Aren woke up on the first of three days to decide the world's future in her small, unadorned room. Moving slowly, she stretched, quickly threw on her suit, and headed downstairs. Checking the front door's mail slit, only one letter sat in it. Unusual, in her mind, for so little to come in before such an important event. She'd get well over a dozen letters most days before meetings.
Regardless, Aren opened the letter, and was promptly met with a surprise: it was from Arina's ruler himself. That was nearly unheard of, even for days like this one.
To: Representative Aren de Gephyra
From: His Majesty King Olis IX of Arina
Representative de Thern, I would first like to thank you for your service to our nation. Your work in Zeryzian as a representative of my will has greatly aided Arina in diplomacy.
However, I'm not writing to congratulate you. You know as well as I, or any Arinite does, that diplomacy will not work with a force like The Evil. Perhaps those who don't see conflict firsthand think that a signed piece of paper will stop it from fighting, have it gently settle into civilization. It is my opinion that that shall not, nor shall ever, work. They will fight and kill us the second our guard goes down. You've been given relatively free reign over diplomacy- and for good reason- but understand that if you agree to a treaty being drawn up, you will be exiled.
I understand that our interests align regardless, but precautionary measures are, well, precautionary. The other nations, however, I worry do not share our views. As such, the International Relations Corps have arranged for two others who share our views to help you at the trial. For the sake of safety, their names have not been given to me, but know that the password is 'BORDER' and that you can meet them at 5th Avenue and Greensborough Street at 08:00 on the first day of the hearings.
Signed, His Royal Majesty Olis IX of Arina, on the 8th of the 1st of 662
"Wait, 8 o'clock? It's already 7:40!", Aren thought, startled. Snatching the letter, she quickly shoved on a pair of shoes before she began the walk to 5th & Greensborough, passing several blocks worth of shops.
Any fear of not making it in time proved to be unfounded, as the others were late as well. They breathlessly gave the password to each other in turn.
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The first, a young Sterlisi with emerald eyes and skin peppered with freckles, whom she thought she recognized, introduced himself as Quill. She noted that he was wearing a suit that one would expect at the embassy. The other, an even younger woman who wore clothes that reminded Aren of what she might find in rural Arina, introduced herself as Trici.
"So, I, um, I was told we shared a sentiment against... it?", stammered Trici.
"Yeah, I got a letter from- you won't believe this- King Aliso himself", beamed Quill, clearly pleased with himself. Aren found it strange; her nation and Sterlir rarely agreed on trivial matters, yet their rulers were directly collaborating on something as important as this.
They continued on for some time, but Aren only listened with half an ear.
"It's getting pretty close to the first hearing. I should go", she remarked.
"Oh! Might as well join you; Department Head de Thern would kill me if I'm late", Quill added. Aren realised that he was the translator for Mari.
Trici spoke up just as Aren turned to leave, "They're not letting in us regular folk yet, so I can't join you, but we could meet for lunch. I know a place; it's called The Shattered Egg. It's just a few blocks down on 8th."
Aren and Quill quickly agreed before turning to leave towards the consolate. Trici let out a "See you there", though Aren barely heard it.
…
Though Quill wasn't particularily trusting of the woman he walked besides, he didn't doubt that Aren knew what she was doing. "Make sure to watch out for anyone that might be useful to us. We'll need all the allies we can get. Even Mari is seriously considering it, and you know how she is about the status quo", he said, attempting to start a conversation.
"I can't disagree there. I can only think of Eric as being definitivly on our side, and maybe Hothal if we can push him."
"I doubt that he'll be able to exercize any free will about the i- WATCH OUT!", Quill replied analytically, before yanking himself and Aren back as they nearly ran into a teenager with crimson red eyes.
"Sorry about that, we didn't mean to almost hit you", Aren quietly consoled the androgynous teenager. Quill noticed an oddly straight section of their left arm's sleeve, but didn't bring it up. It would be idiotic to not be able to defend yourself if you looked lower-class or vulnerable. She turned back to Quill, a "What were you saying" coming from her lips.
Quill started the conversation back up, "Hothal is just obeying his orders. I doubt he'd be given free reign for a descision here."
"You'd be surprised how long a leash we get. Anyways, we're here. Keep an eye out for Trici, will you? I've got to go", Aren replied, ending the conversation. Quill watched her go off in Arina's chambers' direction.
He made his way towards his home country's chambers. Mari de Thern, dressed in her ever-formal suit, met at the entrance. "Hello, Quill. Just on time as always. Would you mind bringing up the list of speakers to the office? Tehran's out on an errand", she greeted him.
While normally he would mind, it was too convenient an oppertunity. "Sure", he agreed, taking the recently-signed paper. He made his way checking the full timetable. Trici was on the list, he noted, as the last speaker tommorow. The decision, he thought, would be rather hurried, only a day after Trici's speech. Two days from now, on the overmorrow.