Common Empire

[Kay-Larr]

"I've found that a happier society is a more productive society. If they aren't left wanting, then they cause less trouble."

Kay walked with Reginald to the receiving room, being put more at ease as she saw the assortment of treats and of course, smelling her favourite tea. She nodded to him as he pulled out a chair for her, smiling as she sat herself down, tucking her feet underneath the chair. "His Majesty has done his homework, thank you." The Emperor had certainly pulled out all the stops. And who said that all Imperial leaders were evil? And all of this for a trade route? She took a cup of tea from one of the droids and had a sip. "One of these days you should come out from the rain and visit Chasin City. We have a Senate building that is nearly finished construction. The views from the top are breathtaking." She was quite proud of the building and what it stood for. Hopefully her Senate was a successful one.

[member="Tanomas Graf"]

 

[Tanomas Graf]

Emperor Kardal smiled, imbibing his tea, "Perhaps, my Lady. It does indeed sound like a nice place to visit." He began, continuing to gaze into the Queen's eyes "Being a monarch is an arduous and demanding task, I'm not so sure I have the time to make such a journey corewards. But the future is an ever-changing entity, if the Force wills it I will most certainly visit..."

Setting down the tea, the Emperor contemplated for a moment before addressing [member="Lady Kay"] again "I am aware that the Grand Moff here-" He paused to acknowledge Tanomas, who was himself drinking the tea and enjoying the conversation, "-offered Commenor a small but still sizeable portion of the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps, in exchange for a trade route from Imperial space to that of yours as well as a few diplomatic favors. I wholeheartedly agreed with the course of action, but I understand that you may feel that we are being overly generous."

He drummed his fingers lightly on the table "Commenor would become our only 'official' per se ally, and that might draw some of our empire's stigma towards you. The Silver Jedi and the Alliance condemn us as evil, while the First Order is a warmongering secessionist movement." Kardal informed "The Iron Empire and the Sith remain stoic, but hostility surrounds us. We are ready for war, we have been from the start."

"But Commenor is not, at least according to what I have gathered. You have allies with their own militaries, but I'm uncertain that they would come to your aid, as I was under the impression that you were recently captured and your own people were the only ones to commence a search."

"This is why, I want to provide a deterrent for the Systems Alliance to carry; in case the ties of diplomacy fail as they have these past few chaotic decades."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay nodded a little. She knew that being a monarch was demanding, especially as her husband [member="Veiere Arenais"] was on his own path. But she did have help, from both her assistant Olivia and her Ministers. And with the Senate Hall under construction, she'll have all of those duties as Chancellor as well. Yet still, she'd find the time to get out while she could. Given the Emperor's age however, that might not be as easy. "I can imagine that running such a vast Empire can't be easy, so there's no rush in visiting. Just know that the invitation is there."

She sipped her tea, glancing to [member="Tanomas Graf"] as the Emperor pointed him out. Kay nodded in acknowledgement of what he was saying, yet she raised a brow as he touched on the generosity. Yes, she did feel as though she was getting the better end of the deal, yet still, with people spying on everyone everywhere, it was difficult to know who was trustworthy.

He touched on the various larger governments around them and for the moment, Kay kept her opinions of them to herself. Her eyes cast downwards, shifting a bit in her seat as the Emperor brought up her captivity and the circumstances around it. She sipped her tea, cradling the cup in both of her hands as it provided her a bit of comfort. Before she spoke, she brought her gaze back up to him again, telling him what she had told many others before. "There are many that don't believe in my neutrality, each telling me that I will have to pick a side one day and that war will come. The side that I choose is Commenor's. As you have said, Your Majesty, only my own people searched for me when I was abducted. Commenor was as alone as I was in that time. After I came back, I vowed that we'd be able to protect ourselves and each day onward, I've been working my way towards that goal through various means. I realize that you have enemies, Your Majesty, and some of them are my allies. That kind of threat and danger is something that we already live with and will continue to do so. Becoming your official or unofficial ally won't change that. The future is very hard to predict...."

Kay sipped her tea. She knew for certain that her future was clouded, as she was told as much. Though that could also be because she hides her Force Sensitivity when around others, making her difficult to read.

Her head tilted to the side slightly. "What kind of deterrent are you thinking of?" And what would it cost, she wondered.