And Now the Die is Cast... (CLOSED)

[Iraelia]

Director of State Leopold Dupont sat, cross-legged, 35,000 feet above Bergum, Maloria. In his lap sat a copy of the Phoenix Strait Free Trade Agreement, a pen, and an empty piece of paper. God willing, by the time he left Maloria it would be filled with dry ink that will determine the future of Callise's relation with one of it's closest allies. At least for the remainder of his Directorate

The trade war between Callise and Maloria had caused irreparable harm to both nations, and it was in the best interest of everyone involved to sit down and put an end to these petty squabbles. A week ago, this discussion would have been a legislative impossibility. But a week ago, the Sovereigntists hadn't militarized the border with Highton and caused an international incident.

Dupont knew dealing with the Sovereigntists was bound to be hard, but he expected the loose coalition to be somewhat manageable as a governing partner. But the once close relationship between the Liberal Party and the Sovereigntist movement was a thing of the past, and if Callise ever wanted to move forward, Dupont would need to cut ties with them.

As the State Plane skidded against the Bergum Airport runway, Dupont gathered his bearings and greeted the gaggle of reporters and dignitaries who waited outside his plane.

"Les dés sont jetés," he muttered to himself.

And with bated breath, he stepped foot onto Malorian soil.

 

[Nogori]

Robbert vin Hemmink, the Malor-Kanadian Secretary for Foreign Affairs stood at the side of the plane as the stairs propped down onto the ground. Behind him the army of photographers and members of the press wasted no time capturing pictures of the event. Robbert however kept with a friendly demeanor as Dupont entered from the jet and he extended his hand to the man.


In recent times with the rise of the Sovereigntists in Callise tensions had been filled to the highest they had been between between Callise and Maloria since the Wars of the Republic. Taxes on Malorian goods prompted nothing but an equal response from Bergum raising the price of oil going to Callise and increasing regulations on Callisean financial institutions doing business in the Empire. The trade war had not been good for either side, having Callise’s stock market crash and a significant amount of jobs being lost in Maloria in the manufacturing and mining sectors.


The regulations and the increase in the cost of oil were also heavily supported by Robbert in retaliation which no doubt Dupont knew. This was now a chance to thaw out the tensions that had been built and start anew. All of which were in the interest of Maloria. Just Helmer and Le Blanc remade one of the strongest bonds that Eras had ever known, Marten and Dupont would do the same.


“It is an honor to have you here to meet with us” he said keeping a smile on his face with his circular glasses dangling low on his nose.

 

[Iraelia]

Leopold stepped forward and shook Hemmink's hand. On his right, he is flanked by Director of Commerce Cyril Pierlot. On his left, Director of Foreign Relations Marc Levett.

"The honor is all mine, sir. Shall we proceed to the Imperial Palace?"