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 Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 3:35 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Youkimi inclined her head and moved to the seat that had been offered her. She sat and seemed to relax, but she maintained her posture and calm composure. They were here and going to speak like rational adults.
One just needed to focus on that. "I imagine that this will continue to be true unless there is need for more detailed communications. I came to call as a way to reach out to our neighboring countries. It is a new year, after all."
The fall of the wall changed some things. Youkimi could not pretend to be ignorant of the other nations. If she was to continue her due diligence to Ethe, she suspected that she needed the support of Bellris.
"I find that I have other concerns... most specifically for my nation, and I wonder if I can ask your advice on some matters. I had trouble penning specific questions, but I wished to ask your personal opinion of the emperor and the state of the Empire."
Her blue eyes patiently watched Hysteria and observed her reactions. More important than this, she waited for her to answer and to give her thoughts.
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 3:53 pm
Hysteria Izadora Bellris Hair UpbraidsClothing: Bellrisian CourtMood: Exhausted Hysteria looked at her and nodded her head, she found that to be a good reason. Hysteria folded her hands together, her inky fingers pressing against her clean hand "Most of Bellris is not fond of the Emperor, though personally I to do not enjoy his rule and....personality" she said crossly "Of all the nations that look down on Bellris it is the Empire that seems to make a hobby of trying to turn people against us, however as far as I'm gathering that's not working much to his advantage." she said "and yourself? what are your thoughts on the emperor?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 4:18 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
The councilwoman proved remarkably attentive to the conversation at hand. It was a pleasant surprise yet somehow made Youkimi hope that their last conversation had been this polite, together, calm, and rational. ... Perhaps then they wouldn't have lost eight innocent people. The hardest part was not allowing this to enter the conversation.
It was easy to focus on the emperor, who stirred deeper and more tangible feelings and encouraged anger in those less disciplined.
"Ethe has its doubts concerning the Emperor. He has married another of her daughters but he has offered limited assistance when she was in need. They doubt his rulership." Youkimi allowed her expression to darken. "Personally, we would not mourn the emperor's loss and I feel there are some who would celebrate his removal from life. There is no strength in a man who offers only the minimum for his citizens, if he counts us even worthy of that esteem."
She brought her expression back under control again, allowing ice to enter her face and eyes, not unlike the chill of a morning one wakes to and knows they must face to accomplish productive work.
"It is impressive that your republic has managed to distance herself from the Empire's influence. This is no small feat."
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 4:35 pm
Hysteria Izadora BellrisHair UpbraidsClothing: Bellrisian CourtMood: Exhausted Hysteria smiled tightly "We have managed because we broke away during a critical time, Emperor Apollion was against our deannexation however his death was beneficial to the growth of the republic as his successor..." he trailed off, Empress Catherine wasn't the most renowned woman, though she had helped many people that had been suffering in poverty she was only really known for an unlawful rule, getting beheaded by the current emperor, and the appearance of humanity on Epsilon ...His successor was quite partial toward us due to her views on a matriarchy" Hysteria brought one of her hands down and she tapped her fingers gently against the wooden table "However, though not in defense of the Emperor, Anyone would find it hard to help Ethe with even the bare minimum this last year. Bellris in fact had made a trade deal with Queen Ophelia but we had to stop sending supplies when not only were our people getting sick from the barrier, but no one would come to take the supplies we did send" she said to her "but since you bring it up, the removal of the Emperor wouldn't put a damper on things here. He is to dull to give Bellris any true disadvantage...it would rid us of a nuisance."
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 4:47 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Fortunate timing. It always fascinated Youkimi how many things were simply a matter of timing. As for the mentioned successor, there came a more somber tone. She might not have been remarkably noteworthy, but her work was enough to earn her the respect of many citizens of the empire.
