The Bretonian ambassador was waiting in the lobby of the Ministry to be received. But to her, that was not a sure thing. Appointing a woman to serve as an ambassador in Kusari was already an intentional snub by Bretonia, an ironic jest on Kusarian patriarchal traditions. This was done when Kusari trespassed through Tau 31, but the ambassador was not actually meant to have much correspondence with the House. Bretonia never formally broke diplomatic relations in fear from invoking actual wrath and especially causing the retraction of humanitarian aid, but effectively, the two Houses hadn't spoken since the incident. But, left alone by a Liberty disinterested in the Taus, Bretonia had to rethink the degree of reliance on its ally and consider an alternative plan.

Her name was Henriette Blunt and she was appointed more for her feminist beliefs than a record of competence. But the task of mending the relations of the two Houses now lay on her back. If the Kusarians receive her at all, the Bretonians believed, that would be a sign that they have good will and that the negotiations can start per normal procedure.

Blunt giggled and tried to muff it. There was a bonsai inside the room. Blunt had never seen a real bonsai before despite being supposed to work as an ambassador to Kusari, and the notion of the tiny tree was cute and funny to her. About 20 years ago, she barely pulled herself through law studies thanks to smart donations to correct pockets by her wealthy mother, who was a manager in telecommunications company with ties to the government. She was now very happy with her new job, but she had no idea that she had been appointed to it not because she was competent, but because she wasn't. Blunt had never spoken with the Kusarian government before and this giggle at a bonsai was her first interaction with it. But as if she was an ancient actress wearing two theatre masks one underneath the other, the assertiveness of her feminist convictions, or even religion, would come in contrast with the frivolousness. It was not the ambiguous duplicity that many experienced Bretonian politicians systematically employed with strategy and calculation, it was just pure impulsiveness. If one could give Mrs Blunt a compliment, it is that she spoke as she meant. Would someone entrust her with sensitive information? Probably not. She was just a tool and any Kusarian who was half-thorough could read her biography and understand that. There was a certain atmosphere in the room, an expectation of amusement about what Mrs Blunt was about to say (or rather, how many unwritten rules she would break saying it) -- and an anticipation that Mrs Blunt would quickly finish saying it. But of course, she was blissfully unaware of any of that.

"Hello. I am ambassador Blunt, Henriette Blunt". Her feminist ego was nourished when she sounded like a macho film hero to herself, except that this time it sounded awkward because she said it through a muffed giggle. "I wish you all a good day and I must lay out Bretonia's demands." A good diplomat would have softened up the sensitive word, but Mrs Blunt liked being able to demand things from men. "We demand that Kusari withdraws from Tau-31, that you start peace negotiations with our allies the Crayter Republic and that you send a copy of the treaty you have signed with Gallia to the Foreign Office."

Was she told to say it like this, or she meant to say it like this? Or perhaps she was told to say it differently by someone who knew she would say it like this? The actual question was, what this someone really wanted? Would bending these demands anger Mrs Blunt, or Bretonia? The Kusarians could correctly estimate that Mrs Blunt herself was someone's mask, but everything else needed further examination.

The demands laid out by the Bretonian Government via Mrs Blunt were not various, but only three and quite simple. But Minister Toshinari was experienced in this business and he almost felt wrong for employing his vast arsenal of diplomatic artisanship against someone at as wrong a time and place as Blunt. Almost. Not because he held any grudge against Bretonians, grudges are beneath professional politicians, who see everyone, no matter the nationality, as chess pieces to be moved, ideally at will. He had already properly informed himself about Blunt, and such people, unless loyal to him, deserved to be told to their actual place.

But Blunt made no protest because she was derailed by the offer of a drink. She had procrastinated her preparation for this encounter until the very last day, so she crammed in whatever she could the night before. The morning coffee was starting to wear off and here was a chance for another one. Blunt was a fan of whatever is fashionable at the given time, and at the given time, Bretonia was being flooded by influence from Liberty.

"Yes, thank you. A cup of Sunbucks, please. So do you accept?"

"Mr Toshinari, you should be aware that I understand everything perfectly already, I am a diplomat and I have a university degree", retorted Blunt defensively, needlessly offended. She was used to slights against her intelligence, yet despite all of them she was dead sure there was nothing wrong with it. "Just bring forth your points and I will convey them to the government."

The flaws that Blunt suffered from were flaws of character, the very usual human faults. But she was still, technically, a professional. She still had to pass through a commission to be appointed to her current duty. Although rather mechanically than with thorough understanding, Blunt had most of the important facts, concepts and other technicalities memorised -- some during her last night's cram. She took a sip of coffee while remembering and obviously enjoyed it. It was not actually real Sunbucks, it was whatever was the cheapest in Kusari, but certified by Sunbucks for sale in Kusari and with a Sunbucks logo over it, and with a Sunbucks price note. But the two Kusarians, the erudite men they were, still did not know this as they did not drink coffee themselves. This was Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry jurisdiction. Although Toshinari's polished taste did not like this type of coffee, it is not excluded that he could like real Sunbucks. Blunt did not notice a difference -- she was told it was Sunbucks and she was sure it was Sunbucks.

"Bretonia still has interest in Tau-31. From Leeds to Harris - that's ours. By an agreement with Crayter, the rest of the system is leased to them. Please notice: leased, not given. We have no claims on Tau-23, but we won't allow any other House to make claims either. Of everything else Tau we pretty much don't really care."