NecroKnight — Roleplayer Guild

1960, Berlin - German Empire

(Collab between me and @Shyri)

Kaiser Wilhelm walked through the halls of Foreign Embassy as the light of a rare, sunny morning flooded in through the windows, giving the white walls a warm, yellow glow. Behind him were a handful of advisors, as well as his son and heir, Wilhelm V, all talking his ear off, giving their own bits of advice on the meeting that was about to happen. The more they talked, the more red Wilhelm's face turned, until he could take it no more and turned to them.

“Yes, yes, I know!” the Kaiser snapped. “Thank you for all the advice, but do you think I do not know how to talk to a German noble? I do it every day, for Christ's sake! Yes, he has been in Afrika for years, but he is still German, damnit! I'll take my son, but the rest of you, leave us. I need to regain my damn composure before I enter the room, and there's no way I can do that with you all squawking in my ears!”

At a loss for words, the trail of advisors slowly trickled off, stopping and turning around. As the largest herd of them broke away, he could hear them immediately start to talk about what just happened among themselves. Taking a deep breath, he looked towards his son, who was staring back at him with dark, inquisitive eyes.   

“That... That is not how a King should act.” He said under his breath. “However, that is sometimes the only proper response when people treat a King like a child who can't go out into the world on their own.”  

“I know, father.” Replied Prinz Wilhelm, eyes still scanning over his father. “Now, about this meeting. I just want to ask... Is this man truly a Duke? I understand the history behind his title, but when it comes down to it, he seems to just be a governor who was granted an inflated ego. After all -”

“He is a nobleman of our country, my son.” Kaiser Wilhelm interjected.  “He stayed with the Empire when Lettow-Vorbeck and the rest of the traitors declared their petty kingdoms in their jungles. He fought for the empire for years, without aid. If that does not earn the man his title, then you may as well strip me of the title of Kaiser right now.”

“Yes... Father.” Replied Prinz Wilhelm, albeit begrudgingly.

With that, Kaiser Wilhelm flung the doors to the annex where Duke Hurst was staying open, and marched into the sunroom where they were going to have their meeting. The table was already lined with food prepared earlier that morning, as well as a variety of drinks on a cart off to the side. Finally, the Kaiser's eyes locked on the man already sitting at the table.

“Duke Hurst, I presume. I hope your flight here was a good one, and I hope your night in Berlin was even better. To be away from home for so long... I cannot even fathom how it must feel to be back. Wilkommen, meine freunde." the Kaiser said with a smile.

The Duke had currently been rather enarmored with the various treats - but most importantly the sunrise of the Fatherland. When he had received the request from the Kaiser himself - he had ordered his plane to prepared post-haste and hopped as quickly as he could. Sadly it had arrived late at night, and he couldn't enjoy the streets of Berlin - as he had been very tired after the flight and had to be presentable to the Kaiser.

'A tired mind, is a weak mind'. As they would have said - back in the Prussian War College. All of the entourage and servants had been mostly a formality - he had grown accustomed to using his own hands. A soldier set his own uniform after all - even an officer. 

He had just been getting dressed by the light of the gas-lamp, when the sunrise had come. It looked almost as beautiful - as in the trenches, in France. The notion that the long-night had been over and today they could march to victory.

The rank and title, the name sewn perfectly - even the buttons had all been presentable. It was something ironic to see, Oberst Jaeger Hurst here. When he had been given the task initially - it had been to get away the 'loose-cannon' of an officer, whom was a good tactician but rubbed many of the Old Prussian Nobilty wrongly.

Yet here he stood - a position that many would have expected Lettow-Vorbeck, a war-hero back then to be. But he proved false - and history would have it be, that the man whom many expected little - would raise the then declared Duchy of German West Afrika - to be a jewel to rival British India. A state - he would use to constantly improve German relationships in Afrika and whenever possible - always see to it, that the homeland did better. Already Algerian products were cheaper for them - than to the Italians or French.

