A Friulian in Villesen

[Serenierre]

Elisabeth Martinique had not been averse to the idea of entertaining the Prime Minister of @Friuli in Villesen. The small country was an important Gallian presence and was doubly important for Serenierre strategically, providing the main land connection between the two wings of the country.

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[/div]The strategic importance of a friendly and cooperative Friuli was quite plain to see. So, of course, when a request for a meeting was received, Villesen had offered an invitation. In Villesen, the Prime Minister of Friuli was hosted by President Maximilien Hortefeux at the Chateau de Ferrière and accomodated in the grand apartments that had once belonged to Princess Matilde — the eldest sister of the last king of Serenierre.

The President, knowing his role, had entertained the Friulian delegation by hosting a grand ball and an opera in honour of the visit. At some level, it gave Sereniens a sense of national pride that they could dazzle their guests with their hospitality. Perhaps, one could say, despite the revolution, the class and elegance of the Serenien nobility lived on in the practices of Serazinist statecraft.

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[/div]The official meeting between the two leaders, however, took place on Elisabeth's turf. The Fortress of Villesen was vastly different from the picturesque baroque edifice of the old royal chateau. The fortress had been the main royal residence in the middle ages and was still very much an intimidating structure. Since the Revolution of 1927, the rulers of Serenierre had based themselves in this place, to differentiate themselves from the elegant and refined monarchs the revolution had displaced.

However, Elisabeth often found that rather silly considering from the inside, the fortress was a modern and equally as grand building.

"Bonjour," she smiled, "I welcome you to Villesen, Monsieur Premier." She led the Friulian head of government to her office.

 

[Furlanìe]

Serenierre, usually called Serenêre "dark night" by Friulians, always had a positive but unstable relationship with Friuli, the military might of that northern neighbour was feared, but the historic cultural and economic exchanges, dating back as far as one could remember, counterbalanced the fear most of the times, assuring a peaceful coexistence.

After the recent war, the "liberation" of part of Occitania was prised by the Friulian public as a first step towards the end of Catharism, but now, being virtually surrounded by the revolutionary giant, the leaders in Udin knew it was time to put the centuries of cooperation on paper, and achieve a formal friendly relationship to assure the security and stability of their lands.

"Mandi, al e un plasè podè incuintràle siòre Martinìc" Said Jusèp Bardassin, reaching for the woman's hand while the translator was speaking
"Greetings, it's a pleasure to meet you madam Martinique"

 

[Serenierre]

After the initial pleasantries, Elisabeth was rather keen to get the discussion moving along towards the discussions she had planned. As the butler wheeled in the trolley with tea and an assortment of sandwiches and other Serenien collations for the two leaders, she began speaking. "Monsieur Bardassin, as you are well aware, the highway which connects the Serenien mainland to the Peninsular provinces is a vital link for us and has been a very important point of interaction between Friuli and Serenierre over the past very many years. Given its importance, I would like to see the motorway be expanded on to enhance the capacity of the highway and to add heavy rail links as well."

The butler poured both leaders a cup of tea and handed the delicate cups to each of them. Bardassin was served first.

"Obviously, I believe that it would be unfair for Friuli to bear the burden of this matter itself and I am of the view that Serenierre should finance this expansion. The actual projects on the ground would have to be handled by a partnership between Friulian and Serenien firms given the complexity of the whole project. But I can imagine that having such a heavy thoroughfare in northern Friuli has benefited the local economy as well, since I know Serenien transport drivers are quite fond of Friulian taverns along the way." She smiled. "And of course, I am curious to hear your opinion on the role of trade in expanding the economic vitality of the southern Gallian region. As you know, it has been a difficult time, given the strange antics of the Occitanian Kingdom last year which, sadly, saw Serenierre being forced to take action."

