08-25-2025, 08:00 AM
President Khushku accepted the scotch with a gracious nod, eyeing the bottle curiously. Her mouth settled into a polite, practiced smile. Her eyes, meanwhile, were sharp and scrutinizing.
“Thank you, Ms. Velaul. I’m afraid I have only our hospitality to offer you in return. Please, have a seat if you’d like,” President Khushku started, beckoning to the ministers’ desks. She remained standing statue still in the center of the room as the acoustics carried her voice.
“As for the building, I suppose it’s a rare piece of sentimentality for an era long past. Most structures of this era this were destroyed in our first revolution, and those that remained were gradually eliminated by the march of technological progress. Buildings like this have served as the command center for some of Riani’s most brutal warlords, but before that they were a place for the community to come together. My world has many bloody eras in its past. Even now, peace is a narrow tightrope over a yawning chasm.”
The president shifted, looking a bit more vulnerable as she pondered Mala’s question.
“I was sorry to hear about the death of your ambassador, Mr. Jonas Weisbrantz. He was a vocal advocate for your Federation ideals. Unfortunately, in his many years here, he’d become entangled with the local crime families, particularly the Xha. I believe he was attempting to sell Tanndi military secrets for his own benefit. Of course, he’s only one man. I wouldn’t take his actions as a reflection on your entire Federation.”
As she finished speaking, she returned to her stiff, statuesque posture, waiting patiently for a response.
== For Talion ==
President Khushku’s primary surface thoughts were contempt and fear. As Talion’s practiced eyes swept the room, he identified several other automated defense systems which sat inactive but alert.
“Thank you, Ms. Velaul. I’m afraid I have only our hospitality to offer you in return. Please, have a seat if you’d like,” President Khushku started, beckoning to the ministers’ desks. She remained standing statue still in the center of the room as the acoustics carried her voice.
“As for the building, I suppose it’s a rare piece of sentimentality for an era long past. Most structures of this era this were destroyed in our first revolution, and those that remained were gradually eliminated by the march of technological progress. Buildings like this have served as the command center for some of Riani’s most brutal warlords, but before that they were a place for the community to come together. My world has many bloody eras in its past. Even now, peace is a narrow tightrope over a yawning chasm.”
The president shifted, looking a bit more vulnerable as she pondered Mala’s question.
“I was sorry to hear about the death of your ambassador, Mr. Jonas Weisbrantz. He was a vocal advocate for your Federation ideals. Unfortunately, in his many years here, he’d become entangled with the local crime families, particularly the Xha. I believe he was attempting to sell Tanndi military secrets for his own benefit. Of course, he’s only one man. I wouldn’t take his actions as a reflection on your entire Federation.”
As she finished speaking, she returned to her stiff, statuesque posture, waiting patiently for a response.
== For Talion ==
President Khushku’s primary surface thoughts were contempt and fear. As Talion’s practiced eyes swept the room, he identified several other automated defense systems which sat inactive but alert.