Duke Hurst soon heard his voice being spoken, and he soon turned about. Rather professionally - as he turned around on his boot. Glomped it against the side of his other boot, in traditional military formation and saluted the Kaiser. "Glad to be back home, mein Kaiser..." he spoke - wearing the same uniform he had been sent to West Afrika that thirty years ago - still kept pristine. From the young idealist who left, he had become a rather wisened and old man now - his appearance and posture, being more presentable and befitting a German noble. His eyes still full of age and life, yet also a sense of softness was in them - as the sight of a man whom had been on a journey for so long and finally arrived back home.

"Wonderful, isn't it?" Wilhelm said, taking in the view from Duke Hurst's window. "Truly, this room has the best view of them all. I always say, if only my study had one so nice, I would probably get more work done, rather than taking walks every evening!" 

Letting out a mighty chuckle, Wilhelm finally took his seat, reaching over and grabbing a small tart and a napkin from the table. "However, I am sure you would like to get this started. I can only imagine how long you have been waiting for this moment. There will be time to enjoy Berlin personally later."

Taking a bite of the tart, the Kaiser looked into the Duke's eyes.

"So, tell me, Hurst. How fares the kolonie? What has happened since my father was forced to declare the state unable to assist?"

The Duke thought about his reply and then, quickly rose up from his seat and grabbed a small chest that was around the size of his elbow.

"Instead of telling. How about I show you instead?" he offered, as he soon opened it and revealed the gift that he brought for the Kaiser.

He soon brought out a state of an elephant - one that was made of pure gold. It's eyes were that of finely made diamond. It's tusks were carved rubies - it stood on a pedestal made of ivory and in it's trunk was held the German flag, with the head of an elephant in the center - now considered the flag of the Duchy. 

"My gift to you. My Kaiser," explained Hurst - a gift that was worth a treasure itself to make. "The Duchy has done well - many of the colonials have prospered."

"We pull black gold right from under the ground. Including the gas as well - while metal comes anywhere we strike a pickaxe..." he spoke. "It has done well - and I have many other plans in mind to improve the colony further."

Kaiser Wilhelm gently took the statue in his hands, looking it over, marvelling at each and every little intricate detail. When he fianlly set it down, Hurst had finished speaking.

"That is wonderful to hear, my friend. I am glad you have done so well on your own. That is no small feat, I assure you. There are plenty of governors here in the Fatherland who could learn a thing or two from your industrious attitude!" Letting out another chuckle, albeit not nearly as loud as the last, the Kaiser leaned forward some.

"Duke Hurst." he said, strained slightly. "Before we move on, I must ask. Do you ever wish to return to the Fatherland? I am glad to hear you have done so well, but... Well... West Afrika us just that. Afrika. No matter how much you polish it, surely it does not compare to your home, yes? If you say the word, I can set you up with a grand property, right here in Berlin, where you could live out the rest of your days surrounded by your own. Now that we are reconnecting, it would be simple enough to make the switch. If you are not ready to retire, i'm sure I could even find a government position for you, even. I just... I cannot imagine how horrible it has to be, surrounded by none of your own. Of course, I have not personally seen the kolonie myself, so if I am wrong, by all means, correct me. It's just that, were I in your shoes, I would return to the Fatherland and never set foot on that continent again."

The Duke for all of his age gave a warm chuckle in reply, although not to seem disrespectful. "I will admit, Kaiser - when I first came there, I had expected to simply serve my Empire. I was a bit of a glory-hound and a bit bitter. How such old geezers with their medals and age could think themselves better than me. Me? Whom had beat the French numerous times in the Great War - while their plans would have lead to unnecessary deaths on the field..."

"Then sadly I got my wish. When I had to make a choice - when the Governor wanted to rebel. I shot him and I was forced to shoot and kill any and all traitors of my homeland that tried to forge their false Empires..."

"I will admit it was a heavy task. But I have always had an open-mind, even during my youth I studied with many fine professors," he said. "I know it might be hard to say it - but I have grown accustomed to Afrika..."

"Don't get me wrong, I do would like to visit my homeland more often. Yet as the years passed, it grew on me. Don't worry - I did bend Afrika to my will and not let it bend me," he explained. "See along the coastal regions and you will find a beauty that I have tried to built in likeness of Berlin."

"I met my wife there, and even had a son who has grown into a fine man," explained Hurst. "While the offer is comforting - it is unnecessary, I am content where I am..."

