A Feuding House

[Collatica]

The Consul-Prime let a sly smile slide across his lips.

"Certainly your contribution would help in securing the compromising of my sister's position. Once she is gone the factions that gather under her would splinter, and the Tribune be set in a deadlock. This would allow me to call for elections, where your contribution would make even greater different in our campaigns.

Once the Imperial House has control of the Tribune, we have control of the people. Let me assure you that my House would forever be in your debt for such aid, and I would personally ensure the continuation of my dynasty and House as divine rulers of this nation.

So Your Grace, can I count on your support?"

He waited patiently for the reply.

[Myroria]

"Of course you can. If my Great House can give you any help, we'd be happy to oblige."

[Collatica]

"My deepest thanks brother Meneldur. Now if you'll excuse me I have an urgent appointment to attend to. I shall have our offices convene to sort out the necessary details. Hail Great House Quarrovth!"

With that the Consul-Prime transferred the call through to his aides offices. He stood up from his desk and stretched his arms out in front of him. The sun was setting over the beautiful capital city of Topeii. What a long day it had been for Alexus, succession had seemed so close then far as many as three times. Now however his grasp on power seemed more concrete than ever.

It was time for some diplomatics of a more complex nature. Alexus sweeped down the Consular Palace steps and entered his favourite black government car. As he stepped into the sleek leather interior he gave a polite nod to his driver and cheif-legatus [body guard]. The car glided through the high gates and proceeded towards 255 Vicus de Rex, home to the Collosean Embassy, where Minister Philonexus was patiently waiting.

[Osamafune]

<ooc>FYI, Ephedros Ypodekaneas is a military rank. (OR-4)</ooc>

As he was waiting for the Dux-Princeps to arrive, Philonexus II was making small talk with the EF-Collatica Detache commander, Ephedros Ypodekaneas Comnenus VIII. Comnenus VIII volunteered to command the detache, as did the Executive Force soldiers that it comprised of.

"Oh I almost forgot, this fax came in for you while you were meeting with the Dux-Tribunas. A secretary asked me to give it to you when it to you when you were done." Comnenus VIII took a paper off of the clipboard he carries with with him and hands it to Philonexus II.

"Let's see what we've got here..." Philonexus II takes the paper and glances over it. "I see, so Amalia I has been given the ambassador position and will be arriving it a couple days."

"Amalia I, huh? Wasn't she the Deputy Foreign Minister under Osafune II's administration?"

Philonexus II nodded. "Uh-huh. Glad to see his son took my advice when nominating her." There was a long pause after finishing the sentence. "I wonder what's taking Alexus?"

Comnenus VIII shrugged. "No clue."

As soon as those two words came out of his mouth, a guard began speaking to him through his walkie-talkie. "Sir Comnenus VIII, Dux-Princeps Consul Alexus Draconia's vehicle has just entered the complex. Confirm?"

The loud voice startled the two men who had been alone for most of the time since the previous meeting ended. "Ha! Well how about that..." said Philonexus II.

"Confirmed, pass it on to the Front Guard." Ordered the commander.

"Roger."

"Well, I must be going now." Philonexus II got up from his seat and turned for the door to the office.

"Me too, I need to make sure everyone is still where they should be." Comnenus VII also got up and followed Philonexus II to the door. Once they exited, they went opposite ways down the halls. "Good luck with your talks."

"Thanks, I'll talk to you later." replied Philonexus as he made his way to the front entrance to greet the Dux-Princeps.

[Collatica]

The sleek black car rolled up along the same path Alexus' sister's had just hours ago. It stopped at the bottom of the stone steps and the Dux-Princeps Consul stepped from the car. He glanced up the steps before hurriedly sweeping up them, instantly flanked by two Royal Guards. He approached the Minister, who gave a nod of his head.

"Minister Philonexus II, we finally meet. You have my sincere apologies for the delay, there were some... unexpected complications which arose. I assume we are to continue our meeting as planned?"

"Certainly Dux-Princeps, please do come inside."

The delegation turned and made it's way inside the main Embassy building. Once inside the doors were closed and the two men walked up the grand staircase to the Ambassadorial Office. The guards made a move as if to follow but were stopped as Dux-Alexus raised his hand. Once within the office the Minister took a seat behind the desk and Alexus directly opposite him. Immediately Dux-Alexus looked the Minister straight in the eye.

"You understand the things at risk in this situation I presume brother Minister. My dear nation, ruled benevolently for centuries by my House is on the brink of civil war. All for some despicable radical communist stirring which has elevated my traitor sister into office!