The trade agreement that was mentioned, or hearing the other perspective on it, gave Youkimi another aspect to consider. She might have disagreed on a few points, but the matter had passed. Now that the barrier had fallen, Ethe was more open to trade now than it had been at any point since the eruption of the volcano. Fortunately, many among the merchants seemed happy with this.
As for those in higher power, there was tentative hope. Perhaps now was not the best time to mention the lack of leadership Ethe had for the early part of the barrier's erection. There was chaos for a time, and only some areas had leadership enough to work. Unfortunately also, Youkimi wondered why those among Ethe's trading merchants didn't address this earlier... Had the situation devolved before she took stewardship and could address it?
"The loss of the barrier will undoubtedly improve trade between our nations." She offered diplomatically. "It sounds as though the Empire has few allies among the phoenix, then... am I to believe this is also true among the dragons?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 5:13 pm
Hysteria Izadora BellrisHair UpbraidsClothing: Bellrisian CourtMood: Exhausted Hysteria smiled at her "In another life I feel we could have worked well together. Though the possibility is their for such a thing to still happen I doubt it would ever be enough to clear up the animosity we both feel" she said to her as she brought her hands to her lap "Without a doubt. Trade is beneficial to the economies of all, you need people to be buying and selling, when no one buys and no one sells no one makes a profit, and when no one makes a profit well.... you're smart enough to gather what happens afterward I trust" she then though about her question and she looked at the ceiling "I do not pretend to know the minds of your people, but I believe the only reason anyone of your country is loyal to the Empire any more is because the Emperor took an Ethen wife" she stated "As for the dragons I can not say for certain." Hysteria said, once again tapping her fingers soundlessly against the table "Phobos has not declared for the Empire but they make no hostile moves outwardly, while the people of Zalto couldn't rebel even if they tried. The Empires blood line is thick within the Llewellyn families line and they are the Empires biggest allies weather they want to be or not."Hysteria then picked up the phoenix feather quill as for trade between our two nations, letting them choose what they trade is best, however I would like to make a personal trade with Ethe." she said as she began writing and she put the phoenix feather down and pushed the paper over to Youkimi, it would fly upward lightly before falling just a foot or two away from her on the table. The paper would have several things upon it 50,000lbs of Obsidian, 20,000 lbs of raw iron, and Ashes upward of half a million pounds. "How much would this cost or at least how long would it take to mine, transport, and supply it within a year?
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 5:54 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Youkimi acknowledged that they might have done well.... but she also knew that it wasn't for her own sake that she kept her emotional distance from Hysteria. Not all of Ethe had forgotten the burned house. Families still mourned. Perhaps if the high councilwoman was willing to make reparations for them, then they might be able to be more open... and the people would be more open to seeing the High Councilwoman as a friend of Ethe instead of an unstable person in power.
Youkimi decided against commenting concerning the animosity. She was still unsure if it was even equal. In any case, they had other things to attend to, as she saw for herself that Hysteria had a specific request she wished to make.
Youkimi took the page and drew it closer to look over the details it contained. Many tons of obsidian, iron ore, and ash... Given the lowering of the barrier, being able to gather these things might be easier, however, harvesting these things might still be difficult to do. Ash was not in infinite supply.
She hummed thoughtfully. "Cost and time are directly proportional to each other. If one can locate those willing to work hard enough, acquiring these materials might take a year or two with our current manpower... More money means that more can be hired to retrieve these materials... Though we are already very willing to trade all of these things and have been trading them via the mercantile fleet."
She set down the paper and looked back to Hysteria's face. "What is your initial bid? What are you willing to trade for these raw materials? I imagine that this is a request of the council."
