[center][h3][b][u]Confederate Embassy, Bushu, Musashi System, The Musashi Empire[/u][/b][/h3][/center]

	“Its nice to speak to you again Woolsey-sama” Xiang said as she sat down. She placed her mask down on Woolsey’s desk as she made herself comfortable. “I do recall seeing you at the party the other day, but we both seemed preoccupied by other things at the time.”

	Woolsey winced at the mention of the party, something he was quite glad the mask covered in the moment it took for him to remove it.  After that particular affair he’d had a rather hard time recovering without the usual medicine he’d used back when he was a head of state and nothing was too expensive.  Speaking warmly he welcomed Xiang, “Indeed, we each had matters to attend to at the time.  That said Foreign Minister it’s a pleasure to meet with you again, what brings you here today?”

	“I figured I would drop in and formally introduce myself to the Confederate ambassador.” Xiang said with a warm smile. “Perhaps conduct some official business or simply talk in a less than official capacity.” She shot Woolsey an expression that was somehow both innocent and yet hinted that she meant something slightly different than what she had actually said. “I don’t suppose there is anything specific you need to bring to my attention, is there?”

	“Actually Foreign Minister,”  Woolsey paused and drummed his fingers on the table, “There is something.  I had intended to inform your office later today, but seeing as you’re here well…  You’ve doubtless heard already, but the Imperiums have unified under Uther and in light of this my government has taken measures to solidify our preexisting warm relations with him.  A formal alliance was struck just the other day by one of our Admirals.”

	Xiang opened her mouth slightly, only to close it. Finally she asked “This is not just a mutual defense pact then? But a full offensive alliance?”

	Woolsey shifted in his seat, “Offensive?  I suppose such a thing may be possible under the agreement but Uther has enough to contend with already, as does my government.  No the alliance was agreed upon to check certain and pressing threats, such as the barbarian hordes that the Imperium now shields both our great nations from.”

	“Or other threats such as Musashi” Xiang asked with a raised eyebrow. She raised a hand to forestall any counter Woolsey might have said. “I suppose something like this occurring was inevitable. Especially given the presence of certain individuals in our government.” She didn’t specific what ‘our government’ meant. “Do you mind if I say something that is purely off the record Woolsey-sama?”

	With a sigh Woolsey tapped a small device on his desk, almost immediately the rooms windows turned a dizzying black and the noise from outside seemed to die off, “Please do Foreign Minister.”

“I sincerely hope” Xiang shook her head, “No pray that there is enough time for me to implement certain… changes in the Imperial Court before things come to a head between the Dominion and Uther’s Imperium.”

	“And you have my honest gratitude for having that attitude.”  Woolsey curled his drumming fingers into a fist and tapped it against the desk, “I’ve tried my damnedest to ensure our nations would never again know conflict, but you can clearly see I’m not the player I used to be.  Following orders has been a new thing for me and…  I fear I could have done better on more occasions than I like to think about.  To know others realize there’s more to gain in peace is reassuring, to say the least.”

	“It is a true pity that you found yourself removed from power and Yuki-hime in chains. I truly do fear that we may all find ourselves embroiled in a war all too soon.” Xiang let out a sigh before giving Woolsey a pointed look. “If we do find each other at war…” She seemed hesitant to continue. “If Uther’s Imperium fell Musashi would be… more than willing to help negotiate peace with the Confederation with the goal being as few Confederate concessions as possible. Should the reverse happen: were the Dominion to fall, would the Confederation be willing to show… mercy as well?”

	Taking in the harsh reality of the request Woolsey rubbed his eyes resignedly and glanced down before looking to Xiang, “You have my assurance that I will do [i]everything[/i] in my power to ensure that should such an…  Eventuality be realized the Confederation would seek to preserve the integrity and honor of Musashi as well as it can.  I’m not what I was, but I’ve not lost every contact I know overnight and to be frank many still owe me favours.  I just wish we never even had to have this talk.”

	“As am I Woolsey-sama.” Xiang inclined her head for a moment. “However it always helps to have a plan for both the most likely outcome and the worst possible outcome. Unfortunately those two things are looking very similar right now. On another note should something….” She seemed even more reluctant to continue then she was before “cause a sudden regime change in Musashi during a war, might your government be willing to negotiate a white peace?”

	“Sevaren doesn’t want war,”  Woolsey smiled weakly, “If such an offer were to come I seriously doubt it’d be refused, unless something severe happened in my own government.  Then again with Cooper…”  Shaking his head he continued, “I digress though.  If we’re to plan for the worst I have a request for Musashi…  Should things fall in your favour totally and my Confederation face the very worst outcome I’d beg you for one thing, please ensure the freedom of the people.  I know it may seem an absurd thing to ask, but it took a century to forge the democracy I’ve enjoyed, and that century saw atrocities even Faust would balk at.”

	“I’ll be honest with you Woolsey-sama. My influence over the Imperial court is very likely less than your’s over your own government; however, I would do all in my power to reduce, if not eliminate, your people’s possible suffering. And perhaps my station will rise high enough to allow me to do so. If not I will do what I can to convince the Imperial family, though… Shoichi-denka is unlikely to listen to me.” She shivered. “I do hope that Saeko-sama is the one that obtains the throne…”

	“Irony…”  Woolsey resisted the impulse to retrieve the whisky in his desk, “I’m sure you have an inkling of what happened that day we first met, but I’ll say I’m like to die regretting it.  Anyways, you have my thanks for your promises.  The future might not be what we wished it, but so long as we’re alive it’s not lost.”

	“Indeed. The future looks grim and seems to be rushing at us far faster than I would have liked.” Xiang let out a sigh. “I would have liked to have had more time to secure the throne for Saeko.” She brought a hand up to her face and made a mock did-I-say-that face. “We both know that Shoichi-denka sitting on the throne will benefit neither of our countries. Thankfully Yuki-hime was not the only spare available…” That last part was mumbled, as if more for herself then for Woolsey.

	“Mmmmm.”  Woolsey raised an eyebrow at her last statement but hummed his agreement despondently and looked at a black window, “Preposterous that we have to hide discussions of peace.  Well, regardless of what happens you have my sincere thanks for all this, and I wish you luck in whatever trials are ahead.  I have an unfortunate feeling that this may be the last time we speak.”

	“Perhaps, perhaps not.” Xiang said. “I for one will be pushing to allow any country we may be at war with to continue to operate its embassy here. That would allow for a more… expedited peace process I believe. But that is besides the point. I am ready to resume speaking ‘officially’ if you are Woolsey-sama.”

Woolsey straightened himself and nodded before tapping the same control from earlier, instantly letting in a burst of sound and light.  Resuming as if nothing had happened Woolsey smiled falsely, “So I assure you, Musashi has nothing to fear from this alliance.”

	“I’m pleased to hear that” Xiang answered with an innocent expression that increasingly looked less innocent the more someone saw it. “Of course. As the Emperor has said previously: we seek no conflict with the Confederation. Well Woolsey-sama, is there anything else you’d like to discuss while I’m here?”

	“I feel that will be all Foreign Minister, It’s my feeling this has been a very productive meeting.”  Woolsey gave her a knowing look but kept his lips frozen into the insincere expression of satisfaction he wore.

	“That it has.” Xiang said as she rose to her feet. “I shall be taking my leave. If you have need to speak to me, just contact the Imperial palace.” She put on her mask as she said “Have a good day ambassador” and made her exit.