You invite me here to mediate the situation, to compromise. How can one compromise when they demand no less than the complete desecration of my House and the institution it serves!"

[Collatica]

BREAKING NEWS

Dux-Tribunas Populus Lucia Draconia is no more! In what has been a dramatic turn of events here at the Democratic Tribune, Her Grace has been forced to step down from office after her support from the radical Progessive Democrat Party (PDP) was withdrawn. Without her leadership the coalition between the PDP and Latican Socialist Movement (LSM) has subsequently collapsed, leaving the Tribune in a total deadlock. With no clear majority all opposing parties instantly called a vote of no confidence in Dux-Lucia Draconia, compromising her position completely.

Concentration now turns to His Grace, Dux-Princeps Consul Alexus Draconia to remedy the increasingly dangerous situation in Topeii. The future of Collatica now rests in his wise hands.

Hail Domus Draconii! (hail House Draconii)

Brought to you by the Latican Broadcasting Network (LBN), Tribunal Channel, Topeii.

[Osamafune]

<ooc>Considering how recent things happened, I wouldn't know about the news</ooc>

"Well sir, as you may know, I've already had a meeting with the Dux-Tribunas. Her demands have lessened; she only asked for small concessions such as allowing the Tribune to confirm your cabinet appointments. It's all to make the Tribune less redundant, but you would still be ensured to have a large amount of power in Collatica."



<ooc>Btw, are you particularly wanting a civil war or something?</ooc>

[Collatica]

OOC: No and neither would Alexus.

Dux-Alexus paused a moment, this he had not been expecting. He had always assumed that the PDP-SDM coalition would never back down on the emancipation of the Tribune from royal acquisition, in fact he was certain of it. One of the foundation clauses of the PDP-SDM co-operation was along with both supporting her sister's bid for office, that they would seek the unconditional surrender of Latican sovereignty from the Imperial House. Had Alexus been in power at that time he would have attempted to have their leader's arrested for treason, but his father had allowed this mongering to continue, assuring him that less opposition would be mustered if he let them have their 'bitch-fest' about the Imperial House in the Tribune. Now they went against these principles? Alexus suspected a trap.

However he was aware that the more moderate parties of the Tribune would abandon their direct opposition of the House's regime if such small concessions were made. Had his sister abandoned her supporting coalition?

"Are you certain she said this? Was she still representing the interests of her PDP-SDM majority at the time? I am confused I must say Minister, for this is quite unexpected."

At that moment one of the Minister's secretaries entered the room, she looked rather shaken.

"Minister, we have some dramatic news from the Tribunal Halls and Dux-Lucia Draconia."

She approached the desk and handed Philonexus a piece of paper with the details of this 'dramatic' news coming from the Tribune. Alexus was intrigued.

"Brother Philonexus. What of my sister and the Tribune then?"

The Minister looked up from the paper, his face giving nothing away.

OOC: No I'm trying to avoid a civil war. This RP is mostly intended with integrating Collatica into the RP community and foreign affairs, so we have some friends in other countries.

[Osamafune]

Philonexus II too was leary of the Dux-Tribunas when she said that to him. This startling news was an unwanted surprise, and undoubtedly proven to him that Lucia Draconia was being serious.

"I think this answers your first two questions Sir Draconia..."

[Collatica]

The Minister handed the paper over to Alexus. Who quickly skimmed through the details of the shift of power within the Tribune. His eyes flickered up to meet the Minister's again, showing Philonexus his realisation that he was now effectively in control of the Tribune. However now the interests of the Collosean Federation took to limelight, they were key in pulling Collatica out of her diplomatic isolation.

"I am guessing Minister that whilst it appears the Tribune's demands are dropped for the time being, that your government's remains the same. Should Collatica wish to pursue relations with your nation would we still be expected to make the small concessions suggested by my sister and the more moderate factions of the Tribune?"

Not only would this please the Collosean Federation, but also hopefully pull the popular moderate parties into line with Alexus rather than the revolutionary PDP and SDM. This would mean that when Alexus was forced to end the political deadlock within the Tribune and call for elections (in the absence of the Tribunas Populus), the moderates who would no doubt win a significant slice of the Tribunal Seats would support his bid for the throne and his government. With the added bonus of course of a small Myrorian donation to their party.

[Osamafune]

"Demands? Collosea has no demands upon Collatica. Initially, I only came here to forge an alliance with your nation and to cement deep and lasting ties. Only after I arrived did I decide to try and assist in resolving Collatica's political crisis. It is the aforementioned that the people of Collosea care most about." After saying this, Philonexus II realized how badly one could construe his statements. "Don't take that as a green light for seizing complete power. This would not help the people of Collatica any..."

