It was a blustery day in Versoix. The wind tore down the boulevards as the motorcade weaved through the city; passing soldiers and APCs on street corners. Though, these numbers had been reduced greatly- it was hard to not notice. The overcast skies put a dimness to the returned bustle of the city. Sure, small numbers had walked off the job. Others were protesting. But the majority of Patois went about their day. The Emperor looked out the window at the pedestrians whom turned to look back. There were many emotions on display. Chiefly, an anxiety. There was no real panic anxiety. But a deeper more tearing anxiety. The future of these people was in their hands. To an extent, thought the Emperor wryly. Tomorrow, the propaganda machine would turn on. With around 27% of Patois undecided, at least 10 percent needed swaying. "The Eiffellanders will doubtless involve themselves" said a staffer, as if reading his mind. The Emperor turned. "Yes Charles, yes they will. They cannot help themselves. It is the imperialism that runs in their veins. Like ice. Except the difference between us is that Franks admit what we are" he said coolly, turning to look out the window again. "There is a victory in that. When a country denies its own character; it is dangerous. Like a therapist that does not realize they are a predator" he said, still gawking at the people on the street. The traffic was horrendous and the motorcade had stopped at many lights; despite the police escort.
"Do you think this is truly a good idea, your Majesty" said Charles, looking over the list of names. 35 mayors had been invited to Versoix. All of smaller and middling towns. Patois and Germanic. They would be handed a rather generous economic proposal in return for support of integration. There was a long pause as the Emperor breathed in deeply. "I do not know, Charles. I do not know. We will at least start building relationships. This can turn badly very fast. So far, we have the upper hand. But those Eiffellanders. They are a sneaky bunch. There is no telling what they might do. They know we have exposed them for what they are" said the Emperor, frowning. "And what is that?" asked Charles, looking up from his papers. There was another long silence. The Emperor looked down and then took another deep breath. He turned to his aid with a cocked eyebrow and a single word- "scared".
"Do you think this is truly a good idea, your Majesty" said Charles, looking over the list of names. 35 mayors had been invited to Versoix. All of smaller and middling towns. Patois and Germanic. They would be handed a rather generous economic proposal in return for support of integration. There was a long pause as the Emperor breathed in deeply. "I do not know, Charles. I do not know. We will at least start building relationships. This can turn badly very fast. So far, we have the upper hand. But those Eiffellanders. They are a sneaky bunch. There is no telling what they might do. They know we have exposed them for what they are" said the Emperor, frowning. "And what is that?" asked Charles, looking up from his papers. There was another long silence. The Emperor looked down and then took another deep breath. He turned to his aid with a cocked eyebrow and a single word- "scared".