Embassy In Person (Xeku)

[MKR]

March 18, AD 2880
Saint-Arkh, Erebonia
13:43 PM

The city of Saint-Arkh was quite, or in fact drastically, different from both those of the Beastman nation and even to a lesser degree the smaller settlements that surrounded it. It was grandiose but not in the sense that it could decide to stand up and walk away but rather its architecture. Almost a portal into the world that had once been but even there it was a vision of the past. A grand Cathedral stood central to the city, as if the name had not given connotations to the faith enough.

Adenine and her entourage had been given suitable freedom in exploring the locales the City of Arts had to present for itself, though of course a part of the Marquis' guard was to act as their escort there were a few things that the beastmen were actively prohibited, one major one being bringing the massive lobster of a ship they brought along inside city limits. Lazengann likewise was preferred to not be walking through the streets but an arrangement could be made for being brought inside. Beyond that, long as they did not break the laws of Erebonia they were guests of one of its four Great houses and treated as such.

Which eventually brought the princess, and a part of her retinue if she desired, to the second biggest building inside the city. The Mansion of Marquis Barrera, mayor of Saint-Arkh and head of one of the four Great houses. It was a massive building staffed by servants though they were kept to the side as the Princess entered, greeting with only a polite bow as the man himself, a wave of brown hair rested above his bespectacled head. He was dressed like none she had seen before with clothes that looked only a tad more practical than a wizard's robe, his age was showing as the hair atop his head began to grey along its edges.

In the center of this grand entrance hall the Marquis placed a hand on his chest as he gave her a bow as well.
"Princess Adenine, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Marquis Siriano Barrera, I hope you've enjoyed your time in Erebonia, and our city of Saint-Arkh so far." He stepped forward to meet her, the guard detail parting away but hanging close enough to react should something be tried, it seemed trust was not something freely given. A sensible decision in most cases, given the Beastmen's defensive nature it also made this arrival highly unusual leaving the question, for what purpose did they come here and perhaps more worrying for the very much not built for physical altercations Marquis, did beastman diplomacy involve arm wrestling?

 

[xekuzwei]

Proud as she might have been of her homeland, Adenine would have been hard-pressed to deny the grandeur of Saint-Arkh - of a different sort than the greater Beastman cities, more refined and quite frankly quaint, but grand nonetheless. While the splendid architecture was clearly inspired by pre-departure humanity part of her wondered just how accurately it had been replicated, as surely none of the structures were yet existant from that era. Once the diplomatic niceties had been suitably assuaged perhaps a more thorough exploration of the sprawling avenues would be in order. For now, they allowed themselves to be shepherded toward the inevitable meeting without fuss.

Little surprise that they were greeted by the Marquis in the flesh given Adenine's status. She returned the aged man's bow with a suitably polite curtsy. Though perhaps unexpected, the princess was for once appropriately and respectfully attired for the occasion at hand. Her entourage consisted of just two other individuals - one a sly-mannered man with the makings of a fox, the other a tall and broad wall of a woman - who likewise dipped their stances in deference. The former's gaze focused on the diplomat, the latter's on their surroundings. One aide to prevent any serious international gaffes, one to flatten anyone who threatened her royal charge, and hope that neither of their skillsets would prove necessary. Her own piercing gaze, with its bizarre spiraled pupils, met her counterpart's directly.

"The pleasure is mine, Marquis." Adenine favored him with a fanged smile, clasping her hands before herself, "On behalf of the Beastman Nation, allow me to apologize for the abruptness of our visit. We did not expect to encounter Erebonian forces in advance of announcing our intentions." Those who had spent time in the company of the princess would be taken aback by the dramatic shift in her demeanor and manner of speaking, but the political game and how to play it was one that had been drilled into her head since she was a young child even if her instructors had failed to curb her rough tendencies in the more general sense. "I'm pleased that we were able to forestall any misunderstandings despite the circumstances of our initial contact." There was not the slightest doubt in her mind that Barrera had long since been informed of the border skirmish that they had chanced upon and her sudden intervention in aid of the Erebonian forces.

