Diplomatic Ties (Fringe, Atrisians)

[Sargon Vynea]

Sargon had butterflies in his stomach, and it wasn't something he was used to. He was being sent to head a diplomatic mission with the Atrisian Emperor with Governor Lucien Cordel. Lucien was to be the trade and civilian arm of the trip, and Sargon the military arm of the ship. Both would also be meeting with the secretive sect of force users, and finally get a look at their doctrine with any luck. The Permanence class vessel Sargon had been assigned to was starting to feel a bit more comfortable to him, but he was far from comfortable with the new duties he was receiving.

Either way they had traversed the even shortening distance between Fringe territory and the nearby Atrisian Empire without incident. At the border they'd been given an escort of picket and line ships to bring them to the capital of Atrisia. It was a beautiful world from space, and he'd read interesting things about its culture vie the holonet, but he was going to get to see it first hand now.

Leaving the bridge Sargon met Governor Lucien at the shuttle. “Governor Lucien, I'm please to be joining you on this mission. The Atrisian Emperor's letter was quite elegant, don't you think? I'd rather have our backs to a friendly force at least on one side of our borders anyway.”

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien was glad to be back at work and not in a war zone. Next to him stood his head body bodyguard Captain Scott who was here to protect Lucien.He had jumped at the chance to involve himself in some diplomacy. He was lent against the shuttle in Sargon's ship.He nodded as the optio began to speak "I agree optio we need allies around as we grow, Are we to meet the emperor directly?" He asked as he boarded the shuttle, It reminded him of his days as a soldier in the empire.Shuttles were cheap and he disliked them.

 

[Sargon Vynea]

Sargon gave the Governor a wide smile as he thought about it. "Oh yes, from what I understand we will be visiting the Emperor at his palace. We'll be getting a full review of their force users' cult, and a trip through their shipyards. I hope you enjoy tea though because it seems like a big deal on the planet. It seems its actually almost a form of art."

Feeling the vibrations as the shuttle began its trip planet side Sargon entered the comm frequency to the Atrisians. ::Atrisian ground command, this is Governor Sargon Vynea, and Governor Lucien Cordel en route as per the Emperor's invitation. We would appreciate some landing coordinates::

((OOC: Akio take it away!))

 

[Charles Leigh Wood]

Firefighter sat and watched his master talking to Sargon. He knew Sargon from a previous mission they had done together. He looked at Sargon and said "Well it's nice to see you again think we are going to get ourselves into trouble?" He then looked at his master and hoped he wouldn't be mad at him for his comment.

@[member="Sargon Vynea"]
@ Lucien Cordel

 

[Akio Kahoshi]

@[member="Lucien Cordel"], @[member="Sargon Vynea"]

A voice came over the comm, returning the Fringe's message. "Optio Sargon Vynea, you will receive a transmission for landing instructions. Please insure weapons are powered down or defensive measures will be taken. An honor guard shall meet you at the landing pad and escort you to the Emperor's throne room."

The designated landing pad was part of the sprawling Imperial Palace in the mountains above Jar'kai City. The honor guard, when the landed, was made up of a squad from the Emperor's Own in their ancient styled armor. They would escort the foreign dignitaries though the Palace's security points and eventually to the grand doors of the throne room.

Inside Akio sat in his simple robes, his fan resting in his lap. Two guards stood at either side of the entrance, and two more to the sides of the throne. If there were more, they were not visible. It was all part of the pomp and show of the Imperial throne. The man sitting on the throne was often less important than the image he represented. An aide standing just off the entrance path, raised his voice against the general murmur of other aides and nobles in the room. "May I present Optio Sargon Vynea and Governor Lucien Cordel of the Fringe."

Akio gave a small nod before speaking. "Welcome to Atrisia."

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien turned to his student "No we will not encounter any trouble, unless of course one of us makes some" he said rather matter of factly, He wasn't annoyed but this was a big deal.The coordinates were received and the weapons neutralised.Lucien and his bodyguard were unarmed as he hoped was his apprentice.The ship made a clean landing and Lucien stepped out,He gave the captain of the honour gaurd a respectful nod before glancing over the palace and the mountains it stood in,The image was really quite captivating, quite unlike anything he had seen before or expected to see again.He followed after sargon and Firefighter as soon as they had embarked,His own bodyguard trailed just behind him.They traversed the security points without issue.

