Tea and the Americas

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Altough she had arrived only a couple days ago, Kisakinomiya Chifuyu had to spend those days not only with establishing herself in her new workplace, but also she had to prepare for a meeting with Secretary of State McNutt. The whole embassy was lively and busy to allow for a perfect meeting, worthy of the nation it represented.

 

The change in diplomatic staff did not come without reason. Before departing to Washington, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had clearly lined out the policy regarding the Americas, which, altough America had been a focal point of the nation's foreign policy, would receive even more attention in the years to come. Her appointment itself was a sign even. Kisakinomiya was not only some diplomat among many, she was previously part of the privy council and only had resigned from the position when receiving her new assignment abroad. Still, the personal contact to people like Konoe, Nakamichi and Date had not been lost. Partly, the Kisakinomiya lineage itself, formerly part of the Kazoku and claiming descent from the Fujiwara through family ties to the Kujō, as well as the Kisakinomiya's wealth made Chifuyu one of the more important members of the Renpō, though her more reserved and gentle nature meant that she would keep in the background.

 

Once all preperations were finished, the embassy would only await McNutt, who was expected to arrive soon. Two employees were sent out to the front door, to await the arrival of the Secretary of State.

 

OOC: Closed.

[MostGloriousLeader]

Secretary of State McNutt would arrive at the embassy in a small convoy considering he was just traveling in town. 

[Evangeline Anovilis]

The two employees would guide McNutt into the building and to Ambassador Kisakinomiya. Chifuyu was maybe not as much in the spotlight as other members of Dai-Tōhoku's upper social echelons, but still, she was already visibly special. Altough surely young, her long hair had no colour, being simply white, together with her pale complexion and mostly slow gentle movements giving off the image of a person of questionable health. Still, she smiled and stood up when McNutt entered the room. "Good Day, Mister McNutt. Please take a seat."

 

The room was not too extravagant, but still of a quality befitting an embassy. A hand-crafted wooden table, surrounded by three comfortable beige chairs. The floor and boiseries out of wood gave the room a bit of a nobility, though it seemed not uncomfortable, with a large carpet covering the floor underneath the table and chairs and large windows illminating the room with daylight.

[MostGloriousLeader]

"Hello Ambassador Kisakinomiya" said McNutt as he shook her hand and sat down.  "What can the American Commonwealth do for you today?".he asked.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Kisakinomiya would point to two cups in front of them. "Tea? I can offer green tea from Japan, but I also would have quality Darjeeling."

[MostGloriousLeader]

"Either one is fine with me.  I'm not too picky when it comes to these things".

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Kisakinomiya nodded, as she gave a wink to one of the employees, who immediatly went to fetch two traditional Japanese cups filled with green tea, which he would present the two. Once she had taken a nip from her cup, Kisakinomiya would answer the question of the Secretary of State. "As you most likely know, the Imperial forces are currently engaged in an effort to bring stability to South America. It is saddening that such brute force was necessary to reform the continent, but at least, we are making progress. I would say it is a matter of time until the Republica surrenders or perishes."

 

The ambassador would take another nip, her demeanor calm and a friendly smile on her lips. "We do not enjoy the use of force, but it goes without saying that the security of the Empire and the stability along the Pacific coastline will always be our main priorities. Any instability could spiral out of control and could pose an issue to our national security if left unattended. And it is thus only logical that South America, which had become a host for rogue states and nuclear proliferation, would have to either solve these matters on their own, or, in case of failure to do so, be purged by the Commonwealth of Tianxia."

 

Suddenly her expression became a bit more serious and worried. "Regional arrangements are worth nothing if they are dysfunctional. A nation or bloc that allows for more trouble than it corrects certainly cannot be taken into serious as a policing force. Given we are trying to preserve the stability of the great Pacific region, we are of course making sure that it stays true to its name and can enjoy lasting peace. With all the sacrifices that come with it..."

 

Suddenly she reverted back to smiling. "I hope you understand, Mister McNutt."

