"Patience is a virtue long-lost to many. So is integrity." Eye contact is maintained almost exclusively this time around and if her eyes moved away... it was only to the sides for brief periods - never downwards. "How you can be certain you are not the enemy? You cannot, Herr Maréchal... same as we can't, as you just put it yourself. No credibility in the eyes of the people, all but your word against that of the current lawmakers of Gallia. We are aware of past help. That is why i am here. Still this can be taken all kinds of ways. The only thing to rely on is the other one's word at this very moment. A fragile thing that is - a word. Yet it can carry so much more power than any fleet ever could. The Glassing of Leeds was a show of force - but it was the might of words that caused so much more in the end." Lifting her brows only slightly, barely noticeable.
"The actions of the few affecting the consequences for the many. Some are less politically astute than others, unfortunate statements of my previous superior have tainted your first impression. Which is understandable, i extend my apologies for those. Still, they were not without reason. You said it yourself, Herr Maréchal. Some of your own men who worked on this not only betrayed the course and yourself... nein they cooperated with Bretonian Intelligence as well." Traudel leans back slightly. "That Crayter Transport which showed up? May have not been the only one around, our meeting wasn't necessarily all that covert, after all. Keeping appearances up is key when dealing with the backstabbery and curiosity of other Houses. If somebody listened, then they know about Leutnant Schmidt's stance. Something tells me that discretion is, at this stage of affairs, more beneficial to both of us. Offering them false information to keep them guessing, instead of openly confirming to them we invite you in."
"Don't let this become a repetition of the past, where the action taken by a few doom the result for the many. As i know you are a better man than that. You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your belief in a better solution. Maybe you could do it on your own, yet you have at least an interest to scope out possibilities with others. There are no guarantees or safeties, we both agreed on that just a few moments prior. Only man-made declarations of commitment and sheer will to achieve goals are there - you represent that for the remnants of the crown's finest. So do key figures in Rheinland. Many treaties can and will break under enough pressure - Sirius has proven that. Convictions, on the other hand, do not. If anything - they grow stronger in the face of adversity." Traudel pauses for a short moment. "They bind like-minded individuals and orginazations on an entirely different basis. Far away from solely the need, born of insecurity, to require a contract." A slight scoff, before Traudel lifts her right gloved hand and looks at it. "Do not get me wrong, treaties have their place and uses." While talking, she begins to take off her right glove.
"You are like me. We extend our hand on the off chance that bigger benefits follow, a stronger connection and the rare chance of long lasting and meaningful endeavours gets in reach. Often enough it leads to where we do not wish it to go - rarely does it go where we want it. But if it does? It does so for a considerably longer time. Be the better House, show those that wronged you in the past there is more profitable ways and why the long term investment pays off so much more in the end. Triumph over their lack of virtues and force them to never forget how the hand that offers aid ... should never be bitten. Lest it refuses to reach out again in inevitably following times of need." With that her hand is offered, backside facing upwards. Rendering homage to traditions and times forgotten by many. No hint of power play in those bright blue eyes - just plain honesty.
"I offer my hand right now. As a sign of no ill will, but conviction and integrity. Perhaps you have heard about it, perhaps you have not. Personally i assume you will have heard of it. In any case, i will openly talk about it. A sign for things to come and proof we honor the plea for full transparency. Almost a month ago Grand Admiral Delacroix of the Combined Fleet of the Gallic Navy contacted the Rheinwehr. Granting permission to enter Zurich, in order to combat a hidden gathering of Unioners there. Now, this could be taken several ways. An extended hand, just as i did here, or a veiled request for much needed help. For as our Kampfgruppe arrived and formed up with their force, the Unioners managed to disable their flagship. The Rheinwehr was present, watched it happen. I was present, watched it happen. Seeing this, one could entertain many thoughts on how to proceed with current Gallia. Yet no actions to invade them or make use of a potentially crippled fleet have been taken - as we remembered an old friend's approach. And charging in without properly considering our options is not the Rheinland way. Who knows, maybe we could've involuntarily hurt some of your own plans already in motion by this. Therefore ... you and me sit here now, Herr Maréchal." A faint smile follows, a rather calculated one at that.
"Judge us not only by actions taken ... but also those not taken."