Setting
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She retrieved a piece of fruit from one of the tables and picked at it lightly, but she didn't eat it. Instead she set it back down and folded her hands in front of her on the table.
"I'm leaving the city tomorrow," she said abruptly. "It's a personal matter though, and one of which I would prefer to not have the entirety of my Royal Guard in tow for. Unfortunately I imagine there would be no end of an uproar from my advisers if I went alone. I would invite you to accompany me."
There would no doubt still be uproars, but after the display of Rebekah's psionic prowess at Port Astria, it was clear enough to Avantia that if the woman was any threat to her then the two guards outside the entrance would pose little deterrent. No, if the woman had any machinations for the Volarian people, assassination was not among them.
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Honestly, and the woman was guilty of checking on her Comglass for anything that might be a clue, Rebekah was more than a little curious about this request. And so, in that curiosity, fully did she intend to find out.
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Given the altitude of the city, it could get pretty cold in Volary as it was, and Avantia's remark left perhaps a hint of where they might be headed. The mountain peaks that Volary was built atop were only the trailing edges of a mountain range that stretched nearly the full length of Shintenchi, and this time of year many of their heights were snow capped.
Save for Avantia's words to suggest their potential destination, Rebekah would find little information from her Comglass as to what this foray of Avantia's entailed.
"For now, I must see to some matters and make arrangements for my absence."
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The rest of the large hall had been prepared for the arrival of the SEC representatives, with a large table set out off to one side and prepared with a wide array of local food and drink.
The grand double doors that led into the great hall had been left standing wide to allow the SEC representatives entry into the great hall; though, all to enter the palace would have been relieved of weaponry.
Another pair of Avantia's royal guard kept vigil at the main entrance to the hall.
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"Your people may be more familiar with my brother Admiral Charles Teller from the campaign in the Cybran systems. We are eternally grateful for your assistance in the matter along with that of the Taiyou Empire and the United Dark Worlds. " Damion said before stopping.
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"As are we to yours," he began. "The Cybran nation has proven itself a threat to all. However, a common enemy does not yet make friends of our people. Perhaps in time though, we will come to better know one another. Please, sit," he told them as Avantia gestured with one upturned hand for them to seat themselves at the table present.
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Then Damion spoke which surprised Killum, "I'm sure you are aware of recent events and the death of Mr. Sullen. We have after all been under the leadership of Ms. Lindsay Holiday who does apologize for her absence today as she is currently on Niihama and then given these recent events will need to return to Cyntori 8. But I hope that these events will not harm our relationship. " Damion said to the Avantia.
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"But enough about our people I would be very interested to hear more about your stance in this world Matriarch." Damion said.
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"I'm not sure that I follow your inquiry," Avantia replied. "Is there a matter of particular interest to the SEC that has brought you here?"
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"But to further things I would like to ask that you allow an embassy to be opened on Volarian soil and like wise on our home planet of Syntori 8. Along with this I would hope that we could have open trade between our great nations." Damion said. "Would this be a deal that you would be interested in?"
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"We don't export Volarian crystal," Avantia explained. "Our main exports are in jewelry, art, and textiles."
She weighed the other request as well, but Damion would be met with the same response Rebekah had when she had first arrived on behalf of the UDW.
"It would be rash and impulsive to enter blindly into discussions of embassies and trade when there is much yet to learn of our respective people and cultures," she explained. "Perhaps in time such requests will be negotiable."
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"Matriarch, what actions would do you believe would solidify the relationship between our two nations?" Kilum asked with a smile to the woman. He was starting to worry that this might become an investment and right now he knew the enterprise really needed some deals or Holiday would be after them both.
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She rose then from the cushions she had been seated among.
"In the meanwhile I have other matters to tend to. Please, stay and enjoy the offered meal," she added with a gesture towards the table.
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Unlike earlier visit to Volaria, no banquet had been set out to receive the arriving TNG representatives. Austin's recent visit to Volaria had done little to warm the Matriarch up to the TNG, and were Avantia had often done away with formalities in the past, she seemed to be sticking to them rigidly today.
The hall was lined on either side by a row of royal guards, and members of Avantia's court were gathered to observe the matter. Everything held a strict note of formality to it, but it lacked in warmth.
A pair of large double doors led into the great hall where the TIB agents would be permitted entrance by the pair of guards standing vigil just outside the room.
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By the time they'd landed in the Volarian spaceport ground-side, Drulović was all too happy to shed her weapons, leaving them aboard the ship in the care of the small security detail that the Prime Minister had insisted they take with them. The journey from there to the palace did not take long, and Drulović was surprised at her disappointment with the rather short span of time for enjoying the exquisite flora about them before they arrived. Dressed in a conservative, dark maroon dress and matching jacket that she had found somewhere in the back of her closet, Drulović had tied her hair, now with visible graying streaks, into a tight bun at the base of her neck. For much of the ride, she sat almost slumped against the window, staring impassively at the passing sights.
When at last the shuttle stopped outside the entrance to the Volarian Royal Palace, Drulović straightened, rising from her seat with great care not to disturb the carefully wrapped box she'd carried all the way from home. She offered Alexandra van der Walk a small, strained smile and an inclination of the head. "If you wouldn't mind..." But before Drulović could finish her request, the driver had already opened the door for the two women, and they disembarked, heading into the palace and the Great Hall.
