The Empress' Chambers

Within the lounge, Lady Naoki sits alone at the table, resting her cheek in her hand as she leisurely proceeds through the book sitting before her. She wears what must be a very comfortable pale pink dress, which drapes itself about her gracefully. On the table aside from the book, Naoki’s mug is present, as well as a bottle of Medanese Gold and a single wine glass. Her tail hangs lazily out the back of the chair, occasionally twitching and swaying one side to the other.

As the door opens, she pushes the book forward and the chair backward as she stands, turning to face her guest.

As Daimyo Akagi Zuikaku enters the room, Lady Naoki looks him over, first noting his build. Muscular; he seems a man of action, a different sort of leader than she. Perhaps indicative of a difference in culture, though she supposes reading into things that far is a bit presumptuous. He certainly isn’t though, she notes with a small measure of appreciation.

“Likewise, it is my pleasure. Come, have a seat.” She gestures toward the table. She turns back toward it, and once the Daimyo is close enough such so that she can do so without turning her back on him, she sits.

The chairs are angled around the table to face each other as well as the window at an angle. Naoki leaves her as it is and rests one arm of the table as she turns to face him.

“I welcome you. I trust your trip so far has been well?"

“Hah,” a single bark of laughter. ‘Open expression.’ That’s one way to word it. Many things are ‘open’ in Isra, not the least of which is the top of her dress.

“Tell me, then,” Naoki continues, “Of your people, of your lands. I’ve heard precious little.”

Listening, Naoki nods, smiles slightly, as much as is appropriate. Some of this, she knew, other parts had been inferred, but she’s listening as much to his meaning as she is to his words, and which ones he chooses.

“The city,” she gestures airily around, “is new, very young by the standards of cities. It was founded by a collection of individuals displaced by the Cataclysm, as to be the first real step toward the reconstruction of society. The Plains upon which the city was founded are rich and fertile; we farm them to great effect. There are mines in the mountains to the north, and I believe you’ve seen the river and the port we’ve built. While not exceptionally beautiful or unique, the lands serve well.”

“Only small children can as of yet may claim to be Isran by birth; this is a nation of migrants and refugees. Those that have come from whatever distant or ravaged land has sent them out in search of a new home.”

“Leading Isra has been very much the striking of a new path, rather than retracing the same lines drawn by preceding administrations. I have found much success in leading Isra along the high road, to the power and prosperity she enjoys today. But to do so without traveling through grooves worn and proven has been difficult, not without misstep, and the ride hasn’t been comfortable for all.” Whatever she alludes to, Naoki isn’t spelling it out.

“That having been said, it is undeniable that Isra has grown quickly in all senses to the position of great strength she enjoys today, and it is with no small sense of pride on my behalf that Israns sleep soundly, with full bellies.”

“And that’s the most important, I feel,” she adds.

Lady Naoki smiles slightly at The Daimyo’s praise, apparently not above accepting a bit of flattery. “Mmh,” she says, “Thank you.”

“Before I go and start suggesting, do you have anything in particular in mind regarding deals, more formalized trade, agreements between our respective domains?”

Naoki smirks slightly to herself. It's an excellent deflection on his part.

“Well,” she begins, “It may be best to begin by exchanging embassies. Once we’ve done so, it will be that much easier to begin bilateral trade and regulate private trade. The Empire’s economy is robust; the land is generous, so all of the most basic resources we have in abundance. Many crafters and artisans in the city manufacture goods your people may find interesting. Carpentry, woven goods, metalwork of all sorts, and other similar items."

"What of your trade situation?”

Naoki nods slowly, appreciatively. “That seems to work out quite well, then. I think it may be best to begin with trade specifically between Quying and Port Silverion. After we’ve had the chance to straighten out policies and taxes, expanding to the rest of Tawakoshi and The Empire at large will be an easier transition.”

"In regards to trade, do you see any specifics we should discuss here as opposed to allowing our officials to discuss?"

Lady Naoki exhales sharply in amusement at the mention of conniving merchants, able to empathize to a degree.

Naoki nods reluctantly. “~Mmmmh, yes. Everyone has their own opinion about how the city should be run, their agenda to push and a collection of interests, be they related to one’s community, business, personal ideology, or whathaveyou. ... An excellent way to see this is to put one hundred of the loudest individuals in a room and ask them to pass legislation.”

“Though their meetings are often loud, rambunctious, most of the time they reach a satisfactory conclusion. They know that either they handle their responsibilities well or face the alternative, and so far, they’ve done very well to deny me opportunities to interfere in their affairs. Though the public may disagree, I think they govern the city well; rarely have I had to overturn their decisions.”

More nods from Lady Naoki. Government. Her least favorite part of government.

With some of the more mundane questions out of the way, Naoki slides out what she thinks might be a spicy one, “And... what of your relationship with Tawakoshi?”