World Permanent Conference (WPC) [ATTN: All]

[Rheinbund]

The WPC was a good initiative, but it never really started. That was one of the reasons why Eiffelland-Retalia had decided to withdraw Dr. Schmelzer and put him on a more relevant position. The other reason was a general discomfort with the way the DDI presented itself on the international stage as the pinnacle of democracy while advocating a system that most Eiffelloretalians considered tyranny-by-majority rather than democracy.

The 33 year old diplomat Raimund Bain was Dr. Schmelzer's replacement. He originated from the high mountains in Northern Eiffelland, so he was used to the cold. But it was different in Pohjanmaa. Even during Winter, the light was so much brighter in Eiffelland-Retalia. Here in Pohjanmaa, the day was not a day but a permanent twilight. Bain thought that that could be a reason why the Sylvanians and Pohjanmaans conducted so many freedom-of-the-seas missions—at least during such missions those Northerners could enjoy some real light. Sometimes he compared those missions with the raids by the vikings. But those thoughts were never phrased. From the outside, Bain seemed to enjoy his job at the WPC and his stay in Pohjanmaa. Even when there was hardly anything to do given the WPC's lack of relevance.

In Eiffelland-Retalia, there was a smoking ban in all bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres. Therefore, Bain was not used to it any more that his clothes always smelled as if he had travelled to hell and back after having gone out. He himself didn't smoke, but he did drink. He was sitting in the Showroom with, also, a gin-tonic.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

Jukka Kiviranta was a large man as if he were a bodybuilder. He wore a tight suit as if he tried to show off his stature. His long blonde hair tied into a bun and his long beard gave him an intimidating appearance. He was a gentle giant though. Mindful of his size and strength he felt always at risk that he might hurt someone. He did take his job seriously. His bosses wanted him to raise the stature of the WPC, but they struggled to do so. He wasn’t sure why. Perhaps simply because no debate occurred. He was ever present, but a quiet man. Maybe he needed to change this.

He walked about the showroom with a beer in his hand and waved to Mr. Bain from Eiffelland. He never understood Eiffellanders. He felt them to be a people with more bark than bite. They were always friendly to him, but far too testy and defensive. He just wanted to engage in a friendship with them but it was hard because of the company they kept. Normally he wouldn’t wave, he found it too outward but he was trying to be a friendly diplomat for Pohjanmaa.

It was at this same moment that a woman beckoned him over. Never to be rude he nodded and came over. “What can I do for a beautiful lady such as yourself?” — She got straight to business which surprised him. She wanted to create a global bank it seemed. Helping developing countries... he continued to nod. When she stopped and paused finally to give him a chance to really articulate himself he was a bit overwhelmed. It wasn’t sure if it was the words of her cigarettes.

“He opened a tin he pull from his jacket pocket. Snus? You put it under your lip.” He demonstrated as he hoped maybe she’d pick up the Scanian alternative to cigarettes. He continued talking to then address her idea.

“Yes of course, this sounds like a wonderful idea. So you are wanting to build it as an attachment to the WPC? Have it sponsored by us all? I like this idea because it could give us a renewed sense of purpose here. We came to make peace here and honestly the world has been at peace since. It’s a bit boring, so maybe instead we can expand our horizons... what do you plan to do?”

Jukka kept looking the Eiffellander diplomat as if he was try to beckon him over. If the Eiffellanders also agreed they might actually have the ability to create something bigger than themselves and they’d all look better for it.

 

[Vrijpoort]

Elenor dabbed out her cigarette and ordered a Gunnish scotch. Time to get serious. She coughed a loud smoker's cough and finished a glass of water the barkeeper had brought over for her. She loved it when the bar staff knew what she needed before she knew it herself.

'My dear boy, precisely so! But this bank would be headquartered in Vrijpoort, of course. We have the expertise, we have the bankers, we have the global airport, we can easily get financiers together as well as government officials.'

She was itching for another cigarette but reluctantly decided against it. Instead she whistled over at Raimund, 'Oi, du da drüben! Komm mal her, Junge!'

She whispered more to herself than to Jukka, 'May as well get all the gents around me if I can.'

As Raimund walked over Elenor continued, 'You see, gents, Vrijpoort is also more or less neutral ground. Countries that are not yet members of the WPC could perhaps be eligible to both contribute to funding this global bank as well as receiving grants and loans from it. In this way we keep things open to maximise the potential of the bank, while using it as an advertisement tool to attract countries to join, at least as observers at first, to the WPC.'

Elenor, happy with what she considered her brilliant idea, reached for another cigarette from her silver cigarette case on the bar and the young handsome barkeep, who she always called Mr Dashing, was already on his way over with the matches, when she suddenly remembers Raimund's distaste for the smoke.

'You're such a darling, Mr Dashing, but just get me another one of these babies instead.' She tapped the rim of her empty scotch tumbler and gave the barkeep a lust-filled smile before turning back to Jukka and Raimund, eagerly awaiting to hear what they thought.

 

[Imimoya]

OOC: I used the wrong account (the request is still valid)

The Republic of Mompracem,​ through his ministry of foreign affairs, officially requests to become member of the World Permanent Conference. Mompracem recognizes the importance of diplomacy and promotes peace through dialogue and mediation. We hope to be able to promote the objectives, in the capabilities of our forces, if our request for membership is accepted.​ Foreign Minister: Aru Saunier​

Rèpublique de Mumpracem​ You must be registered for see images Ministère des affaires étrangères Communication publique​

 

[Saxe-Friesken and Polaben]

The Dual Monarchy officially applies for entrance to the WPC.

 

[Oneida]

“I do hope you’ll pardon my intrusion,” Rodrigo stated as he approached the three gathered representatives, a big grin on his face. “Ah you must be Jukka Kiviranta.”