Upon their entrance through the gilded doors into the Matriarch's assembled court, Drulović offered Avantia a deep bow from the waist, which was her signal for Alexandra to follow suit.
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Throughout the entire trip to Volaria, Drulovic had been quiet and contemplative, leading Alexandra to wonder just what the woman was going to say to the Matriach of such a society. Frankly the whole thing gave her a massive headache, and she would rather still be on leave, doing whatever she pleased until the next assignment came down the pipeline.
Following after the TIB director into the large hall, she took note of the extreme formality of the situation. 'Could cut the air with a knife if you wanted.' She thought to herself keeping her features carefully neutral. Alexandra knew she was to follow Drulovic's instructions until the woman cut her loose, then all bets were off. That wasn't to say her behavior would be anything close to Marshall's, but it wouldn't exactly be what Drulovic would want either.
Smoothing the skirt and jacket of her charcoal grey suit, and white blouse, once again she'd chosen something carefully neutral. Alexandra had french braided her hair and tucked the end of the braid up under itself in an equestrian like style, she still wore the same ruby and gold studs from earlier in the week, however her nail polish was a carefully chosen nude. Personal life and work life did not need to mix under any circumstance, nor did she need to show any particular facet of her personality other than what was needed in this meeting.
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"The Matriarch bids you welcome," she began. "She trusts that you found your trip comfortable and uneventful, but she wishes to know what brings the TNG back to her halls so soon after the departure of your last representative."
Shanthi's words were clear and calm - albeit holding a heavy Volarian accent - but Avantia's held an edge to them on the matter of Austin's departure. The man had insisted on meeting with her at five in the morning, only to arrive in combat armor, hand her a letter, get into a wrestling match with one of her guards, and then depart once more. For a guest to abuse the hospitality of a host was nothing short of taboo within Volarian culture, and the Matriarch hadn't been amused at Austin's attempts to intimidate her, nor did she much care for being jerked around.
She had enough crises to contend with without the TNG wasting her time with Austin's trivial nonsense.
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Glancing momentarily at Alexandra beside her before turning toward the dais again, the lines in Drulović's face deepened as her expression became a bit lighter. "For this reason, I've come to personally introduce our agency's new liaison to you as we continue our own inquiry into this week's rather upsetting chain of events. I have no doubt that this week has been especially hard for you, and I'd rather not impose any more than I must, given my own obligations. This is Ms. Elizabeth Blauer." Drulović gestured to Alexandra beside her. "I have asked Ms. Blauer to travel here to look into the circumstances of Mr. Mattrix's execution, and I expect she will be as discreet and unintrusive as can be possible."
Looking toward the nearest gaudily clad attendant, Drulović blinked several times, the edges of her forehead beginning to grow moist with perspiration from the effort of standing for so long. "And there is one last thing, if you'll forgive me the time I've already taken from you. I've brought a small gift for Vākśaṉai Avantia." She started to offer the wrapped white box to the attendant, her hands visibly unsteady with the movement. "After all, it wouldn't be proper to come all this way without something to show for it."
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Frowning as Drulović seemed to strain with the effort of even standing, she wondered exactly what sort of penalty there would be if her boss collapsed on a mission she'd been assigned to; it couldn't possibly be anything good. However, when she was introduced, Alexandra offered yet another deep bow. She was only following Drulović's lead, whether or not that was a good idea was yet to be seen.
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It was not until the whole exchange was completed that Avantia spoke. The earlier edge to her voice had eased off into something more amiable.
"The Matriarch says that your gift is well received," Shanthi replied. "She thanks you, and says that you are both guests in her home and will be provided anything that you require during your stay. She invites you to dine with her so that you might discuss these matters more comfortably."
It would seem the Drulovic's efforts in learning some of the local language and customs had endeared her to the Matriarch, and Avantia extended the hospitality she had withheld in the wake of Austin's behavior. A slight gesture of her hand dismissed the rows of guards while attendants began to move about the place and clear room to start bringing in tables and food. Only four guards remained, two that flanked either side of the dais, and another pair that stood just outside the grand double doors that provided entrance into the great hall.
Meanwhile Shanthi and Avantia exchanged a few quiet words in Volarian, too quiet to be overheard. Avantia's expression softened further and she finally nodded. Shanthi bowed lightly and excused herself first to Avantia and then to Drulovic and Alexanda before making her way from the great hall via the east wing.
Avantia's concern was evident on her face as she watched Shanthi leave before she turned to address Drulovic and Alexandra. Her limited grasp of the Terran common tongue left her without the words she required.
"Shanthi is...sick," she explained. Her Volarian accent was thick enough as to be difficult to discern as she raised a hand first to her heart, and then to her head. "Here, and here," she explained.
The young woman's kidnapping and subsequent mutilation at the hands of Miles Hagan had left her scarred, but Avantia had hope that getting her out of her room and back to work would help with the recovery process. Perhaps she had pushed Shanthi too hard in attending today.
"Payār," she said as she rose from her cushions and gestured for Drulovic and Alexandra to seat themselves at the table that was being brought in by attendants. It was the Volarian word for please. They would need a new translator, but there was time enough to have one brought in while the great hall was being converted into a dining hall.
The offered table was low built to the floor and cushions were being lain about it for the pair to sit upon.
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