Record:T'vaqi-Wälstanland first contact
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[A group of Wälstanland soldiers flank Walter Rudich and his secretary as they come up to the T'vaqi ship to greet them.]
Rudich: Welcome, welcome, I'm happy to see that you have arrived safely, please follow me to the meeting hall we have set up.
[Grand Magister Adisa Aram exits the ship, motioning for her Senior Magisters to stand watch. She places her arm on her heart, a standard greeting, and follows Walter into the meeting area.]
Aram: I cannot express how relieved I am to be in the presence of a new nation. A fresh start, in a sense. I apologize for the… what was it, five year delay? I was quite busy.
Rudich: Certainly a large delay, but nobody ever said respite was commonplace in the world of diplomacy.
[Walter leads them into the meeting hall. It is a modest room with a large empty table, two draped windows, boxes of files, and two large portraits: one of the former Emperor, Veintin the I, and another of former Eintsandler Karl Hon Karlitzie. The portraits stand at watch almost like the guards over one of the walls.]
[Walter sits down and his secretary hands him some papers, a pen, and a glass of water as well as fiddling with something in his briefcase.]
Rudich: Now tell me what do you hope to discuss here today?
Aram: For one, I would like to tell you that this may not be a meeting like the others you have conducted. Our nation is in rather dire circumstances, Oaltor, and I was hoping we could perhaps establish a friendly relationship. I'd like to enlist Oa— Oalstanlan as an ally.
Rudich: Oh of course, these meetings have been for establishing good relations have they not been? But please do tell me your circumstances a bit, I've been a bit behind on affairs personally. I think the context would be good for the dialogue of this meeting.
Aram: [sigh] In theory, I am the most powerful woman in the country. I lack the majority, however, to pass any law of my own. Now the… forgive me for my language, the fools Pili and Q'so have soured our relationship with the entire House of Light, and I am lumped in among them as a clueless dictator. Our allyship need not be public, but our island is due for severe economic consequences if we cannot find a sufficient trade partner in the near future.
Rudich: [he smiles and adjusts his glasses] Ah, truly an important issue the incompetency of the so-called partners in government. So what you're proposing is a secret trade agreement between our nations here?
Aram: Not— not necessarily entirely secret. It would simply be disadvantageous for our newfound enemies to know of its full extent, as they are keen on shutting us out of trade on a global scale. Mind you, I wish I were not in the situation in the first place, but damage control is now my priority.
Rudich: I understand what you're saying and your words carry with them a sense of urgency in your economic predicament. Seeing as our nation remains unaligned and on good terms with people who you are at conflict currently in this battle of commodities, I believe a both public and secret treaty would be ideal in this situation...
[Walter pauses for a moment before writing something down in his paper.]
Rudich: Would you wish to discuss the finer details of a possible trade treaty right now?
Aram: Certainly. An exchange of information is important, first and foremost. We will send our nation's brightest minds to your island to further educational and scientific understanding. It would raise little suspicion among the general public to do this.
[Aram pauses momentarily, glancing at the portraits.]
Aram: For the unspoken part of the agreement, the import of iron would be in order. Iron is somewhat scarce on our island. In exchange, we would send you our finest engineered hydroponic systems. We recently lost an importer in that department.
[Walter nods his head as he quickly writes down the details of this proposed treaty into his notes.]
Rudich: These basic provisions are quite agreeable in my eyes, and I think the men at the Economics Office would agree with me. Is there anything else you wish to discuss regarding this treaty or anything else during this meeting?
Aram: I cannot, in good faith, request more generosity. All I ask is for loyalty to the agreement. Our nation is in much more danger than it realizes.
Rudich: I understand, do not fear, and sometimes the simpler things are the most efficient in life.
[Walter chuckles, then flips around a paper and hands it to Aram.]
Rudich: If you would sign this it would help to formalize our agreement for when I bring it to my higher-ups.
[Aram takes the paper and sets it down on the table, then retrieves an ink pen from a robe pocket. She signs the document and slides it back towards Walter.]
Aram: May the stars shine, Oaltor. I am relieved that hope has presented itself at last.
Rudich: I am happy to be able to help another nation in these trying times, especially with mutual benefit for us both.
[Walter stands up and adjusts his suit before whispering something to his secretary.]
Rudich: My men should escort you back to your ship now. I wish you safe travels back to T'vaqi.
[Aram places her hand on her heart again and nods.]