Ausländer

[Kanzler Schulte]

The room was filled to the brim with pomp and ceremony. It was a gilded hall, trinkets and paintings depicting Rheinland's past triumphs lined the walls. Fine china from the royal family of Bretonia adorned the shelves of several display cases along the far side of the room. This room had been carefully crafted to display the might of Rheinland to all who entered, as well as to convey a message, while not overly aggressive, of superiority.

In the middle of the room, two solitary chairs sat, both looking so small and insignificant against the backdrop of the glorified monuments. For now, the room was empty, however, the clammier in the hallway outside foreshadowed the impending entrance two separate parties would make in a few moments.

The Door to the room opened, and a calm fell over the noise and bustle. Representatives filed into the room one by one. Everyone seemed to be smiling, greeting one-another, though in reality, they had no choice in the matter as sincerity was often the first casualties of diplomacy.

As the small delegations shuffled to their seats and took their places, the two most important figures of the day walked into the room. The first one in, a man with neatly trimmed blond hair and commanding stride, gestured to his counterpart to take a seat.

The talks had begun, though not a word had yet been uttered.

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Bundesrepublik Rheinland