Lucien stepped through the doors as he was announced. He then did something he had not done in a long time.He knelt before Akio . "You are most gracious,Your imperial highness" He spoke confidently but remained knelt.

 

[Charles Leigh Wood]

Firefighter understood the importance of this mission and left his light saber on the shuttle because if trouble would arise he could still defend himself and his master even though he was sure Lucien's bodyguard could do that himself. He saw his master knell down and he also did the same thing so that he didn't show disrepect.

@[member="Lucien Cordel"]
@[member="Akio Kahoshi"]

 

[Sargon Vynea]

Sargon marched along his escort into the throne room of @[member="Akio Kahoshi"], the room guarded by a minimum force though he had no doubt it could fill up in a moment's notice. Rooms like these were made to impress those who came before the throne with its regal strength. Legions of guards did while intimidating took away from the authority of the throne itself, and the Imperial person himself. The pomp had less of an effect on professional soldiers in his opinions, but for politicians they theatrics would be eaten up.

Nevertheless Sargon was impressed by the attention to detail, and precision of their military discipline. Bowing before the Emperor Sargon brought out a small jade box with a perfect Krayt Dragon's pearl inside. "Greetings, Your Imperial Highness, I am Governor Sargon Vynea of Bakura. We hope you receive this gift well from Grand Admiral Karrde, Lady Yun-Harla, and the Fringe Confederacy."

@firefighter47@Lucien Cordel@[member="Akio Kahoshi"]

 

[Akio Kahoshi]

The Emperor nodded to his guests, an approving look all he allowed at the presents. The guests were showing proper manners, and while personally Akio did not like the idea of exchanging gifts for political platitudes he understood well the significance. An aide silently approached, bowed deeply to the guests, and removed the gift. The Emperor naturally could not take it himself until it was properly tested for poisons and traps.

When the present had been removed, Akio stood gesturing with his fan. "Your generosity is most appreciated gentlemen. Rise, and we shall retire elsewhere to discuss matters in a more private setting."

Moving from the throne, the four visible Imperial Guards, plus a fifth who had appeared from someplace, flanked the Emperor. It was tedious being followed at all times, but all rulers had protection close at hand lest they have short reigns. The path they took lead through a small maze, and into a separate building through a conjoining hallway.

This particular building was the Emperor's house as it were. The room he brought them to was small, when compared to others. It had Atrisian art displayed, but not an overwhelming amount. On the far wall two sliding paper doors were opened to display a small sealed garden designed for relaxation and contemplation. The center of the room contained a simple low set, but undoubtedly expensive, table of ancient design. Like much of the Palace, it had been there well before Akio's rise to the throne.

Around the table were a number of pillows. There were only four, but the table was large enough that as many as twenty could easily be placed with room to spare. Moving to the head of the table, Akio folded his legs underneath his body and sat on the table. "Please, sit. A small meal shall be brought soon, after witch we can discuss important matters of state."

It was improper to discuss such things during a meal after all. Silently the Emperor waited for the guests to sit, interested in if they would attempt to mimic his posture. It was a beginners mistake, for without without training the body few could sit in the position for long. Even after having suffered it all his life given his noble roots, there was still a slight discomfort in his legs. Perhaps he had fallen out of practice while serving in the Navy.

@[member="Lucien Cordel"] @[member="Sargon Vynea"] @[member="firefighter47"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien rose as soon as he was given leave to do so, He hated being on the floor.He watched as the emperor stepped down from the throne and moved through doors at the side once the emperor was through the doors Lucien followed the maze like passage was far from his liking and he was glad to be able to follow after the emperor's gaurd. The room they were shown to was considerably smaller, Lucien looked out at the garden and the art on the walls they were tasteful but Lucien wouldn't chose them.

The emperor gave them leave to sit. The emperor had taken up a ... unique posture and Lucien had no desire to copy him.He instead sat cross legged,The experience reminded him very much of nursery.Lucien wondered why everything had to be so unique here, Of course his face betrayed nothing but gratitude.He awaited his apprentice to sit next to him. Speaking into his mind he said "Do as I do, and watch your words" He placed his hands on his knees and waited.