[MostGloriousLeader]

"It is the opinion of my government that this current conflict in South America was unnecessary and could have been avoided if those involved had simply sat down and talked it over.  Unfortunately that didn't happen, at least not an actually meaningful effort by either party.  And so we find ourselves here.  Unlike many others who have at some point inhabited the Americas my nation has no problem with Tianxian presence.  In fact we see it as a source of stability to a fair extent as North America hasn't really been the most stable part of the world.  That being said our interests do not really lie in South America so there are no real issues on our part".

[Evangeline Anovilis]

The ambassador nodded friendly. "This is good to hear. It is our opinion that war is not the preferable way to deal with issues, however, in this case it unfortunately came to be used. It will cost many young Japanese men dearly, I fear." Kisakinomiya sighed. "We likewise see the American commonwealth as a stable partner and one of the best stewards there are for the future of North America. Since the fall of Mexico, the American Commonwealth has worked to protect the peace on this continent, with friends and alone. Dai-Tōhoku respects this."

 

Kisakinomiya's expression stayed soft as she talked, however, the friendly and positive mood made place for worries that showed, as she continued. "Mister McNutt, our country thinks highly of the American Commonwealth and sees it as a stable partner in the Pacific region. However, occurances like in Texas, but also other sudden collapses do unsettle us greatly. Our country values the ties of North America to the greater Pacific region and we value your ties to our Empire, and we would like these ties to be strengthened. The Commonwealth has achieved a period of peace and stability in North America and has shown certain diplomatic caution. While we value the neutrality and non-interference of the American Commonwealth in most matters, we would hope that at least the Commonwealth could consider tighter bonds with us, in order to tackle the challenges that are to come to the Pacific region." Kisakinomiya took a sip from her cup of tea, looking at McNutt intensely.

 

"Mister Secretary of State, the american commonwealth has an interest to keep North America stable and independent. Our country has an interest in seeing the Pacific Rim as a community of the Empire and its friends. We have no designs on your continent, as long as we are not required to intervene, as you hopefully understand. We would like to offer an alliance, in order to cement our relations and to make sure that both our interests can be accommodated. What do you say?"

[MostGloriousLeader]

"We feel likewise.  The responsibility for maintaining the peace and stability of the continent has fallen to my country and I feel its gone rather well.  Despite that it is a good idea for any nation to find other nations who share similar views and values as partners.  We would be willing to engage in a much more formal agreement with your country".

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Kisakinomiya nodded. "Then, I would suggest a defensive pact between our two nations. We are willing to respect the American Commonwealth's leading position in North America and help protect this position, as long as the American Commonwealth makes sure Imperial interests on this continent are not threatened. As a special clause, we would like to suspend the duty of defending the other, if Tianxia is involved in the attack, given the special configurations of the Empire. I hope such would be acceptable?"

[MostGloriousLeader]

"While that is a strange clause to a defense agreement I suppose I can understand your reasons for it.  Nothing I have to worry about do I?" he asked jokingly.  "But this works I suppose".

[Evangeline Anovilis]

"Merely covering eventualities. I would hope to have never see an Imperial war against North America... or against ourselves, for that matter.", Kisakinomiya replied with a gentle smile. "On another note, may I ask how the American Commonwealth sees its neighbours? Most of all, we'd be interested in the relations of the Commonwealth to Calgary, which we has economic ties with our country and is thus not unimportant to us."

[MostGloriousLeader]

"The American Commonwealth's only interest in our neighbors is to only to promote positive relations and cooperation with them.  My nation has never had any issues with its neighbors save for the PSSA which is now a part of the Commonwealth".

[Evangeline Anovilis]

"Our nation would hope that maybe at a future point of time, Calgary could be considered a part of a triple cooperation in the Northern Pacific. Of course, for such considerations, the relations between each of us is of importance. It occurred to us that the recent rise and fall of regimes in Canada might have raised concerns with your northern neighbour, but also with our own people, as it is not conductive to our economic operations in the area."

 

Kisakinomiya sighed. "One would hope something stable like the Hudson Bay Federation or Faraway would establish itself in the region. Dai-Tōhoku has considered taking a more proactive approach, but we'd hope that we can leave to the American Commonwealth to guarantee the economic freedom and security of North America."