Pierre had mixed feelings ever since he sat down: on one hand he was uncomfortable for being late, even if for merely five minutes, as well as for having to endure the arrogance of the Bourguignon delegates; on the other hand he enjoyed the subtle and less than subtle clashes between each delegation, something he himself had his fair share of as well with the repeated reminders of his late arrival. The only time he felt anything else, annoyance and distrust, was when the Maltese representative spoke. His remarks about the IMG, albeit Pierre somewhat agreed with them, were still felt hypocritical, especially in light of the common history of Council with the Outcasts. There were few in the room he trusted.
When Consul Riley brought up the next subject to address, as well as by whom it should be addressed first, he readied himself to stand up for speaking before d'Argenlieu could once again speak on behalf the whole delegation. Let's not let him reinforce the thought of being fully in charge, then disappoint when it turns out he isn't. However, Pierre didn't expect he would have to race with anyone else at speaking up, which is why Morales could beat him to it. They stood up at the same time, but while Pierre noticed her, she began speaking without apparent notice or care of him. As a gentleman, he hid his annoyance behind forced patience, standing there with arms crossed until she finished her tale.
Mademoiselle Morales. - he looked at her, his arms still crossed in front of him. - Thank you very much for finally taking a deep breath, so that others can share their thoughts too. It would have been a pity to see you fall down fainting due to asphyxation after telling us such a long story. I'm glad we did not have to witness that. Now, if you don't mind, I will get back to the subject Consul Riley expected us to discuss. - now he looked around at the delegates, his hands behind his back, one wrist held by the other hand.
Esteemed delegates. I am glad to hear we all agree on the legitimacy of the provisional Gallic government the few of us were meant to represent - here he motioned towards the delegates sent by the Duchy and the Minarchy. -, as well as about considering and treating the Gallic Royal Enclave as their conduct warrants: a terrorist remnant of the belligerent Gallic Royal Navy, still fighting for the same empty fantasies which once formed the ideological foundations of the Gallic Conquest. At this point I'm only concerned about whether we will fight them in cooperation with eachother, or beside having our own conflicts among ourselves, in which regard the displayed behavior of certain delegates has raised my concerns, if not doubts about the former. I'm curious which it will be in the end.
Regarding war crimes, and the proposed document - he continued -, I have had a brief glance at it, finding more issues than merely the use of English, primarily in form and content, so it would definitely require some rework. However, I couldn't avoid to notice that several acts listed as either a war crime or a crime against humanity apparently fit the perceived agenda of Malta, the infamous drug dealer and slaver nation of Sirius, quite well. - at and after this point he was switching his sight between the Bretonian and the Maltese delegates. - Considering the long standing and close ties between the Kingdom of Bretonia and the Maltese Nation during the Gallic Conquest, even at the cost of other allies, I found this surprising at first, but then Consul Escudero pointed out that Maltese Hispania was omitted from the list of signatories, which explained why. I'm a bit uncertain about whether we should really discuss such a document and the details of its contents here and now, if in the end it will not be signed by and obligatory for every one of us.
This also reminds me of a news report I have read one or two weeks ago, quoting the Consul himself about a separate treaty between Bretonia and Malta, concerning the Tau Region, the end of the war and what is to come after. Could you, fine gentlement, elaborate on that? - after his question Pierre sat back onto his seat, curiously awating the answers.