Scratching of Backs (ATTN: Helia)

[Congress Aresura]

Hall of Diplomats, Palace of Doges​

Most Serene Crowned Republic of Oltremare ~ Italio-Sarmatian Region​

14:45 Local Time​

Giuseppe Emmanuel, Chancellor to His Most Serene Excellency the Doge of Oltremare, and his official representative in this room while said Doge was out in the Oltremaren countryside playing along with quaint Aresurai nomadic traditions, took a long drag from the cigar he was holding, and let it out slowly, allowing a miniature cloud of exhaled smoke temporarily obscure his face from the people sitting on the other side of the table across from him.

It was a petty, even vain gesture of confidence, and a little arrogance, as Giuseppe was convinced that the Oltremaren were a far more cultured, and thus superior, peoples compared to the "barbaric" and "warmongering" Helians seated at the same table as he. "Still, even barbarians have their uses in todays politics." the Chancellor thought to himself as he smiled, though outwardly it seemed for a different reason, perhaps enthusiasm for his guests.

"Gentlemen," he began towards the Helians, feeling he was using the loosest possible interpretation of the word to accurately include them. "Welcome to Oltremare. Allow me to thank you once more for your assistance in dealing with our... infestation of extremist Catholics. I trust you are taking good care of them." The smile turned more predatory at this statement. "Let us get down to business though. Tensions are rising in Europe, and it is my opinion, and the opinion of the Grand Marshal to His Most Serene Excellency, that war is too close to becoming a reality to ignore much longer. We feel, therefore, that now would be a good time to expand and act upon the agreement we reached earlier during the Catholic Purge. What say you to this, gentlemen?"

 

[Cúlanor]

Troilus Novikis was seated opposite the Oltremaren representatives. He was a Heliate, one of the Helian aristocracy which was made painfully clear by his apparel. He wore a military-style tunic, the golden buttons lining down his chest and the various awards detailing his military service gleamed brightly against the dull, grey background of his outfit. Another, similarly dressed delegate sat to the right of him.

The delegate thought for a moment. Even though the decision had already been made by the Archon himself, he had been taught in the Academy to evaluate all decisions and it wasn't easy to forget something from the Academy.

"This is acceptable, the Archon has decreed it in our mutual interest to expand and act upon past agreements. Including" Troilus emphasized, "Oltremares agreement." he said, gesturing to the air. They all knew to what Troilus was referring to.

Troilus maintained an indifferent tone, although he could not help but notice the similarities and differences in this one man alone compared to most others he had met. The Oltremarens were so similar and yet, so different. Perhaps it is only because Oltremare is the first country a Helian has entered for over half a century. Perhaps...