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An Empty Room; Edward Truden & Princess Eva Conversation
Topic Started: 4th January 2014 - 04:29 AM (305 Views)
Elpidia
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As Truden led Princess Eva out of the room and through an empty hallway looking for a private place to speak, he was wrestling with this thoughts and emotions. On the one hand, he really wanted to confide in someone, and as he like Princess Eva it would be easy. After all, it'd have to come out eventually. But should he be involving someone he just met, and someone who's not even an Elpidian. As he walked into a small empty room he decided finally to just tell her everything, well most everything.

"Alright, I'm not entirely sure why I'm confiding in you personally. I suppose I just find you to be a trustworthy person, and I believe your heart is in the right place. In any case I'd like to give you a true account of what's happened, and what's happening. I'll give you the story first, and then you can ask anything you like."

Truden took a deep breath.

"When the plague was spreading it was very chaotic. Only President Quilo's strength of will held everything together, it was her swift and decisive action in setting up the quarantine that saved the rest of Elpidia. Much of what she ordered was necessary, martial law prevented a quarantine break, and domestic chaos in the zone."

Truden began pacing impatiently.

"But she went too far. She suspended habeas corpus by secret order, started a curfew, and kept the press from knowing about what was going on in the zone. I suspect she used the STG to accomplish this, as well as putting the screws on the EBC. She said it was necessary, and it was true that there was a small quarantine breach right before she started these measures. Needless to say an uptick in riots. But the death toll from police continued to rise. Eventually it became too much for me, and when she tried to keep what had happened in Port Ulterre secret, even after the quarantine ended, I couldn't let her."

He stopped pacing and looked at Eva intently. "I released those cables to the press, I was the whistle-blower. What she did may or may not have been necessary, but the people had a right to know, a right to judge for themselves if what she did was right or wrong. I suspect it won't be long before she finds out, the STG does report only to her after all."
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Beatrice
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Eva followed Truden's lead and hoped to get the answers she desperately sought. While her trust had been severely shaken in President Quilo she had not yet found a reason to trust Truden any less, at the same time a part of her was still in disbelief as well. Having just basically met Truden and already showing her trust in him she was happy to see that trust may be returned. Upon entering the room she remained mostly silent, allowing Truden an unimpeded chance to speak.

She listened as he spoke attentively, that he did seem to hold trust in her. While many would likely seek to profit in some manner from such information her intentions were honestly in the interests of assisting, getting to the bottom of what exactly had occured and ensuring no moves were made by Rokkenjima in haste. Not only was she concerned for the Elpidian people, but also for the fate of Truden and, still, that of Elizabeth Quilo, her admiration for the President still existing.

Eva understood that several difficult decisions had to be made upon the outbreak of the virus, even in Rokkenjima quarantines had been declared in sections of its largest cities to prevent the spread of the virus, martial law to help prevent looting and rioting, normal procedures when dealing with diseases on the scale of G-R3. Rokkenjima was perhaps blessed when, faced with rioting and looting, a positive response was seen when Beatrice had responded with a strengthened security presence and increased shipments of vital goods and humanitarian workers to the afflicted areas. So far, at least, everything was within her expectations.

It was the events which followed that shocked her. Chaos was to be expected in such a situation, but the suspension of habeas corpus, growing deaths at the hands of the police, the suppression of the press, withholding information, secret actions and the continuation of such secrecy were unquestionably damning actions. The Rokkenjiman Task Force wasn't far away and could have provided aid to alleviate the situation if only she had picked up the phone to ask for assistance. It was well within their ability to relieve pressure without resorting to extraordinary measures.

"I'm thankful for your trust in me, and I believe fully that you did the right thing in releasing the cables. A part of me believes that, somewhere in what were frantic moments requiring swift action, Elizabeth believed her actions were necessary, and that she was doing the only thing she knew to do. Truly no one chooses a course of action to be harmful, they believe that their actions are just and for some greater good, but those are the most dangerous of times. Her best intentions met the ugliest of situations resulting in an even greater tragedy, and eventually the need to maintain secrecy for a multitude of competing interests leave us where we are now."

When Truden was finished and looked to her she asked the first questions which came to her mind, and as gently as possible she asked them. "Knowing President Quilo do you believe there's any potential for further abuses, perhaps a cracking down upon the protesters, out of either fear or a desire to prevent harm to Elpidia? What is to become of the officers who were involved in Port Ulterre, will they see justice for their role? There's a tragedy to both sides of this situation, one is clearly greater than the other and I fear it's only a matter of time before your people grow tired of protests and demand more forceful action."

Eva's concern that Truden could face repercussions for taking the just action in releasing the cables weighed upon her as well. "I'm worried for you as well, you've taken a great risk to bring these injustices to light and I wouldn't want to see you disappear or..." she trailed off, after reading the reports she shuddered at the thought of Truden possibly facing 'advanced interrogation' or worse. "You need to promise me before you leave this conference that it's absolutely safe for you to return to Elpidia, not just for your own safety but for the good of your people."

