Wilson J. Tybault Center
Diplomatic Reception Hall
Handshakes weren't something Aiko was accustomed to performing, but she'd nonetheless practiced a perfectly measured technique dozens of times with diplomacy staffers and hundreds more as a simulation within her digital brain, and returned Violetta's greeting with a sturdy grip and appropriate smile. After that, the Yamataian representative followed her Nepleslian opposite into the building and down the grand staircase. Green marble stonework laced with veins of deposited gold and dark wood paneling decorated the walls here, themselves overlaid with oil paintings of Funky City's "beautiful" skyline, famous forebears, and Nepleslian flags. From above, the whole room was lit by that beautiful emerald chandelier that cast its twinkling brilliance throughout the chamber and allowed no dark corners to remain.
"Thank you, Admiral De Luca," Aiko said when the pair came to a stop in the center of the hall. The floor itself was decorated with white marble like the staircase and inlaid with bands of sturdy brass that arranged into one-foot-square diamond checks, with the gun-toting soldier and laurels from Nepleslia's flag emblazoned in the center where Aiko and Violetta now stood. "I will be sure to extend your condolences to the admiralty and our people."
One of the Yamataian diplomatic aides pulled out a camera and began recording imagery of the negotiating pair as they spoke. Although no YINN, SANDRA, nor NNN reporters were on scene, quotes and pictures and video would later be disseminated to them through tightly controlled avenues of communication. Aiko reached her hand out this time to offer Violetta a handshake specifically for the cameras now that they were framed by the finery and symbols of Nepleslian might.
"The Mishhuvurthyar have spread unchecked," Aiko continued, getting straight to the point. "Though they have not yet returned to the Kikyo Sector, the Yamatai Star Empire is determined to eradicate their filth wherever it can be found. I have already fought alongside Nepleslian Marines through the Kuvexian War, and even against Mishhu earlier this year. And then at Hanako's World. Their mettle is without question. Regardless of what is decided between us today, I am sure my Nepleslian friends who serve on exchange with Legion 777 will continue to deepen the military ties between our two great nations."
There was ultimately little to discuss, but Aiko had to make sure proper diplomatic flourishes were attended to. Not necessarily for Violetta's sake, for Aiko knew she was among the Nepleslians who could always be counted on to protect this region of the galaxy that both empires called home. But all of this ceremony was still mandatory for those procedural sticklers on both sides.
"That single unit of ID-SOL heroes I am most familiar with is but a seed of potential Yamatai and Nepleslia share when it comes to defeating the Mishhuvurthyar," Aiko said. "So Taisho Yui and our Empress Himiko β may she reign for
ten thousand years β have sent me to ask. Will the rest of your people come to war with us?"