 

[Furlanìe]

Jusèp took a sip of tea "o sai il parčè di che uère, e o sòi sigûr ca je a sâ cal Friûl capîs e al supuàrte lis aziòns çapàdis dal so guviêr, in dut câs, ančhe donģhe cal nestri cûr al è cun uàtris, le insigurèče ca je nasùde da chel ingerdèi, e a judât a fermà une vôre le economìe, parìe cun lis minačis dal Daspò-Delegazionìsm; ca vu nus volèis judà, cumò, al è bentròp preseât, e ançe dume propònilu ai fâs onôr.
Le stradâl Ardèçe-Vilemàrnie e a siguramèntri bisùgne di une espansiòn, dilung de fièste nazionâl in Aurarìe mi è displasût savè des còdis e dai intradamèns, o vês le ģestre disponibilitât par chel progèt, fintànt ca passe simpri a travèis di San Zôrç e Circivènt; ma o ai di meti il çhâf tal mûr par le so propòste di une feràde, amàncul par cumò, nol sarès in tal nestri interès"
"I know the reasons behind that war, and I'm sure you already know that Friuli understands and supports the actions taken by your government, in any case, even though our hearts are with you, the insecurity born out of that nuisance, has been a severe hindrance for our economy, together with the Post-Delegationist threats; that you are now willing to help us, is really appreciated, and even just proposing that does you credit.
The Aredeche-Villemarne highway surely needs an expansion, during the national holiday in Auraria, I was sorry to hear about the queues and slowdowns, you have our support for that project, as long as it will still go through San Zòrç and Circivènt; But I must be stubborn and decline the proposition of a railway, at least for now, it wouldn't be in our interest"

 

[Serenierre]

"Your suggestion about the highway is satisfactory and I understand the economic issues you may have for the commercial railway link's expansion. As a compromise, I think I can drop the railway if your government can agree to reduce the toll charges from Serenien drivers. As you know, if they have more money in their pocket, more of your taverns and shops would get Serenien custom. However, I must say that the railway link is something I am hoping that a special access agreement could be granted to expand the ability of Serenierre to send military assets through the territory of Friuli. Obviously, Serenierre would offer extensive financial grants to Friuli to ensure that the burden is fairly compensated. What do you think?"

 

[Furlanìe]

"O ularês disi di sì, ma al podarès jessi difìcil fa passâ lis sôs propuèstis in te Assemblê, specialmèntri fa pasâ armamènts" he paused and fixed his glasses
"I'd like to say yes, but it could be hard to make your proposals go through the Assembly of the Republic, especially letting military assets go through Friulian territory"

"Sa, siòre, al podarès funšionà se o fos bon di fai viôdi le mape, e fai capî le impuartanče di chiste colaborašiòn... o biacemài distràju, magari cun qualchi bièle nuvièle, par esèmpli qualchi concesiòn economiche in te Citanîe dal Bonât cal favurìsi lis esportašiôns Furlànis, o sòi sigûr ca se rivàsi a un qualchi acuàrdi ançe cun lôr e fa votà dut in un colp, une vore di int a votarès a favôr par fa contènš i sòi eletôrs... peçât ca Ûdin nol â un bon rapuârt cun le Citanîe, a ularès quàlchi intermediàri"
"You know, ma'am, it could work if I were to be able to make them see the broader picture, making them understand the importance of this collaboration... or at least distract them, maybe with a good news, like an economic concession from West Occitania that could favour Friulian exports, I'm sure that if I was able to sign an agreement with them too and vote for both together, a lot of people would vote in favour to make their electors happy... it's such a pity that Udin has a bad relationship with Occitania, we'd need some sort of intercessor"

 

[Serenierre]

"I would be much obliged if the strategic importance of such a rail link could be understood. If it would put Friulian minds at rest, I am more than willing to engage in a non-aggression pact with Udin. So as to calm minds in the Assembly."

"Of course, I think Western Occitania can stand to gain from exporting its goods to your country, although I doubt the economy of the west is in a state to import much. As you know, the entire protectorate is running on Serenien money and its own exchequer is barely existent at present."

"However, speaking of Occitania, I believe you are aware of the Cathar troublemakers in the Barimagne," she leaned in and looked at the Prime Minister intently. She wondered if he knew that she knew what the Friulians had done.

