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Post by Blake Oleander on Jul 25, 2018 13:02:26 GMT -8
Blake knew that the exams were underway, and thanks to Virgil he also knew when the best time to make his approach would be. When there was not an active event going on. And so it was during one of the downtimes of the festivities that Blake, the now King of Aurora and a small handful of his people would make their way to the gates of Cabal. Here they would make themselves known to the world at large, and here he would have a chance to look at the leaders of the big four in the eyes and judge them for himself.
He was dressed in his traditional attire, though far finer than what he wore when he attended cabal. Though instead of two swords on his person. One on his hip and back, he now carried four. Two on his hip and two on his back. Beatrice was hovering over his shoulder fussing with his hair, and hers as she whispered into his ear. Prepping him for what is to come.
Choosing Beatrice!
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Post by Zack Asiv on Jul 25, 2018 13:13:37 GMT -8
The Gate's were guarded now by armed and ready soldiers, though they didn't react any special way to Blake, knowing him at the least.
"Greetings and welcome."
They would allow Blake to pass, if he asked he would be pointed in the direction of the Academy since all the dignitaries were gathered there anyways. He would find he would be escorted to the meeting hall where they were sitting down for lunch to discuss options with the rebellious territories. Asiv was staring out the window, Malice was joking and laughing with Strike, who appeared uncomfortable, but putting on a good show. Finally Angolonia is sitting and waiting for her guards to bring her a plate of food.
They don't seem to notice the entry of Blake and whoever is with him just yet.
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Post by Blake Oleander on Jul 25, 2018 13:23:20 GMT -8
Blake would place a fist over his heart and a small bow of his head as he entered the room with the leaders of the Big Four.
"My apologies for the interruptions." He'd say in a clear voice as he slowly lowered his fist. "My name is Blake Oleander, King of Aurora, and I have diplomatic matters to discuss with you. Though I was not informed you were having lunch."
He'd have been willing to wait for them to finish eating. But it seemed he would have to roll with it.
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Post by Zack Asiv on Jul 25, 2018 13:27:39 GMT -8
Strike would turn from Malice with a sigh of relief and wave Blake to the table.
"Yes, yes. Sit, join us."
Though it appeared to be more so he could avoid listening to Malice's jokes any longer. Asiv would smile and nod to Blake, while Malice huffed and folded his arms. Angelonia would extend a hand to the chair next to her.
"Yes, no need to stand and wait, Diplomatic discussion can be held over good food."
Asiv and the others would move to the table to sit as well.
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Post by Blake Oleander on Jul 25, 2018 13:34:12 GMT -8
He bowed again in thanks and entered the room, taking the seat offered by Angelonia only after she herself had been seated.
"I thank you for your graciousness Lady Angelonia. And with respect and thank you for your time, I would like to offer you a gift from my people to you and yours."
One of his people would bring him a small object wrapped in cloth which he would open to reveal a well-worn book. It was not a thick book, but it would be one she had never seen before.
"This is the first edition, handwritten copy of the accounts of the first Elder of 63 and the war of power. It details the legend of how he fended off countless Qi using attackers to secure the borders that made up the start of Aurora and the formation of our people at its inception. It is a story all of us are taught at our youth, and despite the falsehoods and embellishments you may find within, I hope that it comes as an interesting read and story."
He would turn to the others.
"I am here among you today to announce that the territories formerly known as 63, 64, and 249 have come together to create the Kingdom of Aurora. I come to you not as a supplicant looking for protection, but as an equal. A ruler of a people who seek to see peace and stability for his people in these increasingly dangerous times."
Like Beatrice had told him, and like he had practiced on the whole trip here. He spoke confidently and without pause. He was here for peace, but he was not here as a supplicant or to beg. He deserved to be at this table.
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Post by Zack Asiv on Jul 25, 2018 13:46:03 GMT -8
Angelonia would accept the book with a bow of her head, wrapping it back in it's cloth and handing it to one of her guards. She had a very pleasant look on her face, but now was not the time to read, it was time to eat and discuss.
As Blake explained his position on his goals and discussion topic the others absorbed it allowing him to speak and finish his speech. Verily heartfelt and spoken, though not entirely convincing to some.
"From his time here at Cabal, I will say he was exemplary, if at times combative, or stubborn, he says what he means and backs it all with everything he has."
Asiv would add though he himself not entirely on board he figured some back ground on their guest would help the others make a decision, while Strike smiled and took a bite from his fork.
"Aurora... Nice name for a country. I would hear more of Aurora if you wouldn't mind."
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Post by Blake Oleander on Jul 25, 2018 13:56:53 GMT -8
"Thank you President Asiv."
He would not deny that he was combative, though overall he took it as praise.
"Aurora is still in its infancy. Liberated from a group of tyrants who sought to blind us to how the world really was and enslave us for their own power games we have had many years of poison running through our veins. However, it was thanks to President Asiv and others for giving me a chance here that my eyes started to open to a world I did not wish to see. A world I rebelled against as I tried to force it to fit my more restrained mindset. However my eyes were opened and I was exiled for it. That would have been the end of it if the previous Elders had not sought to kill me and the other exiles after we had left our homes. It became clear to us what we had to do, and our people were freed from the grip of a tyrant in a desperate struggle that nearly destroyed us."
He let out a small exhale and a silent prayer for Jake's spirit. Jake likely would have made the better leader of the two of them, but it was sadly not an option now.
"Since then we have tried to rectify the mistakes of our past, and while we do keep to our martial traditions and roots, we seek to expand our horizons and deal with words rather than the sword when at all possible. Though as I am sure you are all no doubt aware, we have already defended our home against one invading force with the aid of several other neutral territories."
