The Autumn Leaf

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Sault Ste. Marie, Marquette

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The cold October rain slammed against the glass of the Royal Administrative Complex, one of the tallest buildings in Marquette's largest and bustling city. With the bustle of it's ten million residents, one can easy lose themselves in the lights and muffled sounds coming from the street 33 stories below.

This evening meeting was unique but Chancellor Rouve far preferred them from his monotonous day to day schedule. With the election issues still to be tackled, a parliament non existent, and an eager public, this visit from Ascalon was welcome. The Chancellor still was unsure what expect from the guest, but with Marquette on the fast track of new developments and regional leadership, it was time the old Empire stepped up its game.

 

[Sheridan]

The receptionist on the first floor had directed Minister of Finance Damien Boada to the 33rd floor to meet with Chancellor. Damien Boada was one of the Ascaloni Jews, who were mainly clustered in the states of Latium and Calabria. Boada was 67, and had liver spots all across his bald head. His eyes were of a deep brown, and it matched his suit.

After stepping out of the elevator and onto the 33rd floor, Boada looked around for Chancellor Rouve's office. When he found it he knocked on the door.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Rouve was alerted by the door, turning from the rain beaten window. The October rains off of the mountains which dominate a majority of Marquette's border with Belmont would soon bring cold snows. Rouve took a last glance before crossing the large conference room. The 65 floor building was one of the city's favorites in terms of appearance according to a poll. Packed with government offices, charities, and even a few foreign consulate offices, the building was affectionately nicknamed the Red Tape Tower.

"Welcome Minister" said Rouve extending his hand, giving a firm yet confident handshake. Rouve extended his arm to show the way to the Breotonian oak table. Rouve sat, unbuttoning his jacket. An aid slipped a few files and a legal pad in front of the Chancellor, leaning in to whisper something but the Chancellor swatted at the air a bit to encourage the lackey to scamper out of the room.

"Now, what can we do for you Minister?" said the Chancellor, not one to beat around the bush.

 

[Sheridan]

Boada took a seat and Rouve did the same.

"Well I was hoping that we could discuss oil Mr. Rouve." Boada exclaimed, sensing that Rouve to was a straightforward kind of guy. "Ascalon wants wishes to make a deal that would ensure that it is as big an oil exporter to Marquette as the Talemantine Empire."

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

Rouve's eyes widened but returned to their normal calm selves quickly. Rouve quickly and silently wrote down a few notes. The silence was enough to hear the rain continue to hit the glass. He let his lands rest on his stomach, interlocking his fingers as he leaned back.

"Minister, while I cannot make any promises, I must first tell you that we cannot force companies to import Ascaloni oil. I feel as if there is something I can do to push the issue and use my influence. I cannot make an promises, as I said, but I feel if we are given favorable terms, we can see a change start to occur as soon as next June. What did you have in mind?"

 

[Sheridan]

"Well in exchange for you doing this for Ascalon, I am willing to listen to what you want in return."

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

"This is a process Minister. First I will need to talk to my people. Second, we would have to make the companies fall in line. I cannot promise anything but I know that you understand this. What do we want? We want your government to aid Umbazi's development, and by doing so, extend to us the credit for doing so. It makes Marquette look good to be nice to the former Empire. In return we will give your nation a minor IOU" said Rouve, now sitting upright.

"I say this with all due respect and you know I am a no bullshit kind of guy. Between now and the process being completed by next year, your nation can't fuck up. We are ideologically promiscuous Minister....Communists, socialists, capitalists, fascists, its all the same to us as long as it benefits the Kingdom and our friends. We dont deal with countries that are...." Rouve paused to come up with a delicate and correct word.

"That are not fitting into the puzzle that is our vision"

 

[Sheridan]

"At this point in time Umbazi would not allow Ascalon to aid it. The Umbazi do not trust us, and we do not trust them. We understand the difficulties in this process, and understand how easily things can go wrong. However, we cannot aid Umbazi." Mr. Boada said. Hoping that Rouve had something else that Ascalon could do in return for the cooperation of the Marquette government in oil deals with other companies.

 

[Holy Frankish Empire]

"Well that is something you can let us worry about. They will take a little funding for infrastructure, we take credit, they get to say that though we arranged it, they provided it to their people. Everybody wins minister, just trust us on this. Now, I will do my best to keep you updated over the next few weeks and let you know where we are with certain companies" said Rouve jotting a few items down on his notepad.

 

[Sheridan]

"Alright. I will head back to Ascalon and inform our Prime Minister who will then inform Parliament. The aid will be given in the name of Marquette. I look forward to some good news."