Standing next to him, the two men could not be more surreal of a dichotomy, he may have matched him in height - but nothing else. Rodrigo had a habit of sticking out from the crowd, this was no different. He was wearing a red, velvet suit with a black trim that seemed more appropriate at a high-class social gathering than the World Permanent Conference. It was tight fitting, showing how slender the man was. He had a black undershirt and a white tie that was distracting, to say the least. It provided a stark contrast to his olive skin and dark, slicked back hair which highlighted his green eyes. On his left ear was a gold leverback earring with an emerald gem stone. His face was clear of any blemish and it was apparent he was wearing make-up to highlight features that weren’t really there.

“Rodrigo Ferreiro,” he let out a small curtesy bow “Representative to the World Permanent Conference from the serene Republic of Auraria. I must say, it is a miracle and a triumph of human civilization that the Pohjanmaans were able to tame such a brutishly cold wilderness. The air outside hurts my face. If I paid any mind to religious entities, I would say they surely had a scorn for the Pohjanmaans…. uh, of course I jest.”

“Ah, and you are Elenor Lindström, my condolences to the recent tragedy that struck Nedernesië. Rest assured, the Republic stands by you,” he then turned his attention to the Eiffellander “And you must be Raimund Bain, the kid of the group.”

Rodrigo laughed at his joke, knowing full well he hardly had many more years on him.

“If I may, it would be a pleasure for me to buy you all the drinks you currently have,” Rodrigo extended his arm “In Auraria, the most beautiful of friendships and memorable of stories always start over a drink. Ironic as it may be, considering that the stores worth remembering, if you’ve done them right, you cannot possibly recall the next morning.”

Rodrigo twirled the wine that Mr. Dashing had got him in order to aerate it, sniffed it, and then took his first sip.

“So, a world bank?”

 

[Rheinbund]

With his 1.84 meters, Raimund Bain had the average height of an Eiffelloretalian man between 30 and 40. His hair was dark blonde and short, and he wore a three-day beard.
The Eiffelloretalian corps diplomatique had a quite stringent dress code. For men: Dark blue or anthracite grey suits (not too dark but definitely not too light, either), white, light yellow, light purple or light blue shirts, dark red, dark purple or dark blue ties, and black shoes. For women: Depending on the country, trouser suits or skirt suits in the same colours as for men, high-closing shirts in the same colours as for men, strictly no decolletés.
There was one exception to the dress code. It was tradition among the students and alumni from the Technische Universität Lensburg to wear brown shoes under their suits, even under tailcoats, tuxedos and dress suits. It was THE way to spot alumni from the Technische Universität Lensburg: Check for brown shoes when the dresscode or the unwritten rules prescribe black shoes.
Today Bain wore a dark blue suit with a light yellow shirt and dark red and dark blue striped tie. And he wore black shoes.

Untypically Eiffellandian, he had an alcohol resistance that matched the average outside Eiffelland-Retalia, when Kadikistan was left out of the equation. So he accepted the second gin-tonic from Ferreiro. "Thank you Mr. Ferreiro," he said with a smile. "Indeed, I am Raimund Bain."

Then he turned to Elenor Lindström. "Also my condolences, Mrs. Lindström. The ODS stands behind your country in this dire situation, and we will offer all the assistance your country needs. But you wanted to discuss a development bank. I am in favour of that idea."

Bain did value Jukka Kiviranta as the mild man he was. He was also keen on keeping the relations with Pohjanmaa good. On the other hand, he realised very well that Eiffelland-Retalia was a Claret Sea country that could not allow itself to follow a course that deviated too much from the other Claret Sea countries. Pohjanmaa could make itself so much easier if it would conduct its freedom of the seas missions in a far less confronting way. But that was something Bain would never say in Pohjanmaa.

OOC: That brown shoes thing is actually a tradition of the student fraternity Phoenix in Delft, The Netherlands.

 

[Jydsken-Østveg]

“Rodrigo! You don’t know a real Pohjanmaan life without a good sauna in the minus temperatures my friend!” Jukka liked Aurarians personally. They had a vigor for life. Their governments rarely seemed to get along, but the people were nice. They didn’t really enjoy the cold as Rodrigo himself said and perhaps if they did they’d see eye to eye better. Well... other than the cold exterior that Pohjanmaans maintained. He figured it made Pohjanmaans untrustworthy to the Aurarians.

The discussion seemed to have stalled a bit, but he wanted to make sure that the Nedernesian idea got proper discussion among the diplomats.

In the meantime he struck up further conversation. “So Rodrigo, how are you enjoying life here? I have always thought our peoples should get along better and maybe your life here can help us. What do you think about this Eleanor and Raimund? Do you think living here has helped you understand us?”

 

[Vrijpoort]

Elenor, perhaps having had one too many scotches, downed the last bit left in her tumbler and clumsily stood up from the barstool. She grabbed onto Rodrigo's shoulder for support.

'Well someone has time for the gym, I can feel!' she winked at the Aurarian and gave his arm another playful squeeze before steadying herself.

'Gents, it's been a pleasure but I am off to my office to find some assistants to help me draft a statement for the Auditorium. That is unless any of you have any further ideas or commentary for me? I could always stick around for another drink or two...'

She lingered for a moment and waited for any of them to speak up, hoping that they would offer more words to give her the encouragement she needed to know if this Global Bank idea was worth publicly proposing.

 

[Rheinbund]

"The Global Bank is absolutely a good idea to work on, Mrs. Lindström," Bain said. "Is it an idea that we make thoughts about this topic in the coming days, and that we all four meet during a lunch to discuss this out further?"

Bain noticed that Mrs. Lindström had drunk a little bit more alcohol than she could sustain, and in such a state he considered it better to wait with developing plans for an international institution.