 

[Furlanìe]

He looked surprised by the answer from his interlocutor "Dunçe al us impuàrte di chei là... al somê che le comunitât internazionâl e a no capît la vuestre posišiòn pal cont de Citanîe dal Bonât. no, no vin voe di impuartà robe Citanê, se sbasà lis tarìfis pe nestre marcjanzìe no l'è pusìbil, o podìn lasà sta le questiòn" he took a sip of tea
"So you do care about them... it seems the international community hasn't understood correctly your position on West Occitania. no, we don't want to import anything from Occitania, if lowering the tariffs for our goods is not possible, we can put that topic aside"

"Rivuàrt le so propòste di un pat di no beliģerànše, o sarès une vore contènt di podè puartà a çase un tâl sucès; e sarès disponibil a promòvi ançe quàlchi inquìntri tra lis sôs majôrs compagnîs e lis gnèstris? le economîe dal Nord e je principalmèntri basade su le agricultùre, ma, jesìnt framieç le Serenêre e lis popolòsis provinčìs Furlanis dal Jevât, a podarès diventà il gnûf cûr industriâl dal Friûl e une buìne oportunitât di investimènt par uàtris"
"Regarding your proposal for a non-aggression pact , I would be really happy to be able to bring back home such a success; would you be willing to promote some meetings between your main companies and ours? the economy in the north is primarily agriculture-based, but, being located between Serenêre and the densely populated eastern Friulian provinces, it could become the new industrial heart of Friuli and a good investment opportunity for you"

"I eresiàstics su pe Barimàgne a son un fastìdi ca o ven bisugne di eliminà, i nestris ģenerâls a uèlin invàdi lis arîs occupàdis, loģic ca no procedarìn čenče une intèse cun uàtris o cun le Citanîe liberàde, ma o speri ca o vedis un plan, no si pòs lasaju libars par simpri" Jusèp said, with a darkened face
"The heretics on the Barimàgne are a problem we need to eliminate, our generals want to invade the occupied areas, of course we won't proceed without an agreement with you or the freed Occitania, but I hope you have a plan, we can't let them be forever"

 

[Serenierre]

She smiled, "Of course Serenierre cares. That is why we liberated so many millions from the corrupt hold of the feudal system. The Basic Law we have drafted for them is significantly better. Although, of course, we have had to let the feudal system of dukes and barons remain to offer some continuity, despite scaling back their land holdings. But Mr. Prime Minister I think I can agree for greater cooperation between our companies."

"Yes, the situation with the Barimagne insurgency. Obviously, I cannot allow any violation of territory that is under the protection of Serenierre. The Protectorate of Occitania is a sovereign nation state as understood by the Treaty of Camp Hill. But I am happy to hear what plans have been developed by the Friulian defense establishment to tackle the insurgency."

 

[Furlanìe]

"Ben, brigadîr ģenerâl Cjantòn al pense ca le divisiòn San Gjâl a sarès buìne di çapà il territòri occupât cun l'aiût de Folc e qualchi aviòn; ma Cjantòn al pense ançe ca une volte çapât no varèsin di ridàlu a le Citanîe, al dîs ca controlà che zone a sarès masse impuartànt pe difèse da le provìnce di Tariòn-Marije. Il minìstri de difese al disconsê di tacâ di besòi, e al ularès lavorà intune cun le Serenêre e le Citanîe. Il gno guvièr al è supuartât dai Benandàns, ca no viòdin di bon voli un atac di nisun ģènar, ma no podìn st fêrs a çalà. Qual isal le vuestre posišiòn?"
"Well, brigadier general Cjantòn thinks that the 'San Gjâl' division would be capable of taking the occupied territory with the help of 'Folc' and a few airplanes; but Cjanton also thinks that once we take that are we shouldn't give it back to Occitania, he says it's too important for the defence of the Tariòn-Marije province. The minister of defence advises against an unilateral move, and would like a joined effort with Serenêre and W.Occitania. My government is supported by the Benandàns party, which doesn't support an attack of any kind, but we need to do something. What is your position?"