A bloody battle that should never have happened.
"We have been blessed with a second chance, and with it, we have invested in ourselves. Improving our infrastructure and living conditions to impressive levels I dare say. We have even had some success in implementing Qi technology into our lifestyle and understanding the techniques of Prota augmentations. We are not a backward people, just one that had been held back by corrupt leadership in the past. But we are ready now to take our place on the world stage and to work together to achieve peace. I speak as someone who has faced these rogue armies rampaging across the protectorate territories more than once. But this situation is not acceptable, and it is the responsibility of all who are able and willing to fight for peace to do so. And that is where my people and I stand."
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Post by Zack Asiv on Jul 25, 2018 14:17:11 GMT -8
Strike froze a bit at the mention of understanding Prota augmentation technology...
Malice scoffed. He ate large chunks of food barely chewing before he burped.
"What kind of martial traditions? I'm used to people praising your master craft weapons, and swordsmanship. Is there anything else to it?"
Angelonia would gently clear her throat patting away some food on her lips with a napkin before speaking.
"Excuse Alex, he doesn't have much... Tact, he may as well just be asking you for a fight. I would rather agree about peace being disrupted by these marching armies as we were just discussing our most recent findings on the matter."
She would pointedly look at Strike who had been swirling his glass of wine for some time now.
"Yes, apparently Territory 74 has been manipulating and forcing others to follow them on threat of extinction. They apparently have armies, or intel, or hostages that bind the other territories to their commands. As it is under my country within the Accords it is generally my decision, but what would you do in this instance?"
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Post by Blake Oleander on Jul 25, 2018 14:25:29 GMT -8
"Mister Malice. I am honored that you have heard of our skilled craftsmanship. However, if you doubt our martial abilities and strength without our weapons I am more than willing to give you a demonstration by say. Punching you in the face as hard as I can. You are of course welcome to strike back if you wish."
But it was good to know that they were getting a name for themselves outside of their forest.
"I assume the extinction would come from their superweapon. The final solution that we stopped at my home." And that he took the brunt of the blast of. "From what I understand of how you operate your course of action would be extinction to dissuade others from taking the same path? I can't fault the logic of it, though I may be speaking from my history of a scout and warrior when I say that I would likely isolate the leaders of this movement and kill them before destroying the technology that posed a threat. Removing the leverage over the other territories and striking down everyone who had a hand in this uprising while leaving the civilians intact."
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Post by Zack Asiv on Jul 25, 2018 14:36:45 GMT -8
Angelonia would beam a bit as she quietly ate her meal, while Asiv chuckled a bit. Strike would grin.
"You are correct. I propose leaving territory 74 as nothing more than a burning Qi scar. Though I am often... Advised to other paths by Lady Angelonia and President Asiv there. While even I occasionally advise restraint to Supremo Malice."
Malice would chuckle at both Blake and the comment.
"Yeah, so what? I like to be thorough."
Malice defended before Asiv spoke up.
"Another word for lazy."
Angelonia laughed this time.
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Post by Blake Oleander on Jul 25, 2018 14:40:51 GMT -8
"However, I do respect they are a protectorate of yours and would not assume it my place to deal with them outside of stopping them should they make another attempt to take my home from me."
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Post by Zack Asiv on Jul 25, 2018 14:50:28 GMT -8
"Reasonable."
Strike would speak though he kept to his wine for the time being.
"You search for recognition of the independence of your sovereign nation?"
Asiv finally asked to simply iterate the discussion, maybe get it back on track.
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Post by Blake Oleander on Jul 25, 2018 14:55:21 GMT -8
"Honestly, you will recognize it or not. But either way, we are independent. I came here to do it in person rather than over the news such as the change in leadership in 71, or the breaking from the accords by several other territories out of respect. Leader to leader, face to face. Ideally, I would wish to discuss how we can all work together and benefit each other with trade, mutual training, and other links between our nations. But I am also willing to deal with the reality that you may all decline and see me as an upstart to be put down. In which case, my business here would be concluded I will prepare accordingly."
To be blunt. It didn't matter what they thought, coming here was a courtesy.
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Post by Zack Asiv on Jul 25, 2018 15:27:26 GMT -8
Strike would be the first to respond.
"As long as you keep to yourself, you will have no problems from Prota. Though as you are not a part of, nor seem to have plans of joining the Accords, I will have no business with you."
Malice would follow that up.
"Maybe we can do some inter territory training, that would be enjoyable."
Asiv would sigh and Angelonia would nod.
"I am open for Trade options. Zekunft is not one built for war."
Asiv would be the last.
"As our borders are so close, I would prefer a friendly relationship. I can open trade options, maybe a treaty of some kind, but as Strike stated. The accords hold peace together, thus priority goes to that."
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Post by Blake Oleander on Jul 25, 2018 15:39:09 GMT -8
He would respond to Strike first.
"I am content to us not fostering closer relationships if your intention is to leave us in peace. And should that change and the accords continue to become unstable I will be open to hearing a proposal to you in the future. Though let us both hope such instability does not come to pass."
It would not be good for either of them.
"As long as we keep it nonlethal I am sure many of my warriors, and myself included would be delighted to train against you and your own warriors. You have quite the reputation, and I know I would enjoy seeing how well we match up against each other." He would respond to Malice before giving his attention to Angelonia.
"Trade would be most agreeable." He'd say looking back to Asiv as well. "Though the specifics of those agreements can be discussed when you are not trying to eat. When we can focus on the specifics of what we both have to offer. But a friendly relationship would be ideal, and I look forward to fostering such relationships."
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