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 6:28 pm
Hysteria Izadora BellrisHair UpbraidsClothing: Bellrisian CourtMood: Exhausted Hysteria looked at her, her fingers once again soundlessly tapping against the wooden table "No, this request is make and will be paid for out of my own personal accounts" she said to her as she closed her eyes for a second "Of the top of my tongue I am willing and able to pay a month in advance wages for 2000 people to mine Iron and Obsidian, With permission I would like to send another 2000 Bellrisians over to obtain the ash along with 25 personal merchants wagons, Of course if having foreigners in your lands is troublesome I can compensate for 50 ec per person per month" she said as she tapped her fingers for a little while longer as she thought "As well I will pay personally for two Ethen mines to be unearthed so long as I have singular access to both for three weeks after they are reopened" a few more taps before her fingers stopped, two fingers resting on the table while two stopped in mid tap "I have also come into a large deposit of Salsugoterrae and I provide some for water purification of the lakes and part of the river that runs though Ethe." she said.
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 6:48 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Then this was a personal transaction and not a matter of the country? Youkimi puzzled over this. She was wiling to pay advance wages for the work for the iron and volcano-glass. A generous offer, in addition to sending more men to assist in the work. In addition to being willing to open more mines... as long as she had sole access to them for three weeks....
Just from initial hearing, it sounded as though the councilwoman herself was willing to go to the mines to work them, because if she alone had access, it meant that others couldn't. But that must not have been what she meant.
The water purification would be a benefit also... Perhaps allowing the Bellrisians to come into Ethe to work would help break down the barriers between their nations....
Youkimi nodded slightly. "A sound offer. Unfortunately, off of the top of my head I cannot confirm that we have this much to present at this time. Your willingness to fund the project as well as the materials in question does encourage the possibility of this project coming to fruition."
She drew herself upright and glanced over the page and its details again. There was a reason these things were wanted.... Ash itself was a remarkably fine glass, excellent for crafting and as a raw material for many of Ethe's artists and for creating painted windows. Obsidian also had a beautiful polish to it when it was crafted and worked with expert hands. Iron ore had a multitude of uses, but most of what she could figure was that this ore would be used for weapons....
At present, though, this was mere supposition.
"I'm inclined to think it would be unfair to our traders if I were to earmark this sizable amount of Ethian product instead of allowing our traders to negotiate over it. You might be able to earn a better price through working with our traders instead of through me."
She set the page aside. "Might I trouble you for paper and ink?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 7:13 pm
Hysteria Izadora BellrisHair UpbraidsClothing: Bellrisian CourtMood: Exhausted Hysteria smiled as she stood up taking a piece of paper along with a vile of ink and the dark Phoenix feather with the ornate tip. She placed them in front of Youkimi before walking back to her seat, the long train of her red dress following behind her as she moved her hands under her legs and took a seat once more "I know I would be able to get everything cheaper if I went though several different traders, however access to mines, sending in foreigners and trading Salsugoterrae would all be better handled by a member of state rather then a merchant group since after all, sending in foreigners to mine resources that do not belong to them is not is a breach of international etiquette, something that could have Bellris looked down upon unfavorably and with distain as well as lead to a pretense for war, Something I will not tolerate any attempts from anyone council or other to be working toward" she said to her "I'd rather pay a little more for ensured safety then have my people slaughtered in something so unprofound as a war caused by misunderstanding and lack of communication"She then sighed slightly "If possible, allowing me to fund the unearthing of two of the mines will be more beneficial to you then to Bellris, Having access to them for a mere three weeks is lackluster compared to the what...sixty, seventy years you will continue to mine from them? It could also get this project jumpstarted wile providing more employment for your people once we vacate at the end of our tenure, the coin you would gain by allowing Bellrisian people to come mine in those two mines alone would be enough to revitalize many villages. It wouldn't be unfair to your traders to accept since it would give them more to product to trade in the long run."
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 7:29 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
There was a fair argument for this also....
"Thank you," she voiced as she accepted the ink and paper. That the high councilwoman was aware of the risk of war, and also that she didn't want to risk it, was something of note and encouraging. It suggested that they might be able to reach an amiable decision that benefited both of their nations.