[Collatica]

Alexus didn't understand the Minister's comments about seizing complete power. He already had it in a legitimate and legal capacity.

"I am confused Minister. Are you suggesting that Collosea would maintain relations with my government without any democratic concessions?"

[Mor'os]

Yawning shamelessly Yūmu Anlhī turned the key and opened the door to her Kēur apartment. Compact and practical, it was still a vast improvement on what the many people who inhabited the slums were living. Yūmu's good fortune in regards to her residence was a product of her employment within the Bureau of Imperial Security. Whether or not she appreciated this fact as she returned home was unknown. Still yawning with sleep clouding her eyes she staggered through the entrance hall and into the tiny living room where she promptly fell face first onto the couch. An indignant yelp and flurry of fur signaled that she had fallen on her diminutive pet dog Shauyhau.

"Oh, I'm sorry..." said Yūmu half heartedly as she turned her head to look at the canine who now sat on the carpet, wagging its tail and staring at her. Shauyhau gave two quick barks in response.

"I should feed you shouldn't I?"

Another bark and an even more rapid wagging of the tail. With a groan Yūmu lifted herself off the couch and walked into the kitchen against the will of her protesting feet. Shauyhau trotted after her happily. Yūmu fumbled first for the light switch, and then next through the cabinet for the Shauyhau's food. When she finally produced it Shauyhau began to bark once more with exitement as he ran and leapt around the room until he had finally been served his meal for the evening. With the dog's appetite sated Yūmu almost immediately fell back into the nearest chair. Her second chance at a peaceful rest though was promptly and rudely interrupted by the whine of her ringing cellphonel. With another groan of weariness and frustration she fished the item out of her pocket and read the name of the caller identified, hoping that she could ignore it. "Darlhunshīmshim". Begrudgingly she flipped open the phone and answered with "Woi woi, this is Anlhī."

"Anlhī-sam," half shouted the excitable voice on the other side of the line. "It's Akta-cham."

"Really?" said Yūmu with a sarcastic tone that was lost on Akta.

"Yep. I'm sorry to call you so late Anlhī-sam, but the Director wants to see you immediately..."

"Is this absolutely necessary? It's been a long day, and the metro'll still be packed at this hour."

"Well..." Akta paused to give the impression of conspiratorially glancing from side to side. "It involves orders directly from his Divinity."

The statement filled Yūmu's aching limbs with a sudden new energy. Springing to her feet with such speed that Shauyhau jumped in shock Yūmu replied "I'll be over there immediately."

[Osamafune]

"Correct, we require no democratic concessions. However, if you wish to bring Collatica out of isolation, it would be in your best interests to implement some form of democratic reform. Democracy is the standard among nations these days, and they are not willing to work with 'dictators,' benevolent or not. Collosea alone would not be able to bring Collatica out of isolation, but if you show the 'seeds of democracy' have been planted, other nations would be more willing to work with you. Your sister's revised demands would achieve this."

[Collatica]

"Certainly that shall be taken into account when settling these troublesome affairs Minister. My government as you are probably aware are extremely interested in pursuing prosperous relations with our brothers in Collosea. We are eternally grateful to you for the counsel and even-handed assertions you have given us in these unstable times."

The two men rose, and gave a small bow of respect to one another.

"I expect we shall meet again at the hearing of my father's last testament as Imperator tomorrow."

With that Alexus turned and left the room. Once outside the guards resumed their flanking positions and followed him out of the Embassy. Those watching this swift exit were left wondering why the prince seemed so eager to leave.

Once back inside the royal coach, Dux-Alexus flipped open the on-board telephone. He input a code which directed him straight to his office at the Consular Palace. One of his faithful personal assistants answered...

"Your Grace, this is quite unexpected! We have urgent news from the tribune...."

"Yes yes I have heard it all. We must act with speed and precision if we are to work this against our advisories to the fullest extent. Compose a Consulate Decree announcing the immediate dismissal of the Tribune, and the commencing of new Tribunal elections. No comment is to be made on either my sister's removal from office or the abysmal shape in which her coalition has left our nation. We must assume this victory with total dignity and majestic silence.

"It shall be done Majesty."

Dux-Alexus ended the call. He then signalled his driver to return to the Imperial Palace. Enough progress had been made for one day. It was time to retire and prepare for the reading of Marcus' last testament, for it would determine exactly how significant Alexus' activities since his father's death had been.