[CT Only] atpollard's PbP Traveller (1416.56 - Marco) Day 25

atpollard · #1 July 17th, 2017, 07:29 PM

[Marco] - [Biter 1416.56.0700 IST (0700 local)] Upscale Diner near Hofud Embassy, Ifningholm

The waitress poured Marco another cup of coffee. Lela had ordered some exotic blend with a strange spiced scent, but Marco just wanted it dark and strong. A few light pastries sat in a cloth lined basket in on the table and the steam rising from them announced they were both freshly baked and still hot. There was some soft butter with a cinnamon scent and several jams in ceramic jars.

"The secret is to maintain the perfect balance." Lela said. "Coffee, for example. It was no accident that we had a late night and an early morning meeting. We will appear genuinely tired, because physically, we are. So we want just enough coffee to make us mentally alert for our meeting without becoming jittery and negating the advantage of appearing tired. Our appearance will make our Hofud hosts overconfident and careless to reveal too much. Yet we can honestly claim that the Biter navy flew us over from the East Coast, which they have over the last few days, and we are still adjusting to the time difference, which we are, between Nowhere and Ifningholm. Thus we are what we appear and we have spoken no untruth, yet others are free to leap to any erroneous conclusions they wish."

She calmly sipped her coffee and nibbled on a piece of bread. "We are here to gather information. To find out where they have drawn the lines for their opening move. They will, of course want us to quickly agree to whatever demands they have. Yet how can we. We have only just arrived and have not even spoken with the Biter Government yet. Remember, you are not here as a representative of the Biter Government. You are here as an intermediary. A neutral third party. The Theocracy. They can contact Count Pavar if they have any question about the diplomatic status of the Theocracy." She sipped some more. "The primary goal is to but Biter some time. We only need to make 'diplomatic progress' for them to be able to back off on their deadline and save face. They are more afraid of blame than failure. In many ways, the Hofudi are a strange people."

Marco glanced down at the time. They had an appointment to meet with the Ambassador at 0730 IST.

Spoiler: