Forging Anew the Broken Bonds

[Subtleknifewielder]

[i]To: Emperor Kevin Holihan
From: Queen Hannah Asgeirsson

Kevin,
For the longest time, Australia has been, not without reason, mistrustful of nations outside our sphere of influence. The Hansa have been betrayed and scorned by many, and the people of Promised Land were often mocked for their pacifistic beliefs.Both ghave been outright attacked at one point or another in their existence.

However, though we may have disagreed with a number of the Empire's policies in the past, the Queendom, and before her the Hansa, always looked upon the Holy Americans with a friendly eye, especially in their cooperative efforts to be pioneers of space.

Much has changed since that time. Harsh words echanged, promises broken. But, i believe, the friendship is not broken beyond repair, if we strive to do so. I therefore invite you personally visit Darwin, or if you find it more convenient, I shall come to the Empire. Either way, we need to meet face to face for this endeavor to have a chance.

HRH, Hannah Asgeirsson[/i]

[Shadowsage]

[i]
To: Queen Hannah Asgeirsson
From: Emperor Kevin Holihan

Your Highness,
Too much time has passed since I have not heard a thing from the Queendom. Perhaps it was for the best, and it allows us to start with a clean slate. Disagreement in the policies of nations is not something to be sad about. Everyone will have these sort of problems with their allies and in fact it is the sign of a healthy relationship.

As such I would be happy to meet you in Darwin.

Emperor Holihan.[/i]

[Subtleknifewielder]

[i]To: Emperor Kevin Holihan
From: Queen Hannah Asgeirsson

I am delighted to hear this, and look forward to meeting you then. I will order my staff to prepare for your arrival.

HRH Hannah Asgeirsson[/i]

----

The day of his arrival, the sky was overcast, and thunder rumbled in the background...but for the time being, the rain held itself back. The humidity was palpable, but that was par for the course in a city such as this.

Waiting on the tarmac as Kevin stepped out was an honor guard of ten Lillians, lined to either side. In unison, they drew their rapiers and raised them, forming a tunnel whose opening led straight to a government limo.

At the end of the tunnel waited the big form of the Duke of Darwin, Theodore Jameson, who grinned at his one-time friend, escorting him to the vehicle. "Her Majesty has been looking forward to this, your Excellency," he stated, opening the door for the Emperor.

Inside, Hannah was waiting, across from his own seat, and she flashed a smile. "Emperor Holihan, you have no idea how glad I was to get a positive response back from my letter to you. The Empire and the Queendom have, in my estimation, stood apart for too long."

[Shadowsage]

"The pleasure is mine, Your Highness." He smiled slightly, the visage of a man meeting an old friend after time apart. "Much in the world has changed since the last time we met, as I'm sure you're aware. Things are not as they seem, and the specter of war has not quite left the Americas of yet."

[Subtleknifewielder]

[i]"Much in the world has changed since the last time we met, as I'm sure you're aware. Things are not as they seem, and the specter of war has not quite left the Americas of yet."[/i]

"Yes, I am all too aware of this. It is many of my people, as I myself feared, that clipping the wings of the Tahoan regime would only set up another just like it. All I can say is that any lingering hostility is not directed toward Australia anymore." The smile dropped a tone, and she looked him square in the eye.

"At least, I hope no such resentment lingers. You must to understand that when we downgraded our non-Oceanic treaties, the Queendom was going through some internal troubles we did not want to drag our overseas allies into. Naturally I was not pleased when our intentions were misconstrued."

As they talked, the limosine pulled away from the airport, and moved along the streets toward the palace. If Kevin glanced outside for a moment, he would see that the first hint of rain was coming in the distance...but closer were the buildings and other architecture of the city.

While little outside the Empire could ever match the raw scope and power of Imperial cities, the cite of Darwin was a wonder int its own right. A perfect blend between the pure functionary tendancies of those who originally called the city home...and the elegant, lavish decorations of the Hanseatic people that had migrated to the capital since the establishment of the Queendom. Buildings were perfectly functional still, yes, but the angular, stark aspects had been smoothed away by adding designs that were pleasing to the eye.

[Shadowsage]

The buildings of Darwin were a cross betwixt functionality and eye-pleasing architecture, something which was scarcely even considered in the Empire let alone implemented. Rain was of no concern to Kevin, having been born in a tropical country and living his whole life there. He was conditioned for far worse and indeed the climate was pleasant enough to him.

"Nevertheless, most if not all other nations in similar states have simply suspended their treaties temporarily; instead of actively downgrading them without even privately consulting the partner involved. That is something which is basically a public insult, and one which I cannot take lightly." The Emperor paused and let his words sink in. He smiled slightly, his [i]mein[/i] defrosting slightly. "However, that does not preclude present cooperation."

[Subtleknifewielder]

"Good." Hannah nodded. "I would hate to see resentment flare up over a misunderstanding that could be resolved wihth a few choice words. Now, I spoke of the treaty for a specific reason. I want to renew it, if at all possible, as a sign of a renewed friendsip that has worked past its differences."

It wasn't a long ride--they were already pulling up at the gates to the palace. If the city was elegant, the Palace was lavishly decorated...from the gleaming marble walls, to the ornately crafted iron gates themselves. And that was just the outside. Inside the Palace was designed completely to impress upon the visitor the splendor, majesty, wealth...and power of the Queen and her government.

The first drops of rain finally hit them as the car passed through the gates, and by the time they pulled to a stop, the downpour was intense enough to soak in the time it took them to get from the car to the entrance.

"Well, the weather seems determined to great us in its own fashion," Hannah said wryly. Paying the rain no mind, she got out, gesturing for one of the guards to get Kevin's door for him.