Duke Hurst figure soon shifted and the tone of a politician instead emerged. "Although that doesn't mean I don't wish to improve upon it. Chief among them - is our political status. The British have kept poking at us occasionally - always seeking to find any legality to exploit...."

"Speak no more, my friend." Wilhelm replied with a smile. "I had only assumed that was the true reason for this visit. I only needed to make sure I was not mistsken. I have had my secretary draw up all the paperwork needed to make your title, country, and claims official parts of the Empire. No longer a simple Kolonie. If the Brits try to interfere with you anymore, they can come here and say it to my face!" 

Reaching into the folder before him, Wilhelm took out a handful of papers, ranging from legal documents, to certificates denoting the Dukes rank and position within the Empire.

"I have already signed my name. So let me say once more, Duke Hurst." The Kaiser said, handing a pen to Hurst. "Welcome home."

"Happy to be home," replied Jaegar Hurst, shaking hands with the Kaiser - giving a deep bow to the man, whom likely had not seen what he had - but nevertheless he was happy to make it official.

"Well - that will leave us with the second issue," he spoke - gently placing the documents back onto the the table, as he soon took a more relaxed posture in the seat. "The fact is - despite my policies - the white population has remained small in the Duchy. Compared to in Rhodesia, South Afrika...or....Tanganyika. I was curious - if we could discuss something of an 'ease up of immigration to the Duchy?"

Namely he tried to word it gently as possible - as much as the current system was stable, it was still mostly a system on relying and balancing black favors. Namely he wanted settlers to the Duchy - he didn't care even if they were from the lower class. He wanted to be more self-reliant and not be too over-reliant on the Dualas and Yorubas. As it was - talks from a position of strength were always more productive than a weak one.

"I shall have my people work up drafts for advertisements later this evening, for you to look over. If the coast of Afrika is as you say, surely you can entice a large percentage of the lower class, by promising theme 'luxurious, exotic properties' for a price similar to what they pay for their current housing. I'm sure many upper class folks will also take the leap for a tropical vacation home, especially with the colder months coming soon."

"Don't worry - we have plenty of those in the coastal region. You should visit the Royal Palace in West Afrika. It can't match the Imperial Palace in Berlin - but it has that Neo-Baroque appearance, that makes one feel simply at home..." he explained.

"Anywho - let us talk shop. How goes Germany in the most basic terms?" asked the Duke. As despite his duties and being away - his oath to the Kaiser, had still been that of 'serving the Empire, wherever I may be'. As it was - he had gathered a rather nice surplus, in the Duchy' coffers - and with the lowering of gas and oil to the Empire, he was certain that the Imperial Treasury would have some coin left over for something else.

Namely he was asking, if the Empire would be in need of something - that he could provide.

"Ah, well..." started the Kaiser. "That, honestly, is not truly my area of expertise. When you return, however, I will be sending an entourage of diplomats, businessmen, engineer's... Generally the top of the Fatherland's highest sectors. They'll tour the country with you, and figure out the specific's of 'what the Fatherland needs' from Kam-, sorry, from Deutsches West-Afrika."

Finishing off another tart, Wilhelm took a long look out the window beside them.

"However, I'm sure whatever their decision is, it will only serve to help the Fatherland. In these times, German Might needs to be known once more, and I will happily accept the aid of those who wish to futher that goal."

"That is what Kamerun was originally meant to be. I shall continue furthering the prosperity and economic dominance of the German Empire in Afrika. I have a bit of a hand and understanding there - compared to the Belgians and British - whose colonies are slowly unraveling before them..." he chuckled. The British always liked to pomper around - as the Great Empire and dictate their policies on everyone, now nearly all of their colonies were being a headache and drain - instead of resource.

"Well" said Wilhelm, rising to his feet. "If that settles everything, then I believe we can call this meeting a success."

Folding the napkin that was in his lap, and placing it on the table gently, Wilhelm extended his arm to shake hands with the Duke one last time.

"It was a pleasure meeting with you, Duke Hurst. I look forward to future meetings between the two of us, and I hope you enjoy the remainder of your stay in the Fatherland. If you would like, I can leave my secretary here with you to serve as your guide to Berlin."
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