[flamesandfeathers]

Well, to be completely fair, the truce had ended. It was a fifty-year armistice… they pretty much invaded the day after it ended. [Shrugs] Don't know if that makes them seem better or not.

I think I heard about that. My mother was always interested in what happened to Highland after it was absorbed into the Republic. She made a lot of allies while she was there.

[windamierofdunan]

Ah, you are correct, sir...

[Forgive him if he's at a loss for words for just a moment – he's incredibly impressed at young Hugo's fair-mindedness.]

Very much so, actually. Still, as a matter of ethics, if not necessarily law, I'd like to think that there ought to be something of a "grace period" when such agreements are nearing their expiration. It would be unfortunate if one side were to send lawyers, only to be met with lances.

Well, we are always honored to welcome any Grassland representative to our capital. The President always speaks very highly of Lady Lucia – many would argue that their negotiations in the immediate aftermath of the war made Lady Teresa president.

[flamesandfeathers]

A grace period would be nice, but we Grasslanders learnt that if another nation wanted something, they took it from us. Following only the letter of the law to, it seems, pat themselves on the back. I hope it's changing, and I'm working for that change.

I'll pass that along to my mother when I write her next. I'm sure she'll send someone. She might even visit herself.

[windamierofdunan]

You are most wise, Noble Hugo...I must admit, from where we stood, many of us were most concerned about what the west – nay, the entire Continent – would look like when the dust finally settled. I can see now that all of our fates were in good hands.

[flamesandfeathers]

[If Luc had succeeded the Continent would have looked different. Decides it's best not to mention that.]

Ah, thanks. It's good to hear that other nations are looking toward an era of peace as well.

Also, could you just call me Hugo? I feel a bit silly being called Noble Hugo.

[windamierofdunan]

Most gladly, Hugo.

...I feel as though I must have been trained in the niceties of diplomatic etiquette since before I was able to walk, and I still find it difficult, at times, to keep everyone's credentials straight.

[flamesandfeathers]

Ah, well, if you have problems with it that makes me feel a lot better about myself. I'm just learning and I get titles mixed up a lot. Like Duke, and Grand Duke, and King, and Queen, which are also names. [laughs a little.]

[windamierofdunan]

Alas, it's probably one of those things that's never likely to get much easier to master, as people are always inventing new names and titles to assign themselves, or others, as is often the case.

[flamesandfeathers]

That seems rather counter productive. Do people really have that much self importance?

[windamierofdunan]

Ha! I must agree...The only time I can honestly say that I found it helpful was when I was a student. It became far easier to hit a professor's requisite number of pages when you could drone on and on about "High Lord Commander" this, "His Most Holy Lordship" that...

[flamesandfeathers]

[laughs out loud at that] Oh man, that has to be the only practical use.

Also makes me glad my education was a lot less formal. I don't know if I would have the patience to write papers like that. [cocks his head in thought] Though, I think I can see the point of them. Maybe. History is important, but putting a word count on it seems to being missing the point.

[windamierofdunan]

[Visibly quite happy to have made him laugh.]

Agreed, very much so, in fact...I imagine that I would have been a fairly avid reader even if I hadn't been sent off to Academy in Harmonia, if for no other reason than that my mother would not have settled for anything less!

I suppose one of the more interesting things about knowledge in general is that it's always going to be out there, it's just a question of how someone will encounter it, and what they'll do with it once it's theirs.

[flamesandfeathers]

One thing I've learned is that mothers tend to be demanding, no matter what the culture.

That's also one of the more dangerous aspects of knowledge though, isn't it? You don't know the effect it will have the person who discovers it. What it could drive them to do.

[windamierofdunan]

Very true, and we are usually all the better for it!

[He continues to be impressed by Hugo's level of insight, and privately begins to wonder if the True Rune Bearer is speaking of concerns beyond his own ability to understand.]

...A valid point, Hugo. You are most wise, indeed. This...if you don't mind my asking, seems to be a matter of close concern to you?

[flamesandfeathers]

It is....

[falls silent for a moment] The Masked Bishop. Everything he did was because of a vision he saw. A vision his True Rune showed him. He shared it with me before the final battle. It was... Awful. So awful. It was what drove him to do everything he did.

[windamierofdunan]

A vision...? [He remains silent for a moment; carefully choosing his words, and thinking back to what little he knew of the Rune of the Beginning.]

...I was not aware that a Rune could reveal such things. I knew that their wills were strong, that the souls of past bearers could remain with those who carry them, and yet...It sounds as though you're referring to a glimpse at a possible future...?

[flamesandfeathers]

The souls of past bearers? I hadn't heard of that…

But, yeah they can show futures. I've spoken to a man who also bears a True Rune, and he said he saw the same vision that L- The Masked Bishop showed me. I haven't seen any yet myself, but I'm told it's only a matter of time.