She hoped that her fears of further brutality were unfounded, that Quilo would address her new realities with civility and dignity. "Forgive me if I'm over-reacting, you must remember that in Rokkenjima it wasn't too long ago when the Republicans would 'disappear' entire families for less. The wounds they have left on Rokkenjima are still fresh, it's why Rokkenjima reacted as we did towards Tytor and why we're so concerned now. If there's anything I can do to help," she said in her most sincere and reassuring tone, "you need to let me know, you're not alone in this."
Edited by Beatrice, 4th January 2014 - 11:26 AM.
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Beatrice Anselmo
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Empress of the First Empire of Rokkenjima

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Elpidia
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Truden smiled at Eva's concern for his safety.

"Thank you Princess, your concern is touching, both for my personal safety and the safety of Elpidia. I'm glad you can understand that the President did what she thought she had to do. You also have to understand that secrecy is not uncommon in Elpidian society, we rely on the STG to protect us, understanding that the state has to operate partially in secret for the public good."

"I assure you that I'm in no danger. President Quilo may have bent the law in desperate times, but she would never try to use military force against the people. Even if she tried I know the Minister of Defense wouldn't go along with it, and I doubt the military would. What she did in Port Ulterre was for the greater good, in her mind, cracking down on the majority of the nation wouldn't make sense."

"Quilo will not leave office simply due to public pressure though, she's right when she says that her office continues until the National Assembly looses confidence. I'm working on that though, to prevent an embarrassing impeachment. I've been in contact with the Constitution Party and many members of the governing coalition, I'm fairly sure we can pass a motion of no confidence. Quilo will leave office quietly if she is legitimately removed."
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Beatrice
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Eva sighed with relief that her worst fears were indeed unfounded. It was clear that there were many differences between the cultures of Rokkenjima and Elpidia as well as different histories which caused them to see the situation through different lenses and understandings. Though common values naturally existed between them others contrasted starkly. She tried to keep these facts in mind while she took another look, and listened to Truden.

"It's truly striking that we can share so much in common yet have such different approaches in other areas. My concerns are settled, and I'm sure if I explain what we've discussed to Beatrice she'll be better able to react to prevent Rokkenjima from adding to any diplomatic issues. Charles has been in charge of the Rokkenjiman response so far, he's always been a fierce advocate for transparency and a restrained response to civil unrest, so he believed that the President was bordering on FR/GRA levels of brutality. I know when Beatrice read the message dispatched to us the look in her eyes wasn't of anger or disgust, but confusion and disappointment. She was hurt that she wasn't called upon to help and now that Charles has framed Quilo....she finds her hand is now forced, something she's not used to."

Eva couldn't help but feel a little guilty for believing Elizabeth would act savagely towards Truden and the protests as she gained more insight into the Elpidian understanding. 'I'll have to push for further cultural efforts between our nations,' she noted in her mind. "So with our concerns out of the way how can Rokkenjima be most supportive? Beatrice always has felt that she owes Elpidia a great debt, and Elizabeth as well, though there's little she can do publicly for the later at the moment."
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Beatrice Anselmo
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Elpidia
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"I'm glad to hear that Beatrice had nothing to do with this statement. Charles seems to have shot off the hip here. From a professional standpoint, as a fellow foreign affairs minister, it's generally a rule of thumb not to make sweeping statements of commendation or condemnation without all the facts."

He felt that he had learned more about the Rokkenjiman disposition in this short discussion than in all his previous experience. Admirably they're unflinching idealists, but they aren't subtle. And they can't seem to let go of the past, though that may help them to not repeat it.

"The best thing Rokkenjiman could do for Elpidia would be to call for calm. It's vital that the protests remain peaceful. Further, if you could avoid any references to possible military intervention, or economic/diplomatic sanctions, that would be good. As may have heard from our interactions with the USR and Darandum, Elpidians do not respond well to threats. Even the protestors will turn against you if Rokkenjiman continues to act as if she can police Elpidia."
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"Indeed, it's part of the reason why Beatrice has been transitioning him away from foreign affairs, he sees no shades of gray and is so stubborn at times. He's also a fan of immediate and strong action which I think is better suited for his growing duties at home. Had the timing been different Beatrice would have handled things much differently, probably a phone call to Elizabeth as soon as the news broke." Eva wondered what had happened to Charles to make his style and attitude shift, but nothing came to mind immediately.

Eva nodded with a smile, "I'll see what I can do, I intend to brief Beatrice as soon as possible and will suggest that she, or Councilor Albright, make all future statements. We've both learned where many of our differences are, this will be helpful now and in the future. I'm also sure she'll consider restoring the agreements suspended by Charles since, in light of our conversation, those measures were a bit over-the-top. Hopefully together we will be able to effect positive change and work past Charles' initial apocalyptic assumptions."

Eva looked to her phone and noted a brief message from Beatrice: 'Time to be seated hurry'

"I do believe we should be returning to the ceremony, the delegates are being seated. If there's anything else," Eva handed Truden a card with her contact details, "do not hesitate. Now, should I leave first or shall I follow your lead? We're already going do draw suspicions," she said foxily.
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Beatrice Anselmo
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Elpidia
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Truden smiled cheekily. "Ooh la la Princess, and with a commoner no less."

Truden followed the Princess out of the room, hurrying back to the conference room.
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Eva chuckled, "If the worst incident the press has from this ceremony is such a scandal then I we'd be fortunate indeed. Beatrice informed me about the peace conference and the....scandals of that affair."

Scanning the room she looked for Beatrice and, upon finding her, she took her seat next to her. She smiled when she saw that the Elpidian delegation was seated behind Beatrice and herself.
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Beatrice Anselmo
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