07 AUGUST, 2017 // 0753Z // FRANKTHORF, NINHUNDLAND
Andrej shuddered in the icy breeze that blew in off the cold waters of the bay. His hands tightened around the freezing metal of the railing that lined the edge of the starboard bridge wing. The man's gaze was directed downward, where he could see a sizable number of the sailors of the Tvr?ava lining her rails in their winter dress uniforms, standing fast at parade rest despite the cold. Moving his gaze a little further out, he could watch as the dockyard slowly rolled alongside the cruiser as the tugs on the other side pushed them against their temporary home for the next three days. The deckhands secured her to the pier via her mooring lines, and lowered the brow, much to the crew's relief.
Across at the other piers, Andrej could see the brows of the other ships of the small force also touching the surface of their respected berths. He smiled at the thought of the crews getting time off for the festival. It would be a wonderful cultural exchange between Ninhundland and Mouxordia. The man's gaze was attracted downward, where a black SUV waited, waving small Mouxordian and Ninhundish flags on either side of its left and right headlights. Standing in the cold with a contingent of guards Andrej spotted Boris - the Mouxordian Secretary of State.
The bosun's pipe sounded as Andrej proceeded down the brow, signaling his departure from the cruiser. The Executive Guard were quick to take up escort positions around him as he walked the short distance to where Boris stood. The two men greeted one another with grins.
"Gospodine predsjednika! [Mister President!]" Boris said with a familiar chuckle, clasping Andrej's hand and bringing him in for a pat on the back.
"Sekretar Poklonskaja, [Secretary Poklonskaja,]" Andrej greeted in return, albeit a little facetiously. The two men were familiar with one another, having been friends during the civil war and before Andrej took up the presidency. Still, their positions dictated that they greet in an official manner. The two men quickly shuffled into the car, escaping the cold and embracing the stuffy heat. "So nice of you to meet me here as I make my tour around our neighbors," Andrej said with a chuckle as he rubbed his hands together.
Boris laughed, pulling his gloves off, "Ninhundland is a little far away to be considered our 'neighbor', Andrej. Good for you on establishing relations, though I think extending a hand out to Goyanes would have been a better move."
Andrej shrugged as the SUV moved forward and started away from the pier and dockyard, "I've taken care of that on our way in - had to ask permission to sail our task force through waters they very clearly control. Didn't want to send the wrong message or set anyone on-edge with our ships in the area. I'm sure we're being watched very closely already."
"If not for being wary, then for curiosity's sake," Boris offered.
Andrej nodded, then continued, "Regardless, they are watching, which is the whole point. I'm sending messages with these visits, although non-verbal: we can reach outside of our local waters, we are peaceful, we want to establish ties and work with you."
The Secretary waved a non-dismissive hand in the air, "I'm aware, you've told me all of this before. It's just that - of the two - Ninhunders are less... apt for becoming allies, if the need should arise." Andrej frowned slightly, but said nothing. The silence in the air was comfortable, but only lasted a few moments as Boris changed the subject of the conversation. "Have you heard about Thenaca?" he asked.
"No, what of them?" Andrej said, en eyebrow arching to his hairline.
"Ah," Boris began before hesitating slightly, "I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just rumors and rumblings. Nothing concrete as of yet. Perhaps in a few months' time something more worthwhile will surface. I was just curious if you had heard anything while you were traveling."
"Haven't heard a thing. I don't need an official report, but keep me updated if anything significant happens while I'm away. Have MOA* lead the effort." Boris nodded his affirmation and Andrej continued, "Where are we going, by the way?"
Boris chuckled, "We're going to meet with Mister Fauchern, Prime Minister of Ninhundland. He has the next couple of days planned out for you in regards to the festivities."
"Lovely. Can't wait," Andrej murmured, a bit nervous at leaving his schedule up to a foreign head of state's whim. What's the worst that could happen?
* MOA: Mošord Obavještajna Agencija [Mouxordian Intelligence Agency], pronounced 'MO-uh', is Mouxordia's largest intelligence agency, responsible for international SIGINT analysis as well as domestic counter-terrorism and counter-foreign intelligence operations.
OOC: I figured I would follow your lead on this, Nin, since it's not clear where the venues are or where my VIPs are supposed to meet you. So the ball is in your court, and I will adjust accordingly in my next post.