 

[MKR]

The marquis did not buckle under the gaze, instead seemingly pleased by it as his own eyes met hers without hesitation. Instead a smile came as she gave the apology. "Please, there is no need to apologize. From what I heard you not only helped defend our men but also another from a warlord, if anything it is us who should be thanking you for your aid." the game of political 'no you're the best' had begun. More importantly however the confirmation was indeed there, he knew about the fight and how it went, Adenine had good cause to not doubt that instinct of hers. As things proceeded smoothly the guards behind the Marquis seemed to relax as well, while the Marquis let none of it shine through there had seemingly been some worry about getting visited by the Beastmen all the same.

"I too am glad no such misunderstandings occurred." the man continued, reaffirming what she said with gladness "But I can't say I am not curious to hear what brought you to Erebonia, or as you put it, your intentions." perhaps it was phrased as a curiosity but the underlying meaning was more, after all a Beastman didn't just tend to visit anywhere else. Especially royalty with an entourage, very likely the answer to this next question was the main thing the Marquis wanted out of this conversation.

And now he was awaiting her answer to this 'question'.

 

[xekuzwei]

"Of course," the beast-woman responded demurely, receding a half step and gesturing to the fox-eared man at her flank, "Zygous, if you would, please?" Not only was he a more astute diplomat, Adenine could only maintain the politics façade for so long; to actively control every aspect of one's mannerisms contrary to natural behavior was mentally exhausting. When it could be helped such interactions were better left to those who came to them naturally. Furthermore, handing off the dialogue would conserve her tolerance for political maneuvering for the inevitable remainder of the day's interactions.

"Certainly." Stepping forward the one in question produced a letter from the interior of his jacket, extending it with respectful deference to the Marquis. The envelope was sealed with the crest of the Spiral King - itself a helix, unsurprisingly - pressed in wax in the Old Earth fashion. "As you are no doubt aware, recent years have seen an increase in tension between many governments due to pressures both internal and external. His Excellency the Spiral King has chosen to dispatch his own daughter the princess as a display of trust and friendship between nations. It is His sincere hope that despite what turmoil the coming times may bring we can depend on Erebonia's continued favor as an ally. And of course, we the Beastman Nation likewise extend our assistance and goodwill should she find herself in desire of such." He indicated the sealed dispatch with a gesture, "Please review this royal missive at your earliest convenience. I am empowered by His Excellency to assuage any questions or concerns you may have, and it would be my pleasure to do so."

 

[MKR]

The Marquis accepted the letter, inspecting the seal with care as he listened to the explanation of why the princess and her attendants had come to Erebonia.
"A laudable task, and your king continues to be as wise as ever." The Marquis commended, "While it is not my place to speak for the whole nation I can promise the province of Sutherland will gladly promote and foster a healthy relationship between the Beastman nation and it and will gladly aid you in your appeal of comradery to the wider nation of Erebonia." The marquis presenting the letter as he spoke "As such it will be my first order of business after this meeting to give the contents herein my undivided attention."

Sutherland was one of the main promoters of the expansion going south and as such would be one of the main beneficiaries of the territorial expansion, this was clear from the sheer geographical layout which would make them near next door neighbors with the north of the Beastman nation. As such how much of this was a glad acceptance of border safety and how much was genuine was up in the air. Though the Beastmen had been a defensive force primarily, it was easy to wonder, and worry, about what would happen should they elect to invade instead.

"For that reason I will gladly aid you gain audience with both His Excellency the Emperor and the chancellor, so that those who should hear your message most of all will be sure to receive it directly. Ere I do that however, it would indeed be prudent to review the contents herein." He gave a nod to the fox-eared man in acknowledgement "But, your road here has been long and I will not bore you with waiting until I have finished reading. Instead I would suggest you take today to peruse Saint-Arkh and enjoy what it has to offer. Then tomorrow should any questions about the contents herein arise those can be discussed freely."
Marquis Barrera calmly awaited the answer of the princess and her escort to his suggestion.