"Unfortunately, the mines are on lands I cannot speak for. However, I can authorize the movement for gathering at least half of this much on my authority as steward. More than this might be something that can be negotiated with the individual lords of the lands that harvest the obsidian and the ore. However, Ash can be supplied in adequate abundance, whether from the river or our buried cities and that can be provided in full."
Youkimi began to pen the details that she did have authority over but also began to list other contacts that Hysteria could contact if she did wish to reach her goal.
"If I may, might I ask what purpose all these materials might have once they're in your possession? Ash, ore, obsidian, and three weeks of gemstones are an unusual collection to gather in abundance."
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 7:43 pm
Hysteria Izadora BellrisHair UpbraidsClothing: Bellrisian CourtMood: Exhausted Hysterias smile grew tight "As the Ash arrives would you prefer the coin given to you personally or to the people supplying it?" she asked her, when she asked Hysteria what this was all in use for the tight smile thinned her lips "Our goddess, Antari, has been causing trouble, burning houses along the boarder, threatening Bellrisian people she considers traitors and Ethen people who have settled down here. Upon requesting her to leave she said that her only stipulation was the building of a temple so that the people of Bellris did not have to travel to the Maude in order to worship." She said to her "She was very specific on what she wanted... an Iron bone structure with Obsidian walls and a glass statue in the center, and an alter made of gemstones" she said as she began tapping her fingers on the table, this time they made a few taping noises before she made them silent again "She has become troublesome and has taken an unhealthy interest in my daughter ever since her birth and I would rather not have her growing up around that woman" she said, irritation leaking into her voice.
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 8:01 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Antari's request.... So they were now building a temple to the goddess of shadows?
Youkimi hummed thoughtfully, not entirely sure of what she could say to this. If all the material was going directly to building, then this was an acceptable means... It seemed oddly symbolic that the materials might come from Ethe, whose patron goddess was known for Fire. From the light comes the shadow. Indeed.
"Interesting request for your goddess to make... I wonder what draws her to the side effect of the volcano's eruption." It didn't seem to be a matter pride. There was an undeniable quality of the rocks that the volcano gave, that they were dark and seemed to swallow the light. However, Youkimi's opinion of Hysteria did soften somewhat as she identified a mother's desire to protect her children.
"If your goddess did not clarify concerning the kind of gemstones she wanted used for the altar, might I recommend quartz? They come in a myriad of colors, but they are also commonly found among obsidian. As the workers are carving out the pieces for your order, it should be easy to find the quartz pieces. It might save you the time and expense of unearthing mines for that express purpose."
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 8:32 pm
Hysteria Izadora BellrisHair UpbraidsClothing: Bellrisian CourtMood: Exhausted Hysteria sighed slightly "She wanted opal, saying something about "the multicoloured flecks" complimenting the darkness of the Obsidian nicely" she said to her before looking back at her "So, what else brings you here Lady Kai? It can't just be trade negotiations" she said.
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 9:26 pm
Baroness Youkimi Kai
Opal... opal... Youkimi found herself frowning slightly. Opal was a softer gemstone compared to other stones, such as the strong and sturdy quartz which would withstand time and resist scratches. Beyond this, they were not terribly hard to attain of themselves, but when one considered the multicolored variety of opals, they were usually found in very specific veins. Ethe had mines, yes, but opal mines? She couldn't remember Ethe selling opal.
She felt that she needed to check with the merchants she had contact with to find out more.. Perhaps the goddess wished crystal opal? Boulder opal? Boulder opal had veins of opal within the denser rock around it... beautiful and a bit more sturdy. But, all things for the councilwoman to consider, not the stewardess, as she knew not the will of this particular divinity.
"You are correct, I did not come here to trade." Youkimi smiled dryly and finished her notes. She set them aside and moved the quill she had been using to the vial of ink. "I have the sinking suspicion that times are changing. I wanted to better understand the view of my neighbors, especially one that had been kind enough to adopt many refugees of Ethe. We did not part on favorable terms when last we met."
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