 

[Rexus Drath]

"What do you mean another five minutes!!" Rexus shouted at the chef's preparing the emperor and his esteemed guest's meals. "IF I WANTED IT IN FIVE MINUTES IT WOULD OF BEEN ORDERED NOW!" hopefully his voice couldn't be heard from the kitchen. Rex wasn't much of a cook he was an inquisitor, well not a very good inquisitor but he still got results when it came down to it, he was there for his lord's protection not that he needed it the emperor was a strong man and had his legions ready at a moments notice. Though rex didn't much like the sith being a former sith knight hundreds of years in the past, but even though he had distaste for them this was an important meeting and everything had to be perfect. "Ok when the emperor gives the signal or whatever just take the chow in and serve it to the savages and his grace." calling the cuisine chow was a insult in itself this was the finest food that money could buy and it was a masterpiece in itself. "Just make sure what's hot stays hot and what's cold stays cold." Rexus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before feeling his chest for all the scars his former sith master had left him. "Bloody savages."

 

[Charles Leigh Wood]

Firefighter heard his masters thought and nodded his head then he sat down cross legged beside his master while looking at he art work he could sense an old sith knight close by, but didn't pay it any attention till he heard the guy yelling at the cooks and he couldn't help but chuckle a little bit being glad that he didn't have his job.

@[member="Rexus Drath"]
@[member="Lucien Cordel"]
@[member="Akio Kahoshi"]
@[member="Sargon Vynea"]

 

[Sargon Vynea]

Sargon followed the Emperor in silence as he observed his surroundings. This was a place mired in traditional values, and in Sargon's eyes it would always be a problem for galactic politics. It wasn't the simple matter of its culture being lifted up, but the fact that it exuded that everything else was simply wrong. This would lead to easy errors in meetings, and a possible source of oppression should they ever grow to consume more territory. However view points changed as Empires grew, and he couldn't count himself as too familiar with the mind behind the Atrisian Empire, or its numerous secrets.

Sargon was however here with some rather definite plans, and possibilities, and all of these would require some mutual respect. The growth of relations between the two powers would require a great many things, but they all started with a simple meeting. As such Sargon smiled politely as he sat on the cushion his legs crossed. Different ways for different people, and there was no sense trying to emulate one another when the difference was already so apparent. Opening himself to the force Sargon emptied his emotions, and nodded to the Emperor. "Of course, Your Imperial Highness, I'd hoped to try some of your teas, I've heard many good things about them."

@firefighter47@Rexus Drath@[member="Lucien Cordel"]@[member="Akio Kahoshi"]

 

[Akio Kahoshi]

They had chosen the safe, and smart, route in their seating. Akio approved of this, but did not show such. To often people attempted to carry favor by trying to imitate the Atrisian ways, but when it was done incorrectly it simply looked foolish. Better for a foreign dignitary to be confident in their own culture that pretend they find the other's superior.

"I have yet to encounter a planet with better tea, but we have had millenia to perfect them. It should be out shortly- ah, here it is now!"

As he spoke, a young woman slide the door open slightly a tray sitting on the ground in front of her. When Akio indicated permission for her ot enter she used the fingers of both hands to gently slide the door open fully. Picking up the tray she stepped inside, placing the tray down again on the table. From it she removed four identical cups with jade inlays and placed one in front of each of the seated men. Then she used a spoon to scoop a small amount of the Emperor's favorite tea blend into each cup. Finally the woman picked up a tea pot and poured in steaming hot water into each cup starting with the guests first in order of their perceived rank: Sargon, Lucien, and Lucien's apprentice.

Following her initial movements in reverse, the woman left and slide the door closed behind her leaving the pot of water and tea leaves behind. Normally in such a situation a proper tea ceremony would be held, but as not even most Atrisians knew how to conduct the ceremony properly Akio had decided against it. Picking up the handle-less cup carefully with both hands, he breathed in the aromatic steam. "Come, tell me what you think. This is a blend my steward discovered shortly after I was promoted to Captain. That was many years ago, but I have yet to lose my taste for it."

@[member="Rexus Drath"] @[member="Lucien Cordel"] @[member="Sargon Vynea"] @[member="firefighter47"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien watched as the servant entered poured the tea he nodded and thanked her as she poured his cup. He was a little taken aback by the fact that the cup had no handle. However his years of training in etiquette prevented his true feelings being shown. He followed Akio's lead gripping the jade cup in both of his hands and lifted the cup up almost mimicking the emperor.The tea's aroma was quite refreshing He nodded "This tea is certainly something your majesty your steward is certainly gifted " he spoke politely, The tea was certainly nice but he did prefer his own. He replaced his cup on the table and awaited sargon. Despite Lucien being ,in his opinion, more senior Sargon was in charge on this mission and Lucien would rather leave control in his hands.