Evan didn’t enjoy official meetings. They made him feel out of place, kind of like a rabbit in the middle of a bunch of alpha tigers. Ashura was in her zone though. She liked meeting new people of power. To her it meant meeting potential new friends… and at other times it was the only chance she’d get to measure them up before a war. As young as she was, she’d lived and ruled through three wars. Evan had been at her side for all of them.

“Liven up! We’ll talk business before you know it.” Ashura spoke to him as they walked up to the Hall of Law. “Think about all the fun you’ll have checking this lively city out afterwards!”

“We’re headed to the Tiamat after we’re done here. I couldn’t possibly enjoy myself with my crew still out in the bay.” Evan replied.

“We’ll finish up here, tell the crew they can come on land, and then you’ll go enjoy yourself? I know your love is the ocean, but the sea sky can’t get that stress out of your muscles the way warm hands can.” She was teasing. Ashura had a husband waiting for her at home, she worried Evan had yet to find one himself. “Just go out to a bar, let loose! Maybe you’ll meet a cute Sea Lander!”

“Or maybe, we can concentrate on the task at hand for now, and then worry about the places we’ll visit later.” Evan rolled his eyes and chuckled. “I’m not sure about how interested they’ll be in weapons. These people don’t seem to get into much wars with anyone… but I’m very sure they’ll like our textiles.”

“Yeup, I agree with you on that.” Ashura shook her hands and then gave herself small slaps on her cheeks. “We’re here to know more about the Sea Lands and if there’s any chance we can make a good trade deal with them. There’s no need to be nervous.”

“You got that right, Your Highness. Now take a deep breath and work your magic… because I sure as hell have no idea how to get people to like me on a first encounter.” Evan said. Ashura laughed at his words, already feeling a lot less nervous.

The pair were guided through the Hall of Law, they couldn’t take off their eyes from the difference in architecture. The style reminded them of the one used in a neighboring country to theirs, but the use of oval shaped windows for extra light on the ceilings was particularly new in that sort of building. They also noted the use of magic lanterns, big ones made as chandeliers and smaller ones looking like cute raindrops on the walls. While normally they’d see this sort of array, the lights were made out of thin glass. The raindrops on the walls were noticeable due to their shimmering contour while the chandeliers reflected the entering light in a way they seemed to be gentle stars. Evan liked those, he’d very much would love one in his room.

“Welcome, Your Highness.” An older man with the shadow of a beard greeted them when they entered an enormous hall with a round table in it’s very center. “I am June Ocean, governor of Wisteria Domain. I am so very pleased to finally have your acquaintance”

“I am Ashura Amachi, Empress of Akakawa Shirogane and the pleasure is all mine! Your country is beautiful, the city of Wisteria is truly a marvel. I cannot wait to further explore it.” Ashura placed a hand over her stomach, the other on her back before lowering her head a little as custom for meetings between people of power in their side of the world.

“I do hope you get to see all Wisteria’s got to offer during your visit. Now, we who take care of the Sea Land’s international relations are actually a bigger array whom have had to excuse themselves for the moment, but I am more than happy to get you through any questions you have. I can show you what we may offer, and I can get to know what you may trade in return before making any grueling official meetings.” June was a straightforward man, in Evan’s eyes his approach was a bit too direct. Normally it would take a lot more banter before getting to the business part of a conversation. “I see your friend looks taken aback by my approach. I am sorry if I jumped onto the topic of interest too fast. I assure you it’s not that I wish to hurry you, I only have bad social skills.”

“Oh! No worries, Milord. My friend is actually a lot like you in that respect.” Ashura ushered Evan to her side, asking him to present himself with her eyes.

“It did take me by surprise, I’m used to more banter before I get the chance to come into the conversation. My name is Evan Hoshigami, Captain of the Tiamat and Commander of Akakawa Shirogane’s Naval Force.” Evan made the same gesture Ashura had done after he finished speaking.

“A pleasure to meet you.” June lingered for a moment before he made a thinking face. “May I ask, if it’s not rude of me, how does one reply to your bow? I do not wish to disrespect you in any way, and I wish to learn of your customs and culture.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, milord.” Ashura gave the man a dazzling smile. She was really happy about June’s behavior, not many rulers on their side of the world acted like this man did. “One would usually reply with a similar bow, since we’re both people of power. Now, this greeting isn’t required of any side when people not in power are involved.”

“Interesting…so, like this?” June bowed like Ashura and Evan, making them nod their heads and pretty much appreciate the gesture.

“Do your people have a similar greeting system?” Ashura asked, very much curious about Sea Lander customs.

“We do, when meeting a person of higher rank than you or when visiting such person, one would bow half their body. Say, if I were visiting you I would bow, and you wouldn’t need to. In your case, your normal greeting would be fine, since we respect foreign customs and don’t mind mixing them up with our own to make our guests more comfortable.”

“Your customs are very friendly towards guests.” Evan added. It really was curious to meet people so liberal about tradition, about culture. Especially when he’d seen war over smaller differences.

“The Sea Lands is a country made up of countries. We have many friends and guests who are not all the same. We think it’s rude and rather mean to restrict our ways in such manners when we have people from so many different places.” June flashed a bright smile, it kinda made Evan’s heart skip a beat. He wasn’t expecting that, which was truly unsettling. “Now, shall we talk over some tea? Perhaps coffee is more to your taste?”

“Coffee?” Ashura and Evan both asked, their faces showing off their curiosity and confusion. June chuckled, amused by their reaction… Evan’s in particular.

“Come, you must  try Rivaillia’s Naussica brew. It’s the favorite pick of Sea Landers.” June asked the pair to follow him. Intrigued by the man’s invitation, June’s guests eagerly followed while they exchanged excited comments in their native tongue.